Public Enemy may play DNC concert after all
By Mark Brown, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published August 21, 2008 at 12:16 p.m.
Updated August 21, 2008 at 8:21 p.m.
Rapper Chuck D told the Rocky, "I didn't know anything about it."
After a day of contentious back-and-forth accusations between rappers Public Enemy and protest group Re-create 68, the two will try to hammer out a deal to put on a free concert - though it won't be Tuesday as originally planned.
Both rapper Chuck D and the band's manager, Dan Lugo, strongly denied the band had ever agreed to perform a free show in Civic Center Park as part of Re-create 68's protest of the Democratic National Convention. Chuck D (Carlton Ridenhour) won't even be in Denver at the time and said previous family obligations will keep him out of the state.
Re-create 68 spokesman Glenn Spagnuolo threatened to sue the hip-hop legends Thursday, saying he had "signed contracts" that the group would appear.
Spagnuolo wouldn't say how much money is involved, "but enough to say that there would be a lawsuit involved. I can say that much. Nobody wants to go there because we respect Public Enemy and I have to imagine this is miscommunication."
Spagnuolo announced Monday that the iconic hip-hop group known for its politically charged lyrics would give a free concert.
"I didn't know anything about it," Ridenhour said from his New York home Thursday. "I'm coming to Denver anyway on a whole bunch of different accounts - being involved with BET and Air America. I couldn't make it out to Denver until (Wednesday) anyway."
Promoter Daniel Mills of Mad Society Project said he has been in constant contact with Public Enemy's people for weeks and had a contract for them to perform next week in Boulder and Denver. Mills said he moved the Boulder show from Monday to Wednesday to accommodate Ridenhour's schedule.
"We had something signed the whole time by their general manager. We have all the legal confirmations they were coming for both shows," Mills said. "We have been trying to restructure the contract around Chuck D's arrival time."
Lugo denied that in the strongest possible terms.
"Chuck D and I are personally unaware of any agreements, written or oral, between Mad Society Productions and Public Enemy. I am also unaware of this organization's litigation threats ... but I find these baseless accusations very disturbing," Lugo said.
If the group contacted him, Ridenhour said, "it's totally news to me. Maybe they did, but if they did it's one of 6,000 e-mails." Ridenhour also said he had longstanding out-of-state plans for his daughter's school orientation on the day of the announced free concert.
While both sides said they are determined to try to compromise, a day, time and even location of for a concert were not settled.
Despite some speaking and media engagements, Ridenhour said his trip to Denver is entirely personal.
"We're at a transition point where we have a black man who might be president. You're starting to see all the ugliness come out, the lies and stuff," he said. "My position is to be at the DNC in support of change. ... In my heart I don't want John McCain to win. I know Barack Obama will bring about change no matter what. Focus is very important on what the next four years hold. That's more important than one big party."
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A Rocky Mountain News and MediaStorm production
August 21, 2008
12:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
I_Slay_The_Dragon writes:
"....Lies and stuff...."? Yeah, almost as bad as Theft and
Black-listing.
August 21, 2008
12:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
LoneTreeLady75 writes:
LOL it looks like Recreate 68 fooled a few of the local newsies, thats hilarious.
Milehighguy, I remember listening to PE back in the early 90's when I was a freshman in HS. They are a pretty decent group with a positive message. Not all rap music is bad rap.
August 21, 2008
12:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
freedomfighter1 writes:
YYYEEEAAAHHHHH!!!! BBBBOOOOYYYYY!!!!!!
August 21, 2008
1:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
WestminsterJ writes:
Shaggy: It was the loony left that shut put the brakes on the two fork damn that would have supplied Colorado's eastern slope with enough water even if we went into a five year drought.
Yes, because we all know that dams create water that wasn't there.
August 21, 2008
1:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
NeilT writes:
Thanks, Big-D
I like Salazar’s response, "over my dead body"
Yeah, mine too!
And that of more than a few right-wing farmers out east. Dickwad Hams is right; this could cost Lil Mac some votes.
An Arizona senator trying to grab water from a drought-stricken state, where farmers are hurting, so his constituents can keep their golf courses green...in the middle of a desert!
August 21, 2008
1:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
freedomfighter1 writes:
Public Enemy #1!
August 21, 2008
2:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
imPatrickBateman writes:
"Public Enemy not coming for DNC concert"
LOL!!! I guess Recreate '68 felt like they weren't getting enough attention so they had to make up something about PE coming to Denver for a free concert. What a bunch of tools.
