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… that’s what a few voices from Tacoma’s hip-hop community say is to blame for lack of local support for their music.

In a spirit of cooperation, approximately 100 people met at Theatre on the Square Sunday to discuss the future of hip hop music in Tacoma. The forum was hosted by Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, a non-profit organization formed to manage city of Tacoma owned theaters: Pantages Theater, Rialto Theater and Theatre on The Square.

This was the fourth in a series of community outreach forums hosted by Broadway Center. The first was a discussion with “urban dwellers” otherwise known as young professionals who reside downtown, the second was with the African American Heritage community, and the third was with members of the Latino community. These first three focus-group sessions attracted approximately 25-30 people each and resulted in new theater programming suited for each demographic.
Attendees at the hip hop forum Sunday numbered upwards of 100 people, including two city council members, two county council members, four plain-clothed police officers, several members of the local print media, several Broadway Center staff members, five Broadway Center board members and approximately 80 people from the hip hop community.

The increased response was likely the result of an onslaught of publicity following Broadway Center’s controversial decision to cancel a hip hop concert featuring artist E-40 in March. Broadway Center says it was the Tacoma City Police who expressed concern about safety and influenced their decision. A riot in Olympia at Evergreen State College during an unrelated hip hop concert in February may have increased concerns about security in Tacoma.
Rottweiler Records, the promoter behind the E-40 concert, claims to be out several thousand dollars due to the short-notice cancellation. They sent out a subsequent press release alleging that the cancellation was a publicity stunt by Tacoma City Police to gain support for anti-gang bill 2712 which would give the department an increase in funding. Rottweiler Records staged a peaceful protest outside Pantages Theater (where the concert was supposed to take place) that lasted four days and attracted media attention.
Sunday, despite the backlash from the E-40 incident, the atmosphere of the crowd was warm and optimistic. The forum’s facilitator, Dr. Dexter Gordon of University of Puget Sound, gave opening remarks setting a tone of unity and highlighting common goals such as diverse programming and safety for everyone involved. He said, “All of us here stand for a safe and progressive Tacoma.”

There were also several very moving testimonials presented. Locally renowned hip hop artist Mark Womack aka General Wojack, two young artists representing positive hip hop organization 2012 and Ms. Jessy, owner of Felony Records, all spoke about how hip hop changed their lives for the better.

Ms. Jessy said, “If you see a kid standing on a corner selling CDs, buy it! Because they could be selling crack!”

After the testimonials each table was asked to discuss independently what hip hop means to each person and what specifically they’d like Broadway Center to do differently. All of the answers to these questions were documented and when these discussions finished a representative from each table stood up and shared their responses with the room.

The following are just a few of the ideas shared:

  • Present free or affordable hip hop shows with educational workshops
  • Form a parental advisory committee for Broadway Center that would review materials prior to shows
  • Have courage, take risks, be consistent and be edgy – youth will respect it and value the right to use that space
  • Be aware of increasing security needs when alcohol is served
  • Broadway Center could serve as ambassadors to change perception of hip hop. Give power to the hip hop community to redefine its image. Hold summits to create awareness about the genre. Hip hop is not just a genre it’s a cultural movement.
  • Have larger events that include hip hop such as a music festival like Bumbershoot in Tacoma
  • Recognize that hip hop is a form of protest music – have an event that combines all different types of protest music including hip hop
  • Coordinate and connect with the Tacoma City Police earlier in the planning process
  • Have a series of events linked with hip hop
  •  Ask yourself: without the expression of dissent through hip hop, what other outlets are people left with? Let them channel it in a venue so they don’t channel it on the streets. Non-violent protest is healthier for the community.
  • Violence in hip hop is like any other art form such as a painting or a Hollywood movie. Artists merely mirror what they see.
  • Add a board member to Broadway Center that is a knowledgeable advocate for hip hop
  • Recognize that hip hop is a great source of income and would be great for Tacoma
  • Have more events like today’s discussion

Broadway Center promised that all of the responses will be compiled and attendees will have a choice in selecting one of two reports, a full length or a summarized version, which will be sent to them via the email address they provided upon signing in at the event.

“This conversation was as deep as we could ever hope for,” said Luke Spiraldo, Associate Director of Education and Community Outreach for Broadway Center, “You have demonstrated the potential for meaningful and engaged partnership with us. We are not going to be able to honor all of the recommendations that you’ve given us but we promise that we will be looking at them for ways we can work together.”

Broadway Center Executive Director, David Fischer said, “Today is one of the proudest days in the history of the Broadway Center. We will work to honor what you have shared with us.”

Dr. Gordon closed by saying, “Police do not have to be afraid of anyone who is young and black. We too want to build this city. Let us build it together.”

PHOTO: E-40, courtesy of E-40Space