Trick Trick Chamillionaire Busta Rhymes Mobb Deep Czar Nok Big Neil Saigon Hi-Tek B.G

Home , Big Tigger, Dem Franchize Boyz, Don Q (rapper), Mashonda, Nick Speed, On Top of Our Game

MINI SUPER BOWL 2006 SPECIAL EDITION

TRICK TRICK CHAMILLIONAIRE BUSTA RHYMES MOBB DEEP CZAR NOK BIG NEIL SAIGON HI-TEK B.G.

DEM FRANCHIZE BOYZ & MORE

WELCOME TO DETROIT MINI SUPER BOWL 2006 SPECIAL EDITION

DEM FRANCHIZE BOYZ BUSTA RHYMES TRICK TRICK MOBB DEEP CZAR NOK BIG NEIL SAIGON HI-TEK B.G.

CHAMILLIONAIRE

WELCOME TO DETROIT MINI SUPER BOWL 2006 SPECIAL EDITION

CHAMILLIONAIRECHAMILLIONAIRE BUSTABUSTA RHYMESRHYMES TRICKTRICK TRICKTRICK MOBBMOBB DEEPDEEP CZARCZAR NOKNOK BIGBIG NEILNEIL HI-TEKHI-TEK B.G.B.G. DEMDEM FRANCHIZEFRANCHIZE BOYZBOYZ WELCOME TO DETROIT

PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Julia Beverly superbowl2006 OPERATIONS MANAGER: Gary LaRochelle

MARKETING & PROMOTIONS: COVER STORIES Malik “Highway” Abdul Trick Trick pg A22-25 ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Chamillionaire pg A14-17 Matt Sonzala Dem Franchize Boyz pg B16-19 MUSIC EDITOR: Maurice G. Garland DJ PROFILES CONTRIBUTORS: Destine Cajuste, Jeremy Deputat, Jessica Koslow, DJ Don Q pg A8 Ray Tamarra, Rohit Loomba, Trina Edwards, TT DJ Babe pg A10 To subscribe, send check or money order for $11 to: FEATURES 1516 E. Colonial Dr. Suite 205 Orlando, FL 32803 Detroit Map pg A13 Phone: 407-447-6063 Fax: 407-447-6064 Event Listings pg A12 Web: www.ozonemag.com Photo Galleries pg A9-11,B5 Cover credits: Trick Trick photo by Jeremy Depu- tat; Chamillionaire photo by Matt Sonzala; Dem INTERVIEWS Franchize Boyz photo by Barry Underhill; Saigon photo by Ray Tamarra. OZONE does not take Busta Rhymes pg A18-19 responsibility for unsolicited materials, misinforma- tion, typographical errors, or misprints. The views Czar Nok pg A20-21 contained herein do not necessarily reflect those LocDown Records pg B4 of the publisher or its advertisers. Ads appearing in this magazine are not an endorsement or valida- Saigon pg B6-7 tion by OZONE Magazine for products or services Hi-Tek pg B8-9 offered. All photos and illustrations are copyrighted by their respective artists. All other content is copy- B.G. pg B10-11 right 2006 OZONE Magazine, all rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any Big Neil pg B12-13 way without the written consent of the publisher. Mobb Deep pg B14-15 Printed in the USA. Cash Out pg B20-21

OZONE can you play a party?” I set it up for them to come see me play, but they never made it through so I was mad. I was like, “I’ll come to wherever you’re at.” I went to the club the station was doing at the time and got to do the last hour, after the live broadcast ended, and I killed it. They hired me right after that, and I’ve been at WJLB ever since. That was about five years ago.

What’s the hot spots to visit in Detroit for Super Bowl weekend? It’s gonna be so many parties. It’s hard to narrow it down. I’ll be doing a club I’ve been doing for the past five years, St. An- drews. On Friday nights it’s a good place to come in and have fun when you just wanna throw caution to the wind and act a fool. Everybody’s gonna be having a party, so just come up to Detroit and try to soak up as much culture as you can. Detroit is a different place, just the attitudes and the way we dress and the way we talk, everything is completely different. Detroit is so different. It was techno city for years, so we have a strong house and techno influence on everything. That’s just one part. Then you have your street guys, and some back- DJ DON Q pack-type rappers. It’s so many different styles here.

How did you get interested in DJing? Who are some of the hottest local groups I just love hip-hop. I got into DJing after in Detroit? seeing Jam Master Jay back in the days. Definitely Rock Bottom, they’re on a street I wanted to be just like him. I wanted to be vibe. The guys from the Street Lordz Ched- the guy that controlled the party, the abso- da Boyz too. On the R&B side we’ve got lute center of attention. cats like Ray Ray and a young lady named Melanie Rutherford. And you’ve always got How did you get your first set of turnta- Slum Village out there making noise for the bles? underground hip-hop scene. I saved up my money like crazy, doing little odd jobs and everything. I bought all the Do you think Detroit is influenced more by wrong stuff. I had no guidance; nobody the East, West, or South? told me what to buy so I used to go buy Two years ago it was more East coast, but garbage belt-driven turntables. I kept trying it seems like we have more of a West coast to practice with them, though. influence these last few years. It seems like guys have been trying to develop their own When did you realize DJing was something style these days. I wouldn’t categorize us you wanted to pursue as a career? as anything. You can tell that everybody’s About three years ago I decided to take it experimenting and trying to find something real seriously. I looked at all the DJs in the that fits Detroit. area, and I was like, “These guys aren’t really that good.” I realized I could just take Are you affiliated with any DJ crews? over if I wanted to. At the time, rave par- I’m affiliated with a lot of crews, like the Vio- ties were real big in Detroit. I entered a DJ lator All-Star DJs, the Hittmenn DJs, and the battle, and a guy went up to the head of Shadyville DJs. I like networking with other WJLB’s mixshow department Kim James DJs and seeing what’s going on in their cit- and was like, “The guy that wins this bat- ies; learning different styles. I’m a turntab- tle is the one you should hire.” They were list, so I’m always trying to learn a new style looking for somebody at the time. I wont from other DJs. I get to go learn something he battle, and he was like, “Okay, you can new and take it back to my hood. I’m con- battle, but can you make me a CD?” So I stantly a student of the game. made him a tape and sent him the tape. He was like, “Okay, you can make a tape, but - Julia Beverly

OZONE NYC PHOTO GALLERY: 01: DMX and Chad Elliott (Sony Urban) at DMX’s Press Confer- ence at Sony Studios 02: Dedan Kasimu (Blow), D Prosper (G-Unit), and Agullah (Purple City) at Swag- ger’s Meet-N-Greet 03: DMX and Swizz Beatz at DMX’s Sign- ing To Sony Urban Press Conference at Sony Studios 04: Guest, Adolfo Vasquez (AV2 Solu- tions), and Chad Elliott (Sony Urban) at DMX’s Signing To Sony Urban Press Conference at Sony Studios 05: Edwin Holmes and Cardan at Mashonda’s Birthday Party at Cain 06: Elle Castro (Allhiphop.com), Kim Osorio (BET), and Thomas Golianopou- los (BET) at DMX’s Press Conference at Sony Studios 07: Vlad Charles (Rush Philanthropic) and Chad Falconer (Phat Farm Kids) at Mashonda’s Birthday Party at Cain 08: Too Short at BET’s 106 & Park Taping at CBS Studios NYC 09: Spliff Starr at BET’s 106 & Park Taping at CBS Studios NYC 10: Dee Dean (Ruff Ry- ders) at DMX’s Signing To Sony Urban Press Conference at Sony Studios NYC 11: Monique Blake (Full Surface) and Swizz Beatz at Mashonda’s Birthday Party at Cain NYC 12: Ernie Paniccioli and James Koe Ro- driguez at Swagger’s Meet-N-Greet

Photos courtesy of Ray Tamarra from TheCrusade.net

OZONE to broadcasting school instead and got my certificate because I just wanted to be on the radio. When I finally got on the radio, just to be real, there was people doing pay- ola and a lot of behind-the-scenes bullshit. I wasn’t with it, and they were really control- ling the records that I played. It damn sure wasn’t what I had envisioned as a kid. To top it off, I wasn’t making no money. I was doing more in the streets and my name was good from the other stuff that I was doing, so radio just wasn’t for me. The people that were working there were on some straight bullshit.

