Music Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff - Page 26

Deberg_1990 · 06-08-2009, 07:17 AM

Wow......Unreal.

http://www.kansascity.com/226/story/1238798.html

Another day, another racial controversy at the Power & Light District.

For a year, the black community has been in arms about perceived racism at the entertainment district, a place their tax money helped fund. But it’s always rebutted. Everyone is welcome at the P&L, officials say.

Well, those who follow the hip-hop music scene have more to chew on since late Saturday night, when one of hip-hop’s icons, DJ Jazzy Jeff, cut short a set of music and left the stage in a dispute over the kind of music his show was spinning.

I walked in just as he was walking off the stage. He had performed less than 30 minutes.

The crowd booed and I heard people, both black and white, yell about how the Power & Light didn’t want him to play hip-hop. I wasn’t sure what happened, but I knew it was bad.

A conversation I had with him early Sunday confirmed it.

He might be best known as one half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, but he is more than Will Smith’s old DJ and friend. The two won the first rap Grammy.

Jeff Townes, his given name, is legendary. He introduced “transforming,” the scratching technique turntablists use. This man has toured for 25 years. He’s an acclaimed producer.

So what exactly happened?

According to his tweets (twitter.com/djjazzyjeff215), he was kicked offstage for playing hip-hop. Jon Stephens, president of the Power & Light District, says it was about the sound levels.

“The issue that arose with the performance last night was completely about the sound levels,” he said Sunday. “His audio tech was maxing out the sound system to a point that risked damage to the speakers and sound system. His sound techs and management refused to bring the decibel level down. They were told to bring it down or cease performance. They refused to go on.”

Hours after he returned to his Philadelphia home, I spoke to Jazzy Jeff on the phone to hear his side.

His set started with sounds of hip-hop and pop favorites — Jay-Z, Biz Markie, Rihanna. His MC, Skillz, hyped up the crowd.

But after 15 minutes or so, in the middle of an R&B hit by Ne-Yo, “Miss Independent,” he was told to stop.

“My road manager walked up to me and said they were having problems with the music I was playing,” Jazzy Jeff told me. “I played three more songs and he comes back. I knew something was wrong. They said I had to kick Skillz off the stage, change the format of the music I was playing or quit. They said if I continued playing they had 30 cops ready to come escort me offstage. So I stopped.”

Jon Stephens says that isn’t so.

“Obviously we have a desire to book a diversity of acts,” he said. “We booked Jazzy Jeff on a Saturday night, the biggest night of the week in the district. We were excited to have him there. It’s unfortunate that his sound and management people had problems adhering to the sound and audio rules. We wanted him to play. That’s why we booked him.”

Jazzy Jeff was excited to play here too.

But it all went wrong. Venue officials said the set attracted the wrong kind of element, he says.

“They said they didn’t like Skillz’s posture,” Jeff said. “They said he made gang-like signs and grabbed at his genitals.”

So P&L officials wanted him offstage. But Jeff felt it was wrong because Skillz is no gang member. He is a father. His hand gestures were the kind of excited movements you make to get the crowd excited.

He wasn’t cursing or being offensive.

“I was playing Rihanna; she is Top 40,” he says. “If they would have let my set play, they would have known I play everything. I play rock, funk, soul, pop, hip-hop, reggae. I don’t play for a certain genre, race or gender. I play for music lovers.”

In his 25-year career, at 44 years old, Jeff has never been told to end a set because of hip-hop. He says he has never felt that kind of racism. The “element” that officials referred to felt like a reference to black people, a hip-hop crowd.

“I’m in shock,” he says. “I didn’t understand what element they were talking about. I looked out in the crowd and it was multicultural, but about 75 percent white. Everyone was having a great time. I wondered what was so offensive. I never had a race issue. I didn’t know how to feel. I was playing ‘Just a Friend.’ Is that offensive? What element? It’s uncomfortable when you feel unwanted.”

CoMoChief · 06-08-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

And I've said several times that such codes will always affect those who they are not intended for. Spend 10 minutes watching Rap videos and it becomes painfully apparent that the code was focused on a very specific group.

Spend 10 minutes watching a rap video and you will know why P&L wants to avoid shit like that. They want to avoid a "culture" if you call it that, that endorses, killing, getting crunk, drunk and ****ed up, beating up bitches, pimpin ho's, rollin' blunts', bling, and gangs and violence.

**dirk digler** · 06-08-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

I really don't see why people want to go down and buy overpriced food and drinks in the Power and Light anyway. I know that's beside the point, but I just don't see the allure.

It is kind of fun to hang out before and after events at the Sprint Center.

HC_Chief · 06-08-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

I really don't see why people want to go down and buy overpriced food and drinks in the Power and Light anyway. I know that's beside the point, but I just don't see the allure.

Hot bitches.

blaise · 06-08-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

It is kind of fun to hang out before and after events at the Sprint Center.

I guess it's too bad we're never getting an NBA or NHL team then.

Katipan · 06-08-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

And that argument doesn't hold water.

Neither did yours about cowboy hats. But we still let you use it.

HC_Chief · 06-08-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

They want to avoid ... getting crunk, drunk and ****ed up, beating up bitches, pimpin ho's, rollin' blunts', bling, and gangs and violence.

They could simply alter the rule to "No LJ" and save everyone a lot of angst.

Dottefan · 06-08-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

I guess it's too bad we're never getting an NBA or NHL team then.

Yeah espcialy a NBA team..so that they could not let them in also.lol

Demonpenz · 06-08-2009, 01:22 PM

I did get denyed at the power and light one time, but my gut and the fact i have no ass means my loose fitting jeans were falling off my ass

Micjones · 06-08-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

I know what you are saying, but why do you get to decide what is getting picked on what isn't, its the fact that skater kids either don't go there, or don't have enough chip on their shoulder to bitch about it.

