Music Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff - Page 79

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, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

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

Again great job. I guess my last post hit home. I like how you use those big words...I guess that is just you trying to again show how superior you are to me? wow..next time I post I will be sure to use APA format, double spaced , title page, and references ,and have all my citations correct.

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

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

Its the net, I dont need to worry about my grammar....but I guess you can call the grammar police if you would like. I bet they would give a shit..and save all that crap about How it takes away from what I am saying..because this is not class dip shit....its the net. get over yourself.

**Kyle DeLexus** · 06-10-2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

Again great job. I guess my last post hit home. I like how you use those big words...I guess that is just you trying to again show how superior you are to me? wow..next time I post I will be sure to use APA format, double spaced , title page, and references ,and have all my citations correct.

FTR, Fax uses "those big words" in many of his posts. I'm sure every post he's made on the planet hasn't been to show how superior he is to you...just sayin.

**Bugeater** · 06-10-2009, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

Its the net, I dont need to worry about my grammar....but I guess you can call the grammar police if you would like. I bet they would give a shit..and save all that crap about How it takes away from what I am saying..because this is not class dip shit....its the net. get over yourself.

You couldn't be more wrong, it does matter if you want anyone to take you seriously. When people see something that looks like a 5 yr old typed it out...well...they assume a 5 yr old typed it out.

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

FTR, Fax uses "those big words" in many of his posts. I'm sure every post he's made on the planet hasn't been to show how superior he is to you...just sayin.

No but he obviously has no intentions of of trying to understand my point. I have repeatedly said that I think its great that he helps people out, and all he does is shit on the fact that I help out inner city kids. Then he goes on this tantrum about how I think its America first? were the hell did that come from. Then he talks shit on the sly about inner city kids. He can eat a dick.....****ing trust fund baby.

Frazod · 06-10-2009, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

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

Still waiting for an answer to this one.

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

You couldn't be more wrong, it does matter if you want anyone to take you seriously. When people see something that looks like a 5 yr old typed it out...well...they assume a 5 yr old typed it out.

No I just think you have to much time on your hands. I will worry about my grammar at my job and at school, unless you plan on paying me , or grading my paper I could care less. If you ignore what I am saying just because of the way it is typed..your a dip shit, and you just want to make yourself feel better.. I never call any one out over that, its the net...I would never be that lame.

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Still waiting for an answer to this one.

I called one person a trust fund baby , and you think I was referring to everyone..go away please.

Frazod · 06-10-2009, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

No I just think you have to much time on your hands. I will worry about my grammar at my job and at school, unless you plan on paying me , or grading my paper I could care less. If you ignore what I am saying just because of the way it is typed..your a dip shit, and you just want to make yourself feel better.. I never call any one out over that, its the net...I would never be that lame.

Here's another question you can ignore - does it take special effort or concentration for you to use proper grammar and spelling? I don't understand that. I use proper grammar and spelling at work, but I don't get stupid just because I go home at night.

**Bugeater** · 06-10-2009, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

No I just think you have to much time on your hands. I will worry about my grammar at my job and at school, unless you plan on paying me , or grading my paper I could care less. If you ignore what I am saying just because of the way it is typed..your a dip shit, and you just want to make yourself feel better.. I never call any one out over that, its the net...I would never be that lame.

Uh, ok, do it your way then, if you don't mind looking like an ignorant dipshit that's fine with me. And BTW, you have 94 posts in this thread compared to my 22, so you may want to retract your first statement.

FAX · 06-10-2009, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

No but he obviously has no intentions of of trying to understand my point. I have repeatedly said that I think its great that he helps people out, and all he does is shit on the fact that I help out inner city kids. Then he goes on this tantrum about how I think its America first? were the hell did that come from. Then he talks shit on the sly about inner city kids. He can eat a dick.....****ing trust fund baby.

If you want to refer to me, you can talk to me, you lying, steaming pile of malodorous, decaying, pig dung.

Here's what I'll do, though. In deference to the absolute enormity of your stupidity, I'll actually have a conversation with you. If ... if ... you sincerely apologize for that piece of crap post #1135. We work our asses off for those kids - they are our family. We take great pride in their achievements - not for us, mind you, but for them. I will not tolerate some pig-headed, pea-brained, race-baiting moron like yourself referring to their efforts as bullshit.

Apologize. And mean it.

FAX

Frazod · 06-10-2009, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

I called one person a trust fund baby , and you think I was referring to everyone..go away please.

No, last night you accused us all of being rich, white and 50. It seems to be one of your defense mechanisms of last resort - anybody who would dare to disagree with you must be some powerful oppressor of your rights.

I hate to break it to you, but no powerful oppressor of your rights would bother to post on this board or engage you in any sort of discussion.

**Bugeater** · 06-10-2009, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

I called one person a trust fund baby , and you think I was referring to everyone..go away please.

And you said it without knowing a damn thing about that person.

Frazod · 06-10-2009, 01:06 AM

I wasn't aware FAX was a trust fund baby.

Hey FAX, can I have a Mercedes?

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Uh, ok, do it your way then, if you don't mind looking like an ignorant dipshit that's fine with me. And BTW, you have 94 posts in this thread compared to my 22, so you may want to retract your first statement.

I am trying to get my post count up, plus I am on vacation. WE WILL NEVER MEET, YOU REALLY THINK I CARE WHAT YOU PEOPLE THINK ABOUT ME? FOR ALL YOU KNOW, I AM SOME WHITE CHICK IN CANADA..LOL.

06-08-2009, 07:17 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3744454	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, 01:06 AM	#1184
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $2855085	I wasn't aware FAX was a trust fund baby. Hey FAX, can I have a Mercedes?
Posts: 119,529