NEW MONEY TWINZ Words by Julia Beverly Photo by Ty Watkins
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RAW, UNCENSORED WEST COAST RAP SHIT BIG RICH MESSY MARV NEW Young Jeezy MONEY Event: Blueprint 3 Tour Venue: Phillips Arena City: Atlanta, GA Date: February 27th, 2010 Photo: Thaddaeus McAdams TWINZ editor’s note I’M Just Sayin’ ThO bY D-Ray ip Hop is not dead! I’ve seen three incredible shows lately that skate park. If you ever come and see the kids, it would make a huge dif- prove Hip Hop is alive. First, I saw my first Paid Dues concert, ference in at least one of their lives. Hwhich was their fifth annual. Good work, Murs! I love me some underground Hip Hop, I just don’t always make it a point to cover those B.o.B., otherwise known as Bobby Ray, was also on the bill for the show at events. When I do go, it’s mostly to enjoy myself and the surroundings. the Warfield. I’ve been a fan of B.o.B. since 2007. He’s a dope young’n and This time I went and did what I do! an all-around artist. Big ups to you and your success. The #1 single and #1 album in the country. Wow! Research his Billboard stats. You showed us I had just seen Tech N9ne in Petaluma a few days before and he encour- how teamwork can create dreamwork! Keep living your dreams! aged me to go to the Paid Dues show. So I headed to L.A. and linked up with my fam Strong Arm Steady and Planet Asia. It turned out to be Speaking of dreams, yet another great act hit the Bay Area. Drake per- a long day, but I was having fun so it flew by. It was more like a festival formed in the Bay for the first time. Man, as I’m writing this, I just realized than a concert. There were indoor and outdoor stages and people I got to see some good shows while I was home! I love the BAY AREA and everywhere. I got to see some of my all-time favorite artists, Tech N9ne, the West Coast! Strange Music, Freeway, The Jacka, Strong Arm Steady, and The Dogg Pound, and shutting the show down was a vet in the game, Ice Cube. Now I’m gonna rant about Drizzy real quick. I’ve known about Drake for There was so much excitement and energy in the building! a minute. I met him a few years back on Lil Wayne’s tour bus. Wayne says, “D, take a photo of my next superstar!” I said, “Who?” the whole YM camp Ice Cube addressed the OGs and the New West rumors. It’s very ugly was on the bus along with Jas Prince, and everyone pointed at Drake. when rumors get started. I think the uneasy feelings just got a little out I can spot a star pretty well, so you know I didn’t hesitate. I remember of control. To me, Ice Cube lives and dies for West Coast music. All the taking that first photo of him. Now look – he’s one of today’s biggest West Coast beef needs to stop. Everyone needs to just do them, period, superstars! I watched him grow! I saw him on tour with Wayne and even not add to the problems. If we all just do our jobs and not get upset over when he sang Bobby Valentino’s part on “Miss Officer” the arena was what other people are doing, we’ll all be so much better off! Let your roaring. Females were just head over heels losing their minds for him. music speak for itself. Quit interrupting! Now, the timing is great for Drake. He’s one of the YM artists that has to Help yourself, real talk. Don’t sit around talking about what other people lead the way while Wayne is locked up. One love Drizzy! Young Money is aren’t doing for you. You might be blocking your blessings. I see music a machine, not a rap label. They’re an example of what it takes: patience vets pick certain artists. Sometimes you just don’t make the cut, but keep and work ethic. They all pay attention to how Wayne stays in the studio, pushin’ and don’t stop. Real music and real artists cannot be denied. It’s his work ethic, and the way he constantly strives to keep his success a show and prove game. Take a gamble on yourself before you think going. None of the artists on the YM roster wants the rep of being lazy someone else should! when you have someone like Wayne just making money at all times! He doesn’t sleep, he stays grindin’! And he keeps his family close! I also hit the Steppin’ Laser Tour when it came to the Bay at the world famous Warfield Theatre. That was another first for me. I had never seen The mind is powerful as long as you know how to use mind over matter. Lupe Fiasco’s show. He was