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Home , Big Mello, Big Moe, Brisco (rapper), Currensy, Devin the Dude, DMG (rapper)

OZONE MAGAZINE IT’S A THOUSAND YOU’S IT’S ONLY ONE OF ME YOUR FAVORITE RAPPER’S FAVORITE MAGAZINE

RAY J MJG FAT PIMP DAMM D OJ DA JUICEMAN BRISCO C-MURDER & more

OZONE MAG //  YOUR FAVORITE RAPPER’S FAVORITE MAGAZINE

MJG RAY J MAINO FAT -MURDER DEVIN THE DUDE OJ DA JUICEMAN BRISCO DAMM D & more

36 // 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, interviews Destine Cajuste, Edward Hall, Felita Knight, Jacinta Howard, Jaro Vacek, Jessica Koslow, J Lash, Jason Cordes, Johnny Louis, Keadron 70-71 Maino Smith, Keith Kennedy, K.G. Mosley, King Yella, Luis Santana, Luxury Mindz, Marcus DeWayne, Matt 62-63 Brisco Sonzala, Maurice G. Garland, Mercedes (Strictly Streets), Natalia Gomez, Ray Tamarra, Rico Da 64-65 Crook, Robert Gabriel, Rohit Loomba, Shannon McCollum, Spiff, Stan Johnson, Swift, Thaddaeus 68-69 c-Murder McAdams, Wally Sparks, Wendy Day STREET REPS // 3rd Leg Greg, Adam Murphy, Alex 66-67 dEvin the Dude Marin, Al-My-T, Benz, Big Brd, B-Lord, , Big Teach (Big Mouth), Bigg V, Black, Bogan, Bo Money, Brandi Garcia, Brandon “Silkk” Frazier, Brian Eady, Buggah D. Govanah (On Point), Bull, C Rola, Cartel, Cedric Walker, Chad Joseph, Charles Brown, Chill, Chuck T, Christian Flores, Clifton Sims, Danielle Scott, DJ Dap, Delight, Derrick the Franchise, DJ Dimepiece, DJ D’Lyte, Dolla Bill, Dorian Welch, Dwayne Barnum, Dr. Doom, monthly sections 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, 15 JB Hotgirl Maximum, Jae Slimm, Jammin’ Jay, Janiro Hawkins, Jarvon Lee, Jay Noii, Jeron Alexander, 82 End Zone JLN Photography, Joe Anthony, Johnny Dang, Judah, Judy Jones, Kenneth Clark, Klarc Shepard, 14 Feedback Kool Laid, Kurtis Graham, Kydd Joe, Lex, Lump, Lutoyua Thompson, Marco Mall, Mario Grier, Marlei Mar, DJ M.O.E., Music & More, Natalia 18-21 Rapquest Gomez, Nikki Kancey, Oscar Garcia, P Love, Pat Pat, Phattlipp, Pimp G, Quest, Quinton Hatfield, DJ 34 tatted Up Rage, Rapid Ric, Robert Lopez, Rob-Lo, Robski, Rohit Loomba, Scorpio, Seneca, Shauntae Hill, Sir 26 chin Check Thurl, Southpaw, Spade Spot, Stax, Sweetback, Teddy T, TJ’s DJ’s, Tim Brown, Tony Rudd, Tre 78 cd Reviews Dubb, Tril Wil, Edwards, Troy Kyles, Vicious, Victor Walker, DJ Vlad, Voodoo, Wild Billo, Will 30 dollar Menu Hustle, Wu Chang, Young Harlem, Yung DVS 22 Mathematics SUBSCRIPTIONS // To subscribe, send check or money order for $20 to: 28 chain Reaction Ozone Magazine, Inc. Attn: Subscriptions Dept 32 sidekick Hackin 644 Antone St. Suite 6 Atlanta, GA 30318 25-47 photo galleries Phone: 404-350-3887 Fax: 404-350-2497 40-48 patiently waiting Website: www.ozonemag.com 81 caffeine Substitutes COVER CREDITS // Ray J photos (cover and this page) by Ray Tamarra; MJG photo by Angela 36 dJ Booth: Sam Sneak Morris; Brisco photo by King Yella. 76 industry 101: Ryan Cameron DISCLAIMER // OZONE Magazine is published 11 times per year by OZONE Magazine, Inc. OZONE 74 pRoducer Profile: Bangladesh does not take responsibility for unsolicited materials, misinformation, typographical errors, or misprints. The views contained herein do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or its advertisers. Ads appearing in this magazine are not an endorsement or validation by OZONE Magazine for products or services offered. All photos and illustrations are copyrighted by their respective artists. All other content is copyright 2008 OZONE Magazine, all rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any way without the written consent of the publisher. Printed in the USA.

12 // OZONE MAG RAY J pg 56-59

MJG pg 50-53

OZONE MAG // 13 Send your comments to [email protected] or hit us up at www.myspace.com/ozonemagazine

You are the shit for that 6 Year Anniversary Throwback article! I absolutely “What was it ?” That’s kinda what we as the readers are interested in, love it. Those pictures brought it back and were very entertaining. My plus all the other stuff y’all cover. Even ask big niggas like or Lil favorite was definitely Goodie Mob, but I also loved Boosie, , and Rick Jon, not just lil’ niggas like . It’s real important to us to know that Ross’s pictures. Keep it up! they don’t forget us [in the hood]. Some niggas give constant shout outs, – DJ Princess Cut, [email protected] but some don’t. Other than that, your magazine is hella dope. It’s one of the best magazines out, if not the best. It’s so unique in every way. It’s just one of a kind, ya dig? Also, can y’all do an issue on deceased emcees from the The new issue is really dope! Cinque dropped off a few copies to me. That’s South? Last year, we had a lot of casualties. You should do an issue like the my dude right there. I’m in Arizona now but I was born in San Mateo and I’m DJ Issue or Sex Issue just to remember those fallen soldiers, from Pimp C to from the Bay; from Alameda to Milpitas to Redwood City. I was hoping you to to and everyone in between. A perfect example could do something on ! I still have my 415 tape. I had to convert of the “what hood are you from” questions is a recent interview y’all it to an mp3 because I couldn’t find the CD! Thanks for reppin’ the Bay tough, did with B.o.B. asking some of the best questions about Decatur and the I appreciate it. The Cinque feature was dope. He deserves it. He’s dope, struggles he had growing up there. It was fantastic. Keep up the good work. humble, and has star potential. – Dat Latino Kidd ‘El Amante’ BKA Nathaniel Purez, dat.latino.kidd@gmail. – Flo Montana, myspace.com/flodirt (Phoenix, AZ) com

I loved the Sidekick Hackin’ article with Trey Songz and in last I’m looking at the issue with and on the covers month’s OZONE. It was hilarious! Keep up the good work, because I was on and I just wanted to give you props for featuring . I’ve been won- the ground laughing at that! dering why he doesn’t get much media attention. Isn’t he from the Midwest – Headache, myspace.com/halesheaven (Mississippi) though? I’m confused on why he’s on the OZONE West cover. JB sounds a little violent in her 2 Cents and maybe a tad bit arrogant too. Be careful not to start feeling yourself too much because then you lose focus on making Thank you for all the love you show to the West. I first became a fan of your your dreams grow. You can always be bigger than what you are today. It’s magazine when I saw all the props you gave to the dirty South. I’ve lived just a thought, but maybe they don’t give you the respect yet because the in Atlanta half my life and no one was showing the South any respect. I’m magazine has yet to reach its peak. I know lots of people who have no idea originally from San Francisco so when you dropped OZONE West I got the what OZONE Magazine is but they know about other Hip Hop magazines like best of both my worlds. Whatever happened to the Groupie Confessions? I your arch rivals XXL and The Source. Don’t take that the wrong way; I highly know y’all didn’t run outta hoes with big mouths, did you? respect what you have accomplished and you have a much better product. I - Rich Johnson (Atlanta, GA) just hope to see you expand so that not only the artists and industry people know who you are, but also the common folk. Keep up the brilliant work! – Lady Zane, [email protected] I really like your magazine. It’s real cool. The things that make it unique compared to other magazines are the in-depth interviews with up-and- coming artists to mega-million-dollar artists, and also the regular features. Julia, I feel you on your 2 Cents. I feel like 97% of the entertainment in- I have a request to make the interviews better. Your interviews are already dustry are robots and they don’t know how to be themselves. I come across better than other Hip Hop magazines like Hip Hop Weekly but there is a a lot of people who think that just because of their status, I’m supposed couple ways they can be improved. This is not a diss and not negative. When to kiss their ass. It seems like everyone takes after what they see on TV, you’re interviewing artists can you please ask them more about their life be- and they have no idea who they were before their current position in the fore music. We see artists like Puffy with their Vitamin Water deals, Mercedes, industry. A lot of people say, “Scholar, you do not act like a lot of the artists Rolex that can’t tell the time because there are so many diamonds in it, girls I meet.” My response is, “Before I was Scholar, I was me.” I am a part of the that are so beautiful it’s like they’re not even human, million dollar clothes, industry; the industry is not a part of me. I am just a down-to-earth cat jewelry that ways a ton, and so on. It’s hard to believe that half these cats who loves music. I apologize if it seems like I’m babbling on and on. I just off like us, from the hood or trailer park or lower class. Most of the wanted to commend you on your words, sister. I am all for genuine people readers can’t even spell jewelry, let alone own it. There is a magazine called vs. robots. HooD Magazine that asks questions like “What hood are you from?” and – Mr Scholastic, myspace.com/mrscholastic (Phoenix, AZ)

14 // OZONE MAG Send your comments to [email protected] or hit us up at www.myspace.com/ozonemagazine jb’s 2cents efore I started OZONE I had a day job complete with a high-paying salary (for a 19 year old), benefits, and an expense account. I used Bto sit in my cubicle on the top floor of a building overlooking down- town Orlando and look down on all the suckers sitting on I-4 in traffic amazed at the fact that no matter what I did between 9 AM and 5 PM, I 10 THINGS I’M HATIN’ ON would still get paid. Regardless if I busted my ass all day long to get a by comedian Kiana Dancie job done or completely fucked off playing Solitaire and IMing my friends myspace.com/kianadancie or posting “Jungle Fever” ads on Blackplanet or charging side clients $40/hour to design their websites while I was already on the clock, as long as I looked 1. BIG BOI VS. KILLER MIKE DRAMA like I was working, my paycheck would always be the same. I loved it and hated Wasn’t that so yesterday? Being from Atlanta it at the same time. It seemed unfair. I was bored; I wanted a challenge. myself I understand the big dick swagger, but chill out! We’re about to have a black Now, as an entrepreneur, my life and career is definitely a challenge. There’s no president. The last thing we need is two rap- guaranteed paychecks and my success or failure rests solely on my shoulders. pers killing each other over a Purple Ribbon. And now that I own my own magazine, a lot of people who are in the position This beef should go to the market and die. D-RAY I once was in are hitting me up, which makes me reflect on my own approach Me & gettin’ back in the day. Truthfully, there are only a few real hustlers out there. I think 2. HAIR WEAVES in Denver too many people have gotten used to expecting steady paychecks for nothing, This chic in , who they call “Hair and the old saying “if you don’t work, you don’t eat” should still be true today. Do,” a.k.a. Tasha is the baddest hair weaver Everybody thinks they’re owed something. Smart people don’t ask for money in the state of ! She’s so bad, that she upfront. They do free shit to build relationships and then let it develop. True gave me a part with my sew in and I still hustlers find ways to integrate themselves into your organization and prove can’t figure out how she did it (myspace. their value first. com/2020Imaging) Maybe I’m biased because Rick Ross is my homeboy and a fellow 3. N’awlins Fish and Shrimp truck in representative, but I personally think all the blog ranting about him being a

Houston! D-RAY former C.O. are quite exaggerated (bloggers are haters by nature, so it’s to be I never thought the day would come that I Everybody else kept trying to expected). R Kelly can piss on little girls and videotape it and people still buy would be standing outside in 4-inch heels get me drunk for my birthday, his music. TheSmokingGun.com, who dug up Ross’s old C.O. paychecks, also but, believe it or not, that’s trying to get some damn shrimp! They are fruit punch... discovered that barely spent a day in jail (remember “Locked Up”?) and rude with a pinch of ghetto, but baby…. the nobody even blinked. Even though image and credibility mean so much, at the shrimp is worth standing on the corner for! end of the day, as long as artists make they’ll be aiight.

4. NOSY PEOPLE If you dig hard enough you could probably come up with some pictures of 17- I’m hating on people that are always asking year-old JB working as a portrait artist at Disney World (yes, I’ve had a lot of how much some shit cost! First, if you’ve jobs; they say I’m Jamaican). Disney is actually in a town called Lake Buena Vis- gotta ask, you can’t afford it! Second, it’s ta, 45 minutes southwest of downtown Orlando. Since I lived on the northeast rude, and third, it’s none of your business! side, it was a solid hour and a half drive to (and from) work every day, on a toll

RANDY ROPER RANDY road, $3.50 each way. Gas wasn’t $4/gallon back then but it still added up. Miles 5. CRUSTY TEETH ...and DJ B-Lord offered some and miles of backroads and finally you arrive at this gigantic parking lot, walk I’m hatin’ on people with thick, white, Happy Juice in Florence, SC a long distance in the heat, and get on the bus. Once you’re finally on property, crunchy plaque on their teeth! Look, your you walk through underground tunnels and change into your costume (a full- teeth are what people use to conclude many length, heavy pink dress). Did I mention that my workstation was outside? In things about you. Even if you don’t have Florida? In the summer? Heat and humidity? Yes, picture JB suffering. We got dental insurance, floss only costs a dollar. paid according to how many portraits we drew in a day, so when I did the math, Get some mint floss and I promise you’ll feel during slow weeks (taking into account tolls and gas) a full 16 hour day would better about yourself and your teeth. And often net around $20-25 in my pocket, not exactly a promising career path. you wonder why you can’t get no suga? Also, I didn’t like working at Disney because 95% of their employees are gay.

6. Kim Lee at everybody’s nail salon! MALIK ABDUL Sorry if I offend anyone; I know this is the age of tolerance and we’re supposed No, I don’t want my eyebrow waxed! No, I Me and Ray J in L.A. to be okay with seeing gay couples on afternoon television on MTV’s “Date don’t want rhinestones or little flowers on My Mom,” “Next,” “Tila Tequila” and a dozen other dumb reality shows, but my my nails! Just fill my damn nails and paint personal opinion is that God made dick and pussy go together for a reason and my toes like I asked you to! And when I’m in anything else is unnatural. So it was somewhat traumatizing to see my supervi- your chair SPEAKA ENGLISH!! sor arrive at work every Monday morning with shaved eyebrows, showing us of pictures from his drag queen shows over the weekend. 7. FLOSSIN’ I’m hating on guys that drive the hottest Way off topic, forgive me. Point is, we’ve always got the power to reinvent cars, but don’t have a house! Please tell us ourselves. Just don’t be ashamed of your past lives. They all came together to why you’re driving a big body Benz with 20” make you who you are today. rims but have no garage to park it in? Rick & Roccett fighting over me in Dallas - Julia Beverly, [email protected] 8. HOUSE DATES Excuse me, but when did “Come over my house” become a date? B.G. f/ , & Trey Songz “Heard Me” 9. FAKE ASS CHAINS Slim f/ Yung Joc & Shawty Lo “So Fly (Remix)” RE’Splaylist Everyone pretends to be a superstar; every- f/ “Fried Chicken” [email protected] body is balling! But really, how much do you T-Pain f/ Lil Wayne “Can’t Believe It” make that you can afford to spend $30k on Jazmine Sullivan “Need U Bad” T.I. “What’s Up” your necklace!? Gym Class Heroes f/ The Dream “Cookie Jar” R. Kelly “Playas Get Lonely” Charles Hamilton “Brooklyn Girl” “Roth Boys” 10. Wal-Mart! “The Artistic Integrity” Lil Ru “Deep Stroker” Why do you have 50 lanes in your store if you’re only gonna keep 5 of them open?

OZONE MAG // 15 16 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 17 AUSTIN, TX: Summer has gotten off to a good start in the live music capital of the world. , , Rob G, ESG, and Big Tuck all came through town to perform at various venues. Bavu Blakes is up to week 26 of his weekly free 08issogreat.com flows. Domy, a new independent retail bookstore, opened up on the East Side off of Caesar Chavez. Rapid Ric headed out to New York for a show. Matt Sonzala continues to hold it down via AustinSurReal.com. - O.G. of Luxury Mindz (www.luxurymindz.com) BALTIMORE, MD: LOUISVILLE, KY: This month we regretfully report the passing of a local Bmore Hip Hop heavy- DJ ThruDaRoof hosted his first Slip-N-Slide DJs mixtape withSolo , weight Mr. Wilson. Mr. Wilson has blessed our city with local hits over the years Kentucky USA’s Babe Nelson, and others. Hurra-Season has been on the and he will sorely be missed. RIP big homie. Mullyman just released his debut road. Nappy Roots are back with Greg Street. J Skillz has production on DVD Bmore’s Buffalo Soldier and his new mixtape The Return. lock. G-Mack got a hot one for the ladies. The KYMP Kamp took their - Darkroom Productions ([email protected]) show on the road as well. A couple of new clubs opened, Versatile and Club Premiere. BIRMINGHAM, AL: - Divine Da Instagata ([email protected]) Plies hit the City and Demeco Ryans of the Houston Texans came home for the summer and hosted an event at Club 1709. DJ C. Ross of 103.1/Freewill CINCINNATI, OH: Records dropped Showtyme Take 2 with features from Baby D, , Get JYS production has finally done it – The Shoot is an exciting new video Low Khao, Shawty Lo, Yung Killa, Plies, and many more. DJ Stikubush had nu- magazine that covers a wide range of urban entertainment, sports, news merous acts on stage at Club Elevations. Mastermind Group is doing their thing events, technology, and documentaries of local and national artists every Thursday at Club 1709. All or Nothing Promotions is doing their thing on (www.jysproductions.com, 513-739-9252). Congratulations to Blaze and Fridays at Club Onyx with Big Tony. B-Money of 95.7 Jamz hosted a great event Harmony for the release of their new The Collision and the video during 4th of July weekend. for the first single “Girlfriend.” These white boys have been grinding for - K. Bibbs ([email protected]) a long time and this shit is super hot. The Tri-State (OH, KY, IN) has seen a huge decline in music sales due to at least 10-15 key store closings. CHICAGO, IL: It’s so hot outside that G-Mack’s new single “Get Naked” has the females Stretch 1 Radio has embraced Chicago music with live interviews with artists, strippin’ not only in the clubs, but on the streets. DJs, and producers. Sho has a new single “I’m Showing Off.” According to - Judy Jones ([email protected]) statements made by Luda during a recent Chicago visit, it seems that Shawnna may be heading back to DTP. Timbuck2, Jamal Smallz, and DJ Sean were CLEVELAND, OH: recently seen on BET’s Rap City with DJ Q45. Producer Boogz has started a new Swisha House has it with Still Smokin’ and Eviction Notice. Both can blog called Ucan’tfuckwitchicago that highlights past and present history of be heard on any block. SMC Recording artist Killer Mike made a special Chicago Hip Hop. Other sites such as E biz, gowherehiphop, fakeshoredrive, appearance at this year’s Buckeye Community Festival courtesy of Ron and the blog by artist Lungz are also helping the movement. Malik Shabazz Spaulding (Fontana) and Nikkis Music. The city represented and forced a and DJ Averi Minor are at Funky Buddah Lounge every other Monday. DJ second Tech N9ne/ show. The 3rd Annual Ohio Hip Hop awards Shotime just dropped his new mixtape Too Hot for TV and DJ Shaun T and DTLR is coming September 22. Cali Miles “Snowbunni” video shoot featured are hosting a weekly showcase. dimes galore. Peep her Myspace for a preview. - Jamal Hooks ([email protected]) - “X” Allah ([email protected])

