YOUR FAVORITE RAPPERS FAVORITE MAGAZINE

HURRICANE CHRIS
MR.COLLIPARK LIL BOOSIE TRAPSTARZ THREE DEEP YOUNG CASH & MIDGET MAC

PIMP CS

BUN B, TOO $HORT, SCARFACE, BIG GIPP DAVID BANNER & LIL WAYNE REMEMBER THEIR FRIEND

WORDS

LAST

SOULJA BOY +

OZONE WEST
HOT ROD

THE BOY BOY YOUNG MESS ICE CUBE | MITCHY SLICK 50 CENTS PROTEGE

OZONE MAG // 

Your FavoriTE rappErS FavoriTE magazinE

Soulja boY CRANKIN IT

ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK WITH mr.ColliparK

pimp CS
laST WorDS
BUN B TOO $HORT SCARFACE BIG GIPP DAVID BANNER LIL WAYNE FONSWORTH BENTLEY CORY MO 8BALL & MORE SHARE THEIR FavoriTE mEmoriES oF ThE SouThS FinEST

lil booSiES

JEWELRY FASCINATION
TrapSTarz ThrEE DEEp

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& miDgET maC

hurriCanE ChriS
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50 CENTS PROTEGE THE BOY BOY YOUNG MESS ICE CUBE | MITCHY SLICK

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PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF // Julia Beverly CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER // N. Ali Early MUSIC EDITOR // Randy Roper FEATURES EDITOR // Eric Perrin ART DIRECTOR // Tene Gooden ADVERTISING SALES // Che Johnson PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR // Malik Abdul MARKETING DIRECTOR // David Muhammad Sr. LEGAL CONSULTANT // Kyle P. King, P.A. SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER // Adero Dawson ADMINISTRATIVE // Cordice Gardner, Kisha Smith CONTRIBUTORS // Bogan, Charlamagne the God, Chuck T, Cierra Middlebrooks, Destine Cajuste, E-Feezy, Edward Hall, Felita Knight, Jacinta Howard, Jaro Vacek, Jessica Koslow, J Lash, Jason Cordes, Jo Jo, Johnny Louis, Kamikaze, Keadron Smith, Keith Kennedy, K.G. Mosley, King Yella, Luis Santana, Luxury Mindz, Marcus DeWayne, Matt Sonzala, Maurice G. Garland, Mercedes (Strictly Streets), Ms. Rivercity, Natalia Gomez, Ray Tamarra, Rico Da Crook, Robert Gabriel, Rohit Loomba, Shannon McCollum, Spiff, Stan Johnson, Swift, Thaddeus McAdams, Wally Sparks, Wendy Day STREET REPS // Al-My-T, B-Lord, Big Teach (Big Mouth), Bigg C, Bigg V, Black, Brian Franklin, Buggah D. Govanah (On Point), Bull, C Rola, Cedric Walker, Chill, Chilly C, Chuck T, Controller, DJ Dap, Delight, Derrick the Franchise, Dolla Bill, Dwayne Barnum, Dr. Doom, Ed the World Famous, Episode, General, Gorilla Promo, Haziq Ali, H-Vidal, Hollywood, J Fresh, Jammin Jay, Janky, Joe Anthony, Judah, Kamikaze, KC, Kenneth Clark, Klarc Shepard, Kuzzo, Kydd Joe, Lex, Lil D, Lump, Marco Mall, Music & More, Nick@ Nite, Nikki Kancey, Pat Pat, PhattLipp, Pimp G, Quest, Rio G, Rippy, Rob-Lo, Stax, TJs DJs, TJ Bless, Tim Brown, Tre Dubb, Trina Edwards, Vicious, Victor Walker, Voodoo, Wild Billo, Young Harlem DISTRIBUTION // Curtis Circulation, LLC SUBSCRIPTIONS // To subscribe, send check or money order for $ to: Ozone Magazine, Inc. Attn: Subscriptions Dept  Antone St. Suite  Atlanta, GA 08 Phone: 0-0-88 Fax: 0-0-2 Website: www.ozonemag.com COVER CREDITS // Lil Wayne photos (cover and this page) by Julia Beverly; Flo-Rida and Brisco photos by Ray Tamarra; Ray J photo by Daniel Gonzales. DISCLAIMER // OZONE Magazine is published  times per year by OZONE Magazine, Inc. OZONE does not take responsibility for unsolicited materials, misinformation, typographical errors, or misprints. The views contained herein do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or its advertisers. Ads appearing in this magazine are not an endorsement or validation by OZONE Magazine for products or services offered. All photos and illustrations are copyrighted by their respective artists. All other content is copyright 200 OZONE Magazine, all rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any way without the written consent of the publisher. Printed in the USA.

features
54-59 76-79 22-23 74 YEAR END AWARDS REMEMBERING PIMP C RAPPERS NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS DIRTY THIRTY: PIMP CS GREATEST HITS

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monthly sections
38 15 87 42-50 25-47 30 34 82 83 26 32 15 86 28 84 14 40 18-20 90 THE CHRONICLES OF PIMP C 10 THINGS IM HATIN ON CAFFEINE SUBSTITUTES PATIENTLY WAITING PHOTO GALLERIES SIDEKICK HACKIN CHAIN REACTION BOARD GAMES INDUSTRY 101 MATHEMATICS DOLLAR MENU JBS 2 CENTS CD REVIEWS CHIN CHECK DJ PROFILE FEEDBACK TATTED UP RAPQUEST END ZONE

interviews
60 MR. COLLIPARK 72-73 BRYAN LEACH 36 MIDGET MAC

OY PG - SOULJA B RIS PG 8-0 URRICANE CH H

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Send your comments to feedback@ozonemag.com or hit us up at www.myspace.com/ozonemagazine

