RAW, UNCENSORED WEST COAST RAP SHIT

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STRONG ARM STEADY KRUSHADELIC HAWKMAN DEM HOODSTARZ Hustle & Flow RAPQWEST We Get Around YOUNG L ’s Producer Gets His $$$ Right wells meech DJ RA & moH2kre OZONE WEST //   // OZONE WEST OZONE WEST //   // OZONE WEST Publisher Julia Beverly editor’s note Editor-In-Chief N. Ali Early Art Director Peace Be Tene Gooden

Music Editor Randy Roper Unto You ADVERTISING SALES Che Johnson can distinctly remember when I first learned what abortion and a number of other issues. However, if the Isiah Campbell the month of February meant. I was in the fourth only reason I vote for him is because he is a black man, it I grade and my history class was studying the chapter means that I am supporting the causes that my ances- Contributors dedicated to African Americans. I learned about Nat Turner tors fought so hard for. And that’s enough for me. He’s Big Fase 100 (perhaps a year or two after my grandfather proudly told withstood attacks on his character and legitimacy by D-Ray me I was a direct descendant of the former rebel/slave), the likes of multi-million dollar businessmen like Magic DJ BackSide Harriet Tubman, George Washington Carver, Carter G. Johnson (a Clinton supporter who called him a “rookie”) DJ E-Z Cutt Woodson (the man responsible for creating Black History and Bob Johnson (who implied Obama was incapable of Eric Johnson Week/Month), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and running the country because he experimented with drugs Jessica Essien plenty of others. At the end of the day it pissed me off to as a youth - comments he later attempted to clean up, Joey Colombo know that our history wasn’t significant enough to just implying he meant “community organizing”). Keita Jones blend with the rest of the book. But then again, there was Luvva J a sense of pride that I carried with me, knowing what and It all just makes a nigga completely comfortable with Regi Mentle who I’d come from, what my ancestors were up against, the idea of rolling the dice. If you believe in something Shemp what they survived and overcame, just so I could sit in you should embrace it wholeheartedly and if you don’t, it Todd Davis that there seat. seems like it would make life a helluva lot easier to just Ty Watkins do away with it. I don’t really care that dude did drugs as Wendy Day Yes, beyond the pagan holiday that falls in the middle of a youth. Who didn’t? And I really don’t care that there is an the month (also the date Frederick Douglass claimed as email going around that declares him a Muslim who can’t Street Reps his birthday), and the one specific to me eight days later wait to get into office so he can blow America up from Anthony Deavers, Bigg that announced me to the world some thirty years ago, the inside out. Obama’s a brave man to be running for P-Wee, Dee1, Demolition February is the month that we are urged to remember, to President of the in the first place. If he can Men, DJ Jam-X, DJ Juice, reflect and to continue to move forward. In that respect, stand firm, knowing there are forces out there desperately DJ KTone, DJ Quote, DJ I trust we are all doing our part to honor our forefathers attempting to derail his campaign and ultimately take him Strong & DJ Warrior, John who paved the way. Without them we wouldn’t be able down if he does in fact win, call me one of the few million Costen, Juice, Kewan to celebrate our most recent triumph, which comes in the new young and mighty who has his back. Lewis, Maroy, Rob J Of- form of the Barack Obama campaign. ficial, Rob Reyes, Sherita I’m out. Saulsberry, Sly Boogy, Now a politician is a politician and none of them have William Major made me move one way or the other in years past (I feel you Lupe). I can honestly say that choosing from the COVER CREDITS lesser of two evils has never been on my “things to do Cino photo by D-Ray list.” But Obama is different–for obvious reasons-and I N. Ali Early like where he stands on health care, education, drugs, [email protected]

ozone west

6 rapqwest 7-13 PHOTO GALLERIES 8 short stories 10 CHAIN REACTION 12 patiently Waiting: kruchadelic 14 Patiently Waiting: hawkman 16-17 Dem hoodstarz 18 board game: meech wells 19-21 cino 22-23 Srong arm steady 24 dj profile 25 Slap 26 end zone

OZONE WEST //  r city? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Don’t see you Hit us up and let us know [email protected] which clubs, DJs and artists RAPQw EST are worthy of representing: PORTLAND, OR (503) Just in time to push his highly anticipated CD in early 2008, the legendary DJ Chill is throwing an after party/new year’s SEA-TAC, WA (The 206/253/360 & The 604 Too!) eve party at The Ohm following the Wu-Tang Clan show at The The Pacific Northwest community has a real conscience. The annual Hip Hop For Roseland Theatre. Cool Nutz is really and truly a hustler – look The Homeless Benefit was sponsored by Crowd Control Enterprises. It went down at The for this man and respect of a true legend from The Mint in Olympia, WA and featured a who’s who of the Hip Hop community. The program 503, he’s got a solo gem, King Cool Nutz, in stores featuring was founded in Vancouver, BC. Check for the Northwest Urban Debate Foundation. It fuses his homeboy from The Bay, E-40, , Bosko & more. All Hip Hop & Debate and is growing rapidly – shots to Jen & Stella (Free Ya Mind)! Respect love, respect and peace to Pimp C (R.I.P.) & Spice 1. I grew up to Sabzi of Blue Scholars (Seattle, WA) who recently won the Red Bull-Big Tune national with these brothers. producer battle! DJ Kun Luv’s ‘Download’ radio show was recently cancelled, cutting indy - Luvva J (Myspace.com/luvvaj) airplay – that’s whack! - Luvva 1 (Myspace.com/luvvaj) DENVER, CO (303, 720) The town is showing love to R&B group LG and DJ Ktone for reppin on B.E.T.’s 106th and Park in December. The group’s single, “Hey Miss Lady,” has been gaining a buzz since then. Innerstate Ike dropped Bullets and Blessings also in December to make him the only artist in the state to drop 12 projects in 1 year. Both Eve and were supposed to headline shows the same weekend and it didn’t happen. Fusion Mag came out hard, Petey & Mass Prod dropped, Mr. Midas and DJ Shadoe dropped, and Blue Ice nightclub is revived on Saturdays. It’s lookin green on the turf. – DJ K-Tone (myspace.com/djktonedotcom)

Oakland, CA (510) Zazoo’s with KMEL’s Sana G on Saturday nights, located in the quaint Jack London Square district, continues to bring out the best of the best with no problems after the club closes. Check for VJTV Comcast channel 78 for the best of the old and all the new Rap and R&B music videos. While we’re on the subject of hot videos, Kuzzo Fly is reppin’ the Town real hard on MTV Jams with “Don’t Spill It” featuring Mistah FAB, Bleu DaVinci and J-Diggs. Speakin’ of FAB, look for that new single “Life of the Party” with the Doggfather himself, the big homie Snoop. Eddi Projex finally released his solo debutNow or Never. The City’s famed Paramount Theater will play host to Cedric the Entertainer and Jill Scott for future dates, and Kimball’s continues to keep crowd controlled with their strict rules on but allow NBA and NFL players to host parties at this lavish establishment. – Kay Newell ([email protected])

LOS ANGELES, CA (916) The scene in Los Angeles wouldn’t be a scene without parties @ Shag, Basque and Façade and with DJ Mark Da Spot leadin’ the pack with promotions for all three; all these events are celebrity-filled. With 2008 here, the artists are more than a buzz out here. All looking to release albums or street albums this year are (but not limited to): Bishop Lamont, Glasses Malone, Topic, and a host of others. A powerteam collaboration is also on the rise with DJ Nikbean and DJ Felli Fel looking to host a few projects this year, the first with . With DJ Felli Fel’s success with his single “Get Buck in Here” featuring , , and Diddy, The Heavy Hitter is looking to release a project of his own as well. – DJ Backside ([email protected])

