WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS

SUPER BOWL 2012 **specia l edition** G FEATURCHUIN PHYZIKAL // DRO MAN // TWISTA // FREDDIE GIBBS +pacman // machine gun kelly // JON CONNOR global gangsters // pacman // KING LOUIE LEP BOGUS BOYS // 2 chainz // DJ wrekk 1 & more WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS

SUPER BOWL 2012 edition** **special

FEATURINGPHYZIKAL

chu // freddie gibbs // twista +pacman // machine gun kelly king louie // jon connor global gangsters // pacman dro man // lep bogus boys 2 chainz // DJ wrekk 1 & more

24 // OZONE MAG OZONE MAG // 25

SUPER BOWL 2012: WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS SUPER BOWL 2012: WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS

PUBLISHER: Julia Beverly

CONTRIBUTORS & CREW: DJ Black Jason Potts Stephanie “Eleven8” Ogbogu

PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR: Malik Abdul

STREET TEAMS: Big Mouth Marketing DJ Black Lex Promotions SIDE A Strictly Streets 7 Map & Events 8-10 Jon Connor CONTACT US: 11 King Louie Phone: 404-350-3887 12-13 Freddie Gibbs Fax: 404-601-9523 14-15 gLobal Gangsters Web: www.ozonemag.com 16-17 dJ Black 22-23 dro Man DISCLAIMER: OZONE does not take responsi- bility for unsolicited materials, 18-21 CHU misinformation, typographi- cal errors, or misprints. The views contained herein do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or its advertisers. Ads SIDE b appearing in this magazine are not an endorsement or 4-5 dJ Wrekk 1 validation by OZONE Magazine 10-11 pacman for products or services offered. 12-13 tWista All photos and illustrations are 14-15 bEi Maejor copyrighted by their respective 16-17 2 Chainz artists. All other content is copy- 22-23 sayITAintTone right 2012 OZONE Magazine, 6-7 Machine Gun Kelly all rights reserved. No portion 8-9 LEP Bogus Boys of this magazine may be reproduced in any way without the written consent of the pub- 18-21 PHYZIKAL lisher. Printed in the USA.

OZONE MAG // 5

INDIANAPOLIS,MAP IN

SUPER BOWL Friday, FebRUARY 3 Saturday, FebRUARY 4 Leather & Lace hosted by JWoww, Wale @ Sensu - 10:00 PM WEEKEND EVENTS Carmen Electra, Jenny McCarthy, & Gucci Mane @ Bentley’s Bar & Grill DJ Pauly D - 9:00 PM @ Regions Bank Thursday, FebRUARY 2 Tower 50 Cent, Pitbull, & Lil Jon concert 7:00 PM @ Bud Light Hotel Mike Epps & Friends starring Snoop Run-DMC Concert for House of Dogg & Wiz Khalifa - 8:00 PM @ Bank- Restoration Africa - 8:00 PM @ Madame Jim Jones & Nelly @ Cloud 9 ers Life Fieldhouse Walker Theatre SUNDAY, FebRUARY 5 EA Sports Madden Bowl XVII f/ Nas & Coors Light Silver Bullet Lodge Party f/ The Roots - 5:00 PM @ Bud Light Hotel Ice Cube & Travie McCoy @ The Vogue R Kelly @ The Venue Birdman’s Birthday Party @ Cloud 9 Theater J Cole @ Sensu - 10:00 PM 8Ball & MJG @ Bentley’s Bar & Grill OZONE MAG // 7 Jon Connor Words by Julia Beverly

8 // OZONE MAG movie so people can see and understand representing flint, michigan, jon what it’s like in Flint because our story hasn’t connor’s name has been generat- been told yet. Right now, the only thing they ing buzz as a newcomer to watch have to go off of is Michael Moore movies, in 2012. ozone checked in with this and he does an excellent job. But I don’t think son of a MINISTER to find out what Flint’s story has been told from the perspec- MESSAGE HE’S PREACHING. tive of somebody who’s actually living in the poverty and living amongst all of the craziness Are you signed to a major or independent? that’s going on. Em did a hell of a job with 8 I own my own independent company. Me, Mile for Detroit and I feel like it’s my responsi- my team, Cleeze, Jason Richardson, and my bility to do the same thing for Flint. We’re only man Young Savv. We’re doing it independent 45 minutes away but it’s different. and shopping our situation around. Flint, Michigan isn’t exactly a hotbed for rap music. When the recession hit, the car manufactur- Were you seeing what other artists had accom- ing industry in particular had some heavy plished independently from other regions and losses. People also have the perception that felt like you could bring that same success to you can buy houses in Detroit and Flint for your hometown. When I was young, like twelve a dollar and that those areas were hit much years old, I came up seeing Master P and No harder than other parts of the country. Is Limit and Cash Money and Slip-N-Slide and all that accurate or media sensationalism? these independent labels doing their thing. As It’s accurate. I’m not a dude that’s going to just a kid I always wanted to do that. I idolized that sit here telling sob stories in interviews, but it’s idea of just being an entrepreneur and taking fucked up. It’s bad. Even when I was a kid Flint matters into your own hands. It probably wasn’t as bad as it is now. When the economy doesn’t seem that way now because the game crashed in Flint and the automotive industry has come so far, but when you think back be- left, that was something that offered hope at fore Master P and No Limit, New Orleans really one point in time. Back when my mother was didn’t have that nationwide appeal that it has growing up, you know, you either went to col- now. He took his hometown and brought it to lege or you went to work in the [auto] shop. a point where the whole world was rocking But that’s not really here anymore. There’s a with it. Cash Money did the same thing and couple plants here and there but it’s not like it added to that movement. I was looking at used to be. It’s not flourishing, and more than Houston and J Prince’s movement with Rap- anything, the worst thing about poverty is A-Lot; they made Houston pop off worldwide. that sense of hopelessness. That’s what Flint, I didn’t want to just come in the game and be Michigan has now - that sense of, “What am I a rapper. I wanted to become [an inspiration] going to do?” Everybody can’t rap, everybody like they were to me. I wanted to do that; take can’t play basketball. And you end up with my hometown and make the whole world rock that whole crabs-in-a-barrel mentality. Every- with me. Just seeing the pioneers and cats that body’s trying to get up but you’ve got to pull came before me let me know that I could do somebody else down to do it. So people are it. If they could do it, I definitely could do it. I turning to hustling and doing other things, wanted to be what Jay-Z is to Brooklyn, what and that might sound like the typical cliche Wayne is to New Orleans. That’s what I’m going rapper story, but nothing is exaggerated to be to Flint, Michigan. about Flint. Anybody coming from Flint knows they went through some shit to get out of The most common perception we have of there. Even me having this interview with Michigan Hip Hop comes from Eminem and you right now, this shit is not real to us. We the whole 8 Mile visual. Do you feel like that can’t fathom the idea of me being in OZONE Jon movie was an accurate portrayal of what it’s Magazine and doing all this stuff I”m getting like to come up in your state? to do. We haven’t had any rappers come out Battle rapping was more of a Detroit thing. 8 of Flint in like twenty-five years. So honestly, Mile was a pretty accurate depiction of Detroit, the media isn’t showing enough. It’s one being an industrial town and how he worked thing for y’all to read about it, but it’s another at the auto plant and all that. In Michigan as thing for y’all to come here and see it. That’s Connor a whole, you know, once you get out of high what I’m going to bring to the people. It’s school, if you don’t have anything else planned like Tupac said about the Vietnam War. Once you end up working at the auto plant. As far people saw the Vietnam War on TV and how as Flint, I don’t think the world has seen an ugly it was, all the murders and killings, for accurate depiction of Flint yet, and that’s what us to stop the Vietnam War. It’s so fucked up I’m going to bring to the table. In 2012 I’m in Flint and nobody is saying anything about planning on writing my own straight-to-DVD

OZONE MAG // 9 JON CONNOR CONTINUED: mother always told me, “Just be careful of the it, so I’m gonna be the voice of the people. I’m message you’re putting out there, because going to show people how ugly it is and maybe people are listening to you.” Hip Hop is my society, people, the government, whoever, will ministry, and my dad understands that. The do something about it. For real. I care about my things I preach in my music are just to do city, I care about my people. So I’ll be the voice of the right thing, use your head, use common change. As a young artist with a lot of potential, sense. Don’t be out here shooting stuff up. what gave you the motivation to stick it out in A preacher can’t say the things I say and get a city like Flint instead of moving to New York away with it. So I’m helping the preachers or Los Angeles? You have to go wherever the out. I can say, “Stop what you’re doing. Put music takes you. I’ve been some of everywhere. the muthafuckin’ gun down, stop fucking Shout out to the OZONE, Orlando, Florida, man. killing people.” I can say all that, but a preach- That’s where I did a lot of my grinding. When I er can’t. There’s the Martin Luther King way got out of high school at 18, I moved to Orlando. of doing things and then there’s the Malcolm I was grinding with CDs in my book bag. I lived X way, by any means necessary. I’m trying to in Miami for a second. I did a lot of traveling and wake people up by any means necessary. If came back to Flint because above anything else, my language has to be a little more vulgar to I wanted to be that inspiration and motivation to speak to the people and get my point across, my city. Everywhere else has examples. If you’re that’s what I’m going to do. My parents defi- from the North, you’re trying to be like Jay-Z or nitely understand that I’m riding for a cause. Puff Daddy. If you’re from Texas you’re trying to be Slim Thug or Pimp C. Flint doesn’t have What’s your main focus in 2012? that. Most kids don’t believe that you can really We’re not going to let the people breathe in achieve this music thing. 2012. At the end of 2011 we dropped Season 2, which is doing really good. Me and my So the DVD you’re working on is kind of a docu- man Andre Ward are in the process of writing mentary or movie based on your life? this movie and we want to put that out by It’s going to be loosely based on my grind. All the summertime, and the soundtrack is going to great rap crews had their low budget movies that come with it. Like I said, we want to take it told their story. Cash Money had Baller Blockin’, back to the old school, to the No Limit, Cash No Limit had I’m Bout It, Roc A Fella had State Money, Ruff Ryders, Roc-A-Fella days. We’re Property, Def Jam and Russell had Krush Groove. bringing back that whole rap dynasty thing. Those movies told the stories of how they got To go along with that, we’re going to do a on. I felt like that was missing for a minute; while rap dynasty mixtape series; all Cash Money I’m telling my story, I want you to see Flint and beats, all Ruff Ryder beats, all Bad Boy beats, see what we go through. We’re growing up in paying homage to all the great rap crews. neighborhoods where next door is just aban- doned houses. That’s whack. I’m not discrediting How did you link up with Young Savv? any other cities’ poverty but Flint is just a whole That’s my brother first and foremost. I had other monster. The shit that we have to accept as formed a relationship with the radio head normal is atrocious in other cities. in Michigan at 93.7. My man at the station, The Real Slacker, used to always tell me to I read that your father is a minister? Do your come up to the station. He was always forc- parents feel like there’s a conflict between Hip ing people to listen to my music. (laughs) Hop and Christianity or are they supportive of He would be like, “Yo, you ever heard of your rap career? Jon Connor before?” On that particular day My parents understand what I do and they sup- Young Savv was there and he gave me that port me because I do have a message. I’m saying look, “Yo, is that you?” He researched me and something in my music, I’m not out here promot- all the work we’d been putting in, and he ing negativity. I have a method to my madness wanted to help take that vision to the next and my dad always told me that Hip Hop is a level. He told me, “I’m not gonna stop until form of ministry. What does a minister do? He’s you get that number one spot.” He hasn’t let in front of a congregation with a microphone. me down yet. I’ve got a microphone too, and even though his congregation is at a church, I’m talking to Is there anything else you want to add? my congregation and clubs and arenas too and Thanks to you and OZONE for taking this people are listening to what I’m preaching. So it’s time to let my voice be heard. We up on the same thing as church. People are listening OZONE Magazine up here in Michigan. // to the preacher and his message. My dad and Twitter: @JonConnorMusic

10 // OZONE MAG King Louie

CHICAGO NATIVE KING LOUIE CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF KANYE WEST’S FORMER MANAGER JOHN MONOPOLY, Are you dropping an album this year? WHO WAS IMPRESSED WITH HIS HUSTLE We dropped Dope & Shrimp and we’re AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS. SINCE LINKING UP probably going to drop that as an album in WITH INDIE LABEL LAWLESS INC February.

