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PUBLISHERS: Julia Beverly (JB) Chino

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Julia Beverly (JB)

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Noel Malcolm

MUSIC EDITORS: ADG & CL Mecca

CONTRIBUTORS: AJ Woodson, Big Earl, Bogan, Brian O’Hare, Charlie Braxton, Chris Imani, Cynthia Coutard, Dain Burroughs, Darnella Dunham, Dave Goodson, Felita Knight, Hasan Brown, Iisha Hillmon, Jeska Manrique, Jesse Jazz, Jessica Koslow, J Lash, Katerina Perez, Keith Kennedy, K.G. Mosley, Malik “Copafeel” Abdul, Mercedes, Mikhale Rich- ards, Natalia Gomez, Raandu Avion, Rayfield Warren, Rohit Loomba, Swift, Wally Sparks

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Cover credits: Question photo by Cheda; Lil’ Jon photo by Julia Beverly. OZONE Magazine is published eleven times annually by OZONE Magazine, Inc. OZONE does not take responsi- bility for unsolicited materials, mis- information, typographical errors, or misprints. The views contained herein do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or its advertis- ers. 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 2003 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.

OZONE MAGAZINE MARCH 2004 9 I’m from Minnesota and I bumped into OZONE can make it happen! – Dominique Jackson, Mag online, even though we don’t have the [email protected] mag up here. OZONE is the hottest shit, I check this site out every month. Keep doin’ I just saw Anthony B perform in Los Ange- ya thing and let XXL and The Source fight like les. He was very inspirational, so I searched hoes for nothing. As long as you rep the music you’ll always be Google for more info and came across your ahead of publicist beef. Too many dumb ass rappers are still broke think- cover story. Very cool, positive vibes. – Triniti, [email protected] ing that beef sells. All beef does is sell more guns at the local gun store to shoot our favorite rappers. Now print that! Oh yeah, get this mag up I agree fully with Noel’s article on Lil’ Kim. I share the same feelings, to Minnesota, shit, we got black folks here too! 160,000 strong! – DC, and I’m really sad that Kim fucked up her life the way she has. I’ll keep Rocksolid Productionz, [email protected] supporting her and wish her the best in her life and her career, though, because I’m not anyone to judge her. Everybody’s got their own issues. I totally disagree with your article on Lil’ Kim. Female rappers need to – Lboogie change up to still be in this industry. Whether or not she altered her appearance is her business. If I had money, I would probably alter some I must agree with the Lil’ Kim “Dime to a Nickel” article completely. shit too. Most stars have had some type of surgery, and she still looks Every time I look at pictures of Kim in her “Hardcore” days, I want to good no matter what they say. She is the Queen of rap, and will always cry because she was such a cute and pretty girl, with small tits, rabbit be. And if she looked a shitty mess, how come she has graced the covers teeth, wide nose and all. God made her that way for a reason, and she of hundreds of magazines? People are so quick to talk about her surgery, didn’t appreciate it and fell into the Michael and LaToya Jackson trap: but she put female rappers on the map and into the mainstream. She’s a Money can buy me beauty. And now, seeing pictures of her from the pioneer and a trendsetter. So fuck the haters! Lil’ Kim isn’t a worldwide Grammy’s, I just cringe because she looks nothing like the rough-and- icon for nothing. - Liladge tumble Brooklyn queen I once knew. Instead, an insecure plastic Barbie doll has emerged and completely took over who and what Kim was. I agree with Noel’s article on Lil’ Kim, “From a Dime I can’t relate to her anymore because she doesn’t to a Nickel,” but she really did need the nose job represent Brooklyn girls or the streets anymore. and her tits done! Damn, come on, she’s got the I seriously hope that if Kim has at least one real money – unlike most female rappers! Look at Salt friend left instead of just “yes men” and “yes & Pepa or Roxanne, all them old chicks don’t have women,” they can pull her aside, put a mirror in the money or the time to even come back with front of her face, and break it down to her that an album. Kim’s doing a lot of shit they wish they she doesn’t have to do this to achieve the white could do right now! The only chick that’s on top of man’s standard of beauty. She is a beautiful African her game and money besides Kim is Queen Latifah. Nubian queen, and should respect herself as such. Even if she get a nose job, an ass job, whatever, The white women she wants to resemble are the hey, I’m still her fan. - Four Five ones that are envious of her and her beauty. I really hope that she wakes up soon. She puts out great I liked the “sex issue.” Some of that shit had me music and videos and is always exciting to watch, laughing my ass off. As always, I also liked JB’s 2 but my question is, is Kim really, truly happy? Did Cents – the part about being broke building char- all that money she made for herself truly bring her acter. Always nice to be reminded that somewhere, happiness, or destruction? - Peaches someone out there feels the way I do. I also agree with the thing about many publicists trying to push I was just checking out the new OZONE like always, those no-name artists on us. – David Himes, Con- and I noticed you put our picture in the maga- nections Magazine, connectionsmag@bellsouth zine! I just wanted to take the time to thank you .net for the support. I also read your 2 Cents. I deal with a lot of MCs and DJs wanting to hate, but Your article, “The Future of Slip-N-Slide,” is the someone told me once, “If they ain’t hatin’ ya, best article so far on the whole Slip-N-Slide situ- you ain’t doin’ it!” Keep doin’ ya thing. I see y’all ation. Props to OZONE Magazine for puttin’ another tight one together workin’ hard, and it shows. Much love and respect. – Butch, Tyger Hill, for the South. I pray to God that Ted Lucas gets his label together, be- [email protected] cause at the end of the day he can only help the 305 movement and the Miami hip-hop community a little bit more. Also, Ted’s asking C.O., I read your article on Lil’ Kim, “From a Dime to a Nickel.” I agree with Money Mark, and Rick Ross for hits? I suggest he tune into 99 Jamz and some of it, but not all. Kim is and was a beautiful person. Even back listen closely, because Rick Ross has a radio banger, “Rap Star,” which is then, she was fucking cute. She had the look and the body, but no tits. produced by Cool & Dre and features them singing on the hook as well. Sex rap was her profession. That’s her 9-5, so mama needed to come It’s definitely a great record, and it has the potential to be a huge suc- to work prepared. You need the proper tools to do the job, so she went cess if only somebody gets behind it and puts the proper push as far as and got a boob job. I understand that. But fucking with her nose was marketing and promotions. A dope video, some regional airplay (ATL, uncalled for. And what made it worse was the horrible clothes, the Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Pensacola, Tallahasee, Alabama, New blonde/clown wigs, and makeup selection. It made her look awkward. Orleans, etc.), and some vinyl pressed up for DJ’s to play at clubs and She needs to stop now and live with what she has, or she really will look on the air. Come on, Ted knows what he has to do. It’s just whether he like Michael Jackson. It’s a shame that Kim doesn’t know how beautiful wants to or not. Hopefully he will. Props on the article, though. Person- she really is. To me, when Kim messed with her nose, she messed with ally, I’m extremely grateful for OZONE Magazine and all the work y’all perfection. However, I do understand the insecure feeling. Although I have put in for the South and hip-hop in general. Respect due. – UB, think Kim went a little too far, I understand where she is coming from. [email protected] When you have money, you just find things to do with it. And I think for most people, who have a little hint of insecurity or low self-esteem, if I used to do promotions for 102 Jamz a few years ago. I was just back you were given a lot of money you’d change at least one thing. We can’t in Orlando and saw one of your new issues and it was nice to see you judge someone for doing something if it makes them feel better about are still going strong. Your magazine is still hot, and I guess I’m just themselves. I just pray that all the surgery is making Kim feel good, writing to give my support! I know it’s hard with this grimy industry and not insecure and empty like she probably felt before the surgery. and the haters, but keep it up. I want to see you around in the future! - Devin It’s amazing how you manage to cover other regions but still stay faith- ful to Orlando. I love how I can find out what’s poppin’ here but also Correction: Last month’s Patiently Waiting to Blow section featured what’s poppin’ in Miami or ATL. I know it must be hard trying to stay Piccalo, who are signed to Trunk Funk Records (incorrectly listed as down with Orlando but also trying to spread your wings, but I bet you Towners 4 Life).

10 OZONE MAGAZINE MARCH 2004 This issue is coming to you cour- tesy of BME Records, who gave me > Dave Chappelle a case of Crunk Juice last time I was in > Crunk Juice Atlanta. I would be passed out on the key- If Trick Daddy is worried about a product’s board otherwise. Who else do you know that ingredients, you probably should be too can produce an entire magazine in one sitting? I was flipping through a rack of t-shirts on Broad- > Pitbull vs. Mr. Vegas way and came across one that said “Fucking Genius.” I hate it when I overhear conversations It’s so me. Coming soon: JB’s Guide to Fashion. Ballin’ that are “off the record” on a budget, you know? And I’m still cute, TJ. > Janet & Jermaine Beauty & the Beast If this is your first time reading OZONE, let me warn you that if you’re looking for a magazine with editorials relevant to hip-hop, this is not the magazine for you. My editorials are sort of > Music industry layoffs just random thoughts. Actually, I can’t come up with a good theme. I’m stuck. Lil’ Jon’s pub- R.I.P. Elektra, Arista, Geffen licist suggested that I write about my travel exploits. He knows that I have this tendency to > Ma$e making a comeback? change travel plans on a whim and fly to random cities without figuring out where I’m gonna Say it ain’t so go after that. And flying one way is a pain in the ass ‘cause I always have to go through the Su- per Super Security line where they practically strip search you. Joe, it was a great suggestion, > Usher vs. Chilli but it would destroy my mystique. Haven’t you ever read the “48 Laws of Power”? People are Celeb exes battle it out on Atlanta radio always asking how I manage to be in fourteen places at once. It’s called time management, > Super Friends DJ clique but you have a lot more power when you make it look easy. Besides, I know there’s a few haters out there reading my editorials faithfully and plotting my demise. Call me crazy, but I have > Cryme Mobb a war mentality and the worst thing you can do is give your enemy too much information. > Blood Raw > Trina vs. Atlantic Records I hope y’all enjoyed the sex edition, because my mother didn’t. She must have read it online, Label execs not amused by “Big Ole Dick” because I started getting bizarre email sermons implying that I’m some sort of cheap sex fiend who’s promoting pornography. Hey, I only wish my life was that exciting (that’s called “sarcasm,” mother). But it’s always more fun to keep people guessing, isn’t it? Anyway, I just observe and let other people voice their opinions. The “sex edition” wasn’t intended to promote cheap sex any more than the upcoming “hustler’s edition” is intended to promote drug dealing. In a few months, I’m also going undercover to bring you an exclusive inside look at a real life game of pimps & hoes. Why? ‘Cause I can’t understand why any woman would put herself in that position. I just like to figure people out, get to their “true essence.”

It’s so funny how people think this music game is for real. They’re always like, “Wow! You’re so much nicer than you are in your articles.” It’s just a magazine. It’s artistic expression, it’s venting. It’s not reality. Lil’ Jon doesn’t just bounce around all day flashing his grill, watching strippers and screaming “I don’t give a fuck!” He’s usually more tired than crunk. David Banner isn’t drenched in Hennessy 24/7. The Ying Yang Twins don’t just run around erratically screaming “HANH?” all the time, they also - oh wait. Uh, that’s a bad example. Anyway, the point is, Trick Daddy might be a thug, but he still buys ice cream for all the kiddies when the ice cream man comes around. Rappers are just people, not superheroes. Most of them don’t deserve to be placed on pedestals. Neither do I. So stop kissing my ass, it’s irritating.

I almost died last week. Headed to Tampa in heavy rain, I had to slam on the brakes coming around a curve on the freeway and the brakes locked. So my truck goes spinning backwards in circles into oncoming traffic. My life flashes before my eyes and all I can think is “pump the brakes, pump the brakes” and I land safely on the right shoulder of the road. Lately I’ve also developed this habit of waking up in my truck in really odd locations without any recollection of how I got there. For example, when I drove from Miami to Jacksonville to Atlanta overnight after two days without sleep for the Ying Yang Twins’ video shoot (see how much I love y’all?), I woke up at a random Chevron. Then there was the marathon Tampa > Gainesville > Orlando > Miami > Belle Glade > Orlando trip. And the Orlando > Jacksonville > Tampa > Tallahassee trip. I don’t remember either one of those very clearly. But, there’s still room for improvement. I haven’t been hospitalized yet like certain people, so I must not be working hard enough. I need to step my game up.

There won’t be any publicist bashing in this issue. I said my piece last month. I promised Wendy I would be nice, so... I love publicists! Publicists are my friends.

But what’s up with all these artists refusing to do interviews unless they get the cover? Kanye West, Cassidy, etc? Negro please. Are white people allowed to say that? Speaking of “Negro Please,” OZONE got quoted in XXL this month. We’re an official magazine now. That makes me very, very dangerous.

