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Home , Dru Down, Husalah, Jayo Felony, Jayo Felony discography, Kam (rapper), Keak da Sneak

RAW, UNCENSORED WEST COAST RAP SHIT

B Legit | | The | Bueno | Mistah FAB | DJ Fresh THEPACK Based Out and Keepin’ it Lit

Mistah Fab Dj Fresh RapqWest +Destroys Another Victim The Franchise Flow We city to city OZONE WEST //   // OZONE WEST OZONE WEST //   // OZONE WEST Publisher Julia Beverly editor’s note Editor-In-Chief N. Ali Early

Art Director Tene Gooden GROWTH Music Editor Randy Roper

ADVERTISING SALES Che Johnson SPURT Isiah Campbell eems like it was only a couple issues hour before I started getting emails and ago when I vented about this cat texts about what he’d done the night Contributors who said he wanted to help us out before. That YouTube is a muthafucka!! FAB Big Fase 100 S on the West Coast side of things. He’d granted us an exclusive, where he details D-Ray made it clear to me that he wasn’t into his mindset going in and intermittent DJ BackSide “selling ads,” but was more of a “brand thoughts therein the battle that destroyed DJ E-Z Cutt builder.” And then I… well, I responded on one of Detroit’s most heralded emcees. Eric Johnson this here page. The funny thing is, that’s Jessica Essien exactly what we seem to be doing. Since Moving on, the Outlawz (pg. 22), honorary Joey Colombo my exclusive “release therapy,” we’ve West Coast affiliates for obvious reasons, Keita Jones grown as much as I figured we would. shared their latest work of art with us Luvva J whereby they welcomed back longstand- Regi Mentle Unsurprisingly, OZONE West has moved to ing member Fatal Hussein. And again, Shemp attract the Coast’s brightest young talent thanks to our very helpful team, we man- Todd Davis (Kafani, Hot Dollar, Willy Northpole, Glasses aged to find our way out of the Bay and Ty Watkins Malone, Bishop Lamont, etc.) and kept it LA, scooping the comeback story of the Wendy Day funky with the vets (E-40, , Too millennium in bred Jayo Felony $hort, AMG, Quik, etc.) all the while. We’ve (pg. 12). Young Doe, the newest signee to Street Reps bonded with some of the most effec- Bay Area imprint City Hall Records, makes Anthony Deavers, Bigg tive street promoters in the country and a second consecutive appearance for the P-Wee, Dee1, Demolition established a network of photographers, 5280 and Bueno spreads “Good Game” (pg. Men, DJ Jam-X, DJ Juice, deejays and downright hustlers that 16) live and direct from Sacramento. DJ KTone, DJ Quote, DJ continues to expand by the day. (Shouts Strong & DJ Warrior, John to all the contributors from KC to , I’d be remiss not to mention our cover Costen, Juice, Kewan Las Vegas to the Bay, Alaska, the City of subjects, (“The Fantastic Four,” Lewis, Maroy, Rob J Of- Angels and everywhere in between, who pg. 18), whose Jive debut Based Boys, ficial, Rob Reyes, Sherita don’t rest until we make it happen – every promises to be one of the strangest, most Saulsberry, Sly Boogy, issue.) Plain and simple, we couldn’t do it likable this year – give a fuck William Major without you. where you from. So get into it. Go make a turkey sandwich, pour a big ass glass COVER CREDITS So, if you’ve followed OZONE West since of Kool-Aid (red of course) and read all The Pack photos courtesy its inception, you know very well that we about it. of Jive Records have no problem keeping it lit for those who deserve it and Fabby Davis Jr. (pg. 8, Holla if ya hear me! DJ Backside) just happens to be perhaps our most popular subject who’s never N. Ali Early graced the cover (Wassup widit Fab?). Editor But we just couldn’t help it this time. I [email protected] ozone west must have been in the office all of an

6 rap q west 8 WEST IS BACKSIDE: mistah fab 10 $hort stories 12 Jayo Felony 21 b legit 22-23 The Outlawz 24 dj 2 dj: Dj Fresh 25 SLAP 26 END ZONE the pack 18-2014 PATIENTLY WAITING: young doe 15 PATIENTLY WAITING: taje 16 PATIENTLY WAITING: bueno 17 PATIENTLY WAITING: jay rock

OZONE WEST //  city? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Don’t see your Hit us up and let us know [email protected] which clubs, DJs and artists RAPQw EST are worthy of representing: PORTLAND, OR (503) Cool Nutz continues to exemplify the word “hustler.” He and DJ Chill SEA-TAC, WA (The 206/253/360 & The 604 Too!) have signed on to rock with Kansas City’s finest on his As usual, The Virgo, ’s (and maybe the West Coast’s) largest and national tour. Portland’s Budget Money and his homeboy DJ Tee longest running party blew the roof off and was packed out. Seattle OGs, continue their reign as Northwest Mixtape Kings. Budget Money out Kun Luv, Mr. Supreme and Lovesick Larry rocked the spot! The leak of SP’s of The 503 and DJ Tee (Native America’s #1 DJ) out of Idaho have forthcoming release The Appreciation Of… is DOPE! Producer-extraordinaire been doin’ it big since the ‘80s. Starchile at Jammin’ 95 FM has been Bean One has signed on as lead producer of Equipto’s () new a powerful voice for independent Hip-Hop with his weekly Sunday on the Million Dollar Digital label – a good interstate move. Big show for years! Check for Maniac Loc’s new CD dropping soon! shouts to our NW DJs: Kutz, Supafly, B-Mello, Scene, Funk Daddy, Playboy LJ, - Luvva J Flipout & Jay Swing, Kippy & Slimrock. - Luvva J DENVER, CO (303, 720) Denver’s music scene has never seen so much publicity. Young Doe’s regional release Welcome to The Maze had 1000 pre-orders, great for an indie. Innerstate Ike got national exposure as the first Denver indie artist ever interviewed in OZONE Mag. DJ K-Tone has been doing mixes for Core DJ radio on Sirius Satellite, and DJ Bedz is the official winner of the Pepsi DJ competition. Fat Lee’s club hit “Elbows And Wrists” is getting attention in spots like Tip Drill Tuesdays @ Paradise and on mixtapes. Certified Customs has officially re-opened on Broadway downtown. R.I.P to Colfax CAC - Sep. 28th is officially CAC Day in the Town. - DJ Ktone ([email protected])

Oakland, CA (510) The town is slim pickings when it comes to straight Hip-Hop nightlife. Legendary Geoffrey’s has the most slappin’ night hands down on 1st Saturdays with resident DJ Juice in the mix. Kafani’s Money is My Motivation recently hit the streets with a solid response. TTS (Time To Shine) Mixtape Vol. 1 is hard in the streets and shows; featur- ing Man Man & PB, hosted and mixed by DJ Juice. The Live Wire tour with J-Stalin, Shady Nate and Beeda Weeda is all over CA. The Purple Mayne G-Stack (of The Delin- quents) returns with his 3rd mixtape release since the summer The Purple Presidential Mixtape Vol. 1 and his compilation George W. Kush is set to drop November 13, 2007. – DJ Juice

Las Vegas, NV (702) Club OPM is NO MORE. One of the desert’s biggest clubs, OPM is now “Poetry” since an October 5th renovation where Oakland Raider guests Dante Culpepper, Kirk Morrison and Stewart Schweigert Sacramento, CA (916) celebrated the new look of the nightclub. The Poetry Shout out to Shawdow for making drama free happen grand opening is October 19th and will be hosted by Nick Cannon. DJ Franzen and DJ Big Dee will continue at Zokku each Thursday night. This month look out for the to rock the party along with special resident DJs Kid Omina Bust CD Release party featuring Tone Malone at the Capri, Jazzy Jeff, and Biz Markie. 2 Teez is creating a Hard Rock Cafe downtown. Also, peep all the Bay Area and buzz in the streets after hitting the stage and killing Sacramento artists out at the Boardwalk in the Heights. And if it when he opened up for Shawnna (formerly of DTP). you haven’t been to Powerhouse in Folsom it’s always packed - Portia Jackson, [email protected] with Folsom’s Finest Dymes as is Tunnel 21 with the Sac Dymes. - Zay, [email protected]