San Francisco, CA (415) Sacramento, CA (916) “San Francisco Anthem” featuring Big Rich, San Jose, CA (408) Shot out to Shawdow for making drama free San Quinn and Banger is murdering KMEL with Spending the Holidays in San Jose wasn’t a Hip Hop happen at Zokku each Thursday night. production handled by Traxxamillion, while the problem. Wild 94.9 as always has been takin’ This month, lookout for the Omina Bust CD underground jump-off is “Mobbin’ All Day” by over the city with Jose Melendez and Leslie Release party featuring Tone Malone at the Frisco’s own Sky Balla with E-40 and San Quinn. Perez, as well as Don Lynch @ Taste Ultra Hard Rock Cafe downtown. Also, peep all the is free (for now) so you know he’ll Lounge. Producer Traxamillion’s “This My One” Bay Area and Sacramento artists out at the be on the grind hard starting with Draped Up remix with E-40 and Too $hort slaps in every Boardwalk in the Heights. And if you haven’t and Chipped Out 2. Loft 11 and Suite One 8 One car out this way. DJ J Spin consistently feeds been to Powerhouse in Folsom it is always continues to be gracious toward the rap artists everyone with Dem Hoodstarz sound, releasing packed with Folsom’s Finest Dymes as is Tunnel and those alike allowing functions to take place a few exclusive mixtapes that have gained 21 with the Sac Dymes. Folsom and Tunnel 21 in their clubs (Freeway, Keak da Sneak and Trey attention around the city. are Saturday Nights. Songz have all blessed the stage with their pres- – DJ Backside ([email protected]) – Isiah Campbell ([email protected]) ence) and Fillmore is the place to be for all rap concerts (The Clipse and were here). – Kay Newell ([email protected]) Phoenix, AZ (602,623, 480) Recently the newly single Shaquille O’Neil and Dwayne Wade hosted two separate, sell out parties bringing the Heat in Scottsdale. The Super Bowl also brought exciting parties with A-list celebs including , Ludacris, and many more. With news of the 2009 All-Star game coming to Phoenix, it’s safe to say that the West is back and Phoenix is the place to be! – Jasmine Crowe ([email protected])

 // // OZONE OZONE MAG WEST >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

(above L-R): Suge Knight & AP9 @ The Palms in Las Vegas, NV; Clyde Carson & B-Legit @ Poetry Nighclub for E-40’s birthday party in Las Vegas, NV (Photos: D-Ray); Too $hort & David Banner @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // Yung Berg, Sean Kingston, & @ Hotel for Lawman Music Conference (Newark, CA) 02 // Glasses Malone & 211 @ Triq Nightclub (Las Vegas, NV) 03 // DJ Backside & DJ Big Dee @ Poetry (Las Vegas, NV) 04 // DJ Drama & Scoot of Dem HoodStarz @ The Palms for Power Summit reunion (Las Vegas, NV) 05 // Clyde Carson & Maine @ Triq Nightclub (Las Vegas, NV) 06 // Clyde Carson, Baby Boy, & Mistah FAB @ Triq Nightclub (Las Vegas, NV) 07 // DJ Quote & Paul Wall (Denver, CO) 08 // JR Get Money & Baby Boy @ The Palms during Power Summit reunion (Las Vegas, NV) 09 // Ashanti & Desire Temptations @ the W Hotel for Lawman Music Conference (Newark, CA) 10 // Greg Lawley & The Pack @ the W Hotel for Lawman Music Conference (Newark, CA) 11 // DJ Knuckles & @ The Palms for Def Jam suite party during Power Summit reunion (Las Vegas, NV) 12 // Y.S. & Baby Bash @ the W Hotel for Lawman Music Conference (Newark, CA) 13 // Mamacita & Glasses Malone @ Triq Nightclub (Las Vegas, NV) 14 // Dee Sonaram & Steve Chavez @ the W Hotel for Lawman Music Conference (Newark, CA) 15 // Tila Tequila & DJ Vlad @ The Palms during Power Summit reunion (Las Vegas, NV) 16 // Kafani The Ice King & Hasi @ Loft 11 for Keak’s birthday party (San Francisco, CA) 17 // Freeway & Traxamillion @ The Palms for Def Jam suite party during Power Summit reunion (Las Vegas, NV) 18 // D-Ray, DJ Backside, & DJ Karmel @ The Palms for Power Summit reunion (Las Vegas, NV) 19 // Mad Linx & Felli Fel @ The Palms during Power Summit reunion (Las Vegas, NV)

Photo Credits: All photos by D-Ray except #7 by AZ for FOB Productions

OZONEOZONE WEST WEST // //   f you were a major recording artist who had songs on the radio and videos in rotation and your manager’s phone was ringing off the hook, would you only perform on tours in big cities at huge arenas or would Iyou also do secondary smaller cities that can’t pay you arena money, but love you just as much as the big city folks? I actually like going to the smaller towns better than the big cities.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s no greater feeling than giving a good perfor- mance in front of thousands and thousands of fans in a big stadium or arena, but I really like the idea of traveling to a small town, going to the mall, a good restaurant or some local event that’s taking place while I’m there, and then performing that night to a not-so-big crowd that’s full of energy. The folks in the crowd hi-five you and the ladies grab your ankles while they try to come on stage with you. Sometimes after I perform, I go out in the crowd to shake hands and take pictures.

People come up to me all the time everywhere I go and say they took a pic- ture with me years ago, got an autograph, or we just met and hung out after one of my shows. It’s a good feeling knowing that thousands, maybe even millions of people, have a Too $hort story to tell.

When you’re on a big tour with stage sets, tour buses, dancers, DJs, per- sonal assistants, family, and friends, it’s cool to move around with a large entourage. But when you go into the smaller cities after the big tour is over, sometimes they can only afford to fly you and whoever you really need to make the show happen. If you demand 20 plane tickets and 15 hotel rooms, the promoter might not be able to make a profit because your travel expenses are too high.

Only a few artists command that supreme status of never having to go into small markets because they’re so huge at that time. If you want to see them and you live in a small town, you’ll have to drive two or three hours to see them perform in the nearest big city. The majority of us don’t have it like that, and chances are, you don’t either. So I’m asking you again, would you go into the smaller towns and do a show knowing that they can’t pay you big money or fly your cousins and best friends out, too? It’s a good feeling knowing that thousands, maybe even millions of people, have a Too $hort story If you plan on having a long rap career, you might want to consider having a to tell... If you think networking is only valuable lower price and a set of different demands for those little towns that have big when you do it with industry insiders, you’ve got love for you. I’ve flown on planes as small as crop dusters so my fans could see me up close and personal in their hometowns. I’ve jumped off planes in the game fucked up. if my photo is on [someone’s] major cities and driven up to four hours to get to cities without commercial bedroom dresser, in a photo book, or on their airports. Why? I do it because I have maintained close personal ties with Myspace page, that’s all advertising. If someone promoters, fans, and local artists in both big cities and small cities so that tells you a story about me, that’s marketing. when I’m coming to their area, they’ll have nothing but good things to say about me.