I’m a problem. - Julia Beverly, [email protected]

Guilty pleasures: Cassidy f/ R Kelly “Hotel” This month’s bullshitter award goes to aspiring & G-Unit f/ Joe “Wanna Get to Know You” rapper Platinum Boy FCJ (AOL: DreamerVisionRds). His “HOT” single features Lil’ Jon - well, actually, Pitbull “Freek-A-Leek” freestyle Outkast “Roses” it features Lil’ Jon vocals jacked straight from Blood Raw f/ Pastor Troy & Grandaddy Souf “Block Burn” Eamon “Fuck It” “Yeah.” As if that wasn’t bad enough, he promotes Lil’ Rock Dogs f/ Coco & Moses “Thug Life After All” Usher “Let it Burn” the track online by IMing random DJs, claiming that Question f/ David Banner, Mad Preacher “Streets All Mine” Lil’ Flip “Game Over” he is a DJ from Orlando’s WJHM with a “hot exclu- R Kelly f/ Wyclef “Ghetto Religion” Pitbull “Hustler’s Withdrawal” sive.” When all else fails, he begs, “Platinum Boy, Kanye West f/ Syleena Johnson “All Falls Down” Alicia Keys “Your Secrets” he’s a kid. He’s homeless. Now what if this kid kills himself [because you won’t play his record]?” LOL.

OZONE MAGAZINE MARCH 2004 11 Man, you 21 now, and I still can’t believe it He went from a kid doin’ regular street things Been living on your own, just hard to conceive it Straight to a street king That you on the right track, out pursuing that knowledge Takin’ over the city block by block But a few years back I couldn’t see you in college Breakin’ down bricks servin’ em rock by rock You was all out perpin’, brought a gun in the house He’s everything a young gun wanna grow up to be My first thought was to take it, give you one to the mouth But if only those young gunz could see But never that, we’ve been through way too much That murder, money, and lust is slowly murdering us I always try to give advice but not say too much ‘Cause the drug game ain’t what it used to be Try to lead by example, getting high So look deeper when they paint you a picture and try to sell you a dream I had some nerve telling you stay out the street while I was slangin’ ‘Cause a lot of these drug lords turn to the Feds or turn into fiends But I always preferred you do what’s smarter than me The crack game ain’t everything its cracked up to be You didn’t have to prove nothing being harder than me Now that same cat that was a neighborhood celebrity You helped mom at the cleaners Is coppin’ rocks off the new kids on the block Stayed away from misdemeanors At the same time tryna school ‘em I was proud of you then, please believe I still am But these hoodlum’s heads is harder than the rocks he’s doing Don’t let the world get you down, throw you off your program Hustlin’s like a drug, it got withdrawal symptoms Life is hard, even harder for the young black man And if you know this you won’t skip pain If it gets rough, roll a blunt and puff some old slow jams But you will gain wisdom, and wisdom gains power I know every man with a badge is probably a punk Don’t let your life go sour over powder But don’t ever risk your freedom just to throw one punch Not only did my father used to deal dope Let a coward be a coward, he has to deal with his past He used to do the dope he used to deal I know these pigs deserve it, but give ‘em a pass I’m just keepin’ it real I know you wanna keep it gangsta, just do it with class Now my father doesn’t have shit, I don’t have shit Above all remember this, no matter how big you get I’m still your big We don’t have shit ‘cause he didn’t stack shit brother and I can whup your ass With all the money he made, he didn’t think for one second to put money away - Murs, “Brotherly Love” (DJ Southpaw “Bottoms Up Vol. 1”) That’s ‘cause his mind was tattered with white thoughts He’s lucky he didn’t end up outlined in white chalk I don’t believe y’all some killers, I need some proof The only thing I gained from my father is knowledge of the street game Y’all just some Baby Boys like T yrese and Snoop And I hope that y’all follow this Studio killers, I’ll swiss cheese you in the booth I can’t say that I haven’t sold weed or cocaine, but I can say this: Have Al Sharpton in there, like, “We need the truth” Money that comes quick leaves quick, and y’all better believe this Stop fuckin’ with me – that’s what y’all need to do ‘Cause this I’ve lived and witnessed Call your mama house, I need to speak with my boo Catch a couple of charges, now you’re on the law’s shit list I need to choose, my girl or alcohol Now you’re forced to do business until this business does you, of course Man, that pussy wasn’t all that after all “Cause you can die from doing dope or dealing dope, either or Alcohol, sex, and violence stay on my mind You choose the road that you follow You a swordfish, I’m a walking Playboy mind And you choose the people that you look up to as role models Like y’all rappers in the club, I’m thuggin’ out another section I know a lotta hustlers, but I won’t mention no names While y’all are still in the no-fucking section ‘Cause they’ve still got cases pending These women love me ‘cause I’m far from fake Some are even appealing life in the cage Make ‘em bust two or three and do the Harlem shake At least they made it past the first stage, they passed a certain age - Beezel, “The Keyword is Durty” Hustlin’s like AIDS, at first you’re infected with HIV and then it’s full-blown Only difference is, instead of havin’ no immune system I stay packin’ like Green Bay, or a nigga travellin’ You become immune to the system of having dough by dealin’ blow And all that yappin’ get caskets filled like Easter baskets It’s a fast life, and even if you survive your mind will die slow I do ball, move weight like U-Hauls Dirty money attracts dirty things In the trap servin’ white circles like Q-balls And if you’re ready to deal dope I’m a grown man, posted up like Yao Min I hope you’re ready for the murder game, ‘cause that’s what it brings Now that I’m ballin’ niggas trying to get on my team I’m not a preacher, I’m not tryna preach, no I love bread with a bunch of red chicks I’m not a teacher, I’m not tryna teach And I like long money so you can call me breadstick But yet like a faucet I’m tryna leak info to these youngin’s and their kinfolk So don’t fuck with me, my cannon is loose And let ‘em know there’s more to life than a key of coke I’ll pop a nigga and show up at his funeral like Bishop in Juice If you used to push weight than you can relate I’m comin’ down with cell phones big as Nino Brown’s ‘Cause you already had a taste of hustler’s withdrawal But I ain’t taking over the Carter, I want your town - Pitbull, “Hustler’s Withdrawal” (“Pitbull Unleashed Vol. 3” mixtape) I went from serving nicks and dimes to movin’ big tons I got more bricks in the basement than ten Big Puns I rep Duval til a nigga blow my brains out Email your 16 bars to Til then, bitch, I’mma let my nuts hang out - Joey Cash of the 904 Click, [email protected] [email protected] for consideration. 01 - Christina Milian and Lil’ Jon @ Hit Factory (Miami, FL) 02 - Mad Linx and Element @ Wild Splash (Tampa, FL) 03 - Piccalo reppin’ OZONE @ Calle Ocho (Miami, FL) 04 - Cubo, Pitbull, and Lil’ Jon @ “Culo” video shoot (Miami, FL) 05 - Disco Rick and the ladies (Miami, FL) 06 - Bow Wow reppin’ OZONE @ celebrity car show (Atlanta, GA) 07 - Pitbull invites some video models to his trailer for a Hennessy break (Miami, FL) 08 - Cool putting in overtime @ Hit Factory (Miami, FL) 09 - Tom G shooting the video for “City Boy” (Clearwater, FL) 10 - Orlando gets his groove on @ Wild Splash (Clearwater, FL) 11 - Black Profit, Mad Preacher, David Banner, Ques- tion, and Scar @ IMG Studios (Orlando, FL) 12 - Kelis and DJ Silver Knight @ Shadows (Atlanta, GA) 13 - DJ Dynamite, Young Beezy, Petey Pablo, Kid $ KG, and JD Hawg reppin’ OZONE @ Fuel (Tampa, FL) 14 - Freeway reppin’ OZONE (Philadephia, PA) 15 - MTV chats with Kanye West and the Young Gunz @ Electric Factory (Philadelphia, PA) 16 - B.P. and Sweetz reppin’ OZONE (Philadelphia, PA) 17 - Space and Ideal hustlin’ @ “Culo” video shoot (Miami, FL) 18 - Iisha and Pastor Troy reppin’ OZONE @ NASCAR celeb car show (Atlanta, GA) 19 - Lil’ Jon gets crunk (Miami, FL) 20 - Choppa and Ozzie Oz reppin’ OZONE @ The Moon (Tallahassee, FL)

#1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,17,19,20 Julia Beverly; #14,15,16 Felita Knight; #6,18 Iisha Hillmon #5 Disco Rick; #12 DJ Silver Knight; #13 KG Mosley 13 01 - David Banner admiring himself @ Spring Jam (Philadelphia, PA) 02 - Pitbull with director Coodie and the video crew on the set of “Culo” (Miami, FL) 03 - Lil Jon signs an autograph for a young fan @ Calle Ocho (Miami, FL) 04 - Singers Takia and Khaliyah checkin’ out OZONE @ the Co-Op (Philadelphia, PA) 05 - Big Teach reppin’ for Pitbull @ Calle Ocho (Miami, FL) 06 - Petey Pablo reppin’ OZONE @ Club Fuel (Tampa, FL) 07 - Buju Banton performing @ Wild Splash (Clearwater, FL) 08 - Pitbull advertising for Crunk energy drink (MIami, FL) 09 - Jermaine Dupri reppin’ OZONE @ celebrity car show (Atlanta, GA) 10 - Pitbull and Lil’ Jon in the limo (MIami, FL) 11 - DJ Quest’s birthday party (Ft. Myers, FL) 12 - Ab Liva and Ms. Jade reppin’ OZONE @ the Co-Op (Philadelphia, PA) 13 - DJ Jus, Da Brat, and Iisha Hillmon reppin’ OZONE (Atlanta, GA) 14 - Reppin’ OZONE @ Wild Splash (Clearwater, FL) 15 - DJ Quest’s birthday party (Ft. Myers, FL) 16 - Power 99’s Poochman @ Club Transit (Philadelphia, PA) 17 - Hot 107’s Rashan Ali reppin’ OZONE @ NASCAR celebrity car show (Atlanta, GA) 18 - DJ Dynamite reppin’ OZONE @ Club Fuel (Tampa, FL) 19 - DJ 007 wishing Quest a happy birthday (Ft. Myers, FL) 20 - Wild 98.7’s Orlando reppin’ for the “O” @ Wild Splash (Clearwater, FL)

#2,5,7,8,10,14,20 Julia Beverly; #1,4,12,16 Felita Knight; #9,13,17 Iisha Hillmon; #11,15,19 DJ Quest; #6,18 KG Mosley 14 01 - Doug E. Fresh, Fat Joe, and Slick Rick @ Nikki Beach (Miami, FL) 02 - Kanye West and Freeway @ Club Bermuda’s (Miami, FL) 03 - Teddy T @ Rain for Jay-Z’s party (Miami, FL) 04 - Bone Thugs N Harmony with DJ Tom LaRock @ Opium Garden (Miami, FL) 05 - Butterfly co-owner Peter Thomas with Slick Salt’s James Jackson and Cognito (Miami, FL) 06 - Jacki-O and Wyclef on the set of “Take Me As I Am” (Miami, FL) 07 - Michael Madd’s OZONE debut @ Club Bed (Miami, FL) 08 - DJ Khaled reppin’ Bacardi @ Opium (Miami, FL) 09 - Hasan and Wyclef’s cousin rockin’ Haitian gear on the set of Wyclef’s video shoot (Miami, FL) 10 - Supa Cindy and JB @ Level (Miami, FL) 11 - Sabai and models @ Akademiks fitting room during WMC (Miami, FL) 12 - Rick Ross and Duece Poppi @ Krave (Miami, FL) 13 - Field Mob and DTP @ the Rolexx (Miami, FL) 14 - The Game and Daed Jeweler on the set of “Wanna Get to Know You” 15 - Sean Paul and Max Pierre @ Opium Gardens (Miami, FL) 16 - Lil’ Jon and comedian Larry Dogg @ the AA Arena (Miami, FL) 17 - Pitbull, Funkmaster Olly, and Teach @ ZNo’s (Miami, FL) 18 - Pitbull and Buggah reppin’ On Point @ Wyclef’s video shoot 19 - Gorilla Tek reppin’ 305 (Miami, FL) 20 - Young Buck gets a handful of Taneshia on the set of “Wanna Get to Know You”

Photos by J Lash, 954-733-3613 or [email protected] 15 01 - Jonny Bravo and Sonny Chulo performing a tribute to Big Wil @ Tabu (Orlando, FL) 02 - Teddy T and Jacki-O @ Bermuda’s (Miami, FL) 03 - Spliff Star, Busta Rhymes, and Lloyd Banks (Miami, FL) 04 - Trick Daddy runs in for a touchdown (Atlanta, GA) 05 - George Dukes, Andre Rison, Cedric Hollywood, James Jackson, and Lorenzo Ice-T @ Nikki Beach (Miami, FL) 06 - Baby reppin’ OZONE @ Bermuda’s (MIami, FL) 07 - Trick Daddy and Greg Street on the set of “What’s Happenin’” (Atlanta, GA) 08 - Legacy and Phoetix @ AKA Lounge (Orlando, FL) 09 - DJs reppin’ OZONE @ Sneaker Villa (Philadelphia, PA) 10 - E-Class, Supa Cindy, and Cognito (Miami, FL) 11 - Erick Sermon performing @ Club OHM (NYC) 12 - Soet performing @ AKA Lounge (Orlando, FL) 13 - Hasan Brown, Supa Cindy, Sabai Burnett, Max Pierre, and Big Teach @ Akademiks’ Fitting Room (Miami, FL) 14 - T.O.K. performing on The Roof (Miami, FL) 15 - Don Legend and D-Lite @ AKA Lounge (Orlando, FL) 16 - Knocturnal reppin’ OZONE @ Electric Factory (Phila- delphia, PA) 17 - Hustlers @ Nikki Beach (Miami, FL) 18 - X-my-Lip of TDP shows how to promote @ AKA Lounge (Orlando, FL) 19 - Lloyd Banks does his best rabbit impression on the G-Unit video set (Miami, FL) 20 - Bacardi party @ Opium Garden (Miami, FL)