San Jose, CA (408) Cuccini’s Club on Tuesdays through Saturdays Richmond, CA (510) has a hot mixed crowd every night. Supremacy Looking for that spot that does your haircut right every- San Francisco, CA (415) Events, Big Dave Presents, Twisted Illuzions and time? Mark’s Barber Shop in Hilltop Mall (that’s where Lil This Bay Area city (and Bay Hip-Hop party goers) Dynasty Girls are the party promoters. Scores/Club Juice goes) got you faded. Smoke Shops are abundant in took another hit by a recent shooting that ulti- Raw, Taste Ultra Lounge, Angels and Club Glo every hood in “The Rich.” From shoes to blunts and DJ Juice mately shut down nightclub Jilian’s. But there’s take the cake on the weekends. DJ Jammin J, J. mixtapes, to shit I can’t name, it’s good. Da Trendsettaz (Mr. still Fanatics, Whisper, Club 6, 330 Ritch and the Espinosa, DJ Boy Wonder, DJ E Rock, Leslie Perez, Trend, Stixky, Diggs & Lil Blank Blank) have not one, but two newly re-opened and remodeled Kelly’s Mission DJ Nick, Don Lynch, Rah2K, DJ J Spin, Dj Ruben R, singles out that really slap. The lead single “Strike A Pose” Rock. Look out for the new Frisco compilation Dj Destro, DJ Cali are all on the radar. Hosts Fred- (Produced by Erk Tha Jerk) and Stunna Shades “Yeah Dat All-City featuring a bevy of SF artists, including die Hot Sauce and Playboi keep the vibes right Slap” (Produced by J-Official) definitely have that fresh new Big Rich, Boo Banger, Lucky Lou, San Quinn, Bread and MingleNow, Napkin Nights and EventVibe kill breed swagg. A Hip Hop night club in Richmond? “Hell no! Me Out Boys, Drunken Beatmaster, Jinx, Telly it with the crazy pics! Drew Deezy and the DJs of Would never work,” but PAL (Police Activities League) is tak- and Bubbz. It’s produced by Davey D. Be sure to Metal Mouth Productions are rising emcees. ing a stand with after school programs and tutoring classes. check out the new video for “That Swagg” by – DJ Backside - DJ Juice EvenOdds (D.E.O. & M.A.) on YouTube. - DJ Juice

Los Angeles, CA (213, 323, 310) The music scene is alive and well with upcoming albums in the works by veterans , , B-Real of and The (MC Eiht, & Goldie Loc). Debut albums by Bishop Lamont (Aftermath), (Cash Money), , Taje, Roccett, Strong Arm Steady and Jay Rock are also on the way via recently released and highly acclaimed Cali Untouchable Radio Series street mixtapes as well. To The Basque on Monday Nights, The Day After on Thursdays, 740 in Downtown L.A. on Saturday, and On Mood on Sunday Nights, keep it lit for party goers. Also catch live performances at The Vault 350 in Long Beach, The Sunset House of Blues and The Key Club in West Hollywood. - DJ Warrior, myspace.com/djwarrior

 // // OZONE OZONE MAG WEST >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

(above L-R): Young Jeezy & Roccett @ Magic in Las Vegas, NV; Mistah FAB & Brittnee @ Sushi Groove for her Sweet 16 in Walnut Creek, CA; Yung Berg & Rich Boy @ Club Elements in Hollywood, CA (Photos by D-Ray)

01 // Scoot of Dem HoodStarz, Duna, Kilo, Jacka, & Band Aid of Dem HoodStarz @ 17 Hertz Studio (Hayward, CA) 02 // Lee Majors, & Mistah FAB @ Karribeans Club for Back To The 80s party (Oakland, CA) 03 // Making The Band 4 @ Jet Nighclub for Rocawear’s Magic party (Las Vegas, NV) 04 // Rh2k, DJ Amen & Box Kev @ Phoenix Theater for the Last Super (Petaluma, CA) 05 // Don’t Know & Lil Scrappy @ Basques (Hollywood, CA) 06 // Crooked I, Roccett, Mad Linx, & DJ Vlad @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 07 // DJ Big Dee, Osiris, Dre Dae, & Tony Neal @ OPM for Hip Hop Weekly’s Magic party (Las Vegas, NV) 08 // Goldie & Jessi Malay @ Loft 11 (San Francisco, CA) 09 // Olis Simmons & Mistah FAB (Las Vegas, NV) 10 // Waz & Do It Movin @ Killa Tay’s birthday party (Fresno, CA) 11 // Guest, Dame Fame, Kafani & Hopper @ Loft 11 (San Francisco, CA) 12 // Sumthin Terrible @ Time Out for ’s birthday party (Concord, CA) 13 // Shady Nate & J Stalin @ Loft 11 (San Francisco, CA) 14 // FedX, Gary Archer, & AP9 @ Time Out for AP9’s Birthday Party (Concord, CA) 15 // Kafani & crew @ Loft 11 (San Francisco, CA) 16 // The Jacka & crew @ Karribeans Club for Back To The 80s party (Oakland, CA) 17 // Sick Wid It @ Loft 11 (San Francisco, CA) 18 // Bumsquad DJs @ Bumsquad DJz Retreat (Los Angeles, CA) 19 // Haji Springer & Julia Beverly @ Jet Nighclub for Rocawear’s Magic party (Las Vegas, NV)

All photos by D-Ray except #10 by Jessica Essien & #18 by Intl K

OZONEOZONE WEST MAG // //   The West is Back…Side: The Bay Area’s DJ BackSide links up with the Best of the West to see what’s really goin’ on in their heads!

“Right now, I want to battle Soundscan. I heard he’s a hell of a competitor. If the fans out there want to see me battle, then put up the money and let’s do it.” mistah fab

ou may have not been there, but you probably saw it on youtube.com. Was there any point in the battle where you were like, “This is whack?” I’m talking about one of the most talked-about freestyle battles of I mean, yeah. The way the whole thing was set up [was whack]. I was won- Ythe year and the consensus is that “Mistah FAB destroyed him” - “him” dering what was going on with the thing at first. Something I being Royce the 5’9, and Mistah FAB being the destroyer. This past September, also thought was whack was when they told me to not “get personal” in the AllHipHop.com’s Steve Raze set up a battle in with 4 emcees. It battle. I was just like, “Are we going to battle or are we friends?” It was so ended up being just two, and after viewing it several times online, there re- much shit I could have talked about, but we kept it respectable. ally was no contest. I got a chance to talk to Mistah FAB about his victory. When did you know you won the battle? You being from Oakland, CA, how was this battle set up in the first place? After the first round, after I spit, before Royce even spit. I could just see how We were all in at the OZONE awards and Atlantic had a showcase where the crowd was. It was going to be hard for him to get them back. Even after I got a chance to freestyle on the mic. Steve Raze from AllHipHop.com said my first bar, Fat Man Scoop was like, “Oh, this shit is over.” they were going to have a battle for AllHipHop week. I was like, “I don’t be doin’ that shit no more, man.” But Steve said it was a good look and it’s some Have people from the East Coast been hittin’ you since then? industry shit. There were gonna be some good names out there, so I said, I kicked it with Noreaga the night after that and he told me, “Son, you just did “Okay, fuck it, let’s do it.” It was supposed to be me, Joe Budden, Phonte from ten years of promotions in New York. Niggas in New York is gonna remember and Royce da 5’9. you forever.” I also got it in with , Saigon —

Tou were supposed to battle Joe Budden, right? Weren’t you dissing Saigon in your freestyle when you said, “You ain’t never Yeah, Joe Budden’s excuse was that his brother just got shot. Then he was “on gonna come out like Saigon’s album”? his way.” Then he was “comin’ through the tunnel.” Then he was “parking.” That wasn’t a diss. We’re like brothers. The line was blown up by the media. But at the end of the day, he didn’t show up. It’s funny though, because there We’re both on Atlantic Records. We both have projects we want them to put were pictures of him later that night at another club. So I guess it wasn’t out, but they are not putting us out. Saigon’s album is crazy and I’ve been important to him. waiting three years for it to come out.

Were you nervous comin’ out from the West Coast? Do you think Royce has career after this? No, not necessarily. The main thing is, when you go out to New York and Where has his career been? I mean, after he fell out with , it’s been battle, you have to be already expecting the unexpected. I thought they were hard for him. I don’t want to say his career is necessarily over, but it’s over. going to do some funny judging shit or something. It didn’t really matter who He taught Eminem though, so I respect him. Eminem is my favorite I battled that night. I was going to win. rapper. So anyone who taught him how to rap, I respect ‘em. I have nothing but respect for Royce. Going into the battle, what was your strategy? There wasn’t any strategy. The strategy is to get them to fight my fight and So you don’t battle anymore unless it’s worth it? Or… that’s freestylin’. Nobody can fuck with me off the head. Nobody has beat me [Not] unless it’s money; if the money is right. $15,000, $20,000, set it up. But in a freestyle and actually been freestylin’. It’s either been something they other than that, I’m not battlin’ no regular dudes. Ever since I won this battle wrote or something like that. I’m like Muhammad Ali or Mayweather. people been hittin’ me on myspace like, “Yo, I’ll kill you in a battle,” and this and that. I’m not going to put myself in a position where I can’t win. What about all the New York rapper/DJ references? You didn’t prepare that? Damn, as long as I been doin’ this shit, they still come up with somethin’. If there was one dude you’d want to battle, who would it be? I mean, no. Remy was in there, was in there, Craig G was a Right now, I want to battle Soundscan. I heard he’s a hell of a competitor. Let judge, and Fat Man Scoop was on stage. So for anyone to say that was a “pre- me sell some records and put my shit out. If the fans out there want to see style” is funny because anybody I talked about was in there. If I’m in New me battle, then put up the money and let’s do it. York, of course I’m goin’ to use New York references. I’m not about to go to New York and rap about Oakland. They don’t know nothin’ about that. // Photos by Ray Tamarra & D-Ray

 // OZONE WEST The Bay Area’s DJ BackSide links up with the Best of the West to see what’s really goin’ on in their heads!

