Phil Collins’ Remark Causes Buzz at Billboard Awards

There was a bit of a buzz in the industry after Wednesday’s Billboard Awards. Particularly at issue was an off-the-cuff remark by host Phil Collins--”It suddenly got very dark in here”--following the acceptance of an award by Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg and cohorts.

Some onlookers wondered if that was a racially tinged remark. Collins was unavailable for comment by press time, but a spokesman for his record label acknowledged getting some calls on Thursday about the comment, and said that Collins merely meant the mood had turned from a light one into something heavier--possibly referring back to Dr. Dre’s acceptance speech, which included thanks “especially to Death Row security--they don’t be bluffin’.”

Later in the show, comedian Martin Lawrence, responding to offstage cues to hurry, joked: “Why you gonna rush us? See, the white people want to rush us when we get up here. . . .”