18 // OZONE MAG COLUMBUS, GA: HUNTSVILLE, AL: Lil Wayne and T.I.P. both stopped through and did G-Side is about to drop Starshipz and Rocketz. Bipola are work- the damn thing. We were the first to learn about ing their single. CP from Laponne has been preparing his debut solo 8Ball’s addition to Grand Hustle. Fabo was on the album. The Heart Beat TV began their second season. Slowmotion same show – if he wasn’t geeked up, he must have Soundz is prepping for the Beast of the Streets Car Show. Pixel PI been catching the Holy Ghost for 30 straight minutes. graphics has got the CD cover game on lock. G Mane had the North Project Rebound hosted its 2nd Annual Hip Hop Sum- Alabama Music Conference over in the Shoals area. Block Beataz have mit, which had a talent showcase, career fair, and the sound of North Alabama in a choke hold. National acts that have panels. The panels discussed topics ranging from Hip been through town include Shawty Lo, Rich Boy, Gucci Mane, Unk, and Hop, to other careers in music, to family issues. Foxie . The club battle is heating up between The Green Room and Club 105’s Family Day in the Park brought back the Nappy Focus. Roots, among others. - Codie G ([email protected]) - Slick Seville ([email protected]) JACKSON, MS: DALLAS/FT. WORTH, TX: Lil Boosie a hell of a show in front of a wall-to-wall crowd at Julia Beverly celebrated her b-day bash with Webbie Freelon’s. Boo, a.k.a. Rossini, celebrated his birthday with an all-black at Rhythm City. DJ Drop’s mixtape DJ Drop 4 President Affair. He’s had the streets on fire with his latest singles “Head Like is flooding . BC from Southern Fried Market- Kush” and “Good Game” off his latest D Boy mixtape. DJ Phingaprint ing got this relaxed beverage called DRANK in the and Kamikaze made a trip to Africa. 3535 Entertainment’s J Money and streets. The Texas Urban Music Summit was a success. Diesel have another banger called “What It Is” that has been increas- Rich Mind Records became big promo sponsors for ing in airplay. Rob Gold has the streets buzzing about new mixtape DFW. The North Dallas Movement is rolling strong. with DJ Scream. Word has it Blockwear is launching a ladies line. Damm D from NFL signed with Rap-A-Lot. He has the - Tambra Cherie ([email protected]) & Stax (blockwear@tmo. ladies requesting “Dallas Girlz” on the radio stations. blackberry.net) Club Next Level has Aggtown crunk until 5 AM and Lil Will’s album Dollas, TX is in stores now. Pat Bush is in JACKSONVILLE, FL: the Yazoo Fed – stay strong. Newest Nappy Boy Young Cash finally dropped his debut albumScared - Edward “Pookie” Hall ([email protected]) Money Don’t Make Money. It’s rumored that his hype man Midget Mac is getting his own VH1 show. Jacksonville’s first internet talk show DAYTONA BEACH, FL: Mobile Trappin TV will showcase Duval County’s best, from Nephew Trina, Blood Raw, DJ Q-45, Webbie, and Ace Hood and the HardHeadz, to P.I.T. and Dirt Diggla. Young and Ace have hit up the home of Black College Reunion. Hood stopped through the city this month, and although 5-0 has been Bethune-Cookman University launched a new radio raiding our clubs, the entertainment scene here is still pumpin’ heavy. station: WRWS 99.1 FM. Locals have been exposed to Bigga Rankin, M. Geezy and more are cultivating a bridge from J-Ville a new hot spot on Saturday’s with Tommie Tom Ent. to ATL, while Point Blank Ent. has been making waves with foam and and G-Type Promotions at Club Xclusive. Rapper Mr. lingerie parties. Willie Mays put out a mixtape entitled Dope Hole. His - Lil Rudy ([email protected]) teammate R&B singer Tarvoria gets ready to release her mixtape Pillow Talk with the Gorilla Tek-pro- LAS VEGAS, NV: duced single “Juicy,” which is killing the club scene This is the time of year for 110+ degree temperatures in Vegas. Since in Daytona and the airwaves at 99.1 FM. many people don’t want to be in the hot ass club, an alternative - DJ Nailz ([email protected]) is Rehab Pool at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. It goes down every Sunday from 11 AM – 7 PM, and you’ll most likely catch all your DETROIT, MI: favorite celebrities partying and relaxing. Julia Beverly threw her Al Profit dropped a must-have documentaryThe Vegas birthday celebration at Poetry Nightclub with Too $hort, Mistah Murder City (www.themurdercity.com) that takes a FAB, and Keak da Sneak. Happy Birthday JB! The Annual Magic Fashion look into Detroit’s underworld. Black Lagoon’s single & Trade Show will be here August 25th – 27th. Expect everyone to “Fever” has taken over both major radio stations. DJ invade Sin City. Young Mase is now an Aphilliate DJ. The new produc- - Portia Jackson ([email protected]) tion crew Olympicks consists of P.C., Jay Fab, Knoxville, B.P., and Flawless. Chief just shot a video for his new single LOS ANGELES, CA: “All Mine.” Big Herk also shot a video for his new single. Rock Young Money/Cash Money snatched up another L.A. artist and debuted Bottom Ent. has a new single “Cannon Ball Run.” T. Dot of CUI Tyga’s single “Coconut Juice.” Powerhouse 2008 was the talk of the signed a deal with Irv Gotti and Murda Inc. Records. Danny Brown’s town as Lil Wayne and Game ripped the Honda Center with their cameo “Hot Soup” is banging. If you ain’t up on dirtymitten.com, then you laced performances, and an announcement confirming a Blood Broth- aren’t into Detroit Hip Hop. Street Justice’s Out 4 Just Us hosted by WJLB’s DJ ers Tour. The lineup is said to feature the two stars alongside Nas, Jay DDT is another banger. Rock, , Glasses Malone, Tyga and more. Nipsey Hussle dropped - AJ ([email protected]) & Eric tha Crunk (Myspace.com/CrunkAtlantaMusic) the Bullets Ain’t Got No Name mixtape. The title track got a West Side assist from none other than Game. The DUB Car Show Tour is back at FORT MYERS/NAPLES, FL: the Convention Center. Wick’s album release party for City of Wicks Volume 2 went down earlier this - Ant Wright of Swag, Inc. (www.Myspace.com/antsandg) month. Frank Lini continues to makes the streets buzz with his lyrical style; he’s definitely Southwest Florida’s most unsigned hype. Riskay’s “Who You Creepin’ KANSAS CITY, MO/KS: With,” produced by 105.5’s own DJ Quest, continues to rise in the charts. Yes, Hot 103 JAMZ Summer Jam was off the hook. The event had artists on it’s only the first quarter of the year and the 13th grow house in Lee County has the bill from KC to the Bay back down to ATL. The headliners were the already been busted. See all the pretty green? King of the South T.I. and Kansas City’s King Tech N9ne. Black Walt and - Jae Rae ([email protected]) Block Life Ent. also represented KC at the Summer Jam. Underground Heat is still breaking music in KC. Recently added to rotation at KPRS GAINESVILLE, FL: are local independent artists Legion the Legend, Jae Casino & Yung With school at the University of Florida almost back in session, there is an Flash, Chain Gang Parolees, and Block Life. Is there beef cooking expected influx of about 50,000 students. The impact is made apparent through between SSP and VBE? Stay Tuned. a yearly event known as Blue and White Weekend in which the city was shut - Kenny Diamondz ([email protected]) down by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. Operation Respect Yourself, a joint effort between Magic 101.3 and the Sheriff’s department set up for youth in the com- KILLEEN/BELTON/TEMPLE/WACO, TX: munity, was a great success with hundreds in attendance. Rick Ross is reported to R Mack and Gutta of Macks on tha Rise, MyLyfe Records, Spark Dawg, be stopping through the ‘Ville for a special concert performance. Clubs are finally and Green City made an appearance and Fedtyme Records performed giving local artists their opportunity to shine. at the first annual Texas Urban Music Summit in Dallas, TX. The event - Jett Jackson ([email protected]) was held by Aleshia Steele, Linda Robins, and Tonya Terelle. Lil C Da

OZONE MAG // 19 L.E.S. always holds it down there. They even have a $300 “ Shake that Thang” contest. When you come to VA, please don’t expect the strippers to get naked; they don’t. You’ll still have a good time with Joe Pro at Liquid Blue if you don’t mind tippin’ a stripper in a bathing suit. The “celebrity” basketball game at Bethel High was well-attended. - Young Fame ([email protected]) OCALA, FL: Ocala’s own Certified is slowly taking the streets by storm with their new a new mixtape hosted by Dubb with features by Niccel Nutt, , R single “Turn off the Lights” featuring Pleasure P. The Lil Boys Pushing Big Mack and Gutta. Brusier tha Beast and Cool TY won the Hip Hop Under- Wheels custom car show got rained out again unfortunately and will have ground Showdown held by 360 Hood Ent., Alexander Stand Alone Ent., and to wait until next year. Gritsandeggs.com and certifiedmagandtv.com are DJ Redd at the Music Vault in Harker Heights. Big Pokey of S.U.C performed the premier media outlets and always keep the area informed of the latest at Club Seduction. events. Certified Sundays at Club Zanzabar has become the local hot spot - Tre Dubb (Myspace.com/mackonthariserecords) along with Clubside on Saturday nights, which surprisingly has gone off without incident. Artists and groups to look out for are K.S.B., S.G., Swamp MEMPHIS, TN: Boyz, and Certified. The Memphis Music Foundation has just opened a non-profit music - DJ Leezy ([email protected]) resource center to help provide artists with information, hands-on learn- ing, and program workshops. It’s being directed by Cameron Mann, more OKLAHOMA CITY, OK: popularly know as Lord T from the comedy rap duo Lord T and Eloise. DJ of Mastermind Entertainment is pushing weight in the Oklahoma Freddy Hydro’s artist Trai’D has just released a new video called “Gutta City metro. Look out for Infamous headlining two shows with Bizzy Bone Chick.” Keep a look out for this fella; he’s already creating a heavy buzz in in August. Check him out at www.myspace.com/infamousok. Feel is blazing the streets. Drum Squad teamed up in Memphis at The Silverspoon for a big the airwaves with “She’s Bad” and “One Night.” See for yourself at www. celebration. Boogaloo, Drumma Boy, Ensayne Wayne, and Swizzo were in myspacee.com/pwii. the building to help tear the club up. - Marshlynn ([email protected]) - Deanna Brown ([email protected]) PHOENIX, AZ: , FL: Florida invaded Phoenix this month with Rick Ross and taking over In September, 2000 the incredible duo of Big Lip Bandit and Supa Cindy (my- the city for an ultimate summer showcase featuring local AZ talent at the self) changed the radio game. Today, our show’s format has molded South Celebrity Theatre. The DUB car show brought out more than 10,000 fans and Florida radio. A male and female duo talking about love, life and sex, gossip featured performances by Shawty Lo and , who made the crowd reports, and the energy and fun is now being imitated because of us. But on go crazy. The city is rallying behind our hometown favorites Bombay, Willy June 18th we were fired! The rumors are retarded: no, our ratings weren’t Northpole, Cinque, Jiggalo, C-Thug, and Tajji Sharp all who have sched- in the toilet – we were #1; no, we were not bad employees – we were team uled releases in the next few months. Sharp is a protégé and best friend players. We did nothing wrong. The station hired a syndicated show so we of Kanye West. His album is sure to be a different sound for the city of move on. I wanted to thank our fans and industry heads that looked out for Phoenix. us and still do. This is not a sad event; it’s time to shine. - Jasmine Crowe ([email protected]) - Supa Cindy (www.Myspace.com/Supadupe) PORTLAND, OR: MONTGOMERY, AL: Ocean Records, the long-time Tacoma, WA based recording company (re- C-Hall’s “So Much Money” is getting so much love they had to shoot the leased Criminal Nation’s Resurrection in 1998) and record store (served the video. Promotions was on their jobs and everyone was there from Michael G.I.s tons of down-south mixtapes at Ft. Lewis/Tillicum, WA), has relocated London, Goodfellas Radio, DJ Aaries, Deakon Board, Burn’em, Hard Headz, to Redmond, Oregon. Isolated central Oregon is going crazy over Hip Hop. Greedy Money, M3, Chappy, Pleiboy, DJ Who, Michelle C (97.9), Maxximum Get that money, Steve O. The Big 503 is hosting many shows. RZA and (107.1), JoJo McToy (105.7), King David, South Boyee, and Napalm the Snoop’s West Fest (Warren G, , Warzone and Western Union), Bomb. Napalm’s “UnCanny” got artists on their toes while “Baby Mama or more aptly nicknamed “Crip Fest,” is hitting the Pacific Northwest. Don’t Drama” got ‘em paying attention to women in . Dem King Boyz miss Willamette Week’s music festival in early September. I’ve heard Cool and Iron Kids held it down for King 16 at The Mint. Kids, Blue Scholars, and more may be in attendance. - Hot Girl Maxximum ([email protected]) - Luvva J (Myspace.com/luvvaj) NASHVILLE, TN: RALEIGH/DURHAM, NC: Cashville is serving up coffee: Allstar and Young Buck released StarBucks. Wednesday night is said to be stripper heaven at the classy Club Equator. Bun B celebrated the success of his new album at the Firm. Iceman and the It’s said that the 4030 Club went from street classy to hood ashy with all U.N.T. family shut Hadley down with their video shoot. The 1st Annual Can- the fights they’ve been having lately. DJ Ill Digits is the newest member of cer/Leo B-Day Bash hosted by Serious was off the chain with performances Radio One. He was on K97.5 with Dy-nasty and they were ripping that shit by JC, Stix-Izza, and Emeka alongside DJs Whitey, Chief Rocka, Infamous, on Friday night. The Truth DVD released the new Carolina edition DVD. Now, C-Lo, Sir Swift, Rage, C-Dub, Crisis, Outlaw and more. Van Hunt gave a great who the hell put together that fake-ass Carolina Music Award show? They show to a full house and Lovenoise Nashville prepares to celebrate 5 years were giving out cereal box trophies. I heard it was O Entertainment. You’re of giving nothing but good music and entertainment to Nashville. making us look bad! K97.5 and Brian Dawson held a great celebrity hot car - Janiro ([email protected]) and bike event. - DY ([email protected]) NEW ORLEANS, LA: Curren$y leaves Young Money Records and Lil Wayne focuses on Fly Soci- REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: ety. Speaking of Weezy, he reached back to grab Nutt Da Kid of Sqad Up for Jigga rolled into town for two dates ahead of his groundbreaking Glaston- “Mrs. Officer” onThe Carter 3. Raj Smoove is at 1000 degrees in the clubs bury gig earlier this month. Despite the hype around his tour, neither show right now. Big Stan and Here We Go have the party promotions on lock. sold out, with the Dublin concert barely reaching 50% capacity. While Jay’s Young Marley is one of the only artists who lives his lyrics. He went to jail pocket might be aching, not so for Chris Rock who sold out two Dublin for distribution of narcotics. 9th Ward is on the map with So So Def. shows within minutes. Meanwhile, Snoop announced he only wants the Rap - Derrick Tha Franchise (www.Myspace.com/DerrickThaFranchise) Ireland crew to support his concert in September. A new Hip Hop radio show called The Block kicked off this month on Spin1038, though its 12 AM – 3 NORFOLK, VA: AM slot is not exactly prime time. Local Irish rapper Rob Kelly was featured Ace Hood stopped through town and showed love. 103 Jamz has the in this month’s XXL magazine, the first time an Irish rapper has graced an airwaves on lock, even though everyone is listening to their Carter 3 CD. If American music magazine. you don’t get shot, Club Mystique is a good place to hang on a Sunday. DJ - Kev Storrs ([email protected])

20 // OZONE MAG SACRAMENTO, CA: Tru’s “Mr.Miyagi,” J Kidd’s “Exclusive,” Vic Damone’s “Check My Swag,” and The hottest song in this region is no doubt Hard Knox’s “She’s in Love with Gena’s “Look At Her Go.” the DJ.” It’s getting played on all the urban stations in Sacramento. Where - Jesse James ([email protected]) the hell is the YouTube video? T-Nutty has a new album coming out. Bueno is working on a new album and Doey Rock is going steady. Also, Hunid Racks TAMPA, FL: is planning a huge promotion all over Sacramento which is sure to be the The USF Sun Dome housed the 5th Annual Tampa Music Conference hosted biggest Hip Hop Event to hit this city in a long time. If you’re feeling left out, by Tango and sponsored by Street Laced. Rawkus 50 artist Laws an- send me a text or email and let me know what’s going on. nounced plans to tour with Hard Target and Marpo in the Czech Republic - Zay ([email protected]) on WMNF’s Saturday Night Shutdown. After releasing his debut album Death before Dishonor, scuffled with Dolla in the BET Awards SAN DIEGO, CA: radio room in L.A., setting off an internet gossip frenzy. Aych celebrated Power 106’s Big Boy’s Neighborhood fills the morning void at Z90 San Diego, the 2 year anniversary of Da Cypher, the premier weekly open mic event and even knocks Miss Jones of WQHT New York into the unemployment line as at Empire Nightclub. DJ Spinatik released more Street Runnaz mixtapes they take over her morning slot. With this merger, Southern Cali seems to be including collabs with BloodRaw and Alfamega. more united than ever before. resurfaces to the music scene with his - Slick Worthington ([email protected]) 14th installment entitled Raw Footage. He’ll be bringing that classic CUBEvi- sion live and direct with a highly anticipated concert at 4th and Bs. TALLAHASSEE, FL: - Ant Wright of Swag, Inc. (Myspace.com/antsandg) Tay Dizm of T-Pain’s Nappy Boy Digital has a new single called “Beam Me Up” featuring T-Pain and Rick Ross. It’s heavy in the streets as Tay Dizm SEA-TAC, WA: begins his new movement to promote the single. Local hero and Talla- Seattle’s 4th Annual Hip Hop Festival was a great success on a 90-degree hassee representer M Beezy is making lots of noise with his long-awaited weekend. All respects to Jace and Blak of The Silent Lambs Project. Jace mixtape Black Star Power featuring Blazin 102.3’s Supa Star J Kwik. Thrill thought it up in 2003 and it went off with the best of the Pacific Northwest da Playa hit the road for his Legends of Bass summer tour with acts like represented including: Alpha P, Butler Boi, DJ Connex, G-Khan, Khingz, Kitty The 69 Boyz, 95 South, Quad City DJs, DJ Taz, Ghost Town DJs, Dis N Dat, Wu, Luvva J, OMG!, Orbitron, Sean Malik, Seaspot, T-Love, Wojack, The Mighty Splack Pack, and of course Thrill da Playa and the HB Fraternity. Zulu Nation, and most importantly the children were there B-boying/girling - DJ Dap ([email protected]) too. It’s really DOPE!, as Husalah would say. - Luvva J (Myspace.com/luvvaj) TULSA, OK Artist P.D.A., of Fat Lip Entertainment/Yeah Siam Records is still on his SHREVEPORT, LA: southwest regional tour gaining more exposure for Oklahoma. Be sure Recently, another film company broke ground on a future film studio located to hit up Tulsa’s super-producers The Beat Mafia, which is comprised of in the city. and Teflon are taking the city’s heartbeat to the three musicians: EmBeatz, The Arsonist, and Big City (Myspace.com/geta- masses with their on-going successful push of Ratchet City music. Webbie and hit). Starship Records has all of the latest mixtapes and vinyl for every DJ Slim Thug tore down the Municipal Auditorium and Lil Wayne blew the roof searching for the next hit to spin. Local rapper Fedel’s new single “Tell a off of the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum with Hurricane Chris. 5 Entertainment is Friend” hit number one on 105.3 KJamz count down. growing rapidly with its strong musical background courtesy of Navajo, one - DJ Civil Rightz (Myspace.com/DJCivilRightz) of the hottest producers in the business with credits in film and broadcast. - Cmac ([email protected]) WASHINGTON, DC: Former Roc-A-Fella V.P. Kenny Burns has been busy on the music front ST. LOUIS, MO: ever since his high-end fashion brand Ryan Kenny fizzled. The self-pro- RIP to the Rose Man who was brutally shot down while doing his job spread- claimed “Lifestyle Expert” is pushing his SRC/Universal-backed imprint ing love at the clubs with his roses. Trillion Billion Dollar Beats are at it Studio 43. After burning bridges with Interscope’s newest signee Wale, again, this time with Smackman’s “White Bricks” and “Gangsta.” DJ Trackstar who was first signed as Studio 43’s centerpiece, Burns went out to find dropped Boogie Bang 14 and DJ D Luv dropped Blue Magic. STL’s hot singles another young franchise artist from the D.C. area. He’s putting his money so far this year are DerrtyBoi Montana’s “Ain’t Wurried Bout It,” Ray Da Kidd’s on Marky and hoping that “Sheila,” a Hip Hop remake of the 80s Prince “Jump Stupid,” Ebony Eyez’ “Don’t Touch,” Phat Pheezy’s “Pockets Flooded,” classic, will create enough buzz to set up his debut album. Unladylike’s “Sit Down,” EQ’s “Rep’n My Block,” Huey’s “Money Tall,” Jung - Pharoh Talib ([email protected])

OZONE MAG // 21 .WendyDay.com) The Basics | By Wendy Day from Rap Coalition (www

his article is dedicated to , who was kind enough to give one of my indie clients a hit fucking record for a great price! Mannie is in the process Since he’s Tof putting out his first artist, The Show. I have chosen to devote this article based in New Orleans, I’d to giving my friend some free advice, since he was kind enough to give me the build a buzz in LA, TX, and ammunition that I need to win with my group. A smart reader would eavesdrop and southern AL. I’d attend apply it to his or her own situation! Mannie is a super producer, and I have proven to all of the events in the be skilled over the years at putting out records (not to mention negotiating deals), Summer and Fall where so we all might learn something: large amounts of potential fans gather (Summer Dear Mannie, Jams, park parties, college homecomings, music festi- Putting out an artist, either independently or through a major label, is a tremendous vals, etc). I’d throw him in amount of work. Even with your relationships and connections, knowing who to trust a wrapped van, and hit a and who can really benefit your release is difficult. Imagine if you didn’t have the different city every day. I’d access or name recognition that you have! make sure we went through radio, retail stores (chains and independents), clubs at night (performing if possible), strip clubs, and I understand what you mean when you talk about the talent and passion missing Hip Hop gear shops. If you really want to grind it out, I’d also hit the chicken wing from this industry today. While I do agree with you completely, just talent alone isn’t spots, key barber shops and nail salons, high schools and colleges, and make sure enough to win. Much like you, I am a purist. I believe that the beats and rhymes are you spend time in the ‘hoods. Your name will open a lot of doors for him. I’d be sure key and the folks who are doing this solely for the money are fucking it up for ev- to pass out flyers, hang posters wherever I could, and sign as many autographs as eryone. That’s really why the sales are down. So many folks treat the music industry humanly possible. I’d advertise ahead of time the cities we were hitting through his like it’s the new (legal) drug game. Those without passion, however, won’t be able to website and his MySpace page (and yours). withstand the licks that this wicked industry doles out. They won’t stand the test of time. You will, and have! Also, I’d suggest explaining to The Show that artists don’t really make money from their record deals. It’s important that he knows he’s grinding this out for something But in addition to the driving passion, I also realize the need for an artist to sell CDs. bigger down the road, especially because of the way you, and other artists before My favorite rapper is Ras Kass. He’s lyrical as hell, but has he been able to sell CDs? you, got jerked out of money in this business. It’s important that he understand how You’ve heard Jay-Z, Common, and talk about dumbing down the lyrics, the payments work and how the money comes from shows, endorsement deals, and and we’ve all watched Bun B go from dopest Southern lyricist to rap star able to sell other opportunities that fame brings. He’s very bright so he probably already knows CDs (thank God! He deserves it!!). There’s nothing wrong with making a living from this, but it’s important he understands it fully to alleviate problems down the road. one’s artistic craft. That is not selling out! Those who believe that it is, need to go get real jobs and make CDs as a hobby and pass them out for free. After building the buzz in that 3-state area, his buzz will organically grow. As college students return home for their breaks and vacations, they will spread his I like the Victory Lap mix CD that you and DJ Wop made for The Show. It highlights music. People will naturally share great music with friends, and the internet speeds his lyrical abilities over some incredible Mannie Fresh beats, and gives the fans 27 up this process. It spreads like fire. You can also start working a single at radio. The examples of what’s to come. But in my opinion, the mixed CD lacks slam-dunk-, DJs will already be aware of The Show, now it’s time to spread that awareness to hit singles. You most likely chose not to put them on a mix CD, saving them for his program directors around the region. Focus on the South. release. In today’s environment, it will be difficult to go to market without a hit radio record or two. This is especially true if you have a major label behind you, like Work the project for a minimum of 4 months before you drop the album. Six months Def Jam, because they survive on that formula of radio records to drive sales and is preferred and 9 months is even better. If you aren’t coming through a major, exposure. It’s not that it is right or wrong, it’s that it just “is.” If that’s what they make sure you choose a distributor with a strong track record of paying, and one have to do to blow up an artist, any artist, then so be it. It’s up to you to give them that has great relationships with rap record buyers and stores. This is NOT the area the ammunition that they need. to take risks. It’s your money!

