Trillville Kiotti Chyna Whyte Trae Lil Scrappy Bohagon

Home , Already Platinum, Big Pokey, Chalie Boy, Get Throwed, Git It, James Prince

MINI ALL-STAR WEEKEND 2006 SPECIAL EDITION

BUN B PIMP C MAPS LIL KEKE CLUB LISTINGS PAUL WALL CHAMILLIONAIRE PHOTOS SLIM THUG & THE & MORE! BOYZ N BLUE LIL JON’S BME FAMILY: YUNG CHILL SCARFACE BIG TUCK LIL FLIP TRILLVILLE KIOTTI CHYNA WHYTE TRAE LIL SCRAPPY BOHAGON

WELCOME TO HOUSTON MINI ALL-STAR WEEKEND 2006 SPECIAL EDITION

MAPS BUN B PIMP C CLUB LISTINGS LIL KEKE PHOTOS PAUL WALL & MORE! CHAMILLIONAIRE SLIM THUG & THE BOYZ N BLUE YUNG CHILL SCARFACE BIG TUCK LIL FLIP KIOTTI TRAE

LIL JON’S BME FAMILY: BOHAGON CHYNA WHYTE TRILLVILLE E-40 WELCOME TO HOUSTON

PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Julia Beverly allstar2006 OPERATIONS MANAGER: Gary LaRochelle COVER STORIES MARKETING & PROMOTIONS: Malik “Highway” Abdul Bohagon pg A24-25

ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Trillville pg B16-17 Matt Sonzala DJ PROFILES MUSIC EDITOR: DJ Aggravated pg A12 Maurice G. Garland DJ GT pg B10 CONTRIBUTORS: Cara Pastore, D-Nice, Destine Cajuste, Keadron Smith, Luxury Mindz, Mercedes, FEATURES Mike Frost, Nikki Kancey, Rohit Loomba Houston Map pg A18-19 Event Listings pg A20-23 To subscribe, send check or money order for $11 to: Photo Galleries pg A15-17, B11-13 1516 E. Colonial Dr. Suite 205 Orlando, FL 32803 INTERVIEWS Phone: 407-447-6063 Fax: 407-447-6064 Big Tuck pg B42-43 Web: www.ozonemag.com Bun B pg A30-31 Chamillionaire pg A32-33 Cover credits: Bohagon and Trillville photos provided by BME/Warner Bros.; Lil Scrappy Chyna Whyte pg B22-23 photo by D-Nice; E-40 photo by Julia Beverly. E-40 pg B18-19 OZONE does not take responsibility for unso- GhostWriters pg B36-37 licited materials, misinformation, typographi- cal errors, or misprints. The views contained Jokaman pg B30-31 herein do not necessarily reflect those of the Kiotti pg B34-35 publisher or its advertisers. Ads appearing Lil Flip pg A34-35 in this magazine are not an endorsement or validation by OZONE Magazine for products Lil Keke pg B24-25 or services offered. All photos and illustrations Lil Scrappy pg A26-27 are copyrighted by their respective artists. Paul Wall pg A38-39 All other content is copyright 2006 OZONE Magazine, all rights reserved. No portion of Pimp C pg A40-41 this magazine may be reproduced in any way Scarface pg A36-37 without the written consent of the publisher. Slim Thug & Boyz N Blue pg A42-45 Printed in the USA. Trae pg B28-29 X-Trct pg B40-41 Yung Chill pg A46-47

OZONE 11 How old where you when you started DJing? I DJed my first party in the 7th or 8th grade. It was actually for a church event that was open to the public. I think it was like 300 people there, and I was so nervous. The first time you actually spin, as opposed to just spinning around the way in the hood, you got people watching you and it’s different.

Did you continue DJing throughout school? Yeah, I learned early on. I did a lot of wed- ding receptions and corporate events at a young age. It taught me how to actually program music and do all that kinds of stuff. Once I got out of high school, it was easy. I got spots other guys weren’t getting, because you have to be well-rounded to get that money. There wasn’t a lot of hip- hop spots throwing parties, and there was a couple DJs that had it on lock. I was in a group called The Convicts that was on Rap- A-Lot Records during the time of the Geto DJ AGGRAVATED Boys’ “Mind Playin’ Tricks On Me.” One of the guys, Big Mike, asked me to be their Where are you from? DJ, and brought me to a club one night. I’m from Houston originally, I’ve been here Everybody at Rap-A-Lot pretty much liked all my life. me, so the rest is history.

Do you spin screwed & chopped music Now you’re a DJ on The Box, right? Who or are you more of a “regular” DJ? are the Hollywood Boys? I was DJing way before the screwed & Me and Def Jam Blaster got together, basi- chopped phenomenon actually happened. cally because somebody was tryin’ to diss I met Screw a couple times and we talked. us. Madd Hatta – on a playful level – always Some of the guys in my neighborhood called us Hollywood. He was tryin’ to say were doing stuff with him. As far as the mix- that we were extra fly. We took that and tape game goes, back then the guy who turned a negative into a positive and just was killin’ mixtapes was Darryl Scott. He ran with it. We’re two cats that love hip-hop was the mixtape king. If you didn’t have his and understand it and have watched it grow tape bumpin’ in your ride, you were whack. in Houston, and we’re just tryin’ to preserve Most DJs in our neighborhoods tried to the realness of it. A lot of whack DJs come be like him. If there was a gold standard up on it for money, and that’s just wrong. as far as mixtapes back then, he woulda killed everybody. He helped a lot of hip-hop What other DJ crews do you belong to? come to Houston. He didn’t play just one I’m a part of the Heavy Hitters. Becoming a type of music, he played whatever was hot, part of the Heavy Hitters was about a year- period. long process. That’s deep, because they don’t accept just anybody. They really ask Did he inspire you to start DJing? Or how a lot of people about you. You’ve gotta be did you originally become interested in credible and hot. They really watch you. DJing? The credit goes to DJ Enuff. People aren’t I just started because I loved the art form. just brought in because they’re your home- I just wanted to rock a crowd. I saw other boy. They really watch you. When I got in I DJs rock a crowd. I was already a part of didn’t understand it, but now I do. You’ve hip-hop; I was into the whole breakdanc- gotta have a real love for DJing. It’s a real ing thing, just loving every part of it and crew. trying to find my niche. I knew how to mix records. - Words and photo by Julia Beverly

12 OZONE

01: On the set of Bun B’s “Get Throwed” (Houston, TX) 02: On the set of Big Tuck’s “Tussle” (Dal- las, TX) 03: Don P and Young Jeezy “Get Throwed” (Houston, TX) 04: Slim Thug and his Harley on the set of Big Tuck’s “Tussle” (Dallas, TX) 05: Young Dro, Dr. Teeth, Clay, and T.I. on the set of “Front, Back, Side to Side” (Houston, TX) 06: Yukmouth and Bun B on the set of “Get Throwed” (Houston, TX) 07: Big Tuck, Tum Tum, and Slim Thug on the set of “Tussle” (Dallas, TX) 08: Uncle Pauly, Skip Cheatham, and Money Waters on the set of “Tussle” (Dallas, TX) 09: Kiotti and Matt Sonzala @ Studio 7303 (Houston, TX) 10: Big Tuck and Big E “Ridin’ Dirty” (Dallas, TX) 11: Brandi Garcia and Int’l Red @ Glo (Houston, TX) 12: Steve Nice and Skip Cheatham filming Chamillionaire’s “Ridin’ Dirty” (Dallas, TX) 13: TV Johnny reppin’ OZONE (Houston, TX) 14: 4-Ize and Scorpio (Atlanta, GA) 15: Kaine, Shawty, and TV Johnny on the set of Bun B’s “Git It” (Houston, TX) 16: J Prince and Bryan Michael Cox @ Club Glo (Houston, TX) 17: T.I., DJ Drama, and DJ Chill (Houston, TX) 18: Pimp C and Lil Keke @ Studio 7303 (Houston, TX) 19: Slim Thug on the set of “Tussle” (Dallas, TX) 20: Mr. Collipark and David Banner @ 104.9’s Jingle Jam (Houston, TX) 21: Nancy Byron and George Lopez with his wife (and child) (Dal- las, TX)

Photos by: Julia Beverly (03,06,11,12,16,17,18); Keadron Smith (01,05,09, 13,16,20); Matt Sonzala (02,04,07,08,10,19,21); Maurice Garland (14)

OZONE 15

01: Fat Joe (Hous ton, TX) 02: DJ Demp reppin’ OZONE (Austin, TX) 03: Pimp C and Lil Flip @ Studio 7303 (Houston, TX) 04: Big Tuck, Play & Skillz, and Chamil- lionaire “Ridin’ Dirty” (Dallas, TX) 05: TV Johnny and T.I. on the set of “Front, Back, Side to Side” (Houston, TX) 06: DJ Drama and Lil C (Houston, TX) 07: Trae and Pimp C on the set of “Get Throwed” (Houston, TX) 08: Magno reppin’ OZONE (Austin, TX) 09: Trey Songz (Hous- ton, TX) 10: Rasaq on the set of “Ridin’ Dirty” (Dal- las, TX) 11: Steve Austin and OG Ron C on the set of “Tussle” (Dallas, TX) 12: Jazzie Red, Brandi Garcia, and DJ Ag- gravated @ The Box (Houston, TX) 13: Michael Watts @ Glo (Houston, TX) 14: Too Short and Don P on the set of “Get Throwed” (Houston, TX) 15: Trae and Dr. Teeth on the set of “Tussle” (Dallas, TX) 16: Lil Rob @ 104.9’s Christmas Jam (Hous- ton, TX) 17: TV Johnny, D-Roc, and Kamm McKellar on the set of Bun B’s “Git It” (Houston, TX) 18: Bun B and J Prince on the set of “Get Throwed” (Houston, TX) 19: Dem Franchize Boyz @ Studio 7303 (Houston, TX) 20: Pimp C and T.I. on the set of “Front, Back, Side to Side” (Houston, TX) 21: Don P and the Trilltown Mafia on the set of “Get Throwed” (Houston, TX) Photos by Julia Beverly (03,05,06,12,13,18, 20,21); Keadron Smith (01,07,09,14,16,17,19); Luxury Mindz (02,08); Matt Sonzala (05,10,11,15)

OZONE 17

ALL STAR WEEK 2006 EVENT LISTING *disclaimer: if the artist doesn’t show up, blame the promoter not us

Wednesday, February 15th, 2006 Contact: 713-319-7042

L’Alternatif All Star Edition 97.9 private Bow Wow concert hosted by Leela James Location: George R. Brown Convention Location: Tribeca Lounge Center

Welcome to Houston All Star Party Shaquille O’Neal’s Offical All Star Red Special invited guests Vince Young, Biz Carpet Affair Markie & Kid Capri Special invited guests Carmelo Anthony, Music by DJ G.T. and Steve Nice Dwayne Wade, Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter Location: Visions Nightclub Music by Steve Nice Location: Club Vision / 112 Travis Street Thursday, February 16th, 2006 Hawk, Lil Keke, Big Pokey, and Aqualeo Chamillionaire’s Welcome To Houston live in concert NBA All-Star Party Location: Club Blue (59 & Gessner) Live Performances by: Chamillionaire, Lil Contact: 713-777-BLUE Flip, and more Location: Club Roxy / 5341 W. Alabama Friday, February 17th, 2006 Street Time: 9pm til 11pm The Catwalk Kickoff (Premiere Fashion Contact: Nancy Byron / OGPR Show & After Party) Hosted by: Tyson, Eva Pigford, Buffie The TNT All-Star Kick Off Party Body & Mikko Monro Hosted by Kenny Smith, DJ Def Jam Location: The Rice Loft’s Crystal Ballroom Blaster and DJ Aggravated (Downtown Houston) Location: Tribeca Lounge Time: 3pm-7pm & 8pm-2am

Got Grillz All Star NBA Party Phat Farm Red Carpet / Black Holly- Location: Grasshopper / 506 Main Street wood Block Party (between Prairie & Texas) Hosted by Russell Simmons, Magic John- Time: 10p-until son, and Reverend Run Price: 2 for 1 until 11pm Phat Farm model search Contact: 832-419-8326 Location: Visions Nightclub

NBA All Star Music Seminar and After- Baby’s Billion Dollar Birthday party Hosted by Lil Wayne and Cash Money Location: Club Taylors (formerly Club Location: Max’s Cartel), 13100 S. Post Oak Road Time: 12:30 PM Tony Parker’s Int’l Kick Off Party Panelists: Charlie Braxton, Carlton Wade, Location: Renaissance Hotel Greg Gates, Matt Sonzala, Stephen McVea and more The Wilson Kirkland Group 2006 All-Star Contact: Dirty Dave (713) 899-0392 Gala Hosted by Boris Kudjoe Zo & Magic 8-ball Challenge Performances by Mint Condition, Kandi Location: Dave & Busters Grand Sports Eastmen, and BET Comedians Café Location: Wyndham Hotel Ballroom Contact: www.magicjohnson.org (Greenspoint)

All Star Weekend Golf Classic The Shakedown Time: 8am Shotgun Start hosted by Kaine of the Ying Yang Twins Tournament Fee(s): Individual Player Location: Post Oak Grill / 1415 Post Oak $300.00 / Foursomes $1,200.00 Boulevard (includes “Cart, Green Fees, Post Event Time: 10pm-until Banquet) Contact: 281.657.5810 or 281.802.2743