#1,4,6,7,8,11,12,15,18 Julia Beverly; #2,3,5,10,13,17,19,20 J Lash; #9,16 Felita Knight; #14 Mighty Samson 16 01 - Fiend and Yung Wun on the set of “Tear it Up” (Atlanta, GA) 02 - Big Wil tribute @ Tabu (Orlando, FL) 03 - Southpaw, Marcus., and Sweetz with a “z” (Atlanta, GA) 04 - DJ Demp pimpin’ (Atlanta, GA) 05 - Trick Daddy and the ice cream man (Atlanta, GA) 06 - Oscar, Adept, and Noel @ La Messa Studios (Orlando, FL) 07 - Yung Wun, David Banner, and Lil’ Flip on the set of “Tear it Up” (Atlanta, GA) 08 - Big Oomp and DJ Jelly (Atlanta, GA) 09 - Big Mel and TJ reppin’ Headgear (Atlanta, GA) 10 - See? OZONE loves the Ying Yang Twins and their management (Atlanta, GA) 11 - Kaspa the Don, Greg Street, and the Legion of Doom DJs on the set of “What’s Happenin’” (Atlanta, GA) 12 - 8Ball & MJG @ Daddy’s House studios (NYC) 13 - Trillville and the Superfriends on the set of “Tear it Up” (Atlanta, GA) 14 - Fat Joe checkin’ out the newest OZONE @ Universal Records (NYC) 15 - Huddycombs and Ump reppin’ OZONE @ Bermuda’s (Miami, FL) 16 - Carlito and Arty @ Daddy’s House studios (NYC) 17 - Greg Street and Bubby Love reppin’ OZONE (Atlanta, GA) 18 - Lil’ Flip and Gil Green (Atlanta, GA) 19 - 8Ball & MJG reppin’ OZONE @ Daddy’s House (NYC) 20 - Trick Daddy and Rasheeda (Atlanta, GA) 21 - Disco Rick @ Bermuda’s (Miami, FL) 22 - DTP’s I-20 reppin’ OZONE (Philadelphia, PA)

#1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21 Julia Beverly; #6 Rayfield arren;W #22 Felita Knight 17 01 - Roc-A-Fella VP Kenny Burns with Rell (NYC) 02 - Jagged Edge 03 - Black Child @ the Murder Inc studios (NYC) 04 - Chris & Neef @ their album release party with Young Steph (NYC) 05 - Chris & Neef @ their album release party with Memphis Bleek, Freeway, and Rell (NYC) 06 - Wendy Williams gives Lisa Raye some helpful eyeliner tips (NYC) 07 - Neef eyes a titty while Chris signs autographs (NYC) 08 - Chingy performing @ Hammerstein Ballroom (NYC) 09 - Aladdin and DJ Clue (NYC) 10 - Raandu Avion and Rell @ Chris & Neef’s album release party (NYC) 11 - Chris & Neef with The Source’s Boo & Gotti and publicist Gabe (NYC) 12 - DJ Red Alert and Benny Boom (NYC) 13 - LA Reid, Joe Budden, and Kevin Liles @ the Chicken & Beer concert (NYC) 14 - Memphis Bleek, Rell, & Freeway (NYC) 15 - Lenny Kravitz & Raandu Avion on the set of “Show Me Your Soul” (NYC) 16 - Ludacris backstage (NYC) 17 - Glenn Lewis signing autographs (NYC) 18 - Kay Slay and La La (NYC) 19 - David Banner loves his mommy (Jackson, MS) 20 - Rell goes bowling (NYC)

Photos by Raandu Avion, 973-373-1653 or www.imagetv.tv 18 01 - Greg Street and Roy Jones on the set of “What’s Happenin’” (Atlanta, GA) 02 - OZONE readers (Panama City, FL) 03 - Stat Quo, DJ Demp, and Chaka Zulu (Atlanta, GA) 04 - Kedar Massenburg reppin’ OZONE (NYC) 05 - T.O.K. @ Wildsplash (Clearwater, FL) 06 - T-Roy, Cynnamix, and Q45 reppin’ OZONE @ Avenues Mall (Jacksonville, FL) 07 - Erick Sermon reppin’ OZONE (NYC) 08 - Yung Wun and Swizz Beatz on the set of “Tear it Up” (Atlanta, GA) 09 - Dr Doom and Ron Love (Jacksonville, FL) 10 - Detre Val and Conrad Dimanche @ Daddy’s House (NYC) 11 - David Banner and Dylan from Da Band (Atlanta, GA) 12 - Carl Thomas and Mario Winans @ Daddy’s House (NYC) 13 - Ying Yang Twins, Trick Daddy, and Roy Jones on the set of “What’s Happenin’” (Atlanta, GA) 14 - Sean Prez, Green Lantern, and Loon @ Daddy’s House (NYC) 15 - Lil’ Flip, Greg Street, and Yung Wun on the set of “Tear it Up” (Atlanta, GA) 16 - Baby shows off his Big Tymers plaque @ Universal Records (NYC) 17 - Ying Yang Twins and friends on the set of “What’s Happenin’” (Atlanta, GA) 18 - Trick loves the ladies (Atlanta, GA) 19 - Lil’ Flip gets crunk (Atlanta, GA) 20 - TJ, DJ Smurf, and Kane (Atlanta, GA) 21 - Comedian Dirty South reppin’ OZONE (Atlanta, GA) 22 - CJ and Cameron reppin’ Konsole Kingz (Atlanta, GA)

#1,3,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20 Julia Beverly; #2 Rayfield arren;W #5 Mighty Samson; #21 Iisha Hillmon 19 01 - Loon with Bad Boy’s Harve Pierre and Conrad Dimanche @ Daddy’s House (NYC) 02 - Slim and Baby @ Universal Records with publicists Wendy Washington and Vickie Charles (NYC) 03 - Reppin’ OZONE @ Choppa’s “Hot Piece” video shoot (Pensacola, FL) 04 - R.L. Williams, Yung Wun, and Gil Green on the set of “Tear it Up” (Atlanta, GA) 05 - Roy Jones on the set of “Hot Piece” (Pen- sacola, FL) 06 - Tigger reppin’ OZONE on the set of “Hot Piece” (Pensacola, FL) 07 - David Banner, Swizz Beatz, and Lil’ Flip on the set of “Tear it Up” (Atlanta, GA) 08 - A Fat Cat with Killer Mike (Atlanta, GA) 09 - Sky pimpin’ (Atlanta, GA) 10 - Video director Phenomenon on the set of Choppa’s “Hot Piece” (Pensacoola, FL) 11 - TVT’s Bryan Leach thinks this is a multi-million dollar photo (Atlanta, GA) 12 - DMX, Yung Wun, David Banner, and Lil’ Flip on the set of “Tear it Up” (Atlanta, GA) 13 - Tigger and Choppa between takes on the set of “Hot Piece” (Pensacola, FL) 14 - Erick Sermon @ Unique Auto (NYC) 15 - Denise and Wynter reppin’ OZONE (Pensacola, FL) 16 - Reppin’ OZONE (Pensacola, FL) 17 - Bruce Bruce and D-Roc (Atlanta, GA) 18 - Kaboom reppin’ OZONE (Philadelphia, PA) 19 - Scotty J’s OZONE debut (Atlanta, GA) 20 - DJ Scorpio (Atlanta, GA) 21 - Marcus gets a whiff (NYC)

#1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,11,12,14,16,17,18 Julia Beverly; #9,15 Image Records; #10 Swift; #13 KG Mosley; #20 William Majors 20

Central Florida is betting on a new star to be born from Orlando. Home of Mickey Mouse and Smilez & Southstar, this rap act seems like less of an act than the aforementioned and more like rap in action. One of the most pro found lyricists to come from Orlando so far, Adept, represents the La Messa camp. Most likely you’ll know him - from his work on various mixtapes in the O, or maybe you even heard him spitting fire on “Bang” off the DOA compilation album last summer. Wherever you’ve heard him, you should have figured out by now that his lyrics aren’t typical for most new rappers. You won’t hear the same regurgitated lines about ice trays around necks and bitches in abundance like cattle. Adept takes the road less traveled, he comes at you with stories, real tales of the pain that’s tormented his own soul. Adept has been busy preparing for his album release, tentatively scheduled for summer 2004. Even though it may seem a bit early to call anything on his new album a single, that doesn’t stop the fact that right now his catalogue is over fifty songs deep. After hearing some samples myself, it’s safe to say that with the help of Orlando’s own multi-platinum production team, Nasty Beatmakers, Adept has a nice beat selection to work with, taking his music to another level. At the end of the day, however, it’s his rhymes that separate him from the pack. Somewhat reminiscent of Nas and Biggie, Adept is one of the few rappers who actually has a message to deliver. His rhymes stay rawer than fish markets. Never holding back his own emotions, you would think he’s throwing chairs in the booth. Adept is one of Orlando’s most promising draft picks in a long time. Next time you plan your Disney vacation, make sure you ask your travel agent for a tour of La Messa studios. – Noel Malcolm, [email protected] (Photo: Rayfield Warren)

“I was born in this ghetto world – a product of a ghetto fuck between a ghetto boy and ghetto girl.” Out of these seemingly dismal circumstances, James – later crowned “Yung Wun” – was born in Atlanta, GA. He spent his ado- lescent years training for battle in housing projects known as “little Vietnam.” Early on, Yung Wun’s poetic gifts were overshadowed by his ruthless environment. He became immersed in the streets and landed in the juvenile justice system. Throughout this time, he found relief through lyrical expression and began rhyming as a form of escape, winning several oratorical contests and writing awards. His grandmother, Vera, continually pleaded with him to get off the streets and concentrate on his God-given talents. In the single most pivotal moment of his life, Yung Wun’s grandmother died in his arms. Overwhelmed by her death, he was determined to focus on the good his grandmother saw in him and devoted his life to his art form. Inspired by 2Pac, Biggie, and DMX, he began showcasing his talent all over metro Atlanta, attracting the attention of several music executives. Many- of the people that promised to help him achieve his dream only lured him in to exploit him. Despite his disap - pointments, Yung Wun pressed on with a vengeance, vowing that there would be “consequences and repercus sions” if anyone tried to stop him. His career took an upward turn in 1998 when he signed with Atlanta-based production company Dark Society, who presented his project to platinum-selling super producer, Swizz Beatz. Swizz offered them a production deal with Full Surface/J Records. Since then, Yung Wun has been featured on several platinum rap albums, rapping alongside the likes of Drag-On, Snoop Dogg, Jadakiss, and(Photo: Scarface. JB) His current single, “Tear It Up,” with DMX, Lil’ Flip, and David Banner, is creating a heavy buzz.

Triple J has a gift for making bad shit sound real good. From Riviera Beach, Florida, otherwise known as “The Raw,” Triple J dropped out of school with a vision to come up. “I paint a picture with words. It’s real – you feel it or you don’t,” he explains. Dedicated to the hip-hop game, he left school to pursue his passion for rhyming, incorporating nothing but life experience. Hustlin’ his way though several local projects, including the most recent “Gladiator,” he independently moved over 12,000 units. In 1996, Triple J lined with producer Tone Capone of Da Luniz fame, fusing Oakland pimp style into the track “National Players” for a complilation CD, “Dollars & Spence Family Tree,” which enjoyed solid distribution throughout the South, Midwest, and California. While working with Triple J, Tone Capone was also deep into Scarface’s “Untouchable” (“Mary Jane” and “Smile”). Scarface took note of Triple J’s distinctive flow, plugging him to Def Jam South as “Bumpy Johnson.” He was on his way – or so it seemed. After signing with Def Jam South in July 2002, Triple J’s project was shelved. He re- turned to hometown love, releasing his fifth project, “My Addictions,” under Black Market (not to be confused with Lil’ Jon’s BME) in March 2004. “I’m at my peak now,” he says confidently. “My Addictions” is a distinctive blend of influences and collaborations. He teams up with producer Jim Jonsin (Trick Daddy, Trina, Pitbull) on “Point ‘Em Out” and links with South Florida’s Suave Smooth on “Ridin’ Wit’ Us.” Triple J has enjoyed play on mainstream radio such as West Palm Beach’s WMBX and has various tracks on steady rotation on the under ground stations. But making local noise is just a springboard for bigger and better thing. “I’m the most lyrical- rapper comin’ up. If you think otherwise, I’m ready to see you!” – Katerina Perez for Fresh Entertainment ussell Simmons’ OneWorld Magazine has shut its doors. Although h my God, someone do something! “Are the bars downtown let- it was not widely read, it had been around for almost ten years. ting the taps flow for our children?” That was the question posed RThings weren’t looking good: the former editor-in-chief quit Oby a local anchor on the late night news a few weeks ago. The when Russell wanted to force her to put his wife on the cover of the “Problem Solvers” are at it again. This week found our heroes inves- magazine, and ad sales were drying up. But even worse, it had become tigating the downtown bars and clubs. It seems a “concerned father” known as a gay-friendly look at hip-hop, which is funny because Russell complained because his 19-year-old daughter, one of “our children,” had put the brakes on investing in VIBE Magazine when it first launced got popped for under-age drinking at a downtown nightclub. And so the because its first editor was an openly gay man. This is an excerpt of “Problem Solvers” sprang into action. the email Russell sent to everyone in the industry regarding the future of OneWorld: Images of the lighted signs on a few downtown clubs, which I will respectfully not name, flashed across the TV screen. Hell! Brimstone! “OneWorld is an enduring brand with a solid future and broad appeal The signs of Satan! I saw the face of the Devil himself in one of those in the media and entertainment space. We remain committed to the nightclub signs! Thank our fuckin’ lucky stars we have the “Problem brand, and we plan to relaunch OneWorld in the near future. Stay Solvers,” who sent an underage girl into those fiery pits to see which tuned for the next act.” ones would serve her.

