News - Written by The Source on Sunday, December 21, 2008 2:36 - 12 Comments

Space Jam Canceled

Many young people clambered to 24 W 24th Street in New York City Saturday night expecting to have a fun-filled evening, but instead were left in the cold.

The Space Jam Teen Party was cancelled today due to unforeseen circumstances. Although the reason why many youth, performers, and organizers were not let into the venue is unclear, many believe it was because the party was not only a teen, but a Hip-Hop affair, leading owners to believe that the evening would either take a turn for the worse or end on an unsavory note. Would-be spectators and performers stood waiting, many since noon, for the venue’s doors to open in freezing temperatures eager for what promised to be an amazing evening.

Presented by The Source, G-Unity Foundation, Hiip Movement, and Alador & Smith, The Space Jam Teen Party was intended to present teens with not only an opportunity to enjoy Hip-Hop at its finest, but also learn something. The lineup included motivational speakers, entrepreneurs and performances by Corey Gunz, Chris Brown’s Elite Marching Band, Maino, Square Off, D Coles, Deena Jonez, Taylor Mayde, Lighter, and Diva.

Shamari Green, photographer with Hiip Movement, said, “I just take it as total blatant disrespect. I guess the motivation for not showing up was because they said that it was overbooked and it promoted violence because it was a Hip-Hop event. But I guess they didn’t notice that it’s a kid event. You don’t see any gangsters out here. You see a school bus full of kids.”

Stephaun Bridges, a newcomer to Chris Brown’s Elite Marching Band, had this to say about the cancellation, “It’s kind of messed up because we’re here to show our talents and give kids an influence and probably show them what they could be doing instead of going out in the streets and gangbanging. Now, they’re going to miss out on a great opportunity to see what youth just like them could be doing.”

The Founder of Hiip Movement, William Clark aka Wise, said, “It’s unfair that they should do this to something so positive and so right. There is no excuse. You shut it down when there’s an incident. You shut it down when the crowd is over capacity. But we didn’t even get the doors open and you shut us down.”

Coron, a band member with Elite for more than 6 years, said, “They stereotype against us all the time. From day one. As you can see, we’re all together. We all wear the same uniform. We’re all in unity. Together. I mean, ‘09 Obama’s President. So hopefully that brings changes and we can do something positive.”

Saturday’s events make clear that even with Black History Month around the corner and in light of Barack Obama’s ascendance into the office of President of the United States, for many, the view of Hip-Hop and urban youth remains unchanged. Efforts like Hiip Movement’s Space Jam Teen Party give urban youth the option of excelling beyond stereotypes. Whereas without, many rarely even have a chance.

This hurdle will not impede the movement as it is set to be rescheduled. If left up to some of those involved, it would have gone down Saturday, by any means necessary. Elijah Hawkins, a sound coordinator for The Space Jam Teen Party, said, “It’s going to go down. Nobody can stop us. Even if we had to do it outside. Nobody can stop us”
Performer Deena Jonez said, “I’m down to perform right now - on the street.”

As always, stay tuned as the The Source, The Bible of Hip-Hop Music, Culture, & Politics will keep you posted. - By: Kiara Gillette

12 Comments

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stephon bridges
Dec 21, 2008 16:06

yup i went dere i was so hyped i wanted to bring some joy but no dey shut us down

Vick
Dec 22, 2008 0:22

I waz also brought down 2 this event and waz out waitin since 3:30 in the cold. I waz suppose 2 b performin with a few of my friends. It waz goin 2 b my 1st time performin but i didnt even hav a cance 2 get through dhee door.

Shelton Alexis
Dec 22, 2008 13:13

As a proud member/soldier in the HIIP Movement and Collective (Co-owner & founder of Jin Global, which serves as The HIIP’s production house) I say what a way to end of the year while launching us into the new one with this great momentum which can only continue to ignite and inspire all of the hard work and efforts that went into this inaugural event.

If this was an obstacle, we embrace it and will triumph from it as well. The lies will all be uncovered and truth be told; for there was no reason at all for such disrespect and lack of moral responsibility on the parts the owners of the venue for which the event was to be held.