(above L-R): Ya Boy & Omar Cruz @ Bumsquad DJz Retreat in Los Angeles, CA (Photo: Intl K); B-Legit & @ Time Out for Dru Down’s birthday party in Concord, CA; Tum Tum & Big Tuck @ Magic in Las Vegas, NV (Photos: D-Ray)

01 // Mistah FAB, , & Lil Al @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 02 // J Stalin & Lee Majors @ Karribeans Club for Back To The 80s party (Oakland, CA) 03 // Eddie Projex, Kafani & Big Harry @ Loft 11 (San Francisco, CA) 04 // DJ, Rich Boy & Homeboy Miguel @ Club Elements (Hollywood, CA) 05 // Nick Cannon @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 06 // Roccett & Rich Boy @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 07 // J Diggs, Duna, & Bleu Davinci @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 08 // & Goldie @ Loft 11 (San Francisco, CA) 09 // Dem HoodStarz & DJ Strong @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 10 // The Architecks @ Phoenix Theater for the Last Super Hyphy (Petaluma, CA) 11 // K-Loc & Rick Lee @ Loft 11 (San Francisco, CA) 12 // Guest, Latin Prince, & Hen-Roc @ Bumsquad DJz Retreat (Los Angeles, CA) 13 // Julia Beverly & Tito Bell @ OPM for Hip Hop Weekly’s Magic party (Las Vegas, NV) 14 // D-Ray & LL Cool J @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 15 // Turf Talk, Double D Girls, & J Nash @ Time Out for Dru Down’s birthday party (Concord, CA) 16 // Sugar Hill Gang @ The Old School Tour (San Jose, CA) 17 // Homeboy Miguel, Rich Boy, & Danny @ Club Elements (Hollywood, CA) 18 // Selua & Jon Nash @ Phoenix Theater for the Last Super Hyphy (Petaluma, CA) 19 // Cellski, Roccett, & Rick Edwards @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV)

All photos by D-Ray except #12 by Intl K

OZONEOZONE WEST MAG // //   o you think you can rap or make hot beats? Does everyone who hears your music love it? The first time I ever recorded in a studio 22 years ago, I knew I was good and I knew the music was good. I knew that Oakland and the whole Bay Area would love it. I knew that making music was the only thing I Dwanted to do. At first, my only goal was to march in the Southern University marching band, but when that didn’t happen, Hip Hop was more than enough to fulfill my dreams. After recording my debut album Don’t Stop Rappin’ in 1985, someone very successful, who I looked up to, told me not to forget them when I became a big star. That shit sounded so crazy to me because I didn’t care about being famous and I didn’t wanna be famous. I just loved making music.

Then the album dropped and my career started taking off. The same O.G. used to always run down to me and I’ll always remember the day he said, “Don’t forget to have fun.” Some of the things the O.G.s taught me as a teenager didn’t start making sense until later in life, but “don’t forget to have fun” made sense immediately.

I’ve met a lot of people in the last 20 years, and have seen a lot of them over and over again as the years go by. They always ask me why I’m so cool or why I’m so humble. They say I’m easy to work with and in a good mood most of the time. I think the main reason is that I didn’t forget to have fun. It takes some serious dedication to maintain a 20 year rap career. It’s not always a party. Sometimes I don’t like traveling. Seems like somebody’s always fucking something up. I never take time off because rap fans don’t like to wait around until you feel like going back in the studio. They just get a new favorite rapper.

Some artists treat their fans like shit. Others treat their employees like shit. I’ve seen a few celebrity temper tan- trums. The victims are usually crew members, employees, fans, promoters, engineers or even label execs. You might get yelled at like you’re a child, fired instantly or beat down by security over the smallest thing. Can you imag- ine being rich and famous and unhappy everyday because of all the wrong things that people around you do? Not me. I’m trying to fix whatever’s not right and as soon as I deal with the problem, I try to remember to have fun.

Life is to be pissed off all the time. I think a fucked up attitude is bad karma. Some of the people you shit on might become richer or more famous than you in the . Some of them you might actually need in the future. Interns end up being Vice Presidents if they stay with the company long enough, and the new VP ain’t fuckin’ with you if you used to treat him like shit. I’m the O.G. now and I’m giving you the best game I ever got: “Don’t forget to have fun.” Work hard, play hard and whatever you do, “don’t stop rappin’!”

Biiiiiiiitch!!!!!! //

10 // OZONE WEST (above L-R): Lil Scrappy, Stay Fresh, & DeRay Davis @ Basques in Hollywood, CA; Big Rich, San Quinn, & Fillmore Mike @ Phoenix Theater for the Last Super Hyphy in Petaluma, CA; Dem HoodStarz & Making The Band 4 @ Magic in Las Vegas, NV (Photos by D-Ray)

01 // Ricky P, Spiff, Mistah FAB, DJ Nasty, & Roccett @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 02 // J.Stalin & Devaghn @ Loft 11 (San Francisco, CA) 03 // Rob G, DJ Southpaw & Pryme Status @ Bum- squad DJz Retreat (Los Angeles, CA) 04 // Lil Fizz & Roccett @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 05 // Scoot of Dem HoodStarz with a Miskeen model @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 06 // Mugzi & Turf Talk @ Phoenix Theater for the Last Super Hyphy (Petaluma, CA) 07 // Glasses Malone, DJ Holiday, & Lil Scrappy @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 08 // Goldie, Laroo, Jon Nash, & Thump @ Loft 11 (San Francisco, CA) 09 // Mistah FAB & DJ Franzen @ OPM for Hip Hop Weekly’s Magic party (Las Vegas, NV) 10 // Jaff & DJ Impereal reppin’ the Demolition Men’s OZONE mixtape (Oakland, CA) 11 // Pretty Blk & DJ Boriqua1 @ Karribeans Club for Back To The 80s party (Oakland, CA) 12 // Haji Springer, B-Legit, & Taz @ Phoenix Theater for the Last Super Hyphy (Petaluma, CA) 13 // Guest, G-Stack, & Band Aid of Dem HoodStarz @ Phoenix Theater for the Last Super Hyphy (Petaluma, CA) 14 // Tha Kidd, Pretty Blk, Booka, & guest @ Karribeans Club for Back To The 80s party (Oakland, CA) 15 // Tito Bell & DJ Backside @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 16 // AP9 & Mugzi @ Phoenix Theater for the Last Super Hyphy (Petaluma, CA) 17 // Spcie 1 & crew @ Time Out for Dru Down’s birthday party (Concord, CA) 18 // DJ C-Style, Rob Base & The Furious 5 @ The Old School Tour (San Jose, CA) 19 // Homeboy Miguel & Omar Cruz @ Club Elements (Hollywood, CA) 20 // Delegintz & crew @ Loft 11 (San Francisco, CA)

All photos by D-Ray except #3 by Intl K & #10 by DJ Impereal

OZONEOZONE WEST MAG // // 11 11 Words // Todd Davis

orn and bred in San Diego, , rapper Jayo Felony is no stranger to the music indus- Btry. Discovered by the late, legendary DJ/producer Y’all Oppressors, so it’s more to me than just about people thinking I’m of Run-DMC fame, Jayo, who has known ties to the a gangbanger and all that shit. I’m bringing it back to the table. I’m bringing notorious Neighborhood Rollin’ 40’s Crip street gang, made his much heralded Crips [and] Bloods together. I’m coming with Esse’s and whites, homie. It’s all musical debut on his 1995 JMJ/Def Jam Records’ distributed LP Take a Ride. In about getting this bread and one nation under God. ’98, his stellar, more poignant sophomore project Watcha Gonna Do? hit record stores to massive fanfare, and Jayo’s bright future in Hip Hop seemed only Earlier this year we saw the release of Criminal Intent, a collaboration project inevitable. Or, so it was thought… with both you and , which to my understanding wasn’t even supposed to be available to the public. Do you care to explain that whole mishap? Fast forward nearly ten years later and Jayo has quietly released a pair of Me and my boy Spice were just fuckin’ around in the studio and somebody mediocre selling albums. However, his heavily anticipated return finds him in had got in the studio and stole the material, and then they put some other rare form, sounding better than ever and more than ready to do what he does tracks under the material. We never recorded those tracks on those beats. So, best. somebody just went in there and did some fugazi shit and tried to throw it out to the public. I didn’t want the public to be mislead, thinking that me and Musically, it has been quite awhile since we last from you. Where have you Spice 1 just threw some bullshit out there. Me and Spice 1 don’t play like that. been and what exactly have you been up to since the release of your last CD If we were gonna come with a project, it’d be hot, believe that. Crip Hop in 2001? I’ve just been chilling and getting off into something else, which is direct- What has been the ultimate key to your longevity? ing these films that I’m about to start doing. I’m getting ready for my new Man, I’m [gonna] tell you the truth, homie, on some real shit, I feel like my projects and the new album called Don’t Get Meatballed. I always kept rap skills have got me this far and if I didn’t rap the way I did, I wouldn’t be working and staying away from the suckas, man. I revamped my plan and got here today. So, I just thank God for blessing me with the talent, and to deal the right people behind me ‘cause I knew it was like riding a bike with this with the best of ‘em and to compete with the best of ‘em, but now I’m just . I wasn’t gonna do nothing but get better, so I’m back to show ‘em having fun. I’m just doing me. What I’ve changed in my life and in my career what it do. is that I’m fighting for my people and I’m on that good side. I’m on that hood side. I’m on that left side, and I’m fighting for what’s hood. And, I’m on the Tell me a little about the films you’re working on. right side, homey, so I’m gonna fight for the good. That’s what I’m about Right now we’re working on some short films. I’m actually doing a short film right now. for my new project called Don’t Get Meatballed that’s gonna be inside [the CD]. The first 300,000 people that get this album [will also] get this movie Everyone either knows you already, or will become familiar with you for and that ain’t gonna be available nowhere else. We’re just starting to do things through your music, but what would you want these people to know about different than how they do it in the industry. I’m directing my new videos Jayo Felony that they won’t get from listening to your records? from my new album, as well as [filming] documentaries and things like that. I’m representing for my people. Just like C.R.I.P. stand for Community Revolu- Once I get crackin’ with that, then we’re gonna hit ‘em in the head with these tion and Progress, J.A.Y.O. stands for Justice Against Y’all Oppressors, under- feature films. stand me? So, that’s what I’m pushing -I fight for that good.