If you think networking is only valuable when you do it with industry insid- ers, you’ve got the game fucked up. Back in the day, I would hear a lot of folks say that they still have a picture they took with me years ago. Now they say, “I put the picture you took with me on my Myspace page.” To me, if my photo is on a bedroom dresser, in a photo book, or on Myspace, that’s all advertising. If someone tells you a story about me, that’s marketing. Whether you live in Atlanta or Houston or or the Midwest or the West Coast, look at a map and notice how many cities are within a 5-6 hour driving 25 years into my career, I don’t need a hot single to keep my phone ringing range or an hour flight away. Get off your high horse and get that money, because I’ve built a network of “friends” that I keep in touch with and do man. Everybody can’t be Jay-Z or Justin Timberlake on tours that make mil- business with over and over again. A lot of them are from small towns. If lions of dollars. Stay in your lane and make sure you don’t go flying past the you think you’re so hot that you’re above going into smaller markets and lil’ towns that love your music without stopping and showing love back. // humbling your ego to take a pay cut or trim your entourage down for a day or two, you’ll be missing out on a lot of the benefits they have to offer. Photo: D-Ray

 // OZONE WEST (above L-R): Jay-Z & Young @ the grand opening of Jay-Z’s 40-40 Club in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: Thaddaeus McAdams); , Flo Rida, & @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: Julia Beverly); Punk & Buddha @ Club Facade in Hollywood, CA (Photo: D-Ray)

01 // Mad Linx & Too $hort @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 02 // J Diggs & Big Dant @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 03 // Guerilla Black, Glasses Malone, & Macadoshis @ Facades for the Nu West Movement (Los Angeles, CA) 04 // , Dre Dae, DJ Blak, & DJ Big Dee @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 05 // Matt Daniels & Mario @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 06 // The Jacka, AP9, & Rydah J Klyde @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA) 07 // Antonio Tarver & wife Denise @ the grand opening of Jay-Z’s 40-40 Club (Las Vegas, NV) 08 // Goldie of The Federation & guest @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 09 // Too $hort & AP9 @ The Palms (Las Vegas, NV) 10 // Slim of 112, Mario, & Q of 112 @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 11 // Kuzzo Fly & Big Moe @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA) 12 // Gorilla Pits @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA) 13 // Boo & Too $hort @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 14 // DJ Q45 & Webbie @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 15 // Troy Marshall @ his son @ Park Plaza Hotel for Interscope’s Christmas party (Los Angeles, CA) 16 // Miami da Most, Kilo & Lil Miami @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA) 17 // Rob J Official, Big Dant, DJ Juice, & Kilo @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA) 1 8 // Flo Rida & Baby Boy @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 19 // Paula Patton & Robin Thicke @ the grand opening of Jay-Z’s 40-40 Club (Las Vegas, NV) 20 // Tito Bell, DJ Amen, & Yogi Calhoon @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA)

Photo Credits: D-Ray (02,03,08,09,11,12,13,15,16); Julia Beverly (01,05,06,17,18,20); King Yella (10,14); Thaddaeus McAdams (04,07,19)

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he same ghost character that I have on my chain, I have the ghost’s tongue out of red rubies instead of diamonds. I thought that’d be tattooed on my hand. It’s kinda like my brand or logo for sicker cause everybody has red diamonds, but I’ve got rubies. It turned out me as an artist and an icon. [It’s modeled after] the ghost sick. Boo, from Mario Kart. I have it tattooed on me, so I just thought it’d be a sick piece. It’s on some whole other shit. It didn’t cost me that much cause I got a good deal over at Highline. I don’t I always like to be real creative with whatever I do, so I wanted to make a even know what it’s worth, to tell you the truth, I haven’t gotten it appraised Tstatement with this chain. yet cause I just got the chain. I gave him my old chain, my old watch, my top and bottom set of my grill; all my jewels, plus some cash out of my pocket. Once I got my money right, Kafani and Pretty Black from The Mob introduced It’s around 30 carats. me to Carl at Highline Jewelry. He did 40’s 40 Water chain, all that. I showed him my idea. I’ve been asking him for a piece for a while, I just didn’t have Hit me up at Myspace.com/YoungL my money right yet. He took a picture of the tattoo on my hand and once he showed me the artwork for it, I was diggin’ it. It was hot. As told to Julia Beverly Photo by D-Ray “A lot of people have red diamonds, so just to switch it up, I told him to make

10 // OZONE WEST (above L-R): Melyssa Ford & Ray J @ Club Republic for Melyssa Ford’s costume party in Hollywood, CA; AP9 & Kafani Da Ice King @ The Palms in Las Vegas, NV (Photos: D-Ray); Paul Wall & Webbie @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: King Yella)

01 // Lucky & Kafani Da Ice King @ The Palms (Las Vegas, NV) 02 // Too $hort & Mistah FAB @ Kimball’s (Oakland, CA) 03 // Sanford Wallace & Mad Linx @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 04 // DJ Q45, DJ Big Dee, & Gorilla Zoe @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 05 // Mistah FAB & Rydah J. Klyde @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA) 06 // Clearly, OZONE is the shit 07 // Mistah FAB, DJ Q45, & David Banner @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 08 // Flo Rida, Rick Ross, & Gunplay of Carol City Cartel @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 09 // Sumthin Terrible @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 10 // Malik Abdul, guest, & Mad Linx @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 11 // Black, Webbie, Courtney Scott, & Mike Fresh @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 12 // Yogi Calhoon & Kuzzo Fly @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA) 13 // Neal, Thaddaeus McAdams, & Rico Brooks @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 14 // King Yella, Randy Roper, & Malik Abdul @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 15 // Mob Figaz FedX, AP9, & The Jacka @ 1015 Folsom for Freeway’s album release party (San Francisco, CA) 16 // Gorilla Zoe, Baby Boy, & D-Ray @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 17 // DJ Reflex, DJ Skee, & Glasses Malone @ West Coast Regional Awards (Universal City, CA) 18 // DJ Q45, Dre Dae, Mario, & Mad Linx @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV)

Photo Credits: D-Ray (01,05,06,08,09,12,15,17); Julia Beverly (02,04); King Yella (03,07,10,11,13,18); Thaddaeus McAdams (14,16)

OZONEOZONE WEST WEST // // 11 11 Krushadelic sacramento, Ca STRICTLY BUSINESS

. Yes, those good ol’ Don’t Tweek in 1993 at Em in 1991, followed by early 90’s when independent music was at its most profitable, in the rushadelic has been in it to win it for a minute now. cassette tape era. He also produced and released S.N.O.P.’s album Eighteen years strong in the game (actually putting out . Since then, he has been consistently Lifestyles of the Poor N Starv’n records) and has yet to know what it feels like to go to a dropping projects from the Armada Entertainment camp. He was once K5. Pushing hard for the Bay Area! Straight out of West Oakland, he 9- a member of the infamous Dangerous crew (that Too $hort was a was one of the early representatives of the hyphy movement. “I was member of); after that, the young entrepreneur continued pursuing on some up tempo/hyphy shit, when everybody was doin’ that slow his own career. funk/mob music. If you trace back to my earlier albums you can hear that hyphy sound,” he says. Krushadelic has his hands in many different pots, not just rap. He Rebellion with Jullie D. is also into producing, writing books,other facetscomedy of showcases, the business and to allget He began his career in a groupThey Underground Ain’t Diggin’ the Way We Came that buck. He recently collaborated Next Friday, They released their first album with Don “D.C.” Curry ( Friday After Next) for “Krushadelic presents Hip Hop Comedy.” The DVD Roberts, Mike Bon- also features Tony ner, and a lot of comedians you’ve seen on Comic View and Def Comedy Jam. He put together a show at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland which- received rave reviews in such pres tigious publcations as . But that still doesn’t distract him from his primary goal, which is making music.