All Star Celebrity Bash hosted by LL Shaquille O’Neal’s Hang Suite COOL J Location: The Wedge International Build- Location: The Grand Room (downtown ing / 1415 Louisiana Houston) Contact: 1.866.468.7271

20 OZONE ALL STAR WEEK 2006 EVENT LISTING *disclaimer: if the artist doesn’t show up, blame the promoter not us

LeBron James All Star Bash Beenie Man & Chopper Live in Concert Location: Meridian, 1503 Chatres Location: Milan Pavillion / 6603 Harwin Contact: Shawn Anthony 216-432-3130 Drive (near 59) Price: $40 in advance Bedroom Boom Contact: 281.217.7196 Featuring Avant and Keyshia Cole Time: 9 PM Baller’s Masquearade Price: $50 in advance, $75 at the door Hosted by Nick Van Excel, Steve Francis, Location: TSU / Granville Sawyer Audito- Sam Cassell, Cuttino Mobely, Chauncy rium Billups Location: Paraiso Mara Villa / 5714 Fair- Friday Night Live dale Lane (directly behind Club Onyx) Special invited guests Vince Carter, Queen Price: Only $30 Admission / $150 VIP Latifah, Alonzo Mourning Contact: [email protected] or 713-334- Location: Live Sports Café 4225

Hot Boys Reunion / Grill Party All Star Gospel Concert Mannie Fresh, Juvenile, and B.G. Location: Fountain of Praise Church / Music by Michael Watts 13950 Hillcroft Avenue Hosted by J Prince, G Dash, Paul Wall, TV Price: $25.00 general admission / $30.00 Johnny, Rap-A-Lot, and Swishahouse VIP Location: Club Blue (59 & Gessner) Contact: 713-777-BLUE Fly & Flashy VIP Party Hosted by Glenn Twins Club A.I. Location: The Majestic Metro (downtown hosted by Trina & Benny Boom Houston) Location: Houston Grand Plaza Hotel, Price: Private Event, by Invitation Only Price: $50 general admission / $100 VIP Time: 9pm-2am Time: 9 PM – 4 AM Contact: Derrick L. Woods, (888) 335-3890 Contact: www.clubai.com 203.981.0058 or 980.253.1117 Triple Threat All Star hosted by Summer Bunnies & The Aphilli- The Blackout Party ates hosted by Diddy Location: Club Opus / 412 Main Street Location: Jillians / 7620 Katy Freeway (downtown) Price: $75 general admission / $150 VIP Price: $50 general admission / $100 VIP Time: 9pm-2am (pre-sale price) Contact: www.playpenent.com or call Time: 9pm-5am 713.263.0303 Contact: www.getquickticks.com or 713- 751-0040 Nelly & St. Lunatics NBA All Star Official Kick Off Party feat. Usher Gabrielle Union All-Star Celebrity Affair Location: Club Hush / 15625 Katy Freeway Location: University Club/Galleria Mall Price: 8p-3am Stanford Financial Group Bldg; 5501 Wes- Time: $75 general admission / $150 VIP theimer (next to the Cheesecake Factory, Contact: 877-714-7668 3rd Floor) Price: 2 free tickets (if hotel room booked UGK All Star & Dame Dash UGK Pro- @ www.brothersandsistersonline.com); Keds Limited Edition Launch Party $42 General Admission; $84 VIP Location: Fox Sports Bar & Grill / 5175 Contact: www.r2entertainment.com or Westheimer Road 832-483-3386 Time: 9p-2a Contact: 713.439.1369 R. Kelly & Friends NBA All Star Blast (live taping) The Groove House (live performances hosted by Big Tigger & Melissa Ford by aspiring musicians & vocalists) Location: Bar Rio (formerly T-Town) / 6400 Location: Red Cat Jazz Café (downtown Richmond Avenue Houston) Price: $50 general admission / $150 VIP Price: $50.00 general admission / $150 VIP Time: 9pm-until Time: 9pm-2am Contact: Erskine Henderson, (817) 829- Contact: Derrick L. Woods, (888) 335-3890 2574

OZONE 21 ALL STAR WEEK 2006 EVENT LISTING *disclaimer: if the artist doesn’t show up, blame the promoter not us

Saturday, February 18th, 2006 All-Star Crunk Fest Hosted by Three 6 Mafia, DMX, Scarface, All Star Block Party and Lil Flip Location: Texas Southern University Location: Max’s Price: Free Open to General Public Time: 10am-10pm Millionaire’s Club Contact: Derrick L. Woods, (888) 335-3890 Hosted by Jeezy and Bun B Location: Visions NBA Fashion Explosion Location: Kasbah / 6238 Richmond J Prince’s Welcome to Houston Party Avenue Hosted by Jamie Foxx Price: $20-$100 Location: Dreams Time: 9pm-until you want to leave Contact: James Milo, (832) 368-5503 or Diddy’s All Star Extravaganza (713) 972-9400 Location: The Mercury Room / Boaka Bar

Scott Gertner’s Sky Bar Live King Magazine’s Ballers & Babes Party Performance by: Erykah Badu Hosted by Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Location: Sky Bar / 3400 Montrose Clinton Portis, and Chris Webber Time: 5pm-until Location: Bar Rio Contact: 832.423.4223 2006 All Star Blowout Bash The Three the Hardaway Party hosted Michael Watts, Quentin Richardson, and by: Nelly, St. Lunatics, Lebron James, Damon Jones Dwayne Wade, & Carmelo Anthony Location: The Magnolia Ballroom Location: Club Hush / 15625 Katy Freeway Contact: 1-866-264-0558 or 832 326-6439 Price: $75 general admission / $150 VIP maxmediagrouponline.com Time: 8p-3am Contact: 877-714-7668 The Glamour Galleria (All-Star After Hours Party) Super Producer J.D. Dupri’s From At- DJ Mick Boogie, DJ Quick Silver, DJ As- lanta to Houston sassin, DJ Young Moe Location: Renaissance Hotel / 6 Greenway Location: The House of RBK Plaza Contact: 412.452.6687 Price: $50 Regular; $100 VIP; Free Parking Time: 9pm-2am Terrell Owens Contact: 832.794.0743 Location: Fox Sports Grill at The Galleria Mall The Hip Hop Fiesta Hosted by Free / Performance by DTP’s Shawna H-Town All Stars Location: Club Opus UGK and Mike Jones Time: 5pm-4am Location: Club Blue (59 & Gessner) Contact: 713-777-BLUE Club A.I. hosted by Freeway & Buffie The Body Sunday, February 19th, 2006 Location: Houston Grand Plaza Hotel, Price: $50 general admission / $100 VIP All Star Pre-Game Mixer “A Roc Event” Time: 9p-4a (sponsored by Hypnotic, Roc-A-Fella & Contact: www.clubai.com 203.981.0058 or Roca-Wear) 980.253.1117 Location: Dave & Busters, 6010 Richmond Avenue Funkmaster Flex’s All-Star Bash Hosted Time: 6pm-12midnight by Jadakiss, Paul Wall, Jason Terry, Contact & Tickets Available at: www.real- Skip-to-My-Lou lifent.com Location: The Grand Room, 1521 Austin Street Grillz, Wheels, & Kicks Price: $50 general admission / $100 VIP hosted by Nelly, St. Lunatics, Jermaine Time: 9pm-5am Dupri, Ali & Big Gipp Contact: RealLifeEnt.com Location: Club Hush / 15625 Katy Freeway Price: 8p-3am VOYEURISM - Do You Like To Watch? Time: $75 general admission / $150 VIP Location: The Majestic Metro (downtown) Contact: 877-714-7668

22 OZONE ALL STAR WEEK 2006 EVENT LISTING *disclaimer: if the artist doesn’t show up, blame the promoter not us

Scott Gertner’s Sky Bar Drink Houston - 7620 Katy Fwy, Houston, hosted by Kid Capri Tx - (713) 290-0041 Live in Concert Miri Ben-Ari Location: Sky Bar / 3400 Montrose Escobar - 2905 Travis Ste A, Houston, Tx Time: 5pm-until - 281.701.4248 Contact: 832.423.4223 Fox Sports Bar & Grill / 5175 Westheimer The Grand Finale hosted by: Lisa Raye, George Daniels, Gatsby - 2540 University Boulevard Shawnna - 713.874.1310 Location: Club Opus Time: 7pm-4am Grand Ball Room 1521 Austin St - Houston TX across from the Toyota Center Club A.I. RBK 10th Anniversary Party Location: Houston Grand Plaza Hotel, Grasshopper - 506 Main St Houston TX Price: $50 general admission / $100 VIP 713-222-1442 Time: 9p-4a The House of RBK - Uptown Shopping Willie D, Vivica Fox, Mike Tyson Center (111 Uptown Park Blvd, Bldg #5 Location: Fox Sports Bar & Grill 77056) Time: 9pm-until The Houston Grand Plaza Hotel (8686 UGK Live in Concert Kirby Drive - across from Reliant Center) Location: Bar Rio Club Hush / 15625 Katy Freeway Grand Finale Lebron James and Stephon Marbury Jillians - 7620 Katy Freeway, Suite 100 Location: Visions Nightclub M Bar & Lounge - Downtown- 402 Main St We R One Party 713-222-1022 Hosted by Kevin Garnett, Rashard Lewis, Sam Cassell, and Nick Van Exel Mantra/Club Ice - 711 Main Street, Hous- Location: The Mercury Room / Boaka Bar ton, Tx - 713.225.3500

Trappers of the Year Party Max’s - 9371 Richmond - Houston, TX Hosted by T.I. and Young Jeezy Location: Max’s Next - Houston’s warehouse district 2020 McKinney * 713-221-8833 All Star Afterparty Special Guests TBA Opus - Downtown 412 Main St - (713) Location: Club Blue (59 & Gessner) 222-6787 Contact: 713-777-BLUE Plaza 59 Nite Club - 5901 Hillcroft CLUB LISTINGS: plaza59niteclub.com

Axis - 510 Mason Rd., Katy, TX 77450 The Roxy - 5351 W Alabama Houston, TX - 281-391-AXIS 77056 713-850-7699

112 Club - 112 MIlam @ Franklin - Shadow Bar, The - 213 Milam St. 713-221- 713.227.4112 Downtown 5483 - downtown

Bar Rio - 6400 Richmond - 202-368-9208 Visions - 112 Travis Street (downtown) Houston, TX Boaka Bar - 1008 Prairie (btwn Main St. & Fannin) - 713-225-6372BoakaBar.com Event list compiled by Czar Bar - 910 Prairie 713-227-0459 Mercedes (Strictly Streets): Club Blue - 59 & Gessner [email protected] & Nikki Kancey (Hard Lyfe): The Davenport - 2115 Richmond Ave, [email protected] Houston, Tx - (713) 520-1140

OZONE 23 24 OZONE we’re stuck with this glass ceiling over our heads to “keep it real.” Me, as a rapper, I can’t talk about getting my heart broke. I BOHAGON can’t talk about the times I was broke and didn’t have no money. I always gotta talk A lot of people have heard you on Lil about my Hummer and my F150 on 24’s Jon’s “Get Crunk.” Do you consider and my Lincoln with suede seats. People yourself a crunk artist? don’t wanna hear that other stuff, and that’s Crunk music is something that I can do, sad. Some people wanna hear it, but I’ll so it’s an extension of me, but at the same forever put out gold albums or sell 100,000 time I want people to know the other side of albums instead of doing what I could do. Bohagon. I didn’t start doing crunk music I wanna get on a rock & roll record just to until I met Lil Jon. That side of me came out show that a nigga from the hood, a cat from once I met Jon, but at the same time, I’m the country, from the gutta, can rock, or can tryin’ to show people that I got other sides spit some blues or some soul music. That’s to me. where we come from – James Brown, Otis Redding, Gladys Knight, Jimi Hendrix – but What’s the other side of Bohagon? we can’t control it now. I do soul music; the blues. It’s hard to explain. I got a little rock & roll in me, a little What’s it gonna take for you to establish country music in me, a little alternative, I got yourself on a national level and not just all that shit in me. And it’s not something as a member of Lil Jon’s clique? where I’m tryin’ to reach, it’s just inside me. That’s why I established Georgia Durt, my I can’t explain it. label, my movement. I been in this game ever since 98, semi-pro, doing my thing, Where do you think it came from? making money, but I never put me out. I’m from a small town in the country, so I’m Georgia Durt is Bohagon. Whenever you gonna be different than somebody else see something with the name Georgia Durt, from Georgia. When a lot of people think of that’s 100% me and my movement and my Georgia they think of the A-Town and don’t family. And to be honest with you, it might think of nothing else, but it’s so many differ- not move the kind of units that my album on ent places and styles and ways that people BME will move, but I get so much satisfac- came up in Georgia. At the same time, the tion from it. If I make $100 doing something A-Town is the capitol, where everybody that I really feel good about, it’s damn near gets their game from. It’s the place every- better than making $1,000 off something body looks to for guidance. We just want that I don’t feel super duper strong about. people to understand that it’s something But I still gotta feed the kids. The Pampers else in Georgia. gotta be bought.

