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Home , Andre Nickatina, Bizzy Bone, Glasses Malone, Husalah, JT the Bigga Figga, Layzie Bone

RAW, UNCENSORED WEST COAST RAP SHIT

LIVE FROM FEDERAL PRISON

HUSALAHOB FIGAZ OF THE M DOPE, GUNS, & RELIGION

YUKMOUTH Drugs Are In His Nature TOO $HORT Hustlin’ Isn’t The Only Option Gettin’ Grown LIL D King of Oakland MUGZI The Silverback Gorilla

DJ AMEN HAJI SPRINGER & more OZONE WEST //   // OZONE WEST OZONE WEST //   // OZONE WEST editor’s note Publisher Julia Beverly NEW BeGINNINGS Editor-AT-LARGE D-Ray (BUT I’m NOT NEW) GRAPHIC DESIGNER David KA art of is understanding that this tion, and trust that if I had had my wrapped truck at that Music EditorS industry is cutthroat. Being a female in it is even time, I would’ve made sure it was parked out front! Later I Randy Roper Pworse! You really have to earn the respect you found out that they had other photographers hit the party Maurice G. Garland receive. You’re gonna have many doors shut in your face. claiming they shot for OZONE. I guess their cameras didn’t Sometimes you’ll understand it and learn to respect it, carry the fear mine did. Now I realize that my camera is a ADVERTISING SALES but other times you’ll be confused. I’ve learned not to be threat! OZONE WEST! Statements are being made! Che Johnson confused – just understand that they have BITCHASSNESS Isiah Campbell in them! Thanks for the word Diddy! It truly fits a lot of So, West Coast, stand tall and show that we deserve this situations. before the shine ends! The XXL reps are haters. I know Contributors their magazine is feeling the OZONE invasion! Remember, Big Fase 100, DJ BackSide, I’m gonna put something out here right now to make a it’s all about the team you pick. XXL used to be big out DJ E-Z Cutt, Jelani, Jessica lot of people wonder. Somebody asked me to shoot a few here, but trust me, the streets and the barbershops can’t Essien, Joey Colombo,Kay artists at a XXL party as their personal photographer. Mind wait for the new issue of OZONE! Newell, Keita Jones, Luvva you, the party was in the Bay Area! Holla! I am the Bay! I J, Nippy Swagga, Portia said it! Check the photo credits. Check my resume. The Bay OZONE is not new at all. It’s been around and it gets Jackson, Shemp, Todd is what I am! So when you come to the Bay you should around. It’s not just in the West Coast and it’s not a new Davis, Ty Watkins already know who to call. That’s real, not arrogant. publication. JB has been putting it down! She’s the down south queen that made that team effort to support who Street Reps I didn’t commit to the shoot because I was scheduled to she believed in, and the artists made the effort to pay out Anthony Deavers, Bigg be in L.A., but I didn’t make it to L.A. so I figured I’d sup- of their own pockets to support the mag! Look at the folks P-Wee, Big Will, Dee1, port a Bay party, XXL or not, because my family is gonna she was down with from the beginning – , David Demolition Men, DJ Jam-X, be in the house. Like I normally do, I hit the host of the Banner, Lil Boosie – I can go on and on! DJ Juice, DJ KTone, DJ party to confirm my arrival so there wouldn’t be any sur- Nik Bean, DJ Quote, DJ prises at the door. Since I’ve known him for years I figured WEST COAST, let’s get it together. If this isn’t a hobby for Skee, DJ Strong & Warrior, there would be no problems. Boy, was I wrong! I was told you and your label, invest in your career and respect J Hype, Jasmine Crowe, that I was welcome to come, but not my camera. the people that help you and believe in you. Don’t blind John Costen, Juice, Kewan yourself or let your management blind you to believe that Lewis, Luvva J, Maroy, So I try to compose my attitude and stay professional. you did it yourself, because baby, you didn’t! You sure like Rob J Official, Rob Reyes, Okay. If you know me, you know I don’t leave the house to see yourself in that OZONE West photo gallery. That’s US Shauntae Hill, Sherita without my camera in my Louis Vuitton camera bag and supporting YOU. So where do you come in? We’ll continue Saulsberry, Sly Boogy, Syd my Chucks on my feet. Why else would I be out if it’s to do our part, and all we ask is that you do your part. Robertson, Tonio, Twin, not work? I’m not trying to kick it. Please. I don’t drink. What other magazine shows so much love to West Coast William Major, Zack Cimini The reason was the fear of the photos being placed in a artists (not counting Snoop)? What up, Snoop? My point is competing magazine?? – get your business up! COVER CREDITS photo courtesy of OZONE TOOK OVER. That’s the way I took that conversa- - D-RAY, [email protected] V. Alston.

ozone west

6 RAPQWEST 7-13 PHOTO GALLERIES 8 SHORT STORIES 10 CHAIN REACTION 12 PATIENTLY WAITING: CHRIS NOTEZ 14 PATIENTLY WAITING: HAJI SPRINGER 16-18 husalah 19 LIL D 20 SAN QUINN 21 MUGZI 22-23 MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT! 24 DJ BOOTH: DJ AMEN 25 CD REVIEWS Me & LL Cool J at Magic in Vegas! 26 END ZONE

OZONE WEST //  city? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Don’t see your Hit us up and let us know [email protected] which clubs, DJs and artists RAPQw EST are worthy of representing: PORTLAND, OR (503) In an effort to escape the haters, Portland OG on the mic, Cool Nutz is supposedly quitting America and heading to Norway with The SEA-TAC, WA (The 206/253/360 & The 604 Too!) Source’s Soren Baker documenting the trip – true or false? I saw Look for the Live From I-5 Brand’s Price of The Game release, focused on an anti-prison him rockin’ The Mint in Olympia, WA… and Coco are theme and executive produced by Seattle media-executive, Kitty Wu. The 206 Zulus just cel- headlining a tour that will touch Portland in early March for the an- ebrated their 4 year anniversary with visitors coming from NY, Philly, Arizona and Oregon. nual Pisces Party. Rookie on the IR, Greg Oden, threw a major bash 206 Zulu will also host the Hip Hop segment of the long-lived Folk Life Festival. A brand with the A-listers in full effect. Look for new music from Portland’s new Hip Hop format station may be launching in Vancouver, BC – we miss the old Beat 94.5! own Braille, Lilla Damone, Siren’s Echo and Kenny Mack & 6ix. When Check for Think Tank Studios’ compilation, a D&D-like project. Finally, look for Ghetto Prez you come to the 503, check out The Ohm and Greek Cuisine. and Block Teamsters’ new lifestyle magazine, Night EFX. - Luvva J (Myspace.com/luvvaj) - Luvva J (Myspace.com/luvvaj) DENVER, CO (303, 720) One of the biggest weekends in town, besides All-Star, hit Denver. DJ Ktone’s birthday bash weekend brought to town artists like Big Tuck, DJ Drama, Kia Shine and OG Ron C for a four day extravaganza. Young J.R.’s album release with E-40 and was huge, and an unknown promoter brought Chingy to town and flopped. Young Doe is set to drop his new album A Product of the Eighties, and Innerstate Ike is dropping Turf Barbie Doll Radio. DJs Big Spade, Chief Rocka, Sabotage, Desert E, Ktone, Krhyminyl, Kdj Above, and 4M are keeping the city moving with weekly spots. Vouch Mag is set to launch real soon so be on the lookout for that. - DJ Ktone (Myspace.com/djktonedotcom)

Oakland, CA (510) A recent parking lot shooting left three people wounded at Zazoos. This situation was the last straw for city officials. The promoter surrendered their cabaret permit leav- ing the town without an official Top 40/Hip Hop club to party at (for now). In the meantime, the Paramount Theater plays the alternative for the grown and sophisticated as it hosts Keith Sweat and Bell Biv Devoe’s Ladies Night Reunion Tour. Chris Rock will perform four sold-out nights on the strength that the town loves a good laugh. - Kay Newell ([email protected])

LAS VEGAS, NV: (702) It’s been “magical” in Vegas with the Magic Fashion Convention bringing many people in the industry together over a 3 day span. Jay-Z, Beyonce, Diddy, LL Cool J, and Young Jeezy were all spotted at the Magic Convention. Undefeated boxing champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather celebrated his birthday at Jet Nightclub. His next fight is scheduled in the WWE ring at Wrestlemania on Pay Per View. Everyone’s been sliding through keeping it lit in Vegas. Both Poetry and Spin Nightclub have been battling for the best acts with performers rockin’ San Jose, CA (408) both clubs including , , E-40, DJ Kid Capri, Ray J, Yung The Southbay is a whole different breed sur- Berg, and Fabolous. The scene is sizzlin’ before the summer begins. rounded by multi-million dollar corporations - Portia Jackson ([email protected]) and the police department’s zero tolerance policy. Nonetheless, with all that money floa- tin’ around, Silicon Valley has a tremendous nightlife. KMEL’s DJ Rick Lee and super- , CA (415) producer Traxamillion hold down open mic Famed Hip Hop journalist Eric Arnold put Hip Hop Wednesdays at the Underground Spot inside station 106 KMEL (and music director Big Von UGMX Studios. It’s open to all ages and no ID Johnson) on blast for [editor’s note: “alleg- is required. The ultra sexy Fahrenheit lounge edly”] killing the hyphy movement and its lack of and restaurant is for the valley’s fashionably VALLEJO, CA: (707) proper support toward Bay artists. There’s a lot of elite with an event happening every night While the city of Vall-E-Jo continues making rattled nerves in the station so this should have (like Karaoke on Mondays and College Night headlines in their efforts to avoid being the an interesting outcome. The nightlife continues to on Tuesdays) and rotating DJs in the mix. And first city to go bankrupt, E-40 is flourish all over town as promoters Location415 don’t miss the action on Friday and Saturday putting the final touches on his soon-to-be keep it crackin’ with special events for the Bay’s beloved sports teams (Warriors, Raiders, 49ers). nights at Cuchini’s and just up the way in the released album Ball Street Journal. The first Just up the Peninsula, Wild 94.9’s DJ E-Rock and city of Sunnyvale the spot to be is Abyss. single, “Turf Drop,” produced by and featuring - Kay Newell ([email protected]) KMEL’s DJ Rick Lee get in the mix at the newest , proves that hyphy isn’t dead. hotspot Gossip Ultra Lounge in San Mateo. - Kay Newell ([email protected]) - Kay Newell ([email protected])

