YO GOTTI Ing an HURRICANE Y One

OZONE MAGAZINE YOUR FAVORITE RAPPER’S FAVORITE MAGAZINE I I ain ’t s ’t a y ing th a t I’ t m r e qu e st YO GOTTI ing an HURRICANE y one

th CHRIS a t’s p t’s e rf e ct but I just just I but ct PITBULL nee C-RIDE d d a w oman JEREMIH th

a SOULJA BOY t’ll ma k e YOUNG i t t a ll w ll

o DRO r th th i t I t 4thannual DJ ISSUE SSU E #79 E

OZONE MAG // 1 OZONE MAGAZINE CHEVY PIT STOPTUNED UP LIKE A NASCAR ISSUE #79 YOUR FAVORITE RAPPER’S FAVORITE MAGAZINE

PITBULL HURRICANE CHRIS C-RIDE 4th LAWS annual JEREMIH DJ ISSUE YO

GOTTI SOULJA BOY YOUNG DRO

OZONE MAG // 1 YOUR FAVORITE RAPPER’S FAVORITE MAGAZINE

YOYO GOTTIGOTTI C-RIDE >> C-RIDE HURRICANEHURRICANE CHRISCHRIS PITBULLPITBULL SOULJASOULJA BOYBOY JEREMIHJEREMIH YOUNGYOUNG DRODRO

OZONE MAG // 1 YOURYOUR FAVORITEFAVORITE RAPPER’SRAPPER’S FAVORITEFAVORITE MAGAZINEMAGAZINE

PITBULL 4thannual YO GOTTI DJ ISSUE C-RIDE LAWS JEREMIH HURRICANE

SOULJA CHRIS BOY YOUNG DRO

84 // OZONE MAG 2 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 3 4 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 5 6 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 7 8 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 9 PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF // Julia Beverly MUSIC EDITOR // Randy Roper FEATURES EDITOR // Eric N. Perrin features ASSOCIATE EDITOR // Maurice G. Garland GRAPHIC DESIGNER // David KA 47-58 4th annual ADVERTISING SALES // Che Johnson, Gary Archer DJ issue PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR // Malik Abdul SPECIAL EDITION EDITOR // Jen McKinnon WEST COAST EDITOR-AT-LARGE // D-Ray LEGAL CONSULTANT // Kyle P. King, P.A. SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER // Adero Dawson ADMINISTRATIVE // Kisha Smith INTERNS // Devon Buckner, Jee’Van Brown, Krystal Moody, Memory Martin, Ms Ja, Shanice Jarmon, Torrey Holmes cover stories CONTRIBUTORS // Anthony Roberts, Bogan, Camilo Smith, Charlamagne the God, Chuck T, Cierra Middlebrooks, David 70-72 C-Ride Rosario, Diwang Valdez, DJ BackSide, Edward Hall, E-Z Cutt, Gary Archer, Hannibal Matthews, Jacquie Holmes, J Lash, 66-68 Hurricane Chris Jason Cordes, Jelani Harper, Joey Colombo, Johnny Louis, Kay Newell, Keadron Smith, Keita Jones, Keith Kennedy, 74-76 Pitbull K.G. Mosley, King Yella, Luis Santana, Luvva J, Luxury Mindz, Marcus DeWayne, Matt Sonzala, Maurice G. Garland, Mer- 62-65 Yo Gotti cedes (Strictly Streets), Natalia Gomez, Portia Jackson, Ray Tamarra, Rico Da Crook, Rohit Loomba, Shannon McCollum, Spiff, Stan Johnson, Swift, Tamara Palmer, Thaddaeus McAd- ams, Ty Watkins, Wally Sparks, Wendy Day

STREET REPS // 3rd Leg Greg, Adam Murphy, Alex Marin, Al-My-T, Ant Wright, Anthony Deavers, Baydilla, Benz, Big Brd, B-Lord, Big Ed, Big Teach (Big Mouth), Big Thangs, Big Will, Bigg P-Wee, Bigg V, Black, Bogan, Bo Money, Brandi Garcia, Brandon “Silkk” Frazier, Brian Eady, Buggah D. Govanah (On Point), Bull, C Rola, Cartel, Cedric Walker, Cece Collier, Chad Joseph, Charles Brown, Chill, Chuck T, Christian Flores, Clifton Sims, Dee1, Demolition Men, DJ Commando, Danielle Scott, DJ Dap, Delight, Derrick the Franchise, DJ Dimepiece, DJ D’Lyte, Dolla Bill, Dorian Welch, Dwayne Barnum, Dr. Doom, Dynasty, Ed the World Famous, DJ E-Feezy, DJ EFN, Episode, Eric “Crunkatlanta” Hayes, Erik Tee, F4 Entertainment, Fiya, G Dash, G-Mack, George Lopez, Gorilla Promo, Haziq Ali, Heze- leo, H-Vidal, Hotgirl Maximum, Hotshot, J Hype, Jacquie “Jax” Holmes, Jae Slimm, Jammin’ Jay, DJ Jam-X, Janiro Hawkins, Jarvon Lee, Jasmine Crowe, Jay Noii, Jeron Alexander, J Pragmatic, JLN Photography, Joe Anthony, John Costen, Johnny Dang, Judah, Judy Jones, Juice, DJ Juice, Kenneth Clark, Kewan Lewis, Klarc Shepard, Kool Laid, DJ KTone, Kurtis monthly sections Graham, Kydd Joe, Lex, Lucky, Lump, Lutoyua Thompson, Luvva J, Marco Mall, Mario Grier, Marlei Mar, Maroy, DJ M.O.E., 15 10 things I’m Music & More, Natalia Gomez, DJ Nik Bean, Nikki Kancey, hatin’ on Oscar Garcia, P Love, Pat Pat, Phattlipp, Pimp G, Quest, Quin- ton Hatfield, DJ Quote, DJ Rage, Rapid Ric, DJ Ricky Ruckus, 24 aRE YOU A G? Rob J Official, Rob Reyes, Robert Lopez, Rob-Lo, Robski, Scor- 80 BOARD GAME pio, Seneca, Shauntae Hill, Sherita Saulsberry, Silva Reeves, Sir Thurl, DJ Skee, Sly Boogy, Southpaw, Spade Spot, Stax, 81 CAFFEINE DJ Strong, Sweetback, Syd Robertson, Teddy T, TJ’s DJ’s, Tim sUBSTITUTES Brown, Tonio, Tony Rudd, Tre Dubb, Tril Wil, Trina Edwards, Troy Kyles, Twin, Vicious, Victor Walker, DJ Vlad, Voodoo, DJ 78 CD REVIEWS Warrior, White Boi Pizal, Wild Billo, Will Hustle, William Major, 22 CHAIN REACTION Wu Chang, Young Harlem, Yung DVS, Zack Cimini 20 CHIN CHECK SUBSCRIPTIONS // To subscribe, send check or money order 30 DJ BOOTH for $20 to: Ozone Magazine, Inc. 28 DOLLAR MENU Attn: Subscriptions Dept 82 END ZONE 644 Antone St. Suite 6 Atlanta, GA 30318 12 FEEDBACK Phone: 404-350-3887 24 hooD DEEDS Fax: 404-350-2497 Website: www.ozonemag.com 32 i’M JUST SAYIN’ THO 79 inDUSTRY 101 COVER CREDITS // All cover photos (Yo Gotti, Pitbull, Hur- ricane Chris, and C-Ride) by Wuz Good. 15 JB’S 2 CENTS 18 mathematics DISCLAIMER // OZONE Magazine is published 11 times per year by OZONE Magazine, Inc. OZONE does not take respon- 20 namES OF SHAME sibility for unsolicited materials, misinformation, typographi- 36-46 PATIENTLY WAITING cal errors, or misprints. The views contained herein do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or its advertisers. 19-45 PHOTO GALLERIES Ads appearing in this magazine are not an endorsement 34 PRISON DIARY or validation by OZONE Magazine for products or services offered. All photos and illustrations are copyrighted by their 16-17 RAPQUEST respective artists. All other content is copyright 2009 OZONE 26 siDEKICK HACKIN’ Magazine, all rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any way without the written consent of the publisher. Printed in the USA.

10 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 11 Send your comments to [email protected] or hit us up at www.myspace.com/ozonemagazine

JB, I was reading your 2 Cents editorial in your seven year anniversary issue is no sympathy. Just like you said, there’s the stress of dealing with promot- and found it moving. When you said that you struggle to be inspired to a ers, managers, artists, and publicists. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it, but rotation of the same ish, I think I can relate to how you feel. But when you then I remember that I’m the first person from my family doing things they said that you wake up in the morning and never know what the day might never thought would be possible. I feel like I’m the bridge God is building bring, I sense that uncertainty keeps you going. I can relate to that too. I’m for my family and friends to make a better way. I have to be strong in my a junior at Morehouse College and I will soon be going back to begin my sacrifices and struggles. Your article and strength reminded me why I do fall semester. I sometimes sense that same rotation of the same ish; go to this, and why I shouldn’t quit. college, graduate, and get that great Wall Street or banking job. That stigma - Makisha Johnson, via email (Miami, FL) circulates around the business majors at Morehouse. What keeps me going is knowing that I will learn something new that will eventually help me reach my true career goal. Congratulations on your seventh year anniver- Hey D-Ray, I’m new to the photography game and I’ve kinda been going sary, and stay motivated. through it lately with a Bay artist whose head got a little too big and let his - James Small, via email (Atlanta, GA) fiancé come too far into his career. I just read your column in OZONE, I’m Just Sayin’ Tho, and first of all I’m sorry for the loss of your grandfather. I’m sure he’s proud of you. After reading your article, I feel a lot better. It makes I like your JB’s 2 Cents; that’s a good article. I feel where you’re coming from. me not want to quit, and reassures me that the ups and downs are to be You look good with the dress on in Miami. That’s a good look. I’ve done four expected. I lost a close friend in March from Richmond, Smacka, and I was albums and I’m getting ready to do my fifth one. I’ve been repping West doing a shoot with him an hour before he was killed. That’s the hardest Texas for a long time. It’s an undiscovered region. thing I’ve been through, but it keeps me going because I know he believed - Prez D, via email (West Texas) in me. I just wanted you to know that I support you and I really appreciate what you’re doing as a woman. I strive to be like you, D-Ray. Real shit. – Brittany, via email (Bay Area, CA) JB, your 2 Cents in the 7 Year Anniversary issue of OZONE was sooooo on point. I’ve been doing this since 2002 and it’s been a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, but I still love it. Much love and respect, and happy birthday! Your 2 Cents this month was very well written, JB. You and Tony Neal are – Adam Murphy, via email (St. Louis, MO) on the same page right about now. I’m sure you’ve seen his email about “situations.” Hip Hop has to be more responsible for its actions. People do fail to realize that this is a business, period. I personally think there are some Just wanted to let you know that I appreciate all that OZONE does to entities that are trying to eliminate the Hip Hip genre on the basis of the further the image of Hip Hop in the South. I wish more people used their problems you talked about: radio stations, record labels, television chan- talents, efforts, and influence to support the culture. nels, and nightclubs. I encourage everyone to try to make a difference in – Handsome Ken, via myspace Hip Hop. I love Hip Hop. Do you? - Christina Clark, via ozonemag.com (Orlando, FL)

Julia, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading your piece last month about your struggle getting your company off the ground dur- JB, the second paragraph of your 2 Cents this month is definitely something ing the early days. The determination you showed was quite commendable, that everyone in this business needs to take heed of. For those who love and it’s refreshing to hear someone else’s struggle. Good luck and keep Hip Hop and the Hip Hop culture, we need to do everything we can to help doing you. – Jared Holzman, via email people start respecting it. All the egos cause the beefs. The beefs cause the drama. The drama causes the negative perceptions, and those perceptions are causing corporate America to stop investing in our efforts (ie., Award Hey D-Ray, I just read your Editor’s Note in the 7th Anniversary Issue and Shows and similar events). Some people don’t understand the bigger it truly inspired me this morning. The crazy thing is that for the past week, picture. This not only affects OZONE, but everyone in the Hip Hop culture. every time I picked up the magazine and started reading it, I’d have to put Hopefully your words will inspire people to humble themselves and allow it down. This morning after I said my morning daily prayers I was laying in you to put on the show and feel good about it. the bed mentally preparing for my day when I glanced at the magazine - Bels, via ozonemag.com and picked it up and it flipped open to your article. I say all of that just to say that I believe God works in mysterious ways and he knew I needed to read your article at that time. I struggle from time to time with personal Correction: The starting quarterback for the Raiders, Jamarcus Russell, ap- sacrifices that I have to make and mask them when working. I had a death peared in the photo galleries in the last issue of OZONE but his name was in my family recently and I can’t grieve with my family because of work spelled incorrectly. Our apologies. obligations that have to be fulfilled. I’ve learned that in this industry, there

12 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 13 14 // OZONE MAG JB’s 2cents he Very Well Written JB! You and Tony Neal are on the same page right about now. Im sure you seen his email on “situations”. Hip Hop has to be more responsible for its actions. People do fail to realize that this is a business period. I personally think that there are some Tthings in place that are trying to eliminate the Hip Hop genre all together on all basis as you said. Radio, Labels, Television, Clubs etc. I encourage everyone to try to make a difference in HIP HOP. I love HIP HOP do you? 10 THINGS I’M - Julia Beverly, [email protected] HATIN’ ON by porn star Mr. Marcus

1. PEOPLE HATING ON AUTO TUNE I’m not hating on auto tune, I’m hating on the hating of it. I know everybody that’s been to a club in the past year has danced, drank, and ERIC PERRIN Me & the crew at my ATL fucked to digitalized singing. Bring back beat- bday party boxing if you’re fed up with auto tune. Matter of fact, auto tune beat-boxin’.

2. Ray J Okay, Ray J’s got the bitches. I’m not hating on that. But get a show that displays true pimp skills. Make the bitches go get some cheesecake. Make them walk from Hol-

lywood to Long Beach and back. TYSON TERRENCE Rockin’ Q45’s Gucci @ my 3. Celebrity Sex Tapes Jacksonville bday party Celebrity chick makes 1 sex tape; gets more money, gets a reality show. Porn chick makes 151 sex tapes; still broke and no reality show.

4. Single Ladies Y’all know you ain’t really single, so put your hand down in the club.

5. Skinny Jeans What the fuck? Why are brothas running around lookin’ like white boys in grade Cutting OZONE’s 7th Anni- school. Actually, they ain’t running. They can’t versary cake in Jackson, MS even walk cause the jeans are too TIGHT. And I’m really hating on big dudes wearing skinny jeans (ie., Randy Jackson on American Idol).

6. “No Homo” Who started this and why? Does it really need to be said?

7. Twitter If you’re trying to avoid someone or not picking up your phone, don’t be on Twitter telling Me & Keak da Sneak @ OZONE’s Get Famous show- people what you’re really doing. You will get case in San Francisco, CA caught in your deceitful ways.

8. Karrine “Supahead” Steffans We all know she can suck a dick. There’s a tape to prove it, but the chick has selective memory. She wrote a book on how to get a man, fuck him good and keep him at home. But she forgot to mention her video that shows in 3 minutes how to make an impres-

sion and keep him close by. D-RAY Flo Rida & I 9. Medical Marijuana I love to shop at my local marijuana dispen- sary, but every week there is a new brand of weed. Whatever story is popular this week on CNN, expect a to find a way to smoke it. State House f/ Lil Ru & Juney Boomdata “Crank Dat Roy (Remix)” Right now I’m smoking some Sarah Palin and Fabolous f/ Drake “Throw It In The Bag (Remix)” RE’Splaylist when I’m done with that I might have a toke Jet Audio f/ Curt@!ns, Mickey Factz & Danny! “Stand Alone” [email protected] of some Wacko Jacko. Bobby Valentino f/ Bun B “Hands On Me (Remix)” R. Kelly f/ Keri Hilson “Number One” Drake “The Winner” 10. Camera Phones B.o.B. “Do You Have The Stamina” Jah Bless “Hello Kitty” Can people STOP taking pictures with their Paper Route Gangstaz “Keyshia Cole” Pleasure P “Under” camera phone in the dark with no flash? Fly Union f/ Big Sean “Poed Up” Pill “Trap Going Ham” You’d be better off going back to a Polaroid.

OZONE MAG // 15 CINCINNATI, OH: Heavy Wrist Entertainment features the artist O.P. who is blowing up in the Nati with his new hit “Scale” featuring Gucci Mane. G5 Jett (above) is making a lot of noise in the burbs with his song “Cool Swag (Oh My).” Roselawn Park COLUMBUS, GA: has become the newest hang spot on Sunday, where you can see the hottest Foxie 105’s Family Day in the Park went relatively smooth. It featured cars cruising and ladies cooling in their daisy dukes. The “So You Think You Got Twista, Maino, Pleasure P, The GS Boys, and everyone else whose songs Talent” Showcase was held last month at the University of Cincinnati and was you know, but can’t remember their names. There were two events hosted by Bootsy Collins. The winner was Diamond Starr, who sang a Jennifer put on in honor of Michael Jackson on the same day. At first I thought Hudson song acapella that gave everybody the chills. that was kind of suspect but both events had good turnout, with many - Judy Jones ([email protected]) attending both. Uptown Columbus Business District and Clear Chan- nel hosted a nice outdoor tribute downtown. Foxie 105 did an indoor AUSTIN, TX: tribute, but took it outside for a candle light vigil. Both events featured Bizzy Bone and B Real were in town for a show at The Mohawk. 2 Live Crew performances, music, and dedications. Foxie’s event continued into the also performed there the following week. Chalie Boy and the Dirty Third night, turning into a party. Camp came through town to shoot his “I Look Good” music video. Austin MC - David Britt ([email protected]) Pimpin’ Pen shot his “Lil Homie” music video. Talib Kweli and the Strong Arm Steady Gang came through for performances at Emo’s. Trey Songz performed COLUMBUS, OH: at The Monarch Event Center. Dorrough hit the stage at Club 8Ball. The Summer Jam went down with performances from Wallabe, Fly - O.G. of Luxury Mindz (www.luxurymindz.com) Union, The 3rd, Kim Joyce (great voice), Danielle, Lee Debonair, and a host of talent from the CO. Drake made his way to the city and the girls BIRMINGHAM, AL: went mad. Speaking of mad, if 107.5 goes any more mainstream it’s City Stages brought Young Jeezy to town. Monica and Case came to Platinum. going to be time for another Hip Hop station. Maxwell and Jamie Foxx 95.7 Jamz Car & Bike show took place as well. B-Money, local radio VJ/Pro- also visited the city. Fly Paper was named as people to watch in 2009 by moter, presented several events around town. K.D. of Hollow Ent. dropped Columbus Alive. his new mixtape/album called Untouchable. Lil Boosie, Webbie, and OJ da - Yohannan Terrell (www.FlyPaperBlog.com) Juiceman hit the town and performed at Club Continental. T Rose put on The 1st Annual Eat the Streetz Music Conference which turned out well. Upcom- DALLAS/FT. WORTH, TX: ing female artist Elee continues to work hard, she shot a new video from her Inertia is working with Tony Neal of the CORE DJs, Texas UMS II was a mixtape. Also Murc Camp dropped their new mixtape which features the hit success, and the RKN Internet Radio Network is official. DJ Du2ce and single “Hats Low.” The song has been getting moderate radio spins. Fred P also the Paperchaserz have the metroplex saying “Franky.” YG Ray Paul and dropped his new mixtape. Be sure to check www.bhammusicblog.blogspot Gorilla Zoe shut down Crystal’s live with “Tudilu” produced by Feddi. Big for Birmingham related music news. Daddy and Virdiko.com are doing online distribution while Throwdown - K. Bibbs ([email protected]) Sam and DallasSight.com are putting artists on stage. DJs Snake and Doo Rite are spinning at Onyx strip club until 6am. Ca$h’s single “Walk wit a Dip” entered billboard. Viz and Fatz are keeping it Hip Hop with

16 // OZONE MAG Final Fridays. “Mr Hit Dat Hoe” is in club rotation and C-Dog (Streetdog Ent.) is the truth. MEMPHIS, TN: - Edward “Pookie” Hall (urbansouth@gmail. Up and coming Memphis R&B artist K. Michelle got some shine by hav- com) ing Gucci Mane featured on her new song “Self Made” off her upcoming album Pain Medicine. Juicy J reached out to Memphisrap.com to speak GAINESVILLE, FL: about supporting change and unity in Memphis amongst artists. Gospel Gainesville is swaggin’ and surfin’ with Def rap artist Mr. Del released his new label DMG and album Thrilla. He Jam’s F.L.Y. (Fast Life Yungstas) as they pro- hosted a release party/listening party and his spiritual message is reach- mote their new single. Pretty Ricky stopped ing out quickly. You may see Gangsta Boo jookin’ real soon since she by as well and Alexandra Marie of 101.3 hooked up with BET award winning Memphis jooker, Ladia Yates. Playa grilled Spec on his controversial video. The Fly introduced his video channel “Fly TV” with cameos from Memphis Commissioner’s new mixtape Mr. Gainesville rappers Crunchy Black and Yung Kee. is in the streets with a major buzz, while J - Deanna Brown ([email protected]) Road is in the studio working with The Run- ners’ first signed artist Bali. Gainesville Police PHILADELPHIA, PA: Department and Alachua’s Mike Peterson of Tone Trump digitally released his album Trump Life through online the Falcons put it down major for kids in the music promotion company Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes. The Roots held community with “Operation Respect Yourself.” its 2nd annual Roots Picnic at the Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing. The They also held two huge cook outs, a sports event featured Public Enemy, TV on the Radio, The Black Keys, Antibalas, camp, and pool party, all for charity. Santigold, Asher Roth, Writtenhouse, Back 2 Basics - King Britt and Dozia, - Jett Jackson ([email protected]) and Kid Cudi. 100.3 FM has a new morning show featuring Charlamagne. Pleasure P and Power 99FM held a concert at Plush Nightclub. Switch HUNTSVILLE, AL: It Up Sundays at Shampoo Night Club features DJ Sojo, DJ Touchtone, Twista was at Focus. R.I.P. to the young lady Jay-Ski, and Gregg Nyce on the turntables. Streettalkin.com is a video that was killed that night (Deangelia Bell). magazine featuring Philadelphia Nightlife. Young Chris’ released a new 6 Tre G celebrated great success with his song featuring Freeway called “The Last Two” produced by 9th Wonder. mixtape Boss Muzik hosted by Bigga Rankin. PT - Infamous6ixx ([email protected]) from the group Untamed has been cooking up some heaters lately. He produced the “Alabama RICHMOND, TRI-CITIES, VA: Dodgers” track for Jackie Chain. D-County just Audra the Rapper is currently working on her 2nd mixtape Miseduca- dropped their new CD. Newcomer Nate B has tion of Audra, inspired by Lauryn Hill’s first solo LP. Audra is working with been in the lab grinding. Alternative group Timbaland and his latest protégé WizzDumb. Quick Flip Ent. CEO/Artist Sound of Silence has been recording with a lot Ron Flip Da JumpMan is promoting his new single “JumpMan” from his of Huntsville Hip Hop groups. Mookie dropped upcoming album AWESOME!. He’s also pushing a song with Nappy Boy his mix CD with DJ Holiday. Chrome 32 has artist Young Cash that’s available on Twitter. ChiChi The Kid released been holding down Decatur. Greg Street and two hot singles digitally: “Wear It on the Right Side” and “She’s Da Only 103.1 are throwing a celebrity car show. For Reason.” Noah-O of Charged Up Entertainment is hitting radio hard with the fellas, check out www.lakenleshe.com and the new single/VA anthem “I Got It” ft. Streetz Deep & J-Nero, produced www.meshamodel.com. by Big Boyz. - Codie G ([email protected]) - Atiyyah Wali ([email protected]) TAMPA, FL: SACRAMENTO, CA: The 6th Annual Tampa Music Conference in- In one month alone, Beyonce, Bobbi Valentino, David Banner, Yung LA, cluded memorable performances from Dynasty, E-40 and The Dream all slid through the City of Trees. Sacramento artist J- Prophit, and Lord Drak, and unfortunately ended Gib released his new single “Sidekick” feat. Raw Smoove to rave reviews. with Young Joe involved in a scuffle with two Sac heavyweight Bueno shot the video for his single “6AM” and hosted a other men. The economy continued to take its huge boat party on the Sacramento River. Former NFL linebacker Adrian toll with the closing of multiple recording stu- Ross hosted his Maddbacker Celebrity Weekend and provided several dios, including Music Matrix. Aych and many oth- high profile parties. ers celebrated the 3-year anniversary of Tampa’s - Lavega “Kream” Sims ([email protected]) premier Open-Mic and weekly performance forum “Da Cypher.” CBS announced this season’s cast for their ST. LOUIS, MO: hit reality show Big Brother which will include Street Hot 104.1fm did it big with Summer Jam 2 which had over 15,000 fans Laced DJ and Shut-it-Down Squad member DJ Mingle Mixx in attendance. Yung Ro not only sold out at his in store signing for his CD (above at right, with 3LG). The Rising Sun, but he also charted #7 on Billboards singles chart with - Slick Worthington (Myspace.com/SlickWorthington) “Donk Dat.” Unladylike dropped their debut album Certified. DerrtyBoi Montana’s album DerrtyBoi Muzik also dropped recently. Kenny Knox KILLEEN/BELTON/FT. HOOD/TEMPLE/ released his album called Pop’n That Metal and Family Affair released The WACO, TX: Family Blessing. St. Lunatics are circulating their single “Get Low 2 da Flo.” It’s been reported that Spark Dawg recently knocked out local rapper Mic Stevie Stone dropped his debut album The New Kid Comin under Ruth- Wrecka at Greencity’s mixtape release party for Strength in Numbers. San less Records. His single “Wait a Minute” is getting love coast to coast. Hot Antonio rapper Kyle Lee was also in attendance. Rumor has it the entire 104.1fm’s Tony J. does a live broadcast from Club Casino every Saturday ordeal was caught on film. Killeen Texas R&B Artist Tylenol has a new single night from 1-3am and 100.3fm The Beat’s Kiki da 1st Lady does a live with Maxx Calzz ft. Big Bee, Jessie James, iTut, Kinfolk Corleone, and Young broadcast 10pm-1am at STL Nites every Friday. Ced that has is creating a buzz. New local Hip Hop club, Club Inferno, - Jesse James ([email protected]) brought artists such as Dorrough Music, Lil O, and Z-Ro. Even with the top local radio station B106 running ads for these shows, they all had a small WASHINGTON, DC: turnout. The highly anticipated $1000 rap battle between King Swagg and - Chris OA ([email protected]) Pro’Verb fizzled when Pro’Verb pulled out over a financial dispute with the promoter. XO has just released the Monumental mixtape which LOUISVILLE, KY: contains the blazing single “F.R.N.O. (Crown Vic Music).” Southeast Slim Lil D, a.k.a. D. Wash, launched Gracie Urban, a label that serves as an outlet has finally dropped his latest CDThe Medium. And Wale’s new mixtape for Louisville’s up and coming artists. It was a good month for the University Back to the Feature was produced by 9th Wonder. K-Beta is currently of Louisville Cardinals’ Terrance Williams, he was drafted by The Nets, and holding down first place in the Rap Leagues, a freestyle competition Earl Clark was taken by The Suns. Speaking of E5, he had an NBA draft party organized by Tyrone (Mental Stamina) Norris. that was on swoll. Ellis Myles brought in DJ Envy on the 1s & 2s, and Young - Sid “DCSuperSid” Thomas ([email protected]) Dro gave the crowd what they wanted. Keenan Burton of the St. Louis Rams had an All Star Celebrity bash that was also nice. - Divine Da Liaison ([email protected])

OZONE MAG // 17 SOCIAL MEDIA | By Wendy Day (www.RAP-COALITION.COM)

haven’t written much about the digital or online marketplace. It’s not googling for more. You also have the option to build your own blog on your because I don’t think it has value, it’s that because it’s such a cheap means MySpace page. of promotion that I don’t want artists to think they can just promote on the internet and that’s it. Many people choose to promote themselves For those who want to spread their image as well (which is important), pho- onlineI because they can do it from the comfort of their own home, it’s easy, tos, YouTube, or UStream can be tied into all of your social networking efforts. and it’s cheap (almost free). Remember if you “go live” on UStream, having something to say is important. Not everyone is meant to have their own live reality show. I’ve seen many that Because of that, I am going to remind urban artists that the internet is only are as exciting as watching paint dry. I do enjoy the ones in the studio sessions 15 to 25% of your sales base (less if your music is very gutter and street-ori- where I can watch artists and producers record. Drumma Boy and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. ented), so if you are ONLY available digitally, or only promoting digitally, you League offer some exciting ones! Also, TI’s studio, Echo, has a UStream feed are leaving money on the table. You’re missing a large part of your fan base that offers technical tips and do’s and don’ts from their head engineer, Dirt! that still buys CDs and still puts value in the traditional methods of finding Your live feeds also give you something to talk about , on your Twitter page, out about an artist: street buzz. blogs, etc, before, during, and after the broadcast.