How’d you get started in the rap game? Why do you call yourself King Louie? I got kicked out of high school during my last I feel like I’m a king. I think everyone should year and I had more time on my hands, so that’s look at themselves as a king, you know? And when I started going hard with rap music. A my real name is Louis, so, King Louie. couple years later I bumped into [Kanye West’s former manager] John Monopoly. He introduced Are you planning to stick it out indepen- me to Larro and [my record label] Lawless Inc. dently with Lawless Inc. or are you guys looking for a major distributor? Were you a troublemaker back in the day? Get- I think if you’ve got the right team you can ting kicked out of school? do it independently. When you’re on a major I wouldn’t really call it trouble-making. You know you’ve got to pay the label back and all that, how young men are. The school would probably you know, so there will be more money com- say I was a troublemaker, but I don’t think so. ing in this way. To each his own. I just want a These days I tend to woo-sah through my lyrics. situation where I can be the most successful, That’s how I let my aggression out, I smoke some- anything that’s going to be better for me, my thing and just chill and write. team, and my family.

Common, Kanye, there’s a lot of rappers who Outside of rap music, are there any other have come out of Chicago with substance in ambitions or goals that you have? their music. Would you say you’re in a similar I wouldn’t mind being a photographer. I love lane or more on a party vibe? taking pictures and posting them on Insta- I wouldn’t even put those two guys in the same gram and tweaking them out. That’s what category. Common is more conscious, and Kanye I’ll probably try to get into, or psychology or can get conscious sometimes but he’s more what something like that. // the younger generation would like to hear while Common is for the grown people. My music is Twitter: @1987RudeBoiKing @LawlessInc more street. It’s a little more grimy. To me, it’s my Instagram: KingLouie1987 personal perception of Chicago. It’s real hood, man. Words by Julia Beverly

OZONE MAG // 11 Freddie Gibbs Words by Julia Beverly

12 // OZONE MAG like I did all that [recording] for nothing; like I THE NEWEST MEMBER OF JEEZY’s just wasted my time. I guess I wasn’t what [In- CORPORATE THUGGIN’ IMPRINT, GARY, terscope] wanted at that time. It’s a business, IN NATIVE FREDDIE GIBBS, HOPES man. I’ve grown up since then and I under- TO BRING SUBSTANCE BACK TO RAP stand the nature of the business. It’s always MUSIC. about timing. It wasn’t the right time and there was a bit of politics, and there was some Coming from a place like Gary, Indiana, how assholes and bitch ass niggas in that situation, did you catch the attention of major labels? too. All of it was a learning experience. Inter- It was actually quite weird. This was back in scope isn’t the only people in this industry ’05, ’06, before all the blogging and all that. I that I’ve worked with and had to break ties started putting music on the streets and on with. There’s a lot of goofy muthafuckers that the internet and I got a call from Interscope you run into and sometimes you do business one day. About eight months later I had a with them but sometimes you’ve got to cut record deal over there and was recording in them off. But I don’t regret any of it. The whole L.A. and all that. It all happened real quick. I Interscope situation taught me a lot. never really rapped before my twenties. But once I got started, I started perfecting it and Now you’re with CTE. Sometimes, artists just kept at it. signing to other artists’ labels can be a bless- ing and a curse at the same time. What made When you started rapping, was it a way to you comfortable signing with Jeezy? get out of the situation you were in, or just I fuck with that nigga Jeezy. Due to my previ- venting? What was the motivation? ous situation, I’m skeptical about what I’m A little bit of both. It was a way to vent the willing to jump into, because you’re not guar- frustration and talk about the things going on anteed another day in this industry. I just felt around me. It was an outlet. But to use that that he was the guy that could take my music outlet you have to have money; you have to to the next level where it needed to go. Just have money for studio time, promotion, and by being around him and gaining that knowl- all that. So whatever I was making off the edge and experience, I felt like that would be streets, I was pouring into the music. If you’re priceless. And I’m still doing everything I’ve pouring money into something, you’re eventu- been doing prior to my CTE situation. ally hoping to turn a profit off of it. You named a few of your mixtapes after Lau- There’s so many artists now that get into the ryn Hill, Outkast, and some of their classic game because they think it’s easy money, but albums. Do you think that’s something that’s the artists who really become successful are missing in today’s music? the ones speaking from the heart. Definitely. I think people just aren’t making The game is flooded with so many artists. It’s quality music. Everything is so fast-food. Ain’t so easy to get in, you know? Back in the days nothing really slow-cooked. There aren’t too it was hard for you to get in the studio and many artists with new music that I get excited make a record. Today you can make a record about. There’s a few, but it’s only a handful. right in your room and it could become a Top 40, number one hit. It’s just a weird time for Who is on your wish list of artists you’d want music. It’s hard to sell it and it’s hard to make to work with? good quality music. Those that do, you have to That’s a good question. There’s a lot of produc- commend them, because it’s a tough time in ers I want to work with. Really I just want to the game right now. work with anybody that wants to work with me, because we have a mutual respect. When Interscope has traditionally been a great it comes together organically, you can’t go place for rap artists, so why did that situ- wrong. Everybody that I’ve worked with, I fuck ation not work out? Did you go through a with. If I respect your shit and you respect my depressed phase after you lost that deal? shit, we can do a record, it’s easy. I really want Yeah, definitely. G[ etting a deal with Inter- to do some more records with [Big] KRIT... scope] was probably one of the first things in my life that I felt like I was doing correctly, For the rest of this interview, log on to so when it didn’t work out, it was a shock. I ozonemag.com or youtube.com/ozonemag felt like I was better than the next nigga on their roster, so I felt slighted. I felt betrayed Website: FreddieGibbs.com (“just Google a by everybody around me, like, “Damn, y’all Nigga”) niggas didn’t fight for me?” I wanted to show Twitter: @FreddieGibbs the world what I had been working on. I felt

OZONE MAG // 13 JoJo Capone

Words by Julia Beverly Photo by ACJPhotography.com

OZONE caught up with Jojo Capone, the main force behind Chicago rap have to stay neutral. I was getting calls from conglomerate Global Gangsters, [E1 President] Alan Grunblatt and Kevin Liles to talk about rap beef, street life, and everybody wanted to do a deal. But and the deals they have on the it’s strained when it’s time to do business, table for 2012. because even though E1 and Alan Grunblatt wanted to do business with me, they were Global Gangsters is a powerful title. What are already in bed with Dipset and doing busi- you doing worldwide that’s so gangsta? ness with Jim Jones. A lot of people consider me their big homie if they’re having street issues. I’ve done that for So you had a problem with Jim Jones that multiple artists for so long that I felt like it was cost you a potential record deal with E1? hindering my label, Act Like It Entertainment. If you remember the Tru Life situation, that Let’s say if Ludacris and T.I. were beefing and I’m was my situation. The Global Gangsters is my running with T.I.; any business that I want to do movement but it consists of Tru Life, Maino, with Ludacris for the Global Gangsters or any Rick Ross, Jeezy, 2 Chainz – a lot of those other Act Like It Entertainment, now Ludacris guys have shouted out this movement or let doesn’t want to do business with me because I’m you know they’re a part of it. We’ve been in running with T.I. So I felt like I had to start sepa- talks with Jeezy about doing a solo situation rating myself from a lot of people because that with Pistol Pete from the group Global Gang- was the ultimate issue. I know a lot of people and sters, but then Rick Ross wanted to sign the so many people across the world know me, but group. So you see how I keep getting stuck I’m trying not to be in the middle. I’m trying to be in the middle when they started beefing? I’m neutral so if there are any situations people have just trying to get out of the middle. I have with each other, they have to deal with them on a few situations on the table myself. They their own. I did a little public service announce- compare me to Suge Knight and J Prince, but ment saying, “Sad to say, but if your grandmam- those guys made $800 million off the game. ma gets smacked, don’t call me. I can’t [handle] it Until I do that, I don’t want to be compared no more.” I had to sit back and analyze the facts. to those guys. If one dude puts my name in his records, it makes anyone [he’s beefing with] feel like I’m taking The Game said you were the one who sides when I’m actually not. Being independent, I negotiated a deal for Young Buck to get his