scheduled to perform “Kick Push” back in Mack Maine, I see you baybeeee! Keep up the good work! CMB/YM a.k.a. 2006 at an independent record store called Moses Music in East Oakland. Oil Money! Slim and Baby deserve a lifetime achievement award, ya He was having a block party, and hundreds of people attended the BBQ. heard me? They were giving away free food and drinks and a chance to see Lupe perform. But, before that could happen, a young Latino boy was shot If y’all are looking for that new fresh talent out of the West Coast, check and killed right outside the store. It messed me up because the streets out Nio Tha Gift. Google his videos! My favorite is “Grateful.” Don’t sleep were packed and everyone had been enjoying the festivities. on him! I always wondered how Lupe felt about that day, which was his first time #Loyalty in Oakland. He expressed his feelings from that day at the Steppin’ Laser #FreeWeezy #FreePSDthaDrivah #FreeZoastaDaRoasta Tour and held a moment of silence for the unknown soldier whose life was taken that day. He mentioned how emotional he was not being I’m gonna do me! (in my Drake voice) able to perform and do what he loves to do. I hope if Lupe ever decides to visit East Oakland again, he’ll come see our East Oakland safehaven, - D-Ray, OZONE West Editor-At-Large Youth UpRising. It’s a beautiful youth center, and they just installed a [email protected] Travis Barker & Me @ Van- Trell & Me in L.A. Viva Las Vegas! Guest, Me, & Vernon Davis guard for Snoop Dogg’s @ Where Hip Hop Meets release party in Hollywood Couture in San Francisco 4 // OZONE WEST (above L-R): The Jacka & Freeway @ 17 Hertz Studios in Hayward, CA; Dem Hoodstarz & David Banner on the set of “Laughin’” in San Jose, CA; New Boyz & their little brothers @ Power 106’s Cali Christmas in Los Angeles, CA (Photos: D-Ray) 01 // Terrace Martin, Mac Lucci, & Damani @ Vanguard for Snoop Dogg’s release party (Hollywood, CA) 02 // DJ Amen, Willie Joe, Erk tha Jerk, & Mohawk Marlon @ Club NV for Steezy’s birthday bash (San Francisco, CA) 03 // Chuck and T Woods (R.I.P.) @ Heights Nightclub (San Francisco, CA) 04 // Traxamillion & Erk Tha Jerk @ Toons Nightclub for Tito Bell’s birthday party (San Jose, CA) 05 // Kafani & Roccett @ Rum Jungle for The CORE DJs Retreat (Las Vegas, NV) 06 // Roccett & Ya Boy @ The CORE DJs Retreat (Las Vegas, NV) 07 // Paul Wall & Ladies @ Magic Convention (Las Vegas, NV) 08 // Nelly approving some panties from the new Apple Bottoms collection @ Magic Convention (Las Vegas, NV) 09 // Jak Frost & Baydilla @ Gold Rush (Fairbanks, AK) 10 // Steezy & Erk tha Jerk @ Club NV for Steezy’s birthday bash (San Francisco, CA) 11 // Kurupt, Slim The Mobster, Nipsey Hussle, & guest @ the premiere of Snoop Dogg’s Malice in Wonderland (Los Angeles, CA) 12 // Richie Abbott & Octavia @ Vanguard Club for Snoop Dogg’s release party (Hollywood, CA) 13 // Even Odds & Big Rich @ Suede Nightclub (San Francisco, CA) 14 // Mars, Bad Lucc, & Brodie of 1500 or Nothin (Los Angeles, CA) 15 // Goldie of The Fed- eraton & Paul Wall @ Magic Convention (Las Vegas, NV) 16 // Hyfee & Chop Black @ Yukmouth’s birthday mansion party (Los Angeles, CA) 17 // Bobby V & ladies @ Spring Break afterparty (San Diego, CA) 18 // YG & K-Boy @ Tatou (Los Angeles, CA) 19 // B Legit & Steezy @ Club NV for Steezy’s birthday bash (San Francisco, CA) Photo Credits: D-Ray (01,02,03,04,06,10,11,12,13,14,16,17,18,19); Julia Beverly (05,07,08,09,15) OZONE WEST // 5 Patiently Waiting or the last four years, this West Coast pursue his solo aspirations. The duo started for a collaborative iTunes album called Good rhymer has been a staple in the Bay Area Street Cred Music Group, landed a joint venture As Money. But even with a slew of music and F rap scene. “I just feel like it’s time for me with Koch Records, and in 2006 Rich released his releases, Big Rich still finds himself a relative to expand,” he explains. “We’ve done everything solo debut album, Block Tested Hood Approved. unknown to Hip Hop heads outside of the Bay. we can in the Bay Area so far. I feel like we’ve His solo debut featured the single “That’s The And while West Coast artists like Nipsey Hussle reached that top level where there’s nothing else Business,” which picked up video play on BET and Jay Rock are being crowned Cali’s new kings, to do but expand.” and MTV Jams.