Promoter puts stop to Capone-E
Concert cancelled due to gang concerns
Donnae Wahl
Issue date: 1/28/08 Section: News
A concert featuring controversial Southern California rapper Mr. Capone-E, which was scheduled to take place on Feb. 9 at the Island Grove Regional Park, has been cancelled.
Promoter Mark Hedin decided to pull the plug amid pressure from Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck and Greeley Mayor Ed Clark. Because of gang problems in Greeley, Buck and Clark did not want Mr. Capone-E, who has gang affiliations, to perform in Greeley.
"It was my decision," said Hedin, who works at Finest Music and Movies, located at 2515 11th Ave. "They didn't force me to do anything, it was solely my decision. I thought it would be in everyone's best interest."
The show was set to feature five opening acts and three acts from Southern California. One of the opening acts was Greeley rap group King Productions. Armando Reyes, a member of King Productions, said they were looking forward to performing at the show.
"We were piecing together our portion on the show when we found out," Reyes said. "We wanted to use this as a positive and they portrayed us as a bunch of thugs."
To Hedin, the controversy surrounding the performance of Mr. Capone-E was a First Amendment issue.
"Just because they don't like the lyrics. The last time I checked this is America," he said. "To be squashed like this is wrong."
To Clark, a former detective who has experience dealing with gangs, there was another issue at hand.
"This is a matter of public safety," Clark said. "(Mr. Capone-E) is a South Side gang member out of L.A. He has a criminal record…he was going to bring South Side gang members with him."
The Mirror contacted Mr. Capone-E via an e-mail address provided on his Web site, but he is yet to respond for a comment on the situation.
One of the factors that motivated both Clark and Buck to speak up about the show was the gang-related murder of 18-year-old Sylvia Santillin more than a year ago at the same venue.
"She was with a rival gang," Buck said. "Having someone associated with Sureño's was insensitive. That's what caused me to speak out…I also have a right about educating parents. I didn't prohibit him from coming and I wouldn't prohibit him. I'm very well within my First Amendment."
Reyes said the cancellation of the show was less about freedom of speech and public safety, than a much deeper problem in Greeley.
"I think the biggest role is discrimination against rap music and Latino's and rap music," Reyes said. "We are going to take action, we're going to petition. We aren't going to go out shooting and yelling. The mayor portrayed us as thugs. We're Americans, we're hard working. For them to bad mouth us and portray us as thugs is wrong. We're going to do this peacefully."
According to Reyes, the cancellation was made on the radio. City Council worked with Reyes to get tickets refunded.
For Mr. Capone-E's music, visit his Web site at htttp://www.mrcapone-e.net.
Promoter Mark Hedin decided to pull the plug amid pressure from Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck and Greeley Mayor Ed Clark. Because of gang problems in Greeley, Buck and Clark did not want Mr. Capone-E, who has gang affiliations, to perform in Greeley.
"It was my decision," said Hedin, who works at Finest Music and Movies, located at 2515 11th Ave. "They didn't force me to do anything, it was solely my decision. I thought it would be in everyone's best interest."
The show was set to feature five opening acts and three acts from Southern California. One of the opening acts was Greeley rap group King Productions. Armando Reyes, a member of King Productions, said they were looking forward to performing at the show.
"We were piecing together our portion on the show when we found out," Reyes said. "We wanted to use this as a positive and they portrayed us as a bunch of thugs."
To Hedin, the controversy surrounding the performance of Mr. Capone-E was a First Amendment issue.
"Just because they don't like the lyrics. The last time I checked this is America," he said. "To be squashed like this is wrong."
To Clark, a former detective who has experience dealing with gangs, there was another issue at hand.
"This is a matter of public safety," Clark said. "(Mr. Capone-E) is a South Side gang member out of L.A. He has a criminal record…he was going to bring South Side gang members with him."
The Mirror contacted Mr. Capone-E via an e-mail address provided on his Web site, but he is yet to respond for a comment on the situation.
One of the factors that motivated both Clark and Buck to speak up about the show was the gang-related murder of 18-year-old Sylvia Santillin more than a year ago at the same venue.
"She was with a rival gang," Buck said. "Having someone associated with Sureño's was insensitive. That's what caused me to speak out…I also have a right about educating parents. I didn't prohibit him from coming and I wouldn't prohibit him. I'm very well within my First Amendment."
Reyes said the cancellation of the show was less about freedom of speech and public safety, than a much deeper problem in Greeley.
"I think the biggest role is discrimination against rap music and Latino's and rap music," Reyes said. "We are going to take action, we're going to petition. We aren't going to go out shooting and yelling. The mayor portrayed us as thugs. We're Americans, we're hard working. For them to bad mouth us and portray us as thugs is wrong. We're going to do this peacefully."
According to Reyes, the cancellation was made on the radio. City Council worked with Reyes to get tickets refunded.
For Mr. Capone-E's music, visit his Web site at htttp://www.mrcapone-e.net.
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