Don't ruin excitement for others
The Sun Always Shines by CHHUN SUN
When Grammy-award winning rapper/producer Kanye West came to Fresno last
week for the opening of the new hip hop store FTK, it was supposed to
be a special day for local fans. But what the fans got was disappointment,
because a patron started a fight with security.
That’s not a positive way to show a big-time rapper that Fresno
is a city with potential to have hip hop prominence.
Driving through the intersection of Shaw and Blackstone avenues almost
a week ago, a driver would notice a long line of eager people that extended
behind Video Liquidators.
But the chance to get an autograph from West was ruined for many. The
autograph signing was canceled and West left the store after the fight
broke out. What a way to kill the buzz.
Even drivers passing by wanted to know what was going on when the line
started to grow early on in the afternoon. Some had video cameras in their
hands. Some came with posters, shoes, and copies of West’s debut
album, “College Dropout,” in hopes of having the rapper sign
them.
Then there were those who lingered near the store’s entrance, trying
to get a glimpse of West. Others were parking lot-pimping, standing by
their cars and blasting their music.
There were signs of things to come when a man and a woman tried to get
a spot at the front of the line. The crowd immediately became furious,
informing security about the misbehavior by yelling and screaming.
Then a fight broke out, and the news of it spread quicker than the rise
of West’s career.
The next day, The Fresno Bee ran an article about the fight. Even The
New York Post printed a blurb about the incident.
That’s such a shame because the autograph signing was supposed to
promote a store that hip hop fans previously could only find in Los Angeles
and San Francisco. Now it’s known as the store that had the biggest
rapper in the music industry escorted out, because he didn’t want
to be in the middle of the chaos.
Real hip hop is a culture of good times. Think about it.
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