Music Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff - Page 72

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.** · 06-09-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

I got the gist of his post, but he used an awful analogy.
Dwarfism can't be attributed to a group of people who have clandestine desires to keep them vertically challenged. So, exactly, would they protest?

you're so smart mic.

they could protest not being allowed to ride the coasters at Worlds of Fun....

**Bugeater** · 06-09-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

No you don't understand. They are all above racism. They said so.

To you I apologize if my remarks were taken literally. I was trying to bust through their lofty and intellectual bs by commenting on how they really think.
Posted via Mobile Device

LOL, nice spin job. You have no goddamn clue how I or anyone else thinks, so shut the **** up.

Micjones · 06-09-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

you're so smart mic.

You wouldn't know it from my analysis of his analogy.
I whiffed on that one horribly.

People who discriminate against those who are vertically challenged can't be held responsible for their condition, but certainly can contribute to making their lives difficult.

So that actually was a pretty fair analogy and I owe HonestChieffan an apology.
I'm sorry HC.

Quote:

they could protest not being allowed to ride the coasters at Worlds of Fun....

Indeed they could.

What I was hoping to get across was the idea that he oversimplified the other side of the issue.
Unfortunately my foot got in the way of my mouth and that message got lost.

Pioli Zombie · 06-09-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

damn man you go from making fun to serious in 2 posts

I'm multi talented.

FAX is going to explain how evolved he is and free from any bigotry and in the same breath prove how there is no racism in this situation because he doesn't feel that there is.
Posted via Mobile Device

Pioli Zombie · 06-09-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

LOL, nice spin job. You have no goddamn clue how I or anyone else thinks, so shut the **** up.

Wow. Hit a nerve,huh?

Why do you care what I say so much? Afraid its true?
Posted via Mobile Device

FAX · 06-09-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

As black as they come? Careful Mr Phony Liberal.
Posted via Mobile Device

Hmmm. Although I feel unmoved to justify my existence or activities to you, in light of the fact that you have proven yourself to be little more than a self-centric, pompous, childish ass, the answer is yes. I'm talking super black. These guys are very, very black.

You can look up the "Sudanese Lost Boys" on the web, if you wish (I'm certain you won't) and learn all about them. There are pictures. It's a human tragedy.

Nonetheless, the beautiful and witty Mrs. FAX and I have been working with a couple dozen of these guys for many years. They are family to us and we love them dearly.

It just occurred to me that I never see any black people at the meetings or helping them in any way. A couple of black guys have attempted to sell them drugs, but that's about it so far as I know. It's odd from an anthropological perspective.

FAX

FAX · 06-09-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

Wow. Hit a nerve,huh?

Why do you care what I say so much? Afraid its true?
Posted via Mobile Device

Speaking of "care" ... would you mind answering my previous question? It's pretty straightforward.

FAX

**Bugeater** · 06-09-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

Wow. Hit a nerve,huh?

Why do you care what I say so much? Afraid its true?
Posted via Mobile Device

No dipshit, because I know how I think and you're completely off base. And I love how you're accusing everyone else of being racist when you're the one who dropped the racial slur, and on top of all of that now you're trying to suck up to whom you directed the racial slur towards.

Pioli Zombie · 06-09-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

Hmmm. Although I feel unmoved to justify my existence or activities to you, in light of the fact that you have proven yourself to be little more than a self-centric, pompous, childish ass, the answer is yes. I'm talking super black. These guys are very, very black.

You can look up the "Sudanese Lost Boys" on the web, if you wish (I'm certain you won't) and learn all about them. There are pictures. It's a human tragedy.

Nonetheless, the beautiful and witty Mrs. FAX and I have been working with a couple dozen of these guys for many years. They are family to us and we love them dearly.

It just occurred to me that I never see any black people at the meetings or helping them in any way. A couple of black guys have attempted to sell them drugs, but that's about it so far as I know. It's odd from an anthropological perspective.

FAX

Holy crap, keep talking FAX

Super Black. Some of my best friends are black. And they are all drug dealers.

Phony much?

You see, I used a word in a joke. And if you recall I hit on Whites and Jews as well 2 groups I belong to btw.

I lived imn Boston. And I've lived in the south. Ask a black person who is a worse threat, the person that uses a word, or phony people who talk nice to your nice but at their inner core think they are better than you and are part of a system that bases their world view on that.

Go on, ask some black people that.

