RAW, UNCENSORED WEST COAST RAP SHIT

SKY BALLA SKY’S THE LIMIT

GLASSES MALONE Cash Money’s West Coast Representative BLU Patiently Waiting YUKMOUTH Godzilla is Back KUZZO FLY Don’t Spill It with

the DJ issue & more FELLBI IFEL,G DEE DJ OZONEJUI WESTCE, //   // OZONE WEST

 // OZONE WEST editor’s note Publisher Julia Beverly THAT DJ MADE MY DAY Editor-AT-LARGE D-Ray

GRAPHIC DESIGNER David KA amn, that DJ made my day! songs, drops, intros, and outros so they can put out mix- Music EditorS tapes or even albums with exclusive songs. This helps put Randy Roper DA DJ’s role is one of the biggest and most them in a better position. Maurice G. Garland important parts of the music industry. I will bang all day for my real dope DJs, so I should also bang against these We have a few DJs like this on the West Coast, but not like ADVERTISING SALES whack-ass fake DJs--the ones who smile in your face like everywhere else. After doing this issue, I see why we only Che Johnson they support, but they really hate and talk the utmost shit have a few doing it! They’re the smart ones; the ones who Isiah Campbell once you’re out of their city. It’s sad but true; this is why have the self-promotion game down pat. They always the real music is sometimes overlooked. The ego of a DJ make time, somehow, some way. It’s 10% sleep, 90% Contributors can be ugly. work. They’re getting it done! Notice they are having Luals Big Fase 100, DJ BackSide, for a feast while you’re still eating McDonald’s drive-thru. DJ E-Z Cutt, Jelani, Jessica Unless you started in the streets, you can’t please the Take the time to promote yourself and don’t sell yourself Essien, Joey Colombo,Kay streets. You can’t candycoat the situation by hiding behind short of your own success. Newell, Keita Jones, Luvva a playlist. Today, we have 70% bedroom DJs. Bedroom DJs J, Nippy Swagga, Portia are followers; they just play whatever their CD changer has Look at the way that some artists get sold short when it Jackson, Shemp, Todd in it. The other 30% bang for what they believe in, setting comes to radio spins even though they’re the dopest per- Davis, Ty Watkins trends and breaking records and giving back where they formers and all-around artists. My top picks when it comes can help by rolling the dice and taking chances. to shows are Tech N9ne, Mistah FAB, Lil Wayne, David Street Reps Banner, Andre Nickatina, and last but not least – the late Anthony Deavers, Bigg I was in the club the other night and I heard the same Mac Dre (T.I.P.). I enjoyed a Mac Dre show, not even taking P-Wee, Bigthangs, Big Will, song over and over at least four times within an hour, pictures, but really watching the show. These are the kinds Dee1, Demolition Men, DJ and it wasn’t a Top 5 hit! The club is where you should be of artists that deserve the support of DJs, and anyone else Jam-X, DJ Juice, DJ KTone, open to new music. If it clears the dance floor, then hey, who puts everything into their shows, not just the records DJ Nik Bean, DJ Quote, DJ you have a point proven, especially if that artist is in the that sound like everything else that’s on the radio. Skee, DJ Strong & Warrior, house. But if you play a banger due to demand in the club J Hype, Jasmine Crowe, and then won’t put it on your playlist, that’s your ego tak- For OZONE’s annual DJ issue, I reached out to some DJs on John Costen, Juice, Kewan ing food out of someone’s family’s mouth. my coast who do their part in the West Coast movement. Lewis, Luvva J, Maroy, Even I was fooled by a few DJs who I thought had their Rob J Official, Rob Reyes, Karma is a bitch! If an artist’s talent is in front of you and shit together, but they couldn’t even find the time to Shauntae Hill, Sherita you’re in a position to help them get to the next step, why answer a few questions (excluding DJ D-Wrek, which was Saulsberry, Sly Boogy, Syd wouldn’t you? I go to other cities and they have the same my fault for not getting the questions to him on time). Robertson, Tonio, Twin, problems, but the few DJs that do get down the right way We’re gonna do a DJ Booth on you! Stay true to the visual William Major, Zack Cimini and break records pick new artists from their area and if you’re not gonna stay true to your ears. support them hard by mixing their records with all the COVER CREDITS national hits. They make sure the artists from their area - D-RAY, [email protected] Sky Balla photos by are represented. These same DJs get all kinds of exclusive D-Ray; Glasses Malone photos by Ray Tamarra.

ozone west

7-13 PHOTO GALLERIES 8 SHORT STORIES Roccett & me in Phoenix Me & Wendy Day in Phoenix Zakee & me in the Bay 10 CHAIN REACTION: YUKMOUTH 12 PATIENTLY WAITING: BLU 14 PATIENTLY WAITING: KHARISMA 15 PATIENTLY WAITING: KUZZO FLY 16-17 GLASSES MALONE 18-19 sky balla 20-23 DJ ISSUE 25 SLAP 26 END ZONE

OZONE WEST // 

(above L-R): San Quinn & his family on the set of Lil Quinn’s “Children Are The Future” in San Francisco, CA; Ray J, Lunch, & video models on the set of Lunch’s “Get ‘Em Girl” video shoot in Los Angeles, CA (Photos: D-Ray); Reggie Bush & Kim Kardashian @ LRG gifting suite during Sundance film festival in Salt Lake City, UT (Photo courtesy of LRG)

01 // Marcel Shipp & guests @ Stoudemire’s for One Stop Shop afterparty (Phoenix, AZ) 02 // JJ & Cellski @ Mission Rock for DJ Juice’s birthday party (San Francisco, CA) 03 // Augee & Snoop Dogg @ 350 Vault for Big Boy’s backstage breakfast (Long Beach, CA) 04 // Tyson & Chamillionaire @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 05 // Will Gordon & Arif Gursel @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 06 // No ID & Cinque @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 07 // Snoop Dogg @ 350 Vault for Big Boy’s backstage breakfast (Long Beach, CA) 08 // Kafani & The Jacka @ Orcale Arena for the Warriors game (Oakland, CA) 09 // Abdul & Lil Quinn on the set of Lil Quinn’s “Children Are The Future” (San Francisco, CA) 10 // Keak da Sneak, Kid, & Haji Springer on the set of Keak’s “That Go” (Oakland, CA) 11 // Pharrell, DJ Jam-X, & Omarion @ Teyana Taylor’s showcase (Los Angeles, CA) 12 // Harm, Indie, & Keak da Sneak on the set of Keak’s “That Go” (Oakland, CA) 13 // David, Marcus, Keak da Sneak, & Hayves on the set of Keak’s “That Go” (Oakland, CA) 14 // Shar Jackson @ LRG gifting suite during Sundance film festival (Salt Lake City, UT) 15 // Nick Cannon & Woodie White @ LRG gifting suite during Sundance film festival (Salt Lake City, UT) 1 6 // DJ Skee & Big Boy @ 350 Vault for Big Boy’s backstage breakfast (Long Beach, CA) 17 // San Quinn loves the kids on the set of Lil Quinn’s “Children Are The Future” (San Francisco, CA) 18 // VI, Turf Talk & CooKoo on the set of Mainy Mike’s “We Pop That” (Stockton, CA) 19 // Cellski & DJ Toomp @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ)

Photo Credits: D-Ray (02,03,04,07,08,09,10,12,13,16,17,19); DJ Jam-X (11); Jessica Essien (18); Julia Beverly (05,06); LRG (14,15); Ms Rivercity (01)

OZONEOZONE WEST WEST // //   irst of all, I want to thank the Hip Hop DJs for just being DJs and keeping the tradition of mixing and blending songs alive. I have a lot of respect for the DJs who make it look so easy to do incredible Fthings with turntables, CDJs, and Serato. I’m also feeling the way y’all didn’t let the music industry kill the artform.

The DJ was always the boss in old school Hip Hop crews. Today, through mixtapes, radio mixshows, and DJ pools, the DJs still have the power. I used to DJ at East Oakland house parties when I was a teenager and even though I quit making beats and DJing a long time ago, I still get excited when I hear a good mixtape or see a DJ make everybody at the party have a good time.

I remember going to parties and high school dances before I’d ever been in a studio and asking the DJ if he could play an instrumental so I could rap. I would be very humble and promise him that if he let me spit, I would rock the crowd and not fuck up the party vibe. That’s how I developed my style of doing good shows with just the music and the microphone, no gimmicks.

Old school New York rappers always tell stories about their DJs in the late 70s and early 80s. Back then, the rappers needed a DJ’s approval to get some rec- ognition. It was the exact same way in Los Angeles and The Bay. Every West Coast concert in the early 80s had dance crews and rappers opening the show for DJ crews like Uncle Jam’s Army. I would be in the crowd amazed by every aspect of Hip Hop, but clearly understanding that the DJs were the top dogs.

Over the years, the industry attempted to push the rappers up front and act like the DJs weren’t important; just entourage members. I think it’s safe to say that most of the hottest Hip Hop producers are DJs or used to be DJs. I went to a DJ seminar in Miami years ago and the DJs were telling the label executives to stop sending t-shirts as a “thank you” for breaking and supporting their singles. They told the labels that they need to show some respect and acknowledge their accomplishments.

In 2008, through unity, DJs are highly respected by both artists and labels. A lot of on-air radio personalities are DJs who regularly spin at local clubs. Mastering the turntables can take you all over the world to places you never thought you’d go.

All you rappers with big egos who think you’re the shit need to recognize how valuable friendships and business relationships with DJs can be. Greg Street, DJ “RECENTLY, MIXTAPES PLAY BETTER Khaled, Felli Fel, DJ Drama and hundreds of other DJs have proven to be the main factor in rapper’s careers THAN MOST RAPPER’S MAJOR LABEL as they’re getting started. ALBUMS.” Recently, mixtapes play better than most rapper’s ma- jor label albums. To me, candy-painted cars, tats and airbrushed graffiti on clothing keep Hip Hop colorful. All the songs that have their own dance and the dance movements across the country keep Hip Hop moving. Rappers come a dime a dozen but when we hear a new one we love, they keep the spirit of controlling the microphone alive. Mixtapes, remixes, mash-ups, DJs who move up the ladder to become music directors and program directors at radio stations, and especially the DJ crews like the CORE DJs are keeping Hip Hop alive.