I never send anything to the feedback section, but after reading Roxy Reynolds sex issue interview I had to show some love. I read her article on How to Give Head when I was on the plane coming back to Denver. Im not usually into porn, but she gave me the best visual ever. I got off the plane, woke my wife up, and made her read the article. DJ K-Tone, djktone@gmail.com (Denver, CO) You get love in Sweden! Im a big fan of the magazine because you interview almost every artist Ive worked with, or am trying to work with. Im C-Bo and Young Bucks in-house producer; weve done a lot of stuff for the artists that you interview in your magazine, especially in the OZONE West section. Thank you for being the magazine that supports artists who deserve a shot. Fuck XXL and The Source. OZONE is the future. David Hanna (Sweden) Keep doing your thing with the mag. Im gonna mess with yall on a West Coast ad for my kids project. Yall are knocking Murder Dog out of the water. Kontac, kontac@tmail.com (Bay Area, California) Being an avid reader of your magazine, I know that OZONE always provided a Pimp C a lane to express himself freely without holding back, and thats what a lot of people respect about Pimp C. When I heard the news [of his death] I thought about his family, Bun B, and you at OZONE Magazine. While Pimp C was in jail, Bun B kept his name alive and made sure he was not forgotten, so I know hell continue to represent for Pimp C and make sure his legacy is not forgotten. Bun B is the true definition of a brother and friend, and my prayers go out to him and his family. And I know that although hes gone, youll continue to remember and make sure that Pimp Cs name is never forgotten. Thank you for all the great moments and articles that you gave us through your magazine allowing us to get to know Chad Pimp C Butler. Rinarys Matos, matosr2@corning.com The OZONE Orlando Rapquest was a good write up. We appreciate you more than you know! Youre my favorite white girl! Just for future reference, Im not on Slip N Slide Streets, just plain ol Slip N Slide Records. Wes Fif, fizzleboy@tmail.com (Orlando, FL) Im one of the many readers of OZONE. I also adore Lil Wayne. I think your interview was great and it gave us a chance to indulge. Did he seem serious about marriage? I think he and I could connect on so many different levels. I think hes still looking because we havent had the opportunity to meet. I just wanted to ask that you keep the good interviews coming. Jasmine Smith, jasmine08@gmail.com JB, thanks for being such an inspiration! When I first gained an interest in the entertainment business, I wanted to know who was behind OZONE Maga // OZONE MAG

zine! When I found out that this was the vision of a woman, I was instantly amazed. I attend college in Columbia, SC, so every month I try to get an issue from DJ B-Lord or Rob Lo. You have definitely become one of my favorite women. You are one person who has inspired many young women, as myself, to strive for the best! Thanks! Miss Jay Trenae (Columbia, SC) The sex issue was excellent! I have no idea how yall are gonna top this one. DJ Scorpio (Atlanta, GA) Julia, you are truly an inspiration. I was recently reading OZONE and was inspired by your passion for the Hip Hop music industry. Ive never once in my life ever picked up a magazine and read it from the cover to finish, but you have such a way about your words and the types of questions that you ask our artists of today. Your magazine is like my mini Hip Hop Bible. I love it! You keep your readers wanting more and more. The reason I decided to email you tonight is because of the article on my soon-to-be-husband Lil Wayne in your December 200 sex issue. Im so jealous! You asked him every question that Ive been wanting to know for years. Your interview made my life complete. Dwayne Carter is one of the greatest things that has come to the industry in a very long time and I wish I could have the opportunity to meet him so that he could fall in love with me on sight! Kim, myspace.com/hellokittydotcom (Richmond, CA) The December 200 issue of OZONE with Lil Wayne on the cover was my first time ever hearing about and reading the magazine! I started reading it in the grocery store and couldnt put it down. I ended up buying it. I loved it! Its so entertaining and more unique than most magazines. Keep doing your thing. You have definitely gained another loyal reader! Annick, missannick0@gmail.com (Miami, FL) What you do for us Southern entertainers is next to impossible. Ive enjoyed both annual OZONE Awards and one day I want to be a part of it. The South is starting to look real good and many people are following us now. Rob Dee (Nashville, TN) I read the November 200 issue of OZONE but Milwaukee, Wisconsin was left out of the Rapquest section. Im a local rap artist who also does journalism on the side. We have two major developments that need to be touched on. One, Baby Drew from Milwaukee got signed to a major label deal, and OZONEs role by featuring him in Patiently Waiting should be acknowledged. Two, Lyfe Jennings had signed a young lady from Milwaukee by the name of La La Brown, who was shot and killed in a studio this past Friday. - Track Lacer, myspace.com/tracklacer (Milwaukee, WI)

Correction: The photo in the galleries last month that read HK, Streez, & guest should have read HK, Young Deuces & Black Fred.

