Takin from todays Press Democrat.....
Phoenix Theater cancels rap concerts
By PAUL PAYNE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Petaluma’s Phoenix Theater is canceling gangster-style rap concerts following a fight last month in which a teenager was arrested outside with a loaded gun, officials said Tuesday.
Manager Tom Gaffey said the ban on music often seen as promoting violence is a safety measure until the nonprofit teen center can figure out what types of rap it can allow.
Of concern is a popular style of music known as hyphy, which features pounding rhythms and gritty lyrics and was on the bill at the Phoenix the night of the incident.
Theater officials have been meeting with police about the crowds hyphy draws.
“We need to really think about whether hyphy and hip hop can exist,” Gaffey said. “We have too many kids down here to take that kind of a risk.”
Rap music lovers standing outside the Phoenix Tuesday said the ban was unfair because it lumps all rap music into one category.
Some said the theater’s response to the Jan. 26 incident was excessive.
“That sucks,” said Mike Snow, an 18-year-old junior college student. “It’s lame that all rap shows are canceled for a couple of idiots.”