The editor-in-chief’s email, however, didn’t hide behind lawyer-type As I fought to restrain myself from putting my size 10 through the TV bullshit and told the real story: screen, I watched an interview of our “concerned father,” a faceless citizen who didn’t want to be identified. Of course, the public had to “I would like to thank you all for your help, hard work, and profes- hear about how wholesome and academic the 19-year-old daughter in sionalism in the recent weeks since I’ve been senior editor at Russell question was. One would think the evil club owner pointed a gun at her Simmons’ OneWorld Magazine. But due to financial burdens that could innocent head and forced a mixed drink down her throat. Give me a not be overcome, OneWorld Magazine will cease operations effective fuckin’ break! Daddy’s little angel is probably flashing her tits, er, uh, immediately. For all writers who would like to know when and how excuse me, having a “wardrobe malfunction” at the beach during spring much you will be paid for submitted work, please direct all inquiries break as I type this. to our publisher. For all publicists, please accept my apologies, but the decision to fold was beyond my control.” Our children! It never ceases to amaze me how the general public falls for those two magic words—hook, line and sinker—time and time again. he Source Magazine has slowly been falling off. It’s hard to be- I’m sorry, but a 19-year-old is hardly a child. An 18, 19 or 20-year-old lieve the former number one hip-hop magazine has so much trou- is an adult who is old enough to come home from a war in a body bag, Tble when hip-hop music is bigger than ever. The Source has lost missing limbs, and/or mentally scarred for life, but not old enough to both their TV shows. Even though their awards show is now aired on have a drink. By the time “our children” reach their teenage years, BET, we all know that BET doesn’t pay shit. The Source has also been if they don’t know what’s right or wrong and have some concept of firing people left and right. They even fired their online department. the idea that there are consequences to be suffered for making bad Who is running their website now? It hasn’t been updated since Janu- choices, some parents clearly haven’t done their job. ary, and the message boards are overrun with the KKK, gay rappers, and ads for unsigned artists. They better act quickly before someone Back to our undercover, underage girl. She got served in one bar, eats their food. probably because she smiled at a male bartender or had a “wardrobe malfunction.” “Our children” are in danger! Somebody close those evil rykah Badu has got another bun in the oven. places down! We have to protect “our children!” Of course, our under- The Grammy superstar of the neo-soul set is age heroine didn’t consume the witches’ brew, but dumped it instead. Etrading in her Afro wigs for a maternity smock. Whatever. It appears she is trying to drop a baby by a different rapper for each album she puts out. But that’s Ever notice how the “Problem Solvers” never investigate any businesses not all she puts out. After kicking rapper Common that buy advertising from the station? It seems the “Problem Solvers” to the curb for being too nice and failing to spawn always “investigate” the smaller businesses that don’t have the money a new progeny, she turned to virile Death Row gangsta rapper D.O.C. to sue the station. Let’s see the “Problem Solvers” send someone pos- to knock her up. The D.O.C. used to be down with Dr. Dre, but he ing as a buyer to one of those new car dealerships that advertise on the hasn’t put out a record since last century. Erykah’s first baby daddy, station, and report on how people get ass-raped on new car deals. Let’s Andre 3000, has gone onto international multi-platinum fame with his see the “Problem Solvers” send someone posing as an accident victim group Outkast. He snubbed her at the Grammys by thanking everyone to one of those law firms, and report on how those attorneys take one- on earth except her as she was sitting in the front row. Now, I admit, third of the victim’s settlement for their services. Will this ever happen? this girl must have some magnetic shit going, but she really dug deep What do YOU think? in the barrel for this one. I wonder who will be the next rapper to run up in this piece, Kwame? Better yet, why don’t the “Problem Solvers” investigate what ever happened to those “highway funds” that the federal government used to pressure the states into raising the legal drinking age to 21? Funny how not too long ago, there was a half-cent tax on the [Orange County] ballot to solve our traffic problems, as if we aren’t being taxed enough already. In these days of state “budget deficits,” why don’t the “Prob- lem Solvers” investigate how the state could lower the legal drinking age back down to 18 (at least for beer and wine) to generate more state tax revenues and greatly reduce the bureaucracy needed to enforce the current senseless law?

Oh, we have to protect “our children” by putting them in jail for something they’re going to do anyway, regardless of the drinking age law? And how do we keep our bureaucrats employed? There’s plenty of trash to be picked up on the highways.

Hey club, bar and venue owners! You’re under attack once again! You should rally together to bring the legal drinking age back down, which would solve the problem in the first place. Local and regional bands and artists should play benefits to gather enough signatures to get such a proposal on the ballot. The only thing “our children” need protection from is the politicians and bureaucrats. – David Himes

OZONE MAGAZINE MARCH 2004 23

f you’re an avid hip-hop fan, surely you’re familar with Jin, the Asian Irapper who’s single “Speak Chinese” proudly advertises his heritage. And of course you know about Eminem, who’s skin color has been both his biggest hindrance and help when it comes to breaking into the rap game. Then, there’s a handful of Latino rappers who have made their mark on the hip-hop game, including the late, great Big Pun, Fat Joe, N.O.R.E., and the up-and-coming Pitbull. But, in the wake of 9/11, is the world ready for the first Arabic rapper? Question, an Orlando-based rapper of Arabic descent, aims to be the first.

Who is Question? Question is a young Arab-American who was born in Egypt and grew up in Jersey City. I grew up North til I was eleven and I moved down in Orlando.

What was your upbringing like? Unlike the way most Americans think about Arabs and other immigrants, they think we’ve got a little gas station on the corner, but my family never hand that. We didn’t come to America and strike gold like most people think. Coming from where we’re from, we see the Arabs that got stores like they getting paid. But my pop drove buses, blue collar. My mother don’t speak or read or write English, til this day.

How did people react to you as an Arab when you moved down to Florida? Being of a different nationality, I was totally just ridiculed.

When did you start getting into music? What made me want to become a DJ was the movie “Juice,” back in the early 90’s when my father had died. In 1995, that’s when I got my first set of turntables.

How did you get your first turntables? We broke into this guy’s house that lived like three doors down from me. I knew his schedule, and he had this stashbox of cash. We got like $3,500, that was real big for a thirteen, fourteen year old. It was kinda fucked up, cause he was a cool dude. I actually went over there after he got robbed, and I was like, “Man, that’s fucked up.” And then I bought some Technic 1200’s, but he never put two and two together. I hooked up with a DJ crew called Heavy Sounds, which was DJ Heavy, DJ Dewey, and Captain Cel- sius. I met them at a party in Kissimmee. At the time, there was a couple other local DJ crews. DJ Prostyle and Garfield were with Ill Foundation, and DJ Khaled, DJ Nasty, DJ Caesar and them were the Hitmen. I started rolling with the Heavy Sounds clique, and I actually learned how to DJ while I was rolling with them. I was DJ Question before I knew how to DJ. I’d just go to parties with them and people thought I was a DJ.

Where did you come up with the name Question? The name Question was given to me by some people that I met in the street. They thought I was Spanish and I was telling them I was Egyptian, so they were like, “You’re like a question.” I go through different phases, different changes, when I had my dreads people thought I was a yellow nigga from Jamaica. I’m like a chameleon how I blend in, I can be ev- nated against in the hip-hop game, but “[AS AN erywhere. People are when 9/11 hit it turned into some real always like, “I don’t crazy shit. People wanted to kill us and ARAB], I WAS know what the hell hang us from the back of their pick- ALWAYS DIS- you are.” This is when up trucks. These people need to know I was real young, like what the hell I’m feeling right now. I’m CRIMINATED fourteen, so the name trying to tell my life story. I’m the new kinda stuck to me. We nigga. AGAINST, BUT were the number one WHEN 9/11 crew back then for a What do you mean by that? while that was throw- We are the new slaves of America. Arab HAPPENED IT ing house parties and people, brown-skinned people from Af- stuff. Heavy became rica. We are the new slaves in Amer- TURNED INTO a Jehovah’s Witness, ica, and right now I’m telling my life SOME REAL so the crew broke up. through the “Sand Nigga.” That’s what I kept on, I continued they labeled me. I don’t know if the CRAZY SHIT.” by myself. I started FBI is gonna lock me down because I’m to get into producing Arab and they think I’m spreading the a little bit, making tracks for rappers around me. message of terrorism. I’m just basically I also started throwing parties with Jungle Lion. I showing what I go through. Like Emi- put together my own thing, started Staff Enter- nem, he shows how it is to be a white tainment. We were putting out mixtapes, yellow boy rapping. He teaches you, even and red mixtapes. People could tell the difference through that movie about him back in because the red mixtapes were hip-hop and the the day, that just showed you his life yellow mixtapes were reggae. I also met Big Wil through different eyes. With Jin, you’re (R.I.P.) from Max-A-Million Records back then seeing through the eyes of an Asian kid. when I was doing stuff with Heavy Sounds. I ended With me, you’re experiencing life as an up founding Brimstone Records with Cesar, Red Arab. I love America, it’s the land of Dread, and Black Profit. opportunity, but it’s also a place that gives you pain. It’s a great place to be, How did you get involved with pirate radio? but it’s not always great. My album is full lot of people get so stuck I started DJing on the underground station 95Live of good times and bad times. on the flashy shit they’re back in 2000. I was asked to do my own show, and too busy to give back. We “I REPRE- all of a sudden I was the program director. There So if you make money, what do you plan to all like nice things, but SENT THE was beef between the two owners of the station, do with it? I’m never gonna forget so I used to be the mediator for everybody. I’m telling you, no Maybachs for me, dawg. All having to work all night STRUGGLE, that $350k need to go back to those people and sleep all day and So are you representing Arabs as a whole? that are starving. I’d take it back to Tangelo not be ablet o eat dur- AND I WILL I’m not a rich Arab, I’m broke. I’m a ghetto-ass Park, I’d probably start up a fund for kids in ing the day. I represent GIVE BACK Arab nigga. But I’m not just reppin’ Arabs, I’m rep- school that are less fortunate to get scholar- the struggle, and I will resenting everybody. But people that come from ships. I might open up a community center. give back to what made TO WHAT other countries, like Jamaica, they know how I might take a certain area and beautify it, me. I’ll make myself hard it is to become an immigrant and get your like Carver Shores where all the houses are into something. Every- MADE ME.” visa, they know what I go through. Now, the whole broke down. I want to add more lighting to body needs help sometimes. When I get my first project came about after 9/11 because it turned the streets, rejuvenate it, and all those things deal, I’m gonna come back to Orlando and run into a whole situation. Before, I was always dis- take money. You can’t be broke and do it. This around picking up some bums off the street and criminated against in America. Arabs don’t have industry gives you the opportunity to make help them. I’ll get them fed, cleaned up, help our own set of music. I was already being discrimi- money and come back to the streets, but a them medically, buy some homes so they can have a roof over their heads and get a job. You can’t do all that without dough. I’mma do good with my money. No Bentleys or Maybachs for me. And you could quote that. I’m going back to my homeland – there’s a lot of people there that need help. If anybody wants to donate, they can go to arapmusic.com, we’re gonna have food drives and help their community. All money, all proceeds, nothing goes to my company. IT all goes towards helping those people, and you will see where it’s being used.

What’s your plan for the album release? The album, “Sand Nigga,” will be coming out in the summer 2004. We’ve got two singles: “Streets is all Mine” featuring David Banner and Mad Preach- er and “Da Brimstone Riddim” featuring Joe Grind. Right now we’re just in the streets. I can’t even lie, we ain’t got distribution. Straight out the trunk. Or they can purchase it on the website, arapmusic.com.