He just released the album Ghost Rider, with banging tracks, videos, and heavy-hitting features like Chaka Khan, Ray J, Too $hort, Keak Da Sneak, E-40, and many more. He also has a new artist Young Bari, who’s blazin’ the internet right now coming soon. The 9th Underground Rebellion album will be coming soon, accompanied by two books written by the Delic Man himself. One is a how-to book on the industry. “I just wanted to write a book for the youngsters so they know how to go about distribution, reading contracts, and how to basically move in this game,” he said. The second book will be on Krushadelic’s experiences in the industry. //

- Nippy Swagga

12 // OZONE WEST Krushadelic sacramento, Ca

(above L-R): Young Buck @ his booth during Magic in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: Julia Beverly); Tito Bell making love to a mannequin @ Magic in Las Vegas, NV; , Mistah FAB, & Too $hort @ the Playboy Club for the ‘Life of the Party’ video shoot in Las Vegas, NV (Photos: D-Ray)

01 // The Pack @ Tucson Convention Center (Tucson, AZ) 02 // Cipha Sounds, Angela Yee, Bun B, & Michael Watts @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 03 // Dem Hoodstarz & Roccett @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 04 // J Diggs & Tito Bell @ the Playboy Club for the “Life of the Party” video shoot (Las Vegas, NV) 05 // DMX & Don Salter on the set of Bizzy Bone’s “A Song For You” (Phoenix, AZ) 06 // Bun B & Young Jeezy @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 07 // Roccett & Fabolous @ Strike Bowling Alley in the Rio for Young Jeezy’s listening party (Las Vegas, NV) 08 // Mistah FAB & @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 09 // Young Jeezy playing with his balls @ Strike Bowling Alley in the Rio for his listening party (Las Vegas, NV) 10 // The Dragons & J Diggs @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA) 11 // Vinny Blanco & Chingo Bling @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 12 // TD & Goldie of The Federation @ Spin Nightclub for Magic after- party (Las Vegas, NV) 13 // King Tech & DJ Revolution @ Power 106 (Los Angeles, CA) 14 // Gary LaRochelle, Cheri Dennis, & DJ Lite @ Glendale Civic Center during Super Bowl weekend (Phoenix, AZ) 15 // B-Luv & @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 16 // LL Cool J & D-Ray @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 17 // AP9 & Remy Red @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA) 18 // Boo, Meezy, & Too $hort @ Spin Nightclub (Las Vegas, NV) 19 // Spider Loc & Bun B @ Spin Nightclub for Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV)

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

OZONEOZONE WEST WEST // // 13 13 Hawkman r, Co treet Denve Stuck on S

Over two years later, Hawkman is still grappling with his guilt—partly ife-altering events either spark a change for the better, or the because when Cac was killed, he was locked up. But instead of sinking, - worse—no in betweens. For Denver-reared emcee, Hawkman, it he’s chosen to utilize his pent up emotion to make street music. Always was the former. playing the role of the protector in the streets for his Elite Entertain L - ment labelmates and family, Hawk’s music mirrors the dark places he’s

When his blood cousin and frequent collaborator, Colfax Cac was mur been and the things he’s done. While the Al Sharptons of the world may dered a couple of years ago, Hawkman, who’d been in out of trouble have a problem with the ghetto reality music he makes, Hawk has made since he hit puberty, nearly lost it. In his mind, it should have been him. a solid effort to not give a damn.

“I felt guilty because Cac wasn’t into the street life,” he says, recalling “I’m like a million niggas in the ghetto; I’m speaking to them,” the deep 28 year-old argues. One of his biggest hits to date, “Gangstar,” instances where his cousin would urge him to get out of the streets and voiced into the studio. “Based on all the shit that I’ve done, people could’ve which he claims is a Colorado anthem, directly reflects his ideology. understood if it would’ve been me, not him.” “I don’t give a fuck about the Kanye niggas,” he continues, “And I don’t hate on nobody, I just think there’s a place for everybody in Hip Hop. Kanye can’t tell niggas from here shit. They ain’t gonna feel that shit.”

With his upcoming releases due out Criminology on Elite early next year, , Entertainment and Murder and Mayhem which will be presented by C-Bo after he gets out of jail, Hawk’s presence on the Midwest rap scene only continues to grow. Initially making his mark alongside Denver based rap group, MNLD (most of whom are now signed to Elite Entertainment as solo artists) in the late-nineties, Hawk’s constant bouts with the legal system sidelined his rap career for a long time.

“I really honestly didn’t take the music seriously until my cousin got killed and that’s what got me on the path I’m on now, being focused on the music side,” he says, adding that he also hasthe two Bomb mixtapes circulating, including Money hosted by DJ KTone. “Since I’ve got out of jail, I’ve been mashing.”

His musical work ethic has reached new heights. At the end of the day, he feels he has to represent for his cousin. And he isn’t willing to compromise his sound for anyone.

“That’s all I know is the street shit,” he says. “That’s where I come from. I do speak on political issues, but not to the point where I let it overwhelm my music. I make reality rap, it’s music for the turf and people who are still stuck in that reality.” //

Words by Jacinta Howard

14 // OZONE WEST Hawkman Denver, Co

(above L-R): Flo Rida @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: Julia Beverly); Julia Beverly & @ Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, AZ (Photo: D-Ray); Too $hort with his $hort Stories article @ Spin Nightclub in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // David Banner @ Record Plant (Hollywood, CA) 02 // Ray J @ Club Vivid (San Jose, CA) 03 // DJ Quote & Juice @ Tucson Convention Center (Tucson, AZ) 04 // Rydah J Klyde, D-Ray, & AP9 @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA) 05 // Rick Edwards & Lil Fizz @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 06 // Young Buck @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 07 // Ludacris @ Club Rain during Super Bowl Weekend (Scottsdale, AZ) 08 // DJ Devro @ 1015 Folsom for Freeway’s album release party (San Francisco, CA) 09 // Selah @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 10 // Double D Promotions @ Glendale Civic Center (Glendale, AZ) 11 // DJ Amen @ Tucson Convention Centre (Tucson, AZ) 12 // Fat Ant & Turf Talk @ Kimball’s (Oakland, CA) 13 // Bishop Lamont on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 14 // DJ Buddha & @ Club Mist during Super Bowl weekend (Scottsdale, AZ) 15 // D-Ray & Yung Berg @ Tucson Convention Centre (Tucson, AZ) 16 // Pusha of The Clipse @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 17 // PSD Tha Drivah & Lil PSD @ Benihana’s (Walnut Creek, CA) 18 // Meezy Montana & Taz @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA) 19 // Moe @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA) 20 // Colby O’Donis on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 21 // Cheri Dennis @ Glendale Civic Center during Super Bowl weekend (Phoenix, AZ) 22 // Al Lee @ 2 C’s Clothing (San Leandro, CA) 23 // Paul Wall & Gu @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 24 // Kevin Liles @ Club Rain during Super Bowl Weekend (Scottsdale, AZ) 25 // J Diggs @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA) 26 // Gorilla Zoe & Julia Beverly @ L’Ermitage (Beverly Hills, CA) 27 // Cyrus @ Tucson Convention Center (Tucson, AZ) 28 // Royal Epic Clothing @ Tucson Convention Center (Tucson, AZ) 29 // Tum Tum @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 30 // Baby Boy @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 31 // The Jacka & Garrett @ 17 Hertz Studio (Hayward, CA) 32 // Taje on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 33 // Willy Northpole @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 34 // Akon on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 35 // Bizzy Bone on the set of “A Song For You” (Phoenix, AZ)

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

OZONEOZONE WEST WEST // // 15 15 16 // OZONE WEST Words by Kay Newell // Photo by D-Ray

singles back to back to back. You can’t really refuse us on the next round. How did the song “Video Vixen” come about? BA: We did “Video Vixen” ‘cause we knew it was for the Too $hort compilation, and Too $hort’s favorite word is “bitch.” We wanted to give ‘em somethin’ that was evolved around that subject. Not necessarily that word, but somethin’ around it. We feel like every dude-even if they don’t right now-at one point they looked at a video girl and was like, “I wanna do that,” whether they admit it or not. I know a lot of girls that feel the same way, and even if she don’t wanna be a video vixen she lookin’ at herself in the mirror and sayin’, “I coulda been one of them.” Everybody’s gonna be able to relate to it a little bit. That was the first single for theI Love The Bay compilation.

