Music Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff - Page 81

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, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

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.

I actually added the protest thing. And not talking about you personally, but everyone complaining about the dress code at P&L, wouldn't that time and effort be better served helping out the kids you help out?

I am from a small town in SWKS, but a lot of gang members from bigger cities went to my school when they got kicked out of schools in their town. Out there it's predominantly hispanic and white gangs and they dressed the exact way that the dress code is against. I have had conversations with a ex-coworker about his past gang affiliation, he wasn't a member but many of his friends were so he dressed like them and ran with their set. Then right after we would have those conversations he'd complain about not being allowed into some place and say he gets treated like a gang member when he's not and people should be more openminded. Do you see the irony in that? The dude dressed like them, talked like them, walked like them, and expected to not be treated like them!

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

I actually added the protest thing. And not talking about you personally, but everyone complaining about the dress code at P&L, wouldn't that time and effort be better served helping out the kids you help out?

I am from a small town in SWKS, but a lot of gang members from bigger cities went to my school when they got kicked out of schools in their town. Out there it's predominantly hispanic and white gangs and they dressed the exact way that the dress code is against. I have had conversations with a ex-coworker about his past gang affiliation, he wasn't a member but many of his friends were so he dressed like them and ran with their set. Then right after we would have those conversations he'd complain about not being allowed into some place and say he gets treated like a gang member when he's not and people should be more open minded. Do you see the irony in that? The dude dressed like them, talked like them, walked like them, and expected to not be treated like them!

Yes I see the Irony in that. If I go out to a club, or bar, I dress for the most part in Polos , jeans or button ups. If I am just hanging out, I have on my t shirts and baggy jeans. My point is for the people who want to wear their chains and t`s to the club they should be able to. I tell the kids that Fax calls trash everday, that they need to understand that when they are out in the BUISNESS WORLD, that they need to follow a certain dress code. If they want to get a good paying job they need to dress the part..clean cut. This does not apply to going out, drinking and partying. Those are two different things. From some of your post , it leads me to believe that you think we don't understand this concept. The same cat you see in baggy jeans at the club on Friday, might be in a suit on Monday. That's a reality. But you don't see that. Why would you assume that that is any different than the white guy in flip flops and shorts? I think this is point that allot of people are trying to make regarding the dress code at the PL district

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

I actually added the protest thing. And not talking about you personally, but everyone complaining about the dress code at P&L, wouldn't that time and effort be better served helping out the kids you help out?

!

Do you not see the irony in your own post? you are questiong me , but have yet to address the BS that FAX posted? I am not attacking you, just wondering why he gets a pass for that crap.

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

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

I was at the Saints game, the Titans, and the Raiders game last season and I plan on going to a few this upcoming season..so yeah, any time.

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

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.

I said most,not all. If you dish it out, you should be able to take it, and I took allot of stereotyping that came my way in this thread, so you know what? I gave it right back. So if you are going to call me out, then you should do the same to all the other people that posted the same stuff..or your just pissing in the wind.

**Reaper16** · 06-10-2009, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

I said most,not all. If you dish it out, you should be able to take it, and I took allot of stereotyping that came my way in this thread, so you know what? I gave it right back. So if you are going to call me out, then you should do the same to all the other people that posted the same stuff..or your just pissing in the wind.

That's true. You didn't start painting with a broad brush until people did it to you. Just thought I'd back you up on that point.

**Kyle DeLexus** · 06-10-2009, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

Yes I see the Irony in that. If I go out to a club, or bar, I dress for the most part in Polos , jeans or button ups. If I am just hanging out, I have on my t shirts and baggy jeans. My point is for the people who want to wear there chains and t`s to the club they should be able to. I tell the kids that Fax calls trash everday, that they need to understand that when they are out in the BUISNESS WORLD, that they need to follow a certain dress code. If they want to get a good paying job they need to dress the part..clean cut. This does not apply to going out, drinking and partying. Those are two different things. From some of your post , it leads me to believe that you think we don't understand this concept. The same cat you see in baggy jeans at the club on Friday, might be in a suit on Monday. That's a reality. But you don't see that. Why would you assume that that is any different than the white guy in flip flops and shorts? I think this is point that allot of people are trying to make regarding the dress code at the PL district

I've said myself that I wouldn't be able to go in with the way I dress on a daily basis. Why does the white guy have to be in flip flops and shorts? I wear the shell toes and baggy jeans. My shorts are pretty long when I wear them. I like to wear Jerseys with my baggy jeans too.

I'm not trying to say that the guys that wear that only wear that. I'm just saying that when they are getting dressed to go out, a lot of stuff they are putting on has been linked to gang affiliation. Someone said it in a comment to an article on the DJJJ thing "the guys that are affiliated with gangs are less likely to change what they put on to go in."

That's why I don't feel it's an issue of race. It effects people of every race since the hip hop and urban fashion has become mainstream. It's not just the black man who has to conform, it's youth in general. Until either gangs wear or mainstream fashion changes, dress codes will stay in place for good reason. I think Micjones of all people had it right(just in a different way than he meant) when he said something to the tune of stuff like this effects people it didn't target. Minorities were not the target, just happen to be effected by it. When they start to enforce the dress code differently among races, then it's time for the protests. So far I haven't heard of anything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

Do you not see the irony in your own post? you are questiong me , but have yet to address the BS that FAX posted? I am not attacking you, just wondering why he gets a pass for that crap.