So you’ll be both in front and behind the camera as well? What would these same people find you doing in your spare time, completely Yes, yes. This is my passion. I mean, this is making my career all the way 360 away from music? [degrees] a whole full circle of what Jayo Felony is about. It’s actually bring- I be ballin’ you up on that basketball court, man, you already know, baby! Or, ing my vision to life of how I want to be perceived, and how I want people to hitting you up on that Madden or that boxing, you know I like that PlaySta- understand what I’m doing. I’m bringing my vision to life as well as bringing tion. I like the boxing. I like the year 2004 Fight Night, that’s the one I play my music back to the game, so it’s gonna be fun, man. ‘cause that’s the realist one they made.

What prompted your decision to title the new album Don’t Get Meatballed? As for the immediate future what’s next for Jayo Felony? It’s basically a positive message because I talk about how people are quick I got my new mixtape out right now called, Too The Nec: Time Is Bread. That’s to pick up a gun, but they’re scared to take it from the shoulders. A lot of the first mix-tape that I put out and my dawg [DJ Nik Bean] put it out for me. good people would still be around if people weren’t scared to take an ass I just wanted to get that out there for my fans. My new album is coming out whooping, so it’s basically a positive message about how if people were more beginning of the year, but my new single called “Dancin’” will be out for the in tuned of taking it from the shoulders, then you could live to tell about it holiday season. instead of being so quick to pick up a gun and take another person’s life. There have been talks for quite some time now about that superstar collec- How do you feel that this project either differs and/or compares to other Jayo tive, The Riflemen, consisting of you, , from and 40 Felony records? Glocc. What’s up with it? Is it on the backburner for now or will it eventually I’m just a little bit more humble and I’m more mature than I was back then. I see the light of day? still rap about some of the same stuff because it’s just some clever stuff, man. It ain’t nothing put to the backburner that I do, man. I don’t give a fuck if I mean, I ain’t tootin’ my own horn, but I know I be coming with some clever I have to put every nigga in that group in a headlock to do this album, it’s shit, man. But, I just matured, and I just built up a bigger purpose than just gonna happen. Believe that! I’ll guarantee you that. I promise you, you guys me talking about how dope of a rapper I am and all this shit. I feel I’m fight- [are] gonna get this Riflemen album. We all pushin’ it - me, Kurupt, Prodigy ing for the struggle of my people now, and I want people to know that I’m on and 40. We finna to be shittin’ on ‘em in a minute. It’s definitely gonna hap- a whole ‘nother level. J.A.Y.O. stands for Justice Against pen. //

12 // OZONE WEST (above L-R): Rick Rock with his OZONE article @ Loft 11 in San Francisco, CA; Kafani Tha Ice King with his OZONE cover @ Loft 11 in San Francisco, CA; @ Power 106 in Los Angeles, CA (Photos by D-Ray)

01 // Lil Jon @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 02 // LL Cool J @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 03 // DJ Big Dee & Mad Linx @ OPM for OZONE’s VMA afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 04 // AP9 @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 05 // Bun B @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 06 // Gorilla Zoe & DJ Jam-X @ The Highlands (Hollywood, CA) 07 // B-Legit @ Time Out for Dru Down’s birthday party (Concord, CA) 08 // Black C of RBL Posse @ Time Out for AP9’s Birthday Party (Concord, CA) 09 // DJ Animal (Albuquerque, NM) 10 // DJ Warrior @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 11 // The Dragons @ 17 Hertz Studio (Hayward, CA) 12 // Munip & Guce @ 17 Hertz Studio (Hayward, CA) 13 // Do It Movin @ Club Zokkus for Players Ball (Sacramento, CA) 14 // Turf Talk @ Time Out for Dru Down’s birthday party (Concord, CA) 15 // Beeda Weeda @ J Stalin’s video shoot (Oakland, CA) 16 // Cognito, Ap9 & Loki @ Time Out for AP9’s Birthday Party (Concord, CA) 17 // DJ Thump @ Time Out for Dru Down’s birthday party (Concord, CA) 18 // Dru Down @ Time Out for Dru Down’s birthday party (Concord, CA) 19 // Bueno & Doey Rock @ Club Zokkus for Doey Rock’s birthday party (Sacramento, CA) 20 // Chuey Gomez @ The Old School Tour (San Jose, CA) 21 // Rich Boy @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 22 // The Jacka @ Karribeans Club for Back To The 80s party (Oakland, CA) 23 // J Diggs @ 17 Hertz Studio (Hayward, CA) 24 // Maserati Rick & C-Bo @ Knights of Columbus for Killa Tay’s birthday party (Fresno, CA) 25 // Supreme & Hogg @ Club Tequila (Fresno, CA) 26 // Lee Majors @ Karribeans Club for Back To The 80s party (Oakland, CA) 27 // K-Loc @ 17 Hertz Studio (Hayward, CA) 28 // Rick Lee @ Loft 11 (San Francisco, CA) 29 // Jae Synth @ Omina Labs (Sacramento, CA) 30 // P.K. & Gary Archer @ Karribeans Club for Back To The 80s party (Oakland, CA) 31 // Rah Digga & Rampage (Albuquerque, NM) 32 // Raz B @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 33 // Sauce, Sho, & J Gibb on the set of “You Stupid” (Sacramento, CA) 34 // Stat Quo & Mistah FAB @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 35 // Tito Bell & Travis Barker @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV)

Photo Credits: Beno (09,31); D-Ray (01,02,04,05,07,08,10,11,12,14,16,17,18,20,21,22,23,26,27,28,30,32,34,35); DJ Jam-X (06); Jessica Essien (13,19,24,25,29,33); Julia Beverly (03); Lady Tae (15)

OZONEOZONE WEST MAG // // 13 13 Young Doe DENVER, CO Rock of Love

12 years old, Young Doe (born Charles McClure) won a trophy. Although he first gained attention for freestyling, Doe soon realized he also But unlike most kids who bring home awards at that age, it had notable writing and production talent. Combining the three elements, At wasn’t for Little League football or basketball — it was for win- he quickly earned himself a name throughout his hometown of Denver. ning a freestyle battle. Before he hit puberty, he knew he was destined for In 1997 he released his first project with popular Montebello-based rap a life of rhyme. - group, MNLD. The following year he released his debut solo album, Some

thin Terrible, solidifying his entry into the game. Since then he’s worked “I was the youngest one involved in the battle,” Doe, who also dons the - with everyone from Bizzy Bone and to C-Bo and . He alias Charles Truth remembers. “That’s how I started getting my recogni also did a tour throughout the South alongside Crime Mob in 2006. tion.”

Ten years and several releases later, Doe is show- ing everyone what others saw in him at age 12. His new album Welcome to the Maze dropped in September on Elite Entertainment with distribu- tion from Bay Area-based City Hall Records to wide acclaim.

“This is my best project,” he says confidently, explaining that the album title is based off of his Montebello neighborhood, which is difficult to navigate for outsiders. “I talk about a lot of shit that goes on around me; shit I’ve been through. I speak on it, but I get creative with what I see.”

While his last album, 2006’s Broken Home, was accompanied with a DVD, this time he decided to go a different route and drop a book of the same title. The plot of the novel loosely follows the songs on the CDs, exploring the struggles of a young man dealing with making tough life deci- sions which ultimately land him in prison.

“I always wanted to write a book,” Doe, who missed out on a key musical opportunity with City Hall Records years ago due to his own legal troubles, says. “I like I had potential and was creative enough to write one. Writing Welcome to the Maze kept me from being able to run the streets like I wanted to.”

Focused on completing the book and album, Doe says he studied other street novel authors like Donald Goines and Terri Woods to help him with the format. The book is available online and will also be distributed City Hall. When it’s all said and done, he wants his name attached to the city like #7.

“This is where I came up,” he says. “I want to have this shit at home. I want to help bring the town up. It’s a lot of niggas that depend on me to be here and help guide them through.” //

Words by Jacinta Howard

14 // OZONE WEST Taje Cat ch and Rel DENVER, CO ease HAWTHORNE, C rowing up in a fatherless home, New West representative Taje always had love for the music game. But a product of Los Angeles, a like many a peer of his, Taje got caught up in the streets by the age of ten years old. “I got put onto getting my own things very Gquick,” he remembers, taking a short pause, “which would lead to a lot of bad behavior. I didn’t feel a need to go to school half the time. I even had to sign a contract that said I was going go to class.”