For those outside the Bay, explain a lil’ bit about East Palo Alto? BA: It’s two and a half square miles. We were the murder capital back in ‘92. That’s nothin’ to glorify, but that’s where a lot of people came up [that’s in this rap game]. It’s really a small city filled with Latinos, blacks and a few Since releasing the album in ‘06 have things gone as planned? whites, Asians, pacific islanders, and we all in like one little area. It’s like in Band Aid: We were hopin’ for a deal. A few of them came our way. We wasn’t a hole, a cage. It’s the smallest city in the Bay Area and there’s a whole lotta in it for the money ‘cause what they was offering we already got. [They tragedy out here. were offering] a few hundred thousand, and people get happy with that few hundred thousand but don’t realize there’s a recording budget, marketing No doubt East Palo Alto is hard, and yet your Lawless has a long- budget, and videos [included]. All of that and they in the hole. We ain’t playin’ standing history for giving back to the community. that game. BA: We been raised around this shit so we tryin’ to show ‘em different-the

young ones growin’ up under us. Not tryin’ to come off as no type of role How did you guys come together? model because I wouldn’t consider myself one, although I wouldn’t lead Scoot: I was doing my solo thang. Me and Band-Aide was in a crew with these nobody down a one-way street. I wouldn’t have nobody runnin’ down no niggas called Totally Insane which was my older homies. They let me get path of destruction. We try to lead them in a different way so they see there’s on they album in ’98, but I was doing some solo shit when Band-Aide came somethin’ else other than the street. home from the pen. Before we was rappin’ we was on the block together, feel me? We’ve gotten keys to our city and that didn’t mean shit ‘round here cause the

police ran up in my grandma’s yard, searched me, stripped me down and took So there never was no beef between y’all? Weren’t you in Totally Insane and $6,000 out my pocket. I was on my way to a show, I had that money advanced Band in a group called Neva Legal? [as a show deposit]. It didn’t really mean shit, but at the same time we were Scoot: I was fuckin’ with them niggas too, but I was always a solo act. We was presented with that because of the hard work. We done threw free barbeques, all just still one crew though. It ain’t like it was Totally Insane ova here, Neva free turkey giveaways, free backpacks for the kids, stop the violence concerts, Legal ova there. We was always one crew. all that shit out here. It really ain’t no gimmick. We give back to our hood, we

been givin’ back to our hood. You guys are good for doin’ mixtapes.

BA: We got this new mixtape called the Cheech and Chong mixtape. We ain’t Would you classify yourselves as part of the hyphy movement? gave ‘em nothin’ since the last album. They can go to our website or our BA: They think the whole Bay is on the hyphy sound, but don’t get it twisted myspace and listen to it. We plan on droppin’ [the new album] in February, the whole Bay will get hyphy. Tupac was hyphy, E-40, Mac Dre-they been and we gotta couple of meetings with some ole big wigs, so it’s a real good down since hyphy started so it’s just like your energy, and that’s all it is. In look. Like I said, the money they was offering we already got, so it’s really Northern we carry a lotta energy about our stuff. It ain’t necessar- business with us. ily just the music, ‘cause we don’t have hyphy music. Not knockin’ nothin’ on

hyphy, but people might think our sound is this way [when] you got mutha- Its pretty competitive in the Bay. Do you feel like underdogs? fuckas from all over this whole Bay with all different sounds, and niggas be BA: We’re the dudes that’s always been reaching out with everybody in the on some gutta shit. It’s like Atlanta; how Atlanta got a lot of different sounds. Bay. When we did our song “Grown Man On” and did the remix, we reached out to everybody from the Bay. We been on some “let’s get our shit together” Speakin’ of being different, you guys did a commercial for the CW network? but you got a couple helium heads that felt like they gotta do it on they own BA: We done been on the CW for the [sitcom] “Kings of Queens.” Our song has and that’s good, too. But at the same time it’s lonely at the top and it’s hard been played on TV for [MTV’s] “Rob and Big.” We’ve performed in penitentia- to get there. ries. There’s hella shit about Dem Hoodstarz that people really need to know

about. Despite your last album droppin’ in ‘06 you guys are still actually promoting the album and releasing singles like it just came out. Like what? BA: We got this new video, the “Uggh” remix. We were gonna shoot a video BA: Our song, “Grown Man” got more spins than any song in Bay Area history. for “Video Vixen,” and still might. That’s up in the air. We got two more videos It surpassed “I Got 5 On It” which had the most spins. // that we gon’ shoot, and we just gon’ prepare to hit ‘em like the majors. Three

OZONE WEST // 17 Boardgame meech

life, but that’s so cliché, and that Meech is anything but cliché. Before hitting puberty, he was already stroking a keyboard on stage. Shortly after, he was producing and writing for Tracey Lewis, son of George Clinton, and quickly graduated to working with Clinton himself. Then a meeting with Def Jef, who shared the same management as his mother, evolved into a team known as The Arsenal. A double up of dope producers equated to the biggest hit, “I Got Skillz,” from an unlikely rapper, Shaquille O’Neil. However, Shaq Diesel was far from being his claim to fame. It was the notorious partnership between him and Snoop Dogg that certified him as a West Coast beat dealer.

“I did so many songs with him,” Meech recalls, “at one point he [Snoop] was like, me and you, we did like 1,000 songs or something crazy like that. A lot that made sense on those records [Da Game is to Be Told Not Sold, Top Dogg, and The Last Meal], that’s what’s missing right now, but I think we can get back to that.”

Resurrecting classic Snoop, though, is not top priority on his agenda; it’s about orchestrating the success of the New West. Meech is “banking on these young kids” to bring something else to his music, something else to the West. He believes in evolving because “we can’t stay on the same level; everything hen you’ve got music running through your veins, it’s hard to has to develop with the technology.” not to come with bangin’ beats. For the past decade, Meech Wells has supplied exactly that. Though less ubiquitous than the West The first installment of TheNew West World Order, mixed by DJ Hustle, offers WCoast’s favorite Doctor, Meech has been its biggest donor, giving up only that this fresh sound and gets you acquainted with the West’s next generation. good stuff just to keep the West alive. With his newest project, a street album The street album features The Game, Juice, , E-White, Topic, Glasses series entitled The New West World Order, he’s letting it be known that the Malone along with his own artists, Eastwood, Young Joker, and Young Mack. West Coast ain’t dead, the swagger is still OG, the artists are ready, but what’s It is West Up for sure, but also serves up a different dose that the Left Coast lacking is the love. But now with Meech making the transition from donor to is in dire need of. It’s the rebuilding of the community bringing the New West surgeon, he’s ready to innovate, to regulate, to resuscitate the West Coast. together, and passing the .