OZONE MAGAZINE MARCH 2004 29

workaholics anonymous

ou probably envision Lil’ Jon as a caricature, a cartoon figure who top. “We’ve stepped up the production for this new album, ‘Kings of pops up all over the Top 10 list sporting sunglasses, a platinum Crunk’,” he assured me back then, “I think we just put so much en- Ygrill, and an ever-present pimp cup. Even if some hip-hop purists ergy into the music that you can’t deny the record.” don’t fully appreciate the crunk revolution Jon has spearheaded, you really can’t hate on a man who pulls in five figures to scream patented Several years and two million records later, Lil’ Jon is one of the most phrases like “Okaaaay!” and “Yeaaaah!” Now, that’s a pimp! But who sought-after producers in the game. Poor concert attendance is no would’ve guessed that Jonathan actually scours the health food stores longer a problem. Strolling through the streets of Little Havana for for quality multi-vitamins, loves to cook, and spends his days off curled Miami’s Calle Ocho festival amongst a posse of bodyguards, he attracts up on the couch with his family? fans of all ages and races begging for autographs or photos. After a few hours of screaming “Yeahhh!” underneath the Miami sun with Pitbull, The music industry is a hoax; a façade; an image. It’s all about percep- Jon slides into a limo waiting on the back streets. He fields a few calls tion, and Jon knows this well. Your favorite rapper isn’t ballin’ as hard from celeb friends like Usher (“What up, my nigga?!?”) en route to as you think he is, and in the same way, Lil’ Jon, contrary to popular the Hit Factory, where he perfects a “sexy” beat for Christina Milian belief, isn’t crunk all the time. After years of watching and learning the before heading back to his South Beach mansion to continue work on game, first as a DJ and later as an A&R for Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def, Lil’ Jon & the East Side Boyz’ third album. Later that night, Jon rolls Jon successfully created himself as a brand. The recent Dave Chappelle through Club Deep to finish filming for Pitbull’s “Culo” video. All in a skits, “A Day in the Life of Lil’ Jon,” are further proof that Jon has se- day’s work. Like a true workaholic, even at the peak of his career, he’s cured his place in pop culture. He’s recognized by mainstream America still focused and driven. We dragged Jon out of a recording session in on a level that few rappers besides Snoop Dogg have reached. But it Atlanta’s Stankonia Studios to figure out what makes this workaholic didn’t happen overnight. tick.

nce upon a time, the Palladium had earned its reputation as the What do your parents do for a living? grimiest club in Central Florida. Every time someone got shot, the My dad is deceased, and my mom is in the Army. She works at a hospital Oclub changed its name and reopened. Backstage activities were also as a supervisor in the operating room. Right now she’s been called always off-the-record, and cameras were strictly prohibited. Name any into active duty, so she’s away with the Army. rapper and they’d probably performed there at least once. A bizarre group which most assumed was a one-hit fluke, the Ying Yang Twins, What other side gigs do you have besides being an artist and pro- came through and performed their take on a Disney classic, “Whistle ducer? While you Twerk.” At that time, Lil’ Jon and the East Side Boyz (Lil’ Bo We’ve got BME the label through Warner Bros with Trillville, Lil’ Scrappy, and Big Sam) were just names without a face. Their show was canceled and Bohagon, and we got the label through TVT with Lil’ Jon, Chyna when about fifteen people showed up. I reluctantly pulled up to their Whyte, and Oobie. Then we’ve got the Crunk energy drink, and we got tour bus parked at a nearby hotel for our scheduled interview. Based the porn, Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz “American Sex Series.” on their singles, “Bia Bia” and “Who You Wit,” I was prepared for the worst, envisioning a mass of gold-grilled thugs hovering around my tape Are you starring in the porno? recorder in clouds of weed smoke, mumbling something unintelligible. Nah, I’m just wildin’ out, talkin’ shit. Hypin’ shit up, so to speak. Inside the tour bus, however, I was shocked to meet three polite grown- ass men who spoke clearly, didn’t smell, and even remembered me at What’s the function of the East Side Boyz? their video shoot a month later. Most rappers would be discouraged if (laughing) What’s the function? Well, we all write the stuff together. We their concert only drew fifteen people, but Jon didn’t seem phased. do everything together. I’m like the Quincy Jones of the group, I produce During the interview, it was clear that Jon and the Boyz understood and coordinate everything. I’m the one that ties everything together. the game inside and out and knew what they’d have to do to get to the What’s a typical day like in the life of Lil’ Jon? Well, today I got up around 2 or 3, ate breakfast, came straight to the studio, and I’ll probably be here til 6am. I’m in the studio finishing up Trillville & Scrappy’s album, so I’m mixing as well as doing new tracks. Then, I’m also on the phone handling other things at the same time. When I’m on the road, I’m usually doing shows, doing TV, hosting parties, networking, stuff like that.

When you’re at a club do you feel like you’re working? I’m always working when I g o to a club, period. A club is

32 OZONE MAGAZINE MARCH 2004 workaholics anonymous where you make contacts for future deals, together a project from beginning to end, so and people – your fans – get to see you, talk “CRUNK MUSIC WILL NEVER that helped me out a lot. Basically, I just pay to you, take pictures. It’s really a network- DIE OUT CAUSE THIS IS HOW attention and learn from every situation I’ve ing thing. But as long as I’m drinking, I’m been in. having a good time. WE LIVE IN THE SOUTH.” Out of all the things you’ve accomplished in What’s the worst and best parts about your career, which one is most significant to your job? you? The worst part, of course, is that you don’t get to see your family that I think the biggest thing to me was getting an American Music Award. That’s much. The best part is the money and the traveling, and the free shit. fuckin’ mainstream America, it’s all about the fans, and I got to meet Dick Clark. The second biggest thing was doing Dick Clark’s Rockin Eve on ABC. What’s the longest you’ve gone without sleep? That was big because I’ve watched Dick Clark for years. I remember watch- Maybe about 24 hours straight. But I’ll go like two or three weeks of ing American Bandstand, I remember watching Dick Clark’s Rockin Eve be- just two or three hours of sleep on the plane. Three weeks of that shit fore I was old enough to even stay up late. So to do that show, that was a is just torture on your body. I might be in the office, then I might go do major accomplishment. TV or press shit, then I might go to the club that night or the studio and then the club. Do that every day for a week and it starts to wear your I remember congratulating you for being 2x platinum and you said, body down. “We’re almost there.” What did you mean by that, what level are you hoping to reach? How do you deal with that? Well, we’ve actually sold 1.7 million scanned. Most of the time, when Really, it’s just naps. Naps get me by. You gotta take naps on the plane. muthafuckers get certified platinum, they really ain’t sold a million yet. If you on the tour bus, whenever we get on the bus I get on my bunk and They might have shipped two million, but they might not have sold two mil- I don’t get outta my bunk til we get to our destination. I learned that lion. We’ve sold 1.7 million, we just sold 70,000 last week, so we should be you’ve gotta get rest whenever you can. Same thing with the plane. double platinum by the time people read this – really. That’s an accomplish- As soon as we get on that plane I’m going to sleep, cause I don’t know ment. Because I remember when we were just starting the album, going to when I’ll be able to rest again. Crunk juice keeps me up too. And a lot of Miami and starting with the beats. I remember when we were struggling with straight-up crunk, cause crunk gives you energy! And you’ve gotta take “I Don’t Give a Fuck,” tryin’ to make people feel the record. And we got past vitamins. I’ve been taking like, real multi-vitamins from the health food that to “Play No Games” and “Get Low.” store. Specialty health food stores make their own shit, some other shit, and it gives me a lot of energy. “Get Low” was obviously the runaway hit from the “Kings of Crunk” album, so why was it the third single and not the first? What time of day is most productive for you? Because a hit is always gonna be a hit. You’ve got to open your audience up I’m a night owl, so as far as making beats, we usually get into our little first. We used “Play No Games” and held “Get Low” back because we always zone around 6pm and that lasts til around 9 or 11pm. That’s the best knew it was a hit. With my music, I understand that everything comes from time for me to make tracks. But I don’t get up early, cause I’ve usually the clubs. You’ve got to let records build up first before you go to radio been up all night. As far as business, I don’t really make phone calls and and all that shit, cause it’ll last longer. The longer you let it simmer in the start handling business until after noon. I’m really a night person, so I streets and the clubs, the more it’s gonna be real to people, and the longer can stay up til 5, 6 in the morning and still be productive. the record lasts. So “Get Low” was in the clubs a long time, building, building, building. We dropped “Play No Games” to open up our audience a little What do you think is the key to success? more, like in Miami ‘cause we had Trick Daddy on it. Then it opened up the I think you have to listen and learn from everything. You’ve gotta take it East Coast audience a little more because Fat Joe was on it. So that opened all in, and that’s how you learn to deal with other situations. And you’ve the doors a little more for “Get Low.” Some of the radio stations that didn’t got to be able to stay focused and you can’t get distracted. You gotta give a fuck about Lil’ Jon & the East Side Boyz paid us a little more attention really have blinders on. If you come in the studio, you’ve gotta come to after that. They played “Get Low” more ‘cause they liked “Play No Games.” work. Usually when I come to the studio I don’t have a whole bunch of So we just let it build. We knew it wasn’t going nowhere, ‘cause it was con- people with me. It’s just me, the musicians who are playing on the shit. stantly building. But with “Play No Games,” that opened more doors so the It’s just us and the engineer. We just go in there and stay focused. When timing was better for “Get Low,” and it turned out to be a bigger hit. you’ve got thirty niggas in your crew in the studio laughing, gigglin’, and playin’ around, you lose focus real easy. I just don’t like a whole lot Some people say that crunk music is gonna die out. Do you feel like your of people in the studio. If I’m in there trying to mix, mixing is basically days are limited, or you’ll have to change your style up to stay relevant? just listening over and over to the song, critiquing every aspect of the Nah. I look at it like this: we ain’t changed at all. We’ve been doing the same track. If you’ve got thirty people in the studio talking, laughing, and ol’ shit, it’s just getting national attention now. I don’t think the music will smoking weed, you can’t concentrate on what you’re doing. You can’t ever die out cause this is how we live our life. Atlanta, Florida, Alabama, be productive. But for some people, that’s how they vibe, they need a South Carolina, the South, the Midwest, we live our lives on getting crunk. lot of people around them to feed off that energy. But for me, it’s just It’s all about getting crunk, that’s a part of our life. So it’s definitely not the muthafuckers that’s working. gonna go nowhere, cause people always wanna get crunk. I don’t even pay attention to what people say about the music, we just make our records. I And reporters harassing you? think that’s why we’re successful: we ain’t tryin’ to please nobody but our (Laughing) Yeah, tryin’ to get interviews and shit. fans. We just want to please the people that support us, so we don’t give a fuck about what anybody else says. The music is getting bigger and bigger. What type of goals do you set for yourself? Nas, one of the greatest lyricists ever, wanted to get on one of my beats. He I set a whole bunch of little goals to get to that big goal. If you set a hollered at me to do some shit, and we went to the studio and knocked that whole bunch of little goals, it’s easier to get over those little humps shit out in one day. And Usher, “Yeah,” with me and Usher and Ludacris, is than it is to get over a big hump sometimes. See, I work so hard that about to be one of the biggest records of the year. I really don’t look at stuff as success. I just look at it like, I got past that so now I can move onto the next project. Instead of trying to finish Isn’t that the same beat you did for Petey Pablo’s “Freek-A-Leek”? a whole album, the first goal is to go to the studio and get the beats What happened was that I did a whole bunch of beats for Mystikal, who’s on done. The next goal is to get some good hooks for the beats. I always Jive Records. Mystikal never used it, so I just had the beats laying around. do the beats first. Then, the next goal is to get the verses. I just take The record company had a copy of the tracks, so I didn’t even know they gave everything one step at a time so I can keep focused, ‘cause I’m already the beat to Petey. Me and Petey saw each other, and he’s like, “Yo, I used doing so many different things, setting goals is a distraction to me. I’ve your beat.” The record company took the beat, put Petey on it, mixed it, got small goals that help me accomplish the big goals. mastered it, put it on a 12”, and I didn’t know nothing about it. At the same time, Usher’s people had the record too. They had did a song to the shit, so Did you have any formal training? we ended up working it out where I did Nah, I used to be kinda sorry when I “I WORK SO HARD THAT I REALLY a new beat. The beats are similar, cause was younger, just real lazy and shit. of course it’s derived from the same Then my homeboy Rob got on me DON’T LOOK AT STUFF AS SUCCESS. shit. But, you know, it’s actually help- one good time and I think it really ing Petey out a lot too ‘cause now his stuck. Then, being an A&R at So So I JUST TAKE EVERYTHING ONE STEP record can get mixed with something. Def, I was responsible for putting AT A TIME SO I CAN STAY FOCUSED.” It helped both sides, it hyped both re-

OZONE MAGAZINE MARCH 2004 33 workaholics anonymous

cords up, so it’s amazing how everything to the studio, oh yeah, I was gonna happens for a reason. “I’M JUST GETTING STARTED. I suffer.” Like, he put his work first. AIN’T EVEN TAPPED INTO MY FULL That’s what workaholics do: they Where do you get your work ethic from? put work before anything. Of course Is it money or success that motivates POTENTIAL YET AS A PRODUCER.” you put your family up there as a pri- you? ority, but you know you’re not gonna I just look at it like a job. I’ve got a job to do and I’m really focused on what see ‘em much. Since I’ve made it a little better now, I can afford to I’ve got to do. Even though I’m tired, I just suck it up and don’t complain and take off for my son’s birthday or my girl’s birthday, but sometimes I get the job done. I don’t really know where I get it from. Like I said, Rob had would have to sacrifice doing a club date for some of those things. got on me one time. I really can’t remember the details but I know that’s You’ve just gotta give your family time. If I’m gone for three or four one thing that stuck out in my mind. Rob had just got on me cause I was re- months, I gotta take off a couple days or weeks. I just have to make ally just a lazy ass muthafucker. And then, I don’t know, I guess whatever he time once in a while, cause if you’ve got a good person in your corner said kinda kicked in and helped me get on point. I ended up training myself they’re gonna understand that you’re doing what you have to do, and how to work. you gotta do it while you’re hot. Otherwise you’re gonna miss out on a lot of opportunities. Did you ever have a real job before you got into music? Nah, I never really had a real job. I used to work at this little skateboard shop And you’re definitely hot right now. renting out roller skates, and after that I started DJing. Before that I was I’m just getting started. That’s how I look at it. ‘Cause I ain’t even throwing newspapers with my daddy. tapped into my full potential as a producer ‘cause I’m doing so much shit. I’m not like a normal producer that sits in the house and makes When was the last time you took a day off? beats. I do shows, I gotta run a company, we’ve got the Whenever I come off the road I try to take a day off and turn the phone energy drink, so I can’t just focus on beats. off. Over the Christmas holidays I didn’t work, I was chillin’ at the house cookin’ and shit. Usually I cook, or my girl and my Do you plan on ever focusing solely on son will sit on the couch with me and watch DVDs all day production instead of being an artist and night. Or me and my son play video games. yourself? Yeah, I basically want to just produce Do you ever feel like your work causes you to miss because the artist thing is hard. It’s out on anything as far as your personal hard to constantly make a hit. It’s life? easier to produce a hit than it is to Yeah, because anybody who come up with a concept and write has a workaholic spouse will the shit. It’s easier to just do a tell you that it’s gonna put beat for somebody than for you some stress on your rela- yourself to be the artist. tionship. I was watching this special on Bob Marley, So that’s why you’ve started to and one of his girlfriends focus more on artists like Lil’ was like, “If he had to go Scrappy and Trillville? Yeah, I’m tryin’ to spread it out.