Phoenix, AZ (602,623, 480) Weeks after the shocking Super Bowl win for the New York Giants, the most watched Super Bowl to-date, Phoenix is still cooling off from one hot weekend. The OZONE Super Bowl edition featuring on the cover led all the fans to the star-studded events including parties from companies like Playboy and Victoria’s Secret, to events featuring T-Pain, Flo Rida, Fat Joe, P. Diddy and more. This month G-Unit’s Sha Money XL brought us the highly attended One-Stop-Shop Producers Conference on with more than 700 producers hitting the Valley. It’s called the One Stop Shop by Money Management Group because there is no other place you can go to sell tracks to A&R’s, find a good manager, and shop for a publishing deal. It was one sure stop for March! - Jasmine Crowe ([email protected])

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

(above L-R): & Mistah FAB @ Jet Nightclub in the Mirage for Stars & Straps Magic afterparty in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: D-Ray); Young Buck, Roccett, & Young Jeezy @ Jet for Famous Stars & Straps Magic afterparty in Las Vegas, NV; Lil Wayne & Mack Maine @ Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, AZ (Photos: Julia Beverly)

01 // @ Poetry (Las Vegas, NV) 02 // & ladies @ Club Asia in Planet Hollywood (Las Vegas, NV) 03 // Big Tuck @ the Yums booth during Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 04 // Keisha Nicole & Devi Dev on the set of ’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 0 5 // Roccett & Red Cafe @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 06 // Yung Joc & Doug E Fresh @ Glendale Civic Center during Super Bowl weekend (Phoenix, AZ) 07 // Lil Wayne & guest @ Tucson Convention Center (Tucson, AZ) 08 // Doug E Fresh’s sons Tripps, Gleamz, & Slim of Square Off @ Glendale Civic Center during Super Bowl weekend (Phoenix, AZ) 09 // & Damani @ the Playboy Club for ’s “Life Of The Party” video shoot (Las Vegas, NV) 10 // Phil Tha Agony & Talib Kweli on the set of ’s “Stripper Pole” video shoot (Las Vegas, NV) 11 // Matt, Gino Green, & Kevin @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 12 // Travis Barker & crew with Mr Cartoon & @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 13 // Rizzo, , & Mauly T @ Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, CA) 14 // Jeff Panzer & on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 15 // Mistah FAB & Dove @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 16 // Colby O’Donis, Delicious D, & Homeboy Miguel @ Club Vivid (San Jose, CA) 17 // Chris Notez & Ernie Romero on the set of Bizzy Bone’s “A Song For You” (Phoenix, AZ) 18 // Bishop Lamont & Cy Fyre (, CA) 19 // & TD @ Spin Nightclub for Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV)

Photo Credits: D-Ray (01,02,04,05,09,10,13,14,15,16); Intl K (18); Julia Beverly (03,06,07,08,11,12,17,19)

OZONEOZONE WEST WEST // //   or over twenty years, rappers have been telling stories of selling drugs and everything that goes along with it: the best cars, the finest women, getting shot, making more money than any of us can Fimagine, doing time in prison, killing enemies, or being killed. Our grand- fathers could’ve been street thugs when they were young. The option has always been there.

I’m from East Oakland, California, and what I saw coming up in the 80s and what I see right now today is basically identical. In some cities like Los An- geles or Chicago, a youngsta from the hood is given the opportunity to join a gang when they get to middle school or even while they’re still in elementary school. People say “that’s just the way it is,” but I don’t think that’s true. I know what it was like in the hood before crack cocaine turned us into a bunch of Tony Montanas.

With the invention of crack cocaine and the introduction of automatic weap- ons into the inner cities, the government was able to put new laws on the books to lock up crack dealers and users for several years even if their case involved only small amounts of the drug. I’m in my 40s now and a lot of my homies that went to prison when we were in our 20s are just now coming home. Ask them to tell you about their cases. They say the Feds, the state, and the local authorities lie to get convictions; they’ll interpret laws any way they want to be able to convict you.

Once they get you in the system, it’s hard to be free again. When you come home, you’re on parole or in a halfway house and any minor run-in with the law might land you right back in prison. People who have been through this process can tell you that it was a set-up. Hustling and having a lot of money for a few years is not worth doing 30 years in prison.

I truly respect a hustler who comes from nothing and is still able to get a taste of the good life. I like to see you at the club pulling up in a new Benz with a female that looks like a video vixen. I can’t hate on that. But what I do hate is the fact that a lot of street hustlers don’t invest in the hood before it’s too late. How many drug dealers can you name that never fell off, never went to prison, and never got killed? I don’t know the answer to that question. I can’t even tell you why a youngsta would even pick crack dealing as his Do you know why you’re a thug? It’s because occupation, unless he doesn’t know that it’s a trap. But if he says, “I’m selling you’ve been brainwashed and programmed for dope in the ‘trap,’” he must know exactly what it is. self-destruction so you can fill the prisons, which are modern-day slave warehouses. You’re a It doesn’t make sense why anybody would become a crackhead for the first time these days, now that we’ve all seen the results of smoking crack. The thug because it’s easier for us to kill each other point I’m trying to make is this: Do you know why you’re a thug? It’s because than for America to personally wipe out the you’ve been brainwashed and programmed for self-destruction so you can fill undesirable descendants of African slaves. the prisons, which are modern-day slave warehouses. You’re a thug because it’s easier for us to kill each other than for America to personally wipe out the undesirable descendants of African slaves.

What’s the difference between a serial killer and a lil’ homie in the hood who kills over and over again in the name of holding down his gang and being a real thug til the day he dies? Not much, in my opinion. We call ‘em “riders.” I don’t blame rap music, but I do understand how we got brainwashed. I see the lil’ homies disrespecting females and looking over to me for ap- I’ve been raising lil’ pimps for over twenty years in the name of entertain- proval. They talk openly about violence, just like their fathers did in the 80s. ment. For me to be in a studio and not rap about pimps and hoes is like a Many of our youngstas have already accepted death, prison, and the thug life crackhead having a pipe and a rock but not smoking it. But I can’t even tell as their only option. I think that as the community’s loudest voice, rappers the lil’ homies that all this time I’ve been about pimpin’, I really treat need to tell the truth: KIDS IN THE INNER CITIES OF AMERICA DO HAVE CHOICES. my women good. I admit to being a player, but I don’t call the women around It’s okay to be “square.” It’s okay if you’re not a “thug.” It’s okay to go to me “bitches.” A lot of rapping “thugs” never sold drugs and never will sell college, and it’s okay to chase your dreams. // drugs. It’s entertainment. Photo: D-Ray

 // OZONE WEST (above L-R): Bizzy Bone & DMX on the set of Bizzy Bone’s “A Song For You” in Phoenix, AZ (Photo: Julia Beverly); Spider Loc & Roccett @ Jet Nightclub in the Mirage for Stars & Straps Magic afterparty in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: D-Ray); Mr Cartoon & Paul Wall @ Magic in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // Mistah FAB, Glasses Malone, Jamal, & Akon on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 0 2 // Nicho & @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 03 // Krondon & DJ Big Dee on the set of Strong Arm Steady’s “Stripper Pole” video shoot (Las Vegas, NV) 04 // Kanardo Davis & Bizzy Bone on the set of Bizzy Bone’s “A Song For You” (Phoenix, AZ) 05 // Young Jeezy & Young Buck @ Jet for Famous Stars & Straps Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 06 // LL Cool J @ the Todd Smith booth during Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 07 // Dem Hoodstarz, , & Bun B @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 08 // Michael Watts & Da Ryno @ the Yums booth during Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 09 // Roccett & Akon @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 10 // Dre Dae & DJ Big Dee @ Spin Nightclub for Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 11 // Thaddaeus McAdams & Young Jeezy @ Strike Bowling Alley in the Rio for Young Jeezy’s listening party (Las Vegas, NV) 12 // J Diggs & K-Loc @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA) 13 // Clay D & Young Buck @ Spin Nightclub for Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 14 // Travis Barker & Young Jeezy @ Jet for Famous Stars & Straps Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 15 // Tef & D-Ray @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 16 // Sha Money XL & his wife @ Jet Nightclub in the Mirage for Stars & Straps Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 17 // Layzie Bone, Bun B, & Mauly T @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 18 // Cellski & Chingo Bling @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 19 // DMX revving up his engine on the set of Bizzy Bone’s “A Song For You” (Phoenix, AZ)

Photo Credits: D-Ray (01,02,03,09,11,12,16); Julia Beverly (05,06,07,08,13,14,15,17,18); Lamar Rashaw (04,10);

OZONEOZONE WEST WEST // //   … a

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BEN BALLER BLING BLING hey say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, this We shut down the Slauson Super Mall in Los Angeles when these pics were “ picture is worth $1.3 million. These fine pieces of flashy art- taken. No one could walk by and NOT stop and stare at the display of ice on work are brought to you by Ben Baller and Icee Fresh Jew- Ben. One girl even stopped and broke out her camera phone and took her els. Pay close attention or you just might miss something. own picture too. “Is he a rapper?” You can hear some people saying as they Check the Interstate 10 piece. Yes, that one. It was made walked by and stared in amazement. Naw, sweetheart, rappers don’t get gwap over 3 years ago and has been bitten by your favorite rapper. All of them. And like this. In LA, the hustlers are the real go-gettas. The gangstas are the ones Tthey have failed miserably each and every time. Peep the iced out cross to the living it up like rappers wish they could. right. Yeah, Fat Joe has that exact same cross in the “Make It Rain” video. And on the left side, the soon to be infamous praying hands piece made popular The last thing I asked Ben Baller was, “Can anybody fuck with Icee Fresh by none other than the late, great Pimp C. You will get a better look at this Jewels right now?” His answer was, “Just shut the fuck up with that question piece real soon. I promise. The flyboys piece. Utter ridiculous with the flying right there, homie. Nobody can see us.” And there you have it. wings design and last but not least, the whole damn state of California iced out!! Are you serious?! Then on the left wrist an iced out G-Shock watch with Words by Big Chris “the face frozen and the right wrist a fully flooded out band and face. Photo by Shaiquann