Hopefully, that was part of your thinking before doing a deal with a major, and that A hit radio record will make the promoters start calling to book shows faster. A su- you chose one that needed what you could deliver (some folks see all of the labels per hot record will make the show price increase quickly. When The Show is making as interchangeable and only care about getting a check; truth is, the checks are good money, it will be easier for him to work even harder. It’ll be more hectic, but small and the opportunities are shrinking everyday). If not, you will find that you better. It will save you money too. As he travels to different cities on the promoters’ have to build a ridiculous buzz on the streets to get them interested in working your dime, you can hit radio and retail in those cities. release. The reality is that if you want someone who excels at chasing radio hits to get excited about your project, and you decide not to deliver radio hits to them, you Lastly, make sure The Show is the shit at home. Be certain to give back to the local will need to show them how to work your records, make it appear to be cheap and community, especially New Orleans because it needs the support more than any easy, and then let them take 100% of the credit when it happens. other place. Offer picnics in the park and Kids’ Days. Support the Moms and the schools that need help. Speak to the kids and keep them from going down the It’s like you driving that gorgeous new Bentley. If someone was only used to Hondas, wrong path. That’s not mandatory, but it is the right thing to do. there may be some apprehension and discomfort in driving such an artful machine. But once one is used to driving perfection and sees how easy it is, it becomes easy. Mannie, you are the shit! You’ve been down a long, hard road. But you survived and We all become comfortable with what we know—you with good music, a major label survived well. No one can take that from you. You have legions of fans and soldiers, with hit radio records. But, hit radio records do not always equal sales. There have just waiting for you to do something for yourself. The Show is it! Go get it baby! And been plenty of hit records that the labels paid to drive up the charts, but the full- I am always here when you need me. Always. I love you Chubby Boy! length CDs tanked when they came out. My guess is that they only had one or two good records on the album. You are Mannie Fresh, so I’m not worried about that. You With Love and Respect, make great music. And The Show is lyrical and seems able to make great songs. Wendy

22 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 23 24 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): J Prince Jr & Lil Will @ Arena Theater for Lil Wayne’s concert in Houston, TX; Bootz, Buddha, & Buckeey @ JW Marriott in Houston, TX (Photos: Knowledge); Plies & Pacman @ Nokia Theatre for K104 Summer Jam in Dallas, TX (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // Bohagon reppin’ Citrus CRUNK!!! Energy Drink @ Studio 72 (Atlanta, GA) 02 // Pacman & Suga D @ Nokia Theatre for K104 Summer Jam (Dallas, TX) 03 // DJ Slikk & DJ Marlei Mar @ Esso for ATL Record Pool (Atlanta, GA) 04 // Kelley, Gabrielle Union, Lori, & Lindsey @ Zo’s Summer Groove (Miami, FL) 05 // Charles Young & Fentz on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin’” (Brooklyn, NY) 06 // DJ Drama, TI, Get Cool, & David Banner @ Reliant Arena for Party 93.3’s car show (Houston, TX) 07 // Ray J & Slim Thug on the set of the Boss Hogg “Keep It Playa” video shoot (Houston, TX) 08 // Michael Watts & David Banner @ Reliant Arena for Party 93.3’s car show (Houston, TX) 09 // , Charles Young, & DJ Khaled on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin’” (Brooklyn, NY) 10 // TJ Chapman & BloodRaw @ Patchwerk for BloodRaw’s listening party (Atlanta, GA) 11 // Webbie, Nick the Next One, Julia Beverly, & Corey Cleghorn @ Rhythm City for JB’s birthday bash (Dallas, TX) 12 // Baby Boy & Webbie @ The Venue (New Orleans, LA) 13 // Supa Chino & Young Cash @ Club Christopher’s for Young Cash’s birthday bash (Jacksonville, FL) 14 // Shawty Lo & ladies on the set of Shawty Lo’s “” remix video shoot (Miami, FL) 15 // Roccett, Young AC & crew @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 16 // Lloyd Banks & Lump @ 93.3 (Houston, TX) 17 // Dee Money & Smitty @ Belvedere (Houston, TX) 18 // J Xavier & Birdman @ Arena Theater for Lil Wayne’s concert (Houston, TX) 19 // DJ Bomb Shell Boogie & Raj Smoove @ Dizzy’s video shoot (New Orleans, LA)

Photo Credits: Ben Rose (01); Edward Hall (11); J Lash (04,14); Julia Beverly (02,05,06,08,09); Knowledge (07,16,17,18); Marcus DeWayne (12,19); Ms Rivercity (03,10); Terrence Tyson (13); Tre Dubb (15)

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 25 25 singles “It’s Like That,” “We Belong Together,” and “Shake It Off,” all co-produced and co-written by CHIN CHECK JD. This had to be the luck of the Leprechaun (see By Charlamagne Tha God #2).

2) Janet Jackson This is the moment when people realized JD was 10 Reasons must not human, but was an actual real live Leprechaun be a Leprechaun a.k.a. 6) Da Brat living among us. How did he bag Janet Jackson? This is when rumors of JD being a lucky little Lep- The Luck of the Leprechaun! This is how we know The Luckiest Little Man in Hip Hop rechaun really started. He swagger-jacked Snoop the Emancipation of Mimi was pure Leprechaun and reincarnated his style in the form of a female luck. He had two chances to bring Janet back with 10) Money Ain’t a Thing Video emcee, and Da Brat was born. Even though much 20 Y.O. and Discipline and couldn’t do it. He used This video was all the Luck of the Leprechaun. more talented emcees like Queen Latifah and MC all his pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, Using his Leprechaun luck, a phone book, and Lyte came before her and had commercial and and green clovers to bag Janet in the first place. pedal extensions, he was lucky enough to be able critical success, none of them ever went platinum. He had no more luck left to make pots of gold to reach the pedals of those hot ass cars he was Da Brat was the first female solo artist to ever go appear at the end of the rainbows of her last two driving in this video. This video did a lot for the platinum. The Leprechaun strikes again. albums. Leprechaun’s image and had him mentioned in the same breath as Sean Combs, but only when people 5) The Street Single 1) DJs playing Slow Slow Death Records said, “Damn, JD trying to be like Puffy.” This is what Greg Street was talking about when If it wasn’t for the DJ, not one record JD produced he said the Leprechaun was a BDS A&R. He goes or wrote would have ever been played! If it wasn’t 9) Kris Kross and grabs pots of gold that are already out for the DJ, Da Brat and Bow Wow would be nobod- This was one of the Leprechaun’s first pots of there and claims them as his own. For example: ies! If it wasn’t for the DJ, he would have never gold. He was lucky enough to discover two child- Bonecrusher’s “Neva Scared,” J-Kwon’s “Tipsy,” established the So So Def DJs even though we hood friends, Chris Kelly and Chris Smith, in 1991 the Youngbloodz’ “Damn,” Dem Franchize Boyz’ “I know he did this just to have a coalition of people at an Atlanta shopping mall. Dupri thought the Think They Like Me,” and Rocko’s “Umma Do Me.” to force his latest batch of hot garbage down the two “looked like a rap group” and proceeded to A deaf man could hear these were going to be world’s throats! Now since his “the DJ is dead” gas these twelve-year-olds to wear their clothes hits, but JD was lucky enough to sign these artists comments, the Leprechaun’s luck has run out. The backwards. There debut album Totally Krossed at key periods in Slow Slow Death’s existence. DJ has no reason to support a mediocre talent, Out went 4x platinum in the U.S., and to this day These records have served as life support for a with a mediocre roster of artist and a very medio- nobody knows why. I also always wondered if he label that should have been dead years ago. cre label. R.I.P. to the Leprechaun’s career. Sadly, it encouraged them to wear their boxers backwards? was already dying a Slow Slow Death. If he did, with the hole in the back instead of the 4) Michael Mauldin front, their album should have been called Michael Mauldin is the Totally Assed Out. Leprechaun’s father and former President of Columbia Records. 8) Whoever introduced him to Bow Wow What, you thought JD worked In 1998 at the age of eleven, Bow Wow was his way into the game? No! He introduced to JD, who sprinkled a little Leprechaun was lucky enough to get handed luck on his young career. Now, I don’t know who his position in the game. This introduced Bow Wow to the Leprechaun, but half explains why he doesn’t really of this pot of gold should have gone to them. No- have an ear for talent. Most of body gave a damn about Slow Slow Death in 1998. his artists were introduced to I mean, nobody cares now, but they were damn him by someone else (see #8), near dead then. It was rumored that Bow Wow was had more of a gimmick than a Leprechaun, but nobody would really knew until talent (see Kris Kross, Da Brat, he got older. Those rumors have been shot down and Bow Wow), or they already now that he’s older because he’s too tall to be a had a single buzzing (see #5) Leprechaun and has established himself pretty and JD just stamped So So Def well in the music and film industry (without the on it and called it his own. Who Leprechaun’s assistance). needs an ear for talent when your father was a president 7) His Braids for a major ? Lucky JD was lucky enough to wear cornrows years bastard! after going bald. This, combined with his natural Leprechaun height, kept up his youthful appear- 3) The Emancipation of Mimi ance so he didn’t look like Bow Wow’s vertically Mariah Carey’s comeback record challenged father in the videos. went 6x platinum, fueled by the

26 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Rick Ross & Foxy Brown on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin’” in Brooklyn, NY (Photo: Julia Beverly); Bun B with his wife & kids Queen, Breneshia, & Young B @ the Galleria’s Louis Vuitton store for Bun B’s private album release party in Houston, TX (Photo: Knowledge); Rocko & Monica @ Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // Janiro Hawkins & Young Buck @ Hang Time (Nashville, TN) 02 // Pleasure P & Simmona @ 4th of July party (Jacksonville, FL) 03 // DJ Charlie Chan & Youvee @ Skybox (St Louis, MO) 04 // Young Sav & Joie Manda @ Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 05 // Chris Ward, Killa Kyleon, James Prince Jr, & TOE on the set of the Boss Hogg Outlawz “Keep It Playa” video shoot (Houston, TX) 06 // Redd Eyezz & Toro on the set of Shawty Lo’s “Foolish” remix video shoot (Miami, FL) 07 // Lil Boosie & TQ on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin’” (Brooklyn, NY) 08 // Bay Bay & Plies @ Nokia Theatre for K104 Summer Jam (Dallas, TX) 09 // Boomtown & ladies @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 10 // Birdman & ladies on the set of Shawty Lo’s “Foolish” remix video shoot (Miami, FL) 11 // DJ D-Strong, DJ Infamous, & DJ Nasty on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin’” (Brooklyn, NY) 12 // Show, Dizzy, & models @ Dizzy’s video shoot (New Orleans, LA) 13 // G Dash & Yung Redd @ Reliant Arena for the 93.3 car show (Houston, TX) 14 // Ron C, Bigg DM, & Chief Rocka (Nashville, TN) 15 // Midget Mac, Young Cash, & Vic @ Club Christopher’s for Young Cash’s birthday bash (Jacksonville, FL) 16 // Paul Wall & Mo Bounce @ Hot 95.7 (Houston, TX) 17 // T-Roy, DJ Q45, & Suga D @ SeaBreeze for Terrence Tyson’s birthday bash (Jacksonville, FL) 18 // Malik Abdul & Kisha Smith @ Rhythm City for JB’s birthday bash (Dallas, TX) 19 // Wild Wayne & Mike Epps @ Q93 (New Orleans, LA) 20 // Dollar Bill & Mya @ Arena Theater for Lil Wayne’s concert (Houston, TX)

Photo Credits: Edward Hall (09,18); J Lash (06,10); Janiro Hawkins (01,14); Julia Beverly (04,07,08,11); King Yella (03); Knowledge (05,13,16,20); Marcus DeWayne (12,19); Terrence Tyson (02,15,17)

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 27 27 … a

call I fuck

the

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started

and NECKLACE my

iked L he S

flo rida MADE BY: Nick THE JEWELER with King

Johnny’s Custom Jewelry in Houston, TX CARATS: 200 carats weighT: 1000 grams SIZE: SIX INCHES WIDE appraisal value (CHAIN & PIECE): $600,000 was born in Florida and I felt that if I wanted to reach my dream and I worked hard for it and I ain’t never robbed nobody so my conscience is “ my goal, I had to spread my name in Cali, Vegas, and various other clear. I’m always calm and laid back and I ain’t really worried about it. I have places. I wanted to have my name be my logo, so I thought taking insurance so I’m good. the state [of Florida] and making it into an “F” at the same time Iwould be perfect. If I put this logo on a hat or a t-shirt, it’ll stand out. When I go to [third world countries] I can’t speak their language but I can tell they’re just amazed [by the chain]. They say, “It’s so many diamonds,” or, “We I took it a step further and got King Johnny from Texas to put it on a chain could feed our whole country with that.” for me. First I went with [a chain] of my name, Flo Rida, which everyone saw in the “In The Ayer” video. Then when the BET Awards came I wanted I’m definitely gonna keep this piece for a while. Me and Ross were talking to do it real big with my logo for my big television debut. I knew everybody about how crazy it is that we’ll get a new piece and love it for two weeks, was gonna be watching so I wanted to represent me, Khaled, Ross, Ace, and and next thing you know, we want another piece. It’s a sign of success. I’m everybody. looking forward to getting another piece real soon. I’ve already got a couple pieces on the way. // “The chain is pretty heavy so I usually just bring it out when I’m performing. When I go through the airport [security] with it, I have a lot of problems. I As told to Julia Beverly have to take it out and everybody wants to come see it, and it causes a lot of Photo by Luis Santana onlookers. But I’m not worried about somebody trying to take it, because

28 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Lil Boosie & his son on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin’” in Brooklyn, NY; The Dream & his daughter @ Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash in Atlanta, GA; Young Jeezy & his son @ Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // DJ Buddha & Rob G @ Reliant Arena for Party 93.3’s car show (Houston, TX) 02 // Day 26 @ Nokia Theatre for K104 Summer Jam (Dallas, TX) 03 // Mike Mack & Damm D on the set of Bun B’s “You’re Everything” (Houston, TX) 04 // Freda & Flo Rida @ The Venue (New Orleans, LA) 05 // Boomtown & guest on the set of “You’re Everything” (Houston, TX) 06 // Tum Tum reppin’ Drank @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 07 // Jas Prince & guest @ Nokia Theatre for K104 Summer Jam (Dallas, TX) 08 // Plies & Cat Daddy @ Nokia Theatre for K104 Summer Jam (Dallas, TX) 09 // Chris Ward, Killa Kyleon, Bun B, & Slim Thug on the set of “Riding With No Ceiling” (Houston, TX) 10 // Steve Raze & Tony Neal on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin’” (Brooklyn, NY) 11 // Richy Rich & Breneshia @ Reliant Arena for the 93.3 car show (Houston, TX) 12 // DJ Nasty, The Runners, Young Jeezy, Bali, & DJ D-Strong on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin’” (Brooklyn, NY) 13 // KJ Jines & Roccett @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 14 // Ben Baller, Bun B, & DJ B-Do on the set of the Grit Boys “Now Later Paint” video shoot (Houston, TX) 15 // Paul Wall & Pookie @ Bar Rio for JB’s birthday bash (Houston, TX) 16 // Xtaci @ Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 17 // Gu & Coline @ Reliant Arena for the 93.3 car show (Houston, TX) 18 // DJ Drop, Tony Neal, & Tre Dubb @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 19 // Slim of 112 & Lucky @ Venue (Houston, TX)

Photo Credits: Edward Hall (15); Julia Beverly (01,02,05,06,07,08,10,12,13,16); Knowledge (03,09,11,14,17,19); Marcus DeWayne (04); Tre Dubb (18)

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 2 299 by Eric Perrin

It’s been a long time, shouldn’t have left you…

For the last couple of months the Dollar Menu has been in a recession, and for that, we apologize. Hopefully, the triple thick and tasty Tink will make up for the absence of ass in the last few issues. Hey, we love to see you smile.

This is the story of Tink (short for Tinker Bell), the female equiva- lent of ten pennies who shakes her fairy tail nightly in a Never- Neverland called Strokers. And while her name may sound innocent, the 20-year-old Erie, Pennsylvania product is anything but.

In fact, the former ballet and classical jazz dancer recently encountered an unwanted 15 minutes of shame when her sex life was broadcast to millions of viewers on national television last spring. Fans of the BET show College Hill may remember Tink as the The Velvet Room Vixen who got caught by the cameras mak- ing love after the club with College Hill: Atlanta cast member and aspiring rapper Drew.

“I wasn’t even aware that I was going to be on the show,” she says. “I was just in the club, and the camera spotted me dancing with [Drew], and when we went back to the house that night, the cameras caught us having sex. I was kinda upset about it, but it didn’t bring me down so I’m not really trippin’.

And while the Stone Mountain resident doesn’t necessarily regret getting caught, she does feel a bit of remorse about who she was caught with. “I would never have sex with [Drew] again. First of all, it wasn’t good, and second, a lot of people tell me he’s gay, so I would never have relations with him again,” she strongly asserts.

Though her BET debut was not exactly what she would have planned, the 36-22-36 boasting Black and Italian blend would love to reappear on the network one day under her own terms: as a successful (and clothed) R&B artist and dancer.

“A lot of people know that I’m talented and that I can sing,” insists the delicious almost-old-enough-to-drink Gemini. “But most people don’t know that music and dance are my passions; that’s what I want to do for a living.”

“Stripping is not my mentality,” she continues. “It’s just some- thing I do because I’m good at it, and I need to pay my bills. It’s fun, but one day I plan to do a lot more in life.” Hopefully one day Tink can pull a Paris Hilton and transform from sex tape star to celebrity singer.

Booking: www.myspace.com/strokersatl 770-270-0350 Website: www.strokersclub.com Photographer: Sean Cokes 404-622-7733 Make-Up Artist: Mike Mike 678-732-5285 Hair Stylist: Baby Boy 404-396-2739

30 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): & Rob G @ Reliant Arena for the 93.3 car show in Houston, TX (Photo: Knowledge); Play & Skillz, Slim Thug, & Tum Tum @ Play N Skillz All Star weekend in Dal- las, TX (Photo: Gina Torres); Hurricane Chris & Bay Bay on the set of “Jigga Juice” in Baton Rouge, LA (Photo: King Yella)

01 // Malik Abdul & Ms Dynasty @ Club Christopher’s for Young Cash’s birthday bash (Jacksonville, FL) 02 // Gu, Kiotti, & Paul Wall @ Bar Rio for JB’s birthday bash (Houston, TX) 03 // Model Monica C. & @ the NV Lounge (New Orleans, LA) 04 // Lil Josh, Big Teach, Hurricane Chris, & Ernest on the set of “Jigga Juice” (Baton Rouge, LA) 05 // DJ Bomb Shell Boogie & DJ Ro @ Dizzy’s video shoot (New Orleans, LA) 06 // Poppy & Unique of the Grit Boys & Young B @ Reliant Arena for the 93.3 car show (Houston, TX) 07 // DJ Drama & Trae @ Reliant Arena for the 93.3 car show (Houston, TX) 08 // Jas Prince, Slim, J Prince, Trae, & Baby @ Arena Theater for Lil Wayne’s concert (Houston, TX) 09 // Kisha Smith & Webbie @ Rhythm City for JB’s birthday bash (Dallas, TX) 10 // Flo Rida & DJ Christion @ Club Skye (Tampa, FL) 11 // BloodRaw, Lex, DJ Rhymer, & DJ Cutterman @ 94.3 (Miami, FL) 12 // Slim Thug & PJ on the set of the Boss Hogg Outlawz “Keep It Playa” video shoot (Houston, TX) 13 // Tank, J Tweezy, & Dirty on the set of “Jigga Juice” (Baton Rouge, LA) 14 // Snook da Rokkstarr & Collard Greens @ Club Hypnotik (Florence, SC) 15 // Young B & Steve Chavez @ Reliant Arena for the 93.3 car show (Houston, TX) 16 // , KJ, & Famous @ the Galleria’s Louis Vuitton store for Bun B’s private album release party (Houston, TX) 17 // DJ Wop, Mannie Fresh & Grand Hussle’s Street Team (New Orleans, LA) 18 // DJ Princess Cut & DJ Ben @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 19 // Todd Moscowitz & Lil Boosie on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin’” (Brooklyn, NY) 20 // DJ Oakcliff & Aztek on the set of Bun B’s “You’re Everything” (Houston, TX)

Photo Credits: Edward Hall (18); Julia Beverly (09,14,19); King Yella (04,13); Knowledge (02,06,07,08,12,15,16,20); Lex (11); Luis Santana (10); Marcus DeWayne (03,05,17); Terrence Tyson (01)

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 31 31 DAVID BANNER & JESSE JACKSON

David Banner: Did U buy my album yet, nigga? Jesse Jackson: Damn, my nigga! Your album came out? When did it drop? David Banner: U know my shit came out July 15th, 2008. Jesse Jackson: I thought that shit came out last year? David Banner: Nah, muthafucka. My shit came out July 15th, 2008. Jesse Jackson: I hope your album is as good as Lil Wayne’s shit. That shit was jammin’!

David Banner: My shit is better than Tha Carter III. It’s the greatest story ever told, nigga.

Jesse Jackson: How many songs u got Lil Wayne on? David Banner: He’s on there twice, but he’s on everybody’s shit twice. But my shit is better than Tha Carter III, better than Ready To Die, better than Illmatic, better than All Eyez On Me, better than Thriller, better than James Brown’s Greatest Hits. Better than all those bitch ass niggas’ albums.

Jesse Jackson: I might check it out as long as that bitch ass nigga, Nas, ain’t on there. I don’t fuck wit’ that nigga.

David Banner: What! U don’t like Nas? That nigga is almost as good as me. OZONE EXCLUSIVE Jesse Jackson: Nah, I’ll cut that nigga’s nuts off. How that nigga gonna call his album Nigger? Textin’ is no longer safe now that OZONE’s dangerous minds have hacked the system. David Banner: I don’t know. But fuck that nigga’s album. We’re talking about the Greatest Story Ever Told.

Jesse Jackson: How is your album selling? David Banner: It could be better. But these bitch ass niggas ain’t support- ing real music.

Jesse Jackson: Well, U know I downloaded that shit on the internet. But I’ll go buy it since Lil Wayne’s on there. Keep hope alive, my nigga.

