Jurors Hear Tape of 2 Live Crew Concert

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. —  At times straining to hear, jurors began listening Wednesday to a raspy, 45-minute tape of a 2 Live Crew concert, the major piece of evidence in the prosecution’s efforts to convict the Miami rap group on obscenity charges.

The tape, made by vice squad detective Eugene McCloud with a microcassette recorder in his shirt pocket, was played in segments so McCloud could interpret the shouted lyrics and comments and describe crowd reaction to the jury.

Three members of 2 Live Crew are being tried on misdemeanor criminal charges. The state attorney contends that their June 10 nightclub performance in Broward County violated community standards and had no redeeming political or artistic value. If convicted they face a year in prison and fines up to $1,000.

The defense says that while the concert included admittedly raunchy songs from the group’s million-selling album “As Nasty as They Wanna Be,” the adults-only concert is nevertheless protected by 1st Amendment guarantees of free speech. The album itself was declared obscene three days before the concert by a federal judge.

McCloud testified as if reluctant, even embarrassed, to repeat the words sung and shouted by 2 Live Crew leader Luther Campbell and Christopher Wongwon and Mark Ross. Speaking in a low voice, McCloud, a 38-year-old black man and a native of Broward County, interpreted the lyrics that included repeated references to sex acts.

He described the three 2 Live Crew dancers as “dancing as though they were . . . having sex” while on stage with the singers.

At another point, female members of the audience joined the band onstage and simulated sex acts, he said.

Among the more recognizable music from the tape were refrains from well known songs by Manfred Mann and the Kinks, with lewd lyrics added by 2 Live Crew.

Also included in the rap songs performed at the concert were call and response chants between Campbell and the audience that consisted of curses directed at both Broward County Sheriff Nick Navarro and Florida Gov. Bob Martinez.

During a recess, Campbell told reporters that “at a concert there’s quality sound--rooting, chanting, cheering in the middle. This is not a concert (tape), it’s garbage.”

He added, however, that he was encouraged when he “saw one lady (juror) laugh, cracking up. That’s what we’re trying to do, make people laugh.”

For the most part the jury sat expressionless through hours of tedious listening to the tape. Late in the afternoon, Judge June Johnson told them “I don’t want you to feel physical pain by not being able to express your emotions. So laugh if you want.” At that point the jury laughed in unison.

Assistant State Atty. Pedro Dijols said “we’re hoping they can get a picture of what was going on, the intent the group had.”