10 // OZONE WEST (above L-R): Glasses Malone & on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot in Watts, CA; Fabolous & Young Jeezy @ Strike Bowling Alley in the Rio for Young Jeezy’s listening party in Las Vegas, NV (Photos: D-Ray); Bun B & Big Tuck @ Magic in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // & Haji Springer @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA) 02 // Rick Edwards, D-Ray, & Roccett @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 03 // Latin Prince, Mack 10, Glasses Malone, & Nick Peace on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 04 // DJ Amen & Solemon @ Tucson Convention Center (Tucson, AZ) 05 // Michael Watts & Mama Cita @ the Yums booth during Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 06 // Young Buck & Spider Loc @ Spin Nightclub for Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 07 // Mistah FAB & Taje @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 08 // Bone Thugz N Harmony & their crew @ Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, CA) 09 // Young Dro, , & Bun B @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 10 // DMX pours a glass for Bizzy Bone on the set of Bizzy Bone’s “A Song For You” (Phoenix, AZ) 11 // Bibi Guns & Dee Sonoram @ Jet Nightclub in the Mirage for Stars & Straps Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 12 // King Tech, the Avila Brothers, DJ Revolution, BamBoo, & Roc-C @ Power 106 (Los Angeles, CA) 13 // & Taje on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 14 // FedX & Rydah J. Klyde @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA) 15 // Mitchy Slick, Talib Kweli, & Krondon on the set of Strong Arm Steady’s “Stripper Pole” video shoot (Las Vegas, NV) 16 // Colby O’Donis & G. Malone on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 17 // Bun B & Sha Money XL @ Spin Nightclub for Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 18 // Kevin Delaney & Spiff @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 19 // Little Bruce & Dubee aka Suga Wolf @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA)

Photo Credits: D-Ray (01,03,04,07,08,11,12,13,14,15,16,19); Julia Beverly (02,05,06,09,10,17,18)

OZONEOZONE WEST WEST // // 11 11 Chris Notez PHOENIX, AZ

lessed” is the word often used when Chris Notez gratefully describes his deal with After Platinum privileged to share these experiences with people.” He furthers “BRecords. Collaborating with his labelmate Bizzy illustrates his purpose by saying, “I’m trying to make classics. Music Bone, Notez blessed the emotionally charged chorus for Bizzy’s new single “A Song for You.” The song, which also features DMX, illus is not like that no more. It hasn’t been like that in years so we’re trates years of experience which Chris acquired through the church just trying to bring something real special back to the music game choir and singing groups during his youth. This experience not -only and give everybody something they can really feel. That’s my main taught him the art of vocal instrumentation and hitting just the right overall goal. Yeah, I wanna make money and take care of my family, note, it also demonstrates where his immeasurable depth and soul myself, my friends and live my biggest dreams, but first and fore most, I just wanna make people happy and make God happy.” are derived from. - When asked to talk about the inspiration behind the song Chris These sentiments capture his good hearted nature in a nutshell, but explains, “‘A Song for You’ is a classic from my guy Donny Hathaway, aside from his giving personality and outgoing characteristics, Chris God bless his soul. It’s a positive message for all the people going also says he’s the missing element in the game. “I’m definitely real,” through the struggle. When it graced my ears, I felt a lot of soul and he adds. “There’s not a lot of realness out there anymore.” And in emotion from the song. I definitely put that magic behind it. It’s case the ladies were wondering what Notez brings to the table as gonna touch a lot of people and really change people’s lives. I’m the of R&B, he reveals, “I’m a great cook. If you ever get in the happy to be a part of it.” It’s an experience that Notez humbly refers kitchen with me, it’s a wrap. I’m just a cool, calm, collected, humble to as “unbelievable.” He continues, “Here I am as a kid listening to type of guy. I got something for everybody. I’m everybody’s friend these artists, never actually thinking I would end up on [a record] and family. That’s me wrapped up in one beautiful package.” with anybody like that. It’s a dream to me. Everything is unfold // ing before my eyes so fast that I don’t even Words by Ms. Rivercity - have time to breathe, think, or anything. I just wanna say that I’m ecstatic. I thank God for this opportunity that I have with them. It’s an experience I will never forget.” Not only was working with two music veterans a memory that Chris will never forget, but so was the filming the video which recently aired on Rap City. The scene was one that he describes as beautiful. “We shot it out in Arizona at a big ol’ mansion. It’s gonna be my mansion one day,” Chris envisions.

After being discovered at a local Hip Hop and R&B showcase in Glendale, Arizona by After Platinum’s Ernie Romero, Chris was asked to corroborate his talents in the studio. From there the opportunities mounted. Chris says, “I’ve had an opportunity to get on a Biggie Smalls tribute track with Chingy, Bobby Valentino, and Lil Kim. I’ve50 done Cent, a lot of stuff with MC Magic. I got a lot of songs on Bizzy’s album. It’s all coming so fast for your boy.” Although Chris admits that “A Song for You” is his biggest record to date, he is cur rently piecing together melodies for his own- album slated for release this summer.

Chris hopes that the message behind his music makes a difference in the world. “I done been through a gang of stuff and I want to have an opportunity to write about it. I know some of the experiences I’ve been through in my life and I’m definitely not the only person that’s been through these things. I’m proud to be

12 // OZONE WEST Chris Notez PHOENIX, AZ

(above L-R): Red Cafe & Akon @ Magic in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: D-Ray); Willie Esco & Willy Northpole @ the Blanco Label booth during Magic in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: Julia Beverly); Bishop Lamont & his mom on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot in Watts, CA(Photo: D-Ray)

01 // Glasses Malone, Kilo, & Mistah FAB on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 02 // DJ Big Dee & DJ Masterweb @ Spin Nightclub (Las Vegas, NV) 03 // Strong Arm Steady & ladies on the set of Strong Arm Steady’s “Stripper Pole” video shoot (Las Vegas, NV) 04 // Miami Da Most & AP9 @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA) 05 // Tito Bell & Pitbull @ Poetry (Las Vegas, NV) 06 // Bun B & Young Buck @ Spin Nightclub for Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 07 // of The Clipse & Mistah FAB @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 08 // John Costen, Ray J, & Dorsey @ Club Vivid (San Jose, CA) 09 // DJ Franzen & Young Jeezy @ Strike Bowling Alley in the Rio for Young Jeezy’s listening party (Las Vegas, NV) 10 // Selomon & crew @ Club Pearl for Royal Epic Clothing afterparty (Tucson, AZ) 11 // Lamar Rashaw & DMX on the set of Bizzy Bone’s “A Song For You” (Phoenix, AZ) 12 // Mistah FAB & Osiris of Swurv Radio @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 13 // Ed Strickland, Bizzy Bone, Ernie Romero, & Rage on the set of Bizzy Bone’s Bizzy Bone’s “A Song For You” (Phoenix, AZ) 14 // Lil Wayne & D-Ray @ Tucson Convention Center (Tucson, AZ) 15 // Roccett & Smurf @ Jet for Famous Stars & Straps Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 16 // Astor Chambers, guest, Clark Kent, & guest @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 17 // Dre Dae & Pitbull @ Spin Nightclub for Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 18 // Guest, Bizzy Bone, Rage, DMX, Ernie Romero, & Chris Notez on the set of Bizzy Bone’s Bizzy Bone’s “A Song For You” (Phoenix, AZ) 19 // Dave Mays reppin’ Monsta Magazine @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV)

Photo Credits: D-Ray (01,03,04,05,08,09,13,15,18); Julia Beverly (02,06,07,12,14,16,17,19); Lamar Rashaw (11); Malik Abdul (10)

OZONEOZONE WEST WEST // // 13 13 Haji Springer OAKLAND, CA

Unlike some of the new generation of Thizz artists who record for the hen you have multiple personalities in the medical world- label but never knew , Haji is one of the few whom he shared a it’s called schizophrenia, but in the rap world it’s common personal relationship with the King himself. “Me and Mac Dre are cool,” place. It worked for Diddy, Lil Wayne and now Haji Springer. he says reminiscing from a hotel room after a performance in Humboldt W County. “I talked to him over the phone, and I opened up a lot of shows Springer stands out like he’s wearing bright colors at an all-white party due partly to his Indian ethnicity, that he was raised on the grimy for him before he passed away. ‘Rims Spinnin’ [with] me and J. Diggs was actually my song at a certain time, and it was real big when he streets of Oakland, and just as importantly he raps - and for one of the asked me, ‘Can I put it on my album?’ It gave me most prominent rap labels in the Bay. my jump-start in the industry.”

In 2007 Haji released the classic Thizz-certified Hello Buddy (he personally financed videos for the singles “Haji’s Back” and “Indian Rapper/I’m A Do My Thang” and promoted the album by wrapping a Chrysler Hemi to resemble a taxi cab) but eight years prior dropped his first record, the , under the moniker Bambino-produced P.I.D. Talk P.I.D.

Between the seven years alot had changed in the Bay Area, and the hyphy movement was taking off so he shedded that name in exchange for Haji Springer, whom he says “was getting more money.” While working on tracks for his next album Haji saw an opportunity that would eventually change his life. He explains, “[A] closed mouth don’t get fed so when I seen J. Diggs one day I was like, ‘Cuz, what’s up? I know you fresh out the pen, I see your posters everywhere, let’s do a song; I’m that Indian dude,’” he says slowly exhaling purple clouds in the air. “He came and fucked with me, and the first song we did was ‘Rims Spinnin’. It was big how Diggs brought me into Thizz and introduced me to everybody. It was a blessing doing all that stuff [and] for them even lettin’ a boy like me in this shit ‘cause I wasn’t black. I’m a different nationality but I keep it real so that’s why they fuck with me.” - Influenced by the musical sounds of Bay art ists like GLP family, Andre Nickatina and Dre Dog, and having worked with Keak the Sneak, Yukmouth, and Haji’s third album, Indian Prince (there’s also a Hindu version to be released in India later this year), is more about the Haji movement than the hyphy movement. “Not to sound conceited, but I’m on another level of what I’m doing,” he says, still weary from a recent trip to India. “I can get hyphy sometimes but it’s more about bringing that real music to the table. I’m rappin’ in my language, too, on some of it showing people that I’m really flexible with this shit. I let ‘em know that this Indian dude spit //it; it’s not a game. Do not sleep on the kid.”

