We all know there’s usually two sides to every story. And that appears to be the case with a recent record release party for Pete Rock, Tek & Steele (of Smif N Wessun) who were celebrating the release of their collaborative album, ‘Monumental’ when a riot broke out. Yes, the video above does include profanity and riot violence so do proceed with caution.
To illustrate the double-sided situation and continue our exploration of concert riots, here’s the press release I received via email as an official statement from the artist, followed by the NY Post report of the incident.
What the artist said:
“… It was a peaceful gathering inside of a sold-out Tammany Hall (lower-east side Manhattan, NY) to see the group perform new music from the project. Earlier in the evening some guests wanted to enter the event but were turned away by the management and bouncers employed by the club. A minor argument ensued, but eventually was diffused by the bouncers.
Thirty minutes after that minor skirmish 15-20 uniformed Police Officers from the 7th precinct arrived at the venue. Shortly after even more uniformed officers arrived. The officers then hurried into the club and began macing and assaulting individuals inside the club, dragging one of them out and pummeling him directly in front of the club. Present at the event were artists, industry tastemakers, fans, photographers, and cameramen. Several people began filming and recording the unprovoked brutality, much to the dismay of the police.
The officers then began to mace and assault anyone within arms length, including several women. Kenneth Montgomery, the group’s attorney, who was in attendance at the event, stated that the Police “behavior was unjustified, unprovoked, and simply barbaric considering there was no provocation.” Pete Rock, Tek and Steele fortunately were not harmed, however some of their friends & family were assaulted by the Police.
What the NY post reported:
The officers were responding to a 911 call of a “dispute” at the Smif-N-Wessun and Pete Rock album release party at Tammany Hall on Orchard Street when they found the place to be over capacity, an NYPD spokesman said.
When cops started vacating Tammany Hall, one music lover refused to leave and punched one officer in the face, breaking the officer’s tooth, said the spokesman.
As the thug was being handcuffed by other officers, he screamed for help which “[incited] a riot,” said the spokesman.
At least four other concert-goers began assaulting the officers — leaving one cop with a broken nose, and three others with cuts and bruises on their faces and necks, said the spokesman.
Step Up To The Mic
Were you at Tammy Hall? Have you experienced a concert riot before? We invite you to share your stories and thoughts in the comments below, so they can be included in a future episode of Live Fix Radio.