Crunk Fest security wasn't enough
Several injured at Coliseum on Friday
By Bill Dries and Yolanda Jones
The promoter of Friday's Crunk Fest 2004 at the Mid-South Coliseum said Saturday he should have had more security for the sold-out show after an
orderly but lively evening of hip-hop degenerated into a series of fights inside and outside the Coliseum.
Extra police had to be called to the Fairgrounds area to quell a large fight in a parking lot shortly after 11 p.m. when the show ended earlier than expected.
There were also reports of gunshots fired at several spots around the Coliseum. No one was hit by the gunfire.
"When you do a rap show there are always problems, but nobody got shot," said Rickey Cole of S&S Entertainment. "The crowds at these shows have got
to learn to control themselves. Beefed up security is a must."
No one was seriously injured in the parking lot fight or three fights that broke out during the show.
The first fight happened shortly after an intermission, as the Atlanta trio Trillville performed.
As security and paramedics carted out a young man who was knocked unconscious, another Atlanta rapper, Lil Scrappy, signed autographs in front of the ambulance that whisked the injured man away.
The ambulance rolled out of the Coliseum as Lil Scrappy's hit "Head Bussa" blared from the stage.
It took security guards 25 minutes to quell another fight after a controversial set by North Memphis rapper Yo Gotti and his crew, the Block Burnaz.
Gotti chided fellow Memphis rappers Three-Six Mafia.
About 40 people on stage, including Gotti, sported red T-shirts that said "Triple Bitch Mafia" in bold white letters. Some in the group said the shirts
and other onstage put-downs were a response to comments made by members of Three Six about Gotti's recent signing with TVT Records.
Gotti declined comment on the T-shirts as he left the Coliseum.
The crowd's response was mixed. Some cheered Gotti while Three Six fans booed and chanted in response.
The crowd of around 9,000 headed for the parking lot at 11:15 p.m. after the show's headliner, Ying Yang Twins, ended its set early, apparently because
of problems with the sound system.
Word of gunshots outside the Coliseum passed quickly to those inside the venue and caused some to rush for the doors.
Then the fight in the parking lot erupted.
"Officers went out the south entrance and observed approximately 250-300 individuals fighting outside," one of two police reports on assaults
during and after the show read.
Jerien Thornton was lying on the sidewalk bleeding when police found him.
Witnesses said a group of about 20 people was beating and kicking him, according to the report. No one was arrested for the attack.
Thornton was taken to the Regional Medical Center at Memphis and was in noncritical condition Saturday.
Some police called to the Fairgrounds drew riot batons and one officer had drawn his shotgun as most other officers began directing traffic out of
the area. Many waiting outside the Coliseum were parents who had dropped off children at the show.
At first, Fire Department paramedics had trouble getting through the traffic to the injured.
Paramedics tending to a woman injured on the south side of the Coliseum had to put her on a stretcher and walk the stretcher across the parking lot to
another ambulance waiting at Early Maxwell and Southern.
As the crowd thinned, Jahresha Barnes, 16, and Britneishia Woods, 17, waited inside a quiet Coliseum for their friend who suffered a
panic-induced asthma attack during the commotion.
"It is just sad that teens can't go out and havefun anymore," Barnes said.
Both agreed that this was their last Crunk Fest.
Woods added, "This wasn't crunk, it was out of control."
--Commercial Appeal
Several injured at Coliseum on Friday
By Bill Dries and Yolanda Jones
The promoter of Friday's Crunk Fest 2004 at the Mid-South Coliseum said Saturday he should have had more security for the sold-out show after an
orderly but lively evening of hip-hop degenerated into a series of fights inside and outside the Coliseum.
Extra police had to be called to the Fairgrounds area to quell a large fight in a parking lot shortly after 11 p.m. when the show ended earlier than expected.
There were also reports of gunshots fired at several spots around the Coliseum. No one was hit by the gunfire.
"When you do a rap show there are always problems, but nobody got shot," said Rickey Cole of S&S Entertainment. "The crowds at these shows have got
to learn to control themselves. Beefed up security is a must."
No one was seriously injured in the parking lot fight or three fights that broke out during the show.
The first fight happened shortly after an intermission, as the Atlanta trio Trillville performed.
As security and paramedics carted out a young man who was knocked unconscious, another Atlanta rapper, Lil Scrappy, signed autographs in front of the ambulance that whisked the injured man away.
The ambulance rolled out of the Coliseum as Lil Scrappy's hit "Head Bussa" blared from the stage.
It took security guards 25 minutes to quell another fight after a controversial set by North Memphis rapper Yo Gotti and his crew, the Block Burnaz.
Gotti chided fellow Memphis rappers Three-Six Mafia.
About 40 people on stage, including Gotti, sported red T-shirts that said "Triple Bitch Mafia" in bold white letters. Some in the group said the shirts
and other onstage put-downs were a response to comments made by members of Three Six about Gotti's recent signing with TVT Records.
Gotti declined comment on the T-shirts as he left the Coliseum.
The crowd's response was mixed. Some cheered Gotti while Three Six fans booed and chanted in response.
The crowd of around 9,000 headed for the parking lot at 11:15 p.m. after the show's headliner, Ying Yang Twins, ended its set early, apparently because
of problems with the sound system.
Word of gunshots outside the Coliseum passed quickly to those inside the venue and caused some to rush for the doors.
Then the fight in the parking lot erupted.
"Officers went out the south entrance and observed approximately 250-300 individuals fighting outside," one of two police reports on assaults
during and after the show read.
Jerien Thornton was lying on the sidewalk bleeding when police found him.
Witnesses said a group of about 20 people was beating and kicking him, according to the report. No one was arrested for the attack.
Thornton was taken to the Regional Medical Center at Memphis and was in noncritical condition Saturday.
Some police called to the Fairgrounds drew riot batons and one officer had drawn his shotgun as most other officers began directing traffic out of
the area. Many waiting outside the Coliseum were parents who had dropped off children at the show.
At first, Fire Department paramedics had trouble getting through the traffic to the injured.
Paramedics tending to a woman injured on the south side of the Coliseum had to put her on a stretcher and walk the stretcher across the parking lot to
another ambulance waiting at Early Maxwell and Southern.
As the crowd thinned, Jahresha Barnes, 16, and Britneishia Woods, 17, waited inside a quiet Coliseum for their friend who suffered a
panic-induced asthma attack during the commotion.
"It is just sad that teens can't go out and havefun anymore," Barnes said.
Both agreed that this was their last Crunk Fest.
Woods added, "This wasn't crunk, it was out of control."
--Commercial Appeal