Words by Kay Newell Photo by D-Ray

1414 // // OZ OZONEONE WEST WEST OZONE WEST // 15 husalah dope, guns, & religion Words and photos by D-Ray

usalah was born into the life of his name, straight out of the El Pueblo Housing projects in Pittsburg, CA. He is a legend in his community; it’s wanted to be like C-Bo, young and rich. Halways a huge party when Husalah is out. If you’ve never heard his mu- sic, you should take the time to gig for a minute, straight Hus style. Here, OZONE What is one of your most memorable moments with the Mob? brings light to one of the Bay’s biggest talents, whose record “Cuttin’ It Up” is a When C-Bo dropped “Til My Casket Drop,” I was still a young dirtbag choppin’ regional favorite. Hus’ is also 1/4 of the popular group the Mob Figaz. Currently O’s and you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t going to be the illest ninja ever in life. serving a five year sentence for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in When I first heard somebody slide through stuntin’, he pulled to the stop sign San Pedro, CA, Husalah has spent his time in prison strengthening his faith. and the driver looked over at the crowd, rolled down his window, and punched his gas. His shit was stupid running, and he slid across the intersection, and let How old were you when you recorded your first song? his top drop while he was still burning rubber, figure eight-ing and everything. I was about 11 or 12, me and my producer RobLo, back in about 6th or 7th When he turned his slap up I heard my voice; it was our song, “Ride Till We grade. We had a group called Undaje. We were dope. Rob use to steal raps from Die,” the first song to ever be on a real record, blaring out of about six twelve his older brother Jaquin, so I had to come tight. I never knew he was stealing [inch speakers] in a drop 1970 Cutlass, ridiculously clean, on five-time Zeniths. raps from a grown man until I got older, so I was rapping in a group with a It made me feel like, this is everything I am to be, Mob for life. Youngstas love grown man when I was only 11. I guess that’s another reason why I’m so dope. shit like that. That’s why I fuck with young ninjas who never had a record. I try That’s crazy you asked that question; it brought back memories. Kris Kross wore to put them all on, I love the young ninjas. their clothes inside out, but we wore ours backwards. (laughs) We were real young ninjas, you know, his beats were as dope then as they are now. Rob is Do you normally write your verses or freestyle them in the studio? actually amazing and super dope. A lot of my music is off the [top of my] head. I feel it and I go. I focus on the music first, and when the music is slapping, I feel like I’m thirteen again and How did you hook up with The Jacka, Rydah J. Klyde, Fed X and AP9? I’m in the car parked in the middle of my hood, blowing trees, and we four We are all from the East Bay, and grew up in Pittsburg as kids - Jacka, Fed X and deep, making beats pounding on the console of the car - hitting the roof for Klyde. Klyde is my blood cousin; same projects, same family. Then AP9 came out bass while another person beat boxes. And it’s on me to spit dope to that here and got on with the illest ninjas doing it. perfect slap. That’s how I feel when I’m on. I love this shit. I do it for young ninjas who live like that, to let them know that the raggedy Cutlass you rap in How did you become one of the Mob Figaz? can turn into a million-dollar studio, or a stage with ten thousand fans. The homie C-Bo got out of prison in ‘96 or ‘97. He heard about a pack of young ninjas who had heat, and he came to a record shop to listen. I was playing You often speak of Islam and occasionally rhyme in Arabic. Can you explain [basketball] in the local gym, dunking and shitting on people, and AP9 came in your faith, and how is your current incarceration testing it? the gym and said, “Aye, bro, C-Bo is out here.” I said, “I don’t give a shit. Fuck I first realized that I was something other than what I saw on the wall at rap! That shit is for fake-ass dudes who front. I’m rich and selling dope is my church as a young youth. I was raised in a religious family and my mother is occupation. You can sing and dance all you want, but I’m cool.” But AP was per- very open to truth. I saw a lot of other kids getting baptized and I asked, “Why sistent and he persuaded me to go outside. Young C-Bo pulled up in a sporty SL am I not baptized? Everybody is happy for them. Can I do that too so every- Benz AMG thang, stupid clean, and I said, “Fuck it, let’s do it.” Money was my life body can be happy for me at church?” My mother said, “When you understand at that time. We went to the lab and recorded “Ride Til We Die.” It was an instant what it means to [be baptized], then it is your choice. It’s between you and dumb-ass stupid slap, and C-Bo said we were a group and going on tour. I was Allah.” By the time I was around ten years old, I heard KRS-One rapping about really young so I had to ask my mom to sign me off with consent [forms]. All I knowledge. That’ was the second album I ever owned after [Too $hort’s] Born can remember about that day was how the headlights on that Benz looked like to Mack: [KRS-One’s Boogie Down Productions’] Criminal Minded. The cover was they were blue; that new Euro shit. I was dedicated [to rap] from that day on. I a likeness of Malcolm X. “Love’s Gonna Get You” was my favorite joint. As a kid,

1616 //// OZONEOZONE WESTWEST my dad would make me rap around all the dope Thanksgiving [2001] the house I was staying at was who knew my dad supported me, protected me, [fiends] and hustlers. I was only a kid and I thought raided, and I was named as a fugitive. I remained and raised me from a crumb snatcher into a young KRS-One was a Muslim, so I said, “I’m gonna be free until a week after my child was born in January ninja pushing [weight]. I was trying to be like my a Muslim when I grow up.” That’s really when it 2003. I mostly stayed in the many projects I knew, big brother Spice Trig and Sauce Kelly, R.I.P., you first crossed my mind. Arabic is the international from my own - the El Pueblo projects - to all over know, dudes who stood for everything that is sold. language of Muslims worldwide. We pray in Arabic, the town, OAK, even Shoreview in San Francisco. I And before I knew it, the world was in my hands. we recite the Quran. Anywhere in the world there would be walking like I was a regular tenant, see- The sacrifice almost seems like nothing. All the is a brother greeting you and speaking in Arabic. ing Fed cars and just acting like I belonged there. death and destruction was collateral damage in One in every five humans are Muslim! People don’t I felt at home right in the places they would never the struggle. My mind got fixed on “getting it” and realize that. think I was, right in the middle of the ‘jects. All I taking this thing far past what any person could did was watch over my little young hustlers I knew. imagine. It became my identity. I started high You’ve got several different names. How did you get I lived how they lived, like I had nothing left. I had school as the skinny dude who was the class clown, them and what do they mean? money, but when you can’t go home? What good is and the girls never took me seriously. They said, I am the fourth, I come from a long line of strong it? I slummed it out. I barely rapped. It was like a “You’re cute, but you dress dusty.” The rich kids had and solid bloodlines, so obviously I was given the dream that was real. I knew I had to face this shit, Jordans on. I had on Cortez and Five O Ones. I got names of my father and his father. As for the names and all I could do was thug it out until they got me. snagged with about $60 worth of crack at school, you hear throughout my music, along my path I’ve Here I am, still solid and feeling great, like a real and they said, “You’re smart and we hate to have been many places and around many cultures, and ninja should, no matter what. to do this, but you can’t play basketball.” I never my peers tend to bestow these names upon me. As looked back. By the next basketball season, I came for my [rap] name Husalah (pronounced “Hus’la”), After your sentencing, what was your mindstate for back to the school and showed up at the game. But I mean, I’m in a Federal prison for distribution of the next few months knowing you were going in? this time I wasn’t playing ball. I was ballin’ on they narcotics, so what more do I have to say? I should How did it affect your work ethic and your motiva- punk ass! I was the cutest dude in town by then. I have chosen something like “The Husalah That Got tion to be in the booth? was Young Hus. That shit made me. Soon after that, Away,” because you truly do manifest your name. When I was sentenced [to five years], I was almost C-Bo came and put me into the studio. I could not But I look at it like this: the name Husalah has the happy. Five years seems like a long time to an stop [moving weight]. The hustle was still in me. root “Hus” in it, [short] for “hustler,” but it also has ordinary person, but when you live this shit, it’s Even though we made good money as rappers, the the word “Salah,” which means “prayer” in Arabic. either that or death. I would gladly hop on a few streets had more to offer. The risk was nothing to So I guess you could say that my name means me; I’d grown accustomed to death and “remember Allah.” That’s better than [a name destruction. I was raised in it and before meaning] “drug dealer,” at least to me. I’m Muslim “I could not stop [moving weight]. The hustle I knew it, I was almost the only one left before anything. was still in me. Even though we made good of my original crew. I miss my people, money as rappers, the streets had more to but the struggle must go on. To this day Since you’re currently incarcerated, is there I look around and say, “Damn, where anything you’d like to say about the informant offer. The risk was nothing to me; I’d grown did everybody go?” Allah’s got them. who snitched on you? How close were you to that accustomed to death and destruction.” person, and why do you think they did it? You’ve wrapped, “I sold crack all my life, I was told on by a close friend, and even worst a years on the shelf over the “big ride” [death] any many dreams I killed.” How can you reconcile this Muslim. But Hiram was destined to fall, and deep day. I was relieved it was over. I felt like I beat it with yourself? With your faith? With the plight of down when you know that people around you aren’t because they dropped [my charges] from conspiracy Black people in this country? cut out for the level of crime you’re committing, to possession. Conspiracy comes with a mandatory You know, that’s one of my worst fears, the punish- it’s your fault for fucking with someone that weak minimum of ten years, and I would’ve had to do ment I must face. I can try to convince myself in the first place. The money canceled the risk, but whatever [time] I got, no choice, no options. Real that I had no choice, but I knew better. When you to be perfectly honest, the streets have a strange ninjas take their time, period. Anything else and commit evil and you have a relationship with Allah, way of giving those who cross it what they deserve. you’re less than a woman and you should sit down you shall be held accountable for everything you May Allah bless the souls of the countless many to use the bathroom. You’re a bitch, period, but you do. I remember nights I had close calls busting at who fall, and those who have yet to [fall] but still bleed from your face when you get lit up not from people, getting busted at, car wrecks. Sometimes I owe the game. For me, I accepted the possibility your vagina like a traditional woman. I made a few was running from the police; they were all over the of prison, even life if it came to it, that’s when you more songs and went to prison as a man. My music hood and I refused to leave. I was into the over- have a grasp on how real this shit is. I might get reflects me, so that’s what the fans got. nighters real heavy. That was me, the young ninja life or I might not live past this summer - that’s the with the stupid two for ten jumbos. I remember mindstate of a true hustler. It’s a harsh reality you Can you tell us about any of your personal experi- hitting gates, barely getting away from the boys. must accept when it comes to this street shit. When ences or addictions with dope? You’ve made refer- I would be in somebody’s backyard and I would you get to a certain level, you hear it over and over: ences in your songs to hop and china white. How look up and see that the moon was so bright it felt “It’s either prison or death.” For me, it happened real was it for you? like it was daytime. That’s how much I stayed out to be prison, and for that I am thankful. I paid my You ain’t right for that question. What about the at night. I would think to myself in those people’s price and I’ve got receipts. I stayed solid and paid young dudes who are waiting to hear me say, “I backyards, “God is not protecting me right now. God the game its taxes. How about you? Ask yourself sprayed heroin on my weed.” Dope ain’t cool. That’s would never allow me to behave like this. What I’m if this is a reality you’re willing to accept. This shit how I look at it. Don’t fuck with it. You might find doing is the work of Shaytain, the devil.” That’s who ain’t for play. I sacrificed for every dollar I ever yourself with a gorilla on your back when you was with me right then. I felt like that many nights. made. With this hustlin’ shit, it’s not about an outfit thought it was only a monkey. I am sure I must pay. It hurts me. Even if I knew not or a chain or a car. It’s not on you, it’s in you. at the time what I was doing, it still hurts. Other How’d you first get started pushing weight? After times I would be out of town, out of state, and I What can you tell us about your experience being your rap career popped off, why keep moving it? would pick up money from people: shoe boxes full on the run from the law? How long was it ‘til they I come from a long line of street dudes, like I said, of bundles of money, and the money would reek of caught up with you, what were you actually doing, we all even share a name. When I was coming up, death; blood. One time I even had to get another and how much rapping and performing were you I was Lil Boobie James and everybody said to me, room to keep the money in. It was screaming every able to get done during that period? “Boy, you’re going to be exactly like your daddy.” story of every soul who had been destroyed for my [The Feds] had been investigating me since May He’s a good man, real solid, but I thought I was personal gain. It made me feel sick inside. Until I 2001, and [they] said that I distributed somewhere going to play sports or some shit like that. I was went to the mall. I’m joking, but it’s not that funny. around 20 to 30 [kilos] until I was detained in July against grinding. My pa’tnas started selling dope Sad but true. of that same year. I was snatched in a huge Chicago at age 10 or 11; that’s how long my hood was. I’m sting on July 3, 2001. I could smell the [4th of July] from a legendary project of the East Bay, the quiet Why are you currently serving time? barbeque from the county jail yard in Cook County money capital. So with all the respect the people I was put in Federal prison for Possession with [Illinois]. I love Chicago, they showed me nothing had for my father even though he spent a lot of Intent to Distribute more than five kilograms of but love, but the police had nothing on me. I was time in prison it was as if he never left. His blood cocaine. I received [a sentence of] 60 months. I not driving and I hadn’t touched a single kilo was in me, hidden. I loved him and when I heard never spent a night in prison until I came for this. myself, so I was released. I moved to New York the stories of all the street hustles he put down, it was I had a long run [of freedom] so I can’t be mad. If next month and tried to resume my music [career], almost like the people of the underworld looked to you get money the ways I did, be prepared to do but when 9/11 came I left New York. Around me to be the new king. All the old school friends time. If you aren’t prepared, get out. You’re not cut