I've had great respect for FAX for a long time now. Some of the stuff he said did surprise me, but I don't feel he is racist in the slightest. I was actually trying to let him calm down and felt he would explain his posts better than he could if he is still angry. More than anything, I believe you two had a miss communication of sorts and he feels your just stirring pots and not being truthful in what you are saying. That is my opinion and don't know that it reflects FAX's true stance.

**Reaper16** · 06-10-2009, 01:57 AM

FAX & Dotte were definitely misunderstanding each other. Both were incorrectly interpreting the other's posts from what I could tell.

**Kyle DeLexus** · 06-10-2009, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

FAX & Dotte were definitely misunderstanding each other. Both were incorrectly interpreting the other's posts from what I could tell.

That is definitely the vibe I got.

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 02:07 AM

Look folks, I am not holding any grudge towards the man..I can take him talking shit about me, hell I have taking so much shit from this thread alone..lol..but when you attack the kids that I help out on a daily basis, then that is very personal thing for me. I said over and over again , from the very first time that he thought I was attacking him for helping the refugees, that I was not, and that I thought it was a great thing that he was doing. What did he do? He spewed some very boarder line racist shit about me and my kids...even after I told him I was not trying to discredit him. He may be a good guy, but from this post I dont see it

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

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

I never said anything about you helping them out..so you get no appology, you should be the one appologzing go read your border line racist rants about the Kids that I help, then we will see who should appologize.

**J Diddy** · 06-10-2009, 02:21 AM

Who knew that when this thread was made there would be a racism argument?

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 02:23 AM

lets look at some of your post about the kids I help out...FAX first you called them " "American" inner city black kid who aspires only to his next bowl of crack and knocking up his 12 year-old cousin" wow that was not racist at all ..........then you said " your baggy pants wearing, bling toting, cockeyed hat sporting crew of miscreants. That way, your government forms would be easier to read" another very nice description of the kids that I try to help out. No wonder its though out there for them. With people like you , who know nothing about them, but obviously have a very strong opinion of them.

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 02:27 AM

......oh and FAX lets not forget the best post of them all..this isnt racist at all..."How did your community get in such sorry-ass shape that you care more about baggy pants than crime or hunger or education? Are you that friggin' stupid or are you trying to pull whitey's chain so you can feel better about your black ass?
You have no idea what you're talking about. None. You wouldn't know true racism if it bit you in the ass."...wow , now just going by this, I would say this is true racism. Again Fax, with guys like you out there with their preconceived notions about inner city youth...guys like me are needed. To show them something positive,so that your negative views don't interfere with them becoming successful men.

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 02:32 AM

Now FAX..go find a post that shows me attacking the refugees that you help? you cant, becuase there are none . The one post that you thought I was attacking them, I told you several times I was not, and apologized , yet you still spewed this hate towards the kids I help.

06-08-2009, 07:17 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3514454	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, 02:07 AM	#1210
Dottefan Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: FROM KCK, LIVIN N J\O Casino cash: $10004900	Look folks, I am not holding any grudge towards the man..I can take him talking shit about me, hell I have taking so much shit from this thread alone..lol..but when you attack the kids that I help out on a daily basis, then that is very personal thing for me. I said over and over again , from the very first time that he thought I was attacking him for helping the refugees, that I was not, and that I thought it was a great thing that he was doing. What did he do? He spewed some very boarder line racist shit about me and my kids...even after I told him I was not trying to discredit him. He may be a good guy, but from this post I dont see it
Posts: 1,295

06-10-2009, 02:21 AM	#1212
J Diddy Don't Be A Dick Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Joplin Casino cash: $6587192	Who knew that when this thread was made there would be a racism argument?
Posts: 33,673

06-10-2009, 02:23 AM	#1213
Dottefan Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: FROM KCK, LIVIN N J\O Casino cash: $10004900	lets look at some of your post about the kids I help out...FAX first you called them " "American" inner city black kid who aspires only to his next bowl of crack and knocking up his 12 year-old cousin" wow that was not racist at all ..........then you said " your baggy pants wearing, bling toting, cockeyed hat sporting crew of miscreants. That way, your government forms would be easier to read" another very nice description of the kids that I try to help out. No wonder its though out there for them. With people like you , who know nothing about them, but obviously have a very strong opinion of them. Last edited by Dottefan; 06-10-2009 at 02:29 AM..
Posts: 1,295

06-10-2009, 02:27 AM	#1214
Dottefan Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: FROM KCK, LIVIN N J\O Casino cash: $10004900	......oh and FAX lets not forget the best post of them all..this isnt racist at all..."How did your community get in such sorry-ass shape that you care more about baggy pants than crime or hunger or education? Are you that friggin' stupid or are you trying to pull whitey's chain so you can feel better about your black ass? You have no idea what you're talking about. None. You wouldn't know true racism if it bit you in the ass."...wow , now just going by this, I would say this is true racism. Again Fax, with guys like you out there with their preconceived notions about inner city youth...guys like me are needed. To show them something positive,so that your negative views don't interfere with them becoming successful men.
Posts: 1,295

06-10-2009, 02:32 AM	#1215
Dottefan Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: FROM KCK, LIVIN N J\O Casino cash: $10004900	Now FAX..go find a post that shows me attacking the refugees that you help? you cant, becuase there are none . The one post that you thought I was attacking them, I told you several times I was not, and apologized , yet you still spewed this hate towards the kids I help.
Posts: 1,295