10 ThingS iM haTin On
by Maurice G. Garland
. Black Folks Who Dont Want to Vote For Obama Just Because Hes Black Forgive me if I sound nave, but isnt that the fucking point? We did all this complaining about wanting a Black president, now that the possibility is presented, some us wanna act like we cant vote for him off GP. Its not like hes preaching poison. Get off that bullshit man. If you think hes inexperienced, just look at with the folks with experience have been doing. Scary. 2. Crazy Ass Texans Did yall hear about this dude who killed his girlfriend and then boiled her body parts? Last year some teenaged Texans gave toddlers weed on camera, and then before that we saw a woman high off who knows what hit a man with her car, drive home, park in the garagewith the man STILL ON HER WINDSHIELD! They say everything is bigger in Texas, everybody is crazier too. . Hardees Have yall seen these heart-clogging ass hamburgers theyve been selling lately? If youre eating and enjoying those things, the doctor should slap your ass when you end up in the ER. . Michael Jordan The new Jordans cost $8. Me myself, have never purchased a pair of Js in my life, I refused to give dude my money like that (plus, I was always a Nique fan). This nigga dont even play anymore and his shoes cost the most? Anyone thats hooped in Jordans before knows they are uncomfortable as hell. Fuck Jordan! He never used his money or influence to do anything in the community other than boost the crime rate. . Drive-Thru Liquor Stores I remember one being down the street from my school when I was growing up, but now, Im starting to see these things pop up on the regular. Isnt drinking-and-driving illegal? When I go to McDonalds I end up eating all the fries by the time I get home. You dont think people will do the same with a Heineken or a fifth of vodka? . Po-Po Why do the police need to call for back up when all theyre pulling you over for is an expired tag? . Bootleg DVDs The bootleg man has gone up on his prices more than premium gasoline. With these prices itd be cheaper to just to go to the movie theatre and bring your family. A bootleg DVD nowadays cost more than hotel room service. 8. Hotel Room Service Speaking of which, they charge you a room service fee of $0, an extra service charge of $0, and an automatic tip of 0%, gotdamn! By the you realize youd paid $ for a glass of orange juice its too late. . Walgreens Fuck what these trap boy rappers are talking about. Walgreens has got the streets sowed up. They slang their drugs on every corner, open early and close late and the cops dont even think about running up in their spots. And to top it all off, theyve got snacks for your munchies too. 0. New Years Resolutions New Years Resolutions are complete bullshit. You probably broke yours by the time we compiled this list.

ne of my favorite New Years memories was bringing in 200 with the undisputed King of Houston, J Prince, in the VIP lounge of a downtown Houston nightclub. Pimp C had been released from jail the day before, the Houston movement was in full swing, and you could feel the anticipation building up in the city as All Star weekend approached. Ive noticed two things about J Prince and other people of his status: they dont carry around much cash, and they dont talk much. Rich people dont wave money around, and powerful people dont tell you how wise they are. They just listen, leaving you to fill the silence with your own words, and whatever you choose to talk about reveals more than any question they could ever ask. For the next few weeks, it felt like I lived in Houston. I was like a permanent fixture in the Sonzala guest room. Thats how I found myself giving up shotgun in Pimp Cs silver Bentley to T.I., retreating to the backseat to eat lunch while the two rap legends reunited, rolling down the Houston freeway where wed been filming the video for Front, Back, Side to Side on an unreasonably windy January afternoon. Behind us was Rasaq driving his brother Chamillionaires red drop top which he eventually gave Pimp as a gift (Chamillion gave me the bitch, she was already a star / Now all these n*ggas wanna fuck my car) and in front, a police officer who pulled us over to congratulate Pimp on his release and then escorted us through traffic with his sirens blazing so we could reach our destination quickly. I dont remember the specifics of Pimp C and T.I.s conversation (it was one of those moments where I knew I was supposed to be just a female companion, not an eavesdropping reporter) but the gist of it was clear. Id never heard T.I. so humble, the admiration in his voice noticeable as he told Pimp, in his own way, how much of an influence hed been. Even then it felt like a historic moment, and I kinda wondered if I deserved to be there; surely theres other diehard Southern rap fans who wouldve killed to be present for such a private, honest conversation. They say Pimp C died yesterday morning in a Hollywood hotel room, but I dont believe it yet. Im still fully expecting to get a text back from his iPhone saying its all good, that it was just a bad rumor like the last one (itll say: Naw Im good!! Tell them internet gangstaz keep talkin dat bullshit!!! Chuuch!!). Its crazy that less than two years ago I witnessed a touching moment between Southern rap legends wholl never meet again in this life; not to mention that T.I.s currently on house arrest looking at significant jail time.
Me and Fonsworth Bentley @ TJs DJs in Tallahassee

jbS 2cents

KING YELLA

Best. Picture. Ever.

ANTHONY CUTUJAR

Me and Soulja Boy in New York

ERIC PERRIN

TERRENCE TYSON

A few months ago I wrote about how fake the industry is; how no one gives a shit about each other unless theres money involved. But there are exceptions to the rule. Being in the music business is a lonely career. Its hard to trust anyone, so youre constantly paranoid, constantly on the road away from home, without friendly faces to rely on. Its those rare occasions when you connect with somebody to the point where you really give a fuck about them and not just their music that keep you in this shit. Well, I gave a fuck about Pimp C. I first met him when he was locked up and I interviewed him for an OZONE cover story. For some reason we just trusted each other, on that other level beyond this rap shit, and by the time he came out wed become friends. Often when people pass away, everyone writes glamorous, glossy descriptions of them, eliminating their flaws well, Im not cosigning the Atlanta is not the South controversies or the rumored beef between him and you-knowwho but I do know that he always looked out for me. They say that people never remember what you said, but how you made them feel, and Pimp C always made me feel good when I saw him. Ill miss his charisma and intelligence. Ill miss his random, always-entertaining  AM phone calls. And, of course, Ill miss his music. I hear that Pimp C recorded hundreds of unreleased songs in the past two years since his release, so fortunately for rap fans, his music wont be dying out anytime soon. But Ill still miss my friend. - Julia Beverly, jb@ozonemag.com