An advantageous, yet humble beginning is how Meech arrived. Slugs and “It’s cool when others blow up,” Meech acknowledges, “It’s good for all of snails and puppy dogs’ tails are what little boys are supposed to be made of. us.” With websites like myspace.com and dubcnn.com, Meech is taking ad- Lucky for Meech it was a Motown crown and that 70’s soul sound that made vantage of technology and laying down the foundation for a New West Coast him. Like the name he bears, he is a perfect blend of his creators. Nicknamed community. after his father, Cecil “Meech” Womack, brother to Bobby (think “Across 110th Street” and “If You Think You’re Lonely Now”), he carries on the same steeze “This is what needs to happen: People need to keep dropping stuff and doing which resonates in his beats. like the other coasts. Like [Lil] Wayne; he’s got 20 some mixtapes out, and I know it’s hard without the budget, but they got to keep on… if you fall off Choosing to keep the name Wells, he pays homage to his mother Mary, a wise and doing articles but not dropping nothing, what’s the point?” decision on Meech’s part, considering Mary Wells is one of the most respected artists ever. You’ve probably heard her sampled, and never known it, but your And dropping them New West bombs is what Meech is all about. He’s staying favorite producer does. She made hits like “My Guy,” “The One Who Really relevant and making sure everyone’s staying active. With his company, In The Loves You,” “What’s the Matter With You Baby,” and the list goes on. With this Zone Production, where “it’s beyond beats, it’s about business,” he’s slowly blend of ancestry and the environment to cultivate, it was only a matter of bringing back a pulse to . Reach out to Meech Wells at time before Meech took over the family business. myspace.com/tharealmeechwells. //

As a natural born citizen of L.A., it was easy for him to get trapped by street Words by bombai // Photo by Money Moses

18 // OZONE WEST orn in Compton, California, Vegas based rapper Cino indulged, in real life, the cinematic fervor that most movie directors live to fantasize over. While his Bel Air peers were sizing up rims for their new Benzes, he was embracing the pressure of living as a fourth generation Carver Park BCompton Crip. By the age of 21 his good conscience forced him to make a decision as to whether he would continue to risk his life on the same streets that were rapidly absorbing his friends and family, or find reprieve in some other city. Since choosing Sin City two defining years ago, the 23-year-old has found himself focused and more importantly, a main component in the family that is Triple P Records. Upon impressing CEO Dwayne “Crum” Crumwell enough to organize a seven month multi-city/state promotional tour through the South, which included Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and Arkansas, Cino’s spent his days wrapping up In The Closet – his unofficial mixtape debut and an as yet untitled debut album to follow.

What was your experience in Compton where gangbangin’ is concerned? INO I’m like the fourth generation from my neighborhood. My daddy was one C of the young foot soldiers back in the 70’s. We had the 80’s on lock and I’m ORGANIZED GRIND fourth generation from my block. But you know, a nigga tried to turn himself WORDS: N. ALI EARLY around. I wouldn’t say I was the hardest, but being hard is not [an option] when that’s all you grew up around.

“Anywhere you go you got niggas somewhere outdoing the next, but most niggas don’t speak on what they did and I’m one of them cats.”

OZONE WEST // 19 “I always was a nigga that chased them broads. I always liked women. I can’t fake it.”

20 // OZONE WEST What set you claim? do you feel about being a real nigga from Compton, in Vegas, on some rap Carver Park. It’s over there in Willowbrook District, but it’s Compton nigga shit? rules. It states that Carver Park is Compton. We right on the other side of I don’t really think it’s no problem, cause the key word is “real.” I always Nickerson Gardens. But in my music, you’ll see that it’s a difference. I’m a been a real nigga. All the niggas from my family was real niggas and all the little something different. You wouldn’t even expect a nigga that comes from niggas from my circle is real niggas. I don’t never have problems goin’ back that area to be makin’ that type of music. to my hood. I visit my hood often. I was just down there. It’s really that our label is about talent, so that’s what it is. Real recognize real. It don’t matter So what is your message? What are you talkin’ about? where you at. I’m always going to forever rep my city cause that’s where I’m I tell you about my life and things that I experience. Then I got the message from. That’s where I was born and raised. It’s just my label is based out of songs with the substance also. But for the most part, I like to rap to the girls. Vegas. I like to rap to the women. We got a lot of ugly goin’ on, but at the same time people want to have fun. I like havin’ fun. What straight nigga’ gon’ say he On the flip side, what about Vegas? Do you feel a duty to include the place don’t like women? where you are and give it some shine? Yeah, I hear you. Vegas, it goes down out here and all that type of stuff. I ran It sounds like you weren’t in a whole heap of trouble before the move to into a lot of real muthafuckas and I ran into a lot of muthafuckas that wasn’t Vegas. Your immediate goal wasn’t bein’ the “hardest nigga” — so real. But shit, I ran into both in Compton too, from everywhere. So basi- The thing about that, if a nigga will sit here and tell you he the hardest, he a cally, it don’t really matter where you from, long as you a real muthafucka damn lie. It’s a gang of niggas out here doin’ whatever. Anywhere you go you and you a man of yo’ word and you a straight up nigga. You’ll never have got niggas somewhere who’s outdoing the next, but most niggas don’t speak problems out of me and I’ma fuck with you. But if you on some other type on what they did and I’m one of them cats. I try to keep things quiet and to shit, I can’t deal with you. I don’t care where you from. the side. I moved out here to change my life and find something different. What types of strides have you made with Triple P since signing with them? But where your story is concerned, what happened to make you want to Right now, they gave me a real opportunity to really pursue my dream and go leave? after what I know. I’m working on my album. We got a lot of shit comin’ up. Basically, fuckin’ around with knuckleheads and me being one all at the We got shows. They hooked me up with a real bomb ass producer by the name same time, I can’t just put the blame on everybody else. Me fuckin’ with of Dub Knox. He from the Bay, a real West Coast producer. He grimey with it. knuckleheads, being a knucklehead, doin’ wild shit, I had to look at myself. He go hard. He hooked me up with another dude by the name of Ishmael I had homeboys from my inner circle that I grew up with, dyin’. Some of my and he’s a master with the keys. So basically, it’s like they puttin’ me in all homeboys was dead. Niggas was facin’ seven years. My other nigga had just the right places and puttin’ me in the right people’s company. I’m gettin’ all got seventeen [years]. My little cousin is fighting his case right now. All that the right beats. I could be on some hood shit, cause that’s what I grew up type of shit. Being amongst it and being a part of it, sooner or later it’s going around. But then at the same time, I gotta be me. I always was a nigga that to catch up with you. What you live by you go by. chased them broads. I always liked women. I can’t fake it. That’s going to be in my music and I like to have fun. I do my thang. But there wasn’t anything specific or a general incident that happened that made you want to bounce? What about product? It was everything. Two years before I moved out here, [I had two] homeboys We actually workin’ on a mixtape right now. We did a lot of them songs in the [named] Lamar, same name, different families. They both grew up on the closet while we was on the road. Real shit. Stuff that I experienced while I block with me. One was involved in some hood shit, got killed. The other one was on the road. We got a lot of things goin’. And we workin’ on my album at was just being him and ended up getting killed. I’m from a neighborhood, I the same time too. My album’s almost finished. We lookin’ to work with dif- ain’t gon’ lie, we ain’t too much loved by the rest of the city. We don’t have ferent cats. The album is so different and doin’ so much that we got like four a lot of friends. We don’t click up with niggas. Niggas don’t really like my or five potential singles. It’s goin’ down. neighborhood and don’t nobody really get along with us, cause it’s a lot of knuckleheads and niggas do a lot of stupid shit. I was trapped in that frame Y’all started workin’ the radio yet? of mind and had to get away from it. But I seen a lot of that shit and it wasn’t Shit, a little bit. We been feedin’ it to DJs and we been gettin’ a good response no good comin’ from it. Regardless, I love my niggas. I love my hood, but out of them. A lot of DJs gettin’ back at us askin’ what they can do to help sometimes you gotta do for yourself. The hood ain’t gon’ be there all the out with my project; club DJs and radio DJs. We gettin’ good feedback. They time. You can talk about that homie love and all that type of shit, but niggas wanna know if they can put my songs on their mixtapes and they playin’ it in ain’t gon’ pay your bills for you or nothin’. the clubs and stuff like that.