From 1:30pm to 8:30pm I stayed in the blistering cold documenting on video as the day which turned into night unfold and no event to be had. To see all of the supposed “Gangsters” come out in the shape of little boys, girls and teenagers who traveled from the Bronx, New Jersey, Queens & Brooklyn most of which escorted by parents, look so disappointed when we had to break the news to them was truly unbearable at times.

Big ups to all of the youths that held ground for many hours with us, the soldiers that was there and not present but got to the phones and whatever other resources to make noise and let our voices be heard for this is truly only the beginning and a flagship event of many more to come…

harlemprincess
Dec 22, 2008 14:36

That sucks. This seems like outright discrimination to the hip hop culture. Had this been a Rock or Heavy Metal event would it be cancelled just the same? These two music cultures have sex, drugs, and violence but the media does not mention this much.

Even some hate groups make music to recruit new members to their organization and promote the extermination of other races! If this is not a bigger threat to society than the many news stories about petty disputes in hip hop, then I don’t know what is.

chacho
Dec 22, 2008 14:44

I was also one of the many individuals out their in the blistering cold for 8+ hours not only to enjoy the entertainment but also because i believe in the HIIP MOVEMENT and what it is that is going on with today’s youth in the community.and all this will do is help us come together even more as a whole and focus on what’s important,OUR YOUTH.BECAUSE THEY’RE OUR FUTURE BARACK OBAMA’S,OPRAH WINFREY’S,AND OTHER LEADERS.

harlemprincess
Dec 22, 2008 14:46

This hip hop event was put together for musicians who make clean music and school students who want to celebrate the beginning of their winter vacation. No disrespect but it’s not like Luke or Too Short was peforming with half naked women girating on stage! This event wasn’t going to be like the Tunnel back in the day.

kiki
Dec 22, 2008 15:25

if young people knew how to act when they go to events we wouldnt have this problem, nobody wants to have too many teens in place and its hip-hop at that.

Platinum B, da 1st blind rapper aka Makaveli93
Dec 22, 2008 15:49

Wow!!! Dats REDICULOUS!!!! DEY R HATIN ON HIP HOP 4 REEL!!!…WE R A HIP HOP NATION…we gotta stick TOGETHER…i hope dey make dis event up…all da kids dat were ther jus need 2 protest until dat is able 2 happen at dat place…
HIP HOP STAND UP…WE GOTTA FIGHT 4 OUR RIGHTS!!!!!

Infinite
Dec 22, 2008 18:13

This country was built on various forms of rebellion. It would be foolish to think that we live in some Utopian society, where we can discard any form of expression. And Hip-Hop is the latest voice of the unheard, have we forgotten just this past November? Change is the mantra, not the same ol’, good ol’ boys way of doing things. We need more organizations like H.I.I.P., to help break these stereotypical pretenses and actions. And I’m glad that this got the light it did, the world is changing.

Intelli
Dec 23, 2008 17:52

Let this be a sign for us to unite and create as many positive events as possible for our youth.

lawrence
Dec 25, 2008 11:12

WHEN THIINGS SEEM BAD ALL WILL BE WELL. WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DO NOT WANT US TO SUCCEED AS FAR AS WAKING UP OUR YOUTH TO ANOTHER LEVEL OF EDUCATION AND EXPRESSMENT. NOT GONE HAPPEN. THEY CANNOT STOP WHAT IS DESTINED!!!! THEY CAN ONLY HELP US PUSH FORWARD WHETHER IT BE IN A OOSITIVE WAY WHICH IS GREAT OR A NEGATIVE WAY IN WHICH THE OUTCOME OF BAD IS GOOD. WHICH MAKES IT GREATER FOR OUR YOUTH. HOLD TIGHT AND STRAP IN CAUSE YOUR IN FOR THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE. POSITIVE SUPERCEEDS ALL!!!! ABDUL!

Naeemah
Jan 21, 2009 21:22

this calls for legal action….breech of contract