Me, Plies, & Suga D @ FAMU Homecoming in Tallahassee

J LASH

UGKs performance at the st OZONE Awards was a classic moment; me & Pimp C backstage

DJ Drama f/ Outkast Art of Storytelling Pt.  Shawty Lo f/ Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Plies, & Lil Wayne Dey Know (remix) Rocko f/ T.I., Young Jeezy, & Rick Ross Umma Do Me (remix) Lil Wayne & Juelz Santana Always Strapped Cunninlynguists f/ Devin the Dude Wonderful Jay Electronica A Prayer For Michael Vick And T.I. Alicia Keys f/ John Mayer Lesson Learned Playaz Circle f/ Phonte Paper Chaser

RESplaylist

randy.roper@ozonemag.com Snoop Dogg Sexual Eruption Ill Tactics Nikita  Lupe Fiasco The Coolest Lil Keke f/ Birdman Im A G

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EST PQU RA
IF YOU
AUSTIN, TX: ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Stevie and Bamboozle shot three videos in one weekend! Homie Marco left his position as P.D. at Hot . so the position is up for grabs. The Takeover Tour Concert was a smash, minus T.I. Naughty by Nature tore it down. Cooley Sha and David Wade continue to shine locally. Samuel Jackson and Eva Mendez were in town shooting a new movie called The Spirit. Club Fantasia is now the spot for upcoming local rap artists to perform and battle. Soulja Boys Crank Dat is the #  song on the air right now. - Beno (Beno@eadymusicgroup.com)

OZONEMA POPPIN AT ALL, HIT US UP at JB@ DETROIT, MI: ATS ENTED TO EE WH The Ultimate Black Party went down at the Detroit Lions EETS PRESSNTED, OR NOT REPRES R E E Ford Field. Cupid performed for a crowd of about ,000. ITS THE ST Young Dro and Detroits own Deelishis hosted a party at OZONFEEHTHAT YOUR CITY IS MISR Club Evolution that banged out. T Woods is still the most EL
Trae came to town for an in store appearance and autograph signing at Music Mania for his album Life Goes On. DJ Rapid Ric headed back overseas to India with Chamillionaire for the VH Hip Hop Hustle concert series. Soon after, Koopa, Famous, and the Chamillitary Camp came back to Austin to host the 0 Hot . Fantasy Fest party at Paradox. DJ Grip hooked up with Eddie Deville, Trae, and Drojo to drop the -disc Screw State Heavyweights. Tosin of TheScrewShop.com and J-Kapone got together for the All In Yo Deck mixtape mixed by DJ Dinkie D. - O.G. of Luxury Mindz (LuxuryMindz@gmail.com) consistent promoter in the city. Two of his recent successes were at Evolution and Confidential, which was attended by Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, and Keyon Martin. Hot 02.s annual Shoes for Shorties went down at Northland Mall and was attended by Gorilla Zoe, Hurricane Chris, and Twista. Home-grown artist Tone Tone shut it down when he performed his local hit What Up Doe. - Big Gryph (BigGryph_Ent@yahoo.com)

G.COM

BALTIMORE, MD:

BAY ST. LOUIS, MS:

Stay Gettin Productions, known for bangers on albums by Camron and Freeway, have gotten their artist Heavy Gold signed to Epic Records. Even with no radio play, he and his team have made a lot of noise in Harm City. Although the ink on the deal is still wet, look out for Heavy Golds major label debut real soon. Hometown favorite DJ Spontaneous has signed on to be Atlantic Recording artist Trey Songz DJ on Treys new tour. If youve never heard of Spontaneous, be sure to cop one of his Spontaneous Combustion mixtapes. - Darkroom Productions (TheDarkRoomInc@yahoo.com)

The Miami Heat along with the New Orleans Hornets came to play a preseason game at the Biloxi Coast Coliseum. Some of the players stopped by Nells Sports Bar & Lounge and kicked it. Plies came to da Sipp and rocked it. The ladies couldnt keep their hands off him. It was almost a strip fest. It was a good look for poetry as Huggy Bear the Poet appeared on the Tom Joyner morning show. Mississippi is getting ready for the Bayou Classic, where the Feds will be taking pictures. - DJ Deliyte (unodasound@yahoo.com)

LOUISVILLE, KY

JACKSONVILLE, FL:

LOUISVILLE, KY

BrickLayer Entertainment reappeared with Shut Down Sundays featuring Gucci Mane at Villa Fontana. SOLO (above) opened up and showed his swagg to the public. H.O. Holla held down Hottest in the Ville for  days and A.R. is following the same pattern. Griff Jr. hosted Fresh Kicks Friday, a party by Famous Entertainment. Wild Wayne has been out of control lately performing in every venue the city has. Nova has a hot ass mixtape out called LouBreeze hosted by DJ Khaled. Lets Get It Entertainment brought through the I Cant Feel My Face Tour featuring Lil Wayne, Juelz Santana, Fabolous, and Louisvilles own Mac-D. - Divine Da Instagata (OuttaDaShopEnt@hotmail.com)

The crime rate in Jacksonville sours as four murders occurred on the eve of the Florida-Georgia football game. One man was stabbed to death at Caf Boleros and two others were injured. On a more positive note, Young Cash releases the video for his single X on Youtube.com. The song is also receiving some rotation on 2. the Beat. Synsha Models held a fashion show downtown at the Crowne Plaza. Local artist Dez Nado continues to make moves in J-Ville. If youre in the area, stop by Groove City Music in the Town & Country Shopping Center.

