UNITED STATES: VIOLENCE MARRS THE SOURCE HIP-HOP MUSIC AWARDS 2000 EVENT IN PASADENA

Record ID: 390033

  • Title: UNITED STATES: VIOLENCE MARRS THE SOURCE HIP-HOP MUSIC AWARDS 2000 EVENT IN PASADENA
  • Date: 22nd August 2000
  • Summary: PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 22, 2000) (REUTERS) VARIOUS ARRIVALS TO THE AWARDS PROGRAM INCLUDING DON KING (NIGHTSHOTS) HELICOPTER/ PEOPLE EXITING AUDITORIUM POLICE CARS/ PEOPLE WALKING OUT OF THE BUILDING POLICE OFFICER CLEARING THE AREA SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) OBSERVER "All of a sudden the people from the South, cash money people about 10 people jumped on o
  • Embargoed: 6th September 2000 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Crime,Entertainment,General
  • Reuters ID: LVA9FQI59N8EMHKBL5GBU2COLIJC
  • Story Text: What was expected to be an evening to unite Hip-Hops' greatest artists ended in violence. Police broke-up "The Source Hip-Hop Music Awards 2000" music program after being unable to stop the numerous violent fights backstage and between members of the audience.
    It was an evening filled with glitter, excitement, and high expectations. Before the start of "The Source Hip-Hop Music Awards 2000" , hip-hop and rap musicians were elated, believing their music was finally getting the attention it deserved.
    Dressed-up and covered in diamonds the performers walked the red carpet, telling reporters that the regional divisions that had once plagued their industry had ended.
    But the evening ended in disappointment. During the numerous performances, fights broke-out and the police had difficulty calming the audience. Approximately an hour into the evening's program, a large fight erupted amongst members of the audience. "All of a sudden the people from the South, cash money people about 10 people jumped on one person. Yo this is hip-hop this is about love, people ruined the whole thing," said one observer.
    The shows organizers halted the program and called on the audience to remain calm. Unable to stop the fight that involved more than a dozen people, the police ordered everyone to leave the auditorium. One person from the audience said the police were justified, "There were three or four fights during the whole show, but finally the police had to cut it. They had to cut it."
    Hip-hop star Coolio, said he was surprised that the evening ended so abruptly, "I was signing autographs and I saw people running out the door and usually in LA when people start running you assume gun shots, but I didn't hear any so I can't say that. All I can say is someone acted like a fool and I am disappointed. We've got to try again next year." Coolio, said the people who ruined the evening do not represent the hip-hop performers,"It has nothing to do with hip-hop, the people, that's a misconception. The people in hip-hop aren't doing things. They don't have time to fight that is a law suit and they can take money from me and I'm not into that. Most of the people in hip-hop don't do it. It is the people on the outside, in the entourage."
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