So, thanks to the DJs for always being my favorite part of Hip Hop. I think you’re the backbone of our industry. Anybody who disagrees has got to be my favorite word: Biiiiiiitch!!!! //

Photo: D-Ray

 // OZONE WEST (above L-R): Mistah FAB & Bun B @ 17 Hertz Studios in Hayward, CA (Photo: D-Ray); Swizz Beatz, Cinque, & Don Cannon @ One Stop Shop in Phoenix, AZ (Photo: Julia Beverly); Keak da Sneak on the set of Keak’s “That Go” in Oakland, CA (Photo: D-Ray)

01 // Grouchy Greg & Dedra Davis @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 02 // Tattoo, Big Bly, & Luscious Liz @ 350 Vault for Big Boy’s backstage breakfast (Long Beach, CA) 03 // Jadakiss & DJ KTone @ Blue Ice (Denver, CO) 04 // Angie & guest @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 05 // DJ Juice & guest @ Mission Rock for his birthday party (San Francisco, CA) 06 // Jiggolo & Cinque @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 07 // Ray J & video models on the set of Lunch’s “Get ‘Em Girl” video shoot (Los Angeles, CA) 08 // Sha Money & Swizz Beatz @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 09 // Roccett & Mistah FAB @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 10 // Shorty Mac, Ray J, & D Vicci on the set of Lunch’s “Get ‘Em Girl” video shoot (Los Angeles, CA) 11 // Cha- millionaire @ LRG gifting suite during Sundance film festival (Salt Lake City, UT) 12 // Lee Majors & K-Max @ KPOO (San Francisco, CA) 13 // Mike & Brian of Day 26 @ Virgin Megastore (San Francisco, CA) 14 // Chuck Creekmur, Broadway, & Chamillionaire @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 15 // Keak da Sneak & Mike Mosely on the set of Keak’s “That Go” (Oakland, CA) 16 // Halim Rice & Sha Money @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 17 // 40 Glocc & Sixteen @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 18 // Don Magic Juan & ladies on the set of Lunch’s “Get ‘Em Girl” video shoot (Los Angeles, CA) 19 // Nick Ngo & Metro @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ)

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

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his is my Godzilla medallion. That’s one of my nicknames, and with Johnny. So he hits me and says, “What’s up with that Godzilla piece?” I I already have the super-ill Regime Dragon pieces. I wanted said, “Fuck that piece.” Johnny said, “I made that piece. I made FAB’s pieces, something real Godzilla. I was in the Bay wigglin’ and I went almost all of the custom pieces from [Highline].” I said, “Naw, King Johnny to Karl at Highline Jewelry. Big shout out to Highline. I started made it.” He repeated, “Never. I did.” Then he asked me why I didn’t want it, fuckin’ with him early. I was one of the first big rappers to and I said, “Shit, he wants $45,000 for it. Mistah FAB’s piece is over 100 carats comeT through and get a [chain] done at Highline. We put the piece together; and I know he didn’t spend that much for his.” “ laid it out. Johnny almost fell out when I told him [the price Highline was charging me]. Karl told me that his cousin King Johnny would make it out in Houston. The He said he’d get the piece back and sell it to me for a lot less. I’m not gonna piece is 87 carats, with yellow and blue diamonds. Shit is definitely super front on my man Johnny [by revealing the price], but y’all can try to get that dope. He called me and said it was finished, so when I went to get it, they Yuk price. Shit, notice that I had already spent $70,000 [with Johnny]. So he told me I could have it for the “low.” The “low” was a tremendous, outra- got the piece back and I bought it from Johnny Dang fast, nowhere near the “geous price of 45 stacks. I said, “Just cause I have money does not mean I $45,000. So I went from Highline to Johnny, yaddamean? am gonna fuck it off.” I told them, “I’m cool. I don’t want the piece for that much [money].” I just left that shit there. I’m from the Bay and he was trying A lot of jewelry stores run the hype like they make the pieces, but they are to charge me out of town prices, like I don’t have a choice of where to buy my actually getting them for a lot cheaper and then charging an extra $20,000- jewels. I know he already gave some people their pieces and let other people 30,000. They might be smacking other muthafuckers in the head for their borrow shit for photo shoots. No love for Yuk? Shit. pieces, but you ain’t gonna smack me in the head like that. At the end of the day, I don’t have to spend my money with you. I’ll get my diamonds and That’s why I started fuckin’ with Johnny Dang [at TV Jewelry] and spend- pieces somewhere else, period. Straight up. // ing bread with him out in Houston. I got my watch for $40,000, the bracelet for $15,000, and the grill for $15,000. That’s $70,000 [I had already spent] Words and Photo by D-Ray

10 // OZONE WEST (above L-R): Don Cannon & Roccett @ One Stop Shop in Phoenix, AZ; Julia Beverly & Cinque @ One Stop Shop in Phoenix, AZ (Photos: D-Ray); Chamillionaire & Sha Money @ One Stop Shop in Phoenix, AZ (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // Snoop Dogg & DJ Skee @ 350 Vault for Big Boy’s backstage breakfast (Long Beach, CA) 02 // Roccett & Cellski @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 03 // Wendy Day & DJ Toomp @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 04 // Doey Rock & JaeSynth @ Club Silk for Sacramento’s Rap Connection (Sacramento, CA) 05 // Snoop Dogg, Big Boy, & Fuzzy @ 350 Vault for Big Boy’s backstage breakfast (Long Beach, CA) 06 // Keak da Sneak & Mozart on the set of Keak’s “That Go” (Oakland, CA) 07 // Lil Quinn & San Quinn on the set of Lil Quinn’s “Children Are The Future” (San Francisco, CA) 08 // Nik Bean & 40 Glocc @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 09 // Ray J & Lunch on the set of Lunch’s “Get ‘Em Girl” video shoot (Los Angeles, CA) 10 // John Legend @ LRG gifting suite during Sundance film festival (Salt Lake City, UT) 11 // Mistah FAB & Nio @ 17 Hertz Studios (Hayward, CA) 12 // Brian Grey, DJ Skee, & Gary Archer @ 350 Vault for Big Boy’s backstage breakfast (Long Beach, CA) 13 // Broadway, Chamillionaire, Julia Beverly, & Chuck Creekmur @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 14 // Day 26 @ Virgin Megastore (San Francisco, CA) 15 // Sha Money, Rick Edwards, & Roccett @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 16 // Hayves & Keak da Sneak on the set of Keak’s “That Go” (Oakland, CA) 17 // Guest & Snoop Dogg @ 350 Vault for Big Boy’s backstage breakfast (Long Beach, CA) 18 // Andrew Bess & Vanessa Valdez @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 19 // Burnz, Roccett, & Cellski, & Atllas @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ)

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

OZONEOZONE WEST WEST // // 11 11 BLU LOS ANGELES, CA

Words by MAURICE G. GARLAND

With whispers and rants of Hip Hop music dying a slow death, the one pulse showing a lifeline has to be the live show. Live shows give you the images the cover art can’t. They put audio and visual to the lyrics you read in the liner notes. They also let you see if the person rapping on the CD really is who they say they are. For what its worth, Blu seems to the splitting im- age of what he raps about.

Hitting the stage at Atlanta’s near-Spring music fes- tival, A3C, Blu calmly talks to the crowd, asking, “Y’all chillin’ and shit?” before he gets into his set. He opens with the fan favorite “No Greater Love,” a truthful account of that dreaded four-letter word. Winning the mostly new listener audience over halfway through, he starts offering his critically acclaimed collabora- tion with producer Exile, Beneath the Heavens, for $10. Greenbacks float through the air.

By the time he starts performing his single “Blu Col- lar Workers” he’s definitely holding true to the song title, digging in his pockets, breaking $20s and giving change to customers, all without missing a beat or a line.

“But make sure you put that I was giving away the promos,” urges Blu with a smile during a post-show conversation in the concert lobby. “I wasn’t selling Patiently those.” The promos he speaks of are for his upcoming release, Waiting The Piece Talks, that he’s recorded under the name C.R.A.C. (pronounced “crass,” standing for Collecting Respect Anna Check), a collective with Detroit-made emcee/producer Ta’Raach. It’s the third shot out of Blu’s catalog, all of which follow the one-producer blueprint.

“It’s all about the chemistry,” explains Blu, of the method behind his madness. His debut effort, Johnson & Johnson, was handled exclusively by producer Main- frame. “Coming together lets you get somebody else’s ideas to build off of, not just your own. It’s a dope way not to wear yourself too thin. If the both of you are building empires together, it’s a kingdom at the end of the day.”

With his Below the Heavens album drawing compari- sons to Nas’ Illmatic, Blu should be reaching kingdom status sooner than later. When he does, he’ll have plenty of room for his fans touting him as the latest “Hip Hop hope,” even though he humbly scoffs at the notion.

“I’m just adding to what’s already here,” he says non-chalantly, making sure to shout out his musi- cal partner Ta’Raach, who missed his flight and didn’t make it to tonight’s show. “People feel that I’m filling void because the texture of sound isn’t there anymore. My music is easy to relate to because you’ve felt that feeling before. But I don’t feel like I’m filling a void, I just feel like I’m adding to 34 years of what’s been going down.”