By the time he was fifteen, Taje’s mother ordered him to either abide by her rules or leave her home indefinitely. Needless to say, the young hardhead chose the road less traveled and suffered for it. With the option to either move to New Jersey to reunite with his father or stay in the city of Angels to pursue his music goals, Taje found himself submerged by his familiar surroundings. “Anything I put my mind to, I do well,” he says, “whether it’s crime, music or whatever.” Unfortunately, music always took a back seat to crime and as a result, Taje found himself homeles, liv ing in cars and on the streets. For the next - 8 years, Taje went through different spurts of good and bad. “I got stuff quick and then lost stuff quick,” he tells.

After a huge bust in 2005 and almost facing some serious time, Taje felt it was time to focus on the music. He started with a CD/ DVD combo entitled Hot Box - The Mixtape Classic. “I smoke a lot of weed, everyone knows that,” Taje admits. “But really I used it as an analogy to say, ‘I’m smokin’ out the game.’ When you go into a room full of smoke, you want to get out. And that’s what I’m doin’ right now. Me and Bishop Lamont especially; we are makin’ niggas step they game up, whether they like to admit it or not.”

Since his infamous new beginning, Taje has become the catalyst that he was born to be. He opened a studio just outside of the Los Angeles area and formed LNS Entertainment, fueling projects for up and coming artists Bishop Lamont (Aftermath), Glasses Malone (Cash Money Records) and Roccett (CTE West). In the same space of time Taje’s mixtape has saturated all of , instigating a sequel with West Coast Mixtape King DJ Warrior and appearances on BET and MTV’s “Y Heard it First.” ou

While he plays his part in the movement, the still unsigned draft pick won’t soon forget his inspiring run at success. “I talk about strugglin’ because I’ve struggled a lot,” he reasons. “I talk about ballin’ because I’ve done that. I’ve been at the top of the mountain and the bottom as well. I’m not insecure at all, I just talk about all the real shit that I’ve been through, good or bad. Real niggas can do that.” // www.myspace.com/taje1

Words by DJ Backside

OZONEOZONE WEST MAG // // 15 15 Bueno sacramento, Ca GOOD GAME

you don’t already know, it’s definitely all good with Bueno and Noyz Music Group. So good, in fact, that the self proclaimed “King of Sacramento” found time to patronize Exotic Jewelry in Richmond, CA, where he snatched up a If nice iced-out watch that any player would be proud of – clearly a sign that it is Bueno’s time to shine. It wasn’t hard for this multi-talented individual to find his true love of music. In high school he was a star athlete and received a basketball scholarship to USC. He later transferred and graduated frombecause Cal State I’m from L.A. “Ithe got hood the forbest real,” of both Bueno worlds, begins, “but I got that other element.” For those that don’t know, Bueno represents South Sac, one of the most block-tested hoods in the area, - otherwise known as “Mackamento,” “Stacka mento” or even “The Clapitol.”

As Sac artists fight to define their identity among Bay Area giants such as E-40, and Mistah FAB, Bueno contends that Sacramento rappers (old and new), are tired of- being overlooked as powerhouses in the indus try. So they are collaborating and bringing their movement to the forefront. “It’s some voices out here that wanna be heard,” the rapper says. “So all we’re doing in this game is trying to expose ourselves to as many people as possible. If a nigga says he’s cute, if a nigga says he’s tight, if a nigga says he’s real, just expose yourself to as many people as possible and let them be the judge.”

Well, the votes are in and the people are truly Change feeling Bueno. His first album in 2003, The Game, featured heavy-hittin’ tycoons such as E-40, the late, great , Yukmouth, the Mob Figaz and Keak da Sneak; an impressive roster for any album, let alone a first project. - Since then he has in no way slowed down, drop ping five mixtapes –Bueno Exclusives Vol. 1, I Love This Game Vol. 2, Welcome to Mackamento Vol. 3, Gunz -N- Butta Vol. 4 and The Signing Day Vol. 1. Then there’s his latest album, released this year, The Sacramento B, which is a play off of the local newspaper in his hometown, The Sacramento Bee. This album is immaculate from start to finish; and just one of his songs alone “West Up (Remix)” features E-40, Mistah F.A.B., San Quinn and Keak Da Sneak. But features are - not what made this album at all. Bueno is hold ing his own and letting you know why his name means “Good.” The boy is definitely a force to be reckoned with and will work to prove his worth on the new untitled album courtesy of Noyz Music Group/SMC/Universal. //

www.myspace.com/buenonoyz

Words by Nippy Swagga Photo by Jessica Essien

16 // OZONE WEST Jay Rock Specia l Delivery watts, Ca hen I started out, I was just playing around rhyming different little bullshit together,” he remembers. “Then little shit I was doing people start feeling it. Then I said, ‘Shit, a nigga might have some type of talent.’ So I really started concentrating on “Wwhat I was writing, making sure the shit was really on point.” However, the streets continued to call Jay Rock and he continued to answer. A Bounty Hunter (Blood gang) to the heart, he was active as Care Free Curl at the Compton Swap meet in the mid ‘80s. But one day that all changed. The Big Homie, Dude Dawg, heard about Jay Rock’s growing legend and that he wanted to have a sit down. “I was kind of running from the nigga, ‘cause he the kinda big homie that will tell you need to cut that bullshit out,” he tells. “I’m trying to hide from this nigga ‘cause I don’t want to hear all that bullshit he talking about.”

Without warning, Dude Dawg showed up one day while Jay Rock was getting his hair cut. They had their sit down, Dude Dawg expressed himself and by the end of the conversation the budding rapper found himself on his way to Top Dawg Entertainment’s headquarters. There, the menacing CEO would order Jay Rock to stay put until he made four songs to his satisfaction. “I got in there and knocked out four quick songs for the nigga,” says Jay Rock. “I’m on the bullshit right now, cause I’m trying to get out. I got money on the streets and this nigga tripping on me.”

Needless to say, Dude Dawg ordered the door to remain locked until Watts’ newfound phenomenon came correct. And when he did, “Nig gas was praising me so I good I was like, ‘Shit I ain’t never felt like this!’ Niggas was patting me on my back and yelling and hollering and shit.” Soon after the - brouhaha came a deal with Warner Brothers, which was inked just last September.

Jay Rock’s kept the streets lit with his Watts Finest mixtape series (three volumes). He’s also set to drop another mixtape entitled No Sleep Til NYC – an old school tribute of sorts. But nothing he’s done will match the energy he promises to bring on his heavily anticipated album, Follow Me Home, scheduled for a first quarter release.

“I’m going to show everybody what I been through what goes on in my projects. It’s just my story man it’s com- ing from the heart. It’s real.” // myspace.com/jayrock

Words by N. Ali Early

OZONE WEST // 17 It was fortunate that we skated and everything. But I just want people to know that it s not a joke. We do real’ tricks. It s not all for show. We’ really do this.

the

We tryna make an impact on the game. We want packy’all to see our career evolve. We wanna evolve with the people.

18 // OZONE WEST WORDS BY N. ALI EARLY 4 PHOTOS COURTESY OF JIVE RECORDS

ince scoring with the mid-tempo hit “Vans” a year ago, The cause we were doing everything ourselves. We were used to booking our own Pack has gained the notoriety that they once dreamed of studio sessions. We were working in the studio by ourselves. We don’t [really] prior to their chance meeting with Too Short. As members of use any outside producers because I produce pretty much everything. So we the Up All Nite crew, the skateboard friendly foursome went communicate with both labels. Short is in the Bay often now, so we do our on to drop an EP, Skateboards To Scrapers that same year thing with the Up All Nite Crew and when we’re out on the East Coast we hit and signed an artist deal with Jive/Zomba in the process. everybody in the Jive office. So we pretty much stay in touch with everybody, Having survived the standard industry quandaries that because it’s vital to our career. set many a group back from would-be success, members Stunna, Lil B, Lil Uno and Young L have bound together to Stunna: [As far as] the relationships, we just check in. [Short] ain’t really create their own sound and inspire a nation of “rappers who skate.” Just in gotta do too much for us besides the label perspective. But it’s pretty much case they’re not just ready to express their individuality fully, The Pack’s Jive just us. They say they need a new album, so we all link up to do it ourselves. debut, Based Boys, drops the day before Halloween. In it, they promise a It’s not like we gotta call Up All Nite or Jive to set up some studio time. We treat, no matter where you’re from or what you represent. ain’t gotta do none of that. Like L said, we pretty much got recruited because we’re a self-sufficient group. We don’t be needin’ all that shit. We just need You all have been able to create a pretty heavy media swirl without even that stamp. That’s what they’re for. dropping an album. What do you attribute that to? Stunna: I just give that shit pretty much to hardcore fans. Niggas can’t do How did your relationship with Short come about? nuthin’ if niggas don’t like you. Our fans really love us. You can have a fan Stunna: Short was on his way to a show in Berkeley, where three of the that’ll get your single or buy your ringtone, but they don’t buy your album. [group] members are from. Uno’s from Frisco. But he was on his way to a We have true fans and we get to do all the things that true artists get to do, show and we run we’re we at. So he was listening to us and he was like, “Who all without putting out an album. It’s and people stay tuned in to are these lil’ niggas, man?” So he did his research and found out who we good music. That’s how I think we’re able to do what we do. were. And Uno’s dad knows Short from way back in the day before Uno was even thought of. They got past history so that was another good thing. So You’re still on Up All Nite, but did the move to Jive do anything to effect the Short was like, “I’m fuckin’ with you lil’ niggas.” And ever since then it was relationship with Short? Are you still involved with Up All Nite like that or cool. Short flew us out to for a cool minute and we was doin’ some does Jive consume all your time at this stage? music out there. But it just evolved because he heard about us doin’ our thing Young L: To tell you the truth, we do our own thing pretty much. We’re in- and Uno had a good relationship with him and his family too. So that just volved with both labels, but we were recruited to both labels pretty much be- closed the deal.

