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.”

[Pioli Zombie]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

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.

So listening is sucking up. I guess to someone ignorant such as yourself it would come off that way.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Pioli Zombie]

Originally Posted by FAX

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

How would you know what I do or do not do?

You see I'm suspicious of people who have to broadcast all the great works for humanity they do. Working with those 2 dozen super super black men. When you said that it sounded like Matt Dillon in "There's Something About Mary". I was waiting for you to say "those goofy bastards are about the best thing I got going in this crazy world".
You say you don't feel superior and then you talk like you are superior to everyone.

This is the internet dude. I don't know you and you don't know me.

And again, if you guys are too STUPID to get it then you never will.

Katipans incoherant post not withstanding, phony elitists are a bigger threat to minorities than a dude who says a word. And no I don't consider myself as a race expert either.

The burden is on you dummies who deny the systemic racism more than it is a guy who let a word slip in a joke that he apologized for.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

So listening is sucking up. I guess to someone ignorant such as yourself it would come off that way.
Posted via Mobile Device

If anyone is ignorant, it's you for not realizing how transparent your feigning sympathy is, no one is buying that shit.

[Inspector]

Originally Posted by Micjones

I thought that's who it was!
I remember meeting one of the band members.
The drummer I think it was? Not sure about that...

That's Drew. He is the youngest in the band, and the younger brother of Brian - the lead guitarist and husband of Kristen - the singer.

My kid is the bearded one who plays the bass. Jason.

Did you meet him at a show? In Kansas City?

[Pioli Zombie]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

If anyone is ignorant, it's you for not realizing how transparent your feigning sympathy is, no one is buying that shit.

Calm down. You are all worked up. Make yourself a sandwich.

I really hit a nerve with you.huh.

Tell me all the great things YOU'VE done for race relations.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Kyle DeLexus]

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

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?

So now I'm stupid and don't get it too. Good to know

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

Calm down. You are all worked up. Make yourself a sandwich.

I really hit a nerve with you.huh.

Tell me all the great things YOU'VE done for race relations.
Posted via Mobile Device

I sure as hell haven't done anything to make them worse.

[FAX]

Hmmm. Maybe there's something in that post upon which to build, Mr. Pioli Zombie.

First off, I didn't see the "apology" to which you refer, but I'll take your word for it. At least you realize the post warranted one. That's a good baby step in the right direction, in my opinion.

Second, you're quite right that we don't know each other. Keep in mind that this means that the odds of you being correct when you accuse me (or anyone else) of racism or of phony elitism aren't really all that great.

Third, you can be as suspicious as you wish - it's your right and privilege. Still, a person can only speak from their experience. My experience with the black community was born out of the music industry and continues in a variety of areas. Does that mean I understand what it's like to be black? No. But, except for midgets, I don't hate or demean people I don't understand (which, by the way, is very similar to your behavior toward those posters whom you accuse of racism) and I'm quite certain that, had I been beaten by a fat, ugly, black lady as a child, my life experience and, therefore, my point of view on the matter might be very different. Nonetheless, it is what it is and I do what I can.

Lastly, my only point in respect to the Lost Boys is that it suddenly occurred to me that I don't see any black people helping them out ... only whites. It makes me wonder how someone could find it in themselves to be utterly outraged by their inability to wear baggy pants to a nightclub when Sudanese blacks are dying by the hundreds of thousands and these utterly outraged baggy panters are insufficiently outraged to lift an outraged finger to help them. Does that make sense to you? It doesn't to me.

None of this, of course, changes the fact that you are a fool. You are. Still, a fool can change and it is my hope that you will do so.

FAX

[Inspector]

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

Calm down. You are all worked up. Make yourself a sandwich.

I really hit a nerve with you.huh.

Tell me all the great things YOU'VE done for race relations.
Posted via Mobile Device

Had sex with different races.

That improved my relations with them. For sure.

Man I feel good. And FAX,...wow, cool man. I appreciate what you're doing.

[Dottefan]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

i know exactly what lowriders are. so now you are saying that mexicans arent considered minoritys? or are they just not as important as blacks in your opinion?

THis makes no sense at all.

[Dottefan]

Originally Posted by Inspector

Indeed Mr Dottefan, indeed.

I suspect that each of us have a history unknown to any others that have not lived our life. I happen to know for a fact that every member of this message board community is someone of color too by the way. Even if they fail to recognize that themsleves.

I too have felt the sting of the discrimination knife as it cut deep into my life and the profound effect that had on myself as well as my family.

Take heart that our nation is trying to get better. While I may not agree with all the politics of our current president, I can relate to him racially since we share a mutual heritage. But I strive to ignore the whole heritage issue, preferring to acknowledge our commonalities of being of the same species instead.

I look forward to the day when nobody pays any more attention to the color of skin than they do the color of hair or eyes or that new washer dryer combo we just put in the laundry room. I'm fine and have gotten past the discrimination that haunted me in my youth but I do still worry about the way some might react to my grandkids.

Keep the faith. The world is improving in some areas.

Er..well.....I hope so anyway.