Both traditional promotion and online promotion are important. You, the When I was out on promo tour with BloodRaw we set up his own YouTube TV artist, are a brand. You need to spread the word about your brand into a page and downloaded video footage at the end of every day so fans could movement. As your movement grows, you want more and more people tour along with us. We also had a blog page where we uploaded photos along involved in it and talking about it to others. This is the goal of any product, the way so fans could see what we were doing and where we were. By the person, artist, or idea that is looking to be spread. It is important to reach end of his 40 day promo tour, we had over 12,000 people riding along with people in their environment, on their time, whether they read publications, us. And that was 18 months ago, before Twitter was popular. I think we’d have read blogs, surf the web, play video games, watch videos or TV/cable shows, more than 4 times the following now since it’s far more popular today and hang out in clubs, go to the mall—whatever they do, and wherever they go, since we could have been instantly interactive (like Twitter). your brand/logo/mention needs to be in their face. The more they see “you,” the more they will wonder who you are, and investigate if you are worthy of Podcasts are also a wonderful way to share your brand, and voice, with fans. their time and money. It’s a quick way to record your voice and share a story or experience in your own words. The podcasts can then be downloaded from your sites or blog, In a perfect world, you want them dancing to your song in the club, hearing attached to tweets, or uploaded to iTunes if your demand is big enough. your song on mix CDs, singing along to your song on the radio, noticing your Vocals and visuals can often times make a story more exciting than just text. song playing in other vehicles as they drive by, paying to see you perform in I’ve heard some awesome podcasts by B Real discussing border crossings with the club, buying your mix CDs and buying your music (and who gives a fuck weed in his pockets, back when he was touring with Cypress Hill. His amusing if it’s a CD or the download of your album, as long as they are paying for it antidotes are funny, and are great experiences to hear. and not bootlegging it!). Facebook is a great place to interact with fans as well. A savvy artist can Social networking consists of exactly that—interacting with people in a also set it up so that tweets post there as well as on their website, so it gives social environment, in an arena where they come to interact with you. Some people multiple ways to reach you directly (or a staff member working for great resources are MySpace (they can hear your music and learn who you you). Ron Artest’s fake Twitter page (who’s on payroll) is far more fun and are), Facebook (they can see who you interact with and who you do business interesting than his real page. I’m not even going tell you which is which. with, plus they see what others are saying about you), and Twitter (they can interact with you directly and read what you say and how you respond to Facebook allows you to post photos, join groups, interact with fans directly, others). One thing about social networking sites is that the genuine y-o-u blast information and posts, and keep up with other artists that you’ve usually comes out, and hopefully that’s a positive thing! befriended or who have similar fan bases as you. It’s a great way to increase your reach and seen as more professional than MySpace (which seems to now If you are totally missing the boat, you can use these social networking sites skew younger)! As an artist, you need pages at both sites. You can also offer as opportunities to sell stuff and over-hype and over-promote yourself, but contests, discounts for shows, schedules of events, etc. people will tune you out pretty quickly. Or you can be smart and use these sites as little inner glimpses of who you are and what you believe to allow Most newer artists haven’t navigated the world of iPhone and Blackberry your fans to understand and gravitate towards you (or push you away if you applications, but if you have a strong enough following, they are definitely a are a tremendous asshole). Twitter is ideal for this because you interact with source of income and promotion. Also, FriendFeed is a newer network that people in less than 140 characters—it’s short bursts. could become a player in the social networking mix for artists soon. It is a social media content aggregator that offers a community of people who con- In addition to interacting directly with your fans and the industry on Twitter, versate around content. And after all, you want people talking about you. you can build a blog. It’s another great way to humanize your brand and share opinions and thoughts with your fanbase. You can talk about your life, Although it’s important to use traditional methods to spread your awareness who you are, where you’re from. You can discuss opinions on current events and promote yourself, the internet is a great and inexpensive (but VERY time and places. You can offer a running commentary on how you spend your consuming) way to get your name and message out there. The trick is to find days, if it’s interesting enough. You can post photos and blogs along the way. the right balance that works for you and best reaches your core fans and new Blogspot, Blogger, and WordPress are the free ones I know about without potential fans. //

18 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Yung LA & Dorrough @ Hot 103 Summer Jam in Kansas City, MO (Photo: Ms Rivercity); Kanye West & Amber Rose on the red carpet @ the BET Awards in Los Angeles, CA (Photo: D-Ray); Shawty Lo & Rick Ross @ Phillips Arena for Birthday Bash in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // Chuck Creekmur & Steve Raze @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty (Los Angeles, CA) 02 // Omeezy, E-40, Droop-E, & J Diggs @ Poetry (Las Vegas, NV) 03 // Blake Griffin, Bu, & Chubbie Baby @ Phillips Arena for Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 04 // Rapid Ric & Famous @ Dub Car Show (Dallas, TX) 05 // Rich Kids @ Tupac’s Birthday Celebration (Atlanta, GA) 06 // Glasses Malone, T-Pain, Baby, & Rick Ross on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Sun Come Up” video shoot (Miami, FL) 07 // JT Money & Piccalo @ Take One Lounge (Miami, FL) 08 // The Jacka @ The Jacka’s “Tear Gas” album release party (San Francisco, CA) 09 // DJ Kaos & Slick Rick @ Body Tap II (Kansas City, MO) 10 // Dru Down, Julia Beverly, & Kuzzo Fly @ Poetry for JB’s Vegas Bday party (Las Vegas, NV) 11 // Guest, 40 Glocc, & Sun @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty (Los Angeles, CA) 12 // Shawty Lo & Clay Evans @ Phillips Arena for Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 13 // DJ Tito Bell & Deltrice @ The Jacka’s “Tear Gas” album release party (San Francisco, CA) 14 // Kenny Diamondz & Black Walt @ Body Tap II (Kansas City, MO) 15 // Steel Will, Dame Fame, & Kafani @ The Room Ultra Lounge for OZONE Get Famous showcase (San Francisco, CA) 16 // Miami Mike & Soulja Boy @ Club Bash for JB’s Denver Bday Bash (Denver, CO) 17 // Bavgate & Dame Fame @ The Room Ultra Lounge for OZONE Get Famous showcase (San Francisco, CA) 18 // BOB & Cory Mo @ Foot Locker (Atlanta, GA) 19 // Too Short & ladies @ Area for BET Awards afterparty (Hollywood, CA)

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

OZONE MAG // 19 CHIN CHECK By Charlamagne Tha God

pictures of your family on the wall with no frame, just a thumbtack through their head. Most importantly, have a floor model television with HOW TO another television on top of it because the floor model doesn’t work.

KEEP IT 5) Table Manners So you’re out with a rich, classy new associate. HOOD You’re talking big business in a five star restaurant and utilizing all the table manners and din- (WHEN YOU REALLY ing etiquette you have been taught. Suddenly, you have a vision of your cousin Jamal in your DON’T HAVE TO) head saying, “Look at this old bougie negro. Who you think you is, Barack Obama?” In order to get Are you a brother or sister who used to live like Jamal’s approval in your head, you can do one of the Evans family but now have moved on up like three things: the Jeffersons? You never want people to say that a) take the gum you have been chewing out of you’re acting brand new, or that you’ve gone Hol- your mouth and stick it under the table, lywood, or that you’ve changed. To ensure that b) ask the waiter for a hot glass of water and stick you’ll never change, Charlamagne Tha God and your silverware in it to kill the germs that are not Free have provided seven simple but effective even there, or tips to keep you in tune with the essence from c) ask the waiter for water and sugar, pull out a which you came. pack of red kool aid, and make it right there at 1) You Are What You Eat the table. Okay, your money grew up and you’re living lav- 6) Check your footwork ish, so I’m sure now you want to eat some steak Every now and then, buy a pair of Air Forces out and lobster, wild Alaskan salmon, rare tropical of the back of someone’s trunk. When you’re you didn’t go away to stay away, you went away fruits, chesapeake crabcakes, and all that other done with the Air Forces, throw them over a to make away to make it easier for others to bougie shit. That’s cool every now and then, but power line in your new neighborhood just to come behind you. when you want to put the hood into your diges- remind you of home. Your rich white Republican tive system, here are four meals that can get you neighbors should really appreciate that sight in These are the easiest and most simple ways to right back in touch with your roots: the morning. keep it hood (when you really don’t have to). 1) a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (store Now you dumb ass rappers and athletes can brand peanut butter and store brand jelly on 7) Give Back stop getting caught with guns, stop fighting White Wonder bread) On a more serious note, the most important way dogs, and stop getting arrested for possession of 2) a mayonnaise sandwich (wash it down with to stay in touch with the hood is to give back marijuana. Your hood pass will always be good if sugar water) to the hood from which you came. Invest your you follow these 7 simple steps. PEACE. 3) Chef Boyardee ravioli, or money into building community centers in your 4) if you’re really, really trying to keep the hood in old hood, sponsor the little league teams, be a From The Minds Of Charlamagne Tha God & Free you, Ramen Noodles. mentor to some of the youth in your community. The bottom line is that you only become discon- Follow Them On Twitter 2) Stay Paranoid nected from your hood when you disconnect www.twitter.com/cthagod Even though you now live in a gated community yourself from the hood. Always remember that www.twitter.com/missfree that has police patrolling the block every five minutes, always remain paranoid! Make sure

you’re inside the house by the time the street lights come on. Even though your car is locked in the garage, put the club on the steering wheel anyway. If you’re in your private study smoking a joint and you hear a knock at the door, run to flush the rest of your stash down the toilet. When you’re driving in your neighborhood and one of those cops that patrols the neighborhood every five minutes happens to drive behind you, whis- 1. Shitake Monkey per “oh shit” to yourself, just because, and throw www.myspace.com/shitakemonkey on your seatbelt! We’re pretty sure that the name isn’t pronounced how it looks, or is it? This NYC-based crew is known largely for their contribution to 3) Petty Theft 88-Key’s song “The Friend Zone.” Their music is unique, but you can’t Every now and then walk into a store and take help but imagine what the studio smells like when these guys are (notice I said take) a pack of gum, a candy bar, around. or a magazine. Nothing more than $4, because that’s stealing. Anything under $4 is just taking. 2. Gutter Couldn’t find much on this guy other than his music video for “Right Hand Cookin” featuring OJ 4) Still Down Decorations Da Juiceman produced by Zaytoven. Apparently he didn’t get the memo from Ace Hood that Still Down Decorations is exactly that. You deco- having “gutter” in your name is not a good look. We’re assuming he has a “can’t go nowhere but rate your mansion or luxury condo to show that up” mentality. Well, we may be giving him too much credit. you’re still down. Instead of curtains you hang up sheets, you have at least one flea market painting 3. Poke Chop (the dogs playing pool is the best one). Put up www.myspace.com/thahoodhomie Not sure if his name is referencing the food or some painful karate move, either way…yeah.

20 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): FloRida & Brisco @ Best of the Best in Miami, FL; Shawnna & T-Pain @ K 107 Summer Jam in Denver, CO (Photos: Julia Beverly); Young Jeezy & Trae on South Beach during Memorial Day weekend in Miami, FL (Photo: Thaddaeus McAdams)

01 // J-Diggs & the Dirty Girls @ Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles (Los Angeles, CA) 02 // Spark Dawg, Chamillionaire, & Mike Clarke @ Dub Car Show (Dallas, TX) 03 // Gil Green & Papa Duck on South Beach during Memorial Day weekend (Miami, FL) 04 // Billy Blue & James Jackson @ Cameo for Brisco’s birthday party (Miami, FL) 05 // Memphitz & Enew @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty (Los Angeles, CA) 06 // KC & Ciara @ Area for BET Awards afterparty (Hollywood, CA) 07 // Willy Northpole, I-20, & Ludacris @ K 107 Summer Jam (Denver, CO) 08 // Bow Wow, Julia Beverly, Soulja Boy, Sean Kingston @ K 107 Summer Jam (Denver, CO) 09 // DJ Franzen & J Diggs @ Poetry (Las Vegas, NV) 10 // Guest & Edgerrin James @ his pool party (Miami, FL) 11 // Chris J & guests @ The Moon for TJ’s DJ’s (Tallahassee, FL) 12 // Teleoso & Hezeleo @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 13 // Biggbody of OG Entertainment & guest @ Club Elixir (Anchorage, AK) 14 // Presidential Traphouse @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 15 // Dread & TV Johnny @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty (Los Angeles, CA) 16 // Guest & Kuzzo Fly @ Poetry for JB’s Vegas Bday party (Las Vegas, NV) 17 // B Wash, Rob Gold, & guests @ Mardi Gras for OZONE 7 Year Anniversary party (Jackson, MS) 18 // Redd Eyezz & Black Dada @ TI’s Going Away party on Star Island (Miami, FL) 19 // DJ Quote & Willy Northpole @ K 107 Summer Jam (Denver, CO)

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

OZONE MAG // 21 … a

call k I c tthe fu a wh s t’ a ’, th ’, in x la rted re a t s d an

E LAC K C E ked my N i She L SOULJA BOY $250,000 REMOTE CONTROL LAMBORGHINI CHAIN

got this brand new chain and put [pictures of it] it on the in- can give you my jeweler’s number if you want to call him up and ternet, and right away it created all kinds of controversy. But ask. He kept trying to take his time with it, but I told him to hurry really I just think everybody’s on my dick so hard that they the fuck up, so he ended up finishing it in about 3 weeks. had no choice but to give me backlash because of the chain. I I don’t care what nobody says. This chain is fresh and I just love to Ain’t nobody ever built a muthafuckin’ remote control Lamborghini be a trendsetter. Fuck the haters. I love all my fans who have been chain with black diamonds! What the fuck? This chain has got so supporting me since day one, and I want everybody who hits me many people on my dick coming up to me like, “Oh my God, that’s up on Twitter to know that I appreciate all the love. At the end of the most creative shit I’ve ever seen!” So I was only expecting day, I don’t stress over none of the haters. certain niggas to talk bad about me for it. But I’m not thinkin’ about none of that shit. I look at all of the attention as a compliment. Make sure to check out Soulja Boy’s next CD, The DeAndre Way, coming soon. The chain was a gift to me. I just turned 19 on the 28th [of July], and my jeweler was just looking out for me. It would’ve cost about 250 As told to Eric Perrin racks, but it doesn’t matter if I paid for it or not. Bugs Bunny ain’t got Photo by FLX this many karats. I don’t know exactly how many karats are in it, but

22 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Killer Mike & Bow Wow @ TI’s Going Away party on Star Island in Miami, FL; Yukmouth & his fiance @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty in Los Angeles, CA; Shawty Lo & Trey Songz @ Phillips Arena for Birthday Bash in Atlanta, GA (Photos: Julia Beverly)

01 // Julia Beverly, Malik Abdul, & Lori Harm @ Skye Nightclub for JB’s Tampa Bday Bash (Tampa, FL) 02 // Big Rich & K-Loc @ The Jacka’s “Tear Gas” album release party (San Fran- cisco, CA) 03 // J Rich & guest @ Area for BET Awards afterparty (Hollywood, CA) 04 // Kuzzo Fly, Haji Springer, & Lil Dre @ Rasputin’s for The Jacka’s “Tear Gas” in store (Berkeley, CA) 05 // Day 26 backstage @ the BET Awards (Los Angeles, CA) 06 // Outkast @ Phillips Arena for Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 07 // Trae, Soulja Boy, & Gravy @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty (Los Angeles, CA) 08 // Ray J, Shorty Mack, Julia Beverly, Ras Kass, & 40 Glocc @ Poetry for JB’s Vegas Bday Bash (Las Vegas, NV) 09 // Rapid Ric, Chamil- lionaire, & Tum Tum @ Dub Car Show (Dallas, TX) 10 // DJ Princess Cut & Tina T @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 11 // Brittney & Will Hustle @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 12 // D’Lyte, Sara, Steve Raze, & Ebony @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 13 // Sean Kennedy & Lisa Raye on the red carpet @ the BET Awards (Los Angeles, CA) 14 // Fiya & Inertia @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 15 // Mitchelle’l & Mac Boney @ Echo Studios (Atlanta, GA) 16 // Reggie Ward & Gorilla Zoe @ KNBA (Anchor- age, AK) 17 // DJ Cap, guest, Nick da Next Wun, & JuJu of Fam Life @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 18 // Lil Duval & Lil C @ TI’s Going Away party on Star Island (Miami, FL) 19 // Guest & Miami Mike @ Studio 72 for OZONE’s Birthday Bash afterparty (Atlanta, GA)

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

OZONE MAG // 23 Are You a G? 7 Questions to FIND OUT if R&B STAR JEREMIH abcdefG is the 7th letter of the alphabet.

We put Mr. Birthday Sex out one night and I sat man, that 455 engine, to the test to see if the right between her and there’s nothing like it. 21-year-old Def Jam another labelmate of Most R&B singers signee is in fact the 7th mine, Kristinia DeBarge. I probably don’t letter of the alphabet, was like “Damn, I’m sitting even know or just another typical next to Rihanna!” She was what a 455 is, so crooner. too close for me not to try Jeremih gets credit for this something, but it was one response. A. Your birthday was last of those situations I wish week. How many girls I could re-live and say a F. What’s the most did you celebrate with? little bit more than I did. expensive thing you’ve (laughs) It was only right It was kinda hard sitting ever stolen? that I kick it off the right between her and another Probably a mink coat, way. I was actually out beautiful girl like Kristinia I ain’t gon’ lie. I was in in Cali with my lil’ buddy DeBarge, but it was cool. I Chicago on 95th and from Chicago and she had a good time. Western at Marshalls, and definitely took care of Even though he I gotta admit, I got caught. me for my birthday! But I didn’t pull Chris It was one of those dumb had to get my paper up, Brown’s ex, we’ll mistakes you make as so I did two shows on my still award him a shorty; I ain’t perfect. I birthday. points for trying. was young and thought I Come on, Jeremih, would get away with it. you were in the D. Have any of your He’s definitely a land of milk and ex-girlfriends tried to get G’ for stealing a honey on your birthday back with you now that mink coat, but Hood Deeds and chose to import a you’ve “made it”? from Marshalls? WORDS By Eric Perrin // PHOTO BY TERRENCE TYSON chick from back home? No The first time I actually That had to be the most heard my [“Birthday Sex”] expensive item in the points for this one, homie. Boston Celtics small forward Marquis Daniels carries the state of record on the radio, I was whole damn store; they Florida on his back, literally. But even the immense and extremely B. If you were in the in downtown Chicago probably put extra sensors boxing ring, what song on Michigan Ave, riding on it and dedicated an detailed map of Florida tattooed across his entire back can’t compare would you come out to? around with one of my entire security guard just to the charity work he’s done to benefit the children of his home state. That’d probably be the exes. When it came on to catch fools like Jeremih song I’m featured on with we both just looked at trying to run off with it. Daniels, who was born in Orlando and played ball at local Edgewater Fabolous called “It’s My each other and smiled. It But regardless, we’ll give High School, has been giving back to his community and donating Time.” That’s probably was crazy because I didn’t Young J a point, even if it his time and resources for years. Unlike many philanthropists, most of what I’d come out to; it’s even know [the song] was a fake mink. what he does hasn’t received heavy media attention. From sponsoring something new and I’m was gonna come on. AAU basketball teams to organizing scholarship fundraisers for high on the hook. It’s one of Obviously she wants to G. Would you rather eat school athletes, Marquis Daniels contributes much to the hood. those anthems that’s real hook back up now, but at filet mignon at a five-star triumphant. It’ll get you this point, I just told her to restaurant or a t-bone at “I’ve been doing things for the community for a minute now. I just ready to take on anything. move on. I’m not trying to the strip club? never really did anything in the public eye,” says Marquis. “When I was Jeremih could’ve go back in time. (laughs) Open up her legs, growing up I didn’t get to see guys from the NBA or NFL come back picked a classic The only way then filet mignon that… and contribute to their communities. I’m in a good position now and I like Tupac’s Jeremih could’ve but I’d probably go with just want to help out as much as possible.” “Ambitions As A been more of a G’ the strip club, dawg. Rider,” Twista’s “Adrena- in this situation is if You gotta be a G’ In one of his first organized events, Daniels was able to help out over line Rush,” or even Lil’ he had pulled over as soon to eat anything at Scrappy’s “No Problems,” as the song went off and the strip club. 350 children. His “Marquis Daniels Charity for Children Weekend,” but instead went with a told his ex to “Beat it.” which lasted from July 17th-19th, consisted of 6 events, including a more personal track and Score 6/7 basketball tournament and a back-to-school drive co-sponsored by plugged he and Loso’s E. If you had to choose Jeremih may look like a Wal-Mart. The weekend was organized through Daniels’ Q6 Founda- new record along the way. between a 1979 Caprice typical R&B singer, but tion and was a massive success. That’s pretty gangsta Classic or a 2010 BMW surprisingly the Chicago 760, which would you native scores higher on the Event Planner Christina Clark has been working with Daniels’ founda- C. Who’s the most inter- go with? “Are You A G’” Chart than tion since 2006 and has witnessed his generous spirit. esting person you’ve met I’d go with the Caprice. I most would expect. His since becoming “a star”? actually just got a 1976 admission to mink thief, “[Marquis] is one of the rare athletes that really gives back,” she stress- Probably Rihanna. We Pontiac Grandville, getting back at his ex, and es. “All the kids really gravitate to him, and he’s so special because he’s actually went to dinner. antique style. I’m thinking dinner with Rihanna all very touchable and real. He really cares about the city of Orlando. We It wasn’t a one-on-one about starting a collection solidify his G’ status. didn’t have many sponsors for this event [this year], so he ended up type of dinner, but a lot of of old-schools and re- paying for most of it out of his own pocket. That’s how much he cares.” artists on Def Jam went vamping ‘em. I don’t know - Words by Eric Perrin

24 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Young Jeezy & DJ Khaled @ Best of the Best in Miami, FL (Photo: Thaddaeus McAdams); Shawnna & Willy Northpole @ K 107 Summer Jam in Denver, CO; Keri Hilson & her mom @ the BET Awards in Los Angeles, CA (Photos: D-Ray)

01 // DJ Nasty, Ricky P, & Jimmie Rockstar @ Dragon Room (Orlando, FL) 02 // Memphitz & Mike Kyser @ TI’s Going Away party on Star Island (Miami, FL) 03 // Gorilla Zoe, Willie of Y&W Limo, & Baydilla @ KNBA (Anchorage, AK) 04 // Julia Beverly & DJ Christion @ Skye Nightclub for JB’s Tampa Bday Bash (Tampa, FL) 05 // Dame Fame & Honest Bob @ The Room Ultra Lounge for OZONE Get Famous showcase (San Francisco, CA) 06 // Drumma Boy, Mistah FAB, & Rob G @ the Avalon (Los Angeles, CA) 07 // Inertia, Big Hood Boss, & Roccett @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 08 // Traxamillion & his son @ Rasputin’s for The Jacka’s “Tear Gas” in store (Berkeley, CA) 09 // Glasses Malone, T-Pain, & Baby on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Sun Come Up” video shoot (Miami, FL) 10 // Stevie J & crew @ Cameo for Headliner Marketing party (Miami, FL) 11 // Tonio & Cino @ Poetry for JB’s Vegas Bday party (Las Vegas, NV) 12 // Big Karl & Will Hustle @ Tupac’s Birthday Celebration (Atlanta, GA) 13 // Lady C, Aleshia Steele, & Sway @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 14 // Scoot of Dem HoodStarz & his sons @ Rasputin’s for The Jacka’s “Tear Gas” in store (Berkeley, CA) 15 // Krizz Kaliko, JT Quik, & Tech N9ne @ Hot 103 Summer Jam (Kansas City, MO) 16 // Nooch, Tavia, & Dame Fame @ The Room Ultra Lounge for OZONE Get Famous showcase (San Francisco, CA) 17 // Slick Rick & DJ Fresh @ Body Tap II (Kansas City, MO) 18 // Ric Ross & James Lopez @ TI’s Going Away party on Star Island (Miami, FL) 19 // Roscoe Parrish & Ump @ EJ’s pool party (Miami, FL)

Photo Credits: D-Ray (06,08,11,14); Edward Hall (07,13); J Lash (09,10,19); Julia Beverly (01,02,03,05,12,16,18); Luis Santana (04); Ms Rivercity (15,17)

OZONE MAG // 25 YOUNG DRO & TINY

Tiny: Hey Dro, what you doing? Dro: I’m in da studio wit LA. I got this fresh salamander polo on, wit the hat to match and a neon alligator belt with the stripes down the side. Boy, you should these sandals I got on, they straight black boy/white boy. Tiny: Oh, okay. What u doin’ at the studio? I’m at the club with Toya and I was thinkin about u… Dro: You thinkin about me? Well shit I don’t blame you. I’d be thinkin about me too if I wasn’t me. I’m the best thang smoking.’I got on all this damn polo. P.O.L.O. spell Young Dro. Polo to da Flo!!! Polo Dro!! I walk by niggas and make em tuck they shirt in. Tiny: Dro, you so silly. Dro: Ain’t I? Lol! Tiny: I was thinkin bout getting dropped off at the studio when we leave the club. How long you gon’ be there? Dro: This nigga Young Leland Austin, wit’ his bitch ass can’t get his damn verse right, so we probably gon’ be here all night. Tiny: Okay, well call me when he leaves. I’m gonna have Toya drop me off over there. Dro: I think this nigga Leland got on a flea market polo shirt.. He can’t be doing that shit representing Grand Hustle the wrong way. He ain’t really horsing around like POLO DRO. We on different EARTHES. Tiny: Dro, I’ve been so lonely without Tip and I’ve been thinkin bout you so much. I’m really feelin’ yo swag. Dro: This here black boy swag, white boy tags. Me and Ralph Lauren and is OZONE EXCLUSIVE tight like you and Toya. Toya got a fat ass. She single? Tiny: Toya still in love wit Wayne. But I know a friend of hers that might be Textin’ is no longer safe now that OZONE’s available, her man’s in jail for a year and day. dangerous minds have hacked the system. Dro: Aw shit, what’s her name? Tiny: Her real name is Tameka, you might know her. Dro: Tameka? I don’t know no bitch named Tameka. What she look like? Tiny: She real cute. She light skinneded, got long hair, angel eyes and a baby face. But she a freak though. And I think she used to be in a R&B group. U know who I’m talkin about yet? Dro: Naw, hell naw. But I’m still fuckin wit Fantasia and she don’t play that shit. We should hook yo friend Tameka up wit Yung Leland. That boy need a girl. Tiny: Whatever Dro! Don’t nobody want no Yung La. Call me when you decide to stop bullshitting!

From the minds of Eric Perrin & Randy Roper Photos by Julia Beverly

26 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Ron Artest & Mistah FAB @ the Avalon in Los Angeles, CA (Photo: D-Ray); Vince Young, Young Jeezy, & Fabolous @ Gansevoort Pool Party in Miami, FL (Photo: Thad- daeus McAdams); Julia Beverly @ Mardi Gras for OZONE 7 Year Anniversary party in Jackson, MS (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // John Costen, Tuma Basa, & Dr Teeth @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty (Los Angeles, CA) 02 // Nooch & Bueno @ The Room Ultra Lounge for OZONE Get Famous showcase (San Francisco, CA) 03 // Sam Sneak & DJ Nasty @ Take One Lounge (Miami, FL) 04 // Young Jeezy & Tracy Morgan @ Hot 97 Summer Jam (New York, NY) 05 // Gang- sta Brown, Chu, & Too Short @ the Palms for Too Short & DJ Franzen’s private TV show launch party (Las Vegas, NV) 06 // Tyrese, TI, & Tiny @ TI’s Going Away party on Star Island (Miami, FL) 07 // Big Von, Julia Beverly, & Drew Hef @ KMEL (San Francisco, CA) 08 // Bullets for Peace models @ the Eden Roc for Santana Moss’s 30th birthday party (Miami, FL) 09 // Gorilla Zoe, Big Hood Boss, & Tum Tum @ Dub Car Show (Dallas, TX) 10 // DJ Merk & Blockboi @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 11 // Charlie Brown, Sam Sneak, & DJ Freddy Fred on South Beach during Memorial Day weekend (Miami, FL) 12 // Young Capone & Justice League @ The Moon for TJ’s DJ’s (Tallahassee, FL) 13 // Guest & Bigface Mike @ Mardi Gras for OZONE 7 Year Anniversary party (Jackson, MS) 14 // DJ Troyboy & guest @ Club Elixir (Anchorage, AK) 15 // Malik Abdul, Julia Beverly, & Bigga Rankin @ Rain for JB’s Jacksonville Bday Bash (Jacksonville, FL) 16 // The Jacka & fan @ Rasputin’s for The Jacka’s “Tear Gas” in store (Berkeley, CA) 17 // D Woods, Malachi, & Mika Means @ Tupac’s Birthday Celebration (Atlanta, GA) 18 // Dru Down & Shorty Mack @ Poetry for JB’s Vegas Bday party (Las Vegas, NV) 19 // Klarc Shepard & Bigga Rankin (Gainesville, FL)

Photo Credits: D-Ray (05,16,18); J Lash (03,08); Julia Beverly (01,02,06,07,13,14,17); Ms Rivercity (09,10,11,12); Terrence Tyson (15,19); Thaddaeus McAdams (04)

OZONE MAG // 27 New Orleans Native Diva was forced to leave her hometown because of Hurricane Katrina, but three years later she’s still getting rained on.

The 21-year-old dancer with the devastating figure first es- caped to Houston, where she commenced her strip club career, but recently relocated to Atlanta where she admits the money is better and the experiences are more exciting.

Before her dancing days, the Crescent City cutie was raised by a strict mother who didn’t let her get out much. She later worked at the airport and in various retail jobs as a cashier, but all that changed after the storm. After moving to Houston, there weren’t many jobs available, so Diva did what she had to do.

“Everybody tries to put all dancers in the same category, as whores, and it’s really not like that at all,” she says. “I don’t like to be looked down upon, so that’s the worst thing about this job. But overall, I like being a dancer.”

Although her name sounds somewhat cliché, Diva claims she chose her alias long before it was defined as the “female version of a hustler.”

“I had the name since 2006, before Beyonce came out with the song, and I think it really describes how I carry myself,” says Diva, in a Nawlins accent thicker than her 34-24-38 measure- ments. “I have a lot of confidence.”

She’s also confident in her bisexuality, which she is claims is real and not made-for-TV. “’I’ve been single for two years now, and that’s because I can’t pick between guys and girls,” she says. “I like men that are cocky, but not too cocky, and know how to treat a lady, but I love sexy and fine ass girls as long as they aren’t loud or ghetto.”

But if Diva sticks to her plan, she’ll have to conceal her bisexual statements for a while. She plans on enlisting in the military concluding her pole profession and either join the Army or the Navy. “The Air Force wouldn’t take me because of my tattoos,” she says, “and the Marines is just not an option.”

Either way, Diva will certainly be using her uniform as a recruit- ment tool, luring unsuspecting men and women to the desert.