August 21, 2008
2:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
rage_against_the_stupid writes:
Truth is not important to the Left and never has been. Later next week Spagnolo will tell anyone who will listen, "Public Enemy did perform for hours in front of 50,000 raucous fans as scheduled." He will look straight into your eye or into any camera and not blink once. That is the essence of the Left, a moral vacuum.
August 21, 2008
2:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
COLibertarian writes:
Big_D you are correct. Water rights for Colorado and the west is a very big story and a big issue. but What is wrong with negotiating water rights if there is a way for Colorado to win in this negotiation? Are you saying that our state leaders are not seasoned enough to discuss opportunities that Colorado may gain out of the deal?
If the discussion do not yield Colorado any benefits(short and longterm) then step back and say not NO but HEII NO.
Holding out over someone's dead body is not the answer. As long as Colorado maintains the best interest of Colorado but still keeping a working dialogue with other states, Colorado can win. Holding out without dialogue and discussions will eventually bring the Feds into the picture. (sooner rather than later) And no matter what aisle the Admin comes from whether D or R, who do you think they will side with? States lower in elavation with more electoral votes or those higher in elevation with less electoral votes?????
Being from a rural background, water rights are worth more than life itself. But as long as the states are at least in dialogue, the less likely any Fed group will step in. AND Colorado may gain in the negotiations.......and that would be a good thing.
August 21, 2008
2:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
gmault writes:
They will be playing the Boulder Theater on Wednesday though.
August 21, 2008
2:37 p.m.
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COLibertarian writes:
Big_D. By my accepting and supporting negotiations, most definately does not mean I support McCain. I am not sure I am more untrusting of him bringing it up, or Obama not saying much about it........... Again lower the elevation, the more electorals in this fight............. Not only does sh*&t roll down hill, but so does the good stuff.........OUR Water
August 21, 2008
2:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
COLibertarian writes:
Froward? Not sure where you were going with last comment
August 21, 2008
2:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
johnsim writes:
Can you trust anything from R 68?? They are nothing but a bunch of liars. Why wouldn't they read the contracts? Also, I like how R 68 is distancing themselves from two of their active members. Why don't they just admit they messed up instead of letting two members take the fall? Have they no shame?
Here is proof they Ben and Carlo are active R 68 members:
Go to the bottom of the page from a message from Ben and Carlo
http://recreate68.com/?p=98
Carlo is here:
http://www.freedomszone.com/aggregato...
Go to the bottom of the page from a message from Ben and Carlo
http://recreate68.com/?p=98
August 21, 2008
3:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
timeandagain writes:
Hey thats a lot of egg on the face of Glenn Spangnuolo. Maybe he should skip the DNC as well. Just hang tight in his little Highlands Ranch tract home? Mow the lawn, wash the car, vacuum the house...you know, do all of those suburban chores... Stop wasting gas commuting to Denver to protest.
I will never stop finding that hilarious. Glenn Spangnuolo commuting up and down Santa Fe Blvd. everyday to protest!!! Priceless... He probably even drives an SUV!!! Stops at Starbucks in Aspen Grove. Picks up milk at the new Super Target! Excited about the new Costco opening (he no longer needs to drive to the Park Meadows one!)....
I LOVE IT!!!
August 21, 2008
5:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
raoul writes:
come see where obama and DNC have reached an agreement to charge pay-per-view to Comcast customers to watch major network news during prime time during convention week at www.frowardlies.com
August 21, 2008
7:59 p.m.
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sheepherder writes:
The media have been feeding into Spag-morons crap for months, and it finally caught up to them! Ha hA!
August 21, 2008
8:48 p.m.
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sheepherder writes:
Spag with a lawsuit now! Too funny! Spag...they are just using their free speech to say you are a lispy dork!
August 21, 2008
9:08 p.m.
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sheepherder writes:
Wrong article titancan?
August 21, 2008
9:17 p.m.
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sheepherder writes:
If "Public Enemy" caves to the threat of a lawsuit, they will have lost all respect! By the way, I like a few of their songs!
August 21, 2008
10:59 p.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
BASS, HOW LOW CAN YOU GO!!!
August 22, 2008
10:22 a.m.
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ShadyGrady writes:
Death...Row...WHAT A BROTHER KNOWS!!!