TheDenverChannel.com








Denver News
Share
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters
Related To Story

Promoter Pulls Plug On Controversial Rap Concert

Greeley Concert Over Before It Even Started

POSTED: 8:26 pm MST January 24, 2008
UPDATED: 12:19 pm MST January 25, 2008

A concert promoter in Greeley has pulled the plug on a controversial rap concert scheduled at Island Grove Park.

Promoter Mark Hedin has canceled the show that would have featured rapper Mr. Capone-E as its headliner.

"It's my choice to do this because it's what's best at this particular time," said Hedin.

Hedin made the move amid an uproar from city leaders who argued the rapper's music is "gangsta-themed" and glorifies the gangster lifestyle. City leaders called Mr. Capone-E's lyrics "trash."

"I've read the lyrics," said Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck. "They are not uplifting in any way."

Leaders say Island Grove was an inappropriate venue for the concert because a young woman died in a gang-related shooting at Island Grove less than two years ago.

"And I would hope the promoter would be sensitive to that issue," said Buck. "This is just a horrible influence on young people."

Buck said Greeley is a city trying to repair its image after past gang and immigration problems and this kind of concert would only be a setback.

Mr. Capone-E told 7NEWS, "This is an unprovoked attack on me as an artist. I have a lot of positive music, and yes, music about real life situations as well."

The concert promoter said he hopes to reschedule the concert at another venue outside Weld County.

A promoter for Mr. Capone-E in California named "Big D" said the gang problem in Greeley should in no way be connected to Mr. Capone-E or his lyrics.

"This is a societal problem. Parents need to be responsible and accept the blame for their own children's mistakes," said Big D. "The (Weld County) DA needs to direct some of his energy toward the real thugs on the streets. Who does all this publicity ultimately benefit anyway? Capone-E."

Mr. Capone-E said he has never had this kind of resistance to one of his shows. He said he was simply trying to reach out to fans in northern Colorado.

Buck said he's not against this genre of music, just Mr. Capone-E's lyrics. Buck said while some kids are able to let the lyrics go in one ear and out the other, other kids are vulnerable to the messages in the lyrics.

E - News Registration
 7 a.m. News
9 a.m. News
Noon News
4 p.m. News
8 p.m. News
Breaking News Alerts
My Report Network
National Breaking News

Advertiser Links


Win $200 shopping card from Shell! Like Us On Facebook! Winner announced Tuesday on 7NEWS at 10 p.m.

Advertiser Links