1212 //// OZONEOZONE MAGWEST (above L-R): Guce & Kafani @ Crossroads in Fresno, CA (Photo: Jessica Essien); Scoot of Dem Hoodstarz with their article @ The Record House in Fremont, CA; Bun B @ 17 Hertz Studios in Hayward, CA (Photos: D-Ray)

01 // Ya Boy @ 600 Club for T. Free’s birthday bash (Fresno, CA) 02 // Willie of Day 26 @ Virgin Megastore (San Francisco, CA) 03 // Keak da Sneak & Bro Hef on the set of Keak da Sneak’s Keak’s “That Go” (Oakland, CA) 04 // Punk & Wolf @ Club Facade (Hollywood, CA) 05 // Pretty Black on the set of Keak da Sneak’s Keak’s “That Go” (Oakland, CA) 06 // Mistah FAB @ 17 Hertz Studios (Hayward, CA) 07 // Mr Tone @ 17 Hertz Studios (Hayward, CA) 08 // The Bloc Boyz @ All Stars (Los Angeles, CA) 09 // Guest & Yung Joc @ Glendale Civic Center during Super Bowl weekend (Phoenix, AZ) 10 // Blac, Killa Tay, & Shavako @ The Crossroads (Fresno, CA) 11 // Kitty @ The Crossroads (Fresno, CA) 12 // Cinai @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 13 // Teyana Taylor & DJ Jam-X (Los Angeles, CA) 14 // Leslie Perez @ Wile 94.9 (San Francisco, CA) 15 // King Duce Guys on the set of Keak da Sneak’s Keak’s “That Go” (Oakland, CA) 16 // Fat Ant on the set of Keak da Sneak’s Keak’s “That Go” (Oakland, CA) 17 // Kyd of Tha Sluggaz & Turf Talk on the set of Mainy Mike’s “We Pop That” (Stockton, CA) 18 // Doug E Fresh @ Glendale Civic Center during Super Bowl weekend (Phoenix, AZ) 19 // DJ Green Lantern @ Stoudemire’s for One Stop Shop afterparty (Phoenix, AZ) 20 // K-Max @ KPOO (San Francisco, CA) 21 // Cory Mo @ 17 Hertz Studios (Hayward, CA) 22 // Kafani @ Mission Rock for DJ Juice’s birthday party (San Francisco, CA) 23 // Killa Tay & Guce @ The Crossroads (Fresno, CA) 24 // Jiggolo @ One Stop Shop (Phoenix, AZ) 25 // Haji Springer & Yukmouth @ Dumps Recording Studio (Hollywood, CA) 26 // Gutta Mob @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA) 27 // Doey Rock & DJ Kodac @ Club Silk (Sacramento, CA) 28 // DJ Juice @ Mission Rock for his birthday party (San Francisco, CA) 29 // Haji Springer @ The Record House (Fremont, CA) 30 // Harm on the set of Keak da Sneak’s Keak’s “That Go” (Oakland, CA) 31 // Glasses Malone @ the 600 Club (Fresno, CA) 32 // Jasmine Crowe & Slim @ Stoudemire’s for One Stop Shop afterparty (Phoenix, AZ) 33 // Q & Sumthin Terrible @ Jammin 97.7 (Monterey, CA) 34 // Lee Majors & his sons on the set of Keak da Sneak’s Keak’s “That Go” (Oakland, CA) 35 // Kyd of Tha Sluggaz & video models on the set of Mainy Mike’s “We Pop That” (Stockton, CA)

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

OZONEOZONE WEST MAG // // 1 133 Patiently Waiting

KHARISMA OAKLAND, CA

Words BY MAURICE G. GARLAND // PHOTOS BY D-RaY “I’m tired of these lazy ass rappers putting out Brokeback Mountain ass Already dubbed the “Queens of Cali” by both Kafani and producer Amp Live, material, ya feel me?” blasts Lulabell, insisting that Kharisma will bring back Kharisma have a lot to live up to. As if being an all-female group in a male- the art of real entertainment. “We need to step our game up as artists and dominated industry wasn’t enough, they’re also seeking to introduce their really put out quality work. I feel that we as females need to have proper unique blend of Hip Hop and R&B to an already skeptical and fickle public. representation out here.”

“We just want to let these young girls out here coming up know that there is Both members entered the game as solo artists but met through mutual a certain way to handle business,” offers group member and Oakland native friends in Atlanta. After finding an explosive chemistry in the studio, the Lulabell. “I see a lot of females playing themselves, and they don’t have any- ladies decided to put that notion that women don’t get along to rest and one to relate to in the music industry. So we’re stepping up to the plate and collaborate. With Lulabell matching her experience as a former member of the representing for all the D-girls, strippers, emcees and moneymakers.” Babyface Assassins with Gin’s established career in Europe, the future can’t help but look bright for them. “Women are mostly put down as sex objects that are there to pump up music videos,” frowns the group’s other half, Gin, who originally hails from Amster- Naming everyone from MC Lyte to Lil Kim, Pam Grier to Oprah as their inspira- dam. “I hope through our music we can educate women.” tion, songs like “Walk Like A Model” and “Hood Culture” use potent production and a variety of flows and content showing that a woman’s touch just might Kharisma’s first lesson will come in the form of their unnamed debut album be what Hip Hop needs right now. set to drop on Kafani’s Ice King Music imprint. Representing the Bay, home to the independent hustle, the duo not only plans to show the fellas how to “We feel the market is wide open,” says Lulabell. “There is a need for female grind, but how to rap as well. emcees right now.” //

14 // OZONE WEST KUZZO FLY RICHMOND, CA

Words by NIPPY SWAGGA PHOTO BY D-RAY

aised in the Bay Area with deep roots in the South, Kuzzo Fly brings a totally different vibe to Bay RArea rap. He has a way of bringing high energy without being hyphy. He manages to have a good time but still keep it gangster.

Unlike a lot of artists, he has a plan. He doesn’t want to get famous through a passing trend. He’s really in it for the streets. That’s how he got the name “Kuzzo,” because he isn’t trying to do more then the average d- boy. He’s not with all that flashy jewelry that’ll make somebody want to rob you. He’d rather just jump out on the block and smoke a blunt and talk shit with you like one of your family members, but then leave the block and make a banging track.

He’s most noted for his latest single “Don’t Spill It,” which features Mistah FAB, Bleu DaVinci, and J-Diggs. The record is currently airing on MTV Jams and other Comcast stations. He’s also known for being Mistah FAB’s hype man, even though Kuzzo has his own agenda and his own label Bay Kountry Ent. “I work with [FAB’s label] Faeva Afta Records,” he says. “But I also have my own label. A lot of people think FAB put out the [‘Don’t Spill It’] video, but I put that together myself.” The video was filmed and directed by Rush Film, who made wonders out of the 18-hour-long shoot.

Even before the “Don’t Spill It” video, Kuzzo Fly was no stranger to being in front of the camera. Along with Moss Da Boss, he released the Smoklamentary DVD. “We smoked about 3 pounds while we were making it,” laughs Kuzzo.

With the success of “Don’t Spill It,” he had opportuni- ties to get a single deal and put out an album, but he wanted to do better then that. “I really read,” he states. “You feel me? I read the OZONE Magazine and see what these other artists are doing and then I check the Soundscan. Technology is a muthafucka; all these rap niggas are talking bout their [money] but they’re only moving like 5,000 units. It ain’t making no sense! So what I’m trying to do is brand my sound and then come out. I got an off-brand style. It’s the Bay with a down South swag to it.”

Right now, Kuzzo is working on his Smoke N Thizz project with Mistah FAB, as well as the Bay Kountry mixtape with a 3-disc DVD bonus pack: the mixtape, the Smoklamentary DVD, and the mixtape DVD with the “Don’t Spill It” video on it. He also has the Skinny Patiently Niggaz Giggin mixtape coming out with Husulah of the Mob Figaz and B-Luv of Thizz Entertainment. “We did this project to show people that we have fun but we Waiting will still beat the fuck out of you,” Kuzzo laughs. He is also working on a mixtape with Munip called Feet 2 Da Concrete from the Bay 2 Da Kountry.

Kuzzo Fly definitely has more in the making; he’s one of those up and coming artist to look out for. He is pushing hard, representing right, and out to get it. // myspace.com/sykuzzo

OZONE WEST // 15 Words BY maurice g. garland photo by ray tamarra

“Fuck Glasses Malone.” That may not be something that you hear often right now. Especially since the newest artist on the Cash Money roster, by way of Mack 10’s Hoo-Bang- people question him like he don’t do this for real--man, I saw him do 16 ing label is being looked at as the freshest voice out the West Coast since The songs in 5 days. They work hard, and that’s why they deserve everything Game. But evidently, Glasses himself has been hearing the F-word attached to they get. I ain’t never seen no shit like how Wayne records; that little nigga his name more than he’d like, so he’s going to embrace the sentiment rather goes hard. Even Baby, he ain’t the biggest lyricist in the world but he works than erase it. hard. I see why the South [is] running the game now.

“Yeah, fuck Glasses Malone,” says the stocky Watts, California emcee, men- What do you mean by that? tioning that he will be titling his next mixtape after the phrase. “I got a I can get records from Khaled, [Rick] Ross, and it’s nothing. Being down reputation, so people feel like they can’t talk shit about me in public so they South and then coming home, you want to spit on these niggas, whup their say it behind my back. So in 2008, I’ma cater to the haters. I’m even building ass because they ain’t working like them. Especially these older niggas. They a website, FuckGlassesMalone.com, where you can diss me. Each song on this bitches, man. They don’t work like them, man. They not open to working mixtape is going to irritate or piss people off.” with the younger generation like these [Southern] niggas are. That shit is amazing. One of the best things that happened to me was signing with Mack That might be a daunting task. Ever since he dropped his now-classic 2005 10 and Cash Money. I’m in a position to do great, I just want to man up and mixtape White Lightning, Glasses has done everything but irritate rap fans. To do it like its supposed to be done. date that project alone has sold over 30,000 copies and according to Glasses, still moves 10 to 12 copies daily over the internet. Eventually his buzz grew We can see the work ethic in action. You’re working on a lot of projects this to the point that it caught the attention a Roc-A-Fella Records, who offered season. You spoke on Fuck Glasses Malone; let’s talk about the other ones. Glasses a deal. When asked why he didn’t sign, Malone only says they didn’t Me and Mack are working on an album, and so are me and Mistah FAB. Then offer what he felt he was worth. Shortly after, he signed a highly-publicized I got my other mixtape Gangstas Don’t Dance, where I’m just going crazy million-plus deal with Sony. on the dance records that’s been coming out. In the West we bang, so we’re just kicking dope ass raps over the dance records, and it’s a chance for us to “I felt like a marked man when I signed that deal,” laughs Malone, likening make club records to send to the clubs. Just me and my Blu Division team. I his payday to the infamous Dave Chappelle skit where after he signed his got off on “Crank That Batman” and “Shoulder Lean.” Shout out to [Young] multi-million dollar television show deal, everyone that came in contact with Dro, my man fuck with him tough and he was cool when I asked him for a him threatened to extort him. “You can’t tell people that kind of shit, man. feature. It’s real fun, enjoyable music. Everybody in the hood thought I got it in cash. Man, if them people would have gave me that money in cash? They would have had to hunt me down for Why would you do that? It’s seems like out there being hard is the thing to be. that album.” I say the same thing all the time. I grew up in that generation of having fun with the shit. I’m in my mid-20s so the music I remember from Ice Cube and Unfortunately, that situation, as lucrative as it appeared to be, didn’t work them, all that shit was shit-talking music. You talk real life and you talk shit, out. Within months Glasses requested to be released from his contract at Sony, that’s the mode I come from. I’m a real life nigga so I talk about real life and at first his requests were denied. But with some wheel-greasing from issues like my mom being in jail for 20 yeas for drugs, or laughing at these Mack 10 and now-incarcerated Charles “Chilly” Patton (Lupe Fiasco’s business rap niggas running from Suge. That’s what makes art the shit, when you partner), Glasses was released and inked a deal with Cash Money. With a new have fun with it and do what niggas won’t do. I don’t look at what the last chapter in his life opening, Glasses hopes that being from the City of Angels nigga did, I look at what the next nigga wanna do. will mesh with his new crew from the home of the Saints. With that said, what should people be expecting from your album Beach You signing with Cash Money is kind of similar to when Snoop Dogg signed Cruiser and when does it hit the streets? with No Limit. He’s said that being around Master P strengthened his work It’s due in summer time. The album is already done. The way I do music is in ethic and business acumen. What can be said of your experience with Cash that old school, Ice Cube, Death Certificatemode, with a theme to it. Beach Money so far? Cruiser is a story of a day. All of my albums will sequence with a story, [and] The way they work has rubbed off on me. I was in the studio with Wayne and they will all go together. The album rolls from day to night. The club records I just watched how much fun he was having. And being with Baby--a lot of are at the end of the day, like at the end of the day you party. All the skits and transitions keep the story going. It’s real thick in content.