Words by Eric Perrin

Website: Strokersclub.com Booking: myspace.com/strokersatl Photography: DC The Brain Supreme dcphotoimaging.com Make up and Hair Styling by Mike Mike 678-732-5285

28 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Dame Fame, Keak da Sneak, & John Costen @ The Room Ultra Lounge for OZONE Get Famous showcase in San Francisco, CA; Reggie Bush & Ciara @ Area for BET Awards afterparty in Hollywood, CA; Trae & Sean Kingston @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty in Los Angeles, CA (Photos: Julia Beverly)

01 // Nick Ngo & The Jacka @ Rasputin’s for The Jacka’s “Tear Gas” in store (Berkeley, CA) 02 // Young Dro, Jason Geter, & Amir Boyd @ Tupac’s Birthday Celebration (Atlanta, GA) 03 // Slim Thug, Gotti, & guest @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty (Los Angeles, CA) 04 // Lucci & Mr Pookie @ K104 (Dallas, TX) 05 // Dorrough & Dee Sonoram on the red carpet @ the BET Awards (Los Angeles, CA) 06 // Keak da Sneak & Kafani @ The Room Ultra Lounge for OZONE Get Famous showcase (San Francisco, CA) 07 // Guest, Mistah FAB, & Philly @ the Avalon (Los Angeles, CA) 08 // JW & Trae on South Beach during Memorial Day weekend (Miami, FL) 09 // Huey giving JB a foot massage @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty (Los Angeles, CA) 10 // Ray J, Kuzzo Fly, & Dru Down @ Poetry for JB’s Vegas Bday party (Las Vegas, NV) 11 // Aziatikk Blakk & Bigg V @ Mardi Gras for OZONE 7 Year Anniversary party (Jackson, MS) 12 // Shamrock & Elle @ Foot Locker (Atlanta, GA) 13 // Steve Raze & Troublesum @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 14 // DJ Backside, DJ Nik Bean, & DJ Mike Smoove @ AllHipHop Mansion Party (Los Angeles, CA) 15 // The Jacka, Gary Archer, & DJ Tito Bell @ The Jacka’s “Tear Gas” album release party (San Francisco, CA) 16 // GS Boyz @ Phillips Arena for Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 17 // Unladylike @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty (Los Angeles, CA) 18 // DJ Fahrenheit & Swizz Beatz @ Hot 97 Summer Jam (New York, NY) 19 // Bigg V & B Wash @ Mardi Gras for OZONE 7 Year Anniversary party (Jackson, MS) 20 // DJ Princess Cut, DJ Ben, & Tex @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX)

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

OZONE MAG // 29 and get music from Juvenile, T.I., Trick Daddy. I’d techno. I’m gonna have to act like I’m a techno J come back and I’d have a mixtape with mixed DJ to sneak up in there. But I’ve kinda done it all. D BOOTH content. It’s like the mixtape I just did with Shaq DJ Whoo Kid and Scream, it’s all mixed content. I’ve been How do you feel about being skilled in the Interview by Ms. Rivercity having a lot of different hosting from Hollywood actual art of DJing? You’re more of a mixtape people. I already got with Lamar Odom and DJ and personality than a technical DJ. While some people consider “going Hollywood” Lebron James. I wouldn’t mind doing something I’m not a traditional DJ, I don’t cut and scratch to be negative, DJ Whoo Kid has capitalized on with Kobe. and all that. I’d rather just cut the checks. I did my the realm of bright lights and super celebri- research on the area of cutting and scratching ties and turned it into a lucrative living. Not a Has the recession affected your business at all? and it’s just a bunch of fucking weirdos that like conventional DJ, Whoo Kid took his mixtape Of course. The days of trying to get it in the that shit. It’s a male society. If you go to those entrepreneurship to a whole new level by enlist- streets are over, but it balances out. I’d rather events it’s just a bunch of dudes. I’d rather do a ing A-list hosts, branching into television and have 200,000 free downloads than sell a few party for Kim Kardashian or Shaq’s birthday par- films, and bridging the gap between Hip Hop thousand CDs, because now there’s an aware- ty. That’s where you’ll see me. Not only do those and Hollywood. In the midst of marketing his en- ness of what I do and now I’m booked relent- DJs get paid more, but they get more popularity. tertainment website RadioPlanet.tv, DJ Whoo Kid lessly, everywhere. Every country is downloading I mean, what am I gonna win? A fuckin’ trophy explains how went from being virtually nameless me. They don’t give a fuck about bootlegging in or a ribbon? I have respect for those people, but to sharing marquees with top ranked musicians, those places. that’s not who I wanna be. sports players, and movie stars. So you think the internet downloading of Is there anything else that you want to accom- Tell me about the latest projects you’ve been music has been a positive thing? plish after all you’ve done? Or any artists you’d working on. It’s a negative thing for the ignorant DJ that want to tour with? I’ve been working on my site RadioPlanet.tv. I’ve just wants to make a certain amount of money Nah, I ain’t DJing for nobody else after 50. I’ve been doing a lot of creative interviews, projects, a month and think he’s rich. It’s positive if you toured 300 countries with him. We’ve done like events. All the interviews on the site are hilari- wanna be known all over the planet and build every club in America. A lot of people don’t know ous. I just got tired of going to other people’s other situations to make money off of. It’s hard to that I DJed for Juvenile. He was the first artist I sites and it being the same stuff from everybody get in a position like that, but it works for me. ever DJed for and he’s the first one to show me else’s sites. I wanted to create my own fan base. what a tour is. That was back when he had “Back The site’s only been up for a few months and it You’ve seen experienced a lot of the game over that Ass Up.” That was like 10 years ago, so I met gets a lot of hits a month. the years. What’s the experience been like? everybody before they blew up. I have video of It’s been 15 years or something like that. The T.I. before he was anybody. I DJed for Lil Wayne How did you get the site poppin’ so fast? experience has been overwhelming. You’d never when he was 15 or 16. The lil muthafucka came Well you know, Em is my boy, and 50 is my boy, think a mixtape DJ would go so far. It not only to an adult club with a bunch of little kids. and I have my radio show Hollywood Saturdays. led me to going almost everywhere on this All these Hollywood stars call my show anyway, planet, it led me to working with incredible What did you learn going on your first tour? and some of them are so cool I can get personal people like Eminem and Dre. I’ve met every- Juvenile introduced me to the replay. He didn’t with them. They allow me to fly to L.A. and go to one from Snoop Dogg to Bill Cosby to Nelson have a DJ at the time, he had a big fat uncle in their homes and do stupid, funny shit. I learned Mandela. It got me on radio and TV; it got the back pushing a button on the replay. A lot from being creative back in the day with me in movies. I’ve done voiceovers for of people didn’t know what a replay was. That’s mixtapes. Back in those days, in the cartoons and video games. I’ve pro- what I use today when I do concerts. 50 Cent is East coast, nobody gave a fuck duced songs and done historical a gangsta rapper, so why would I be cuttin’ and about the South, but I wanted my shit. I’ve hung out with princes scratchin’ [during his show]? He’s not Talib Kweli. mixtapes to be bootlegged down and DJed for terrorists. I DJed there so I would fly down there for Khadafi’s birthday party, I Prior to DJing for Juvenile which led to the 50 mean, c’mon man. They had Cent situation, you were just trying to get the balloons and everything. mixtapes off the ground? What was your goal? (laughs) The only place I Yeah, I was stealing people’s music. They called haven’t been on this planet me Whoo Kid ‘cause they didn’t know who this is Egypt, only because they kid was that was robbing people for exclusives. don’t give a fuck about Hip I had everybody trying to kill me. Even Nore Hop. All they care about is wanted to kill me and I ended up being his DJ. But if you had music that was unfinished and you put it out, that was the hit back in the days.

How were you able to get the exclusive music back then, especially when nobody knew who you were at that time? The A&Rs. You gotta understand, A&Rs and interns were not getting paid at labels back then. I’d pay A&Rs – shout out to beautiful magazines like this one, who’d get the snippet album before it came out. One verse is good enough for me to sell a mixtape. So I’d go to Source Magazine and a couple other magazines and pay the reviewers.

What else do you have in the works? Another thing I’m doing is free QuikVids for established artists. I did “I Got Mojo” for Soulja Boy. We did Gucci Mane’s “Bitch I’m Back.” They’re like one-verse videos I do with Dan the Man. They’ve got a lot of replay value ‘cause they’re so short, and they’re hot. You can check out all the QuikVids on RadioPlanet.tv.

What’s the best way for people to reach out to you if they want to work? If you want marketing, or to send me music, or hire my services, you can reach me at djwhookid- [email protected]. //

30 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Paul Wall & his wife on the red carpet @ the BET Awards in Los Angeles, CA; Clyde Carson, Julia Beverly, & Ray J @ Poetry for JB’s Vegas Bday party in Las Vegas, NV (Photos: D-Ray); Tigger & Shawne Merriman @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty in Los Angeles, CA (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // Gaby Acevedo & Shawn ‘Peckas’ Costner @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty (Los Angeles, CA) 02 // Man @ Large, Gorilla Zoe, & Baydilla @ KFAT (Anchorage, AK) 03 // Soulja Boy & Kerisha Smith @ Studio 72 for OZONE’s Birthday Bash afterparty (Atlanta, GA) 04 // The Jacka signing autographs @ Rasputin’s for The Jacka’s “Tear Gas” in store (Berkeley, CA) 05 // Kuzzo Fly & Cellski @ Poetry for JB’s Vegas Bday party (Las Vegas, NV) 06 // Rick Ross with Tech N9ne & his son @ Hot 103 Summer Jam (Kansas City, MO) 07 // Lil Fate & T-Pain @ K 107 Summer Jam (Denver, CO) 08 // Too Short & ladies @ the Palms for Too Short & DJ Franzen’s private TV show launch party (Las Vegas, NV) 09 // Ray J, Julia Beverly, Dre Dae, & DJ Franzen @ Poetry for JB’s Vegas Bday Bash (Las Vegas, NV) 10 // BH & Gangsta Brown @ the Palms for Too Short & DJ Franzen’s private TV show launch party (Las Vegas, NV) 11 // V12, DJ Drama, & Drumma Boy @ DJ Drama’s album listening session (Atlanta, GA) 12 // Tonya Terelle & Skyy @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 13 // Bow Wow & Lil C @ TI’s Going Away party on Star Island (Miami, FL) 14 // Mob Boss & Papa Duck @ Rain for JB’s Jacksonville Bday Bash (Jacksonville, FL) 15 // DJ Princess Cut & Tony Neal @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 16 // Julia Beverly & Miami Mike @ Club Bash for JB’s Denver Bday Bash (Denver, CO) 17 // Chris J & Supastar J Kwik @ The Moon for TJ’s DJ’s (Tallahassee, FL) 18 // Shawn Peckas & Tru Life @ Cameo for Headliner Marketing party (Miami, FL) 19 // Haitian Fresh & ladies @ the Bayfront Ampitheatre for Haitian Festival (Miami, FL)

Photo Credits: D-Ray (04,05,08,09,10,16); Edward Hall (12,15); J Lash (18,19)Julia Beverly (01,03,07,13); Ms Rivercity (06,11,17); Terrence Tyson (14)

OZONE MAG // 31 editor’s note

I’m Just Sayin’ tho by D-Ray

he DJ issue always tends to show us that DJs have some of the thought it was supposed to be the other way around? I thought the club BIGGEST EGOS. Why should have to chase a DJ to do an inter- DJ was supposed to break the record and build the buzz so the artist Tview? Wouldn’t you think they would want the free promotion? could take it to radio. Now DJs at clubs act like they can’t play anything I tend to dislike some DJs a little during the time it takes to put this issue that isn’t already a radio hit. Well, you’ll never know if you don’t play it. together. Because of my career, I spend a lot of time in the club, so I hear a lot of That’s an odd feeling for me, cause I am usually a believer in the DJs. I DJs spin. Some know how to build that crowd up to where they just can’t lived with one of the best DJs, one of the few Big Dawg Pitbull DJs, my take any more, while others mess up the mood or vibe by clearing the brother Jazzy Jim! He always made time for an interview. He knew that floor with the wrong record at the wrong time. There’s a right way and taking the time to do interviews would make him that much more popu- a wrong way to play a new song in the club. Can they see what I see? It lar. He knew how to turn the popularity and skills into MONEY. makes me wonder if they need glasses, cause I need earplugs! DJs play the biggest role in the industry, hands down. The most impor- Attention all DJs: we need you to keep breaking records. Be the leaders tant piece to breaking music is the DJ. The DJ relies on his reputation and and the trendsetters. There’s a lot of good music coming from the West respect. So, depending on the popularity and respect each DJ gets, they Coast, ready to bring us back. We have some great talent out here, can help make or break music all day, every day! like Mistah FAB, Roccett, Jay Rock, Problem, Glasses Malone, Bad Lucc, Husalah, Tha Jacka, Crooked I, Nipsey Hussle, Damani, Nio Tha Gift, J Being a DJ is a very tough job. I always wanted to be a DJ, you know, the Diggs, D Lo, Dem Hoodstarz, and so many more. life of the party. I’m glad I chose another career. Instead of starting the parties, I capture them for everyone’s memories. I feel like I have to deal I could go on and on listing the new breed, not to mention the OGs that with a lot of nonsense, being a photographer and the editor of OZONE’s have been holding down the West Coast forever! Special shout out to DJ West Coast coverage. But as a DJ, it gets worse. You’ve got every level Quik & Kurupt for dropping a banging new album, Blaq Out. I see you of artist that has no kind of business savvy running their mouth about hipsters! FIRE! Yes, the West is on FIRE! DJs, please take the time to listen being the BEST or the HOTTEST! Haven’t you been told, “If your music to and break some new music. I know how hard it is to listen sometimes, speaks for itself, don’t interrupt!” but we as an industry depend on you to do just that; otherwise, no one is breaking records. You chose this career for yourself, so please get the If you feel like a DJ isn’t supporting you the way they should, reflect on passion back and love your job. You set the party mode through your your interaction with them. I know I said DJs have EGOs, but their egos speakers; we rely on you for that. are nothing compared to that cocky artist who is claiming to be the greatest in the world without any evidence. No fans, no hits, no sales, Don’t be afraid to test new music in the club, especially if the artist is in and no money! So check your ego before you wreck yourself with some the building. This is the perfect chance for an artist to show you when very important relationships that are needed to make you into that artist they have a hit record. It’s now visual no longer speculation. Then it’s not you already claim to be. personal when you don’t play it or do play it. Words aren’t always heard, but the visual is undeniable! If all else fails, if you put that new song Good music is good music, period! It’s undeniable. In the same way, you on and the dance floor clears, play a Michael Jackson record and that’s need to make your movement undeniable. If you’re really the hottest guaranteed to bring the life back to your party! thing in the streets and everyone loves your song, you wouldn’t have to talk about it as much. The people would demand it. Shouts out to D-Lo Everyone is an artist today. There are no fans anymore. Let’s be honest from Oakland with the song “No Hoe!” It’s a smash that started in his with ourselves. If this is your passion, run with it. But if it’s a hobby, keep bedroom, neighborhood, and high school, and now it’s on radio stations it in your hood! You’re stopping real passion and talent from being heard. across the country. Believe that! Artists, do your part, and DJs, do yours. No need to stress if an artist stays in your face telling you, “YO, PLAY MY SONG! I’M NEXT TO If DJs are sleeping on you, guess what? It’s your job to wake them up! The BLOW!” If you don’t have a fan base, save the GAS! Keep it movin’! great DJs act on hits, but the sad thing is that most DJs only react to the same hits. Who is breaking the records? I often go to clubs and events - D-Ray, OZONE West Editor-At-Large and am blown away by how much the club sounds just like the radio. I [email protected]

Roccett & me at the Avalon Me & T-Pain’s Big Ass Chain in Rico Tha Kid & me in East Husalah is free! in L.A. Denver Oakland

Mack 10 f/ Rick Ross & Lil Wayne “So Sharp” Mistah FAB “Hit Me On Twitter” Damani f/ Musiq Soulchild “I’m Ballin’” DJ BACKSIDE’S Traxamillion f/ Jayrock & Laroo “Lights Go Down” TOP 10 SLAPS The Jacka f/ Andre Nickatina “Glamorous Lifestyle” Kurupt f/ Problem “I’m Burnt” Balance f/ Jimmie Reign, Big Rich, & The Jacka “Can’t Go” Husalah “Pray 4 U” Bishop Lamont f/ Sugafree, Butch Cassidy, Bokey, & U-N-I “Land of the Kings” Chevy Jones “Nothing Could Be Better”

32 // OZONE MAG (above L-R): Mario & Hurricane Chris @ Phillips Arena for Birthday Bash in Atlanta, GA; TI, Tiny, & Killer Mike @ TI’s Going Away party on Star Island in Miami, FL; Bun B & Moby Dick @ Tupac’s Birthday Celebration in Atlanta, GA (Photos: Julia Beverly)

01 // Gorilla Zoe & Scoe @ Club Elixir (Anchorage, AK) 02 // Roccett, Chamillionaire, & Rick Edwards @ the Avalon (Los Angeles, CA) 03 // Dorrough & Ms Rivercity @ Hot 103 Summer Jam (Kansas City, MO) 04 // Willy Northpole & Mr Hit that Hoe @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 05 // DJ Quik, Kurupt, & kids on the set of DJ Quik & Kurupt’s “Bees To The Flowers” video shoot (Los Angeles, CA) 06 // T-Pain gets ready to play ball @ K 107 Summer Jam (Denver, CO) 07 // Ivory Orr & Idris Elba @ Bourbon St (Jacksonville, FL) 08 // Shorty Mack & Ray J @ Poetry for JB’s Vegas Bday party (Las Vegas, NV) 09 // Bow Wow, Soulja Boy, & Sean Kingston @ K 107 Summer Jam (Denver, CO) 10 // Julia Beverly, Ludacris, & D-Ray @ K 107 Summer Jam (Denver, CO) 11 // Kwasi Kwa, Slim Thug, Benz, guest, & Kool Aid @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty (Los Angeles, CA) 12 // DJ Pizo & DJ B-Easy @ Poetry (Las Vegas, NV) 13 // Cole & Papa Duck @ Rain for JB’s Jacksonville Bday Bash (Jacksonville, FL) 14 // Doughski G, Willy Northpole, & DJ Drop @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 15 // Pimp G & DJ Fubu @ Studio 72 for OZONE’s Birthday Bash afterparty (Atlanta, GA) 16 // Gabriel Hart, Janee Bolden, & guest @ Tupac’s Birthday Celebration (Atlanta, GA) 17 // Showcase winner Tavia & friends @ The Room Ultra Lounge for OZONE Get Famous showcase (San Francisco, CA) 18 // Young Jeezy & Tru Life @ Gansevoort Pool Party (Miami, FL) 19 // OJ da Juiceman & Cash @ Club Flow (Dallas, TX) 20 // Stephen Hill & James Cruz @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty (Los Angeles, CA)

Photo Credits: D-Ray (02,05,06,08,10,12); Julia Beverly (01,09,11,16,17,20); Keith the Beast (15); Ms Rivercity (03,04,14,19); Terrence Tyson (07,13); Thaddaeus McAdams (18)

OZONE MAG // 33 Texas rapper Twisted Black was hyped by his label TV T Records as the originator of “cocaine rap,” but according to the Feds, he was doing more than just rapping about the drug. Charged with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, Twisted Black emphatically proclaimed his innocent but was still sentenced to 30 years. Now appealing the sentence, he describes the alleged set-up:

For Prison Diary submissions contact [email protected]

3434 //// OZONOZONEE MAGMAG (above L-R): Bigga Rankin & Lil Boosie in Gainesville, FL (Photo: Terrence Tyson); Soulja Boy remembering Michael Jackson on the red carpet @ the BET Awards in Los Angeles, CA; MC Hammer & Mistah FAB @ Mistah FAB’s “Hit Me On Twitter” video shoot in East Oakland, CA (Photos: D-Ray)

01 // DJ KTone, DJ Jus, DJ Kelo, & DJ Fubu @ K 107 Summer Jam (Denver, CO) 02 // Ron Stewart & Jimmy Henchmen @ TI’s Going Away party on Star Island (Miami, FL) 03 // Chris J & BallGreezy @ Club Dolce (Miami, FL) 04 // Mike Kyser & Ted Lucas @ TI’s Going Away party on Star Island (Miami, FL) 05 // Enew, Huey, & Ron Stewart @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty (Los Angeles, CA) 06 // Slick Rick & Black Walt @ Body Tap II (Kansas City, MO) 07 // Willy Northpole & Ludacris @ K 107 Summer Jam (Denver, CO) 08 // Julia Beverly, Tom G, Buckwheat, & Pretty Ricky @ Wild 98.7 (Tampa, FL) 09 // Vee & Too Short @ Area for BET Awards afterparty (Hollywood, CA) 10 // Pimp G & Keith the Beast @ Studio 72 for OZONE’s Birthday Bash afterparty (Atlanta, GA) 11 // Big Teach & Yo Gotti on the set of Birdman & Lil Wayne’s “Stay Strapped” video shoot @ Karu & Y (Miami, FL) 12 // 8Ball, Mike Epps, & MJG @ Tupac’s Birthday Celebration (Atlanta, GA) 13 // Bigg V & Southpaw @ Mardi Gras for OZONE 7 Year Anniversary party (Jackson, MS) 14 // Benz & Wild Wayne @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty (Los Angeles, CA) 15 // J Diggs, Julia Beverly, & Kilo @ Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles (Los Angeles, CA) 16 // T-Pain & Johnny Kage @ K 107 Summer Jam (Denver, CO) 17 // Out da Cutt ladies @ Club Elixir (Anchorage, AK) 18 // Osiris & Roccett @ the Avalon (Los Angeles, CA) 19 // Guest & Big Kuntry @ TI’s Going Away party on Star Island (Miami, FL)

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

OZONE MAG // 35 Patiently Waiting

any have had big city dreams of moving to the Big Apple and becoming a star. But more often than not, chasing aM dream in NYC turns into driving taxis for a living. Fortunately for rapper/producer J. Cole, the first artist signed to Jay-Z’s new record label Roc Nation, taxicab confessions won’t be his fate.

Born Jermaine Cole and raised by his mother in a single-parent home in Fayette- ville, North Carolina, the future MC was introduced to rhyming at the age of 12 by his cousin who was visiting from Louisiana for the summer. “[My cousin] used to freestyle, and I’d try to rap too, like ‘Yo, how you do that?’” he recalls. “When I first started, I was doing No Limit raps. It didn’t take me long after he left to get into other shit. I got real heavy into Canibus, and then Eminem came along. I went from Master P to Eminem. I just kept molding my style based on [the artists] I was into.”

He soon convinced his mother to purchase a beat machine, and learned the skill of producing. “I begged my mom to get me a beat machine, and she finally got it for me after months and months of begging,” he says. “That’s how I started out making beats. Since I was 15, I’ve been producing for myself.”

After graduating from high school, he accepted a full academic scholarship to St. Johns University, mainly to pursue his rap career within the city that never sleeps. “I went to a school I never visited before,” he says. “I just applied and showed up.”

Cole never planned to finish college, believing his musical abilities would lead to a record deal in no time, but the aspiring MC quickly learned that pipe dreams don’t happen overnight. He went on to spend four years at St. Johns, graduating magna cum laude, while continuing to develop his music. Soon after graduation, in 2007, he released his debut mixtape The Come Up with DJ On Point. Although it didn’t set the streets ablaze, he received positive feedback from many listeners. While in the process of completing his follow-up mixtape The Warm Up, J. Cole’s music wound up in the hands of Jay-Z, who heard the song “Lights Please” and signed Cole to Roc Nation in 2008.

Cole’s signing with a rap legend, rave reviews that followed the release of The Warm Up (which was released online on June 14th, 2009), and a vital internet presence has many anticipating the release of J. Cole’s yet-to-be-titled debut album and mentioning his name amongst the game’s hottest newcomers. “My goal is to put out a classic album on the level with some of the greatest first albums that ever came [out],” he says. “Having a very long career of quality albums and consistent hits; those are my goals.”

Words by Randy Roper Photo by Rahan Cotterel

36 // OZONE MAG Patiently Waiting

(above L-R): Nipsey Hussle & Chamillionaire on the red carpet @ the BET Awards in Los Angeles, CA; Three 6 Mafia on the red carpet @ the BET Awards in Los Angeles, CA (Pho- tos: D-Ray); Cassie & Diddy @ Justin’s for The CORE DJs Bad Boy event in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // T-Pain & his jeweler Mo of Icebox @ K 107 Summer Jam (Denver, CO) 02 // Girl, Rick Ross, & Shawn Costner @ Cameo for Headliner Marketing party (Miami, FL) 03 // Willy Northpole, Soulja Boy, & Arab @ K 107 Summer Jam (Denver, CO) 04 // Roccett & Octavia Bostick @ AllHipHop Mansion Party (Los Angeles, CA) 05 // Papa Duck & Spark Dawg on South Beach during Memorial Day weekend (Miami, FL) 06 // Mitchelle’l, JR Get Money, Young Dro, Lil C, Killer Mike, & Bow Wow @ TI’s Going Away party on Star Island (Miami, FL) 07 // Spark Dawg & Dorrough @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 08 // Brisco & Billy Blue @ Cameo for Brisco’s birthday party (Miami, FL) 09 // Young Jeezy, Boo da Boss Playa, JW, DJ Khaled, & Rick Ross @ Club Cinema for JW’s CTE signing party (Pompano Beach, FL) 10 // Furious & DJ Impereal @ The Jacka’s “Tear Gas” album release party (San Francisco, CA) 11 // Que P, DJ Lil E, & Sway @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 12 // Cole, Terrence Tyson, & Julia Beverly @ Rain for JB’s Jacksonville Bday Bash (Jacksonville, FL) 13 // Lil Chuckee & Kadife @ Phillips Arena for Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 14 // DJ Nasty, Uncle Luke, DJ Epps, & DJ Ice T @ Cameo for Headliner Marketing party (Miami, FL) 15 // Danja & Kenneth Crear @ Area for BET Awards afterparty (Hollywood, CA) 16 // Janky John, guest, Boo da Boss Playa, & CTE crew @ Gansevoort Pool Party (Miami, FL) 17 // Spark Dawg, Fat Pimp, & OJ da Juiceman @ Club Flow (Dallas, TX) 18 // Shonie & Ted Lucas @ Cameo for Brisco’s birthday party (Miami, FL) 19 // Kevin Liles & Young Jeezy @ Hot 97 Summer Jam (New York, NY)

Photo Credits: D-Ray (03,04,10); Edward Hall (11); J Lash (02,08,14,18); Julia Beverly (01,06,13,15); Ms Rivercity (05,07,17); Terrence Tyson (09,12); Thaddaeus McAdams (16,19)

OZONE MAG // 37 Patiently Waiting

Through hard work and some well-timed collabos with his affiliate Gucci Mane, Alley was introduced to a lot of listeners that took to his sharp lyri- n today’s music industry, it’s virtually unheard of to sign a major deal cism. “Niggas know that I can spit,” he says. “I ain’t no dummy. I ain’t tryin’ to without a song already in rotation on the radio. But for Alley Boy, a swag my way in. People feel better about dealing with some authentic shit.” well-respected rapper in East Atlanta, a bidding war between labels didn’t impress him, even with no single in rotation. When it comes to gimmicks and one-hits, Alley Boy has strong opinions I and it’s obvious he doesn’t plan to take that route. “Everything I got, we “I had [an offer] from Def Jam and I flew to New York,” Alley explains. “But fought for. This ain’t a fad, I ain’t on no futuristic shit. I’m just here to stand what they were tryin’ to give us for the [deal], we already got that in jewelry. for real niggas.” And then they wanted parts of my publishing. All in all, it wasn’t right.” In telling his story, one that involves growing up with parents addicted to Alley came back to Atlanta without finalizing paperwork with Def Jam, only drugs and fighting to stay out of jail, Alley Boy found an angle that people to fly right back the next day after receiving a call from Atlantic. “They put could relate to. While doing so, he also caught the attention of the powers up more [money]. They wanted it more, and ended up giving us a 50/50 that be with his natural gift. “People respect the flow. A lot of these dudes joint venture.” get a quick deal when they got a little song on the radio, I ain’t got no shit like that. They just fuckin’ with me.” Because Atlantic didn’t sign Alley’s entire label, Duct Tape Entertainment, Alley and the label’s CEO Big Bank Black are still able to brand their inde- At this point, Alley Boy is focused on putting in work for Atlantic Records, pendent business venture. Big Bank Black, known for his popular hit “Try and coming up with new music for future projects. He recently recorded It Out,” is responsible for keeping Alley Boy’s name relevant in the streets, “I’ma Smash It” with Gucci Mane, produced by Drumma Boy. Whether or even when Alley was serving prison time. Due to his high demand, Alley not “I’ma Smash It” makes it to Billboard is yet to be determined, but there’s inked a deal less than a month after his release from jail. no doubt that Alley Boy will have plenty more smashes on deck.

