Music Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff - Page 80

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.”

**Kyle DeLexus** · 06-10-2009, 01:07 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.

As someone looking at this from the outside, he made an observation that people should focus more of their time and energy helping people out instead of protesting a dress code at what amounts to a bar(s). (A dress code that is applied at many different bars and clubs) Then you called him out after not having read about the time he spends helping people, and it looked like you called something BS in there I didn't understand what you were saying was BS.

For as long as I've been a member Fax has been one of my favorite poster and is very insightful, and I'd venture to say he seems like one of the nicest guys here. Maybe there was some miss communication or something, but you pissed him off. He took you saying the work he and others had done was BS and ran with it. It looked like thats what you said so I don't know.

It's either you said the work was BS or he shouldn't compare the sudan and Power and Light? If thats the case, I thought he had a good point when he said the people that are protesting the dress code could make much more of a difference in many more peoples lives if they would help out with refugees or did spend that time working with inner city youth. Whats more important helping out others or wearing whatever you want when you go to a certain entertainment district?

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

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

I was only doing what you guys did to me. You know nothing about me , yet you assume so much, just like the trust fund baby did. So yes, you give it to me old man , I give it right back.

Frazod · 06-10-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

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.

I've met Bugeater a couple of times. You really should come to a Chiefs game sometime.

FAX · 06-10-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

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

Hey FAX, can I have a Mercedes?

Heck, take two. I can only drive one at a time.

FAX

**Bugeater** · 06-10-2009, 01:08 AM

And once again, when you post nearly 100 times in a single thread it certainly gives the impression that you DO care about what we think.

Frazod · 06-10-2009, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

Heck, take two. I can only drive one at a time.

FAX

Sweet. In honor of this thread, can I have a black one?

**Kyle DeLexus** · 06-10-2009, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

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.

Well then, worthless without pics eh?

**Bugeater** · 06-10-2009, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

I was only doing what you guys did to me. You know nothing about me , yet you assume so much, just like the trust fund baby did. So yes, you give it to me old man , I give it right back.

Can you link me to a post where any of us made assumptions regarding your financial status?

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

As someone looking at this from the outside, he made an observation that people should focus more of their time and energy helping people out instead of protesting a dress code at what amounts to a bar(s). (A dress code that is applied at many different bars and clubs) Then you called him out after not having read about the time he spends helping people, and it looked like you called something BS in there I didn't understand what you were saying was BS.

For as long as I've been a member Fax has been one of my favorite poster and is very insightful, and I'd venture to say he seems like one of the nicest guys here. Maybe there was some miss communication or something, but you pissed him off. He took you saying the work he and others had done was BS and ran with it. It looked like thats what you said so I don't know.

It's either you said the work was BS or he shouldn't compare the sudan and Power and Light? If thats the case, I thought he had a good point when he said the people that are protesting the dress code could make much more of a difference in many more peoples lives if they would help out with refugees or did spend that time working with inner city youth. Whats more important helping out others or wearing whatever you want when you go to a certain entertainment district?

He got pissed because he was acting like a whinny little bitch. First off, who is he to tell someone when and where they should spend there energy to protest. Someone could just as easily tell him he needs to worry about helping Americans out before foreigners( which is bullshit, just like him telling people when and where they should spend their energy protesting) He helps people out that is great, I do the same,yet he shits on that fact. I repediatly told this whinny **** that I in no way was shitting on him about helping out the refugees ,and he still talks shit about me and the kids I help out. **** him, he can **** off. I will not let some trust fund punk talk shit about the kids that I help out, or try to devalue the fact that I am volunteering my time.

**Kyle DeLexus** · 06-10-2009, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

I was only doing what you guys did to me. You know nothing about me , yet you assume so much, just like the trust fund baby did. So yes, you give it to me old man , I give it right back.

So what did we each individually do to you? I've sure never made an assumption about you based off of nothing at all.

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

Well then, worthless without pics eh?

I am not Canadian..lol..just making a point..eh..lol

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

So what did we each individually do to you? I've sure never made an assumption about you based off of nothing at all.

Not all of you, but some. I personally have no qualms with you.

**Bugeater** · 06-10-2009, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

Not all of you, but some. I personally have no qualms with you.

It doesn't matter, you cannot justify bad behavior simply by pointing out others' bad behavior.

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

It doesn't matter, you cannot justify bad behavior simply by pointing out others' bad behavior.

Bad behavior? why because I stood up to the Bill Oreilly crowd..lol..you should go read some of your own post before you point fingers.

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

And once again, when you post nearly 100 times in a single thread it certainly gives the impression that you DO care about what we think.

I am a post count whore..so sue me. lol.

06-08-2009, 07:17 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3684454	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, 01:08 AM	#1190
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	And once again, when you post nearly 100 times in a single thread it certainly gives the impression that you DO care about what we think.
Posts: 70,443