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Albany, Georgia officials do not want foul rap concert by Gucci Mane Albany, GA, birthplace of Ray Charles, and home to Albany State University is on fire about the upcoming concert headlined by felony druggie Gucci Mane.
http://www.walb.com/Globa...S=10953408 Some feel Gucci show should go Posted: Aug 19, 2009 12:09 AM EDT Updated: Aug 19, 2009 12:09 AM EDT By Len Kiese - bio | email ALBANY, GA (WALB) - One of the biggest concerts to come to Albany in a while is less than two weeks away but some community leaders would like to quiet the music before it starts. Gucci Mane is scheduled to play the Civic Center August 29th. In an email, one city commissioner says he's appalled by the rapper's lyrics and wants to stop the performance. He's a rapper with a designer name. "Gucci, he's a major artist in this area and a lot of people listen to his music," said Deandrea Strawter. He goes by the name of Gucci Mane and it's not hard to find a college student who has heard of him or his music. "I listen to Gucci when I wake up, when I go to sleep, when I eat. I can't wait until he gets to Albany," said Gucci fan Craig Goosby. Many can't wait for an upcoming concert at the Albany Civic Center but others don't see much value in a performance by the rapper here in Albany. "I don't think that's right, trying to stop that man's hustle. He's trying to make money," said fan Alexis Ingram. In an email to Albany City Manager Alfred Lott and Civic Center Director John Mazzola, city commissioner Bob Langstaff writes, "I'm appalled....what do you need from me to keep this "entertainer" from performing at Albany's Civic Center?" Citing some Gucci lyrics he found online he writes, "This is not appropriate for our civic center." "They talk about the Civic Center. You know we have not brought any acts here. Now we have an act that can sell tickets and now this is what we get," said Gilbert Udoto. We found out the concert promoter is Odyssey Records owner Gilbert Udoto who says the city came to him in an effort to bring a big show to town. "It's big. We haven't had an artist of this magnitude in a long time," said Udoto. And along with time, Udoto says its taken money, about $40,000 to bring Gucci to Albany. He says while lyrics can be offensive to some, music is a form of free speech. "It's no different from other artists. It's played on the radio all over. He's the hottest artist," said Udoto. Udoto foresees the show going on as scheduled and Gucci fans hope that's true. "I'll be very disappointed because I definitely plan on going," said Strawter. In that email to Alfred Lott and John Mazzola, Commissioner Langstaff says if this can't be resolved "in-house" he'd like a special called meeting to adopt policy guidelines for future performers. Langstaff did not return our calls Tuesday for comment on this story. Feedback ©2009 WALB News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. [Edited 9/5/09 11:31am] Music Royalty in Motion | |
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