14 // OZONE MAG that’s just for Hip Hop, to be honest, because chain back after it was stolen. Was that another it shouldn’t spill over to [the streets], but if it situation where you were stuck in the middle? did, Rashid is very familiar with how to do it. Yeah, cause I know 50 [Cent] personally. Even JoJo Capone when 50 was doing what he was doing and What’s your opinion on Obama’s accom- [Tony] Yayo first got locked up, I was trying to plishments so far? help Saigon get a [G-Unit] deal and we were That’s my neighbor; shout out to Obama. We talking about that. I was at Violator and I had a stay within walking distance of each other. production/management situation with them. But yeah, he’s a great guy, a humble person. I had to see those guys and deal with them They put him in a position where he had to regularly so it just turned into another one of clean up the previous presidents’ mess and those situations. Out of The Game situation, all he did a great job if you really sit back and you get is your name and credit on the album think about it. He’s done a great job so far. and a scene in the documentary. My kids can’t I feel like there’s only one race, the human eat off credits. It’s all love with those guys but I race. There’s a great movie I’ve been plug- feel like anything outside of doing a feature with ging in every interview called Hidden Colors. an artist, I’ve gotta stay clear of it. The film shows you how everyone came from Africa. Once people started travel- In recent years, artists like Drake and Kanye ing outside of Africa and in the mountains have had a lot of success with a different style where it was cold, the melanin in your skin of rap music. Do you feel like gangsta rap has changed. People don’t know that so they’re started to fall off or is there still a lane for it? saying “black” and “white,” but you’re my There’s still a lane for it because there’s hard- sister, cousin, auntie, and relative too. ship in every city. But our name is just Global Gangsters, it’s not that we’re just singling out You dropped a few albums at the same gangster rap because we’re still a versatile group. time last year. Why did you do that instead If you check out [Global Gangsters’] Pistol Pete’s of spreading them out? video “Power,” that’s truly a Hip Hop record. We That’s a statement within itself. It’s what we just named ourselves Global Gangsters because do. It ain’t just no talk, this is what we do. that’s our mindframe. Gangstas do what they When we got back from a 32-city tour with want; others do what they can. We’ve traveled, The Clipse, the guys felt like they needed to we’ve done 32-city tours. We’ve done European gather their thoughts and get their head to- tours. We go back to Africa in February. gether because a lot of things had happened so fast. These are street guys that are transi- Is Global Gangsters meant to be kinda like Boyz tioning into becoming entertainers, so it was N Da Hood – a stepping stone for each indi- kinda overwhelming. We put out Global Inva- vidual member to embark on a solo career? sion, Turf by Turf Vol. 1 & 2, and my first project Exactly. A lot of people love Pistol Pete’s aggres- The Home of Capone on iTunes. Pistol Pete sive flow. C-Note has that Mystikal presence and did All Work No Play with DJ Swamp Izzo and Busta Rhymes-type performance. Big Blast is then he did I’m Your Favorite Rapper with DJ more like Scarface with the in-depth stories. Cha Kay Slay. Now we have two more coming, No Chi is like a Jay-Z or Nas with the wordplay; he Skeletons In Our Closet hosted by DJ Junior. paints the picture of the streets. The game is a lot better now for indepen- Being from Chicago, how do you feel about this dents. Drake and Common thing? Is Common repre- It always was, we just didn’t know that. Mas- senting your city properly? ter P tried to show you but people just didn’t Yeah, he definitely did, because you see he didn’t listen. I don’t like dudes who come up and do any subliminals. We’re not a subliminal city. If don’t pay homage to somebody like Master we’re talking to you, you’re going to know about P. he really did try to show and share that it. That’s why I’m saying it hindered me for so independent grind and tell people to stop long because so vocal about everything. What- being slaves to those who are above them ever I thought or felt, I spoke on it. That’s normal financially. Some listened and some didn’t. I in Chicago. Shout out to Common; he’s from shout P out every chance I get for that. // around my neighborhood. What he’s showing the world is the grown-up side of him, but all the Twitter: @GlobalGangsters @ActLikeItEnt busting guns and all that, he’s done that. He can @BigBlastGlobal @ChaChiGlobal @CNote39 tell all that himself, but Rashid was a whole differ- @PistolPete @GhostTheGreat ent dude. He’s not like that no more. He’s able to @MissBossLady paint the picture because he really lived that life. Website: ActLikeItEnt.com I look at him and Drake’s [“beef”] as something

OZONE MAG // 15 Words by Julia Beverly DJ Black Words by Julia Beverly

INDIANAPOLIS STAPLE DJ BLACK IS A TRIPLE THREAT, HOLDING IT DOWN AS A DJ, MARKETING & PROMO REP, AND there too, when his career was just starting RETAIL STORE OWNER. to take off. He was working on the Choices II soundtrack. I was working with David Ban- ner doing all the promotions for his debut I know you’ve got a lot of history in the rap album, and basically, once I met DJ Paul he game and you’ve worked with Three 6 Mafia took me under his wing and I’ve been loyal and a lot of other artists. How did you get ever since. Right now DJ Paul and Juicy J are started? each doing their solo thing but it’s still 100% I started out doing marketing for David Banner Three 6 Mafia. I’ve been doing my mixtape and Lil Jon. When I was on my way to [David Ban- thing in Naptown, just staying behind the ner’s] “Cadillac on 22s” video shoot, DJ Paul called scenes in today’s music game. me and I stopped off in Memphis at the studio. He was working on his solo album. Lil Duval was Even in the past few years since the David Banner and Lil Jon days, the music game

16 // OZONE MAG has changed a lot in terms of marketing and promotions. Moving into the digital age what I’m not a dumb muthafucker. If you come in are some of the new strategies you’re using? my store, you can buy the [mixtape] cover DJ Black I kinda got away from the street team thing and I’ll give you the CD for free. That story when I started working with Three 6 Mafia. I run a basically originated in Indianapolis with a mom & pop record store in Indianapolis. Basical- guy named Alan Berry. He had a store called ly, the street team is no more. I’ve seen the game Berry’s Music. Google it and you’ll see the transition into free music. Everybody is putting whole story about him and the RIAA. After out mixtapes and getting their money off shows. he beat his case with the RIAA, he came back The game has totally changed. I remember and opened Naptown Music. He recently when the label would pay $20,000 to run a tour closed because they were robbed five or six and put some posters up. Now it’s all internet. times. It was a [dangerous] area where the You might see a couple posters in mainstream store was, and he’s an older white guy in his markets but Indianapolis is a third-string market forties. He knows his Hip Hop, though. [The so you’d rarely see promotion. shootings] kind of scared him I think, so he got out of the music game. So I bought Not many of the mom & pop record stores have Naptown Music and closed my store down. lasted this long; even major record stores like I’m moving Naptown Music to a new location Tower Records have gone out of business. What on the number one street in Indianapolis. are you doing to maintain? That’s all I have to say about the RIAA. I Well, mom & pops are still running strong in bought [Berry’s] original Naptown Music my area. I talked to Scream about opening up a sign, his inventory, everything. So I’m going Hood Rich store in Atlanta or a Hypnotized Mindz to reopen Naptown Music and it’s going to store in Memphis with Three 6. Everybody knows be a landmark spot in Indianapolis, for sure. they can get the CD from the bootlegger or go to It’s a dream come true. the internet now, just keeping it 100. There’s only a select few people who are really supporting the Nice. You’re also known for your Dragged actual album when it comes out. But I’m able to Up mixtapes. What’s the difference be- survive just off my name and my personal music. tween Dragged Up music and Screw music? I order everything direct from the distributor, RIP DJ Screw, first of all. I’ve got “R.I.P. DJ the new Jay-Z and Kanye, the new Ross, the new Screw” tatted real big on my stomach. I really Rihanna, everything is legit, nothing bootleg. live that type of music. I have gotten into al- When you walk into a mom & pop store and the tercations over it. I’m not the type of dude to music is playing, you just get that Hip Hop feel. just get on the internet and be talking about Right now I’m transitioning into a more digital it, feel me? Drag is basically slower than approach. That’s what I’m working on right now. Screw music. IT’s mob music. I call it Dragged Up because I don’t think you can do Screw How do you think the Super Bowl weekend is music if you’re not [DJ] Screw, you know? going to be in Indianapolis? Screw would say that right now if he was I think the city is going to be overwhelmed. They alive, so just out of respect to him and his don’t know how much money there really is out family, I call it Drag. We’re going to keep the there in the world. I don’t think the people of tradition going that Screw pioneered, but Indianapolis are ready for the amount of stunting in real life, you can’t be Screwed if you not that’s gonna be going down. Screw. A lot of people know that Dragged Up music originated with DJ Black, and that’s an Who are some of the artists in the Indianapolis accomplishment to me. area making noise? You’ve got Dro Man, he’s got the jiggalate dance Anything else you want to add? goin’ on with Gucci Mane. You’ve got Pacman, Shout out to the team Hood Rich DJs, they’re he’s got his single going with 2 Chainz, Juicy J of killin’ it right now. Shout out to OZONE Three 6 Mafia, and Gorilla Zoe. You’ve got G Fresh Magazine for always showing love. Shout out and Munki Boi Entertainment and his labelmate to the city of Indianapolis, 317. I love it, I’m Young Tone. You’ve got Playboy, Lil Pooty, Grinny still here. I just wish they would give me the Boy, and a guy named Maxamillion, he’s like the respect I deserve. I’m behind a lot of stuff in new Machine Gun Kelly. the music industry. I’m really a humble cat. If you want to talk to me 901-428-4255 is my At one point, there was a lot of controversy direct line. // with the RIAA targeting certain mom & pop stores and shutting them down for selling Twitter: @DJBlack_HCP mixtapes. Did that affect you?

OZONE MAG // 17 Chu Words by Julia Beverly

18 // OZONE MAG GARY, INDIANA NATIVE AND FORMER CHICAGO GANG LEADER CHU OVERCAME testimony of everything I’ve overcome and A TROUBLED PAST, a federal indict- conquered in my life coming from that dark ment, life on the run, and the tragic side. I want to bring it to light now and show death of his two artists. with his them it’s been a great fight. I’ve been fight- LABEL U.C.O.N.N. AND HIS debut album ing fourteen years and after a great struggle comes a great reward. When I lost my artists I AM NALON AND NALON IS ME, he hopes people thought it was over, you know? [They to spread his testimony and explain were] Jordan and Scottie Pippen to me, and how he overcame THE dark side TO I lost both of ‘em. I feel like I’m Phil Jackson SPREAD LIGHT. and I had to sit back and put everything together again. God is showing me that you How long have you been rapping? can make the impossible possible if you I started off as the CEO. I wasn’t supposed to be a believe. rapper. I started rapping by force, not by choice, because I lost my artist in a [car] accident. His Nalon was a great artist, and he’s still a great name is Nalon, that’s why I called my album I Am artist, and you’ll see it through me. You could Nalon and Nalon is Me, because I feel that I need put him up against the greats, because he to continue this mission we started fourteen was anointed by a great God to spit the years ago for the Midwest. Fourteen years ago, words we are spitting. I’m not just after the no one was recognizing the Midwest. No one was dough, I’m after your soul. I want to touch screaming “Midwest” until I did [“Midwest Inva- your soul through this music. I want people sion” on the] Monsters of the Midway soundtrack. to know there is hope; you just have to have I put Twista and Layzie Bone together on that faith. Like I tell people, I’m rich in faith, not in track and stopped the beef between them. I was money. Faith brought me here. There was a the mutual friend they talked about on Beef 3. I time I had no money. was just happy that we were able to be recog- nized as the Midwest back then. I was a fugitive on the run for four years, Chi- cago’s most wanted. Indiana’s most wanted. But for me to be an artist now, I felt like I had to I was in a whole different country not even carry it on. I feel like you can kill the body but you knowing the language and still doing the can’t kill the soul, which lives on through this mu- music when I was on the run. I brought my sic. We started this Darkside thing, me and Nalon. whole studio to another country. We kept Darkside/U.C.O.N.N. is the name of the label, doing our music and we ain’t let nothing which stands for United Clique Of Notorious Na- stop us. This is a great testimony. God is tions. I don’t care if you represent Bloods, Crips, awesome. They said I would never come [or any other gang], we’re all united. We want to home, but I’m right here in your face doing turn our negatives to positives. We wanna live this interview right now. It’s a blessing. I just life instead of taking life. I’m not glorifying the want to show people that God is good. We streets, I’m glorifying God so that we can over- can overcome all things because God is on come the streets. I want to let people know that our side. gangstas pray too. Why were you on the run? Are you hoping to help unify gangs with this They had me locked down 23 hours a day. album? They labeled me a terrorist because they Yeah, I mean, it’s whatever set you’re from. It say gang leaders are basically terrorists. I doesn’t even have to be a gang. It could be a was locked down 23 hours a day because nation, a culture, wherever you’re from, just of a sealed indictment from the Feds for everybody coming together under one umbrella six months. They wouldn’t even unseal the trying to do something positive out of all this indictment, so I was in [prison] not even negative that we come from. It’s serious in Chica- knowing my charges. I fought it and they go. Not just Chicago, but everywhere. I was born had to unseal [the indictments] because I in Gary, Indiana, G.I. We call it Gangsta Island. fired the lawyer that was working for them. I They don’t play around. Ain’t nothin’ but gunplay hired two more lawyers and found out what in G.I. That’s all they know, the dark side of life. was really going on and got [the indictment] unsealed. I was charged with a felony pos- So when you started the label it was your intent session of a firearm and did 19 months. I was to get out of that situation and express your blessed to come home. That whole situation thoughts on what you were going through? is behind me now and we’re moving forward. Basically, yeah. I wanted to tell people my