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

3232 //// OZONEOZONE MAGMAG (above L-R): Paul Wall & TV Johnny @ Bar Rio for JB’s birthday bash in Houston, TX; Akon, DJ Khaled, & on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin’” in Brooklyn, NY; David Ban- ner & Bun B @ Reliant Arena for Party 93.3’s car show in Houston, TX (Photos: Julia Beverly)

01 // Dorian Forbes, Shawty Lo, Smack, & Shawty on the set of Shawty Lo’s “Foolish” remix video shoot (Miami, FL) 02 // Sean Kingston & guest on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin’” (Brooklyn, NY) 03 // Aztek & guest @ Arena Theater for Lil Wayne’s concert (Houston, TX) 04 // Queen, Ashlei, & Breneshia @ the Galleria’s Louis Vuitton store for Bun B’s private album release party (Houston, TX) 05 // DJ Hi-C & Lil Keith @ Venue (Houston, TX) 06 // Tum Tum, Play & Skillz, & Slim Thug @ Purgatory for Play & Skillz’ Summer Jam after- party (Dallas, TX) 07 // Rick Ross & Red Cafe on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin’” (Brooklyn, NY) 08 // Lil Josh, Gloria Velez, & Ernest on the set of “Jigga Juice” (Baton Rouge, LA) 09 // Guest & Pacman @ Nokia Theatre for K104 Summer Jam (Dallas, TX) 10 // Clip D & Troublesum on the set of “Nothin’ To A Boss” video shoot (Houston, TX) 11 // Slim Thug, DJ Chill, & Rob G on the set of “Nothin’ To A Boss” video shoot (Houston, TX) 12 // Unk & DJ Demp @ Phillips Arena for Hot 107 Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 13 // JC, Freddy B, & Serious (Nashville, TN) 14 // DJ Chill & DJ Ryno @ Trae & Z-Ro’s listening party (Houston, TX) 15 // DJ Princess Cut & Big Chief @ Rhythm City for JB’s birthday bash (Dallas, TX) 16 // Bigg DM & Janiro Hawkins (Nashville, TN) 17 // & Kardinal Offishal @ Summerfest 2008 (Miami, FL) 18 // Play & Lil Twist @ Play N Skillz All Star weekend (Dallas, TX) 19 // Breezy & Ivory Orr @ 4th of July party (Jacksonville, FL)

Photo Credits: Edward Hall (15); Gina Torres (18); J Lash (01,17); Janiro Hawkins (13,16); Julia Beverly (02,06,07,09); King Yella (08); Knowledge (03,04,05,10,11,14); Terrence Tyson (12,19)

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 33 33 UP TERRENCE TYSON LUIS SANTANA tatted tatted TERRENCE TYSON D-RAY D-RAY

34 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Dwayne Wade & his mother @ Zo’s Summer Groove in Miami, FL (Photo: J Lash); J-Que, Rocko, & Trae @ Trae & Z-Ro’s listening party in Houston, TX (Photo: Knowledge); DJ Khaled & Shawty Lo on the set of Shawty Lo’s “Foolish” remix video shoot in Miami, FL (Photo: J Lash)

01 // , DJ Infamous, & DJ Holiday @ Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 02 // The Dream & Q93’s PD Derrick Corbet @ Q93 (New Orleans, LA) 03 // DJ Fahrenheit, DJ Demp, & Pastor Troy @ Phillips Arena for Hot 107 Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 04 // DJ Nasty, Plies, & Ricky P @ 102 Jamz (Orlando, FL) 05 // Brandii & Teka @ Whispers for Pat Nix birthday bash (Orlando, FL) 06 // Pitbull & TV Johnny @ Bar Rio for JB’s birthday bash (Houston, TX) 07 // Big Boy, David Banner, & guests @ Reliant Arena for the 93.3 car show (Houston, TX) 08 // CRUNK!!! CEO Tom Mahlke & @ Studio 72 (Atlanta, GA) 09 // Mannie Fresh & his sister Trina @ Dizzy’s video shoot (New Orleans, LA) 10 // Rico, Hawatha Herd, & Damm D @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 11 // Wendy Day & Trai’D @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 12 // DJ Chill, Chris Johnson, TJ Chapman, & Bone on the set of Bun B’s “You’re Everything” (Houston, TX) 13 // Young Selah @ SeaBreeze for Terrence Tyson’s birthday bash (Jacksonville, FL) 14 // Clay Evans & Big Oomp @ Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 15 // James Prince Jr, TOE, & DJ B-Do @ Belvedere (Houston, TX) 16 // G Mack, Marlei Mar, Khadijah, & DJ Drizzle @ Esso for ATL Record Pool (Atlanta, GA) 17 // Aztek & Bone on the set of “You’re Everything” (Houston, TX) 18 // Slim Thug & TJ Chapman @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 19 // Mr Lee, Cindy Hill, & Charles Chavez on the set of the Boss Hogg Outlawz “Keep It Playa” video shoot (Houston, TX)

Photo Credits: Ben Rose (08); D’Lyte (11); Edward Hall (10); Julia Beverly (01,06,14,17,18); Knowledge (07,12,15,19); Marcus DeWayne (02,09); Ms Rivercity (16); Terrence Tyson (03,04,05,13) D-RAY

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 35 35 DJ Sam Sneak

Hometown: North Miami, FL Website: www.myspace.com/djsamsneak Radio: Streetfm.com Poe Boy Radio Mixtape Series: Kicks DJ Affiliate: Jam Squad Clubs: Take One Lounge (Miami, FL) 3 Songs In Current Rotation: Rick Ross “Here I Am,” Ballgreezy F/ Brisco “I’m Da Shit,” Billy Blue “Ball Like a Dog”

Rick Ross’ tour DJ tells us what its like to hustle, hustle, real hard with the Boss and why vibe music is the new sound to listen out for from the 305.

“I’ve been down with Ross , way before ‘Hustlin’ even jumped off. I always seen him out, like, ‘What’s up, how you doing,’ and checking up on him and stuff like that. When ‘Hustlin’ came out, I was DJing at Diamonds and I hadn’t seen him in a minute. I was blowing the record up, playing it like eight times a night. I called him one day and he was like, ‘What’s up, man. I’ve been looking for you. I need to get you that record.’ I was like, ‘I’ve been at Diamonds playing it.’ He said, ‘Oh, that’s you? They’ve been telling me about you.’ It was all love and we just kept in contact from there. I would always make sure he was good. Triple Cs, Poe Boy, there was always that love.

The average day for me, with [Ross]…I go to the studio, make sure DJs get their drops, making sure he hears beats, make sure freestyles are bumpin’, make sure features are ready for him. I used to sleep til 12, 1 in the afternoon. I don’t sleep like that anymore. I sleep maybe four hours [a night]. It’s different now. But I still go to the hood. I still check out the hood clubs. They show more love than anything. They wanna see you be successful. There’s haters everywhere you go, but there’s also love where you’re at too.

We just came back from Europe. I’ve been to Amsterdam, Paris, France, Norway, Germany, all different places and they love him. I don’t think you understand. They love Ross, they love Khaled, they love Triple Cs, Brisco. Everything we threw to them, they love it. It’s like another world over there. It opened my eyes.

In the Miami scene, I’ve come across a lot of local artists like The Dunk Ryders, Ballgreezy, Under Surveillance, Bizzle, Brisco, and Billy Blue. There’s a lot of artists that I’ve had a touch in their projects, helping them, promoting them and making them big. Jam Squad, that’s what we do. We’ve promoted a lot of independent artists.

I don’t know if you heard of what we got out here called ‘vibin’ music.’ Ballgreezy did his thing on it, Under Surveillance, you got on that Bizzle, you just be vibin’. That’s that Miami vibe music. Y’all gotta lookout for that. You know how Atlanta got their snap music, L.A. got their crump music? Well, we got the vibe music, where we’re vibin’, shakin’ and rollin’, be in the club chillin’, jookin’ and all that stuff. You can go to any club in Miami and I can guarantee you they’ll play a vibin’ song. Everybody got a vibin’ song, where you can just vibe to it.

The Miami movement is all the local artists that’s down with the movement and that’s down with supporting one another. What I’m working on is just helping local artists get out. That’s what I’m all about. I just want local artists to get out there and make things happen. Just make sure Miami just keeps doing what we’re doing.”

As told to Randy Roper

36 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Tracy McGrady, Trae, & J Prince @ Arena Theater for Lil Wayne’s concert in Houston, TX (Photo: Knowledge); Midget Mac & Lil Scrappy @ JW Marriott in Houston, TX (Photos: Knowledge); TI & David Banner @ Reliant Arena for Party 93.3’s car show in Houston, TX (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // Sho, DJ Drop, & Nick the Next One @ Rhythm City for JB’s birthday bash (Dallas, TX) 02 // Ms Rivercity & Grand Prix @ 4th of July party (Jacksonville, FL) 03 // Maricia Magana & Candy Girl @ Pashaa Ultar Lounge for Maricia’s birthday party (Houston, TX) 04 // DJ Drama & Get Cool @ Bar Rio for JB’s birthday bash (Houston, TX) 05 // DJ Black N Mild, Tony Neal, & Juggie @ Club Ampersand for the Apple Bottom model search (New Orleans, LA) 06 // Play & Skillz @ SF2 (Houston, TX) 07 // Kenyon Martin & Trina @ Zo’s Summer Groove (Miami, FL) 08 // DJ Strong, Shawty Lo, DJ Khaled, The Runners, & DJ Nasty on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin’” (Brooklyn, NY) 09 // Ace Hood, Dorian Forbes, & Pitbull on the set of Shawty Lo’s “Foolish” remix video shoot (Miami, FL) 10 // James McMillan & Big Chief @ Rhythm City for JB’s birthday bash (Dallas, TX) 11 // Camar, Bizzle, & Shonie @ Club Element (Miami, FL) 12 // Rob G & Famous @ the Galleria’s Louis Vuitton store for Bun B’s private album release party (Houston, TX) 13 // Willie Fisher & Sytonnia @ Whispers for Pat Nix birth- day bash (Orlando, FL) 14 // Steve Nice, Bay Bay, & Skip Cheatham @ Nokia Theatre for K104 Summer Jam (Dallas, TX) 15 // Lil Hen, Young Cash, & Midget Mac @ Club Christopher’s for Young Cash’s birthday bash (Jacksonville, FL) 16 // BloodRaw & Lex @ LPMG offices (Miami, FL) 17 // Randy Roper & DJ B-Lord @ Club Hypnotik (Florence, SC) 18 // Rick Ross & guest on the set of Bun B’s “You’re Everything” (Houston, TX) 19 // Fat Joe & DJ Nasty on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin’” (Brooklyn, NY)

Photo Credits: Edward Hall (01); J Lash (07,09); Julia Beverly (04,08,10,14,17,19); Knowledge (03,06,12,18); Lex (11,16); Marcus DeWayne (05); Terrence Tyson (02,13,15)

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 37 37 38 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): DJ Khaled & Plies @ Brandsmart for Plies’ in-store signing in Miami, FL (Photo: J Lash); Play & Skillz & Mannie Fresh @ Purgatory for Play N Skillz All Star weekend in Dal- las, TX (Photo: Mark Dallas); Webbie & Flo Rida @ The Venue in New Orleans, LA (Photo: Marcus DeWayne)

01 // Killa Kyleon & Goldenchild on the set of “Riding With No Ceiling” (Houston, TX) 02 // Tum Tum, Slim Thug, & guest @ Purgatory for Play & Skillz’ Summer Jam afterparty (Dallas, TX) 03 // Hezeleo & Boomtown on the set of Bun B’s “You’re Everything” (Houston, TX) 04 // Lil O, 9th Ward, & DJ Smiley @ Rhythm City (Dallas, TX) 05 // Dwayne Wade & Dorell Wright @ Zo’s Summer Groove (Miami, FL) 06 // Big Du & 8Ball & MJG @ Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 07 // Bun B & DJ Drama @ Bar Rio for JB’s birthday bash (Houston, TX) 08 // DJ Christion & Pitbull @ Club Skye (Tampa, FL) 09 // John the Baptist reppin’ OZONE @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 10 // Bay Bay & Gloria Velez on the set of “Jigga Juice” (Baton Rouge, LA) 11 // Michael Watts & G Dash @ Reliant Arena for Party 93.3’s car show (Houston, TX) 12 // Rick Edwards, Mercedes, & Roccett @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 13 // Definition DJs @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 14 // Tony Yayo & Blaze @ 93.3 (Houston, TX) 15 // Young City & Christina Clark @ Whispers for Pat Nix birthday bash (Orlando, FL) 16 // DJ Infamous & Sam Sneak on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin’” (Brooklyn, NY) 17 // OG Ron C, Slim Thug, & Gu @ Reliant Arena for Party 93.3’s car show (Houston, TX) 18 // Teniesha, Flo Rida, Baby Boy, & Mekele @ The Venue (New Orleans, LA) 19 // Bizzle & DJ Quest @ 4th of July party (Jacksonville, FL) 20 // DJ Raj Smoove & Show @ Dizzy’s video shoot (New Orleans, LA)

Photo Credits: Edward Hall (04,12); J Lash (05); Julia Beverly (02,06,07,09,11,16,17); King Yella (10); Knowledge (01,03,14); Luis Santana (08); Marcus DeWayne (18,20); Terrence Tyson (15,19); Tre Dubb (13)

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 3 399 Patiently Waiting

he popularity of DJ Khaled’s “I’m So Hood” is a perfect example believe that a nigga could make it.” of hood life glorification in today’s rap music. But as many spend their lives in search of a hood pass, those who dwell in the ghettos Now, with The Runners producing for everyone from T.I. and Rick Ross to of urban America are constantly seeking a way out. McClyndon Chris Brown and R. Kelly, and helping craft the new sound of Florida’s current T“Bali” Randolph thought he found an exit. The Fort Pierce, FL, native enrolled movement, Bali is comfortably positioned as the first artist on their Runners at Indian River Community College and joined the school’s basketball team. Music Group imprint. After a year and a half, hoop dreams and college weren’t working out and Bali turned to the streets. The trap proved to be just that—a trap. Realizing “Bali’s different than most of these artists,” Dru Brett, other half of the Run- the dead-end road he was traveling, he decided to take his chances in the rap ners, cosigns. “He doesn’t talk about the same things over and over. You’re game. gonna be able to see he has something bigger than just rap music. It’s more political; it’s about something. It’s music that represents something bigger “I had too many niggas falling out in the street shit,” he recollects. “I was than the same old stuff everybody else is talking about.” like, ‘Damn, I gotta find my way out.’ I fucked around and stayed in the muth- afuckin’ studio.” Using the studio as his sanctuary paid off. After recording Bali’s currently working on his debut LP, Rebellion Music, an album where he a few tracks in 2002, Bali’s music ended up in the hands of Mayne Zane (one looks to send a message comparable to late reggae legend Bob Marley. “Bob half of the Orlando-based production team The Runners, who are responsible Marley [had an] album called Rebel Music. So, we came up with that idea, but for a slew of hits like Rick Ross’s breakthrough “Hustlin’”) and from there we’re going to bring it to these days and times. And [I’m] going to tell my things began taking off for Bali. story, the struggle, the gutter, my nigga. And give a good message to the people and try to change some lives of these young niggas.” “Me, Mayne and my whole click made about 20, 30 songs,” Bali says. “We shot them out in the streets and caught a buzz like never before. So, this made me Words by Randy Roper

40 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Trick Daddy & Young Jeezy on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin’” in Brooklyn, NY; Pitbull & Rob G @ Bar Rio for JB’s birthday bash in Houston, TX; David Banner & Trae @ Bar Rio for JB’s birthday bash in Houston, TX (Photos: Julia Beverly)

01 // Brittany, Trae , Block 2 Block model, Fat B, Punkin, & Big Tuck @ Waco Car Show (Waco, TX) 02 // Dr Teeth & Slim of 112 @ Venue (Houston, TX) 03 // Guest, Princess, & P Brown @ Club Crucial for ATL Record Pool (Atlanta, GA) 04 // Meshah Hawkins & Dedra Davis @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 05 // C-Lo & Dolowite @ Hang Time (Nashville, TN) 06 // David Banner, Slim Thug, & Play & Skillz @ Reliant Arena for Party 93.3’s car show (Houston, TX) 07 // Keyshia Cole & Grand Hussle @ The Cricket Club (New Orleans, LA) 08 // Yung Joc, Oddz N Endz, Candice, & Shawty Lo on the set of Slim’s video shoot (Atlanta, GA) 09 // DJ Christion & Cool & Dre @ Club Skye (Tampa, FL) 10 // Smitty & Money Marc @ Belvedere (Houston, TX) 11 // Jeanise Chaplin & Malik Abdul @ Plumm for JB’s birthday bash (New York, NY) 12 // Grit Boys & Tum Tum on the set of the Grit Boys “Now Later Paint” video shoot (Houston, TX) 13 // Tezz & guest @ Nokia Theatre for K104 Summer Jam (Dallas, TX) 14 // Shakir Stewart & Shawn “Tubby” Holiday @ Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 15 // DJ Q45 & Ms Rivercity @ Templo Lounge (Miami, FL) 16 // OG Ron C, Killa Kyleon, & DJ Hi-C on the set of the Boss Hogg Outlawz “Keep It Playa” video shoot (Houston, TX) 17 // Rocko & Mami Chula @ Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 18 // T-Roy & his Bust It Babies @ CD Connection for Plies in-store album signing (Jacksonville, FL) 19 // Queen & Chamillionaire @ the Galleria’s Louis Vuitton store for Bun B’s private album release party (Houston, TX)

Photo Credits: Janiro Hawkins (05); Julia Beverly (04,06,11,13,14,17); Knowledge (02,10,12,16,19); Kurtis Graham (01); Luis Santana (09); Marcus DeWayne (07); Ms Rivercity (03); Ter- rence Tyson (15,18); Vinnet Bradshaw (08)

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 41 41 Patiently Waiting

hen you think about Texas rap, Dallas is probably not the city high school he’s pretty much been known as a beatmaker. After getting his that comes to mind. With Houston’s music scene as and first placement in 2004 on Big Tuck’s mixtape, he realized the game was wide vast as the state itself, Dallas constantly gets left out of the open. Alongside his production partner, Mr. Lee, he delivered all of the tracks equation. “I don’t think [people have] heard the Dallas sound for Swag School. Wbefore,” rapper/producer Fat Pimp admits. “But my solo project is putting the Dallas sound out to the world.” “Producing to me is an advantage because before I even create a beat, I try to hear how I would rap on the song,” he says. Even though he was making Calling south Dallas’ Oak Cliff home, Fat Pimp isn’t exaggerating about the tracks long before he started spitting, he was always quick to start a freestyle long reach his music has had so far. Although his Ball Hard Entertainment/ session any and everywhere. Soon, he found out that he had skills both on Warner Brothers solo debut Swag School is his first solid outing, radio didn’t the mic and behind the boards. A few years ago, when B.G. performed at TSU, hesitate to latch on to the extroverted rapper’s sound, especially “Get Money” where Fat Pimp was majoring in communications, he realized that and the up-tempo “Rack That.” was something he wanted to take seriously.

“My situation is different than most,” says the self-proclaimed class clown, Swag School, which features Texas vets Lil Keke, Bun B, and Paul Wall and Bay listing off DJs, promoters and radio stations who have supported him. “Those Area rapper Mistah FAB, among others, is a mixture of the classic Houston songs [being broke] at the same time is what helped us seal the deal with sound he grew up on, hooks, and Atlanta 808s. Fat Pimp says that Warner Brothers. That’s really unheard of for indie artists.” creative mixture is actually what defines Dallas’ sound.

So is not even having a solo mixtape. Although Fat Pimp has made appear- “The [album title] is what my music represents,” he says. “That what we do in ances on other rapper’s and label’s offerings, including the legendary Swisha Dallas. Everything we do, we gotta have swag with it.” House mixtapes, his solo debut will be exactly that. Making what he calls “feel good music,” Fat Pimp says that ever since he got his first keyboard in Jacinta Howard

42 // OZONE MAG Patiently Waiting

(above L-R): Baby & Lil Wayne @ Nokia Theatre for K104 Summer Jam in Dallas, TX (Photo: Julia Beverly); Lil Jon & Shawty Putt @ Studio 72 in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Ben Rose); DJ B-Do & Hezeleo on the set of “You’re Everything” in Houston, TX (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // 5 Star Entertainment, Bulletproof, & J Prince @ Arena Theater for Lil Wayne’s concert (Houston, TX) 02 // Bun B, Rob G, J Que, & Intl Red @ the Galleria’s Louis Vuitton store for Bun B’s private album release party (Houston, TX) 03 // DJ Black N Mild & Bonose TV @ Dizzy’s video shoot (New Orleans, LA) 04 // Raj Smoove & DJ Jigga JT @ the Pretty Nasty Nup- pe’s party (New Orleans, LA) 05 // J Mac & Queen’s Bunnies on the set of Bun B’s “You’re Everything” (Houston, TX) 06 // Black Jack & DJ Scream @ Esso for ATL Record Pool (Atlanta, GA) 07 // Shawty Lo & Shawty on the set of Shawty Lo’s “Foolish” remix video shoot (Miami, FL) 08 // Tony Neal & Gil Green on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin’” (Brooklyn, NY) 09 // DJ Scream & Don Cannon @ Phillips Arena for Hot 107.9’s birthday bash (Atlanta, GA) 10 // DJ Drama & DJ Khaled @ Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 11 // EZ, Rob G, & Hurricane Chris on the set of “Nothin’ To A Boss” video shoot (Houston, TX) 12 // T-Roy, Terrence Tyson, & DJ Q45 @ SeaBreeze for Terrence Tyson’s birthday bash (Jacksonville, FL) 13 // Big Ramp & Show @ Dizzy’s video shoot (New Orleans, LA) 14 // Black & Webbie @ Rhythm City for JB’s birthday bash (Dallas, TX) 15 // Mercedes Streets, Ms Rita, & Wendy Day @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 16 // Lil Josh, guest, Bay Bay, Diamond, guest, Hurricane Chris, & Ernest on the set of “Jigga Juice” (Baton Rouge, LA) 17 // Darius Miles, , & DJ Quinn @ Skybox (St Louis, MO) 18 // Lola Luv & DJ Demp @ Phillips Arena for Hot 107 Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 19 // Beelow & BK on the set of “Jigga Juice” (Baton Rouge, LA) 20 // Ashley Morton & Bigga Rankin @ 4th of July party (Jacksonville, FL)

Photo Credits: J Lash (07); Julia Beverly (08,10,14); King Yella (16,17,19); Knowledge (01,02,05,11); Marcus DeWayne (03,04,13); Ms Rivercity (06,09); Terrence Tyson (12,18,20); Tre Dubb (15)

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 43 43 Patiently Waiting

on’t tell Shawty Lo and Killer Mike, but Atlanta isn’t the only city Their current single “Fuck My Car” takes the classic UGK concept a bit further, that has two sides. In Memphis, on one side you have rap vets and has been heavy in the streets. Their upcoming fall debut Music, Power like Spanish Fly, , Tom Skeemask and Skinny Pimp. On and Respect features 8Ball and production work from another Memphis na- the other, there are new schoolers like Yo Gotti and Kia Shine. tive, super producer Carlos Broady. Due out on their own label, JAG Records DRap group JAG fits somewhere in the middle. Incorporated, they hope to reach all kinds of rap listeners. “We got the mob feel to [the album],” says Gee, referencing their track with 8Ball, “Young “We started out listening to Three 6 [Mafia], Spanish Fly, Playa Fly, and Skinny Pimpin” and “Trap Walk” which was produced by DJ Montay and features Unk. Pimp that laid the ground for us doing music,” says one third of the group, “It has a lot of different styles of music. We’re the next big rap group to come Gee. “But now our sound is influenced by Yo Gotti and people like . out of the city. We do everything: producing, writing, and arranging.” We combine both aspects.” In fact, JAG says that their album will be a resume of sorts for people looking The theory has worked well for the three-man group so far. Group members to buy tracks or songs from them. But for now, they’re intent on making sure Gee and West handle production duties, while Wiz raps, though all three are that they are the next big group to come out of Memphis. With their album quick to clarify that they are multi-talented. Growing up in south Memphis, due out this fall, and their new mixtape JAG Mob already making rounds in they damn near had to be. the streets, JAG is infinitely focused.