You’re signed to Lil Jon’s label, but you When is your solo album coming out? also have your own label, right? BME’s gonna put my solo album out be- Yeah, Georgia Durt. We put out Volume One fore the summer, in the second or third already, Bohagon and Playboy Tre. We’re quarter. We’re working out the logistics on doing a compilation for Volume Two. The the release date. It’s gonna be titled Geor- lead single is called “Jelly Girl.” It’s coming gia Durt. That’s a beautiful thing, because in two weeks; it’s some of the most jammin- my record label is gonna let me name my est music you ever heard. album Georgia Durt just like my label and my movement. Lil Jon came to me with the What do you think matters more – musi- idea. That’s beautiful that my big brother cal talent or image? can see that and give me that game and let To be honest, I envy the freedom that other me be an entrepreneur in my own right. genres of music have. In rap and R&B we don’t have the same creative freedom that Is there anything else you’d like to say? rock & roll or country music or blues mu- Tell folks to log on to myspace.com/bo- sic have. We’re kinda slaves to the “keep hagongeorgiadurt. I’m about to go to it real” idea. We’ve gotta keep it real and Australia for a few weeks and when I come gangsta and pimpin’, so a lot of times that’s back we’re gonna shoot my first video. It’s a smokescreen to where we don’t really lookin’ like “Wuz Up” is gonna be the first concentrate on the music. That’s something single. But whatever the first single is, don’t that troubles me. With a lot of other forms get caught up in that, cause I got so much of music, we created it and somebody else more beautiful music on the album. took it and ran with it, and they’ve got all this freedom to do their thing with it. But - Julia Beverly

OZONE 25 26 OZONE I mean, 50’s the boss. He knows what he’s doing. 50’s a good dude. He don’t play with nobody’s money or nothing like that. LIL SCRAPPY He sees a star in me, and he’s a real dude, so that’s what it is. He gonna look out for How old are you now? everybody that’s signed to G-Unit, and I’m 21. The last couple years have been everybody’s gonna look out for each other. crazy for me, man. Everything happens for a reason. I went from just going everywhere So you think that’s the reason you and people liking me, then to going places hooked up with G-Unit, because of the where people don’t like you cause you’re bottle-throwing incident? from a bigger city than they are, and going I don’t know, man. It’s just the path. That’s through situations where muthafuckers are what happened on my path. It’s whatever throwing shit and you get clamped in the happens, happens. I guess it was meant mouth with it. to be.

Are you speaking about the incident Being that you’re so young and you came where you got hit with a bottle and had up pretty much overnight, do you think to have stitches in your mouth? you would’ve enjoyed the success more Yeah, I’m speaking about that one incident. if you had to work for years to get it? But everything happens for a reason. Real Me personally, I didn’t become a star over- shit happens to real people. That one inci- night. I was grinding way before that, put- dent brought me to G-Unit. I was messed ting out lil’ songs and all that. I been doing up and I ain’t have nobody. I was just sit- that. This was just my first time putting out ting there thinking my shit was over with. I an album, but it wasn’t even really an al- was thinking, I’m finna have to hit the street bum. I still ain’t did an album yet. hard. I’m gonna have to get out there hus- tling on the grind again hard, y’know? But I When are you dropping your first solo? got up with 50 and that shit took its course. February or March. Right now, this G-Unit/BME shit is about to uplift me all the way. I’m finna blow, and Are other artists coming out through the niggas better know that I’m definitely not BME/G-Unit joint venture, or is it a situa- helping a lot of people in the A. I’m gonna tion created specifically for you? only help the hood ATLiens. Nah, it’s just for me...

What do you mean, you’re definitely not The rest of this interview is featured in helping a lot of people in the A? the February issue of OZONE Magazine I’m gonna help the hood. All these Holly- at www.OZONEMAG.com wood rappers are out in the A now tryin’ to make it look like the A is on some other - Julia Beverly shit. We all supposed to uplift the A and make it look big. But don’t make it look Hollywood.

Who are the Hollywood rappers in At- lanta? It’s a lot of them, and they know who they are. Ain’t nobody help me, feel me? I’m definitely going towards the hood niggas. The hood niggas need help, but these other top niggas don’t need help.

Help in what way? Giving them money, doing records with them? Puttin’ them on. However. Any way I can help.

Obviously being with 50 is a good situation for any artist, but being that he’s got such a large lineup these days, are you worried about your project getting enough attention? How do you make sure you stay a priority?

OZONE 27

30 OZONE they have to label us as a top priority and push us through that machine fully, I think we’ll reach the peak. To me, the goal is to BUN B just get my music out to as many people as possible and let them choose whether or What parties are you doing during All not they want to fuck with it. Star weekend? I’m doing a Pro-Keds party at Fox Sports You seem a little bored with the rap game. Grill on Friday night. The first UGK concert Do you still love rapping, or is it just a in over four years is gonna take place on All way to collect a check at this point? Star Sunday at Club Barrio. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I don’t disrespect my job. I have a lot of respect for what Do you have any other Houston recom- I do, and I appreciate my fans a lot. But it mendations for people coming in town is a job, and it does get tiring. Everybody for the All Star weekend? gets tired every now and then. I’m sure at Anybody coming in to Houston should eat certain times, you get tired too. You know breakfast at the Breakfast Club, lunch at it’s good to chase certain stories, but it’s Frenchy’s, and dinner at Pappadeaux. like, damn, I gotta get on this plane again? I just did a show in Ft. Lauderdale last night. You’ve been screaming “Free Pimp C” I didn’t wanna get up and get on a plane for a few years. What went through your to go to Detroit where it’s snowing. But at mind when you heard that your rap part- the same time, I get a free trip to the Super ner was being paroled? Bowl. So I don’t disrespect that. I take ev- It’s kinda beyond words. There’s no real erything as a blessing, but I do get weary, way to explain that kind of feeling. I never though. This shit can be taxing. I just don’t really had to anticipate anything like that. have the energy for it. I’ve got less time for There’s very few things in life I’ve ever re- bullshit now. I used to have a lot more en- ally wanted, and most of the shit I really ergy to entertain bullshit, but time is short wanted, I never got any fuckin’ way. So that now. I realize that the more time I spend was really a blessing. 2005 was a big year entertaining bullshit is the less time I could for Houston. Everything was set up, and be spending making money or being with with the All Star game coming up, it woulda my family. When you’re 18 or 19 years old been real ugly for him to have missed all with no kids, no family, and no wife, you’ve that shit. got a lot of time for bullshit and fucking off. I don’t have that time anymore. Some of You had “Free Pimp C” shirts, hats, these other cats may have time, but for us, shoes, the whole nine. Have you had to this is our last chance to get it. If we don’t change your whole wardrobe? get it on this run, after the whole Free Pimp Yeah, absolutely. I had to revamp the clos- C movement and the Houston movement, et. we’ll never get it. There is no better set up for this. It’s our time. You’re in a real good position right now. With everything you went through in the Is there a release date yet for the UGK past – record labels not pushing you reunion album or is it too early to say? properly – does this make it all worth it? Artistically, we would really like to get this Yeah, at this point it’s really starting to pay album completed in time for the Grammy off. I’m glad to still be here to enjoy it and cutoff. I think it’s time for this UGK music see it still on the rise. I still haven’t hit my to be taken seriously. It’s time to present it peak yet. I think that’s a blessing. to the world the way that it shoulda been done. I think that as a group, me and Pimp What’s it going to take for you to reach can make something that’s of Grammy cali- your peak? What are you trying to ber. I think we have a chance to redefine achieve? this street shit and this underground shit. It’s gonna take the full force of a major label behind us, making us a top priority and Why isn’t Jay-Z in the video for “Get giving us free reign to really record the al- Throwed”? bum the way that we want to, from the full It was a scheduling conflict..... vision. Even with some of these albums we made that people call “classics,” they For the rest of this interview, check out still wasn’t everything we wanted to do. We the April issue of OZONE Magazine at were still limited one way or another. Now, www.OZONEMAG.com. with a label like Jive, the machine that they have and the power and the money that - Julia Beverly

OZONE 31 32 OZONE you. I don’t talk on the phone or party with people as much as someone else would because I’m just tryin’ to stay sane in this CHAMILLIONAIRE crazy business. I don’t care about who said what to who, or who doesn’t like who, so it Where’s the best Houston restaurant? ain’t much to talk about unless we gettin’ Pappadeaux seafood kitchen. If you order money together. I’m a serious workaholic. a plate, it’s gonna fill you up and leave you Some people take that the wrong way like with something to take home. The atmo- I don’t mess with them, but really it’s be- sphere is very relaxed. Every time I take cause I have real-life morals and not rap someone there, it’s the first spot they go to world morals. I could see how people could when they come back. look at it that way because at the end of the day what I’m pushin’ is me and my own. What’s the hottest club in Houston? Much respect and love to everybody else, Visions on Travis Street is crunk all the time. but last time I checked there wasn’t another There’s a lot of clubs on Main Street down- clique or group that went out of their way to town. M Bar and Club Glo are good spots see that my bills get paid. I been standin’ where you can find the jazzy ladies. I sug- on my own two feet for a while and that has gest visiting www.indmix.com; they really made me a stronger individual. do a good job of visually showing the H- Town nightlife. Have things cooled down in your “beef” with Mike Jones and Paul Wall? What about shopping? Where do you Yeah. Congrats to Mike. Congrats to Paul. recommend? Congrats to me. Everybody is doin’ well, Sharpstown Mall is the spot in a good area and I’m not just sayin’ that to be politically of the Southside where you can find hats, correct for this interview. If I didn’t mean it, shoes, jewelry, and females. The mall will I wouldn’t say it. The instigators have died probably look like a club during All Star down, even though a lot of the fan feud- weekend; it normally does on the weekend. ing hasn’t. I’m glad I can focus on being a I know plenty of people that don’t even go good artist now. Rap beef seems so stupid in the mall. They just be parkin’ lot pimpin’. nowadays no matter how personal it is. I If you’re looking for a ring that looks like don’t even wanna hear the word competi- that Kobe rock, then go to the Galleria Mall. tion anymore. I don’t think about what he Greenspoint Mall is the best spot on the or she is doin’. I’m in a different zone right North side of town, closer to IAH Airport. now and just wanna make music that I like.

Are there any other local hot spots that Are you surprised that Mike Jones is cut- people coming into Houston for All Star ting ties with Swishahouse? weekend should know about? Nope. Not at all. I guess some people If you’re looking for a studio, there’s one thought I was lying when I said that he told called Studio 7303 where a lot of people me he was gonna build his own and leave record. Mannie Fresh, Bun B, everybody the House. I wasn’t sayin’ that because I messes with Ronnie B over there. He looks thought I was psychic. Everybody was run- out for people. If you’re looking for a good ning around sayin’ I was a liar. Since I first spot to go and have some family fun, Jil- met him he said he was gonna do that, and lian’s off I-10 is a good spot. I’ll be every- since they first met him he was showin’ it, where All Star weekend because I’m a big so I don’t see why anyone would be sur- basketball fan, so wherever you go you’ll prised. A long time ago Watts told me he probably see me. was gonna rebuild the Swishahouse with new members. I didn’t think it was a good A lot of Houston artists run with their idea and didn’t think he was gonna do it own clique. Do you look at yourself as but I respect him for pullin’ it off. Watts will the solo/renegade/loner artist out of probably make it work again. Houston? Do you prefer it that way? It may seem like I’m just off in my own world Do you think you and Paul will ever make but I get love from most of the groups in peace & record a song together, a la Jay- Houston and vice versa. Some others do act Z/Nas? confused about me, but I don’t see what’s We are at peace. I would rather hear Jay- so confusing about me minding my own Z and Nas’s duo songs, though. No Cham business and keeping to myself. We’re in and Paul songs. That chapter in my life is the music business, and a lot of times peo- dead. I seriously mean that. ple are really only friends with you when it’s good business for them to be friends with - Julia Beverly

OZONE 33 34 OZONE just taking a piece.

I heard you and T.I. actually sat down LIL FLIP and worked some things out. Yeah. See, I do a lot of business with Lil J Why’s there so much beef in Houston? [Prince] and basically J was like, “Let’s get Do you think it’s hurting the scene? to the root of the problem.” If it’s a major, Well, it’ll hurt the overall scene if certain major, major issue that can’t be squashed, people go all out with it. I’m in a position then fuck it, but basically the shit started on where it’s nothing for me to diss somebody some he-say she-say shit. We basically sat and really end their fuckin’ career, cause I down and each got a chance to speak. I came in the game battling. But I’m so past spoke on how I felt he disrespected me, that shit, I’m more focused on opening up and he spoke on how he felt disrespected. other doors. A lot of these niggas take a J Prince is a million dollar nigga, so for long time to mature. So to make a long him to take time out of his schedule to sit story short, it ain’t a good look for Houston. down and solve some shit that really ain’t Right now my goal is to bring Houston to- got nothing to do with him, I was like, fuck gether. There’s a lot of people taking hooks it. The agreement is that he ain’t sayin’ shit from the Screwed Up Click and putting else about me and I ain’t sayin’ nothing them out. I feel like it’s up to me to help the about him. We got a few [diss] songs that people in the Screwed Up Click because we gave to DJs already, but for the most there’s a lot of stealing going on. So on part, I’m not getting in the studio and say- my album I’ve got Lil Keke, Pokey, and of ing shit else about him. course I’ve got Z-Ro on the album. Z-Ro also produced a track called “Life” on the Should we expect to see a T.I./Lil Flip album, with Nate Dogg, Three 6 Mafia, and collabo? Yukmouth. I ain’t gonna say you should expect to see it, but shit, if Jay-Z and Nas can get on If somebody uses a line from a Screwed stage together, you never know. For the Up Click song, how can you tell if it’s right amount of money it could be pos- “stealing” or just paying homage? sible... DJ Screw never liked none of that. If you listen to the old Screw tapes, he didn’t like The rest of this interview is featured in nobody copying him. A lot of people try the February issue of OZONE Magazine to act like they’re paying homage, but the at www.OZONEMAG.com. people who really knew DJ Screw know that he didn’t like that shit. He didn’t like no- - Photo and words by Julia Beverly body emulating his style. If you go back to the old Screw tapes, he’s talking shit about it. Sometimes people get in magazines and say, “Yeah, I started it,” or, “Yeah, I took it to the next level,” and that’s where the Screwed Up Click members get offended. But right now my goal is to bring together everybody who’s sensible.

