Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff

[Deberg_1990]

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]

Hey mic did you happen to post a comment to the DJJJ vs. P&L article on pitch today?

[Dottefan]

Originally Posted by Lzen

I think the main reason why you were accused of pulling the race card without possibly a good reason is that this is not a clear cut case. Like others have suggested, the whole booking a hip hop artist and then kicking them off because they decided they didn't want hip hop doesn't make a lot of sense.

Sure, MicJones's theory could be correct. By no means am I suggesting that MJ is wrong or that I know one way or the other. But I think we should not jump to the conclusion that it was simply a racist thing. And I think you should at least acknowledge the fact that you may be seeing what you want to see rather than what the evidence may or may not suggest.

I think more will come out about this story as time goes on. Maybe then we can all make better assessments of this situation.

I guess my pointis that you would be taken more seriously if you didn't come across as someone who appears to hate white, republican, Bill OReilly watching men.

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

[FAX]

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.

Disingenuous? Exactly the opposite, in my view. Unreasonable? Maybe.

(In fact, disingenuous doesn't really fit at all what I think you're intending to express.)

Try this on this logic, and I'll listen to whatever you say on the subject very carefully ...

1. Some blacks are pissed because the dress code at the P&L District doesn't cater to their personal tastes in clothing and, therefore, excludes them from participation.

2. Great energy and time is expended by these blacks and others who support them in expressing their outrage at this diversifying and prejudicial standard.

3. In America, today, there are black men and women who are refugees from Sudan who have panic attacks in grocery stores because they've never seen so much food, have never been to a real school, and who view work and education as the highest possible calling a human being can have.

4. Few black people reach out to help these refugees gain a foothold in America.

5. The time, ergs, effort, and energy spent fighting for the right to wear baggy pants and bling at a bar could reasonably be better expended assisting these men and women who are in real need of both the help and black role models.

To me, it's all part of a bigger picture, Mr. Micjones. It isn't even a black issue, really. It represents just how screwed up our priorities are. People want to be able to do what they want ... sometimes that means wearing baggy pants and sometimes that means surviving to live another single day. Which do you think the black community should care about more? Do you really want to use the term "injustice" when referring to a dress code when young men and women are being literally slaughtered by the hundreds of thousands?

FAX

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Dottefan

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

Well I think your and idiot, and I'll likely never change my view on that.

[Dottefan]

Originally Posted by Lzen

From your posts in this thread, I would have to say you are not being honest with us or yourself.

Don'T pretend you know anything about me from a few post.. besides, any one who thinks Bill "o racist" orielly has anything credible to say, is not the type of person I would take any advise from.

[Dottefan]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Well I think your and idiot, and I'll likely never change my view on that.

And I care what you think..lol..

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Dottefan

And I care what you think..lol..

Well you sure as hell must care what someone here thinks with as many times you've posted in this thread.

[Kyle DeLexus]

Originally Posted by Dottefan

Don'T pretend you know anything about me from a few post.. besides, any one who thinks Bill "o racist" orielly has anything credible to say, is not the type of person I would take any advise from.

Actually my professor, Dr. Brian Russell, said O'Reilly is very different off camera. He said that he is one of the nicest guys in the business and has a reputation as such....off camera that is.

[FAX]

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

You remind me of the little man who "buddies up" with the big hitters and eggs them on while you hide behind the bar. You consistently do it.

In this case, you first use racial slurs and get busted for it (by the guys you called "racist", by the way), then you want to align yourself with the very people you've insulted. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right? Sorry, but Mr. MicJones is not my enemy. Far from it.

I was wrong about you Zombo. You're worse than a fool. Far worse. You are a pitiable little goofball and the worst kind of slimy, little ass. I thought you could make some progress, but I was mistaken. You are nothing more than a bug on the windshield of life. I hereby swish your worthless guts from my vision with my mental wipers.

FAX

[Dottefan]

Originally Posted by FAX

Disingenuous? Exactly the opposite, in my view. Unreasonable? Maybe.

(In fact, disingenuous doesn't really fit at all what I think you're intending to express.)

Try this on this logic, and I'll listen to whatever you say on the subject very carefully ...

1. Some blacks are pissed because the dress code at the P&L District doesn't cater to their personal tastes in clothing and, therefore, excludes them from participation.