Are you looking for artists? Nah, we not really looking for new artists right now cause we’ve got a lot on our plate. I’ve gotta do about four or five albums this y e a r alone.

34 OZONE MAGAZINE MARCH 2004 You can call him Atlanta’s Best DJ - he’s got the awards to prove it. breeding ground for talent cause a lot of big names have started there. After a serious accident that shattered every bone in his face, Searcy LaLa, who’s on MTV now, was doing a morning show on the station at the is back to work, back on the grind, with a fresh perspective on life. time and she decided to move back to DC, so when she left I was asked to host the show. I did that for about three months until the night show I hear you’ve been out of commission for a few months? because available, because Chaka ended up leaving. I did that for a few Yeah, it’s been three months since my accident. It was January 17th, months, so in a six-month time span, I went from having a morning show Lil’ Jon’s birthday, and I was leaving the club around 4am. I was just to the afternoon drive, my own show, which is kinda crazy for radio. going home as always, like two blocks from my house somebody ran me off the road and I ended up having reconstructive surgery. I broke Do you enjoy mixing or hosting more? almost every bone in my face. My nose is part of my hip-bone. They did Oh, of course mixing. I’ve done it for so long I’ve always been a club a great job. I’ve always been a good-looking dude (laughing). The guy DJ five days a week, for the past twelve years, so that’s basically how that actually did my facial reconstruction has done more than any other I got my name. They used to have a concert calendar, and they’d say, doctor in Georgia, so I was pretty happy about that. I think that I’m back “DJing on Monday… Searcy. DJing on Tuesday… Searcy.” A host named because of a lot of the prayers. I’m healthy. I didn’t hurt anything else Talib Shabazz had gone through like, four days of Searcy parties, and he in my body, but the doctors were pretty amazed that I’m up and walking said, “You know what? Searcy, you are indeed the Emperor of hip-hop.” I around after only a month and a half. Most people, after that type of heard it, and I was like, damn, that’s pretty cool. So I kept the Emperor surgery, it takes four or five months for them to recover. title. I basically built a relationship with Mary Katherine, she’s the COO of Radio One, and she knows my background so she gave me an opportu- How did the accident affect you mentally? nity after working at Hot 107 for 2 ½ years. She basically created a job It made me value life a lot more, cause you just never realize. You leave for me, which is the National Mixshow Coordinator for Radio One. home and kiss your babies, and you might never come back home. It just makes me think I’ve gotta work harder, we gotta come in here and What are your job responsibilities? make this money, do whatever we’ve got to do to make it happen. We’ve Basically, I determine which records are in the mix. I have consultants, gotta keep moving and be as big as we can be, make sure we tap into also. We’ve got stations in Houston, Dallas, Cali, all over. We are kinda everything that we can. open, though. I’m a DJ myself, so I don’t like to limit DJs too much. As long as they don’t go too far out of set, just playing new music isn’t a Are you back to work 100% at this point? bad thing. We have a conference call where we go over records and I’ll be going back to work at Radio One in April, and I’ll still be doing the basically decide which ones are hot. A perfect example of that is the Lil’ afternoon drive from 2 to 6 here in Atlanta. I’m part owner of BME, of Jon situation. I remember pushing Lil’ Jon when people weren’t feeling course, and I own a marketing company, Southern Advantage Marketing. it. TVT really wanted to push “Play No Games,” and we had a big argu- We basically market new artists. I also do a mix CD, which is kinda differ- ment between BME and TVT where they decided they wanted to kinda, ent from most DJs. I find all the underground artists and promote them. uh, just not listen to us. So I decided I would push “Get Low.” I pushed I like to break artists, that’s my whole concept. “Get Low” up to 800 spins with no wax, no promo CDs. Just straight MP3s and talking to DJs. That was basically the big breaking record for How did you get started as DJ? Jon’s career. Lil’ Jon and I started off DJing a lot of parties back in the day. I started DJing for a promoter named Alex, who owns Club Visions now. He wasn’t If an artist has a hot new record, what’s the process it would have to big like he is now, but he used to do all the big parties with Puffy and JD, go through before it would get added to your rotation? it was crazy. I’ve been on the scene a long time. I basically taught Lil’ It depends if it’s something that me and my DJs can agree on. Atlanta is Jon how to DJ, and then I went to the Navy. I came back on the scene in a market that breaks new artists, and I’ve been a very intricate part of ’93 and Jon was the man. Phoenix was the hottest club at the time, and breaking a lot of new artists like T.I. and Bonecrusher. They all show me Jon was the head DJ so he brought me on as the backup DJ. Then the BME love cause I’m one of those few people who don’t have a problem taking Clique, [me, Lil’ Jon, Vince Phillips, and Rob Mac], started doing promo- a chance on those records as long as they’re hot. You can’t stop a hot tions. The biggest thing we were involved with was the Big Mack Tour, record. Usually, I’ll mp3 the records out to certain DJs in the appropriate which was Craig Mack and Biggie Smalls. We brought that tour to ATL, we market, and if they like it I’ll send it out to other DJs in the country. If also did Mary J’s first tour. We started doing production too, of course everybody likes it, it’s a go. We roll on that record. I’m part of the Su- Jon was doing his thing, and I did a remix for 112 and tracks for Genu- perFriends DJ Clique, and I’m also a Big Dawg with Funkmaster Flex. But wine and the Youngbloodz. Me, Rob, Vince and Jon were always BME, SuperFriends is a crew in Atlanta, Mars, Trauma, and myself started it a we’ve known each other since seventh grade. We’re all from the ATL. while back but it’s actually grown to be a pretty big clique of DJs. We do all the hottest parties in Atlanta, and we just added Frank Ski. How did you make the transition from the clubs to the radio? Lil’ Jon and I started doing a community radio show called The World What’s the benefit of belonging to a DJ clique? Party on 89.3, the community radio station here. That was before the The main purpose of SuperFriends was to make sure the labels don’t commercial stations would even play hip-hop. When major artists came forget about us DJs. We had to bring that respect level back. When you to town, they would always come to our station, to Lil’ Jon and Searcy’s go to certain markets, if you don’t mess with the right DJs your record show. We had artists like Biggie coming by our community radio station, won’t get played. We had a situation with a major label who basically which is kinda crazy if you think about it now. had no respect for Atlanta. I ain’t gonna say their name, but it’s the biggest plaque on my wall (laughing). They came to a point where they felt What was your next move after that? like we didn’t support their records, but they know that’s a lie. We had The program director for to form a clique and let them 97.5, which is now Hot 107.9, know they can’t come down used to always come and to Atlanta and disrespect listen to me play. He told me DJs. With a clique, it makes when the new hip-hop station the DJs more accessible to came to Atlanta, he would these labels. It’s hard to put me on. Chaka Zulu, who track down a hundred DJs, so is Ludacris’ manager now, if you get a clique of DJs and was the radio personality. It have your meetings every was his show, 10 to 2 at night, week it just gives you a bet- so I started doing a mixshow ter system to break records, on Chaka’s show. That was kind of like a record pool. basically the first urban radio station in Atlanta. I DJed on Photo and interview by Julia Chaka’s show for about 2 ½ Beverly, [email protected] years. It’s actually crazy, cause Hot 107 is kinda a

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r. Vegas wasn’t too happy survive in this business, how to last. to run into Pitbull and his “[PITBULL] IS USING MY MELODY, MY Mentourage backstage at a IDEA, MY BEAT. IT’S JUST MUSIC, BUT I What’s the name of the album? Do show in Orlando. Security had to be you have a release date? called in to make sure their discus- DON’T APPRECIATE PEOPLE BITING SHIT.” The name of the album is “Pull Up.” sion didn’t get out of hand. Pitbull’s It’s up to Interscope when it will be single, “Culo,” which features Lil’ released. It’s very difficult because Jon, is derived from the same Jamaican As a Jamaican artist, is it hard trying to break you only get a small chance, and you really have to riddim as Mr. Vegas’ single, “Pull Up.” After into the American market? make use of that opportunity, ‘cause if you don’t things had calmed down a bit, OZONE spoke It’s very hard. It’s so hard to even get on the sell no records, you’re done. with Mr. Vegas, who accused Pitbull of being a radio. So when an artist really, really works “biter.” Pitbull’s version of events contradicts hard and gets on the radio, he wants his minute Why choose a label like Interscope without Vegas’, but Pit declined to comment for this to shine. Because it’s very hard to get on cross- much dancehall experience? “Cause I still need a article due to a pending lawsuit. over radio. Not every artist has that potential. power force behind me. Someone like VP Records It takes a formula. So it’s like, I come up with has Atlantic pushing them to another level, it’s not You wanna explain what just happened? a formula, and he steals my formula to make just VP alone. Basically, it’s good because we’re I mean, obviously you’ve got a song that a hit. And then goes and says he came up with going into markets I only dreamt about when I had sounds a lot like Pitbull’s song – the formula. Feel what I’m saying? And it wasn’t “Heads High.” If I had been in those markets then, No, Pitbull got a song that sounds a lot like supposed to get to this point. This could have you can never tell what might have happened if it mine. Basically, I been on the road grindin’ for been squashed a long fuckin’ time ago. wasn’t for those mistakes that were made. like six months, trying to break my record, you know? And for someone to just come out of the So now that the lawyers are involved… Is your goal to be at that Sean Paul level, to have blue and do something just like it with the same Yeah, it’s not up to me no more. It got out of that mainstream audience? melody and the same idea and the same beat, my hands. My manager was in here tryin’ to get Well, not to be like him, but yes, that’s the dream, sounding just like my master, that’s not even them to do a remix on Vegas’ song, which would to go into bigger markets and have a wider audi- cool to me. It’s like, here we are doing the same have benefited all of us. ence, more people appreciating your music. Just show for a radio station and we’re both doing like Bob Marley, he took it all the way around the actually the same fuckin’ song. It’s not even What’s the next step for you? world. I’m just basically promoting my record. If it cool to me. The album is done, and we just did the video doesn’t happen I’m not gonna die or cry, because for “Pull Up.” I ain’t even stressin’ that stuff, that’s not how music is. I just gotta do what I know So your song came out first? though. I don’t control destiny, so whatever how to do. Not everybody is gonna crossover on Yeah, my song been out, since six months ago. happens, happens. that level like a Sean Paul or Shaggy, but I know I been on the road promoting my song, and I that I’ve already created a fan base. If there’s 500 asked that dude to get on my song. Him and Lil’ What’s the concept of the “Pull Up” video? people in the world who know Mr. Vegas, that’s Jon. I hollered at them like, “Yo, man, my song It’s like a party. A beach party with some nice good enough for me. I was nothing before. is getting spins. I want Lil’ Jon to do some shit girls and stuff, just hangin’ out and vibing like on it.” When I was down in Puerto Rico, Lil’ Jon a beach party. - Interview & photo by Julia Beverly, was in the room with me, vibin’ and shit, so I [email protected] thought everything was cool. I hollered at him Do you have a second single? a few times to do something on my song. Then “Tamali,” produced by Vader. I saw Pitbull and he was like, “Yeah, man, this song’s like crack, I need to jump on this shit.” What’s the vibe like in Jamaica right Next thing I know, they did it by themselves. now musically? And they’re trying to tell me that it’s not my I haven’t actually been to Jamaica to song ‘cause everyone says “pull up.” Fuck that hang out for the past year. I’ve been shit. They’re using my melody, my idea, my here in Orlando working on my album, beat. I’m the one who paid for the beat when and then I’ve been on the road. I’ve I bought it off the producer. And they used the went there like two times. same thing. But I ain’t stressing that, it’s just music. I just don’t appreciate people biting So you recorded most of the album in shit. I did nothing to them, you know? Orlando because Vader is here? Yeah, when I work with Vader it’s cool. I But it’s a Jamaican riddim – aren’t there other heard the energy and the ideas he had. dancehall artists who did songs on the same I needed a camp. I needed professional beat? people around me. As an artist, some- Yes, but not with the same Vegas idea and times it’s hard to produce yourself be- melody. On the radio, a lot of people can’t even cause you’re your own critic. I hooked tell the difference. I’m saying “pull up” on the up with certain people like him because hook and he’s saying “culo.” more than one head is better.