You’re in kind of a unique position because you’ve seen Screw music since its creation up until now, when it’s in the national spotlight. If Screw was still alive, he’d be on the road with me DJing. Right before he passed he was supposed to come to the studio the next day to do this verse on my album. Honestly, I think it would’ve been a whole lot better if he was still around. Right now, everybody’s reaping the benefits. It’s like having an old billionaire in the family who’s ninety years old and he dies. He didn’t get a chance to write his will, so everybody’s

OZONE 35 36 OZONE to hide something from a nigga is to put it in a book because niggas don’t read. But I guarantee you that if niggas started read- SCARFACE ing the history of slavery, you’ll understand it and you’ll know exactly who to blame. Cause, believe it or not, it’s all in the books. kind of expected to hear more from Them muthafuckers are not ashamed of your band this year. What’s up with what they did, at all. I that? Well, I was taking a break to learn classi- Well, you have to find the right books. cal guitar first before I brought my band Shit, you can go on the internet and just back out. I got some great fuckin’ guitars start typing in shit. Or you can go to the li- too. Check that Les Paul out. At my house brary and just start looking at shit from the I got a boat load of guitars. I got a 1965 1800s. All our so-called heroes like George Fender Stratocaster that I just took up to Washington’s slave-driving ass and Andrew Rockin’ Robin. I think I paid about $3,000 Johnson’s slave-driving ass. for it and I got an offer for $20,000 for it. It’s rare, it’s a left handed 1965 and all original When did you first start learning about too. It’s in great shape. The band is work- this stuff? ing, they doing they thing somewhere. We I mean, I always been on top of my history. gonna start working again soon. I want to But when I finally sat down and started do some shows for charity with them for the reading it in writing, it was a couple of years victims of Katrina or something. That’s all I ago. Long story short, man, now that I know care about. How the fuck did FEMA fuck what’s really going on and now that I see off $500 billion dollars? Fuckin’ asses. $500 the conspiracies against niggas and how billion is gone? There’s not even 500 billion the plans against the ghetto is real evident, people in America. it’s just out there, man. You see it when you hit these different neighborhoods. You There’s not even 500 billion people in live here and go down the block you got China. Starbucks, good restaurants. You go to Okay? How many people are out there in the hood you got the unhealthy shit. Fried New Orleans? They blaming everything that chicken, hamburgers, McDonalds, every- happens in Houston now on New Orleans thing that run a nigga blood pressure up people. I think the mentality was, “We ain’t and shoot a nigga sugar levels... got nothing so we gonna get something.” But I think shit’s gonna settle down and nig- The rest of this interview is featured in gas gonna find they niche out here. I can’t the February issue of OZONE Magazine be mad and be like “Fuck that or fuck this.” at www.OZONEMAG.com. Cause it could have easily been niggas from Houston, so I feel their pain. I’m down - Photo and words by Matt Sonzala with them. And nigga shit go on all across the country. You know what I mean? That shit, I hate that they try to put the blame on New Orleans like it’s them that’s out here trippin’. We been out here trippin’. They been out there trippin’. They trippin’ in Philly, in New York, Cleveland, they trippin’ in Mississippi. Niggas is trippin’ period. You can’t just say it’s the people from New Orleans and it’s they fault shit fucked up. Shit been fucked up. I think when we – myself too - stop aiming our anger at each other and take aim at our oppressor, then we’ll be straight. And I’m not talking about the white man period, I’m talking about the muthafucker that’s in the higher position that controls all this shit.

What’s that going to take? A lot of people don’t even know who’s in the higher positions. They don’t pay any attention, and the people trying to tell them don’t really get heard too well. Yeah. Well, rumor has it that the best way

OZONE 37 38 OZONE guys who make our grills are certified den- tists, so they really know what they’re doing. The grills are so big now they’re actu- PAUL WALL ally accessible anywhere, though. For people coming in town for the All What’s the hottest night clubs and strip Star game, where are some spots you’d clubs in Houston? recommend to go eat? As far as strip clubs, there’s Onyx, Harlem It depends on what type of food you like. Nights, and the Blue Flame. Those are the Houston’s got Pappadeaux, which is spicy big ones that everybody’s gonna be at. As Cajun soul food, and there’s like fifteen of far as parties, everybody and their mama them around the city. Then you’ve got Pap- is doing a party. We’re gonna be at this pasito’s Cantina, which is a Mexican ver- club called Blue every night during All Star, sion, great Mexican food. They’ve even got it’s located on 59 and Gessner right in the Pappa’s Bar-B-Q. There’s other good bar- IHOP parking lot. There’s a lot of parties beque places, like Harlan’s BBQ. Houston going on downtown, so that’s definitely is famous for barbecue, and Mexican food. gonna be one of the most happening spots There’s a lot of good Mexican restaurants. just because there’s so many clubs next Late night coming from the club, there’s door to each other. One of the problems places like Ruchi’s that are open 24 hours with downtown is that parking is gonna be a day, and they sell homemade authentic horrendous, and traffic is gonna be crazy. Meixcan food. Also you can go to any of Downtown is gonna be one of those spots the Taquerias, that’s another late night au- where you can just park your car and walk, thentic Mexican spot that’s like literally on like you would at Mardi Gras. That’s how every corner. If you want some chicken, it was during the Super Bowl. We just there’s some good ghetto chicken spots in parked and walked around downtown. the hood. One of them is called Frenchy’s. Club Dreams is another real nice club, and That’s right in the Third Ward, right by the they’re gonna have a lot of happenin’ par- University of Houston and TSU on Scott. ties. It’s gonna be goin’ down all weekend They’re open late night too. Timmy Chan’s for All Star. is the hood Chinese spot, and they’ve got good wings. They’ve got incredible wing Do you think All Star weekend is gonna dinners for a great low price. For like $3.33 live up to the hype or be a disappoint- you can get wings and rice, and it’s off the ment? chain. Yeah, I think so. When they had the Major League All Star game here it wasn’t much What about shopping? Where’s the best going on, but this is something real big. place to go? Sharpstown Mall and Greenspoint Mall are And the timing is perfect, with Houston’s the main malls, where they sell a lot of ur- music scene blowing up. ban wear. There’s stores in the hood called Yeah, especially with Pimp C coming home. Active Athlete where they sell hard-to-find He had a hell of a welcome home party the hats and shoes. If you go to Sharpstown or other night at Club Blue. So now that he’s Greenspoint you’ll see a good variety of ur- home for good, I’m glad the All Star game ban wear. That’s where you’ll find Rockets is here right on time. hats in any color you want. I heard your firstborn son is on the way. And of course, people can check you out Oh, yeah, I’m excited. Me and my wife have if they need jewelry or a grill. been together for some years now, and we Of course, TV Jewelry, baby, in Sharpstown got married in October last year. Now we Mall on the Southwest side. It’s on the cor- got the baby coming. So I’m just happy ner of the 59 Freeway and Bellaire. You can to be a father. I’m happy to have a baby, get any kind of jewelry, all custom-made. If baby! (laughing) The release date is May you can’t make it to the store, you can go to 1st. (laughing) We’re gonna throw a baby my website www.grillsbypaulwall.com. release party. The due date is May 1st, and his name is William. We’re thinking about What makes TV Jewelry so unique? naming his middle name Roger, after Rog- I don’t wanna knock nobody else. You can er Clemons from the Astros. Nah, I’m just literally get a grill at any mall or flea mar- joking. I don’t think I’m gonna name him ket, but the difference is that some of those Roger. Ed Lover said we should name him stores are just stores, whereas we actually Disco Ball. manufacture the grills so you’re gonna get the best price and the highest quality. The - Julia Beverly (Photo: Cara Pastore)

OZONE 39 40 OZONE Are you planning on releasing your solo album through Rap-A-Lot? James Prince is my family, so I’m gonna PIMP C be dropping projects on Rap-A-Lot. The compilation that I’m doing is dropping on Rap-A-Lot – actually, it’s WoodWheel/Rap- Having been away for a few years, A-Lot, the label me and James put together what’s been the biggest change you’ve before I left. I’m talking to Z-Ro right now, noticed? we’re trying to do an album together. I re- You know, Port Arthur took a real heavy ally would like to see that come together, beating from this Rita storm. Right now and that would go down over at Rap-A-Lot. it’s still kinda fucked up down here. Every- As far as my solo project is concerned on body’s roofs have some type of damage. UGK Records, it’s good for me to be me When you drive through the city and look and Bun’s first artist. It’s beautiful because at the top of people’s houses, everybody’s I know what I’m gonna do and I know what got the blue tarp on top of their houses try- my records are gonna sound like. When ing to cover up the holes. You’ve got some I sit with these people and get to talking structures that were totally blew down. about distribution, I know what I’m gonna Some of them, there’s one wall down and do. So to answer your question, I’m UGK they wide open. A lot of shit is tore up Records all day. We are looking for a dis- around here. You’ve got some stores I’ve tribution situation that’s comfortable for us been going to ever since I can remember where we can drop records anytime we’re and they don’t exist no more. They either ready. got flooded or the storm knocked them down, and the people just don’t have the Is UGK’s situation at Jive a lot better money or the desire to rebuild them. The than it was when you left? mall isn’t open yet. Certain stores are open, Jive is 100% better – no, 200% better – than but you can’t just go to the Central Mall. they were when I left. They got a hell of a That’s the name of the mall in Port Arthur. staff right now. They talking good. I think Most of the shops won’t be open til 2007. they’ve got a little bit more juice now as far So it’s kinda fucked up around here. A lot of as what they can put in a nigga’s hands fast food places got destroyed, or the food and pockets. I just had a meeting with spoiled in their freezer systems and they’re them. They came down and we had a real so contaminated that they have to change good conversation.... out the whole system. A lot of places are still closed because of that, so it’s real. And For more on Pimp C, check out the March FEMA has turned their back on us. They and April issues of OZONE Magazine at came around and gave out $2,000 checks www.OZONEMAG.com. and told everybody, “You’re on your own.” A lot of people are struggling right now. - Photo and words by Julia Beverly Do you think Port Arthur’s situation was overshadowed by New Orleans? Yeah, I do. But what we have here is no- where close to what happened to those people. I was talking to Gregory D last night, a tight old school New Orleans artist, and he was telling me how that shit went down in New Orleans. Those people lost their whole city. It’s not on that level here, but it’s still a serious situation. I feel like the government dropped the ball, and they never intended to pick up the ball.

What about Houston? What changes do you see in Houston? The highway system is a little bit more ad- vanced than it was when I left. Downtown looks like a totally different place. You’ve got the train/trolley thing now, and all the streets are one-way. It all looks different. It’s nice, though, it looks good. It just took a little time to get used to navigating around, because the streets don’t look the same.

OZONE 41 BOYZ N BLUE

42 OZONE >>>

OZONE 43 Are you happy with the sales for your and fucked up. On the South side, you got solo album Already Platinum? grimy spots like the Third Ward, but the Slim Thug: Nah, I ain’t happy with it. I feel North side is the niggas who be on some like it did enough as far as putting me real thuggish shit like robbin’ and all that out there, but I ain’t happy with it. I think crazy shit. That’s where a lot of that shit a whole lot of mistakes were made during goes down, on the North side. The South the whole process, with me, with the com- side is more of an area where people go pany, with everybody all around the board. to party and shit like that. It’s a difference, And with the bootlegs, there was just a lot but as time passes it ain’t as bad as it used of shit that happened. I’m really ready to be to be. done with that and do another album so I can see my full potential. What are some hot stores to hit up in Houston during All Star weekend? Do you think the collaboration with Phar- Slim Thug: If you tryin’ to get some music, rell was a good combination? you need to come to Exchange & Sounds Slim Thug: Me personally, I liked the mu- on 45 and Aldine Bender. If you wanna get sic that we did. But as far as my fan base, your car done up, go off Yale and Whitney, they liked it too, but they would rather hear that’s where we be at with the car wash shit. more of what I used to do. I’m gonna still If you’re tryin’ to get some music you need fuck with Pharrell, but it ain’t gonna be as to go to Street Sounds on the North side, much as it was last time. On my next solo they do our music and shit like that. album, I’m starting already, and I’m starting to work in Houston with all the people I What nightclubs are you gonna be at was working with first. I’m gonna get all the during All Star weekend? people that I wanna work with first, and at Slim Thug: Thursday night I’m at M Bar, the end I’ll bring in Pharrell to do three or Friday at Club Dreams, Saturday at The four records together. Green Room with Funkmaster Flex, and Sunday I’ll be at the Grand Ballroom and Who are the Boyz N Blue? Harlem Nights late night. Slim Thug: That’s my whole gang, Killa Kyleon, PJ, C. Ward, and Sir Daily. When Where are some good spots to eat in you heard Slim Thug’s underground mu- Houston? sic, you heard the Boyz N Blue. That’s my Slim Thug: For breakfast you gotta go to whole clique. They got a hell of a name for the Breakfast Club downtown on Alabama, theyselves in Texas and everywhere else they got the best breakfast in the fuckin’ around the way. On the Boss Hogg Out- world. For soul food, you can go to Mick- law undergrounds, everybody know them. ey’s and get some good ass soul food. We been getting down since like the year 2000. We’re gonna be dropping an album What role does Killa Kyleon play in the in April. I got a Boss Hogg Outlawz label group? deal through Interscope/Geffen. Slim Thug: He’s kinda a leader of the Boyz N Blue, because you’ll hear him on more So why the name Boyz N Blue? of the records. He brings a lot of hooks to Slim Thug: I had the Boss Hogg Outlawz the table. He’s the dude that’s in the studio first. I came with the badge, and in Hous- all day writing raps. That’s what the fuck he ton, the majority of the groups from the do. I don’t write raps that much. Every day North side used to ride in blue cars. So he writes at least two raps. He’s real lyrical. that’s why we called it Boyz N Blue. They He got good punchlines and he stands out. call the police the boys in blue, so it all fell He was featured on the “Diamonds” remix together. We didn’t plan it like that. with me and Young Jeezy. When I initially got my deal, I made them sign him too. We Most rappers don’t wanna be known as gonna drop the Boyz N Blue album first the police. and then around September we’ll drop his Slim Thug: (laughing) We ain’t no mutha- solo album. fuckin’ police. We flippin’ it. We the op- Killa Kyleon: I don’t wanna put a ranking on posite of the police. They say they “pro- what I am within the group, but I feel like I’m tect and serve,” so we say we “serve and a big addition to the group. collect.” We’re really the opposite of the police, that’s why our whole gang is the Do you write raps for other people in the Outlawz. group? Killa Kyleon: I do some ghostwriting, but What’s the difference between the North I’m gonna leave that undisclosed because side and the South side of Houston? I don’t wanna mess up my money. I don’t Slim Thug: The North side is more rough write for the group though, I just do a lot

