Hip Hop Awards Shows And Liabilities

Originally I was going to research three very different issues of liabilities but in spit of the recent events of my area, I have to decided to blog on a serious issue in urban entertainment. It seems that over the years there have appeared to be fights at award shows that involve people being seriously injured and media outlets slandering these events. They are liabilities because they create the illusion amongst investors that they could potentially contributing their money. It would be terrible for their image in the future if they agree to be involved with other businesses that may be skeptical of what they may have invested that the outcome of their events ending with violence. From the standpoint of the promoter, it is a liability because any money that has been made at the door for any of these events will be given to the facility in order to cover any property damage that it probably stated in any legal documents once the terms have been agreed upon.

The first video may not look like much but this does involve a famous producer in the hip hop community, Dr. Dre. In this video, it was fight involving Dr. Dre backstage along with former G-Unit member, Young Buck. Its is unclear what actually happened but the main point is these are public figures at an awards show that will have to deal with the repercussions of their actions. For Dr. Dre and Yougn Buck, at the time this ordeal had taken place, they were both in good positions and more than likely able to obtain good legal representation so they could be cleared of any actions that had taken place at this event.

This video coming up next stems from an on-going disagreement between rappers Shawty Lo and T.I. They were initially problems between the rappers when it was only said in the music. But in this instance at an awards show, one of the former members of T.I.'s crew, Alfamega, has appeared to have fought with one of the members from Shawty Lo's group and left the man unconcious. The problem here involved is the same as the previous scenario involving the law. Legally, the artists have themselves to be sued by the venue owners or even the promoters. If it is a breach in the contract amongst the agreeing parties in this instance.

The third video is the initial reason why I am posting this blog. Yesterday, the 5th annual DMV Independent Music Awards took place in Crystal City, VA. at the Hyatt Hotel. It has been noted that about 5 to 6 fights took place at this event. Virginia State Troopers showed up the event in riot gear and shut the whole event down. Reports from Washington Post and City Paper (DC) indicated that a Hyatt Hotel worker was even injured for trying to prevent a woman from stealing a bottle of Grey Goose liquor. With these facts in mind, the event that has charged $35 per person to attend the event has to now cover any and all damages that have occurred at this event. It has become a liability for the event coordinators and the investors because it makes the perception of the urban music very dangerous.


Even though there is clearly nothing legal here that you can gather from these videos but there is an on going issues with urban music seen here. These liabilities hurt the chances of venue owners to be receptive having urban music receptions in the future. And potentially lower the numbers of sponsorship that could help these events become even more popular. Overall, the pattern of this at these events expose the legal issues that occur later on from disagreements of artists at these events.

Source(s):

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2011/03/06/why-fighting-at-the-dmv-awards-is-tragic-for-the-scene/

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2004-11-16-vibe-awards_x.htm

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1600159/tis-shawty-los-camps-scuffle-at-dirty-awards.jhtml