“We were mashin’ hard. I had dropped the song ‘Look at My Charm,’ and “This ain’t just trendy and catchy what I’m doing,” he asserts. “I’m tryin’ to right before Gucci got locked up he dropped a verse on it,” Alley says. “We push all these trendy niggas out of the way. I know this shit I’m doing ain’t were holding the song, and I got locked up a month after him, so we just gon’ never play out ‘cause it’s real.” put it out. Then my brother dropped ‘Try It Out’ and shit took flight. They were reppin’ me hard.” Words by Ms Rivercity // Photo by Ms Ja

38 // OZONE MAG Patiently Waiting

(above L-R): Redd Eyezz & Plies @ Club Dolce in Miami, FL (Photo: Terrence Tyson); Diddy & Young Jeezy @ Best of the Best in Miami, FL (Photo: Thaddaeus McAdams); Big Hood Boss & Dorrough @ Texas Urban Music Summit in Dallas, TX (Photo: Ms Rivercity)

01 // TayDizm, Young Cash, T-Pain, guest, & Glasses Malone on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Sun Come Up” video shoot (Miami, FL) 02 // Guest, Nipsey Hussle, Roccett, & guests on the set of Roccett’s “Bang” video shoot (Los Angeles, CA) 03 // Lil Bankhead & Soulja Boy @ Studio 72 for OZONE’s Birthday Bash afterparty (Atlanta, GA) 04 // Young Jeezy & Janky John @ Gansevoort Pool Party (Miami, FL) 05 // Guest, JW, & Young Jeezy @ Gansevoort Pool Party (Miami, FL) 06 // Roccett & Big Hood Boss @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 07 // T-Pain & Ludacris @ K 107 Summer Jam (Denver, CO) 08 // DJ Khaled & Rick Ross @ Take One Lounge (Miami, FL) 09 // E-40, Cousin Fik, & Droop-E @ Poetry (Las Vegas, NV) 10 // Rated R & Lenny @ Dragon Room (Orlando, FL) 11 // Averi Minor, guest, & DJ Commando @ the W Hotel for the CORE DJs Retreat’s Def Jam Showcase (Atlanta, GA) 12 // Paco, guest, & Mr Boomtown @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX) 13 // Shonie & Sam Sneak @ Take One Lounge (Miami, FL) 14 // Ace Hood & Kiko @ Cameo for Headliner Marketing party (Miami, FL) 15 // Kenny Diamondz & Dorrough @ Hot 103 Summer Jam (Kansas City, MO) 16 // C Bone & Big Boi @ Phillips Arena for Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 17 // Lil Shawn & guest @ UCF Arena for DJ Prostyle’s birthday bash (Orlando, FL) 18 // Big Hood Boss, Soulja Boy, & DJ Fubu @ Studio 72 for OZONE’s Birthday Bash afterparty (Atlanta, GA) 19 // Models Brittney & Alondus @ Texas Urban Music Summit (Dallas, TX)

Photo Credits: D-Ray (02,07,09); Edward Hall (19); J Lash (01,08,13,14); Julia Beverly (03,10,11,16,18); Malik Abdul (17); Ms Rivercity (06,12,15); Thaddaeus McAdams (04,05)

OZONE MAG // 39 Patiently Waiting

a mixtape entitled The Bailout, which incited the group’s outcry. And later, their breakout single “Boi,” a Lil Wayne “A Milli” influenced song (that would later feature Gucci Mane and Mike Jones), sparked these problem kids’ movement throughout Texas. “I was listening to the ‘A Milli’ a cappella, and I heard Lil Wayne say, ‘boy, I got so many bitches, like I’m Mike Lowery,’” says Chyco, who produced the single. “I did a remake of it, and we did a Southside H-Town flow on it, kind of to pay homage to the O.G.’s. But we got so much love off the song, we gave it to the DJs and it started picking up.”

Couple the street success of “Boi” with the internet buzz of their song “Fuck Yo Myspace Page,” a humorous ditty based on the popular social network- ouston, we have a problem. And this problem has nothing to ing site, and Young Problemz solidified a deal with Asylum Records/War- do with Yao Ming’s bad foot or Trae Tha Truth sucker punch- ner Bros. and Unauthorized Entertainment. ing Mike Jones at last year’s OZONE Awards. Rather, this issue comes in the form of a rap new group from H-Town—DatBoy- The group’s debut album Howz My Rappin’ will be released on August 25th, HChyco, J-Yung, Star Struck JM and Just-O—collectively known as Young and these Houston new bloods hope to shake off any doubts of one-hit Problemz. “We’ll do pop, we’ll do rock, there’s no limit to what we do,” wonderisms while adding a new style to the Houston’s Hip Hop lineage. DatBoyChyco explains. “We’re real young, and we’re problems.” “We catch a lot of hell off ‘Boi,’” Just-O says. “They think we’re some one hit Long before this quintet assembled, the young rappers were members of wonders, and we’re making dance songs. We can make those songs, but separate Southside Houston groups, buzzing in their own rights. However, that’s not what Young Problemz is about.” following numerous collaborations amongst the various groups, DatBoy- Chyco, J-Yung, Star Struck JM and Just-O felt the chemistry in their joint “You’ve never heard nothing like this come out of Houston before,” JM efforts should be permanent. And in 2007, the accompanying groups adds. “[You] might hear a song and say that sounds like something Kanye dissolved and Young Problemz was born. “Everybody was doing their own would do, or you might hear another song and say that sounds like something, and we came together and created a super-group,” JM expounds. thing Drake or KiD CuDi would do. Or we might do something alternative “Everybody had talent, and everybody could stand on their own, so we and they’ll say that sounds like something Nickelback would do. It’s not picked everybody from different groups that were the grinders, and we the same thing that you’ve been hearing. It’s younger. It’s different, and it’s made one group.” fresher.”

YP proceeded to release a single called “Whatcha Talking Bout,” and debut Words by Randy Roper // Photo by Ron of NVision Studios

40 // OZONE MAG Patiently Waiting

(above L-R): Bavgate & Keak da Sneak @ The Room Ultra Lounge for OZONE Get Famous showcase in San Francisco, CA (Photo: Julia Beverly); T-Pain, Willy Northpole, & Shawnna @ K 107 Summer Jam in Denver, CO (Photo: D-Ray); DJ Toomp & Memphitz @ TI’s Going Away party on Star Island in Miami, FL (Photo: Julia Beverly)

01 // Guest, Micah, & Herb Dorsey @ Skye Nightclub for JB’s Tampa Bday Bash (Tampa, FL) 02 // Smurf, Roccett, & Drumma Boy @ the Avalon (Los Angeles, CA) 03 // Cory Mo & Spark Dawg @ The Moon for TJ’s DJ’s (Tallahassee, FL) 04 // Antonio Bryant, Ump, & Edgerrin James @ TI’s Going Away party on Star Island (Miami, FL) 05 // Devi Dev & Erk da Jerk @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty (Los Angeles, CA) 06 // Danja & KC @ Area for BET Awards afterparty (Hollywood, CA) 07 // JBar & Soulja Boy @ Studio 72 for OZONE’s Birthday Bash afterparty (Atlanta, GA) 08 // Young Jeezy & CTE crew @ Gansevoort Pool Party (Miami, FL) 09 // Piccalo & Rick Ross @ Take One Lounge (Miami, FL) 10 // T-Pain & Shawnna playing with autotune @ K 107 Summer Jam (Denver, CO) 11 // Too Short & ladies @ the Palms for Too Short & DJ Franzen’s private TV show launch party (Las Vegas, NV) 12 // Guest & JBar @ Studio 72 for OZONE’s Birthday Bash afterparty (Atlanta, GA) 13 // Jason Wiley & Tigger @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty (Los An- geles, CA) 14 // DJ Teknikz & Randy Roper @ DJ Drama’s album listening session (Atlanta, GA) 15 // Krizz Kaliko, Ms Rivercity, Tech N9ne, & Kutt Kalhoun @ Hot 103 Summer Jam (Kansas City, MO) 16 // Brisco & Spectacular & Slick ‘Em of Pretty Ricky @ Cameo for Headliner Marketing party (Miami, FL) 17 // Play, guest, Dr Teeth, & Turro @ Union Station for BET Awards afterparty (Los Angeles, CA) 18 // Mistah FAB & Roscoe @ the Avalon (Los Angeles, CA) 19 // BallGreezy & Brisco @ Cameo for Brisco’s birthday party (Miami, FL)

Photo Credits: D-Ray (02,10,11,18); J Lash (09,16,19); Julia Beverly (04,05,06,07,12,13,17); Luis Santana (01); Ms Rivercity (03,14,15); Thaddaeus McAdams (08)

OZONE MAG // 41 Patiently Waiting

hen you have the luxury of being backed by the best production money can buy courtesy of the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, it has to be easy to just relax onW a track, right? Really, what motivation do you really need other than simply not messing up the beat?

“Life is my motivation,” says Brazil-born, Tampa-raised rapper Laws deadpans. “I’m trying to escape my daily life and never go back.”

Don’t get it twisted, though, Laws’ “daily life” isn’t of the “pushing rock on the block toting a glock” variety. It’s actually more akin to the common working man in America. Even though it didn’t quite start that way.

Born in Natal, Laws’ mother opted to put him up for adoption rather than raise him in a hostile and impov- erished environment. He was adopted and raised by a Puerto Rican family in New York before they relocated to Florida.

“Around the time I left, there was a lot going on,” reveals Laws, who never met his biological mother. “When I get my situation right I want to go back and look for her.”

But for now, Laws is focusing on his new approach to making music. Admittedly jaded by the industry at the start of his career, Laws has adopted (no pun intended) a new attitude that is already having a positive impact.

“Looking back I can only blame myself, but I came to conclusion that I have to stop blaming others for my music not being successful and just try something different,” he admits. “I was ignorant and trying to make music for other people instead of just myself. I had to stop making excuses and start making music.”

Since he’s made that decision, he’s managed to craft the increasingly popular mixtape Your Future Favorite Rapper hosted by DJ Smallz and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. While many are quick to compare the Latin rapper to the closest frame of reference, Big Pun, Laws promises that when it’s all said and done, people will know him for him.

“[The comparison] used to bother me when I was younger, but I learned to understand that people tend to label something that makes them uncomfortable so they can then become comfortable with it,” he says. “People think they know me, but they haven’t heard the best of me yet. I hope whoever makes any comparisons takes the time to listen and realize that I’m different.”

Words by Maurice G. Garland

42 // OZONE MAG Patiently Waiting

(above L-R): Trina @ Club Flow for Trina concert in Dallas, TX (Photo: Edward Hall); Toya & Tiny @ Phillips Arena for TI’s Going Away Concert in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Ms Ja); Rick Ross @ Club Cinema for JW’s CTE signing party in Pompano Beach, FL (Photo: Terrence Tyson)

01 // Yung Envy & Juney Boomdata @ Tupac’s Birthday Celebration (Atlanta, GA) 02 // Trae @ Best of the Best (Miami, FL) 03 // ET & the Durrty girls @ Club Miami (Atlanta, GA) 04 // DJ Hella Yella & Block Boi @ 97.9 The Beat (Dallas, TX) 05 // Greg Street @ Phillips Arena for TI’s Farewell Concert (Atlanta, GA) 06 // Killer Mike @ Phillips Arena for TI’s Going Away Concert (Atlanta, GA) 07 // Chris J @ Dolce (Miami, FL) 08 // Slick Em of Pretty Ricky @ Skye Nightclub for JB’s Tampa Bday Bash (Tampa, FL) 09 // NBA Entertainment @ Phillips Arena for TI’s Going Away Concert (Atlanta, GA) 10 // Kiki J @ Tini Bar for Dorrough’s signing party (Dallas, TX) 11 // Lil Ronnie & Damm D @ Crystal’s (Arlington, TX) 12 // DJ Fubu @ Studio 72 for OZONE’s Birthday Bash afterparty (Atlanta, GA) 13 // Stax & Nino @ Mardi Gras for OZONE 7 Year Anniversary party (Jackson, MS) 14 // BallGreezy @ Club Dolce (Miami, FL) 15 // Spark Dawg & BBU @ Crystal’s (Arlington, TX) 16 // Money Hog of Yea Yea Man Records & Carol O’Connor @ Mardi Gras for OZONE 7 Year Anniver- sary party (Jackson, MS) 17 // Rob Gold & ladies @ Mardi Gras for OZONE 7 Year Anniversary party (Jackson, MS) 18 // CJ of Konsole Kingz @ TI’s Going Away party on Star Island (Miami, FL) 19 // Guest & DJ Lazy Boy @ Ear to Da Street music conference (Birmingham, AL) 20 // B Giles (Virginia) 21 // D Lyte & DJ Lil Lex @ Crystals (Aggtown, TX) 22 // Sara of Underground Modeling & Corey Cleghorn @ Dallas Convention Center (Dallas, TX) 23 // Papa Duck & Julia Beverly @ Rain for JB’s Jacksonville Bday Bash (Jacksonville, FL) 24 // Will Hustle @ Tupac’s Birthday Celebration (Atlanta, GA) 25 // Butch & Big Clint @ Stiletto’s (Euless, TX) 26 // Vet, Stay Fresh, & T da Barber @ Tupac’s Birthday Celebration (Atlanta, GA) 27 // Tina & Kel from Richmind @ Tini Bar for Dorrough’s signing party (Dallas, TX) 28 // Big Hood Boss & Lil Wil @ Studio 72 for OZONE’s Birthday Bash afterparty (Atlanta, GA) 29 // Dirt Diggla @ Bourbon St (Jacksonville, FL) 30 // J Rich @ TI’s Going Away party on Star Island (Miami, FL) 31 // Jeevan Brown & Mz Skittles @ Studio 72 for OZONE’s Birthday Bash afterparty (Atlanta, GA) 32 // Supastarr & Skillz on the set of Hurricane Chris’s “Halle Berry” video shoot (Dallas, TX) 33 // Supa K, Veda Loca, Ms Rivercity, & Spark Dawg @ 97.9 The Beat (Dallas, TX) 34 // Amir Boyd, Jason Geter, guest, Maino, Yancey Richardson, & guest @ Phillips Arena for Birthday Bash (Atlanta, GA) 35 // Stax & Rob Gold @ Mardi Gras for OZONE 7 Year Anniversary party (Jackson, MS)

Photo Credits: Cream Shah (20); Edward Hall (04,10,11,15,21,22,25,27,32,33); Julia Beverly (01,02,12,13,16,17,18,24,26,28,30,31,34,35); Luis Santana (08); Malik Abdul (19); Ms Ja (03,05,06,09); Terrence Tyson (07,14,23,29)

OZONE MAG // 43 Patiently Waiting

“I’m rockin’ with everybody in Dallas,” he explains, of the importance of supporting his market. “I’m just trying to get on the level of people before me and take it further.”

Though helping others essentially paid off for the Dallas advocate, it also came with a hefty sacrifice. In September 2008, Big HoodBoss was shot five times, allegedly by fellow D-town rappers. Doctors said he wouldn’t be able to walk for at least six months, but after a month and a half the resilient rapper was back in the clubs as determined as ever. he new era of Dallas Hip Hop is ushering in a movement of jig- gin’ and boogying artists – but Big HoodBoss adamantly stands “I got shot over Dallas music,” he recalls, of the unfortunate scenario which outside of the dance craze. “I’m one of the street artists that gave him a new direction. “I got shot by some people I put on. This time T stands out,” he says. around I’m focused on me.” In 2002, he listened to the advice of his close friend Tum Tum (formerly of With his own sound and a proven track record, HoodBoss hit the streets the group DSR) and took a more active role in pursuing a rap career. During heavy, releasing his most recent project VIP BIG with DJ Scream. The mix- this time he introduced his first mixtape HoodBoss to the DFW area. tape features “I’m from Dallas,” a long-running hit in local clubs, in addition to new songs like “How I Rock” featuring Rocko, which was produced by Over the next several years, HoodBoss continued developing his solo Drumma Boy. Along with his mixtape buzz, HoodBoss doubled his stock career and involved himself heavily in the local rap community. Alongside with a Mr. Boomtown-directed video for his current single “I Got It,” featur- Tum, HoodBoss became an integral member of the Dallas group T.B.G.’z., ing Tum Tum and Lil Wil. who recently combined forces with Play-N-Skillz to create TBG4 – an entity HoodBoss describes as a super-group. Listening to his present collection of music, it’s obvious HoodBoss isn’t riding in on the Dallas novelty dance wave. He’d rather stick to the tried- While he’s always been focused on his own music, HoodBoss saw the long and-true method of building a true audience. “I’ve been consistent with term value in putting on for his city as well. In 2007, his company, V.I.P. my music,” he emphasizes. “I might not be on the radio as much as other Management, propelled the career of Lil Wil and increased the mainstream people, but the fan base is still the same.” visibility of his hometown. It was a business move that helped open the floodgates for D-town, whose music scene has burgeoned with new talent Words by Ms Rivercity over the last year. It also put HoodBoss in a prime position himself. Photo by Chics With Pics

44 // OZONE MAG Patiently Waiting

(above L-R): Rob Gold @ Mississippi Delta Music Fest in Leland, MS; Lil Wil @ K104 in Dallas, TX (Photos: Edward Hall); Plies @ Dolce in Miami, FL (Photo: Terrence Tyson)

01 // Pastor Troy @ Tupac’s Birthday Celebration (Atlanta, GA) 02 // Murs @ Hot 103 Summer Jam (Kansas City, MO) 03 // Strizzy & Nard @ Phillips Arena for TI’s Going Away Concert (Atlanta, GA) 04 // Shorty Mack @ Sobe Live (Miami, FL) 05 // Video models on the set of Hurricane Chris’s “Halle Berry” video shoot (Dallas, TX) 06 // Lil C & Rich Kids @ Phillips Arena for TI’s Going Away Concert (Atlanta, GA) 07 // Spodee & Mac Boney @ Phillips Arena for TI’s Going Away Concert (Atlanta, GA) 08 // Johnson Boy & Bigga Rankin @ Mississippi Delta Music Fest (Leland, MS) 09 // Doo Dez, Hurricane Chris, SHO, & JuJu of Fam Life on the set of Hurricane Chris’s “Halle Berry” video shoot (Dallas, TX) 10 // Brisco @ Club Cinema for JW’s CTE signing party (Pompano Beach, FL) 11 // DJ Duece & DJ Cap @ Paperchaserz video shoot (Dallas, TX) 12 // George Dukes @ Club Cinema for JW’s CTE signing party (Pompano Beach, FL) 13 // Trap Squad Cartel (Ft Worth, TX) 14 // Tekaboo @ Tupac’s Birthday Celebration (Atlanta, GA) 15 // Xtaci & Wild Child @ Phillips Arena for TI’s Going Away Concert (Atlanta, GA) 16 // Tom G & Slick Em of Pretty Ricky @ Wild 98.7 (Tampa, FL) 17 // Guest & KD @ Club Flow for Trina concert (Dallas, TX) 18 // DJ Nasty, Tony Khuu, & Ricky P @ Dragon Room (Orlando, FL) 19 // DJ Infamous @ Foot Locker (Atlanta, GA) 20 // Cap-One & Tity Boy of Playaz Circle @ Tupac’s Birthday Celebration (Atlanta, GA) 21 // BOB @ Foot Locker (Atlanta, GA) 22 // Drumma Boy & guest @ Red Carpet Lanes for their Dream Land event (Atlanta, GA) 23 // FLY @ Stonecrest Mall for 95.5 The Beat concert (Atlanta, GA) 24 // G Wiz, Dorrough, & Eazy E @ Plush (Jacksonville, FL) 25 // Guest & Benny @ Primal (Atlanta, GA) 26 // Lil Hen @ Silver Fox for Bigga Rankin’s Bday Bash (Jacksonville, FL) 27 // A1 Divas @ Mariachi (Atlanta, GA) 28 // Carbon @ Silk for Kinky B’s birthday party (Atlanta, GA) 29 // DJ Holiday & Nelly @ Primal (Atlanta, GA) 30 // Clay Evans, Vawn, & Jazze Pha @ Primal (Atlanta, GA) 31 // Young Dose @ Upstart Record Pool meeting (Jacksonville, FL) 32 // Roger @ Primal (Atlanta, GA) 33 // Ms Dynasty & Mike Epps @ Silver Fox for Bigga Rankin’s Bday Bash (Jacksonville, FL) 34 // Carlos Cartel & guest @ The Coop for South Carolina Music Awards (Columbia, SC) 35 // Boo da Boss Playa @ Silk for Kinky B’s birthday party (Atlanta, GA)

Photo Credits: Edward Hall (05,08,09,11,13,17); Julia Beverly (01,04,14,16,18,20); Malik Abdul (28,35); Ms Ja (03,06,07,15,23,25,29,30,32,34); Ms Rivercity (02,19,21,24,27,31); Ter- rence Tyson (10,12,26,33)

OZONE MAG // 45 Patiently Waiting

a 24, 30 bar verse. It was just dope. I loved hearing myself on a record. [That’s when I knew] this is what I want to do.”

Lucc’s music started hitting the streets and helped him meet artists like s superstitions go, it’s bad luck to walk under a ladder. Also, if Swizz Beatz, Jadakiss and West Coast veteran Damani. Damani helped him you break a mirror, they say it will bring you seven years of bad connect with Snoop Dogg, Daz & Kurupt, and Soopafly. Bad Lucc, Damani luck. And everyone knows it’s bad luck if a black cat crosses your and Soopafly eventually formed a rap group called Dubb Union (formerly path. In the West, there’s another path that rappers don’t want Westurn Union), and made their debut on “Like This” from Snoop Dogg’s Ato cross, and as the superstition says, he goes by the name Bad Lucc. “I got 2006 album, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment. In 2008, the trio released their first the name on some corny shit in high school,” he says. “I was heavy into the album, Snoop Dogg Presents: Dubb Union on Doggstyle/Koch Records. battling, so it was a thing where it was bad luck to battle me, cause you were going to lose.” Now, the L.A. rapper has set his sights on solo aspirations. Dubb Union is still a group and has plans to release another album in the future, but for Born in Inglewood, California, and raised in Watts, a Los Angeles neigh- now, Lucc has been working extensively with L.A. rapper/producer Terrace borhood known for historic riots in 1965 and 1992 and prevalent gang Martin. He signed a deal with We The West Media to release a solo album violence, Lucc never partook in gang or drug activity. He grew up writing called Dear Speakers. And on the side, he’s one of the most used ghostwrit- poetry, and later, followed the footsteps of his older sister, who was in ers in Cali (but keeps mum about who his pen works for). a local rap group. At age 10, Lucc’s sister wrote his first rap that he later performed at a family get-together. That small taste of rap stardom would Even though this L.A. emcee carries the name Bad Lucc, his fortunes seem become Lucc’s catalyst. He spent the rest of his school years writing raps, to be anything but poor, and in the end, he just wants reverence. “I never battling and recording. really cared about who was the best out,” he says. “I am one of the few that cares about the rhymes. At the end of the day, all I want is to be respected.” “One of my guys used to rap all the time,” he says. “He took me to the studio with him one day. It was my first time ever in the studio, and I wrote about Words by Randy Roper // Photo by D-Ray

46 // OZONE MAG Patiently Waiting

This is our yearly tribute to the folks spinning your favorite club classics, street anthems, and radio hits. This year we surveyed some of the nation’s most influential Hip Hop and R&B record breakers, asking them about everything from payola and shady promoters to their most embarrassing moments on the job. Next time you’re in the club, salute the DJ – they work hard so you can party hard.

OZONE MAG // 47 close associate of DJ U.S. artists including and Promotions Direc- Irie, DJ 360 learned Flipmode Squad, tor at WCLD, WAID, the game by studying Grand Hustle/P$C, WMJW, WKDJ for some of the city’s top Aphilliates Music Radio Cleveland Inc. DJs. He now spins for Group, and most He’s also the Mixshow Mixx 96.1 and recently recently Roccett. DJ Director at Jammin released The Grind: Poe Ames belongs to the 104 and Power 106.5, Boy Edition mixtape. Fleet DJs, Coast2Coast a member of the Hit- DJ 03 Twitter.com/DJ360, DJ Amen DJs, and Above All Big Von tmenn DJs, and runs a (Columbus, GA) Myspace.com/DJ- (North Bay Area, DJs. This year Ames (Bay Area, Cali- successful promotions Now a personality, 360Music CA) became the first UK DJ fornia) company. mixer, and mixshow (Photo by James P. For the last three to win a Southern Ent. As the music director [email protected], coordinator for 98.3 Photography) years DJ Amen has Award for Best Host for 106 KMEL in San 662-347-4136, Twitter. The Beat WBFA, DJ been a part of the on a Mixtape. Francisco, Big Von com/BiggV, Myspace. 03 started off doing 106 KMEL team in San Djamesmp3@gmail. has a big say in Bay com/BiggV2 college parties and Francisco. In addition com, Twitter.com/ Area Hip Hop. You interning with the sta- to his position with DJAmesUK, Myspace. can catch him on the tion. Since his humble the radio station, he’s com/DJAmesUK air Mon-Thurs 3pm- beginnings, 03 has also an integral part 10pm, Fri 3pm-1am, come a long way by of the BumSquad DJs, and Sat 6pm-mid- doing mixtapes, pro- NoizeMakers, and The night. Big Von is also moting his artist D.K., Imperial Guard. a part-time comedian and linking up with DJ Ace [email protected], (not professionally the Hustle Squad DJs (Atlanta, GA) DJAmen.com, Twitter. though, just on Twit- and Firm Grip Music After throwing numer- com/DJAmen3000, ter). DJ Bionic- Group. ous concerts in the A, Myspace.com/DJAmen BigVon.com, Twitter. man mixshowmonster03@ DJ Ace expanded into com/BigVon (Dayton, OH) gmail.com, Twitter. mixtapes. Ace’s takeoff DJ Big DJ Bionicman got his com/DJ03, Myspace. project, Gucci Mane’s Severe big break by opening com/DJ03MixtapeKing Mr. Perfect, put “The (West Palm Beach, up for DJs like Kid South’s Top Dawg DJ” FL via NYC) Capri, Green Lantern, on the map. Also the Originally from New and Whoo Kid. An co-owner of The Gate York City, DJ Big associate of the CORE lounge on the south- Severe now resides DJs and Gods of Steel, side of Atlanta, DJ Ace in West Palm Beach Bionicman makes mix- helped promote the DJ Ames where he keeps the tapes, plays at clubs careers of Gucci Mane, (United Kingdom) airwaves live on Bigg V across the country, OJ Da Juiceman, Yung Alongside his mixtape WMBX x102.3. (Cleveland, MS) and mixes for internet Ralph, and more. work with interna- [email protected], Born and raised in radio on Faceland. DJ 360 [email protected], tional artists, Ames Twitter.com/BigSevere, Leland, MS, Bigg V com/TrillTalkRadio. (Miami, FL) 678-851-0565 has also worked with Myspace.com/BigSe- now serves as the Djbionicman@gmail. DJ 360 can be found several well-known vere Asst. Director of Sales com, Myspace.com/ playing for some DJBionicman of the hottest club parties in Miami. A love for music, electronics and sound. One night a friend of mine needed a DJ for her church retreat and my best friend at the time told her that I had a lot of music and I could do it. So we split the $350, and I’ve been DJing ever since. I was in Lantern, Doo Wop, Whoo Kid, Dirty Harry, and DJ the 10th grade.” – Frosty Khaled.” – Bionicman “My brother is in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and “I used to hang out in the clubs with other DJs “I Was DJing at Golden Glide skating rink and DJ kept giving me DJ jobs. I started out DJing with a just trying to get on and observing what they Q-Tip noticed how good I was and asked me if I dual tape deck, then moved up to Technic 1200s did. One night a DJ was really tired. He looked was interested in doing Club Fuel with him. I was and Serato. I DJed for Kid Sensation, Sir Mix-a- back and flagged me over and said, “You said only 16 but I rocked it anyway.” – Blak Lot, Too $hort, Young Buck, E-40, Livio, Cool Nutz you’re ready right? Show me what you got.” I got and some other people.” – Funkdaddy was nervous as shit, I remember my hand shak- “DJ Prince Ice gave me my first break as a mixing when I picked the needle up. I rocked for the show DJ at WWDM on Saturday nights. Then after “My first big break was spinning in the Mega Mix last 20 minutes the club was open, but I think that I was doing the 5 O’clock Drive and went to on Hot 107.9. I got a call from DJ King Arthur after that night I earned my DJ title.” – 360 WXBT where I do Friday nights with Frankie B.” – who was organizing the mixers at the time. He D-Tec said, ‘Here is your chance.’ I ended up doing the “I started throwing concerts in Atlanta with art- primetime slots in Atlanta on the Durrty Boyz ists like T.I., Lil Jon, Pastor Troy, Ying Yang Twins, “When I came to Miami I started working at Static Show with E.T. & J-Nicks.” – Ill Will Rocko, and Gorilla Zoe. Gucci Mane, who I went Nightclub in South Beach as a busboy. DJing was to elementary and high school with, wanted a hobby of mine since I was 13 years old back in “In a nutshell, someone stole a mixtape that I me to manage him and be his DJ. Then I started Argentina, so before the night started at the club, did, and almost got on the radio with it. They pushing OJ da Juiceman. I dropped the Juice I would go to the booth and start playing with found out I was the real DJ behind it and that’s World mixtape and then Gucci’s Mr. Perfect. It’s the light system and the turntables before the DJs how it happened.” - J. Espinosa been nothing but gwop ever since.” – Ace got there. One day the opening DJ was gonna be late so the GM asked me if a wanted to play, I said “Completely by accident. I was hanging with a “I solidified myself in my hometown, then in and ‘Yeah.’ The rest is history.” – Element friend at a college radio station and the next jock around the Bay Area scene. What really got me didn’t show up for her shift. My boy pushed the in the big leagues was when Big Von, the MD at “Jack Brewer from the Minnesota Vikings hooked mic towards me and said, “You’re on.” That next 106 KMEL, asked me to join the squad 3 years me up with DJing in Mazltan for 10 days during hour was painful, my boys sat in the adjacent ago.” – Amen spring break.” – Enferno studio and laughed their asses off. Apparently I didn’t suck that bad, because I got offered a job.” “Opening up for a lot of DJs like Kid Capri, Green “I never intended to be a DJ. I just always had a – JT Quick

48 // OZONE MAG “I got my first big break DJing in college with “My Southern Smoke mixtape series, which origi- “By breaking snap music in Atlanta.’ – T-Roc my older brother. I started doing a lot of shows nally started out as a demo CD to get me night- and homecomings in ATL. That’s how everybody club gigs while I was in high school.” – Smallz “Hot Rod of G-Unit made me his official DJ and started to know who I was and that I could DJ.” – we toured the world, which gave me a stronger Kno It All “I was called by John Monopoly, Kanye West’s name. I was a Shadyville DJ rep all day, which former manager, to spin at XXL Magazine’s Late is a co-family of G-Unit Records. I got to know “I’ve been mixing since my 8th grade year. My Registration party for Kanye’s sophomore album. people and met a booking agent that booked big break came from mixing college parties at At the party I was asked by Def Jam’s execs to me throughout Germany, the Middle East, a Prairie View A&M University, where I attended premiere ‘Diamonds’ in front of Jay-Z, Beyonce, lot of countries. Things changed after that.” – college. The music scene is huge down there. If Jermaine Dupri, Amerie, and John Legend.” – Woogie your music doesn’t break at PV, it probably won’t Treats work anywhere in Texas.” – Merk