44 OZONE of the hooks that we have. I’m the guy jumped off. He got with Swishahouse and that comes up with a lot of the concepts branched off. I just bumped into him and and hooks, but every member of the team we been ridin’ ever since. brings something different to the table and C. Ward: We were doin’ shows here and that’s what makes the group whole. there. I was from the South side and he was from the North side, and we were re- What does PJ bring to the table? ally kinda fans of each other’s music. We Slim Thug: PJ’s the hustler. He’s the nigga really knew each other as peers. We started that got the most hustle, as far as physi- doing freestyles for each other’s mixtapes. cal hands-on hustle. He’s a hustler in the He’d do one for me and I’d do one for him. studio too. He’s the nigga who’ll go out We were doing that back and forth and there and do whatever to get the money. our relationship just got stronger as time Everybody in the group has their own style. passed by. None of us sound alike. That’s why I think Killa Kyleon: Me and Slim hooked up it’s gonna be a big group, cause we all on through C. Ward. He was doing mixtapes different shit. He got his own little style, and with him in like 2002 and they were in a a hell of a following. group called the All Stars. Chris was going PJ: I’m more laid-back. I’m on some hus- over there and he heard that Slim wanted tla shit. I talk about getting money, getting to get down with me. He had heard me down and dirty if I have to. It’s on some real and wanted to get down with me, and I had shit. I’m not real lyrical. I’m laid back; sim- heard him and wanted to get down with ple. I tell you how it is. I don’t try to go over him. So we hooked up and did a mixtape, your head. To me, it’s simple. and I’ve been a Boss Hogg Outlaw ever since. Okay, what about C. Ward? PJ: I’ve known Slim since the Swishahouse Slim Thug: He’s from the South side. On the days. I had a little run in with the authori- Southside, they fly dudes. They’re the cats ties, so I took a little trip; a vacation. I came who are on the playa side of things. He’ll home and he was doing good. I seen him in probably come up with the fly slang out of the mall and was like, “Put me on the team, the clique. He’s the one sayin’ words you I wanna do it.” He was like, “If you focused probably ain’t heard of and shit like that. and you ain’t trippin’ on drugs and shit, let’s He came up under Big Pokey, so he’s con- do it, let’s make it happen.” That’s how I got nected in the streets of Houston. He was affiliated with the Boyz N Blue, and it’s been with Screw, SUC, so he got a big name for good ever since. himself out of Houston. C. Ward: Yeah, they say I bring the fly, playa, Are you planning to drop solo albums? ghetto stuff to the table. I’m from the South Killa Kyleon: Yeah, I got my solo album Wel- side and that’s mostly what we be on. I’m come To The Hood: The Album coming later a part of that South side style, it’s playa but this year. We gonna drop it after the Boyz N at the same time ghetto as hell. I ain’t wild Blue album, pretty much how they did with and crazy, but I’m like the silly one. I’m the Jeezy and Boyz N Da Hood. It’s gonna be one that always likes to play around and something like that but a little different. Slim shit like that. has introduced me to the world. I done had a few good looks on Mike Jones and Slim What is Sir Daily’s style like? Thug’s songs, and I’m on Letoya’s next Slim Thug: He really got that Texas sound. single. His voice kinda sounds a little like Pimp Chris Ward: Yeah, I’m still dropping my C, you know, he got that real country-ass mixtapes and stuff. I got a mixtape called Texas accent. He’s really about his money. Hood Celebrity that’s about to drop, and He raps a lot about money; that’s what he another one called Everybody Hates Chris. brings to the table. The Screwed Up Click’s album The Take- Sir Daily: I feel like I’ve got a unique voice over is about to drop in the second quarter, and a versatile style. They’ll definitely know and me and Big Pokey got a project com- I’m from Texas, because I sound real down ing out. South. As far as me personally, you could Sir Daily: We’ve talked about it. It’s not guar- consider me the neutral dude in the group. anteed, but we’ll probably branch off and Sometimes I’m crunk, sometimes I’m laid do solos after the group project. It doesn’t back. I’m pretty much just neutral on situ- matter to me, I’m down for whatever. ations. PJ: Yeah, be lookin’ out for the solo albums from the Boyz N Blue. Killa Kyleon and How did you each hook up with Slim PJ’s solo projects coming soon. Check out Thug? www.bosshoggoutlawz.com. Sir Daily: Me and Slim been pa’tnas since back in high school, before the rap game - Julia Beverly (Photo: Mike Frost)

OZONE 45 46 OZONE artists? As far as my sound is concerned, I wanna do something totally different. I want to hear YUNG CHILL some real hip-hop music coming out of Houston. I want to be the chicken out of the Do you consider yourself a rapper, pro- flock that stands out. I still wanna represent ducer, or both? Screw and the whole Houston culture, but I I’m an artist. I don’t wanna just call myself a wanna be real musical with it cause I’ve got rapper, even though that’s my first love and the talent. I want to mix them together. that’s what I’ve been doing all my life. I just started producing three years ago, and I’ve What’s the name of your album? been getting my paper. I just call myself a Muzik In Da Flesh. At first we were going musician. I play guitar, keys, drums, every- through Musicworld, but now they’re Sanc- thing. I’m a writer, I’m everything. tuary Urban. We’ve been pushing it out independently. I put a lot of drops on there, How did you learn to play instruments? but basically we’re gonna take a few songs I took a few piano classes in school, but to off there and redrop it. Muaik In Da Flesh tell you the truth it didn’t really help on the is gonna be the truth. That’s when labels production side. I just really picked it up. I are really gonna be like, “Something’s go- been rapping ever since I could remember. ing on in Houston.” Houston, we really do Outside of that, production-wise my talent have a problem. Ther’es some music out is pretty much God-given. I picked up the here besides “comin’ down,” and “swan- guitar and the keys and the drums, and ev- gin’” and “poppin’ trunks.” erything else is just practice. So what’s the deeper message you’re Who did you listen to coming up? trying to put forth in your music? I listened to a lot of soulful records, old It’s some real soulful tracks on there. I got school type stuff. I listened to some rap, a lot of tracks talkin’ about life. When a lot of course Jay-Z. My number one producer of people hear my single “Soul Muzik,” has to be Kanye West, cause he’s like me they don’t think I’m from the South. I had all the way. He likes to really be involved in to do some songs that was Southern, but his music, and I’m like that too. That’s why still switch it up. I got a song with me, Ki- I don’t really like just being called a rapper. otti, and Chingo Bling called “Welkom 2 Da I’m an artist, man. I’m a musician. I don’t Souf.” It’s real down South, but it’s different. care if I never got paid a dollar in my life I put acoustic guitars in it, which is unortho- again for doing music. I do music because I dox for South side records. It’s just good love it and I’ve got the passion for it. I’m not music, man, something you could sit back in it for the money, of course I wanna get and ride to. I got a lot of good concepts, my paper, but at the same time I just love like “Women In The World,” talking about music point blank period. high school dropouts that had babies and now they’re 42 wishin’ they could be 20, Who have you produced for? going out to the club. My second single I started off doing a lot of stuff for local art- is called “Live Your Life,” which is real up- ists in Houston. I grew up on Screw, cause lifting. I’m a fly guy out of Houston; I ain’t that was the biggest kind of music out here. tryin’ to act like a hardcore gangsta. I’m not You can’t be from Houston and not listen tryin’ to shoot nobody. I’m just a regular fly to Screw, it’s just not possible. But I was guy from the hood. I done been through all so much into the old-school soulful stuff, that and you’ll hear it on my album, but my it was hard for me to produce the slower, whole image is that I’m pretty. I want some down-tempo stuff for Southern artists. I had females. I aint tryin’ to be in danger for my to find a way to be versatile on my produc- life. I got too many gorillas around me to be tion. I’ve worked Trae, Billy Cook, Hawk, actin’ like that. Even on the group album Big Pokey, Papa Ru, Mike Jones all of them. I’m putting together, everybody’s got a I grew up on the Screwed Up Click, so do- bandanna but I’m in a collared shirt. I gotta ing stuff with them was just an honor to me. stand out from the flock. I’m on that Kanye, Killa Kyleon from the Boss Hogg Outlawz Common, and John Legend vibe, because is one of the first people that looked out for I want longevity in my career. I want people me. Kiotti’s been down with me since back to be like, “Man, that’s my favorite artist,” in the day, just freestyling. I’ve worked with not, “my favorite rapper” or “my favorite pretty much everybody comin’ out of Hous- singer” or “my favorite producer.” Check ton, or some of their real close affiliates. me out at www.yungchill.com.

What sets you apart from other Houston - Julia Beverly

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ford satellite radio. It’s sort of like Monday Night Football going to ESPN; everyone can’t afford cable. To me, the solution is going back to how hip-hop started. To me, mixtapes and internet radio are the new outlets.

How do you feel about vinyl vs. MP3s? I was a diehard vinyl DJ. I never thought I would leave vinyl. I wasn’t messing with CDs. But Serato got me. After years of paying dues and packing crates at the club and dealing with back problems, I feel like Serato is a level you should graduate to. That’s how I feel about it. For somebody who just started DJing and all they know is Serato, I can’t say I don’t respect them. If they have skills, it’s cool. But for someone who’s been packing crates for as long as I can remember, Serato is like getting your doctorate.

Aside from radio, what other projects are you working on? I actually rap too. I got a song out right now with Mike Jones and Paul Wall that’s been DJ GT hot in the streets, and I just dropped a remix. The album is called HTX. I got every- When did you decide DJing was the right body on my album: Paul Wall, Mike Jones, career for you? Slim Thug, Jin, and Elephant Man. It’s a Once I started being able to pay the bills pretty diverse album. and pay the car note, I realized I could make a career out of it. Is it the typical Houston sound? I’m a mesh. I’m 50% still a lyricist from the How did you get started? Tribe Called Quest era, but living in Hous- I started DJing in high school. I was always ton, the other half is 50% dirty South Hous- a fan of it growing up. I had uncles that ton. It’s a mesh. used to DJ house parties and stuff like that, so I was always fascinated by it and picked Is it a conflict of interest for you to pro- up on it. It went from being a hobby to a mote your music through radio? career. It has to get approved first. With me, I didn’t wanna be known as just another DJ How did you get on the radio? tryin’ to rap. I was actually rapping first. I Once I got to college at TSU I started up by started DJing to pay for studio time, and it DJing the homecoming dances and stuff just kinda blew up. With everything I do, I like that on campus. I was popular on cam- start on the streets before I bring it to any of pus. I started working at a comedy club in the mixers. Without street cred, you don’t Houston. I blew up on the streets and then have nothing. I actually did a remix to [Dem I got on the radio at The Box. That’s how I Franchize Boyz’] “Oh I Think They Like Me” got on, and I’ve been at The Box now for that’s in rotation all day, every day, so that’s eight years. blowin’ me up more than anything.