What’s the hot spots to visit in Detroit for Super Bowl weekend? You might wanna hit up Fairline Mall, or if you’ve got some real money you might wanna go to Somerset Mall or Great Lakes Crossing. As far as the club scene, there’s so much stuff going on for Super Bowl that it’s hard to say who’s gonna pop and who’s gonna flop. In Detroit this is really the first time we’ve had something on this scale. There’s so much going on it’s hard to say what’s the place to be. Puffy has a party February 3rd, Shady Records has a party DJ BABE which is gonna be off the chain on Febru- ary 4th, John Legend and the Fugees are performing on February 3rd, and there’s a Are you from Detroit? Kanye West concert on February 2nd. Nah, I’m originally from Pittsburgh, so you know who I’m going for in the Super Bowl. Who are some of the hot local artists in De- troit? When did you decide to start DJing? You’ve got a guy named Tone-Tone who’s When I was a kid I used to go down to signed to Jazze Pha, he’s got a nice buzz Pittsburgh, and they were bigger on hip- here. Big Kirk sold a lot of records indepen- hop than Detroit was at the time. I started dently. Teairra Mari is signed to Def Jam, breakdancing, and I went to Pittsburgh in and she’s from Detroit. the summer of 1984 and they were filming a movie with DJ Melle Mel. He was the first What’s your relationship with Shady? person that I saw actually mix live. I came There’s a lot of guys from Shady that I’m back home and told my mama, “I need two cool with. I’ve known Proof for over ten turntables and a mixer.” She was like, “Boy, years, and when I used to DJ the open mics I ain’t buyin’ you no damn turntables.” She Obie Trice would come through. These ended up buying me one turntable and a guys were all involved in the rap scene lo- mixer. I got the other one for Christmas and cally for years, so when they got on and got I’ve been doing it ever since then. their deals we stayed friends and just look out for each other. Are you on the radio in Detroit? I had a radio show on WJLB on Friday and You’ve dropped a couple mixtapes with Saturdays, but I quit. I didn’t get fired, like them, right? people think. I quit the radio station and Yeah, the mixtapes are available through started doing guest mixes on various sta- websites like www.mixtapemakers.com or tions all over the country. I did shows with stores around here. I’m working on a proj- both XM and Sirius satellite radio. ect with Obie called The Reintroduction.

Why did you quit the station? How’s Obie doing after getting shot? At the time when I was growing up, WJLB Obie’s good. He’s still Obie. Thankfully it was the only urban station that we had. I wasn’t a major wound that held him down. really wanted to be on the radio. When I He’s back to doing what he does. came out of high school I had the money to go to college and I got accepted, but I went - Julia Beverly

10 OZONE NYC PHOTO GALLERY: 01: Bonsu Thomp- son (XXL/Eye Candy) and Kamillah Brock (Ave. Magazine) at Mashonda’s Birthday Party at Cain NYC 02: New Ruff Ryder artist My My at DMX’s Signing To Sony Urban Press Conference at Sony Studios NYC 03: Waah Dean (Ruff Ryders), Swizz Beatz, and Dee Dean (Ruff Ryders) 04: Drag-on at DMX’s Signing To Sony Urban Press Confer- ence at Sony Studios NYC 05: Suga Jay and Cardan at Mashon- da’s Birthday Party at Cain NYC 06: DJ Mos and DJ Will at Mashonda’s Birthday Party at Cain NYC 07: Big Tigger (BET) at BET’s 106 & Park Taping at CBS Stu- dios NYC 08: Mashonda and Swizz Beatz at Mashonda’s Birthday Party at Cain NYC 09: T.I. at Mashon- da’s Birthday Party at Cain NYC 10: Fabolous. at Mashonda’s Birthday Party at Cain NYC 11: Bobby Brown at Mashonda’s Birthday Party at Cain NYC 12: Spliff Starr and Busta Rhymes at BET’s 106 & Park Taping at CBS Stu- dios NYC

Photos courtesy of Ray Tamarra from TheCrusade.net

OZONE 11 SUPER BOWL 2006 EVENT LISTING

Tuesday, January 31st, 2006 ties @ the University of Detroit - Shady Kick Off party @ Bookie’s Tavern - Terrell Owens’ Super Bowl party @ Club Envy - Leather & Laces Party @ Royal Oak Music Wednesday, February 1st, 2006 Theatre - Groove Detroit: Art in Motion @ Ford Confer- - New York vs. Chicago & The Comedy Bar @ ence & Event Center The Detroit Historical Museum - Gridiron Glamour @ Ritz-Carlton - Legendary Night hosted by Magic Johnson - The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History Sunday, February 5th, 2006 - Gospel Comedy Brunch @ The Upper Room Thursday, February 2nd, 2006 - DJ Babe will be at Clutch Cargo - Unplugged Super Bowl Weekend: Post Game - Slim Thug/DJ Babe @ Club Visions Party @ Clutch Cargo - Fashion Comedy Style @ Pistons Hoop City - 8th Annual Players Gala W/ KEM @ Elysium Grille Lounge 313-962-2244 - The Grapevine Film Series Presented by Ciroc - Pampered Party Bowl @ 4731 Gallery @ Hoop City Grille - Pepsi Smash At Super Bowl XL Starring Kanye West - State Theatre PARTIAL CLUB LISTING - Superbowl Kickoff Party - Posh Nightclub ELYSIUM LOUNGE - The Perfect Party Honoring the 1972 Miami 625 SHELBY AVE Dolphins, the only NFL team with a perfect DETROIT, MI 48214 season - Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History PLATINUM LOUNGE / (313) 342-7944 - Fight Night @ the Fisher 14541 W 8 MILE RD - Dre Bly Party @ Half Past Three DETROIT, MI 48235 - Jerome Bettis Super Bowling Extravaganza @ Majestic’s Garden Bowl CLUB CELEBRITY / (313) 934-0422 Friday February 3rd, 2006 14421 PLYMOUTH RD DETROIT, MI 48227 - DJ Babe will be at Clutch Cargo - Super Comedy Show I @ the Millennium CLUB GOLD COAST / (313) 366-6135 Centre 2971 E 7 MILE RD - Runners of the Game @ The New Detroit Sci- DETROIT, MI 48234 ence Center - Uncle Luke @ The Belle Isle Casino CLUB VISIONS / (313) 365-8088 - Ciara & LL Cool J @ The Opera House 6570 E DAVISON ST - The Rap Bowl @ The Palace of Auburn Hills HAMTRAMCK, MI 48212 with DTP, Young Jeezy, Twista, Juelz Santana & Juvenile COBO JOE’S BAR / (313) 965-0840 - Diddy, Jeezy & Bun B @ Captains Bar & Grille 422 W CONGRESS ST LBBY - Diddy’s “Cashmere Luxe” Party @ Elysium DETROIT, MI 48226 Lounge - Unplugged Super Bowl Weekend: Live Jam ENVY INC / (313) 962-3689 Session featuring The Fugees, John Legend, 234 W LARNED ST Slum Village and More @ Clutch Cargo DETROIT, MI 48226 - Magic Johnson VIP Party @ Posh Nightclub - Super Bowl Gospel presents Patti LaBelle & TOYA’S SPOT / (313) 491-7768 friends @ the Masonic Temple Theatre 14906 SCHAEFER HWY DETROIT, MI 48227 Saturday, February 4th, 2006 - Shady Records at the State Theater w/ 50 Cent, TRENCH TOWN / (313) 831-8552 G-Unit, D12, Obie Trice & Stat Quo 3919 WOODWARD AVE - DJ Babe will be at Seldom Blues for the Ebony DETROIT, MI 48201 Magazine Pathfinders Awards - Player’s Gala feat. DJ Kid Capri @ The New TRUMPS / (313) 592-1190 Detroit Science Center 21413 W 8 MILE RD - Terrell Owens @ Envy DETROIT, MI 48219 - Gridiron Glamour 2006 @the Ritz Carlton - Unplugged Super Bowl Weekend: The Evening X S / (313) 963-9797 of Magic, Fashion and Passion hosted by Magic 1500 WOODWARD AVE Johnson - Clutch Cargo DETROIT, MI 48226 - The Gucci Party @ Posh Nightclub - Gridiron Celebrity Hoops NFL players & celebri- - More info hit [email protected]