CC Cruz DJ Freddy (Central, TX – DJ Element Fred Killeen, Temple, (Miami, FL) (Miami, FL) Ft. Hood, Waco) This Argentina na- Under the guidance CC Cruz holds the title tive started out as a of his mentors DJs Khaled, Wrek, and DJ Fubu of Program Director DJ Class busboy before becom- (Eatonton, GA) Black Spliff, Freddy DJ Blak for B106 The Hip Hop (Baltimore, MD) ing a resident DJ at DJ Fubu is currently Fred worked hard to (Atlanta, GA) Station, 106.3 KQXB. A This Baltimore native SOBE Live, one of the the tour DJ for Soulja learn the business of Starting off as a skat- significant contributor is not only a DJ, but hottest clubs on South Boy Tell’em and rocks DJing. Now his resume ing rink DJ, Blak has in the Central Texas also an artist and Beach. He also spins clubs, arenas, and includes club spots at since traveled all over music scene, CC has member of Kanye at Club Dream and other venues across Opium, Prive, Voyage, the world as a tour DJ broken records on-air, West’s production is a representative of the country. The Mansion and SOBE; for artists like Yung on mixtapes, and in team and Unruly Pro- the CORE DJs, Salute Eatonton, GA resident show DJing for Pitbull, Joc, Gorilla Zoe, and clubs like Enferno ductions. Dubbed the South, and Loudshell also represents the Charles Sweeting, and Pleasure P. Blak also where he currently Club King in B-More, Ent. Hittmenn DJs. Willy Northpole; and puts out mixtapes, plays. Class’ current single DJElementMiami@ [email protected], radio spots on Mixx 96 owns Blak Boi Pub- Myspace.com/CCCruz “I’m the Ish” is highly hotmail.com, Myspace. Twitter.com/DJFubu, and Shade 45’s CORE lishing LLC, and is Mailing Address: B106 ranked on iTunes Hip com/DJElement Myspace.com/DJFubu working on his debut The Hip Hop Station Hop sales chart and DJ Radio. album titled I Am. KQXB, 608 Moody Lane, his album is slated for Djfreddyfredmp3@ [email protected], Temple, Texas 76504 release this year. gmail.com, Twitter. Twitter.com/WhoIsD- imdjclass@classheat. com/DJFreddyFred, JBlak, Myspace.com/ com, Twitter.com/ Myspace.com/DJFred- DJBlakFae DJClass, Myspace.com/ dyFredMusic DJClass

DJ Enferno DJ Funk- Minneapolis, MN daddy via Milwaukee, (Seattle, WA) CJ tha WI) Seattle residents may Sticman DJ Enferno got his big recognize Funkdaddy shot at DJing when (Birmingham, AL) DJ Frosty as a guest DJ at Hot DJ Blurray A staple in the Bir- Jack Brewer from the Jamz KMIH-FM. He (Columbia, SC) (Austin, TX) mingham DJ arena, CJ DJ D-Tec MN Vikings set up a has also rocked shows DJ Frosty spins for Otherwise known as mixes on WBHJ 95.7 (Columbia, SC) gig for him in Mazltan for artists like E-40, Sir WXBT, 100.1 the Beat “The Mixtape Slayer,” Jamz, WBHK 98.7 Kiss, Following his position during spring break. Mix-a-lot, Too $hort, in Columbia and DJ Blurray’s claim to and WGFX Goodfellas- on WWDM on Satur- Everything took off Young Buck, Cool Nutz represents Stupid fame came with the Radio.net. Belonging day nights, DJ D-Tec from there. Now the and more. Funkdaddy Dope Moves and success of his South- to the CORE DJs, Bum- relocated to WXBT official Hood Nerd recently celebrated his Streetsweepers. When ern Comfort series in squad DJs, and the Go 100.1 the Beat where DJ/VJ can be found 100th mixtape release. he’s not dropping mix- 2005. Since then his DJs, CJ tha Sticman he currently mixes spinning in numerous Current mixtapes tapes, at the radio sta- mixtape series have has broken numerous on Friday nights. The clubs in Minneapolis out now include new tion, or DJing at Club expanded and he’s artists in his market Columbia DJ has also like Auggies, Visage, volumes of Ear Candy, Level, Club Ice, Club become a show DJ for and holds the TJs toured with Pastor Karma, Aqua, Epic, King of the Blends, and Moon, or Club Cream, the Central Texas rap DJs Platinum Needle Troy and recently won and Myth. Soft Funk. Frosty is winning group Green City. Blur- Award, The Dirty 30s the CORE DJs Jam [email protected], funkdaddyofficial@ accolades like Club DJ ray also spins at Trou- Favorite DJ Award, Master Jay award. Twitter.com/DJEn- gmail.com, Twitter. of the Year, Mixshow bador’s and Bayou and The Madskillz Best Boutwhat2@gmail. ferno33, Myspace.com/ com/DJFunkdaddy, DJ of the Year, Best Lounge, and mixes on DJ Award. com, Myspace.com/ EnfernoVision Myspace.com/Funk- Mixtape, and the Jam www.907jamz.com. cjthasticman@ scdjdtec Mailing address: daddyOfficial Master Jay Award. Djblurraymp3@gmail. gmail.com, Twitter. 15429 Radium St. NW, [email protected], com, Myspace.com/ com/CJthaSticman, Ramsey, MN 55303 Twitter.com/DJFrosty, DJBlurray Myspace.com/CJthaS- Myspace.com/DJFros- ticman tyDotCom

OZONE MAG // 49 a shot to mix at Hot Twitter.com/GoDJJ- 107.9 on the Durrty Boss, Myspace.com/ Boyz Show. Since GoDJJBoss then he has gained a name in Atlanta, DJing at top clubs around the city like Motions, Miami, Verve, and Tongue and Groove, J-Flex Desperate artists will do any- to list a few. Ill Will also (Greensboro, NC) thing to be heard. From pennies puts out mixtapes and After one of his mix- to panties, these DJs have been works with Atlanta tapes landed in the offered some unusual things in artists like Sean Teazy, J. Espinosa hands of a radio pro- exchange for spinning a record. Joe Stu, and Young (Bay Area, CA) gram director, J-Flex Snead. With a #1 rated was asked to mix for “A post-dated check.” – 360 [email protected] mixshow in the San college radio station DJ Greg G berry.net, 404-579- Francisco Bay Area on (Orlando, FL) 90.1 WNAA at NC A&T 5866, Twitter.com/ Wild 94.9, J. Espinosa “Sex from a female artist.” – Ace When he’s not mixing State. J-Flex graduated IllWilltheDJ, Myspace. is a go-to guy in his on 102 Jamz, Greg G from college radio com/IllWilltheDon market. J. is also a “This rapper/entertainer sent his little bopper to can be found DJing in and now spins at 102 producer and his the stage and she put a Corona bottle down her a variety of popular JAMZ in Greensboro. remixes can be heard mouth then said, ‘Play #5 on this CD.’” – Bigg V Orlando nightclubs Jflex102jamz@gmail. throughout the Bay like Icon, Antigua, com, Twitter.com/ Area, including the “One night in the club I had one artist offer me Envy, or Ember. He DJJFlex, Myspace.com/ clubs he spins at like a bag of dro, and another guy offer me a $50 belongs to The CORE JFlex336 Mailing ad- Infusion Lounge, B4 Chili’s gift card.” – Blurray DJ and Desert Storm dress: 4411 Rehobeth Twelve, Wet, Tabu, movements and is Ch Rd., Greensboro, NC Fluid, and Element. “Panties.” – CC Cruz known for his Street 27406 You can catch J. Heat mixtape brand. Espinosa’s nightly “A book of coupons and a pink and blue t-shirt.” [email protected], DJ J1 (Atlanta, GA via mixshow Monday – CJ tha Sticman Twitter.com/GregG, Harlem, NY) through Friday. Myspace.com/BigLife- J1 started his music Twitter.com/J_Espi- Productions “Cheesesteak. It was deli- career at the Harlem nosa, Myspace.com/ cious.” – Class School of Arts where DJJEspinosa he played the piano “A gun. Yes, a gun.” – Enferno before taking in inter- est in DJing at the age JT Quick “Some head.” – Freddy Fred of 14. He would later (Kansas City, MO) become a successful JT Quick got his start “$500. I guess it’s not strange, but it’s a lot of party promoter in in radio when a col- money for a record to be played in the club.” – Atlanta and move on lege radio jock didn’t Frosty to DJing for Hot 107.9 show up for her job. JT DJ Ike G at clubs like Velvet (Fayetteville, NC) swooped in and took “A five dollar bill.” – Greg G Room, Motions, 10 Pin Also referred to as Jay-Fields over. Now he’s moved Alley, Pure, and Pearl (Seattle, WA via “The Carolina Trend- on to Hot 103 Jamz “The strangest thing would probably be change. Bistro where he can be Springfield, OH) setter,” DJ Ike G keeps KPRS where he’s been I don’t know what the dude was thinking, but he currently heard. Jay-Fields established Fayetteville partying nominated top on-air actually gave me some quarters, dimes, nickels, Posterchildj1@ himself after moving on WCCG 104.5. He personality 2 years in and pennies. I have to admit, he went hard so I gmail.com, Twitter. to Seattle in 1997 and also takes his skills a row. had to work with him.” – Ill Will com/PosterChildJ1, landing a job with to the club when [email protected], Myspace.com/DJJ1UL X104.5 FM where he he’s spinning at Club Twitter.com/JTQuick, “A lap dance.” – J1 worked for 5 years. Toxic, Bentley’s, and Myspace.com/ Radio gave Jay-Fields Club Exceptions. Ike DJJTQuick Mailing Ad- “A night with they gal.” – J. Boss the opportunity to G is a recipient of the dress: KPRS / JT Quick, open for big names CORE DJs’ Jam Master 11131 Colorado Ave., “Someone offered to wash my car for a month if like Snoop Dogg, Jay Award and also Kansas City, MO 64137 I played their song.” – Jay-Fields E-40, Spice 1, Devon belongs to the Nitram the Dude, B-legit, Knarf DJs. “A gift card to Best Buy.” – Kno It All Dru Down, and many Djikegda.wccg@gmail. more. Currently the com, Twitter.com/ “A date with his girlfriend. I laughed, and got her Seattle DJ spins at DJIkeGDA, Myspace. Go DJ J. Boss number anyway.” – Nasty Naz (Houston, TX) Club Sno, JR’s, and MC com/DJIkeGDA910 Repping the Go DJ Cabes, and regu- “A kidney (left side).” – Reconn crew, J. Boss is a tour larly puts out mixtape DJ for Trae and Z-Ro. projects. “A $20 Applebee’s gift card. I flashed $40 and He has many outlets [email protected], DJ Kno-It-All told him to get lost.” – Shawty Slim for breaking new Twitter.com/DJJay- (Atlanta, GA) records including Fields, Myspace.com/ Repping The Un- “A jump drive.” – T-Roc a long list of club DJJayFields touchables crew, DJ connections at Club Kno-It-All got his start “I’ve never told anyone this, but the strangest Glo, The Office, Zula, in the business while thing anyone ever offered me to play their song Shadow Bar, Harlem DJing college parties was a bag of Oreo’s.” – Whut It Dew DJ Ill Will Knights, and Club (Atlanta, GA via and homecomings. He One. His skills can also Bronx, NY) now DJs at Club Miami “I was offered a chain off a guy’s neck to play be heard on his latest After relocating to and Geisha House, a load of Dipset music in the club, and I was mixtape installment Atlanta to attend Clark prime party spots in offered a Cadillac Escalade to mix, host, and Grind City Volume 3. Atlanta University, ATL. He also mixes promote a West coast artist.” – Woogie [email protected], DJ Ill Will was given on internet radio for

50 // OZONE MAG Flavor450.com. thing from driving the djknoitall@gmail. company van to work- com, Twitter.com/ ing the boards. His DJKnoItAll, Myspace. hard work eventually com/DJKnoItAll paid off and now Mic Tee also has residencies at The Rumba Room on Tuesday, Level 2 on Saturday, and Cactus Jacks on Sunday. Micteek97@ gmail.com, Myspace. com/FranchiseD- JMicTee DJ KTone (Denver, CO) Associated with the “The ability to travel and network, but most “Meeting new people in our industry who have CORE DJs and Derrty importantly, you work for yourself.” – 03 the same goals, passion, and drive that I pos- DJs, DJ Ktone is a sess of being a trendsetter and record breaker. mixtape champ in his “For one, you get to drink on the job. You get And of course the girls.” – Mic Tee area. The Turf DJ is to hear music before anyone else, and your also a chief DJ at clubs opinion actually makes a difference whether “Free alcohol, easy pay, meeting interesting in and outside of his the song gets pushed or not.” – 360 people.” – Pretty Boy Tank city, and he also mixes Mike Smoove for WeTheWest.com (Santa Ana, CA) “Being in the forefront of popular culture, “T-shirts from labels, and I can walk into any and Shade 45 CORE DJ Mike Smoove’s pres- from events, to the freshest gear and kicks. club [free]. But the biggest perk to me is mak- Radio. ent mixtape projects Working with the real tastemakers and big ing people enjoy themselves.” – Shawty Slim [email protected], include Best of the factors in the game is always a good time. Twitter.com/DJKTone, West with DJ KTone, And traveling to new places is always fun.” “It’s easy to get music and you can build your Myspace.com/DJK- Who the Fuck is DJ – Amen own brand.” – Slytay Tonedotcom Mike Smoove and the newest title United “Just to see a muthafucka lose they mind to “Getting special privileges at the club like We Stand. The Santa a record is enough. If a cat walks across the not waiting in line or having a dress code.” – Ana DJ tours with 211 room to give you dap for a song, that means Spinatik when he’s not playing something.” – Big Von at local clubs like “Traveling for free, building an iron stomach Falcon, Cinespace, Lax, “The power, traveling and living in unusual to all the filth you take like food, criticism, and and The Avalon. and far away places like Guam, and meeting requests. Practicing condescending lines, and djmikesmoove@ people you might never had met otherwise believe it or not, insomnia – imagine what you gmail.com, Twitter. in normal settings.” – CC Cruz can do when you barely sleep.” – Treats DJ Merk com/DJMikeSmoove, (Dallas, TX via Myspace.com/ImS- Houston, TX) mooveBitch “Working ON your own schedule, GETTING sponsorships, Now a tour DJ and manager for Dorrough being able to work alongside celebs, and of course the Music, DJ Merk made groupies. But those aren’t always a good thing.” his mark DJing col- – J. Espinosa lege parties at Prairie View A&M University. Merk belongs to the “Getting new music early is always good. “Really, you’re damn near an artist. It takes CORE DJs Streetz, Groupies are cool. Not having to punch a creativity, hard work, networking, and techni- Hustle Squad DJs, and clock is great. Free food and drinks is always cal skill. And if you do those things well, you’ll represents NGenius DJ Nasty Naz a plus. There are many more.” have all of the things a good artist has in Entertainment. Look (Canada) – CJ tha Sticman return.” – T-Roc for DJ Merk’s popular Nasty Naz is more Outbreak Radio series than a DJ. He also “Free drinks, and I would say ‘women,’ but I’m “Getting in all the spots with your entourage which can be found holds the titles of hy- married now.” – Fubu for free.” – Truly Odd numerous mixtape peman, entertainment websites. reporter for Rogers “Cash, sex, alcohol, the satisfaction of “You get all access at shows. You get exclu- ngeniusptcblast@ Television, emcee, making thousands of people dance and sive music first from labels or artists that you gmail.com, Twitter. concert promoter, enjoy themselves every week. Meeting new know. It comes to a point where the label or com/DJMerkMusic, and radio personal- people every night is cool. Watching artists artists demand a certain DJ to do their project Myspace.com/DJMerk- ity for Z103 and KOS. go from nothing to everything is amazing because they were the host for the streets.” Music Alongside all of those when you see it from a DJ’s perspective.” – Woogie responsibilities, the in- – Greg G ternational turntablist “Being able to travel and stay in nice hotels and also plays at shows for “Money, clothes, trips, women, living good.” eat well without having to pay for it. Meeting Akon and Sean Paul – J. Boss people from all around the world and network- and owns the award- ing with them. Not having to work a 9 to 5, plus winning restaurant “Getting to hear new talent before anyone DJing pays very well. Opportunities to be on Caribbean Flavas. else, and being able to break new artists to television/radio and become well known. Free Twitter.com/DJNas- the public. Also, being in parties and seeing gear, clothes, and sneakers. You’re constantly tyNaz, Myspace.com/ all the beautiful women. ATL has some of around beautiful women and pretty much get DJ Mic Tee DJNastyNaz the sexiest women.” – Kno It All paid to party. Basically just being able to make (Memphis, TN) Mailing Address: a living doing something you enjoy.” - Wrecki- Before Mic Tee got DJ Nasty Naz c/o Carib- neyez a permanent on-air bean Flavas, 123 York position with WHRK Street, Fredericton, NB, K97.1, he did every- E3B 3N6 Canada

OZONE MAG // 51 “One night I spilled my drink in my mixer during prime time and the club had to close down.” – J. Boss stopped and everybody started booing all at once.” – CJ tha Sticman “I was DJing at this local rapper’s CD release Not everything is sweet in the party, and all his people were in the building. I world of DJing. Sometimes jacked- “I had a burrito before the club. One thing led to was trying to pump up the performance on the up equipment, lack of restroom another and you know the rest. Thank God for mic, and right before he [went] on I totally said iPods.” – Class his name wrong. The whole crowd boo’ed me.” – breaks, and too many free drinks J. Espinosa can lead to some pretty embarrassing incidents. “I got so drunk that I couldn’t even DJ. I was knocked out cold. I don’t even know who was “The first time I opened for E-40 I was real DJing for me.” – D-Tec nervous so I tried to throw back a shot of 151. “I was trying to learn Serato on the fly at a I missed my mouth and threw it right into my packed-out event. There weren’t any major eyes.” – Jay-Fields problems, but sometimes it’s just better to read “The first event I DJed was a Michael Blackson the instructions first.” – 03 comedy show. He asked me to do something and I fucked it all up so he clowned me the rest “I was spinning at a packed club, and I’ve been eating a lot so I had started getting a little “The Serato froze up for 5 minutes. I had to of the night. I was DJ Luke Warm all night!” – Enferno belly. I was mixing and my stomach moved the verbally rock the crowd with old school songs.” crossfader to the other side and dead air hit. It – Bionicman “I don’t have an embarrassing moment, but I’m took me about 20 seconds to figure out that my stomach had moved the fader over.” – KTone “I was DJing at Clark Atlanta University’s generally embarrassed when I’m doing a show Homecoming for Yung Joc and my instant replay for an artist and they’re too drunk to perform their own lyrics.” – Freddy Fred “I was DJing a BBQ for the Ques (a fraternity) at machine almost fell off of the table. As I went to my university and they asked me to play ‘Atomic catch it, my hand slipped and hit the button for “I was DJing a New Year’s Eve party and had to Dog.’ I accidentally started playing ‘Flashlight,’ another song right as he was rapping the hook which is the Kappas’ song. One of the old alumni to “It’s Going Down.” – Blak run to the bathroom for a #2 right before the countdown.” – Fubu Ques ran up and put his hand on my table to stop it and said, “That’s not funny, bro!” – Merk “That would probably be my very first live gig. I was given a 45 minute slot and they told me all “DJing at an empty club would be at the top of my list. It makes you look bad because people “I had a DJ buddy who played a trick on me. I was I had to bring was the vinyl I needed to do my in the middle of a killer Hip Hop set, and when set. Long story short, the DJ hosting the party relate the club being dead to you, even though you’re not even the promoter. Psycho girls stalk- I turned around to get a record from my crate, forgot his headphones. I couldn’t cue up any of he switched my Ludacris [vinyl] with a country my records, find my markers or anything. It was ing at the club would be next, and doing the “pee” dance is up there too.” – Funkdaddy [record]. I scratched the track, and then played it, ugly.” – Blurray and was shocked outta my mind. He laughed, I “My first time mixing live on air I accidently yelled, and had to get on the mic fast to cover it “The club was packed at the peak hour and this up.” – Nasty Naz guy was hassling me about playing his song. So played “Pop Dat Pussy” instead of “Pop Dat Coochie” with the station owners and GM right to get this dude off my nerves, I played it without “I was live on the air and my headphones got listening to the song first. The party immediately there watching. Thank God I had a good mic man behind the boards.” – Ike G caught on the tonearm of the turntable and scratched the record extremely loud as it skid.” – QuickMixx Rick

“I played the dirty version of Khia’s “My Neck & Back” on-air [on the radio] and didn’t realize it because I had turned the volume down to answer my cell. By the time I caught it, 2 and a half minutes had rolled by.” – Shawty Slim

“I almost electrocuting myself while connecting a speaker. Dying before a gig would not have been good.” – Treats Pretty Boy QuickMixx DJ Reconn Scrap Dirty Tank Rick (Orlando, FL) (Ridgeland, MS) “I was DJing at the club and when I turned (Stone Mountain, (Dallas, TX) Reconn began his Founder of the Viola- around to go through my record crate, my boys GA) QuickMixx Rick has career while working tor Allstar DJs, Scrap Niko and Jay One taped the turntable platter A member of Ho- been with 97.9 the part-time at 107.1 Dirty can be heard so that it wouldn’t spin. I kept trying to turn odrich Ent., Pretty Boy Beat in Dallas since RYTHYM FM, an on Violator Radio on to power on and off, and even unplugged the Tank DJs Wednesday 2002 and has been underground station Sirius/XM as well as turntable, but the platter still wouldn’t move. The nights at Club Libra rated the #1 radio in Ft. Lauderdale. After WRBJ 97.7 FM. He also song ran out, and I had to drop the needle back and recently dropped mixer in the area by moving to Orlando has a long running to the beginning of the song. I was pissed and three volumes of Arbitron for the last he earned a name mixtape series called started flipping out on the promoter, and told Space Invaders mix- four years. Rick is also in street promotions DirtySoul and tours him that his turntable was busted. Then, all of a tapes with DJ Spinz. a part of the roster at before landing a per- with Slum Village. sudden, my boys showed me the tape. Hopefully Pretty Boy Tank is Sirius XM 67 Hip Hop manent gig with 102 Twitter.com/ScrapDirty, I can pull that same prank on another DJ one currently on the road Nation and belongs Jamz. Alongside his Myspace.com/DJScrap- day.” – Wreckineyez with F.L.Y. (“Swag to the Violator AllStar radio and club duties, Dirty Surfin”), a group he DJs and Turntable Reconn works with helped develop in his Assassins. local artists Young market. [email protected], Trama and Stick. “I was so drunk while I was mixing djprettyboytank@ Twitter.com/Quick- [email protected], gmail.com, Twitter. MixxRick, Myspace. Twitter.com/DJReconn, that the speaker went out and the com/DJPrettyBoyTank, com/QuickMixxRick Myspace.com/DJRe- music was only coming out of my Myspace.com/DJPret- conn headphones. But I still thought I was tyBoyTank jammin’.” – Big Von

52 // OZONE MAG branded his Fear Fac- tor series. The Tampa Everybody knows the music busi- “Promoting is a tough gig so I’ll give a promoter DJ tours globally and ness can be a dirty game. We asked a few chances to tighten up.” – Greg G assists many upcom- the panel of DJs their opinion on ing artists build a the best way to handle a promoter “Promoters get one chance with me. I’m a street Shawty Slim buzz via his marketing that won’t pay up. ninja before I’m a DJ so I will bust your ass.” (Macon, Savan- company. – Ike G nah, Albany, GA) DJSmallz.com, Twit- “I don’t. I send my lawyer after them.” – 360 Shawty Slim has ter.com/DJSmallz, “Don’t show up to the gig the next week.” – J1 accomplished quite Myspace.com/South- “Thanks to my partner Mike, I have my own club “I try to resolve the issue. If there is no way we a lot since his days ernSmoke on the Southside of Atlanta so I am my own can work it out then I make sure to warn other of spinning in the promoter. I don’t really have problems with other artists and DJs so they can learn from what I’m cafeteria at Fort Valley clubs. I make sure my business is up front if I deal dealing with, and I won’t work with that pro- State University. He with someone else.” – Ace now has a mixshow moter anymore.” – Jay-Fields at not one, but three “Blacklist them bitches. Ring the alarm! Let the “I don’t. I’ve been at it long enough to just not radio stations: 97.9 people know and air their asses out.” – Amen WIBB in Macon, 96.3 care.” – JT Quick WJIZ in Albany, and “I smack the shit outta them.” – Big Severe WQBT 94.1 The Beat “Make ‘em sign contracts, and stay on they ass ‘til they get me my money. I got money to collect in Savannah. He also DJ Spinatik “Drag the promo nigga’s name through the mud, right now. I promote myself too so if they won’t recently dropped (Tampa, FL) do whatever to bury the fuckers, ‘cause they pay me I’ll pay myself.” – Mike Smoove the 17th volume of Spinatik holds club know they don’t have them celebs coming to the his Sucker Free R&B residencies at Mirage party. Please stop the flyer fuckery.” – Big Von mixtape series. and Skye, as well as “That’s what contracts are for.” – Pretty Boy Tank shawtyslim@gmail. a weekly mixshow “Cut the music off right in the middle of your set “I let AB Butler at Violator Management/Back in com, Twitter.com/ called “Friday Night and walk out of the booth. But you have to make the Game Ent. deal with that stuff.” – Scrap Dirty ShawtySlim, Myspace. Lockdown” on 95.7 sure that there isn’t another DJ there that can com/ShawtySlim The Beat from 9pm- replace you.” – Blak 12am. His newest “I always ask around before dealing with most people.” – Shawty Slim mixtapes include “I deal with them only once.” – CC Cruz Yo Gotti: Pyrex King, “I’ve put them on blast on the internet before. Jadakiss: Kiss the King, “I avoid them. They will try to beat you every I’d give out their names and their info on my and Street Runnaz: Vol. chance they get. Just remember to avoid the website DJSmallz.com and all my social network- 34-36. unlucky and unhappy, these people cause their ing sites like Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter, [email protected], own misfortune and they will draw it on you too.” and I let other artists and DJs know about them.” Twitter.com/DJSpi- – CJ tha Sticman natik, Myspace.com/ – Smallz DJ Slytay DJSpinatik “I hang ‘em, then I cut ‘em, then I shoot ‘em, then I “I respond with some ignorant records like The (Augusta, GA) kill ‘em. Just joking. No dough, no show.” – Class A Hittmenn and Fleet L.O.X. ‘Fuck You’, Young Jeezy ‘Who Dat’, The Diplomats ‘I Really Mean It’, ‘Keep It Thoro’ by DJ, Slytay began his “Get your money up front. Promoters need to Prodigy, and ‘Breakfast’ by LeLe.” – Treats radio career over 10 understand that the DJ is a pre-existing expense years ago at WCKX in and we should be paid our full fee regardless of “With violence...I’m just kidding. I just won’t work Columbus, OH. The the outcome of their event. All DJs need to start with them any more after that.” – Truly Odd Ohio native now spins making clubs and promoters sign contracts. for WFXA 103 Jamz Other than that, keep your goons with you at all “Depending on how I feel, I’ll either air them out in Augusta, as well as times.” – Enferno Club 3000, and also DJ Treats to my other DJ friends, or I’ll just let it roll off like water on a duck’s back.” – Whut It Dew produces mixtapes. (New York) “Dog bites you once, shame on the dog – twice, [email protected], Treats tours with shame on you.” – Fubu Myspace.com/SlyTay Mickey Factz and “Don’t ever work with him or her again, or if you do, sign a contract and get money up front. I Mailing Address: 2217 spins at Sway Lounge, “Never negotiate. They always hire you for an still have promoters/club owners who owe me Pepperidge Drive, The Studio at Webster amount and if it’s dead, they wait until the end money. Eventually you have to take them to Augusta, GA 30906 Hall, The Delancy, of the night to tell you they have no money. court, or put them on blast.” – Wreckineyez Sutra, Bob’s, and Ella. Your fee should be your fee whether the club is Treats has a strong ap- packed or not. You still showed up to work and preciation for creativ- did your job.” – Funkdaddy ity which is displayed on his latest projects Michael Cera vs. Scott “I have a best friend/brother named Hulk. He’s 305 pounds Pilgrim, DJ Treats Pres- ents: The Sneaktip All of muscle, all natural. He handles that. Look him up on Stars, and Deconstruct- Youtube.com/quickmixx. He makes it like Christmas time.” DJ Smallz ing Mickey Factz. – QuickMixx Rick (Tampa, FL) iamdjtreats@gmail. DJ Smallz began his com, Twitter.com/ mixtape takeover with IAmDJTreats, Myspace. his Southern Smoke com/IamDJTreats phenomenon and has now successfully