How do you feel about the politics of ra- Where’s the place to be for All Star? dio? Do you feel restricted by playlists? Thursday night I’m doing a party with Shaq Well, we have specialty shows like Straight at Visions. Friday night it’s Dame Dash and From The Streets where we don’t have re- UGK at Fox Sports Grill. Saturday I’m doing straints. We can just play stuff that we think a private event during the day for DTP and is hot. If it wasn’t for shows like that, I’d be Puma. Saturday night I got a party with T.I. complaining like the rest of the people. and Bun B at Visions. Sunday it’s T.I. and Young Jeezy at Max’s. For more informa- Do you think satellite radio is going to tion, check my website www.DJGT.com. take over? I don’t think so, cause not everyone can af- - Julia Beverly

10 OZONE 01: Life Garland and Chamillionaire on the set of “Ridin’ Dirty” (Dallas, TX) 02: Pimpin’ Ken and Lil Flip @ Studio 7303 (Houston, TX) 03: Young Jeezy and a guest (Houston, TX) 04: On the set of Big Tuck’s “Tussle” (Dal- las, TX) 05: Chamillionaire and D-Bo on the set of “Ri- din’ Dirty” (Dallas, TX) 06: Trae and his son reppin’ OZONE on the set of Bun B’s “Get Throwed” (Houston, TX) 07: Regg and Yukmouth on the set of “Get Throwed” (Houston, TX) 08: Money Waters and Chalie Boy on the set of “Tussle” (Dallas, TX) 09: David Banner reppin’ OZONE (Austin, TX) 10: Slim Thug and DJ Princess Cuts on the set of “Tussle” (Dallas, TX) 11: Dr. Teeth and Money Black @ Club Glo (Houston, TX) 12: Spark Dawg reppin’ OZONE (Austin, TX) 13: Brandi Garcia and DJ Chill reppin’ OZONE @ Studio 7303 (Houston, TX) 14: Z-Ro (Houston, TX) 15: T.I. and video models on the set of “Front, Back, Side to Side” (Houston, TX) 16: G Dash, J Prince, and Int’l Red on the set of Bun B’s “Git It” (Houston, TX) 17: Bubba Sparxxx and Chingo Bling @ 104.9’s Christmas Jam (Houston, TX) 18: Young Dro, T.I., and Bun B on the set of “Front, Back, Side to Side” (Houston, TX) 19: J Prince and Trilltown Mafia on the set of “Get Throwed” (Houston, TX) 20: Play & Skillz (Dal- las, TX) 21: Pimp C and T.I. (Houston, TX) Photos by Julia Beverly (02,11,15,18,19,21); Keadron Smith (03,06, 07,13,14,16,17); Luxury Mindz (09, 12); Matt Sonzala (01,04,05,08,10,20)

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01: J Prince and Lil Keke @ Club Glo (Houston, TX) 02: Mexodus on the set of “Tussle” (Dallas, TX) 03: Bun B and Z-Ro on the set of “Get Throwed” (Houston, TX) 04: Tonto and D-Bo on the set of “Ridin’ Dirty” (Dallas, TX) 05: DJ Irie and DJ Drama on the set of “Front, Back, Side to Side” (Houston, TX) 06: Sway, Bun B, and Pimp C (Houston, TX) 07: Bone Thugs N Harmony on the set of “Ridin’ Dirty” (Dallas, TX) 08: Rapid Ric reppin’ OZONE (Austin, TX) 09: Even pregnant women love Chingo Bling (Dallas, TX) 10: MeMpHiTz and Slim Thug on the set of “Front, Back, Side to Side” (Houston, TX) 11: DJ Bull and Ryno on the set of “Tussle” (Dallas, TX) 12: OG Ron C and Chingo Bling on the set of “Ridin’ Dirty” (Dallas, TX) 13: Yukmouth and Julia Beverly on the set of “Get Throwed” (Houston, TX) 14: Chamillionaire and Rasaq “Ridin’ Dirty” (Dallas, TX) 15: Dem Franchize Boyz @ Studio 7303 (Houston, TX) 16: DJ Aggravated, Pimp C, Brandi Garcia, and Def Jam Blaster @ The Box (Houston, TX) 17: Pimpin’ Ken and Paperchase (Houston, TX) 18: Young Jeezy and X-Trct (Houston, TX) 19: Bun B and the Middlfngz on the set of “Get Throwed” (Houston, TX) 20: Short Dawg, C-Rola and a friend (Houston, TX) 21: Young Jeezy and Bun B “Get Throwed” (Houston, TX) Photos by Brandi Gar- cia (16); Julia Beverly (01,03,04,05,06,07,10, 17,19); Keadron Smith (13,15,18,20,21); Luxury Mindz (09); Matt Sonzala (02,09,11,12,14)

OZONE 13 [email protected] Where are you from and how long have money. I grew up a little bit. you been rapping? I’m from Memphis, TN. I’ve been rapping Are you gonna change your name now for about twelve years. We sold about that you’ve changed your style? 20,000 CDs independently with no major Nah, I’m still gonna be evil pimp, cause label and no promotion, just word of that’s me all the way. But all that torturing mouth. I live in Brownsville, TX, down by bodies and cutting heads off, that ain’t me. the Mexican border now. I’m more about making money now. But a nigga gonna still be evil. Are you getting ready to drop another album? Why do you say pimpin’ is easy? Yeah, we about to drop this album called Pimpin’s easy if you got that word of Pimpin’s Easy. It’s just straight pimp shit, mouth, that street game, that mackin’. I none of that gangsta shit. Back in the day can’t see how the fuck it could be hard. To I used to do all that real evil, dark music. I me, it’s just always been easy. But it ain’t kinda changed my style. no club shit, it’s about getting what you can. I ain’t tryin’ to talk about clubs and Why’d you change your style? girls and shaking ass and that type of shit, For me, that dark evil shit is kinda played cause that ain’t me. out. It’s kinda fake. I’m tryin’ to keep it more real so everybody can feel my music, When is your new album Pimpin’s Easy not just the people that like that dark gonna drop? music. Everybody can feel that pimp shit. The end of February. We’re in talks with a It’s more me. Back when I was doing that few labels right now, so if that goes down evil shit, it wasn’t really me. Well, it was me then who knows when it’s gonna come out. when I was younger, but if I do that now it’d Check out www.slaughterhouserecords. be fake cause I ain’t really on that gangsta net where you can hear samples of the shit now. I’m more about tryin’ to make new album and get info on buying beats. (l to r: L.A., Don P, and Dirty Mouf)

16 OZONE duction. I did the whole “Get On My Level” thing; I started that whole thing off. I just did the new single for Trillville, “Nothing Less.” I TRILLVILLE used to be in-house, but I’m stepping out to produce for my artists and outside artists.

Did Trillville’s album get pushed back? What other artists have you produced for Don P: Well, the single “Some Cut” was ac- outside of your circle? tually on our first album. That song really Don P: I did one for Maceo, one for Scar- took off on its own. All the DJs kept playing face’s new album, and I’m gonna get on it and playing it but we had already closed Jody Breeze’s new album. I’m trying to get the budget on that album. We would’ve with Killer Mike right now. I’m supposed to been came out with that Trillville Reloaded, be going in the studio with him soon. I just but we just stuck with the same record and did a song with everybody in Atlanta, all the shot the video for “Some Cut” thanks to new up and coming artists. I feel like since the DJs. But now we’re on this new record. Jon has been so busy lately and he used to We put out the setup single with the verse do it back in the day – he’d have Killer Mike, of the year, “Don P this, Don P that,” that T.I., and Bonecrusher on a song together “Pimpin’” record with E-40. We just shot and make the beat – I felt like it was a void two videos, “Nothing Less,” which I pro- for that, so I’m trying to do what he used duced, and “Watch ‘Em Do This.” I’m get- to do. So far I got Young Capone, Maceo, ting a lot of backlash and a lot of eyebrows Trillville, Boyz N Da Hood, Jody Breeze, raised off one line on the second single: and Bohagon all on one song. I’m basi- “Watch me Brian Nichols’ em.” Some radio cally just letting everyone know that the A stations bleep it out. A lot of older people is still together right now. Houston is really aren’t feelin’ it. Some dude in the barber- stickin’ together right now so we just letting shop didn’t even know who I was and he people know that we still doing our A-Town was like, “Have you heard this stupid song thing. It’s called “I Will Always Love The A.” with a stupid dance called the ‘Brian Nich- It’s real tight, it’s like the hook from the old ols’?” He didn’t know I was sitting right Whitney Houston song. there. I’m glad he didn’t, cause I know how the older crowd thinks of it when things like With this Rap-A-Lot situation are you that happen. It’s a tragedy, but you kinda creating an Atl-Houston connection? try to make the best of it. It’s just a fun re- Don P: Yeah, that’s what it’s like.... cord, I’m not literally sayin’ I’m gonna shoot nobody. The rest of this interview is featured in OZONE Magazine’s February issue at Don, we’ve been seeing you with a Rap- www.OZONEMAG.com A-Lot chain on lately. What’s that about? Don P: The whole Rap-A-Lot thing is some- - Julia Beverly thing my group Trilltown Mafia is doing. I just wanted to take the trillest of the trill. We went to BME as an independent label with Trillville, so I wanted to do the same thing with Trilltown Mafia. I didn’t want to go to a big commercial label, I wanted to go to a well-respected label, somewhere where I can work comfortably with no gimmicks just real music and real hood, street shit. That’s why I chose to go to Rap-A-Lot. J Prince gave me a chance, and I’ve been proving myself ever since. We got the new Trilltown Mafia mixtape coming out that’s gonna shut down the whole Atlanta scene. Atlanta is real one-song-ish right now. Everybody’s coming out with one song and the album’s not really sounding good and the album sales aren’t up. Trilltown Mafia is about to change all that as far as new groups go. We’re coming out with 27 songs on the mixtape, we’re just giving them away. They’re all tight as hell, produced by me, of course. A lot of people know that I produce, but they don’t know the extent of my pro-

OZONE 17 18 OZONE our swagger was so ahead of its time a lot of people didn’t catch it until 6 years later. Our wordplay, popping collars. It was just E-40 me out there being the forefront of the bay. If I had stopped rapping, man (pauses). Ain’t no telling what would have happened The country hasn’t been checking for out here. No one stepped up to the plate. the Bay for quite some time. About ten I couldn’t feel nobody stepping up to the years, to be exact. plate. So I had to keep it going. And that Yes. Yes. I think our down time is no longer, just comes from having the fortitude and the wait is no longer. People are finally see- hunger from coming from nothing. So I ap- ing the visual. preciate every little bit. But anything that’s different is overlooked. For some cats it What happened? The Bay Area was very took many years to catch me. Most of my strong in the mid-90s and then it seemed fans that I have now didn’t like me when like it just disappeared. they first heard me. But when they started The industry is finicky. They have a new ironing their clothes to my shit, they was like nigga one year then they shoot over to the “hold on, 40 water be saying some shit.” rapper the left and then switch to the one on the right. One minute they be on one dude, Through that whole time you was at Jive, then they hop on another. With us out here talk about your relationship with them. in the Bay, we had the ball in the mid-90s Because to let others tell it, they aren’t and we fucked around and fumbled it. Now always the best label to work with. that we getting it back, we gotta stay in the I appreciate Jive for what they’ve done for endzone. me. My deal was up 5 years ago but I kept it going. I had the best deal a man could How would you say you fumbled? have. My first few years, I felt they put a lot We didn’t stick together, we was all suc- into me. I felt like a priority. But I felt like ceeding individually. A lot of us from 94 to later on when Britney Spears, N’Sync and 97. The Bay Area was a melting pot. The Backstreet Boys and the pop department way Atlanta is right now, we was like a baby started popping, they was selling millions. Atlanta. We sold tapes out the trunk and we Then Jive kinda ventured off and left urban mastered the independent grind. We had music behind. It felt like they just had us every major looking at us and we all got there just to say that they have an urban signed. I was at Jive for ten years, a lot of us department. So I felt like it was time for me was at Relativity, Def Jam, EMI, Priority. We to 86 and move up out of there. I still love all had deals but we didn’t do enough of them, we made a lot of money together. the “I Got Five On It (remix)” type shit with everybody on it. We didn’t have enough Before you eventually went to BME, who unity. Everybody was doing their own in- were some of the labels courting you? dividual thing and we all felt that we was I had Bad Boy and Cash Money on deck. I the shit. But I’ve stayed humble through it didn’t know if I was gonna go independent all and I been carrying it on my back. But, or what, because I had no problem doing you know what. I don’t wanna say that we that. I felt in my heart that BME was the right fumbled. The ball was stripped from us. decision. I prayed about it. Things come around full circle. It was just the South’s time. The South ain’t never had Why did you choose to sign with BME? the ball. So now they gonna keep the ball. Because BME know what’s up in the Bay, I think its enough out there for us to all get and we know what’s up with them. We was money. But us out here, we just gotta do in the Bay playing “Bia Bia” and all of that what we supposed to do. Lil Jon shit. BME knows what’s up with the Bay, they ain’t late and tardy like FEMA. You’ve continued to release albums even Jon does the type of music to make the throughout the Bay’s down time. Did you Bay get hyphy. They was getting hyphy feel the pressure representing an entire to “Get Low.” When he produced that, he region during that time? made one of the best tracks to get hyphy Man, it was a lot of pressure but you’re to. I don’t see why folks were so shocked never supposed to let them see you sweat. when... Our region wasn’t being right. I was putting out good product and I was guilty by as- The rest of this interview will be featured sociation. Not because of West Coast or in the April issue of OZONE Magazine at Bay Area not being hot, but because we www.OZONEMAG.com. the trendsetters. Whatever is ahead of its time is always gonna get overlooked. So - Maurice G. Garland

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22 OZONE everything’s in place.