“Memphis has a way richer sound that goes back to Stax [Records],” Gee says. “Everybody [in the group] writes, produces and arranges,” says West. “Every- “We grew up listen to a lot of the old pimpin’ [music] like Al Green and David body does their part to complete the puzzle. We’re trying to be the next big act Ruffin. I feel like we have an advantage over people that come from other to come out of Memphis, the number one indie rap label. We do everything.” cities because so many people come from Memphis. That old [soul] music helped us develop a strong background in music.” By Jacinta Howard

44 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Shawty Lo @ Phillips Arena for Hot 107.9’s birthday bash in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Ms Rivercity); David Banner on the set of Bun B’s “You’re Everything” in Houston, TX (Photo: Knowledge); Webbie @ The Venue in New Orleans, LA (Photo: Marcus DeWayne) Patiently Waiting

01 // Rocko & Trae @ The Beat car show (Dallas, TX) 02 // Pitbull @ Club Skye (Tampa, FL) 03 // Paul Wall reading OZONE @ Hot 95.7 (Houston, TX) 04 // Inertia @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 05 // OG Ron C @ Bar Rio for JB’s birthday bash (Houston, TX) 06 // Mr French & Chamillionaire @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 07 // Julia Beverly & DJ Princess Cut @ Rhythm City for JB’s birthday bash (Dallas, TX) 08 // Trai’D & DJ Rage (Nashville, TN) 09 // Tony Yayo @ 93.3 (Houston, TX) 10 // The Dream @ Q93 (New Orleans, LA) 11 // DJ Bigg V & DJ Dynamite @ Club Millenium (Greenville, MS) 12 // Jason Geter & Ms Rivercity @ Phillips Arena for Hot 107 Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 13 // DJ Hella Yella @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 14 // Lil Will @ Phillips Arena for Hot 107.9’s birthday bash (Atlanta, GA) 15 // 8Ball & MJG on the set of Bun B’s “You’re Everything” (Houston, TX) 16 // Grand Prix @ Esso for ATL Record Pool (Atlanta, GA) 17 // First Lady, Mike Hee of Green City, & DJ Grip @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 18 // Foxx & DJ Rage (Nashville, TN) 19 // DJ Chill & Gio Melchiorre on the set of the Boss Hogg Outlawz “Keep It Playa” video shoot (Houston, TX) 20 // Melvin Foley & OZONE street team models Mekele & Teniesha @ The Venue (New Orleans, LA) 21 // Snook da Rokkstarr @ Club Hypnotik (Florence, SC) 22 // DJ Jubilee @ Dizzy’s video shoot (New Orleans, LA) 23 // & Bigg V (Mississippi) 24 // DJ B-Do on the set of Bun B’s “You’re Everything” (Houston, TX) 25 // DJ Ro & Sincere @ Club Ampersand for the Apple Bottom model search (New Orleans, LA) 26 // DJ C Natze & DJ Shizm @ Studio Inc for OZONE model search (Tampa, FL) 27 // DJ Q45, DJ GQ, & DJ Element @ Sobe Live (Miami, FL) 28 // Shawty Lo & Baby on the set of “Foolish” remix video shoot (Miami, FL) 29 // Black Bill Gates @ Phillips Arena for Hot 107.9’s birthday bash (Atlanta, GA) 30 // Ben Baller on the set of the Grit Boys “Now Later Paint” video shoot (Houston, TX) 31 // Corey Cleghorn & Cloud Models @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 32 // Trey Prince & Mike Mack @ Trae & Z-Ro’s listening party (Houston, TX) 33 // Young Spiff @ MTV Jams’ ATL Week filming (Atlanta, GA) 34 // RawLT @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 35 // Lil Ru @ Club Hypnotik (Florence, SC)

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

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 45 45 It’s a celebration whenever a young Hip Hop artist rises to mainstream prominence because stereotypically, they burn their fortune on gas-guzzling Escalades and oversized Jesus pieces that strain their necks.

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 right now, in Atlanta, they’re tearing down all the projects,” he says. “If I had Donald Trump bucks, I’d buy the hood and renovate it.”

The aspiring landlord hopes to make millions through slinging rhymes. In 2000, Yung LA was introduced to the art form when his aunt wrote him a verse –ong a verse before he O.J.would Da reciteJuice’s to ad-libs classmates made through his single his “Getting’ tenure in middle school. Money,”Eventually, a regional the budding club banger, rapper wrotethe rapper his own born bars, Otis and Williams displayed his talent atJr. club was eventsalready and living various up to neighborhoods the song’s title. in Atlanta, Georgia.

“IL gotWhile a jobthe inlocal the phenomenon7th grade because worked I decided with a handful I wanted of to small start independent having somelabels money in 2 in00 4my, the pocket,” partnership he recalls. was brief.“At about “I would 15 [years get sold old] dreams,” I quit he theexplains. job but was “People still doingweren’t my always thing keepingstrong. Then it real I gotwith into me. trouble They didn’t in think I school,had whatso I had it takes to start to take going it to thealternative next level. school. So I wentFrom throughthere I kind a lot just to of droppedget stable.” out because I thought it wasn’t really benefitting me. At the time I had to drive at least 45 minutes to go to school and I was riding aroundThat withincluded no license.” selling narcotics for five years just to have some sort of Though O.J. didn’t have the drive to stay in school, music steered him down a path leading away from destruction. In 2005, he introduced himself to the game with his first mixtape On The Come Up with DJ Burn One. Motivated by the little attention it received, Juice followed with two more mixtapes, O.J. Da Juiceman: Hood Classics hosted by DJ Dutty Laundry and the DJ Ace-assisted Juice World.

In the process O.J. has drafted an impressive collaboration resume over the last few years working with artists like Princess from Crime Mob, Fabo, , producer Shawty Redd, and Gucci Mane. However, O.J. claims that he didn’t hit payday until “Get- tin’ Money” found its way into clubs.

“That’s the main [song] I wanted to run with because when it hit the club, the response I get off that [was crazy],” says O.J. about the hit that’s grew from out of his Boul- dercrest neighborhood and into different parts of the country. “I got people hitting me from D.C., Baltimore, Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, Wisconsin. I’m like ‘Wow, that shit’s going crazy.’”

Unfortunately, things got even crazier earlier this year for the bubbling rap star. This past April reports surfaced saying that the Juiceman was shot eight times. Comparing his strength and ability to heal rapidly to X-Men comic character Wolverine, O.J. left the hospital and was back on the streets within a mat- ter of days. “I’m just glad that I’m living because a lot of people aren’t so lucky,” muses O.J. who now suffers from a chronically painful leg injury. “I got shot eight times and I’m still living.”

Picking up where he left off, O.J. has plans to drop a Gang- sta Grillz mixtape with DJ Drama while continuing to brand his own label, 32 Entertainment. In spite of his success taking a shot at him, O.J. doesn’t forsee a day where he’ll change who he is.

“I’m not a out-of-world superstar-type artist,” he insists. “I’m about keeping it real, keeping it 100. That’s all I know; that’s all I was brought up around. I’m not turning no faces on nobody. I like to play my part and that’s me.”

Ms Rivercity PatientlyWaiting 46 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Three 6 Mafia @ Sobe Live in Miami, FL (Photo: Malik Abdul); Plies reading OZONE @ 102 Jamz in Orlando, FL; The Game @ Phillips Arena for Hot 107 Birthday Bash in Atlanta, GA (Photos: Terrence Tyson)

01 // Flo Rida @ The Venue (New Orleans, LA) 02 // Drupy & Young Chance (Nashville, TN) 03 // DJ Raj Smoove & Dizzy @ Dizzy’s video shoot (New Orleans, LA) 04 // Nelly @ Hot 95.7 (Houston, TX) 05 // Partners N Crime @ Dizzy’s video shoot (New Orleans, LA) 06 // Pimp G & Webbie @ Club Money (Macon, GA) 07 // J Que @ the Galleria’s Louis Vuitton store for Bun B’s private album release party (Houston, TX) 08 // DJ Big Cheese & DJ E F Cuttin @ Dizzy’s video shoot (New Orleans, LA) 09 // Tonya Terelle, Aleshia Steele, & Ms Rita @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 10 // Jazze Pha @ Phillips Arena for Hot 107 Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 11 // DJ Holiday @ Esso for ATL Record Pool (Atlanta, GA) 12 // DJ Quinn @ Skybox (St Louis, MO) 13 // DJ Judgemental @ Patchwerk for BloodRaw’s listening party (Atlanta, GA) 14 // Hi-C & OG Ron C @ Trae & Z-Ro’s listening party (Houston, TX) 15 // Dizzy & models @ Dizzy’s video shoot (New Orleans, LA) 16 // J Boss & DJ Hi-C @ Trae & Z-Ro’s listening party (Houston, TX) 17 // DJ Chill & his son (Houston, TX) 18 // Joey Queens & Muggsy @ Dizzy’s video shoot (New Orleans, LA) 19 // Bay Bay on the set of “Jigga Juice” (Baton Rouge, LA) 20 // Spark Dawg & DJ Ammo @ The Beat 713 (Houston, TX) 21 // Goldenchild & Slim Thug on the set of the Grit Boys “Now Later Paint” video shoot (Houston, TX) 22 // Breneshia on the set of the Grit Boys “Now Later Paint” video shoot (Houston, TX) 23 // Trini & Paco @ The Beat car show (Dallas, TX) 24 // Tony Neal & KJ Hines @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 25 // Big Chief @ Nokia Theatre for K104 Summer Jam (Dallas, TX) 26 // @ 93.3 (Houston, TX) 27 // Sixx Mann & Young B @ Club ICP (Houston, TX) 28 // Randy Roper, Terrence Tyson, & Yancey Richardson @ Phillips Arena for Hot 107.9’s birthday bash (Atlanta, GA) 29 // Monika Olimpew, & Micha Porat @ Sobe Live (Miami, FL) 30 // Young B on the set of Bun B’s “You’re Everything” (Houston, TX) 31 // Krazy Yogi @ Club Voyage for Plies’ Myspace Secret Show (Orlando, FL) 32 // Mayor Ray Nagin @ the Essence Festival (New Orleans, LA) 33 // Lil Twist @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 34 // Lex @ 4th of July party (Jacksonville, FL) 35 // Rob G, Cristal Bubblin, & Crisco Kidd @ the Galleria’s Louis Vuitton store for Bun B’s private album release party (Houston, TX)

Photo Credits: Edward Hall (23,33); Janiro Hawkins (02); Julia Beverly (25); King Yella (12,19); Knowledge (04,07,14,16,20,21,22,26,27,30,35); Malik Abdul (17,29,32); Marcus DeWayne PatientlyWaiting (01,03,05,08,15,18); Ms Rivercity (11,13,28); Pimp G (06); Terrence Tyson (10,31,34); Tre Dubb (09,24) OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 47 47 resh off the set of his new label mate Bun B’s video shoot for his “Anybody can rap; all you’ve got to do is rap about what’s going on in your soon to be Southern anthem “You’re Everything,” Rap-A-Lot’s fresh- life,” says D, insisting that his music will be strictly for the hood rather than est face Damm D is soaking it all in. Only signed to the legendary trying to prove he’s the ultimate emcee. “I ain’t trying to be real lyrical and label for just one month, D is already standing alongside stars like all that, I’m just coming straight from the streets, straight from the hood. FDavid Banner, MJG and Rick Ross. Say what you will, but there are people who I don’t want to be compared to nobody. I just want [them] to say, ‘Damm D have been rapping their entire lives and can’t say they’ve met one of them. makes good music.’” Damn D is about to be on TV with them after just rapping four years. D got his start making music as a member of the NFL (an acronym for Never “It was my first time being in front of a camera and seeing [how] everything Forget the Lord/Love or Niggas For Life), a clique comprised of him and his got be organized,” says the shyly, as if he just realized what happened all friends. Frustrated with how things were going as a group, they decided that over again. “It was a real good experience.” recording solo songs would bring the results they wanted. The plan worked to perfection for Damm D as “Love Me” caught on instantly. Since his song “Love Me” impacted on Dallas radio earlier this summer, Damm D’s star power is rivaling that of the one that sits in the middle of Cowboys Hoping to follow in the footsteps of his chart-topping influences Young Jeezy stadium. Sampling a Pimp C line from his cameo on Gucci Mane’s “I Know Why” and Lil Wayne, D plans on pushing out 4 to 6 more singles before he drops a and pairing it with rhyme cadence similar to Slim Thug and ESG’s “Throw Ya mixtape or album. Hands Up,” Damn D has crafted a song keeping his city’s current win streak in the hit column alive. “I want people to know me as a person before I start doing mixtapes and CDs,” he says. “I’m down for the people, I’m doing it for people, and I’m doing Representing the Oak Cliff section of Dallas, D doesn’t remember growing up it all for Dallas.” with many role models. All he can recall are options limited to working a job, going to school or selling drugs. Music didn’t take a front seat in his life until Ms Rivercity he decided that neither one of those three avenues really interested him.

Patiently Waiting

48 // OZONE MAG Patiently Waiting

OZONE MAG // 49 50 // OZONE MAG Its been 11 years since MJG came out with a solo album. A lot has changed since then…but has he?

I’m MJG, the nigga with the versatile style // Check your calendar realize that I been here for awhile // When I was young I took the soul up out of rhythm and blues // When Hip Hop originated slowly paid my dues // And take my shoes, and try to walk a mile in my past // Without them salt shaker sheis- ters tryin to get in that ass // It’s been too long, you muthafuckers fittin’ to feel the South // Shut your mouth, no, shut your do’ you little freak ass hoe // I’m bout tired of all this damn East and West coast shit // Especially when other niggas tryin to work in this bitch // I paid my dues to the fullest, worked too god damn hard // For you to kill the industry and leave me out of a job // You niggaS train yourself, to maintain yourself // And now you playin with enough rope to actually hang your- self // But you don’t care, hell, you constantly fallin’ deep in the plot // Mesmerized from all the bitches and the money you got // You must of forgot they said that rap would never last ten years // And if you’re selfish to the fact, I’m tryin to have a career // Now listen here, what do we have, we got probable cause // To keep the pen on the paper and the glock in your drawers, nigga ---MJG, “Reason For Rhyme,” from the Reason For Rhyme soundtrack, 1997

hile a generation gap has been prevalent in capitalize on Hip Hop being a major outlet for black males society at large for the last decade, nowhere to make legal money and provide for their families. W does it make itself more known than in Hip Hop Fortunately, there are still artists like MJG around. music. Sure, NBA All-Star Chris Paul may be single-handedly redefining what it is tp be a point guard, but you can bet Since crawling onto the rap radar as a member of the iconic your bottom dollar that he’ll give props to Isiah Thomas and duo 8Ball & MJG in the early 1990s, MJG Oscar Robinson when given the chance. When has become of the most respected artists of his time. His won an Oscar, he made sure to mention how Sidney Portier trademark flows and distinct voice is one that will make opened doors for him to walk through. But sometimes, in you sit through an entire song from an artist you may not Hip Hop, we don’t offer the same courtesy. even like, just to get to his cameo appearance.

Rappers who paved the way for others often wind up get- After starting off playing second fiddle to 8Ball’s domi- ting looked at as “old” by the new school. These are the nating vocal and physical presence, MJG emerged in the same artists who fought for our chance to escape censor- mid-to-late 90s as one of the fiercest emcees on the mic. ship, land movie roles, get sponsorships and continue to His 1997 solo effort No More Glory proved that he could find new ways to generate income and increase Hip Hop’s hold down an entire album by himself. Two years later, ads value. The disrespect has become evident, with new artists for a follow-up popped up in various magazines and got bumbling well-known lyrics at tribute shows and other rap- mentioned in a couple interviews, but with Ball & G’s status pers making YouTube videos ridiculing those who paved the on their former label home Suave House records flailing, way for them. the proposed project never saw light of day.

In all fairness, many of the veterans are guilty of look- Now, after pit stops with JCOR and Bad Boy records, MJG is ing down at their younger counterparts as well. When they back on the solo trail promoting his new solo effort This aren’t discrediting their right of artistic expression or their Might Be the Day. Today, the trail starts in familiar sur- direct connection to their ability, they scoff at their ability to roundings…

OZONE MAG // 51 Where are you right now? Are you on the road it was a secret because I knew we had heat here What does it take to be considered the working? all the time, so of course I’m going to feel that greatest? Is it coming out with seven I’m in Memphis. I’ve been back and forth between way because I was born and raised in the South. group albums in a career that spans here and Atlanta. I’m working a lot in the studio; Nowadays the spotlight is on the South, which is working on future up-and-coming projects and cool too. But at the same time, now all eyes are over 15 years? Is it having an entire stuff like that. on you and you’ve got to outdo what you thought generation of people able to recite more you could do. Everybody’s watching now. When than 10 of your rhymes on the spot Go ahead and tell us a little about this new solo it was a secret you could maybe get away with a when asked? Is it having random people project that you’re about to come out with. stumble or a trip, but now you know that with all It’s called This Might Be The Day. I’m really say- eyes on you, you’ve got to almost be perfect. come up to you in the club saying your ing that this might be the day I’m about to drop music defined a part of their life? Or is something fresh, new and hot in Hip Hop. I’ve al- How have you welcomed that challenge? it being able to capture a point in time ways been known from 8Ball & MJG. It’s not noth- We just kept doing us. We just felt like if you can with every word you jot down, or every ing brand new in that sense but it’s just something appeal to a certain fan base then you should be thought you express? new from MJG. I’ve been doing a lot features with able to work pretty much anywhere. We just did it, 8Ball & MJG stuff, so, this might be the day right man. I know it sounds kind of simple, but it really here. That’s how the title came. It’s a joint venture was just hard work, man. It was just how it was Back in 1993 I went nationwide, I’m get- with MJG Music, Grown Folk Music and 404 Music. and when it got rough, instead of backing out and tin’ tired // of playing the underdog I like the direction Hip Hop is going in right now running away from the challenge, we just dug in while most of the other artists for and everybody’s expressing themselves in a whole deeper. That’s how we faced the challenge. We bunch of different ways. I feel like this is a good were just worried about doing us. We weren’t get- freeeee // stuff I have seen in a industry time for me to give them a little more MJG. ting off into the negative stuff. No name-calling that finish other people but it ain’t gone and talking shit. finish me // you got them one hitter What do you like about the direction that Hip Hop quitters, flowin’ with the main strain // is going right now? It’s rare to hear an OG in the For the longest, and even now, we hear backhand- your next hitter quitter, sounding like game say that because a lot of cats are always ed complements saying that “MJG is the dopest…in complaining about how young cats are messing the South.” Or “MJG is dope…for a Southern rap- the same thang // a plain shame, I be it up. per.” How do you feel when you hear that? Do you dropping them hits when you least ex- I like that it is open now for different types of take it as a compliment? pect it // and all the group stuck in the styles and how people can express themselves. I A lot of it is egos. The compliments are true but trends they get ejected // with the quick- can’t expect for a young man now to do the same the intentions are for another reason. A lot of thing that I did when I was his age. I had to do times people give you compliments to make ness, this has happened to many I’ve been what made sense to me. It would be real biased of themselves look good or to be political Sometimes a witness // at one time it bumped, but me to say that I don’t like [some of the new kids]. they feel it’s the right time or the right place to now you wonder what is it? // it’s that My game plan might not necessarily work for give you a compliment. One of the main reasons breakbeat, the one that he use the one the next man and vice versa. How can you knock I’m doing this album now is because I feel like I’m that they use // the one that she use, one success? I can’t knock success. I can’t be mad at pretty much the coldest in the game right now. this man if he’s feeding his family, if he’s eating, if No disrespect to anybody but I don’t think no one of them things that’s been abused // by he’s doing things that he can make an investment can hold me right now, young or old. I don’t think a few mo’ you feel me, you know? // or with, doing things and go places that he’s never their creativity level is there. It’s good but I think else you toO slow, up here like you all been before, you know? That’s real life. How can mine is better. that or somethin’ // like maaan forget a you stop that? How can you knock the hustle? How do you feel about the current creativity level new flow, now you know // I’m MJG I tell You’ve been able to see rappers go from just having in Hip Hop right now? As a fan, it just seems that the other side of the story // for those record deals to now making millions and touring the everybody is caught up in who puts out the most who don’t hear me No More Glory world and doing movies and all that stuff. How much instead of the best. -MJG, “No More Glory,” from 1997’s No of a role do you think you played in opening up I like the boy T-Pain, it’s like everything he More Glory those doors for people? touches turns gold. You’ve got to remember at the I’ve played a hell of a role. I believe in this Hip same time, while they’re using the man like that, How has it been working solo again? And if you Hop engine, I’m like the battery. I’m like the mo- it’s not them who making those hits. You’ve got to can compare to how it was when you were work- tor; you can’t run without it. I think I play a big respect T-Pain because that man is making those ing on No More Glory, please do. role because at the time [8Ball & MJG] came along hits and without him on a lot of these songs those Working solo to me is like, really fun. I’m always the South wasn’t hot like it is now. The spotlight songs wouldn’t have been hits. Boys don’t like to doing stuff, I’m always in the studio. You know I wasn’t on the South like it is now. Everybody give credit like that where credit is due. I know if produce and write, so I stay in the studio a lot. So was talking about the South but wasn’t nobody T-Pain got on one of my songs it’s gonna make me working solo is kind of like a normal thing to talking about Memphis as far as rap. We just kept it 400% more than what it could’ve been without me and its really the same process I use when I’m grinding and doing our thing. It wasn’t no hatred him. He’s hot right now. He’s always been hot doing the 8ball & MJG stuff. But as far as compar- on another coast or another area or nothing like like that but folks just figured it out. You have to ing it to No More Glory I would say it’s really no that, we just did us. That’s why if the sound was give credit where credit is due. This game is really comparison because they’re really both on their on the East coast or West coast, it didn’t matter. just like the NBA or baseball or anything. You’ve own, but I still try to make sure that the content It’s a genuine love for what you do. You shouldn’t got a whole bunch of players, and everybody’s is something you can understand. I’m just trying let none of that cloud it because we came into the good, but there’s only a few that play and I’m one to stick to what makes sense and shit like that. I game when eyes weren’t on the South like that. We of those. It’s only a few who can sell a million guess in that sense they would be the same but definitely played a major part in making Hip Hop records. You can come out with all the all the bling they’re really two totally different projects. and rap music more appealing to the masses. and have a hit for a summer or two but that does not make you one of the greatest. I’m not trying How did the decisions come about to do solo It’s ironic that you said “the masses” because a lot to be cocky or arrogant, but that’s true, it’s only albums? of your fans have been down since day one when a few greats. When Michael Jordan was playing it We were just trying to stay fresh. We already had like you said, no one was really checking for the wasn’t ten Michael Jordan’s in the league at the done a few group albums so we were just trying to South. As both a rapper and a fan, did you enjoy same time and a lot of these cats, you know they break off and do a little solo thing, a album and being a part of this Southern movement more come out, they sell a lot of records, they make a make a little extra change. It really wasn’t a long before it became a phenomenon, or have you lot of quick money and that don’t make you the drawn out plan. We just came to a point where we enjoyed it more since it became the popular thing? greatest though. decided to do solo projects. I guess you’ve got to have a little bit of both to make it all work. I like it both ways. I liked when What was your mindstate when you made the album