12 OZONE DETROIT METRO MAP / SUPER BOWL 2006 place and seems like everyone over there is very genuine and humble. CHAMILLIONAIRE Now that you’re a “mainstream” artist, is there anything that surprised you about Are you happy with the response to your life in the limelight? Or did everything album so far? Sales & otherwise? turn out the way you thought it would? Yes, I’m very happy. I’m officially a gold When it comes to the life of a rapper noth- artist, and I’m confident enough to believe ing really surprises me. I’m a young man that I’ll go platinum with The Sound of Re- with an old soul that has been through a venge. A lot of people would’ve bet against lot so I just accept this rap life for what it me before my album came out if I would is. If you’re reading this and you’re won- have told them that my single “Turn It Up” dering what the life of a rapper is like it’s would be top 10 on the nationwide rhyth- everything you think magnified by 10 when mic charges with over 5,000 spins, or that I you’re successful. One minute you could would sell this many records, or be on two be at the awards partying with every rich video games, or have one of the top-selling and famous rapper and actor you admired hip-hop ringtones. I feel that I put out a very growin’ up and the next minute you could strong first album that’s still getting good be getting’ sued by everybody who wants response from fans. to bring you down. The ups can be really high and the downs can be really low. You How do you feel about the promotion/ have to have a strong mind because a lot support given to your project thus far? of people crack under pressure. I still have I just play the cards how they are dealt to not grasped it yet because nothing seems me. I have learned a lot from my past mis- real. When you leave the lights of the MGM takes, and I don’t cry over spilled milk. I Grand or Hollywood and go right back to signed the deal with Universal and I feel like your people at home that didn’t see it, ev- I’m making the money that I’m supposed erything you went through kinda seems like to be making and calling the shots that I’m a dream cause all that will disappear when supposed to be calling. I am content with you’re not the man. Universal’s push because they’ve done a lot with my project that I have never seen Why did you choose “Ridin’ Dirty” as them do with other projects. So I do feel your second single? like they are giving me their full attention. It was getting the best immediate response The way the game is designed, when you after my album dropped. It was a record sell a good amount of records your label that was a little closer to who I am. I feel like is on your side. I haven’t seen their enthu- I’m in my own skin when I hear that record, siasm die down at all so I’m thankful to be cause that’s me, and a lot of real-life people having this run that I am having now. can associate with that. Krayzie ripped the verse and Play & Skillz ripped the track. It’s Who are some of the other artists (rap- getting a very good response at radio and pers or otherwise) that you would credit in the streets, so it looks like I made a good for having influence on your career? choice. I love working with the underdog Musically, it would be Jay-Z, Tupac, Out- anyways, because I’ve always been in that kast, and UGK. I used to listen to all the position and people on the other side was music that Death Row, No Limit, and Cash overlooking me. Money came out with. UGK is my favorite group. I know I’m not there yet, but I hope Do you think it’ll help bring Bone Thugs to craft myself into the type of artist that N Harmony back into the game? can make timeless music like that. Their They’re gonna be in the game whenever old songs still sound so authentic and rel- they wanna be in the game. Chamillionaire evant today. They came into the game at a can’t make or break Bone Thugs, because time when the game was pure and people they’re international superstars and that’s weren’t as worried about making carbon- the level I’m trying to get to. They’re living copy, radio-friendly singles for their labels legends, really. I think they have a lot of and fans. When I was recording my album big, big stuff goin’ on right now, but they’re Killer Mike & The Beat Bullies were givin’ kinda keeping it to themselves until they’re me a lot of good game with music and life ready to let the world know. Me and Krayzie in general. Shout out to everybody over just shot the video and then they’re leaving there at Purple Ribbon in ATL. There are al- to go shoot another Biggie video, so they’re ways a lot of good vibes comin’ out of that gonna get it regardless. I think they were

14 OZONE OZONE 15 place and seems like everyone over there is very genuine and humble. CHAMILLIONAIRE Now that you’re a “mainstream” artist, is there anything that surprised you about Are you happy with the response to your life in the limelight? Or did everything album so far? Sales & otherwise? turn out the way you thought it would? Yes, I’m very happy. I’m officially a gold When it comes to the life of a rapper noth- artist, and I’m confident enough to believe ing really surprises me. I’m a young man that I’ll go platinum with The Sound of Re- with an old soul that has been through a venge. A lot of people would’ve bet against lot so I just accept this rap life for what it me before my album came out if I would is. If you’re reading this and you’re won- have told them that my single “Turn It Up” dering what the life of a rapper is like it’s would be top 10 on the nationwide rhyth- everything you think magnified by 10 when mic charges with over 5,000 spins, or that I you’re successful. One minute you could would sell this many records, or be on two be at the awards partying with every rich video games, or have one of the top-selling and famous rapper and actor you admired hip-hop ringtones. I feel that I put out a very growin’ up and the next minute you could strong first album that’s still getting good be getting’ sued by everybody who wants response from fans. to bring you down. The ups can be really high and the downs can be really low. You How do you feel about the promotion/ have to have a strong mind because a lot support given to your project thus far? of people crack under pressure. I still have I just play the cards how they are dealt to not grasped it yet because nothing seems me. I have learned a lot from my past mis- real. When you leave the lights of the MGM takes, and I don’t cry over spilled milk. I Grand or Hollywood and go right back to signed the deal with Universal and I feel like your people at home that didn’t see it, ev- I’m making the money that I’m supposed erything you went through kinda seems like to be making and calling the shots that I’m a dream cause all that will disappear when supposed to be calling. I am content with you’re not the man. Universal’s push because they’ve done a lot with my project that I have never seen Why did you choose “Ridin’ Dirty” as them do with other projects. So I do feel your second single? like they are giving me their full attention. It was getting the best immediate response The way the game is designed, when you after my album dropped. It was a record sell a good amount of records your label that was a little closer to who I am. I feel like is on your side. I haven’t seen their enthu- I’m in my own skin when I hear that record, siasm die down at all so I’m thankful to be cause that’s me, and a lot of real-life people having this run that I am having now. can associate with that. Krayzie ripped the verse and Play & Skillz ripped the track. It’s Who are some of the other artists (rap- getting a very good response at radio and pers or otherwise) that you would credit in the streets, so it looks like I made a good for having influence on your career? choice. I love working with the underdog Musically, it would be Jay-Z, Tupac, Out- anyways, because I’ve always been in that kast, and UGK. I used to listen to all the position and people on the other side was music that Death Row, No Limit, and Cash overlooking me. Money came out with. UGK is my favorite group. I know I’m not there yet, but I hope Do you think it’ll help bring Bone Thugs to craft myself into the type of artist that N Harmony back into the game? can make timeless music like that. Their They’re gonna be in the game whenever old songs still sound so authentic and rel- they wanna be in the game. Chamillionaire evant today. They came into the game at a can’t make or break Bone Thugs, because time when the game was pure and people they’re international superstars and that’s weren’t as worried about making carbon- the level I’m trying to get to. They’re living copy, radio-friendly singles for their labels legends, really. I think they have a lot of and fans. When I was recording my album big, big stuff goin’ on right now, but they’re Killer Mike & The Beat Bullies were givin’ kinda keeping it to themselves until they’re me a lot of good game with music and life ready to let the world know. Me and Krayzie in general. Shout out to everybody over just shot the video and then they’re leaving there at Purple Ribbon in ATL. There are al- to go shoot another Biggie video, so they’re ways a lot of good vibes comin’ out of that gonna get it regardless. I think they were

14 OZONE OZONE 15 just handling some family business and would because I’m just tryin’ to stay sane now they’re ready to come out and play. in this crazy business. I don’t care about who said what to who, or who doesn’t like Why did you film the video for “Ridin’ who, so it ain’t much to talk about unless we Dirty” in Dallas instead of Houston? gettin’ money together. I’m a serious worka- Throughout my whole mixtape career Dal- holic. Some people take that the wrong way las, Ft. Worth, and Arlington showed me the like I don’t mess with them, but really it’s most love out of any other area. I started because I have real-life morals and not rap pushing so many mixtapes out there in the world morals. I could see how people could Metroplex that I couldn’t keep up with the look at it that way because at the end of the demand. I shot my last video in Houston, day what I’m pushin’ is me and my own. so this time I decided to show love back to Much respect and love to everybody else, another city that had been treating me like but last time I checked there wasn’t another a king. I sold a lot of records out there and clique or group that went out of their way to every time I go back they always treat me see that my bills get paid. I been standin’ like family. on my own two feet for a while and that has made me a stronger individual. A lot of Houston artists run with their own clique. Do you look at yourself as Have things cooled down in your “beef” the solo/renegade/loner artist out of with Mike Jones and Paul Wall? Houston? Do you prefer it that way? Yeah. Congrats to Mike. Congrats to Paul. It may seem like I’m just off in my own world Congrats to me. Everybody is doin’ well, but I get love from most of the groups in and I’m not just sayin’ that to be politically Houston and vice versa. Some others do correct for this interview. If I didn’t mean it, act confused about me, but I don’t see I wouldn’t say it. The instigators have died what’s so confusing about me minding my down, even though a lot of the fan feuding own business and keeping to myself. We’re hasn’t. I’m just glad I can focus on being a in the music business, and a lot of times good artist now. Rap beef just seems so stu- people are really only friends with you when pid nowadays no matter how personal it is. it’s good business for them to be friends I don’t even wanna hear the word competi- with you. I don’t talk on the phone or par- tion anymore. I don’t think about what he or ty with people as much as someone else she is doin’. I’m in a different zone right now and just wanna make music that I like.