OZONE MAG // 19 CHU CONTINUED: streets at 21 years old, so [money] is nothing How did your artists pass away? to me. My thing is to let people know that I It was a car accident after a party we had. Five am a living testimony. God has blessed me years ago, November 17th. We had a mansion and I overcame a lot. I just want people to party with a celebrity from Chicago. We were at believe, that’s all. his mansion and that morning they were on their way home. There was a malfunction with the Would you call it “gospel rap”? car and it slid into a wall. The wall collapsed on It’s a balance. It’s all gangsta music, but I’m both of my artists, killing them. Nalon and Chuck letting you know God created it all. He cre- General. Chuck had that raspy voice; I loved his ated gangstas. My God is gangsta. When you voice, man. It was real devastating but God spoke break it down he’s the God of love and the to me in my heart. He said, “When they killed my God of rap too, you know? son they thought it was over. That’s the plan.” So I have to believe what I heard in my heart. It’s kind A lot of people rap about the street life of hard to believe that this is the “plan,” though. but don’t really tell the consequences. So I never wanted to be a rapper. I was the guy you’re hoping to balance things out a little behind the scenes putting things together. more? Yeah, balance it out. Don’t stay stuck on Have you always been a spiritual person or is negative because at the end of the day it will this something that came to you during your become negative. Try to turn your negatives incarceration? to positives. Try to live life. Don’t just stay I’ve been anointed since I was a child. People focused on the block. It’s bigger than the don’t know that I’ve been rolling with God since block, there’s a whole world out here. We I was a juvenile. At the juvenile center, I want to stay stuck on our block and the war zone thank the man that came in and spoke that word. where we live. He was like, “You call yourself a Latin King? Come and be with the King of Kings. You call yourself a What’s the plan to get your music out there Vice Lord? Come and be with the Lord of Lords. in 2012? You call yourself a Disciple? Come and be a Tony Draper just gave me a call the other Disciple for Jesus.” That word touched my life. I day. He’s going to fly in and we’re going to was the only one that stood up because I felt the put something together. Who better than spirit for the first time. I went astray, but he kept Tony Draper himself to show me how to run pulling me in. I pray with gangstas. I pray with this independent game? We did business everybody in the streets. I pray with everybody back when I was on the run. He knows I do because I’m not ashamed of who I am. I learned good business so we’re going to sit down in this journey of life that you can never be sin- and do more good business. It’s going to less but you can learn how to sin less. I’ve been be a blessing. I’ve got a power move that’s through the dark side. People wouldn’t believe about to happen. I’m basically trying to be all the things I’ve overcome. The police shot me like Ice Cube. It’s becoming an independent up the day they caught me and not one bullet hit world. Too $hort taught me that. I wanted me. There’s so many different trials I’ve overcome to sign my label through his and he told me, to the point where you know there must be a “You don’t need me, man. Be independent.” God. There’s no other answer. He taught me how to be independent and I’ve been staying independent for fourteen So the name of the album is I Am Nalon and years making major moves. I’m independent Nalon Is Me. Do you feel like he’s speaking but I’m doing it major. I’ve got major artists through you? like Jazze Pha and Too $hort on my album. Yeah. On the album’s intro, I start it off with an I’ve charted on the Billboard charts, #3. I’ve accident. I was driving one day and I got bits got songs with Scarface, Ali of the St. Luna- and pieces from one of his songs in my head. tics, Danny Boy, and Trillville, and they’re all He’s got over 450 songs done; real music. So I’m bangers. driving and I hear this song and he says “I’ve had my earth suit in the ground for a minute, but I’ll Since you have roots in Gary, IN, and be back to put my soul in it.” It just hit my heart Chicago, IL, what do you think the Midwest and I went to tears because he spoke to me. This needs to have a major movement? is the plan. He’s gonna put his soul through me. It’s missing this U.C.O.N.N. thing, United Through the words we spit, we’re going to touch Cliques. We’ve got to come together like the these souls. My goal is to reach a million souls. West, East, and South do. The last shall be- I ain’t worried about dough. I conquered the come first, and we’re the last. I feel like we’re the hardest in the nation and we just ned to

20 // OZONE MAG unify. If I’ve got to do music in the West, the East, Let’s bring the Midwest together.” and the South and bring it back to Chicago, that’s what I’m going to do because I’m not leaving Is there anything else you want to add? home. I want my label to be like the Def Jam of Look up my record Chu “Gone” on YouTube. the Midwest. You can come right here to Chicago Shout out to all my brothers and sisters in and we’ll make it happen. I want everybody the Midwest doing their thing. Shout out in the Midwest to unify like Twista and Layzie to my boy Sean Dell at 92.3 who holds me [Bone] did. I had to tell Layzie, “Homie, it’s cool down. Shout out to my DJs V-Dubb, DJ Phar- you got on in the West Coast but where are you ris, my man Delly Del, Too $hort, everybody originally from? Ain’t Cleveland in the Midwest? in the Midwest that’s doing their thing. // Why are we fighting over a style that’s ours?Y ’all fighting over a style that’s from the Midwest. Website: DarksideUconn.com

OZONE MAG // 21 doing the independent thing for now. INDIANAPOLIS RAPPER DRO MAN HAS BEEN ON HIS GRIND FOR A WHILE, BUT What’s the vibe like in Indianapolis right IT WAS THE DANCE RECORD “JIGGALATE” now with the Super Bowl coming to town? People are definitely excited about it. It’s - FEATURING FELLOW LOCALS T-EAZY like a once-in-a-lifetiem chance to see AND SWOE - THAT FINALLY CAUGHT THE some people. Everybody in the city is really PUBLIC’S ATTENTION. HERE, HE TELLS excited. It’s going down already, it’s like a OZONE HOW HE PLANS TO FOLLOW UP celebration. I ain’t even know itw as going to THE RECORD IN 2012. be as big as it is. There’s pre-parties out here and everything already. I hear you’ve got the streets of Indianapolis jiggalatin’. What are the main parties you’ll be at, and Yup, it’s like a movement. They’re doing it are you performing anywhere during Super everywhere. It’s spread from across the state Bowl weekend? throughout the Midwest and a couple spots in I’ll be at Birdman’s birthday bash, that’s at the South. Cloud 9 on Thursday. Friday we’re perform- ing with Meek Mill and we’ve also got a How would you describe the dance, for people celebrity basketball game on Friday. We’re who haven’t seen it? going to be doing a lot of things throughout There’s different variatons of it, different things the weekend. you can do with it. In some parts, you imitate cooking. Some people imitate playing the guitar. How would you describe the Indianapolis You can play golf, whatever you want to put into sound? Do you feel like the city has a style the dance, that’s what jiggalating is. of its own or is still trying to find its niche? Every artist has their own sound, I think. They Is this the first record you put out? city really ain’t got no certain sound. We take I’ve been doing it for a while but this is the first some stuff from the South and the West and record that everybody noticed. I’ve been doing the New York sound and mix it all together. it for years before that even came out. I guess We take a little bit of everything. Everybody’s you’ve gotta get in the game with a dance, I different.Y ou’ll never find another artist that guess that’s what they want. sounds like Dro Man no matter where you go in the world. Before the dance record was most of your music a different style, more of a street vibe or Should I assume from the name Dro Man what? that you’re a weed head? Yeah, that’s more me right there. “Jiggalate” is just I mean, I smoke, but I wouldn’t label myself a Words by Julia Beverly a catchy song. It’s not really a dance type song weed head. like people think it is, but you know you’ve got something real going on with it. A lot of people Where did you get your name Dro Man from our neighborhood can relate to the stuff from then? Does it have a different mean- that’s going on in the song. That’s why people ing behind it? feel it. I mean, it was just something they used to call me. They used to call me Dro because I What’s your plan for 2012? Do you have a mix- used to always be slowed down a little bit. Dro Man tape you’re dropping or an album? Actually I have the Mr. Popular mixtape coming Do you have a follow-up record to the out for Super Bowl weekend. I’ve also got my “Jiggalate” record that you’re getting ready Trappin’ For Dummies 3 mixtape coming soon, to drop? and I’m having a mixtape release party for that Yeah, I’ve got a few other records that are do- in March. I have more videos coming out on ing well and I’ve got a couple other records Worldstar and YouTube. I’m gonna start working on the way. I don’t really know which one towards my album and it should be finished by I’m gonna run with because anything I’ve the end of 2012. put out, everybody’s feeling it. It’s kinda hard to pick which one to run with so I think I’m Are you planning to release the album inde- just gonna let the people pick. “Jiggalate” is pendently or have the major labels been pay- still picking up and getting played in a lot of ing attention with the success of “Jiggalate?” different cities. // Yeah, the labels are paying attention, but we’re Twitter: @DroManMusic

