Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff

[Deberg_1990]

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.”

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

That makes a little more sense but in that case, aren't noise ordinances in place?

I know guys that do sound for 2,000 seat venues in Vegas with $150k rigs. $500k is just overkill.

Thanks for the info!

I might've been misinformed. I was told it was a $500K rig.
Could be $50K. Either way... For that kind of investment... You'd be a fool not to put measures in place to protect the soundsystem.

It's bullshit.

He was on for 20-30 minutes before he was ever approached.
If they truly thought the system was in jeopardy there's no way in Hell he would've been allowed to play that long.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by Lzen

Wait, are you calling me riff raff?

heh. no. you were this:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Any such code, discriminatory or otherwise, will always affect those for which it was not intended.

[HonestChieffan]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

You're walking in a parking lot at night, and you're going to approach 4 identical groups of men with the exception of dress code and posture.

1 The first group are in jeans T shirts, some tucked, some untucked, all wearing caps, but the bills on their college Ball cap is formed.

2. This group are wearing slacks, shirts and ties.

3. This group is wearing khaki pants and polo shirts

4. This group have large baggy pants, wife beaters and matching hats, turned to the side with flat bills.


Which group is most likely to cause trouble or include 1 person carrying an illegal gun or narcotic?

Mic, et al....Can you honestly say that you wouldn't be more aware of 1 group than the others?

They sell hats with flat bills already cockeyed so you can wear the bowl of the cap normal like and have that cockeyed look and be more comfortable. Ive got like 10 brand new John Deere and Pioneer caps and one that says some bug killer with a cool dead grasshopper on it and they are all old school.

If JD or Pioneer start giving away cockeyed caps, Im in the money.

Group one is from Southern Cass County and went to check out the food places. You would not have to sweat them

Group two are lawyers who woork at Shook Hardy and will bill some poor client for high end drinks but they wouldnt go near a hipity hoppity music place.

Group three are Mizzou Frat guys. Look the part but got no cash. They will filter into a place with off brand beer specials then go home.

Group 4 are City Council employees.

[Consistent1]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

You're walking in a parking lot at night, and you're going to approach 4 identical groups of men with the exception of dress code and posture.

1 The first group are in jeans T shirts, some tucked, some untucked, all wearing caps, but the bills on their college Ball cap is formed.

2. This group are wearing slacks, shirts and ties.

3. This group is wearing khaki pants and polo shirts

4. This group have large baggy pants, wife beaters and matching hats, turned to the side with flat bills.


Which group is most likely to cause trouble or include 1 person carrying an illegal gun or narcotic?

Mic, et al....Can you honestly say that you wouldn't be more aware of 1 group than the others?

You know, it sucks, but what you are saying is pretty much right on. That stuff is all set up to be an intimidation thing from the beginning. The worst part is that groups tend to bring out the worst in people too. Guys that will be cool as hell to talk to by yourself may well act out when they thing it benefits their cred. I don't have a problem at all with black people, but we all do know there are situations to be avoided. That is just a fact. It goes the other way too where black people know certain situations to avoid. It would be nice to have it not be that way at all, but it is what it is.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

Via Pitch Blog



What I think is...when they took on DJ Jazzy Jeff they saw how long he had been in game. The guy won the first grammy in 1989. They saw a guy who they was going to be playing old school hip hop. Someone made a joke about playing Winger but I think it was just that...they thought they invited an older guy that had a name to people bring that was just gonna play feel good hip hop classics not rap.

If that blog is true, then I think you may be correct. And if that's the case, it's pathetic.

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by wutamess

Nice attempt at covering up ignorance. But you've failed miserably.

You implied that the ones complaining dont pay taxes as if all blacks that complain are on gov assistance. or blacks in that area dont pay taxes. im on my mobile and dont really continuing on your ignorance at the moment
Posted via Mobile Device

I didn't imply that at all. Not ONCE did I say all blacks that complain are govt assisted.

I've seen black people at P&L, enjoying themselves having a good time drinking with their friends. How do you suppose they got in there compared to the ones that get turned away at the door. Theres a clear difference in appearance. you can tell the troublemakers from the others. It's not hard.

I've seen with my own eyes at the ****in entrance gate where they check your I.D. where officials have turned away people dressed up like thugs, many of the people that work the gates were also black.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Micjones

I might've been misinformed. I was told it was a $500K rig.
Could be $50K. Either way... For that kind of investment... You'd be a fool not to put measures in place to protect the soundsystem.

It's bullshit.

He was on for 20-30 minutes before he was ever approached.
If they truly thought the system was in jeopardy there's no way in Hell he would've been allowed to play that long.

In regards to Jeff, that's a bullshit excuse. Furthermore, the booking agent and club owner should be familiar enough with an act before booking them, especially when it's a national act. That person should be embarrassed and I hope all of the fans received a refund.

As for the sound system, any high end speaker is going to have an automatic shut-off, which is there to protect the speakers. Whether it's studio monitors or high-end, pro live rig, the protection is built-in.