It seems like a lot of women’s careers CHYNA WHYTE are halted by pregnancy. I mean, I was happy being pregnant. I love Where are you from? being a mother. But this is my first child, I’m from New Orleans, but my career really and I’m seeing that children do change popped off in Atlanta. your life and it does slow things down as far as your career. I used to be able to just get Most people remember you from fea- up and go, but now I’m looking for a baby- tures on Lil Jon records. How did you sitter. And you don’t want just any kind of hook up with him? babysitter. You’re worried that something’s I spent like five years working on my demo, gonna happen to your child. You’ve got to and I started mailing it out to different la- be a mother, you’ve gotta be home. Not bels in 1998. At the time, Jon was an A&R only do you have to be in the studio, writing at So So Def. I guess he was going through rhymes, on the road, hitting clubs, being tapes and he liked mine. He called me and seen – you’ve also gotta be home, clean- told me to come to Atlanta. He was working ing, cooking, being there for your child, tak- on a group called 4X Family and he wanted ing your baby to the doctor if she’s sick, go- me to be in it. I came up to Atlanta, and ing to the emergency room and being there I’ve been with him ever since. I signed with all night. It’s a whole ‘nother level. It comes BME and later, in 2001, we got the deal with with the territory. TVT. When you came out, you really had a After “Bia Bia,” you kinda disappeared. different look. You weren’t the typical Lil Where have you been? Kim/Foxy Brown type female rapper with Well, I to do some Fed time. I had been go- a sexy look and sexy lyrics. You were ing through the process all throughout “Bia more thugged out. Bia.” Right after the video dropped, I had to I’m just doing me, that’s me. That’s how turn myself in and go to jail on a gun-relat- I like to rock. I like being sexy sometimes ed charge. I was locked up for six months and I like being a woman, but that’s just and then I was on house arrest for the rest how I rock. I like big jeans... of the year. I came back out in 2002 doing a couple shows, and then I got pregnant. I - Julia Beverly had to take care of that. I took a little over (Photo: Tshombe Roberts) two years off to deal with that. And I thought about things during that time, I started to The rest of this interview is featured in see things in a different light. the February issue of OZONE Magazine at www.OZONEMAG.com. Do you feel like you missed out on the buzz created by “Bia Bia”? Not really, because I have an understand- ing of how things work. I felt like I had to go through that. Even though I was out there and it seemed like things were blowing up, I feel like my time is right now. Everything’s going smooth. I had to go through what I went through. I was doing a lot of destruc- tive stuff and I was heading in the wrong direction. I had to take a minute off to slow down, but all that is done with now. I’m not tryin’ to do no more dirt, man. I don’t feel like I missed nothing. I feel like the time is now. I’m 100 times better now, you know? I’ve got my own label, my own manage- ment company, my own artist. Everything’s falling into place, and now that Jon is who he is in the game, it’s even easier. When “Bia Bia” first was blowing up he had a real hard time getting on the radio and on BET, even though the song was hot in the streets. He had to fight to get crunk music out there, so it’s so much easier now that

OZONE 23 24 OZONE get the singles played, go out of town, it doesn’t seem like it’s been working for me. So Swishahouse gave me an opportunity LIL KEKE to display my talent nationwide to an audience that they already captured, that’s s it true that you signed to Swisha- really my audience anyway. People don’t house? understand that signing a deal is about tim- IIt’s true, yeah. I’m signed to Swisha- ing. You still gotta get acclimated in, you house, formally, that’s the way it’s gonna gotta get in the system, get out there, let come out, they gonna be on there. We all them take you here, put you on this mix- in the same bus and it’s a deal that we put tape, visit this DJ, go here, do that and then together. you get in. I signed with Swishahouse in October. It’s February right now. My buzz You’re one of the most known people is just starting to come. And when I made a who started the whole movement com- decision to go with them it was about timing from the Screwed Up Click from back ing. It was time for my career to go to the in the day. From the outside looking in, next level while all eyes are on Houston. Lil Keke signing to Swishahouse is a I’m one of the reasons that they got an eye crazy combination. on Houston. Just think, if I wouldn’t have Well OZONE probably gonna be the first signed with them I may not be where I am people who get to hear it mayne and this now. I’m maybe 3 or 4 months away from probably gonna be good for everybody. my buzz. Here come OZONE, I been doing Maybe y’all get to tell it first. Really mayne, shows with everybody, I’ma do a video, it’s it starts like this here. I’m a businessman. timing. They gave me the best opportunity I’m kind of like the pioneer of Screw and to go ahead and capture what’s going on what we had and all that movement, but right now. I didn’t see no other opportunity my career started with me making moves, to do that. I got plenty of people around man. Making big decisions and big busi- me that got $40,000, $50,000, “Let’s do a ness moves. If you notice the pattern of mixtape, let’s make a video.” My talent is Screwed Up Click artists, no Screwed Up bigger than that. So I had to make a busi- Click artist came out under Screw Records. ness decision and one of the business de- My first album came out under Jam Down, cisions was that out of all the people that Fat Pat’s first album came out under Wreck wanted me, these people really got faith in Shop. Hawk’s first album came out under my talent and they want to get behind it. Game Face. Z-Ro was somewhere else. It’s not gonna do nothing but have a dom- Big Moe was under Wreck Shop. ESG. No- ino effect. Everybody else gonna wake up body’s album came out under Screw Re- and start making moves. Swishahouse is a cords. There is no Screw Records. So I was powerhouse right now. the first one to jump out there and make that decision. I was the first one to go with How was it when you went back to your Jam Down to make Don’t Mess With Tex- hood and told them, “Hey, I just signed as. So signing with Swishahouse was the with the Swishahouse”? same thing. It was a business move. How It was like nothin’, I’m the don. It ain’t noth- much longer do we need to wait? Person- in’. I didn’t go back and ask nobody. It was ally I made the decision to handle my own what you just said. I told them. I made the career for the past 6 or 7 years. Most of move, man. It wasn’t shocking to a lot of the Screwed Up Click have been handling people because I’m kind of like the black our own careers, booking our shows. Me sheep, I’m the lone ranger, I been making personally, from an artist standpoint, my big moves. One thing people know about career hasn’t moved up any with me han- me is I’m just not gonna do it for nothing. dling the situation as a CEO. I been having If you know anything about me, you know to wake up, eat, sleep, shit, drive cars, have that if I make any type of move it’s going fun and do anything that I wanted to do. to be something. I’m really one of the only But as far as my talent getting to the next independent rappers that’s really been eat- level, I haven’t been able to do that as a ing off his pen for the last years. You can CEO. It’s what a lot of Screwed Up Click count me out as many years as you want artists are suffering from because we’re try- but I’m still here..... ing to do it all ourselves and we can’t get it done. My career was better when I was just The rest of this interview will be featured an artist, when all I had to do was wake up in the April issue of OZONE Magazine at and rap, do the interviews, do whatever I www.OZONEMAG.com. need to do and move on. When I had to answer the phone, talk to the DJ’s, go to 97.9, - Matt Sonzala (Photo: Mike Frost)

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28 OZONE we abide by the codes of the street. I think he went to jail for shit he did in the past, but as far as this situation at hand, he didn’t TRAE commit that. Niggas know the code of the street, and you don’t open your mouth. There has been a lot of music coming That’s why he’s sitting in there. Them peo- out of Houston in this past year that’s ple were wrong. They didn’t have no finger- hit the mainstream. Some people say prints, they picked the wrong people in the a lot of the shit coming out of Houston line up. That’s just how the system is, and sounds the same. What sets Trae apart we accepted that. He started me to rapping from the pack? when he was gone, cause I was out there Yeah I’m away from the pack. People gotta trying to get in the streets and mess with understand that I’m the black sheep of the hoes. He got me to do this rap shit and I pack. But also the fact that I’m the truth. been riding ever since. And since I know Everything I say is true, nothing is falsified. he’s riding on my back, I gotta be the best You’re gonna see a lot of real shit coming at what I could be. from me. I ain’t here to be friendly with nobody. I ain’t here really to kick up no dust. Did you understand what that meant It just is what it is, the truth. I’m bringing to when you got that news at 12 years old? the game the realness, no fabricated shit. I understood to a sense. I’m not an emo- No ridin’ nobody’s dick cause they hot. I tional person, but that day I shed a lot of did my own thing. I made my own way. tears. From that point on I told myself I wouldn’t let myself shed no more tears. I How does that work in Houston? A lot understood, but the shit is really sinking in of folks who have made it have come up more now I’m older. But there’s a chance under a banner that’s already hot. You’re he could come home. I mean, ain’t nothing down with Screwed Up Click, right? ever ruled out. Money talks. To be honest with you, I’m down with a lot of banners. People know me from me get- You say you’re not an emotional person, ting out there on my grind. It’s in my blood but your music is extremely emotional. to be a hustler. I get out there and get it. When I say I’m not emotional, I mean, I When I slip and fall I get up and get it ten can’t really be running around here sad or times more than I was before. So I got a lot nothing like that. I keep all my frustration in of banners and I rep ‘em, but if you notice, and when I need to vent it out I do it through I don’t use them to get no limelight. I grind my music. That’s why you’ll see people cry- and make people respect me for me. ing to my music or you’ll see people feeling what I’m saying; because what I’m letting How much of your work is autobiograph- out in my music is what I’m really feeling. ical? But if you see me on the street, even if I’m I came from a hell of a life. I’d never say I hurting inside, you ain’t gonna be able to was the poorest kid on the block or that I tell, cause I know how to handle myself. was the most hurt kid on the block, I just went through real shit. By the age of 12 I So did you start doing music when you witnessed a lot. At 11 I witnessed a girl that were 12 years old? was damn near like my sister, my brother’s I started doing music when I was 12 but my gal who I had known since I was a baby, first album didn’t come out until 1999. I was get killed. I came to the reality of a lot of featured on a couple of things but that was people getting killed. And then at the age really it. I just said fuck it. I’m gonna start of 12 they gave my brother three life sen- doing my own thing and making my own tences. Free Dinkie. I been going through a music and flooding it in the streets to where lot of shit, man. Every single year it’s more people have to hear me. And my fan base and more shit. But I don’t smoke and I don’t has just kept expanding. I did shit that peo- drink. I like to take reality for what it is. That ple didn’t do. People out there being selfish way when I wake up the next day it’ll still about they self, when I started doing what be the same. But the reason my shit real is I did I started bringing little hood niggas in cause I go through real shit. That’s why the and giving them a little chance to get they slogan for G-Maab Entertainment is “Real shine on.... Niggaz/Real Life.” The rest of this interview will be featured Tell me a little bit about your brother. You in the April issue of OZONE Magazine at were 12 years old when he went to jail www.OZONEMAG.com. and got three life sentences? Yeah, man, and the shit is, it’s a trip because - Matt Sonzala (Photo: Mike Frost)

OZONE 29 30 OZONE when I started really doing music. I met a promoter named Terell and he introduced me to Polo. Polo introduced me to the Kap- JOKAMAN pa. I went down there first time with him. At one point in time if you would see Polo, you I’ve seen a lot of attention being put on would see me. you in the last year. What part of Houston are you from? And Polo actually taught you how to DJ I’m from the North side of Houston, same too, right? neighborhood as Mike Jones in Stude- That’s why I call myself the Triple Threat, wood. I stayed across the street from cause Polo taught me how to DJ and I Booker T. Washington High School and of learned how to produce from Kojack and course I went to Booker T. a few other people. So I do all three of them thangs. I rap, produce and I DJ. But When did you start rapping? Polo was a big influence on me. And me I started rapping like 10 years ago. I really and Polo, got the same name. Marc An- didn’t start learning things until I got with DJ thony. Only thing different is the last name. Marco Polo. He really just showed me a lot I stayed with him for a while. He did a lot of in’s on rap music. When you doing mu- for me. sic at first you think you hot but you really never know until you actually there. So he What mixtapes have you released so really gave me the heads up on everything. far? Then I started doing a lot of underground Dating back a while, I released Non-Stop music with Polo, Dalla Cat, a few people Rappin’ when Polo was still here. That was out there I done worked with, we all done a mixtape. Right after that one I released came up at the same time, kept our minds another mixtape just with my group, then on music and Polo, he really played a lot of I released My Testimony and now we’re up people music man. He the one that broke to my latest release Let It Begin, with Sicka- my first song, which was “I Don’t Like You more. Want to Fight You.” And he broke that for me and got people to know more about Tell me more about Sickamore. How did Jokaman and from then on everything was you connect with him? good until the incident that came up with Sickamore consults with a lot of my stuff. the wreck. That’s where I lost Polo. He’s shopping it. Letting people hear it. A lot of people he done dealt with have got You were in the car with him when he major deals behind that, like Tru Life and was killed, right? Saigon. They all got deals behind him. He Yeah, I was driving. I was actually the one works with Just Blaze. I did a song with Just driving. People got mixed emotions about Blaze off of one of his tracks. All that’s in the it and a lot of people didn’t know actually making. I’m supposed to get some music what happened. But it was really like a No from Don Cannon and Nick Fury. When I Doz pill, what it did is it reversed on me and was out there in New York I worked all night knocked me unconscious. And that’s how with him in the studio. the wreck happened. Rest in Peace Polo. But that’s really the reason I keep doing my Who else do you work with on produc- music. Because me and him we was on the tion? Anybody in Houston? way to talk to Interscope at the time and I got my little personal producers. One dude meet up with Lester Pace. That changed named Beat King, he did a couple of songs me a lot too. So I do all this to represent on my album and I got another dude name him. Around the same time I met Kojak, and Bob Zigawaski. He’s signed with Triad. Of me and him had been working together for course you know Kojack. I have a producer a while and we met up with the company named J and I’m also a producer. that I’m with, which is Triad Entertainment. So I guess you could say from then on, I I liked the cut you did for the rapper Ke- been really doing a lot with them. I try to nika. Who else have you produced for so stay in the mix with everything, as much as far? I can. Right now, I’m really just trying to get more production out there. Did you come up with Marco Polo? Well, I met him when I was like 15. I met him - Words and photo by Matt Sonzala