16 // OZONE WEST When you came out, besides your association with a reason to live longer. I’m not knocking people The Game, you didn’t really have a connection to that do that, but I’ll be damned if a nigga pres- medical field? the N.W.A family tree. Was it difficult for you to sures me into doing anything. When I was in high school I got a 1320 on my SAT, get people, especially radio folks, to understand and I wanted to be a pharmacist. I wanted to go where you were coming from? So what’s really going on in your neck of the to Azuza Pacific in LA. I felt like I was gonna hustle Nah, hands down people know what’s up with me. woods? Is the black and brown conflict still strong on the side like mom and have a regular job. When They know I am the West Coast and what the West out there? I started getting in the streets and getting money, Coast sounds like. People hear me on the Toomp Black and brown is forever and a day. But it’s in it was different because I got addicted to the beat and think I’m like Jeezy. I’ma Crip for real, certain ‘hoods, and it’s not on sight. It’s just the hustle. So when I started going to Cerritos College people don’t just talk like this. I talk West coast gangs. When you’re banging, a lot of the hoods I’d just go to my math class and get back in the gangsta shit. I get respect everywhere I go. If got beef with Black gangs immediately. But it’s street. No English class, no other classes, I was you listen to a combination of my songs, you’ll not a race war going on out here where the aver- liking that money. After a while I stopped doing know what I do and what I sound like. Of course age Hispanic or black man is fighting out here. math. It was early and my favorite shit to do. I you want radio stations to accept the music. It just gets out of control and spills over to the took statistics in college and everything. I’m really Sometimes it takes a little time, [but] it’s all in due regular world sometimes. It’s fucked up, but it good at math for some reason. time. As long as I got the West Coast I’ll be okay. ain’t as bad as it could be. But I get love nationwide. Greg Street, J Tweezy, ------Skip Cheatam, Kay Slay, they all show me love. You What is it exactly that makes banging generation- just can’t rush it though. Especially with my type al? With so many lives being lost or affected by it, If Glasses has his way, he’ll have plenty of plaques of music. I’m dealing with real life issues. I don’t you’d think someone would get tired of it. and dollars to count when Beach Cruiser hits the make trendy music, I make real shit. Whether I’m It’s just all the people dying and the continuous- streets this year. Beyond that, he looks forward talking about something as shallow as cars and ness of practicing that ignorant shit. Even the kid to counting how many times he can top his debut stunting, it’s all grown man shit. I don’t rap about that listens to G. Malone and hears me screaming album. clothes, I rap about houses and shit like that. I’m unity is gonna hear another rapper that ain’t from not really on shoes or clothes, I’m on that grown here saying they a Crip or Blood acting like it’s ------man shit as far as getting that real life expensive cool. It’s a lot of years of niggas getting killed. shit. You can’t stop this shit in one day. A lot of Bloods “I don’t think this is my best record, actually,” and Crips [have] been killers for 30 years. It’s easy he admits. “I think my next album will be better You speak about doing grown man shit. A couple to break a glass window, [but] it’s hard as fuck to because I don’t have to compromise and make of years ago you blogged about Jay-Z’s Kingdom fix it. You gotta get a new panel, take the frame shallow songs. People understand how street I am Come album getting a lukewarm response because out. If you break a community for years over but if you go too deep on niggas, they don’t know he was being too grown. Do you fear getting the and over again, it’s gonna be hell to put it back how street you are. I just want people to really same kind of feedback? together. So it’s gonna take me doing shows with give a listen to it and make my contribution to No, because I’m not talking to that extent. That Crips and Bloods together. I’ve had 13 great shows West Coast Hip Hop; Hip Hop as a whole.” nigga was talking about crazy ass balling. That’s like that, but all it takes is one bad one to make what I’m saying when he’s getting old. All the [the other 13] not mean shit. Is it frustrating having to compromise on certain places he went, that’s next level shit. I’d don’t give things when making your album? a shit if you 12, you want a mansion, you want a At the end of the day, everybody’s got their own Yeah, especially being a real nigga. Sometimes you Phantom, you want a couple million dollars. I’m thing, it just seem a lot worse here. People think gotta do what you gotta do, and you do that so just saying I’m past the Jordans, I’ve had every it’s Crips and Bloods in L.A., but it’s not. Its 7th next time you don’t have to do it. It ain’t gonna pair. I just talk about shit I can get that I ain’t got Street Watts Crips, Rolling 60s Crips, and it’s Long kill me. The songs ain’t bad, they’re just shallow yet. I got a Bentley, Silverado and a Camaro. Now Beach Rolling 20s Crips, but none of those Crips songs that don’t have any real life substance to it. I’m trying to get to that next level. That’s what are the same. So you think it’s just Bloods and I wish I could make my album like Scarface’s MADE I mean when I say “grown.” Jay is next level, he Crips, but it’s a tribal thing, Crips go at Crips and album, with substance on every song. But my next was rapping about buying malls, I’m still trying to Bloods go at Bloods. You’ve got neighborhood album will be able to be that and I’m not worried get a store in the mall. Everybody couldn’t relate unity. It’s like having the same last name - every about it. It’s only three or four song on the album to what he was saying; that’s all I meant. “Williams” in the world ain’t related. That’s how it that’s shallow. Out of 15 records, that ain’t bad. is with banging. It ain’t Crips against Bloods, its Everything else is real deep. You know what, ------neighborhoods against neighborhoods. though? Even the three or four I think are shallow, two of them might pass. People will understand As a man of his stature, Glasses Malone prob- Growing up around that, how did you even get that they go with the album. It’s like your favorite ably wouldn’t be allowed to rap about shoes and into rapping? movie. You may not like certain scenes, but you sill clothes even if he wanted to. Coming from Watts, At the time, in 1998, I was trapping real tough. I love the movie. I hope that’s what I do with Beach shoes and clothes are things most would probably was slanging water and sherm at the time. Fuck- Cruiser. beg for instead of brag about. In some instances, ing with one of my boys, hanging out with him, not having the right shoes and clothes on could they was battle rapping and was kinda clowning Besides Beach Cruiser, what else are you working very well get you killed. on each other. So I started getting into it as a on? whole. In 2000, I kinda had a gig and was trapping I’m doing an album with Mack 10, he put me on Home to violent riots, gang related deaths and at the same time. I recorded my first song with my and we’re just gonna have a ball. Then me and high rates of impoverishment Watts isn’t designed younger brother who just got out. Mistah FAB are bringing Cali together with our to birth many success stories. album. He’s a real live nigga. I brought him to So you don’t have the familiar rap story about Watts and he didn’t take off his chain. Another ------only getting in the game to not sell drugs and not rapper I brought out here, he tucked his chain be poor? in. I won’t put him on blast because he a cool lil You’ve put it out there that you do don’t drink or Nah, this isn’t the regular rap story. I wasn’t a nigga, but FAB never tucked his chain in. He wasn’t do any kind of drugs. Why? nigga who came up poor and broke. I had every scared. I gained a certain respect for that nigga. I ain’t spending money on no shit to make me feel pair of Jordans, all the jeans. I came up with a lot Doing the records I’m doing with them, I get to good. I just can’t do that. Not some shit that’s of shit I wanted, Nintendo games all that. My mom have fun. My album is more serious business, but temporary, I just cant get into that. Then nobody was a registered nurse but she was also a trapstar. I have fun making it because I live the challenge really gave me a good reason to do it. Most times She’s in the pen right now for 10 birds and 7 gal- creatively. But with Mack, I get to show how cold I niggas be like, “Smoke weed, you got nothing else lons of sherm. I came up in a house where I saw am on the mic. I like doing those types of albums to do.” What kinda logic is that? Niggas pop X and her work, but I was also brought up with rules, because one of my favorite albums was Westside be like, “You gonna fuck this bitch way harder.” I like not snitching. So I think I got the balance Connection when him, Cube and WC hooked up. can fuck hard without the X. Niggas be like, “Drink between the street and the real world. I don’t That’s dope to me. Imagine if Hov and Nas put out and you’ll be faded, nigga.” I’m high off life. I remember growing up without nothing, but I do an album or if Jeezy and Akon would have wake up every day with a new challenge; that remember having everything taken from me 2-3 finished the album they started.// shit is like adrenaline to me. I never heard a good times and having to regain everything back. reason to get high. A family member dies so I’m supposed to get drunk over that? Hell naw, that’s Did you ever want to go to school to be in the