The Star should do a thorough and in-depth piece on this situation because IMO, his excuse does not compute.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

As someone who's been in pro audio for more than 3 decades, I'd say that's a strange way of using a compressor or a limiter. I could see maybe using a limiter on the 2 buss but a compressor?

And if you're talking $500k, you're talking about a Meyer Rig, huge Turbo Sound rig, a Midas board, etc. Hell, even Mackie SR450's have automatic shut-offs.

I'm sorry Mic, that just doesn't make sense.

Then every engineer I've ever learned from is completely and utterly uninformed about what a compressor's function is.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

heh. no. you were this:

Ok, if you say so. But I got my eye on you, pal.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

Via Pitch Blog

If his tweets are true. Thats crap. I hope more and more people do boycott the place.

I wont go there on any of my visits.

Originally Posted by |Zach|

What I think is...when they took on DJ Jazzy Jeff they saw how long he had been in game. The guy won the first grammy in 1989. They saw a guy who they was going to be playing old school hip hop. Someone made a joke about playing Winger but I think it was just that...they thought they invited an older guy that had a name to people bring that was just gonna play feel good hip hop classics not rap.

Thats pretty laughable, but wouldnt surprise me i guess...


Thanks for posting that.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

What would do to curb violence if you owned a huge entertainment venue??

1. Police presence
2. Qualified bouncers/security staff
3. No loitering
4. Wanding/Patdowns/Metal detectors
5. Stringent re-entrance policy

[|Zach|]

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 think the bad stuff in Westport is way overblown. You only hear that stuff from people who never go there. Westport is a pretty enjoyable time now that a lot of douchebag mcgees hit P+L it is good district to hang out and have drinks with friends.

I think you find trouble in Westport. I think its really easy to know if you are starting a situation you shouldn't be a part of or wind up in a situation you shouldn't be a part of. A lot of trouble that goes through Westport is easily avoided if you are not an idiot.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

I think the bad stuff in Westport is way overblown. You only hear that stuff from people who never go there.

FTW!

[Dottefan]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

The general point I am trying to make is.... the ones calling the P&L officials racist are the ones who choose to present themselves as thugs, and they want to bring in that kinda lifestyle into the district. And props for them not wanting that......I dont think anyone wants that. It causes trouble.

Can someone dressed nice and looks presentable cause crime? Can they too in fact shoot someone? Of course they can. Me, you and anyone can do that. But is it likely? No. If you're a bouncer at a club who are you gonna watch more closely? Who do you generally think is more likely to cause trouble? The person wearing a nice shirt n pants who looks the part of having a good time on a Sat night, or the person walking in with a wife beater, underwear showing out from his ass, cornrows, hat tilted sideways, and his body head to toe in tats. Looked like he had just come from Troost and Prospect.

I AM SO SICK AND TIRED OF YOU ****ING PEOPLE THINKING THAT ANY YOUNG BLACK MALE WHO DRESSES WITH BAGGY PANTS AND WHITE T`S ARE THUGS..OK BY YOUR ****ING LOGIC I AM NO GOING TO ASSUME THAT ALL OLDER WHIT MEN AND CORRPUT , LIARS AND THEIVES AND WHITE COLLAR THUUGS BECAUSE OF ENRON, THE SAVINGS AND LOAN SCANDELS AND, THE REST OF THE CORRUPT WHITE MALES WHO SUNK ARE ECONONY AND ROBBED PEOPLE OF THEIR LIVE SAVINGS..NOW GOING BY YOUR THEORY DOES THIS MAKE SENSE?.........OH AND BY THE WAY ASS HOLE 2 OF MY LITTLE BROTHERS HAVE ALOT OF TATS DRESS IN BAGGY CLOTHES AND WIFE BEATERS..THEY ARE ALSO IN COLLEGE AND HAVE 3.6 AND A 4.0 GPA AND ARE GOOD KIDS..BUT ALL YOU ASSHOLES SEE ARE THE CLOTHES..THEY ARE TEENAGRES AND YOUNGER PEOPLE..I AM SURE THAT ALL OF YOU DRESSED TOTALY DIFFRENT WHEN YOU WERE 16-25 THEN YOU DID WHEN YOU GOT OLDER..I KNOW I DID...

[HonestChieffan]

I dont care what color you are.

If you have baggy ill fitting pants, you look like an idiot.
If you wear ....and this one realllllllllllly pisses me off............a sweater over a shirt and the shirts not tuckled in....Top of the dumbass list for me.
Cockeyed caps make people who wear cockeyed caps look cockeyed.
And hair that looks like it has never seen a comb...go get a comb.

I have hired a lot of people. I can assure you if a guy walks in , grad number one in his calss and took grad courses as a fun thing and speaks 20 languages and looks like a fool, he is out. Gone. History.

One of the great advantages of being the guy hiring is you dont have to hire people who start out as a dumbass then have to deal with firing them. If you pick wrong and the guys a dumbass, its sad to have to fire the guy but hey, its business.