22 // OZONE MAG Words by Julia Beverly Dro Man

OZONE MAG // 23

DJ Wrekk 1 Words by Julia Beverly

4 // OZONE MAG Fifteen years ago, DJ Wrekk 1 got his ing to work together. I think it’s just a matter start in St. Louis, MO, working under DJ of time before it happens. Right now we still Kut. Since moving to Indianapolis ten have to train the masses to really support local years ago, he’s held down the night independent music out of the Midwest. That’s spot at Hot 96.3 with #1 ratings in his a process. A lot of us are trained to like the time slot. national artists that come out with music from the East or the West or Down South. In the Since you’ve been DJing for 15 years, have Midwest, Southern music is pretty prominent. you seen a major change in radio playlists? A lot of us haven’t been trained to support It’s definitely limited, I’ll say that, but on the flip local independent music. As we continue to side, A DJ has to look at it as an opportunity grow and understand the whole process and instead of complaining about it. When I’m out artists continue to come out with music on a DJing in the club, that’s my chance to break regular basis, I think we’ll be in good shape. I music that the radio stations aren’t playing. see the movement already growing. That’s my chance to create a different avenue. So it actually helps the DJ when the radio sta- For visitors that are coming to Indianapolis tion won’t play certain music, because it gives for Super Bowl weekend, what are 5 things you more variety to stand out and do your they have to do while they’re in town? thing. It all depends on how you look at it. At First, you’ve got to check out the Colts, even if the end of the day, radio is a business. They it’s just going to the mall to get a jersey or see- have to play certain music to get ratings and ing where they play. Number two, I’d say the that’s how the money comes in. It all depends Indy 500. People love the races here so you’ve on the ratings. If the ratings aren’t there, the got to go see the track at Indy 500. Three, radio station won’t make money. It’s all busi- you’ve got to learn how to jiggalate, that’s the ness, I get that. biggest dance in the city around here. Shout out to Dro Man. Four, you’ve gotta go see the What are a few records recently that worked Pacers play. They love the Pacers here. And organically for you without radio? number five, tune into Hot 96.3 to check me Right now that French Montana “Shot Caller” out and see how it goes down in Indianapolis. record is crazy. The new 50 Cent record is crazy, anything with Gucci mane too. We’ve got a ton Which Super Bowl parties are you DJing? of local artists here that are making noise, like I’m involved with the Bud Light Hotel party. Rainy Boy, Dro Man, G Fresh and Young Tone. That’s going to be crazy. Drake and Lil Wayne are going to be in town. I’m doing a Def Jam Are you one of the DJ purists who still sticks Takeover on the radio, Saturday 4-6 with with vinyl? Or do you see the advantages of Ludacris, Young Jeezy, and Nas. Friday night Serato and a lot of the new technology? I’ve got G-Unit Radio with 50 Cent and the I’m not going to lie, when Serato first came whole crew. A lot of other artists are coming out, I was against it. I had been DJing with through, like J Cole, B.o.B., and Wale. That’s vinyl so long and had a pretty extensive col- just the parties, that’s not including other stuff lection. I was proud of my vinyl collection. like the NFL Experience downtown. I know I One of the record executives was talking to have at least ten or fifteen artists just coming me and was like, “Wrekk, you cannot stop the through my radio show, so it’s going to be avalanche. Why are you trying to stop it?” At poppin’ in the city. This is the biggest thing the end of the day, you have to adjust with ever for us here in Indiana, especially with the the times or you’ll get run over. So now I just Giants in the Super Bowl. I’m going for the look at Serato as some equipment that makes Giants all the way! it easier for us to get the music out to the people. I love vinyl; I love being able to search Is there anything else you want to say? for records. That’s what made you different Thanks to everybody who has really helped back in the day – when you had different me grow and expand my whole career. The records that other people didn’t have. But with radio station Hot 96.3 has definitely given me the Serato game now, you can still be different. a lot of opportunities, and I appreciate you It’s all about how you do your thing and rock it. and your staff. I deal with Jennifer over there You’ve got to find your niche. So I don’t think at OZONE and I appreciate everything you all Serato hurt anything. It made it an even play- do. I appreciate the city of Indianapolis and ing field for everybody. everybody who has helped me grow into the man and the DJ that I am today. // What do you think it will take for the Mid- west to have a big movement? Twitter: @Wrekk1 I think it’s just about consistency and continu-

OZONE MAG // 5 MGK Words by Julia Beverly

6 // OZONE MAG CLEVELAND SPOKESMAN MACHINE GUN kind of like an escape from everything. KELLY ISN’T JUST TAKING HIS TALENTS TO SOUTH BEACH, HE’S TAKING HIS TALENTS You’ve got a lot of different labels looking to WORLDWIDE AND STILL REPPIN’ THE sign you. What’s the deciding factor? MGK HOMETEAM. OZONE CHECKED IN WITH THE I can’t compromise my movement for money. RISING STAR TO FIND OUT HOW HE IGNITED I have an anarchy tattoo on my stomach, so A MOVEMENT. I’m like anti-establishment. So I’m looking for whoever is willing to push those boundaries How does a 21-year-old kid from Cleveland and take those risks. My image and my name, end up opening for Diddy on tour? Machine Gun Kelly, is a risk. Whoever is willing That’s a good question. I just turned 21 a to take that risk without trying to change it couple days ago, so it’s kinda like a birthday up. Despite the fact that I came up on the gift. I think our fan base is just so strong, underground, I’ve never really made under- especially in the Midwest. Our movement is an ground music. I’ve always made commercial, underground movement but the music is so universal-sounding music. So I think it’s to be universal. expected that my music would come out on a major label. I’d rather have my music spread Did you hear a lot of criticism starting out in throughout the world instead of just a couple the game as a white rapper? states. There are hundreds of kids, if not Not really, because I had good street cred thousands, that have Lace Up tattoos. I can before I came out in my hometown. When I honestly say I’ve shut down the mall before. I started out, I was battle rapping. I hate the shut down a mall in Canton, Ohio. comparison, but it was kinda like the 8 Mile thing. You had to battle to gain your respect. How did you feel about Lebron James leav- I couldn’t really fight that well when I was a ing Cleveland? kid so I chose to fight with my words instead. Fuck that muthafucker. But Lebron leaving When I was battle rapping, I was in Denver. I was the best thing that ever happened to my moved to Cleveland when I was fifteen and career. As soon as he left, people were like, around that time, battle rapping was kind of “At least we got [Machine Gun Kelly].” I was whack. That phase faded out in like ’04, ’05. cool with that because I had to step up to the plate. I had a concert at the House of Blues for What was the first release that started get- a private party that night [he announced he ting you some attention? was leaving] so I got to witness the mayhem I was the first rapper to ever win the Apollo. downtown, all the crazy shit. People think of That was a tough crowd but I won first place basketball as an economic thing; you fucked twice, so that was crazy. I had a release called the whole economy of our city up. I don’t even 100 Words And Running. That’s when I got my watch basketball, so I don’t give a fuck. He put city’s stamp of approval. I started getting a lot families out of jobs, changed the whole down- of love from the radio and doing shows, and town landscape, all that stuff. But big ups to we got a reputation for having these crazy live him for even being able to have that kind of performances. When Lace Up came out, that power. I hope I have that kind of power one was the mxitape that changed everything. I day as well. had a song on there called “Cleveland” that the Cavaliers’ come out to [during their games] at Let’s say you had been in Cleveland for the Q Arena, so that was huge. I was just talk- seven years and hadn’t yet achieved what ing about a lot of personal issues on there, and you wanted to achieve. Would you go to people could relate. another market to make it happen? Nah, because of my legacy. A real hero stays What are some of the topics you speak on? when he is most needed. Cleveland is the I speak on a lot of different issues. I try to be number one poorest city in America. I see motivational. Lace Up definitely had that whole Detroit fight back every other year. That’s the underdog tone. I spoke on things like heroin only credit we get – being the poorest. We addiction, growing up in a loner phase. needed him. Families needed him. He was a face [of the city]... I know you said you don’t like the 8 Mile comparison, but do you have a similar back- For the rest of this interview, log on to ground as Eminem? ozonemag.com or youtube.com/ozonemag I just don’t want to be categorized like that because I have such a different voice. We have Website: MGKLaceUp.com the same kind of fans so maybe that’s why Twitter: @MachineGunKelly they would look at us as this scapegoat. We’re

OZONE MAG // 7 L.E.P. Bogus Boys Words by Eleven8

(l to r): Count, Moonie

8 // OZONE MAG FROM PLOTTING TO ROB THEIR FUTURE CEO Count: Nah, you know what? Our city sup- TO COLLABORATING WITH THE LIKES OF BUN ports. We go out every day and somebody B AND PRODUCING THEIR OWN CLOTHING new is yelling out “L.E.P.!” We were at the mall LINE, CHICAGO RAPPERS L.E.P. BOGUS BOYS yesterday shooting a video and they were HAVE COME A LONG WAY. yelling “L.E.P.!” We’re still in the hood so they’re like, “Damn, I just seen y’all on TV.” When we’re For those who don’t know, how did the LEP in Chicago we’re around. Our studio is right Bogus Boys come together? in Englewood. We’re right there, in your face Count: Long story short, I met our CEO, E, down and on TV. there in Ickes Projects. Originally we wanted to Moonie: We’ve seen people get L.E.P. tattoos rob him. Then we got reacquainted with him and everything. It’s definitely getting crazy and he was starting a label. We were making out here. music already, so when we met back up with him, he realized we were the same people that Have you signed a major label deal yet? were gonna rob him. We ended up getting Moonie: Nah, not yet. We’re waiting. We’re back with him and the label about ten years working right now so we’re not really worried ago. Moonie and E went to jail, got out, and about a deal. If the right deal is presented to we’ve been keeping it going ever since. us we’ll definitely negotiate, but right now we’re independent. We can do anything we Why were you going to rob him? want, whenever we want. That’s the best part Count: He was the one with the bread. He was about being independent. If me and Count coming down there seeing his female all the decide we want to drop 67 songs tomorrow, time. He was a lil’ flashy nigga, so we were go- we don’t need anybody else’s approval. We’re ing to get him. I hate telling that story. (laughs) working right now, and the streets co-signed it. We’re getting booked [for shows], we shoot How would you describe the music coming videos every other day, we’re in the studio out of the Chicago area and where you fit in? 24/7, and we’re enjoying being independent. Count: Chicago rap is on some gang-banging rap. But they’re like 17, 18, 19 year old shorties. You’ve worked with everyone from Raekwon We’re older so we’re like the big homies. We’re to Gucci Mane. What was your favorite col- more experienced and seasoned; we’ve been laboration? through what they’re going through. They can Moonie: We honestly enjoy working with ev- relate to us and they know how we get down, erybody. We appreciate all the hospitality. But so when we talk, they listen. we learned a lot when we did a song with Bun B, cause he’s an OG. He gave us a whole differ- Who are some of your musical influences? ent format and thinking process. A lot of times Moonie: It always starts off with Tupac and when we get in the studio with other dudes Biggie. I mean, who ain’t influenced by the it’s more fun, you know? But when we get in late greats? I like Jay-Z too. Of course being the studio with Bun he sat down and chopped from Chicago I’ve gotta tip my hat off to all the it up with us like real men. I definitely gotta Chicago artists like Kanye, Twista, Do or Die, tip my hat off to Bun B. That’s a real dude and I and Common. Rakim and Big Daddy Kane, too. support him 110%. And Rest In Peace Pimp C. Just look at how they were doing it back in the L.E.P. day. There’s a lot of things they had back then You have your own clothing line, shoot your that artists of today are missing. own videos, are editing your own movie – what other ventures are you working on? Bogus Boys How did you link up with DJ Green Lantern Moonie: We’re trying to see if Ferrari will let for Now Or Neva? us get our own edition of L.E.P. Bogus Boys’ Moonie: We had always been fans of each Ferraris. As far as the clothing line, me and other. We did his Invasion Radio show on Count always like to be on some fly shit. The Sirius XM/Hip Hop Nation and that’s how we Midwest is always fresh. I think Chicago has linked up. Shout out to Green Lantern, that’s been trendsetting in the fashion world for a the homie. We got a great response to the long time, it’s just really starting to come out mixtape. I think we made Top 10 mixtapes for now, especially with Kanye doing his thing. I the second year in a row. feel like we’re dope enough to be trendsetters ourselves. We’ve also got a clothing venture That’s a good look. Have you experienced with Crooks & Castles. // any changes in the way people treat you in Chicago? A lot of artists say that once you get Website: LEPbogusboys.com. (l to r): Count, Moonie more national recognition, there’s backlash Twitter @LEPBogusBoys in your hometown.