OZONE WEST // 19 We tryna make an impact on the game. We want y’all to see our career evolve. We wanna evolve with the people.

How did the four of you meet? like, “Oh, that nigga based. He hella based. He trippin’ right now.” If he off a Stunna: I knew L because me and L skateboard. Me and L pill or something he might be based. But you ain’t gotta be off drugs. It’s ba- knew each other since 7th grade. He ended up having to go sically just being on some different shit, being on some creative shit, on some to another high school. I stayed at Berkeley High. He ran into Lil colorful shit. Just some different shit. So to describe us as being “based” B and he put Lil B on individually. I’m still at Berkeley High. I put Lil basically means that we play on the opposite side of the field. We don’t run Uno on individually and that made four of us. with the regular, default niggas. We’re trendsetters over here. That’s pretty much how we roll. We roll original, 100%. Y’all skateboard for real. huh? How does that translate in terms of Hip Hop and how you’re received by this “thugged out” industry? How has the skate- Yeah, ‘cause the generation I came from, base meant crack. (laughter) So it’s board genre blended into Hip Hop and what impact do you think you’ve had basically being off in the stratosphere. Is that where you’re going with it? on it? Stunna: Yeah, that’s where it started from. It’s like the word “nigga.” Nigga Lil B: I don’t skateboard, but from what I’m seeing now, it’s a lot of skate- started off as a derogatory comment and niggas just flipped it. Basehead board rappers out there and they’re trying to capitalize off skateboarding. was a derogatory comment, but we took it like bein’ based was being fresh, And I see ‘em tryna look like us. Not us individually, but as our group, they cause I’ll see a nigga and he’d be so out of it to the point where he’s cool. tryna look like us and capitalize off of it. I don’t even skateboard and I see it. He made something out of what he was doing because he was so out of his mind. That’s how our music is. We’re going to do whatever the fuck we feel. Stunna: I remember when I was doin’ this shit and niggas was laughin’ at If I walk up in the studio and L pulls up a beat, base music is: instead of me me. Niggas was roastin’ me. Niggas was talkin’ about I’m a joke. They was thinking, “Oh, this needs to be a song about the club,” or “This needs to be a questionin’ my hoodness all throughout because I was skateboarding. But I song about the street,” I just go up in that muthafucka and rap. I just go off kept it true to myself and I know I can speak for me and L, because we’re the the top of the head and I lose my mind and that’s how we do it. That’s base skateboarders of the group. I remember when we were looked at as outcasts, music for you. like [skateboarding] wasn’t cool. But we stuck to it and niggas can really rap. We really make good music. So people had to overlook that fact and then So tell us about the debut album. people like Lupe [Fiasco] came out, and Pharrell, he’s with the skateboarding Young L: Based Boys, October 30th. It’s crazy because even though we made shit too. So I think what’s happening is that a lot of people skate and really so much music in the past, it was like starting from square one. The whole got talent with the rap and we’re just speaking up and it’s slowly but surely sound is fresh. It’s all bangers, even if you’re not from the Bay. You could opening up a window for us. It wasn’t cool, but now people are looking at be from Germany, , Wyoming, wherever and you’re going to feel it. it like, “Oh, I can make money off that crossover shit.” We didn’t really think We’re just puttin’ ourselves out there and trying to earn that respect that we about it as crossover shit. We thought about it as, “Nigga, this is what we deserve. We’ve been putting a lot of work in against all odds. People don’t really do.” Go get me a skateboard right now and I’ll hit a 360 for you. I really know what goes on behind the scenes, but we’ve just been puttin’ all our do this. I’m not finna play around with it. I just think that it really worked in work into our album. So I just really hope that people respect it. It’s going to our favor. It was a timing thing. We came out when it was a little bit poppin’ be a classic. Definitely. and we just made it look a little better. Stunna: And the video for the new single, “In My Car,” is gon’ be crazy. We’ll Young L: I pretty much agree with what Stunna was saying. It was fortunate be back where we need to be, cause like L said, it’s been against all odds. that we skated and everything. But I just want people to know that it’s not a I don’t wanna go into what’s been happening, but it’s a lot of people that joke. You can see us in our videos, in the “Vans” video. We do real tricks. It’s didn’t want us to succeed. A lot of people didn’t want to see us shine, but we not all for show. Niggas really do this. To all you people out there rappin’, did the damn thing. Shout out to Crush Management, Bob, Ant, and everybody who think it’s a gimmick, who don’t really skate like that and are not really who helped us get this fuckin’ project done, cause this was damn near like with the shit, I really feel like they need to fall back. I’m not even going to tryna have ice water in hell. It damn near didn’t happen. say any names, cause that’s not my place. I’m just tryna keep it real for the fam. You all definitely have a different sound courtesy of Young L. Interestingly enough, you all had some other producers you worked with right? So where the music is concerned, how much of the skateboarder’s mentality Young L: Yeah, we have [Mr.] Collipark, Pit; we went to a lot of people, but or skateboarding terms do you incorporate into what you do? Or is the music we’re so different and so accustomed to working amongst ourselves, it was more of a reflection of Hip Hop and/or the hood? really difficult to make a hit with another producer. So with me ending up Young L: I think the music is just a reflection of us as people. Skateboarding producing most of the joints, it worked out well and it turned out great. is just something that I do in my offtime. It’s not like I’ma rap a certain way ‘cause I skateboard. It’s just something that I do. Skateboarding definitely Stunna: We really tried. It’s a lot of hot producers we worked with or wanted plays a role in my creative input to my music, just because I have that kind of to. We worked with Lil Jon. We worked with Scott Storch. We worked with disregard for what other people think. I’m already putting myself out there as Speedy from the CTE camp. It’s not that their music isn’t great; everybody that an African American skateboarder, so that in and of itself shows that I’m not I just named has made hits and makes great music. But The Pack is so weird afraid to be different. as a whole. To capture what we do, we just kinda had to be ourselves and it’s hard to be yourselves when somebody has [other ideas] for you. The way we Stunna: Yeah, he hit it on the head. It’s not like we’re going outside talkin’ work, it’s so unorthodox that it’s just kinda hard to go outside of Young L. about skateboarding or anything else. It’s just a reflection of one’s self. It’s purely a diary. You might hear me talkin’ about him skatin’ down the street, Good enough. Most people associate your brand of Hip Hop with hyphy, but but you’re going to hear me talkin’ about other stuff too and you’re going people who claim hyphy don’t necessarily consider it something that you do, to hear what we do. It’s pretty much our diary. We don’t wanna start rapping but more something that you are. What’s your take on that? about that too much to start capitalizing off of it. Young L: I think a lot of people might just look at us and the way we act and say we “hyphy” cause we’re just some young wild ass niggas. I’ma keep it lit. So two of you don’t skateboard, but that’s basically what’s come to define We be damn near gettin’ kicked off tours and shit. But I think we evolved from you through the song “Vans.” That’s people see and hear. So if that isn’t what that and slightly branched off into our own base realm to do our own thing. defines y’all, what does? But I can’t sit here and say I never made a hyphy song, cause if you really Young L: That’s a good question. do your Wolfpack history and you know “Booty Bounce Bopper,” you know Stunna: To tell you the honest to God truth, I don’t know what defines me we really came from that. So we really started that slap shit for these young yet. I just turned 20 on September 30th, homie. I’m still tryna find myself as niggas. So I really think that hyphy is still a part of me and it’s always going a young nigga. I’m still tryna play my cards and play the hand that’s dealt. to be a part of us. // I’ma find myself in a minute. But I know if I had to choose as of right now, what defines me and if I had to speak for the group, we’re just young, fresh, fly niggas doin’ they thang. And that’s just what it is. Gettin’ they money and gettin’ they gwop, cause we know our chance only comes once. So we tryna - make an impact on the game. We tryna be niggas that you grow with. We want I DON T KNOW WHAT DE y’all to see our career evolve. We wanna evolve with the people. ’ - FINES ME YET.M STILLI JUST TRY Tell us about “based music.” Who came up with that term? TURNED 20... I’ Young L: That’s a term that people used to use in the neighborhoods we grew NA FIND MYSELF... BUTRE JUSTAS up in. It started off as a negative term, from what I know. People would be OF RIGHT NOW, WE’ YOUNG, FRESH, FLY NIGGAS DOIN THEY THANG. 20 // OZONE WEST ’ Hyphy movement going on and the music from the Bay Area taking a whole different turn, they kinda requested it back. So, I brought it back with the ’ Throwblock (Muzic). Why did you start another imprint? Aren’t you still co-owner of Sick Wid’ It Records? Words by Todd Davis Of course I’m always Sick Wid’ It! It’s me and 40’s company that we created Photos courtesy of SMC Recordings together, and Block Movement is more of what I’m doing on my own, another independent. It started with accounting differences, and you have to be able to identify with that when it comes in. But if you look at the logo of Block Movement, it’s still the hog. But, it’s just like he’s standing up. He’s a little bit rougher, like on the block. It’s all related though.

