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MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 11, 2004 Rapper E-40 had performed in Medford without incident in both 2001 and 2003. VIBES silences rapper after officials object By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune A rap concert scheduled for tonight in downtown Medford was canceled after city officials expressed concerns about alcohol sales, the show’s content and the possibility the performance could attract trouble. Bay Area rapper E-40’s show at VIBES, a teen dance club run by Kids Unlimited, was called off when Director Tom Cole learned Thursday that some police officers and members of the Medford City Council objected. "We found out this guy was a gangster rapper and that they would be selling alcohol at VIBES," said Councilman Skip Knight. "We thought that was inappropriate for our town. ... We don’t want somebody stirring up a gang issue, and this guy promotes that stuff." The city did not force Kids Unlimited to cancel the event. But Cole did not hesitate to phone E-40’s concert promoter after hearing about city officials’ worries. "We didn’t want to jeopardize our relationship with the police department and the city because of this event," Cole said. "That’s the only reason we pulled the show." Advertisement Kids Unlimited provides after-school care and other services to about 1,000 young people per week. Cole said in order to continue offering free youth programs, it must rent out the building for concerts, business conventions and educational conferences. Medford Police Chief Eric Mellgren said renting out VIBES for an E-40 performance seems in conflict with Kids Unlimited’s primary mission of serving youths in need. "Our concern is that it sells itself as a place for young people," Mellgren said. "A mixed message doesn’t work." Mellgren said police worried fights or vandalism could occur outside the venue after the show. "We had concerns people would get pretty wound up," he said. "We just want to make sure downtown is safe." City officials were apparently unaware that E-40 had appeared at VIBES in 2001 and again last year. Cole said the rapper’s previous Medford shows went off without a hitch. "There weren’t any problems with assaults ... or with gangs congregating, or anything like that," Cole said, adding that during previous shows, E-40 posed for pictures with concertgoers and spoke with them about the dangers of gangs. "He was really a nice guy," Cole said. "I feel like he has been real sensitive in the past, knowing it’s a younger crowd." Kids Unlimited next year plans to move into a new facility on North Riverside Avenue, where rent is not as high, Cole said. When the move is made, the organization will not have to depend as heavily on revenue from concert bookings in order to make ends meet, he said. While concert fliers announced the E-40 show would include a beer garden for adults in the upstairs portion of the building, Cole said he did not believe alcohol sales would materialize at the all-ages concert because of difficulty securing a vendor. Other events at VIBES, including a Friday night concert featuring Mexican music, provide alcohol to adult concertgoers, Cole said. Some city councilors were under the impression the E-40 concert would be canceled because of poor ticket sales. Cole said about 100 tickets had been sold by Thursday, and that he expected more people would pay at the door. He said the average VIBES concert draws about 200 people. "I thought the concert would go on, unless they were not able to sell enough tickets," City Councilman Greg Jones said. "I think this conversation could have happened longer than two days before the event. "I think Tom’s running a great program, and he’s always been very responsible with the type of events conducted (at VIBES). I’m a strong supporter," Jones said. The city gave Kids Unlimited $25,000 to help open VIBES about five years ago. Knight said that when the money was handed out, the City Council believed the organization existed only to provide after-school programs to youngsters. Knight said police on Thursday handed City Council members a six-page listing of calls they have responded to at VIBES, but he was not certain whether any occurred during previous E-40 shows. "We didn’t tell (Kids Unlimited) they couldn’t have the show," Knight said. "We just advised them that we didn’t think it was appropriate." Knight said he thinks it is inappropriate for "gangster rappers" to appear in Medford, in part because some of their rhymes make reference to "raping your sister and killing your mother." "He has the right to say it, but we’d prefer it not be said in our town," Knight said. "We have the right to object." Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e- [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers