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Home , 2 Pistols, Baby D (rapper), Better Not Tell Her, Bigg D, Bink (record producer), Block Entertainment

OZONE MAGAZINE PIMP MY VOICE AND MACK THESE BEATS YOUR FAVORITE RAPPER’S FAVORITE MAGAZINE

DAVIDTHREE 6 SEAN KINGSTON MAFIA MS CHERRY BANNERGUCCI THREEMANE 6 TAMPA MAFIA TONY ROCK YUNG GUCCICITY BERG MANE ROCK YUNG CITY JOC MS CHERRY 2 PISTOLS TAMPA TONY YUNG BERG DAVID & more BANNER

OZONE MAG //  YOUR FAVORITE RAPPER’S FAVORITE MAGAZINE

ROCK CITY YUNG BERG YUNG JOC 2 PISTOLS TAMPA TONY MS CHERRY SEAN KINGSTON THREE 6 MAFIA & MORE!

28 // OZONE WEST  // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG //   // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG //   // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG //   // OZONE MAG

10 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 11 PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF // Julia Beverly MUSIC EDITOR // Randy Roper FEATURES EDITOR // Eric N. Perrin ASSOCIATE EDITOR // Maurice G. Garland GRAPHIC DESIGNER // David KA ADVERTISING SALES // Che’ Johnson PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR // Malik Abdul SPECIAL EDITION EDITOR // Jen McKinnon MARKETING DIRECTOR // David Muhammad Sr. LEGAL CONSULTANT // Kyle P. King, P.A. SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER // Adero Dawson ADMINISTRATIVE // Kisha Smith INTERN // Kari Bradley CONTRIBUTORS // Alex Cannon, Bogan, Charla- magne the God, Chuck T, Cierra Middlebrooks, Destine Cajuste, Edward Hall, Felita Knight, Jacinta Howard, Jaro Vacek, Jessica Koslow, J Lash, Jason Cordes, Johnny Louis, Keadron Smith, Keith Kennedy, K.G. Mosley, King Yella, Luis Santana, Luxury Mindz, Marcus DeWayne, Matt Sonzala, Maurice G. Garland, Mercedes (Strictly Streets), Natalia Gomez, Ray Tamarra, Rico Da Crook, Robert Gabriel, Rohit Loomba, Shannon McCollum, Spiff, Stan Johnson, Swift, Thaddaeus McAdams, Wally Sparks, Wendy Day STREET REPS // 3rd Leg Greg, Adam Murphy, Alex Marin, Al-My-T, Benz, Big Brd, B-Lord, Big Ed, Big Teach (Big Mouth), Bigg V, Black, Bogan, Bo Money, Brandi Garcia, Brian Eady, Buggah D. Govanah (On Point), Bull, C Rola, Cartel, Cedric Walker, Chad Joseph, Charles Brown, Chill, Chuck T, Christian Flores, Danielle Scott, DJ Dap, Delight, Derrick the Franchise, DJ Dimepiece, DJ D’Lyte, Bill, Dorian Welch, Dwayne Barnum, Dr. Doom, Dynasty, Ed the World Famous, DJ E-Feezy, DJ EFN, Episode, Eric “Crunkatlanta” Hayes, Erik Tee, F4 Entertainment, G Dash, G-Mack, George Lopez, Gorilla Promo, Haziq Ali, Hezeleo, H-Vidal, Hotgirl Maximum, Jae Slimm, Jammin’ Jay, Janiro Hawkins, Jarvon Lee, Jay Noii, Jeron Alexander, JLN Photogra- phy, Joe Anthony, Johnny Dang, Judah, Judy Jones, Kenneth Clark, Klarc Shepard, Kool Laid, Kurtis Graham, Kydd Joe, Lex, Lump, Lutoyua Thompson, Marco Mall, Mario Grier, Marlei Mar, DJ M.O.E., Music & More, Natalia Gomez, Nikki Kancey, Oscar Garcia, P Love, Pat Pat, Phattlipp, Pimp G, Quest, DJ Rage, Rapid Ric, , Rob-Lo, Robski, Rohit Loomba, Scorpio, Sir Thurl, , Spade Spot, Stax, Sweetback, Teddy T, TJ’s DJ’s, Tim Brown, Tony Rudd, Tre Dubb, Tril Wil, Edwards, Troy Kyles, Vicious, Victor Walker, DJ Vlad, Voodoo, Wild Billo, Will Hustle, Wu Chang, Young Harlem, Yung DVS SUBSCRIPTIONS // To subscribe, send check or money order for $20 to: Ozone Magazine, Inc. Attn: Subscriptions Dept 644 Antone St. Suite 6 , GA 30318 Phone: 404-350-3887 Fax: 404-350-2497 Website: www.ozonemag.com COVER CREDITS // photos by Ty Wat- kins; David Banner cover photos by Ty Watkins; David Banner photo (this page) by Mike Frost; Yung Berg photo by Meeno; Gucci Mane photo by Julia Beverly. DISCLAIMER // OZONE Magazine is published 12 times per year by OZONE Magazine, Inc. OZONE monthly sections does not take responsibility for unsolicited materials, misinformation, typographical errors, 15 JB’s 2 Cents or misprints. The views contained herein do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or its 82 End Zone 24 Mathematics advertisers. Ads appearing in this magazine are not an endorsement or validation by OZONE 14 Feedback 28 chain Reaction Magazine for products or services offered. All 18-21 Rapquest photos and illustrations are copyrighted by their 32 sidekick Hackin respective artists. All other content is copyright 34 tatted Up 25-45 photo galleries 2008 OZONE Magazine, all rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced 78-80 cd Reviews 40-48 patiently waiting in any way without the written consent of the publisher. Printed in the USA. 26 chin Check 81 caffeine Substitutes

12 // OZONE MAG interviews 66-67 yung Joc 62-63 2 pistols 50-51 Rock city features 56-57 yung berg 64-65 Ms Cherry 36 dJ booth 68-69 tampa Tony 75 industry 101 72-73 gucci Mane 74 board game

58-61 DAVID BANNER pg

52-55 THREE 6 MAFIA pg OZONE MAG // 13 Send your comments to [email protected] or hit us up at www.myspace.com/ozonemagazine

Your shit is the realest mag out. I tried to read XXL the other day because OZONE is the only magazine I read because y’all represent the real. Y’all had they had on the cover, but that shit was boring. I like the articles and B.o.B. on the covers and both of them are doing they thang that Wendy Day and Charlamagne Tha God write; that shit adds to the mag. in the A. Magazines like XXL or VIBE or Source ain’t showing no real love to JB’s 2 Cents is official. Your magazine always keeps it both educational and the South like OZONE is. Keep doing your thing JB! You and everybody at entertaining. OZONE is the shit! – Metro Records, myspace.com/metroswag (South Carolina) - Tony Nix (Atlanta, GA)

What’s poppin’, OZONE? I just copped issue #65, the Drug Issue, and thought Fuck OZONE! Especially that muthafucka Randy Roper. That nigga’s a hater. it was real informative for cats that are idolizing the drug game. It’s a real He be giving muthafuckers one and two blunts in his reviews, so he must be eye-opener for youngsters who think they’re going to rich by hugging the a hatin’ ass nigga. That’s why I don’t read OZONE. And nobody wants your 2 block hustling. I’ve been reading your magazine and respect Cents, JB. We don’t care what the fuck you got to say. Y’all put all kinds of your grind. OZONE filled a niche market when the Source got bought out and muthafuckers I never heard of before in your magazine. Sonny Rich and Jus XXL became garbage. My only problem is that you don’t show love to your Bleezy and 9th Ward? I ain’t never heard of any of these niggas. And what readers and artists overseas. I’m from and I’m one of the illest the fuck is a Memphitz? That’s why I don’t read y’all shit. Y’all need to put emcees on the planet. I look forward to being featured in OZONE one day. me on the cover. I’m about to take over this rap shit. By the way, Amsterdam was founded on drug culture and is the weed and - Yung Trouble (Tampa, FL) ecstasy capital of the world. – Tyger Vinum, myspace.com/tygervinum (Amsterdam) I got the new issue of the magazine in the mail and it’s nice as usual. I like the new layout for Patiently Waiting. Much cleaner looking! I’ve gotta show some love to the greats over there at OZONE Magazine. Keep – Jesse James, [email protected] (St. Louis, MO) giving us a real publication that we can relate to and we’re gonna keep buy- ing up the issues as soon as they hit the shelf. - DJ Philosophy That Frank Melton due y’all had in the Drug Issue sounded crazy as hell. But all politicians are crooked anyway. They’re no different from the dudes on the block slanging, they just wear suits and ties instead of white tees and I look forward to each and every issue of OZONE. I’m in love with your maga- AF1s. I had friends who went to Jackson State University and they used to zine. I was at Safeway and picked up an issue of XXL Magazine and saw that talk about some dude named Frank, but I never thought it was some old they were featuring rappers that OZONE said was hot two years ago. OZONE ass mayor dude. He sounds like he has that town on lock. Hope I don’t ever is so ahead of the curve it ain’t funny. I love your new Dollar Menu feature. get pulled over riding through there. Why didn’t any of the rappers from It’s amazing to read about a stripper that I just tipped the night before. I Jacktown spoke on him? Y’all should do more articles like this. love OZONE magazine so much that whenever I get my mail, it’s the first - Keven Jones (Memphis, TN) thing I look for. It brightens my day, real talk. Good job on the drug issue. I loved Wendy Day’s interview with Calvin Klein. Y’all are killin’ the rap mag game , so keep up the good work! OZONE Mag is nothin’ but quality I’m writing to say that the DJ issue y’all just did was aight, but it coulda material. been much better. How y’all gonna have that weak ass TRAKTOR – [email protected] (Maryland) in there and not the best invention for DJs ever made, Serato? Plus, who are all these sorry ass DJs I ain’t neva heard of in this mag? Shout out to DJ Scream and King Arthur; I’ve heard of them, but them other folks are OZONE is a must in da Sipp and Arkansas. The mags are like crack. I think nobodys, shawty. They aint even got no out. Weak. Anyway, keep there must be something in between the pages that makes this magazine so up the good shit. Just step up your game next year for the DJ issue. addictive! - DJ Traphouse, [email protected] - Bigg V, [email protected] (Cleveland, MS)

Correction: Our apologies to 404 Music, as the name of their label was spelled incorrectly in last month’s MJG interview.

14 // OZONE MAG Send your comments to [email protected] or hit us up at www.myspace.com/ozonemagazine jb’s 2cents he concept of a “press junket” is basically that record labels call up a bunch of lo- cal and regional magazines and give ‘em a free trip to meet an artist in exchange Tfor coverage. They spend a little change to fly you somewhere and put you up in a nice hotel, and essentially, they own you for the weekend. You’re their whore. The label publicist will turn into a drill sergeant and you are expected to act like just one of the many cattle being herded towards the feeding trough (which, in this case, is an artist who is extremely tired of being asked the same questions every 15 minutes all 10 THINGS I’M I had a bunch of birthday parties day long). Press junkets suck. Granted, I’ve never been one to function well in groups, HATIN’ ON PART 2 and a lot of folks came out: so perhaps it’s my fault. I’m much more comfortable roaming freely on my own. by comedian Kiana Dancie I love to travel, and traveling on someone else’s dime is even better, so I really shouldn’t complain. But the fact is that every press junket I’ve ever been to has involved some kind of myspace.com/kianadancie drama. Publicists seem to hate my guts off top. I guess I can’t blame them because I’m not too fond of them either, but I’m always confused trying to figure out where the animosity 1. Kim Kardashian’s Ass comes from. I bust my ass and work hard and take my craft seriously. Other magazine owners As a sister, I’m very offended that this chick’s love me to my face but I can hear the shit-talking as soon as I turn my back. “Who the fuck ass is so big! Brothas, y’all know a sista does this white bitch think she is?” Yeah, I heard you. Well, the quality of your product was as that’s light in the ass is a disappointment! good as mine, you should be able to say it to my face, no? Trust me, I know! When I wear my hottest MALIK ABDUL First there was the David Banner//Grandaddy Souf junket in during OZONE’s jeans, I try to stay facing forward because I Grafh & I @ Plumm in NYC early days. While touring a civil rights landmark in Jackson, a black female journalist (I use don’t want him to see my flatty. KK, is that the term loosely) cornered me and told me that I better fucking pay attention, since I was really your ass? Reggie, tell us the truth! We already “stealing” black culture (it is important to note that her magazine was printed at Kinko’s and had artists’ names misspelled on the cover). Then there was the Cuban Link won’t tell you told! junket. I arrived after a couple weeks on the road with a suitcase full of dirty laundry. My last stop before flying to Puerto Rico for the junket had been New York, where the guys at SRC 2. Chicks With Pinky Toes That Won’t Stay happened to throw me some Terror Squad baby tees (back when I was broke enough to ap- In The Sandal preciate free promo shirts). I didn’t realize until later why everyone was glaring at me when I If I can see that your toe is not in your shoe, arrived at the Cuban Link junket in a TS shirt (not being fully versed in the Cuban Link vs. Fat can’t you see too? I know that sometimes, Joe beef). The rumor that there was a “ spy” on the premises didn’t help the situation.

ladies, we take the pain to look cute and buy KISHA SMITH And we can’t forget the Choppa junket during Mardi Gras in New Orleans (pre-Katrina). I was things that are too small for us. But we have Webbie & I @ Rhythm City in not invited to this junket because I had um...issues...with the publicist (who shall remain to declare the renegade pinky toe unaccept- ... nameless, since we are friends now :). I made arrangements to attend anyway. Who can keep able. Trust me, the shoes may be hot as hell, me out of a Southern rap industry event? Anyway, the whole ordeal resulted in her attempting to leave me stranded at 3 in the morning at a New Orleans hood club (there were ambulances but if your toes is hanging off and out, you parked outside all night “just in case,” just to give you an idea of where this club was at) and lowered its rating on the bad-ass shoe me- them (the publicists!!) trying to prevent me from interviewing Choppa, which was the whole ter. Please, for the sake of all of us, upgrade. point of the junket. The irony was that while the rest of the journalists and photographers Get your correct shoe size! were getting tipsy in VIP, I was on stage simultaneously filming Choppa’s show and taking pictures. I really believe that success breeds hatred and jealousy in other people who are lacking the same ambition. It always baffled me how my work ethic, and/or the relationships 3. Chicks With Good Head, Especially You, I have directly with artists and their management and their entourages which has been built Superhead over years of work, seems to make some of my peers - and even the publicists, whose entire

Fam, I am the trillest you’ll ever meet. But I’ll J TIFANY job is supposedly to help me do everything possible to promote their artists - hate me. It be the first to tell you that I can’t give good ...and Willy Northpole from makes zero sense. head. I have tried! I have big sexy lips, a wet Phoenix, who looks like he could be Grafh’s West Coast twin? Anyway, is old irrelevant shit. But it’s amazing when I look back at those old press mouth, and my lip gloss is always poppin’, junkets and realize that 90% of the magazines that used to attend don’t exist anymore. Hell, but I have a gap in my teeth. I have all the some people have “magazines” strictly for the purpose of getting free trips courtesy of these proper tools but I am a scraper! So, yes, I’m record labels. The labels themselves are probably the only ones who will ever see copies of hating on the chicks with the mean head the magazine; the consumers don’t. I always try to be humble and let my work (OZONE) speak game. It’s a sad situation when you meet a for itself. But let’s be realistic. When you look at the tremendous growth OZONE has had since those early days, you’d think certain people would congratulate me, but instead, the animos- dude and he is just as excited about you as ity tripled. I don’t get it. When it comes to credibility in this game, OZONE has argu- you are about him, and then when you finally ably surpassed The Source and is right up there with the XXLs and VIBEs. You’ve gotta respect get down to business, you scrape him! You’ll me for that. It’s funny that when has a press junket half a mile from my office (the never be asked for head again. Damn! I gave infamous junket at which he told Foundation Magazine “fuck DJs”), I’m not invited. him a band-aid though. So when I hear about it through other journalists and make arrangements to come myself, Striking a jail pose with , a complete icy chill comes over the room when I step inside. Other magazine publishers are , & David Ban- asking for my autograph and the publicist will barely acknowledge me. It’s crazy. 4. The Broad That Owns Ketchup, Teresa ner @ Bar Rio in Heinz Kerry Some of these industry fools still don’t respect OZONE, but that’s okay. They will learn. You’ll Don’t you wish your mama was smart see. Wait til I get my money right!!! I used to listen to Tupac back in the day: “Get my weight enough to smash tomatoes, add some salt, up with my hate and pay ‘em back when I’m bigger.” I’ve probably quoted this line before but it’s so powerful and it’s always stuck in my head. I was on a mission, dude. A mission to show and whatever else makes the recipe for people that they have to respect me and they have to fucking take me seriously. I don’t give ketchup? If Ms. Teresa decided to shut down a fuck if I’m invited to a Lil Wayne press junket as long as Lil Wayne fucks with me, because the ketchup business, black folks would be these industry folks are full of shit anyway. Artists will always fuck with me because I didn’t in trouble. Black folks will put ketchup on get into this shit for money or fame or groupie pursuits. I got into this for the love of the art everything from noodles to nipples! Don’t form, the creativity and the energy and the hustle of the culture; the joy of watching any ar- tistic project come together, whether it’s a in the recording studio or a magazine in the get that look on y’all face, y’all know y’all OZONE office. Anybody who doesn’t respect me yet can kiss my ass. I’m just getting started. done tried it! You better hope that Senator Kisha & Michelle are now com- John Kerry keeps lil mama happy or you’ll pletely infatuated with - Julia Beverly, [email protected] have some dry-ass curly fries, or nipples, whichever is your thing.

5. Afghan Beards In The Summer Young f/ “Put On” Bruh, it must be a million degrees on the Yung LA f/ Young Dro & T.I. “Ain’t I ()” RE’Splaylist tip of your chin. I beg... no, I plead that you f/ Lil Wayne “Nike Boots (Remix)” [email protected] reconsider the Afghan beard that someone Danny! f/ Von Pea “I Don’t Know” (*cough*RickRoss*cough*) has made a fash- Boo Rossini “Head Like Kush” “One 2 Many” ion statement. I do understand the need for “Inner Me” T-Pain “Silver & Gold” facial hair, especially on a grown man, but f/ T-Pain & Rick Ross “Beam Me Up” Keri Hilson “Energy” really, do you have to look like Osama bin Yung Berg f/ Casha “The Business” B Simm “Talk For A Minute” Laden? Maybe that’s why we can’t find him.

OZONE MAG // 15 16 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 17 BALTIMORE, MD: The Get Em Mamis are taking the city of Bmore by storm with their Cold Sum- mer campaign. Every Friday (May 2nd thru September 5th) they are releasing a freestyle over a classic female Hip Hop instrumental. From “Push It” to “Paper Thin” to “Supersonic,” these two females are the buzz of Hip Hop. They have recently been covered in magazines like Rolling Stone, VIBE, and US Weekly. The freestyles are available every week on their Myspace page and Fader.com. They are definitely the next big thing in Hip Hop. - Darkroom Productions ([email protected]) ABILENE/SAN ANGELO, TX: Slaughter House Entertainment brought some heat to the City of Lene with performances by Trae and Steak-n-Shrimp’s Lucky Luciano. Dallas’ Immortal Soldierz shared the stage with First Class, MT Clique, Rob Lloyd, and DJ ‘Rreal. Poetic Thug dropped his 13th CD Down South Thugz Vol. 3 with tracks from HAWK, Big Gem, Lucky Luciano, Grimm, Coast, and Kiotti. First Class released their mixtape Get It Done Vol. 3: M.A.S.H. MODE hosted by Kyle Lee. It features Spark Dawg, Da Ryno, and Fade Dogg. DJ Skid spins the Bat Cave; DJ Obzene works College Nights at El Sitio; and DJ Jale is at Midnite Rodeo 3. , IL: - Christian Flores ([email protected]) Hot Stylz is now signed to Swagg Team/, Yung Joc’s label. DJ Shaun T had his Midwest Concert Series at Reggie’s. is getting ready to AUSTIN, TX: release the Speedknot Mobstaz on his Gang imprint. Cool Kids Texas Relay weekend had 50,000+ visitors to the city. Bavu Blakes and Trey are touring globally. Fremont Jackson appeared on B.E.T.’s Freestyle Friday. Songz were some of the performers who took stage at the Urban Music Festi- DJ KC Perfect bangs out Club Dvine and the Negro League Café. He also mixes val. Kanye West, , Rianna, and N.E.R.D came through for the Glow in on CORE DJs Sirius Mixshow Radio. DJ Shotime is releasing his TOO HOT for TV the Dark Tour. Rapid Ric’s new single “Call Me,” from his upcoming Whut It Dew series. Check out the blogspot NOIDvstraxster.com. Power 92 celebrated their album, features and Chalie Boy. Bun B came to town for an in- 7-year anniversary. Ben1 and Shawnna have a new single building on the store signing at Music Mania and his II Trill album release party at Emo’s. airwaves. L.E.P. performed with Shawty Lo at the Suite. - O.G. of Luxury Mindz (www.luxurymindz.com) - Jamal Hooks ([email protected]) BAY ST. LOUIS, MS: CINCINNATI, OH: Chop the Truth and The Block Burnaz tore it down at Nel’s Sports Bar & Lounge. Khadijah, “Queen of The City,” has been grinding really hard and teaming up The Swamp Root Klik has announced they are releasing their album Mississip- with the Mixen Vixen, DJ Dimepiece, to show these niggas who’s the “Boss.” pi’s Secret Weapon. Huggy Bear the Poet, along with Shakespear and friends, The Ritz nightclub is going strong this summer and has a huge roster of acts have mad poetry skills. Some of Shakespear’s Katrina footage was used in on the upcoming list. B-Luck is the youngest cat on the roster and he’s hatin’ Spike Lee’s film When the Levees Broke. Get ready for DJ Deliyte’s 1st Annual on everybody, so don’t take that shit personal – it’s just B-Luck. Kayo Montana Producer & Artist Summit. has released his DVD Before the Deal and it can be seen on all the local chan- - DJ Deliyte ([email protected]) nels. - Judy Jones ([email protected]) BIRMINGHAM, AL: Bun B hit the town during the Miles College Annual M-Day to promote his COLUMBUS, GA: new album II Trill. The Carter Group Car Show took place at The Alabama State Foxie 105’s Family Day in the Park is coming. Over the years, Family Day in Fairgrounds, with and many others swinging through. Yo Gotti the Park has introduced artists like Mary J. Blige. It was the first place T.I. graced the stage at The Continental Ballroom. M.P. dropped another mixtape. performed after his 2004 prison release, and on that same day, hosted Crime DJ C. Ross of 103.1 WEUP/Freewill Records dropped Showtyme Take 2 featuring Mob’s “Knuck If You Buck” video shoot. In addition to Family Day, two big Youngbloodz, Playaz Circle, Khao, Gucci Mane, and Corey Barbar. OZONE Maga- name artists are scheduled to make a stop in the fountain city, and the second zine came through for the B.A. Boyz’ video shoot. View Mobb is doing shows annual Hip Hop Summit kicks off in July. around the city and Birmingham J’s new single “Cazals” is getting spins. - Slick Seville ([email protected]) - K. Bibbs ([email protected])

18 // OZONE MAG “Ridin Wit’ No Ceiling” from Boss Hogg Outlaws and Slim Thugga. The G COLUMBUS, OH: Kamp is reppin’ South of Houston with the new project Against All Oddz. Mr. Scarface, 2 Pistols, , Rocko, Shawty Lo, The love for is so strong that G Kamp is giving a percent of sales , Eric Roberson, Bun B, and even The Flavor to his kids. H.I.S.D. is bringing the original Hip Hop with “The District.” of Love girls have stopped by to kick it. Elephant Byron Bank, Uppa Dek, Trae, and ABN all dropped smashes recently. Man got his trunk grabbed by some wild fans (go to - Jay Gamble ([email protected]) flypaperblog.com to see the video). The Flypaper had its first industry event with execs from Def Jam, B.E.T., INDIANAPOLIS, IN: Interscope, and other labels. On the music scene, Brew, Ms. Dumas, and ABC Bail Bonds is staying busy getting folks out look out for Ohio’s own Searius Add; he’s blowing up of jail. Picture Perfect has club pics on lock. They also have player in the Midwest. His Unplugged concert was dope. Fly prices on portfolio packages and a new location at 38th and Park. Lil Union is performing with on some of the PeeWee and Dimelife Ent. are getting a buzz in the streets. Gig Fam is Midwest dates. putting on shows to support the local rap scene. Trash Life Ent. and - Yohannan Terrell ([email protected]) HoggBillies did the crunkest performance I’ve ever seen in Indianapo- lis. Nappyville’s single “Supa Clean” with Lil Boosie is blazin’ airwaves. DALLAS/FT. WORTH, TX: Dragged Up Music’s new location is shocking the world with its Teenage artist Lil Twist signed with Cash Money. Stub impressive murals and graffiti. Check out the DJ Screw, UGK, and Gucci a Lean has everybody wearing his Addiktion clothing, Mane murals. while Fat Pimp is making the clubs and radio do the - DJ Black ([email protected]) “Rack Daddy.” 97.9 the Beat Car Show & Concert had downtown . Metro Muzik is letting all local artists JACKSON, MS: perform at Palm Beach on Friday nights. The Trap Star Young Jeezy made his way back to the Capital City courtesy of his Cartel is keeping the Westside of the Metroplex on newest addition to the CTE label, Boo “Rossini.” Stax’s 6th Annual chill with “I’m Cool.” Club 820 is your new Sunday night Birthday Takeover was crazy. A gunman opened fire inside Upper spot in Funkytown. Tre D is on the airwaves with “Gutta Level, creating another ruckus with the mayor. Rick Ross and Webbie Chick” and Versatile dropped his Verses the World album. hit the city, and Webbie had a little altercation with the sheriff’s de- Free Twisted Black, Z-Ro, and Boleg city. partment upon his arrival. Soulja Boy, Hurricane Chris, and B.E.T. host - Edward “Pookie” Hall ([email protected]) Terrence J also came through the city, making the kids happy with an end of the school year jam. , CO: - Tambra Cherie ([email protected]) & Stax (blockwear@tmo. The historical Holly Strip in Park Hill was burned down, and the blackberry.net) community is outraged. On the Eastside of town, the creator of the Crips in Denver during the 80s, Michael “Cyco Mike” Asbury, JACKSONVILLE, FL: was murdered. The Nuggets talk about trading Carmelo and Camby. Midget Mac brought VH1 to the city while filming for his new show On a better note, Innerstate Ike dropped his best work titled Jay-Z I Love Money (coming July 7th). We can’t get enough of Boosie and of the Blacktop. Ktone T.V. video show now airs weekly along with Webbie, plus Yo Gotti and Pleasure P stopped through for Bigga Groove Zone and Real Hip Hop 5280. Freestyle Fridays at ONI’s Barber- Rankin’s 16th Cool Runnings Anniversary at Plush. Bigga flew over shop is poppin’; The Loft is jam packed weekly as well as 95.7 the Party 15 hard-working Jacksonvillians (including Midget Mac, myself, out at Paladium. is featuring about 10 big artists and First DJ Kool-Aid, Ms. Dynasty, and Terrence Tyson) to Kansas City for Saturdays at Blue Ice is gonna be big all summer. Mon-E-G’s video featuring Yo Gotti and Rick Ross. The HardHeadz - DJ Ktone (Myspace.com/djktonedotcom) shot a video with Swordz; Young Jeezy stunted through the city for Garfield’s birthday; and C.E.O. not only threw another outrageous , MI: Foam Party but also dropped a new mixtape with DJ Q45. A Lot 2 Deezy’s new project Roll Model is in the streets. Trick-Trick is heating Lose has a new club smash “Ballin on You” featuring Shawn Jay. up the airwaves with “Let’s Work.” Identical is getting video play with - Lil Rudy ([email protected]) their single “I’m Doin What I Do.” The Zone Radio (89.3 FM) celebrated its 6-year anniversary. FM 98 WJLB had their annual What’s Next on KANSAS CITY, MO/KS: the Menu Concert at St. Andrews Hall. Stretch Money was featured on OZONE Magazine and MTV Jams invaded the town and filmed the AllHipHop.com. Radio personality Cheron and Flavor of Love 2 win- next episode of Rapquest. Kansas City’s King was one ner Deelishis had an on-air altercation with Khia. is set to drop of the featured artists in the shoot and his new album Killer is a new mixtape. You can expect to hear , as well as Royce Da in stores now. Be on the look out for Legion the Legend; he just 5’9”, , , Monica Blaire, , Famous & signed with STL production team The Trackboyz and his single Flame, and Rock Bottom. Lady Blade is working on her mixtape Queen “Paramedic” is blazing Hot 103 Jamz’ Underground Heat. DJ Rice is of the City. - AJ ([email protected]) & Eric tha Crunk (Myspace. working on his Still in These Streets compilation that will feature com/CrunkAtlantaMusic) the street banger “Whip It” from Chain Gang Parolees. - Kenny Diamondz ([email protected]) DOTHAN, AL: D&R Promotions and Creative Vybes Entertainment teamed up for the first annual LAS VEGAS, NV: Community Day on Spring Street. In attendance to show support were Tallahas- Jay-Z, Kanye West, , Lupe Fiasco, Pharrell, DJ Clue, see rapper Tre Snatch; Mobile rapper Thao; Hood Hard DJ Marcus Kage, and over Flo-Rida, Sugar Hill Gang, , DJ Drama, and have all 200 members of the community of all ages. There was music, food, and fun for been on the scene. Las Vegas sends our condolences to the family all. Musical guests scheduled to make appearances in the near include and friends of Orish Grinstead – original member of R&B group 702 BloodRaw, Dolla, Kinfolk Kia Shine, and Young Ralph. and twin sister of Irish – who recently passed away. Our thoughts - DJ Akil ([email protected]) and prayers are with you. - Portia Jackson ([email protected]) GAINESVILLE, FL: invades the Ville with featured performances from , Ace Hood, Bizzle, ANGELES, CA: and the Dunk Ryders, as well as the first act signed to Yung Joc’s la- Jay-Z and Mary J. murdered L.A. with three stellar shows, followed bel, Hot Stylz. Since it’s a college town, summer has slowed down the club scene a week later by Kanye West’s Glow in the Dark Tour. KPWR’s annual but that hasn’t stopped the B.R.E. Cartel from tearing it down on the 1’s and 2’s Powerhouse Concert boasts one of the dopest line-ups that a Rap every Saturday, along with Mr. Ripper and DJ 44 putting it down every Thirsty fan could imagine, featuring performances by Lil Wayne, Game, Thursday. DJ Terrah of Magic 101.3 and the Gatekeepers makes history by being , T-Pain, , Colby O’Donis and more. USC Super the first from Gainesville to appear on BET’sRap City. Frosh, O.J. Mayo, enters the NBA draft amidst allegations he vio- - Jett Jackson ([email protected]) lated NCAA rules and took the cheese while in school. Oh well, get that money playboy. R.I.P. to ’s son Xavier who passed after HOUSTON, TX: only 11 days in the world. Our prayers are with you X. Bun B is II Trill and showed it at Bar Rio for his album release party. GL Produc- - Ant Wright of Swag, Inc. (www.Myspace.com/antsandg) tions is pushing out hits for Letoya Luckett’s new CD, as well as the new smash

OZONE MAG // 19 NASHVILLE, TN: Shan Foster is officially headed to the NBA and TSU’s own Dominique Rodg- ers-Cromartie was selected in the 1st round of the NFL Draft. Hang Time shut the city down again for their two-year anniversary party. Pearl Fusion Retro is now open and the 1st Tennessee Music Conference and Hip Hop Awards plans to shine even more light on the state. C-Dub, C-Lo, and Crisis are now Derrty DJs. Skateboard P’s single “Fresh out the Club” produced by Fate East- wood is a summer anthem and the Annual Cancer/Leo Birthday Bash hosted by JC, Serious, and Lady Mirage Models sets the standard. - Janiro ([email protected]) LOUISVILLE, KY: Derby Weekend was off the meat rack with parties galore. Friday, DJs Q45 and NEW ORLEANS, LA: Dimepiece were on the 1’s & 2’s at The Villa. Saturday, the Grand Gala was a Q93’s Slab 1 is the new King of Nights in the 504. He’s the perfect successor star-studded event with celebs like Gabrielle Union, Bob Johnson, Michael to Wild Wayne. The Hip Hop Hour with Alex McConduit is the hottest show on Strahan, T-Mo Goodie, Tracy Edmonds, and others. Ms. Sharlene Shanklin Loyola University’s campus. They began syndicating to WODU Radio in Norfolk, organized this event. Darrell Griffith’s party popped as usual; DJ did VA by featuring female rapper 3D Na’Tee. DJ Money Fresh has The Duck Off him, so did Plaiboi, BDMJ, Famous, and ThruDaRoof. Sunday, the Funk Flex poppin’ every week. Every Hornets’ home playoff game was followed by an Car Show was very colorful. KYMP Kamp hosted the 2nd Annual Awards. Our after party and the ladies were in the building. The hottest new releases out hearts go out to Static’s wife Avonti and Lil D for the Tribute to a Legend at of the Creole cockpit are The Show’s Victory Lap, K-Gates and B.G.’s mixtape, City Block. and Curren$y’s joint “Welcome to the Winner’s Circle.” - Divine Da Instagata ([email protected]) OCALA, FL: KILLEEN/BELTON/TEMPLE/WACO, TX: C. Wakeley and the Gatekeepers came to town promoting Two Dogg Records’ Smoke networked with J Prince Jr. and D Glover to bring in heavy-hitters Certified (formerly Big Koon & Hollywood). Other emerging Ocala acts are Jit & Trae, Jayton and Boss of A.B.N, A Dub, D Ward, and Mike Hop to Club Hypnotic. S.G. of Kornerboy Ent. and K.S.B. The 2nd Annual Lil Boy’s Pushing Big Wheels My Lyfe Records’ N’Riyah, Yung Money, and Adykted Sol have a serious buzz Car Show got rained out but will be rescheduled. DJ Leezy’s next mixtape Tote in Central Texas. L.A. of B106.3 discussed OZONE’s Purple Rain article live on Tha City 3 is coming soon. the radio. Big Lunny had an Apple Bottom Show at Club Rio. Spark Dawg, MJ, - DJ Leezy ([email protected])- Derrick Tha Franchise (www.Myspace. and Mike Hee of Green City were on 713 the Beat and Gutta of Mack’s on the com/DerrickThaFranchise) Rise drops his single “Wood on My Dash.” - Tre Dubb ([email protected]) NEW YORK, NY ’s smash single “Hi Hater” has been brewing in NYC for a minute now MACON, GA: and is about to bubble across the country. Google it, YouTube it, get it in your Mixtape season kicks off with Insane of 2G and 97.9’s 4J (a.k.a. Mr. 4th Of life ASAP. On the underground level, a few artists making serious noise are July) releasing Keeping My Sanity. Forsyth is in with a hot one The League from Long Island (getting a heavy co-sign from Sha Money and from Bishop City. His “Polo’s and Ice Cream” is a club banger. DJs Ric Flare, Kay Slay); Nikal Fieldz (a caucasian MC from Rochester with the crazy single Teknikz and Storm set it off at The Rock for Teknikz’ B-Day Bash. “Racist”); and a female emcee with a lyrical obsession, Nina B from Ravenel and Bohagon came through as well. Records. - Ali Roc ([email protected]) - J. Hatch (www.Myspace.com/jasonhadshian) MANATEE COUNTY, FL: PITTSBURGH, PA: Rumba Lounge held a Gorilla Zoe concert with opening act Geno & Skunk Warner Brothers’ own has everybody saying “Say Yea” and Paper performing their single “Bucket.” The single was included on the latest TJs Boys Entertainment is pushing “Trap Walk” featuring DJ Unk. S. Money is still DJs Tastemaker’s Only CD. Slip-N-Slide Street artist Chill Da Million Dollar Man the man and DJs Boogie, GQ, Kode Wred, Black Steel, and Schizo are working continues to make his presence seen all over Florida. There’s definitely been hard. F-Block Records got the single “Wrist Game” and their new mixtape All a drought in the night life for Bradenton, Sarasota, and Palmetto since Club About the Gwap. “We Run It” is all over the net. Boaz and Vonn Treeze con- Heat closed. The only regular survivor is the Big Bro Comedy Show held every tinue to supply the hits. “Go hard or go home” is Pittsburgh’s new motto. Friday at the Bella Vista Building. Open mic is from 10-11 PM, followed by - Lola Sims ([email protected]) comics from B.E.T. and Last Comic Standing. It’s hosted by Gigallo Weeze and 96.5 FM is on the scene. For more info call 941-592-0343. PORTLAND, OR & IDAHO: - Hollywoodred ([email protected]) Monster tours are hitting The Rose City this summer. Too $hort, Andre Nicka- tina, Mike P, and Cool Nutz all on one stage – it’s a West Coast Classic. Don’t MEMPHIS, TN: sleep on the 503 grindas like Lil’ Fats of Hi Rollerz Records. His Coast 2 Coast and have created their own remix of Three 6’s “I’d mixtape series is validated and his label just officially signed The Source’s Rather.” Although they may have just been fucking off, they definitely had Unsigned Hype Slo Poke, a.k.a. SP, to a deal for his second full length project fun with this one. Rapper Teflon Don has been getting lots of attention The Appreciation Of. That’s three NW artists in The Source’s Unsigned Hype in ever since winning the Memphisrap.com Showcase and has been marketing less than half a year – something’s in the water, baby. himself quite well. Kia Shine has been spotted handing out some new singles - Luvva J (Myspace.com/luvvaj) around town. Not sure what to expect with his latest single titled “My New Style,” but we do know he’s been on the collaboration tip with some other REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Memphis artists. Rumors are rampant this month about the return of Ireland’s only Hip Hop - Deanna Brown ([email protected]) radio station Vibe FM which was shut down five years ago by local police. With a full schedule leaked to us, it appears that within weeks the pirate MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA: will be back on air, stronger than before. UK’s #1 Jodie Aysha was in Dublin With headquarters like AOL and Google within walking distance, this wealthy this month, performing the hit single “Heartbroken” to a capacity crowd. town is not all work and no play. The Shoreline Amphitheater used to be The heavier Hip Hop fans were treated to sold-out Madlib and A-Trak shows, home to KMEL’s Summer Jam concerts until a person was murdered after the while it was a month that saw numerous Hip Hop spots known for supporting show in 2005. The venue scaled back for a couple of years, yet it’s willing to local talent struggle to stay afloat. host the 2008 concert featuring , and Method - Kev Storrs ([email protected]) Man, , , and Ghostface along with a slew of other artists that started this rap shit ( and ). And for the grown , CA: and sexy, the legendary performs for one night only when he Independent underground artists from Diego to L.A. unite on the fifth install- makes a rare Bay Area appearance. ment of the Street Pressure mixtape series. Z90.3’s Extreme Autofest invaded - Kay Newell ([email protected]) the Chargers Qualcomm Stadium; the event even took time to address Diego’s underground illegal Street Racing problems via Racelegal.com. Tourism is

20 // OZONE MAG soaring this year and the Hip Hop community is taking advantage of the boom with shows by , Lil Wayne, , Day 26, and even a TALLAHASSEE, FL: Secret Breakfast show with . The streets are buzzin’ with lots of new records out of Florida. Ace Hood got - Ant Wright of Swag, Inc. (Myspace.com/antsandg) the new joint “Cash Flow” featuring our very own T-Pain and my man Rick Ross. This record is going hard, as is Grind Mode’s new joint “She ” and MONTGOMERY, AL: Bizzle’s “Naked Hustle.” TJ’s DJ’s Music Conference was a success with some WJWZ had a special meet-and-greet for its listeners. The Sky Bar and Grill of the hottest producers doing their thing in the beat battle. We had a special is the new hot spot on Fri and Sat nights. DJ Frank White and Greg Street surprise guest appearance by Chilli of TLC to add to the excitement. released Gump’s Most Hated Vol. 5. The Maxximum Exposure Networking and - DJ Dap ([email protected]) Music Conference was tight. Even though the host was going off on every- body, it still allowed participants to network with T.J. Chapman, DJ Aaries, TAMPA, FL: Reewine Radio, Cadillac Don (above, with Hot Girl Maximum and Kamikaze), DJs Mingle Mixx and Coz manned the 1’s and 2’s while 3rd Leg Greg hosted Khao, Riskay, Dr. Fangaz, Lil Chappy, Bama Hip Hop, etc. Killa Katt and King the Women’s NCAA Final Four at The St. Pete Times Ice Forum. Aych returned South are rumored to be dissing T. Long since they’ve gotten with Tight 2 Def. to 106 & Park in a losing effort, but launched his own line of bottled water All I know is somebody sold somebody’s jewelry to get somebody out of jail. called Aych 2-O. MC Serch called into The Hip-Hawk Hour to discuss Khia’s - DJ Frank White (Myspace.com/DJFrankWhite96) & Hot Girl Maximum (HotGirl. addition to VH1’s Miss Rap Supreme. Hip Hop Soda Shop hosted Tango’s album [email protected]) listening party and “16 Bars” video shoot. GateKeeper affiliate DJ Shizm ap- peared on BET’s Rap City. SAVANNAH, GA: - Slick Worthington ([email protected]) The month kicked off with White Chocolate’s Birthday at Club 170. Yola and Clouds Entertainment showed haters they weren’t gon’ give up on throwing TULSA, OK the best parties of the season. They added 2 Pistols and V.I.C. to their summer It’s goin’ down at Club Pure every weekend with DJ GoodGround as their line-up and even bigger stars are coming soon. The Next 2 Blow mixtape will newest resident DJ. Top-Bar Code, Ramal Hometown Heat, and The Goodfellas be released soon featuring only the best in the underground music world presents The Summer Swag Beach Party with DJ King Arthur and V.I.C. Dem from all corners of the map. Here’s your Rapquest tip of the month: use your Franchize Boyz visited 105.3 KJAMZ and Kool Keith conducted the exclusive hobby to get paid. interview. DJ Dre the Monsta heats up the street with his newest mixtape en- - Lucky (Myspace.com/She_She) titled Certified Street Invasion Vol. 2 co-hosted by yours truly, DJ Civil Rightz. - DJ Civil Rightz (Myspace.com/DJCivilRightz) SEA-TAC, WA: Highly anticipated heat not only describes the Northwest’s desire for summer, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA: but also Framework’s long overdue release on Keivarae Entertainment, This is Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, N.E.R.D., and Rhianna were in town for the Glow in It. Recent Northwest visitors included J. Ross-Parrelli – the singer/MC’s debut, the Dark Tour. Kanye was the best by far. came to Club Mystique and Soooul Full Mixed Jams is dope; so is her live show. Pamona, CA’s Kokane has had all the dope boys in full effect. “Who Hotter than Me?” is one of the hot- moved up to The 206. ’s Dyme Def is another NW entity christened as test joints in VA right now. Doubt Gotcha was featured on BET’s Rap City and The Source’s Unsigned Hype – that’s three in half a year (SP, Mikey Vegas & really represented for the hood. Old Dominion University’s Campus Chaos, Illa J). initiated by Nicki Anderson, brought , Wale, and Hurricane Chris to the - Luvva J (Myspace.com/luvvaj) 757. Joe Pro continues to reign as the King of Clubs in VA. - Young Fame ([email protected]) ST. LOUIS, MO: Vic Damone, Jus Bleezy, and Ooops have been blessed in OZONE’s Patiently WASHINGTON, DC: Waiting. County Brown is now STL’s Hittmenn DJ rep and yours truly, Jesse Since signing with Interscope and ’s Alido Records, Wale has been James, is now a HittBreaka DJ. Mr. Marcus Mixtape had Liffy Stokes of SpeedKnot popping up all over the place as Hip Hop’s newest talent. The sneaker-head Mobstaz on his radio show. Hot mixtapes include DJ Bishop V Luv’s Something emcee has been trading bars with his favorite rapper . He ap- to Say Vol. 4, E Dubb Da Hustla’s Double Jeopardy Vol. 2, DJ Smalls and Gena’s peared with Chrisette Michelle on ’ video “Rising Up” and on the Da- The Breakthrough, DJ AJ’s Holla at Ya Derrty, DJ Trakstar’s Boogie Bang 13, vid Letterman Show. From the Rock the Bells concert to LRG ads, Wale is shining Nimmy Russell’s Beautiful People, and DerrtyBoi Montana’s DerrtyBoi Radio. Da much deserved light on Washington, DC. He just dropped his Seinfeld-inspired Banggaz also hit the streets with New STL Vol. 2 which includes a DVD. Mixtape About Nothing and his debut album is due out later this year. - Jesse James ([email protected]) - Pharoh Talib ([email protected])

OZONE MAG // 21 22 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 23 ay.com) CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS | By Wendy Day (www.WendyD

hese days, it seems like everyone is doing a conference and/or awards show in Hip Hop. What is up with that? I guess people see one or two people do it, and they think they have the proper connections, knowl- edge, and opinions to do it their damn selves. The problem is, most fail. I built my career at conferences and seminars that matter—that’s how I TIt’s not a money maker, and most people seem to think it’s a quick come up. learned much of what I know about this business. I met folks, kept in touch, It’s really not. Ask anyone who has done a conference or awards show. and learned from their experiences. Instead, we now have hundreds of little seminars that no one attends, with panelists who don’t really matter and at- I believe in knowledge, so in the past three years, I have attended every tendees who didn’t come to learn. seminar, conference, and summit that seemed worthy and fit my schedule. This kept me on the road for at least 10 days a month in the past few years, So, if you are planning a conference or seminar in your area, please make yet only a handful of these events were worthwhile. I have attended so many sure you find the perfect venue (nightclubs are for showcases, not panel bullshit events that I am now officially burned out on seminars, award shows, discussions), and sponsors who are willing to invest in your vision. Make sure and conferences. your panelists are a nice mix of successful people who genuinely want to share useful information (as opposed to airing out others or pumping up their Most of the events lacked the proper funding to advertise and promote the own businesses). Your panelists should consist of local successful people, event properly, so numerous times I ended up speaking to rooms with less regionally established industry people, and nationally significant people—all than 50 people. Almost all of the events were done in nightclubs, which with proven track records. The panelists should be people willing to give confused the attendees when they were told to shut up and listen to the folks back, not people coming into your marketplace to “rape” the local artists. on stage speaking. As you can guess, most didn’t shut up, so we ended up speaking to ourselves and the first 10 feet of attendees with the dull hum of Plan the panels according to your market. If you have an abundance of indie voices in the background to thoroughly distract and insult us. labels in your area (like anywhere in Florida, Alabama, , etc) make certain you have panelists who can share knowledge on putting out an indie And at almost every conference, I ended up speaking along side of people record and maybe a LEGITIMATE distributor on the panel. If your market has who were more interested in self-promoting their company or crew, or who no great producers but a ton of rappers, make sure you have some regional gave wrong information to the attendees. My favorite was a local lawyer who and national producers on the panel to help both the artists and the up and told the crowd that artists didn’t need to copyright their music. Idiot! coming producers learn. Fill the void! Whatever your community is missing is what you should be offering. You will most likely need to fly key people in Seems more than a few of the conventions trick folks into coming by offering and put them up in a decent hotel. That is standard unless you have the con- showcase spots (for $500 to $2,000 a spot), telling the artists that they will nections and power to ask people to come at their own expense. get to perform in front of industry folks (yeah, folks like me who wouldn’t stay for a showcase even with a gun to my head) who could sign them and Panel discussions should last at least an hour to get a real discussion going, make all of their dreams come true. and almost as long for the audience to ask questions. Make sure you post an event schedule on a website so people know where to go and what’s going These suckers who pay for showcase spots are obviously the people who are on. It’s a good idea to print that schedule out and hand it to your attendees talking through the panels in the back of the room because the majority of as they come to your event. Make sure the panelists receive it ahead of time panelists actually tell artists exactly how to get signed to a record deal (if so they can attend more than just their panel. you were listening, you’d know too). Hell, I spoke over 40 times in the past 14 months, and at every event I talked about how to get a deal and how inef- Have a moderator who can control the crowd and keep the discussion moving fective it is to hand out demos. At the end of every panel, I was bombarded in a lively fashion. This is just as important as having interesting panelists. with demos. I also skipped every showcase (while it’s important for artists to practice their craft and perform, doing so in front of the industry with the Make sure you spread the word about your event. Just using free MySpace intention of getting signed to a major label is a waste—doing so in front of blasts are not enough. Radio ads, flyers and posters, and advertising to the consumers who will buy a CD is a better move; more strategic, and the sales urban music community at least two months ahead is key for a small event. are more likely to attract a label to sign you). Six months ahead if you are trying to attract attendance from a larger area like your entire region. The SEAs begin advertising the next year’s event the The importance of a local seminar in smaller towns and cities is its ability week after the SEAs end. You don’t have to be that thorough, but maybe to bring together like-minded people. In areas like Gainesville, Memphis, that’s why the attendance there always breaks a couple thousand. If your Augusta, San Antonio, or Jackson, a seminar brings together local radio event wasn’t worthy of people attending this year, there won’t be a next year. people, DJs, retailers, artists, etc, into one place so they can network and in- I know I won’t be back. teract with each other. It’s a great way for new people to get to know who is who, and an even better way to plan to work together on projects and build And lastly, if there’s already a successful event in your area or region, find relationships. This is a who-you-know business. In a perfect world, these another avenue. Why try to copy or compete with something that already events may even bring in successful national or regional folks from the music works and works well? TJ’s DJ’s springs to mind. Every Quarter, his event at- industry who are willing to share their secrets of success (with the folks who tracts 3,000+ people, mostly key artists and industry people. If you are in that aren’t rudely talking to each other during the panel). region, why would you want to compete with that? You’d end up looking bad, unable to attract the volume and the key people that his events attract. Don’t follow, lead. Find what’s missing in your region and supply that. And then be sure to do it well. //

24 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Willy Northpole & Shareefa @ MTV Jams’ ATL Week filming in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Ms Rivercity); UGK 4Ever mural on the set of Bun B’s “That’s Gangsta” in Port Arthur, TX (Photo: Knowledge); Trae & Tony Neal @ Crisco Kidd’s birthday party in Houston, TX (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // Rockwilder & DJ Q45 @ The Marlin (Miami, FL) 02 // Maricia Magana & DJ Playboy @ Pashaa Ultra Lounge for Crisco Kidd’s birthday party (Houston, TX) 03 // Greg Street, DJ Blak, & Mistah FAB @ WVEE (Atlanta, GA) 04 // Ump, Suthern Boy, & Gorilla Tek @ Prive for Trina’s album release party (Miami, FL) 05 // J Cash & Jon Young @ Koha for Treal’s video shoot (Orlando, FL) 06 // Gorilla Zoe & Vee @ Mansion for Rick Ross’s “” album release party (Miami, FL) 07 // Killa Kyleon & Bun B @ Bar Rio for Bun B’s 2 Trill album release party (Houston, TX) 08 // Trae & @ ’s birthday concert (Houston, TX) 09 // Lil C & Khao on the set of “How We Do It In The A” (Atlanta, GA) 10 // DJ Irie & Cee-Lo @ Hooter’s Beach Ball festival (Miami, FL) 11 // Donimo & Spark Dawg @ The Beat 713 (Houston, TX) 12 // Nnette interviewing Yung Berg & Ray J (Houston, TX) 13 // Yung Joc, Dapa, Grind, & guest on the set of Hot Stylz “” video shoot (Atlanta, GA) 14 // DJ Dr Doom & Stephanie B @ The Moon for TJ’s DJ’s (Tallahassee, FL) 15 // Brandi Garcia & Troublesum @ Pashaa Ultra Lounge for Crisco Kidd’s birthday party (Houston, TX) 16 // JC & Gorilla Zoe @ DJ Teknikz’ birthday bash (Macon, GA) 17 // Slim Thug & DJ EFX (Houston, TX) 18 // The Dream & Party 93.3 staff @ 93.3 (Houston, TX) 19 // Teresa, Eddie DeVille, Crisco Kidd, & Unique of the Grit Boys @ Pashaa Ultra Lounge for Crisco Kidd’s birthday party (Houston, TX) 20 // Bankroll Jonez & Chamillionaire @ Pashaa Ultra Lounge for Crisco Kidd’s birthday party (Houston, TX)

Photo Credits: Bogan (04); Johnny Louis (10); Julia Beverly (03,06,07,09); Knowledge (02,08,11,12,15,17,18,19,20); Malik Abdul (01,05); Ms Rivercity (16); Terrence Tyson (13,14)

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 25 25 equivalent of a man slapping the shit out of a female, apologizing, slapping the shit out of her again, and CHIN CHECK then the female asks that man for sex.

By Charlamagne Tha God 4. VOCODER EPIDEMIC What is wrong with you dudes? Since when is it okay to just take a bite out of another man’s swagger? T-Pain came with the voice coder thing for this generation (salute to Roger Troutman) and now every rapper and We now take a small break from being positive and going to kill newborn babies. He said he stopped sniff- their weed carrier wants to use the voice coder! Snoop uplifting our community to criticize this culture that ing cocaine because it gives him acne? That is the best Dogg, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, everybody. Even we love called Hip Hop. Why? In the immortal words of reason he could find to stop using cocaine? Now he local rappers in Any Hood USA are using this shit. I TIP off the T.I. vs. T.I.P. album, Act Three, Track 16, Verse says he created the whole genre of mixtapes, he says want to speak for T-Pain because he is too much of a Three (song “Tell Em’ I Said That”), bar 11, “Cause the “fuck mixtape DJs,” and you guys let him slide with a gentleman to say, “Get off my dick! Can I live? Can I at game feels like the real niggas on strike!” There is a half-ass apology to DJ Drama? Please. I totally cosign least get a third album out before y’all start chewing lot of bullshit going on in the industry that is rubbing my brother DJ Chuck T and his movement to download on my shit?” I saw this happen with Das Efx. Their style Cthagod the wrong way. For a giant, these are just Lil Wayne’s CD to death. I hear y’all, “Naw, that’s fucked was dope but before they could get a second album small things that are bothering me, almost like that up. You are taking money out of Wayne’s pockets!” Ne- out, other emcees bit off their style and played it out small pea the princess through those 20 mattresses gro please. The only check Lil Wayne needs right now so bad that by the time the originators of the style and 20 feather beds (step your fairy tale game up). is a reality check. No need to get into a whole bunch came back around, nobody wanted to hear that shit! of rhetoric over Lil Lame, check the archives of OZONE Imitation is not always the best form of flattery. 1. Nas changing his album title and read my Fuck Lil Wayne editorial. I heard the Carter Nas is my second favorite emcee of all time. Number 3. It’s good, nothing amazing, just like the writer of 5. Shawty Lo vs. TI one is , two is Rakim Allah, four is the album. I keep telling y’all Lil Wayne is overrated, We all know TI in a rap battle against Shawty Lo is Andre 3000 and five is TIP, if you’re wondering. It pisses over-hyped, he has over-extended his welcome, and about as competitive as a lawn mower against grass me off that he changed the title of his album because he’ll probably die of an overdose. but what bothered me is that Shawty Lo was calling he buckled under the pressure of Corporate America. out TI for not being from Bankhead when in reality he Nas is more concerned about his bottom line, the al- 3. Dj Drama should be an equal opportunity hater (like myself) and mighty dollar and not the impact that title would have Drama is my man but damn he was soft on Wayne. I call out every person repping the “A” who wasn’t even had on the world. There was a sense of urgency to go distinctly remember MTV asking Lil Wayne about DJ born in Georgia! Wikipedia some of these people: Usher out and grab that album because Nas was rebelling Drama’s situation after the Federal raid and Wayne (Chattanooga, TN), Ludacris (Champaign, IL), Young against the system and going against the grain. People said, “Smarten up.” “It’s a bad thing, but you gotta play Jeezy (Columbia, SC), Ciara (Austin, TX), and Jermaine who were not even fans of Nas were going to grab that the game fair.” “If you don’t play fair, all kind of things Dupri (Ashville, NC), and these are just the ones I can album just off the title alone, because they wanted to can happen.” “You gotta watch people like DJ Clue; name off the top of my head. Maybe we should do a know what this guy could possibly be talking about. watch people like DJ Khaled, they do it right.” “You feature in OZONE called “It ain’t where you from, it’s Now, that sense of urgency has dissipated. Diehard fans gotta do it right.” Wayne said, “It’s gonna be a mes- where you at, but where exactly are you from again?” like me will support him, but I’m still disgusted. People sage, the authorities, ain’t playing.” “They gonna make get a Revelation of Truth and they’re scared to stand an example.” “They gonna straighten the game out.” Now that I’m done venting, I’ve got real shit to go on that truth because of the persecution that comes “A lot of companies take a fall with those mixtapes.” write about. I just want you suckers to remember that with it. People who really believe in the message “Niggas be caking up off them mixtapes.” “The artists the Cultural Critic Charlamagne Tha God is always atch- they’re delivering have a spirit that knows no matter can drop his album and everybody knows that Hip Hop ing. Salute to Bianca Barnes over at BET for coining me what persecution they encounter on account of those album sales are in decline; nobody ain’t gonna buy the Cultural Critic, thank you. I can’t stop calling myself words will only make them stronger. I guess Nas isn’t the album and everybody gets the mix tapes off of the that now! willing to fight for his truth. That is why the scripture Internet or whatever way they get it.” “The artists ain’t reads, “Many are called but only a few are chosen.” caking, but the nigga you made the mixtape with is P.S. South Carolina a.k.a South Crack The Album in Nas had a Revelation to call his album Nigger but he caking up.” “Thank God I ain’t got that problem, but I stores August 19th! obviously doesn’t have the strength to stand up for it know a lot of people who do!” He threw Drama under under the persecution of his and whoever the bus and Drama should have returned the favor else pressured him to change the title of his CD. What’s when he called in with that “I apologize but I meant funny is that he would not have been the first to do it. every word I said. Fuck y’all, I’ll chew your face off” ODB had Nigga Please, 2Pac had Strictly 4 My Niggaz, apology. What really bothered me about this interview Richard Pryor had Bicentennial Nigga and That Nigga’s is when Drama let Wayne diss every DJ that uses Serato Crazy. Hell, N.W.A stands for Niggas With Attitude! or Final Scratch. Wayne talked about how DJs be in The conversation probably went like this from the the club with the computer on top of the turntables. higher-ups at Universal, “Hey, call that nigga LA Reid Duh! Drama, how did you let this cornball diss damn and tell him to tell that nigga Nas to change his album near every DJ in the game? Name a DJ who is not using title or we’re firing both them niggas.” Serato or Final Scratch? Fred Flintstone ass DJs still us- ing turntables probably can’t afford to upgrade. Wayne 2. Lil Punk Ass Wayne called Drama and basically said, “I apologize but fuck How many passes are we going give this clown Lil y’all anyway.” So basically, Drama let Wayne say “Fuck Wayne? It’s to the point that we’re all are going to have mixtape DJs” twice. Not only did Drama let him say it, to start taking the blame for his bullshit. The media, but he asked him to do a Dedication Three. Last time the consumers, radio stations and video channels. We I checked, Drama was one of the kings of the mixtape are the enablers of this guy’s ignorance. He said he’s game. So when Wayne says “fuck mixtape DJs,” I would think this means you too, Drama. This situation is the

26 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Chamillionaire & Lil B of The Pack in Houston, TX (Photo: Knowledge); Gucci Mane & Yung Berg @ Luckie’s in Atlanta, GA (Photo: D-Ray); Lil Mama & Pleasure P @ Club Level for The Beat’s birthday bash in Columbia, SC (Photo: Terrence Tyson)

01 // Horseman, guest, & Unique of the Grit Boys @ Pashaa Ultra Lounge for Crisco Kidd’s birthday party (Houston, TX) 02 // Shinea, Malik Abdul, & Shannon @ Studio Inc for OZONE model search (Tampa, FL) 03 // Matthew Knowles, J Xavier, & guest @ 97.9 (Houston, TX) 04 // The Pack (Houston, TX) 05 // D’Lyte, Big Bink, & Ebony @ The Beat car show (Dallas, TX) 06 // DJ Holiday, Rocko, Kaspa, & YV @ Club Level for The Beat’s birthday bash (Columbia, SC) 07 // Lil Boosie reppin’ Sixteen Seventy clothing @ Kush Lounge (Charleston, SC) 08 // Bun B & ESG on the set of Bun B’s “That’s Gangsta” (Port Arthur, TX) 09 // LeToya Luckett & Kay Newell @ Zak’s Studio (Atlanta, GA) 10 // Uncle Luke & Demetrius Allen @ Sobe Live for Too $hort’s birthday party (Miami, FL) 11 // DJ Hi-C, Elora Mason, & OG Ron C @ Glo (Houston, TX) 12 // Grand Prix & DJ Miss Behavior @ The CORE DJs Retreat (New Orleans, LA) 13 // Big Cee Jay, C Wakeley, Mighty Mike, Grand Prix, Big Amp, & J Holla @ The Moon for TJ’s DJ’s (Tallahassee, FL) 14 // Crisco Kidd & DJ Jack Frost @ Sharpstown (Houston, TX) 15 // G- Mack @ KYMP Awards (Louisville, KY) 16 // DJ Teknikz & Gorilla Zoe @ DJ Teknikz’ birthday bash (Macon, GA) 17 // J-Boss & DJ Hi-C @ Papa’s BBQ (Houston, TX) 18 // QC Partystarters Big Chris & Marquis with model search contestants @ Studio Inc for OZONE model search (Tampa, FL) 19 // Keith Kennedy & DJ Smallz @ The Edge for OZONE party (Tallahassee, FL)

Photo Credits: D-Ray (09); Edward Hall (05); Julia Beverly (10); Knowledge (01,03,04,08,11,14,17); Malik Abdul (15); Ms Rivercity (16); Terrence Tyson (02,06,07,12,13,18,19)

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 27 27 … a

call I fuck

the

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and NECKLACE my

iked L he S

SEAN KINGSTON CHILD’s PLAY color crayon diamonds in it, and I got it. [Fans] go crazy. They always want to “ wanted to be different from the rest. A lot of people have a lot of take pictures with it and hold it to see how much it weights. They go crazy for chains, but I feel that [the Crayola box chain] represented me. It’s it. It’s just ridiculous. very young, very different. Nobody ever had the idea, so I got it done. I got it done by Johnny. I’m getting my record label chain made right now. My own record label I’m I coming out with is called Time Is Money Entertainment, so I’m getting a Time The chain is worth $95,000, and it’s made up of all real diamonds. The piece Is Money chain. So, be on the lookout for that and a lot more pieces and a lot is crazy! more watches. //

I used to love crayons when I was growing up. So, I said I’m gonna get a As told to Randy Roper “custom designed crayon box chain when I get older, with all the different Photo by Johnny Nunez

28 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Trina & Raekwon @ Prive for Trina’s album release party in Miami, FL (Photo: Bogan); Terrence J & Rashan Ali @ House in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Julia Beverly); Too $hort rep- pin’ UGK in Miami, FL (Photo: Julia Beverly)

CHILD’s PLAY

01 // Kisha, Jenn, & Kerisha @ Luckie’s for BMI Urban showcase (Atlanta, GA) 02 // DJ KTone & Hakeem The Dream @ Club Dolce (St Louis, MO) 03 // Money Hungry Click @ Club Red for the BA Boys’ “I Like All That” video shoot (Birmingham, AL) 04 // Guest, Emperor Searcy, & Yung Joc on the set of “Lookin Boy” (Atlanta, GA) 05 // JR, TV Johnny & family, & Dreadlocks @ 93.3 (Houston, TX) 06 // Seventeen & Corey on the set of Bun B’s “That’s Gangsta” (Port Arthur, TX) 07 // Treal @ Koha for their video shoot (Orlando, FL) 08 // Mama Wes, Lil Wayne, J Prince, Bun B, Chamillionaire, & Z-Ro @ Bar Rio for Bun B’s 2 Trill album release party (Houston, TX) 09 // Mack Maine & @ Luckie’s for BMI Urban showcase (Atlanta, GA) 10 // Bigg V & Pookie @ Club Millenium (Greenville, MS) 11 // Steph Lova & DJ Ebonix @ 97.9 (Houston, TX) 12 // Video models on the set of Rick Ross’s “Here I Am” video shoot (Miami, FL) 13 // Eric Perrin & la Princess @ Villa Fontana for G-Mack’s party with Bun B (Louisville, KY) 14 // Hi-C, DJ Aaries, & OG Ron C @ the GO DJs Conference (Houston, TX) 15 // JP & Jeff Dixon on the set of “How We Do It In The A” (Atlanta, GA) 16 // Ray J & DJ Headbussa @ Studio Inc (Tampa, FL) 17 // TJ Chapman, ESG, & Cory Mo @ Bar Rio for Bun B’s 2 Trill album release party (Houston, TX) 18 // Da Ryno, Fiya, Wickett Crickett, & guest @ Crisco Kidd’s birthday party (Houston, TX) 19 // Bigg V & Bigga Rankin @ Club Fermier (Cleveland, MS)

Photo Credits: DJ Aaries (14); DJ KTone (02); Edward Hall (10); Eric Perrin (03); J Lash (12); Julia Beverly (01,08,09,15,17,18); Knowledge (05,06,11); Luis Santana (16); Malik Abdul (06,07,13); Ralph Smith (19); Thaddaeus McAdams (04)

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 2 299 30 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Miss Dynasty & Midget Mac on the set of Mon-E G’s video shoot in Jacksonville, FL (Photo: Terrence Tyson); OJ Da Juice Man & Gucci Mane @ Patchwerk in Atlanta, GA; Lil Chuckee & Lil Wayne @ Patchwerk in Atlanta, GA (Photos: Julia Beverly)

01 // Hezeleo, Mama C, Corey, Seventeen, TOE, Big Bubb, & DJ B-Do on the set of Bun B’s “That’s Gangsta” (Port Arthur, TX) 02 // Gettin’ CRUNK!!! @ Club Red for the BA Boys’ “I Like All That” video shoot (Birmingham, AL) 03 // Mz Kitti & Queen @ Bar Rio for Bun B’s 2 Trill album release party (Houston, TX) 04 // Ray Lavender, Rock City, & Nick Love on the set of Rock City’s video shoot (Atlanta, GA) 05 // Chile & Steph Lova @ 97.9 (Houston, TX) 06 // DJ Prostyle, Tony C, & DJ Greg G @ Tabu (Orlando, FL) 07 // Uno of The Pack & Famous (Houston, TX) 08 // Cory Mo & Chamillionaire @ Crisco Kidd’s birthday party (Houston, TX) 09 // Tony Neal, TQ, & Kid Capri @ City Block for tribute (Louisville, KY) 10 // Trina & Slim Thug @ Prive for Trina’s album release party (Miami, FL) 11 // Reggie Reg, OG Ron C, Junius, & DJ Hi-C @ Papa’s BBQ (Houston, TX) 12 // Terri Thomas & J Que @ TSU (Houston, TX) 13 // Dat Boy Short & Bryan Michael Cox @ Luckie’s for BMI Urban showcase (Atlanta, GA) 14 // Junius, DJ , & guest @ Papa’s BBQ (Houston, TX) 15 // Mad Linx & Matt Daniels @ Ora Lounge (Miami, FL) 16 // Ali Vegas & video models on the set of his video shoot (Miami, FL) 17 // ESG & his wife on the set of Bun B’s “That’s Gangsta” (Port Arthur, TX) 18 // Willie & Mike of Day 26 with Ashlei @ Papa’s BBQ (Houston, TX) 19 // Daphane & Young B (Houston, TX) 20 // Lil Bankhead, Mac Boney & BloodRaw @ Club Crucial for BloodRaw’s birthday party (Atlanta, GA)

Photo Credits: Bogan (10); DJ Greg G (06); Eric Perrin (02); J Lash (16); Julia Beverly (03,04,08,13); Knowledge (01,05,07,11,12,14,17,18,19); Malik Abdul (09); Terrence Tyson (15,20)

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 31 31 JERMAINE DUPRI & GREG STREET

Greg Street: Jerlame, we need to talk. Jermaine Dupri: No, you’re dead to me. Greg Street: C’mon, man. I remember U since ‘93 when U used to wear ur clothes backwards and fuck with Kriss Kross. You’ve been messing with little kids before Chris Stokes. I didn’t mean the Slow Slow Death thing. What’s this beef about?

Jermaine Dupri: I had some leftover tilapia from my restaurant in the V103 break room and you ate it!

Greg Street: What the fuck is tilapia? I’m not messing with Janet. Jermaine Dupri: No, you dumb country muthafucka. Tilapia is fish, which is my favorite dish.

Greg Street: Jermaine, U know I won’t eat the food from your restaurant. It wasn’t me. But why’d U have to go on the internet and say “DJs are dead” over some tilapia?

Jermaine Dupri: It wasn’t just that. When U walked by me in the V103 hall- way the other day, U stepped on my J’s. I borrowed them from and now I gotta buy him a new pair.

Greg Street: My bad, JD. Why didn’t U just call me about it? OZONE EXCLUSIVE Jermaine Dupri: I’ve been busy. I’m trying to get Janet Jackson and Soulja Boy together for the “Yahh Bitch Yahh” So So Def remix. Then I’m gonna get her on the V.I.C. “Get Silly” So So Def remix. And after that, the “Smell Textin’ is no longer safe now that OZONE’s Yo Dick” So So Def remix. dangerous minds have hacked the system. Greg Street: You gotta stop making all this whack music, man. Jermaine Dupri: What? “Smell Yo Dick” is your record. I’m doing U a favor. U need to put 9th Ward on your album too.

Greg Street: Who? Jermaine Dupri: U know, my new artist. He has this record with Janet. Wait til U hear it. It’s crazy.

Greg Street: Nah, man. I’m cool. I gotta go. It’s 6:00 and my show’s about to start. I’ll see U at the station tonight. I’ll leave the mic down low for U, I know U can’t reach it sometimes.

- From the minds of Eric Perrin and Randy Roper (Photos by Tyson Horne & Julia Beverly)

3232 //// OZONEOZONE MAGMAG (above L-R): Chaka Zulu & Ciara @ Luckie’s for BMI Urban showcase in Atlanta, GA; J Prince, Jas Prince, & Lil Wayne @ Bar Rio for Bun B’s 2 Trill album release party in Houston, TX (Photos: Julia Beverly); Hurricane Chris & Trae in Houston, TX (Photo: Kurtis Graham)

01 // Terrence J, JP, & Fred Jenkins @ Frequency (Atlanta, GA) 02 // Lady Dolla & City Boyz @ SU Springfest (Baton Rouge, LA) 03 // Midget Mac & Shawty on the set of Hot Stylz “Lookin Boy” video shoot (Atlanta, GA) 04 // TV Johnny & Crime @ Paul Wall’s birthday concert (Houston, TX) 05 // Mack Maine, Lil Chuckee, & Big Man @ Patchwerk (Atlanta, GA) 06 // BSU & crew @ The Edge for OZONE party (Tallahassee, FL) 07 // Yung Joc & Shawty on the set of Hot Stylz “Lookin Boy” video shoot (Atlanta, GA) 08 // Queen, , & Young B on the set of Bun B’s “That’s Gangsta” (Port Arthur, TX) 09 // & D’Lyte @ The Beat car show (Dallas, TX) 10 // Jay Love, DJ Nasty, DJ D-Wrek, & DJ Q45 @ The Roxy for DJ Nasty’s birthday party (Orlando, FL) 11 // Big Chris, Simone, Marquis, and Neak @ Studio Inc for OZONE model search (Tampa, FL) 12 // Bigga Rankin & Fat Boy on the set of Mon-E G’s video shoot (Jacksonville, FL) 13 // DJ KTone & All Star @ DJ Technology Retreat (St Louis, MO) 14 // Stretch, D’Lyte, & E-Class @ Rhythm City (Dallas, TX) 15 // Dymond & Stephanie Perry @ The Moon for TJ’s DJ’s (Tallahassee, FL) 16 // Kaspa & YV @ Powerfest (Augusta, GA) 17 // Toro & DJ Khaled on the set of ‘Foolish’ remix video shoot (Miami, FL) 18 // Bigga Rankin, Rick Ross, & Kadife Sylvester @ Patchwerk for Rick Ross’s “Trilla” listening session (Atlanta, GA) 19 // Shareefa & LeLe @ MTV Jams’ ATL Week filming (Atlanta, GA)

Photo Credits: DJ KTone (13); DJ Who (02); D-Ray (05); Edward Hall (09,14); Julia Beverly (01,18); Knowledge (04,08); Malik Abdul (10,17); Ms Rivercity (19); Terrence Tyson (03,06,07,11,12,15,16)

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 33 33 UP TERRENCE TYSON tatted tatted D-RAY KNOWLEDGE HANNIBAL MATTHEWS - 2 0 7 D-RAY TATTOO BY JOE STU TATTOO 4 0 - 2131

34 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Midget Mac & on the set of Hot Stylz “Lookin Boy” video shoot in Atlanta, GA; Brisco & @ Ora Lounge in Miami, FL (Photos: Terrence Tyson); Corey & Slim Thug on the set of Bun B’s “That’s Gangsta” in Port Arthur, TX (Photo: Knowledge)

01 // Seventeen, TOE, Big Bubb, & DJ B-Do @ Bun B’s birthday bash (Houston, TX) 02 // Tony Neal & DJ Epps @ The Marlin (Miami, FL) 03 // TJ Chapman, BloodRaw, Chaos of Grind Mode, Mr , Dreesy Baby, Ezone, Speedracer, & Shon D @ The CORE DJs Retreat (New Orleans, LA) 04 // Malik Abdul, TJ Chapman, DJ Dr Doom, & Tony Neal @ The Moon for TJ’s DJ’s (Tallahassee, FL) 05 // Lavish Models & Trae (Houston, TX) 06 // Young Felz & Three 6 Mafia @ TSU (Houston, TX) 0 7 // Alfamega & DJ Q45 @ The Marlin (Miami, FL) 08 // & DJ Demp @ The Moon for TJ’s DJ’s (Tallahassee, FL) 09 // Teddy T & Chaos @ Funkmaster Flex’s car show (Louisville, KY) 10 // Bartenders @ The Edge for OZONE party (Tallahassee, FL) 11 // Chill da Million Dollar Man & DJ 2Gun @ The Moon for TJ’s DJ’s (Tallahassee, FL) 12 // Troy Gather & Lil Boosie @ Kush Lounge for Sixteen Seventy’s Lil Boosie show (Charleston, SC) 13 // White Boi Pizal & friends @ Destiny for Dawgman’s Crunkfest (Orlando, FL) 14 // Ethiopia, YV, & Keri Hilson @ Luckie’s for BMI Urban showcase (Atlanta, GA) 15 // Jarvis & Rock City on the set of Rock City’s video shoot (Atlanta, GA) 16 // Crisco Kidd & Slim Thug @ Crisco Kidd’s birthday party (Houston, TX) 17 // Keisha Glinton & Patrick Benoit @ The Moon for TJ’s DJ’s (Tallahassee, FL) 18 // Trae, Nancy Byron, & Stacy Schoubroek @ Crisco Kidd’s birthday party (Houston, TX)

Photo Credits: Julia Beverly (14,15,16,18); Knowledge (01,06); Kurtis Graham (05); Malik Abdul (02,07,09,13); Terrence Tyson (03,04,08,10,11,12,17) D-RAY

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 35 35 Hometown: Born in Charleston, SC (raised in Florence, SC) It’s already trademarked and patented. I did that after I saw the potential. So, Website: myspace.com/SCDJBlord anybody out there that feels like they wanna bite my shit, it’s too late. I done Radio Station: WXHT/Columbia, SC, WEAS/Savannah, GA beat y’all to it. So, y’all just stay tuned. Happy Juice is coming to a city near Mixtape Series: Trojan Man you, so watch out for it. Clubs: All Over South Cack As far as South Carolina music, a DJ is only as good as the music they play. TV Appearances: BET’s Rap City 38 Times, 106 & Park, TRL They got their shit going and they’re working with artists in their market. It Live, Carson Daly (w/ Petey Pablo) ain’t about being the top DJ [in South Carolina], it’s more about the people Awards: #1 DJ In The South 2008 SEA, TJ’s Tastemaker around you and the quality of their work and their grind and their hustle, and Award 2006, Make It Happen Award, 2007 SMES, Best Host just being able to contribute to what they’re doing. That’s really the only way On A Mixtape 2007, Best Club DJ 2007 SEA, South DJ Of The South Carolina is going to be able to make it in the music industry. If the ma- Year Tech.Nitions 2004 jor players in the market, from the program directors to the DJs to the artists 3 In Current Rotation: Lil Ru “Nasty Song,” Snook Da to the promoters, step their game up, we can all figure out how everybody Rokk Star ft. Lil Boosie “Models,” Mr. Taylor “Mirror Dance” can eat off the music. It’s about me doing everything I can do to make sure muthafuckas take that The South Cack Kingpin tells the origins of his seriously. And make sure muthafuckas know we’re down here and make South infamous “Happy Juice” concoction and explains Cack a force to be fucked with. At the same time, making sure everybody’s eating and making money off this shit. I see that shit happening real soon. why he believes his home state is next on deck. Forever, everybody’s been saying, “Why do they always forget about South Carolina?” But if you look at it, the timing is perfect. I challenge anybody to One night, I was going to the club. I used to drink Grey Goose and Red Bull show me another region that’s got the potential we’ve got, that hasn’t done all the time, but I was just tired of that drink. I gotta have some type of extra it already. Other regions have done it. New York did it, Atlanta did it, the West shit in my liquor, cause if I don’t, the liquor makes me tired. I’ll be good for Coast did it, Houston did it, New Orleans did it, and Miami’s doing it now. At a while, then after a couple of hours, the liquor starts bringing me down. I this point, muthafuckas from South Carolina can’t be crying, whining and was tired of drinking the Red Bulls, hearing all kinds of crazy shit, like it has making excuses about why they don’t fuck with us, cause now it’s our turn to something in it that’ll give you heart attacks. So, I just decided to come up jump up and make sure muthafuckas do fuck with us. with my own concoction, something that I could take to the club with me. Something that’ll get my mind right, as far as the alcohol part and something I’ve been saying South Carolina is the final frontier; this is the last unexplored else that’ll keep my energy up for the night. I just came up with something region. They can come down here and break bread with us. A lot of artists that I knew tasted good and something that I could drink all night. only come down here when they’re doing shows. Boosie’s been to South Carolina probably 20-30 times in the last year, and every time he comes, he’s The first time I took it to a club was Snook’s CD release party. And having getting $15k-20k a pop. it that one night, the shit got such a crazy response from people that saw the bottle, people that I let get some of it, shit just caught on like wildfire Now it’s time for us to get money in our own market. Now Lil Ru’s going after that. It just gives people another reason to come to my parties. I never around doing shows. JQ and Snook are getting paid shows. Like I said, the charge people if they want to get some. If it’s somebody I fuck wit’ like that, timing is perfect. I guess it was God’s plan or our destiny that it took so long all they gotta do is come up and ask me. If I’m doing a party, I’m gonna have for a reason. That’s just the way the shit was supposed to happen. We just Happy Juice on deck. So, it’s just another reason for people to come fuck wit’ gotta be prepared to take advantage of the opportunity. // me at the club. - As told to Randy Roper // Photo by Clevis Harrison

36 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Boo Rossini & Young Jeezy @ Freelon’s in Jackson, MS (Photo: Ralph Smith); Bootz, Trina, & Buckeey @ Prive for Trina’s album release party in Miami, FL (Photo: Bogan); Bow Wow & Bryan Michael Cox @ Luckie’s for BMI Urban showcase in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // Gunplay & DJ Khaled on the set of Rick Ross’s “Here I Am” video shoot (Miami, FL) 02 // J Xavier & Team Pluto @ Sharpstown (Houston, TX) 03 // OZONE fans @ Club Red for the BA Boys’ “I Like All That” video shoot (Birmingham, AL) 04 // DJ Miss Behavior & Wuz Good @ The Moon for TJ’s DJ’s (Tallahassee, FL) 05 // Trai D & Lil Duval on the set of Hot Stylz’ video shoot (Atlanta, GA) 06 // Yung Joc & Hot Stylz on the set of “Lookin Boy” (Atlanta, GA) 07 // Wendy Day & Mannie Fresh @ GO DJs Music Conference (Houston, TX) 08 // Mr Collipark & Venom @ Club Level for The Beat’s birthday bash (Columbia, SC) 09 // Lil Boosie & Bankroll Jonez @ Kush Lounge for Sixteen Seventy’s Lil Boosie show (Charleston, SC) 10 // Nova & the Babylon Bunnies @ the Babylon Boyz car show (Ft Myers, FL) 11 // Shady, Jelly, DJ Fresh, Unk, Miss E, & BF @ Crossroads (Huntsville, AL) 12 // Justice League & Rick Ross @ Patchwerk for Rick Ross’s “Trilla” listening session (Atlanta, GA) 13 // Buttahman & Tuma Basa @ MTV Jams’ ATL Week filming (Atlanta, GA) 14 // Willie & J-Boss @ Papa’s BBQ (Houston, TX) 15 // Guest, Trae, & Mike Frost @ Paul Wall’s birthday concert (Houston, TX) 16 // Seventeen, DJ B-Do, Big Bubb, Corey, TOE, & Hezeleo on the set of Bun B’s “That’s Gangsta” (Port Arthur, TX) 17 // Ali Vegas & crew on the set of his video shoot (Miami, FL) 18 // Kyjuan, Brandon, Murphy Lee & DJ Kut @ Dolce (St Louis, MO)

Photo Credits: DJ Fresh (11); Eric Perrin (03); J Lash (01,17); Julia Beverly (05,12); King Yella (18); Knowledge (02,14,15,16); Lamont DeSal (07); Malik Abdul (10); Ms Rivercity (13); Ter- rence Tyson (04,08,09); Thaddaeus McAdams (06)

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 37 37 38 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Dunk Ryders & Pitbull on the set of Dunk Ryder’s video shoot in Miami, FL (Photo: Leon Lloyd); Lil Wayne & Clinton Portis @ Prive for Trina’s album release party in Miami, FL (Photo: Bogan); Dolla & Bu @ Luckie’s for BMI Urban showcase in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // Gucci Mane & MLK @ Luckie’s (Atlanta, GA) 02 // & Kadife Sylvester @ City Block for Static Major tribute (Louisville, KY) 03 // Rick Ross, Peckas, & DJ Khaled on the set of Rick Ross’s “Here I Am” video shoot (Miami, FL) 04 // Mama Wes & Red Boy on the set of Bun B’s “That’s Gangsta” (Port Arthur, TX) 05 // Jimi Jump, , & DJ Who @ Platinum 21 (Atlanta, GA) 06 // DJ B-Lord & his Happy Juice @ Kush Lounge for Sixteen Seventy’s Lil Boosie show (Charleston, SC) 07 // Slim Thug on the set of Bun B’s “That’s Gangsta” (Port Arthur, TX) 08 // Bun B, Jas Prince, Mama Wes, J Prince, & Z-Ro @ Bar Rio for Bun B’s 2 Trill album release party (Houston, TX) 09 // Dunk Ryders @ Northwestern High for Memorial Day celeb basketball game (Miami, FL) 10 // Mean Green & Jazzie @ Pashaa Ultra Lounge for Crisco Kidd’s birthday party (Houston, TX) 11 // J Que, D’Lyte, guest, Reggie Reg, OG Ron C, Cristal Bubblin, DJ Hi-C, Bay Bay, & guest @ GO DJs Music Conference (Houston, TX) 12 // Xavier, Fiyah, & Omar on the set of Bun B’s “That’s Gangsta” (Port Arthur, TX) 13 // Trae & DJ Hella Yella (Austin, TX) 14 // Lil Hen, DJ Jonasty, Malik Abdul, & Young Cash @ The Marlin (Miami, FL) 15 // Jimi Jump & Unk @ SU Springfest (Baton Rouge, LA) 16 // Udonis Haslem & Rick Ross on the set of Rick Ross’s “Here I Am” video shoot (Miami, FL) 17 // Terri Thomas & Yung Berg @ 97.9 (Houston, TX) 18 // BloodRaw & Pee Wee @ Club Crucial for BloodRaw’s birthday party (Atlanta, GA) 19 // Kiotti, Crisco Kidd, & Chamillionaire @ Crisco Kidd’s birthday party (Houston, TX)

Photo Credits: DJ Who (05,15); J Lash (03,16); Julia Beverly (08,19); Knowledge (04,07,10,12,17); Kurtis Graham (13); Lamont DeSal (11); Malik Abdul (02,14); Ms Rivercity (01,09); Ter- rence Tyson (06,18)

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 3 399 PatientlyWaiting

the major away when group member and Count’s brother Larro was killed. Now, they are going the independent route.

“We’ve been out here grinding,” urges Moonie, mentioning that they have songs with , Young Dro, and Rick Ross in rotation on 40 No disrespect to the West Coast, but Chicago started this gangsta shit. But stations. “We’ve had a few labels call us, but they’re offering 360 deals. We you’d never know it from looking at most of the city’s current successful don’t want a 360 deal. We’ve been good by ourselves, so why would we get Hip Hop acts. Music from the likes of Lupe Fiasco and The Cool Kids have into a situation where somebody can control our music?” dominated Chi-Town and may give outsiders the wrong impression of the city home to the most infamous gangsters since Al Capone. L.E.P.’s independence is a quality embedded in them from their past. Also known as the Bogus Boys, the group borrows their alias from an offshoot of Count, Moonie, and Big Rugg, also known as the Low End Professionals Larry Hoover’s Gangster Disciples. (L.E.P.) come from that side of the tracks. Straight off the streets of the South Side, these three don’t attest to be they aren’t. But even “In Chicago back in the 80’s and 90’s Larry Hoover had a hit mob called the though they do gangbanging music, they’ve proved that you can do so Bogus Boys. When he had a problem with m’fuckas, he would send the Bogus without promoting violence. Boys to do his murdering. My cousin was an official member of that, and I grew up around him,” Moonie reveals, likening the name choice to how many “You need to hear about our political prisoners who structured these or- New York rappers go by Italian gangster names like Gotti and Gambino. “The ganizations, and had these neighborhoods under control where it wasn’t Bogus Boys got so big that they basically revolted and told Larry Hoover all wild out here like it is now,” says Count. “They took the structure ‘fuck you,’ in a sense. Of course Larry Hoover didn’t like that, so he made it so out the streets when they locked up our chiefs and our other leaders. It anybody who said they was a Bogus Boy would be killed. Most of them got wasn’t all this random killing before then. We got a serious story to tell. annihilated, but there are still some that are around now.” This is a Chicago thing, plus, we got some really .” If L.E.P. has their way, they’ll be around even longer. L.E.P. are not rookies to the game. They once had a deal with Interscope, but soon parted ways. They bounced back and inked with , but scared - Words by Eric Perrin

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this was where I needed to be. I conquered the toughest crowd in New York, and [I was] singing doo-wop.”

For the next few years, Boxie recorded homemade audiotapes through a karaoke Most artists earn their greatest degree of success by sharing compelling machine and hustled them throughout his neighborhood. Then, in 2005, he stories of their own experiences. Vocalist Boxie plans the achieve fame in began polishing up his game with Irv Gotti, and the rest of the camp at the same manner. At just 18 years old, this observer has earned Murder Inc. a reputation for piercing people’s hearts with the chilling tales of heart- ache and tragedy he has witnessed growing up in South Jamaica, Queens. Although he courted offers from Def Jam and , he ultimately signed with Polo Grounds Music in April 2007. “Polo Grounds is a hard working label and they But unlike other contemporary talents, this crooner has an old-school showed love from the gate,” he explains. “It’s one thing to do business with vibe. “I’m a street soul singer,” he says. “I’m more like that person you somebody, but it’s another thing to have a friendship behind your business. heard on the corner doo-wopping in the ‘50s.” That’s what Polo Grounds brings to their artists. They allow the artists to be friends other than just artists to the label. It’s a family.” Boxie, known to some as Jason Dendy, developed his charismatic vocals as a choir member at Blanche Memorial Baptist Church in Jamaica, New Since then, Boxie collaborated with fellow family member Hurricane Chris for his York. But in 2002, the superstar-in-training took a step forward in his single “Playas Rock.” But for now, the charismatic vocalist is concentrated on career by singing “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” in front of the famous generating excitement with his radio-friendly ballad “Let Me Show You.” Apollo Theater in Harlem. That led to a spot on Showtime At The Apollo, a syndicated television competition he would go on to win. Much like his childhood influences Stevie Wonder and Frankie Lymon, Boxie is planning to achieve great success when he premieres his studio debut in late “That was the biggest thing for me because I watched Apollo growing up,” 2008. “Every few years, you get one of those timeless projects that speaks for the teenage sensation recalls. “When I won, it changed everything. I knew itself,” he says. “This is one of those projects.”

- Words by Bear Frazier // Photo by Julia Beverly

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Men lie. From the Sex & the City chicks, Ashanti, Kelis, Oprah, Dr. Phil... the list of folks who have made a killing stating the obvious is endless as the half-truths that guys let slip from their lips on the regular.

But London imagines a different world—one where people cut the bullshit. Personally, he doesn’t have a problem telling a woman where he stands. If she can deal with it, cool. If not, he keeps it moving.

“I can’t be changed, but I let you know how I am off the jump,” the 23 year-old singer says.

His Universal/KPM debut, Man of My Word, backs up his claims. London’s plainspoken tendencies show up on his upbeat lead single, “One Too Many.” The track candidly speaks on paying the consequences for indulging in too much alcohol in the club and making bad hook-up decisions.

But his honesty doesn’t stop there. “Want You Back,” where he admits to screwing up in a relationship, and “Sometimes,” an emotional track about trying to convince his woman that the boys will be boys cliché is more than a myth, further illustrate his forthright mentality.

Raised in Oakland, CA, London learned at a young age to chan- nel his creative energy into music. In Oakland it helped keep him out of trouble. In Atlanta it helped him survive. When he moved to the A in 2002 after enrolling in a summer program at Morehouse College, he didn’t realize that he’d end up sleeping in friend’s offices and on desks in his homeboy’s dorm rooms.

“I was staying from pillar to post, really, I was homeless,” he says candidly, adding that he eventually landed a job at Macy’s.

Finding that he couldn’t get financial aid to attend the expensive college was a setback, but it only strengthened his will to break into the business. He formed a group, Best of Friends, with a couple of More- house students and started performing around campus, drawing a flock of loyal female fans.

“I knew a night manager at a studio and they would let me come record,” he adds. “I would have to go at four in the morning, so I would stay up all night. The engineer would let me come in and write to his tracks, but I had to leave at seven when everybody got there.”

His persistence paid off. One of the engineers was so in love with the track he pro- duced for London that he started playing it around the studio, which led to London hooking up with his current A&R, Sean Harris at Universal Records, in 2004. He inked his deal in 2007, and his album, due out in September, features production from and the Juganots, among others. The project is both street and bedroom-ready. But what’s more, it’s full of reality tales that London says reflect his own straightforward tendencies.

“Man of My Word really lets people get into me,” he says. “It’s keeping it real with people and letting them know that I am who I am.”

- Words by Jacinta Howard // Photo by Julia Beverly

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(above L-R): Ray J & Yung Berg @ Powerfest in Augusta, GA (Photo: Terrence Tyson); Hezeleo @ The Beat car show in Dallas, TX (Photo: Edward Hall); Don Cannon on the set of “How We Do It In The A” in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // T-Hud, Tony Neal, & Lil D @ City Block for Static Major tribute (Louisville, KY) 02 // The DEY @ Party 93.3 (Houston, TX) 03 // @ Janus Landing (St Petersburg, FL) 04 // Reppin’ OZONE @ Club Millenium (Greenville, MS) 05 // Mr. Jerry @ Downtown Music (St. Louis, MO) 06 // Mercedes & Dapa on the set of Hot Stylz “Lookin Boy” video shoot (Atlanta, GA) 07 // Toro with his article @ Northwestern High for Memorial Day celeb basketball game (Miami, FL) 08 // Hollywood @ Studio Inc for OZONE model search (Tampa, FL) 09 // Crisco Kidd & Brian Angel from Day 26 @ Pashaa Ultra Lounge for Crisco Kidd’s birthday party (Houston, TX) 10 // Big Chris & Malik Abdul @ Studio Inc for OZONE model search (Tampa, FL) 11 // Leon Lloyd @ Sobe Live (Miami, FL) 12 // Boomtown & LA Chic Models @ GO DJs Music Conference (Houston, TX) 13 // Bryan Michael Cox @ Luckie’s for BMI Urban showcase (Atlanta, GA) 14 // VIC @ Funkmaster Flex’s car show (Louisville, KY) 15 // DJ B-Lord & Randy Roper @ Kush Lounge for Sixteen Seventy’s Lil Boosie show (Charleston, SC) 16 // DJ Black & guest on the set of Hot Stylz “Lookin Boy” video shoot (Atlanta, GA) 17 // DJ 151, Jessica Williams, & DJ Smallz @ The Edge for OZONE party (Tallahassee, FL) 18 // Dawgman & Brisco @ Destiny for Dawgman’s Crunkfest (Orlando, FL) 19 // TR Flow & Carlos Cartel @ Kush Lounge for Sixteen Seventy’s Lil Boosie show (Charleston, SC) 20 // Lioness @ Koha (Orlando, FL) 21 // Memphis Bleek @ Sobe Live (Miami, FL) 22 // Grind on the set of Hot Stylz’ “Lookin Boy” video shoot (Atlanta, GA) 23 // DJ Mr King & Marlei Mar @ Villa Fontana for G-Mack’s party with Bun B (Louisville, KY) 24 // Tre Dubb, Slim Thug, & Ms Rita @ Texas Relays (Austin, TX) 25 // Scooby of the Grit Boys & Young B (Houston, TX) 26 // Fate Eastwood & Stix @ Lovenoise for Darnell Levine’s release party (Nashville, TN) 27 // DJ Slikk @ Villa Fontana for G-Mack’s party with Bun B (Louisville, KY) 28 // Lil Boosie & crew @ Kush Lounge for Sixteen Seventy’s Lil Boosie show (Charleston, SC) 29 // Veda Loca & Trina @ The Beat (Dallas, TX) 30 // DJ Tre @ DJ Teknikz’ birthday bash (Macon, GA) 31 // Ricky Rich (Houston, TX) 32 // Shawty Lo & Kydd Joe @ Powerfest (Augusta, GA) 33 // Kiotti & 9th Ward @ 93.3 (Houston, TX) 34 // Kiki the 1st Lady @ The Beat (St. Louis, MO) 35 // Yung Joc & Midget Mac on the set of Hot Stylz’ “Lookin Boy” video shoot (Atlanta, GA)

Photo Credit: Bogan (11,21); D’Lyte (29); Edward Hall (04); Janiro Hawkins (26); Julia Beverly (13,22); Knowledge (02,09,25,31,33); Lamont DeSal (12); Luis Santana (03); Malik Abdul (01,14,18,20,23,27); Ms Rivercity (07,30); Tammie White (05,34); Terrence Tyson (06,08,10,15,16,17,19,28,32,35); Tre Dubb (24)

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They say you can tell a lot about a person by their name. On his Slip N’ after flying out to New York and impressing the label’s CEO Barry Weiss. Slide/Jive debut, singer and , Qwote, definitely lives up to his. “There a storyline behind everything that I write,” he says of his narrative Illustrating his agility with the pen, Qwote’s Final Cut/Slip-N-Slide/Jive debut album, Qwote Unqwote, due out this summer. “I set it up for the listeners bounces and weaves between pleads of apology on the woeful “I’m Sorry” from the beginning to the end. I talk about real life affairs.” to tales about wanting to break up with a girl on “Rose on a Lonely Sunday.” And while he says his album appeals to everyone, Qwote is really all about Earning the nickname Lil’ Qwote as kid after folks in his neighborhood speaking to the ladies. realized he’d call fraudulent characters out on anything they said in a heartbeat, the 25 year-old prides himself on speaking nothing but the “We be messing up so much, man,” he chuckles. “I want to please the ladies truth. His dance track featuring Trina, “Don’t Wanna Fight,” starts the and I want to use it as a manual for the fellas too. We gotta get it together. I album off just the way he wanted, capturing a universal, but down home want this album to help keep relationships happy.” sound. With , Mr. Collipark and Lil Jon (who he says is “cool as hell” to “This is a classic album,” he says confidently. “The lyrics actually have work with) behind the boards, Qwote is confident his project will reach all substance. It’s really an emotional [record].” kinds of listeners.

Born in Haiti and raised in Miami, Qwote remembers his grandmother fill- “I want this album to introduce me to the world,” he says. “This is the gift ing the house with the soulful sounds of Sam Cooke and . that God gave me. I want it to show that I was meant for this industry.” Calling upon those influences to help shape his own musical identity, Qwote got his start writing for other artists. He worked extensively on And you can quote him on that. Trina’s latest album. Impressed with his abilities, Slip N’ Slide decided to sign him in 2007. From there he inked a distribution deal with Jive Records - Words by Jacinta Howard // Photo by Bogan

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OZONE MAG // 47 It’s a celebration whenever a young Hip Hop artist rises to mainstream financed mixtape Crush Da Block. Though the Atlanta emcees printed up just prominence because stereotypically, they burn their fortune on gas-guzzling 700 copies, it spread like wildfire throughout the community and Young Dro Escalades and oversized Jesus pieces that strain their necks. even dropped by his apartment later that May. “We went to Grand Hustle’s [of- fice],” LA recalls. “[Co-owner] Jason Geter listened and everything was a go.” But if 20-year-old Leland Austin, otherwise known as Yung LA, earns a hefty paycheck, he plans to purchase a city. “I wanna save all the houses because Nowadays, the budding rapper is off the streets and spends most of his time right now, in Atlanta, they’re tearing down all the projects,” he says. “If I had recording music. Though a debut album is in the works, Yung LA is in the midst Donald Trump bucks, I’d buy the hood and renovate it.” of flooding the streets withStupid Fruity Swag, a charismatic mixtape featur- ing mesmerizing cuts including “Fall Back” with Yung Ralph and his single The aspiring landlord hopes to make millions through slinging rhymes. In “Ain’t I,” where Big Kuntry lends a hand. 2000, Yung LA was introduced to the art form when his aunt wrote him a verse – a verse he would recite to classmates through his tenure in middle It’s more than just a mixtape, however. For Yung LA, Stupid Fruity Swag is also school. Eventually, the budding rapper wrote his own bars and displayed his a lifestyle. “I like wearing a whole lot of loud spring colors like lime green, talent at club events and various neighborhoods in Atlanta, Georgia. orange and yellow. Those colors are fruity like an orange, peach or apple,” the Grand Hustle standout explains. “It’s not only the clothes you have on, but While the local phenomenon worked with a handful of small independent your swag can be so immaculate to the point where you say, ‘This man has a labels, the partnerships were brief. “I would get sold dreams,” he explains. stupid fruity swag.’” “People weren’t always keeping it real with me. They didn’t think I had what it takes to take it to the next level. I went through a lot just to get stable.” Perhaps his rhymes, and keen fashion sense, will earn him those Donald Trump bucks. That included selling narcotics for five years just to have some sort of income. In 2007, however, the lyricist worked alongside DJ Likwid for his self- - Words by Bear Frazier // Photo by Terrence Tyson

Patiently Waiting

48 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 49 (l-r) Timothy & Theron

WORDS: RANDY ROPER // PHOTO: AMADI PHILLIPS

kon’s convict-ternt-sanga success and T-Pain’s rappa-ternt-auto-tune specialist prowess have made Konvict Muzik a bondafied record label. And while ‘Kon and Pain having been smacking asses on the dance floor, buy- ing dranks and falling in love with bartenders, all while recording enough Ahooks to put out of business, Konvict’s R. City (also known as Rock City) has been patiently waiting. As they’ve waited their turn, these two brothers from the Virgin Islands (Timothy “Don’t Talk Much” and Theron “Da Spokesman”) have penned songs for everyone from Usher to Mario to Enrique Iglesias and made a name for themselves through energetic live performances throughout the Southeast. Fusing together rap, R&B, pop and reggae, R.C. delivers a sound moderately familiar, yet refreshingly new. Now, as they countdown the days until their debut album Wake The Neighbors hits stores, Akon’s best kept secrets are about shake things up.

50 // OZONE MAG Coming from St. Thomas, what brought y’all to Atlanta? What can you tell me about your album? Timothy: People are really struggling [in St. Thomas]. A lot of people see the Theron: It’s called Wake The Neighbors. The concept of the album, well, we beaches and the palm trees and they think that if you go to the Virgin Islands, don’t like to predict the future, but we kinda had a trilogy in mind. First is you’ll go to St. Thomas and be living the life. But it’s like any other part of Wake The Neighbors. Then we wanted to go with There Goes The Neighbor- the world. It’s hoods down there. It’s people down there that are really, really hood, and finally The Eviction Notice. Wake The Neighbors is like, we’re living hard. We were one of those people. It just so happens that me and my moving into the neighborhood and doing something different, and the world brother were blessed and gifted with this music shit. We did it around the needs to wake up. Y’all need to see what’s going on around you and change island til we got so big on the island and throughout the Virgin Islands we it. The album is a collective of Hip Hop, reggae, R&B, pop, alternative, every- couldn’t get any bigger back home. So we left home, and after we graduated thing; it’s just big melody. We rap American, we rap in our accent, the way we high school, my parents gave us the options of like, “Yo, if y’all want to go to naturally talk. We do some reggae shit, we do huge pop records. Then we do college, we’ll do our best to help. But if y’all are gonna do music, you’ve gotta some urban type of R&B. So, I can honestly say it does have something for be men. You’re gonna still have our support, but you just gotta know that’s on everybody. I’m not gonna say everybody’s gonna like it. We’re all entitled to y’all.” So we did the music thing. We left and we went to Miami, cause we had our own opinions, and that’s something that we stress. We just want people family there and one of our best friends was there. We stayed there for like to fuck with us. six months and got a little recognition around the city. It just wasn’t moving at the pace that we expected. This was right around the time when Lil Jon and How much influence did Akon have on your album? the Ying Yang twins were poppin’, you know, that whole Southern movement. Theron: To be honest, Akon signed us because he was so busy and so much Atlanta was blowing up, so me and my brother thought that’s where we need going on, he needed somebody that he didn’t have to cater to. We’ve never to be. Somebody was flying us up here to do a show in Atlanta and me and been in the studio with Akon, not once. He signed us basically knowing that my brother were like, “Man, how bout when we go there we just stay there?” we could do our own thing, and he’s excited about it. He was like, “Man, I love At the time we didn’t know where we were gonna stay. The people that were y’all niggas.” Working with Akon is a blessing because he’s the first person bringing us to do the show put us up in a hotel. We were like, “We’ll figure that we’ve ever been around that let us do us. He don’t jump. He’s like, “Yo, I shit out when we get there.” We came to Atlanta, did the show, and long story believe in what y’all do and I wouldn’t sign y’all if I didn’t.” He’s excited like short, we figured it out. We stuck around here for two years, living here and we are. there, and shit was hard. How’d you decide to go with “Losin’ It” as your first single. It’s more R&B? How did Akon come into the picture? Theron: Man, you’ve gotta blame our A&R Erica Grayson. We wrote the song Timothy: Benny D, Akon’s DJ, is one of our best friends. We all came up to- for , and she said, “No, you can’t give him that song, that song’s gether. He actually used to be our DJ, so when we came to Atlanta, it was all a fuckin’ smash.” We didn’t wanna make a song like that, but she was like, three of us trying to do this shit together. We did mad talent shows in Atlanta “Trust me. Just do it.” at the time. Our name started to get familiar and people started fucking with Timothy: We’re some compromising dudes, so we decided to try it. us. We started getting a little recognition, but shit was still hard. We ain’t get Theron: If it’s good, what would it hurt? And if it’s whack, okay, we didn’t a deal or nothing. We started fucking with these producers. Shit didn’t really want to do it anyway. Every time we played that record for [somebody], it go the way it was supposed to and we kinda fell out. They had sent us back stood out. When you hear it from a lot of people, we just said, “Okay, I guess to St. Thomas, like, “Yo, we need to stack some paper up. So we’re gonna send this is the record.” y’all down there for a month and bring y’all back up when shit is right, so we can move forward.” [They] sent us back to St. Thomas and left us there. But it Konvict Muzik has a lot of artists: Akon, T-Pain, Ray Lavender, Colby O’Donis. wasn’t that bad; at least we were at home. We’ve got family there; this was in Were you ever wondering when you were going to get your turn? 2004. Me and my brother got on our grind and got regular jobs and were like, Theron: I ain’t gonna lie to you, not really. The songwriting thing was moving “Fuck everybody, we’re gonna do this shit ourselves. We’re sick and tired of so well. We always had another outlet to express ourselves through music. I depending on muthafuckas selling us dreams and shit and nothing is happen- was just proud to say, “God, if I could wake up every morning and let music ing.” So we saved our money and moved back to Atlanta in ’05. Been on the be my living, I’ll be happy.” And at that time, Rock City the artists weren’t big, grind like crazy, trying to get it and started doing shows again. At this time, but Rock City the writers were getting work everywhere. We were never mad. Benny was DJing for Akon. Little did we know Akon was gonna be as big as I was actually happy for ‘Kon, cause we knew Kon when he was just as broke he is now, but Akon showed us love even before he had a deal. We were like, as we were. To see that brother succeed was a blessing to us. When Akon put “Benny, the nigga needs a DJ. Go do that shit and if shit pops, you can come out , I don’t think he even knew it was gonna be that big. Nobody back and get us.” Then we started doing shows after we moved back here, knew. He was like “Oh, shit.” Cause we got signed before [Akon’s] album came got a big, big buzz throughout the streets. But still, nobody was really fuckin’ out and [the label] had a lot of plans, and then the nigga became the biggest with us as artists. So we wrote a song on Akon’s record Konvicted called “The thing on the planet and we were like, “Wow.” We always knew we would get Rain.” After that, a lot of people started reaching out to us as and our turn, and after the past few years, we’ve just learned to be patient. The we started getting a lot of work. That’s what really got us in the game. At this main focus was to take care of our family; my daughter, my brother’s niece, time we didn’t even do our deal yet. We continued to do shows and a lot of my mom and dad, and we were able to do that. We ain’t never had too many artists that we wrote for spread the word like, “Yo, Rock City, them niggas is complaints. I can’t even lie. the next niggas.” It’s a blessing because people like Usher were saying that about me and my brother. So the word got around and Benny told [Akon] Did you ever consider just keeping your careers as songwriters and not pursu- like, “Yo, you need to fuck them. Like, them niggas, they ready.” We did the ing the artist thing any further? deal with Kon and since then we been grinding, banging out mixtapes, doing Theron: No, the artist thing was always #1. But at least we were able to feed shows, and we here where we at right now. our families. I mean, we were dirt broke, damn near homeless. They didn’t have nothing to eat. We’d have to eat a slice of cheese. So when we were Yeah, when Usher and Akon start co-signing for you, that’s a good sign you’re able to feed our families, we weren’t able to complain too much. Don’t get on your way. me wrong, we wanna win as artists so bad, man. I pray about it every night, Theron: Man, this is a blessing, coming from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. We’ve and my brother does too. We talk about it all the time. We sit in the car and worked with Usher, Macy Gray, Enrique Iglesias, the Pussycat Dolls, Mario, talk about it. We wanna win. We’ve been blessed, so I can’t sit here and try to Sean Kingston, and Leona Lewis. The album that we’re working on right now complain, but we’ve been waiting patiently for our turn. We see it coming and is called Wake the Neighbors. We had three independent that we put we hope it works out. out back in the Virgin Islands that did pretty well for an independent group, especially being that Hip Hop wasn’t as big in the Virgin Islands as it is now. I You were featured in OZONE’s Patiently Waiting years ago. Was that your first think this is our best album because we’ve finally learned how to fuse all the interview? music together. We been and singing, but it sounded like confusion at Theron: That was one of our first interviews. That was our first big magazine. first. I think we were talented but didn’t know how to fuse all that music to That was a blessing, because in our minds we appreciate everything. In our make it sound like one thing. This album, man, with our manager Ray, Erica mind, OZONE is as big as it [gets]. We were like, “What are they doing inter- Grayson our A&R, Nikki Benjamin, our product manager, our publicist Jasmine, viewing us? We ain’t nobody.” Our manager and people around us are always Devyne Stephens, everybody in our camp, the Juggernauts, the producers, try to remind us, “Yo, y’all are talented.” We be like, “For real?” We’re just Hypnotics, Jevuan. I think our whole team collectively pushed our talent to excited that people actually like our shit. // where it needed to be.

OZONE MAG // 51 52 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 53 You just came off a European Tour. What was the good thing we pushed the album back, cause we with. We’re just trying to make something we overseas response and how is it different than wouldn’t of had any of those songs if we put it know the fans are going to like. We know our fans’ what you get here in the States? out back then. minds, so if we like it, they should like it too. We : We hit like twelve cities in three weeks. It Juicy J: The album is a lot stronger now. It wasn’t just try to make something they’re going to like was great. It was off the chain. People were going as strong back then. We’ve got better production every go ‘round. We don’t focus on none of the crazy. and everything. past, we just go and look toward the future, and DJ Paul: We got more features too, like Akon and what’s going on in the sound of the world. That’s What is the overall message of your new album Good Charlotte. We have stronger features on what we focus on, and we’ll see what happens. ? there now. DJ Paul: It’s just the same thing. It’s just some How did you link up with with Unk on the new gangsta shit like we always do it. A lot of people Will you be doing a tour with the album? were nervous when they heard the “Lolli” record release of the new album? DJ Paul: Man, that was great. We actually just did a because, you know, it’s different, but we just want DJ Paul: Yeah, we’re going to tour the states. When song for DJ Unk’s album as well. the fans to know that the overall album is just we were overseas we promoted the new album like any other Three 6 Mafia album. It’s thug shit because it’s going to come out the same day over You have made a few movies and obviously had a man, it’s crazy, it’s one of our best albums ever, so there, they can order it online. So now we’re go- hand in Hustle and Flow. Any more movie projects you’re going to love it. ing to hit the road in the states. We just left Vegas in the works? so we’re definitely going to hit some more spots. DJ Paul: We actually had three movies, Choices I, You’ve already released two huge singles off Last Choices II, and Queen of Me, which was a comedy. 2 Walk, “Lolli” and “I’d Rather.” What else can we The last album, , was huge We just wrote three more movies: one called The expect to come next? with singles like “,” “Poppin’ My Collar,” Streets of Memphis, Choices III, and we’ve got a Juicy J: There’s a bunch of songs on there that “,” “Pussy Got You Hooked,” and all the Hip Hop film that is still untitled. We’re always could be singles. When the album comes out we’re . How is Last 2 Walk going to top that? working on the movie thing and writing movies. going to let the fans decide what they want to DJ Paul: We don’t know yet. We really don’t make be the next single. With all this internet stuff an album to try and top the last the last album. Tell me about your new clothing line. we’ve put out three or four songs over the last Most Known Unknown is an old album, you know, DJ Paul: We’ve got an online store. The cloth- few years, we’re just giving the fans something all those checks are cashed, all those drugs are ing isn’t available in stores, so if someone gets while they wait. It’s an appetizer, you know what used, the beers are drunk, all that shit is over one out of a store, they’re buying a bootleg. The I mean? online store is www.dangerusskandulus.com or www.myspace.com/dxsclothing. It’s been doing Was that the line of thinking when you released real good. It’s Hip Hop rock gear. It’s mainly t- “Doe Boy Fresh” as a single with no album? shirts, but we’ve got some bandanas coming out DJ Paul: “Doe Boy Fresh” was going to be a single Most Known and some sexy t-shirts for the ladies. So it’s just a on the album, but we ended up re-recording the Unknown is an old t-shirt line as of now. majority of the album. There are a lot of songs on album, you know, all the album that will be bonus tracks for different those checks are So speaking of , a lot of Hip Hop artists retail outlets. When “Doe Boy Fresh” was released are reaching out across the different genres of as a single it sold over a million ringtones and cashed, all those music. What else are you doing to blend the two? a million downloads, but we just didn’t feel that drugs ARE used, the DJ Paul: We’ve got a song on our album with Good the album was all the way ready, so we went back beers are drunk, all Charlotte. We did TRL with them. We were kicking because we wanted to make sure we at least had that shit is over with. it backstage at the premiere of some video, I can’t four to five singles on there before we released remember, and we ended up being in first class the album. So we went back and re-recorded We’re just trying to together on our flight back to L.A. right after TRL. “Lolli,” which is probably one of the biggest make something we We started talking to them and that turned into Three 6 Mafia songs in history. We re-recorded know the fans are getting together and just drinking and chilling “I’d Rather” and a bunch of other songs, so it’s a going to like. and letting us hear some tracks they made, and

54 // OZONE MAG we were like, “Man, this shit is dope.” We ended up members. We’ve got two members officially, and “We talk to our artists rapping over it, and it’s really a strong song. we’ll leave it at that. about getting their DJ Paul: That’s all we need. finances straight, You’ve gotten recognition from mainstream teaching them how America by winning an Oscar and appearing on What do you do outside of music to stay grounded to be a man and take CBS’s Numbers. How has that exposure affected as human beings? What are your normal everyday care of their family your careers and musical focus? activities? and get the bills paid Juicy J: I mean, I think it’s good, you know? The Juicy J: Go to a bar! on time, keeping the music is still the same. But as far as our name and DJ Paul: Go to a bar! household together recognition and momentum with our new album and staying out of coming out, I think it’s good. Everybody’s expect- What other business ventures are you currently trouble.” ing and waiting on this new album, so I think it’s working on? been a great help. DJ Paul: We really just focus on our other artists. We always keep some independent artists on Given that you haven’t really altered your sound board. We’ve got an artist named Frayser Boy; over the years, how do you stay relevant through- his album The Key just dropped last month. We’ve out all the fads Hip Hop has seen in the last 18 got another artist named Yung D; his album is underground artists you help ‘em come up. It’s a years? probably dropping in August. always does good feeling, getting behind someone who’s out DJ Paul: We just focus on what we know our fans real, real good on the independent circuit. And there grinding just like we were back in the day are going to want to hear. We don’t try to go with has got a new album coming out and and knowing we helped ‘em out to make them something that’s hot at the time or something we’ve got an artist named Chrome. We’ve always a nationally known and a worldwide artist. We that everybody else is doing. We keep up with the got something independent rolling on the side. don’t mind working with anybody. It’s all good sound whenever we can to really make it relevant, Besides being on the road, we’re working on their you know? It’s not all its about but again, you gotta go with what got you there. albums. the Hip Hop game and being in the business and We don’t try to trick our fans, with one album ensuring the game reaches the next level. We’re sounding one way and one album going straight What are you guys doing personally to develop trying to keep the Hip Hop game going. I think it’s to the left. That’s how you start losing fans; they’ll your artists? good for business because it extends your name be nervous to buy your album. We never had to do DJ Paul: We mainly just talk to them. Music is and makes you a team player. We’re team players, as much promotion because our fans always knew one thing, but having your mind right is the we roll with the team. what they were going to get. Our fans always main thing. So we mainly just talk to our guys. come first. Hypnotized Minds is a school. It’s a training camp, How would you compare the current state of Hip not just a record label. We talk to our artists about Hop to when you first came out? The rap game has changed a lot since you first getting their finances straight, teaching them Juicy J: You know, it’s different. You’ve got all came in, with the introduction of ringtones, iTunes, how to be a man and take care of their family and this bootlegging goin’ on. Back then there wasn’t Napster. How have you adjusted your approach to get the bills paid on time, keeping the household that much bootlegging. You could come out with the business side of the game? together and staying out of trouble, and how a record, not even have no radio play, and sell a Juicy J: We just make sure our accounting is in to overcome an problem without pulling out a million copies. Now you’ve gotta have radio play, place so every time we sell a ringtone, we get weapon. There are ways to get around things promotion, it’s a lil tougher now, but you know, something off that. without getting into trouble. There’s always go- times change. The internet has taken over the DJ Paul: The internet is so sneaky. There are so ing to be people in your face trying to bring you whole music industry. We just gotta keep coming many ways for people to steal your music, you’ve down. So we always try to talk to our artists and up with new ideas and new ways to get our point gotta be careful. You can’t stop it from happening, get their minds right to overcome anything that across, and trying to get our albums out there and it’s just a part of the world today, and it’s only go- they might come across. the clothing line. There’s other things you’ve got- ing to get worse. All you rappers out there reading ta do in Hip Hop now to make it. You gotta keep this, I hope you’re saving your money. Speaking of staying out of trouble, you guys have some underground music rollin’, as well as putting never really been in the tabloids like some other out major music. It’s a challenge right now, but You’ve had a lot of members come and go over the rappers. Why is that? we’re going to work around it. It’s all good. years from the Hypnotized Mindz camp. How have Juicy J: We just maintain our focus. You never you two kept your focus and kept the music going? know what may happen, so it’s best to just kinda Will there be a second season of Adventures In Juicy J: You just have to stay focused on the music stick to yourself and do what you do without Hollyhood? and the dreams, and the accomplishments we’re running the streets, because that’s how you get DJ Paul: Nah, we ain’t doing that no more, but trying to achieve. We’re just pushing the Hypno- . You just gotta stay focused. That’s the we’ll probably do another TV show. It was cool, tized Mindz Entertainment label on top of Three main thing. There’s time for partying and a time but it was time-consuming. We’ve gotta get back 6 Mafia and carrying the label. We always try to for mischief, but you gotta separate the two. You on this music. stay focused on that, and that’s mainly how we’ve can’t mix ‘em both together because they don’t Juicy J: We’ve gotta give the fans what they de- managed to stay together and keep working. We mix. You never know what could happen, but you serve and what they’ve been waiting on. work hard everyday, and yeah, we’ve made money, should almost always know which way to go. You but we try to keep putting music out that people know if you want to go to the bar, you gotta pick Do you have any ideas for how you’d like to do want to hear. We’re all about the fans at the end your bar. your next TV show? of the day. Without the fans we wouldn’t have DJ Paul: We can’t tell you that yet because it’s a success, so we give the fans what they deserve You guys influence a lot of people and I’m sure secret. and push the Three 6 Mafia brand and Hypnotized there are countless artists who want to work with Juicy J: Yeah, it’s in the works right now. Mindz brand over the top. you. What’s the process for an up and coming art- DJ Paul: I would do a dating show! You could go ist who is wanting to work with you? for years with those. Are you planning to add more members to the Juicy J: Just hit us up. We’re willing to work Juicy J: Go on different dates with all kinds of group in the future as you have in the past? with anyone, you know? We like working with women from all over the world. A worldwide look Juicy J: Oh, no. We’re not looking to add any more underground artists because when you work with on dating! //

OZONE MAG // 55 WORDS: RANDY ROPER // PHOTO: MEENO

Don’t call Yung Berg a “one hit wonder.” Now that he has “Sexy Lady,” “Sexy Can I” and his latest single “The Business” under his belt, this 22-year-old rapper/producer/songwriter from the Windy City would much rather be referred to as a “young boss.” His debut album drops this August, but Berg is already confident he’s the best.

You’re considered a new artist, but a lot of people don’t know that you were signed to DMX’s Bloodline Records. Can you talked about that situation? I got my first deal at 15. I was signed to DMX’s record label Bloodline through Def Jam. It was a good situation for me. It allowed me to see a lot of different things that were happening in the game and be around a lot of different people, like while Roc-A-Fella was crackin’ and X had the Ruff Ryder movement crackin’. I was able to be around that [and] soak up a lot of good energy. But my parents shipped me to boot camp when I was 17 to Montana. So, I lost my deal. And I had just got back on my grind; I had already had relationships with people like . So, I went out to L.A. with Eve, she’s like my big sister, she was doing her TV show. I got with my crew, then I leaked my song to the radio and now here we are.

Did you get frustrated when you lost your deal because your parents sent you to boot camp? Aw, hell yeah. That shit was fucked up. I was young; I felt it was my time. But I guess apparently it wasn’t.

The single that you leaked to radio was “Sexy Lady,” right? How was it watching that record break? It was great. I sold a million ringtones. I got a lot of money, did a lot of shows and continued on my journey to where I’m at right now.

Most of the artists that are known for coming out of Chicago are more like the Commons and Kanye Wests. Did they influence you at all? Your music doesn’t sound like that real heavy Chi-Town type music. They definitely were influences for me. But that’s what the misconcep- tion is about Chicago; it’s not one type of music that can come out of Chicago. Everybody’s not a conscious rapper and deep thinker like Lupe

56 // OZONE MAG or real positive and very reading or a black leader like or like the same hotel as Flo-Rida for four days. My thing is, I was just joking Kanye. There are different people in different states. I’m just the young and if you’re really gonna take it that far and be that upset about it, of it, the more youth, urban of what’s going on in. what can I do? I can reach out saying it’s love with me on my end, let’s get to the money. But if he ain’t wanna do that, I can only respect him People don’t know much about you. What type of artist do you consider as a man for that. As far Brisco, whatever. We good, my dude. We did a yourself to be? song together. I respect you being a young goon and jumping out there I’m a jack of all trades, dawg. I produce, I write, I own my own record for your man. But if it was really that real beef, dawg, you would’ve got company. I’m just young. I’m a young boss, man. That’s what I am. Ev- my number from Wayne. I talk to Wayne on a regular basis. He shoulda erything I do is young bossed up. I put my own records out, produce my reached out to me on some grown man shit. When you go straight to the own records, I write R&B for other people, I write raps for other people. internet, that’s some hoe shit. Why would you go straight to the internet I’m real self-contained. when you got a direct contact on me, if you really got a problem with me? Maybe he wanted to be famous. Maybe he’s peeping my success and If people say Yung Berg is a one hit wonder, how do you take that criti- he felt like it was a good look to do that. cism? They can’t say that cause I’ve been on so many other songs besides Is there anything else going on with you that we didn’t talk about? “Sexy Lady” now. Me and Ray J got a song [“Sexy Can I”] that went #1. Just the fact that I’m 22 years old and I’m writing and producing at the My other record “Do That There” is out burning up in the clubs. My official capacity that I am right now. Don’t ever call me a one-hit-wonder when single off the album “The Business,” its about to have like fifty ads next I wrote [and] produced “Sexy Lady.” I’m the writer, producer and the art- week. So, there’s no way for you to say I’m a one hit wonder, it’s too ist. People got to go to producers and other artists to make a hit. I broke many fuckin’ songs. through this game on my own. I ain’t put out a dud yet.

How’d you hook up with Ray J? Any other tracks out there that you wrote or produce that people don’t Ray J is one of my niggas. I asked him to be on my album back in the know you did? day. And then, when “Sexy Lady” was poppin’, I recorded “Sexy Can I” I’m involved with a lot things right now with my boy Tricky Stewart. I’m last year. They wanted it to be my single but I was like, “if it becomes my working on shit so crazy, from my artist Casha, all the way to a whole single, I’m gonna be the sexiest muthafucka alive.” And I was like, “Nah, other left field. I’m working on Heidi, from The Hills TV show, I’m writing I can’t do that.” Cause I didn’t wanna be in a box. I already knew people R&B for her. All the way from the urban hood to the whitest of the white were looking at me and trying to view me in a different way. I felt like MTV, I’m across the spectrum. And I don’t know no 22-year-old nigga I had to do something different. So, we made it his single. But it’s not that’s doing this. [My shit isn’t] like that Soulja Boy shit, like how them really his single, it’s my single, it’s a duel single, you know what I’m beats be sounding. That ain’t no real beat, dawg. My little nephew could sayin’. It’s on his album, it’s on my album. And shit, I just wanted to get make that shit with four spoons and slapping his hands together and a my Chirs Brown, T-Pain look on. I’m sitting here watching BET now. “Sexy nigga kicking a drum. Can I” just went off and “Do That There” just came on. What are you saying? You don’t respect the beats that Soulja Boy’s mak- What’s the situation with your album? ing? The album comes out August 12. As far as feature wise, on the album, Nah, I do respect it. It makes the club go crazy. But I just don’t think that we got Lloyd, Trey Songz, , Eve, Collie Buddz, Twista and my YB it’s groundbreaking or anything like that. I’m all about putting out life- artist, her name is Casha. She’s the most important feature on the album changing music. When you hear “The Business” and know it’s produced for me. She’s on the first single called “The Business,” a record I wrote and written by me, it’s gonna sink in. and produced with my man Rob Holiday. It’s produced by me and Young Bosses, with the exception of “Do That There” which was produced by You sound real confident, man. Are you feeling like you’re the best in Exel. My man Boogs produced one song called “Can I Get Your Number.” your age bracket right now? And then Collipark produced the joint with me and Lloyd called “Man- I mean, in my age bracket, 23 and under, yeah, I really feel like that. As ager.” an all-around package though, as a young boss. I’m running this. I’m signed to my own record company. I’ve put out Top Ten records. I’ve just You’ve been in the news and on the internet in a lot of beef lately. First got my platinum plaques and shit. I’ve sold millions of ringtones already. of all, with Bow Wow. Where did that start? I have five records in rotatio, on the radio and my album hasn’t even Honestly, I’ve always been a competitive dude. When I was signed to X, come out yet. How many videos have I been on and my album hasn’t at that time Bow Wow was poppin’ off with Jermaine [Dupri]. I always felt come out yet? When I go on my promo tour, I’m gonna be playing six like rivalry, it was never like no hate or nothing like that. But I wanted to songs off my album that have been in rotation, that have been charted get it poppin’ then. Later on in life, we started fucking some of the same on Billboard. I just don’t know anybody else that’s doing it. I watch, I hoes. And then our bitches talk, they started saying Bow said this and read the credits in the albums. Like when you look at producer, every- that, so I started getting a bad taste in my mouth about Bow. And then, body that broke into this game—and when I say these references, I’m not I said what I said. But the most important thing is that me and the boy, saying I don’t like these people—from a Hurricane Chris to Soulja [Boy] we linked up. We talked about it like some grown men and it’s all good. to all these other people are backed by somebody. I ride on my own I don’t got no hate for Bow Wow or nothing. He’s cool. But I’m just doing dick, bro. Ain’t no Colliparks or none of these other niggas jumping out me. The most important thing in my life is myself and my crew. And if in Scooby Doos and slippers for me, baby. I come out by myself. I ain’t you ain’t in alliance with me and we ain’t cool, then fuck you. got no man with millions of records behind me, telling the world that I’m the next best shit since sliced bread. So I gotta be my own thang and SandraRose.com had a picture of you and Bow Wow, saying that you all I’ve done that consistently. And once you really take a look at it for what had a fight at a bowling alley. So, all of that was untrue? it’s worth, you’ll really understand everything. That’s what makes me a Man, that shit was so fugazy. I was telling that nigga happy birthday or young boss and that’s what makes them artists. whatever the fuck was going on. We damn near came together to meet up there to go to [Atlanta] 300 [bowling alley] and then go to his birth- If people read comments like this in a magazine, they might take offens. day party at Velvet Room after that. So, Sandra Rose, she just loves Bow Are you ready to take the backlash from statements like that? Wow, [you can tell] by the way her website looks. She likes dick sucking Like I said, if you’re gonna keep it 100, you’re doing an interview. If on that nigga. I mean, it’s all love though. you’re gonna quote me right, then quote me right. If not, then take Hurricane and Soulja’s name out of it. And just say that they are artists. Another situation you got into was with your Flo-Rida comments. You Name me one artist that broke through in 07-08 without a cosign? I got some backlash from that too. Were the comments you made about just don’t know anybody that’s doing it. I watch TV. I’m in tune with the Flo-Rida taken out of context? game. Everybody that came out, came out with somebody. It’s like, “Yo, Yeah, like come on, man. I’m from the Chi, we play the dozens. We talk this my little nigga.” I don’t have anybody saying, “This is that new nig- shit, shallow spit all day. I didn’t mean no disrespect when I said [“Your ga.” I have to make my own lane, and I love that lane for myself. Once I album got pushed back like Flo-Rida’s hairline”]. The camera was rolling, get there, I’m glad it wasn’t a super-progression; I came out, “Sexy Lady” I ain’t know it was gonna hit the net like that and be what it was. I didn’t did a million ringtones, stupid downloads, I sold a 100,000 singles on even know the fucking shit was rolling. I was just in the Epic office talk- my EP and everything. My album hadn’t even come out but at the same ing to my manager and talking to these guys from XXL about my album. token, I did that shit by myself, dawg. I took the song to the radio before Then Brisco came back with this whole [threats] and shit, despite the fact I even got a record deal. That’s a young boss, my nigga. // that last weekend I shot my video for “The Business” [in Miami]. I was in

OZONE MAG // 57 58 // OZONE MAG If stuntin’ is a habit for David Banner, so is speaking his mind. Mississippi rapper has an opinion on everything from the current state of Hip Hop to the media coverage of Katrina. And his extremely blunt and matter-of-The fact statements about George Bush have probably earned him a spot on the government’s watch list. But quite simply, David Banner just doesn’t give a fuck. he cares about is his music, and telling glad to tell you that his is the album that’sThe going Greatest to address Story Ever all theThe issues only thing plaguing our society, and say all the things you’re to afraid to say.Told As. He’llfar as be Nas is concerned, Hip Hop Is Dead Story Ever . But Banner is convinced that Told will bring And if you don’t agree… about the resurrection The Greatest of Hip Well, who gives a fuck? Hop.

What can we expect from your new album, I honestly think this album is going to shock everybody. Not just people in the hood, not The Greatest Story Ever Told just the new David Banner fans. I was in the mastering lab, and I got a quote? from an old radio head. He was like “Dude, you may have the best rap album since The Fugees’ For this album, I had decided I wasn’t even going to put politics in it. I was just going to put hits, hits, hits. As I had been moving around the United States, every hood that I went to after Katrina, and the Sean Bell stuff that I addressed, people were asking me, “Banner,Score what.” are you going to say on this album? I know you’ve got something to say.” The way things are going right now with George Bush and gas prices, people in the ‘hood, for the first time, really want to hear politics; they wanna hear something that means something. So I had to go back and really re-do the album. I think it was really a blessing because now it’s just enough of what people want from David Banner, and what they need.

OZONE MAG // 59 How did the record “Get Like Me” with Chris beats. But it’s funny, Pharrell told me, “Banner, to understand it. A wise man once said, “If you’re Brown come about? man, you are possibly one of the best produc- not making a lot of mistakes, you’re not making I was in my basement in Atlanta making the ers I have ever heard in my life, but you don’t enough decisions. If you make a lot of decisions beat, and honestly, I think this was the first time put out the kind of music you produce yourself.” and you’re a leader, then of course you’re going in my life that I made [a beat] and knew it was a And what I’ve noticed is that a lot of rappers are to make some mistakes.” I haven’t always made hit. If you listen to that beat, it’s not like anything uncomfortable with anything outside of what the best decisions musically, but I’ve always you’re hearing on the radio. It’s fresh, it feels they feel the streets want. Back in the day, the stood by people and have remained tangible no good, but it’s got a slice of hood in it. Originally streets didn’t tell Curtis Mayfield or Prince what matter how big or my small my record is. If you the track was me, Yung Joc, and Jim Jones. I to do. They were leaders; they were visionaries. look at how we’re doing our interview now, we’re already had Jim Jones on another track on the My music has always been two years ahead of outside, walking around, sitting down, and hav- album, and one of the criticisms I had been get- people, but it takes people who are visionaries to ing a conversation. That’s how I’ve always tried ting from my fans was that I always have songs really latch onto it. If you look at [T.I.’s] “Rubber- to be with my fans. Just travel with me. Why is with other people and they want to hear more band Man,” which I produced, at the time were our music the only form of music where we don’t David Banner. I really believe that with the way scared to do that kind of music. It was hood, but allow our artists to grow? We gotta learn how to records are selling, if you’re going to get it you the beat was so bright. But T.I. was a visionary, so let our artists grow. Because the only way we’re need to get it now because it’s only going to get that’s the kind of person who’s going to gravitate going to stay the same is if we die. But what I do worse before it gets better. to David Banner. If you look at this new “LaLa” I think that people like is that I just continue to be produced for Lil Wayne [on The Carter 3], that’s me. David Banner is going to be David Banner. If I’ve got a lot of strong relationships, and Chris the craziest beat you have ever heard. No one you disrespect him he’s going to whoop your ass, Brown is really like my . So I called would ever expect that, but Wayne is a visionary. and if you show him a compliment, he’s going to Chris up and was like, “Dude, it’s time for that So with me and my production, one of the rea- give you a hug. favor.” He was like, “The only way I can do it is if sons it’s taken me so long to blossom is because you don’t put me on an R&B song. I wanna be I have to work with artists that aren’t scared. The When Hurricane Katrina came through every- on a straight hood song. I want you to put me producers that are really big, like Timbaland and body focused on New Orleans, while other states in there like I’m rapping.” And that’s what he’s Pharrell, had artists who really believed in them, were devastated as well. How are things in Mis- doing [on “Get Like Me”]. He has 12 bars just like like and The . Those artists really sissippi almost three years after Katrina hit? any other rapper. This song is going to be bigger believed in their vision and listened to them. So Mississippi is still hurting. My brothers and sisters than “Play.” It’s just such a blessing. I have a new it’s going to take a minute to find the artists that in New Orleans were affected [by Katrina] mostly look and new songs. It’s almost like I’m a rapper are like, “Banner, I’m going to ride with you every because the local government didn’t rebuild with a brand new career. time, because I believe in your vision.” the levees like they were supposed to. Millions of dollars were allocated to help rebuild the Why did you decide to come with a new look? How are you able to produce so many styles for levees, and the local government only spent I got sick. I was 21 points from diabetes. I had so many different artists? half of it. If you look at New Orleans, they caught high blood pressure, it was 191 over 141. I was When I grew up I listened to a diverse set of mu- the residuals of Katrina, whether it be the flood, literally about to die. I had sleep apnea. The sic. My uncle was a DJ from the north, and he got the rain, etc. The actual eye of Hurricane Katrina doctor plainly told me that if I didn’t do anything a job at a Blue’s Station and couldn’t use all his hit Colston, Mississippi and Southern Alabama. about it, I was going to die. It’s so funny when records, so he gave them to me. I was listening to It’s just strange that people would talk about people talk shit and they really don’t know music that people around me weren’t listening Katrina and not talk about the places where the what’s going on. I know I look good, damn it, to. I was listening to Outkast and the old Cash storm actually hit. The reason is that Alabama but people never really know what’s going on Money, but I was also listening to the BeatNuts, and Mississippi are not tourist attractions. If you in your life. I don’t like that America has reduced Souls of Mystery, and The Boo-Yaa Tribe. I was don’t have cameras, you don’t get any attention. us to believing everything we see on TV. You listening to The Police and Culture Club. I was a People only care about what America is shoving make assumptions on people’s real lives based big cartoon-head, and I love scores and movie down their throat. And that’s the reason America on what they say on a record or do on TV. Then, soundtracks. I think that’s the reason why my is in the position it’s in now. If America was a city, on top of that, why does our generation always music sounds so diverse. the South is the ghetto, and Mississippi would be have to look at the negative? Why can’t people considered the most ghetto. We’re the poorest just say, “Damn, that boy is getting his life You’ve always been able to teeter on the line state in the United States. So, logically, it would together; getting healthy.” between commercial Hip Hop and conscious Hip make sense that we should’ve gotten the finan- Hop. How have you managed to do so and not cial aid and attention we needed after Katrina. Have you been focusing more on production alienate any of your fans, or have you? But you and I both know that’s not the case. than being an artist lately? Well, actually, I have alienated a lot of my fans, First of all, July 15th, everybody go pick up The but I’ve also gained a lot of new ones. Anytime Musically, what’s the state of Mississippi right Greatest Story Ever Told. If you love David Ban- you make a change, some people are not going now? ner stop talking about it and go buy the album. People are still grinding. People are still doing As far as me as a producer, I’ve always had hot what they need to do to come up. One young rapper that I like is named Savvy. Lyrically, that boy’s spitting on the level of a Nas, but he’s still from Mississippi, so he has the Mississippi slang. I’m really watching what this cat is going to do. But Mississippi is still grinding, the sound is developing, and it’s really coming. I really think Mississippi is going to shock a lot of people when the time comes.

What is the overall state of Hip Hop right now in

60 // OZONE MAG your opinion? what they’re gonig through, and they can make accustomed to getting that big money for their I think Hip Hop is just in a cleansing period. I the transition into something positive. We’re the product, so why are they going to settle for think all of the people who got into Hip Hop to only generation, and I mean everybody, white, something less? As far as politics and Obama, use it to specifically get out the hood, or put their black, whatever you may be, who are happy I’m very happy for him. I’m very happy that an people on one, or those who more or less look with being niggers. We’re happy with being African American even has the opportunity to at it like a legal dope game, can’t do it like they uneducated; we’re happy with being from the become president, but why is it that every time used to. The people who are really meant to be hood. I love my hood because that’s where I’m we get an opportunity it’s under fucked-up cir- here are going to be the ones left standing when from, but that’s not where I want my kids to cumstances? A black man finally gets the oppor- this drought is over. As blunt as I can put it, Hip stay. I represent it so that people from there can tunity to come into office, and he’s coming after Hop is on its cycle right now. It’s gotta bleed, it’s feel good about themselves, but I don’t want the worst president in history! No matter how gotta cleanse itself, and hopefully I can be one of them to think that’s the place you’re supposed good you are, if you’re cleaning up it’s going to the few that remains successful until we make it to be. We’re in the hood because at one point take you a minute to turn shit around. Even if through this period. in time they wouldn’t let us go anywhere else. you’re the best president that has ever walked Now we keep ourselves there. That’s some the earth, coming in after George Bush, 50% of What you would say is the #1 misconception the bullshit. your efforts is going to be cleaning up his fuck fans have of the industry? ups. Gas and the war alone will take up an entire Just that everything you see on the song or in Going back to your reference to T.I. What’s your presidency. I just hope he has the opportunity, the video is real. I think that’s what’s killing rap outlook on his legal situation, how it went and the right team around him. music. People are more concerned with what down, and in turn how rappers are portrayed in rappers are doing than if they have talent. I per- the media? So the country’s fucked up, George Bush is sonally don’t give a fuck who you killed. I person- Of course the media is always going to portray fucked up, and the Hip Hop game is fucked up. ally don’t give a fuck how much dope you sold. rappers in a bad light. But one of the things I What’s going to take to change all that? If you made that much money selling dope then don’t like about a lot of rappers nowadays is The Greatest Story Ever Told. July 15th, purchase why are you rapping? If it’s really popping like that we’re in other folks’ business to much. Me that CD. It will change the face of Hip Hop. It will that then you wouldn’t need to rap. And people and T.I. have a really good relationship, and change the way you look at Hip Hop. My album can’t be in the streets like they’re saying they are, regardless of what happened, or how it hap- is truly greater then any other rapper who reads because I look on their roster and they’ve got 30 pened, I don’t want my homeboy to be in jail. this article. Period. And I’m not even saying that or 40 shows. They ain’t in the streets like that. I Until he comes to me and speaks specifically on some conceited shit. I’m proud of this album. just seen you! Our music is supposed to be an ex- about the situation, I stay out of it. He has my For the first time in my life I’m proud of myself. pression of what it’s like in the streets. But we’re full support, and one thing he told me was that I listen to this album and I’m proud. This isn’t a giving the misconception to kids that you’ve it’s not what people think it is. America wants us job to me, this is something I love. And there gotta be a dope dealer and you’ve gotta have to be portrayed as niggas. For example, when isn’t any bullshit on this record. Every lyric, every killed somebody. I don’t mind stories because we the Sean Bell incident happened, that’s how line, every beat, had some love in it. Greatest need stories to keep the world informed about he was portrayed. That way when the general Story Ever Told, July 15th. the plight that’s going on in our hood. But when public sees it, they won’t be shocked. They’ll see are we going to start solving some of these prob- it as us getting what we deserve. Ok, so last question… lems? Now we’re getting to the point that we I love titties. don’t even believe these are problems any more. Since you made the effort to talk about politics Anything that hurts people, we’ve turned it into on your new album, what impact do you think Okay, one MORE question. What else are you something positive. Now everybody thinks it’s Barack Obama would make on the presidency if working on right now? cool to be a killer. You know, I’ve shot at people he’s elected? I’m working on trying not to go crazy. I’m just in the past. I’ve done shit that I wasn’t supposed Hopefully, I think it’ll be positive, and it’ll show trying to keep my sanity. I know as artists we to. But that’s not anything I’m proud of. I’ll talk people that no matter what shouldn’t concentrate on the small things, about it just so people know that I went through background they come from, but you know, what I do is important to me. they have the power to influ- I want to work. We got “Get Like Me” and it’s ence others. I think it’s going poppin’, but at the same time, I want people to to be a real positive situation. understand this album. When ol’ boy told me The only thing I don’t like this album reminded him of The Score, by The about it is that we’re coming Fugees, that touched my heart because I know off of George Bush. George how that album touched people. But if people Bush has fucked up so bad don’t have the opportunity or don’t know to go that Obama is going to to David Banner for that type of album, then spend his whole first term it’s just like a tree fell in the forest and wasn’t cleaning up all the bullshit nobody in that muthafucka. That’s how I feel that George Bush left about this album. We got a big ol’ oak tree in the behind. Even if they stop forest that’s about to tear the whole damn forest the war today, it’s going down. I always tell everybody this is the album to take two years to get they want but not necessarily who they want it the troops out. Even if the from. This is the album they’ve been wanting to gas prices stop increas- bring Hip Hop back. // ing, the people that sell oil have now grown

OZONE MAG // 61 WORDS: RANDY ROPER // PHOTO: JULIA BEVERLY Death Before

His hit single “” is climbing up the charts and he’s hoping his debut album Dishonor will do the same. He’s been in-and-out of jail since he was a teenager, but now, 2 Pistols is looking to leave his troubled past behind and start a new chapter in his life.

the comments like, “Without T-Pain it wouldn’t be this way, without Ray J it The first time I interviewed you, you were just getting started with the Justice wouldn’t be that way.” I just want my people to understand that I’m here and League. And now “She Got It” is a hit. How is success treating you? it’s a lot of other artists that collaborated on records with other people and It feels good just to have a record the people accept. I love all the success I’m they give them their credit. I just want my credit, that’s all. having. I feel very fortunate. I don’t want nobody to think I take my situation for granted. I love my situation. If you keep coming with these R&B singles, they’re going to give you credit for being LL Cool J. What do you want people to see your image as? What was your reaction when “She Got It” started to break? If they wanna look at me like LL, that’s cool. He’s ten years strong in the It was cool, but a lot of people had mixed feelings because [T-Pain] was on game. My situation is well-rounded. I can talk about anything when it comes so many records at the time. [People were like], “Dude looks like Plies,” or, to a song. Cause I’ve been through some of everything. I got my own rela- “He came out just like Plies with a T-Pain record.” The comparison started tionship issues that I don’t care too much about speaking openly about. And to get crazy for me. That’s the number one thing I hated the most out of I got my situation where I’m in the streets heavy, and I can talk about that. I the situation. People still didn’t give me my credit yet but I think they might write [my lyrics] well-rounded and I don’t want you to look at 2 Pistols and second guess that now that I got this second single with Ray J called “You think he only talks about females, or he only talks about goons or street shit. Know Me.” Hopefully people will be like, “Okay, dude got another record,” I want cats to understand that I’m an artist. I can speak on any topic and it’s although I do have another R&B singer on there. We just wanted that feature going to be a good song. on there to give it that look. But I don’t feel like cats are giving me my credit that I should be getting. My success is cool but at the same time, I still hear Speaking of the streets, can you speak on your street life and being in and

62 // OZONE MAG out of prison, before music? The cats that I grew up around are different from the cats that are out there Have you had any problems getting mainstream or crossover attention because now. To get in the situation that they are right now, man, there’s a lot of of your name? snitching and negative energy in the streets right now. Cats value now the Once you get branded as something, you stick with it. That was my name; I got dude that got shot. They value the cat that go in there and snitch. They like branded like that. When it came to rap, I didn’t really think about politics. And these niggas with street stories, oh, I did this and I did that. They some make- didn’t think they might not wanna play my video. Or they might not want to believe ass niggas, they like that. They don’t want a nigga that walk it, they sell my CD in stores for retail. They automatically think violence, and I think just want a nigga that talk good. The like whatever sounds good. They don’t that I’m being stereotyped. They’ve got [other artists like] Sex Pistols, Guns N’ really sit back and realize what is right in front of you. The niggas that I grew Roses, all kinds of shit. Just cause it says 2 Pistols and he raps, they assume up with, ain’t none of them niggas here like that. And it’s fucked up. They’re he’s gotta be talking about some violent shit. It can’t just be a name. Leave it not here because of niggas that was snitching. I grew up in a different code. as a name and let the music speak for itself. I hate that shit, to be honest with That’s why my album is title Death Before Dishonor. I’d rather die before I’m you. It hurt my situation a lot. I think would’ve had a lot more going on, with disloyal in any kind of way. I titled it that because I wanted something that the success that I having with my record, if my name wasn’t that. But I live by was well-rounded, and I could speak from any angle on that. It’s something that. I live by the gun, die by the gun. I just take the good with the bad with it. that best represents me and what I stand for. Fuck it. I’m just doing me.

At the end of the day, my house arrest situation, all of that’s over with. But What can you tell me about your album? I still get profiled. If you travel with me, you always get random searched in It’s a well-rounded album. I got T-Pain on there, of course. I got Ray J on the airport, trust me. When you come through the line with me, they’re gonna there, of course. I got another record with Trey Songz that’s crazy. I got a search you every time. I don’t think there’s been a flight yet that I ain’t got record on there called “Flex,” where I use the sample from Mad Cobra’s “Flex” randomly searched, or my niggas ain’t got randomly searched. I gotta get from a while back. My family originates from the Bahamas so I had to throw travel permits and all this extra shit to go anywhere in the country right now, some island flavor in that shit. I got Blood Raw and Slick Pulla on there from because of my charges. I went to court about a week and a half ago to try and CTE. I got my clique on there, Blood Money Entertainment. The rest of the get off this shit. Just so they could be like, “The nigga’s doing something posi- album is pretty much me. I did a record where I had Fergie on the record first, tive with his life.” And the muthafuckin’ State Prosecutor was like, “We don’t but then we had clearance issues so we ended up putting Tyra B on the record, give a fuck what he’s doing with his life now. We’re watching him because of it’s called “Candy Coated Diamonds.” It’s a good album. Billboard and a couple shit that he did prior to his success. So, they ain’t trying to hear that shit. She other people that reviewed it said that even though I’m a new artist, I’ve got felt like me getting out of jail and [being] put on probation and house arrest three or more singles on the album. They said they don’t remember the last was a good enough break. Even though I did my time on their probation. They time there’s been a new artist who had as many records I have on my album, wanna see a nigga that’s successful, a nigga that’s trying to do something as far as singles. I just think the people are gonna get their money’s worth if with his life, suffer or be miserable. They want me to not even be able to enjoy they go out and purchase my project. Real talk. my life cause y’all got me checking in three, four times a month. Asking me how much I made this month, how long I’m gonna be in this city, and every New artists always come and go. What are you going to do to maintain and time I go to the airport I’m getting checked and searched. C’mon, man. Enough stay in the game? is enough, my nigga. I’m collaborating with some up-and-coming cats and I’m on their first singles. I think I’ma stay relevant that way. And I’ma look forward to working on any It’s crazy that you have to go through all of that, when you’re trying do project I can work on; jumping on a couple features and anybody that got a something positive. remix, I’ll jump on that. I’m gonna do whatever I gotta do to stand out. I’m I did a little give back to my neighborhood, and put slip-n-slides up, little gonna put some more mixtapes out. I’ma stay hot in the streets. I’m still gonna jump around shits that kids could go in. I had a cook bring 200 pounds of be dropping singles off this album come this time next year. So, I can eat off this chicken, just for the hood. I think I’m halfway successful right now. I don’t album for a little minute, and like I said, I’ma do mixtapes and features to stay even think I’m in the position that I should be in, with me having the blessings relevant. that I’ve had. But I’m at where I’m at, and I’m gonna be content with that until I get to where I’m trying to get to. But I don’t have a problem with giving back What’s your relationship with the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League? at all. I have a production agreement with them. They worked on the album. They didn’t have to do as many records as they did on the album. We were sched- How do you explain to the fans that you are a more positive person now, with uled to do two records, but we worked so well together that damn near every all the negativity surrounding you? record that we did together could’ve been a single. They got nine tracks on The fans that really really pay attention to my situation and really realize the album and I got a couple other producers too. The J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, where I came from, they don’t get caught up in the [Plies] comparisons and they want it bad. They’re really on their grind. I be getting mad cause they be really know that my story is true. It’s not some shit that’s fabricated like selling some of these hot beats adn I’m like, “Why’d you give that nigga that majority of these rappers. All I’m asking is that y’all continue supporting me. beat? You shoulda gave it to me!” I be getting mad about that sometimes but Cause I’m gonna stay that same dude. I ain’t gonna change. No matter how we good. I’m getting ready to do an independent deal for my artists. They much money I get, or what I do, or if I get any movie roles, or whatever I get were talking about doing something with G-Unit/BME. But I don’t know if we’re into, I’ma be that same dude that I’ve been from the hood, from the block. I going that route or not. We got a couple different people we are talking to. I’m mean, I can spend my money now and ain’t gotta worry about police kicking in getting ready to put my artists out. Of course, I’m gonna have Justice League my door or causing drama. And at the same time, I’m the same dude. I haven’t on the production. So, shit moving over here. We’re standing on our own. We’re changed. I’m gon’ always be the same dude. separated. I’m a part of the whole Florida movement, of course. But cats got their own sections in Florida that’s doing they thing. Why did you name yourself 2 Pistols? My name 2 Pistols came from one of my cousins that’s in the Feds right now. Back to “She Got It.” Name some females celebrities that got it and why? It was just given to me cause of my personality. I’m a Gemini, so one minute Sanna Lathan. She got it. Why she got it? Man, I don’t know. I mean, shit, I’ll be over here, cool, kicking it with you and the next minute I’ve be flippin’ nigga, look at her. I can’t really explain, just look at her. I gotta give it to her, out about something. I’ve got two personalities. In the hood, of course they’re off top. I be fuckin’ with Ray J about this one. I think Kim [Kardashian] got it, gonna twist things, so instead of saying, “That nigga is two people,” they say, too. I don’t know what she is. I don’t know if she’s Italian. Either way, she’s “He’s 2 Pistols.” It was just something that was said that was kicked around still pretty much a snowflake. Kim Kardashian, of course, she got it. A lot of and it kinda stuck like that. I ain’t wanna change that because on my court niggas saying that shit right now. Who else? The chick Vida Guerra, although documents, that was the name I was called when I was in the streets. That’s Game had his whatever with her. Now look, I picked all angles on that one. what people knew me as. I ain’t wanna jump in the game and use another They can’t be trippin’, saying P only caters to one specific female. I gave you a person’s name and get famous off of their street presence. Why not just use my black chick. I gave you a white chick and a Spanish chick. So, to each it’s own. own name? It was kinda hard for people to understand it and adapt to it but it Whatever one you wanna fuck with, whatever race you wanna go at, I gave you stood out! It might be negative at first but when they get to know me, they’re the finest ones that I feel that come from that type of background. like, “Okay, dude is cool.”

OZONE MAG // 63 MISS RAP SUPREME STANDOUT MS. CHERRY IS READY TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT SHE’S MORE THAN JUST A REALITY SHOW STAR OR T-PAIN’S BABY MAMA

A lot of people might recognize you from the VH1 reality show Miss Rap Supreme, but you actually had a rap career before the show and were inter- viewed in OZONE a few times before. For people who don’t know, let them know what you were doing before the show. A lot of people think that it started with the show, but I’ve been rapping since I was 13 years old. I’m 24 now.

You were signed to Streetwise Records and had a couple of songs that were hittin’ locally in Atlanta. What happened to Streetwise? Since they’re still going through some [legal] issues, it’s kinda hard to talk about it. A lot of people saw it on the news or the internet. I was in Albany when [the story hit the news]. [The news] said they’d been locked up. When I drove back up to Atlanta, the girl from the office told me to come to her house. When I came to her house, [Big T, the CEO of Streetwise] jumped out from behind the door and was like, “They can’t catch me!” You know how it is. You’re in the streets trying to turn your street money clean, so that’s why they [had] the record label. My contract [with Streetwise] has expired, so I guess you could say I’m a free agent.

Did you think it was a good career move going on a reality show? Sometimes it can come off as a gimmick. It was hard to know how the show was gonna be. All I knew was that VH1 was having a reality show about female rappers. I haven’t really seen any female artists that I feel are real com- petition. It’s a lot of [female] rappers that were hot once, but where are they now? So I felt like I couldn’t lose. I didn’t know how it was gonna [turn out] so I felt like it was a win-win.

Has the show resulted in a lot of recognition and opportunities for you from record labels and other media outlets? Definitely. I think it was a great opportunity because now, ev- erywhere I go, I never have to explain, “Hi, I’m Ms Cherry. I had a song called ‘It’s Whatever.’ You might’ve seen me in XXL or OZONE.” A lot of labels reached out and clothing lines gave me free clothes and stuff. I get a lot of phone calls that I wanted to get when I was with Streetwise.

You and Khia didn’t get along too well on the show. Did you know her before you got on the show? Was that real animos- ity or did y’all make it extra dramatic for television? Yeah, I sure did [know her before]. She’s real extra. I really think she did that for TV, cause after the argument [when the cameras went off] she’d kinda laugh. She was picking at all the girls but nobody stood up to her. They’d just let her say whatever she wanted, but I was like, “Wait a minute, bitch. Who the fuck do you think you is?”

You both live here in Atlanta. Did things end on a more posi- tive note or is it gonna get ugly if you both show up at the same place at the same time? I saw her in the club at my birthday party at Central Station in Atlanta. The whole rest of my party was like, “Man, let’s whoop this hoe’s ass.” I was like, “I don’t start shit; I finish it. Let’s see what she does.” She acted like she didn’t even see me. I’m standing right in front of her like, “Hello?” I just wanted her to say one thing. I wouldn’t even have to do nothing. That’s what she doesn’t realize – you can’t come to somebody else’s city and expect to live there. Even if I never go outside the house, my whole family lives here. I’ve got aunties, cousins, and friends from elementary, middle, and high school. But, it’s really not that serious. I think she’s very immature. You saw her on the show crying. She’s so dramatic, oh my God. She’s just extra all the time. On the show she was crying about her mom and stuff. I think she really needs help. She doesn’t have that mama figure, somebody to hold a mirror in front of her and say, “Khia, don’t wear that. Khia, don’t say that. Khia, don’t get on the radio in Atlanta where you live and make a complete asshole out of yourself.” I think she needs a role model. WORDS & PHOTO: JULIA BEVERLY Who do you think would be a good role model for Khia?

64 // OZONE MAG I don’t know who could be her role model. They’d probably quit. My son changed my whole life. I was reading the old interview I did [in OZONE] and I said, “I don’t even like kids.” I was serious. Even now, I still She’s about to drop an album. Any predictions on how much she’ll sell? don’t like kids. I just love mine. I swear he changed my whole life. Before, I’d I hope that whatever her goal is, she meets it. That way she can start a new want to be at the club all the time, just waiting to perform. Now I have to find profession instead of this professional hating that she’s doing. I’ve never somebody to keep him. I don’t like him to go places with other people. I want seen anything like it. This bitch is a professional hater. She’s really ill. That’s him to be with me all the time. I think I might hinder myself more than he why I’m not even mad at her. I feel sorry for her. hinders me. I could take him to my mama’s house, but I just don’t want to.

When you were on the VH1 show, it was revealed that you have a baby with Do you think he’ll be a singer one day… with a vocoder? T-Pain. What were you thinking messing around with a married man? (laughs) Somebody sent me a text message with a link to a baby crying with I didn’t know in the beginning. How could I know? the [T-Pain vocoder] on it. Ridiculous. But yeah, when we’re in the studio he loves to beat on the piano and try to sing into the microphone. When was the beginning? Years ago. About three and a half years ago. First of all, we were both re- When you did the reality show, was T-Pain worried about the story getting ally young. I wasn’t even thinking about having kids. But I asked him once out there to the public? because he had a tan on his finger which means that there was jewelry [or Well, he acted like he wasn’t ever worried about it. Wherever you were at, he a wedding ring] there. I asked him [if he was married] and he denied it. I was like, “Julia’s gonna take a picture of us [and put it in OZONE]. What are believed it because clearly he was so young. It is what it is. At his house, it you gonna do?” I was like, “I’m not the one who should be worried.” That was was no sign of [a wife]. It was all his stuff in the closet (laughs). I mean, if before the baby. that was me [as his wife], I woulda left something there. Anything, anywhere. I mean, how was I supposed to know? I didn’t know that he was married and So y’all were sneaking around hiding from me? then after I did find out, I was mad. I cursed him out and stopped talking I wasn’t hiding from you. He swore you had so many pictures of us. When to him. But the feelings were already there. People always ask me, “Did you he did the interview with you [for his cover story last year], he was like, really like him, or was it just because of his money?” They don’t realize that “She knows.” And I was like, “You better not tell her.” I just didn’t want to back then, he didn’t have [money] like he’s got now. be known as “T-Pain’s baby mama.” What kinda shit is that? I was Ms Cherry before I knew him, and that’s who I wanna be known as. I don’t ever want This was back when his first record came out? people to start forgetting my name and start calling me “T-Pain’s baby It hadn’t even come out yet. We could go to the store and it wasn’t that big of mama.” That was one good thing about the [VH1 show]. People know my a deal. It definitely wasn’t because of money. He came to Atlanta and rode in name and don’t just know me as “T-Pain’s baby mama.” I know that was my Impala and stayed on Bankhead with me. It wasn’t ‘bout no money. gonna come out anyway, though. When you’re on a show like that, they really look up everything. You sign a paper giving them permission, and they look You just liked his striped dreads? up your [criminal] records, medical records, everything. (laughs) They weren’t striped then. They were black. I didn’t like that striped shit when he did it, but, you know, he’s a character. So the VH1 folks put it out there? No, but during the initial interview, they had a picture of [T-Pain] clipped to So even when you found out that he was married, you kept messing with him. the interview sheet with the questions they were gonna ask me when I got Yeah, I found out, and in so many words, [he said] that he was so young to L.A. I was looking at the paper, like, “What the fuck?” They said they didn’t and made a mistake. We were really good friends. It wasn’t really about him wanna use [that information] in the show, but they asked me if it would be cheating on his wife. The baby thing just happened. We really were friends. okay. I was like, “Well, it’s not a secret, but I don’t want it to be a big deal. I That boy is so talented. People always tell me that everything’s out in the want people to see me on this show. It ain’t about him. Y’all see him on TV all open now with her, and they really do live together now. People ask me, the time. Can I have this little show? Can this be mine?” If I had made it a big “How do you feel? When you hear his songs do you get upset?” No, because at deal on the show [by] talking about him every five minutes, they would’ve put the end of the day if he’s platinum, that means we’re platinum. I could never it in. But I didn’t. If one of the girls asked me about it, I told ‘em, but I never get mad at that. He’s always been so talented. Even when he didn’t have as made it a big deal. much [success] as he has now, just being in the studio with him is inspiring. Why do you think the female rap scene in general is so dead right now? So it was more of a musical connection between you at first? That’s a good question. It’d be easy for me to say, “They need me,” or I think it really was. whatever. I think I was supposed to win [the reality show]. When we did the challenge at the shooting range, they saw my [criminal] record and saw that I So is your next single gonna have a T-Pain hook? had been arrested. But they didn’t know that the whole time, I was still going People always ask me that. He wanted me to be on [his label] Nappy Boy but I through it. I could possibly go back to Atlanta and go to jail. The whole time thought it would be kinda a conflict of interest. How would that work out? But we did the show, they were asking us stuff about [female rappers who have he did make me a beat that I never used. He always asked me what I did with had legal troubles] like Remy Ma, Foxy Brown, Lil Kim, and the future of Hip it. I did do the little bridge for “Church,” the second song on his last album. Hop. But I never said anything about [my pending court cases] until it came up. There was some stuff that happened way before I had Kingston, but I was Was there some drama between you and his wife? still going to court for it. You know how they’ll drag shit out, just waiting There never really was no drama. People always wanna give me advice, like, for you to miss a court date so they can lock yo’ ass up? I had three felony “If I were you, I’d tell her this and that,” but it’s not even that serious. Me and charges of aggravated assault with a pistol. Each charge carried 20 years. So her never had words. I’m sure she doesn’t know the whole story of what hap- even though this was something that happened before I had my son, these pened between us. It’s just really messed up when somebody on the outside things were still hanging over my head. tries to give their opinion of a situation they don’t know anything about. Everybody’s like, “How did you have a baby by him when you knew he was What are your future plans? Do you have any record deals on the table? married?” I don’t know anyone who goes around looking for married men [to Yeah. I’m trying to see who I wanna go with. I want it to be a good situation. have babies with]. When I first met him, he wasn’t married to my knowledge. I think a lot of people take [bad] record deals because of their hunger or I developed feelings for somebody who [I thought] wasn’t married, so I don’t need. I’m trying to take my time with it and pick out the right situation. I’ve think I can be at fault for that. The best part of the situation is my son King, got a new song called “Thank You.” It’s talking about how I always wanted to and I love him. Shout out to my son Kingston. be a star when I was younger, and now people wave when they see me in my car. That’s a real crossover song. I’m singing on it. How old is your son now? He’s thirteen months old. And the thing is, my Streetwise family used to pick No vocoder? on [T-Pain] because of how he looked and dressed, and they picked on me No vocoder, just me. A lot of people are like, “Who is that singing?” They for liking him. But I really felt love when we were together. His friends and don’t really believe it’s me. The name of my album is called Urban Beauty. I’m family even told me that he really loved me, and that’s why I had my son, working on that. Yo Yo from the show is tryna help me get where I need to because I felt like it was true love. Years had gone by, money had come and be. Shout out to LRG; thanks for the Luxurie clothes. gone by, and he never changed. I loved him for that and I felt like he was somebody I could know and love for the rest of my life. That’s why I chose to Anything else you want to plug? WORDS & PHOTO: have Kingston in spite of the circumstances. Thank you to all my fans. I have millions of fans all over the world. I love JULIA BEVERLY y’all. They be on my Myspace page really trippin’. I talk to everybody. That’s Is it difficult trying to have a rap career and be a mother at the same time? really me on my Myspace page (myspace.com/therealmscherry). //

OZONE MAG // 65 WORDS: JULIA BEVERLY // PHOTO: THADDAEUS McADAMS

because I definitely had to bring the quality up. Stylz? It was a muddy, low-quality, home version of the I know you’ve been going through some changes I was in the studio and I had just finished up record. It was the original. It contained the es- and you got a lot of new things coming up. You’re this record with me, Shawty Lo, and Jody Breeze sence of rawness; it didn’t matter if it was the best in the studio, right? Is this your new spot? called “Ah Yeah.” I took it to the Blue Flame in clarity. Even when I mixed the record, I didn’t try My spot is being built right now. I’m actually Bankhead and dropped it off with my pa’tna DJ to put the best mix on it sonically. I just wanted it working at right now. Hershey. Hershey played the record. Right when to be clear enough for radio so it would still a hit people started saying it’s a drought on the work and sound clear. So I guess you and Block are good now. There and gas was finna go up, nobody in the [strip] were some rumors about what’s going on at the club was tippin’ but me and my crew. Hershey was Do you think humor is missing from Hip Hop these Block Entertainment camp. like, “Damn dawg, you the only nigga in this bitch days? Sometimes there are misunderstandings. Some- tippin’. This shit looks crazy.” We started laughing. I think humor is missing right now in our world times people get things misconstrued. Sometimes He said, “It looks like a club full of robbers ‘cause anyway, ‘cause ain’t shit funny out here right now. things get misinterpreted and people make what they all looking at ya.” I said, “Yeah, it’s cool.” He Gas is up to $5 a gallon damn near. Ain’t nothin’ they will out of it. Sometimes people show pain said, “I got this song I’m finna play for niggas just funny about that. You gotta think, people in the on their face day to day; people pick up on certain standing around lookin’.” He played [“ hood are struggling every day to put $2.89 in they things. But other than that, it’s no different than Nigga”] and I was like, “Damn, this shit is funny.” car. Now they’re talkin’ ‘bout you gotta spend anybody else’s family situation or label situation. He said he didn’t know who they were signed to. $4.39. C’mon, man. Ain’t nothin’ funny out here Shit happens. It’s just one of those things. Other My personal assistant Tameka Howard got on the right now. Naturally when the cost of gas goes than that, I’m good. I’m paid. Everybody I fuck internet the next day and she found the dudes. up, so does everything else ‘cause of transporta- with is paid. That’s what it is. They flew down on a Sunday, we re-recorded tion. That’s a big part of you being able to receive the record, and by Wednesday we had a deal on commerce, food, whatever. We need [humor] How did you come across your new group Hot the table [with Jive]. We re-recorded the record sometimes. That’s why the record is doing so well.

66 // OZONE MAG Most of the time when you hear that record you’re emphasize how much drugs they’ve sold and how Are all of those coming through Jive or are you gonna be in your car. You’re gonna be driving and many people they’ve killed in their music? looking for different things for everybody? weighing out what’s in your bank account and Because it’s more people that listen to that music I’m looking for different outlets. I have had a very in your pocket and where you’ve got to go and that can relate to shit that the average cat in good relationship with Jive in the past, helping everything you’ve got to pay. [The record] is just the street does. If you feel like your consumer establish a relationship by doing records with a one of them thangs to lighten up your day and put base is only the hood, then you’ve gotta say the lot of their different artists, like the record “Fuck a smile on your face, to know that people can still shit that’s right next door to ‘em, that’s right You Pay Me” with my homie Sonny V, and of course have fun with what they do. downstairs in they own house, the shit they see the record with T-Pain, “Buy You a Drank.” We built walkin’ right outta they door. You gotta paint that such a good relationship that they took me ev- Do you think sometimes people get you miscon- picture for ‘em so when they pop it in, it feels like erywhere with T-Pain. I traveled the country with strued as just being a joker, just a funny, cool type they’re comfortable; in their environment. They this guy, at different award shows and everything. of dude and not really a street dude? can understand it with their eyes closed. They They didn’t have to do that. Homie coulda rapped I think what happens is, I’ma cat that came from can understand it if you say it backwards. A lot the part himself. But they really believed in the the hood, but I always wanted better. In my mind, of times people use that as their reference, what artists and supported them enough to do that, everything I gotta do, I don’t have to be hood to they’ve done and what they’ve been through. It to spend that extra money to make sure he was do it. I think a lot of times people misconstrue kinda validates who their character is as a rapper well-accommodated. I took heed to the whole hood with just straight up ignorance – like if I or . process that I witnessed, so inevitably I went to don’t say some ignorant shit, I’m not hood. You them. I have a few associates [at Jive] that are can’t just say that. It is what it is. Some people What’s your take on the so-called Atlanta beef highly favored, so it was a better situation to walk do say, “He’s a cool cat; he ain’t gon’ do nothing. between Shawty Lo and T.I.? into it like that. He probably ain’t never did this, sold no dope, It’s all good. I know it’s a better way to Bankhead trapped, none of that.” Hey man, just ‘cause I on the map and show that Atlanta’s got some And what’s the status of your next solo project? Or don’t talk about it in none of my music don’t real hustlers and squads here, but they’re putting are you kinda focusing more on the label and your mean I ain’t never did it. Just ‘cause I don’t tell Bankhead on the map. That’s what they’re doin’. other business ventures? you what the work cost me when I was comin’ up T.I.P. already put Bankhead on the map; don’t I’m focused, making sure all my music is right. I’m get me wrong on that, but Shawty Lo been in very focused on both. But for the most part, can’t the streets for a long time, for real. I think some nobody do Joc but Joc, so I’m gonna be focused people blew what he said out of proportion and from a different angle on my project. With my then it turned into a nigga realizing that people label, I can sit back and say, “This is what needs are actually fucking with him by saying that. It to be done, here’s a checklist of the steps I have just turned into niggas talkin’ shit to each other. to take to make it work.” For the most part, I’m But at the end of the day, I think both of them working. cats are some hustlers. They’re smart enough to not do nothing dumb and jeopardize their careers Do you know when your next solo project will be or freedom. I think it’s moreso them utilizing coming out? what they got, using their talents, and the art of November. It’s called Mr. Robinson’s Neighbor- marketing what they do. That’s how I feel, to be hood. honest with you. You were on the Forbes list last year for rappers How does Bankhead compare to College Park? who made the most money, correct? Aside from How would you break that down for somebody the things we’ve already discussed, what are you who’s not from Atlanta? doing to make sure you maintain your spot on the It’s hood anywhere in Atlanta. Anywhere you list this year? go in Atlanta it gon’ be hood. The thang about I’m planning. All these things we’re talking about it is, some parts in Atlanta are just more slum right now, it’s not just talk. You’ve got some peo- shit. You gotta think, in Atlanta, Bankhead is ple that just talk shit and say what they’re gonna super-ghetto. College Park is ghetto as hell, do and what they wanna do, but you never see but it might not have as many projects. College it manifested. With my case it’s a little different. Park’s got projects, but Bankhead’s got a lot of Instead of me going around talking a lot, I really projects. You got Bankhead Courts. You can turn just let it happen. That way you can never say, “He around off of Bankhead and you got Etheridge. just talked a lot but I never saw much progress. You go on up and you get to Overlook Atlanta. I heard a lot of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives You can’t forget Bowen Homes. It’s a lot of places come outta his mouth but I never saw success you can go right there on Bankhead and be like, manifest from what he spoke.” I’d rather just let “This shit is super-hood.” It ain’t like there’s no my actions speak a lot louder than my words. hoods in other cities, but I think sometimes the level of positivity could be greater in some parts That sounds like a good way to finish off this of Atlanta. interview. Anything else you’d like to add?. For anybody that’s listening, God bless you. Life When you say you signed Hot Stylz, do you have a is . If something ain’t working, don’t production company or a label? What’s the name give up. Just keep doin’ what you do ‘cause best don’t mean I never did it. I did a lot of shit. Matter of your company? believe, I felt like giving up a million times but I of fact, I just released a record. Block put out a My company is called Swagg Team Entertain- didn’t. I put my faith in God. I believed in myself record I did called “What’s Really Good” on the ment. I feel like we’re a full-blown entertainment and I just hit the block running. I laced up the No BitchAssNess mixtape. Listen to it. It’s truth to company. It’s one of those record labels where Nike Airs and just went running. I said, “I’ma get a lot of shit, and a lot of the shit is rumors too. I stand behind the people I believe in and the to the finish line one way or the other.” I still ain’t It’s one of those records where I’m talking in people I stand behind believe in me. (laughs) No made it to the finish line ‘cause I don’t know what third person. I’m rapping about myself and what homo. my finish line in life really is, but I’m still runnin’ people say about me. Then after you hear the the hell outta this race. We get tired ‘cause we’re record you’re gonna be like, “Damn, shawty said So who do you having coming out besides Hot human, but as long as you continue to prepare for some real shit.” Then you gon’ turn around and Stylz? tomorrow and keep puttin’ your all into it, you’ll see a crazy ass video like “Lookin Boy.” It’s like, I got Traeyon. He’s an R&B dude. He can really be alright. That’s what I wanna leave with the “Damn, he really explained it. He’s an entertainer.” blow. You’ve got my dude Grind outta Kissimmee. fans. When you think about Joc, know that I’ma Sometimes you have to explore different things to He’s a Puerto Rican cat that grew up in the hood, real nigga. I’m not with no games. I’ma grown entertain people. Shit we used to do to entertain but when you hear him you’re not gonna even man. I got kids. It’s not a game. // you doesn’t necessarily entertain you as much believe he’s Puerto Rican. I got more cats comin’ anymore. like Play Boi. It’s the Swagg Team All Stars. Right now I’m just enjoying being able to make some Why do you think artists feel so much pressure to decisions, as far as being in that CEO seat.

OZONE MAG // 67 WORDS BY MAURICE G. GARLAND

to this day. That song’s popularity led to a cameo on “J.O.D.D.” on Trick Daddy’s Thug Matrimony album, a song that also appeared in the movie The 40 Year Old Virgin. It also led to an ill-fated deal with Southbeat Records. Disenchanted with the industry after numerous conflicts with the label, Tony opted to step back from the limelight and start his own business. Not as a record executive, but as an actual inventor.

After a few failures, Tony finally stuck gold when he invented Da Splitta, a here are plenty of stories inside the Federal Holding Facility in Maken- discrete device containing a razor blade that split blunt cigars in half, making to County, Florida. There’s the one about the Columbian fisherman who it easier for smokers who didn’t want to deal with the hassle of wetting and got busted with dope on his boat that he didn’t even know was there. cutting the blunts with keychains or finger nails. While the device was as There’s the one about the guy serving life for killing his cousin in a domestic primitive as it was innovative, Tony proved himself to be ingenius by making Tdispute. Then there’s the one about the promising rapper who, like so many sure the device itself didn’t have to touch the marijuana, thus excluding it other inmates, was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. That story from being considered illegal drug paraphernalia. belongs to Tampa Tony. The invention was an instant success, drawing interest all across the country Born Antonio Alls in Orlando, Florida, Tampa Tony was the prototypical inde- and even as far away as . By the time Tony developed a sleeker proto- pendent Southern rapper. He was a king in his local domain with a loyal fan- type designed to act as a lighter holder as well, he had moved on to building base that even multi-platinum artists on a major label couldn’t boast about an even bigger business empire. having. You could run into him at the neighborhood gas station minutes after or even while his song was playing on the radio. He could generate more In August 2006, Tony debuted his Da Splitter clothing line, or DS Apparel for cheers in his city than some of the headlining artists he opened for. short, that included not only t-shirts and hat, but sneakers as well. The line was to introduce what he called “the smoker’s look.” He also re-entered Tony got his start as a DJ with the famed Rock It Rod DJs in the mid-80’s. the rap industry by founding his own label Da Splitta Records, with plans to Leaving the turntables behind, he secured a role as hypeman for MC Nas-D put out albums from his newly formed group Da Splitta Squad. With so many of “My Cadillac” fame. With bass music still recognized as powerful force, he projects on his plate, Tony was recognized by his peers when he was nomi- eventually got bit with the rapping bug and pursued a career on the mic. His nated for the 2006 OZONE Award for Hustler of the Year. His new dealings also first national look came when he hooked up with music industry luminary brought around some “new people,” according to some unnamed sources. Tony Mercedes, known for his work with LaFace Records. Their relationship birthed the song “Dis Dick” on the Ain’t Nothing But A Bass Thing compilation. In 2007, Tony re-focused on his solo career with plans to drop an album that After a few controversial contract disputes, Tony went out on his own and put would eventually make him a household name. Backed by production from out the single “Pull That Choo Choo,” one of the many bass songs of the time Jim Jonsin and guest appearances from T-Pain, Tony was well on his way using a Barry White sample that went on to become an underground hit. to becoming a star after nearly 20 years in the game. But 20 seconds would bring his progress to a halt. Through the mid- Tampa Tony had a string of club hits including the widely popular “Keep Jukin,’” that can still be heard in random Florida clubs On October 12, 2006 in Pasco County, Florida Tony was arrested for accepting

68 // OZONE MAG a delivery of twenty-four kilos of cocaine. Ac- Is your case related to his at all? To the outside drug charges? cording to a press release from the United States eye, people may be saying, “What the hell is going I never heard of life sentences because people Department of Justice, law enforcement agents on in Tampa?” didn’t go to trial. It’s really bad in Florida, from Ft. also seized $20,000 from Tony’s car along with No. No. Totally unrelated. Myers to Naples to Jacksonville, the middle district three other gentlemen. One of the men was from of Florida. I don’t know the main reason but what Arizona, where the cocaine originated. On Novem- What do you think it is about you that made the they are doing is like legal lynching. Guys are ber 8, 2007, Tony was convicted and sentenced to government single you out in this case? signing pleas because you’re damned if you do, life imprisonment for conspiracy to possess with I guess because of my shoe company. They saw my damned if you don’t. Guys are signing pleas for intent to distribute and possession with intent to jewelry and a lot of stuff and figured I was in the 5 to 40 years. If you go to trial it’s 10 to life, so distribute. drug business, but I never was. most of them take the plea and end up with 15 years. It’s all done to make them cooperate. They Similar to the case of Big Oomp recording artist To the best of your knowledge, everybody in your threaten them with time. They tell you, “You’re who is currently sitting in an Ohio prison circle was clean and not into the drug trade, right? at 20 years, but if you cooperate we’ll knock you without bond for allegedly trafficking cocaine, They were clean, that I know of. But you never down to 7. If you’re at 10 we’ll knock you down this incident seems completely out of character know what they’re doing when they aren’t around to 2.” Guys ain’t doing no time in jail, they just for a rapper known for party records. Never really you. work their time off. They got one thing called a considered a threat to society, Tony has gone from 5k1, that’s before you sign your plea, before they making hit records to being hit with a record. This person that you say set you up, were they in sentence you, that’s a downward departure, that’s your immediate circle? when you snitch on people; testify on people. Speaking out for the first time since his incarcera- They wasn’t a business partner, he was just a per- Then you have a rule 35 that is another departure tion, Tony got on the phone with OZONE Magazine son I knew. If I needed something, I’d go to him. that gets your time cut and what they’re doing to talk about what happened, what he’s seen and there is party cooperation. If you’re locked up heard during his incarceration and how he plans and they don’t trust you to let you out to knock to get back home. someone off, if you have a girl outside or a friend, they hook them up with your agent or lawyer We might as well get right into it sinse we don’t and get them to [set up] a deal with someone. So have a lot of time to talk. What happened that when they get them knocked off, they give the night you were arrested? credit to you. I am appealing the sentence and procedures in the case because they were wrong. But I can’t too In your case, do you think they are making you much talk about it. into an example? When the judge sentenced me, he said he ain’t So you can’t talk about the arrest at all? want to give [the life sentence] to me. He said I can’t talk about that night. Basically I was at the he felt like the law wasn’t right. He saw that I wrong place at the wrong time. Someone set me only had two priors for small weed possession, up to get the heat off them. but there was nothing he could do because the state prosecutors are the ones that filed the life A lot of the people we’ve talked to say they sentence against me. He said there was nothing he couldn’t imagine you being into the drug trade. could do; his hands were tied. Anybody that knows me knows I never was that type of guy. I dealt with weed because I smoked, Being that you are behind the wall, does it make but nothing like this. I was really at the wrong Tony in June 2006 with his DS Apparel shoes you look at all the “stop snitching” stuff differ- place at the wrong time. ently? A whole lot differently. Everybody that knows me Did you know this person that set you up? In your time in prison so far, what have you seen asks me what happened. That’s how I’m finding all Yes, I knew this person. Not a close friend but I that’s surprised you? this information. These dudes be in here talking knew he was dealing, though. I see now that it’s a lot of people in here and about snitching like it’s rims or gold. Back then the system is so messed up, people are doing you’d get killed for snitching, but now its like A lot of recording artists have been getting anything to get home. I have to put this out there Evisu jeans. It’s a fad. jammed up lately. Do you think rappers are being so people will know. But you have people who got targeted? 10 year sentences and they’re jumping on cases. I can tell you some of these cases and you The whole system is divide and conquer. They They’re case jumpers. wouldn’t believe it. I heard one where this guy are using people to snitch on each other and we met with these dudes, saying it was some dope in just fall in. If you’ve got a weed habit and you Explain that. the warehouse. He was an undercover cop. When buy it from somebody and it turns out they were Y’all might be talking about your case. He knows they went to rob the warehouse, the cops were already in trouble but they don’t want to take the all of your info now, so he’ll call his agent or there, and they gave them 20 years and better, no trouble themselves, they figure you’ve got money lawyer and tell them that he has info on you. So, dope. They’re locked up for thinking they’re gonna so you can get out of the trouble. The govern- when you finally go to trial to try and beat your do something. One guy went to trial and started ment sees what you’ve got going on too and think case, he’s at your trial, testifying. You don’t know talking, so he got his time knocked off from 20 the money came from drugs. So they say, “Tell us nothing about him, but he knows about you so years to 4 years. something and we’ll give you a deal.” But I don’t he can tell the judge. Its like kicking a dog when have anyone to tell on. I’m not doing that. They he’s down. It’s ridiculous, I look at some of these Is there anything that you want to tell people to want me to snitch, and I won’t, because I don’t cats and shake my head. Recently there were two keep them from getting stuck in a situation like know anything. That’s why they gave me life. They dudes [here] who were best friends. One of them yours? think I’m holding back or information. went to trial and the other one showed up and I’d tell people that if you know anyone [who’s testified on him. It’s ridiculous that it’s allowed to dealing with] drugs, leave them alone. The system When they pulled your file, did they see that you happen. It’s pitiful. It’s guys in here from Columbia is messed up. The jail system is so crowded. had a prior record? Do you thnk that may have that got caught in Columbian waters and they’re They spend more money on jails than education. played a part? bringing them over here when the U.S. ain’t even People in the music industry have to verbalize I have two felonies on my record for small supposed to be in Columbnian waters. So they’re this. They’re killing our race right now. There’s a amounts of marijuana. Smoke amounts of just stuck here. The boats were filled with coke, 17-year-old serving 30 years for [getting caught marijuana. They were just over the amount for but they are fishermen. They should be in jail in with] 10 grams of cocaine. They did him like that misdemeanor, so they became felonies. their country. because he had priors.

Are you aware of the case of David Lee Gay Jr., {operator notifies us that we only have one minute How are being treated in there and how do you a.k.a. Fee, Plies’ manager, who was arrested on left. Tony hangs up and calls right back} expect your appeal to go? similar charges in Tampa late last year? I’m treated okay. People just try to encourage me. Yes. That was my pa’tna. Prior to this happening to you, did you know of I think I’ll be home next year. I’m going to win anyone who caught an outrageous sentence over this appeal against the prosecutors and police. //

OZONE MAG // 69 70 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 71 WORDS & PHOTO: JULIA BEVERLY

Gucci Mane had a rough start to his rap career, which included a well-pub- licized beef with Young Jeezy over the ownership of his introductory single “So Icey” and a somewhat related shooting incident that landed Gucci be- hind bars for murder (it was later determined that Gucci’s actions had been in self-defense and he was set free). Later, he parted ways with his label Big Cat Records (who released a CD that he says was unauthorized) and landed at Asylum Records. Gucci was a little upset with us here at OZONE for a while, too, but now that all the dust has settled (Gucci and Jeezy were recently spotted at the same Atlanta nightclub around the same time with no incidents) and he’s continued building on his street popularity with hits like “Freaky Girl,” we decided it was time for OZONE and Gucci to squash the beef too.

You’ve got a new artist that’s picking up a buzz. Tell me about him. His name is O.J. so we always call him Da Juice Man. We grew up together since we were little kids. We’re like brothers. That’s my best friend. He always rapped; he wasn’t even as good as he is now but he put it together. He’s getting his own show money now and he put out three mixtapes with his own money, so now he’s merged with my label and we’re gonna try a project with him. It’s a gamble. It’s gonna come out independently on my label, So Icey Entertainment. This is the first project I’ve put out besides my major album that I put out myself. I did a partnership with Asylum/Atlantic on my first project and it was a success, so I’m finna come out with my follow-up. I ain’t titled it yet. We’re gonna come out with the Juiceman’s debut and then the So Icey Boyz.

Why did you leave Big Cat Records and go to Asylum? The day I got out of jail, I left Big Cat. While I was locked up, I had six months to think and I realized that I maybe made the wrong move. Things weren’t right. The books weren’t right. All my Big Cat records were just like mixtapes. They ain’t chop no money over to me. They were like, “Your investment is gonna come back to you.” I was waiting on a pot of gold; I was naïve. That’s what I blame it on. I ain’t know a lot about the music industry, and I didn’t even have a lot of talent at the time. I just was a businessman; I saw an opportunity. People were saying I was a one-hit- wonder, but I knew I could put an album together. They were a smart record label, and I respect them on that to this day. But as far as me, I was always the muscle. I pride myself on being that, and as I grew and got with the CEO of my label now, she taught me a lot more things. They were teaching me nothing at [Big Cat] because they were trying to take advantage of me. Everything I did with them, I split down the middle. We had a joint venture. I never profited [from that deal]; that’s just the God’s honest truth. Even for my video for “Go ‘Head,” I paid about $30,000 out of my pocket. And their attorney got money too; he told me himself. He flew down here and I picked him up in my car. He was in on the trick too, but I learned from it and pushed on. I would never do that to my artists. I’ma give them a percentage and they ain’t gotta fund nothing out of their pocket.

Were you happier with the way Asylum handled your album? Asylum did most of the footwork with me, and my deal was upstreamed to Atlantic. We were all partners, as well as Czar Entertainment; can’t forget Jimmy and Teddy. A lot of people had input on my album, and that’s what made the swag different than my mixtapes. I dominated my mixtapes with all my thinking, all my input, and all my creations. I’d be in Patchwerk every day with no budget.

What’s up with you and Buffie the Body? There was a video clip of y’all together floating around on YouTube. Is that your girl? That’s definitely not my girl. I ain’t got nothing bad to say about her but I

72 // OZONE MAG heard on the internet she was doing something about me. I never seen it; I’ve Is the Fruity clothing line still in effect? been on the road. Folks ask me if I talk to her. I used to date her previously, We’re going to come out with another clothing line, probably my real name but not anymore. That was like two or three years ago. If you saw the pictures Radric Davis, just change it a little bit. As far as clothing, we’ve just been [of us together], my tattoos are different than they are now. My congrats to rocking Gucci Mane chains, Mr. Perfect, any name I come with. You know I her with whatever she’s trying to do [with the YouTube videos]. It flatters got a mixtape dropping this week? I got one called Wilt Chainberlain, So me. I’m from the neighborhood, East Atlanta Zone 6, so for anybody trying Icey Boy with Supastar J. Kwik, So Icey Boy 2 with J. Kwik, and Icey Tech 3 to claim I did something [sexual] with them, it makes me feel good. I like to with Dutty Laundry. be talked about. I like notoriety. I’ve been for both bad and good [things]. I’m infamous. I can’t run from that. Supastar J. Kwik is your DJ, right? Is he the one you just fired? No, , Kwik is cool with me. I fired a DJ named Spoon. Kwik is big time I guess the beef between you and Jeezy has calmed down? now, you know what I mean? Not saying he wasn’t big time before; he’s It never really came to an end, I guess. I don’t never see him. Promoters that been big time, he branched off. He make more money doing his thing than book me never book me with him [on the same show], of course. I stay on what he makes with me, straight up, so you can’t knock him. I lost two the road five days outta seven. Even when I wasn’t making no money I was DJs like that. They get so hot. I salute him. We still do the mixtape thing. promoting my stuff, so that enabled me to make a lot more money. I’m on the He’s a great part of So Icey. No matter what he says, I’m crazy about him. road every day. I guess we don’t coincide ‘cause of that. I’m making a lot of He helped my career; that’s my boy. And you used to throw him on there money that I wasn’t making [when I was in jail], so I’m not tryna mess that for every award; that’s what made me like you. You might not show me up. If I bump heads with him or anybody else, it is what it is. I live by the no love, but you nominate him and that looks good for me. But you didn’t creed to each have his day. I ain’t never ran from nobody. I go to the club one have me on there performing [at the OZONE Awards]. Too much colored deep. They see me when I go out, throwing them sacks of money. Everybody jewelry, not enough white. (laughs) You gotta feel me on that. Where’s your know me for throwing money; that’s why I’m despised. I’m hated and loved. VVS’s at? You got on 30 chains and none of ‘em blinging. It’s a whole bunch of people that love me, and a whole bunch of people that don’t. If you go past [Atlanta freeway] 285, I’m like Michael Jackson. If I Do you think your rap skills have increased a lot? touch [a fan’s] hand they might fall out. That’s straight up; I done had that I’m doing great now. I’m better. I ain’t the best rapper but I’m a trapper; happen. They fall out and security’s pulling them out and they wake up and I’m a businessman. ain’t the best rapper but he’s a businessman say, “Put me down.” and [Master] P too. I’m kinda molded like them, so I was always thinking joint venture, then I learned . Before I rapped, I had jewelry and Is there anything you wanna say to OZONE? ran my trap before I even caught on. That was part of me but now I done I never went on record to say anything bad about y’all and I never will. I moved out. Somebody wrote [in a CD review], “Gucci Mane needs to leave appreciate when I first started out y’all [let me plug] my clothing line I was the trap alone on his next album.” I can read stuff; I’ve very literate. I read trying to put out. I don’t wanna seem like I’m coppin’ deuces but I appreciate everything. They give Jay-Z acclaim, T.I. acclaim, they give a lot of people you. Even though y’all said stuff about me, a lot of people didn’t put me in acclaim and they downsize me. Don’t nobody say nothing about E-40 with nothin’. VIBE gave me Biggest Chain of the Year; y’all gave me Beer Gut of the a big gut. Year – boom, I’ll be somebody. That’s what I was aiming for. I rapped about the Dirty Awards and they booed me. It ain’t like y’all was the only ones that What do you read while you spent that time down? feel like Gucci ain’t putting together his best, but I can’t help that I have a I read that Gucci Mane was Most Likely to catch a Fed Case or some shit. nasal flow. Shout out to Vicky Davis, my mama. She sent me that in the county jail and I read it. I saw my first picture of Buffie the Body in jail [in OZONE]. I fucked You do have a little beer gut. Do you think it’s time to hit the gym? her, real talk, off of that picture. You turned me on to her. You gave both I eat out all the time. You know, Moore’s Steakhouse, it’s $500 a plate. Just for of us an award and she had a fat ass! I said, “I’ma fuck her when I get out. me and you, Julia. We can go; I got it. That’s how I kick it. I don’t drink beer; Swear to God.” I fucked her then and I fucked her later. You think I’m play- I got a rider that comes with five bottles of Cristal, five bottles of Grey Goose, ing. That’s not the only celebrity girl I fucked – now I’m not going to name and five bottles of Patron. I’m kicking it, partying five days a week, so yeah, anyone, but a lot of record labels that I got beef with, I be fucking they that might force me to have a beer gut ‘cause I ball. I go hard in the club. girls. I done fucked a couple rappers’ girls. I be doggin’ ‘em, gettin’ head, Even on my off days, like tonight, I might go hard. When Rocko saw me and skeetin’ in they face and shit. I could put a tape out on this shit. Rappers Jermaine Dupri and Frank Nitti at his release party, we were in there throwing and singers too, and producers and CEOs. I be fucking a lot of celebrity racks on Rocko ‘cause we support him. We’re gonna support him by throwing females that have way more money than I’ve got. $30,000 ‘cause I rock with him like that. Ask him about me. Now, Mr. Magic City [Young Jeezy], I ain’t see nobody in there. I was throwing 30 racks out of Like who? them Louis bags. Ask all the girls in there; ask all the rappers, like they asked I ain’t gonna say Oprah or nothing, but anything up under that I’m knockin’ ‘em about that Fat Joe and shit, ask ‘em, “Did Gucci throw 30 bags?” that shit down. Killing that shit. Ask ‘em did I make Fernando cut the music back on all my new songs, and I don’t never show up. Ask ‘em did I come in there with 50 goons in all black Anything up under Oprah? Who’s that, Beyonce? and red, and didn’t nobody make a move. Ask ‘em did Big Cat niggas come in Look at Julia! She’s so slick. You think girls don’t find me attractive ‘cause there saying, ‘Do we have some problems? Are you in there trippin’ about that I’m hood and I say what I want? You don’t think girls like my swag? Why Big Cat shit?’ Ask ‘em did we take niggas in the bathroom and talk to ‘em and wouldn’t they like me? put they pussy out before we kick ‘em in they ass. That’s how we rock. But ain’t nobody ever come talk to us, so we appreciate somebody coming to cov- Kimora Lee? er So Icey, ‘cause we deep. We rock the whole East Atlanta. Nobody got goons I like all women. I ain’t never seen no woman that I thought was ugly. I but us in East Atlanta. These folks ain’t from here. Gucci Mane been here since told you when I seen you with that dude, “You look good.” You thought I he was 9; I got a click, a gang. They down with me diehard. I got [people] was playing. I bet you I got a sack; I bet you I got a mansion; I got 6 all over the state and they’re down with me. That’s why I get offended when or 7 cars. Ask any DVD person. somebody talks about me. Today, I fired my DJ and my security guard just for saying the wrong thing to me. I’m the boss. I thought this interview was about to get interesting, but I guess you’re not gonna name any names. What did they say? You know I can’t do that. But I applaud you for your effort. They didn’t say much of nothing; they just said something at the wrong time. You can’t talk to the boss like that. See, you can talk from far away and write Is there anything else you wanna say? and I don’t know who the writer is. But you can’t come up to me and say We can talk all day until my curfew at 2. After that I gotta go. something in my face. Not saying I’m big and bad but I’m not finna go up to Hulk Hogan face to face and say, ‘Fuck you, Hulk Hogan.’ I know that. It’s just You’re still on probation? How are you able to travel and do shows? like D-Bo. Don’t play with the kid. You just gotta do what you supposed to do.

On a serious note, you were facing some serious time. Any final words? I ain’t doing no talking about that. Gag order. C’mon, best lawyers in town, Shout out to OZONE. Shout out to all the independent rappers trying to same one T.I. had. I ain’t turn him on to them but I been had their lawyer make it major. Shout out to everybody major trying to make it indepen- hired out of my pockets. We had three lawyers; shout out to them. That’s what dently. // kept me going.

OZONE MAG // 73 //Production Credits Lil Wayne “Lollipop,” Trick Daddy f/ Lil Jon & Twista “Lets Go,” “Grind With Me” & “Your Body”

As told to Randy Roper

The funny thing about “Lollipop” is all bases, including rock. I like to do a little bit vorite artist. He’s very diversified. He’s a producer, that I was actually working over at of everything. I got records coming out that you songwriter, rapper, and singer. The kid can do it all Circle House, on the stuff won’t even know are done by me. In the past, I did and he’s only eighteen. He started playing guitar for Bad Boy. And while I was over ’s “Unpredictable” with . Me and last year and he’s already doing sessions with his there, I worked on a bunch of tracks, and one of Bigg D had a production team back then called guitar and cutting records with it. He’s sick. them being a basic version beat to “Lollipop.” I Unusual Suspects. We did “Let’s Go” for Trick Daddy. played it for the A&Rs over there. Pretty Ricky’s first album, we pretty much did I have a group called Save The Hero that me and ninety percent of that album. We did “Girl Tonight” Rico Love are putting together. We’re doing that They weren’t really feeling it for [Danity Kane]. for Twista featuring Trey Songz, Trina featuring Gnarls Barkley type of vibe; not that music but the Pleasure P was working over at my studio with Kelly Rowland “Here We Go,” and “Show Stoppers” concept. He’s a songwriter, I’m a producer, and Static [Major] so I took some music over to play for Danity Kane, just to name a few of them. we’re just doing some crazy music. It’s like [new] for them, some of the newer stuff I had been do- age, electronic rock and fused with Hip Hop. I’m ing that [Bad Boy] passed on, and Static loved that I worked with Beyonce for about two weeks and working with Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, “Lollipop” beat. He thought it was crazy, he started we cut six records. Phenomenal songs, they’re Jordan Taylor on Interscope, Girlicious, and the vibing to it right away. Pleasure was digging it but amazing records. One of them got leaked on the Pussycat Dolls. We’re getting ready to get in the once Static got done with the hook, he said this internet somehow called “Beautiful Nightmare.” studio with Trick Daddy on his new stuff, so I’m gotta be for Lil’ Wayne. Me, Pleasure and Static I’m pretty sure I got a single on her album, if not excited about that. took it over to Wayne. Wayne and his in-house a couple. She’s amazing to work with, really super, producer name Diesel added some touches to it super talented. I’ve been doing music for a long time, since and make it stand out a little more to make the the late 80s. I’m really appreciative of the work record special. Rebel Rock Entertainment is my label imprint that’s been done and the artists that have cut my through . I did the deal through records. By the way, Lil Wayne’s [“Lollipop”] is the When I had the beat done, I thought it was going Craig Kallman. We have B.o.B., who’s an amazing, #1 song in the country right now. If it wasn’t for to be a real simple street record. And once I heard super talent out of Decatur, Georgia. To me, he’s songwriters like Static and artists like Lil’ Wayne the melody Static was laying on it, I knew it was like the next Andre 3000. He’s got a song called and Beyonce, we wouldn’t have no shot, so I’d gonna be something special. “Haterz [Everywhere]” that’s out there. The video love to thank them, first and foremost. And thanks is doing really well on YouTube. And we’re sched- to Solange for putting me together I don’t really have a style. I’m doing pop records, uled to release his record in the third quarter this with her sister and my management at rap records and R&B records. So, I kinda touch year. But I’m a fan of B.o.B.’s, he’s probably my fa- Make You Famous Management.

74 // OZONE MAG Industry 101 JASON WILEY Director of marketing/jive records

You may recognize Jason Wiley’s face from MTV’s plus R&B audience. It taught me how to flip hats, with that, because sometimes you don’t have that. 2002 season of , where he acted how to look at a segmented population, how best If I’m working an R&B, Hip Hop, or pop act, you as Da Band’s road manager. If not, surely you to I reach this audience. One of the worst things treat those differently. You treat something differ- recognize some of his work. For five years Wiley for a marketing person would be if someone ent from the South than you would from New York was instrumental in market- asked you, “When is so-and-so’s album coming than you would from Chicago. You’ve got different ing department, serving as everything from an out?” and it’s been out for a month. If that’s the fan bases. You get that and grow it. As a market- intern to product manager to the creator of Bad situation, you didn’t do your job. People should be ing person you have to have the ability to take Boy South. After a successful run at Bad Boy, Wiley aware of your artists. something small and make it bigger. came on board at Jive Records in 2007 as Director of Marketing where he is responsible for market- That said, can you elaborate on how important Speaking of which, can you speak on the chal- ing campaigns for UGK, Dolla, Huey and R. Kelly. your job is in this industry? lenges are you facing now? Here the young marketing vet shares his wisdom It’s important that everybody understands the You have to do research or you’re in for rude and experience for all that want to listen. artist and the direction of the music. You want to awakening. You’ve got different types of R&B. In make sure it fits a certain type of picture. You want that one category alone you have different artists. Tell us about your background. to make sure the photographer and the stylist You wouldn’t say Lee Carr is standing next to R. I went to school of business at the University of understands what kind of artist they are dealing Kelly, but they are both R&B artists. I’ve got to Pennsylvania and studied management and mar- with. I work hard to make sure I sit down with work both projects, but they are totally different keting. I started as an intern at Bad Boy right after people and go over the music; what kind of direc- audiences and sounds and sounds. So I have to I graduated, and from there I joined Management tion we’re going in. I want to make sure the final work them differently. I’ve gotta figure out who Inc., which was Phil Robinson’s [P. Diddy’s man- product that goes out is exactly what we want to I’m targeting; who would be fans of the music. To ager] company, and I managed Bad Boy’s Da Band. be seen and it’s beneficial to the consumer and me, the problem is that unfortunately, labels don’t customer. You don’t want a disconnect, like listen- work projects as a package anymore. They work it Puff has a reputation for being a marketing ge- ing to a UGK album and then seeing them and with singles. People aren’t buying albums because nius. What did you learn from being at Bad Boy? saying, “Man, they soft.” I always make sure there they are being marketed to as if it’s just a one-off. Puff will take a penny and make you think it’s a is no disconnect. You don’t want UGK on the cover They don’t even know the album is out. It’s more million dollars. He can make the smallest things of Hip Hop Soul. That don’t really mesh, so you than just a single when you are working a project, look like the most luxurious, hottest thing in his- put them on certain covers and get them involved so I try to push the album rather than the single. tory. Just to be able to get into his head was one with certain clothing lines; things that represent It’s about the whole package. As a marketing of the greatest learning experiences I’ve had in them well. person I always want to make sure that when my young career. Hopefully I’ll have some more of somebody says, “I love that song!” they love that those but I learned how to understand a project Do you ask the artists what they think? artist too. I want to make careers, not one-offs. and how to understand a consumer and use that I’m very hands-on with artists, I like to talk to as a benefit and make sure that an artist exists. them and understand them and be in their world How do you make sure the fans feel like a priority? You want people to look at an artist and feel for a while. That way I can figure out who they You’ve got to be creative and stretch your dollar, something or understand something. It’s all about are. I want to make sure whatever I’m doing fits so you can experience more for less. Work the sys- connecting with the customer or the fan. the. I always make sure I’m cool with them; I like tem. You should be able to win; there’s so many to have a hands on relationship. That way I can be outlets. If you don’t take advantage of them, What projects did you work on at Bad Boy? vocal in the office building to other departments you’re gonna lose. People have to see your artist The Bad Boys II soundtrack, Making The Band, New to make sure they understand who this artist is. everywhere. I did a campaign where I had stand- Edition, , the Biggie Duets project,and ees and promos playing at a movie theatre. They the Biggie anniversary project. There was a point How do you market material you don’t like? see a life-sized standee, and they see the promo at Bad Boy where I was the only marketing person I’m a marketer first. Even if I don’t like something, on the screen, so now you have people talking there. I started the aspect, from there’s a segment of the population that does. I’m about it. I’m using bloggers to talk about it. I’m the logo to signing the first artist. I was a part of not going to be rocking Miley Cyrus in my office working R. Kelly’s song “Hairbraider” so I’m work- the 8Ball & MJG albums, , Yung Joc, but Miley Cyrus has a huge following, so you mar- ing with the beauty salons to get the song placed. Gorilla Zoe, B5, Cassie, and Puff’s album. I had to ket the best you can. But luckily, I’ve been a fan I always use my resources to my advantage. That’s wear 50 hats. I had to market to little kids, to the of most of the music I’ve had to work with. And why they say all publicity is good publicity. If they streets, the pop market, to the straight-up 30- they’ve been good people, so I’ve been blessed aren’t talking about it, they don’t care. //

OZONE MAG // 75 76 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 77 Lil Wayne/Tha Carter III Cash Money/Universal Baby D/A-Town Secret Tha Carter III is without question the most an- Weapon/Big Oomp ticipated album of 2008 and a critical moment in Baby D has never pro- Wayne’s quest to be the best rapper alive. Songs claimed to be lyrically like “Mr. Carter” featuring Jay-Z, the Kanye- inclined, but he’s always produced “Let the Beat Build” and the creativity been good at what he did. His third album A-Town of “Dr. Carter” easily make this album special. Secret Weapon is a continuation of the high-tempo Although it is a good project, Weezy’s many ran- songs he’s known for with a more seasoned DJ Montay overseeing all dom and shatter-brained bars, along with the of the production. Songs like “U Gotta Love It” have D snapping over a album’s lane of comfort, instead of the lyrical menacing synth, bass and guitar combo making for an entertaining listen aggressiveness and reflection that was displayed while “Big Boy Whips” bring nothing new content wise, but the knock is on countless mixtapes and leaked tracks, deter very appropriate for the heavy Chevys at the stoplight. Baby D doesn’t this album from being great. C3 does not live up Foxy Brown bother stepping outside of himself, which can be good since he knows his to the massive hype surrounding it (that may Brooklyn’s Don Diva lane. But, you’d still like to at least hear him attempt to try other things. have been impossible), but it remains one of this Black Hand/Koch — Maurice G. Garland year’s best releases. — Randy Roper The Ill Na Na is back with Brooklyn’s Don Diva, an album that TMI Boyz/Grindin For a Pur- revisits her character- pose/TMI Entertainment istic raunchy rhymes. The debut album from Texas Foxy Brown spits about trio the TMI Boyz frankly the drama in her life, isn’t much to boast about. while not forgetting to “We Fly” is a standout cut, despite a weak hook which remind us that she’s still Plies// brings down the song’s overall quality. “Strugglin” and a young millionaire with Atlantic/Slip-N-Slide “One Day At a Time” are quality tracks where the group speaks on real life “Dreams of Fucking a D- Plies is a perfect example of a rapper that’s not situations. In terms of the cliché sex songs, “Beat It Up” is worth a listen Boy.” Foxy proves that gifted lyrically but still manages to get by with but the lewd “Buttcheeks” goes in the wrong direction, as do many of the she’s still hungry and good production, catchy hooks and “real talk.” album’s 17 tracks. The TMI Boyz may have a purpose for their grind, but isn’t going to soften up. Oftentimes listening to him struggle to rhyme bringing new and refreshing music to the game doesn’t sound like it’s a After her recent bid in over beats, while wishing he’d just switch up part of the plan. —Randy Roper solitary at Riker’s, one his flow is painful, but somehow it’s hard not to can only imagine the feel his music. A lot of Definition of Real is goon Foxy that will be un- talk and the other portion is aimed at the ladies leashed on Black Roses. Speednot Mobstaz/ (see “Feel Like Fuckin’” and “Please Excuse My — Rohit Loomba Mobstability II: Nation Hands”). You’d have to look back at the album Bizness/Koch cover to make sure it’s not a LL CD, but Plies’ sophomore album isn’t half bad. — Randy Roper Gliffy Stokes and Mayz are back on the circuit with Mobstability 2: Nation Bizness, an album on which they share stories of life in the Go. While neither offers flawless delivery, both do have shining moments and tracks like “Money and Murder” and “Bush Done Made it Hard” make the effort entertaining. Producer Toxic stays on point throughout and Twista fans will be glad to hear T rip verses in his classic style. — Rohit Loomba

Blood Raw/My Life: The True Max Minelli/The Remedy/ Testimony/CTE/Def Jam Koch A big breasted nurse holds With realness being his main selling point, what hopefully is pain medicine Blood Raw presents a very transparent look at Lil Will/Dolla$, on the cover of Max Minelli’s his life and tribulations throughout. Admitting TX/Asylum Remedy, a weak effort with music almost as nauseat- everything from having an uncle who looks like If you’re expecting ing as the album cover’s green background. Minelli’s Jazze Pha to missing the father he never met, the debut album from lyrics lack substance, the production is uninspired, and the hooks are Blood Raw wears every emotion possible on his Dallas, Texas newcomer underwhelming. After a quick listen to this album it should be no surprise sleeves. Unfortunately, the streamlined produc- to be similar to his hit that Remedy only sold 613 copies its first week out.Remedy will leave you tion takes away from Blood Raw’s messages single “My Dougie,” wishing the nurse with the pain medicine was real. — Rohit Loomba about overcoming the odds, wanting to be a you’d be dead wrong. good father and refusing to return to the prison Surprisingly, Dolla$, system. With many of the beats sounding identi- TX sounds nothing like cal to the formulaic tempos found on the U.S.D.A. the single that put Sonny Rich/The V.I.R.U.S./ album, it comes close to insulting the listener’s him on the map. While Keep Lock Ent. intelligence. Fortunately, Raw manages to truly Dolla$, TX is far from The album’s title track “The present a real definition of real without confus- groundbreaking mate- V.I.R.U.S.” is about the only ing it with being ignorant and vulgar. Lord will- rial, Will proves that song where Charlotte, NC rap- ing, his next album will have more production he’s not a song-and- per Sonny Rich spits rhymes iller than the flu. Other like what’s found on “Get Away” and “I Miss You” dance ringtone rapper records are more like a runny nose. Rich can rap a little to match his earnest rhymes. Also, there is a Big and his album does but the album lacks creativity. Someone with an electric guitar was in his Rube sighting on the intro track “I’m The Truth.” have some music worth ears saying, “You need to make records about money, a couple for the — Maurice G. Garland listening to. clubs, a few for the trap and one using auto-tunes. Oh, and don’t forget the track for the ladies!” The album is not all bad, but better concepts and beats might have made for a better release. — Randy Roper

78 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 79 DJ Infamous & Young Jeezy/The Prime Minister Young Jeezy takes a little break from being the Snow- man to spend a little time as The Prime Minister, with Trae help from his advisor DJ Infamous. This change in Tha Diary of Tha Truth identity doesn’t do much, though, as Jeezy brings the same sound and Trae has been busy holding it down for those on flow expected from him, complete with the trademark ad libs. While it’s lockdown with a prison tour and all that while somewhat disappointing to find Jeezy holding it down like he has before, put together Tha Diary of Tha Truth, a 17-track he flexes his lyrical muscle on all his freestyles, ripping through the effort which will have everyone excited about monotony. This Prime Minister will be reelected but we can all use a little this Asshole by Nature all over again. Trae’s thick policy change. — Rohit Loomba voice and unique delivery are snug with well- DJ Shakim & KP/New selected beats and let everyone know that his Money “swagger fuck up niggas like [his] jewelry got With mixtapes coming a an attitude.” Diary proves that like him or not, dime a dozen it’s hard DJ Green Lantern & Nas/ Trae doesn’t give a fuck and can easily hold his to differentiate one The Nigger Tape own. — Rohit Loomba rapper from the other. Nas calls on Green Lantern to But even in Atlanta’s bring the Nigger Tape, a mix- oversaturated music tape more akin to an album. market, newcomer KP Exclusive tracks, including DJ Khalil-produced “Esco has managed to put Let’s Go,” will more than hold down fans anxious to out a CD that will make hear God Son’s upcoming album and gives any album release so far this you remember him. year more than a run for its money. With no need to put out a mixtape, While he doesn’t nec- Nas proves he still holds it down for his fans. —Rohit Loomba essarily say anything Wale/The Mixtape About that hasn’t been said Nothing before, he does a good Curren$y/Welcome To From the jump Wale puts it on the table that this job of making it sound The Winners Circle mixtape is about nothing, which he states over different. The majority It seemed as though a sample of the theme song to Seinfeld, a show of the songs here have Curren$y’s buzz dropped a about nothing. Wale rides the 19 tracks with the him busting on other bit after he released a hit swagger of a veteran and a new go-go sound people’s beats, but single with Lil Wayne and Remy Ma (“Where Da Cash that originates in his hometown of the “DMV.” original tracks like At”). Since that underground hit, what’s been good On standout track “The Kramer,” Wale uses the “Lean It To The Side” with Curren$y? Feeding the streets well, he comes with the new mixtape KKKramer tirade to talk about racism and tie into featuring Konkrete’s Welcome To The Winner’s Circle. Spitting over unforgettable classic Hip the Seinfield theme. This mixtape is a summer Blackowned C-Bone Hop records, Curren$y shows his respect for Hip Hop to the fullest on must-have. Everything from the concept of the give you a peek into this mixtape. Keys tracks that showcase his abilities include “The Only mixtape to the beats and rhymes make it a solid what KP is capable of. Thing That Matters,” “Bubble Gum Gangstas,” and “Recognize Game.” effort. — Jared Anderson — Maurice G. Garland —Quinton Hatfield

DJ Teknikz & Yung Berg Passport Swag

Yung Berg teams up with DJ Teknikz for Passport DJ Swatts & Playboy Tre/ Swag. Aside from having Cap 1 and Boo on a handful Goodbye America of tracks, Berg does little to introduce Chicago to his audience, which he apparently thinks is the world after modest success with “Sexy Lady.” It doesn’t take long to notice the similarities between Playboy Tre’s Goodbye While there are tracks worth a few listens, thanks to decent production, to America and B.o.B.’s recent mixtape. Unnecessary skits plagued B.o.B.’s Berg doesn’t offer anything unforgettable. To become Chi town’s next, Berg mixtape and plague Tre’s as well. But fret not, Tre brings a handful of quality needs to find a little more lyricism in himself. —Rohit Loomba tracks such as “Phone Sex,” “Cries,” and “Highs and Lows,” all of which show- case a Tre who finds his flow without much trouble and uses it to bring tracks that aren’t a product of the same old cookie cutter. — Rohit Loomba

Don Cannon/DJ Drama/ Asher Roth/The Green- house Effect Mixtape As the buzz around SRC’s newest acquisition Asher Roth reaches comparisons of Eminem proportions, the new “great white hype” hooks up with Don Cannon and DJ Drama for his formal mixtape initiation. Roth rips through beats & /The Formula like “Roc Boys,” “Mr. Me Too,” and “Dey Know,” and it’s evident the kid can Duck Down spit. Some original tracks show promise but a few cuts are too left field The saying “everything that glitters ain’t gold” can be applied to a lot of the and may be hard for the urban Hip Hop audience to grasp. Still, Asher high-profile, glossy rap music dominating the airwaves. With albums like 9th Roth’s white-boy-from-the-burbs image and witty-college-kid rhymes Wonder & Buckshot’s latest collab the phrase “everything underground ain’t gives him immeasurable potential. — Randy Roper great” can be applied. The album’s title is too appropriate in the sense that 9th turns in some of his most predictable production to date, sucking life out of the songs and making you not want to hear the wisdom Buckshot usually spits, especially on the entrepreneurial “Whassup With U?” - Maurice Garland

80 // OZONE MAG DJ Teknikz, Big Block & Diddy “No Bitchassness: Georgia Muscle Executive Edition” 1. DJ Chuck T “Down South Slangin’ Volume 49.99” www.djchuckt.com www.myspace.com/djteknikz 2. DJ Fletch & DJ Slugga “Syrup Sippin N*gga” www.myspace.com/djfletchdallas [email protected] www.djslugga.net 3.DJ Spinatik “Got What You Need 2” www.myspace.com/djspinatik Since “bitchassness” is still plaguing the streets, Diddy and Big Block hook up with Mr. 4. DJ Scream & MLK “Hood Rich Radio X” www.myspace.com/4045405000 www.myspace.com/mlkng Georgia Power himself, to rid the streets of this 5. DJ 31 Degreez & DJ Phenom “I Luv Hip Hop Part 2” www.myspace.com/gophenom dangerous disease. This mixtape features new music from Gorilla Zoe, Yung Joc, Boyz N Da 6. The Dopeboy Movement “Bonafied Hustler” Hosted by Rick Ross www.myspace.com/dopeboymuzik305 Hood and the rest of the Block Ent. roster. With 7. DJ Black Bill Gates “24: Young Kobe” www.myspace.com/theblackbillgates this mixtape on the streets, there will be no 8. DJ Bobby Black “Crack Addiction: T.I. & Yo Gotti” www.myspace.com/theofficialdjbobbyblack more bitchassness in ’08. 9. Nik Bean “Streetz of LA 5” Hosted by Roccett www.myspace.com/nikbean 10. DJ Jay-O “Snoop Dogg: The Chronicles II” www.myspace.com/officialdjjayo 11. DJ Drama Boi & Yung Texxus “Got Drama Volume 6” www.myspace.com/dramaboiakadjdramaboi DJs, send your mix CDs (with a cover) for consideration to: 12. Will Hustle & DJ Knowledge “Whatahustle 4” www.myspace.com/willhustle 13. S.U.A. & DJ Scrill “S.U.A. Mixtape Radio: Most Requested” Hosted by Kia Shine www.myspace.com/therealdjscrill Ozone Magazine 644 Antone St. Suite 6 14. E-Top “Why The South Is Hot Part Three” www.myspace.com/etopent [email protected] Atlanta, GA 30318 15. DJ Killa K “Dopeboy Muzik Volume 8” www.myspace.com/dopeboymuzik305 [email protected] 16. DJ E-V & Klownin Customs “Spinfest The Mixtape 2008” Hosted by Chip Tha Ripper & www.myspace.com/djev 17. DJ Blak “It’s My Turn” www.myspace.com 404-446-8504 18. DJ Spree “DJ Spree Radio Vol. 3” www.myspace.com /djspree 516-404-6078 19. Tosin & TheScrewShop.com “Can’t See Me” www.thescrewshop.com 20. DJ Scope “Street Certified 26” www.myspace.com/infareddjscope OZONE MAG // 81 end zone

Kanye West & Young Jeezy Venue: Phillips Arena Event: Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash City: Atlanta, GA Date: June 14th,2008 Photo: Terrence Tyson

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