OZONE WEST // 17

By Eric Perrin When you hear the word “tycoon,” you might envision John D. Rockefeller, Photos by D Ray the oil tycoon who monopolized the production of black gold in the United States during the early 1900s. You may even think of Roller Coaster Tycoon, the video game that allows you to create your own theme park. But chances So what is the Bay scene looking like right now? It seems like it’s treating you are you won’t envision Bay Area rapper and successful street hustler Sky Balla pretty well? — not yet, at least. However, if Sky has his way, the world will soon recognize The Bay scene is lovely, man. We on fire. My whole team is eating real good. his Tycoon Status. We’re shining real bright and pushing hard line on this movement, so it’s a beautiful thing out here in the Bay. Born in San Francisco’s Fillmore district, SB was heavily influenced by such Cali legends as Mac Dre, Too $hort, Ice-T, Eazy E, and his self-proclaimed “big Can you define what exactly the Sky Balla movement is? brother,” San Quinn. In high school, Sky teamed up with friends Debo and Telli My movement is the streets. I’m the voice box of the block, yadamean, and Mack to form a group called Tha Gamblaz. San Quinn eventually brought the a ventriloquist for every hustler that’s out there. I’m the spokesman for the group into The GLP (Get Low Playaz) family, teaching them the music industry people out here in these streets, and that’s the movement it’s BYOB—Be Your ropes. However, the street life and money soon overwhelmed Sky. He dropped Own Boss. The movement is getting’ this money, and staying solid, and stay- out of George Washington High School, and for a few years he strayed from ing suckerfree. rap as well. Judging from your pictures, it seems like you’ve been pretty successful gettin’ Today, however, Sky Balla’s passion for Hip Hop is stronger than ever. He and this money thus far. his partner Young Rell have combined to form Tycoon Status, an independent Definitely, all praises due to the Man up above. I always keep God first every- record label distributed by Koch, and with Sky’s debut solo album coming this day, yadamean. I count my blessings every day. I’m down to earth, I’m a real spring, he is ready to carry the Tycoon Status brand on his back. Sky Balla is dude, and I stay hungry and humble. ready to show the world his potential, and he promises the sky is the limit.

18 // OZONE WEST streets you have to come to the streets, and I’m always in the streets.

Your single “Mobbin’ All Day” features San Quinn As you kid, even before high school, what first and E-40. How did that project come about? made you want to rap? That was real simple. San Quinn has been my big Growing up in Fillmore, San Francisco, the city homie for many moons, many calendars. He raised where I’m from, the cats who was really getting me, watched me go from a boy to a man, you money and getting recognition from rap were The figadeal me? And then 40, that’s my big uncle, I’m Get Low Playaz, and RBL, and cats like Kool Nut, his young nephew, so we coordinated that project How did you get into rap? Cellski, E-40, Too $hort, The Luniz, Seagram, Master real, real simple. My boy Cozmo did the beat, and I got started back in the days, growing up in P, cats like that. So when I seen cats really getting we just put it together. Fillmore, going to George Washington High School, money off some independent shit, I was like, “Okay me and my patnas Debo and Telli Mack, we formed I really need to focus and jump into this shit.” I’m Being that you are relatively new to the game, a group called Tha Gamblaz. We were some hungry, a 80s baby so I grew up listening to cats like Too what was it that made 40 respect your project young dudes at age 15, and 16. Me and San Quinn $hort, Eazy E, Big Daddy Kane, Special Ed, Ice-T, enough to jump on your single? were homies. We grew up in the same hood, on shit like that, so I was birthed into Hip Hop, so I Like I said, man, real recognize real. Real bosses the same block, yadamean? Quinn embraced me, have a love and a passion for the music. I love rap, do boss shit. It’s nothing to a boss, it’s something and he brought me and Tha Gamblaz into the GLP but I’m not a rapper. I’m a hustla first. This rap shit to a worker, yadamean. Real niggas embrace me, (Get Low Playaz) Family with FT the Bigga Figga, is what I love, but it’s another way to hustle, and because when they look at me, they see what they San Quinn, Seff tha Gaffla, D-moe the Youngsta, another way to feed me, my friends, and my fam- was before they got that major deal—a young, yadamean. That’s how I got my start, and then ily, and those in my inner circle. hungry dude that’s humble, but still about his we did The Operation Takeover, and jumped on business, and about his money. that West Coast Bad Boys Part II, and that’s when I What do you love most about rap? really started taking it serious. I was like 17 on a What I love most about rap is getting in the booth Looking at the guest list on your album you’ve got platinum record. and coming up with creative shit. Rapping is basi- Cassidy, Hell Rell, Mistah FAB, and Slick Pulla- cally like hustling; you’re making something from - that’s East Coast, West Coast, and down South. So where did your career go from there? nothing. I’m writer; I have a passion and love to You’re encompassing a wide variety of artists. After that I kinda fell back off the rap shit. I got write songs. Yeah, and I’m real disappointed I couldn’t catch discouraged ‘cause I wasn’t making no money off up with my boy Rich the Factor, that’s my Midwest the rap game. I was getting more money in the What kind of style would say your music embodies? connect, the Kansas City Royal himself. His sched- streets than I was off rap, so I was like, “Damn, I make hustle-motivated, money music, yadamean. ule was real, real busy though. He’s been grinding this rap ain’t payin’ me, but the streets is payin’ It’s that hood, go-get it music for the ballas and real hard on the road. But I like to cover every me, and I’m eating in the streets.” So my focus the cats who are gettin’ it how they live. I’m the area. The West Coast, East Coast, down South and was back on gettin’ my grind on and gettin’ my voice of the hood, and the spokesman for the the Midwest. You can’t just be regional. You gotta hustle on, but in ’05 I came back in as a solo artist. ghetto and every real nigga in every hood in do this shit for everybody. I dropped Tha Mobb Report, which had big name America and across the world. And my music is features on there, big name producers, and that’s definitely for the real bitches out there that are Tell me about the album Tycoon Status. what really kicked off my whole buzz, and gave hustlers in whatever they doing, whether they’re Yeah, right now I’m just focused on nothing but me my little jumpstart in being a well-respected strippers, escorts, boosters, or check fraud bitches. pushing this album, Tycoon Status; that’s my main young entrepreneur. Now m’fuckas respect my My shit is for everybody. focus. I got a lot of big names and big name pro- hustle, and they see my grind, and they under- ducers on there, that’s gon’ be out April 15th. I’ve stand my story and my struggle. I got good net- A few years back the whole country was checking been in the studio a lot, so I got like a hundred working skills, so I’ve networked, and you know, for the Bay and now it seems like that buzz has songs. I got like three albums already done, but real recognize real. I’m out here gettin’ that gwap, kinda died down. What are your thoughts on that? I’m trying to just focus on one project at a time, so and cats with money tend to embrace other cats 40 had it poppin’, and nobody else stepped up to we can capitalize on each individual operation. who gettin’ money. But to answer your question, the plate to push the line with him. But right now San Quinn put me on at the end of the day, when it’s all about the unity and the movement. That’s Your label is called Tycoon Status also, right? Can it’s all said and done. what everybody in the Bay Area is focused on right you tell us a little bit more about your record now, because that’s why cats down South and label? I know San Quinn put you on, but aside from help- on the East Coast have been succeeding. It’s all Tycoon Status is me and my pa’tna rich Young Rell. ing you get in the game, what did you gain from about [the attitude of] “If you scratch my back, I’ll We’re co-partners in this shit, and Tycoon Status being around Quinn? scratch yours,” because at the end of the day it’s is a movement. We plan on being like a West Coast Oh, man, he really taught me how to be an inde- all about putting each other on. Roc-A-Fella or No Limit or Cash Money. We’re pendent grinder, yadamean. He taught me how to signing up all the artists we feel have star quality stay focused to really be able to perfect my craft. For people who haven’t been exposed to the Bay and multi-million dollar potential. We’re doing With that being said, he was a legendary dude in Area sound, what message would you give them our independent thing and we’ve got distribution my hood, so I pay homage to the big homie. Loy- about the Bay? through Koch. R.I.P. Mac Dre. // alty ain’t just a word; it’s a lifestyle with us. I’d tell the people to get familiar. All you gotta do is get in the streets and you gon’ hear about it. I’m out here for these streets. If you speak for the OZONE WEST // 19 DJ Juice (Bay Area, CA) West Coast If you ask DJ Juice to tell you of all his accomplish- ments, you’d need a Snicker bar. He’s DJed events during The Grammys, BET Awards, Billboard Awards, Radio Music Awards, American Music Awards, and the Vibe Awards, just to name a few. He’s been sponsored by both Remy Martin DJ issue and Seagram’s Gin and has been nominated at Justo’s Compiled by D-Ray, Ms. Rivercity, Maurice Garland Mixtape Awards for Best West Coast Mixtape DJ, twice. Also known as Your Favorite DJ’s Favorite DJ, Juice definitely has what Omar Epps had to kill to get. [email protected], www.djjuice.biz www.myspace.com/djjuicemixtapes