- Ms. Rivercity (MsRivercity@yahoo.com)

DJ Hollaback is on fire in the clubs right now. The Foxx album release party thrown by Here We Go Entertainment was classic and the 0 dimes were in the building. Wild Wayne does it real big with Wild Wayne TV. Flame has a new single called Look Back at It and its gaining momentum. The Street Team got back together after a brief falling out. Everyone is still waiting on Lil Wayne to come out of his bubble and drop the official Carter . - Derrick Tha Franchise (www.Myspace.com/DerrickThaFranchise)

NEW ORLEANS, LA:

The Mayors office continues to struggle as a teen stabbing and school shooting have been tagged to Frank Jacksons resume. The female assailant was coached by mom and grandmother during the assault. Sam Sylk returns to ENZ. After stints in Chicago and Philly, the Sylk man returns to his familiar 2:00-:00 slot. Local producer/engineer EQ, who achieved national fame, passed away recently. The local Hip Hop community mourns this pioneer. The Hot-Spot lists Gucci Mane and Lil Wayne as top CD sellers, The Alpo Story and BETs American Gangster as top DVDs, and G-Spots You Cant Feel Me as top mixtape. - X Allah (Supreme@sprintpcs.com)

CLEVELAND, OH:

CINCINNATI, OH:

The Mixin Vixen, a.k.a. DJ Dimepiece, from WIZF 0. is reppin Cincinnati everywhere. Somebody is always hitting me up from Cali, Vegas, or Miami telling me they saw Dimepiece and she is bad! Contact booking@djdimepiece.com for more info. Kenny P. has been on the grind a long time and his song Party Like My Birthday is buzzing in the streets, in the clubs, on radio and mixtapes. Its your turn Kenny P. The Cincinnati Bengals didnt get off to a good start, but the city is very optimistic about their future with Coach Marvin Lewis. - Judy Jones (Judy@JJonesent.com)

NASHVILLE, TN:

TSU kicked off their Homecoming with a hot ass Lil Wayne, Yung Joc and Lloyd concert followed by an insane after party at . Eight years and stillgoing, PhatKaps has breathed new air into Nashville by raising the bar with a new and improved superstore. Get yo gear up! Speaking of new stores, Elite Mens Boutique has just opened. AllStar and Paper battled it out (literally) to prove who was # and 2Qs Community Day was a huge success, especially for the winner of a brand new car. Stevie Wonder tickets are now officially on sale. - Janiro (Janiro@southernentawards.com) 8 // OZONE MAG

COLUMBUS, GA:

COLUMBUS, GA

After surviving a summer where the murder rate doubled within a month and a half, people have been partying and nightlife has picked up. DJ O from Foxie 0 teamed up with Incognito from 8. The Beat for Sunday nights at End Zone. Folks have actually been acting like they have some senseI mean there was that one incident, but a broken bottle never hurt anyone. Chesters Barbeque won the Steve Harvey Hoodie Award for Best in America. Since there was no drivethru in this East Columbus liquor store, some guy parked his Cadillac inside (at right). - Slick Seville (SlickSeville@gmail.com)

COLUMBUS, OH:

In the early morning hours, club manager/promoter DJ Rob Base was shot and killed in front of his home. He was returning home from work at the nightclub Grand Central Station when he was shot several times in the back. An investigation is still going on and no arrests have been made. Grand Central Station has hired DJ Marcus Kage as the new house DJ. DJ Pain will release his new mixtape entitled Pain Is Pleasure by December. The focus of the project is a new artist named Deuce. - DJ Akil (DJ.Akil@yahoo.com)

DOTHAN, AL

STREETBUZZ DVD magazine and the High Five Bar have the city on smash by exposing local artists. Q Nemis is also putting the city on the map down in Atlanta along with Blackbox Ent. Yellow Tape Gang will be in a hood near you too. Major Woodys nightclub is always stacked to capacity. Even in the hood, hole-in-the-wall bars go down. - Jorden Martin (Mz_Emjay2@yahoo.com)

DALLAS/FT. WORTH, TX:

BC and Southern Fried Marketing is your promo outlet in the city. Hawatha and Shelly have the official after hours spot at Club One. Club Blue has re-opened its doors as Club Cirque. Aleesa is keeping Def Jam in the streets. Pegasus News is exposing Rapquest every month and model Nia Lynae is on come up. Young Maboda and Cutta C are building a buzz. The NAACP and UTA set up and bashed the local music scene with no warning. Veda Loca conquered the evening slot on . The Beat. Renzo from Big Wheel Records is on lockdown. Stay strong. - Edward Pookie Hall (www.urbansouth.us@ gmail.com)

FT. MYERS, FL

Birthday Bash 200 was ridiculous. Groupies put on their shortest skirts to get backstage. The Big O (Omar), 0. The Beats MD, put together a lineup that included Ja Rule, Flo-Rida, Swizz Beats, Jagged Edge, DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, Kat De Luna, and Playaz Circle. The bartender couldnt handle all the smoke in the air backstage; he actually went outside and threw up. Speaking of smoke, a record  grow-houses were busted in Lehigh Acres in one day, so its going to be dry for a while. (Above: 0.s Jae Rae, Scrappy, & DJ Sway-Z) - Jae Rae (JaeRae0@aol.com)

FORT MYERS/NAPLES, FL:

JACKSON, MS:

JACKSON, MS

Lil Wayne, Lil Boosie,  Deep, and Yo Gotti all hit the city this month with slammin performances. DJ Khaled and DJ Q took over the city at various clubs during Jackson State Universitys Homecoming weekend. Project Pat gave some lucky listeners of Hot  a private dinner (Project Pat shown at left with Hot  crew). Peso the Don and the PCF (Paper Chasin Family) movement have taken the streets of Jackson by storm. Mississippis own Boo the Boss Playa has new music with Young Jeezy on the CTE Shield mixtape. - Tambra Cherie (TambraCherie@aol.com) & Stax (blockwear@tmo.blackberry.net)
Lil Chappy pulled another hit out of his hat. I Made It got the blocks jumping harder than when he dissed Gucci Mane. But its neck and neck with Dem Dirty Boyz. The album The First Supper is beating down the street. The first single Tryna Get It features Lil Boosie and of course you know The Big Station had to be the first to bust it out, but now its playing on all stations. Badunka Walk featuring The Black Paris Hilton got tricks in the club trying to make up their own dance. Tyte Wurk is about to get it with Sound Load. DUMAS, AR: - Hot Girl Maximum Everybody is getting ready for the Southern (HotGirl.Maximum@ Entertainment Awards going down in Tunica, gmail.com) MS. UAPBs Homecoming was major. Criminal

HOUSTON, TX:

MONTGOMERY, AL:

Its round two of the New South takeover. Chamillionaire and Trae are back. Coughee Brothaz are putting that good fire in the air. Upclose Entertainment is resurrecting Hip Hop with Uppa Dek, Dre Steel, and Krystal. The Grit Boys are holding down the hood. Jak Da Rippa, Upfront Records and Fatman are making things happen all over Galveston. Come hit up Baby Os where all the hoods favorites go to perform. - Jamar J Gamble Irby (My. Upclose@gmail.com)

MACON, GA

It was a big month in the Mac thanks to the Fort Valley Homecoming game. Plies and Shawty Lo blessed us with their presence at the major party courtesy of the Legion of Doom DJs. DJs Ric Flare (YBMFDJ) and Supa Dave held down the s and 2s. Young R opened up for Yola and his Mixtape 0 hits the streets soon. - Ali Roc (radiodj22000@yahoo.com)

Manne from Memphis got the streets on fire. The local rap scene is ready to explode with shows hosted by Countyside Productions. Club Elevations is the number one spot for clubbing in Little Rock. The parties in Monticello have been off the chain. A female rapper named Memory is one of the tightest in the state. The club scene has been jumping in Pine Bluff along with The Cedar Cabin and PJs. - DJ Hiley (LamarHiley@yahoo.com)

INDIANAPOLIS, IN:

MEMPHIS, TN:

Vika, the R&B/Pop Queen of the city, shot her video this passed month and her single Fantasize is making some noise. Ophilia has graced the covers of Smooth Magazine and The Leak Magazine. She also has a photo spread in King Mag. Willie Hawkins, a.k.a. Dope Fiend Willie, is on the road with Mike Epps and also has a new comedy CD out. We must also mention Otis Brown (R.I.P.) whose life was taken by senseless violence. His barbershop The New Doo was a true cornerstone to find out what is going on locally and nationally. He will truly be missed. - Lucky The Promo King (srfoleaf@aol.com)

Kia Shine is wrapping up his second video shoot of the year. He and all his fans met up on historic Beale Street to shoot the video for his latest single WOW. Some special guests included UFC champ Rampage, Rudy Gay from the Grizzlies, and Euro basketball star Scooter McFadden. Blink is putting together the second Memphis or Die DVD and promises to feature the hottest folks in Memphis, plus a touch of some American Gangster. Hot new artists Too Deep and Yung Flow are gaining local attention with their latest single Feel Like a Mill. DJ 00 is holding it down for our local artists. - Deanna Brown (Deanna.Brown@MemphisRap.com)

MILWAUKEE, WI:

This pertains to all hoods across the map, stop the violence! (right) Its getting so senseless. Milwaukee is hurting right now in so many ways statistically. The last thing we need to be doing is killing each other. R.I.P. to Yolanda La La Brown who had a popular hit song with Lyfe Jennings and her boyfriend/producer JeTannue Kool-Aid Clayborn. Both were murdered recently. Our whole city is affected. People need to stop and think. Lets spread some unity via the music and media too. Guns down Mil-Town! - Gorilla Promo (info@gorillapromo.com)

MILWAUKEE, WI
OZONE MAG // 

RAPQUEST
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK:
Your favorite HoneySiccle models, as well as Honey herself, are headed to Dallas, TX to perform at a video/DVD release party. They are also headed to Kansas to make major moves at club spots. Presidential Trap House is doing big things. They headed to Tallahassee, FL for the TJs DJs Conference and made an appearance at the Billboard Awards. - PL (BeatBrokers@yahoo.com) It was a star studded FAMU Homecoming. Ja Rule had an in depth interview on Blazin 02. (shown at left with Jay Blaze) about his career and 0 Cent. Now the streets of Tallahassee are buzzin and liking Ja Rule. Other guest celebrities included comedian Mike Epps, Fonzworth Bentley, Doug Banks and Dee Dee McGuire, Midget Mac (I Love New York II), Lisa Raye, Malik Yoba, and more. The highlight of the weekend was the sold out FAMU Homecoming Concert with Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Lil Boosie, Lil Webbie, Musiq Soulchild, and Plies. The song heard all weekend long was FloRidas Low featuring T-Pain. - DJ Dap (DJDapOnline@gmail.com)