On the set of Chamillionaire’s “Ridin’ Dirty” video shoot in Dallas, TX:

Cham with Bone Thugs

Big Tuck, Play & Skillz, and Cham

Cham with his brother Rasaq 16 OZONE Cham with Tiny Lister a.k.a. D-Bo Are you surprised that Mike Jones is cut- I went to his shop about a year ago and ting ties with Swishahouse? was surprised at the custom vehicle work Nope. Not at all. I guess some people he could do. I gave him a bike to work on thought I was lying when I said that he told and he chameleon-painted it and chromed me he was gonna build his own and leave the entire bike and gave it back to me with the House. I wasn’t sayin’ that because I my logo and face airbrushed in it. He was thought I was psychic. Everybody was run- the first person I would see ridin’ around ning around sayin’ I was a liar. Since I first on custom candy and 26-inch rims with met him he said he was gonna do that, and Lambourghini doors. He turned trucks into since they first met him he was showin’ it, dooleys and cars into sedans. He custom- so I don’t see why anyone would be sur- ized and painted the candy red El Dorado prised. A long time ago Watts told me he that I bought that was in the “Turn It Up” was gonna rebuild the Swishahouse with video, and a drop top Fury that I got also. new members. I didn’t think it was a good I got down with him on the car thing and idea and didn’t think he was gonna do it now I’m just tryin’ to help a good dude take but I respect him for pullin’ it off. Watts will something that I feel could be big to the probably make it work again. next level.

Do you think you and Paul Wall will ever Are there any other outside projects – make peace and record a song together, shoe deals, clothing lines – you’re work- a la Jay-Z and Nas? ing on that we should know about? We are at peace. I would rather hear Jay- The Sound of Revenge is in stores! The Z and Nas’s duo songs, though. No Cham Chopped and Screwed OG Ron C version and Paul songs. That chapter in my life is is in stores also. Look out for Mixtape Mes- dead. I seriously mean that. siah 2 and the Rasaq Reloaded mixtape. Let me get some more record sales first and I’ll Tell us about the car shop that you co- start talking about all that other stuff later. own that was featured in the video for Fans can check out www.myspace.com/ “Ridin’ Dirty.” chamillionaire for all my tour updates. My partner Big E is the brains behind Fly Rides. He’s been doing his thing in Hous- - Julia Beverly (Photos: Matt Sonzala) ton for a while, but he’s an underdog. He does a lot but people just wasn’t seeing it.

Fly Rides

Big Tuck of DSR

Cham with Tiny Lister a.k.a. D-Bo Video models OZONE 17 18 OZONE where I’m content with that if I do it enough. I like to be out. I always put an album out every year. I wasn’t used to not having a BUSTA RHYMES record out for 2-3 years. I’m sitting around watching muthafuckers getting money, Why did you cut off your locks? headlining big venues, doing all these It was time. It was a 3-4 hour process to big tour dates and I’m the sideline motha- do my hair. I was getting tired of that shit. fucker just looking and shit. But I was able I couldn’t do it myself. I always had to fly to comfortably take the back seat, which somebody in that did my shit the way I was real good for me because financially liked it, put them up in a hotel, plane ticket. to make money you got to spend money. That shit was $1,500-2,000. Then you got So when you go and do these shows you to pay them to do the hair. Then it’s 3-4 got to pay entourages, staff members. You hours because you got to wash the hair in breaking off a lot of people while you get- sections because it’s getting so long. You ting your bread. This time around I didn’t can’t just wash the whole shit. You got to need to do that. So I was stockpiling a lot wash the bottom part of the dread and the of money. I was able to still go out and middle part of the dread and the top part see things and enjoy things and treat my- of the dread and then the scalp. Then you self to being around shit that I could learn got to dry the muthafucker. Then you got from and know how to outdo when it was to twist the dread. Then you got to braid it my turn again. The gym was one of those up, put it in a style. Then you got to grease things. The time spent in the studio was an- the scalp. It was like 3-4 hours. I couldn’t other one of them things. Being able to sit sit there and take it no more. There’s too back and focus and analyze how the game much going on in the day for me to be los- was transitioning was another one of them ing that much time out of my business day things. It helped me learn how to reapply to maintain what my hair should look like. myself when it was time for me. So now This shit is taking longer than a broad to is that time. I’m going to come back and do her shit. The energy wasn’t feeling right show niggas a thing or two. no more. I got tired. This hair is reminding me of a lot of shit that I done got past. I What’s been going on since you left J ain’t in that space no more. It was like, old Records and signed with Aftermath? skin on a fucking reptile that sheds. I had to I’ve just been making my album. I left J Re- shed. I got a lot of good happening now so cords, which was one of the best things I I’d rather re-grow my shit while this good is ever did. Clive is an amazing man. His es- happening so I can trap all this good energy tablishment is just horrible when it comes in my head and carry that shit around. I’m to hip-hop music. He’s a genius for music going to grow it back eventually. Not right but not hip-hop music. I hope he can fix now, cause I like the breeze in my shit. that because he got some incredible shit over there as far as hip-hop is concerned. If You’re also more muscular these days. he provides a little more a nourishment and I like to stay in shape. It’s something I al- a support system and a fueling and food ways did here and there because the ener- that people could feel good about running gy on the stage is such an intense one that around championing that shit on a hip-hop your cardio got to be right. Your stamina level, it could help a lot of dudes over there. got to be right cause I like to shit on whoev- After leaving them I just been taking time off, er I’m performing with. If we’re performing enjoying the family. I never had the chance with somebody you’re not doing a better to do that, rushing projects out every year. show than me. I don’t give a fuck what mil- I gave a lot of time to my kids and myself, lion dollar set you have, I’m going to smash trying to take better care of myself, getting you. That’s the goal that I always try to fulfill more sleep, going to the gym, eating better. personally. We would always work out but it I ain’t never made an album and took this was never to the intense level that I started long to do it. I was able to experiment and doing lately. I guess I had a lot of time off try a million things that I always wanted to recording this album. Three years record- and couldn’t..... ing. I never sat out the game this long and it was sort of driving me crazy. I occupy my- - Jessica Koslow (Photo: Ray Tamarra) self with productive things so I don’t drive myself crazy. I do shit that’s going to tire me For the rest of this interview, check out out. Living in the studio, going to the gym, the April issue of OZONE Magazine at that shit consumes my energy enough to www.OZONEMAG.com.

OZONE 19 20 OZONE around, we talked to Universal and Def Jam and Capitol. We just took the best situation for LocDown. We had the contacts, CZAR NOK we were having meetings with everybody. We moved with Capitol cause they cut that Cincinnati is ranked one of the most check the fastest. dangerous cities in the country. Why do you think that is? Are you happy with the way Capitol has The poverty. Niggas is going crazy here. handled your project? It’s fucked up. I think that’s the main reason They don’t know what to do with some nig- why niggas are going crazy, trying to get gas that’s really trying to have some lon- money. White folks ain’t giving you jobs, for gevity in the game. They just tryin’ to go real. I mean, it is opportunities, it just de- pop straight out the gate. They ain’t tryin’ to pends on the life you live. I’ve got more nig- give us time to build. They’re making mis- gas that’s on some other shit here. takes, and it’s costing us. They wanna just come out the gate with a crazy pop record How did the two of you link up? so we can sell three million records. They Jimmy Haze: Me and ‘Nok was just doing don’t really know about the grind. You got- our own thing out here, dibbling and dab- ta grind. These street records start in the bling in the studio and trying to get money. clubs. They’re trying to start out at radio. To We just knew each other from the streets. sell three million you gotta have that shit in the streets and you gotta grind with these Why did you choose the name Czar DJs. All these DJ pools we’ve been hitting Nok? are important. That’s what you gotta fuck Jimmy Haze: You know, I’m the Czar, and with. They just wanna fuck with radio. he’s Nok. We was really just tryin’ to make people step up their game, cause we ain’t Have you tried to sit down and have that really simple cats. We really complex ball- conversation with them? ing. It’s like space age, futuristic, as far as You’ve got people in the building that know the mentality not the physical aspect of what we’re talking about, but the people things. Like I said, we complex. We doing that’s supposed to press the buttons ain’t a lot of powerful things and I just think it’s listening... powerful how we putting it together. - Julia Beverly How did you start out grinding in the game? For the rest of this interview, check out Just knowing that it ain’t simple. When you the February issue of OZONE Magazine get out there, you can’t expect nobody else at www.OZONEMAG.com. to get out there and get your shine on for you. It’s hands-on out here in the streets. You’re not gonna get paid by staying in the house and not getting outside. It’s the same thing, if you’ve got CDs out there you gotta stay on the road and pass out flyers, CDs, and perform. You gotta stay on it. We started off selling CDs ourselves for $5. I sold a CD to Los Vegas for $10, and now he’s my CEO.