DJ Big Dee (Las Vegas, NV) DJ Knuckles (Bay Area and Sacramento, CA) Las Vegas is also known as Lost Wages, but DJ Big Dee DJ Knuckles’ myspace page has a tour schedule with is stacking chips around that way. Spinning at Club Spin, him DJing everywhere from San Francisco to Orlando to Rumjungle, and Club Poetry keeps the bills paid while mix- Indianapolis. As a member of the Heavy Hitter DJs, being ing at Hot 97.5 adds even more. Touring with Bone Thug-N- on the road is just something that comes with the territory. Harmony and Dogg Pound also seems like sure bets in Big But if you can’t keep up with him, he can be heard on KMEL. Dee’s portfolio. Operating off his 4 P’s: practice, patience, persistence, and [email protected] positioning, Knuckles’ punch is only getting stronger. [email protected], www.myspace.com/djknuckles DJ Eque (Los Angeles, CA) Mailing address: Attn: DJ Knuckles 813 Harbor Blvd. #130 As one of XM Satellite’s favorite divas, DJ Eque enjoys the West Sacramento, CA 95691 freedom to break whatever records she sees fit. Also the tour DJ for Danity Kane and Queen Latifah, Eque is a sea- DJ Lace (Fresno, CA) soned crowd pleaser and can spin a variety of genres from DJ Lace was bagging groceries, doing customer service Hip Hop and R&B to Elector and House music. calls, and working at Foot Locker before he finally got his [email protected] break as a DJ. After interning at KSFM 102.5 and KBMB 103.5 Mailing address: 10907 Magnolia Blvd. Hollywood, CA 91601 he’s now getting checks spinning at Goldiggers/The Bastille and holding down the Music Director post at Q97. Known as one of the few DJs who can rock the mic while spinning, Lace is definitely a person you need to know. DJ Espee (Los Angeles, CA via South Jersey) Mailing address: 617 W Tulare Ave. Visalia, CA 93277 Even though he’s building his name on the West Coast, DJ Espee got all his game by watching and listening to spin DJ Nik Bean (Los Angeles, CA) masters in what many consider to be the DJ mecca, Phila- DJ Nik Bean is killing the mixtape circuit right now. Crooked delphia. Meshing his bicoastal skills together has helped I’s St. Valentine’s Day Bossacre, Stat Quo’s Statistically him become known for his Undercrowned Hustla mixtape Speaking, and Streetz of L.A. 4 with DJ Drama & DJ Felli Fel series that exclusively features unsigned underground are all his creations. After putting out mixtapes with both artists. This May he’s stepping up his game and putting out Hot Dollar and Glasses Malone alongside their major label Unstoppable, hosted by Roccett. signings, Nik Bean became the go-to guy in L.A. www.myspace.com/djespee, [email protected] [email protected] Mailing address: P.O. Box 330866 Pacoima, CA 91333 DJ E-Z Cutt (Seaside, CA) Whether he’s spinning in Chicago, Miami or somewhere else, DJ E-Z Cutt is bringing the West Coast with him. One of DJ Skee (Los Angeles, CA) the few active DJs that can say they’ve toured with N.W.A, Known worldwide from Los Angeles to Dubai, DJ Skee has MC Hammer, UTFO, Heavy D, and Salt-N-Pepa and actually become the main stamp on every blockbuster mixtape worked with 2Pac, E-Z credits his staying power to simply coming from the City Of Angels. He got his start under having an ear for music. industry guru Steve Rifkind and hustled everything from [email protected], [email protected] songs to Playstations to sneakers to stay afloat. He now Mailing address: 1791 Yosemite St. Seaside, CA 93955-3913 runs an empire that includes his widely popular website Skee.tv and holds down double duties as a mixer on Power DJ Felli Fel (Los Angeles, CA) 106 and Sirius. With over 1.6 million listeners a day, DJ Felli Fel holds a prime night show spot at Power 106 KPWR. Already a Gold- DJ sourMILK (Rialto, CA) selling producer, Felli Fel will be releasing an album later Though he isn’t big on words, DJ sourMILK’s resume speaks this year under So So Def/Island Def Jam titled Go DJ. volumes. Holding down posts at the Vault in Pasadena, Mailing address: 145 S. Glenoaks Blvd. #404 Burbank, CA Basque in Hollywood, and Aubergine in San Diego as well 91502 as mixing at Power 106, sourMILK actually has his life looking rather sweet. Currently touring with Ya Boy, Kia DJ Jiji Sweet (Los Angeles, CA) Shine and the newly signed Problem, sourMILK is poised to An advocate for the females in Hip Hop movement, Jiji leave a lasting taste in the industry’s mouth. Sweet has toured with SWV and Teedra Moses while noting [email protected] Spinderella, Cocoa Chanelle, and Jazzy Joyce as a few of her inspirations. After a prior career in sports broadcasting, DJ Tito Bell (San Jose, CA) Jiji made moves to 102.3 KJLH and Mix 106 where she cur- DJ Tito Bell gets in a lot of trouble for playing banned rently spins the newest hits. If you’re not able to tune into hyphy records in the club, but he doesn’t care. If you DJed her broadcast, you can catch one of her mixtapes from the at Wet (San Jose’s biggest club) and mixed at Wild 94.9, you The Sweet Factory series. probably wouldn’t care either. As a Faeva Afta Entertain- [email protected], [email protected] ment (Mistah FAB) affiliate, you can only expect this 21- year old to cause an even bigger ruckus for years to come. [email protected]

20 // OZONE WEST How did you get your big break as a DJ? “I started off under DJ Stretch Armstrong in NYC. “DJ Jiji Sweet, a friend of mine, blessed me with Through him I got linked to Steve Rifkind, then the skill.” – Big Dee CEO of Loud Records, when I was 16. I gave him a proposal on what I thought he was doing wrong. He hired me and moved me to L.A. from Minne- “I met Mike Bivins through a friend and he put “I create innovative and credible mixtapes for the me down with the East Coast Family movement.” sota, where I was doing radio, mixtapes, etc. The rest is history.” – Skee streets, being the first to break artists like Akon – Eque or Game. I host specialty shows on two of the largest broadcasters in the world, without having “I always knew I wanted to do something in the “I started on the Power 106 street team and worked my way up. The first time I was ever limits and playlists. And I rock Hollywood crowds industry, but couldn’t figure out what. I couldn’t at stuff like Paris Hilton’s New Years Eve party at rap or sing to save my life. In the summer of ‘98 I asked to DJ on air was at a live remote with Tha Goodfellas.” – sourMILK LAX in Las Vegas. I also developed Skee.TV, which came up with DJing. I started listening to a Philly everyone is trying to copy now.” – Skee station, 103.9, a lot. I got into the mixshows and I was feeling the style of the DJs. Just from “DJing at the Aloha skating rink every Friday night for 800 teenagers. My biggest break was “My drop: DJ sourMILK Uugghh! Shout out to Goldie listening to these DJs, I picked up really quickly Gold of The Federation for that.” – sourMILK and I got my first DJ set that winter. I’ve been on hooking up with Mistah FAB, Gary Archer, and the grind for almost 10 years now.” – Espee D-Ray, Official Entertainment, New Management. Shit really started poppin’ for me.” – Tito Bell Who is your greatest influence? “I started DJing in middle school. Then I DJed my own high school dances where a local radio sta- “DJ Touchtone. I respect him because he’s the only What is your trademark as a DJ? tion contacted me to join them.” – E-Z Cutt blind DJ I’ve ever known. Another influence was “Talking shit in the mic.” – Big Dee DJ JCNY. The very first mixtape I picked up was his “I came to L.A. to shop some beats and I stopped and I can still listen to it today. I stopped doing by Power 106. Luckily I ran into DJ Eman and “I’m a music lover. I spin just about everything, mixtapes for a long time until I heard DJ Skee. Jimmy Steal (VP of Programming). They had I got back into it after I heard that “300 Bars N heard of me from being a well-known DJ and on from Hip Hop and R&B to Electro and House.” – Eque Runnin’” joint he mixed for The Game. I’m part of air personality in Dallas. They were looking for a a new crew called The Real DJs. There’s always night jock and had me audition; before I knew it I something going on with the crew that makes me got the part.” – Felli Fel “I’ve been known not to just work with signed and popular artists, but I also work with hungry, push harder. Last but not least, Hip Hop is my in- underground artists. I make it my job to keep it fluence. As long as the fresh music keeps coming, I “I started in college at the University of Arizona, can’t imagine myself ever quitting.” – Espee DJing Kappa and Omega Parties.” – Jiji Sweet real and give them a chance to be heard. That’s where my mixtape series Undercrowned Hustla “DJ Clark Kent.” – Eque “I’ve been doing mixtapes since I was 13, which comes from. We’re a family in Hip Hop; I like to keep it that way and put out artists like LAT, led to mobile and club gigs. Once I felt I had “Jam Master Jay, Jazzy Jeff, Cash Money, Latin peaked in the Bay Area scene, I went to Los Kombat, or even MDK, which is now doing very well for himself.” – Espee Prince, DJ Splice, Mike T and all the DJs that came Angeles and spread it East from there. Everything before me and made it possible for me to be a DJ.” I’ve ever achieved was from people listening – E-Z Cutt to my mixtapes – my audio business card. That “I’m known as your favorite West Coast DJ. I spe- led to me DJing at The Grammys, BET Awards, cialize in bringing the West Coast to any venue, like Chicago, Miami, etc.” – E-Z Cutt “Jam Master Jay. I had the good fortune of Billboard Awards, Radio Music Awards, Ameri- interviewing him and the rest of Run-DMC years can Music Awards, Vibe Awards, King Magazine, “The one listeners are probably most familiar back before he unfortunately passed away. R.I.P.” Smooth Magazine, Do or Die, Twista, the last 5 – Felli Fel NBA All-Star Weekends, MTV’s Sweet 16, Miami with is my siren. Whenever I blast off a new record I hit my siren to make it official. I’m also Memorial Day Weekend, etc. Then I got spon- “Female DJs on the move like Spinderella, Cocoa sored by Remy Martin Cognac, Seagram’s Gin, a huge baseball cap collector. You could say another one of my trademarks is my fitted LA Chanelle, Jazzy Joyce. They’re pioneers in the 41510.com Clothing, Five Four Clothing, Def Jam game.” – Jiji Sweet University, Bays Shoes, FilthyDripped.com Custom Dodgers or Atlanta Braves cap; you can almost never catch me without one on.” – Felli Fel Clothing, 510 Airbrush, and many others.” – Juice “My dad, Big Juice, Sr. He passed away before I made a solid name for myself. He only got to see “Honestly, it was God’s timing for me. He let me “Catering to what the crowd needs. I can rock any crowd, any age group.” – Jiji Sweet me when I was struggling and trying to make a meet the right people at the right time and they name for myself. I would trade all this to have him gave me the opportunity to jump on the radio back. I do this shit for my pops and my 3 year old and show my skills.” – Knuckles “My trademark has always been my mixtapes. A lot of my DJ friends always tell me that I’m their son, Lil Juice. He’s DJing too. He’s starting to take out you sucka ass DJs!” – Juice “I started carrying crates for DJ Craig G and Ma- favorite DJ; thus ‘DJ Juice: Your Favorite DJ’s Fa- jestic Jalil in Sacramento. They taught me how to vorite DJ.’ I’ve always been an undeniable party rocker. I get the crowd involved and the vibe is “God, my mother, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jam Master Jay.” spin and put me on with them whenever they had – Knuckles an event. Then I interned at 102.5 KSFM doing unmatched.” – Juice mostly street team promotional work. I learned “My son. When I think about him, it influences me about running the boards in the studio from Big “Being able to DJ on three turntables.” – Knuck- les to stay focused. I do this not just for the love, Al. Then I went on to intern for KBMB, 103.5 The but to be able to support me and mine. Outside Bomb, where I had an opportunity to be on-air. of that, all my peers I’ve come to know and work The rest is history.” – Lace “I’m known for rocking the shit out of the mic while I DJ. Not all DJs should try this; some have with in the industry on my way to where I’m at now.” – Lace “I was consistently everywhere, in everyone’s it and some don’t. I do!” – Lace face. My relationships grew with hot upcoming “I take pride in being a tastemaker. It’s easy to “I listened to Whoo Kid, Green Lantern, and DJ artists. Last year when Hot Dollar and G. Malone Drama tapes. Plus my big homie Felli Fel had some got their major record deals, I put out mixtapes jump on the bandwagon but not everybody can see a vision in advance. When you’re trying to dope mixtapes out, like this one he did with Game on each of them. Doing tapes for both of them live on the radio. I’ve had the opportunity to work solidified me as the go-to guy out here. You come up, you got to stay ten steps ahead of ev- eryone. I started predicting hot artists and music with Drama and Felli, and last weekend I got to could consider those mixtapes, along with the 40 meet Whoo Kid and Green Lantern. Green Lantern Glocc and Jayo Felony tapes, my big break, but before anyone else. That’s why the streets gave me the title Mixtape King of L.A. They depend on was familiar with my name, so that was a great it was really the consistent grind that created a feeling.” – Nik Bean foundation for me on the streets.” – Nik Bean me to give them the hot new West Coast shit.” – Nik Bean