TALLAHASSEE, FL:

ORLANDO, FL:

Haitian Fresh set Tabu on fire with his performance at his signing party in Orlando. Sho Boy causes more controversy with his new song Orange County Truth which addresses Orlandos music scene. Pure Cash Entertainment debuts their latest project, Pure Cash Magazine. Producer Phil  Real leaves Mo Muzik Entertainment. Edgewaters own Darius Washington is the newest member of the San Antonio Spurs. - Destine Cajuste (upromoteme@aol.com)

TALLAHASSEE, FL

PENSACOLA, FL

We are approaching the Second Annual Get Em Magazine awards. Greg Gates will be hosting a conference during that same weekend. Microphone Monday goes on every week at The Blue Bar. Its designed for artists to promote themselves and network. It also gives artists the opportunity to perform and throw album release parties all under one roof. Choke Em Out brought Wil-lo Week into effect in October. People are looking over Pensacola now, but in a minute we will be undeniable. - King Pen (KingPen22000@yahoo.com) 8. The Beat debuted the smash single Whip Game from San Antonio hard-hitters Tha Coalition. Now the song is being played everywhere and talks of their mixtape The Laws of Power (right) are circling. Ja Rule unexpectedly came to town and threw a concert at Club Rio. With both radio stations (8. the Beat and Power 0.) in competition for who could throw the livest Halloween party, The Beat was clearly the winner. They brought an onslaught of signed and unsigned artists to perform at The WAMU Boo Bash. Artists performing and making appearances included Gorilla Zoe, Trapstars, Gemini, and Tha Coalition. - Bishop Maxx (bishop_maxx@yahoo.com) Frozen Paradise celebrated the SSU Homecoming this weekend with a packed house. Asia Black Entertainment kicks off Freak Em Dress Fridays at Frozen Paradise. Ladies in the hottest freak em dresses get in free until midnight. . The Beats Nite Ryda Radio continues its search for the next Lady Nite Ryda. You can hear the show every Monday thru Thursday night from :00-0:00pm. Gucci Mane shut down the Black-Out Party and Gorilla Zoe did it big at Club 0. - Lucky (LuckyCharmsEvents@gmail.com)

Mad Linx came through to visit Tony Montana (bottom right) and the Shut It Down Squad family during the WMNF 88.fm community radio marathon. The crew donated their time as they do every Saturday night to keep true Hip Hop flowing through our airwaves. BayBizness.com is doing their thing by giving the Bay area another flavor of Hip Hop in cyberspace. According to TampaHipHop.com and DJ Ekin, Tommy Gunz puts the word out that he is the hottest dude in town and he doesnt battle unless there is real beefany takers? - Mz T-Rock (MzTRock@yahoo.com)

TAMPA, FL:

TULSA, OK

SAN ANTONIO, TX:

Soulja Boy dropped into Tulsa for a show and stopped by 0. KHITS for an interview. Local artist P.D.A. is currently on the Critical Bill tour and gaining more exposure since opening up for Akon at the 200 Spring Bash. Young Ruccus released his new album Da Gutta Boy Family Block Music. Club Exclusive had its annual Rock the Mic Battle this month and MTV was in attendance. Ludacris and T-Pain will perform at a confirmed sold out show at the Expo Square Pavilion. I released my latest mixtape Certified Street Invasion Vol. . (left) - DJ Civil Rightz (poplockking@hotmail.com)

TULSA, OK:

SAVANNAH, GA:

SAN

Norfolk State University welcomed Lil Wayne and Lil Boosie to town for their Homecoming. Lil Wayne ripped the house down and Lil Boosie had everyone wiping themselves down. Gorilla Zoe stopped through Hampton and showed love. Old Dominion University and WODU are welcoming Bobby Valentino to town for their Homecoming. You can catch local super stars courtside at an ODU basketball game. Saturday nights are still on lock at Tribecca ANTONIO, TX in Newport News with the baddest chicks in Hampton Roads representing every week. - Derrick Tha Franchise (www.Myspace.com/DerrickThaFranchise) WASHINGTON, DC

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA:

WASHINGTON, DC:

SHREVEPORT, LA:

KMJJ just received notification from the Governor of Louisiana that its being named the 200 Station of the Year by Radio & Records Magazine. J Holiday came through Shreveport and ripped the roof off of Gi-Gis Martini Room. In attendance were Carl Payne, Matthew Broderick, Sanaa Lathan, and Michael Williams from HBOs The Wire. The National Black Rodeo Finals featured performances by Unk and Cupid. - C-Mac (cmac@cumulus.com)

Northwest collective The G.O.V. (left) is trying to move up in the D.C. music stratosphere. Theyve utilized a shameless grassroots promotions blitz of online blasts and local shows to push themselves beyond their fan base and into the pages of the Washington City Paper and Streetzmag.com. The trio, which consists of The Mayor, Jay the Gov-na, and Intrigue, recently released their new album Dollartic$ and their album-titled single has been getting some recent burn on WPGC. The G.O.V. also recently aired their new Hip Hop roundtable show The G.O.V. Report on Comcast. - Pharoh Talib (Ptalib@gmail.com) //