52 // OZONE MAG where the cover art is a burning Confederate flag? with different producers and what not and I no- as a solo lyricist? Because early on, when a 8Ball You spoke about a few things that were political ticed you’re working with different people on this & MJG project would drop, people would just say, but the rest was just straight up real life shit. What one as well. Does it ever bother you when your “That new 8Ball is tight.” It seems like people were you going through at that time that resulted fans still expect everything to be like a T-Mix beat didn’t start saying the whole group’s name until in that kind of music? from the Suave days? On Top Of the World came out. At the time, it was pretty much the same ol’ young From a fan’s perspective, I would like all my I say around 2000. Even if it might have been nigga shit. I wasn’t really political or nothing like favorite groups to still be together and use the before then, I’m just saying that’s how I felt. that. We were having a debate about the flags in same beats. But in reality and especially from Georgia. I probably was looking at it in the news, the industry side, you know that doesn’t happen Really? What was going on in 2000 that makes you you know I’m a news head, I stay up on the Head- because different people choose different paths really think you started coming into more of your line News and CNN. It was a lot of politics on that at different times. This producer or this artist own? stuff. It was just one of those things that crossed go different ways or try something different or I really summed up everything I did through the my mind; it really wasn’t nothing. maybe they feel they can make more money. It’s 90’s. I really calculated everything that I had done just impossible. Yeah, you get those rare groups through production, to writing, to how I record That said, do you think that music should be ex- sometimes that’s all the way down through time, and everything. I tried to take what I had learned pected to reflect what’s going on right now, espe- even back in the Temptations days. You get those and polish it to make it even better. You know I cially in times like these? I know a lot of people say rare groups sometimes who were lucky enough had to go back and reevaluate who I had become that music is supposed to be entertaining and they to work with the same producer for their whole and how I could take this image and sound and don’t have to talk about what’s going on, but... career, but it’s different reasons for that type of the way I speak and flow to another level. That I think that it always will. Because it’s so many stuff. You understand that people bond like that. was evaluation time. I looked back on the stuff people doing music, I don’t think it should be Me and 8Ball have been together for so long that I made and tried to analyze them. On each anybody’s obligation to make sure that their music because we’re friends. We’re real genuine friends; one, I had to be like, “What did I do on this one? reflects [politics]. I don’t think most musicians we was friends first. A lot of these cats [in groups] How did I improve on this one? What did I learn pick up an instrument to change what’s going on were born and raised different places. They lived by doing this?” I tried to add it all up. Since then in the world. I just don’t believe it. It might [be- different type of lives; they got different types until now it’s been a whole new mission, straight come] that, but it’s not generally the reason that of personalities and they don’t know each other ahead, Space Age. I know there’s still more mis- you would start playing music. Everybody makes until they get with each other [as a rap group]. takes to be made but I feel like the ones as far as a collective effort to at least do something like You can’t expect for that to work forever. Some my rapping and my creativity that I already made, that. Sometimes that’s enough, but I don’t think might work and that’s just the reality of it. You I believe that I learned from those and helped me any artist or musician should even be pressured or don’t have bonds like Run DMC and Jam Master Jay create my shit better. feel like that because that’s not their skill; that’s because you know it ain’t like that no more. You not their job. That’s not what music is for. Music have to have this bond and something genuine to Most of your fans only know you through you mu- is a part of life. You got music at funerals, music really make it and stick together. sic since you came out at a time when fans weren’t at weddings, music when you fight, music when all up in their favorite rapper’s business. In a time you cry, there is music for all things. I don’t think As an artist, how was it adjusting to working with when artist virtually sell their lives, real or fake, I should pressure any other artist or look down new producers even dating back to the Space Age do you appreciate the fact that not a lot of people on any other artist because they’re just doing Forever album? know anything about your personal life? music for music and if that music happens to have For most of our career, overall we still have been I appreciate that shit and at the same time it’s a message in it, cool. I think that by the number in control of our production. Our first two or three about how you deal with it when people try to get of people doing music, overall, music will always projects I pretty much produced all of that myself in your business. People love you, but they have reflect the times because you have those type of and then from that point we worked with another respect you too. A lot fans don’t understand, but people that will always make those type of songs. producer; it was only through me. So still, it was it might be a time or a period or whatever that I But I don’t think it should a obligation because it’s just only me and him coming up with beats and just want to live my regular life. I might not want just not fair. There are people that have careers concepts and stuff and after that point, after to be a superstar like that. Sometimes, how the and jobs where that really is their obligation. They Suave, we did the independent thing and I pro- superstar comes off to people determines how get paid to do stuff like that. Let a recording artist duced half of the Space Age Forever album. When they will treat him back. Some people want to be be a recording artist. we went to Bad Boy, I didn’t really get no produc- the superstar that’s in the spotlight all the time, tion on that. I got on my writing craft because or you can be the superstar that’s not in the spot- Can you tell us some details about your album, the more I produced, I made hits. But I’m known light all the time. It’s really up to the superstar on like some of the producers you worked with, and as a writer and rapper so I can’t get into a pool which life he wants to pick or when he chooses to some of the content? of producers and start fighting with them. I had walk that road. I believe the cameras are appro- Our production was done by me and my produc- to focus on my writing because I know in the end priate for some things but not your whole life. tion team, EH Beats. We’re going to be doing a lot I still have creative control. There’s no use in me of stuff on my up and coming projects, the 8Ball bucking the system like, “Naw, I can produce too, As a grown man in this business do you sometimes & MJG project, and hopefully working with a lot man,” and throwing my ego around. It was already sit back and either laugh or just nod your head of other artists in the near future. I’ve got one umpteen producers trying to get their work in. We when you see artists, young and old, fighting for song called “You Can’t Get Rid of Me.” You can went that route but it was cool because we were face time? Putting more focus on being known for try all you want, but you can’t count me out. You basically kicking and pulling what we wanted and what they do and not being good at what they do? can say I ain’t good enough or you can say, “He’s still coming up with our own concepts. On this new Yeah, because it’s like, what do you want to do? been here too long,” but you can’t get rid of me. I solo joint, I tried to go back hands-on with the Do you want to be an actor or a musician? Do you got a joint with 8Ball called “What Would You Do” production as far as me and my team and just do want the music to put you in a position to be able that’s basically talking about what would happen it like that, because overall most of our albums to act sometimes because you’ve got these skills, if you busted in and your girl was with another are produced in-house. or do you want to be a musician who started out dude. I’ve got another one called “Gangster, to be a musician and the acting pays so good that Gangster” that’s real hot. It’s on some gangster, In making this solo CD, did you ever imagine now you only act? Me, I want to be a musician gangster shit. I got one with Slim from 112; man, yourself not only being around for this long but who’s known for being a musician, or an artist it’s hot. It’s like one of those summer joints that also being a solo artist? or rapper or whatever you want to call it. If I do everybody’s gonna be rolling to. Like I said, I can Yeah, I could kind of imagine. Really, that’s all a movie or two or three or four, I just want to be go on and on, man. I got you from the summer a nigga could do back then. (laughs) That was a known for being the musician who’s doing the joints to the gangster, gangster to the shit about part of a nigga making it this far. A nigga could movie, not the actor who used to be a musician the bitches. It’s all on there, man. I’m not saying imagine it, a nigga could see it, a nigga was trying who’s doing a movie. If I’m acting or playing I’m the greatest, I’m just saying I’m one of them. to bring that shit to life. The type of energy we ball or doing whatever, I’m still a musician and a were putting into this thing is what got us here. writer. That’s what got me in a position to be able In the last interview you had with us, we asked Because we could see this day then and we didn’t to do any of that other stuff and that’s what it’s you about the Bad Boy situation and if you were let nothing in between deter us. still all about. I’m not trying to take over another satisfied with the music coming out. You said you man’s profession. Other cats out there are gifted still had creative control but you just had to work When do you think you started to emerge more in their field just like I’m gifted at what I do.//

OZONE MAG // 53

(above L-R): 9th Ward @ Rhythm City in Dallas, TX (Photo: Edward Hall); BOB @ Phillips Arena for Hot 107 Birthday Bash in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Terrence Tyson); Lil Boosie & Yo Gotti in Memphis, TN (Photo: King Yella)

01 // Rick Ross on the set of DJ Khaled’s “Out Here Grindin” (Brooklyn, NY) 02 // Trae @ Reliant Arena for 93.3 car show (Houston, TX) 03 // Wendy Day @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 04 // Raheem @ the Pretty Nasty Nuppe’s party (New Orleans, LA) 05 // DJ Slim @ The Edge for OZONE party (Tallahassee, FL) 06 // G Mack @ Club Crucial for ATL Record Pool (Atlanta, GA) 07 // Guest, Kevin Weekes, & Yancey Richardson @ Phillips Arena for Hot 107 Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 08 // Skillz & Slim Thug @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 09 // Seventeen, TOE, & DJ B-Do on the set of Bun B’s “That’s Gangsta” (Port Arthur, TX) 10 // DJ Nasty & Ricky P @ 102 Jamz (Orlando, FL) 11 // Lindy @ Villa Fontana for G-Mack’s party with Bun B (Louisville, KY) 12 // Ms Rich & Famous @ SW Georgia Radio & Music Conference (Albany, GA) 13 // Lil Shine & Roccett @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 14 // Fiya @ TUMS (Dallas, TX) 15 // KJ Hines & Jawar @ SW Georgia Radio & Music Conference (Albany, GA) 16 // Tony reppin’ YV @ KYMP Awards (Louisville, KY) 17 // DJ EFX @ Gridiron (Houston, TX) 18 // Murphy Lee @ Skybox (St Louis, MO) 19 // DJ Jigga JT @ the Pretty Nasty Nuppe’s party (New Orleans, LA) 20 // DJ Ben, 1st Lady, Spark Dawg, Princess Cut, & guest @ Rhythm City for JB’s birthday bash (Dallas, TX) 21 // Kris Letlow @ SW Georgia Radio & Music Conference (Albany, GA) 22 // DJ Capone @ Club Tropix (Miramar, FL) 23 // Black Gloss Girls @ Onyx (Houston, TX) 24 // Big , Veda Loca, & Lloyd @ The Beat (Dallas, TX) 25 // Baby Bash @ Reliant Arena for Party 93.3’s car show (Houston, TX) 26 // Solo @ SW Georgia Radio & Music Conference (Albany, GA) 27 // Cristal Bubblin with her article @ the Galleria’s Louis Vuitton store for Bun B’s private album release party (Houston, TX) 28 // P Brown, DJ JudgeMental, & Chiq Diva @ Shonuff Studios (Atlanta, GA) 29 // Michelle Hunter & Kisha Smith @ Reliant Arena for the 93.3 car show (Houston, TX) 30 // DJ Judgemental @ SW Georgia Radio & Music Conference (Albany, GA) 31 // Speed Knot Mobstaz & Jesse James (St. Louis, MO) 32 // Kinfolk Thugz @ Rap-A-Lot Records (Houston, TX) 33 // Lavish models Yummy & Barbie (Houston, TX) 34 // Pimp G & T-Pain’s mother (Macon, GA) 35 // DJ Radio @ Midwest DJ & Music Conference (Cincinnati, OH)

Photo Credits: D’Lyte (13,24); Edward Hall (03,12,15,20,21,26,30); Johnny Louis (22); Julia Beverly (01,08,25); King Yella (18); Knowledge (02,09,17,27,29,32); Kurtis Graham (23); Malik Abdul (33); Marcus DeWayne (04,19); Ms Rivercity (06,28,35); Pimp G (34); Tammie White (31); Terrence Tyson (05,07,11); Tre Dubb (14)

OZONEOZONE MAG MAG // // 55 55 WORDS JULIA BEVERLY PHOTOS RAY TAMARRA

Thanks to a boneafide hit single, Ray J has gone full circle: from R&B star to porn star back to R&B star. But it isn’t all fun, games, and (rumored) Danity Kane three- somes. Brandi’s lil’ brother is seri- ous about his business. Who else is selling a million ringtones on an indie label?

56 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 57 I see you’ve been getting a lot of love across the country with your new album. Crazy! It’s a hundred times more than last time. I would say we’re elevating and we’re on a good roll.

What’s your ultimate goal in terms of where you want to be? Are you going in a lot of different directions, or just focusing on the music right now? I want to just keep my entrepreneur game on top, make sure I’m focused on music, the acting, the new reality show, and make sure I’m able to put my team and artists on.

What’s the reality show about? Is it just cameras following you around in your everyday life or is there a theme to it, like a Flavor Flav-style competition? I can’t really talk about the theme of the TV show until I ink the deal, but shout out to MTV and VH1. It’s a crazy concept. It’s some baller shit. It’s just heavy money and major contro- versy.

With the music industry being in a slump like it is now, do you think artists are forced to go differ- ent routes to get money outside of just selling records? It’s still money in selling records. I’m making money but I’m independent. That’s why I’m seeing the money I’m seeing. I would say for artists that’s on major labels, yeah, you’ve gotta make sure you have a few different hustles on the side to keep your bank account increasing.

You have a joint venture deal with Shaq’s label, right? Yeah, I’m signed to my label Knock Out. I partnered up with Shaq. His company is called Deja 34 and we got a distribution deal through Koch.

Do you think being with an independent is a better situation for you than being with a major label where you’ll get a lot of promotion but not as much money? Yeah, since I was able to come out with “One Wish” and give myself that much exposure and that much hype, I felt like I could do it again. I just needed a hungrier independent company and somebody that was already in the game as opposed to a new distribution company that’s never done it before. That’s what I was dealing with last time and we still broke the ice. This time around with Koch, we topped the charts heavy. We sold a million ringtones [of “Sexy Can I”] and two million digital singles already. We’re climbing.

You and Berg seem inseparable now. How did y’all link up? That’s the homie. We hung out first. We met each other through a mutual friend. We just got real cool and became friends, then we started doing records. He a good dude. We had a good time this year. We had a good run.

The album is in stores, right? Yeah, the album is out – All I Feel.

You’ve been getting a lot of features, right, like the new Boss Hogg record? Yeah, shout out to Boss Hogg, Slim Thug. I did a feature with them, Bubba Sparxx, DJ Khaled, and that 2 Pistols record too.

You’ve pretty popular on the blogs lately. Lots of Ray J rumors. They said you got kicked out of a hotel in D.C. because they found you with drugs. That shit at the Hyatt hotel was some bullshit. They thought they could ruin my career by putting out all that false shit in the papers. If we were caught with drugs in D.C., the D.C. police would not have let us walk out [of the hotel]. We would’ve gotten arrested and taken to jail and then we would’ve had to deal with the problem. We left the hotel. We were loud. We asked them to give us a warning; they said, “No. Get out.” So I got loud and started trippin’. Fifty police came and escorted us out. That was it. The next day they [claimed] we had drugs and all that. They only did that ‘cause they didn’t know what actions I was gonna take against the hotel and what kind of press I was gonna put on the hotel, so they tried to respond quickly with some false bullshit. It is what it is. It’s the business. We just gotta learn how to deal with it and move forward and stay positive.

What’s up with you and Whitney Houston? That’s the homie. That’s my peoples. We just went to that fight. I sang the National Anthem at the Bernard Hopkins fight. She came through and supported, gave me some tips on how to do the National Anthem. It was all love. That’s all it is. It ain’t nothing but love. As far as us being together, it’s impossible ‘cause I’m working, she’s working, and we don’t have time to connect like that. The work is overshadowing everything.

You seem like an odd couple just because of the age difference. It’s a gang of 43, 45, 47 year old sexy women out there, and a gang of 30 years and older women. Believe that. I love ‘em. Even though I’m still in my 20s, I can see beauty from 50 miles away. It’s Ray J, a.k.a King Pimp!

You have to get paid to be a pimp technically, right? Do you get paid? Nah, you just gotta be on top of your game with a personal interest in meeting people.

What’s going on in your love life right now? Money. Every day we wake up, it’s just more money to get. This inde- pendent run is intense, it’s fun. If you really wanna stack chips you gotta get up early and pretty much don’t go to sleep – catch those flights, do those features, find those checks, make sure your publish-

58 // OZONE MAG ing is intact, make sure Koch is sending those checks ASAP every month. It’s a consistent beats that I hear in my head and I know a few dudes that can do real deal out here. We gotta get it. that for me.

Your mom is your manager. Do you think it’s easier to trust someone in your Do you think there’s a particular part of the country that you get more love family, like your mom, with your business as opposed to hiring an outsider as in? A lot of people don’t know that you’re actually from Mississippi but you your manager? seem like a West Coast artist. It seems R&B singers have a little more freedom Yeah, I don’t trust nobody in this business. This business is shady as hell. I than rappers, who it seems like always get pigeonholed into a particular never really collaborated with a lot of people in the industry or a lot of music category or region. execs. I’ve always been on my own mission with my own team. My mom and I’m West Coast all day but my music is in every market. It’s pretty much on them have always been in the picture and I trust ‘em. Even though I’m out every radio station from Urban to Rhythmic to Top 40. I’m pretty much all here in the field doing most of the business and bringing my mom the work, around universal. I would love to capitalize more on the West coast and try to making sure the contracts are intact, and stuff like that – that’s all I really take R&B music, even on the West, to a whole other level. I’m working on that need. I want her to enjoy life. I want to make sure I put money in her pocket right now. Hot 97, Miami, down South, Atlanta, everybody is really bangin’ it. so she can have fun and enjoy her days too. I’m really the one on the grind in the forefront and my people around me support me in anything I need. Do you feel the West has been in a little bit of a slump ever since Tupac? And what do you think it’s gonna take for the West to be back on top like it was Did your entrepreneur spirit come from your upbringing? Does it run in the ten years ago? family? A lot more West coast artists coming together and building a movement, just I don’t sit back and wait for somebody to do something for me. I don’t blame creating that entertainment that the whole world wants to see again. I think the people around me, or my producer, or my agent, or my manager. I don’t that’s all we’re missing. We had a big run though. The East coast also had ask them why I’m not doing this. I just do it and bring them back what I’m a crazy run as well. It’s seems like the South is really on top right now. The doing, as opposed to some artists that wait on somebody to hook ‘em up with South is hot. They’re coming with the beats, the flows, and the ideas. Every- something. I go out and hook myself up. body just needs to collaborate and build together. As far as the West, they need to throw that unity in there a little more. That’s a good attitude. That’s the only way to go. Who do you see in L.A., or the West in general, coming up on the rap side? Who are some people you’re working with out there? Another good rumor was the one about you having a threesome with two of It’s a lot of new artists out here. The homie Lunch is tight. Glasses Malone is the girls from Danity Kane. tight. The Game is right at the forefront of the West. When you think of West Oh man! If it ain’t one thing, it’s another. I was shocked when I seen that on Coast rap right now, you think of and The Game. The Game is still the internet. I don’t remember us getting it crackin’ and I definitely don’t re- young and fresh. Snoop’s still in the building. I know they got a lot of new member taping it. All that shit was not true. I cleared that up on my Myspace artists they working on too so we’ll see what happens. page, and the Hyatt incident too, ‘cause those were two things that people were really starting to believe. I felt like I needed to kill the hype on all that. You got your own artists too, right, like Shorty Mack? Yeah, Shorty Mack the Purp Man. Let me tell you, this dude is about to have a All the rumors can’t be bad for business though, right? smash with this song called “Raining Women.” That’s coming out in like two When they’re talking about you, it’s a good thing. But some things they talk months. We just inked a deal with Knock Out/Koch. Shout out to the Purp Man. about, even the person they talking about [can] get deterred by it when it’s Shorty Mack is coming. Anybody out there who likes to blow purp and is down bad or it’s something I don’t believe in. with that purple movement, if you know what I mean, then y’all are gonna dig this Shorty Mack the Purp Man album and the new single. What’s your thoughts on this whole Yung Berg/Brisco mini-beef? I know you tried to step in the middle to smooth things over. Anybody else coming that we should look out for? Berg’s my homie. Brisco and them was cool as hell. I just hollered at him on We got a few more artists but right now we’re focusing on Ray J and Shorty the phone when I went to Miami. Rick Ross, Khaled, them my dudes. Me and Mack the Purp Man. Then we’ll get into some other stuff. And my sister’s com- Rick Ross got a song called “Go Hard” that’s coming out real soon. I hit him ing back out too. Crazy. on the phone like, “I need this from you, big homie,” and he sent it right back to me. I got love for all of them. I was trying to bring everybody together and What about the book you were working on? Is that still coming out? squash the shit so we could all keep pushing. That’s just the type of person I put it on hold. I ain’t wanna tell my story yet. I turned down the deal. It was I am. If I’m cool with both sides, I’ma try to bring both sides together and a lot of money but I ain’t feel like I need it. I’m getting money so I wanted to make it right. But it ain’t my fight so I’ma just keep pushing, keep doing my wait to tell my story later. thing. I got love for all of ‘em. Shout out to Berg, Brisco, Rick Ross, everybody. You had a change of heart or you wanted to keep it a little bit private? Do you think that in Hip Hop today there’s too much pressure for artists to They were trying to give me like a million bucks to do it and I was tempted. I have such a hardcore image that it’s impossible to be real and believable? was like, “I’ma come back, and when I come back, y’all gotta give me ten mil- I think in music you want to be believable. You want people to listen to your lion.” The story is gonna be even more intense. shit and believe it. That’s the most important thing so sometimes that gets caught up into other situations. It’s weird sometimes. But music is music. That How do you feel about seeing your ex-girlfriend Kim Kardashian on a con- should be it, but at the end of the day it’s rap, it’s hardcore. It’s the streets. stant promo run with Reggie Bush? You gotta take it how it is. It’s all good. I want Reggie Bush and the New Orleans Saints to come back this year and make some noise. All my people are from Mississippi and New Did you ever have a day job before you got into the industry? I guess you Orleans. I just want him to get his work done and come back and shine like never really had to ‘cause you were kinda born into an entertainment family. he started in the beginning, and not get clouded with all of the press and I ain’t never even went to school. I went through 7th grade and that was it. all of the hype. As far as her, I congratulate her on all her success. We had a good run and now we’re both just taking it to another level. Much success and You stopped going to school after 7th grade? You had tutors or something? much props to her. I would just chill and my tutor would come through. She was like 19. She would come through every day and it was curtains from there. (laughs) That’s a good political answer. You’re like a politician. Yeah, but I’ve ran my mouth, I’ve talked shit. I tried to explain and express Your tutor turned you out, huh? myself, some of my emotions, and I don’t think that was professional. A lot She was from Atlanta. Her name was Joyce. of people read this and tune into what I say so I just wanna make sure I’m on point and not let my emotions cloud my professionalism. So you had fun in school? Oh yeah. I learned a lot. Believe that. (laughs) King Pimp! If I had some You made Superhead’s first two books, right? explosion sounds I would hit it right there, like [Funkmaster] Flex. I did.

Are you getting into the production side of things too? Is there gonna be a Ray J chapter in books three, four, and five? Nah. I’ve always been into producing, but I’ve been letting a lot of talented She’s got more books coming? producers do the beats and I go in and write the songs. I feel like it’s easier to do that. I’m just on a creative run right now. I need to hear the same I would assume so. I’m just talking hypothetically.

OZONE MAG // 59 Damn, she’s got a trilogy? I mean, I don’t think so. I don’t know what she got cooking up. She’s creative. She always comes up with something entertaining.

There’s a lot of up-and-coming girls who might be aspiring to be the new Super- head. Who do you have your eye on as far as sexy new video models? Sahia is hot. She models too. She’s out of Miami. She did my “Sexy Can I” video. It’s crazy. Her body is out of control. She got a hot face. I see her making some noise as a new video model. You’ve already got the Vida Guerras and Superheads and so on. We need something new and fresh. I would say Sahia or Dollicia. She’s hot too. She was on the cover of a magazine recently. That’s two chicks on the grind that’s on they way to another level. I don’t know if a lot of people really know what I’m talking about but they can definitely log on and see.

Who else is on the album besides Yung Berg? The Game, , and Shorty Mack. I got Rodney Jerkins on the production, Trackmasters. Details did “Gifts” and “Sexy Can I.” We got a new remix for “Gifts” with Lil Wayne, The Game, Shorty Mack, and Details that’s out right now.

“Sexy Can I” sounds like a nice friendly R&B song with a nice hook, but at the same time, the lyrics could come across as being a little bit disrespectful. It’s like, after I have fun with you you’ll never hear from me again. Do you feel that attitude is degrading to women or how would you explain it? It’s just raw and edgy but it has a feel-good, positive sound to it. It has a great, positive sound. It’s sexy, but at the same time it’s edgy. I really was inspired by the strip club. When me and my boy Shamel out of Brooklyn came up with the song we were in a strip club mindstate. It was sexy with a feel-good, springtime feel to it. Some people like going to the strip club, some people don’t.