OZONE WEST // 17 out for it. It’s coming. Every empire falls, from the to see that. I won’t tell you I’m great, you’re going so it’s fun to hear it all. If you know somebody in great Romans all the way down to YOU, Joe Hustle. to have to find out that secret. People started to get prison, your actions are all we have to go on. If you Mistah FAB, Lil D, & Who are you, anyway? Move over. Here comes the that special secret while I was in here, so now it’s don’t look out, how do we know [that you love us]? next baller. You had your time; how did you spend not just the grimy hustlers who love me, but regular This shit is our reality. Look out for whoever you your profits? Here are some years to think about it. people too. Who would’ve known? Regular people love that’s in a place like this. It’s real shit. Now get back, and when you get out if you think like maniac music. That’s kind of funny to me. you’re ready, try again. I see you’ve been working out. What’s that about? Has the music game changed since you started? You peep that? (laughs) I’m working my supermodel Now that you’re down, do you think about life on A lot has changed. People rap about selling kilos game for when I peel out in that new stupid coupe. the outside? Were you truly happy? Was there any- but they’re wearing fake chains. It’s crazy. I was I can’t let my car look better than me. thing you see now that was trapping you, mentally a young ninja with dreams so I support even the or spiritually, or that contributed to your demise? smallest rappers. As long as you’re a solid person, I What should we expect when you come home? I always knew I was in a fortunate situation. I knew fucks with you. I’ll even do your crazy dance. I love Don’t expect anything. I am a Muslim before rap, that if people understood me or not, I would still be black culture and everything that is project and before anything. My path is the will of Allah. I don’t who Allah intends me to be. It’s been a rough road ghetto. I’m gonna need everybody to make a hit mean to sound like I’m preaching, but it’s true. and I paid so much. I sacrificed a lot. I lost a lot. I song so the whole hood can do a concert. We can lost friends, I lost love, I hurt a lot of people, and have a million dances that white people love and Have you been writing songs? for that reason I remained distant from most. I ac- the hood can have stars again, not just dope deal- I really don’t write in here. I’m an artist who works cepted [my lifestyle], and I didn’t wish to have any ers, who might only be there until they get shot or on emotion and vibes, and I’m not in a place that passengers along on the path I took. I drive coupes end up here in Federal prison, looking at pictures exudes creativity. I look up and see a thousand ugly on the streets, two-seaters. I do my own thing. My of what we had. Whatever it takes to feed the kids, dudes. How could I be feeling it in that circum- reality may seem to be the next man’s nightmare, I’m all for it, even the songs that sound like they stance? I do listen to a lot of music from all genres but at the same time, my actuality is the next were [recorded] in the bathroom. Take [that song] and I have a lot of ideas. The verses fall into place man’s dream. I dance in the middle of a war zone to number one so Junebug can stunt and buy a car for me, but the music and feelings are first. Verses and somehow I don’t have a scar. Emotions is only and some rims, so I won’t have to give him a ride. are only words, but the music moves the soul. based on something you miss. I don’t even know I drive two-seaters and the other seat is for baby what emotions are; all I know is that I feel alive. with the big butt, so you need to get your own car What’s the latest book you read? I would go through it all again if that was what it so we can get in traffic and stunt on everybody. RIYAHD-US-SALEHEEN, a book of habits and fortress took to know what I know now: Allah is greather of the Muslim. I read it every day. than anything great, and I am a warrior. “I would pick up shoe boxes full of You’ve got a good view at Terminal Island, huh? People are making mixtapes and albums with cer- bundles of money, and the money Yeah, my bunk actually sits right on the L.A. harbor, tain Mob Figaz on them. Does that bother you? would reek of death; blood. I had so I’m beachfront. This is actually an island, and I I’m in prison; they need to keep the grind alive. to get another room to keep the always wanted to have a beachfront estate. I never I’m cool with it. I don’t look at it as disrespect, as money in. It was screaming every imagined it would be a Federal Correctional Facility long as the Mob is keeping it lit. I’m good; staying (laughs) but I have a great view. I’m right on the healthy and avoiding busting heads every day. story of every soul who had been water and I sleep with the sound of the waves and This game we grew up in is vicious. The life we are destroyed for my personal gain.” the tide rolling in. My life amazes me sometimes forced to live is deadly. Most street ninjas don’t When I get back, the world won’t be the same. know that what they ride with every day on the Who did you look up to as a youngster that influ- block would only get them two years in state prison enced your rap career? Is there anything else you’d like to say? but can get you 20 years in the Federal system fast. I grew up in the Bay Area, and I really didn’t look Everything a man goes through can only make him Only a few ounces of crack is damn near a ten year up to any particular rapper. I looked up to the stronger or destroy him. Life is 10% what happens [sentence] off top for a first-time [offender]. And if dudes who my favorite rappers were talking about to you and 90% how you react to it. People have you’ve got a [gun] now it’s about ten more [years]. and emulating. Two of them to be exact, who I their priorities fucked up, and the reality of life is It’s crazy. Ten ounces of crack will get you more happen to be on the yard with. Both are known as that this shit is not a joke. Have faith in Allah, and time than ten kilos of cocaine. Why? Because young legends, Bay Area icons, who inspired everything strive for what you believe in. To everybody in the blacks deal crack, and rich people like Lindsay Lo- from how we walk to how we hustle: Lil D and JB. system, stay solid, and believe that Allah does not han snort coke. Crack is only a processed version of These two men sacrificed a lot to remainmen with bestow upon any man that which he can not handle. its true form, cocaine. It’s like that old song, “They honor and integrity, and stood for everything that Even when this shit seems like a no-win [situa- Smart Boy.” Watch out. This shit is no joke. is honor in the world that people glorify in music. tion], keep pulling. Shout out to my young ninjas in To me it’s not just that they are legendary hustlers. this shit who I’ve been bidding with: JB, Big Boob, Should we expect to see a complete Mob Figaz They stand for ambition and strength, traits that Mark Young V, my brother Mike Mike, Slick G, my album anytime in the future? any person can look up to, not just street people. pops, everybody that’s down, everybody from the I have faith that we are going to record and release Pueblo area. If I’m on, you’re on. Most above all, the an album, but we’ve been through so much. I’m You’ve got a unique style. Do you have a stylist? uhmmah across the world. Allah the Glorified and happy to see my ninjas alive. Feddy sustained a My mom is my real stylist. I’m from El Pueblo and Exalted is greater than anything great. // bullet to the head and not only is he alive but he staying dipped is what we do. Even when I was still talks more shit than before. We’ve all been in young and dudes pulled overnighters for Jordan legal trouble. We are fools to have went through all money, I had to have Gucci sneaker and kick money. this crazy shit when all we had to do was make mu- My hood stays stupid clean. Mobsters, hustlers, sic. The people pull for us everywhere we go. When I and players 100% across the board. I’m the type of came to prison, people knew the song from the first dude that can knock you out with a left hook while and only Mob Figaz album and I forgot them. I was you’re still thinking, “He won’t fight me with a so caught up in trying to be some type of overlord coke white $600 sport suit on.” Before you know it, that I forgot about the people and the music. But if you’re down flat. I’m everything fake dudes wish to I get rich we all get rich. If Rydah gets rich, we’re be, live in the flesh. Shitting on people. Having fun. all rich. If Jacka gets rich, we’re all rich. How have you been spending your time in prison? Since you’ve been in the Feds you have an anthem The first year I was wilding out, like every young on the streets “Cuttin’ it Up.” It’s performed in your ninja that come to prison. Slapping the shit outta name and fans go dumb. Does that surprise you? anybody I wasn’t feeling. I was winning fights, but I always was the one in the group to have my when I got moved to a [higher security prison], I own fans. I always had the super grimy dudes and had to think, “Hold on, player.” So I learned how women who liked what I brought to the table. I was to do my bid like a real ninja; feeding my mind, cool with just being on the hook, or having the start striving towards my faith in Allah. Work out, soak off verse, and letting everybody else shine. I like to up game, bullshit around, talk shit, listen to all the see everybody get on, because deep down, I know different types of lies you hear in prison. Everybody what I’ma do. I’m great and it takes time for people says they had thousands of bricks. Some really did,

1188 // // OZONE OZONE WEST WEST Mistah FAB, Lil D, & Turf Talk

Known to some as the “King of Oakland,” Darryl “Lil D” Reed was born on December 12th, 1968. Throughout his teenage years he helped fuel the crack cocaine epidemic in East Oakland and beyond, becoming one of the most powerful drug dealers in the Bay Area. Today, he is serving a 35 year sentence in a Federal prison on Terminal Island. Words and Photos by D-Ray

Why are you currently incarcerated? While growing up in the environment I was exposed to, I witnessed a lot of Too $hort, Kilo, Turf people struggling. Both of my parents worked very hard to provide for me and Talk, Lil D, & guests my little sister. Personally, I never felt that I was poor, but I used to hear so many black people-including my parents-complain about how much harder it is for us to get ahead. So as I got older I began to ask, “Why is it more difficult [for black people]?” That’s when I became familiar with racism and how it af- I head back to my unit to shower up before they serve lunch, which I don’t fects our communities. My parents stressed education, so I studied pretty hard eat most days. Then I’ll do some reading or writing for a couple hours. I enjoy and became a bright kid, but I just felt that I wasn’t going to work my butt reading a variety of news publications and books like the Female Brain that off for twenty years for the government and still be barely getting by myself. help broaden my ability to grow mentally. At 5 PM I might go eat dinner, check SO I formed a somewhat rebellious attitude. I decided that I was going to do my emails, and respond to the ones that are first priority. Then I go walk with whatever I had to do to help my mom and others do better financially. I started one of my guys that I vibe with for an hour, head back to the unit, make a scalping tickets at sporting events and holding drugs for my older homeboys. call to check on moms or one of my folks. Watch some TV, like Nip Tuck, Prison I got involved in selling marijuana and then I got involved with cocaine by Break, or A&E. At around 11 or midnight I crash out and get ready for my next simply buying 1/16th of an ounce. I was just a 16 year old kid trying to help day of prison life, which doesn’t consist of much. I don’t hang out on the yard my family get ahead. I didn’t know that I would flourish like I did, and I damn a lot because all you hear is old war stories and dudes complaining about how sure couldn’t imagine what kind of damage I was causing to the communities. their girl ran off. I’m antisocial in a sense because I don’t trust too many people Unfortunately, the prosecutor and the judge who sentenced me concluded that unless I’ve known them my entire life. Also I did fifteen years all over the I should’ve known exactly what my activities were doing to the community. I country before they brought me back to California, so I don’t need a bunch of was given a 35 year sentence for being convicted of [possession of] 14 kilos of homies [with me] to do my time. crack cocaine and 7 kilos of powder [cocaine]. That was my first time ever being convicted of any felony. Most people think that I was convicted of a murder. I’ve Have you been keeping up with the conditions in Oakland – the murder rate been incarcerated since December 7th, 1988, six days after my 20th birthday. If that’s out of control, and a lot of kids, both boys and girls, going to jail? nothing changes with the law I’ll do another 10 ½ years [before I’m released]. I Sure I keep up with this, and it’s very sad because our youth seem to have lost know that selling drugs is a bad thing, but 35 years and life [sentences] do not hope. With our poor education system, it’s not possible for their mentality to serve justice. I strongly believe that I’ve done more than enough time for the change. Elected officials are willing to invest in building more prisons, but not crimes I was convicted of. better the schools. The bad part is that our people keep voting these people into office. We have to demand better programs for our kids. Why can’t we have How did you get down in the streets? a Youth UpRising in San Francisco and not just in Oakland? I was hustling for a purpose. I really wanted to purchase my momma a house and look out for my family and friends. The first thing I learned was to save for Can you name at least one positive thing about being incarcerated? a rainy day. I showed discipline at a very early age. I used to stack my money To be very honest, nothing is positive about this experience. I feel that as in shoeboxes and feel good about my achievements. I was a great thinker who I would’ve gotten older, I would have realized that I could be successful in could always figure out ways to generate income, resolve conflict, and come up legitimate ways. with sound solutions to everyday problems. Those qualities attracted people to me in droves. I became very popular around the time I got to 9th grade. Dudes Have you thought about the next phase of your life when you’re released? from different neighborhoods trusted and respected me enough to where I I have more than prepared myself for when I get released. I’ve learned a lot could squash damn near any beef. Nobody from my era had that type of power. about real estate and the entertainment industry and I have the people and People listened to me because I’m a great communicator; I express myself resources to immediately bring me in. Also, I would definitely like to go out and well. I had a lot of power in the streets but never abused it. I stopped a lot of do some speaking engagements with our youth. I owe them that. violence that the authorities were well aware of when I was out there. If you could speak to kids who are going down the same road you went down, Have your friends and family been supportive? what advice would you give them? I have a strong support system of immediate family and friends who appreciate Don’t be influenced by the money, cars, jewelry, clothes, and women, because the wisdom and knowledge that I share. They have witnessed me mature into the price you pay isn’t worth it. Today you have a better chance at accumulating the wise man that I am today. I’ve built strong relationships with my son and these things legitimately because of daughter, who are both continuing their education, one in the Midwest and the opportunities like the internet. But you other in California. I’ve met some people who are trying to make a difference in have to be serious about learning in the community of Oakland like Olis at Youth UpRising youth center, and Nicole school so that you can compete in the and Diana at the Ella Baker Center. We’ve discussed ideas of how to try to curb workplace. Drinking, drugs, and unsafe some of the violence. I sit down with some of the rappers from time to time, sex will only destroy your future. Don’t like Mistah FAB, Too $hort, [MC] Hammer, and others, trying to figure out ways waste your life away like I did. One love. to get through to these youngsters who feel like the world is against them. Even though I do get some support from these people, a lot of my so-called Where can our readers write to you? homies that I went out of my way to help [when I was free] don’t do shit for me Darryl Reed [now]. So don’t think that my folks kept it 100%. 83801-001 PO Box 3007 What’s a typical day like for you? Terminal Island, CA 90731 I get up at 6 AM, wash my face, brush my teeth, go to breakfast, come back and watch the news until 7 AM. Sometimes I take a little nap before I go exercise from 9 AM to 10:30 AM, every Monday through Friday. I check my emails before E-40 & Lil D

OZONE WEST // 19 Getting Grown

Words by Jelani Photo by D-Ray THE OLDER & WISER SAN QUINN! There are certain memories--indelible images--embedded within the fortress of San Quinn’s mind, detailing the dramatic chronicles of his turbulent rise From A Boy To A Man. The defining moments of both his career and his life, these torrid flashbacks are subject to constant scrutiny, review, and on some occasions, discussion. NEWSFLASH: BUSINESS IS BUSINESS!! office, 1996. The Sucka Free native has just returned to his new label home, courtesy of a once in a lifetime record deal with childhood friend and Get Low Records owner JT The Bigga Figga. Pac is alive. Yay Area radio boldly supports its homegrown artists, proudly championing the burgeoning scene to a nation wide audience of artists, labels, and adoring fans. 18-year-old Quinn, however, is about to get one of the harsher lessons of his fledgling career. “Silkk the Shocker [had] dropped the same day [as me] with The Shocker,” Quinn remembers. “Silkk’s my pa’tna, too. And this is no disrespect; this is a competitive, stupid young kid. So I’m talking to the A&R and he’s like, ‘Yeah, Silkk The Shocker just sold like, 40,000 this week’.” Pause. “You only sold like 14,000.” Another pause, followed by a outburst of hubris. “I was like, ‘Put me and Silkk the Shocker in a room and I’ll out-rap him.’ He said it didn’t have nothing to do with that--it was business.” The ambiguities behind the business of the rap game (a paradox in itself) still dominate the Northern California scene Quinn emerged from. It was, after all, business that led Quinn to spit out his first solo, Don‘t Cross Me, at the precocious age of 15. It was personal FLASHBACK 3: LIES, STRAWS, MIRRORS AND PLATES business that led to his affiliation and subsequent signing with JT (whose son is Quinn’s cousin) which enabled him to infiltrate the offices of Priority Records. And it was unmistak- The most difficult of his recollections to isolate, this spiraling series of remem- ably business which led the youngsters (Fig was less than 25 at the time) to lose their label brances dates back to the early 90’s and ends, somewhere, in Quinn’s conscience. Often deal two years later, temporarily ending their professional dealings together. shrouded in deception both of body and spirit, his lengthy courtship of Britney, Christina and “That kind of fucked me up,” Quinn revealed. “And that’s when I started fucking Blondie--not to be confused with that of his wife--may perhaps be the final measuring stick with blow, right around that time. I started selling dope, and everything turned from rapping by which his story may be judged--and upon whose ultimate demise his true transition to more into forming a street nigga.” manhood may be evidenced. “Where I come from, muthafuckers was smoking blow with their weed,” Quinn admitted. “That was the original thing. Like with me, I done used. You look up, muthafuckers giving you a plate, right? Then next thing you know, you buying it. But when you get the NEWSFLASH: ROLL, WON’T YOU COME OVER? first plate you’re saying, ‘I ain’t finna buy that shit.’ Next thing you know you look up 10 years 3rd Street, The 49er Club, 1997. Explosive Mode, Quinn’s magnum opus collab- later, [and] you’re buying it. You look up six, seven eight years later, you’re out all night, lying orative effort with blood-cousin , is burning up the streets and the adolescent’s to your wife and your kids and your folks; you done embarrassed niggas at the party.” life. Having sidestepped a contract with , who himself is fresh off the success of Quinn’s reconciliation with his life and career will be brought to the forefront his first film and soundtrack I’m Bout It, Quinn is back to the independent grind with all of this spring with April’s release of his anticipated long player, From A Boy To A Man. Including its querulous funds and infamy as he arrives at his wife’s baby shower for his first born son. heat from , Cosmo and Davey D on the boards and Messy Marv, Lil’ Quinn and PSD Somewhere in the back of his mind reverberates P’s prophetic admonition, “You’re gonna sprinkling the tracks with certified soil-based game, it will be his final say on the exacting deal with a nigga from the street and all [his] problems will become [your] problems; you journey whose toll he is just now beginning to weigh; a lasting contribution to the Movement. and Mess should just sign with me.” “Me and Mess wrote Exxplosive Mode together,” Quinn related. “I was high as “Niggas robbed my baby shower, man,” he recounts easily. “I had to hide in the a kite when we wrote that. We were 19 years old experimenting. That’s why I say I looked muthafucking place; they pulled a gun on Mess. Mess didn’t give up the [car] keys [to his up and a muthafucker was, you know, on blow. It was normal; when I was 15 I had started ’Vette] or nothing. They put a gun to Mess’s head. I’m hiding up under pots and pans in the smoking cocaine and weed. Just ’cuz it was what muthafuckers was doing. It was a part of joint, 19 years old, thinking they’re finna kill Mess. I didn’t have no strap or nothing.” growing up where [I was] at. And I had an uzi, you know? Not bragging on that shit, but I “[They robbed us cuz] our executive producer had went to jail,” he continued. didn’t have it to kill nobody but it’s just that I lived in the neighborhood.” “He fucked around and shot some niggas, and me and Mess were driving through the “From the era we come from if you fuck with hard, you a dope fiend. If you projects in the car that he shot at the niggas in, before he shot at them! He told us get up smoke crack you a crackhead. And I’m not glamorizing blow but blow is flyer. I guarantee out of there, so we [did] and he goes back and gets at the niggas in the car. So word got you somebody in the Forbes Top 10 snorts cocaine. Crack is cheap; they see you with it out- around that me and Mess had got at them. So he gets out and we all rolling and I get a call side bent over. With me and blow, muthafuckers might’ve seen me with my eyes bugged, from my sister like, ‘Quit driving dude’s Tahoe who’s putting out your record.’ This is all the but I ain’t never pull out my plate out around nobody. Except for the gangsters that I was music business. I was like, ‘I ain’t worried ‘bout them niggas; they’re from a certain project in having the blow with. So it wasn’t noticeable... Til a nigga muthafuckin’ mouth starts moving Frisco.’” and shit off blow. Your mouth moves too though. You get lockjaw, your muthafuckin’ eyes will be bugged out your head. You want to keep drinking to level it out.”