Btw, I did answer your relatively unimportant question on my care quantity. I think we have bigger fish to fry.
Posted via Mobile Device

Katipan · 06-09-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

I lived imn Boston. And I've lived in the south. Ask a black person who is a worse threat, the person that uses a word, or phony people who talk nice to your nice but at their inner core think they are better than you and are part of a system that bases their world view on that.

haahahahahaha
haahhaah

ok.

Test Case 1: My neighbor's baby's daddy. Black male whose woman is convinced looks like Tupac. I... um. I do not. My question... "Hey some dude on the internet wants to know who is the worse threat, the person that uses a word, or phony people who talk nice to you but at their inner core think they are better than you and are part of a system that bases their word view I have no idea what he means by that but world view on that?"

"Just any word?"

"huh?"

"You said dude used a word."

"OH! I'm assuming he meant ****er. I only said ****er to relay that part of the story. I wouldn't normally say ****er even if you felt comfortable saying ****er. Now that I think of it. I think the word was c***."

laughter

"**** em both."

FAX · 06-09-2009, 06:28 PM

It is clear to me that you are a fool, Mr. Pioli Zombie. It's really that simple. A very foolish person.

If you wish to be the voice of or stand tall for equality in race relations, perhaps it would be best for you to consider actually doing something to help those who need the help rather than spending your energies attempting to unmask internet bigotry by using the word "coon" to describe a black person. For example, we don't work with the Lost Boys out of a feeling of superiority as you imply. I've gone hungry. If I can prevent that from happening in another person's life, I'll do so. The fact is that not everyone is as shallow and superficial as you are. And, to be perfectly frank about it, not everyone is as stupid, either.

FAX

**Bugeater** · 06-09-2009, 06:29 PM

Holy crap, all this time I thought I was treating blacks the same as I would whites because they are human beings, but now I know it's because I think I'm better than them! That is so good to know, thank you for showing me the error of my ways Mr Pioli Zombie!

**Kyle DeLexus** · 06-09-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katipan

haahahahahaha
haahhaah

ok.

Test Case 1: My neighbor's baby's daddy. Black male whose woman is convinced looks like Tupac. I... um. I do not. My question... "Hey some dude on the internet wants to know who is the worse threat, the person that uses a word, or phony people who talk nice to you but at their inner core think they are better than you and are part of a system that bases their word view I have no idea what he means by that but world view on that?"

"Just any word?"

"huh?"

"You said dude used a word."

"OH! I'm assuming he meant ****er. I only said ****er to relay that part of the story. I wouldn't normally say ****er even if you felt comfortable saying ****er. Now that I think of it. I think the word was c***."

laughter

"**** em both."

That is great.

FAX · 06-09-2009, 06:34 PM

Just so you know, if you were to ask Stephen Chol (the first Lost Boy we worked with to receive his citizenship) if we felt superior to him, Ms. Katipan, he would laugh, too. Loudly.

FAX

**Kyle DeLexus** · 06-09-2009, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

I'm multi talented.

FAX is going to explain how evolved he is and free from any bigotry and in the same breath prove how there is no racism in this situation because he doesn't feel that there is.
Posted via Mobile Device

So, because I feel the dress code isn't a racial thing but more a gang association thing, I'm a racist?

Since I think we should all wait for more information about the situation regarding DJJJ instead of going right out and claiming it was pure racism, I'm a racist?

Is that pretty much what you were trying to say Pioli Zombie?

06-08-2009, 07:17 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3634454	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, 06:28 PM	#1076
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	It is clear to me that you are a fool, Mr. Pioli Zombie. It's really that simple. A very foolish person. If you wish to be the voice of or stand tall for equality in race relations, perhaps it would be best for you to consider actually doing something to help those who need the help rather than spending your energies attempting to unmask internet bigotry by using the word "coon" to describe a black person. For example, we don't work with the Lost Boys out of a feeling of superiority as you imply. I've gone hungry. If I can prevent that from happening in another person's life, I'll do so. The fact is that not everyone is as shallow and superficial as you are. And, to be perfectly frank about it, not everyone is as stupid, either. FAX
Posts: 44,492

06-09-2009, 06:29 PM	#1077
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	Holy crap, all this time I thought I was treating blacks the same as I would whites because they are human beings, but now I know it's because I think I'm better than them! That is so good to know, thank you for showing me the error of my ways Mr Pioli Zombie!
Posts: 70,443

06-09-2009, 06:34 PM	#1079
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Just so you know, if you were to ask Stephen Chol (the first Lost Boy we worked with to receive his citizenship) if we felt superior to him, Ms. Katipan, he would laugh, too. Loudly. FAX
Posts: 44,492