Maybe you can give some advice to some of your younger female fans. How can they find that bal- ance of being able to “have some fun” but still be respected as a woman? It just depends on how old you are. If you’re young and just ready to wil’ out, then I’m gotta respect that you just wanna have a good time and enjoy life. Anything goes at that time. Then, hopefully, you’ll grow out of that. You can listen to a song like “Sexy Can I” and not really pay attention to what I’m saying because you just hear “sexy” and the feel-good music. That’s what we wanna create for the listeners that don’t really hear the words. Just tune the words out and tune into the melody and the vibe. That’s how hit records hit you. The melody and chorus are solid. For everybody that can relate to it, it’s out of control.

Is there anything else you want to talk about? We just want to make sure that our entrepre- neurial focus is in the major forefront ‘cause that’s all we’re doing. We’re breaking barriers in R&B and music in general. Everybody wants to hop on this independent trail, but it’s harder than people think. Everybody that’s independent goes through major struggles as far as getting on the radio, getting your commercials on, get- ting people to take you seriously, as opposed to having a major label push it. I want people to understand that we’re working real hard to be on top of our game. Having the #1 record in the country on all formats is something we feel proud about. Having the biggest record in Koch history in 2008 says a lot about us and R&B music. I want people to know that we really care about what we do. Ray J is out on the grind everyday. Nobody’s handing this shit to us. We’re not getting this shit on a silver platter. We want that respect as bosses, as artists, as young, independent, black men making millions. That’s what we wanna be looked at for, as opposed to artists that just want to do concerts and go to the club at night. This is a business. We’re on time and very professional. We want to be here 40 or 50 years from now. Knock Out – King Pimp! //

60 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 61 62 // OZONE MAG BRISCOWords: Julia Beverly Photo: King Yella

For people who aren’t familiar with Brisco, break that because she knows what type of nigga I am. For out-of-towners, what’s some can’t-miss spots it down for ‘em. Where are you from and what do She knows I don’t give a fuck. She started talking when they come to Miami? you represent? shit so I slapped that hoe. And add this: I do have I’m on my way to White Diamonds right now. I’ve been doing this for like twelve years. The first mad respect for her, feel me, but I’m not Lil Brisco You’ve got to hit the Rollexx up. It’s in Opa-Locka. cat that ever put me on a record and let me go in no more. I’m grown up. I’m not the same little You’ve got to hit all the strip clubs in the same the studio was Rick Ross. I was signed to a label boy I was when she first met me. I’m a grown man night because it’s about seven of them. You might called Slick Salt but that ain’t work out, so I got with a five year old son, so you’re gonna give me have to go by Mansion, Crobar, Opium, the usual. with Poe Boy. My heart was already here with my respect. And yeah, she’s a girl, but I will slap the family. I’ve made about five albums. I had [fea- fuck out of her. I beat the fuck out of her. She Is there anybody else in the Young Money or Poe tures on] both of Khaled’s albums, both of Rick knows the deal. Other girls might not know, but Boy camp we need to be looking out for? Ross’s albums, Birdman’s album, and Lil Wayne’s she knows a nigga don’t play that shit. All that Billy Blue and my little cousin Brianna. She was Carter 3 album. Most of those albums went gold extra talking around these out-of-town niggas signed to Missy at one point. You need to get up on or platinum. and shit will transpire. her now. If you hear her stuff you’ll become a fan. We fuck with Gun Play and Torch hard, shout out to You said you’ve been doing this for 12 years. Were You felt like she was trying to embarrass you in the whole Triple C/Maybach Music movement. you always seriously considering it as a career, or front of outsiders? when did it become serious? Yeah, and by me getting her into the video shoot Do you think you overreacted to Yung Berg’s I was always serious about poetry; that’s why I and extending my hand to her, I think that [her YouTube comment that his album got pushed back cling to Tupac a little bit. When it comes to poetry reaction] was totally disrespectful. My respect for “like Flo Rida’s hairline”? or my raps I always [look at] . I’ve her went out the window, so I started gooning. If I Nope. I’m still gon’ beat his ass. I’m still gonna always been motivated to rap. I always knew what see her again I’ll do the same thing. punch him in his muthafuckin’ mouth when I I wanted to do. see him. I had him standing up the whole [BET] Do you think it slows the Miami movement to have Awards show. And I knew him before he said that; Being around people like Wayne and Ross, do you that kind of internal animosity? I had just done a song with him two weeks before think it’s a challenge for you to be able to break No, she’s through. She had her chance. She never he said that. out and establish yourself as an artist and not just united with the hood. She never united with Trina a sidekick? or the other girls that could’ve helped her. She’s He apologized, though. That wasn’t good enough? The challenge for me is just waiting my turn. I’m out of time. She’s damn near forty years old. That’s just a way out! Don’t be talking about my just grooming myself until I get sharp, and that’s brother. Watch what you say to people in Miami. where I feel like I’m at now. I’m at a point where She claims that Poe Boy tells DJs not to play her We don’t play like that. I’m sharper than the rest, and that helps me a lot. records. That’s totally untrue. People know Jacki-O’s He said he’s been to Miami a couple times since Are you signed to Young Money? attitude. If you’ve ever came into contact with you threatened him and nothing happened. Nah it’s Poe Boy/Cash Money, but since Weezy is her, you know her attitude. If she doesn’t get her He knows. I talked to Ray J for about an hour on the President of Cash Money it’s all really the way she’s trippin’. If it’s a hit record, no one can the Cash Money bus. He knows [Yung Berg] has to same thing. tell [a DJ] not to play the record. She can’t make pay me. hit records now because she’s not with the same What have you learned from being on the road niggas. She ain’t got that Brisco stroke of the pen How much does he have to pay you? with Wayne or in the studio with Ross? now, feel me? I told him $150,000. Don’t go to sleep. Just keep working, put God first, and perfect the craft. Be one of a kind; be your You used to write for her? $150k to be left alone when he comes to Miami? own man. I helped her write records. One thing about Poe You know he’s independent, right? He might not Boy Entertainment is that we all work together. have that kind of money. What part of Miami are you from? When you hear a Rick Ross record like “Here I Am” He’s going to pay it. I guarantee it. Opa-Locka, Choppalocka. It’s in the middle of ev- or a Flo Rida record like “In The Air,” it’s all of us erything, in the middle of Carol City, in the middle coming in the studio working together. We’re self- Well, we don’t want to be responsible for any of Liberty City. contained; that’s why we love each other so much. violence here at OZONE Magazine. Shout out to OZONE Magazine, they had noth- Jacki-O did a radio interview saying that you can’t Do you have a release date yet for your solo debut? ing to do with this, but when I catch him I’m still come back to Opa-Locka anymore. Is that true? You know how Baby and E-Class are. They’re on going to knock his pussy ass out. So do not drop I’m here [in Opa-Locka] now. the phone all day and that’s how they work; it’s Flo Rida’s name in any rhymes. Don’t drop Flo on some real nigga shit. Unlike other CEOs and Rida’s name, don’t drop Rick Ross’s name, don’t What’s the real story behind the L.A. incident other bosses, I can go holla at my nigga. I can go try E-Class, don’t try me, and don’t even try that between you and Jacki-O? I heard you had a little straight to their houses and be like, “E-Class, this stank-ass hoe Jacki-O. altercation on the set of the Lil Wayne/T-Pain video. is the problem,” or “Baby, this is the problem,” or She couldn’t get into the video shoot because it “Slim, this is the problem,” or, “I need a couple So you’d still defend Jacki-O if somebody dissed her? was closed off. I told security to let her in only dollars for this.” It’s a little better working with That’s right. It’s still family. This is like the mob. because she was [once] signed to Poe Boy. When them cats. Right now I’m just grinding waiting for When you’re in the mob you’ve got to get killed to she got in she was sort of pouting so I went up to the streets. We got the streets right now with “I’m get out. You can’t just walk out. her and extended my hand, like, “How you doing, Me” and “Just Know That.” baby, what’s up with you?” She ain’t even give me So if you saw Khia wearing a Fuck Jacki-O t-shirt, back dap so I was like, “Shit, fuck you, bitch!” She Who are you planning on having featured on your you would beat her ass? should already know that since we’re in California album ? No, I would give that hoe dap because she knows and we already had problems and I’m trying to Wayne, Rick Ross, Jeezy, Ludacris, T-Pain, the usual something. // squash it or make amends, she shouldn’t act like movement. !

OZONE MAG // 63 ince he entered the rap game as a member of The Odd Squad in 1994, What kind of stuff do people tell you when they approach you? Devin the Dude has traveled at his own speed, while most of his peers One of the biggest compliments they give me is, “Man, I got all your albums!” S have opted to drive in the fast lane trying to keep up with every trend Just to have somebody say that to me is like, “Oh, shit!” It’s just a pretty cool and fad. Now, after leaving his longtime recording home Rap-A-Lot Records, feeling. They tell me, “You’re so down to earth in your music and you don’t Devin is truly doing “what the fuck he wants to do” as he returns to the streets be talking about this or that, you just talk about what I be going through at via the independent route and learns more about himself along the way. times.” That kinda makes it feel cool too, but I like associating myself with what’s actually going on and not something far-fetched? You were signed to Rap-A-Lot Records for over 15 years. After all that time, what made you want to leave and go independent? Why have you always chosen to keep a level head and stay in that middle I guess it was just that time. My contract was up with Rap-A-Lot. I’ve been ground with your music? It’s easy for artists to slip into fantasy land with with them for 15 years and I just felt like if it was any time to make it inde- their lyrics. pendently I guess this was going to be the time. I made a pact to myself when I chose to do a solo album. I decided to just call myself Devin and that’s what I’m going to rap about. I’m going to just do Did you enjoy your time at Rap-A-Lot? Was a consistent deal? Did you experi- me and talk about what I go through. It might sound dull or boring to some ence a lot of bumps and bruises that made you want to finally leave? people, but it might sound funny and crazy to other people. When I first came It was some bumps here and there but that’s a probably how it was with any- out with my first solo album I recorded under the name Devin and the album body. It’s like having a family; there’s always going to be problems. It wasn’t was called The Dude. After that when people recognized me they would say, anything drastic that happened that made me [want to leave]. After you get “You Devin?” I’m like, “Yeah,” and they’d say, “Devin the Dude?” (laughs) So it a certain number of years under your belt, it’s time to either continue to do kind of stuck with me, but other than that, I just wanted to be myself. I didn’t what you’re doing or broaden yourself. So I chose to just go to independent. want to pretend to be somebody else or pretend to have this or pretend not I have an independent company, my own company of brothers doing the to have that. Whatever I go through or what surrounds me and my friends and music thing; people that’s been working with me that helped me throughout family, I kind of put it all together and bring it out [in my music]. the years. Now I can give them a chance to come out independent too. When you were a member of Facemob, you stood out because ‘Face, DMG and Rap-A-Lot pretty much operates like an indie anyway. So does it really feel them would be on some gangster shit, but you kinda came from the, “Hey, I different? And will we see better promotion for your albums now? saw what happened” angle. What was it like working on a album like that and Yeah, that was one of the things. It’s just a matter of promoting and marketing having to find your fit into a situation like that? other than letting it linger so long after the album is out. We’re trying to pro- Yeah, I’d rap like, “I don’t know what them niggas doing over there, they trip- mote the single a month and a half before and month after it’s out, just trying pin’.” (laughs) Actually it was an easy process in itself too. When Face started to push, trying to make some moves to get things accomplished with that. his company they were all solo artists. DMG was an artist he was about to bring out, 350 was about to come out with an album, Chi-Ray, everybody was Tell us a little bit about the new album. just solo artist but we was vibing individually together in the studio. ‘Face The album is called Landing Gear. thought of an idea to just come up with this group project before our albums started coming out one at a time and I thought it was a cool idea. Face was What is that supposed to mean? like, “You don’t have to get out of character. Just do you.” So that was pretty When I land in different places to work or do show, people always try try to easy in itself, because we all already had a pretty cool relationship. hook me up with some good “coughee.” They ask, “Do you need anything?” and I say, “No, not yet, I got a little landing gear.” People would trip like “I’ve A lot of people seem to think you ONLY rap about “P.W.A.” Do at all feel disap- never hear it said like that before.” They said that should be the title, so for pointed when people only pay attention to the “pussy, weed, and alcohol” the cover I got photos with parachutes on and shit. We signed with Razor and lyrics and overlook the songs where you do have a message or simply rap Tie for a one [album] deal. We’re getting the promo together right now. about real-life situations? I tend to [be disappointed] sometimes. I plan on going out with a message How different is it heading your own label, Coughee Brothers Music, and though. I do have a few more songs to do with messages in them and how playing the CEO role in addition to the artist role? I feel about situations and I hope people can relate. I like tripping out and It’s a totally different feeling. You kinda just gotta jump out there and flap. I having fun, and a lot of times weed, alcohol and women are around. But for the learned a lot from the guys up there at Rap-A-Lot. If you put something out not-so-sunny times of your life you’ve got to have songs for that too. I’m not yourself, there is no one else left to blame but you if it don’t go right. saying I’m gonna put down the P.W.A. all the time, but I won’t hold it up all the time either. What do you appreciate about your status in the game so far? You may not sell millions of records, but you have people who genuinely love you. As raunchy as your rhymes can get, did you know that you had a lot of female It’s cool. It’s a wonderful feeling meeting fans and people who listen and fans? Do you find that at all odd? appreciate the music. That’s a blessing. It feels good to just walk around, (laughs) I just like to have fun. I don’t think I disrespect women in my music. I walk to the store or walk to mall and do anything just by yourself. I guess used to feel funny making some of the music I do, especially when I was having if I was huge megastar it probably wouldn’t be possible I wouldn’t get a a daughter. I was thinking about changing it up. I remember a girl approached chance to approach people or have people approach me in a certain way to me once like, “Devin the Dude? You do that song ‘Fuck Faces,’ don’t you?” I was talk about the music and other things like that. I like the privacy [I have]; it’s thinking, “Aww, shit, here it comes.” But she said, “That’s my jam!” // like having the best of both worlds. People come up to you that appreciate you, but [I] also have privacy when people come up like, “Hey, you look like Words by Maurice G. Garland somebody!”

64 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 65 66 // OZONE MAG t’s been a long 5 years since C-Murder As far as your music is concerned, given your relationships. The whole time I was working, I released a full length album. But after situations with the trials and the jail time and was building relationships, which has made it years of legal woes and negative news your reputation, did you find yourself being cau- easier for me to do what I’m doing now. I always Iheadlines, C is back to prove that he is tious about the content you’re putting out now? had the business mind and I was definitely loyal still TRU to the game. Yeah, I had to tone it down a tad bit, slightly. I to the game more than anyone else on the label. couldn’t go all the way out there, I had to be real I ran the idea through the chain of command to Screamin’ 4 Vengeance is the first studio album with myself in making the music and respect- get the okay [to do my own project]. I wouldn’t you’ve released in a while that you’ve been able ing my situation. There is a time and place for have done it any other way. to promote. Coming out of the No Limit situation everything. where gold and platinum records were the stan- Since you are still residing in New Orleans, can dard, what goals have you set for yourself in this There are still some things looming over you you give us an update on what you’re seeing current music industry climate? legally. Did you or do you fear your rhymes being down there, post-Katrina? My goal was to get some fresh C-Murder music used against you? It’s a lot of people still going through a lot right out there, because I was gone for a minute and It’s always a possibility for that to happen, but now, they haven’t been able to get back into they ain’t know how I was rocking. This album here’s how I look at it: Music is entertainment their homes. We have an 80% increase in home- was to let ‘em know how I’ve stepped my lyrical too, just like movies. That’s how I’m rocking with lessness, people still living under bridges. You game up. it. can see all of them when you drive by. It ain’t use to be like that. The urban areas are still messed Being “lyrical” isn’t something most fans would Well, with most rappers stressing how “real” they up. They haven’t rebuilt those areas, but the expect from you. What made you want to try that? are, the lines tend to get blurred. How do you suburbs are straight. The poor are getting poorer I’m just keeping up with the times. On every feel when rappers that may not have lived that and the rich are getting richer and the poor don’t album, you have to better yourself. Of course lifestyle glorify it in their music? have no way to get back on their feet. But I can the nucleus of my music is the same, but I had I just brush it off. I sit in the gap and watch say that it’s a little better than it was, though. to change it up a little bit. It wasn’t nothing that and just do my music. What the next man does I was locked down when the levees broke, so I I had to really work on either. That’s just what doesn’t worry me. I just sit back and make sure I wasn’t with my family. But three weeks later I happens when I get a fire track. put out quality music. All I care about is putting found out they were okay so that took a lot of out good music for my fans. I just gotta feel like stress off me. In keeping up with the times, what convinced you I’m connected to my core fans. that there was still a thirst for C-Murder music? Do you feel a certain way when people say that I got some core fans that know what to expect Who is a typical C-Murder fan? rappers from New Orleans aren’t saying enough from me. I’ve been through a lot of things, but It will surprise you. I’ve got fans overseas that about how it really is down there? It’s almost they know my music will never change. It’s are very loyal. Black, White, Mexican. I built qual- as if they expect you all to make nothing but always going to be gutter, gangsta, talking about ity relationships with people over the years. When records about Katrina. real things that go on in the streets. Even when I got letters when I was locked up, that showed If they’re genuine about it, you can entertain I changed my name to C-Miller and changed it me that I have connections with people in real them for a little while, but if they’re just trying to back. “C-Murder” is me, we change for situations. life. Dudes, females, moms, pops, and grandpar- come up off a bad situation, I have to shut them I will always be C-Murder. That’s how I came into ents say what’s up to me all the time. down. I can tell if they’re phony about it. the game. What is your current status right now? Are you Before we wrap this up, would you like to talk How did you deal with the negative connotations allowed to leave the house at all? more about your books? that came with that name? Nah, not right now but I’m looking to hit the road Everybody needs to check out my new book People try to judge a book by its cover, but they sometime in November or December to start do- that’s about to drop under TRU Publishing, Thug don’t know me. I’ve been portrayed as being a ing shows. People should expect a real complete Politics. It’s about a mayor whose cousins were certain way in the media so I really can’t trip on show. I’ve been thinking about it a lot. drug dealers. The three of them saw an op- that. All I can do is do things to better myself, my portunity to own the city. The plan was to make hood and my label. In your No Limit days, you got to work under sure the streets made him win the mayoral race your brother, . What are some challenges so they could get money, but along the way they What are some of those things? you’ve encountered being in a role that he once run into some situations. I started my publishing company and put out my held? own book, Death Around the Corner. It got great I wear a lot of hats and have to make a lot of That sounds a little familiar. We recently ran a reviews in the paper, Amazon.com, all of that. decisions. I just find myself being more busy, do- story about Jackson, MS mayor Frank Melton. I’m writing some children’s books too. I’m using ing a lot of conference calls. I have to be in the People have accused him of similar activities. Was these books to get into a lot of the schools, studio with my artists and keep them on the right your book loosely based off that? colleges and public libraries, but you never hear track. I take one-on-one time with them to show As soon as the book was completed, we heard about stuff like that. When I’m at these schools, them the right path and teaching them about about the mayor in Detroit [Kwame Kilpatrick] I try to tell kids how important education is. having the right attitude. A lot of them are real and the mayor [in Jackson]. Our book was I myself was an honor roll student. But at the excited just like I was back then. So I’m showing already finished though. So that’s a plus for us, same time, I get to tell these kids about my trials them they ain’t gotta act a certain way, just calm because it will make readers wonder and think if and tribulations so that if they come to a point down and enjoy the ride. we were talking about them. But no, the idea for in their life where they have to make a decision, the book was all ours. hopefully what I told them will make them Did you enjoy your ride during the No Limit era? make the right one. I started Help Me Help You, It seems like you guys did so much work in the Do you have any words of advice or encourage- a non-profit organization to help some of these studio that you didn’t have time for much else. ment for people or even other rappers thinking kids too. We’re very much about the community I really enjoyed my time. We traveled a lot and about delving into the fiction novel world? How around here, but they’re not gonna put that in went overseas. We didn’t hit the road as much as long does it usually take to complete a book? the media. other artists, but we did enough. A lot of doors It depends on how dedicated you are. I get dis- opened up because of that situation. It was fun tracted easily and I might sit a book I’m writing As much as some media outlets may not publicize for me, I don’t know about the next man, but it on the shelf for a few months. But if I’m focused, those types of efforts, why don’t rappers doing was [fun] for me. I can knock it out in 3 months. For me writing those types of things publicize it as much as their a book was a personal goal I set for myself. music or business endeavors? Out of all the artisst on the label, you were pretty You feel good about yourself when you set and I don’t know. For me, the things I do are spur of much the first to break off and do your own thing accomplish goals. But, to write books, the talent the moment. During school time I give supplies when you started TRU Records and released the has to be there. You have to be true to yourself. to the group homes; during Christmas time I Bossalinie album. What brought about that deci- If the talent ain’t there you might want to try send presents. I don’t really have time to call the sion? Did it cause any problems? something else. But if you really want to do but publicist to put it out there because it happens For me it was a daily routine. I was always you’re not quite good at it yet, you just have to so quick and it comes from the heart. Maybe the around a lot of business people during that keep at it if you’re serious about it. // other rappers go through the same thing, I don’t time. What I took away from that era was a good know. business sense about everything and building Maurice G. Garland

OZONE MAG // 67 -

He made it through the streets of Brooklyn and ten years locked behind bars. So, for Atlantic recording artist Maino, this music industry shit is nothing. And for any nonbelievers and doubt ers, he only has one thing to say: Hi haters! Words byT Ronyandy Cutajar Roper Photo by