20 // OZONE WEST The Silverback Gorilla E-40’s younger brother Mugzi soaks up game.

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“Wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” - Killah Priest, “Wisdom”, Heavy Mental

Wisdom. To speak wise words. To see things clearly for what they are, not for what they appear to be. But everybody ain’t able. Those who are, should let it be known. Those who ain’t, need to get a good sponge and soak…

“How can you not listen to an elder - an older person - and they lived to be twice your age?” demanded an incredulous Mugzi one rain-soaked winter afternoon. “Like they ain’t never been through what you’ve been through before?”

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1324 Magazine Street. The soil. The turf. The heart of the Hillside, that section of Vallejo where many of the shoot-em-up, rah-rah, cookin’ cakes cracked out tales from E-40’s early raps took place. The same place that Mugzi called home, developed his formative years in, along with the same 40 Water Mugzi calls brother. Eldest brother, to be exact, and whose company, Sick-Wid-It Records, Mugzi is currently co-piloting with 40’s son Droop. Then there’s the relationship with Mugzi’s other brother, boss balla D-Shot, and his plethora of film and record releases throughout the years. Sista Suga T and cousin B-Legit each rounded out the Area’s first family of rap, , and have sprouted their own respective albums, labels, and careers.

No wonder Mugzi’s pushing his 30/30 imprint, with flagship artist (and cousin) Turf Talk, a new Mugzilla solo debut, and project after project with , a group consisting of yet another cousin, Kaveo, and day one patna Tap Dat Ass. With such aspiring examples from his But the wise men, my brothers, was detouring me out the way also. I [would] physicals, he had little choice but to get it. sneak and dibble dabble, and do what I got to do, but at the same time they were like, ‘Ah naw, man, don’t do nothing with him’.” But first, there was still Magazine. “As I got a little older, I got a little wiser. It ain’t the thang to do. I like do- “I grew up in it,” Mugzi laughed. “Soon as I popped out mom’s stomach I was ing this over here better than I like doing this over [there]. I don’t like being right up in it, in the thick of it. I can’t talk about that type of situation. That’s stressed out, worried about the po-po’s when I could be over there playing like lightweight snitching - lightweight indicting yourself. Where I was born and some good ball, got a few women loving me, doing what I do. And having raised it was knocks all day. The streets [were] flooded; it was good hustle. But a ball with it; being a star that way too then [coming] back to the track and you never use while you’re tying to sell it, or while you’re doing what you do. be like what up? ‘Aw man, you was over there, you just ran for 150 yards that That’s the number one rule, I feel. Some people get caught up in it, and next game.’ I’m loving it. That felt way better than sitting out there being a lookout, thing you know their smoking their count up. If you want to make profit, you’re or going out there trying to get my little knocks off worrying about the po-pos. not gonna be dipping in your shit.” But at the same time you gotta do what you gotta do. You live and you learn, so once you live and you learn you try to break it down and teach others that’s ------coming up under you.”

A montage of sounds and colors, Beats By the Bay’s video for “Stay In School” Just like it was taught to you. assaults its viewer with an assortment of the hues and intonations of rappers from nearly every part of the Yay. Mugzi and 40 blaze through their respective ------eight bars along with Dem Hoodstarz, Cellski, , the Jacka and more, urging the youth to get right for the sake of posterity - and a world we’ll The Sick-Wid-It Umbrella will be dropping the compilation The Machine in mid- all inhabit. Such a message may not have come immediate to Mugzilla, but it April, soon followed by 916 Unified. Future 30/30 releases include Mugzilla’s was no less natural a progression. solo, a Lifestyles of the Disobeyish 2 compilation, and forthcoming projects from Turf Talk and Poppy Cash. // “When you’re a kid, you’re going to get involved in certain things that are around you,” Mr. 30/30 reasoned. “You turn into a product of your environment. Words by Jelani // Photo by Jessica Essien

OZONE WEST // 21 inin mymy naturenature

Yukmouth may have been born into the drug game, but he doesn’t plan on dying in it.