Thank you. I don't know how some of you got the Idea that I am racist. My mom is white, half my family is white. I have cousins that are from Iran and Mexico..all blood related, my family is the ****ing UN .lol..so for any of you to call me a racist is just crazy. Most of you want to dismiss any notion that there is still blatant racism in this world. I DONT PLAY THE RACE CARD. BUT IF I FEEL AS A YOUNG BLACK MALE , I AM BEING TARGETED I HAVE TO SPEAK UP. MOST OF YOU JUST ACTED AS IF THIS ISSUE HAS NO MERRIT, AND THAT WE ARE PLAYING THE VICTOM ROLE. I AM NOT AL SHARPTON OR JESSE JACKSON, TRUTHFULLY I DONT REALLY LIKE EITHER ONE OF THOSE MEN. WE CAN ARGUE ALL DAY ON THIS ISSUE. I DONT PLAY THE VICTOME ROLE, I AM NOT SOMEONE WHO THINKS EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE HANDED TO ME.AGAIN, ITS THE SAME THING, IF ANY ONE OF COLOR TRIES TO POINT OUT ANY FORM OF RACISM, WE GET THE SAME RESPONSE. " THERE THEY GO AGAIN" "PLAYING THE RACE CARD". MY POINT ABOUT NOT KNOWING WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE A MINORITY IN THIS COUNTRY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH PLAYING THE VICTOME. IT WAS SIMPLY A FACT , SOMETHING THAT WE DEAL WITH EVERYDAY, NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO DISMISS THE FACT. DOES THIS MAKE ME BITTER? NO. DOES THIS MAKE ME FEEL LIKE I AM A VICTOME? NO. IT IS WHAT IT IS, AND OBVIOUSLY FROM SOME OF YOUR POST WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO. ......I HAVE WRITTEN LETTERS TO THE PITCH THAT WERE PUBLISHED REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH THE PL DISTRICT. I WAS INVOLVED IN PROTESTING IT, AND WILL KEEP PROTESTING THE DISTRICT....IF ANY OF YOU FEEL SO STRONGLY THAT WE ARE WRONG , THEN I WOULD INVITE YOU TO MEET UP WITH US SO WE CAN HAVE A DEBATE ON THE ISSUE....

[KcMizzou]

Originally Posted by Dottefan

Thank you. I don't know how some of you got the Idea that I am racist. My mom is white, half my family is white. I have cousins that are from Iran and Mexico..all blood related, my family is the ****ing UN .lol..so for any of you to call me a racist is just crazy. Most of you want to dismiss any notion that there is still blatant racism in this world. I DONT PLAY THE RACE CARD. BUT IF I FEEL AS A YOUNG BLACK MALE , I AM BEING TARGETED I HAVE TO SPEAK UP. MOST OF YOU JUST ACTED AS IF THIS ISSUE HAS NO MERRIT, AND THAT WE ARE PLAYING THE VICTOM ROLE. I AM NOT AL SHARPTON OR JESSE JACKSON, TRUTHFULLY I DONT REALLY LIKE EITHER ONE OF THOSE MEN. WE CAN ARGUE ALL DAY ON THIS ISSUE. I DONT PLAY THE VICTOME ROLE, I AM NOT SOMEONE WHO THINKS EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE HANDED TO ME.AGAIN, ITS THE SAME THING, IF ANY ONE OF COLOR TRIES TO POINT OUT ANY FORM OF RACISM, WE GET THE SAME RESPONSE. " THERE THEY GO AGAIN" "PLAYING THE RACE CARD". MY POINT ABOUT NOT KNOWING WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE A MINORITY IN THIS COUNTRY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH PLAYING THE VICTOME. IT WAS SIMPLY A FACT , SOMETHING THAT WE DEAL WITH EVERYDAY, NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO DISMISS THE FACT. DOES THIS MAKE ME BITTER? NO. DOES THIS MAKE ME FEEL LIKE I AM A VICTOME? NO. IT IS WHAT IT IS, AND OBVIOUSLY FROM SOME OF YOUR POST WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO. ......I HAVE WRITTEN LETTERS TO THE PITCH THAT WERE PUBLISHED REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH THE PL DISTRICT. I WAS INVOLVED IN PROTESTING IT, AND WILL KEEP PROTESTING THE DISTRICT....IF ANY OF YOU FEEL SO STRONGLY THAT WE ARE WRONG , THEN I WOULD INVITE YOU TO MEET UP WITH US SO WE CAN HAVE A DEBATE ON THE ISSUE....

Right about the time you switch to all caps, you lose people.

I'm not saying you're wrong (at all), just that it makes it seem like the rantings of a raving lunatic, rather than a thoughtful post.

That, and the invitation at the end comes off as a veiled threat.

[Dottefan]

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

Right about the time you switch to all caps, you lose people.

I'm not saying you're wrong (at all), just that it makes it seem like the rantings of a raving lunatic, rather than a thoughtful post.

That, and the invitation at the end comes off as a veiled threat.