OZONE MAG // 9 Pacman Words by Julia Beverly

10 // OZONE MAG WITH THE HELP OF DJ BLACK, INDIANAPOLIS teens out here growing up without father RAPPER PACMAN HAS BEEN BUILDING A figures or with mothers that aren’t really BUZZ WITH HIS RECORD “TOP OFF.” AS HE catching on to what’s said in the music. I try FIGHTS A PENDING COURT CASE, HE HOPES not to use so much negativity to reach my HIS PAST WON’T DERAIL HIS FUTURE. crowd. Some people do love to see rappers incarcerated. They feel like it makes you realer How did you get started in the rap game? than when you were out here. I’m still trying I’ve been rapping since my younger days. I was to understand that. like 8 or 9, just working on my craft. I really started taking it seriously when I was about 17. What are you planning to release music-wise I put out my first actual CD in 2007, when I as in 2012? 22. The people around me in my environment I’m working on The Come Up 2.5 right now. It were really feeling my swag with the music, so might be out in the spring just depending on I noticed I had the potential to keep growing the outcome of this case. Everything is kind in the music business. That’s when I got really of on hold right now because I don’t know if serious about it, and I’ve been doing albums I’m going to have to do time. If I get proba- and mixtapes ever since. tion I can still be out here pushing my music. But right now, it’s making me go harder just How did you link up with DJ Black? because this case is pending. I don’t know I knew him through a childhood friend that what God has in store for me so all I can do is was DJing with him under his label Dragged pray and take it one day at a time. Up Entertainment. He introduced me to DJ Black, back before I put out my first album. What are some of the hot spots in Indianap- He kind of inspired me to keep going and he’s olis to visit during Super Bowl weekend? been backing me. He told me to keep working My barbershop, The Next Level, is on 21st and stay in the streets with the music. & Franklin; that’s a real nice spot. Kids get haircuts for $5, and with the economy so slow, Pacman Right now you have “Top Off” with 2 Chainz, that means a lot to people. One of my favorite Juicy J, and Gorilla Zoe. I see you’re paying restaurants in Indianapolis is BBQ Heaven. You tribute to syrup like a lot of Houston and know black folks love BBQ chicken and soul Memphis rappers have done. Is that becom- food places like Country Kitchen, on 19th & ing an Indianapolis favorite as well? Collins. I eat that every day, whenever I can. We kinda took heed to what they were all doing. I figured all these guys talk about it just Who are you working with for your upcom- like I do, so the record might turn out to be ing project? something big. And it did. I don’t really want to Project Pat with Three 6 Mafia. We have stay on that topic, you know, letting my crowd a couple tracks we’ve done together. I’m think it’s okay to use that type of drug. But at working with Mike Will, who is a producer in the same time, I know it’s being used every day Atlanta. He did “Tupac’s Back.” I actually had on a daily basis all throughout the world. So I owned that beat but I was humble enough just stuck on that topic because I know a lot of to bless Rick Ross with the track so he could people are doing it, not just in the Midwest or open doors for me, so now I’m getting blessed the South, but all over. by him. I always like opening doors for other people too, not just thinking about yourself. You’re in the middle of a legal situation, right? Can you talk about the details? Aside from being humble and willing to I can only say so much, because I’m fighting a work with people, what do you think are the case right now from some poor choices I made keys to success in the music business? in life. I’m trying to redeem myself and just Dedication, determination, and just the drive better myself on a daily basis and stick to the to achieve goals. If you fail to plan, you plan music without being involved in gang activity to fail. You’ve gotta always have new creative or substance abuse and all that. I’m really try- ideas every single day. What can you do to ing to get myself together. be different from the next person? You don’t wanna be just like the next man. You want to It seems like people want to see rappers go stand out. Every day I just say a prayer and ask to jail; it gives you that street credibility. what I can do to become a better person. // Yeah, that’s what sells right now. People don’t always want to see positivity. If Gucci Mane Twitter: @PaperchaseEnt beats a murder case, he’s that dude, you know, Facebook: Pacman Naptown somebody the youth are looking up to. It’s Email: [email protected] overwhelming because there are so many

OZONE MAG // 11 Words by Rohit Loomba Photo by Malik Abdul Twista

12 // OZONE MAG The Windy City’s rapid-fire lyricist Twista shows no signs of slowing down as he continues to record and record a lot and pick a few records for certain prepares to drop multiple proj- projects, I have to sit down first and come up ects for his fans this year. With the with the concept and have the beat in place Super Bowl only a short drive away before I record so I usually don’t record much from Chicago, it was only right we more than what you hear. That means I’ve checked in with the Midwest’s own gotta have everything perfect when I record, and ask him about what he’s been up so it can take me a while. Sometimes I’ll be in to lately and what he thinks of the the booth for a while gettin’ a bar or two just Super Bowl. right. Until it sounds like what I have in my head it’s hard for me to stop. What have you been up to since the Perfect Storm dropped? Is it more important for you to reach that Been busy doin’ shows and keeping the music level of perfection even after all these years? out there for all the fans. We’ve been on the It’s even more important now because I’ve road for a while just makin’ sure the fans stay been around for so long that there’s no reason involved with the movement and get a chance the material I put out shouldn’t be at that to be a part of the music. It’s different when level. And if it doesn’t sound right to me it’s you’re out doin’ shows and you’ve got every- gonna be hard to get it to sound right to one rappin’ along with all the words, you get someone else. Being in the game as long as to see the reactions which helps figuring out I’ve been, I think the fans expect more too. what I should do with the next album. They want to hear that style from me but want little modifications on it so I gotta make Do you record while you’re on the road? sure I’m thinkin’ about that and trying to do Sometimes I may get in the studio but it that right. You can tell when certain records depends on the city and what I’m workin’ on. were just thrown together right quick and the If it’s a feature I’m workin’ on I may jump in artist just didn’t care about gettin’ it com- someone else’s studio and knock it out but I pletely right and those records are the ones just think better when I’m at home in my own that don’t really make any noise. Even when it studio. You get used to how everything is set comes to performing I need to make sure that up and the particular way things sound in your when I’m on that stage it’s all goin’ perfect own studio so it makes it easier. When you’re because everyone’s out there to see a good in your own studio there’s no rush and you can performance and the more energy I put it into do things your own way. There’s also certain my show the more energy I’m going to get things you may have layin’ around the studio out of the crowd. where you look at them and get certain ideas so it’s all much better that way. The Super Bowl isn’t too far away from Chi- cago this year. Who are you pulling for? What are you currently working on in the I’ve gotta go with Tom Brady and the Patriots studio these days? but you can’t count out the Giants. I feel like I’ve got a few projects in the works right now; the Giants have a certain energy around them just want to make sure we get some more mu- that could help them pull it off. But at the end sic out there for all the fans this year. I’m wor- of the day Brady has this down to a science. kin’ on a Gangsta Grillz mixtape with DJ Drama. He wasn’t at a hundred percent in the AFC I’m just finishing up recording a few last tracks championship game but I think he’s going to for it and then we’re going to wrap it up and be playin’ at that level again during the Super let it out. We’re trying to make it all original Bowl, and it’s hard for them to lose when he’s production and I’m trying to bring that Twista doin’ that. // style but with a little bit of the kind of music I see all the fans responding to right now. I’m also in the studio workin’ on my next album, which I’m hoping to have out this year too. I’m not like some other artists out there who