How did your label LocDown get a major deal with Capitol? We had contacts like Kanye West, before he was really Kanye West. We had him and all the big boys in the industry that are in the game out here now, like Bun B. So we had always been growing. Los Vegas in- troduced us to the game and let us do our thing. We had undergrounds in the streets before we came out, so a lot of people know about the song we did with Bun B on a Kanye West track. We were shopping

OZONE 21 TRICK TRICK

22 OZONE >>>

OZONE 23 So you’re born and raised in Detroit, huh? Yep. Born and raised.

When most people think of Detroit, Eminem is the first rapper that comes to mind. Do you think Em has presented a good depiction of Detroit’s scene? There’s a whole other side of the tracks that I’m gonna bring. The street side, the hustlers. There’s a major hustle market right here. Our dudes and our women get money around here. I’m tryin’ to show you the realness. You know, the real shit they don’t want you to see. The stuff they sweep under the rug.

What’s the sound of Detroit? Hmm. I’m gonna call it a Trick Trick sound. I got my own sound. I produced the majority of my album myself, so I truly bring my own sound.

How did you get into production? I started out doing production. The first song I produced was called “Life of A Gangsta.” It was a real big record. I wasn’t deadlocked in producing. When I made this song, I knew what I wanted to hear so I wrote over it. And since I did it, it’s always been that way. This was back in 1991. I was in a group called GBK, and that’s what “Life of A Gangsta,” ended up being. It was me and a guy named Marc V. We put the album out, GBK’s Life of A Gangsta. Then Mark when to jail, he got sentenced to 15-20 for shooting at the police.

So the group disbanded. Right. At that time I was by myself. I formed the Goon Squad. Then I went upstate. I was in the penitentiary for a year. I decided that I gotta find a way in this music, because I can’t come back.

What was your charge? Was it related to your rap partner Mark’s charge? Possession with intent. Nah, he had got locked up like two years before I did.

So that was a big transition time for you. Yeah, it was a big transition. 1995. I decided to get serious about this music. This is what I gotta do. I can’t do both, I have to make sacrifices.

So you dropped a solo project? In 1995 my first big record was a gold single called “Booty Bounce.” When I got out of the joint, dance music was poppin’ off. Luke and 2 Live Crew, “Shake What Ya Mama Gave You,” that kinda stuff was real big. I had been on that gangsta shit, but it wasn’t flyin’ well with the public because dance music was all on the radio. “Too much booty in your pants,” all that shit. You gotta get in where you fit in. That’s the difference between being an artist and just being a rapper. Then I released another song called “Ev- erywhere We Go We Deep.” That did real good. We did like 60,000 units of that. We hooked up with a distributor that moved the shit for us.

The majors didn’t step to you after you’d sold that many albums independently? I had my run-ins with the majors here and there, but at the time I didn’t want no major deal. I really didn’t.

24 OZONE Why did you decide to sign with Universal? Universal made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Wendy Day negotiated the deal, and when she negotiates, she brings something to the table that’s definitely worth it.

Where did you get the name Trick Trick? I got that name when I was younger. I used to be just Trick. I was a nasty ass little boy, so they kinda handed that name to me.

What was the situation between you and Trick Daddy? It was a situation where his boys were acting stupid. They tried to rob me when I was in Miami. I know the game; I’ve been a dirty muthafucker for a long time. They were tryin’ to get me to go to some afterparty. They started off mad, cause of my name Trick Trick. No resemblance. Fuck him, you know? No fuckin’ resemblance. Why would I try to come up off his name? I’ve been Trick since I was little. I wouldn’t even know who this nigga was. The only reason I was in the area was cause the club was poppin’ off and he just happened to be having a party at that club in Mi- ami. So I made it my business to say that when they come my way, I’m gonna show them how it’s done. They didn’t get me. They didn’t get nothing from me. I decided when they come through my area, I’m gonna show them how it’s done. I don’t want his fuckin’ jewelry. That’s why I beat they muthafuckin’ asses. Me and half the city of Detroit. But originally it wasn’t really directed at Trick Daddy, because he didn’t start it. it was his boys. Everybody looked at it as Trick Daddy vs. Trick Trick, but it was his boys.

So when he came up, you were ready for him. It was already set up. Detroit was aggravated at what had happened. That’s the kinda city I live in. But I’m done with that shit. To be honest, I hate talking about it. It’s some old shit that happened. I wasn’t trying to blow it up. I’m a street nigga, so my beef stays in the streets where it belongs. I’m not tryin’ to blow up by nobody. I had to get my hands on quite a few people, so I’m not tryin’ to get in no trouble. I did a documentary because a friend of mine had footage of that shit. He was there that day with a camera upstairs, and he caught some of that shit on tape.

What’s your relationship like with Eminem? Me and Em are cool. We’re family. Em’s a real good friend of mine. Eminem actually produced two songs on my album The People vs.. We couldn’t publicize it because In- terscope ain’t have nothing to do with it, but Em actually co-executive produced this album. Eminem did a lot on this album. I also got Jazze Pha and Mr. Porter from D12 on this album, Diesel the Hitman, Miss Corona, Obie Trice, and Proof from D12.

Do you think it’s hard to blow up nationally off a song like “Welcome to Detroit”? Nah, I don’t think it’s hard at all. You had songs like “Wel- come to Atlanta,” so why not Detroit?

Any recommendations for Super Bowl week? Detroit is a party city; that’s what we do around here. We ball out. So it’s hard to say. I can’t endorse nothin’ personally, but there’s a bunch of parties goin’ on.

- Julia Beverly (Photos: Jeremy Deputat)

OZONE 25

Los Vegas, CEO of Cincinnati-based What about Big Neil? LocDown Records, is responsible for I could feel everything Big Neil talked about. acts like Czar-Nok (signed to Capitol Re- I come from Zone 15, Lincoln Heights, and cords) and Big Neil. being from the streets I could feel everything Big Neil was talking about. He’s just Before you started the record label Loc- what the streets want right now. Down Records, what were you doing? I had a construction company, because my How did you get the deal with Capitol for family was into construction. I still own the Czar Nok? construction company, and various other A lot of people wanted Czar Nok. I wanted businesses. to be totally independent, like Cash Money, but signing with Capitol helped me learn a What led you to start LocDown? lot more of the game. Little homies from my neighborhood. My brother used to rap, so I started getting Are you happy with Capitol’s handling of into it for that reason, just trying to help my your project? brother out. We started snatching up other Capitol don’t know how to work a record if artists and put some of our extra money to it ain’t pop. Chingy, that’s what they want. work. They don’t know how to work nothing else. The people sitting up in the offices are the Does your brother still rap? wrong people. It’s a whole bunch of white Nah, we got more into the business end of people behind desks trying to tell you things. He runs Hustle Tight Management something, and they’ve never been in the now; we’ve got other artists besides Loc- streets or at the club. That’s not a good re- Down artists Czar-Nok and Big Neil. lationship, especially when you know your project and how to work it. What are the similarities between the construction business and music? So it’s frustrating for you. You’ve gotta put in a lot of hard work in con- Yeah, very frustrating. And when Chingy struction, and you’ve gotta put in a lot of did 3 million records on his first album and hard work in music. In construction you’ve only went gold on his second album, that gotta be able to manage people, so I guess proved it. They thought they knew what that carried over and helped me on the mu- they was doing, but they don’t. They have sic end. some good people over there, but the top people don’t know what they’re doing. Is there anything else you learned in construction that’s helped you in the Are you planning on putting out Big music game? Neil’s project independently? You’ve gotta be straight-up with people. I I wanna get Big Neil to the point like Baby don’t talk around the bush, you know, I’m and them did with Cash Money. I wanna do all business. I don’t like small talk. In con- everything ourselves so that if somebody struction, there ain’t no small talk. I get right comes in and offers money, it’s cool. But down to business, and that’s it. I think that’s aside from money, what can they offer you? what carried over to my music. So many They don’t know nothing. people in music are phony, but I’m straight to the point. What’s the similarities between Cincin- nati and Detroit? What made you want to sign Czar Nok? Detroit and Cincinnati have a similar vibe. They had a different type of style coming A lot of people from Detroit migrate down from Cincinnati. A lot of young rappers out to Dayton and Cincinnati. They call Dayton of Cincinnati was sounding too East coast “baby Detroit.” It’s nice. It’s smaller than for me, but Czar Nok just had the total pack- Detroit but about the same. age. I loved the way they could put songs together, and their work ethic. - Julia Beverly

OZONE DETROIT PHOTO GALLERY:

