Music Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff - Page 78

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.”

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

To be fair You did call him out after he had already stated that him and his wife have been involved for a long time in this very thread....I believe it was years but didn't relook it up

Yes and I did not see his past post. When he did post the fact that he helped out I gave him props for it. Even after I did that he still acted like a little whinny ass trust fund baby... Whats your point?

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

What really got me was when he decided it was terribly clever to bust me for working with "Africans" instead of inner city youth (which, according to him, I know nothing about). Africans who, by the way, are fresh out of the friggin' camps.

As I mentioned, it's easy to tell who really works and who really doesn't. It's in their attitude about people who do. Dottedipstick is lying.

FAX

Just wanted to re quote it so that I can just show how stupid you are..you just wanted to get a whole lott of shit off your chest Hugh.You have been waiting a line time to blast some of "US" ...well you got your chance. You totaly ignored what i said and just busted your nut..good job. FAKE, I mean Fax.

FAX · 06-10-2009, 12:29 AM

Yeah. Hide behind your "people", you cowardly pissant.

Go sell your whine to somebody else, I've had enough. You are clearly an ignorant, semi-puerile, dullard who wants to cry in somebody else's beer because life isn't fair and you don't get your way all the time. Some leader. Some role model. For a toddler, maybe.

Grow up, you infantile pile of pus. And the next time a man who does reach out a helping hand and contributes his time, energy and money to advancing the cause of people of color comes along, maybe they won't feel ashamed to know your name.

FAX

googlegoogle · 06-10-2009, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

I think bill "o racist" oreilly is a bigot. I will never change my view on that.

And i think your a product of sh** having babies.

If you have a problem with Oreilly then you should get the f**k out of the USA.

Lots of people think like him.

**Bugeater** · 06-10-2009, 12:38 AM

Goddamnit people, just type out your ****ing curse words.

googlegoogle · 06-10-2009, 12:39 AM

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.

Ok use caps and no one reads your posts. dumb ass.

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

Yeah. Hide behind your "people", you cowardly pissant.

Go sell your whine to somebody else, I've had enough. You are clearly an ignorant, semi-puerile, dullard who wants to cry in somebody else's beer because life isn't fair and you don't get your way all the time. Some leader. Some role model. For a toddler, maybe.

Grow up, you infantile pile of pus. And the next time a man who does reach out a helping hand and contributes his time, energy and money to advancing the cause of people of color comes along, maybe they won't feel ashamed to know your name.

FAX

TRUST FUND KID HELLO...DID YOU READ ANYTHING I WROTE? NOBODY IS CRYING OR HIDDING BEHIND "MY PEOPLE" WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM? YOU HAVE A ISSUE MY FRIEND, YOU JUST THINK YOU ARE REALY BETTER THEN THE REST OF US..LOL.. TELLING ME TO GROW UP? MAN DID YOU EVEN READ MY POST? I DONT NEED YOUR APPROVAL TRUST FUND BOY TO..BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED SOME ,SO I WILL GIVE IT TO YOU AGIAN..LIKE I SAID, IT IS GREAT THAT YOU ARE HELPING PEOPLE, THE WORLD NEEDS MORE OF THIS, I AM DOING MY PART ALSO, BUT YOU SEEM TO WANT TO IGNORE THAT FACT AND JUST TALK SHIT..SO TRUST FUND BOY, LETS GO.....SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW ME? WELL..........I KNOW GUYS LIKE YOU, I BET YOU HAVE DREEDS ,AND LISTEN THE BOBY MARLEY AND THE WHALERS, YOU DRIVE SOME FORM OF PLANET SAVING CAR, YOU SMOKE A BUNCH OF DOPE AND YOU HUG TREES AND EAT GRANOLA BARS? YOUR PARENTS HAVE A SHIT LOAD OF MONEY, AND YOU ONLY DO THIS TO PISS THEM OFF, BECAUSE DADDY WANTED TO CONFORME AND YOU WANTED TO BE THE "REBEL" .. YOU DONT SHOWER OFTEN, YOU TRY TO DRESS BUMMY SO THAT PEOPLE DONT KNOW HOW WEALTHY YOUR FAMILY IS, AND YOU GET A SENSE OF FEELING LIKE GOD BY HELPING THOSE SUDAN FOLKS OUT ...RIGHT?

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by googlegoogle

And i think your a product of sh** having babies.

If you have a problem with Oreilly then you should get the f**k out of the USA.

Lots of people think like him.