So did you already have a network when you moved to Vegas? Is that part of Being the third artist on the label, how do you feel about your chances, see- the reason why you went there or was it a leap of faith? ing what they did or didn’t do? I had a brother. My brother stays out here, so I just moved out here. I didn’t I feel my chances are real good because I got people behind me that’s wor- know nobody from the label. A nigga moved out here lookin’ to find work, kin’ too. We all got a goal that we’re tryna meet. We all wanna make it in this really. From where I’m from it’s real crowded in California and it’s harder to industry. We’re an independent label. We’re tryna get it and basically we’re all find jobs. So I was lookin’ to find a job. grinding. So when you see somebody grinding like that and you a hustler and you come from a hustler’s background and you grind also, it’s lovely. We all What kind of work were you doing? doin’ our thang. Everybody is doing what it takes to get us to that next level. I had a little factory job. A nigga was workin’ at a warehouse – Clark County Community Food Bank. Got boxes down, delivered shit, basically just main- What do you hope to accomplish as a rapper? What are your goals? taining the warehouse. First of all to live better, to do better by my family. I want to have longevity in this music business, venture off into other things and set a foundation for How’d you hook up with Triple P Records? my family. I want to create businesses, go back home and set up some pro- It actually happened at work. It was a man by the name of Barry Brag. He grams. I got dreams of doin’ that. You got people who can’t feed themselves, played the guitar and one day niggas was at work and he started playin’. I clothe themselves or know how to get a job to do that. So I plan on helping was like, “I didn’t know you played the guitar,” and he said, “I play every- people. thing.” So he started playin’ and I started spittin’. So he was like, “Man, my homeboy got a studio,” which is the CEO of the company – Dwayne Crumwell What should we expect from that album? a.k.a. Crum. He called Wayne on the phone one day and I spit something for We got a lotta shit. We touchin’ everywhere. We make music for everybody. I’m him. Next day I got a call from the Vice President of the label. I spit, spit a . I make music for the hood and that’s what I surround myself again and they wanted me to come through the studio. I’m thinkin’ they’re with. I love my niggas and they love me back. But I was always that type of just auditioning me one day and I do a freestyle to a BG beat and next thing person that didn’t just think hood. I always had a mind of my own. Not to I know it’s going on the Gangsta Grillz (Insane Gangsta Grillz) mixtape. So we say that niggas that think hood ain’t got they own mind, but I was always did the last one with Drama before he got cracked. So after that I was fuckin’ my own person. My nigga DW, when we first did it, I told him I was thinkin’ with Triple P real heavy. Amsterdam. I’m thinkin’ everywhere. Not just regional or coastal. I’m thinkin’ oversees as well as hood, East Coast, West Coast, down South… I’m thinkin’ for We live in a reality conscious society/industry and we love to represent. How all that. I’m makin’ music for everybody. //

OZONE WEST // 21 (L-R) Krondon, Phil The Agony, and

Strong Arm Steady

22 // OZONE WEST As artists that are known well on the underground Hip MIX Hop circuit, especially through your mixtapes, you seem to travel a lot. Do you have any crazy stories from being on the road so much? Mitchy Slick: Just that slow grind. I come from the under- ground West Coast . You know, Brother Lynch, E-40 and all that. A lot of people don’t understand why AND we ain’t eatin over here on the West Coast. We go to New York, and they be on us, Germany, Norway, all that. It’s re- ally mean on that road, rockin’ shows everyday. Havin’ to drink warm tea and honey and all that shit. It’s work. Krondon: But you get to see people’s lifestyles in differ- MOWords by DJ Backside // Photo by D-RayB ent places—like how people live in Norway and shit, and then you go to a place like Atlanta and see how these big records develop and shit, and then come back to the West Coast and see how these records don’t develop out here.

he Strong Arm Steady Gang is really serious. But what about some crazy road stories? They’re serious about their music, serious Krondon: No. Those that tell don’t know, and those that about their grind, and even serious when it know don’t tell. came to this interview. A Southern Cali, West CoastT Hip Hop group formed in 2002 with original member So you have the Deep Hearted album out now, and looking , they began putting together mixtapes in 2003. to put out another album in 2008. Are you getting away Since then, Krondon, Phil The Agony, and Mitchy Slick have from the mixtape game? had a cumulative 30+ mixtapes released to the streets of Phil the Agony: No, mixtapes are like exercise for us, be- Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Atlanta, New York, and beyond. cause it might be a Prince loop or some Their debut street album was released last August 2007 sample that we can’t clear, that we might want to rhyme and with a new deal through Blacksmith/Warner Bros., over. That’s what mixtapes are for. they plan to release their first major label album in 2008. Krondon: Yeah, and sometimes, the beat might deserve a better song. Who else was initially a part of the group Strong Arm Steady? Why did it take two years for Deep Hearted to come Krondon: Xzibit was part of the official group. And really, together? Strong Arm Steady is a movement; we are just the face Phil the Agony: This is a street album, just to put out there of it. We got cats like Chase Infinite and , and with songs that we have been doing with people from Mitchy Slick has got a label called Wrongkind Records. We all over like Juvenile, Ras Kass, Paul Wall, Chamillionaire, got people from the Bay and down South and east coast [and] Talib [Kweli]. We put Deep Hearted together so that that are part of the movement, like Talib Kweli. We are just it could be all collaboration songs, so once the real album the faces. It came together as a platform for new artists comes out, Arms and Hammers through Blacksmith/Warner to be heard. Bros., people can just focus on the group. The Arms and Hammers album is goin’ to sound West Coast-like when Dr. What is Xzibit’s role in the group right now? Dre says, “When you come to the West Coast, this is how Krondon: He’s just inspiration from far off places. He your music is goin’ to sound.” The time frame thing was doesn’t partake in any of the recordings right now, but that in the middle of making Deep Hearted we got a situ- he’s definitely with us in spirit. ation with Blacksmith/Warner where they will put some serious money behind it. But for right now, go get that Why do you do so many mixtapes? Deep Hearted. It’s all across the map, it’s worldly and it’s Mitchy Slick: Well, that was the whole concept and plan. ghetto shit on there too. [We took] the idea that Dipset was doin’ on the East coast, and we were the first to do it on the West Coast. We did it You all came together as solo artists. Is that what the because there wasn’t any other way for our music to be future holds as well? heard. Now everybody wants to say that shit, but really Phil the Agony: Right now we are pushing the brand of we were the first to jump on that scene and bring it out Strong Arm Steady. Everyone knows us individually, but here. The flood of mixtapes now is crazy though. we’ve been workin’ on pushin’ the brand first. But we Phil the Agony: Yeah, I mean, we was at the W hotel, and definitely will have solo albums comin’ after. It’s like Wu- the W hotel had a mixtape. Tang; a lot of great minds comin’ together. //