OZONE MAG // 53 With the popularity of internet down- “As a DJ, you can find just about any record you’re look- loading and blog sites leaking music, ing for in about 2 minutes on the internet. I think that the DJ game has changed tremen- also goes in the negative category, because there’s no dously – sometimes for the better, and such thing as exclusive anymore. It’s really about how sometimes not. you play your records more than ever. Everyone has the same tools, but not everyone can build a house.” – J. DJ T-Roc Espinosa (Atlanta, GA) “On the good side, you don’t have to search and dig as If you’re in Atlanta, hard for music as much as you used to, but on a bad “The internet helps artists get their music out to way make sure you check note, the music isn’t exclusive to the elite DJs anymore. more people than CDs and radio alone. It’s also a good out DJ T-Roc at the Everyone gets it damn near at the same time now.” – way to get back info on how your music is doing. The famous Club Crucial. 03 bad part of that is it takes away some of the hustle, T-Roc is responsible grind, and struggle that gives artists their hunger of try- for breaking a major- “I started DJing when there was nothing but records. ing to make it.” – Jay-Fields ity of the new music There was no internet so you had to mail the songs in the area, including or drive them to whereever you were trying get your “Man, I love blogs. There’s great independent music snap music which music heard. The internet makes it easier to promote everywhere. Even the majors can pre-release tunes that put him in the game. your music to other cities and states. You can cover a just weren’t right at the time. The negative is there’s a T-Roc is a member of wide map area in a short amount of time. The negative huge amount of crap out there. Digging for music is a the Hittmenn DJs, Ro- side is music that’s not supposed to be heard is getting full-time hustle.” – JT Quick cHarder DJs, and also leaked out before it’s supposed to.” – Ace promotes his brand in “The music gets around faster and with Serato you can RocHarder Magazine. “I think it’s great that people are able to share and sup- have the new music playing the same night. It’s prob- Rocharder1@gmail. port what they are feeling, but all these dudes are just ably bad for artists because there’s not a lot of money com, Myspace.com/ jacking songs from other people’s websites and blogs, made off the music anymore. Artists gotta change with DJTRocEnt and not giving the times.” – Mike Smoove the credit for their work. They’re “The good thing is I get easy access to “Artists can get feedback also letting out music. Back in the day I had to beg la- and fix any problems before unfinished and bel reps to send me music. Let me take committing the music to the reference tracks this opportunity to say fuck you to album. It also increases the before the artist artists’ fan base. Users see if really gets to do all the reps that never sent me shit. they like the album before their thing, which And the bad thing is I get easy access buying, because it’s disap- kills the actual to music. There is just way too much pointing to buy an entire al- Truly Odd song for me and garbage to sift through and labels bum for just one good song. (Los Angeles, CA) the fans.” – Amen will send out anything these days. The negative effects would Truly Odd is the be artists may lose sales, director of the Heavy- “The music goes Back in the day they would press a and of course there is the weight DJs Record straight to the record with an A and B side and pro- issue of piracy and copyright Pool and a member people, and you mote the record. now they mail out infringements.” – Nasty Naz of the Bumsquad DJs can find out if 100 mp3s and see which ones stick.” and Shadyville DJs. you’re hot or “The positive is getting the When he’s not on-air wack in minutes. – Greg G exclusive music. The negative on Sirius satellite ra- The bad thing is is that everybody wants to be dio, he’s touring with some records only last a couple weeks, ‘cause everyone a rapper.” – Pretty Boy Tank artists like Strong Arm wants what’s new, not what’s good. And lastly, any Steady, Warchurch, bum can call themselves a DJ.” – Big Von “Having Slum Village on our label, I see a lot of people and Brandoe the who show love on the net, but also it becomes a real Younger. “It’s free promotion. The internet is the best way to curse because my fam doesn’t see revenue.” – Scrap Twitter.com/DJTru- potentially get millions of people to see and hear your Dirty lyOdd, Myspace.com/ music. Without the internet there are a lot of artists we DJTrulyOdd would have never heard of, like Soulja Boy. But now “The positive is getting to break the new songs first and Mailing Address: 14731 everyone is flooding the internet with their music and fast, and you get instant feedback. The negative about Manecita Dr., LaMi- at some point it’s going to get regulated.” – Enferno the internet is that the anticipation of an album drop- rada, CA 90648 ping no longer exists.” – Shawty Slim “It helps the artists get their name and music out there. But if that’s their only hot record, chances are “If you’ve ever spent over $100 bucks at a time on vinyl, no one is going to go to the store to purchase their you know the relief of downloading an mp3 for free. album. Back in the day if you had a hot record people On the negative side, an internet hit is not necessarily a would run to the store to buy it. Now, you actually radio hit.” – Treats have to have a hot album to sell records.” – Frosty

“It gives artists a wider audience to get their music heard, but damn, don’t post the whole album. Let the artist live a little.” – Ike G

54 // OZONE MAG DJ Whut It DJ Woogie DJ Dew (Scranton, PA) Wreckineyez (Bunkie, LA) A representative of (Atlanta, GA via Winner of the 2009 the Shadyville DJs and Ludlow, MA) Our country’s economic setbacks Southern Ent. Awards an official mixtape Wreckineyez is a tour have everyone feeling the effects Best Mixtape Duo DJ for Soulja Boy and DJ for Asher Roth and of the recession. Some of these with DJ Scrill, Whut SOD Money Gang, DJ holds club residencies DJs had to adjust their game plan, It Dew is a respected Woogie puts in notice- at Utopia, Sutra, Via, WHILE others say the recession has mixtape DJ in the able work. In 2008 he Sabor, and Django in actually helped their business. Lousiana/Texas area won the Justo Mixtape Atlanta. An all-around and beyond. He was a Award for Rookie of DJ, Wreckineyez also “I don’t think it has affected the streets as much 2008 Justo Nominee the Year and Best spins on Sirius XM as it has the industry. It seems like the labels are for Best Chopped Canadian DJ. Woogie Radio Hip Hop Nation reluctant to spend sponsorship money for major and Screwed DJ and spins part-time at during DJ Jamad’s DJ events and conferences, but it’s all good now received several other 97 BHT and can also Afromentals Show. ‘cause we’ve got Obama.” – 03 award nominations be found at The Col- wreckineyez@gmail. recently. Be on the loseum Nightclub and com, Twitter.com/ “Clubs aren’t making as much money as they lookout for his new Club Evolution. Wreckineyez, Myspace. used to, so a lot of new DJs are starting to under- podcast coming soon. Twitter.com/DJWoo- com/DJWreckineyez cut just to get their foot in. I’m talking about 60% djwhutitdew@ gie, Myspace.com/ under average rate.” – 360 gmail.com, Twitter. DJWoogie com/DJWhutItDew, Mailing Address: 1840 “I don’t feel that it has had an effect at all. If Myspace.com/DJWhut- N. Main Ave. Ste. 204, you’re a true hustler and good at your craft, then ItDew Scranton, PA 18508 getting money shouldn’t be a problem for any Mailing Address: 40071 DJ.” – Ames Branca Dr., Frederick, MD 21702 “Hopefully it has made the DJ take on a debt-free attitude. The recession should have also made DJs take their craft more seriously.” – Bigg V

“We are business men and women too, so when “It’s hard for a real DJ to get the pay he orshe people cut back or don’t want to pay you what deserves because either somebody will do it you deserve, that’s a blow to the pockets. On a cheaper, or they just use iPods, mixtapes, or “The recession has made people want to drink lighter note, it can be positive as far as people some other bootleg way to do a party.” – KTone more and forget their troubles. It hasn’t necessar- resorting back to music as a means to escape ily hurt my DJ gigs. The last big event that hurt and be entertained when things too much for “I haven’t felt any effects of the recession. Shit, DJ gigs was 9/11. No one was going out, period. them and they need a break.” I was broke before the recession. (laughs) In Even Vegas was empty. It was sad.” - Funkdaddy – Class corporate America you have to learn how to multi-task. They wanna know if you can see the “The recession is all propaganda. If you feel like “In my case, not much has changed. I have the bigger picture. In the streets they wanna see if there’s a recession, stop being lazy and push honor of working in a nightclub that’s been you getting money.” – Mic Tee harder. It’s gonna take more than a word to stop doing well. But now more people want your job. me from eating.” – Ike G There’s way “Well, I’m allergic to the recession, so I wouldn’t more competi- know.” – Scrap Dirty “I would say tion and sud- “Being primarily a mixtape DJ, I’ve seen [the recession denly you got “Big radio companies are cutting budgets for a major decline in how many artists has caused] these wannabe mixshows. People still [go to the] club though.” – or labels contact me to mix and host promoters to DJs that have Shawty Slim hire $50 DJs, never touched their tape. Last year, I had probably but they were vinyl before 4 or 5 projects lined up at any given “I think Young Jeezy said it best on his album, ‘It’s doing that that will work a recession, everybody broke!’ We’re not getting time. So far this year, I’ve only been before the for almost free.” paid to do as many things and the prices [we’re hired to do a small handful of proj- recession, so it – Element paid] are going down, but equipment and what ects.” – Blurray hasn’t affected not is going up.” – Whut It Dew me.” – J-Flex “Club owners and promoters aren’t paying DJs as much, but “This is a promotional-use-only game and “It’s given the new kids an opportunity to un- they’re also not spending money for radio pro- people aren’t buying [albums with] artwork like dercut big dogs. To be honest, a lot of big dudes motions either, which opens up the door for DJs they used to. They tend to just download off the had it coming. There are a lot of lazy crappy DJs who are connected with promotional companies net and aren’t spending a lot of money. Mom that get gigs based off their name. It’s made who can promote for a fraction of the cost of and pop stores are closing due to rent not being me stronger. I found new revenue opportuni- radio ads. In the end there’s more money for the paid, you know.” – Woogie ties. For example, I spin at a lesbian club on the DJs.” – Enferno weekends and they love it. You gotta put that personal BS aside and get money.” – JT Quick “The DJ game is recession-proof. People are gonna party whether they’re happy or sad.” – J1

OZONE MAG // 55 “Funkmaster Flex. When I instantly people was younger I would go would hear about me. Also, he’s not the most to Cincinnati on the Grey- technical DJ, if you know hound to get the Funkmas- what I’m saying. And when ter Flex mix CDs of him off the battle is over he could of Hot 97. I would try and If given the chance to battle an probably give me some cool tips on what type imitate his every cut and experienced veteran, most of of 39-inch rims I should buy.” – J. Espinosa blend.” – Bionicman these DJs would gladly accept it, but not because they think they’d “Jazzy Jeff. I really wouldn’t battle, I’d just watch.” win. Most of them just want to see – J1 “I would like to battle DJ Jazzy Jeff because he’s my favorite DJ. If I win, I would throw him out of their favorite DJ live in action. “I looked up to and respected DJ Jazzy Jeff the the club like they did to him on Fresh Prince. I’m whole time I learned and perfected my craft. just kidding, he’s my hero.” – Shawty Slim “I’m not too big on the whole battling idea. I’ve He’s always been a true DJ with the skills that pretty much rocked with every DJ I ever looked range from party rocking to shows and battling. “DJ Mix Master Ice. I worked under him at WFXA up to except Grandmaster Flash or Red Alert.” – Also DJ Scratch for the same reason.” – J-Flex in Columbus at one point.” – Slytay 360 “Kid Capri because his status is so damn high. “DJ Whoo Kid. We’re both marketing geniuses in “Kid Capri, because I’m a crowd rocker and so is If I beat him it’s a wrap, I’ve secured a spot in DJ the mixtape game.” – Smallz he. I DJ like I’m performing and that’s what he history.” – KTone always did.” – Ace “I don’t really battle but I would say DJ Jazzy “I would probably want to battle Michael ‘5000’ Jeff. He’s amazing and he’s still on tour. But I love “Jazzy Jeff would be big for the highlight reel. Watts because he is one of the main inspirations Cool DJ Red Alert and respect all the legendary He’s pretty high up there on my list of living that got me into DJing. All I used to listen to, DJs like Kay Slay, Ron G, Kid Capri, Funk Flex, and legends, but he has kept up with the times and besides my rock music, was Swisha House mix- many others.” – Woogie I already know he would give me a run for my tapes back in middle and high school.” – Merk money. Rev ain’t human either.” – Amen “Jam Master Jay. Not only was he a very talented “Kid Capri. I would probably lose, but I wouldn’t and amazing DJ, but he played an influential look bad because it was expected. (laughs)” – Big part in defining the whole Hip Hop game.” – Severe Nasty Naz “I’m in two crews so I don’t think “DJ Craze is one of my favorite DJs.” – Element there’s anything wrong with it. “I would battle Bad Boy Bill because I used We all support each other anyway.” to listen to him as a kid. I learned a lot of my – Blak “Jazzy Jeff or Roc Raida so they could kick my ass scratches and techniques from watching him. and then teach me how to be better.” – Fubu That’ll be dope.” – QuickMixx Rick “I can’t knock their hustle, but for me “The legendary Kid Capri. He is definitely one of I was chosen by the best crew: The “David Roddigan, even though I know I would World Famous SuperFriends. I try to the innovators that changed the art form.” – Ill die 6 million deaths. I still would be honored.” – Will be on the best team instead of a bunch Reconn of teams.” – D-Tec “Funkmaster Flex. He’s really famous, so if I won, “I wanna battle DJ Clark Kent because we “A lot of DJs think being in a crew is go- always talk shit to each other and I think ing to help their career somehow, but it “DJ Clue and Biz Markie that would be great for DJs to see real body doesn’t. You have to work your way to the ‘cause I feel like they’re tricks and juggles.” – Scrap top.” – Frosty overrated.” – J. Boss Dirty “It depends. I think it’s okay to be down with a large network of DJs like The CORE and a smaller, more exclusive crew like the Heavy Hitters.” – Greg G

“If you run with a national crew and a local and labels are paying the crew I can see that, but damn, if you send me head of these DJ crews a message to my blackberry and your list of thousands of dollars to play crew [affiliations] is longer than the message, their music and the DJs in something is wrong.” – Ike G the crews aren’t all getting paid. Why blow up this “It’s not worth it to me ‘cause you have no company you are so-called loyalty. Who are you gone ride with at the end with if you’re not getting any of the day?” – J. Boss of the funds? If you are one of the DJs getting How many DJ crew affiliations are some of the cut then do your thang.” – Ace too many? Is it a matter of loyalty, or networking? We asked these “It’s good to be a part of DJ crews, and I myself “That shit is wack. It’s like guys their opinion on having more am a part of multiple crews. In a way it’s very being in hella gangs. You than one association. beneficial because you can all work together never heard of someone and open doors for fellow DJs.” – Ames being an L.A. Crip, NY Blood, “Well, loyalty is everything and you can’t be loyal to all the crews at the same time. I don’t “I think it’s whack. Rep your crew to the fullest, and a Latin King. Do you go understand why DJs belong to more than one then put other DJs down [with the crew], but to college and join 5 frats? crew, but if they make it work, I can only let them most of all rep yourself.” – Big Severe No. Until they start sending do them.” – 03 out monthly checks or some “If the goal is to have access to breaking more health care, I’m cool.” “That’s their prerogative, but I’d rather do my music and help independent artists at the same own thing and deal with my own DJ crew. Artists time, then cool. But just to say I’m a ‘this’ DJ, I’m a – Big Von ‘that’ DJ is some bullshit.” – Bigg V

56 // OZONE MAG “If you’re down with one crew that should be it. You can be affiliated and cool with another crew, but you can’t be a part of every damn DJ crew. Some of these crews aren’t really crews, they’re just record pools or DJ networks. There’s a difference.” – Kno It All

“I belong to two crews, The Core DJs and Hustle Who are the most respected learn how to be that disciplined on the road.” Squad DJs, and both are national. I personally - Jay-Fields feel like once you hit 3 crews, you should prob- performers? Your favorite DJs explain who they’d be honored ably chill on it. It’s not cool to be in 40 different “Busta Rhymes. He’s a vet and he knows how to crews.” – Merk to tour with and what makes those artists so revered. put on a show. A lot of artists just rap and get off the stage, but Busta gives you your money’s “It’s a marketing tactic to get more money from worth.” - Kno It All different promoters who may be interested in “Probably Plies. I saw him perform in Or- lando, when he was only getting like $5,000 different crews. However, it doesn’t really bother “Probably Mistah FAB because he makes it easy in Florida, and ever since then I always want me.” – Nasty Naz for the DJ. He’s great with the fans and other to do business with him.” - Ace DJs. If something needs to be done, he does it. “I think it’s a great idea. You’re not selling either It’s easy to promote him because he promotes “Man, if Detox ever comes out, Dre I got you. out, you’re trying to do you. One crew might be himself already.” - Ktone real strong in one part of the nation, whereas the I saw Jay-Z’s rider too. It must be nice rollin’ with Hov.” - Amen other isn’t. If you’re part of two or more you can “Soulja Boy goes hard, and his shows are hype. I get exposure and relationships in many ways, like the crowd to be rockin’.” - Mike Smoove not just one.” – QuickMixx Rick “I’ve been an Ice Cube fan since I was a kid. It would be an honor to tour with him.” - Ames “50 Cent. He’s just so powerful – controversial “That’s whack. I don’t belong to no crew but yes, but that’s why people respect him because “Jay-Z. To see where he came from to where the company I co-own with DJ D-Strong. I don’t he can back his talk up. He’s a real dude. I’m a he is today is amazing. You could learn so rep no marketing companies that front like DJ huge fan.” - QuickMixx Rick crews. Those DJs just become another piece of much about the game from him as an artist/ promoter/CEO/businessman.” - Bionicman the puzzle, but I’m trying to be the dude that “I would love to go on tour with Jay-Z, B.o.B, and/ designs and boxes the puzzle up.” – Reconn or T-Pain. They don’t just get up there and do “It would have been Michael Jackson be- songs, they put on a show.” - Shawty Slim cause you just can get no bigger than that. “I don’t see any problem He sold out stadiums. I would have loved to “Travis Porter. I like their energy.” - Slytay with reppin’ multiple experience that once in my career.” - Blak crews, that’s why I do it “I would like to tour with Gucci Mane. He has “Devin the Dude can go overseas and sell out myself. This is a hustler’s become an icon in southern Hip Hop and I per- a venue of 20,000+, then come back to Texas game, and it all begins sonally like all of his music.” - Spinatik and do a hole-in-wall venue with a capacity with networking. Belong- of 150. Nothing is too small or petty for him. “The Roots. I’d want to be the Glengarry Glen ing to multiple crews He stays humble and I respect that.” - Blurray allows a DJ to network Ross of their shows – always be closing.” - Treats “Kanye West because he is the best.” and collab with more DJ’s, “It would probably be an artist that is versatile - CC Cruz artists and producers.” like Keri Hilson; someone that is making good music for the people; and someone that can – Blurray “I may be touring with Kanye soon, and I make a difference with their music and put on a would like to set something up with Jay-Z. show.” - T-Roc “To quote J Dilla, ‘It’s all bullshit.’” – Scrap Dirty Jay has had an impact on Hip Hop and has been one of my inspirations from the start. “My own artists: 2k tha Murdaman and T. Gunz. I’m also looking forward to my tour with “To each his own. I personally choose to stay solo Established artists already have DJs and I’m not LMFAO this summer.” - Class and promote my own brand and movement.” – about trying to gain a little fame from those that Smallz already have it. I want to help my artists get to “Redman, Common, Gangstarr, Q-Tip, Snoop where these others have already made it.” Dogg, and Nas. No need to explain why.” “There is nothing wrong with spreading your - Whut It Dew wings. I see it as a win/win [situation] for both - Element parties.” – T-Roc “S.O.D. Money Gang Ent. because they made “Pitbull. His shows are always live and there me family and gave me a chance to rep a major are always packed crowds.” - Freddy Fred “I don’t really care. Do what the hell you want to crew. I’ll do it until I’m discharged of my title.” do.” – Truly Odd - Woogie “Keri Hilson, so I can propose.” - Greg G “I don’t see it as being loyal. How can you give “Honestly, I don’t think I could be DJing for a bet- “Scarface. He’s on a whole other level as an 100% to all crews? All crews have different ter artist than Asher Roth. If I did have to choose artist. Just look at his longevity.” - Ike G standards. Not all can play certain rapper’s music an artist I’ve never been on the road with, it so you could be looked at funny from the crew would be Phonte of Little Brother or Elzhi from “T-Pain, ‘cause he has great showmanship leaders. Just rep one crew and stay loyal.” – Slum Village. They’re my favorite MCs. I know and that’s what I have too.” - J. Boss Woogie Phonte, and dude is hilarious. Being on the road with him must be entertaining as hell.” “I would like to go on tour with LL Cool J “It’s cool. Working with different people can – Wreckineyez bring many opportunities. I tried the crew because his shows are crazy hype but he still thing, but it wasn’t for me. I’d rather have a tight makes time to stay in shape. I would love to circle with a couple of DJs that are on the same page as me, and are trying to look out for one another.” – Wreckineyez

Have you ever taken Who is the next Is it OK for DJs to be- Best Mixer? POLL money to play a song? big artist? long to multiple crews? Rane 57SL – 42% Yes – 64% 28% of DJs polled Yes – 46% Rane ttm56 w/ Serato –16% QUESTIONS No – 29% say Drake is the No – 26% Pioneer DJM800 –13 % Too Scared to Answer - 7% next big artist Don’t care either way – 28% pioneer DMJ400 – 6.5% “Akon, Sean Paul and Wyclef “I had the opportu- Jean. They treat me like part nity to DJ for Snoop Dogg. He had the of the family, and not just utmost respect for DJs a tour DJ or hypeman, or and made me feel comfort- a tour chef. They treat me able, like I had [DJed] for him fairly and with utmost re- Collectively, our DJ panel has before. Also, Lloyd is cool.” – Element spect.” – Nasty Naz collaborated with every major “Young Jeezy. He comes on stage and interacts player in the music industry. Here “Slum Village, because we break bread together with me and the crowd, and his songs aren’t too they give props to the artists that and have a great working relationship.” – Scrap long.” – Enferno they’d love to work with again. Dirty “E-40 is down to earth. Litefoot, Livio, Dough, “From my experience I’d say Ron Browz. That “From a mixtape DJ’s perspective, it’s Gucci Too $hort, Mistah FAB, Mac Dre, The Reallion- dude is down to do whatever it takes – per- Mane, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Yo Gotti, and Rick aires, and the Turf Grindaz are all down to earth.” form, drops, whatever. Him and his manager, Ross. A lot of artists still don’t see the value in – Funkdaddy Rick Broomfield, do everything it takes with no mixtapes, but these artists continue to make hesitation.” – 360 them and embrace the mixtape culture. It’s “Gorilla Zoe is so talented and humble. It makes helped pave their way for a successful career in it very easy to work with him.” – Ike G “Gucci Mane. He goes in, gets the work done, the music industry.” – Smallz and it’s on to the next mission. There’s no playing “Tech N9ne is a true professional and a really games.” – Ace “I would have to say the best artist I’ve worked good friend. We’ve had some great times to- with so far is Jadakiss. He is really easy to work gether.” – JT Quick “50 Cent and David Banner. Interviews, speaking, with and hilarious.” – Spinatik dealing with the people; they get it. When they speak it makes your ass listen.” – Big Von “The best artist I’ve worked “Mickey Factz. There’s no limit to what he’ll rap with so far would have to over.” – Treats “Working with Kanye West is a real experience. be Yung Joc. He’s about his That guy is really gifted and creative. I’ve been “Krondon is just an all-around professional artist.” in this business since the 90s but I can say business, but he’s not Holly- – Truly Odd that every time we get in the studio it’s a fresh wood at all.” – Kno It All experience. That’s something to appreciate as a “Soulja Boy Tellem. He gave me a huge chance producer and an artist myself.” – Class “Innerstate Ike from Denve. He drops music ev- by allowing me to do all of his official mixtapes.” ery other week and when you need something – Woogie “Murphy Lee, Yung Ralph, Yo Gotti, Young Jeezy, done, it’s done quickly.” – Ktone F.L.Y., Ace Hood, Gorilla Zoe, and Plies, just to “Asher Roth. He’s extremely talented and has name a few. If I need a drop or even host a mix “The best artist to work with is my artist/busi- given me the greatest opportunity so far in my CD, they have no problem showing love.” – D-Tec ness partner Dorrough Music. We’ve been work- career as a DJ. Plus, he’s extremely humble and ing together since 2005 and now we are finally is a great person. Ash is real easy to work with, “Trina was just down to earth and did good busi- where we planned to be. He keeps bringing me very laid back, and is all about enjoying life and ness.” – Greg G hits and I keep breaking them.” – Merk having fun.” – Wreckineyez “Ricky Ross. He knows what “Glasses Malone always shows love. Whatever I he’s doing. He always comes need from him he makes it happen. David Ban- ner, Crooked I, Steph Jones, Damani, Roccett, correct and he’s always Mistah Fab, Bangloose, and 211 are good smoking that OG kush.” – too.” – Mike Smoove Freddy Fred

“Maybe Lil Wil. He did some punk-ass shit when he came to my city. He doesn’t sell enough records to be acting like that and turning down shit to help his career. I broke both of his records in [Denver] and he tried to play We gave the DJs a chance to call me like a square.” – Ktone out the artists that are hard to deal with. Unfortunately, only “Dorrough Music (RIGHT) five of them had enough balls to speak up. Everyone basically said is also the worst artist to unprofessional artists are the work with as well as the worst to work with, but that’s a best. (LAUGHS) When we’re given. Here’s the scoop on who’s out on the road, it’s hell to just a pain in the ass. wake this guy up.” – Merk

“Tango Redd. He was young and didn’t have no “I have yet to encounter an artist that was dif- hustle at all.” – Blak ficult to work with. There was one time at the 95.7 The Beat Family Reunion that Mike Jones “Lil Wayne. I’m still waiting for him to show up for wouldn’t take a picture with me, but we a show date.” – Ike G cleared all that up.” – Spinatik

5858 // // OZONE OZONE MAG MAG bor, maybe my grandma.” “The next one is a cat named Young Trama – Element from Seattle and this artist named Stick from Orlando.” – Reconn “Charles Sweeting, Papa Duck, Brisco, and Billy Blue. “The era of next big artists is over.” – Scrap Dirty The next big producer is definitely CP Hollywood.” – “B.o.B., Playboy Tre, Young-R, Wes Fif, and P.P.C. Freddy Fred They all have hunger, great energy, quality music, and they stay true to themselves.” – “Kevin Cossom, Shawty Slim Every year, new artists emerge because he can sing, dance, to take the place of last year’s and write, plus he has an “Travis Porter, because their style is crazy. favored players. Here are the DJs’ They have a huge fan base already and don’t draft picks for the upcoming sea- incredible work ethic. And even have a deal yet.” – Slytay son of “Who Wants to Be a Rapper.” he’s from Orlando.” – Greg G “Clete from West Palm Beach. His street ex- “The streets are talking real big about J. Money. periences are real and he writes dope hooks. “Drake. That dude is not [His record] ‘First Name Last Name’ is real crazy A lot of people rap what they seen and lived only talented, but he has in the hood right now. He is consistent, he has a vicariously through their own lyrics, Clete the right people backing good following, and he’s organized.” – Ill Will doesn’t. Also, Laws from Spring Hill, Florida is an incredible lyricist. Fear the future.” – him. OJ Da Juiceman is every- “Ami Miller, C. Stone and Fat Pimp. They are very Smallz where right now. There’s talented and hungry for this rap game. They something about Billy Blue’s want it too bad.” – J. Boss “Yo Gotti has gained a tremendous buzz music that catches my atten- and been on almost every mixtape I’ve tion every time I hear it, and “Seems like Drake is that guy. dropped in the last few months.” – Spinatik he also has the right people He’s been puttin’ it down on “Mickey Factz, Supreeme, and Jade. Like backing him.” – 360 the blogs, his mixtapes are myself, these artists are willing to take legit. His resume is good, chances creatively, ultimately raising the “J. Money‘s got the streets gone on the whole with the acting, TV, model- bar for how far musicians push them- futuristic swag situation. He works hard. He would selves.” – Treats call me to play his music while he practiced in the ing. Yeah, I got a man crush club with no one there but me and him. That’s on him, so what.” – J. Espinosa work and now it’s paying off for him.” – Ace (editor’s note: We’re taking the liberty of “Just do a song with T- adding a “PAUSE” to the above statement Pain. He’ll give you a hit, “Being in the UK it’s kinda hard for me to predict on behalf of J. Espinosa.) then boom, you’ll be a these things because big artists in the U.S. are not big artist.” – Truly Odd always known overseas. But I’d have to say Roccett. “Vaughn Anthony because he’s not only a He always has hot joints and his work [ethic] is on talented singer, but a writer as well. It also helps “Hakeem tha Dream, Chalie Boy, Spark- point. I can see him doing big things worldwide.” that his big brother is John Legend.” – Jay-Fields Dawg, 2k tha Murda Man, T. Gunz, Grafh, – Ames Roccett, and a lot of others. These artists “Drake, because his buzz is crazy and his mate- are bringing something to the game “Papa Duck, Yo Gotti, Lo Fat, Show, Lil Buck, Mon- rial is good. Next would be Ricco Barrino. He’s besides dance music. I’m all danced out, ey Carlo, and G-Mack. Mississippi is coming, it’s so written hooks and songs for a lot of major artists. it’s time for a new era.” – Whut It Dew many to name. These names jump out because It’s only a matter of time [until] the world takes this is what you hear in the clubs and on notice of his talent.” – J-Flex “Y’all gotta look out for this artist I’m the streets, and they are requested.” – Bigg V working with by the name of All Starr “The next big artist in the industry would have da Great, mark my words.” – Woogie “I have to go with Spark Dawg and Yung Texxus. to be Drake, that’s obvious. In ATL it would have When you work as hard as they do, and rap as to be Young Snead and Stuey Rock. They’ve got good as they do, you can’t help but be the next a lot of hot songs playing in the clubs and on the “There’s a lot of new big thing.” – Blurray radio without the help of a label.” – Kno It All artists that I’m a fan of, but I think Asher “The next big artist will be the one that comes “From my city I would have to say Rockie, Young Roth, Drake, Kid Cudi, up with the next new fad, whether it be a Doe, and Hawkman. Drake is making hella noise dance, a walk, or a trip and fall.” – CJ tha Stic- without any albums out. Nipsey Hussle from L.A. and B.O.B. are the next man has a big buzz and his was the only mixtape I got big artists. They’re on the streets when I was in NY.” – Ktone all making great mu- “DJ Class is one of the next big artists. My sic, are extremely tal- single ‘I’m the Ish’ is doing very well, and the “Drake and Yo Gotti are the people’s champs follow up single is gaining ground too. I plan right now. They have the industry buzzing over ented and creative, on putting B-More clubs on for my city.” – their future, and their whole cities are behind and have a serious Class ‘em.” – Mic Tee buzz. I’m also a big fan of Mickey Factz.” “Boss G, Lil Brod, Marley Mar, Team IRAQ, Jah “Band Geakz, Travis Porter, Young Capone, and – Wreckineyez Bless, Snook, Mista Taylor, Grand Flip, Billy J. Money (Futuristic) because they know how to Blue in Miami, Rich Kids in Atlanta, Bettie keep it with the streets and know the politics of Grind in North Carolina, Nipsey Hussle in L.A., the music business.” – Pretty Boy Tank Unladylike in St. Louis, K Michelle in Tennes- DJs, if you would like to be see, Damm D from Dallas, and Attitude from “All the Dallas artists are making a lot of noise, considered for coverage in the Alabama.” – D-Tec but if I had to pick I’d say Treal Lee and Prince next DJ Issue of OZONE, please Rick. They have a greatest hits collection already. “Nowadays who knows? Maybe my neigh- (laughs) And Drake is gonna be big. I have all his contact [email protected] mixtapes and he spits real talk.” – QuickMixx Rick

OZONE MAG // 59 60 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 61 62 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 63 done hands on. Me signing with TVT was like they weren’t really there. Them muthafuckers ain’t assist me to get to the next level . They just benefited off what I did in the streets and they got what they could get out of the situation. That’s all I know, is to do it myself and be hands on with it in the street.

