Music Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff - Page 60

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.”

Time's Yours · 06-09-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Because I'm skeptical about the obviously shaky story that Cordish has given the Kansas City media I must also be so stubborn that I wouldn't accept hard evidence. Riiiiiiight.

Tell me honestly

Honestly, Mic, that's exactly how you come across. I've actually mentally noted several instances on this board where you've been backed into a corner, obviously losing an argument, and you refuse to concede even the smallest of points.

I'm not on this forum a lot, so the trends I notice about posters here are only those that are pretty plain/obvious. Most of the time I agree with your viewpoints, and you seem bright, but you fail miserably at listening for someone who holds so much respect for a listener.

The entire time you are reading someone's counter-point, you are picking it apart, looking to make your next argument instead of viewing it objectively and giving it a chance to influence your stance on the matter.

An example is in this very thread when you were being owned by Dane on the sound-system argument. He obviously knew far more than you about the topic, but you were stuck on one small technicality: "but someone technically could (even if nobody ever would) use a compressor in that manner, right Dane? Right? I'm right, right? Answer, am I right??"

I honestly believe that even if you were confronted with hard evidence, you wouldn't let it sway you, and that annoys the f*** out of me.

Btw, I don't even disagree with you here. My bet is that the problem was the MC's gestures, not that DJJJ refused to keep the sound at a reasonable level. But like I said, even when we happen to agree, your attitude still sucks.

Micjones · 06-09-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Does it make sense that they would hire an act that plays Hip-Hop and then kick them off the stage when they play it?

There's a lot to this story that does not make sense.

Trouble with that is... They didn't hire him.

**SAUTO** · 06-09-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Trouble with that is... They didn't hire him.

sorry but thats bullshit. even if they didnt directly put it in place they paid for it so yeah they hired him through an intermediary. happens alot, but i'm sure you already know that

blaise · 06-09-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Trouble with that is... They didn't hire him.

Right and even though they're so against hip-hop being played, to the point they would shut him down, they didn't bother to screen the performers coming in. They just assumed he'd be playing Garth Brooks.

**Dartgod** · 06-09-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Trouble with that is... They didn't hire him.

Not directly, no. But still responsible for allowing the performance to begin in the first place if they didn't want that genre of music at their establishment.

EDIT: In my delay hitting the Submit button (I'm keeping my other eye on the weather situation), I see that several others have addressed what I intended to say.

HonestChieffan · 06-09-2009, 11:48 AM

The race card game is always this way. Never accept, deny, and accuse....its a well learned skill and it goes on all the time by those who enjoy the game or can profit from it.

**SAUTO** · 06-09-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

The race card game is always this way. Never accept, deny, and accuse....its a well learned skill and it goes on all the time by those who enjoy the game or can profit from it.

sadly there's truth in this

Micjones · 06-09-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillip

An example is in this very thread when you were being owned by Dane on the sound-system argument. He obviously knew far more than you about the topic, but you were stuck on one small technicality: "but someone technically could (even if nobody ever would) use a compressor in that manner, right Dane? Right? I'm right, right? Answer, am I right??"

This is where you lose credibility.

Apparently you haven't done your own research on how compressors or limiters work. There's a reason why Dane never answered my very basic question about how compressors function. My contention was never a "square peg in a round hole" solution to their situation. It's a standard practice. But again, forget everything I said and do your own research. That'll put an end to all of the debate about it.

Quote:

I honestly believe that even if you were confronted with hard evidence, you wouldn't let it sway you, and that annoys the f*** out of me.

When some hard evidence becomes available... We can talk.
Until such time... You're just speculating and calling my integrity into question and several posters here would be willing to vouch for my integrity. So I think I'm good.

Quote:

Btw, I don't even disagree with you here. My bet is that the problem was the MC's gestures, not that DJJJ refused to keep the sound at a reasonable level. But like I said, even when we happen to agree, your attitude still sucks.

Sorry you feel that way.

Micjones · 06-09-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

The race card game is always this way. Never accept, deny, and accuse....its a well learned skill and it goes on all the time by those who enjoy the game or can profit from it.

Then you must be playing the race card as it relates to what really happened with KCL's audio equipment. Because the official explanation is plain stupid and yet you still believe that DJJJ damaged their equipment (extensively), lied about why he was removed, leveled charges of racism on the district...yet isn't being held responsible financially.

Micjones · 06-09-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

The race card game is always this way. Never accept, deny, and accuse....its a well learned skill and it goes on all the time by those who enjoy the game or can profit from it.

Because certainly I'm lining my pockets with $20's at this very moment.

**SAUTO** · 06-09-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Because certainly I'm lining my pockets with $20's at this very moment.

mic i think most here realize that you enjoy the debates

R&GHomer · 06-09-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiveturkey

I actually visited Westport for the first time in many years a couple of weekends ago because a friend of the wife wanted to celebrate her 30'th down there.

I was expecting to get stabbed, shot, aids and then robbed. It actually seemed more tame than it did 10 years ago.

I wont go anywhere near westport anymore. That place has gotten terrible.

wutamess · 06-09-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R&GHomer

I wont go anywhere near westport anymore. That place has gotten terrible.

**Dartgod** · 06-09-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Then you must be playing the race card as it relates to what really happened with KCL's audio equipment. Because the official explanation is plain stupid and yet you still believe that DJJJ damaged their equipment (extensively), lied about why he was removed, leveled charges of racism on the district...yet isn't being held responsible financially.

To this point, if what Dane said earlier is true, I can see why not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

First off, those speakers will be replaced by the manufacturer at no charge. This is standard, whether in the installation company takes care of it or the manufacturer. Normally, companies like Crown and JBL replace equipment within two days.

Micjones · 06-09-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

mic i think most here realize that you enjoy the debates

Well of course. I enjoy a good debate here and there.
I've debated everything from Football to Film here at ChiefsPlanet.
It can be a great release.

06-08-2009, 07:17 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3464454	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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06-09-2009, 11:48 AM	#891
HonestChieffan Seeking the Truth daily Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the Country in MO Casino cash: $1704309	The race card game is always this way. Never accept, deny, and accuse....its a well learned skill and it goes on all the time by those who enjoy the game or can profit from it. __________________ “Make no mistake. If you try anything to raise the cost of vishessavatubs, I will veto it.” - Joe Biden, SOTU 2023
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