OZONE WEST // 21 What jobs did you have prior to DJing? “No, I don’t think so. Traditional radio will always making my play list.” – Espee be around because it is free, no subscription “I was a male stripper…just playing.” – Big Dee needed. Satellite, internet, and podcasting are “That’s the reason why I’m not on the radio great because artists can broaden their listener anymore. I had the highest rated mixshow (the Hip “I worked at UPS.” – Eque base.” – Jiji Sweet Hop Havoc Mix) in Central California because I was given the freedom to mix whatever I thought was “I’ve had jobs from pushing carts and bagging “They’re actually saving us from it. They’re doing hot. But after my ratings went up, my PD and MD groceries to unloading trucks on the graveyard what commercial radio used to do before it went asked (demanded) that I add songs on a playlist shift and construction. They aren’t the best jobs corporate. Radio is so corporate now that the they made up. I decided to leave because I didn’t in the world but they’ve helped pay the bills!” streets don’t get any love like back in the day. I have the freedom to play what was hot, but was – Espee DJ on Sirius Satellite and we can play whatever forced to play what was paid for.” – E-Z Cutt we want, even explicit versions. So DJs are free to “I’ve had almost every job under the sun, from play hot album songs that people are really feel- “Fortunately, I have a lot of flexibility at my station delivering auto parts, to producing beats for radio ing and are able to break records.” – Juice and a part of my job is to introduce new music. I commercials.” – Felli Fel actually co-host a show every day at 2 PM with “I don’t think they’re killing traditional stations Yesi Ortix called New at 2 just for that reason. “The last real job I had was parking cars about 8 because traditional stations have adapted now That’s not to say that I wouldn’t also run new re- or 9 years ago. I got fired over some bullshit and and have their own version of internet radio. Plus, cords by the other DJs at the station. In fact, even that’s when I got mad at the world and went on radio is free. People have to pay for some internet if I introduce a new record, the DJs and I still have my grind. Luckily I already had a lil name so I just and satellite radio.” – Knuckles to vote whether it ultimately makes it onto the pushed harder.” – Juice station’s play list or not.” – Felli Fel “I don’t think satellite is killing it. In order for “I was in school getting my degrees on – three that to happen, the demand would have to be “Yes the playlist has been restricted, especially BAs to be exact.” – Knuckles higher than it is now. When you look at the cost when I was at 100.3 The Beat. Sure I’ve gotten in of gas and living now, most people aren’t able to trouble at times, but that’s how it is for DJs who “Bagged groceries, call center customer service afford it. Podcasts and internet radio don’t offer listen to what’s hot. We always wanna be on it for Verizon Wireless and AT&T Wireless, Footlocker, enough. On radio, you also get promotions and first. But at times that does not go well with what D.E.M.O.” – Lace station events as well as station clubs. It’s a little programming has in mind.” – Jiji Sweet more in touch with the listener.” – Lace “None really. I’ve always been a known street “I’ve DJed on commercial radio a couple of times hustler in the city. People used to call me all the “No, it’s just giving listeners more choices. Satel- and most of the time I was given a list and told to time to see how they could make some money.” lite radio gives listeners a direct connection with choose from that. Or I was given that bullshit list – Nik Bean the artists without the middleman. Traditional where first you play two songs from the list, then radio supplies their audience with new music so play a classic, then play a familiar song that’s not “The only job I ever had was at Loud/SRC. Before they ain’t going anywhere anytime soon. Internet new but ain’t a classic, then go back to a brand that I made money hustling shoes, Playstations, radio doesn’t have much influence at all in Hip new fire song…bullshit.” – Juice whatever people wanted and couldn’t find them- Hop. I don’t know anybody who listens to it to be selves.” – Skee honest, but it’s a good start for artists who don’t “I guess it depends on what station you’re on. We have any other outlets. Podcasts can help, espe- all have playlists no matter what anyone says, but “I was a janitor, a cable guy, and I had a couple cially if you have a time slot when everybody is you also have stations like mine, 106 KMEL, that are factory jobs.” – sourMILK sleeping. Satellite radio has its own lane because usually one of the first stations to break music. We it’s uncensored and commercial free.” – Nik Bean don’t go crazy with a bunch of records. Every DJ at “I never had a job until I was the youngest intern my station has a good radio background so if we’re at Wild 94.9 – the biggest radio station in the Bay “Yes and no. I love Sirius and the freedom I have. going to play a record that’s not on the list, and we Area for the last 8 and a half years.” – Tito Bell We also podcast and have a ton of listeners, but think it’s going to be a smash, we play it and sur- not everyone has it installed. It’s like cable verses round it with records that our audience is familiar network. There’s room for everything.” – Skee with. For example, if I get a new E-40 record and Are internet radio, satellite radio, and I think it’ going to be a smash I’m play it and sur- podcasts killing traditional radio stations? “No, I don’t think so. Why wouldn’t people listen round it with hits.” – Knuckles to the radio? It’s free!” – sourMILK “I think they are a good avenue because it’s easier “Yes. If you play something you’re not supposed to, to break records. There’s no one to answer to so “A little bit of both. Yes, because you can hear you can get in trouble. I’ve even heard of people you get to play real shit.” – Big Dee unedited song versions without commercials, losing their jobs. The restrictions on the playl- and interviews that you wouldn’t usually hear ists can vary depending the programming for that “Traditional radio is killing itself with all the on a commercial station. The reason why it’s not station; luckily we just play the hits so our playlist corporate red tape, and playing the same 10 songs [killing radio] is because you don’t get the same isn’t a problem.” – Lace every hour. People are getting tired of it.” – Eque audience that listens to the bigger commercial stations like the high school kids, or people on “I’ve made a niche of designing my own playlists “The more ways you can broadcast music, the bet- the way to the club, or people that don’t know so I’ve been careful to never have to follow a play- ter. It can kill the regular FM stations; they haven’t about satellite. It’s also way harder to break your list. My audience would look at me crazy if I was been getting the attention like they used to. record [without traditional radio.]” – Tito Bell playing some corny shit all of a sudden.” – Skee But having all of these other options is expand- ing music and making it easier to play what the “All the time, but that’s Tito Bell for you. Out listeners want to hear.” – Espee How restrictive is your playlist? Have here in the Bay, you’re not allowed to play hyphy you ever gotten in trouble for playing records, but I still do.” – Tito Bell “I truly believe they’re just different venues to something that wasn’t on the list? bring music to the masses. I think traditional radio is killing itself by playing songs that have been “Man, real talk, radio is bullshit. It’s all about Besides talent, what are 3 things a DJ paid for and not songs that are hot. Listeners numbers and favors and it doesn’t benefit anyone needs to have to be successful? are turning away from traditional radio because but the labels and PDs.” – Big Dee they’re tired of being force-fed songs and not “Creativity is big. A boring DJ is not good. Person- getting to hear real music.” – E-Z Cutt “I’ve always played what I wanted to play. It’s ality and presence are important.” – Big Dee never been a problem with my playlist; listeners “Internet and new forms of entertainment have either like what I play or they don’t and tune me “Number one, you need a good manager. Two, you definitely taken a toll on regular radio, but I off. I don’t play just anything, obviously. I support should have a following of people who come to wouldn’t say they’re killing traditional radio sta- underground talent but if the flow is all over the the party just to hear you spin. And number three, tions. The same things are also happening with TV place, and the beat sounds like its a mile away just be humble. Never think you’re bigger than the and YouTube but I wouldn’t say YouTube is killing with the voice slobbering all over the mic, it’s not music.” – Eque television.” – Felli Fel

22 // OZONE WEST “First thing is to have some big goals set. Another with the cops and we were free to go.” – Nik Bean What was the last record you broke? thing is having connects that you trust to help you get where you want to be. And a big thing that “Every experience is a good one. Having to strip “Dolla’s ‘Who Da Fuck Is That.” I got that shit every DJ needs to have is major productivity and down at the airport like three times in a row buzzing in the club out this way. I got the white focus. I admit, I wasted a couple of years in my wasn’t a very good look though.” – sourMILK folks singing that shit.” – Big Dee life and could have been more successful by now.” – Espee “I just got off a dope ass tour with Mistah FAB and “Shawty Putt featuring Lil Jon ‘Dat Baby.’ It’s a hi- Zion I. The worst was when I left my cell phone at larious song with a Maury Povich sample that Jon “A DJ must have an ear for music to pick out hits. the airport on the first day of the tour.” – Tito Bell sent me where the hook says ‘Dat baby don’t look A DJ should know how to mix music; the ability to like me!’ It’s becoming an internet phenomenon blend music is a must. A DJ must have the ability If a rapper came out of the closet and was now. The second Lil Jon sent it to me I played it to read a crowd; he or she should know how to openly gay, would you still spin his/her on the air and in the clubs wherever I spun. People move any crowd.” – E-Z Cutt records? started to take to it like crazy in L.A.” – Felli Fel