2. Great energy and time is expended by these blacks and others who support them in expressing their outrage at this diversifying and prejudicial standard.

3. In America, today, there are black men and women who are refugees from Sudan who have panic attacks in grocery stores because they've never seen so much food, have never been to a real school, and who view work and education as the highest possible calling a human being can have.

4. Few black people reach out to help these refugees gain a foothold in America.

5. The time, ergs, effort, and energy spent fighting for the right to wear baggy pants and bling at a bar could reasonably be better expended assisting these men and women who are in real need of both the help and black role models.

To me, it's all part of a bigger picture, Mr. Micjones. It isn't even a black issue, really. It represents just how screwed up our priorities are. People want to be able to do what they want ... sometimes that means wearing baggy pants and sometimes that means surviving to live another single day. Which do you think the black community should care about more? Do you really want to use the term "injustice" when referring to a dress code when young men and women are being literally slaughtered by the hundreds of thousands?

FAX

What the hell do you know about what is going on in the inner city? Your point is BS. How do you know that no body reaches out? who are you to say that there are no black role models? how many kids have you helped? how many hours have you volunteered? when was the last time you were actually in the "hood" to find out any thing about what you are talking about for yourself? or are you just going off of sound bites from the news media? ...get off your high horse..how do you know the same kid in baggy clothes is not helping out in his neighborhood..you don't. just for the record, I do volunteer in the inner city, I do act as a role model, and council young kids about staying out of gangs and drugs. I am on the front lines everyday helping kids out...AND SO ARE ALLOT OF OTHER BLACK MALE ROLE MODELS.(AND I PUT THAT IN CAPS JUST FOR YOU LAMES TO CRY ABOUT)...For you to even compare what is going on the Sudan and the PL is BS.

[Dottefan]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Well you sure as hell must care what someone here thinks with as many times you've posted in this thread.

No..according to you guys I just like sticking it to the man.

[Kyle DeLexus]

Am I on ignore? No ones responding to my posts

[Dottefan]

[QUOTE=Kyle DeLexus;5829157]Actually my professor, Dr. Brian Russell, said O'Reilly is very different off camera. He said that he is one of the nicest guys in the business and has a reputation as such....off camera that is.[/QUOT

And that is suppose to change my view on a man who is obviously border line racist?...lol

[FAX]

Originally Posted by Dottefan

What the hell do you know about what is going on in the inner city? Your point is BS. How do you know that no body reaches out? who are you to say that there are no black role models? how many kids have you helped? how many hours have you volunteered? when was the last time you were actually in the "hood" to find out any thing about what you are talking about for yourself? or are you just going off of sound bites from the news media? ...get off your high horse..how do you know the same kid in baggy clothes is not helping out in his neighborhood..you don't. just for the record, I do volunteer in the inner city, I do act as a role model, and council young kids about staying out of gangs and drugs. I am on the front lines everyday helping kids out...AND SO ARE ALLOT OF OTHER BLACK MALE ROLE MODELS.(AND I PUT THAT IN CAPS JUST FOR YOU LAMES TO CRY ABOUT)...For you to even compare what is going on the Sudan and the PL is BS.

Read my posts, man. I've worked with the Sudanese guys for years. In America. Dumbass. Here. Not in Sudan. I've never once seen a black American at a meeting. Not one time. Read my posts.

That's Nashville, though. I don't know what goes on in KC - it's why I asked the question originally. I'm not on a high horse, you ignorant, illiterate, caps writing, dipshit. I roll up my sleeves and work with people you would probably spit on. Give me a break.

Put on some baggy pants and roll with your friggin' homies in your mutual self-pity. Meanwhile, some of us "racists" will help your African brethren get jobs and an education. Dumbass.

I have an idea for you. If you don't like things the way they are. Work to change them. Don't come gunning for people who do. Dumbass.

FAX

[Kyle DeLexus]

And that is suppose to change my view on a man who is obviously border line racist?...lol

I actually don't watch so I don't know how he acts or his beliefs. I just know from Dr. Russell that he acts how he does to get viewers. His income depends on it.

I was really hoping you would have chosen my other dress code related post to comment on since I don't have much to say about O'Reilly.