I don't know that inspecting the code makes me an arbiter of it.
But I think it's fairly obvious that skaters would, in many cases, be affected but only by extension of how closely linked that culture can be with Hip Hop culture.

blaise · 06-08-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

Yeah espcialy a NBA team..so that they could not let them in also.lol

I wouldn't have a problem with a 'No Euro-hair Policy' to keep guys like Pau Gasol and Vujacic out.

Demonpenz · 06-08-2009, 01:24 PM

well i just googled skater apparell and found out what outfit i am wearing to america's pub tomorrow

Micjones · 06-08-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katipan

Neither did yours about cowboy hats. But we still let you use it.

When you're prepared to explain why it doesn't...
Then you can call my argument into question.
Until such time...

Back to making bad analogies.

I explained to Demon why his argument was problematic.

Brock · 06-08-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

I bet your a white, republican , fox new watching bill oriely loving guy..right?..big suprise there.

Yeah, because everybody who laughs at and disdains what you refer to as culture must be.

Stewie · 06-08-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

I did get denyed at the power and light one time, but my gut and the fact i have no ass means my loose fitting jeans were falling off my ass

And they're sexist, too? No male cleavage but a woman's cleavage is encouraged? That's BS.

blaise · 06-08-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

I did get denyed at the power and light one time, but my gut and the fact i have no ass means my loose fitting jeans were falling off my ass

That's why Karen Kornacki got turned away too.

06-08-2009, 07:17 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3624454	Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff Wow......Unreal. http://www.kansascity.com/226/story/1238798.html Another day, another racial controversy at the Power & Light District. For a year, the black community has been in arms about perceived racism at the entertainment district, a place their tax money helped fund. But it’s always rebutted. Everyone is welcome at the P&L, officials say. Well, those who follow the hip-hop music scene have more to chew on since late Saturday night, when one of hip-hop’s icons, DJ Jazzy Jeff, cut short a set of music and left the stage in a dispute over the kind of music his show was spinning. I walked in just as he was walking off the stage. He had performed less than 30 minutes. The crowd booed and I heard people, both black and white, yell about how the Power & Light didn’t want him to play hip-hop. I wasn’t sure what happened, but I knew it was bad. A conversation I had with him early Sunday confirmed it. He might be best known as one half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, but he is more than Will Smith’s old DJ and friend. The two won the first rap Grammy. Jeff Townes, his given name, is legendary. He introduced “transforming,” the scratching technique turntablists use. This man has toured for 25 years. He’s an acclaimed producer. So what exactly happened? According to his tweets (twitter.com/djjazzyjeff215), he was kicked offstage for playing hip-hop. Jon Stephens, president of the Power & Light District, says it was about the sound levels. “The issue that arose with the performance last night was completely about the sound levels,” he said Sunday. “His audio tech was maxing out the sound system to a point that risked damage to the speakers and sound system. His sound techs and management refused to bring the decibel level down. They were told to bring it down or cease performance. They refused to go on.” Hours after he returned to his Philadelphia home, I spoke to Jazzy Jeff on the phone to hear his side. His set started with sounds of hip-hop and pop favorites — Jay-Z, Biz Markie, Rihanna. His MC, Skillz, hyped up the crowd. But after 15 minutes or so, in the middle of an R&B hit by Ne-Yo, “Miss Independent,” he was told to stop. “My road manager walked up to me and said they were having problems with the music I was playing,” Jazzy Jeff told me. “I played three more songs and he comes back. I knew something was wrong. They said I had to kick Skillz off the stage, change the format of the music I was playing or quit. They said if I continued playing they had 30 cops ready to come escort me offstage. So I stopped.” Jon Stephens says that isn’t so. “Obviously we have a desire to book a diversity of acts,” he said. “We booked Jazzy Jeff on a Saturday night, the biggest night of the week in the district. We were excited to have him there. It’s unfortunate that his sound and management people had problems adhering to the sound and audio rules. We wanted him to play. That’s why we booked him.” Jazzy Jeff was excited to play here too. But it all went wrong. Venue officials said the set attracted the wrong kind of element, he says. “They said they didn’t like Skillz’s posture,” Jeff said. “They said he made gang-like signs and grabbed at his genitals.” So P&L officials wanted him offstage. But Jeff felt it was wrong because Skillz is no gang member. He is a father. His hand gestures were the kind of excited movements you make to get the crowd excited. He wasn’t cursing or being offensive. “I was playing Rihanna; she is Top 40,” he says. “If they would have let my set play, they would have known I play everything. I play rock, funk, soul, pop, hip-hop, reggae. I don’t play for a certain genre, race or gender. I play for music lovers.” In his 25-year career, at 44 years old, Jeff has never been told to end a set because of hip-hop. He says he has never felt that kind of racism. The “element” that officials referred to felt like a reference to black people, a hip-hop crowd. “I’m in shock,” he says. “I didn’t understand what element they were talking about. I looked out in the crowd and it was multicultural, but about 75 percent white. Everyone was having a great time. I wondered what was so offensive. I never had a race issue. I didn’t know how to feel. I was playing ‘Just a Friend.’ Is that offensive? What element? It’s uncomfortable when you feel unwanted.”
Posts: 66,914

06-08-2009, 01:22 PM	#383
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $2842136	I did get denyed at the power and light one time, but my gut and the fact i have no ass means my loose fitting jeans were falling off my ass __________________
Posts: 54,313

06-08-2009, 01:24 PM	#386
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $2842136	well i just googled skater apparell and found out what outfit i am wearing to america's pub tomorrow Attached Images __________________
Posts: 54,313