Can you explain what exactly is a riddim? I saw you do a number of songs over A riddim is basically a beat that’s built in Ja- hip-hop beats at your show. Is there maica. When it’s hot, a lot of artists try to get anything like that on the album? on the same beat. But it’s the most outstand- Well, I’ve got a joint with Foxy Brown. ing song, the best idea, the best melody, the But nah, that’s really just for the show, best hook that really crosses over. Like “Heads to give the crowd that hip-hop flavor. High.” There were other songs on that beat. The album is dancehall.

Are you planning on suing Pitbull? Do you plan on working with any other I’m not doing shit about it. It’s the label, and hip-hop artists besides Foxy Brown? their lawyers. It’s not me. I tried to kick this Well, just on remixes when the chance before it happened. I was like, “Yeah, man, you comes around. But for now it’s basically know we’re artists, we need to kick this shit just Mr. Vegas and my artist Wayne An- before it happens.” I hollered at them. But I thony, ‘cause I’m always trying to break told them, the only way this is gonna be done younger artists. He’s independent, but is on my track. It has to benefit me and benefit he’s talented. I’m trying to help him him. What’s happening now is that some radio make a name for himself. That’s im- stations are adding his record, and when my re- portant to me. He’s one of those art- cord pops up they’re like, “No, we’ve got that.” ists that could be around in ten, twenty That’s not cool. years. I’m trying to show him how to

40 OZONE MAGAZINE MARCH 2004 he setting fits the music perfectly – a you did? large rehearsal room in New York’s “ME AND [CARL THOMAS] ARE I’ve done some stuff, as far as singing on TRight Track Studios serves as the GONNA TEAM UP AND GO tracks, with Mr. Cheeks, Carl Thomas, Lil’ stage for Mario Winans’ intimate perfor- Kim, and 112. And I’ve produced for a lot of mance to a small group of reporters and GET OUR COMPETITION. THERE people too. Bad Boy affiliates late one evening. Candles surround the piano where Mario plays and AIN’T GONNA BE NOBODY ELSE Has working with Puffy helped you develop sings the songs he’s best known for, includ- more of an artist mentality, as far as know- ing “I Need a Girl” and his smash single, “I AFTER US. AFTER ME AND MY ing how to work the media and act in front Don’t Wanna Know.” The latter is obviously of cameras and things like that? based on a personal experience, because MAN COME OUT, IT’S A WRAP.” Yeah, definitely. You know, when I started to the emotion in his voice is evident. learn that part of it, it was from beign on so it’s a good thing. tour and watching him, just how he was and After years of working behind-the-scenes, how he worked so freakin’ hard. I kinda picked up doing production and lending vocals to many Having been behind the scenes for so long, on that. I could see how I’ve gotta act to get to major artists, Mario Winans is ready to step what made you decide to put yourself out where I gotta be at. out on his own as an artist. After his per- there as an artist? Was that always the goal formance, I had the chance to talk with the for you? You developed sort of a workaholic mentality by good-natured singer in the studio. He even Actually, I stepped out there a while ago on watching Puffy? gave me a cookie. Motown as an artist. Even though I left the I was a workaholic before I came here to Bad Boy, company, everybody kinda liked my record. I but when I got around Puffy, I just became an ex- Did you produce your current single? wanted to be an artist again. Well, actually, I tra extra workaholic. Yeah, “I Don’t Wanna Know.” did but then I didn’t. What’s the longest you’ve ever gone without Where did you come up with idea to use Are you the type of person that likes to have sleep? that sample? I mean, the first time I heard that attention on you, the spotlight? About four days. it of course I recognized it from The Fugees’ Nah, I like attention, but I don’t necessarily “Ready or Not.” need everyone’s attention. I was one of those Did you start to hallucinate at that point? Honestly, just listening to it over and over and dudes, you know, if I get the right attention I’m Nah, I was hallucinating the first day (laughing) loving that Enya sample. I was working in the cool with it. Nah, I’m just joking. I was cool for the first couple studio one day and I just came up with it. days. Being on the road, you’ve definitely got at- Since you’ve been on Bad Boy, do you feel tention on you all the time. Do you think How do you stay awake that long? Red Bull, caf- like working with Puffy has influenced your you’ll be able to handle that well? feine? sound significantly? Yeah, I’m a people person. See? I like to share Sugar. Candy. We build off each other a lot. We bounce ideas cookies (laughing). off each other. One thing about him is that he Bad Boy was really known mostly for rap acts, so keeps pushing me to that next level, you know, After seeing your performance, I have to ask, it’s a little odd that they’re coming out with two most of the songs that you talk R&B acts back to back with you and Carl Thom- about dealing with relationships, as. Is there any friendly competition between is that really things that you went you and Carl? I mean, what is your relationship through in your life or is more of like with him? an act? Me and Carl – first of all, there’s no competition. Nah, it’s not an act at all. Those are We gonna team up and go get our competition. really things that I went through, There ain’t gonna be nobody else after us. Shit, a lot of that stuff is just real-life that’s how I’m lookin’ at it. After me and my man experience. come out, it’s a wrap. But, as far as, how do I differ from Carl? You know what it is? I’m like the Everything you write about is setup person. I like to get everybody ready. And based directly on your life? carl is the closer. I’m gonna set you up and then I Yeah, but it could be something go, and carl rips it down regardless. He just rips from last year, or it could be from it. So we pretty much fit together. three, four years ago. It’s something that I’ve experienced, and So should we expect to see a huge Mario Wi- sometimes I generalize situations nans featuring Carl Thomas collabo in the near when it comes to songs. I might future? write about it a different way, but Oh yeah! It’s a one plus one equals ten type of you really get the feeling of what thing. I’m talking about. When I first heard “I Don’t Wanna Know,” the So, for example, in “I Don’t Wan- radio announcer said it was a song by Mario and na Know,” you were in a rela- I was thinking of the other singer named Mario. tionship with somebody and you Do you think you’ll have any difficulty branding really didn’t want to know if she your name? was cheating on you? Nah, I know there’s another singer named Mario, Yeah. I mean, to a certain extent, but I was cool with that. It actually just brought I just don’t need to know the de- light to my first name, I like that. It helps. I didn’t tails. I don’t wanna know. Wher- have no problems with it. ever I go after that, I mean, any similarities I see I just don’t want I’m assuming you’re part of the famous Winans to bring all that baggage into my family? How many of you are there? new relationship. No baggage. Yeah. Thirty thousand (laughing). Nah, it’s a lot Knowledge is baggage sometimes, of us, though. so that’s why I said, “I don’t wanna know.” Aight, I guess that’s all the questions I had. Already? (laughing) You didn’t even finish your As far as the production you did cookie! behind the scenes, can you give a few examples of things people - Interview & photo by Julia Beverly, might be surprised to know that [email protected]

OZONE MAGAZINE MARCH 2004 41

FRESH heavy “Blood Pressure” rising, we see a good turn for the better with their rendition of Jay-Z’s “TELL ME SOMETHING song spoiled by a weak hook from Swizz. After “La La La.” Soon after, we’re blessed with a verse FRESH VOL. 1” Da Problem, we transition to Barry Reese, over- from Lil’ Flip, who simply outdoes Ro, 50, and Infallible Records hearing a conversation between father and son. Cham hands down. The remaining songs on the From the jump-off, I His father points out the positive and negative album get tremendously better, with “The Call,” figured this CD would be messages within the CD, and of course he gets “Relax,” and the horn-driven “If U Crunk,” where gutta. When you have the last word. Barry Reese, like other artists, Yung-Ro rides the beat like a box Chevy. Midway T.I. doing your album’s is a human being first, and he stresses this on through the album I wasn’t impressed at all, but intro, you best be on “Real Talk.” Swizz Beatz’ contagious production the second half proved to be very listenable. The some next-level shit. is consistent throughout most of the labum, and second disc is just a mirror of the first, chopped & Something Fresh! With if you haven’t been infected yet, “Hustlin’” will screwed. – ADG, [email protected] samples of audio from do the job. The beat and hook are crazy. It’s Hype Williams’ “Belly” a shame that I can’t say the same about “I’m LIL’ C interwoven throughout Hungry,” where Barry drops the album’s most “THUG LUV” the album, Fresh gives us enough bangas to notable bars but the hook needs help. The al- Dollyhood Records satisfy our hunger. The Clipse come through to bum closes out with an “All Around the World” Lately, R&B albums have add that Virginia hustler flavor on “Sweet Like shoutout. As a bonus, we get a visit from Trina been lacking in replay Lick-erish,” and David Banner and Bonecrusher on the remix of “Hotel.” Because of delays, a value. Lil’ C seems to have are also featured on this album. Doesn’t it seem third of “Split Personality” has been bubbling gotten this bug. Lately, my like these two have their hand in every South- for some months now, so the album’s release Alpine seems to be stuck ern album lately? Actually, Bonecrusher has a will have less impact on the average hip-hop on tracks 2,8, and 9: “Thug lot more than his hand in this project, appear- head. Nonetheless, it’s a solid album. – ADG, Luv,” “Tonight,” and “Just ing on four tracks with solid performances. I had [email protected] Be Friends,” respectively. C to laugh near the end of the album. The hook seems like he feels at home on “Trying to Tell You” is just plain funny, incit- THER.I.P.Y with his craft on these mid- ing a fellow clubgoer to “Hit em with a bottle!” “STRICTLY 4 DA STREETZ” tempo to slow tracks. This The album isn’t just stereotypical Southern mu- Jangalang Ent. is really evident on “Gone Away,” where a simple sic, however, on “Y’all Don’t Want No Honor” With Southern music sped-up drum pattern trips up C a bit, causing his we see Fresh getting introspective on a level emerging as popular vocals to sound forced and unnatural. Like most seldom heard in the South. Infallible Records music, we see more and R&B albums, there are many relationship tracks, seems to have the support and talent needed more independent re- but C doesn’t bring any new ideas or thoughts to to make some major noise in the game. – ADG, leases coming from the the game. Many artists sing about the same topics [email protected] South. Paul D and Ken Jo over and over, but they also have better produc- hit us in the head with a tion. Dude can sing his ass off, but he needs to CASSIDY mixtape, “Strictly 4 Da come with a total package and hone in on a target “SPLIT PERSONALITY” Streetz.” As I see it, the audience. – ADG, [email protected] Full Surface Records title is all fucked up. We “I got a large house, a all know the “streetz” KIERAN doghouse in my backyard are “gangsta,” but honestly, this isn’t a gangsta “R U AWAKE” / And even my doghouse album. This album can be appreciated by any Black Rain Records got a backyard / Big cars, individual that likes good Southern rap. “2Pac With catchy synth melodies cigars, and big biscuits / and Biggie died, but they got Paul now,” is a and 112-ish style music, Ki- The kid is doing it big, it’s big statement to live up to, but Paul and Ken eran sets out to do his thing, big business / The new are up to the challenge. The chemistry between but in actuality, the mate- kid on the block, admit the two individuals can be compared to the Ying rial and ideas are just dull. that it’s hot / ‘Cause I’m Yang Twins, displayed best on “Puff-N-Pass,” Kieran switches up and tries great like the late Pun, which is a real freestyle session. Creativity isn’t his hand with some soul on Biggie, and Pac.” With a problem for these two, using Missy’s “Work “Have My Cake,” where those words, most of us were introduced to It” as a template for the smoker’s anthem, “Fi he just sounds dead, but Barry Reese, better known to hip-hoppers as Fi.” Both members of Field Mob lend numerous then he comes back strong Cassidy Da Problem. For the past two years, verses to this disc, but T.H.E.R.IPY doesn’t need with “Breathe,” where you Cassidy has been a mixtape staple. He’s now any guests to hold up the album. The album might mistake him for Carl Thomas. Production gotten the exposure he needs to drop his debut: isn’t lyrically mind-blowing, but if you just like on the album sounds like library material, giving a fourteen-track album split into three distinct drawl-drenched rap, then this CD is strictly for it a generic feel. With very weak hooks and no personalities. The first is Cassidy, a cocky, arro- you! – ADG, [email protected] signature sound for himself or his production, I’m gant playa that has nothing on his mind besides surprised the CD cover wasn’t plain white! – ADG, the ladies. With this Cassidy persona in control, COLOR CHANGIN’ CLICK [email protected] the bravado and sexual innunendo is through “THE ARMY” the roof! Cassidy’s current hit, “Hotel,” with Yung-Ro, Chamillionaire, dead prez R Kelly, has been bangin’ for a minute now, Rasaq, and 50/50 Twin “REVOLUTIONARY BUT and the other songs from this personality have combine forces to give GANGSTA” similar subject matter. It’s no surprise that “Get us “The Army,” a double- “Hell yeah!” dead prez No Better” is the second single, simply because disc project. Each artist is back with their highly most of the other songs on this album wouldn’t is given equal opportu- anticipated album, “Revo- get radio airplay simply because of the content, nity to shine throughout lutionary but Gangsta,” a although the Snoop Dogg collabo “Scream” the album. But even 13-track CD of substance. could have worked. After Cassidy, we are intro- though you can bring The title fits the album per- duced to Da Problem, his hip-hop persona which a horse to water, you fectly, because it’s a blend touches on his feelings towards the industry, can’t make him drink, of street wisdom and politi- other artists, and himself. Pulling no punches, and Yung-Ro seems to be cal ideologies. So do as they Da Problem enlists Styles P and Jadakiss for the heart of this monster. He makes the most say and “turn off the radio two of the most arrogant songs ever recorded. of his allotted time on each track. With the / turn off that bullshit… / Styles instructs us to “Pop That Cannon” ‘cause album pretty much split between original and crank up your speakers / your woofers and your they ain’t scared, and on “Can I Talk to You,” “jacked” beats, “The Army” has the chance to tweeters / turn up your receivers” and listen to Jadakiss informs us that “New York is mine, out-do an artist as well as letting their flavor a true album that doesn’t reflect the materialism Philly is Cass’.” With the bars Da Problem spits, bleed through. Halfway through the album, we of today’s society. After a simple guitar-strumming we can’t take this notion lightly! With the bass- seem to be lost, but then it takes a 180-degree intro, we move onto “Walk Like a Warrior,” featur-