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34 OZONE there like that. It’s an art, you know what I’m sayin’? And I don’t think a lot of people really understand it or appreciate it. But I’m KIOTTI working on a movie right now called Free- style – The Movie, then people will really get Where are you from? Were you born in a chance to see me. I got a lot of my battles Houston? on there. Other people battling. I asked ev- I was born in Memphis. When I was 4, my erybody what your definition of freestyle is. dad got killed and we moved out here to So you’re gonna get a real in-depth look at Texas. I been out here in Texas ever since I what freestyling is. And I figured, who bet- was 4 years old, so all I know is Texas. I still ter to bring that to them than a man who’s got the whole bulk of my family in Memphis, really a freestyler? though. I been here since I was 4 years old and I got a lot of love for Memphis, but I’m Outside of freestyles, what all have you from Houston. released so far? It’s weird. I’m the only artist from Houston Did you spend a lot of time going back that never got in no click. But my buzz is and forth between Memphis and Hous- crazy. I’ve never been in Swishahouse. I’ve ton? never been in Screwed Up Click. I’ve never When I was younger, yeah, in the summer. put an album in the stores with full distribu- As I got older I just ended up staying here. I tion. Never. A lot of my buzz came off of live went to school every year here in Houston, shows, street battles, mixtapes. Everything so this is all I know. I put out, even 29th Street Hustler, I didn’t even put that in the stores. So I wouldn’t You have a different sound than a lot of know where to stop. 2001 I dropped Jag the folks in Houston. Did Memphis have in the Jungle with Pimp C, 8Ball & MJG, E- any influence on your sound? 40, and I did one or two little undergrounds My momma really wouldn’t let us listen to after that. Then I started Yung Inc and put rap. So I didn’t start listening to rap til I was out the Bebe Kids album. Then I got with probably like 16. I just always been me. It Asylum and my real album is supposed to took me a minute to find myself, probably come out in July called Independents Day. because I didn’t listen to as much rap as Meaning, Texas is the biggest independent everybody else. But when I finally got in music selling state in the world. But my al- my zone, I found me, and I’m comfort- bum has a double meaning. Not only am I able with where I’m at right now. The first representing Texas, but also to the people, song I ever really listened to was the Black nobody ever gave us shit. Cause anybody Sheep “Choice in Yours.” To this day that that knows me, that’s been down with me song is the shit. That was the first song I know that I was never in anything. I always ever memorized word for word. After that, I been the one everybody hated on cause started listening to 8Ball & MJG, Do or Die, I wasn’t. I just feel like whenever you real Twista, UGK, and Scarface, shit that regular and it’s no gimmicks or nobody helping down South people listened to. I’m from you, it catches on. But when it catches on, Houston, you know what I’m sayin’? it stays forever. It has a longer lasting effect than just a fad. So that’s the meaning of my When I first started hearing of you it was Independents Day album. because you were a battle MC. You were really big on the freestyle and battle What projects are you working on these scene. How did you get into that? If you days? started listening to rap when you were One of my biggest blessings is that I met 16, shit, I saw you battling back when up with DJ 31 Degreez from South Caroli- you were pretty young. na. I only mess with a few DJ’s. 31 Degreez My thing is, I always been funny. I always introduced me to a lot. In February I got had a good sense of humor. This some- like 6 undergrounds dropping. I got The thing I don’t understand, when people be Introduction, that’s gonna put everybody like “freestyle battle,” you be thinking you up on me. I got Let’s Play House, South really freestyling. I swear. If I battled 1,000 Star General 3, and Texas Massacre All Star people, probably like four of them free- Edition. Those are the 4 I’m really pushing styled. Everybody else had a pen and pad, right now. including some of the rappers with names today, but I’m not gonna put nobody out - Matt Sonzala

OZONE 35 36 OZONE had missed his flight so we did a 17 minute set out there and that just opened the mar- GHOSTWRITERS ket wide for us. You have a whole different concept from Where are y’all from and how did you a lot of guys around here. In fact, it’s come together? almost kind of strange these days that Big Jig: I’m from Austin originally. I moved you even have a concept. Where do you out here in 1998 and got signed to South- think you fit in with the whole Houston ern Fried, which was an artist development sound? company at the time. G. was also a solo G. Lavacci: We just come in from our own artist at Southern Fried so we ended up just angle. We gonna be here. Just like Outkast doing a few songs together and it sounded is out there in Atlanta amongst all the other good. So we started a little writing com- sounds that come out of Atlanta, we feel we pany called GhostWriters. We did a song just gonna be part of the sound that comes with Madd Hatta, a song with OG, and then out of Houston. next thing you know they said, “Ya’ll sound Big Jig: Doors are starting to really open up good together, you need to start a group.” for us big. 104.9 is starting to pick up our G. Lavacci: That was in 2000. “Headed to the Club” remix with Lil Keke, and the Houston market is getting stron- What have y’all released so far? ger. G. Lavacci: We released the whole Boo Mixtape series. We got the Hunt for Ghost- How exactly would you explain the Ghost- tober series. We got three volumes of that. Writers concept that you use throughout We got Hustlers Ambition, Hittin’ Switches your music? and Who Said White Boys Can’t Chop with G. Lavacci: It’s not just a rap thing we do- DJ Blurry out of Austin. Hittin’ Switches is ing. We have an actual concept; well, some DJ Short Dog at 104.9 in Houston. We got would call it a gimmick, but to us it’s real the Spooktacular DJ Coalition that sup- true life. This Ghost thing we do, we put ports our music. it in our music and we’ve developed it in Big Jig: We support DJ’s that play our shit our slang in the lifestyle that we living now. so that’s the movement that we got behind From the spooked out vocabulary that we them. use in everything we do. You can hear it G. Lavacci: And DJ IDG out of Dallas, in our music. We have something that we man. actually working on here and it’s hard to do in this day and age where everything is Coming from Houston, as an under- being repeated 500 times on every song. ground artist, do you see a lot of support For us to take the time to develop our own when you go out to different markets in vocabulary and then integrate it into what Texas like Dallas and Austin? I know you we doing, that makes us that much more go to smaller markets like Odessa a lot attractive and appealing to the next man. as well. Is it easy to get around just be- Even though we make the same type of ing from Houston right now? music, we not saying the same things. G. Lavacci: Dallas is great. Anywhere Big Jig: I mean, everybody’s said it all be- you go now, all you gotta say is you from fore, it’s just about you saying it a little dif- Houston and they jumping on it right now. ferently than they do it. Do You Believe in In Odessa we mess with Creative Minds Ghosts is the whole movement that we’ve Marketing. That boy Dolla, he got us out got right now and that’s the name of the there in Odessa. That’s a real good market. album. Because we want people to actu- You’d be surprised, man. Everybody go ally believe in what we do but to do that we through Odessa. had to believe in what we do. In the begin- Big Jig: Yeah, and that Odessa connection ning, nobody believed in us. We got a lot of leads you into New Mexico as well. We got people down with us now and supporting a good little buzz out there. the movement. That’s what being a ghost G. Lavacci: They spin our shit real strong is. You gotta believe in yourself in order for out there. We get a lot of love out that way. somebody else to believe in you. That’s That came from us dealing with the Midland what we try to portray in our music and all and Odessa area. through life. Big Jig: We went out there and did a big show with Pitbull and Petey Pablo. J-Kwon - Photo and words by Matt Sonzala

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40 OZONE for everybody on my album. I don’t want it to be just one typical thing. I believe I have a versatile style and I can rock with all that. X-TRCT I can do the reggaeton, the Southern hip- hop, I can do everything. That’s really what Where are you from? Are you born and it’s about. raised in Houston? I’m from H-Town. I’ve lived here all my life in You do reggaeton too? What’s your ethic H-Town, on the West and Southwest side. background, are you Latino or black or mixed? Tell me about South Coast Productions. People always ask me if I’m Puerto Rican. What makes you guys so different from My mom is Latina and my pops is African. other up and coming record labels from So I got the mix, you know? My mom was Texas? an immigrant. She came to the United Well with South Coast Productions, we ba- States from Venezuela not speaking Eng- sically just make powerful music represent- lish and stuff like that. So I got a very di- ing the struggle. When I say the struggle, verse background and I think that contrib- I mean that everybody going through the utes to my Southern flavor, bringing it to the struggle. Whether you working a 9-5 or hus- New South movement. tlin’ on the streets, doing whatever to make ends meet, everyone is going through a How would you describe the New South struggle. And we make music that reflects Movement? that. I think the New South Movement is just showing the masses that Southern artists There’s not a lot of rappers rapping got lyrical skills and can make deep, heart- about the struggle today. Everyone felt music. A lot of these Southern emcees seems to be rapping about how rich they are doing that. Maybe not all of them, but a are. Does it make it harder for you to get lot of up and comers. I like to call it the New over when you have a different message South Movement because it’s all about rep- in your music? resenting. Yeah man, no shit. I think a lot of people feel it when they see what we talking about. Representing Southern lyricists? We talking about some real stuff. They feel We’ve been branded in the past; they like, damn, dude, these people really repre- thought the south didn’t have no emcees, senting something. I started writing poetry. but I think they just really don’t know what’s To me, your music gotta have a meaning. happening. I think the New South emcees It’s gotta have some depth. We do the club are doing that. stuff too and it’s all good, but you gotta have music with a meaning to make it last, Who have you worked with outside of to leave a legacy and that’s what we’re do- your camp? ing. ESG. Big shout to ESG, man. I work with an artist named Troublesome, she’s a fe- Who have you worked with and who is male emcee and she’s real lyrical. Major South Coast Productions? Riley from Jamaica, he used to be on Dope I got an R&B artist, his name is RJ and he’s House Records. I worked with DJ DMD, on my album. Man, he’s a cold brother, he did “25 Lighters,” Happy Perez, he’s he’s got a soulful sound. He’s like a cross worked with everybody. He’s real cold on between Marvin Gaye and Issac Hayes. the beats. He’s on the God’s Gift album. I got a reggae artist, his name is Chronic, and he’s What about on the production end of from Trinidad. He’s like a cross between things? Who have you been working with Sean Paul and Beanie Man. He’s just real as far as your tracks? cold on the reggae tip. To me it’s all about the music. It ain’t really important to me as much who I work with, How exactly would you describe your it’s all about if it’s jammin’, it’s jamming. I musical style? work with up and coming producers like H- My album is deep because it encompasses Factor and Drewski. They make those cold many different genres of music. I got hip- tracks and that’s what it’s about. hop, I got soul, I got R&B, I got reggae music on the album. I want to give something - Photo and words by Matt Sonzala

OZONE 41 42 OZONE There’s a lot happening in Dallas music right now. Yeah, definitely. The doors are open now BIG TUCK for us.

Where exactly are you from? How did you end up getting with Univer- I was born and raised in South Dallas, Tex- sal? as. Stayed there all my life. South Dallas is My solo album, Purple Hulk, sold over like a little island, it’s like i’s own world. It’s 150,000 units independent so Universal like the Kingston, Jamaica of Texas on the was like, “Man, we need to get a piece of cool. And then, it’s like our own little world. this.” So they gave us a good ass deal, an It’s different than everywhere else but if excellent deal, like the deals they gave Cash you’re born and raised there, it’s lovely, it’s Money and Nelly, so we went with that. paradise. Is the Universal deal a DSR deal or just Really? South Dallas is like paradise? for you? You know, to the people that’s born and Naw it’s for DSR. raised there. Tell me about your first single, “Tussle.” How did you get with DSR and T-Town That’s been out for a minute, and that song Music? was actually the eye opener for Universal. I was one of the first members of DSR. I That song right there was on the first Pur- was taking CDs to George Lopez at T-Town ple Hulk. It’s exciting, it’s crunk, it’s super Music about 6 years ago. George was al- crunk. We finally just put Slim Thug on it, so ready doing retail, pushing the Swisha- now it’s like a Texas movement right there. house, the Boss Hawg, the Mike Jones and stuff like that. He was like, “Man, I might as Is that a pretty good indication of what well go and start my own group.” And here Dallas is like? Is it pretty crunk out there we are. or is it more laid back? Dallas is actually a very exciting place. Any- Who all is DSR? thing you wanna do, Dallas has to offer. Actually it’s Tum Tum, me – Big Tuck, Ad- diction, Lil Ronnie, TT and Fat Bastard. Dallas has had a lot of musical success outside of rap. Y’all have produced a Did you know all of them before you lot of female singers from Erykah Badu came together? to Edie Brickell to Nora Jones. The list Not really. Everybody was just doing they goes on and on. own thing, but now we all came together I’m a jazz musician myself. So I actually lis- and we’re family. ten to everything out of Dallas. My eyes are open to everything coming out of Dallas. So T-Town was a store but it became a company to put out your releases? What do you play? Yeah, T-Town was the #1 store in Dallas I’m a percussionist. I play drums, so any for any kind of music you could look for or percussion instrument I play. I’m also start- want. But it became a record label when ing to get into guitar now. George was like, “Why can’t I push my own group?” Have you ever played with any jazz bands? I know Dallas was always a big market Definitely. I’ve been playing drums since for Houston music. Is Dallas pretty sup- fourth grade. I’ve marched in jazz bands, portive of its own? Has it been support- concerts, everything. ive of you? I can honestly say that I’m the first person Do you ever incorporate anything like that they’ve pushed from Dallas. I’m one of that into your production? the only people that Dallas has accepted as I’m definitely going to do that later on in my they own. It’s my attitude and my personal- career. I want people to respect me as an ity. I’m a cool cat, I don’t really get in trouble artist first before I try to put something new and I don’t really argue with nobody, I’m on them. supportive of everybody else so they pretty much supportive of me too. - Matt Sonzala (Photo: Julia Beverly)

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