With Cocaine Music 3, what should people be expecting that they didn’t get on the first and second one? Is it like a continuation of what you’ve been talking about? First of all, Cocaine Music is a brand. Like, Drama has Gangsta Grillz and other DJs have their brands, like Smallz’ Southern Smoke. So, I said I was gonna form Cocaine Muzik to where when you hear this shit you already know its that real street trap shit, the shit that you got to have. I started off just doing me. So, I got Cocaine Muzik 3 coming then I’m going to skip 4 and go to 4 1/2. I’m going to try to put that out right before the album drops. If you heard Cocaine 1 and 2, you’d know that on Cocaine 1 we rapped on other people’s beats and we had movie clips in there that related to the whole shit and made it a movie. But we couldn’t do that on Cocaine 2 because we went in the stores and that was You’ve heard about the Memphis a part of the situation of me getting out of the rap scene. “No unity” and “crabs in a deal with the people that bought TVT. So, on 3 barrel” are the phrases often used we’re going to go back to this shit like we did on to describe it. Just about every crew 1 and make this shit a whole movie. that has come from the city has Why did you choose to use Cocaine Muzik as a either seen their numbers dwindle brand? Obviously, when people hear the word over the years or simply dissipate cocaine, it has controversial connotations. completely. Though he came in the I’m from North Memphis. When I get to Pitts- game with an affiliation to local burgh and Richmond, Virginia and Baltimore legend Kingpin Skinny Pimp, Yo Gotti and Portland, Oregon where we’re doing these has pretty much been an one-man shows and I’ve never had a video on TV, when I show his entire run in the rap game. get into their city and it’s 1,000 – 1,500 people Right now, that’s looking like a good there in the club and they’re paying me just as thing. He has no one to blame when much as they’re paying the nigga on TV. When I drop the music they know every word. I mean, things go wrong and he can enjoy what else spreads like that [besides cocaine]? all the spoils when things go right. The addiction of the music, that shit is natural. He doesn’t get dragged into anyone How do these people this far away from where else’s business, so he has all the time I’m at know this shit like this? To me it ain’t too he needs to focus on his. much shit that spread like that. That’s the whole concept behind the Cocaine Muzik and if you After toiling through a less-than-productive run put Yo Gotti CD in your CD player, you’re bound with the now bankrupt and defunct TVT Records, not to take it out, you’re bound to be addicted Gotti is inching his way back onto the national to it. If you take one hit of cocaine, some people scene with a new deal at Polo Grounds/J Records. are strong enough [to resist addiction] but the Backed by the momentum of his Cocaine Muzik majority ain’t. They’re [hooked]. mixtape series and some key features on the Gucci Mane hits “Bricks” and “Ridiculous,” Yo Gotti is Since you’re able to go to these different cities, poised to redefine Memphis rap as we know it. obviously the people are hearing something that they like or relate to. How much do you Catch everybody up with what you’re doing. get to experience and interact with these Cocaine Muzik 3 is in the streets right now and I’m people that aren’t from Memphis but seem to working on my album Live From The Kitchen for my relate to everything in your music? new situation with J Records/Polo Grounds. TVT I get to interact with fans at every show. I take went bankrupt and I was able to get myself out of pictures with the women, holla at the niggas, the contract. whatever they want to do. You don’t really see me come in the door and walk straight to the As far as the label stuff, what attracted you to take advantage of that opportunity? You have independent and underground roots and a lot of people say major labels are not what they used to be. I went from doing my thing in my neighborhood, to signing a deal with TVT a couple years back so, still to this day I never experienced the work of a J Records or a Universal, what you would call a big machine. This shit is something new to me. Everything that I have done up to this point I’ve

64 // OZONE MAG stage and when the music goes off I’m back no big records, I got keep this shit street. I am But as a hustler you’ve got to feed your family. out to the tour bus. We kick it in the club after getting with bigger producers to take my shit You can’t act like the money doesn’t matter. The the show so we actually get to rap with niggas to the next level. But I’m still going to keep the money most definitely matters. If I can’t feed my and we be in the malls before the show. We’re same subject matter. kids and take care of my mama and little sister around the city getting something to eat at the and make sure my brother stay out of the pen, I soul food spots or we in the malls, so we get to How has it been so far trying to balance the gotta go back to doing what I was doing [before interact with people all the time. Street life is two and learn along the way as far as getting rapping], no question. a culture and the shit is the same to a certain with bigger producers and making more qual- degree everywhere. If I’m hustling in Memphis ity products, so to speak? If you had it to do all over again, what would and you’re hustling in your city, we’re damn near I’ve been doing this shit professionally for a you want to do other than hustle? hustling for the same reason. Some people are minute so, I think I got it under control. As far Man, listen. My daddy was a hustler. He’s 58 years hustling to get their family out of the hood to a as working with different people, I don’t think old and he’s in jail right now as we speak for a better place. You got [some] niggas just hustling, I’ve ever been on some starstruck shit because a dope charge. My mama was a hustler. My aunties what I like to call, “just bullshitting around.” producer was big. I go in that motherfucker and [have] done Fed time. I wouldn’t change nothing. [Some] niggas don’t know what’s real; they’re whether this is your first beat and I’m about to I come from a life of hustler and I figured that hustling just to get some tennis shoes and shit, use it on my album or you had ten number ones, the shit the streets teach you, a school can’t. If I playing with your life. You’ve got those types I kind of approach this shit the same way. But I didn’t see what I saw, I wouldn’t be ready for the of niggas everywhere. So, I think it’s the same. respect the nigga that had the number ones, so world. Only other thing I had in mind as a child I got a song on my new album called “Looking when I’m in the studio with him, if he says we was, I used to tell my family I wanted to be a in the Mirror.” When I approach another nigga, probably should go in this direction, I’m listening lawyer so I could get my family out of jail. That’s that’s what you’re doing. If you a real nigga and to the nigga to consider his opinion. When I was the only other thing I ever wanted to be. I never I’m looking at you and you a real nigga and you coming up I was around some of the biggest wanted to be hustler, I didn’t plan to be hustling, looking at me, we looking in the mirror. No mat- street niggas; niggas that been had money. They but the shit just happened like this. ter what city, what state we from. was superstars to me, so I figure I’ve already been around stars before I got in the rap game. We haven’t hardly said anything about your Do you experience a lot of them in your album yet. Take a moment to talk about it. travels? Do you seem to have fans that are Tell us about your experience growing up in It’s called Live From The Kitchen. I’m at Cool & reflections of you or do you have fans that are Memphis, if it was different or the same as Dre’s studios right now. I worked with J.U.S.T.I.C.E. probably nothing like you, they just happen to some of the artists that we hear come from League. I worked with Hot Rod, he did “5-Star like that music. there. We’ve heard a lot of stories of pain and Bitch,” I just signed him. I work with so many We see both kinds. I think I got a good way of struggle. producers that I can’t even remember. I’m trying looking at a nigga and sensing if it’s a real nigga For me it was like, a young nigga trying to get to create a classic. We’ve got 63 songs right now or not or if this a nigga trying to put his front on on and just hustling with my homeboys. I was so by the time I pick the 13-14 we use, I’ll prob- because he in front of you for fifteen minutes. just doing me. There’s most definitely pain ably have 100 songs. I just want this shit to be a At the same time that’s a hard determination to and struggle, but that shit [exists] in every city. classic album that niggas remember. We want to make within fifteen to twenty minutes. All I can You’ve got artists like 8Ball & MJG coming out show that we can take this shit to the next level. do is I be real with everybody. talking about pimping and shit and they’re from Memphis, but I’m from Memphis and I ain’t no To you, what are the ingredients of a classic? As an artist and listener do you see a difference motherfucking pimp. I’m a hustler, but at the A classic has to have at least five or six singles. in the “street music” and the “commercial mu- same time, that just shows you two different Niggas nowadays have one [hit record] and you sic” these days? Most radio stations are playing lifestyles in that same city. throw the CD out. We need to have five or six street shit. singles, even if it’s three on radio and three in the It really ain’t a difference. If I’ve got a big radio Was it hard trying to come from that angle? streets. Then the CD has to be be well thought record, they’ll say that’s a commercial record. To You know, Ball and G came out on that pimp out. me that record is the production, the sound of shit. Three 6 Mafia was doing what they were the beats sound big. I just talk about my life, I doing. Then you had the Playa Flys and Tommy How often do you record? only know one way. So no matter how big that Wright IIIs. At one time, other than Criminal I record every day so I don’t have to open up my beat sounds or [if] we got a R&B singer on the Manne, you were probably one of the few budget to get in the studio. I’m already in the hook or what not, I’m still going to be talking other Memphis rappers coming from that studio anyway, fucking with different niggas. I’m from a street nigga perspective because that’s all “street hustler” side of things, content wise. on the road every weekend doing shows and I know. So, I don’t know how to make that com- It’s kinda crazy because my situation is a little shit. That’s my break from the studio, so it’s like mercial hit. So if the beat sounds commercial different from a lot of niggas. My shit didn’t have I’m working still. You’ve got to be dedicated to and it’s a big beat and it’s a record that’s very suc- a blueprint when we started. When you start, this shit. People look at the NBA players, talking cessful, that ain’t commercial to me. You listen to you’ve got plans on making it big, so you can’t about his $100 million dollar contract. But that the verses and you a street nigga, you hear what remember if it was hard or not. When my shit nigga practices. He’s always away from his family; I’m saying. If you really come from that shit like started, we was just doing it, hustling, young he only gets to go home twice a month. That’s I do, you know the consequences behind that niggas with money. We paid for the studio and what niggas don’t see when they’re counting shit [we were doing] in the hood. Nigga, are you flyers and we’d be in these cars riding around another nigga’s money. trying to get out? I’m not saying you’re trying to shining and rapping for fun. We were doing shit leave the hood or not fuck with your niggas from just for the neighborhood. I wasn’t even focusing I’ve spoken with artists who talk of needing the hood, but you’re trying to get to a better life. on running after DJs to get my shit played. I was inspiration, or looking for it. What inspires you? It kills me to hear niggas say, “Aw, man, I’m stay- just doing it for the hood. DJs started calling me. It sounds like you don’t have much time to ing in the hood.” In that case you shouldn’t be I ain’t know nothing about that shit. So in a way, actually be inspired. rapping. Go re-up. it was a long time getting here, but I can’t say it My inspiration is freedom and making sure my was hard because I wasn’t focused on it. I was family lives how they want to be living. Every day With so many street records coming out from just doing the shit and it popped off. when I wake up, I’m getting phone calls from my rappers who may or may not have really lived homeboys in the Feds and sending out money that life, why do you say you continue to make That’s interesting. You come from the “I’m not orders and pictures. That’s my inspiration, be- that kind of music? You’ve got some success, so a rapper, I’m a hustler” mold, but what you just cause I could easily be where they are. My mama why do you decide to still cater to that street said is actually quite “Hip Hop,” when you think got the house and car that she wanted. Right type music even though you may or may not about it. now I’ve got seven or eight homeboys in the have to endure those struggles anymore? When I’m in the booth, to me, it’s a feeling I get Feds. Of course they want to get out, but they’re For one, that’s what got me here. Two, this is out of talking to a million niggas like me. I know men so they’re gonna hold their head up. Niggas what I’ve been living for twenty-something when I’m in the booth and say what I got to gotta stay strong; they ain’t gonna tell you when years, so this is what I can tell you about the best. say I ain’t just saying it for me, I’m saying it for a they’re fucked up. They just want to hear that I know this, I done this, I seen this. I can tell you million niggas like me. I’m speaking for me and you’re doing good. You don’t know how good this exactly how it went. If I try to tell you some them, and I get enjoyment out of that. So that that makes them feel and how easier it makes it shit I don’t know about, I don’t know if the song makes me feel good just to say that. So I guess it for them to do their time. In exchange, they tell is going to be that good. I’m not trying to make is like I’m doing it for the love at the same time. me about different books I need to read. //

OZONE MAG // 65 66 // OZONE MAG Admit it, when you first heard his 2007 hit “Ay Bay Bay,” you probably thought Hurricane Chris was just going to be another one-hit wonder bound for eventual oblivion. He certainly had all the SIGNS of a one-and-done phenom: he came out of nowhere and ascended to the top fast and without first building a core following. He was young and known for making dance records, and blamed by many hardcore rap fans for the death of Hip Hop. But two years later Shreveport’s very own has successfully proven you and the rest of his detractors wrong.

In the last month, the Ratchet City representative preformed during a session of the Louisiana State Legislature at the Capitol building in Baton Rouge, had his video top BET’s 106th & Park countdown, and toured the country promoting in next album Unleashed.

Hurricane Chris can no longer be looked at simply as a radio rapper. He has gotten to the point where his lyrical prowess, uncanny freestyling ability, and knack for creating club bangers is undeniable—even his biggest critics can’t argue with the fact that HC has talent.

But of course success is always followed by controversy, and this remains true in the case of “Hurricane” Chris Dooley, Jr., who is facing an onslaught of hate from allegedly “stealing” his current hit, “Halle Berry (She’s Fine)” from a local artist in Dallas—a claim Chris maintains is un- founded. He feels he committed no wrongdoing and that the track, which is rapidly rising up the charts, is rightfully his. Chris has also faced

OZONE MAG // 67 backlash in his hometown of Shreveport, which Pitbull has a different fan base that touches a tion with you and Collipark Music? was spurred by his apparent falling out with the whole different audience, and he’ll be jumping Man, I ain’t heard from Smurf. I ain’t heard noth- DJ whose name Chris chanted to celebrity status into this ratchet stuff I got going on and just gon’ ing from Collipark since Collipark signed me. We two years ago. mix it up. We ain’t gon act saditty wit’ it at all, we dropped and we worked a little bit, and then gon’ give it to ‘em and let them figure it out. Smurf disappeared. I’m lookin’ for him. If you see Yet, regardless of whatever drama he has Smurf, let me know, ‘cause I ain’t seen him. encountered, the 20-year-old has triumphantly Speaking of the ratchet movement, I went to weathered the storm. He is still signed to Polo Shreveport for the first time earlier this year and On your new project, Unleashed, who all are Grounds, he is still relevant in the clubs and on got to see your city. I checked out all the famous you working with? the radio, and he is still poised to prove his claim spots like Club Koko’s and Brothers Seafood. Do I got two tracks wit’ Bobby V ‘bout to drop, that of being “the hottest thang holdin’ a microphone.” you still live out there, or have you moved on to boy been working, so shout outs to Bobby. He a bigger city? came through and we got it in. I also got some- First of all, congratulations on the success of Yeah, yeah. I just left the city. You went to Koko’s? thing with Beenie Man, and you know I had to “She’s Fine (Halle Berry).” It’s undeniably one of get Busta Rhymes and my pa’tna from Lousiana, the summer’s biggest hits, but it’s drawn a little Yeah, we had a good time. We went out there Lil’ Boosie, on there. controversy too. First of all, why did you change for Bay Bay’s birthday party. the hook from “Halle Berry” to “Ms. Berry?” The city on fiah, the city on fiah. Speaking of Louisiana, how is the relationship Actually, the legal department at J Records between rappers in your state? Are Shreveport wanted to change it to “Ms. Berry” because they Before you dropped the “Ay Bay Bay” single I artists cool with New Orleans and Baton Rouge were scared that Halle Berry was gonna have a honestly hadn’t heard much about Shreveport, artists, or is there occasional tension between problem with it, or that her people would. But so clearly you helped put your city on the map. parts of the State? once they [saw] her endorse it and knew that A lot of times in small towns there’s a lot of The whole Louisiana is rocking right now. We’re she didn’t have a problem with it, it was cool and backlash when a hometown hero becomes just focused on being together and taking over. we switched it back to “Halle Berry,” like I had it mainstream. Are you a victim of that at all. How We’re real strong and confident in what we’re at first. do the locals in Shreveport respond to you doing; we’re ready to bring it to the world be- now? cause we know they want it and they’re hungry How gratifying was it to actually see Halle Man, the city loves me. They ain’t never turned for it. If you come to Louisiana, you gon’ see us Berry dancing to your song on Ellen DeGeneres’ they back on me. When I come through the city rocking together. Ain’t nobody siditty, we ain’t show? they respect it, you know, we pull the cards out. hatin’ or fakin on nobdy, and we ain’t on no rap Man, shout out to Halle Berry; I appreciate her We give the city a good time, and they love us. beef, ‘cause it’s real where we roam. Louisiana for endorsing the song. Anything she need I got The streets, they respect me to the fullest, they artists are real humble. When you come down to her—I’m gon’ dance at her wedding if she have already know what it is, we’re 51/50, 101% real. Louisiana, before you even get into the music, a wedding, and I’m gon’ dance at the next one my city and my state be ‘bout respect, feel me? if she have another one. I appreciate Halle Berry Are you still cool with Bay Bay? I know when and Ellen for supporting the movement. you first came out you said he was your “ace You’ve always been known for your freestyl- boon coon.” Is that still the case? ing abilities. If you could battle any rapper to Initially the song belonged to Superstarr, right? He be down there in Louisiana [still], but I think prove your dominance, who would it be? How did that whole situation come about? he’s in Dallas. I ain’t heard from him since I did “Ay Hurricane Chris, I’m the hottest thang holdin’ a Actually, I went down to Dallas, and Play-N-Skillz Bay Bay,” but he’s down there in Dallas. They say microphone right now at the present time. If you had the beat and hook already laid down with he got a radio show, so he supposed to be doing put anybody on the mic wit’ me I’m gon eat they an artist named Superstarr J on it. They asked me his thang on the radio. ass up—inside out. That’s from A-Z, your favorite to hop on it, so I hopped on it and put a verse rapper, go get ‘em. I freestyle, I do this. They talk on there. The verse so fire I was like, “Lemme How did you guys lose communication? What about it, but you can turn on YouTube and see put another verse on there.” So we put another happened? my being about it. When I freestyle I’m gonna verse on there and then shot it out on YouTube. Man, you know. People get that fame, and they give it to you real raw, I ain’t gon’ fake wit it, I Superstarr J had the middle verse, and when it hit get to working and doing different stuff. But ain’t gon give you no freestyle and then you turn YouTube people got to dancing to it, so we told I don’t know, man. I’ve always been the same around and find out that was something I wrote. them we wanted to make it my new single. That’s dude, I’m still down there in Ratchet City chillin’. I’m gon’ give it to you real every time I give it to when I bought the beat and we did it. I can’t really change too much, and I can’t really you. Straight outta my head, real talent; I’m raw speak too much for nobody else but I just be me with this, I play with this. I’m gon super say it, if Obviously you have a good situation with your and stay 51/50, 101% real at all times. you get on the mic wit me I’m gon’ make tears label. That’s something to be thankful about, come out your eyes. // because of artists aren’t able to have so much In what ways have you, as an artist, changed creative freedom over their projects. since two years ago when you first came out? We runnin’ it right now. We all the way on the The only way I changed is that I’ve matured a lot ground; we all the way in the sky. Polo Grounds, more on the business side. I learned a lot, and we got a lot going on right now, and as you can I’ve matured financially. I’m the same dude, but see we moving. We ain’t stoppin’, ever since we I learned that the business of the game is real came in the game we haven’t sat still, you feel important; you gotta stay focused on that. If me? We getting real live on the cover of OZONE. you don’t focus on that you gon’ get left behind. We got Gotti, Pitbull, you gon’ see me live in the It doesn’t matter how cold you are on the mic. flesh, Hurricane. You know I’ma get ratchet wit’ You’ve gotta get that paperwork right. it. But we’ve just been grinding, it’s been a long road, a long time coming but we’re here and we That’s interesting, because you were only 17 ain’t going nowhere. when you first came out, right? Being so young, do you feel people tried to take advantage of Are you excited about your new labelmates Yo your finances? Gotti and Pitbull, and have you worked with Yeah, I had a bunch of people around me trying them at all yet? to take advantage of me. I had to fire a whole I’m always excited to have some new energy management team and get myself structured come around. The music game always needs right. As I matured and found out what every- so new twists and something that’s gon’ keep it thing was supposed to be, I started looking at jumpin’. I’m a musician, so I’m ready to work with my situation and had to fix it. There’s a bunch whoever. When they [Pitbull and Yo Gotti] came it of people that are just around for the lights and was already love, you feel me? Much love. cameras, faking like they’re there for a reason, but really they ain’t got no purpose. How does the dynamic of your label change when new artists are brought on board? I know you’re on Polo Grounds, but you were It actually just helps us reach farther. You know originally discovered by Smurf. What’s the situa-

68 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 69 Fresh from his OZONE cover shoot – rockin’ a customized Miami Dol- phins ‘Gunshine State’ tee with the Miami skyline framed behind him in the background – C-Ride is in a hurry. “I’m glad it’s over,” he says by phone. “For real. I’ve got to go to the strip club. Man. I’m rushing to get to the strip club. Remember the strip club conversation we had?”

Less than a month earlier, while on set of the the prostitute and I’m the customer. You’ve got about life; whatever I wake up and do every day, video shoot for fellow Floridian 2 Pistols record to spice it up, you know? Otherwise you’re just that’s what I rap about. I got this far just by doing “Lights Down Low,” C-Ride was overheard gonna get tired of it. that alone, so whatever new shit I see I’m prob- urging a special someone back home to im- ably just going to rap about it. Then I’m gonna mediately wire him $500 via Western Union so Are you still with Cool & Dre and Epidemic throw in a couple stories to let you know that I’m he could hit the local Tampa strip clubs after Music? better than the average nigga from the South. the shoot. What followed was a discussion Yeah, I’ve always been with them. We just had in which the editor/owner/ad salesperson of a business opportunity to hook up with Polo What do you wake up and do every day? Give OZONE Mag (yours truly) debated with him the Grounds, and it’s a great situation. After turning me some examples of the types of things you expected returns of investing $500 in the strip down Sony, Universal, and a couple other [major rap about. club vs. investing in a magazine ad. labels] they linked up with Bryan Leach [at Polo I ain’t had a job since I was like 16. I ain’t stayed Grounds]. I think the people [at those other with my [mother] since I was like 16, so I had to Well, since you brought it up, why do you think labels] looked at me as a monkey, not a human pay the bills. Whatever I’ve gotta do to pay the it’s more important for aspiring artists to spend being. We don’t want to be treated like monkeys. bills, whether it’s talking to a fat bitch and taking their money at the strip club then on ads or We went with Bryan Leach because I felt like he all of her money, or being the middleman on something that will have a more direct affect believed in me. He wanted to do business with some stupid retarded illegal deal that I don’t on their career? me and not just make me work for him. need to be a part of. Whatever I’ve gotta do to When I see an ad in the magazine and I don’t pay the bills, I’m gonna get it done. Every day I know who that person is, I don’t even pay atten- You’re not into the shucking and jiving? wake up thinking of the next way to pay the bills, tion to it. So I would rather spend my money in Nah, I got my 40 acres and a mule a long time and have fun in the strip club. Between those the strip club, because if some people see you, ago. I’m trying to get more now. two [responsibilities] I have a lot of shit on my they’re gonna be like, “Oh, yeah. I remember him. hands. He was the one spending money in the strip club So you felt like this situation was less “slavery” and showing love.” I think it’s better promotion. than the typical major label situation? So right now rapping is paying the bills? I really believe that, with all my heart. I’m a mix- Yeah. It didn’t at first, but for about a year now Well, it’s a much smaller number of people tape artist. I got signed off mixtapes and didn’t it’s been paying the bills. I ain’t gonna lie. that may see you spending money in the strip even have a single already on the radio. I feel like club as opposed to the number of people that you should only go with a major if you’re already Do you have a release date for your official might read this magazine. But regardless, huge in your region. Not even just your city, but album debut, Automatic Vibe, yet? what’s the difference between tricking and your region. Other than that, I think you should I have one, but I don’t even want to say yet. It’s “showing love”? go with somebody that sees your vision and before the New Year, so we’ll just leave it at that. Tricking is when you pay to have sex. “Showing wants to work with you from step one. Is it a challenge to make that transition from be- love” is when you show the hard-working fe- ing a mixtape artist to actually having to put out males how much you appreciate them dancing. There’s been a lot of different sounds and a structured album with radio-friendly records? It’s hard for them to dance with those high heels vibes that have come out of Miami. Where do I feel like if you’ve got a gift, you’ve got a gift. I on, getting on stage doing tricks and stuff. I just you think you fit into the spectrum? Are you feel like I ran rap over whatever [beat] you play. show love. I look halfway decent so I’ve never speaking to the females, making club records, I’ve always had that confidence. I don’t know had to trick. The only time I’ve ever paid for it or more like a grimy, gritty type style like Trick how it is for other people, but for me it was re- was if I was [having sex] with my girlfriend and Daddy? ally easy. My first single sounded like a mixtape we were role playing. We’ll role play like she’s The C-Ride category. It’s a new category. I rap record to me because of Teddy Pinnedherass-

70 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 71 down or [T-Pain] or whatever he calls himself but we need to. We all know each other, but Right. Giving to get something back. right now. (laughs) It’s so big because of that guy we need to do more [together]. Miami is not a You can take a hard-working girl and give her [on the hook] that I think it’s going to explode. friendly city. If you’ve ever been to Miami on the [the same amount of money] you give to a strip- I approach every record thinking that I’ve gotta other side of the bridge, then you know we’re per and she probably would do way more [for slaughter the beat. I put the beat to rest; it’s a not a friendly city. We’re not like Mississippi, you], to be honest. funeral for your beat and it’s a funeral for the guy Alabama, and Georgia where there’s love. that’s on the song with me. It doesn’t even mat- How much money do you spend at the strip ter who you are. Welcome to your funeral. Southern hospitality. club in an average month? Yeah, we’re not even really the South sometimes. They call me Mr. Five Hundred Ones. But I mean, What’s the name of the single? That’s what I think, my personal opinion. If you I make the money back. Don’t get it twisted. It’s called “Money Round Here.” We have really don’t like it you ain’t got to buy it. But I think we I’m not spending my rent money or anything big plans to shoot a video. Speaking of videos, I have a lot of catching up to do, as far as being like that; don’t get it confused. I think if you can just shot a video with 2 Pistols. He just signed to [part of] the South. Once we get it, I don’t think [spend] under $500 on every visit, you’re doing Cash Money. It’s a real nice baby-making song nobody is going to be able to take it from us. good. called “Lights Down Low” produced by Cool & That’s why it’s taking so long. Dre, who are kinda like my brothers. How many times a week do you go to the strip So you think the city needs to develop some club? Yeah, I think I was at the video shoot. Miami hospitality? Three or four or five or seven times a week. Yeah, I think I saw a Caucasian girl with a non- Yeah, we do. But it’s going to take something (laughs) Caucasian body at the video shoot. major to get us to start liking each other like that. So at least five times a week.T hat’s $2,500 a After the T-Pain single that you’re about to week? shoot the video for, do you have the next Strip clubs are big in Miami. Do you think strip Probably more like $1,500 a week. But it comes single picked out? What direction are you plan- clubs can break a dance record for the city? It back though [on my night], so you can’t really ning on going with the album? seems like it would go hand in hand. count it. It basically evens out. It’s just me living It’s an Automatic Vibe. We’ve got like four singles We play our own records here, but we don’t the C-Ride life, the shit I rap about. I’m absolutely lined up, and we’re gonna see what me and allow [outside] records in. And it seems like we a regular at Coco’s. I’m shooting my video on top Teddy P can do on the first go-round. [The reac- don’t push our records out. It’s weird that you of Coco’s, like [Rick] Ross did [when he shot his tion] to that record is going to determine what can bust down here and still make stacks on video at] the Rollexx. we put out next. I wanna go with a girl record deck, but you might not go nationwide. For next because that young nigga Plies showed me whatever reason, strip clubs always seem to be Interesting. When you hit the road to promote what you should be doing on the radio. You’ve the home base for breaking records, especially your album, are you going to go through gotta talk to the ladies [to get on the radio] so in the hood. The hood goes to the strip club. Coco’s withdrawal if you’re not able to go there I’m trying to go that route. Down here in Miami so many records break from five times a week? the strip club, but it doesn’t go past Florida. You know, I thought about it. I prayed about it, So you’re going the female route for the radio We’re trying to figure that out. C to the Ride is and God told me, “Don’t worry about Coco’s. Just records but still keeping the street side. probably going to be the one to figure that out. go do what you’ve gotta do.” So I’m gonna go Of course. Last time I saw you, you told me I I’m still working on it everyday, like I’m doing my with God and leave it alone, because everything needed to get in the gym. So since that day I’ve homework. happens for a reason. Maybe I need to leave it been in the gym, so I can’t wait to see you again. alone. Are strip clubs your weakness? Did I? I must have been talking shit that day. It’s actually my job. I found out how to make Is there an ode to the strip clubs on your Yeah, you were. money at the strip clubs, so all the money I spent album? from years past, I’m working on recouping it Of course. There’s like four. One is with Lloyd, one Do you have a six pack yet? right now. I’ve got a [club] night at the strip club is with Trey Songz, one is with Pleasure P, and Real niggas don’t get six packs. That’s that gay that I love going to the most, which is Coco’s. I the other one is all C-Ride. So all of those [songs] shit. talked to the owner and got my own night. Every have retarded strip club references. (laughs) Thursday is C-Ride Night. So now I make money What’s one of the most significant songs you’ve from the strip club. They owe me from all the Did Cool & Dre produce your whole album? got on the album that really came from the time and work I put in, so I felt like it was only Cool & Dre produced 88% of the album. The rest heart? right for them to give me a night. of it is niggas I fuck with from the crib. It’s gotta be the one with T-Pain. I’m not just lying to you because that’s [the single] that’s coming Are you involved with strippers or you just Are there any other features you want to men- out right now. “Money Round Here,” that’s from enjoy watching them and you date the good tion? my heart, I swear to God. I love it, I pray about it, girls? I’ve got Game on the album, Gorilla Zoe, Yo Gotti, I eat dinner with it, I sleep with it and everything. I just show my appreciation. As far as dating and [will be adding] a couple more features be- I love that song. goes, I’m married to the microphone. fore it comes out. Enjoy yourself. There’s a money back guarantee. It’s the first album in rap that What do you think of the overall Miami rap Why not show your appreciation for women comes with a money back guarantee. scene right now? At a certain point it seemed who work hard with their clothes on? It seems like there was a lot of unity and everyone push- like there’s a lot of focus on stripping as an oc- So if I buy your album and I don’t like your ing forward at the same time. Recently it seems cupation for women, but there might be better album, I can come find you and you’ll give me like there’s a little friction. job opportunities out there for them. my money back? I’m gonna be all the way honest with you, You’re absolutely right, but when you show your If you look me in the eyes genuinely and say, because you’re you. I think we’re still far behind. appreciation to the strippers they compensate “This is a piece of shit, whack-ass album,” I will Shout out to Dallas because I keep seeing new you. If the regular hard-working ladies would reach in my pocket and give me back the money songs with dances coming out from Dallas. In start compensating us… you paid for it. Miami we’ve been dancing since way before I was born, but somehow our dance songs can’t That’s not really “showing appreciation” then. I’m gonna check out your album and if I don’t break nationwide. So I don’t think we’ve got If you’re just giving them something to get like it, I’m coming to find you. our shit together yet. I think it’s going to take something back. Do that. I’m gonna have a lie detector with me, a young nigga that everybody knows to sell No, that’s just if you have a bad heart. If you’ve so you can’t be lying. I’m gonna know if you’re over a million records and sit the city down and got a good heart you know that it’s showing lying. You’ve gotta be genuine from the heart. If tell them what they need to be doing. I don’t love, and it’s not just giving to get something you tell me how much you hate my CD, I will give know who that guy is; maybe he will come out back. You’re wording it all crazy. I show you love, you your money back. And you’ve gotta have this year. I think we’re losing. We need to stick you show me love. We’re in this together. That’s the receipt to prove you bought it. It’s the C-Ride together and push each other. We don’t do that, what this is. money back guarantee. //

72 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 73 After years of flying under the radar with virtually no promotion, Pitbull has a new label and a situation he calls “a fairytale with a happy ending.”

