Music Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff - Page 74

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.”

FAX · 06-09-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

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

Do you think he's going to kill us now?

FAX

Micjones · 06-09-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inspector

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?

If I'm not mistaken I met him at The Hurricane (it's now called The Riot Room) one night when I went to visit one of my bartender friends. I believe they had just come back from touring. Nice guy.

**KcMizzou** · 06-09-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

Do you think he's going to kill us now?

FAX

Only if you'd like to meet up for a debate.

Honestly, I thought it was a good post. I was just saying that if a couple minor things were changed, it'd probably be better received.

You know, conversation, rather than knee-jerk reaction. You get more flies with honey, and all that... But hell, what do I know?

Dottefan · 06-09-2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

Only if you'd like to meet up for a debate.

Honestly, I thought it was a good post. I was just saying that if a couple minor things were changed, it'd probably be better received.

You know, conversation, rather than knee-jerk reaction. You get more flies with honey, and all that... But hell, what do I know?

I understand what your saying about the more honey with flies. I just use caps so it stands out. As far as the debate goes, I was serious, and if someone took it as a threat, then that was not my intention. I dont threaten people ,especialy over the net,thats just stupid.

Pablo · 06-09-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

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.

When you use caps it makes you look like a caveman.

Don't do it.

**KcMizzou** · 06-09-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

I understand what your saying about the more honey with flies. I just use caps so it stands out. As far as the debate goes, I was serious, and if someone took it as a threat, then that was not my intention. I dont threaten people ,especialy over the net,thats just stupid.

Nah, I overstated that. That's on me.

FAX · 06-09-2009, 08:55 PM

OMG!!! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!! DEATH BY ASS CAP!!!! OMG!!!! OMG!!!!

FAX

Dottefan · 06-09-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

OMG!!! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!! DEATH BY ASS CAP!!!! OMG!!!! OMG!!!!

FAX

lol

**KcMizzou** · 06-09-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

OMG!!! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!! DEATH BY ASS CAP!!!! OMG!!!! OMG!!!!

FAX

Someday a midget is gonna put a tiny little midget cap in your ass for all the hate you spew on this board.

**Bugeater** · 06-09-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

Someday a midget is gonna put a tiny little midget cap in your ass for all the hate you spew on this board.

OMG!!! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!! DEATH BY MIDGET ASS CAP!!!! OMG!!!! OMG!!!!

Micjones · 06-09-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

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.

I think it's quite a bit unreasonable to juxtapose what may, in fact, be taking place in Nashville to the Cordish controversy in Kansas City. There are Black people all over the United States who go to extraordinary lengths to help African people from the Sudan, from Darfur, and other distressed areas where genocides and other atrocities are taking place. Some live right here in Kansas City, Missouri. I think it's also a bit disingenuous to suggest that any one conversation about injustice represents the whole of our efforts to advance Black people in this country.

**KcMizzou** · 06-09-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

OMG!!! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!! DEATH BY MIDGET ASS CAP!!!! OMG!!!! OMG!!!!

Pioli Zombie · 06-09-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

I think it's quite a bit unreasonable to juxtapose what may, in fact, be taking place in Nashville to the Cordish controversy in Kansas City. There are Black people all over the United States who go to extraordinary lengths to help African people from the Sudan, from Darfur, and other distressed areas where genocides and other atrocities are taking place. Some live right here in Kansas City, Missouri. I think it's also a bit disingenuous to suggest that any one conversation about injustice represents the whole of our efforts to advance Black people in this country.

Its because FAX doesn't know he should just let that one go.

He works with a few "Super, Super Black men" and doesn't understand why THOSE blacks don't help THESE blacks and steps into a hideous generalization because HE doesn't see it with his own eyes. Typical ivory tower thinking.

That would like me discussing the Israel/Arab conflict and saying. "Well I know these Jews and they....".

Sometimes your little personal stories are totally irrelevant to a universal topic. It just reveals your world view is tainted, that you have bias, and you just don't get it.

I am really sorry I was irresponsible with my words. Because now it will you used to cloud the bigger issue.

Systemic denial is more dangerous than a misplaced joke.

The fact remains racism exists, much more than whites want to admit or own up to.
Posted via Mobile Device

**Reaper16** · 06-09-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

Its because FAX doesn't know he should just let that one go.

He works with a few "Super, Super Black men" and doesn't understand why THOSE blacks don't help THESE blacks and steps into a hideous generalization because HE doesn't see it with his own eyes. Typical ivory tower thinking.

That would like me discussing the Israel/Arab conflict and saying. "Well I know these Jews and they....".

Sometimes your little personal stories are totally irrelevant to a universal topic. It just reveals your world view is tainted, that you have bias, and you just don't get it.

I am really sorry I was irresponsible with my words. Because now it will you used to cloud the bigger issue.

Systemic denial is more dangerous than a misplaced joke.

The fact remains racism exists, much more than whites want to admit or own up to.
Posted via Mobile Device

Man, why's the tower have to be ivory?

Pioli Zombie · 06-09-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

Man, why's the tower have to be ivory?

DOH!!!!!!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

06-08-2009, 07:17 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3624454	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, 08:55 PM	#1102
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	OMG!!! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!! DEATH BY ASS CAP!!!! OMG!!!! OMG!!!! FAX
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