OZONE MAG // 13 Words & Photo by Julia Beverly Bei Maejor

14 // OZONE MAG fans, homies supporting. Then the label called 23-YEAR-OLD DETROIT SINGER/ back and said, “This is genius. This is great.” If SONGWRITER/PRODUCER BEI MAEJOR you go to Jive’s website, right next to Britney HAS ALREADY ESTABLISHED A SOLID Spears, they’ve got me upside down. RESUME WORKING WITH THE LIKES OF TREY SONGZ, NE-YO, AND T-PAIN. You could wear your clothes upside down EVEN IF THE MUSIC THING DOESN’T too like Kris Kross. If I could figure out how to do it I would, but I WORK OUT, HE CAN ALWAYS FALL don’t know how to put pants on upside down. BACK ON HIS DEGREE - A DOUBLE MAJOR IN PSYCHOLOGY AND COM- So you’re signed to Jive? MUNICATION. Yeah, well, I originally signed to Jive about a year and a half ago but it’s merged now into You have a pretty impressive production RCA. The deal came about through a song I resume, especially for being so young. did. I was working with a lot of people at that I’m really blessed, man. I don’t even know how time; I was signed to Ne-Yo as a producer. We that shit happened. I didn’t plan for any of this. got a chance to do the Disney soundtrack for I was just having fun doing music and people Princess & the Frog, worked with Monica, and started liking me and shit, so. It was cool. all these other people who were working with Ne-Yo. Then I started writing songs myself. As You got started in the industry at 17 years I would think of ideas, I recorded [the demos] old – how did that happen? on the mic. I’m like, “Imagine how Beyonce I always try to think of the next new idea. Now, or Usher would sound singing this.” They told every single producer and songwriter has a me, “It sounds tight just like that.” So I was website, but back then it wasn’t like that. Back writing these demos from personal things I then I created a website, BeiMaejor.com. I paid was going through. I started seeing all these my boy a couple hundred dollars to build me a peers – like T-Pain – telling me that he loved website. It had four beats on there. It was kind my songs. That made me think I could do it of advanced just because not everybody had myself. I made one song by myself just having [a website]. I was only sixteen or seventeen fun, “Drunk In The Club,” and gave it to my and I started getting interviews based on that. boy Clinton Sparks, who is a DJ. You know it’s Through that, I ended up meeting a whole hard to get on the radio, but that song started bunch of people. One of the people I met was getting played on Power 106 in L.A. every Trey Songz’ cousin Jay, and then I met Trey, day. Clinton Sparks helped the record and and [his manager at that time] Bobby Fisher. then DJ Felli Fel helped the record. I ended up I’ve been on all of his albums since then. That’s having to pull it off the radio once I got signed really how I got started in the game, through because some weird family tried to sue me Trey Songz. I started going to L.A. and Atlanta and said that I took part of their songs. I never and working with a lot of different people, heard of [their song] before but it was a big even when I was still in school. I ended up hav- legal thing. The record helped me get enough ing plaques in my dorm room. So, you know, attention to get signed, just because I wrote, college was crazy. A lot of kids think people produced, recorded, and mixed the record can put you in a box and say you can “only” [go myself and got it on the radio in a big ass to college] or “only” do music, but… if that’s market with no money. A few different [labels] what you want to do, follow your dreams. were interested, but Jive came in the room and locked the door and said, “Whatever you You stuck it out and graduated? want, you can have.” Exactly. I graduated with a double major in communication and psychology. It was cool to How did you sign to T-Pain’s management? have that experience of going to college, but I I went to T-Pain’s house when he was work- don’t need to fall back [on my degree] because ing on his album to play him some beats. I’m going to make it [in music]. Rocco, one of his managers, heard some of Bei my demos. One of the songs that I brought What’s the Upside Down movement about? to T-Pain’s house that day was “Center Of The I started putting all my pictures upside down Stage,” which is me, T-Pain, and R Kelly. // – on my Facebook, my Twitter, my YouTube – I Maejor started doing videos upside down. The label For the rest of this interview, log on to called me, like, “Yo, don’t do that. People need ozonemag.com or youtube.com/ozonemag to see you; that’s the reason why we signed you.” I said, “Whatever,” and just kept doing it. Twitter: @BeiMaejor They started seeing like literally thousands of people with their pictures upside down – kids,

OZONE MAG // 15 Words by Julia Beverly 2 Chainz

16 // OZONE MAG a bigger crib, new cars, more chains, more AS HALF OF THE DUO PLAYAZ CIRCLE, investments, more real estate. TITY BOI ENJOYED SUCCESS AS A “DUFFLE BAG BOY.” AFTER ADOPTING Have you seen people’s attitudes towards THE MONIKER 2 CHAINZ AND DROP- you change since you’ve been in the game PING HOT RECORDS LIKE THE CATCHY so long? At one point you were an artist in “SPEND IT,” HIS SOLO CAREER TOOK a group that had a song with Lil Wayne, and OFF, PUTTING HIM IN A POSITION AS now you’re a star in your own right. I guess the general consensus on me is that THE HOTTEST FREE AGENT IN RA P people are just proud of me coming from MUSIC. where I came from. I hear that a lot. I used to not know how to feel when people said You’re probably one of the hottest, if not the they were proud of me. It sounded like they hottest, independent artist in the game right were trying to son me, you know? But I kind now. I’m sure the labels have been calling. of get it. If you watch my grind, if you watch Are you considering signing a major deal? my campaign – I’ve been signed to Ludacris. Yeah, I’m fortunate to do what I want to do I’ve been signed to Def Jam. I’ve had great at this point. That’s why I’m in such a comfort friends like Lil Wayne and Gucci Mane, but I’m zone as far as recording, making songs, staying just trying to muscle my way in and use my on the road, and working hard. Of course a lot personal grind to get to where I need to be. of the machines have contacted me, so I guess So a lot of people respect that. It definitely it’s just about the most enticing deal. I want wasn’t overnight. to use the leverage that I’ve gained indepen- dently to make a good deal for me and my What made you decide to stop doing Playaz family down the road, not just for right now. Circle and leave DTP? Long term. I didn’t leave. I didn’t stop doing Playaz Circle. We own a studio together. When you own a Are they just not offering the right amount of studio, in my case, I record. I work a lot, so I money? Or you feel like you’d have to give up just had to find different avenues to get my creative control? music out. When I started putting out the 2 Nah, they actually [are going] to let me do all Chainz mixtapes people gravitated towards that. Every meeting I’ve had [with labels] they them, so it just made sense for me to do some respected my mind, because they know I’ve 2 Chainz stuff. As far as the DTP thing, I just done all this with minimal resources. The last decided it was time for me to be my own boss thing they want to do is to take creative con- and have my own imprint and develop my trol from me, you know. Lately, I don’t know. own artists. I learned a lot being with DTP. I’ve just been praying on [the label situation] because I don’t know how I feel about it. I think You’re involved with a lot of charity events I’ve maximized what I can do with a mixtape. for kids too. You give away bikes every Christmas? Do you think albums are even relevant any- Yeah, I think it’s important to give away bikes. more? To a certain extent, it seems like it’s all I know when we were coming up, we played about mixtapes and shows. outside a lot. With kids today, it’s the gaming Well, mixtapes are more accessible. I travel a era, so a lot of kids do Xbox and Playstation lot and I see mixtapes at truck stops, DTLRs, so they don’t get outside as much, therefore, everywhere. It’s hard to get albums when we have obesity and a lack of athletes, in my they come out unless you’re online. So, that opinion. The drafts are not as strong as they makes the labels look like they’re lazy. They’re used to be. Less people are in shape, period. probably not being lazy, they just don’t have I think bikes are a good way to have fun and anywhere to push your stuff. It makes the artist stay in shape for kids. I got my daughter a bike look like they’re not poppin’, when that’s not when she was two years old, just something the case. I just want to make sure I don’t get to do outside the house. So that’s what I’m 2 Chainz caught up in none of that shit. doing now, using the little platform I have to spread something like that. I’m into eating How does your life compare to where it was a right and exercising... year ago today? Ah, man. A lot of stuff has changed for me and For the rest of this interview, log on to my family and everybody around me. Things ozonemag.com or youtube.com/ozonemag have changed for the better. I’m doing way more shows and people acknowledge who I Twitter: @2Chainz am on sight. I’ve got a lot of new rap friends,

OZONE MAG // 17 Fort Wayne, Indiana representa- tive Phyzikal landed a deal with Def Jam in 2007. SINCE THEN, THE RAPPER HAS SNATCHED A FEW CHAINS They can call it game over in 2012. There’s BUT STILL HOPES HIS MUSIC WILL HAVE going to be a lot more music and I’m going to A POSITIVE IMPACT. take the initiative to put it out. It’s never been put out so I never really had a chance to fail. What’s your background? I’ve got a large catalog of music that I’ve never I’m from Fort Wayne, Indiana, born and raised. I released from the last six years. I think when moved down here to Atlanta to start my career the people hear it and how consistent it is, when I was about 17 years old. I come from the it’ll be a good run. I’m in the process of doing struggle, so that’s what I try to represent, the a mixtape with DJ Scream right now that will same thing that every other young black man probably drop around March or April. represents – just trying to come out of a bad situation and make it into something. When you say you talk about the struggle in your music, can you give us an example ? How would you describe Fort Wayne? I’ve got a record called “Right Hand to God,” There ain’t that many opportunities in the city, and I talk about my life. The struggle of a especially for black people. I was one of the young kid from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Daddy first people in Fort Wayne to get a record deal. locked up – my father did ten to twelve It’s a violent city but it’s also a good city. It can years of his life in prison – mama was a good potentially, in certain areas, be a good city to woman, but got strung out [on drugs]. My raise your kids. It’s a small town and they take grandma raised me and so many of my broth- pride in my music since day one. I feel like I’ve ers and sisters. got the city on the back, so you’ve got to see me make it. They’ve been supporting me. What do you think needs to happen for the Midwest to have the same kind of move- A lot of artists have the incorrect perception ment that the South and the West Coast that as soon as you get a record deal, your had? career will take off. I’m a Midwest artist and I’m also a Southern For me, there was a lot of politics involved. I’m artist because I’ve done a lot here in the still signed to Island Def Jam, but there are South. A lot of my partners were here and certain clauses in the contract. I’m not really helped pave the way in certain situations. For concerned with the label at this time. I just the Midwest to prosper, I think we have to fo- know what I need to do, so I’m gonna do it. I’m cus on the same things that [artists] in Atlanta trying to stay humble. have focused on. Just focus on getting money. Up there [in Fort Wayne] if a muthafucker is If you’ve been signed since ’07, you’ve been broke he just wants to kill you. Niggas have waiting a while to drop. What do you think to quit all that hating shit and stop taking Hip you need to do to become a priority at the Hop and rap so seriously. They’re like, “Man, label? you should rap like this,” but they don’t un- I really ain’t looking to become a priority at derstand that everybody is their own person. the label. Everything to me now is just an They either fuck with it or don’t fuck with it. independent run. I’m looking at it like: shit, When you bring so much hate into it, that’s the labels ain’t really making no money. Either what killed the game. I think in the Midwest you’re getting show money or you ain’t. Either we need to have a bigger support system for you’re making the moves or you ain’t. I’m go- each other and our artists. A lot of niggas love ing to ride even if I ride slow. I’m going to roll to see you make it but they hate to see you with it like that. I know what I need to do. I’ve shine, you know? You’ve got to embrace the got a lot of creativity that’s been building up struggle and also show love when somebody over the years that people haven’t been able to hear yet, so I want to show them that.

How are you going to show them? What’s the plan for 2012?