With that being said, as far as Block Movement is concerned, who all is a part of that roster? I got this young guy, Taj-He-Spitz, and he just turned eighteen. I’m dealing with him right now. We’ve got a couple of mixtapes coming out on him. One is called Meal Ticket 2 and then Jewelry Money. He’s featured all over my album. Then, we’re gonna do a Block Gang album, which is me, Taj-He-Spitz and Duna. Those are the two main artists that I’m focused on right now.

What’s the current status of Sick Wid’ It? Well, you know, on the West Coast there’s very few artists that are really signed to a major deal anymore. But we’re still hustling though. Turf Talk just came out recently. We got a lot of up and coming acts. They’re on the table ready to go, but for the most part ‘bout the only thing I think that’s really gonna [be released on a] major in 2008 would be the B-Legit and E-40 album.

So, y’all are finally gonna deliver on that long overdue, highly anticipated duet LP? Yeah, it’s a must-have! We’re just trying to keep that in the can until it’s ready to go, ‘cause we’ve been talking, talking, talking… so this time we want to really prove it and do it.

Although you are often described as one of the best emcees on the Left Coast, it seems that you always tend to fly under the mainstream’s radar. Why do you think that is? I don’t know. Maybe because I put out records independently. I never really had a major label record deal, as far as an artist deal to where a company in- vested to spend money on me to put me out like that. Even with Jive Records, it was just a hybrid deal. I wasn’t really [signed to them] as an artist. So all my walks have been, what I want to call, from the ground up type of thing. I’ve never really had help, but it’s okay because, like I say, my fans stayed loyal. My first album that I put out,Tryin’ to Get a Buck, on the solo with no promotions, sold 100,000 units, and it’s been good ever since. And, once I got a taste of the independent money, man, it’s kinda hard to say, “I’ll just go and do an album for X amount of dollars.”

You’ve never abandoned where you came from. Not just in the way that you still represent, Vallejo, California to the fullest, but you are still very much a part of your community. Has it been difficult to maintain that as you became more and more successful? Naw, one thing about the block, as far as this whole label thing, Block Move- ment, when we came in the game, how we got popular, we went to the ‘hood, touched people, kissed babies, shook hands with the D-Boys, and that’s just what it is. I am that. That’s me. I am the ‘hood. I am the block. So, I’m b legit addicted to it. I can’t do nothing else. That’s where I come from and that’s what I do.

Is it fair to say that you are happy with the current state of ong considered one of the Bay Area’s hardest emcees, Brandt Jones and West Coast rap in general? a.k.a. B-Legit the Savage’s stellar career has consistently eluded major Well, West Coast rap really doesn’t have any identity as of right now. label status. Save for what he calls a “hybrid deal” with Jive that was Nobody’s really doing too much. There’s no West Coast sound right now. Like Lsuffocated by a bubble-gum, pop-friendly era, B-lah has survived the good you said, we kinda fell off quick. I think mainly we got away from the ele- ole fashion way: by pleasing the streets. Appropriately, the business minded ment of making songs and storytelling. We were known in the Bay Area for mogul is in the second phase of building his own brand – the Block Movement our funky bass lines and pimp style raps/Mobb style raps and it got to going – per Throwblock Muzic. Actually a warmer for his sixth solo release (untitled another direction to where they really didn’t understand anymore. The South as of yet) in the way of the streetape trend, this collection of sorted slap is kinda adapted our sound and added a hi-hat to it, and they’re winning with more meal than appetizer and yet another nod for the people’s choice. it now.

Why did you choose to go ahead and put this out versus just coming with your Do you think the trend will come back full-circle and end up out West again? next solo record? Yeah, I’m pretty sure if we stick to doing what we do we’ll finally get some Well, you know, I like it because I get a lot of fans that request Mobb Music, love back again. We had it on lock, and we were winning, but everybody and these are tracks that were done in those days. A lot of tracks that I did deserves a turn. It’s the other people’s turn now – the South’s turn. After that are from back in 2001, like the one with the late, great Mac Dre. I’m using it music is hopefully done doing its thing, then we keep doing our thing and we as a leadoff single, like a warm up single, and it’s called “Game.” With the might be hot again. I’m just gonna do me for right now though. //

OZONE WEST // 21 OUTLAWZ REUNITED & RECOUPED

Words by Lee Hubbard

22 // OZONE WEST the mid 1990s the Outlawz a.k.a. Outlaw Im- albums last year alone. Young Noble and Lazy Bone’s album (Thug Brothers), mortalz was a rap collaborative that took the Outlawz and (Can’t Sell Dope Forever) and then Noble and stic.man Hip Hop industry by storm. Founded by Tupac from dead prez (Soldier to Soldier) and then we had the Noble and Edi Amin In album (Outlaw Culture). The name of our latest project is Thug In Thug Out. Shakur in 1995 after his release from prison, the group Me and Fatal are the featured artists on this. featured a contrasting Hip Hop style of political philoso- phy, the streets and energy on wax that was unheard of Fatal: After Pac died, I inked a deal with Relativity. I did a record called In The at the time. All of this could be summed up in the infa- Line of Fire. It did all right. Relativity winded up shutting down. I ended up mous single “Hit Em Up,” a diss towards Biggie Smalls, getting another solo deal with Rap-A-Lot records. With Rap-A-Lot, I recorded Bad Boy Records and New York Hip Hop. a banging album that would have been a classic. It was called Fatal, but I was on the run with the law and ended up getting locked up. I was locked up The group looked like they were ready for stardom for like two years, so that was that album and the big homie J Prince had to do what he had to do when I was gone. I came home in 2002 and caught a based on the reaction in the streets to “Hit Em Up” and couple of features on other people’s albums, with artists like Three Six Mafia, several other tracks with Tupac that they appeared on Gangsta Boo, some of Pac’s other stuff that was released, Jim Jones and Ja over the next year. But this never materialized to the Rule. My street credibility never went anywhere, though. I still was official. level which many thought, due to double tragedies which affected the group. Tupac was killed in late 1996 What is this difference between your sound now and in the past? in Las Vegas, Nevada, followed two months after by the Noble: I think our sound is more focused and more mature. Back then, we killing of another Outlawz member Kadafi, in New Jersey. were younger and a little more reckless and we didn’t give a fuck. The first thing niggas heard me on was [Tupac’s] Makaveli with “Hail Mary.” We were Since that time, the Outlawz have assumed various forms raw as hell back then. But our style is more fulfilled now. We are on some real in the last ten years, releasing six albums. Now they stuff. are back with their latest album, Thug In Thug Out, the Fatal: There is a difference, but not that much. When I was rapping with Tupac, reunion that brought Fatal Hussein back into the fold. I was full of fire, full of flames. I was amped up on some street shit. But now, Since most of the group relocated to Atlanta, they’ve I got a taste of the good life. I’m calm and laid back. You can actually hear signed a major record deal and are finally posing that what I’m talking about now. ever intimidating unified front once again. OZONE was able to talk to Noble and Fatal Hussein about what they What do you think about the state of Hip Hop and rap today? have been up to in the past few years and what is going Noble: I think it’s definitely more corporate driven then art form driven. on today with the group. Everybody is trying to do the same thing or sound the same. Most of this shit sounds the same and there’s not that much substance as far as the main artists are concerned. We just got in the game now with a major label. We’ve Over the past ten years what has happened with the group? been on over fifty million records sold and we are now just getting a record Noble: We kind of went our separate ways. Fatal was doing solo stuff and we deal, something is wrong with that picture. It’s the content of our music. They were doing our thing. So we got together for this project. hear our music and it’s real shit. It’s like we didn’t fit in the box.

Fatal: After ‘Pac died, I just came straight home. So Khadafi and I went back Fatal: In my opinion, nothing is subject to stay the same. That radio shit to the East Coast. Since ‘Pac was dead, it was no reason to be out on the coming out, I guess that is what a nigga has to do to make money. Who wants West Coast. It was back to regular life as I know it. When we were home, the to be a hard rapping broke nigga? If a joker can change his style up and get Outlawz wanted to keep it moving. And so they did some things and I did money, then that is what it is. A nigga should not be hard all the time. You some things. have to have style. People fall in love with your character.

After Tupac’s death, why did most of the group move to the ATL? How did you get a deal with ’s Cashville Records? Noble: We have a lot of roots out here. We have been coming out here for Noble: That happened out of nowhere. C-Bo, our partner, signed with Young years. After ‘Pac died, we came to Atlanta to get out of L.A. Afeni, Tupac’s Buck. As soon as he got over there, he told Buck he needed to sign us. We mother told us to come out here, and that saved our lives. didn’t have a situation and C-Bo has always supported us, so Buck listened. He came to Atlanta and we met with him face-to-face and it was a done Fatal: I just went straight back to New Jersey. deal. The next Outlawz album will be on Buck’s label. It’s called God’s Plan. We dropped the single two weeks ago called “Driving Down the Freeway.” It How did moving to Atlanta save your lives? Did you feel threatened in L.A.? features Buck rapping as well. It’s not done yet, but we’re in the studio work- Noble: No. But after Pac died, we did not care. We were on some other shit. ing on it right now. We were ready to kill whoever. It was a real messed up situation. Being in LA, there was a lot going on. We were riding around everyday, eight or nine of Fatal: Noble and Edi inked that deal. That shit did not get around this way. us strapped in a van on some other stuff. It was at the point we did not care. But love is love. If they’re in, I’m in. That’s what we were missing before, Afeni saw this and told us to get out of there. So we decided to leave. communication.