So what about the caps..you need to get over that, I just dont see why everyone is making a big deal about it. I use caps so that it stands out.. The part about a threat..lol...I am not that guy to threaten any one on the net.only losers and net thugs do that crap, and I am niether.lol..that was not my intention at all.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by Dottefan

Thank you. I don't know how some of you got the Idea that I am racist. My mom is white, half my family is white. I have cousins that are from Iran and Mexico..all blood related, my family is the ****ing UN .lol..so for any of you to call me a racist is just crazy. Most of you want to dismiss any notion that there is still blatant racism in this world. I DONT PLAY THE RACE CARD. BUT IF I FEEL AS A YOUNG BLACK MALE , I AM BEING TARGETED I HAVE TO SPEAK UP. MOST OF YOU JUST ACTED AS IF THIS ISSUE HAS NO MERRIT, AND THAT WE ARE PLAYING THE VICTOM ROLE. I AM NOT AL SHARPTON OR JESSE JACKSON, TRUTHFULLY I DONT REALLY LIKE EITHER ONE OF THOSE MEN. WE CAN ARGUE ALL DAY ON THIS ISSUE. I DONT PLAY THE VICTOME ROLE, I AM NOT SOMEONE WHO THINKS EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE HANDED TO ME.AGAIN, ITS THE SAME THING, IF ANY ONE OF COLOR TRIES TO POINT OUT ANY FORM OF RACISM, WE GET THE SAME RESPONSE. " THERE THEY GO AGAIN" "PLAYING THE RACE CARD". MY POINT ABOUT NOT KNOWING WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE A MINORITY IN THIS COUNTRY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH PLAYING THE VICTOME. IT WAS SIMPLY A FACT , SOMETHING THAT WE DEAL WITH EVERYDAY, NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO DISMISS THE FACT. DOES THIS MAKE ME BITTER? NO. DOES THIS MAKE ME FEEL LIKE I AM A VICTOME? NO. IT IS WHAT IT IS, AND OBVIOUSLY FROM SOME OF YOUR POST WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO. ......I HAVE WRITTEN LETTERS TO THE PITCH THAT WERE PUBLISHED REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH THE PL DISTRICT. I WAS INVOLVED IN PROTESTING IT, AND WILL KEEP PROTESTING THE DISTRICT....IF ANY OF YOU FEEL SO STRONGLY THAT WE ARE WRONG , THEN I WOULD INVITE YOU TO MEET UP WITH US SO WE CAN HAVE A DEBATE ON THE ISSUE....

my wife is from an interracial marriage. as is her sister and brother...I've been in the family for almost 20 years and have never ever heard this approach from any of them. It's just not important to them. race or color or preference for one over the other just doesn't enter the equation..I hope that you consider that you are just a man first.

I think we all can find what we're looking for if we look hard enough. good or bad..

Systemic racism? how? where? we all discriminate against each other every day...am I gonna go hang with DJ and the LB's? eat lunch with Clark? Am I ever gonna have a Lamborghini like Eddie K? A house like Deion? Never. Ever. It's not ever going to be equal when the biggest color of "racism" is green... You think this JJ and PL thing is big? and dress codes? Anyone of us could put on our best clothes and find someplace somewhere and be looked down upon..in all major cities...just like we look down at others who we deem poor...We are all in this together, seeing past the adjectives and seeing the nouns would help...as I tell my daughters, there are only two kinds of people...boys and girls.

good luck in your endeavors.

[Dottefan]

Originally Posted by stevieray

my wife is from an interracial marriage. as is her sister and brother...I've been in the family for almost 20 years and have never ever heard this approach from any of them. It's just not important to them. race or color or preference for one over the other just doesn't enter the equation..I hope that you consider that you are just a man first.

I think we all can find what we're looking for if we look hard enough. good or bad..

Systemic racism? how? where? we all discriminate against each other every day...am I gonna go hang with DJ and the LB's? eat lunch with Clark? Am I ever gonna have a Lamborghini like Eddie K? A house like Deion? Never. Ever. It's not ever going to be equal when the biggest color of "racism" is green... You think this JJ and PL thing is big? and dress codes? Anyone of us could put on our best clothes and find someplace somewhere and be looked down upon..in all major cities...just like we look down at others who we deem poor...We are all in this together, seeing past the adjectives and seeing the nouns would help...as I tell my daughters, there are only two kinds of people...boys and girls.

good luck in your endeavors.

Sorry not trying to be a smart ass, but why do you mean about " It's just not important to them. race or color or preference for one over the other just doesn't enter the equation..I hope that you consider that you are just a man first.

"? Again, all I am saying that as a young black male, I feel like this dress code descrimatnates against mainly young black males, that's it. I never said anything about a preference of race. If you are referring to the fact that being bi racial , that I identify myself as a Black male, that is a whole other issue..lol Truefully I don't even look biracial, most people dont believe me when I tell them I am. They assume both of my parents are black. I always tell people that I am bi racial. I celebrate my German heritage.I do however Identify more with my black side due to the fact that, the society does not see me as biracial, the see me as black. I have had this conversation over and over again with all 11 of my brothers and sisters and they feel the same way. We grew up in the inner city, so maybe it was a little different then were your wife grew up, I don't know. I am, and always will be proud of my heritage, and have always told people who asked that I was bi racial.