WELL LOST OF PEOPLE DONT..DIDNT YOU SEE THE LAST ELECTION..SO WHY DONT YOU GET YOUR ASS OUT OF OUR COUNTRY BITCH..( ALL CAPS JUST FOR YOU **** BOY)

googlegoogle · 06-10-2009, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

You racist mother****ers devote pages and pages to how blacks are whiners and you use your intellectual language to act so above it all. I make the remarks in humor to bust through YOUR BS and like typical morons you focus on the word when you are the racists. **** you.
Posted via Mobile Device

shutup bitch.

Frazod · 06-10-2009, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

TRUST FUND KID HELLO...DID YOU READ ANYTHING I WROTE? NOBODY IS CRYING OR HIDDING BEHIND "MY PEOPLE" WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM? YOU HAVE A ISSUE MY FRIEND, YOU JUST THINK YOU ARE REALY BETTER THEN THE REST OF US..LOL..YOU ARE TELLING ME TO GROW UP? MAN DID YOU EVEN READ MY POST? I DONT NEED YOUR APPROVAL TRUST FUND BOY TO..BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED SOME ,SO I WILL GIVE IT TO YOU AGIAN..LIKE I SAID, IT IS GREAT THAT YOU ARE HELPING PEOPLE, THE WORLD NEEDS MORE OF THIS, I AM DOING MY PART ALSO, BUT YOU SEEM TO WANT TO IGNORE THAT FACT AND JUST TALK SHIT..SO TRUST FUND BOY, LETS GO.....SO YOU THING YOU KNOW ME? WELL..........I KNOW GUYS LIKE YOU, I BET YOU HAVE DREEDS ,AND LISTEN THE BOBY MARLEY AND THE WHALERS, YOU DRIVE SOME FORM OF PLANET SAVING CAR, YOU SMOKE A BUNCH OF DOPE AND YOU HUG TREES AND EAT GRANOLA BARS? YOUR PARENTS HAVE A SHIT LOAD OF MONEY, AND YOU ONLY DO THIS TO PISS THEM OFF, BECAUSE DADDY WANTED TO CONFORME AND YOU WANTED TO BE THE "REBEL" .. YOU DONT SHOWER OFTEN, YOU TRY TO DRESS BUMMY SO THAT PEOPLE DONT KNOW HOW WEALTHY YOUR FAMILY IS, AND YOU GET A SENSE OF FEELING LIKE GOD BY HELPING THOSE SUDAN FOLKS OUT ...RIGHT?

Why do you automatically assume that anybody who thinks you suck must be rich?

**Bugeater** · 06-10-2009, 12:42 AM

There's no way this guy is working on a Master's degree. Just no ****ing way.

FAX · 06-10-2009, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

Yes and I did not see his past post. When he did post the fact that he helped out I gave him props for it. Even after I did that he still acted like a little whinny ass trust fund baby... Whats your point?

Here's the point, you illiterate ass. (How, by the way, are you going to get a degree in Social Work when you can't even communicate?).

Go back and read your post #1135. Out of the blue, you take my prior post completely out of context (I assume that's because you can't read) and state that my work with the Sudanese is "BS". In my language, that means "bullshit". Why? Because I'm not working with "inner city" youth. America first, right? You racist, pig-headed, small-minded, streak of sour neanderthal spit.

If you really understood what it takes to be an effective volunteer or a volunteer of any kind, for that matter, you wouldn't call it bullshit, you lying puddle of fetid, stinking, goat piss.

FAX

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

There's no way this guy is working on a Master's degree. Just no ****ing way.

sorry to dissapoint you but I am.

FAX · 06-10-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

There's no way this guy is working on a Master's degree. Just no ****ing way.

He's a liar. Of that, I have no doubt.

FAX

**Bugeater** · 06-10-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

sorry to dissapoint you but I am.

Then whatever college you're attending is a complete sham.

06-08-2009, 07:17 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3454454	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

06-10-2009, 12:29 AM	#1158
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Yeah. Hide behind your "people", you cowardly pissant. Go sell your whine to somebody else, I've had enough. You are clearly an ignorant, semi-puerile, dullard who wants to cry in somebody else's beer because life isn't fair and you don't get your way all the time. Some leader. Some role model. For a toddler, maybe. Grow up, you infantile pile of pus. And the next time a man who does reach out a helping hand and contributes his time, energy and money to advancing the cause of people of color comes along, maybe they won't feel ashamed to know your name. FAX
Posts: 44,492

06-10-2009, 12:38 AM	#1160
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	Goddamnit people, just type out your ****ing curse words.
Posts: 70,443

06-10-2009, 12:42 AM	#1166
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	There's no way this guy is working on a Master's degree. Just no ****ing way.
Posts: 70,443