Fatal: I did not care about nothing. It was like, “What am I doing out here, if What else are you two doing? my man is gone?” I only knew Pac. I didn’t know any of those other niggas, Noble: I started a film company called Hollyhood Films. Our first movie is so I just felt like it was safe for me to go to Jersey. called , the life story of which will be a major motion picture. We actually are shopping it right now. We have some big people get- Shortly after this, Khadafi was killed in Jersey. What were you guys thinking ting behind this project. There’s a lot of people who don’t know about her. at this time? Her story is colder than Tupac’s story because she was a real-life revolu- Noble: Pac passed on September 13 and Khadafi passed on November 10th tionary. She was really in the action; she was down with the Panthers and on the same day we had the memorial for Tupac. So it was like back-to-back they were really against the system. When she was pregnant with Tupac she deaths with the two major guys who started the Outlawz, Pac and Khadafi, so was facing 352 years and defending herself in court. She beat a court case it was crazy. that could have put her away for life. That alone deserves a film. She was a dynamic public figure in her time. Fatal: It was a fucked up family situation with us. One of the Outlawz, Na- poleon, his cousin killed Khadafi. Khadafi and ’s cousin were good Fatal: I got a solo album coming out called Born Legendary and I’m smashing friends. They were playing around with a gun, young kid shit and Napoleon the streets with mixtapes like 1090 Official, New Jersey DOC, Fatalvellivolume got killed. They were playing around with the gun and Khadafi tried to smack 1 and 2 and many more. Also I’ve got the independent movie Cash Rules, the gun out of his hand it went off. which was filmed by my man Young Antonio. It’s a true story about some Newark hustlers. I played Akubar Prey, a big-time dealer that ran Newark. Words by Lee Hubbard What has been happening music-wise since then with the group? He’s in the Feds now. I am trying to get this Jersey scene on the map. Also, Nobel: We’ve been grinding and we never stopped. We dropped like four the Afeni Shakur movie. It will be big. //

OZONE WEST // 23 DJ DJ Dj Fresh

et’s just be honest: Mixtapes are only poppin’ nowadays if you had a brand goin’ before “the (infamous) raid.” Gangsta Grillz isn’t the only mixtape series that has been makin’ noise. In the Bay Area, DJ Fresh has created what he calls his “franchise” of mixtapes - The Tonite Show. “You have to have a franchise these days, a consistency,” he says. With countless mixtapes to his credit, the Fresh franchise is clearly Lone of the streets’ favorites. “It wasn’t all easy though,” he admits. “At first cats wouldn’t really work with me, but eventually the artists have started coming to me.” Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Fresh was raised in Oakland, CA and has more than a franchise under under his sleeves. He has a legacy to uphold.

One of Fresh’s older brothers, DJ Dummy, is ’s DJ. His other older brother is a DJ. Their father was a DJ, and for the record, DJ Fresh was ranked the 3rd Best DJ in the Nation in 1999 at the ITF Technique DJ Championships. “All that scratchin’, turntablist stuff, I can do all that, but right now my heart is really in producing,” he says, offering his interest in building directly with the “best of the Bay.”

Beginning with the self-proclaimed “Prince of the Bay,” Mistah FAB, The Tonite Show series came about when Fresh was editing Mistah FAB’s first DVD,The Freestyle King. It’s called The Tonite Show series simply because it was re- corded at night, and because of its originality. Soon after came mixtapes with Smigg Dirtee, J Stalin and Beeda Weeda, Nump, Mr. Tower and Chris da 5th.

“The Bay is steppin’ up their game right now,” Fresh says excitedly. “The digital thing is wassup because the accessibility. Being able to make original songs like I do and put it on iTunes right away is what’s good. And within my camp [PTB, Livewire, Heiroglyphics] there is more unity.”

Recently coming off the Rock the Bells and Living Legend Tours DJing for this past summer, DJ Fresh is essentially aiming to combine his East Coast roots with his Bay Area brand. “It’s like I’m the barbershop: everyone can meet up through there,” he reasons. “With my original production [on The Tonite Show Mixtapes], I can link a Common with Mistah FAB or a J Stalin with Nas.” //

myspace.com/djfreshh

Words by DJ Backside

24 // OZONE WEST Young Doe / Welcome to the Maze Doey Rock, DJ Koday & DJ Boy Wonder /The 40/40 Club City Hall / Elite Entertainment Sacramento emcee Doey Rock holds nothing back on The 40/40 Young Doe makes himself at home on his City Hall debut Welcome Club mixtape. From the opening track “I Said It” to the last cut to the Maze. Known primarily for its penchant to push Bay Area in- “Not Thru,” Rock lyrically goes the distance with sharp bars and dependents, Doe’s arrival as a product of Denver, CO, suggests The hooks throughout 29 tracks. On “Legend” he stakes his claim Hall’s healthy appreciation for the 5280’s growing music scene. To as a “young legend in the making” while paying homage to the boot, Bay factors such as (“It Ain’t No Thing”), Jacka greats like Bob Marley and Muhammed Ali. He proves that New (“I Don’t Wanna Sign”), Killa Tay and legendary Sac rappers C-Bo Yorkers aren’t the only ones that can spit hard 16s as he goes (“Codes of the Movement”) and Marvaless (“One”), bless Welcome… bar for bar with the Chef on “Toe To Toe.” Both politi- All but two of the tracks boast features, including Denver’s Mr. cal and street savvy, he throws a middle finger to the attacks on Mannish, Colfax Cac and Innerstate Ike, which at times work to Hip Hop on “Not Guilty” and serves as a street ambassador on submerge Doe deep off into the Maze. Still, he escapes to deliver a “Take a Ride Wit Me.” With only a couple tracks that feel out of solid piece of work. – N. Ali Early place, Doey rocks his latest offering in true Sick Wit It fashion. — Randy Roper

The Jacka, Rydah J. Klyde & Fed-X (of the Mob Figaz) / Mob Trial 2 City Hall / Million Dollar Dream Smigg Dirtee /The Resume / Black Armor In the second installment of its kind, Mob Trial 2 picks up where Smigg Dirtee must have called every rapper he has ever met for the original left off. As the only constant in both versions (AP9 a reference/appearance on The Resume. Although Smigg D leans and ), The Jacka continues to show why he is one of the on his West Coast homies, he does show rap skills as he col- West Coast’s most slept-on artists via solos “Reign God” and the laborates with Killa Tay and C-Bo on “Yey Yey” and trades street bouncy “Go Hard Is All I Know.” When the three featured Mob tales with I-Rocc and A-Wax on “Live This Life.” But some tracks Figaz members share the mic, the results are similar, proving an would have been better off without outside verses. A few subpar indefensible aesthetic among the multi-member (five) collective. verses and god-awful hooks look more like minuses than pluses Radio-ready ditties like “Got To Make Her Mine,” featuring AP9, on Dirtee’s resume. Dirtee’s album feels more like a compila- Mike Marshall and incarcerated Mob member Husalah and “The tion than a solo album. But tracks like “It’s Like That” and “Last Same Thing Everyday” maintain balance under their tumultuous Dance” and help from Mistah FAB, Messy Marv, and circumstances. – N. Ali Early B-Legit, has his Resume looking good. — Randy Roper

Demolition Men Presents: / Hustle Hard Collection While the Bay Area’s Hip Hop scene is synonymous with rap gods Various ArtistS /Omina Bust / Sosla E-40, Too $hort and now a host of youngstas that woke the world This compilation coming straight out of the Omina Laboratories up to “hyphy,” Amp Live and MC Zion, collectively known as Zion features new, unreleased music from some of the best the West I, arguably encompass what has come to define the most indepen- has to offer. Although some tracks should have remained locked dent rap genre in the game. Underground as a duo can be, they’ve away in the Sacramento studio, there are enough bangers to survived a decade by creating their own lane and pushing their warrant Omina Bust some spins. B-Legit, Turf Talk and Skurge brand to the throttle – beneath the surface. Their version of the start things off the Bay Area way on “Smashmatic” and Tone Hustle Hard Collection with Bay Area mixtape kings Impereal & Malone smooths things out with Doey Rock on “I Won’t Hurt Devro a.k.a. the Demolition Men is that and more. With appear- You.” While those tracks make for solid cuts, “Shake ‘Um Off” ances by the self-proclaimed freestyle king Mistah FAB (“Hit Em”), with Keak Da Sneak, B-Smoove and Jae Synth is the exact oppo- Turf Talk (“The Bay”) and Too $hort (“Lose Your Head”), socially site. And someone made a mistake by give Ron Artest a micro- aware rhymes over live acoustics meet traditional slap for a head- phone to spit a 16 on “Music Box.” Nonetheless, Omina compiled bobbing blend that works. – N. Ali Early enough quality tracks for fans to enjoy. — Randy Roper

OZONE WEST // 25 end zone

E-40 Event: Last Super Hyphy Venue: Phoenix Theater City: Petaluma, CA Date: September 29th, 2007 Photo: D-Ray

26 // OZONE WEST OZONE WEST // 27