“Persistence, patience, and the ability to give “Yeah, I would. Good music is good music, as long “Shawty Lo’s [‘Dey Know’]. I just kept banging it listeners what they want to hear.” – Felli Fel as you keep that shit real.” – Big Dee out here on the West and now it’s poppin’.” – Jiji Sweet “Hustle, hustle, hustle.” – Jiji Sweet “I would keep playing their music if it was good. What they do in their private life is their business. “What’s good about KMEL is we break records as a “Mouthpiece; gotta be able to sell yourself. It’s all about the music.” – Eque whole. It doesn’t matter who plays what first, as Connections. Real grind. Good business, brand long as the record gets out. I think the last record yourself, be computer savvy.” – Juice “Well, if they’re coming onto me, I’m not keeping we broke was David Banner’s ‘Get Like Me.’ We any song of theirs in my music library. As long as were one of the first stations on it.” – Knuckles “Practice is the #1 priority. Yelling on a mic and everything is cool and the talent is in the music, stopping a record is not what makes a good DJ. I’ll play it, unless the lyrics are just too much to “Soulja Boy’s ‘Crank Dat.’ I popped it off in the You need to blend, mix, scratch, and put records handle.” – Espee clubs first, then I convinced my PD to break it on together in ways that produces the same energy the air after I showed him the dance. I knew that in the crowd that I have. Second is patience. Not “Sure. Sexual preference has nothing to do with one was gonna be a hit.” – Lace everything happens overnight. Third is persistence. good music.” – Jiji Sweet There’s a difference between persistence and “I was the first DJ in L.A. to fuck with Keak Da aggravation; you need to be careful when trying “I really don’t think it would matter what I did Sneak’s ‘Super Hyphy.’ I put it on a mixtape six to connect with powerful people. If you aggravate because I’m almost certain the majority of DJs months before they played it on the radio out someone too much or rub them the wrong way, wouldn’t fuck with it anyway. It’s fucked up but here.” – Nik Bean it could be a wrap with them. And lastly, don’t be that’s the truth. The gay male rapper would get afraid to let go. When a better position opens for black-balled for sure. I don’t think the gay female “It’s great to introduce new music that’s blowing you, make room for the next DJ to take your old rapper would get black-balled hardly at all. Aren’t up at the street level in its original market and position. Don’t try to keep everything for yourself there some gay rappers out there now?” – Juice take it to the next level. We did that with the and end up losing it all.” – Knuckles Shawty Lo record, and tons in the past.” – Skee “Wow, that would be crazy. I think I would play it “Work ethic, focus, and creativity.” – Skee just to hear the controversy from callers because “Usher’s ‘Love In This Club.’ I world premiered it you know they’re going to be talking.” – Knuckles and have been behind it ever since. That record is “Mic skills, an ear for music, and you need to know crazy!” – sourMILK the right people.” – sourMILK “Of course I would! If the music is hot, the music is hot. Let God judge.” – Lace “I played [Snoop Dogg f/ Mistah FAB & Too $hort] “People skills, image, personality.” – Tito Bell ‘Life of the Party’ and told everybody it was open bar on for the next then minutes. I played it two If a rapper is wack but they want you to times in a row.” – Tito Bell What were your best and worst tour host a mixtape, would you do it for a fee? experiences? “Nope. You can’t pay me to play wack shit. I got a Have you played a record from an artist “I’ve had so many great ones, from Danity Kane name to live up to. Not a good look.” – Big Dee strictly because of her/his looks? to Queen Latifah to Faith Evans. Even with Hip Hop artists like Erick Sermon and Luther Campbell, “Usually if there is a right amount of money “Yeah, this bad ass chick came up to me in the they were all great. I guess the worst was when I involved, I’ll host any mixtape. If the rapper is club with her single. Oh my God. I played it and was with Danity Kane. I always start the show off just straight garbage, I can’t put my name on the the floor cleared, but I got her number.” – Big Dee introducing the girls and for some reason the hard project because I gotta save my reputation. Every drive started skipping on stage in front of 20,000 DJ needs to watch out for their rep.” – Espee “I never believed in playing records based on how people. It was crazy. There was nothing I could do the artist looks. They can be the fattest person in but play the music from my laptop.” – Eque “Hell no. The most valuable thing in the music the world and only be 3 feet tall, but they might business is your name and if you’re associated with have the illest flow or voice. Yeah, looks can help “Back in the days when I was real young, I was something wack, everyone knows you sold out and but I believe in the music. If you were blind and blessed to DJ a West Coast tour with N.W.A, MC your name wouldn’t be worth much.” – E-Z Cutt heard a song, would you be able to tell what the Hammer, UTFO, Heavy D and Salt-N-Pepa. That artist looks like?” – Espee opportunity opened up a lot of doors for me as “No, because at the end of the day your name a DJ. I’m very thankful. The worst was being on is attached to that mixtape and if people buy it “Never. If I did, I wouldn’t be a real DJ.” – E-Z Cutt that same tour when there was a shooting and I and are disappointed, they will think twice about witnessed someone being shot.” – E-Z Cutt buying a mixtape with your name on it again. You “No. That’s terrible. If a record sucks it sucks; no might make a quick buck but it’ll hurt your brand looks can make it sound better.” – Knuckles “So far I’ve had the best experience with fans in the long run.” – Juice showing me so much love. A lot of times they say, “No! Hits, son, hits. If it’s wack, it’s wack.” – Lace ‘DJ Nik Bean, muthafucka.’ My mixtape tags have “It depends on how much money. Nah, just playing. really stuck to people. So far the worst experience Probably not because you have to put your name “No. It’s all about the quality of the music. Looks was getting pulled over by the police in Tijuana. behind it, and most likely you want to promote it. can only get you so far, eventually you have to The guy driving us around had an open beer con- You can’t justify a wack rapper. But I guess if you back it up with some substance.” – Nik Bean tainer in the front seat. We were in a car full of 8 wanna make some money you can; I just can’t do people. They said they were gonna arrest all of us. it.” – Knuckles “Never off of his looks, but off of her looks… Nah, The police started searching everyone. Luckily the shit’s gotta be hot. I’m not gonna play nothing promoter got an important person on the phone “I’d say no. If they were really wack, a lot of I never heard unless Gary Archer gives it to me.” money wouldn’t change my mind.” – Lace – Tito Bell

OZONE WEST // 23 24 // OZONE WEST Ray J/All I Feel Knockout/KOCH We’re not quite sure what’s gotten into Brandy’s brother. Whether he’s making sex tapes or running around with Whitney Houston or smoking green with Snoop Dogg, Ray J has been completely out of Roccett, DJ Warrior, DJ Skee & Dow Jones control. On his fourth solo album, songs about promiscuity (“Sexy Corporate America Can I”), cheating (“Girl From The Bronx”) jump offs (“Jump Off”), The last time OZONE reviewed a project featuring Roccett, pimpin’ (“Like To Trick”) and being real (“Real Niggas”), reflect Ray the CTE artist expressed his discontent by taking shots at our J’s seemingly contrived bad boy image. But those songs and top- writer during a Sirius radio interview. Hopefully he won’t be as ics do not translate into good music. All I Feel has a few ups and displeased this time. On Corporate America, “Run These Streets,” more downs, and will leave listeners wishing Ray J was feeling “What You Gone Do,” “We Shall Overcome” and others are all more than what he offers. — Randy Roper good, but not great records. His beat selection is good and his rhymes have some dexterous content, but his hooks could be better and his flow could be sharper. Overall, Roccett makes quality street music and Corporate Album will bump from L.A. Lameez/Cruel Intentions: The Aftermath of 1995 to ATL, but he still needs to hone his mic skills to legitimately Mobfioso Music/2Black reach his true potential. — Randy Roper 19 songs. That’s a lot of songs on any album from any artist, let alone a relatively new one. But Cali-bred Lameez manages to keep the listener’s attention for most of the album with some quality DJ Strong & Burnz/Burnin’ Season West Coast production. Though the content doesn’t switch up At some points Burnz reminds you of when rappers used to get much, Young Meez’s voice and ability to craft entertaining hooks on tracks and just rap. No radio, club or for-the-ladies joints, help his song making ability standout amongst the monotony. just rap. Backed by above average production, Burnz convinces — Maurice G. Garland you that he puts his all into every rhyme he spits, but his deliv- ery could use some work, especially when he gets left behind on high tempo tracks like “The Wait.” Overall Burnz gives a good enough effort to make you want to hear what he sounds like The Game & BLACK Wall Street/Black Wall Street Radio 3 next time. — Maurice G. Garland BWS Radio Volume 3 comes out as The Game enjoys a 60 day all expenses paid trip in the can. But no worries, Juice a.k.a. “the new breath of the West,” proves that he can hold down the Black Wall C.R.A.C. Knuckles/The Piece Talks/Tres Street without breaking a sweat as he delivers Game-reminiscent With Blu’s 2007 collaboration with producer DJ/producer Exile verses. Miami resident Stack$ also joins Game, Juice, and friends Below the Heavens being touted as the best album that year, as they heat up the West before the hurricane is let loose and the only way Blu could top it in 2008 was to come out with L.A.X. hits us all. — Rohit Loomba something made in 2005. Recorded under the name C.R.A.C. (pronounced “crass” and standing for “collecting respect anna check”) Blu and Detroit-producer Ta’Raach release The Piece Talks contains very layered production, sometimes swallowing the crafty lyrics. The end of the album will lose your ears but the nod-factor on songs like “Mr. Big Fish,” “Pop Them Boys,” “Respect” and “Go!” keeps your attention. — Maurice G. Garland

OZONE WEST // 25 end zone

David Banner Venue: Club Mezzanine Event: David Banner’s birthday party City: San Francisco, CA Date: April 12th, 2008 Photo: D-Ray

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