01: Cesar and Shoes 02: Gettin’ ready to spend some money 03: Trick Trick, Kid Rock, Steve- O, and Mikey 04: Kid Rock, Mikey, and Slick Rick 05: Proof, Mikey, and friends 06: Trick Trick and Obie Trice 07: Trick Trick and Cindy 08: Mobb Deep 09: Slum Village 10: Phat Kat 11: Nick Speed and K-Fresh 12: You can come up with your own caption for this one

Photos courtesy of JD from Public Media Group

publicmedia group.com

OZONE OZONE Yeah, cause the word “slow,” I think that’s what made it offensive. But if they would’ve read the whole thing they’d understand. SAIGON Cause they only put certain things in bold face. The sentence before that, I said, “My There was an interview posted on www. whole family is from the South.” My mother, wordofsouth.com recently where you everybody. So why would I call my mother said some negative things about the and my whole family “slow” if I meant it in South. that way? That wouldn’t make sense. Any- When I was doing the interview, they asked body who has reading comprehension – me how I felt about the South movement. I something they teach us in school – would said I was happy for the South. I told them, know what I meant. I’m not tryin’ to diss the first of all, it’s weird because we’re follow- South, man, come on. What kind of idiot ing them now, and they used to follow us. would I be to diss a whole fuckin’ region The South was slow, as far as socially. when I’m tryin’ to get support and tryin’ to When I said “slow,” I didn’t mean “dumb.” get love? I gotta do shows out there. I don’t This dude took it out of context. I meant, wanna worry about niggas tryin’ to take my socially and as far as the new styles and head off. That would be some stupid shit. new things. Comin’ from New York, New I had to clear it up cause my mother read York was always the epicenter of the coun- that shit like, “Boy, you think I’m slow?” try. It wasn’t just in the South. Everywhere you went, coming from New York, you was Basically, you’re mad because you can’t the man. And now, unfortunately, it’s not get girls when you go down South? like that no more. It’s the opposite now. No, I just speak my mind and a lot of times Now they come up here and get love. They the truth hurts people. When I speak the come up here and steal our chicks. We truth a lot of times people take it the wrong used to go down there and go to the mall way. I got a commercial on MTV where I’m and girls would be like, “Oh, shit, he look tellin’ the truth, and it rubs a lot of people like he from New York,” and we’d get all the wrong way. Only way I feel that you the love, but that shit don’t work no more. It should be mad is if I’m up there lying. The was just some miscellaneous website tryin’ truth is not debatable. You can’t doubt the to make a come up, tryin’ to use me as a truth, point blank. The truth is like that a scapegoat. lot of gangsta rappers are pussy. They’re not real. They’ve never lived that life at all, Your family is from the South? and they portray that life and glorify it to Yeah, my whole family is from North Caroli- these kids. They were all this jewelry and na. My moms just moved up here, but they shit in their rap songs tryin’ to make it look all from North Carolina. That’s how I know, like it’s the shit, when really it’s not noth- because I used to go down there and they ing. These same bullshit diamonds that used to be like, “What’s the new mixtape? they sell us, when we try to sell it back to What’s the new shit?” I just mean socially, them, we wouldn’t get half of what we paid man. The slaves were running, coming up for it. So this shit ain’t real. It’s fantasy. The here because of the industrial revolution thing about hip-hop is that muthafuckers and things of that nature. The jobs and is confused in rap. They quick to say, “We shit like that. When they were still getting kill niggas, we flip bricks,” but when people lynched down there, muthafuckers was up come down on them, they say, “Naw, it’s here living a little bit better. So in the North, just entertainment.” But on your song, you New York always had a step up on every- say, “I’m real, this is real, I keep it real.” body. So now for us to be following them is Part of being in rap is being real. If people like, damn, son. What the fuck happened? think you’re not real, they ain’t gonna fuck Cause I wear fronts now, and I had some with you. So it becomes confusing to these fronts in my mouth the other day and a girl young kids. These labels market it towards was like, “Let me see your grill.” I was like, the youth. So if children are the future, like “My grill? These are my fronts.” We been people say, let’s start telling them a little bit doin’ this shit for years. But I got love for of truth.... the South, and all my peoples in the South. Bubba Sparxxx, Young Jeezy, that’s my - Julia Beverly (Photo: Ray Tamarra) man. That’s my dude. For the rest of this interview, check out So when you called the South “slow,” the April issue of OZONE Magazine at you felt like that was misinterpreted? www.OZONEMAG.com.

OZONE OZONE people and Dr. Dre heard it, and since then, Dre’s been checkin’ for me. From there HI-TEK we’ve been networking or whatever. You’re probably one of the biggest names How did it feel to know that a producer of that’s come out of Cincinnati. Was that Dr. Dre’s status was impressed by your your goal, to put your city on the map? beats? It definitely was about putting the city on Damn, that’s one of the best feelings in the the map. world, besides sex. It’s just a good feeling to know that a producer I respect is fuckin’ I heard you’ve worked with a few Cincin- with me like that. And it’s more than just nati-based artists. Who do you think will that – knowing that he’s in an executive po- be next to blow out of the area? sition. He’s not just a producer, he’s mak- It’s a couple cats. There’s one cat named ing power moves too. So it’s good to have Home Skillet, he was on my first album and somebody like that in an executive position. we did some underground stuff. I respect It’s not just somebody that’s never pushed his work. These cats named Czar Nok from a button and never laid a beat down. He Cincinnati got a deal on Capitol Records; knows his shit, so that’s a good thing. they pretty dope. Is your artist Deon from Cincinnati also? Are you focusing on production now, What’s his style like? or planning on putting out another solo Yeah, Deon’s from Cincinnati. He’s an R&B project? cat. He’s got his own lane, but I guess he’d I’m working slowly on another album. A lot fall into the category of a John Legend but of times I can’t even keep a hot beat, be- he’s cleaner. His shit is more soulful. He cause these niggas want it. It’s like, what’s sings to the ladies, but the way he does it worth more? Trying to get this album done, with the beats is real Marvin Gayeish. or helping somebody else with their album that’s about to be released soon? So I What about your next album? What are make tracks and shit that I end up giving you going to call it? to other artists. It’s gonna be called Hi-Teknology Volume 2. It’s basically a way to display my produc- Financially, is production better for you tion; it’s a compilation album, like the first than putting out your own album? Hi-Teknology. It’s gonna be like that, basi- Yeah, and I gotta keep producing tracks cally displaying my production and putting just to keep it moving and make sure I keep on new artists. That’s how I break new art- my name out there. ists; sliding them in with a veteran.

Do you prefer being behind the scenes? Who’s featured on the album? The limelight ain’t really me. I like it some- I got Snoop, Rafael Saadiq, Mos Def, Bun times, but I kinda try to let my work speak B, Slim Thug, myself, my artist Deon, and for itself. a few more people. I produced the whole album. You had a couple tracks on 50’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’ movie soundtrack, right? What would be your advice to new pro- Yeah, I did a song called “We Don’t Need ducers tryin’ to get in the game? Your Help” with Young Buck and another Just keep inquiring on how people did their one with 50 called “Best Friend.” stuff, and listen to other people that you respect. As far as other producers, I wouldn’t Any big plans for the Super Bowl? Are recommend getting up under their wing, but you coming up to Detroit? if you have that opportunity that’s cool too Nah, I’m gonna just be watching the game if it’s somebody that’s out there doing their hoping Pittsburgh loses. I ain’t going up thing. The proof is in the pudding. If some- there. I might go up there at the last min- body sees potential in you, that means a ute, but right now I’m working with this art- lot for them to even want to put you on like ist Deon, an R&B artist. We’re trying to work that. I think all you gotta do is keep working out this situation with Aftermath. hard and stay focused, do your own thing, and be original. How’d you link up with Aftermath? At first I submitted a beat CD to one of his - Julia Beverly

