Music Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff - Page 69

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.”

HonestChieffan · 06-09-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

I knew before I even posted that I would get the kind of reaction I did. Thanks for not disappointing me, and proving the point about this site... but hey, sorry for trying to make a comment about racism and my side of it. God forbid one of us minority's speak up on the topic. The only people on this board who can give an honest answer about how this issue affects them..is some one of color, no matter how many hip hop records you listen to, or how many minority friends you have, it is just not the same. We deal with these issues almost on a daily basis, you dont...now I will sit back and wait for all you to call me a whinning minority and how we always complain about shit.

Life is not fair. But thats not your fault. Consider the plight of midgets. Now they have some issues and no one has any help for them. Pygmies even more so.

So buck up, its worse than where you stand somewhere else.

blaise · 06-09-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

As I understand it...
A protest has already been organized and will take place this Friday.

I don't think a boycott from, say, the Hip Hop community will work though.

Protest what?

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 06-09-2009, 04:28 PM

Inspector · 06-09-2009, 04:29 PM

I for one want to protest the unfairness of the lottery.

Not once, not one dang time, will they sell me the correct ticket.

And I'm pretty damn mad about that. I tell ya what!

Oooooh that steams me.......

And then they look at me like I'm crazy or something when I demand my money back.

This, above all else, deserves a protest!!

Who's with me???

Micjones · 06-09-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inspector

Yeah, I can understand that but I fear that in the appreciating part it can easily turn into an "us and them" rationale. And that is something that fuels racism - or seems to me that it does anyway.

I'm not so sure. I think much of the tension can be attributed to the fact that we don't acknowledge and appreciate our differences as much as we should.

HonestChieffan · 06-09-2009, 04:31 PM

Protest things. Like stuff you don't like. Or stuff you make up. And if you do a press release Ch 9 may do a story.

All ya need is an idea and a piece of poster board.

Copy ideas:

Stop (fill in blank) Now!!
Down with (fill in blank)!!
(Fill in blank) Sucks!!

Get a website, declare yourself Executive Director, set up as a Non profit and get donations.

Micjones · 06-09-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

Protest what?

From what I understand it's slated to be a protest led by the Hip Hop community over how we are being excluded from the District.

Micjones · 06-09-2009, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

Maybe for the first time today we can agree on something.
This is easily my favorite Steve Martin film.

Micjones · 06-09-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

Life is not fair. But thats not your fault. Consider the plight of midgets. Now they have some issues and no one has any help for them. Pygmies even more so.

So buck up, its worse than where you stand somewhere else.

HC this is part of what Dotte's been alluding to throughout this very thread.

You make light of people's real life experiences that they hold dear to heart.
No one's asking you to be a bleeding heart about it, but have some respect for those who do take it seriously.

PunkinDrublic · 06-09-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

As I understand it...
A protest has already been organized and will take place this Friday.

I don't think a boycott from, say, the Hip Hop community will work though.

Do you plan on attending the protest?

Micjones · 06-09-2009, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkinDrublic

Do you plan on attending the protest?

No.

I think protests are kind of anachronistic and don't have the same effect that that they once did.

Inspector · 06-09-2009, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

I'm not so sure. I think much of the tension can be attributed to the fact that we don't acknowledge and appreciate our differences as much as we should.

Well yeah, you make a good point.

Maybe a few more decades of trying that will work. I suppose if we continue to highlight the differences between all of us then in some way it will eliminate everyone seeing the differences and not seeing anyone as "different" and feeling like there is an "us" and a "them".

Wait....now I'm not making any sense.

I think I better go guess a muff or two.

HonestChieffan · 06-09-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

HC this is part of what Dotte's been alluding to throughout this very thread.

You make light of people's real life experiences that they hold dear to heart.
No one's asking you to be a bleeding heart about it, but have some respect for those who do take it seriously.

You dont think midgets face an uphill battle? You don't believe someone somewhere faces bigger issues that the fact that cant wear a cockeyed cap into a nice place to have dinner?

Micjones · 06-09-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

You dont think midgets face an uphill battle? You don't believe someone somewhere faces bigger issues that the fact that cant wear a cockeyed cap into a nice place to have dinner?

I think you tend to oversimplify and create strawmen in the process.

And yes, I'm certain people of all walks of life endure unique struggles in their daily lives.

But I suppose that vertically challenged people's struggles are LESS significant because people with other 'challenges' exist? That's ridiculous. Maybe we can simply honor the unique challenges that everyone faces and find ways to be more understanding... There's a thought.

PunkinDrublic · 06-09-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

No.

I think protests are kind of anachronistic and don't have the same effect that that they once did.

Yeah but at least you could say you did something.

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.”
Posts: 66,914

06-09-2009, 04:28 PM	#1023
mikeyis4dcats. Scarlett Johansson's boytoy Join Date: Nov 2006 Casino cash: $9555998	I was born a poor black child
Posts: 12,526

06-09-2009, 04:29 PM	#1024
Inspector MVP Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: K.C. Casino cash: $9924975	I for one want to protest the unfairness of the lottery. Not once, not one dang time, will they sell me the correct ticket. And I'm pretty damn mad about that. I tell ya what! Oooooh that steams me....... And then they look at me like I'm crazy or something when I demand my money back. This, above all else, deserves a protest!! Who's with me??? __________________ As always, this is IMO.
Posts: 7,907

06-09-2009, 04:31 PM	#1026
HonestChieffan Seeking the Truth daily Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the Country in MO Casino cash: $1704309	Protest things. Like stuff you don't like. Or stuff you make up. And if you do a press release Ch 9 may do a story. All ya need is an idea and a piece of poster board. Copy ideas: Stop (fill in blank) Now!! Down with (fill in blank)!! (Fill in blank) Sucks!! Get a website, declare yourself Executive Director, set up as a Non profit and get donations. __________________ “Make no mistake. If you try anything to raise the cost of vishessavatubs, I will veto it.” - Joe Biden, SOTU 2023
Posts: 53,484