Music Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff - Page 47

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, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Krab's

Because you have a huge Moose Knuckle?

maybe.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 06-08-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I don't know if that's true. There are a lot of idiots, especially on this board. For what its worth, I actually agree with your point in spirit. "We're all idiots excepting Reaper16" would have been most accurate, but that's just me being nitpicky.

You are pure awesome.

BWillie · 06-08-2009, 06:39 PM

I was too busy being drunk to notice anything happened. Sounds like he was just offended they asked him to turn the decibels down a little bit.

Mr. Krab · 06-08-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

maybe.

awwww .... it's ok.

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 06-08-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Krab's

awwww .... it's ok.

damn, I thought my hair looked better than that....

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 06-08-2009, 06:41 PM

You could put your whole head in there.

**SAUTO** · 06-08-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

damn, I thought my hair looked better than that....

RJ · 06-08-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

You could put your whole head in there.

My God, that is such a horrible thought.

RJ · 06-08-2009, 06:45 PM

I don't feel like reading all of this. Is it as good as the last P&L District discrimination thread?

**Kyle DeLexus** · 06-08-2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

You could put your whole head in there.

You must have a HUGE penis if thats how big it's gotta be to fit the whole head in.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 06-08-2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ

I don't feel like reading all of this. Is it as good as the last P&L District discrimination thread?

Mic and Dotte are pissed about racism. Everyone else is pissed that they think it's racism. I'm pissed that everyone is acting like a bunch of idiots. Everyone except Reaper16 that is.

**Reaper16** · 06-08-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

Mic and Dotte are pissed about racism. Everyone else is pissed that they think it's racism. I'm pissed that everyone is acting like a bunch of idiots. Everyone except Reaper16 that is.

And, upon realization that I am not an idiot, Mr. Flopnuts joins me in the "not idiots club." Its very exclusive.

RJ · 06-08-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

And, upon realization that I am not an idiot, Mr. Flopnuts joins me in the "not idiots club." Its very exclusive.

Ok. In that case I'm going to join you guys in not being an idiot by not reading the thread.

**Reaper16** · 06-08-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ

Ok. In that case I'm going to join you guys in not being an idiot by not reading the thread.

hi5

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 06-08-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ

Ok. In that case I'm going to join you guys in not being an idiot by not reading the thread.

You'll be missing some thoroughly awesome posts from yours truly. If you can live with that, I can.

06-08-2009, 07:17 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3754454	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, 06:39 PM	#693
BWillie El Gato Gordo Loco Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Earth Casino cash: $2171241	I was too busy being drunk to notice anything happened. Sounds like he was just offended they asked him to turn the decibels down a little bit. __________________ Who wants free money? Use the link below to sign up at Bovada, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker and Ignition. Contact me for private deals, spot bonuses, possible rakeback or any questions! Bovada, Ignition, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker: baldeaglepoker.com Bovada Poker is back! Get up to $500 poker deposit bonus.
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06-08-2009, 06:45 PM	#699
RJ Supporter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In a shotgun shack Casino cash: $9955202	I don't feel like reading all of this. Is it as good as the last P&L District discrimination thread?
Posts: 14,931