OZONE MAGAZINE MARCH 2004 45 ing Krayzie Bone and Erykah Badu. It’s great to hear Krayzie back in action, and his verse flows well with both M1 and Stic Man. The beat is entrancing, and Badu gets the opportunity to exercise her vocal abilities. “I Have a Dream, Too” is one of the more controversial tracks on this album. M1 lays down a verse describing a drive-by targeting the cops. This sounds like one hell of an interesting dream – actually, it sounds like a low-budget hood movie. Next, we continue the lyrical adventure with “D.O.W.N.” The simple beat possesses a certain ambiguity, with a deep sound that dominates the beat, contrasting the quasi-chanting and giving the track an original feel. On this track, dp brings classic, timeless wisdom like “Can’t tell by no tattoo / can’t tell by no handshake / it starts with the heart being down, it’s an attitude / doing what you have to do for the crew’s sake.” Track five is a remix, but the original in-depth track doesn’t come until the end. The next song, “W4,” is dedicated to everyone working a 9 to 5, paying their taxes, and then having nothing left over as evidence of their work. This slower, mellower track is a nice change of pace. You’re probably thinking that this seems a little too mundane for dp, so they add their own twist to it, comparing taxes to slavery. M1 and Stic Man even offer a plan of action: “Run up to the White House and kick in the door.” Now, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that solution, but it’s nice to hear MCs speaking on real issues. The next track, “Radio Frequency,” has a nice vibe, and they assure us that they “refuse to be a stereotype,” implying that radio is restricting “propaganda.” I think most people can agree on this one. Next, you know a track is going to be rather interesting when it starts off with a toilet flushing. And no, it’s not a big shit, it’s that al- kee-hal. “Fucked Up,” is, exactly as the name implies, a track about alcoholics. Most people can relate to a time when they’ve been bent over the old toilet bowl, or watched a friend hurl the unrecognizable remnants of Corona in the crapper. For dp, this is an interesting detour from their normal topics. Speaking of detours, the next track, “50 in the Clip,” is a workout track. Yes, you read correctly: this is a workout track. But the workout is not a normal workout - it’s a workout for inmates. This song clocks in at only about two minutes, after which there is a countdown for fifty pushups. Get your fat ass on the floor. As the sweat pours, track ten kicks in and the intro has you thinking you’ve heard this on an Eminem cut already. “Way of Life” is about the trials and tribulations of life. The snare kicks in with a dominating sound, as dp discusses “the fear, the focus, the aches, the pains, the trial and error, the ranks and belt, the spiritual growth,” and more. Next up is another remix to “Hell Yeah,” featuring Jay-Z, and then the original “Hell Yeah,” which is well worth the wait. They pose some vital questions after the first verse, “Ain’t you hungry my nigga? You want to get paid my nigga? Ain’t you tired of starving my nigga?” If nothing else, I’m hungry and starving for some more dead prez. This album is a strong statement to the labels that shitted on dp in the past. This album is a middle finger from all dp fans stuck up proud and firm at the haters. Let the revolution begin! - Rohit Loomba, ctpros@arcaneproductionco mpany.com

46 OZONE MAGAZINE MARCH 2004 (01) - Vlad the Butcher “Hot In Here 4” www.DJVlad.com 866-242-3631 (02) - Voice of Da Streetz “Top 5 Dead or Alive” [email protected] or 407-435-4334 (03) - DJ G. Brown “The Regime Change” www.DJGBrown.com 646-963- 3848 (04) - DJ B-Lord (hosted by Roam) “Pure Pain Vol. 1” www.BLord.com (05) - King Ron “Getting My Hands Dirty” www.KingRon.com 904-614-8402 (06) - DJ Y-Not and DJ King “Big Truck Bangers Vol. 1” [email protected] or [email protected] (07) - DJ Greg G “Street Heat 7” www.DJGregG.com (08) - DJ Sugga Black (hosted by Master P) “King of the South Vol. 7” [email protected] or 850-212-7595 (09) - DJ Killatone (hosted by Stat Quo) “Out of Pain Comes Glory Vol. 10” www.DigitalDominanceEnt.com or 407-400-0609 (10) - Greg Street “Headed to the Super Bowl” (11) - DJ Ideal (hosted by Jae Millz) “Street Heat 3” (12) - DJ Aspekt (hosted by Stat Quo) “Neva Trust a Skinny DJ” [email protected] or 305-368-0444 (13) - DJ Christion “Mixing it Up with Bacardi” www.DJChristion.com (14) - DJ June Buhg “Bigger Than Life” [email protected] or [email protected] (15) - DJ Bobby Black “Best of Lil’ Jon” www.djbobbyblack.com or 404-589-1126 (16) - DJ Chuck T “Down South Slangin’” [email protected] or 843-345-9763 (17) - DJ Smallz (hosted by Lil’ Flip) “Houston We Have a Problem” www.djsmallz.com (18) - Emperor Searcy “NBA All-Star 2004” www.bmerecordings.com 404-367-8130 (19) - DJ Splack “Street Mix 3” [email protected] (20) - DJ Rondevu “Knights of the Round Table 2” www.DJRondevu.com TJ’S DJ’S RECORD & CD POOL TASTEMAKER’S CD peared, Ish deserves the title “artist.” The p-funk inspired For more info visit www.tjsdjs.com or call 850-877-6090 song sounds like it could have been on a George Clinton or Parliament album. “Pimped Out Penthouse” is funkier than Nappy Headz f/ Total Kaos & JIT “What They Do” the garbage man’s socks; yet it’s a breath of fresh air. Shaheed @ Stargate, 850-656-1292 Rowdy, Rowdy! Talk about a Florida anthem. The Nappy Grand Prix “Alcoholic” Headz land another hit with this one; it’s guaranteed to get Jonathan, 904-434-7234 the clubs krackin’! “We take it from Leon County to Duval, In the trend of dedicating rap songs to various types of al- headed to Dade county with the roof off and we don’t carry cohol, these liquor lovers are no different, Grand Prix give guns for nothin’, we shoot dog!” Uh, someone call security… a shout out to all their favorite drinks. “Talk about it, be they’re fightin’ in the club! about it, ain’t got no Henn, pass me Hypnotiq.” However, the song lacks the enthusiasm of other alcohol-dedicated Suave Smooth f/ Red Rat “Shake It” songs like “Pass the Courvosier” and “Grey Goose.” It’s a little flat…no Jermaine Watson @ Headquarter Records 561.389.5525 pun intended. This song will definitely get the ladies out of their seats. “Little mama, just shake, shake, shake it for me.” The hard-hitting beat almost com- Poppa Dizzom “Damn You Looking Good” mands your body to move without your permission. There’s a nice balance Tony @ Creepnik, 954-274-2406 between Suave and Red Rat, not too much reggae, not too much hip hop. Big shouts out to the girls that get down on the flo, on the flo. That’s It’s a great song for Suave; it can work in the clubs or on the radio. right, they don’t hardly ever get any love…at least till now. “Damn You Looking Good,” is all about letting them know that they really are spe- Jacki-O “Slow Down” cial, even if only for one night. JR @ Poe Boy, 305-817-8817 With her debut album “Poe Little Rich Girl,” coming soon, Jacki-O has Junior Varsity f/ Jeff B “Shorty” proved that she’s got what it takes to snatch “The Madame of Miami” title. Derrick @ Mad Hype, 770-263-2019 The Timbaland-produced “Slow Down” shows the other, more lyrical side There’s just something about love rap songs that’s just unsettling. How- of Jacki that we didn’t get to hear on “Nookie.” Instead of using her good- ever, Junior Varsity pulls it off. Even though it’s a love song, it has a lil’ ies to get our attention, she uses her delivery and wordplay. Jacki-O has bounce to it; nice beat, nice lyrics and nice hook. Radio should suck this proved that she’s not just a girl gone wild, she’s also an MC. one up; it’s got the right formula.

Choppa “Hot Piece” Mr. Mo f/ Jim Crow “Brown Liquor Party” Von @ Body Head, 850-479-2918 Rico @ Dreamworld, 770-934-1300 Choppa definitely sticks with what works, he brings us another bounce beat Tight work! Mr. Mo from the Atlanta-based group Jim Crow and Sean Paul to follow up “Choppa Style,” that will have all the hot pieces out on the of the Youngbloodz deliver some great versus about the variety of brown dance floor p-poppin’. Make that money, make that money, make that make liquors that they enjoy. If you need anything to get the party jumped off, that make that money! The singing on the song kind of waters it down, but then pop this song in the CD player and your mouth will be watering as nevertheless, it still has the potential to be another club banga! you think about some Congac, Tequila or another brown liquor.

Mr. Charlie f/ D. Capital “That’s That Shit” Blood Raw “Represent” Byron @ Chronic, 305-512-4774 Charles Wakely @ Blood Raw, 352-246-4495 Mr. Charlie delivers an upbeat song made for the clubs, you almost can’t Much respect to the grind. Blood Raw is the streets, biatch. The good help but to sing along. “Turn your head to the side, shake ya booty, hands thing about Blood Raw is he delivers his grimy rhymes with lyrical prowess high, that’s that shit!” Whether you like it or not, the song will be stuck in and a unique, memorable voice. “You don’t stay where I stay nigga, you your head after you listen once. don’t live where I live nigga, you don’t pay my bills, nigga, you don’t feel how I feel nigga, I’m too real my nigga, you just hatin’ how I live nigga!” Mela f/ Kanye West “You” Blood Raw got next, you have officially been warned! Neelz @ Dry Rain, 646-226-5968 This song is all about the grown and sexy. It’s the perfect song to get the Pacasso f/ Grill “Life That I Chose” ladies out of their seats. The simple, yet catchy hook almost guarantees Pacasso @ Fast Lane, 407-616-4669 that you’ll be singing along in just a matter of time. When Kanye drops his This is a very introspective song. Pacasso talks about the repercussions verse, he just adds fuel to the fire. It’s almost disgusting how ready this of the choices he’s made, it’s the type of song to make you think about song is to be a hit single. things you’ve done in your life. Although the song is mellow, make no mistake, it still rides out. Anthony B f/ Wyclef “Lighter” Buggah @ On Point, 305-372-0057 Durtyville “Back Up” Even if you’re not a smoker, once you hear this song you’ll want to find a Kelvin @ Elevation, 706-689-4565 lighter so that you can spark anyway. Anthony B. laces the riddim right and Southern anthem! ‘Nuff said. But in the essence of respect, I’ll say more. Wyclef’s eccentric style sounds at home. This song has a great balance be- This song could prove to be very dangerous in the club. “We keep it crunk tween reggae and hip-hop that allows for crossover success in both genres. in the south, runnin’ off at the mouth, throwin’ bows in the club, whatchu After listening to it, you’ll want to hear more from Anthony B. know ‘bout us, so backup!” Durtyville drops a thugs-anthem song, sure to get the thugs bouncin’. Life The Great “Work Out” Antonio Starr @ Urban Acres, 770-356-6801 Max & Stix “Like Phat” The theme of the song is the club, but the song is actually more mellow Andrew @ Big Business, 954-445-0223 than crunk. It’s not a bad song, but it just won’t hold your attention very If you needed any convincing to do naughty things then listen to this song. long. Life does have potential, I would like to hear some of his other songs In no time you’ll be out on the dance floor grinding and rubbing. Max & before ruling him out the game. Stix like it PHAT – Pretty Hot And Tempting and it won’t be long before they have you liking it that way too. M.O.N.E.Y. & The Currency Click “Everyday Love (remix)” Bola @ Talking Drum, 916-455-4947 A.B. Rock “G.E.T.T.O.” The “Everyday Love Remix” reminds me of the west coast. It’s one of those Daryl @ QCM, 904-234-2261 songs that you would be bumping on a Sunday as you ride out to the park, B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O and Bingo was his name-o! Never in my windows rolled up, with the puff, puff, pass-action going! It’s a nice ride- life did I think that the Bingo song I learned in kindergarten could be cor- out song and although it’s laid back, its far from boring. rupted, but A.B. somehow managed. “I know this girl from ‘round my way, lil’ mama off the chain yo, G-E-T-T-O, G-E-T-T-O, G-E-T-T-O.” The crazy Ish & The Chitlin Circuit “Pimped Out Penthouse” thing though, is that the song isn’t corny, that shit is funny as fuck. Soulow @ 850-656-1434 In a time where most music follows the “formula” and creativity has disap- - Storm

48 OZONE MAGAZINE MARCH 2004