18 // OZONE MAG Phyzikal

Words & Photo by Julia Beverly

OZONE MAG // 19 PHYZIKAL CONTINUED: Do you think the world is going to end in harvests the fruits of their labor. 2012? I don’t think it’s going to end because it’s al- Who are you working with as far as features ready been over with. That’s how I feel. We’ve and production? got a black president in this shit so it must be The first producer I worked with down South going under. They’re letting us become presi- was Jazze Pha, and I’ve worked with Drumma dents now? It’s time to get the fuck up out of Boy and a few others. You’ll hear a lot of variety here. (laughs) I want to put that in the music on the album. I’ve got Waka Flocka Flame and – tell niggas about politics. Tell niggas how to Roscoe Dash on a record. I’ve got Jazze Pha raise their kids. They’ve got these bad ass kids on there, Dream on there, and my homie Bo- that don’t want to listen and don’t want to hagon on there. There’s a lot of people. I’ve got go to school. They don’t even go outside and a cut from back in the day with Yelawolf. play no more, they just play video games and sit in front of the computer. That’s what the Beyond the music, what are your goals? fuck niggas need to be rapping about. Instead I just want people to know that I’m a man first. niggas are out here dancing and shit, you feel I’ve got family problems, I’ve got out-here-hus- me? We’ve got to understand the power of tling problems. Everything that other people words. are going through, this is what I represent. So I try not to have my music be put into one You feel like we’re speaking on the wrong category. We need to get back to the element things? of music, because people need that right now. I ain’t saying that. I’m just saying at a certain We’re living in a real fucked-up nation. We’re point in time, some niggas gotta be able to in the path of Babylon and Rome right here mount up. If nobody’s doing nothing but that in America. I think this is like food for the soul jiggy dance shit we ain’t got nobody o mount right now; good music. Just giving the people up. A lot of niggas want the option to listen to good music about different topics. That’s what some real shit but there’s nowhere for them I want my fans to know. to go, feel me? They stuck with this shit on whatever radio station listening to this nigga You’re comparing America to Rome and jiggy rapping all day long. I ain’t taking noth- Babylon from more of a spiritual perspective ing away from nobody, but somebody’s got o or economic? bring some kind of sense into the community Economic. When you abuse something for so at the end of the day. Back in the day if you long, one day it will wear out. It’s like your car. didn’t have a sense of loyalty or something, If you don’t service it in the proper order, it’s you’d get it from somebody that was in the going to break down on you. If you take care neighborhood. A nigga in your neighborhood of it, it’s going to take care of you. We ain’t would put you on game, like the big homie. been taking care of ourselves. Niggas are looking at rappers now like the big homies, but rappers ain’t acting like the I hear you have a reputation for snatching big homies. Niggas’ morals ain’t like the big rappers’ chains. What’s that about? homies. Yeah, I wouldn’t say I’m “known” for chain- snatching, but a couple of chains done got What’s your vision to give back to the com- possessed, you know what I’m saying? A munity? couple of chains got too heavy for a nigga’s I feel like people need to know themselves. neck. That’s what happened. A lot of people don’t know who they are. If Weezy has hot records and gets tatted up, Give us a hint. then a thousand other niggas get tatted up to I mean, niggas know what it is. I’m not going be like him. He’s doing the shit out of original- to incriminate myself but niggas know what it ity, just being himself. There’s just so much is. With a couple of them, it was real personal. shit happening in Hip Hop that isn’t original. Muthafuckers out here acting like it but they What did you do with the chains, sell them? ain’t really about that shit. We just parlayed them around. We did a little bit of everything with a lot of niggas’ shit, feel So more self-awareness? me? It was just a respect thing. A couple of Yeah. Like, even people that don’t rap. They’re niggas had disrespected me. But beyond that, over here trying to live somebody else’s life we need to really be talking about some real because they don’t really know themselves. shit in 2012. They’re not going to find the natural-born talent within themselves because they’re not

20 // OZONE MAG digging for it. They’re looking at someone else. So you’ve got to be a big homie. If you see a little nigga with his shoe untied, you’ve gotta going to eat or get eaten. So of course there bend down and say, “This is how you tie your has to be some demonstrations out here. And shoe, nigga.” Why would you walk around with at the same time, I’m going to tell the little your shoe untied? That’s how you’ve gotta homies too. They’ve got to have some mor- do with these young nigga. They ain’t got no als too. You remember what big mama told game or nothing. Niggas are walking around you in the beginning when you were eating in tight jeans and shit. You don’t want your that soul food and shit, right? You’ve got to kids rocking like that. Niggas have bled and remember what the OGs told you. fought for us and represented for us, and now we’re just making a mockery of it. We want You feel like there’s no honor in the streets to say “I’m a real nigga” when it’s convenient. anymore, basically. We talk about all the rap shit, selling records These niggas are snitching like it’s cool. If and all that, but let’s talk about the real shit niggas knew who they were, they would stick too. We’re going to slowly pull the covers off together more and do things differently. I’m these muthafuckers. Any other questions, not trying to be the most positive mutha- OZONE, that you feel like the great Phyzikal fucker; I’m not entitled to say anything but at can answer? the end of the day niggas need to be on some real shit. It’s about having loyalty and having Hmm... what’s the meaning of life? morals. If a nigga disrespects me, I’m coming Only God can tell you that. You’ve got to go for that chain. You’re giong to lay it the fuck get that straight from the source. down when I come. They’d rather have the police there than me. Flat out, that’s all a You made it sound like you were the Wizard nigga knows. If anything is worth fighting for, of Oz or something. Okay, so aside from it’s worth dying for. your vision to become the “big homie” to the youth, can you give us a chain-snatching If a nigga makes you feel some kind of way tutorial since you’re an expert on that topic? or if he’s out of line on some egotistical shit, What’s your secret? or if a nigga is trying to make you feel little Always make sure you get in the club with or something, it’s like, “Hold on, nigga!” I’ll your pistol; always. No matter what the cost is. come see about you, homie, real quick. You I don’t give a fuck, pay a security guard or do won’t even know what’s going on before a whatever you need to do. You’ve gotta know nigga snatches you. As soon as niggas get to how to tuck your [pistol]. I ain’t even gonna moving and hearing those shots, you feel me? show niggas my secret, but I know how to I’m gonna shoot straight. I ain’t even on that tuck. If I’m going to snatch a nigga’s chain, shit though, but that’s what I’m saying about I’m coming straight at him. I’m not lurking or these niggas. We’re on some real shit, man. anything like that. I just feel that way because We’re on some unity shit, we’re on some black a lot of these niggas try to test you. And I ain’t power shit, we’re on some shoot-your-ass- the nigga to test. in-the-face-in-front-of-the-police-in-broad- daylight-shit. It’s on some Frank Lucas movie I mean, on a serious note, you’re talking type shit too, nigga. It goes down like that. If I about how you want to bring about positive do something, niggas know I don’t have to lie change in the community and speak on real about it. I ain’t gotta fake it. I don’t give a fuck topics in your music. How are you going if we’re in court. Whatever I do, I can stand to be taken seriously talking about social behind it. That right there is called being a change and positivity if you’re known for muthafuckin’ man, for better or worse. So all snatching rappers’ chains? the rap niggas needt o get a whiff of that, you I ain’t known for that. It’s just that niggas know know? It’s good kickin’ with y’all at OZONE. the big homie is gonna teach you some real OZONE is real shit. shit. The big homie ain’t gonna tell you noth- ing wrong. When other races and nationalities Any last words? of people look at black people, what do they The Mob, you know, M.O.B. Follow me on say? They’re scared of us because we will shoot Twitter and Facebook and all that shit. They our own. We will kill each other, so we’ll do should’ve had Twitter when I was coming up, whatever. That’s the harsh reality. Everybody’s man. I’m telling you. I would be a legend on got their badge of honor out here in the Twitter. // streets to survive. You’re either a wolf or you’re the muthafuckin prey, you know? You’re either Twitter: @Phyzikal

OZONE MAG // 21 Words by Eleven8 Say It Ain’t Tone

22 // OZONE MAG BIG SEAN AFFILIATE SAYITAINT- TONE IS NEXT UP FROM THE FINALLY FAMOUS CAMP. OZONE CAUGHT UP also YouTube the video and see the visuals for WITH THE DETROIT NEWCOMER TO it on youtube.com/sayitainttone. FIND OUT THE MEANING BEHIND HIS Who are some of your musical influences? UNUSUAL MONIKER AND WHY HE I like all types of music, but the old Cash HATES BOTH SUPER BOWL TEAMS. Money, Hot Boys, No Limit, and Bone Thugs is what really got me into rap music. I listen Your stage name SayItAin’tTone is unique. to Motown oldies when I’m chillin’, so my Where did you get it from and what does it influences vary. I really just love the culture. mean? Detroit is a melting pot of all types of styles. Tone is my name, and the SayItAin’t part We have everything from super hood music comes from me being in a group called Finally to underground Hip Hop. I live in Motown; we Famous with a lot of talented rappers, includ- still have that soul in our city waiting for our ing Big Sean. When some people heard that I time again. You’ll see soon! was rapping, they automatically shut it down, like, “Don’t tell me he’s rapping now. Every- Is there East Side/West Side friction going on body wants to be a rapper. Say it ain’t him.” in Detroit? They told me I couldn’t make it. But Big Sean No, not at all. It’s more hood against hood if and Early Mac would encourage me to keep anything, but on the music scene, this is the it up, especially Early Mac. So I just turned a first time we’ve started linking up and sup- negative into a positive and made it work. porting each other. We never had that unity before, but it’s slowly coming together and I’m How did you link up with Big Sean? happy to see it. Big Sean is my brother. I met him in the first class on the first day of high school back in Since this is the Super Bowl issue, what 2002 and we’ve been good friends ever since. are your thoughts on the NFL? Being from That’s my mans, no homo. (laughs) Detroit, are you a Lions fan? I always liked the Lions ever since Barry Sand- Were you a rapper before joining Big Sean ers, the best running back of all time. Even on stage and essentially becoming his hype though the Lions didn’t make it all the way man? this year I’m still proud of them. Everything started at the same time, but I al- ways helped Big Sean come up with lines and Who are you pulling for in Super Bowl XLVI? concepts whenever he needed it. Everything The Giants or Patriots? is a team effort. As long as he was straight, I I actually hate both teams, but my favorite knew I would be too. player is Ocho Cinco, so I’m going for the Pats. Let’s get my homie a ring! Are you signed to G.O.O.D. Music or Big Sean’s Finally Famous imprint? Will you be involved in any of the Super I’m 100% Finally Famous. I have it tattooed Bowl festivities? on me. Finally Famous is something we all No, I plan on being in the studio working started together. I don’t have any plans to on my second mixtape hosted by DJ Green sign to G.O.O.D. Music or any other labels, but Lantern. I’ll watch it in the studio. honestly, not to be cliché, but you never know what the future holds. Anything can happen. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Shout outs? Of course! Off top, Free Juan! A lot of people know you from your record Shout out to my city, Detroit, my group Finally “My Closet,” which appeared on your mix- Famous, Dusty McFly, Dough Boyz Cashout, tape SayItAin’t and Big Sean’s Finally Famous Via Marz, Tone Tone and all the other artists Vol. 3 hosted by Don Cannon. What was the from Detroit that are doing their thing. We’re inspiration behind that song? up next, baby! Shout out to OZONE for show- I come from a city known for its fashion and ing a real player love. // flashiness, from gators to minks to Cartier glasses with diamonds in them. I wanted to Twitter: @SayItAintTone show people we still get down in Detroit. You Website: sayitaint.com can buy my single on iTunes, Sayitainttone featuring Big Sean “My Closet,” and you can

OZONE MAG // 23