Words by Maurice G. Garland // Photo by D-Ray

22 // OZONE WEST s one half of the , Yukmouth a.k.a. Smoke-A-Lot helped make The rap business period is about trends. I’ve been through all the trends. In weed Hip Hop’s drug of choice when he recorded “I Got 5 On It.” As the 80s it was “fight the power” and medallions, now it’s about “bling bling,” Acomical as that song was, Yuk’s life as it pertains to drugs is serious diamonds and being a drug dealer. I think people who don’t know the streets business. Here he speaks on growing up in Oakland during the crack epidemic, watch TV and [decide], “Jeezy blew up off that shit, so I’ma go at that angle.” rap’s fascination with D-boy rappers and how his mother died while in rehab You’ve got to know this game because if you say numbers that don’t add up before she could recover from her personal bouts with drug abuse. it makes you look like an ass because you really don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about. You said that shit because you heard Jeezy [say it]. It Talk to us about your experiences growing up in Oakland during the start of don’t go for $17.5 everywhere. 250 grams is not a kilo, that’s a quarter. Nig- the crack epidemic. gas gonna know if you’re speaking the right shit. If you’re saying some dumb inin mymy naturenature I was right there. I grew up in the projects, 65th and east 14th in East shit, niggas ain’t gonna buy your shit. Niggas are gonna look at you like a Oakland. My projects was ran by niggas like Lil D and Felix Mitchell; kingpins. buster. If you’re a backpacker, do your Kanye. If you’re fighting the power, I grew up under that card, so all I seen was niggas in the ‘hood pushing do your Chuck D. If you dance, do your Soulja Boy. But don’t do this trapstar weight, dope fiends fighting and getting beat up, bullets hitting my windows. shit if you ain’t never chopped down no shit, or shot at no shit. Don’t even It was rough growing up. I’m on welfare, Section 8, mom spending the wel- mention that, because if you live by the gun, you die by the gun. Niggas are fare checks on drugs. I had to eventually start hustling to survive in life. We gonna be coming to your shows asking where you’re from and they’re gonna were homeless and shit behind the crack epidemic. We got evicted out of the test you. So you gotta be prepared for this shit. This blood and crip shit, too, projects [and were] sleeping and eating at the Salvation Army. We stayed with niggas are claiming [sets] and they’re not from LA. Niggas glorify shit in Hip relative to relative, all because of the crack epidemic. It made my life change. Hop, period. You’re gonna get tested by the wrong m’fucka and your album ain’t gonna sell because game recognize game. So you got to see how a lot of cats went from being Black Panthers to dope fiends. I was born in the 70s so I was raised around the Panthers. Everybody wanted A lot of rappers are smart. A lot of them came from college, good homes, to be a Panther or Muslim; trying to uplift the community. My father was so everybody ain’t from the projects. They try to pick up clues, read Don in the Black Guerilla Family, the offspring of the Panthers, but [he was] in Diva, they [think they] gonna listen to Jeezy and and put their shit prison. Everybody was speaking Swahili and all types of stuff. My family together and come out with a masterpiece. So at the end of the day, it’s good was BGF, so I grew up around that. [Everybody in] the community was riding people that just do that. They just copy cat. We call them sponges in the Bay for the cause but when crack hit, it shut it down. All the Black Panthers, the - soaking up game, but never been in it. Niggas know they’re fake and the centers started shutting down, the leaders started getting on crack, dying off whole reason it’s glamorized is because niggas are winning off this shit and and going to jail. The death of the Black Panther movement grew into dudes niggas follow. When Ja Rule was singing, there were a lot of niggas in love at being kingpins and dope fiends. that time. Then 50 [Cent] came with the gangsta shit and everybody did that. Then Jeezy came with the d-boy shit and now everybody wants to be a trap Since you saw it with you own eyes, do you think the CIA and the government star. It’s about trends. When ‘Pac was thuggin’, everybody was thuggin’. Nig- implanted crack in your community? gas gonna follow the top rapper. The industry keeps getting faker and faker. Yeah, I believe they did it. They were scared of the Panthers; they knew it Niggas know the real, fans know the real. was the next big revolutionary thing since Malcolm X. The Panthers was THAT on the West Coast and they was branching out and getting Panthers on the We’ve touched on how the Bay was home to crack. Nowadays it seems like it’s East Coast and Down South. [There were] Panthers in Chicago; it was going the home of ecstasy pills. everywhere and they were scared of it. Stuff started getting bombed and they Niggas is heavily off the X and coke. Everybody is snorting coke and [doing] blamed it on the Panthers and they started wiping them out byaking them to X and smoking weed. That’s what’s going down in the Bay. All the crackheads jail with outrageous sentences. They put AIDS and crack in the Bay to destroy had babies born in the 90s and now they done grew up and these m’fuckas the Panthers and that’s when it started. are crazy. The crackbabies grew up and they’re crazy; shooting m’fuckas for nothing, robbing for nothing. There’s a lot of dumb shit going down in the You’ve rapped about being a drug dealer. Seeing the extreme destruction that Bay right now because of shit that went down in the 80s. To each his own. I’m drugs brought to your community, why did you decide to get into the drug not one to hate - do your thing - but its crazy to see 17-year-olds snort- trade yourself? ing coke and doing heroin and shit. Young girls snort coke to stay skinny It wasn’t a hard decision. I was poor and [moving from] family to family, and then these niggas think they’re gonna be extra tough if they snort coke. but once I got with one part of my family, they were selling all the drugs. They’re all Die Hard Rambo and shit, they’ll shoot up anything so they stay I started living with my uncle and it was a crack house. He lived where he on that, that’s like their Superman juice. That’s what niggas is off right now, worked at, me and my two sisters. So I got to see it hands-on, one-on-one. its wack. Its like fucking Taliban out there, suicide bombers. These niggas are [I learned] how to do it, sell it, and cook it. It wasn’t hard. I was getting ready to die and they don’t give a fuck so drugs done took the whole Bay spoiled. My aunt bought me outfits. I was in 7th grade with Gucci and gold area out, again. chains on. My uncle was spoiling me. Then he went to jail and my sister had to hustle, then she went to jail. I was used to that life, so I said fuck it. I The Bay is the player’s graveyard right now. Niggas are dying for nothing and hustled for school clothes, then cars. I had my own apartment when I was they’re brain dead off these drugs. It’s crazy as fuck out there, period. That’s 17. I started hustling because it was in my face. I tried to work [real jobs]. I why I live in L.A. Niggas be like, “Aw, you from the Bay, why’d you [move to worked at Taco Bell. I worked at Domino’s [Pizza]. I had jobs but the hustle L.A.]?” I moved because I know too many niggas, too many kingpins, riders, was making so much money that I quit. thieves, everybody’s gonna look at me for something. Or, if bad times happen I might hit the streets instead of waiting until the next show comes or the Did you ever sell drugs to your family members? next check clears. I’m not a rapper rapping about it, I’m trying to get the fuck I never sold to my relatives, but my friends did. They said they sold to my away from it. I think I’d be dead if I ain’t get away from Oakland when I did. uncle or my father. I didn’t want to believe it. My family tried to keep it away I fuck with the kingpins, I fuck with the killers and I could fuck around and be from me, but I knew they did it. My mom did drugs but I never sold to her. hanging with them and catch a stray bullet so I’m glad I got out and started a new life for my family where we don’t have to worry about dealers and Did your mom ever beat her drug addiction? kingpins and pimps and stray bullets or going to jail or being in the wrong She never got over it. My mom passed. She died in rehab. She was trying to place at the right time. get her life back straight but the rehab [center] caught on fire. They locked them in their rooms when they [were] in rehab. I guess the staff member In a previous interview you admitted that albums like Godzilla were recorded that let them out went to go get some food. When he came back the building when you was heavy off the X. Have you kicked that habit now? was burning. They had gates on the windows, so they couldn’t get out. So my I let that shit go. I’m focused right now. I don’t do no X pills, I just smoke mom got burned to death [while] trying to sober up and get her life right. weed. I barely drink, I got so many DUIs in the last couple years I cut back on that. I’m just on weed. Weed, water, exercise. I used to have the bumpi- Damn. est face in America, but in my recent pictures, I got smooth skin, without We had to sue the city, all types of stuff just to get retribution and to feel Photoshop. I’m eating good, looking good. Niggas called my last album a better. We sued, but it still wasn’t worth my mother’s life. We had to go classic and even though Rap-A-Lot didn’t push it, it still came in #46 in the through a lot of stuff. Just losing [my] mother, period. That’s the most im- Billboard Top 100. I outsold hella people on 106th & Park with videos because portant thing in life outside of your kids. My sisters crying, I’m crying, going I got a fan base that holds me down. I got big opportunities jumping off for through it. Because when she got out of rehab, she was gonna live with us. my next deal. I’m not heavy into the drugs, I’m into the kush and occasional We were looking forward to that. champagne or Patron shot. I got kids, I’m old now, I’m cool on that young shit. That shit I was doing, that’s for a nigga who had nothing to live for back A lot of rappers, yourself included, rap about drugs. What’s the fascination? in the day. I got 3 kids now. //

OZONE WEST // 23 dj booth DJ AMEN KING OF THE SUPER HYPHY

he future for a DJ is being a businessman. An all-around hustler, [For the last Super Hyphy] we tried to end big. We filmed it and it was real marketing, branding; you gotta take care of all corners. big. E-40 came out and did his thing and killed it. People in other markets and other towns wanted us to expand, and they wanted to get a piece TOne thing always leads to another. When it came to the concerts, me and of the Super Hyphy. We still do shows in other places. We’ve got a show my partner were supposed to help this one dude book a show but he died coming up with Too $hort and The Pack but it’s not called Super Hyphy. It’s a week before the show. I didn’t know dude; he was just the dude that just the same concept because we’re the people that started that. came to us for help. That was our first concert so we didn’t really know what we were doing but we fell into it, and it was so successful that we We just did a show with Lil Wayne in Tucson, Arizona with nine thousand kept doing them. I’ve always been big into marketing and branding so I people. We do shows in San Diego; we do shows in Los Angeles, Las Ve- was like, “Let’s push this brand and make this a machine.” By the time we gas…all over the place. A lot of people don’t know that we have an event [did] our 20th concert like people didn’t even care who was performing. coordination/production company [called Noisemaker Entertainment] so They just wanted to hear that name and that brand [Super Hyphy]. we throw events all over the West Coast.

With the Super Hyphy, basically, it fell onto us [and now] we’re the best It’s all about supply and demand. We find people interested in doing at it. I had my street team in the streets. My boy handled all the business, events and help them produce it. We get ahold of the artists, [book] travel I handled all the marketing and we went hard. We wanted to come with accommodations, lock down venues, insurance, security, everything. We’re something fresh to really take over the culture at the moment. It was doing some tour dates for the and Paul Wall shows coming up. instant success. We sold out twenty shows. We just had the right formula. The Lil Wayne show is the biggest we’ve done in the last month or two. Our biggest show as far as attendance was Super Hyphy 13 at the Santa But we could do anybody. As long as you’ve got the budget we can put it Rosa fairgrounds. We had Keak the Sneak, Mistah F.A.B., The Pack, PSD and together. // J. Diggs [performing]. There were over two thousand kids there, and we were doing this every 4 weeks, so it wasn’t like we were only pulling in a As told to Kay Newell thousand every once in a while. We have one to two thousand kids every Photo by D-Ray month.

24 // OZONE WEST DJ Aaries & Willie Joe/Thrax On Wax Vol. 2

Vallejo, California representer and ATL transplant Willie Joe hooks up with DJ Aaries for Vol. 2 of Thrax On Wax and over 23 tracks, Joseph proves why he’s the newest Sho’Nuff/Capitol Records signee. Whether Joe is going retarded (“Get On It”), trading lines with B.O.B. (“Life Iz Crazy”) or teaming up with his Wataboy Ent. Cinque/Angel Dust family (“Keep It Coming”), it’s clear why his buzz in the South is Whenever you think of Phoenix, Arizona, the words “hot” and unmatched by other Bay rappers. Willie Joe is an artist to watch in “dry” come to mind. Hometown emcee Cinque leans more to- ’08 and Thrax On Wax Vol. 2 is a mixtape desiring of heavy rotation wards the former. Backed by production from No I.D. and Suave from the Bay to the A. — Randy Roper House’s Jiggolo, ‘Que does a good job in showing that the Suns aren’t the only draw in town. The Eagles’ sampling “U Know U Luv It” and “Space” have ‘Que displaying some nimble word play DJ Warrior & Prime/Transformation while “Keep The Shotty On Me” sounds a little G-Unit’ish, but still offers some entertaining moments. Cinque now is far from Transformation is the first solo mixtape release from Long Beach that guy you saw on Teen Summit back in the day, but, he’s well emcee Prime, and through 20 cuts the Cali newcomer shows on his way to making an impact in the rap game. — Maurice G. promise but still has room for improvement. Tracks like “Give Me Garland The Grind,” “Dying To Floss” and “Go Hard” are skippable, while “Meagtron” featuring Bishop Lamont, the sped-up flow on “Ma- Snoop Dogg/Ego’ Trippin chine Gun Funk” and “Change” with P. Rod are this mixtape’s best Geffen cuts. Prime has a LBC thing going for him but he still has work to When Snoop revealed that he hired other rappers to write his do before he becomes the Optimus. — Randy Roper rhymes for Ego Trippin’ it wasn’t too much of a surprise. Anyone with at least one good ear could hear the drop off after the Death Row crumble when he actually had to write his own stuff. Demolition Men & The Jacka/The Jacka Is The Dopest But over the last two or three years Snoop has relied more on his personality than lyrical skill, as evidenced by last year’s The Jacka Is The Dopest is a solid mixtape from top to bottom. The Blue Carpet Treatment. Ego Trippin’ has him doing more of “Break Em Off,” “Go Cop Whatever,” “Starz” and “Barney (More the same, but it doesn’t sound quite as good this time around. Crime)” are memorable tracks amidst numerous standout cuts, Highlights include the self-narrative “Neva Have 2 Worry” and while “Doin It Moving” and “Got Paper” are the mere two less- “Waste of Time” featuring Raphael Saadiq. But his attempts at than-impressive songs. And what The Jacka lacks in mic skills, being different fall flat, especially the Johnny Cash-inspired he makes up for with vivid street tales over dope beats. After “Buy My Medicine” and faux-Mike Jones sounding “Staxxx In My listening to this project, The Jacka, without question, is one of the Jeans.” Overall though, Snoop still has enough likable songs to dopest the West Coast has to offer. — Randy Roper make it a solid album. — Maurice G. Garland

OZONE WEST // 25 end zone

Nu Jersey Devil Venue: Tucson Convention Center Promoter: Royal Epic Clothing City: Tucson, AZ Date: January 20th, 2008 Photo: D-Ray

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