Second Saturday’s bad rap

Second Saturday’s bad rap:
First, Midtown clothing boutique United State was denied its Second Saturday entertainment permit. On its blog (http://unitedstateonline.com), the owner wrote that city police cited “attracting a younger audience” and underage drinking as causes for rejection.

That’s funny. I’ve never seen underage drunks in Midtown on Second Saturday.

Anyway, United State’s owners say they never serve alcohol on Second Saturday and don’t allow patrons with booze into their store. They do, however, put on live hip-hop and turntablism events every Second Saturday on the front sidewalk, one of the few Second Saturday hip-hop events in Midtown.

So this past Second Saturday, I went to the streets to see whether cops have a beef with rap.

On S and 16th streets near Ernesto’s Mexican Food, no less than three cop cars were parked near Omina Laboratories, which celebrated its one-year anniversary with live hip-hop performances on the roof. And the cops didn’t do anything but watch; maybe they were captivated by Chase Moore’s sunset performance and DJ Oasis’ scratch skills?

That evening around 8:30 p.m., however, a few cops took action. Around the corner from U.S. at Cuffs Urban Apparel during emcee Bones’ set with Citystate, three police harassed the deejay and the store’s owners over permits, then—when they realized Cuffs had all the necessary paperwork—were chagrined and retreated west down J Street.

Later, down the street at My BBQ Spot during Mahtie Bush’s set, four cops loafed near the back parking lot, but the show went on. As it should. (N.M.)