OZONE 10 OZONE What kind of wisdom do you pass to your artists? One of my artists is my little brother and the B.G. rest are my friends. I let ‘em know that we friends and family, but at the end of the day When’s your next album coming out? I make sure their business is right. I always Tha Heart of Tha Streetz Volume 2 is talk about Baby and how he did me. I’m in scheduled for March 21st. The first single his position now, I’m a CEO. I got artists is “Move Around” featuring Mannie Fresh, and I never do my artists how he did me. produced by Mannie Fresh. Our friendship is all good but I make sure they never run into the problems I ran into What was working with Fresh again with Cash Money. I make sure they keep it like? real with themselves first. At the same time It was beautiful, man, it was like magic. you have to live and learn because some- Me and Fresh ain’t been in the studio to- times you might have expectations that are gether since I left Cash Money but we al- real high and shit might not go as you ex- ways stayed in touch. He was supposed to pected. You have to take the good and the work on my Life After Cash Money album bad. but he told me I had to change the name, and I couldn’t do that. It just so happened Tell me about your artists. that I was in the lab working on the new I got my little brother, I got Gar, I got Snype, album when he left. He was in Houston so and I got my homie Mike. That’s who I’m I jumped onto the first plane smoking to focusing on now. They’re a group called Houston and we got in the studio together the Chopper City Boyz and they solo art- and it was like being born again. Fresh was ists too. the first producer I ever worked with, so when we hooked back up again it felt good This album you’re dropping was an ex- for me and it felt good for him. tension with you and Koch, right? Yeah, it was crazy because I had two al- What’s the difference between Mannie bums and an option. I did my two albums and other producers? and then I exercised my option. My con- Fresh raised me in the studio. Fresh cre- tract was up and I had my release papers ated my sound, my whole sound from day and was in the process of doing another one, so Fresh know me better than I know deal, and they begged me to do another me in the studio. It’s unexplainable, it was album. We came up with a deal that I really beautiful. thought they wasn’t gonna match, but now I think it’s the best one album deal in inde- What’s your relationship like outside the pendent history. studio? It’s all good. Before we got in the studio it Rumor has it that deal was worth was because we always stayed in touch. $900,000. Fresh wasn’t the one who had my money, (laughing) I mean, I got pimped for a long Baby the one who had my money. Our rela- time, so I’ma pimp back. tionship was always A1 and always will be A. Fresh is Fresh, man, how can you not What is your vision for Chopper City? love Fresh? I’m trying to turn Chopper City what I helped turn Cash Money into. Would you say you look up to him as a father figure? Are you going to use the Cash Money As far as a mentor in the studio and as a formula? man for guidance, yeah. When it comes to Somewhat, because I think the formula worked in a very good way. I had already the studio he’s a genius. had like four solo albums before we even did the Universal deal. My Soundscan What kind of advice did he give you? helped put Universal’s antennas up. Then Now, you know, I been in the game for like we put the Hot Boys together.... ever so I kinda had to flush the toilet Baby gave me cause it wasn’t right. He had cor- - Rohit Loomba rupted me. As far as musicwise and deliv- ery and when it come to the studio, Fresh is For the rest of this interview, check out who I had to turn to. Our situation is crazy. I the April issue of OZONE Magazine at really don’t know how to answer that. www.OZONEMAG.com.

OZONE 11 12 OZONE There’s a lot of people that have come out lately that could be considered “street” rappers. What sets you apart BIG NEIL from people like Jeezy and T.I.? I got a gangsta-type swagger, so I’m differ- What’s been going on with you since our ent. I believe my voice is gonna stand out last interview? a lot with this music that I’m doing. People Same ol’, same ol’. Makin’ more music, are gonna know that what I’m sayin’ is real- meeting more new people, doing more ly real; they’re gonna be able to tell. I listen shows, staying in the streets. to guys like T.I. and Jeezy and whoever’s keepin’ it real, and you could tell in their When does your album drop? music and in their voice and in what they I’m still working on making more music talkin’ about that they really keeping it real. for the mixtape. The album is in the works; That’s what I’m tryin’ to bring to them. nothing but street music, to tell you the truth. I got a big mixtape coming out called A lot of rappers talk about keeping it real, Mattress Money with DJ Kool Laid from Mis- but of course, being in jail or being shot sissippi. isn’t always a good thing career-wise. How do you draw the line between keep- Is the mixtape mostly freestyles over ing it real and getting in trouble? other people’s beats, or original songs? You stay real by doing what you gotta do. It’s gonna be some of my new stuff, some You better try your best not to get in trouble, of my old stuff, a couple tracks with Rich but if you’re keeping it real, you gotta do Boy from Interscope, a couple of the Czar what you do. You shouldn’t be just talkin’ Nok songs. It’ll be mainly my affiliates, a about it. A lot of people are keepin’ it real bunch of Big Neil music tryin’ to get out to cause they gotta really do it like that. That’s these streets. what I gotta do. That’s just how it is. You gotta stay out of trouble though. You don’t Your single is called “Dope Boy Music,” wanna be in trouble, but different things so I guess people can guess what that’s happen in different people’s lives. You stay about. getting caught up. Yeah, I’m just rappin’ about what the streets want. I got another song on my album called You mentioned that you have a gangsta- “Big Time” that people are about to start type swagger. Were you influenced by hearing. I got another song called “Lock the West Coast? It Down” and another song called “Fresh,” Yeah, I’m bringin’ back all the gangstas. made by LP out of Cleveland, Ohio. That’s my vibe. I’m gonna have a mixture of the Tupacs and the Biggies and even Sinec you’re reppin’ for Cincinnati and the N.W.As. People gonna be wondering coming up for the Super Bowl, would where they been at all this time. you say that Detroit and Cincinnati are similar musically? Have you collaborated with any West Yeah, Detroit has a lot of street music just coast artists yet? like my city. Everything in Cincinnati is re- I haven’t, but I wouldn’t mind collaborating ally Midwest and Southern, cause we’re so with anybody on the West coast. I wouldn’t close to the South. We’re only a few hours mind doing music with anybody, to tell you apart from the South, so it’s really just Mid- the truth. Let’s just make it happen. west and South music. Your labelmates Czar-Nok are signed to What’s gonna be the hottest spot in De- Capitol. Are you planning on dropping troit during Super Bowl weekend? through a major or staying indie? The whole Detroit is real live. It’s poppin’. For real, we gonna keep it all the way indie We love Detroit. until they bring the right deal to my boss Los Vegas. If they bring it, we’ll keep rockin Have you collaborated with any Detroit- it. They’re gonna come holla eventually, based rappers yet? cause they always callin’ to check up on Not yet. They got a lot of street rappers. us. Los Vegas gonna keep us rockin’ indie Detroit gives their street rappers a lot of until it rocks off. love. There’s one guy up there called Jesse James, he got a decent album. - Words and photo by Julia Beverly

OZONE 13 14 OZONE ways be. There’s definitely a lot of talent out there that you will see in the future. It don’t MOBB DEEP stop. Once you reach success with Blood Congratulations on signing with G-Unit. Money, will you go back and get Infa- How’s life after the deal? mous Mobb? Prodigy: Everything is good, man. We’ve Prodigy: They always did their own thing. been working on our album. The atmo- We’re always here for them. sphere is real good. We’re real happy, real inspired, ready to go. What are your immediate goals? Prodigy: To have a successful album with What’s your G-Unit deal look like? Blood Money and just have success with Prodigy: It’s for albums, books, movies, the other business after that. Just seeing a whole bunch of things. It’s not just re- sales do good, seeing our numbers come cords. back good.

How does it differ from your situation at How was your mindset during the re- Jive? cording of Blood Money different from Prodigy: Basically at Jive it was a 50/50 during your other albums? joint venture deal, just for two Mobb Deep Prodigy: We was more happier doing our records. Here it’s for more business like music and we felt better doing our music. It movies, books, everything. wasn’t like we felt like slaves anymore. You know how the labels treat you, and you re- What happened at Jive? ally don’t eat off that. Once you sign with a Prodigy: Well, at Jive, they didn’t know label they don’t care about you. Here, we how to market or promote street music. know our music won’t be wasted. Our mu- They had the money and the machinery sic will be promoted and marketed world- but they couldn’t market it. They focus on wide. It’ll be maximized. It feels good to be their crossover acts like N Sync and Britney in the studio. We’re making music nonstop. Spears. It just didn’t work out, and it wasn’t Now, more than ever, I still find myself hun- good for Mobb Deep to be over there. It gry. Not so much money-wise..... was a good deal we had, but basically they just dropped us. The record did good, we - Rohit Loomba (Photo: Rob Durand) moved some units, so we probably should have a gold plaque by now. They decided For the rest of this interview, check out that Mobb Deep didn’t fit in their calendar the March issue of OZONE Magazine at for the next year. Then they dropped us. www.OZONEMAG.com. When we got the phone call, we were happy about it. That was the easiest we’ve ever gotten out of a contract in our lives. Usually we gotta fight to get out of contracts.

There were some rumors earlier this year about Mobb Deep breaking up. Where did those come from? Prodigy: The reason rumors like that came up is because we were affiliated with certain people that we had to let go. When we let them go, they were out there trying to spread rumors that Mobb Deep broke up. It was a bunch of lies and rumors that they spread.

Is Littles one of those people that was spreading rumors? Prodigy: We ain’t mentioning no names. That’s the situation that went down.