With a resume as vast as that of Pitbull, and as appeared on soundtracks for major motion pic- that the Cuban-American rapper would eventu- extensively as he reps his city, the land he calls tures, hosted his own Spanish language televi- ally transition to a situation better suited to his home could very well be known as Pit’s-Burg sion show, and is famous for bringing the “sexiest needs. instead of Miami. But in the 6 years since “Culo,” women in the city” out to his performances. his first Billboard-charting single, Mr. 305 has yet He calls his opportunity to work with Bryan to garner the respect he deserves—and he’s fine As the number 1 bilingual rapper in the world, Leach and his Polo Grounds imprint a “Fairytale with that. In fact, Pitbull is proud that for so long Pit still feels the desire to accomplish more, and with a happy ending.” he’s been “flying under the radar.” is optimistic like never before. “I’ve been in this game for years,” he says, “but I feel like now is Presently, his single, “Calle Ocho” is the number “I like to fly under the radar,” admits Pit. “I feel only the beginning.” 3 song on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart and Pitbull that I’m stealth; I can fly under the radar but still is unapologetic at the potential his career is now take care of business, and my track record proves Perhaps he feels this way because after years of realizing. He theorizes, “If I got the number 3 that.” being under-promoted and under-appreciated song in the country independently, just imagine by the now-defunct TVT Records, Pitbull has what we can do with a machine.” His track record is definitely more impressive transcended the independent ranks. He signed a than most might acknowledge. Since 2002, major label deal with Sony/Polo Grounds and is The last time you checked in with OZONE you when he first emerged alongside Lil’ Jon, Pitbull already seeing his decision pay dividends. had just left your previous situation and were has sold over a million records independently. looking for a new deal. You’ve since signed His 2004 debut, M.I.A.M.I-Money Is A Major Issue Currently preparing for Rebelution, his fourth to Sony/Polo Grounds Music. What made you went gold, and the following two projects both full-length album, Pit finally has the backing of decide to go that route and what do you think moved around 250,000 units. In total, Pitbull that elusive machine he lacked for so long. As about your new roster of labelmates? has had 11 singles crack the Hot 100, including an artist who has been able to continually cross Man, I love it. I’m back with Bryan Leach, who his current, “Calle Ocho (You Know You Want cultural lines and create music that appeals to so was the first cat that got me over to TVT. As far as Me)” which is RIAA-certified Platinum. He has many different audiences, it seems only natural the roster, you’ve got [Yo] Gotti killin’ the streets.

74 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 75 I’ve been able to learn the game through the school of hard knocks. I got a chance to create a fan base, a foundation of people who love Pitbull and know Pitbull as a person. I think I’m blessed to be versatile “and to be able to tap dance through so many different cultures.”

You’ve got Hurricane who is constantly growing, Being able to “tap dance through so many dif- have no clue that you can actually spit about learning more and more about the industry. ferent cultures” is a perfect description of you serious topics. You’ve got Nina Sky, who is an international , as an artist, but that makes it hard to define I love that, because it’s a surprise to many people, global-wide group who’s just one hit away, and the typical Pitbull fan. How would you describe and that’s how you make new fans. Dudes come then myself. I think I bring experience and knowl- your average listener? to my shows and they’re like, “Damn, I didn’t edge, I’m someone who is hungry, and I’m always Honestly, I think most of my fans are women. know Pit could spit like that.” And at the show there to help out no matter what. I think from all Tupac said it best, if you ain’t got women fans they’re surrounded by the most beautiful women aspects of the game, I just don’t corner myself in listening to your records or buying your records in the city, which really makes them love it even one market. then you ain’t doin’ nothing right. Personally, I’m more. So instead of going to a club with a bunch more of a fan of [Notorious] B.I.G., but I respected of goons and wannabe thugs, you can come to What direction are you going with on your new ‘Pac’s music. So to be able to appeal to the wom- the Pitbull show, be around the sexiest women in album? en is important. Women, in my opinion are the the city, and at the same time get a good show It’s called Rebelution, and it’s basically a tour fans with the best promotion—word of mouth. and good music. It’s the best of both worlds. through Miami. I’m going to give you street If they like something, they tell all their friends. records, deep records, club records, and then As far as appealing to everyone, a lot of cats How did “Shooting Star” with you, David Rush, you’re gonna have obviously the pop records. want to be street. A lot of cats tend to be afraid Kevin Rudolf, and LMFAO come about? I’m looking at a September 1st release. You have of losing their credibility, but to me those are the Actually, David Rush is my artist. He’s signed records like “Crazy” on there, and “Blanco” with cats that don’t really know the streets, or have to my label Mr. 305 Inc., and I found him on Pharrell, which is The Fast and Furious single. And credibility in the first place. The people that buy Myspace. He’s definitely very talented and then you got the “Calle Ocho (I Know You Want their records are the ones that wanna be street somebody to look out for. That song “Superstar” Me)” record which is number 3 in the country and have never seen the streets in their entire is picking on up on Top 40 stations, so look out right now. My next single is called “Hotel Room life. But definitely with this new album I’m going for that. Service” and that’s produced by Jim Jonsin. to be able to showcase a whole lot more because I’m free now. I’m able to actually do records with I heard you’re also working with The Backstreet You’ve had a lot of hits in your past, but none other artists and do what I do best. Boys? have been as commercially successful as your Yeah, I ended up working with Backstreet Boys recent singles “Calle Ocho” and “Hotel Room You’ve always been a big advocate of the Cu- through Jim Jonsin, actually. He’s producing on Service.” After such a long time in the game, ban embargo being lifted. Has there been any some tracks for their album and one of them how does it feel to finally get to a point where progress in that fight? happened to be a fan of mine, so they asked Jim you’re being recognized on a mainstream level? To be honest with you, I haven’t heard too much. if he could get me on the album and Jim told It just goes to show that the independent grind What we’ve been trying to do is basically get them, “Pitbull is like my brother, no problem.” So is definitely the way to go. I mean, I hooked up the ability to go over to Cuba more than once Jim gave me the track, and the track sounded with a major label now, Sony/Polo Grounds, every three years. Before, they had it where you good. They’re definitely trying to go in a new di- which is a venture deal with 305 Inc., and I also could only go to Cuba once every three years—I rection and I think Jim will get ‘em there. It was a have a distribution deal with Sony Latin, but I’m can’t go to Cuba, personally. I would love to go, pleasure being able to work with The Backstreet a firm believer that good music goes a long way. and I’ve been there before, but that was before Boys, as successful as they’ve been over the As far as people not understanding what I do or my name got to certain point. So if I go to Cuba years. Boy band or not, they were successful. It’s overlooking it, I kind of fly under the radar, and now, people would basically feel like I’m putting hard to be successful in the music business. I’ve enjoyed flying under the radar, but now that money in a Communist’s pocket. But I think we’re I’ve hooked up with a major label now and I have definitely stepping in the right direction. There’s You’re the type of artist who can work with a machine behind me, we gon’ see where it goes nothing wrong with dreaming, right? I dream of a group like The Backstreet Boys and just as from there. a free Cuba one day. easily sound good on a Lil’ Jon track. Do you think being so diverse musically and not really You definitely had a lack of promotion with You personally decided not to go to Cuba any- having a set genre has hindered you at all? your last situation at TVT, but I wouldn’t exactly more, or you’re prohibited by the government? I think it’s the new wave of the music business, say you were under the radar. You sold hun- I can go over there, but if people find out that and the first person to really turn people’s heads dreds of thousands of albums and millions of I’m over there, it’s not good. For one, if I’m in and make them say, “Oh, shit!” was T-Pain. T-Pain digital downloads. Cuba, Americans have no rights over there and I can out-rap most of the muthafuckas out. People Well as far as flying under the radar, a lot of artists don’t know what they would do to me because think he can’t sing, but he can actually sing, he get major promotion and the record becomes I do speak out against the [Cuban] government. just puts autotune on his shit. He’s so talented larger than them. They’ll have a big record but And two, the people in America would question he’s making it okay to be multi-talented; before it you won’t really know who the artist is. What me for supporting the [Cuban] regime. It’s some wasn’t like that, but like Rick Ross told you [in re- I’ve been able to do is learn the game through bullshit if you ask me, because I just want to go gards to] the whole 50 Cent [beef], “It’s all about the school of hard knocks based on what went over there to see family and shit like that, but making good music.” Ja Rule put out a bunch of down at TVT. I got a chance to create a fan base, unfortunately that’s just the way it is. muthafuckin’ hit records, and then 50 Cent came a foundation of people who actually love Pitbull along and talked shit about Ja for singing on and know Pitbull as a person, and that gives me Your resume includes tracks like “Dirty” and records. Next thing you know, [50] goes out and a chance to go out now and make a record like “Melting Pot,” which are reflection records starts singing on records. So it’s really all about “Calle Ocho” and get new fans. I think I’m blessed nothing like most of the pop music many making good music. Those who are talented and to be versatile and to be able to tap dance people associate you with. My favorite Pit’ humble, and work hard and grind, will always through so many different cultures. That’s how line is “Y’all look at these blue skies and think prevail; I happen to be one of those people. But I’ve been able to fly under the radar but still build paradise / I look at these blue skies and think without the fans, there’s no Pitbull, so I appreci- a foundation; it’s been a blessing in disguise. what a disguise.” It seems like a lot of people ate them for always being there for me. //

76 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 77 Fabolous/Loso’s Way Desert Storm/Def Jam Loso’s Way is the fifth release Fly Life Yungstaz/Jamboree from the Brooklyn MC, and Def Jam this time Mr. F-A-B-O decides F.L.Y. has one of the biggest rap songs in the to go the concept album route, with an LP that accom- country this year with their hit single “Swag panies his film by the same name. This album is sup- Surfin’,” but their full-length Def Jam debut posed to resemble the Al Pacino movie Carlito’s Way, but besides a couple album proves that one single doesn’t always lines referencing the movie, and a song called “Pachanga” (a character justify the need for an entire album. To be Twista/Category F5 in Carlito’s Way), this is nothing more than a standard Fabolous album. frank, in terms of rap skills, group members Get Money Gang/CapitAl/ There’s big name guest appearances like The-Dream, Keri Hilson, Jay-Z, Lil Myko McFly, Vee, and Mook make Soulja Boy EMI Wayne, Ne-Yo, and Trey Songz, and heavyweight producers like Jermaine sound like Jay-Z. Of course, F.L.Y. isn’t the After 17 years in the rap Dupri, Ryan Leslie, The Runners, and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. Along with Fab’s type of group you can expect anything lyrical game, Twista still has the precise wordplay, it all equals a collection of commercial records, con- from, but saying Jamboree is cool for what it rapid-fire delivery to turn trived songs for the ladies, and some cuts to please the streets. All things is would be a lie. Aside from their hit single, any track upside down, considered, this is one of the best albums in Fab’s catalog. - Randy Roper “Mr. Lenox” featuring Young Dro, “Gotta Be“ and on Category F5, the and “Across The Global” with Sammie are the Chi-Town Tongue Twister only semi-decent tracks. Once fans get sick of rips “Misunderstood,” “Talk Gucci Mane & DJ Drama “Swag Surfin’,” F.L.Y. will more than likely wipe to Me” and “Fire” with Lil The Movie Part 2 out, and wash up right next to the Shop Boyz. Boosie. The album’s slow - Randy Roper This mixtape is the follow-up jams are either hits (“Yel- to Gucci Mane (starring as low Light” with R. Kelly, Mr. T) and (directed by Mr. “Wetter” and “Yo Body” Thanksgiving) DJ Drama, and Part 2 has just as many featuring Do Or Die and hood classics as its predecessor. Songs like “Pressure” Johnny P) or misses (“Jump featuring Woo Da Kid, “Beat It Up” with Trey Songz on the hook, and Off,” “On Top” with Akon, the Shawnna & Nikki Minaj assisted “Gucci” are potential club bangers, and “Birthday”). Category but there are songs like “Leading Lady,” “Ain’t Nothing Else To Do” and F5 has a few mishaps, but “Awesome” that will frustrate fans just from listening to Gucci’s remedial Jeremih/Jeremih overall this album has rhymes. Despite some awkward flows, both Gucci Mane and Drama con- Island Def Music Group enough for Twista fans to tinue their winning ways on this Gangsta Grillz release. - Randy Roper love. - Randy Roper Criticism surrounding new artists can sway the judgment of anyone’s public debut. But for Jeremih, his full-length album adds up to the Young Buck, DJ Scream & DJ hype of “Birthday Sex,” despite the non-believ- Smallz/Back On My Buck Shit ers. Alongside his introductory hit, and his sec- Young Buck always had a vi- ondary offering “Imma Star,” Jeremih has other cious side to some of his lyrics, repeatable songs like “Raindrops,” “Starting All but his recent tribulations have Over,” and “Hatin’ On Me”—all with different added an edge and urgency. Buck rips his way through messages. Though it was effective, the exclu- the DJ Smallz-sponsored Back On My Buck Shit, which sive composition by Mick Shultz could have doesn’t offer anything out of the ordinary production-wise, but is carried by been slightly varied to make it a little more Buck’s content. Buck Shit proves that the Memphis native hasn’t lost a step. interesting. Other than that, all Young Jeremih It’s a clear message to the labels: break out the checkbook and get in busi- needs is time to develop. Before assuming he’s ness with Buck. - Rohit Loomba a one-hit wonder, remember that people also doubted Ne-Yo, T-Pain, and The Dream. Now they’re inescapable. - Ms. Rivercity Willie Isz/Georgiavania Yo Gotti & DJ Scream Lex Records Cocaine Muzik 3 Pennsylvania producer Yo Gotti stays in everybody’s Jneiro Jarel and Khujo ear consistently, which is Goodie, collectively known cool, as long as it’s not at the as Willie Isz, take listeners expense of making material that counts. That’s not to on a journey to Georgia- say Cocaine Muzik 3 isn’t worthy of a few listens, it just vania, a mixture of their doesn’t contain as many addictive tracks as some of his previous projects. respective homes, Georgia During memorable freestyles like “36 O’s,” “Halle Berry,” and “Night and Diamond, DJ Smallz & Ladi and Pennsylvania. While Day,” Yo Gotti delivers the North Memphis edge that fans have rocked Jade this collaborative effort with since his beginnings, but he falls short of original production and P.M.S. (Pardon My Swagg) is atypical by Hip Hop concepts. “5 Star Bitch” alone makes this tape a banger, but it would have standards, Goodie Mob had a bigger impact if it actually featured a 5 Star Bitch. Can’t file this with Since her Bitch Music solo debut, Ms. 32 Flavaz fans will be pleased to hear the cocaine classics, but it will serve the streets for now. - Ms. Rivercity has brought much-needed estrogen to the mix- Khujo back on the mic. tape realm, and now she’s back with more P.M.S. Most of Jarel’s beats are a Staying in her traditional lane, Diamond drops bit out of this world, and “N***as Ain’t Shit,” a male-bashing track about you might need to smoke Rich Boy & DJ Scream/Kool- dudes with nothing to offer. Between Smallz’ something to really ap- Aid, Kush, and Convertibles gunshot transitions, Diamond sprinkles in a few preciate them. Like Gnarls I can’t deny that Kool-Aid, other highlights like “Sicknan” and “Always,” as Barkley (Goodie Mob’s Kush, and Convertibles are well as a few songs that may cause headache, Cee-Lo and producer appealing, but Rich Boy’s irritation, and bloating. Because Diamond raised Danger Mouse), Willie Isz mixtape by this name doesn’t share the same quality. the bar so high previously, she has a lot to live might be an odd couple, There’s quite a bit lacking on this effort and one of up to, and P.M.S. somewhat misses the mark but their chemistry makes those things is energy. While the beats hit hard enough to get the aver- compared to past endeavors. - Ms. Rivercity for some good music. age person crunk, they seem to have failed at doing the same for Rich in -Randy Roper the studio. - Rohit Loomba

78 // OZONE MAG Industry 101 GABRIEL HART

In an age where most music videOS ARE WATCHED ONLINE, you don’t have much time to catch people’s attention. SO director Gabriel Hart cherishes every frame of every video he shoots. As the man behind ultra-visuals such as B.o.B.’s “I’ll Be In the Sky,” Young Dro’s “Take Off” and Young Jeezy’s “Who Dat,” Hart is giving Hip Hop videos a much-needed face lift as artist and labels struggle to find a presentable balance between being creative and being effective.

The Memphis-born director got his start creating show reels for comedians such as Mike Epps As a director, how do you feel about videos be- thing is that so many fans are making their own and Bruce Bruce. He even had his own aspira- ing viewed on the net more than on television versions of videos that the new fans don’t know tions of taking the stage as a comedian but as now? It seems like the quality of most videos is who to take seriously. An artist comes out with a time went on, Hart saw that his work behind the now skewed for net viewing. song and then a week later [a fan] has put out a camera was in more demand than his jokes. His I’m in here slaving over a video for weeks, or video before we even film the real video. It may first project, a joint DVD feature called Skitz with even months, and it drops one day on the inter- be detrimental to the music, but to the visual comedian FDSTMP, sold well throughout the net and then it’s buried under a bunch of other world it may be good because it creates friendly Southeast thanks to Hart’s hustle and ingenuity. videos. But one good thing for me is that I have competition. His work there led Southern independent music a little bit of name power, since I’ve worked with icon Big Oomp to take notice, hiring him to film Fat Joe and Jeezy. But I try to keep my concepts You are a part of a new wave of directors. We for his popular late night television show, Big different and not so typical. I be in the hood don’t see a lot of the big name directors work- Oomp Live. From there, Hart hasn’t looked back. but I try to present the hood in a beautiful way ing as much anymore. instead of just some goon shit. I try to do some We’re taking all those dude’s jobs, we’re just not What ultimately caused you to make the transi- artwork. getting the same kind of money they were. But tion from the comedy world into shooting it’s keeping the game pure. Our videos look how music videos? If you look at Jeezy’s “I Get A Lot of That,” he they used to look on Rap City. We’re still doing Big Oomp said I was “fie with the camera” and wanted some goon shit, but I was able to do it good work, but the music ain’t as good. We as he wanted me to make a movie with him. Those in a creative way. The thing about working with directors are doing our job. Now it’s up to the were his aspirations. We never quite had the Jeezy is, he doesn’t trip if I don’t write a treat- artists to bring that nostalgic feeling back. The resources to get the movie made, but he was ment. You don’t write your rhymes, you freestyle new artists like Kid Cudi and Drake have that raw planting the seed in my mind that I could do it. them, so I’m gonna freestyle this video. (laughs) sound, but their videos look too polished. They Then I shot his artist Slim J’s video. We went to He just tells me how he feels and I visualize it, really need to be fucking with niggas like me Jazzy T’s on a slow night, we got all the strippers and he shows up. We might go off an object and Mr. Boomtown, so people will hear the song and shot it and he put it on his show. and grow from there. If the vibe with an artist is and see the visual and have it feel like Hip Hop good, we can work and it’ll come out dope. again. Their shit is polished. I thought the Drake Looking back, what do you think of the video, “Best I Ever Had” video was brilliant, but most since you’ve come so far since then? Have there been times when that vibe wasn’t people hate the video because he came from the I think I overdid the graphics, but looking back, there between you and a particular artist? underground and the video came from a pop it was very ambitious. I didn’t get paid for it; it Even if we didn’t vibe, I wouldn’t look at it like perspective. was all about proving I could do it. That’s how that. I’m a new jack so I don’t deserve to talk shit I got my stripes, doing that kind of work and yet. I don’t have my stripes yet. I haven’t done a Your videos have been featured as MTV Jams going into all the hoods. I did stuff with Hoodz thousand videos, I’ve only done 20 and this year of the Week numerous times. Do accolades like DVD magazine too, and that’s where it started ain’t even over yet. One artist called my phone that play a role in how much you may charge clicking. Everything was low budget now. I never out of the blue and said he wanted me to do all an artist for your services? thought about wanting to be a real director but of his videos. But I didn’t have the right treat- BET just had their Hip Hop Awards and I wasn’t when I realized that, I went for it. ments for it, so I couldn’t do it. I could have just nominated for shit. I did “My President Is Black” taken the job like, “You’re gonna take whatever and got nothing. But I don’t work for awards. I’m One of the advantages of living in Atlanta is that I give you,” but I want to go harder and be more not an industry cat, I’m just a street nigga who artists like Ludacris, Jeezy and T.I. bring quality creative than the next guy. Like with the B.o.B “I’ll know how to do videos. People appreciate the directors to Atlanta. So I could go on set and Be In the Sky” video. hunger I bring to videos. I don’t charge more watch them work and soak all of that up. Then I after winning awards, because I don’t do it for approached T.I. during his “Be Easy” video once Since everyone has access to cameras now, do awards. I do it because I love it and that’s why and just walked up on him on set and started re- you think that’s giving the game a black eye? people gravitate to my work. I always get people cording. I remember Jason Geter giving me $40 I think everyone having cameras makes my work asking me why I’m the one shooting the video. to run up the street and get some more tapes stand out. But, the guys doing the street videos But the question should be, why shouldn’t I be because I was using the same one over and over, will be good if they stick with it. You have to shooting the video? I tell stories with my videos, just recording over stuff. He probably doesn’t study what you’re doing and why things look and the story will outweigh shine every time. // even remember that. Funny thing is he just gave a certain way. I’m not worried though. If it can me a big job with Young Dro’s “Take Off.” make the game better, I’m all for it. The bad Words and photo by Maurice G. Garland

OZONE MAG // 79 he had the whole underground aura going on around him, and he switched it up. During the Comeback Season, he put out that mainstream music that all people could relate too, not just the underground crowd. To go from that to So Far Gone, he’s just experimenting with songwrit- ing and writing R&B and rap music. And one of the records leaked that he was referencing for another artist, and people took on to it and loved the song so much that he just ran with the whole style of the singing and rapping. So, he put something different out there. It’s something that has never been done before, but he does I met Drake through my boy, [who] would always both very well. tell me about Drake. He was like, “I know this guy that raps, he used to [play] Jimmy on Degrassi.” I produced “Best I Ever Had” and “Uptown” on And I was like, “Jimmy? The wheelchair dude?” I So Far Gone. The whole process [for “Best I Ever kinda questioned it. I had seen him on TV and I’m Had”] came when Drake was instant messaging like, “This dude doesn’t even look like a rapper.” and [text messaging] me on his Blackberry, like “I But we were instant messaging, and [Drake] sent got this idea for a song,” and he kinda rapped out me a few songs. He sent me this song called the hook to me, and he asked me to make a beat Before producing tracks for Drake, “Money”; that was the first one I ever heard from for him. He gave me the whole vibe. He wanted Toronto, Canadian producer Boi- Drake. Ever since I heard that song I was like, “Yo, the beat to sound very classy, but with that rock 1da had a discography that al- this guy is nuts.” I was blown away by the music. feel to it. The next day, I was going through some ready included Kardinal Offishall, stuff on my computer and there was this sample the Clipse, The-Dream and G-Unit. But After we connected, I was at the studio one in this folder. It was weird because this sample day, and Drake told me he was gonna come by. was in a folder by itself, and I listened to it. And I since hooking up with Drake and He came by when I was doing the beat for “Do was like, “Yo, this could work.” The sample I used producing Drizzy’s first single “Best What You Do.” We met there and he liked the is called Frank & Joel Hamilton [“Fallin’ In Love”]. I Ever Had,” this 22-year-old beatmak- beat, he came in and was like, “Yo, man, let me I chopped everything up and did the beat, and er, like his counterpart, seems to be drop a hook on this.” While the beat was playing, sent it to him. And he sent the song back in so far gone. he went into the next room and wrote the first about six or seven hours. verse and the hook in about twenty minutes. It Production Credits: Drake “Best I Ever Had,” was crazy. I was like, “You take this beat with you, It’s an amazing feeling that people actually love Drake f/Bun B & Lil Wayne “Uptown,” Kardinal finish this song and let’s do this.” the song. People are singing the song, making Offishall f/Dr. Dre & Pusha T “Set It Off (Remix)” YouTube videos and stuff. But, I don’t let it get to Drake has always been that lyrical genius. my head, ‘cause I do realize that there is more to My first major placement was on a record with Ever since I heard him, he’s always had those go, and there are a lot more goals to accomplish. G-Unit, “Red Light, Green Light,” which they witty lyrics. When I first met him, he was doing I just keep on striving for more, although it’s a eventually ended up using in their X-Box 360 more soulful music, records with Dwele and great accomplishment. I’m really proud of myself video game Blood In The Sand. That was about Little Brother. When he met up with me, we and I’m proud of Drake that we accomplished two years ago. I also did “Set It Off” for Kardinal started getting in to the more mainstream vibe that and we are on the Billboard [charts] I don’t Offishall and Dr. Dre ended up jumpin’ on the because that’s what I do. I produce stuff that let that seep into my head and get me too into remix. [But] “Best I Ever Had” by Drake was pretty everybody can relate to. He kinda switched his it. So, it’s an amazing feeling and honor, but I just much my biggest song I’ve ever done. style up. He was like an underground rapper; think I’ve got more stuff to do. //

80 // OZONE MAG DJ Smallz & DJ Neptune “Southern Smoke TV Vol. 3” Hosted by OJ Da Juiceman”

1. DJ Spinz & DJ Scream “Heart of the City 7” Myspace.com/dj_spinz Myspace.com/4045405000 Once again, Smallz and Neptune team up for a mixtape full of world premieres. This time, 2. DJ Chuck T “Down South Slangin’ 60” djchuckt.com the third installment of Southern Smoke TV 3. Lil Fats “Coast 2 Coast Exclusive Series Vol. 13” hosted by Rain Coast2coastmixtapes.com hosted by OJ da Juiceman features exclusive 4. DJ Smoke “Smoke N Ryde Vol. 3” Myspace.com/djsmoke76 music by Lil Scrappy (“In Tha Hood” featur- 5. Lil Fats “Coast 2 Coast 86” hosted by Murphy Lee Coast2coastmixtapes.com ing Gucci Mane), Shawty Lo (“Bought That”), Rick Ross (“Killer Instincts”) and a host of new 6. DJ D-Tec, DJ Cannon Banyon & DJ Dyce “Fuck Being Famous” myspace.com/scdjdtec Myspace.com/cannonbanyon tracks from the best rappers in the Dirty South. 7. DJ Bobby Black “Crack Addiction: Gucci Mane & Yung Ralph” Myspace.com/djbobbyblack Although a few songs on here could be found on the net first, Smallz and Neptune still man- 8. DJ Scope “Reggae Picks 22” Hosted Shifta Myspace.com/djscope aged to find enough new music to standout 9. DJ Spinatik “Street Runnaz 8” Djspinatik.com from the thousands of other mixtapes that 10. Evil Empire” Interstate Trafficking 7.0” Myspace.com/evilempire drop every month. 11. DJ E-Top “Becoming a RNB Star Part 14” Myspace.com/etopent 12. DJ Leezy, The Gatekeepers and Phatsounds DJs “Tote Tha City Vol. 4” Hosted by M. Beezy myspace.com/djleezy352 DJs, send your mix CDs (with a cover) for 13. DJ Scorpio “Warlord” Mdj cluyspace.com/djscorpio consideration to: 14. DJ Clue & New Music Cartel “R&Yeezy” myspace.com/djclue Newmusiccartel.com/ 15. DJ Kamillion & DJ Charlie Hustle “Trapaganza 3” Myspace.com/djkamillionremix Myspace.com/4048386768 OZONE Magazine 644 Antone St. Suite 6 16. DJ Storm “4 Bricks: Birds Fly South” Atlanta, GA 30318 17. DJ P-Cutta “Street Wars Vol. 24” Pcutta.com

18. DJ Fletch & Gucci Mane “Gucci Gone Bonkers” myspace.com/djfletchdallas 19. Cookin Soul & Nah Right “1:00 A.M. And Rising” Nahright.com

20. Bank! “Twitter Mix Vol. 1” Myspace.com/bankonitmusic OZONE MAG // 81 end zone

Soulja Boy Event: K107’s Summer Jam City: Denver, CO Date: June 12th, 2009 Photo: D-Ray

82 // OZONE MAG Soulja Boy Event: K107’s Summer Jam City: Denver, CO Date: June 12th, 2009 Photo: D-Ray

OZONE MAG // 83