Rapper files discrimination suit after public performance denied

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Posted 4:13PM on Tuesday, March 12, 2002

SAVANNAH - A Christian rapper is suing the landlords of a popular Savannah entertainment district for one million dollars, saying he was barred from performing in a public courtyard because he's black. Rapper Jayson Jones filed the discrimination lawsuit in federal court Monday. He says City Market Associates has a pattern of denying black musical acts permission to perform in the outdoor courtyard that the association leases from the city of Savannah. The suit contends the landlords have never denied performances by white musicians. The lawsuit is the latest allegation accusing the landlords of trying to keep blacks out of City Market, a downtown cluster of bars, boutiques and upscale restaurants popular with both locals and tourists. City Market Associates recently terminated the ten-year lease of Malone's Food and Spirits, which last year began partnering with a hip-hop radio station to attract mostly black customers to its second-floor dance club. Malone's asked in January for permission for Jones to perform in the courtyard. The landlords denied the request in writing in February, saying, ``We do not feel the music you have proposed appeals to the City Market customer base.'' Jones told the Savannah Morning News that his music is tame, focusing on Christian themes with a positive message about believing in God in everything you do. City Market director Marci Hill, contacted by The Associated Press, declined to discuss specifics of Jones' lawsuit. But she said the courtyard has booked black acts before, from a rhythm-and-blues band last New Year's Eve to blues legend Buddy Guy several years ago. Speaking about the allegations, Hill said, "It's absurd. Racism has nothing to do with anything we do.'' Jones' lawsuit says only three black artists have ever performed in the courtyard after dark and estimates 99 percent of performers there have been white. Hill declined to comment on those numbers.