68 // OZONE MAG You’re from Brooklyn right? Can you start by tell- I’ve seen you in a lot of videos. I was watching a Did you ever think “” would be the one to ing me your background? video recently where you were talking about a lot put Maino on the map? I grew up like everybody else did that comes from of rappers in the game not being real. How do you I knew I was onto something when my people any type of ghetto or dysfunctional situation. I’m think most rappers lives compare to your life? came to the studio and were like, “Yo, this record from Bed-Stuy Brooklyn. I come from the streets, I don’t think I had the most crazy life. I don’t is crazy.” So, I started to feel like I was on to man. My household wasn’t any different from any think my life wins the award for the most fucked something. other household in the late 80s, early 90s when up or the most crazy, but everybody has some crack was really poppin’ off. You know, it was a trials and tribulations they went through. I come So that single put the momentum behind your lot of things in my household that pushed me into from a household where my family used drugs and album. Can you talk to me about your album? the street and my life’s been crazy ever since. shit like that but it’s plenty of other people who’s Of course, its setting off the movement because had fathers who was on crack and mothers on people know me from the DVDs, mixtapes and When did you turn to rap music? crack. The thing about me, what I had developed being affiliated with Lil’ Kim at one point, but now I didn’t turn to rap until I was in prison. When I into before I became a man is definitely a true once you have all that, you have to put a record was there that’s when I started rapping. story. I really played a part in the street. I really, out that will give you attention nationally. This is really played a part in the street and what I mean the record, and you’re about to witness a move- You did ten years in prison, right? So did rapping by that is, that you have some rappers that they ment like you ain’t never seen coming out of New help you get through those ten years? think just because you come from the hood that York. That’s a guaranteed fact. I didn’t even start rapping when I first went to don’t mean you was involved in the hood. Just jail. It was after a couple years when I was in jail, because you come from the hood doesn’t make Why do you think New York hasn’t been popping I was getting in trouble. I was supposed to be up you a part of what’s going on in the underworld lately like it was in the past? for parole in five years but I was getting into a of the hood. Just because you sold a couple drugs I don’t know, man. I don’t know the problem with lot of bullshit, so they would keep me locked me don’t mean you was really running it. Just because a lot of niggas, man. I mean, I just feel like we in the box for 23 hours a day. I was in the box for a person came from a certain project doesn’t need to get to the music. A lot of these niggas got 23 hours a day for a couple years straight and I mean he’s got street cred with me. gay qualities. I really can’t explain it. All I can do started rapping. I started rapping because I was is do what works for me. A lot of the older dudes bored. Ain’t too much you can do when you’re “Rumors” kinda kicked off your street buzz. wanna keep competing. I don’t know, it’s no one locked in one cell for 23 hours a day. I would At the time I was trying to make my way onto answer for that. I just figure that the only way to wake up and write a rhyme, every couple of days, the mixtapes and I started to notice I was just propel New York back into the race is to come with just for myself, for my own enjoyment. an average nigga on the mixtape. So, I needed something new and fresh. I don’t think a rapper something to separate me from these other nig- that was out 10, 15 years ago is going to reinvent How did your career develop after you got out of gas because I’m nothing like nobody else. I didn’t himself to bring New York to how it was before. prison? wanna be associated [with average niggas]; I We just need to move forward with this new shit. After I started rapping, I started to think of a way didn’t wanna be looked upon as the same kind of to take it serious. This was the time when B.I.G. average nigga. That was my way of making my What kind of new shit are you bringing on your was doing his thing, like when Big was all the mark at the time, and it worked. It shone some album? way out the there, and I instantly related to that light on me. People in the industry, just as well It’s just real talk, from a real dude. It’s my life, because he came from the hood. I felt like, there’s in the street, started to notice me. It’s two kinds my nigga. It details a portion of my life after I a dude that comes from the hood, speaking a of buzzes: street buzzes and industry buzzes. I came from prison and wanted to be an artist. It language I understand. He’s saying things I can needed both. I needed them to know who Maino details that whole transition. After I came from relate to. So, it was definitely an inspiration to see was, and that’s what “Rumors” did for me prison I was on parole, so I was still dabbling in him come up. I was like, if I’m truly a hustler and the street. I had just had a baby and I was trying truly a real nigga, maybe I can use this rapping What happened to your deal with Universal? to be a rapper. I had to deal with a lot just trying thing as a stepping stone. Maybe I can go home “Rumors” is what lead to my deal with Universal. to be a rapper, so it was hard for me to even try and give this a try. That’s what I did. I tried to That was a learning experience but I don’t think I to make that transition. I think trying to make learn as much as I could about the business. I was even ready or prepared the way I am today. that transition from the nigga that I am at heart tried to invest in reading books. I just tried to to becoming a rapper was harder than me doing prepare myself to come home and get into rap. T.I. was instrumental with you getting signed, prison because I was entering something I had Even before I came home me and my people came right? How did you meet him and hook up? no idea about. I was so used to my ignorant life, up with the name Hustle Hard. When I got home, I was already signed. I had known T.I. for a while. I thought prison was an extension of my life. You we jumped right into it. It’s a real friendship, real brotherhood. It ain’t grow up in the street, you selling drugs, bustin’ even so much about business with him. I really your gun, shooting up shit, getting shot, shooting You were seen a lot with Lil’ Kim in the beginning got love for dude. Grand Hustle, that’s all family. back, getting money, losing money. When you live of your careet. What’s your relationship with Kim? He’s a real dude. like that, you know prison is gonna come. It was We’re from the same hood. It was a time that we a time in my life when I couldn’t wait to go to jail. did a lot of work together. A lot of people associ- How did you end up with Atlantic? I swear to God I grew up thinking that jail was a ate me with her because when people didn’t really I had relationships at Atlantic. My man Jean part of something we had to do. Going from that - know me I was just coming on the mixtape scene Nelson was instrumental in my whole career, from [mentality] to try to be an artist was a harder job and people would see me out with her or hear me my Universal days. He had become the Executive for me. on records, I was on her last album Naked Truth. A&R at Atlantic. I was still signed to Universal but We’re cool. I had better relationships at Atlantic. So, when I So what do you say to people that say Maino is He made it through the streets of Brooklyn and was getting out of my deal at Universal, it was just a street nigga, he’s just known for knocking ten years locked behind bars. So, for Atlantic Naked Truth came out three years ago. How you only right that I wanted to be with my people. I out Lil Cease and he ain’t really a rapper? recording artist Maino, this music industry shit been able to remain patient? felt like if I had a chance in this game, I’d rather Well, the proof is in the pudding, my nigga. Look is nothing. And for any nonbelievers and doubt If I can give these crackers ten years of my life, I take a chance with people that really cared about at how my record is spreading like a disease. I’m ers, he only has one thing to say: Hi haters! can do anything in the world. It’s nothing in the me. So, that’s what you’re hearing right now, the just gonna let the music speak for itself. For any ony Cutajar world I can’t do. I had to sit up there and wait to affect of dealing with people who really give a hater, I’m just gonna demonstrate. I’m not gonna Words byT Randy Roper go home, wait to be fed, wait to be clothed. I had fuck about Maino. talk back, I’m not gonna acknowledge bullshit, Photo by to wait for letters, I had to wait for everything. I’m not gone say nothing at all. Real recognize Now that I’m free, it’s nothing in the world I Let’s talk about the “Hi Haters” single. real, I don’t give a fuck if I’m from Bed-Stuy and can’t do. What I did, I took every opportunity as I was just riding around vibing to the beat and OZONE is a Southern-based magazine. Real niggas it presented itself. I stayed busy, I stayed on mix that’s where the beat lead me. I guess it was just recognize real. We all have the same struggles tapes, I stayed on DVDs. I’m a YouTube gangsta. I meant to be. I don’t even write my rhymes, I think from all over. Who I am and my music is gonna stayed doing whatever I could to keep my name them. I went to the studio and that’s what came speak for itself. I will have the last laugh. Like I in the street, because at the end of the day, that’s out. This is the type of record that everyone can said, you’re bout to witness something big coming all I had. relate to. out of New York. //

OZONE MAG // 69 70 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 71 Production credits: Lil Wayne “A Milli,” Tay Dizm f/ T- time [Kanye] said something like, ‘he can’t get his ideas out’ because that’s Pain & Rick Ross “Beam Me Up,” Dem Franchize Boyz “Talkin how I be feeling. I’ve been making hot shit for a long time and it’s just now Out The Side of Ya Neck,” Kelis “Bossy” paying off to the point where more muthafuckers are coming to fuck with me.

“I just zone out to make beats. It’s really no method. I collect sounds and I think with the [“A Milli”] beat it’s finally paying off. I’ve been doing this create. I wasn’t making [“A Milli”] for Wayne, I was just making it. It just shit for a long time and I keep trying to reinvent myself. People might not ended up being for Wayne after I made it. I got to him through a friend even hear a style. I done moved on to a whole ‘nother style that people ain’t named Shanell, this female I produced for. He worked with her and she just even heard. I couldn’t get the ideas out, because people don’t want to try to played it for him. get on the beat. You just got to prove too much to people and now they’re accepting it more. I go into a session and they’re mixing it that’s all I’ve been To be honest, from a producer standpoint, just me knowing the potential of talking about, getting to that point and it’s coming full circle. It feels good, the music, I didn’t think he structured it right [and] sequenced it properly. man. That’s just a matter of opinion. I feel like he’s a superstar, so [I can’t] ridicule him with anything. I always liked the fact that he freestyled that shit. I think Probably one of the hardest beats I’ve done was ‘RPM’ with Shawnna and the first ten bars are just monster to me. [He could have] put a hook on it. and Ludacris on it. It was some underground shit, it was like people’s Where’s the hook? Or about the subject of what’s the beat talking about. Just favorite shit. I did ‘Vibrate’ with Rasheeda and Petey Pablo. I think that beat real simple shit. “A milli, A milli”’ I guess whatever makes you feel rich and was real hard. I did ‘What’s Your Fantasy’ for Ludacris. I did half of his first wealthy. It ain’t necessarily got to be about money if you want to talk about and second albums. And I did 8Ball & MJG’s ‘You Don’t Want Drama,’ ‘Don’t money. I thought he should talk about that. Make,’ and ‘Forever,’ which had Lloyd on it. I did Kelis ‘Bossy,’ two other songs on her album called ‘Aww Shit’ and ‘Handful.’ I’ve worked with Missy, [Having a popular beat] feels good, that’s what I do it for. Not really for the Ciara, Hotline, Dogg Pound, Paul Wall, Busta Rhymes, Chingy, and Jibbs. I just accolades or to have the best beat of the year, but just to be recognized and did something for T-Pain’s artist Tay Dizm. His song ‘Beam Me Up’ features especially because I’m trying to do some major shit. When you’re doing shit T-Pain and Rick Ross, so I think that’s going to be big. Just look out; pay at- that’s sometimes ahead of the masses it gets frustrating. I remember one tention to Bangladesh. It’s always going to be something spectacular.”

72 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 73 Industry 101 Ryan Cameron Words by Maurice G. Garland

For the last 17 years, Atlantans have partied, It was an opportunity to do more than drive time Tell us about the community outreach you’ve been woke up, worked and drove home to the tune of for me. Back then all the real, real big money was doing through your Ryan Cameron Foundation. Ryan Cameron’s voice. The flagship personality on [doing morning shows] like the Donny Simpsons I was doing charitable fundraisers before I was on Atlanta’s V-103 probably has a bigger presence and the Tom Joyners. DC at the time was market the air full time. We started off doing the Celebrity than the mayor and police chief combined. People number 4 or 5. So if you’re going to go somewhere Bowling event, guaranteeing people $5,000 a have grew up listening to him for years, defining then you might as well try out DC. When Radio One year [would be given to charity] no matter how everyday of their life from their first day of school decided they wanted to try to bring me back to much money we made. In 2001 there was a big to their first child. OZONE caught up with the Atlanta, who wouldn’t want to come home? scandal with a major charitable organization and “Ryan King” to have him talk about his beginnings people kept saying, “How do we know that the and trials in radio as well as his extensive com- On your show you do more than just play music. money is going where we want it to go?” The munity outreach. You talk about community issues as well. Why? easiest way to do it is to have a foundation. Now, We call it “edutainment.” I compare myself to everybody’s got a foundation. Our foundation is Where are you from and how did you wind up in what I watch on the local news, then I watch the publicly funded so I can’t use your donation to broadcasting? Entertainment Tonights and the TMZs. I try to have help somebody that needs a wheelchair. I can help I’m from Atlanta. I’m from Bankhead. Back when one of those elements in my show every day. If other foundations. We have kids on scholarships I was a kid, I had a speech impediment and I had there’s something going on in the city, like when that are majoring in broadcasting or entertain- to go to Clark Atlanta University, where they had the older woman got killed by the police, we can ment. We give out 5 to 10 grants a year to other a class which basically was Hooked on Phonics is talk about that. Then on a national level we can 501C3 organizations. In the summer my leadership now. They played the results on the radio on Clark talk about things like Sean Bell or the Jena 6. You academy brings in kids from partnership high radio station and when we heard that on the radio try to do something that’s entertaining but at schools and when they graduate they get a laptop I was sitting in my grandaddy’s living room with the same time you want people to thinking about and $4,000. To get that check every fall, they have the headphones on. From that day forward I knew what you’re saying, or getting mad and calling in to come back and work in the summertime. It ain’t I wanted to be on the radio [to the station] with their own opinion. just like you get the money and run. We try to make people continue to give back. We’re doing a You got started as an intern, right? How do you feel about free speech on the radio? partnership with AETNA, a diabetes initiative were Yeah, I did college radio at West Georgia College You have one extreme like Howard Stern, and then we’re going out with overweight kids, talking and then got an internship at V-103 in 1990. I was you have another like Don Imus. about how great it is to have a healthy lifestyle. at the station every day and people kept getting I listen to XM Radio but the only thing they can We’re seeing a lot of juvenile diabetes cases so we fired. I was always ready to step in, part time or do is curse. It ain’t like it’s anymore free’er [than got a whole health initiative were going to kick whatever and then finally in ‘91 I got my shot traditional radio]. If you can walk the line and off in the fall. People are starting to recognize me doing nights. I left and went to WKYS in D.C. for not cross it, you can still say whatever. I’ve got more for my community stuff then my radio thing. about a year, and then I came back [to Atlanta] a brush, I’m painting the pictures, and it’s up to in ‘96 working at what was Hot 97.5 which turned you what color you see. I just say what I think. How does it make you feel? in to 107.9. I worked there for 9 years doing the It’s all about the people’s opinions, I’m just trying That’s perfect, because after the radio is gone I morning show, left and came back to V-103 in ’05. to make people think, and understand that we’re want to still be able to do my community stuff here for the long run. based on my brand. When you got Nike calling How was your first stint at V-103? you from Miami saying, “We heard you’re doing Back then you could only play rap music after 6 What affect do you think satellite radio has had on big things. Let’s get together,” that’s big. Back in PM, and since we were on from 10 to midnight ev- terrestrial radio? A lot of people thought it would the day we couldn’t do that kind of stuff because ery Friday, we had the industry on lock. I had a 40 die out. people wanted to go anti-rap. Now, corporate share at night, which was like beyond belief, we Everybody’s always afraid. That’s what they sponsorships are major in putting these events had all the white kids and black kids listening to thought about web streaming, That’s what they on. Even when I do the Father-Daughter dance I V because that was the only time they could hear thought about CDs. But people don’t want to pay didn’t want to start off in the Embassy Suites. We rap music. When I left Greg Street came in and for something that they can get for free. Satellite started off at the Ritz Carlton. I want black people, became such a world wide phenomenon known for is great but who wants to pay for something that white people, whoever to feel like it’s a prom breaking music they had to open up the playlist.. you can get for free? If you listen to XM Radio and for the fathers and their daughters. They build a a tornado is coming down Peachtree, you ain’t relationship so the daughters can see how a man Why did you leave V103 for D.C.? It seemed abrupt. going to know about it. is supposed to treat them. //

74 // OZONE MAG Ryan Cameron

OZONE MAG // 75 76 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 77 David Banner/The Greatest Story Ever Told/SRC After three previous efforts Banner has finally made the definitive album of his career, capturing the best of G-Unit/ T.O.S.: Terminate on his talents as a producer, rapper and activist. On the Sight/G-Unit Records opening track “So Long” Banner speaks on injustices, With Young Buck out scurrying on his own, urging street soldiers to fight people other than themselves. From there Banks, Buck, and 50 are back on their own hunt. he takes a realistic journey, touching on both the political (“B.A.N.”) and With none of the trio being safe from criticism, primitive (“A Girl”) sides of his life. In between, the Mississippi emcee G-Unit sets out to convince everyone that they provides interludes and music beds that play up to his growth as musi- haven’t gone soft. Terminate On Sight is a no- cian, making the album a complete experience. While admitting to musical love-song album that is drenched in a lyrical mistakes on past releases he does have a couple missteps (“Fuck You Killer Mike/I Pledge serving of a very resound “don’t fuck with me” Hoes,” “K.O.”) but soulful tracks like “I Get By,” “Hold On” and the self- Allegiance To The Grind attitude, which is shared by each member of explanatory “Faith” make you forget about them. It may be up for debate II/Grind Time Official/SMC Curtis’ gang. While the three craft commendable whether David Banner’s latest album is actually The Greatest Story Ever deliveries and an overall enjoyable album, the “If they tell you, ‘Man, Told, however, it is the greatest story he’s ever told. — Maurice G. Garland lyrics fall short and Yayo’s talent has yet to be you can’t come up’ found. — Rohit Loomba you better go against everything they say.” Killer Mike sums up his C-Murder/Screamin’ 4 story simply on “Can Vengeance/TRU/Asylum You Hear Me,” one of With his No Limit glory days far a handful of strong behind him, C-Murder’s latest tracks on I Pledge effort Screamin’ 4 Vengeance Allegiance To The Grind proves he is still capable of putting together an en- II, a solid album with tertaining album. Backed by custom-made beats from few faults. Mike’s lyri- his Deadly Soundz production team, C displays his improved song-writing Nas/Untitled/Def Jam cal abilities are at the and cadence, and even steps outside the criminal-minded material he’s level of the best sto- known for. On “Stay Fresh” he bobs-and-weaves over scattered synths QB’s finest is back with an untitled album with rytelling emcees and and drums while “Posted On the Block” has him impressively keeping enough lyrical content to make up for the seem- he keeps on the gas, up with fast-paced guest spots from Krayzie Bone, and Papoose. ingly endless supply of 16s about diamonds, capturing his intensity Unfortunately, those same custom-made beats also eventually allow C rims and ass. Nas is in fine form on tracks such to the fullest on almost to slip too far into his comfort zone, turning in a bevy of lazy sounding as “Sly Fox” on which he targets Fox News and every track. Indepen- songs that probably won’t make you want to hit the repeat button. The questions why he’s always accused of promoting dent but still going bulk of Screamin’ 4 Vengeance leaves a lot to be desired. — Maurice G. violence while Hollywood isn’t. This album goes strong, Killer Mike isn’t Garland above and beyond today’s albums, forcing fans to think and go beyond the music on tracks such showing signs of back- as “Testify.” There’s finally a true Hip Hop album ing up anytime soon. again, and it’s no surprise that Nas is the one — Rohit Loomba Three Six Mafia/Last 2 Walk who delivered it. — Rohit Loomba Hypnotized Mindz/SONY After winning a Grammy and literally going Hollywood, Three 6 Mafia makes a decent attempt to return to their roots with their latest album Last 2 Walk. While the production still has their trademarked fusion of soul samples over beat machine drum kicks and hi-hats, it lacks that feeling that you used to get from listening to their music. It could be unbelievable drug escapades like “Trap Boomin’” or overt sexcapades like “I’d Rather,” but something is missing. However, there is enough maturity in songs like “My Own Way” featuring Good Charlotte and “Hood Star” DJ Scream & Soulja Boy/ featuring Lyfe Jennings to make you look forward to what direction their THE TEEN OF THE SOUTH music will take in the future. — Maurice G. Garland Gearing up for his sophomore album, ISOULJABOY, DJ Drama, Brisco & E- the original “Crank Dat” superstar releases The Teen Class/Underworld Rise Of The South mixtape, hosted by DJ Scream. The Brisco has been making intro creates a discussion for his position in MTV2’s more news lately for beefing Top emcees. He attempts to prove his longevity by with Yung Berg than for his enhancing his wordplay and upgrading his produc- music. But on this mixtape, tion. Tracks like “I Know You Hate Me” and “Gucci the Opa-Lacka goon proves RICH BOY/BIGGER THAN THE Bandanna” display his lyrical depth; however, “Go his name belongs in the list MAYOR Hard” shows his gift for instrumentals. Fan or not, of Florida emcees next to Alabama’s favorite son, Rich Boy, you’ve gotta love Soulja Boy’s playful lines and blow. The mixtape’s intro, returns with another 808 shakin’ respect him as an artist that gives the people what along with tracks like “I Get ride through his world of cash, hoes and clothes they want. — Isabelle Ahanotu on his new mixtape, Bigger Than The Mayor. Mainly Money” and “I’m Back” are sticking to telling tales of the baller life, Rich Boy notable, but Brisco’s limited delivers in his signature drawl, 16-tracks of truck-shaking music sure to subject matter grows tiring satisfy until his sophomore set drops. Titles like “Wrist Out The Window” throughout the 17 tracks. and “Chevy’s A Monsta” let you know this is perfect summer stuntin’ music Still, with Drama doing what to ride out to. With appearances from Yo Gotti, Gucci Mane, Shawty Lo, and he does and Bris spitting Trae, the only thing missing is a lack of content seen in last years promis- that goon music, Under- ing “Let’s Get This Paper.” — Anthony Burgos world Rise is a Gangsta Grillz mixtape worth checking out. — Randy Roper

78 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 79 80 // OZONE MAG DCharlamagne Tha God & DJ Frosty.com Heavy Metal Hood Shit www.myspace.com/cthagod www.myspace.com/djfrostydotcom 1. DJ Chuck T “Down South Slangin’ 50” www.djchuckt.com 2. DJ Teknikz “If You Buyin’ We Sellin’ 18” www.myspace.com/djteknikz When arguably the biggest rap star on the 3. DJ Scream & MLK “Hoodrich Radio 9” http://www.myspace.com/4045405000 www.myspace.com/mlkng planet (Kanye West) and one of the game’s top producers () host your mixtape, that 4. The DBoy Movement & Young Money Records “Life On Weezy Street Volume 2” [email protected] alone is enough cause for Mix of the Month 5. DJ Smallz “The Usual Suspects 2” www.djsmallz.com honors. In addition to their megastar hosts, Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Frosty compile a 6. DJ Bobby Black “Crack Addiction: The Game & Bun B” www.myspace.com/theofficialdjbobbyblack mixtape loaded with some of the newest street 7. DJ 31 Degreez “Georgia Bulldogs Pt. 10” bangers like David Banner featuring Lil Wayne 8. DJ Black Bill Gates “King Shit Radio V.3” www.myspace.com/ “Shawty Say,” Rick Ross “This Is The Life (re- mix)” and exclusives from independents Nation 9. DJ Scream, MLK & DJ Spinz “Hoodrich Radio 11” http://www.myspace.com/4045405000 www.myspace.com/mlkng Boy “I’m Paid” and Mista Taylor “Mirror Dance.” 10. Evil Empire “Interstate Trafficking Volume 6” www.myspace.com/evilempire Heavy Metal Hood Shit is a Caffeine Substitute 11. DJ Spinz “”Rhythm Swag” www.myspace.com/dj_spinz that’ll keep your head nodding all the way to Houston for the OZONE Awards. 12. DJ Spinatik “Street Runnaz 16” www.djspinatik.com 13. DNA, DJ Scream and DJ Rob “Get On My Level 7” Hosted by Shawty Lo www.myspace.com/wildchilddna www.myspace.com/targetsquad DJs, send your mix CDs (with a cover) for 14. DJ Delz “D187 Hood Radio Volume 23” www.djdelzonline.com [email protected] consideration to: 15. DJ Chief Rocka “Throwin’ Bows Volume 5” www.myspace.com/djchiefrocka2 16. Gamespitta Entertainment “Legends In The Making Vol. 1” Hosted by JiJi Sweet www.myspace.com/gamespittaent Ozone Magazine 17. DJ Scope “Street Certified 27” www.myspace.com/infareddjscope 644 Antone St. Suite 6 Atlanta, GA 30318 18. Chilly C. The Paperchaser “Never A Drought Volume 1” www.myspace.com/chillycthepaperchaser 19. DNA & DJ Drama “Motion Picture Shit Volume 3” www.myspace.com/wildchilddna www.myspace.com/djdrama 20. DJ Bobby Black “Crack Addiction: Jay-Z & Barack Obama” www.myspace.com/theofficialdjbobbyblack OZONE MAG // 81 end zone

Plies Venue: Club Voyage Event: Myspace secret show City: Orlando, FL Date: June 7th, 2008 Photo: Terrence Tyson

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