Music Incident at P&L District shocks DJ Jazzy Jeff - Page 82

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, 02:33 AM

Fax.......... you cam pm me your apology now.

googlegoogle · 06-10-2009, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wutamess

Nice attempt at covering up ignorance. But you've failed miserably.

You implied that the ones complaining dont pay taxes as if all blacks that complain are on gov assistance. or blacks in that area dont pay taxes. im on my mobile and dont really continuing on your ignorance at the moment
Posted via Mobile Device

He said you guys didn't pay for that district yourselves.

Ever hear of white people? Hear of business taxes?

**Kyle DeLexus** · 06-10-2009, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

Fax.......... you cam pm me your apology now.

Sent you a PM. I think there was a a lot of misunderstanding and want to talk off the record. I don't want to speak for anyone else and realized I might have done that accidentally earlier.

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

Sent you a PM. I think there was a a lot of misunderstanding and want to talk off the record. I don't want to speak for anyone else and realized I might have done that accidentally earlier.

I just replyed.

SPchief · 06-10-2009, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

time I post I will be sure to use APA format, double spaced , title page, and references ,and have all my citations correct.

Jumping in late on this. but there's no way you're going for your masters THIS year. I'm guessing you're a freshman going on sophmore

SPchief · 06-10-2009, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

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

Hey FAX, can I have a Mercedes?

The n00b revolution is complete! Good job Fax

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPchief

Jumping in late on this. but there's no way you're going for your masters THIS year. I'm guessing you're a freshman going on sophmore

Wow you just totally ignored the issue and came after me?...can you please explain this to me? is it more important to you to attack me, or address the issue at hand. If you want to attack me fine go ahead, I don't care. I will have my masters in about a 1 1/2 years so you and the rest of the guys are free to think what you want. I am not going to post any personal information to prove this to you because this is the net. Plus I don't feel the need to prove anything to you folks about the level of schooling I have.

Dottefan · 06-10-2009, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPchief

The n00b revolution is complete! Good job Fax

And the dick head jumping in late on a thread with a worthless take is complete also.........good job

SPchief · 06-10-2009, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottefan

Wow you just totally ignored the issue and came after me?...can you please explain this to me? is it more important to you to attack me, or address the issue at hand. If you want to attack me fine go ahead, I don't care. I will have my masters in about a 1 1/2 years so you and the rest of the guys are free to think what you want. I am not going to post any personal information to prove this to you because this is the net. Plus I don't feel the need to prove anything to you folks about the level of schooling I have.

I don't have a hand in the issue, I'm fairly confident with what's going on in this thread. You clearly care about how people on a message board feel about you or otherwise youl wouldn't bring it up all of 30 seconds after my post.

Most people who who are going after their masters know the date when they are going to get the degree, they don't guess it.

Coach · 06-10-2009, 06:09 AM

4 words.

Who gives a shit?

Katipan · 06-10-2009, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

Just so you know, if you were to ask Stephen Chol (the first Lost Boy we worked with to receive his citizenship) if we felt superior to him, Ms. Katipan, he would laugh, too. Loudly.

FAX

I think you're pretty neat Mr. Fax.

**SAUTO** · 06-10-2009, 07:00 AM

Quote:

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.

i know quite a bit about what goes on in the inner city, by the way you are talking i might just be more in touch with it than you

**SAUTO** · 06-10-2009, 07:05 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.

uuummmm you said it, thats where it came from

**SAUTO** · 06-10-2009, 07:07 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.

probably the first true thing you have said.

**SAUTO** · 06-10-2009, 07:10 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 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

why?

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.”
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06-10-2009, 02:33 AM	#1216
Dottefan Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: FROM KCK, LIVIN N J\O Casino cash: $10004900	Fax.......... you cam pm me your apology now.
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06-10-2009, 06:09 AM	#1225
Coach Champs! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $5938476	4 words. Who gives a shit? __________________ Super Bowl IV, LIV, LVII & LVIII Champions 2020, 2021, 2023, & 2024 AFC Champions 1985 & 2015 Major League Baseball World Series Champions 1980, 1985, 2014, & 2015 Major League Baseball American League Champions 2015 American League Central Division Champs
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