Music Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff - Page 30

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.”

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 06-08-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedated

nobody took anyones money from their 401k (unless you are retiring in the next few years)

that's a moronic statement.

Dottefan · 06-08-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

I'll say one thing here, your argument of racism would hold more water if people of color didnt pull that card EVERY TIME something happened to them. EVERY color has the same codes in the power and LIGHT district, thats what makes it NON-discriminatory

**** off..........so what you get tired of people complaining about racism..we get tired of people practicing racism against us. I wish I was in your shoes. Then it would be a whole lot easier to just blow it off.

**Lzen** · 06-08-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

why do black people hate white people so much, we gave you guys michael bolton and pat boone to redo black songs better, yet we get no thanks

Oh.....no.....you di...n't.

**Kyle DeLexus** · 06-08-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

I grew up in a rough neighborhood. I never went to jail , I never sold dope, and I never carried a gun, and most of the kids I grew up with didn't either. I and they dressed like allot of the guys who you narrow minded people would call thugs..but I also have a degree, I work in the inner city volunteering to help kids stay out of jail and gangs, and I am working on my masters. But if you saw me on the street because of your narrow minds and your own hang ups, you would think I was a thug.......get over your selves. The world is changing. There is a whole generation that has grown up on hip hop and does not have your ****ed up stereotypes of what a thug is. This generation is already starting to take over ,a hopefully in the next 10 years this conversation will never have to take place again.

If you choose to dress in a manner made popular by GANGSTER RAP, why wouldn't you expect to be treated as a gangster?

HonestChieffan · 06-08-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

I grew up in a rough neighborhood. I never went to jail , I never sold dope, and I never carried a gun, and most of the kids I grew up with didn't either. I and they dressed like allot of the guys who you narrow minded people would call thugs..but I also have a degree, I work in the inner city volunteering to help kids stay out of jail and gangs, and I am working on my masters. But if you saw me on the street because of your narrow minds and your own hang ups, you would think I was a thug.......get over your selves. The world is changing. There is a whole generation that has grown up on hip hop and does not have your ****ed up stereotypes of what a thug is. This generation is already starting to take over ,a hopefully in the next 10 years this conversation will never have to take place again.

Maybe you should have them read this thread so they understand how attitude, dress, and how you behave can be a negative.

burt · 06-08-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

**** off..........so what you get tired of people complaining about racism..we get tired of people practicing racism against us. I wish I was in your shoes. Then it would be a whole lot easier to just blow it off.

racism goes both ways.......

Dottefan · 06-08-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

....newsflash....old men in suits aren't racist....they took my money too.

I never said they were. I was just trying to make a point. That if you judge all black guys in white tees as thugs , then why not apply the same to white guys in suits..the point being that juding both of them for there clothes is stupid.

**Lzen** · 06-08-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

so after they take away the dress code what will be next up on the black people bitching list? Will we get a light rail system? So we can call it WHITE RAIL, once they feel ronged?

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 06-08-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

I grew up in a rough neighborhood. I never went to jail , I never sold dope, and I never carried a gun, and most of the kids I grew up with didn't either. I and they dressed like allot of the guys who you narrow minded people would call thugs..but I also have a degree, I work in the inner city volunteering to help kids stay out of jail and gangs, and I am working on my masters. But if you saw me on the street because of your narrow minds and your own hang ups, you would think I was a thug.......get over your selves. The world is changing. There is a whole generation that has grown up on hip hop and does not have your ****ed up stereotypes of what a thug is. This generation is already starting to take over ,a hopefully in the next 10 years this conversation will never have to take place again.

you're missing the point. People perceive that dress as having more potential to be thuggish. It isn't necessarily saying YOU are a thug.

Think of it as peanut butter. A while back, peanut products had salmonella issues. Most people stopped eating peanut butter and other products that had shown potential for sickness. Peanut butter was a major offender. Not all peanut butter was contaminated, but it had a reputation based on it's characteristics. A lot of good peanut butter got thrown out, but it was that potential that got it into trouble.

I think the biggest problem is society not self-policing. If it bothers you, then you and like minded people should police your counterparts better. If you get them to clean up their act through peer pressure, then it's a non issue.

Mr. Plow · 06-08-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

Also, why does Imus get fired for his comment, but Jaimie Foxx or someone on his show called Miley Cyrus "that little white bitch" on air and no one cared?

Double standard?

Dottefan · 06-08-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

Maybe you should have them read this thread so they understand how attitude, dress, and how you behave can be a negative.

But its not, its just young people being young people. ...

**Iowanian** · 06-08-2009, 01:55 PM

To be fair, they don't allow #27 jerseys because women grew tired of having drinks spit into their faces at the establishments.

|Zach| · 06-08-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

You are part of that bad element that they are trying to keep out. How did you get in there to shoot it up?

I have ninja like qualities.

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 06-08-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

I never said they were. I was just trying to make a point. That if you judge all black guys in white tees as thugs , then why not apply the same to white guys in suits..the point being that juding both of them for there clothes is stupid.

you're comparing apples and oranges. Men in suits do not contribute to a statistical majority of disturbances in night clubs and entertainment districts.

I see this no different than movie theaters banning teens and babies at certain times. Both statistically are likely to cause the majority or disturbances.

Dottefan · 06-08-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

you're missing the point. People perceive that dress as having more potential to be thuggish. It isn't necessarily saying YOU are a thug.

Think of it as peanut butter. A while back, peanut products had salmonella issues. Most people stopped eating peanut butter and other products that had shown potential for sickness. Peanut butter was a major offender. Not all peanut butter was contaminated, but it had a reputation based on it's characteristics. A lot of good peanut butter got thrown out, but it was that potential that got it into trouble.

I think the biggest problem is society not self-policing. If it bothers you, then you and like minded people should police your counterparts better. If you get them to clean up their act through peer pressure, then it's a non issue.

clean up their act? you mean change the way they dress? why to make you feel more comfortable around them.

06-08-2009, 07:17 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $2524454	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.”
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06-08-2009, 01:55 PM	#447
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $3808454	To be fair, they don't allow #27 jerseys because women grew tired of having drinks spit into their faces at the establishments.
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