Readers React to Sonny Long Story; Long Posts Video Response

Sometimes, the response to a story is almost as interesting as the story itself. Our June 4 cover story, "Sonny Long Is a Legend in His Own Mind," has garnered mixed reactions. (Click here to see the feedback, or if you missed the story entirely, check it out here). The...

By Niki D'Andrea

June 11, 2009

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

Sometimes, the response to a story is almost as interesting as the story itself. Our June 4 cover story, "Sonny Long Is a Legend in His Own Mind," has garnered mixed reactions. (Click here to see the feedback, or if you missed the story entirely, check it out here).

The story has also caught the attention of Power 98.3 deejay Karlie Hustle, who's taken issue with our music coverage before. She's started a thread on the forums of local hip-hop Web site arizonabeats.com called "New Times does Sonny Long TOO wrong," where she expressed her dissatisfaction for the whole story. She's started quite a conversation in the forum. Some people agree with Hustle, some agree with us.

We hadn't heard from Long since the story came out. Until today, Long's only public response was this Twitter update on June 8: "I would like to apologize to all my fans, family & friends for having to read a story filled with lies about me. My side of the story is coming soon!"

What "lies," exactly, Sonny? Read on to see what he has to say.

Today, Long posted this video response on his MySpace page: Sonny Long Responds To New Times Press

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Niki D'Andrea has covered subjects including drug culture, women's basketball, pirate radio stations, Scottsdale staycations, and fine wine. She has worked at both New Times and Phoenix Magazine, and is now a freelancer.

Contact: Niki D'Andrea