What’s the state of QB hip-hop right now? Prodigy: It is what it is. QB hip-hop will al-

OZONE 15 16 OZONE WORDS: MAURICE G. GARLAND DEM FRANCHIZE BOYZ PHOTOS: BARRY UNDERHILL

Dem Franchize Boyz hardly know what shot and low blow, this foursome is put- a regular day feels like anymore. They ting their energy into things like building are on the road doing shows 6 days out their own “franchize,” DFB Records. of the week, and at the airport on the In the middle of promoting their upcom- seventh. They’ve been zig-zagging from ing album in Los Angeles, DFB got a brief New York to Cali to Atlanta and all points moment to sit down an interview. They in between capitalizing on the success had a thousand things going on, but of their current hits “Oh I Think They Like what can you say, they are some busy Me” and “Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It.” dudes. That’s a good thing, though.

As they gear up to release their upcom- Your new deal at So So Def/Virgin is a ing album On Top Of Our Game DFB ap- second chance of sorts. How are things preciates their busy schedule, knowing different from your Universal situation? that hard work definitely pays off. How- Parlae: We are more involved with the re- ever, this scenario looks very familiar. cord label staff and the people behind the scenes. This time around we’ve got a good Back in September 2004, Jamaal understanding of what exactly is going on “Pimpin’” Willingham, Bernard “Jizzal in our careers. Man” Leverette, Maurice “Parlae” Glea- ton and Gerald “Buddie” Tiller were Before you got with JD, you were work- fresh out of their teens with a hit single ing with Raheem the Dream right? How (“White Tees”), a recording contract with was that? Universal, and debut album dropping on Parlae: He just showed us love. We was the same day as Nelly’s Sweat/Suit. But already out there doing our thing. We just by the end of the month it became ob- didn’t know anybody at the majors yet. He vious where Universal was applying the helped us get the major deal at Universal. bulk of their money and muscle. Do you guys own the rights to all of your Even as their unofficial street single “Oh music? Because hopping on Virgin on I Think They Like Me” popped up on mix- the strength of a song you did at Uni- tapes and radio stations throughout the versal isn’t something that just happens South, they couldn’t convince their re- everyday. cording home to push it as follow-up sin- Parlae: We own all our music. All of us gle. Frustrated with the lack of support got our own publishing deals. Just being DFB sought a release and was granted from the streets at first we didn’t have no one in 2005. publishing. But now we’re getting all that money back. True to their grind DFB continued to work their music in the same streets that You’re often credited as the originators took them from the West side of Atlanta of Atlanta’s “snap music” movement. to national television in the first place. With so many artists making this type They eventually got noticed by a person of music now, how do you guys plan to who appears more suite than street, So stand out from the rest? So Def head honcho Jermaine Dupri. Parlae: By doing the same thing we did to make “White Tee” stand out, just being Since the ink dried on their new contract ourselves. We had people copying us then, with JD, they’ve been acting as ambas- when folks making songs about this color sadors for mainstream media’s newest tee and that color tee. We had snap music media darling, the “snap music” phe- was on the first album, but people ain’t pay nomenon. And just like most artists that attention to it then. the media embraces, they’ve had have to Jizzal Man: It’s a trend that we setting. I think deal with tons of naysayers and biters. its good that so many people are doing it. Unscathed, DFB realizes that things like Its gonna keep us alive because its gonna this come with the territory. So instead be hard to not go through us to make this of spending time answering to every pot type of music.

OZONE 17 How long do you see this “snap music” Jizzal Man: We got a different game going movement lasting? Do you think you’ll on over here, you gonna hear what we talk- still be around if it dies out? ing about. We got Jim Jones, Bun B and Parlae: Music is gonna be music and I see Pimp C on the album. We got Three 6 Mafia it being around for a long time. Everybody and that nigga Trey Songz on there too. has came out with something represent- ing where they are from and everybody How much time does it take to make a is feeling down south music right now. song like “White Tee?” So because of that everybody just feeling Parlae: We made “White Tee” in 45 minutes. our sound right now too. So we starting “Oh I Think They Like Me” came out of the a whole new era. Snap music is all of the blue just playing around. “Lean Wit It, Rock other genres of music in one. It can’t go out Wit It” got made in an one hour. It don’t take of style because its everything in one. It ex- long to make a lot of our music because presses everything in you. I know you got everything comes form the heart and shit a lot of sides to you. You feel different ways we done seen. I only been rapping for two on different days. years. I don’t even write no more. Jizzal Man: I been rapping since I was 7 and Coming from the West side of Atlanta, performing since I was 14. I used to play you guys have to have some kind of drums too, so making music isn’t difficult street edge. You’ve showed that with to me. some songs on your first album and by appearing on Slick Pulla’s 4th Ward Day With the all of the traveling and stardom mixtape. How will you handle that being how often do you get to go back to your that many people are viewing you as a old neighborhoods? pop act? Parlae: We never left the hood. We still Parlae: The thing with is that we can’t get the hood with the rats and jays. We shot caught up in that. All of our playing around the video for “Lean Wit It, Rock Wit” at the song became hits. But that street type shit Poole Palace, in the hood. It’s like Freaknik is what we do. We all from the hood so you in the club. You can come out and have a can definitely expect that. Are we gonna good time. It’s in the hood, but there is a leave the street stuff alone? Hell naw! That’s hood in every city so you gotta look out for how we started raping, that’s all I know to certain things everywhere you go. But you rap about. ain’t got to worry, come get down. Jizzal Man: Wednesday is the talent night and Thursday is the club night.

- Maurice G. Garland (Photos: Barry Underhill) (Clockwise from top: Parlae, Pimpin’, Buddie, and Jizzal Man)

OZONE 19 20 OZONE Aw, it’s all type of spots. Icon, Elisium, the Zoo Bar, the Apartment, Floods, Status Quo, CASH OUT the Platinum Lounge, Cousins Lounge, Theresa’s Lounge, Half Past Three.

You used to be a part of the Street Lordz/ Who do you work with for production? Chedda Boyz, right? Do you have somebody in-house? Yeah, but ever since my man got killed it’s Yeah, one producer I work with is named been a separation. I don’t know how to ex- AK. He’s a good producer, he produced plain it. I been doing my own thing, as of most of the Blade Icewood project. right now. Who are some of the other up-and-com- Who got killed? ing rappers in Detroit to look out for? Blade Icewood. Ever since he got killed ev- The Street Lordz, Jesse James, Kato, Rock erybody’s been going their separate ways. Bottom, Donnie Brasco, and of course Trick I was looking forward to everybody doing Trick got a deal. another album together. As far as rappers from Detroit, most peo- Are you from Detroit? ple would instantly think of Eminem and Yes, I am. I’m from the West side of Detroit. D12. Do you think they’re a good representation of the Detroit rap scene? Who did you listen to comin’ up? I wouldn’t say that. I wouldn’t want to diss Everybody, like EPMD, and whoever else nobody though. I guess they are a good was nice back in the day. I was really into representation commercially, but as far EPMD though. I really dug them heavy as the street aspect of the hip-hop scene, back in the day. not really. It’s different. That’s not a diss, though. They’re a good sound for Detroit. What category would you say Detroit They put our foot in the door, you know falls into musically? East coast, South- what I’m sayin’? ern, Midwest, West coast? It’s its own city. It’s nothing like no East What about the battle rap scene that they coast, no West coast city. None of that. We showed in Eminem’s movie 8 Mile? Did just do our own thing. We’ve got our own that accurately show the Detroit under- slang and everything. ground scene? Yeah, in the hip-hop scene that’s exactly So you dropped an album with Blade how it is. I’m not really a hip-hop artist, as Icewood? far as being in a cipher and battling and Yeah, it was two Street Lordz albums. He all that stuff. But that’s exactly what Emi- actually had like three albums of his own nem is, feel me? If gangsta rap is hip-hop, and I was featured on multiple songs on than I’m hip-hop. I’m not really a hardcore those albums. gangsta shoot-‘em-up-bang rapper. I really call my music hustle music. Hustle music Is this your first solo project that you’re hasn’t been categorized yet. working on? Yeah, this project I’m about to drop is a mix They might have to create a category CD called Cash Out: The Gan Man. “Gan” is for “hustle music.” Does someone like our slang for the purple, high-quality mari- Jeezy qualify? Is that the vibe of your juana. music? Yeah, it’s kinda like a Jeezy vibe with an up- Are you putting out the mixtape for pro- North feel to it. mo or selling it? I’m gonna be putting it out on the streets for OZONE is based in the South. Do you sale. I don’t have no type of distributor, but think the South will feel your music? the mixtape is gonna be out locally for sure My music will appeal to anybody in the though. My album will be coming soon, world. Just like Jeezy, I just like to motivate probably late June or early July. It’s called people to really get on their grind and do Money Talks. what they gotta do if they lookin’ forward to getting some kind of cash. What are the hot spots in Detroit during the Super Bowl? - Julia Beverly

OZONE 21 [email protected]