Music Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff - Page 42

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.”

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 06-08-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I don't have much of a problem at all with the KCP&L dress code once it was revised by the city council. I think that its pretty fair now. Enforcement could be a lot better (for example, I saw a hispanic man get turned away for having the cuffs of his jeans turned up to better show off his sneakers. My white ass was doing the exact same thing to show off mine, but I get in no problem).

But this thread really isn't about the dress code. From what I've read, which is the entirity of the thread, this thread is mostly about micjones being awesome and a bunch of white dudes bloviating about how they're victimized over having to hear minorites playing the "victim card."

you must have a lot of people on ignore then because you've missed half the thread.

blaise · 06-08-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

Is that anything like indicting all black people following urban fashion norms because of largely hypothetical examples of violence or disruption?

I digress, though. I didn't feel the need to name names because its kind of obvious.

Actually it's almost exactly like that. I never made that claim by the way even though someone casually reading this thread might infer I did after reading your post.
Interesting that you have a problem with it on one hand but you do it freely with the other.

**SAUTO** · 06-08-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

you knock a piece off beforehand? I bet you did you sly dog!

sure did! we were gone on our own for a weekend with a nice big shower, what else to do?

Micjones · 06-08-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

so whats your point? you still dont KNOW.

You're right Sauto. You do.
We'll forget that my commentary and insight in this forum today has consistently shown that I know what I'm talking about.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 06-08-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

This thread makes me embarrassed to be ~~white~~ human. I don't want to be guilty of idiocy by association.

I took the liberty of fixing your post. As long as we sit around and point fingers, we're never going to find any solutions.

Forget everything you've ever watched your parents, colleagues, and friends do over the years in regards to this subject. It may sound corny, but we're really breaking ground here folks. Never in history has there ever been an opportunity for so many complete strangers from all walks of life to come together and have a completely candid conversation on this topic.

It's time to evaluate what's transpired to this point and focus on the solution, rather than this constant rehashing of the problem. Pointing fingers back and forth has ALWAYS been a part of the problem. We're all ****ing idiots and once we realize that, we may have the chance to DO something about it.

Micjones · 06-08-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

and it's also proof that Cordish has known for over 45 days who was slated. They could have found reason to cancel or change artists prior to Saturday if that was their concern.

If Cordish officials had bothered to do the work they hired the promoter to do.
But certainly they could've found out who was slated. I'll concede that.

**Kyle DeLexus** · 06-08-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I don't have much of a problem at all with the KCP&L dress code once it was revised by the city council. I think that its pretty fair now. Enforcement could be a lot better (for example, I saw a hispanic man get turned away for having the cuffs of his jeans turned up to better show off his sneakers. My white ass was doing the exact same thing to show off mine, but I get in no problem).

But this thread really isn't about the dress code. From what I've read, which is the entirity of the thread, this thread is mostly about micjones being awesome and a bunch of white dudes bloviating about how they're victimized over having to hear minorites playing the "victim card."

That's fair. I've got nothing against micjones and stick by what I said that he raises good points that make you think. In this instance I just don't think theres enough evidence either way to make a claim just yet. It very well could have been because of the music being played, or it could have been from the speakers. It's something I will wait and try to hear more on when more information comes out.

**SAUTO** · 06-08-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

You're right Sauto. You do.
We'll forget that my commentary and insight in this forum today has consistently shown that I know what I'm talking about.

mic where in the hell did i say that i did? you yourself have said that word "think". to think so means that you dont know for sure

Micjones · 06-08-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

mic where in the hell did i say that i did? you yourself have said that word "think". to think so means that you dont know for sure

Then if using the word "think" implies that I don't know, with any certainty, why was it necessary for you to point that out?

KCUnited · 06-08-2009, 05:37 PM

If Skillz didn't meet the dress code standards they should've told him when they were setting up and not 30 minutes into the show.

blaise · 06-08-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I don't have much of a problem at all with the KCP&L dress code once it was revised by the city council. I think that its pretty fair now. Enforcement could be a lot better (for example, I saw a hispanic man get turned away for having the cuffs of his jeans turned up to better show off his sneakers. My white ass was doing the exact same thing to show off mine, but I get in no problem).

But this thread really isn't about the dress code. From what I've read, which is the entirity of the thread, this thread is mostly about micjones being awesome and a bunch of white dudes bloviating about how they're victimized over having to hear minorites playing the "victim card."

The implication here being any white dude that posted in this thread is racist. For someone that calls himself a writer you're typing some incredibly hack garbage.
It's funny how we talk a lot in this country about needing dialogue on race; then in a thread like this there's actually people that have discussed a racial situation, but someone like you comes along, under the guise of open-mindedness, and basically tries to halt the debate by implying that the white people here are one and the same and racist.
Yes there have been some idiots here, but your sweeping generalization does nothing to add value.

**SAUTO** · 06-08-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Then if using the word "think" implies that I don't know, with any certainty, why was it necessary for you to point that out?

because you still act like what YOU "think" is a certainty.

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 06-08-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Then if using the word "think" implies that I don't know, with any certainty, why was it necessary for you to point that out?

something about a goose and a gander.....i forget how it goes

**Reaper16** · 06-08-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

I took the liberty of fixing your post. As long as we sit around and point fingers, we're never going to find any solutions.

Forget everything you've ever watched your parents, colleagues, and friends do over the years in regards to this subject. It may sound corny, but we're really breaking ground here folks. Never in history has there ever been an opportunity for so many complete strangers from all walks of life to come together and have a completely candid conversation on this topic.

It's time to evaluate what's transpired to this point and focus on the solution, rather than this constant rehashing of the problem. Pointing fingers back and forth has ALWAYS been a part of the problem. We're all ****ing idiots and once we realize that, we may have the chance to DO something about it.

No.

A goddamned message board thread is not the place to have a candid discussion about pretty much anything. No one will ever change anyone's mind. Look to the wildly successful Washington D.C./Holy Land subforum for proof.

Also, I am not an idiot.

Micjones · 06-08-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

because you still act like what YOU "think" is a certainty.

KC Live hasn't traditionally played host to much Hip Hop.
But again, don't take my word for it.

Do the research and kindly return all the names of the Hip Hop wielding DJ's who've played the venue.
Don't worry...I'll wait.

06-08-2009, 07:17 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	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

06-08-2009, 05:37 PM	#625
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $2318244	If Skillz didn't meet the dress code standards they should've told him when they were setting up and not 30 minutes into the show.
Posts: 33,881