OZONE WEST // 23 dj booth DJ Rah2k Mix and Flip WORDS BY ANDREW BESS

ver the past five years, the Bay Area’s DJ Rah2k has been grinding You’ve worked with Bay artists like E-40, Big Rich, San Quinn, and others like out mixtapes with the fury only matched by few. Rah networked , Juelz Santana, Akon, and T-Pain. Who has been the best to work with the Drama King DJ Kay Slay, joined forces with Streetsweep- with and why? Oers and over the last year has contributed over 70 mixtapes to the game. Not Turf Talk and Big Rich are the easiest and best to work with - both got hella to mention, he is the official DJ for Sick Wit It Records own Turf Talk. Let’s get bars, and when it comes down to it they about business. Juelz Santana was it poppin’ - forget the Bankhead, bounce with the Bay. high as a kite when he hosted a mixtape for me one time and that shit was a hella funny session. A lot of music is generated by regional sound. Being from the Bay, what makes your sound different from the rest of the region? Mixtape DJs put in a lot of work but don’t get recognized for it. You’ve First off, a lot of these DJs don’t break records. That’s something I think I do dropped over 70 mixtapes alone in 2007. Why do you think mixtape DJs have different. Also, I bring an East Coast attitude to the mixtape game out here to work harder than your average artist who drops a record or two a year? talking shit, doing shoutouts to stores, labels, and sponsors. I think my style That’s simple. Money talks - mixtape DJs do it themselves. I know for a fact of mixing and hosting is one of a kind. Not too many DJs in the Bay can rock that a lot of artists you see in magazines with full page ads get outsold by the turntables and rock the mic at the same time. This is why I get a lot of mixtape DJs. Think about that for a second - the DJ sells more then the artist. mixtape hosting as well as club gigs, cause I’m a beast when I’m DJing. I’ve It all goes back to money and promo budget. As for me, I’m just pushing tape traveled all around the country and seen a lot of DJs and most of them just after tape to support these artists who don’t have major labels behind them play their region’s [music]. to pump their single.

How did you get involved with the Drama King DJ Kay Slay and the rest of the You were recently nominated for “Best West Coast Mixtape DJ” for Justo’s Streetsweepers? Mixtape Awards. What does that mean to your career as a mixtape DJ? I hooked up with DJ Radio of Streetsweepers through my dude DJ E-Rock of All the hard work has amounted to something, not just selling tapes to sup- Sick Wit It Records, and now we have a series called That’s The Bizzness. We’ve port my rock star habits. This is what I do day in and day out. I eat, sleep, and made over a dozen different tapes. Last year I went out there for the Mixtape shit mixtapes. Awards and chilled with Radio and Slay, and I’ve been in Radio’s ear about bringing the Streetsweeper movement out here. I hit Slay about it and he told What other West Coast DJs are you up against? me to rep it out here and that if I ever need anything to holler at him. Honestly, I’m not gonna even step on anyone’s ego, so I’m gonna say log onto www.themixtapeawardsonline.com and see for yourself. You are also the official DJ for Sick Wit It Records’ Turf Talk, who is E-40’s cousin. How did you become his DJ? You’ve had a strong presence this year in the mixtape game. What do you (laughs) This was dope, I remember I was DJing this club called Angels in have lined up for 2008? San Jose, and I saw Mugzi and my dude Nanell & E-Rock outside. I’m inside Some projects I’m working on are with artists like Balance, Hot Rod of G-Unit, mashing up the club with hella Bay shit and once I see Turf and Mugzi and the my dude Bailey, , Mistah FAB, and Turf Talk. rest of Sick Wit It Records enter the venue, I start running thru hella Sick Wit It Record cuts. Mugzi told me to call him and I thought I played some exclusive Many artists who are successful in the mixtape circuit aren’t able to pull [their shit that I shouldn’t have. Anyways, he called and asked me to DJ for Turf audience] it over to mainstream albums. Why is there such a big difference Talk. Of course I said yes. between albums and mixtapes? I can say that if you doing mixtape numbers over 20-30,000 you should just A lot of the Bay Area is nationally associated with hyphy music. What are your keep it up, cause someone will notice the fact you pushing weight. Go to as thoughts on critics saying it was just a fad? many functions like the Power Summit or award shows anywhere there are That’s what really put us out there on TV, but I would tell the critics to come record labels. I’ve seen artists do good numbers with street albums, but when out here. There’s a lot more then hyphy going on and artists are really mak- it comes to a mixtapes, they might not do so well. It all comes down to if ing good music. It’s not just hyphy and ghostriding your whip. We just gotta you have a good following and if you have the bars to beat the rest of the keep pushing for these radio stations to pick up on Bay area music. competition. //

24 // OZONE WEST Too $hort/Get Off The Stage/Jive

With his 17th release and an ever-increasing fan base full of new booties, it only makes sense that Short goes back to his roots on Get Off The Stage. Sardonic and scornful throughout, he’s straight- forward on the title track, warning groupies (male and female) to kick rocks: “I don’t come to your job tryna flip yo burgers/ I can handle this crowd/ I don’t need your service.” The verbal beat- Bishop Lamont/Pope Mobile down continues on “Broke Bitch,” “Shittin’ On Em” and “FUCK YOU,” where he and Mistah FAB trade verses and insults – conceptually Without so much as a video or a mainstream single, Dr. Dre of course. – N. Ali Early protégé Bishop Lamont has easily established himself as one of the most dexterous emcees on the Coast. His socio- political charged material continues to impress on Pope J-Hype/About My Thizzness/Thizz Ent. Mobile. Lamont does his part to edify the listening public on “Anyway,” then offers biological tales of triumph on “Music As Thizz Nation continues to move about the Bay Area extended, Shit.” He unapologetically goes at industry cats on “Rappers its devout soldiers never miss an opportunity to rep the label Mac Wanna Sing,” ultimately urging to stay in his Dre built. So goes Mac Dre and Thizz Nation Presents: About My lane on the amusing hook. The gospel influenced “Street Thizzness, a moving testament to the charismatic rapper. “I Been Theology” though, is perhaps the most impressive track, Out Here,” featuring San Quinn, Rydah J. Klyde and Chop Da Hook where Bishop manages to teach, not preach. Chuuuuch!! Man, is among the tracks where Hype deviates from the Nation’s – N. Ali Early norm. However, Hype’s desire to rep is loud and clear on “Thizz 4 Life,” “California Dreams Pt. 2” and the Furl-assisted “Space Age Hustle.” – N. Ali Early Crooked I, DJ Felli Fel & DJ Nik Bean/St. Valentine Day Bossacre Clinton Place #9/Never Judge a Book: A Journey Through The Industry On this mixtape, hosted by DJ Felli Fel and DJ Nik Bean, Crooked I drops lyrically superior freestyles over Rick Ross’ In forging necessary relationships with some of the West Coast’s “The Boss” and Snoop Dogg’s “Boss’ Life” instrumentals, more reputable emcees, Brick City born producer Clinton Place #9 amidst new bangers like “Crooked Don’t Dance” and “My Life has arrived at a place where he wants to give back. He does just 2.0.” Mr. Hip Hop Weekly may be well into 40 plus weeks of that on Never Judge a Book: A Journey Through The Industry, a his unprecedented once a week freestyle series, but couple compilation featuring lyrical hurlers like Yukmouth, , West- that with the new music on St. Valentine Day Bossacre, and side Connection, and Canibus, among others. A convincing that’s enough to make him a legitimate candidate to bring ride from beginning to end, Never Judge a Book… boast contribu- the West back when his long awaited debut album B.O.S.S.: tions from Dae One and Sir Jinx, hard hitting beats, clever word Being Of Something Serious finally hits the streets. play and relative subject matter that make it an instant West — Randy Roper Coast street classic. – N. Ali Early

OZONE WEST // 25 end zone

I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T women gettin’ a handful of Webbie Venue: Spin Nightclub Event: OZONE’s New Years Eve City: Las Vegas, NV Date: December 31st, 2007 Photo: D-Ray

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