ST LOUIS, MO

Mr. Marcus Mixtape interviewed Julia Beverly on 8.fm. Former Fyre Gyrl KK has been holding it down at Phat Tuesdays on the landing every first of the month. Ms. Kendra dipped to ATL and is now a Tigger Kitten. BGyrl has been holding the STL down for years at www. stlhiphop.com. Ms. Mary keeps dropping hot issue after hot issue of her Disclosure Newszine. Hot R&B duo Az One is killing the streets. Teenage trio SOSy (right) is making a lot of noise as well. Downtown Music, Culture Vibe, and Vintage Vinyl are the hot mom and pop shops in town. - Jesse James (JesseJames@aol.com)

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ST. LOUIS, MO

L TAMPA, F

of poWeR foR URban mathematiCs the laWsresolutioNsaRtists New Years

by Wendy day of the Rap Coalition www.wendyday.com
lil WaYne:

2008

This Year: Just to see 08; thats it. I dont make resolutionsI had made one, I think I told Julia what it was, but I forgot it so I wasnt too dedicated to it. I dont do the resolution thing because Im gon forget that bitch. I did make itoh, I remember that shit, its to make $0 million. Make $0 million in 2008, I swear to God thats what it is. Im gon try my hardest to make $0 million in 2008.

TALIB HAQQ

DaviD Banner:

Last Year: To acquire $. million dollars in a three-month span between movies, production, and shows, and to write Mississippi: The Movie. This Year: In 200 I set my plan into motion, and although I didnt reach it, Im very proud of my progress. My 2008 New Years Resolution is to do a better job of seeing my family. My dad and grandmother both died this year. God bless Kanye.

DiamonD of Crime moB:

Last Year: This year is gonna be the happiest year of my life. Im on some positive, successful shit. This Year: To have longevity in the game. Make more money, more money, and more money, and buy an even bigger house. Last but not least, get closer to God!

JULIA BEVERLY

miKe Jones:

DJ KhaleD:

Last Year: For my new album We The Best to be the # album in the country, and to have good health! This Year: I did great on my 0 New Years Resolution! I got the # independent album in the country, and Im in good health! My 2008 New Years Resolution is to have another # album, to have good health, and launch my record company: We The Best Music!

Last Year: To work harder on my American Dream album than the last one. This Year: I did pretty good last year. My 2008 New Years Resolution is to shine harder in 08 than I did in 0.

mistah faB:

DJ Drama:

Last Year: To move the culture forward by any means necessary. This Year: I did great on my 200 New Years Resolution! They tried to attack Hip Hop by stepping on my back, and I didnt let them stop the movement. I pledge allegiance to feed the streets for the rest of my life! In 2008, Im gonna make the world pay even closer attention!

Last Year: Stop letting white girls be my weakness. This Year: Man, my New Years Resolution only got worse. The white girls got the best of me in 0. In 2008 my mission is to work 0 times harder than the top cats in the game, stay focused, and keep gettin money the legal way.

PimP C (r.i.P.):

GanGsta Boo:

Last Year: No more fuckin with negative people, no matter how much I care about em. This Year: I did great in 0, stayed busta free! This year Im gonna stand on these fake d-boy pussy ass rap niggas and internet gangsta hoes

Last Year: Stay away from broke men and take more overseas trips. This Year: I did good. I stayed away from the broke men. In 2008, Im gonna work out more and get a flat stomach!

Gorilla Zoe:

This Year: My 2008 New Years Resolution is to be better than I was last year, as a whole. To be a better person.

lil Jon:
JULIA BEVERLY

JULIA BEVERLY

Last Year: To finish my fucking album! This Year: My album is almost done. In 2008 Im gonna stop making everybody else get as drunk as I do. Sometimes they cant take it.

22 // OZONE MAG

2008

KING YELLA

necks until they beg me to stop! If you call Pimp C a snitch, youre a bitch for life! Dont get mad at me cause the math dont match. Tennessee is 2-a-key, bitch! ATL 20 to 2! Eat my dick if you dont like that and say my name when you diss me! Preach! Chuurch!

WeBBie:

Last Year: To get business right and take over in 200. This Year: To stop smoking cigarettes like Boosie did last year.

PitBull:

Dru Brett of the runners:

Last Year: Continue to grind the only way I know how. This Year: Im still grinding, so I did good in 0, and as far as the game, this is the year I start to take over. Its a three year process.

riCh BoY:

Last Year: To let that dumb shit go and get this money! This Year: I did great on my last New Years Resolution! This year, my resolution is to be great at what I do, the way I envision myself, and also to give the underground mixtapes theyll never forget!

slim thuG:

Last Year: [My partner] Maynes resolution is to eat healthier mine is to hit the gym every day. This Year: We did great with our resolutions last year. We wanted to make more hits than last year, and we succeeded. We did two singles for Young Jeezy and gave DJ Khaled a Top 20 record on teh Hot 00. To wrap the year up we provided Rick Ross with his new single Speedin featuring R Kelly. This year we want to blow up our artist Bali because he speaks what he lives. We have major [joint venture] offers from every record label. We also want to break into pop music. Were working with Janet Jackson and many more!

Last Year: My New Years Resolution is to do a song a day. This Year: I didnt do so good on my last years resolution. This year my resolution is to work out and get in shape, and try to be more organized.

trina:

southstar of smileZ & southstar:

Last Year: Hit the gym and get on a healthier diet, and cut back on my drinking. This Year: I started off good with my 200 New Years Resolution, but didnt stick with it. This year I definitely wanna hit the gym up and get in shape and grind harder than ever! Its now or never!

Last Year: To stay humble and continue to become successful. This Year: I think I did a good job on my last New Years Resolution; I remained humble and focused, and my success has grown in many ways, so Im proud of myself. My 2008 New Years Resolution is to continue to better myself and continue to work hard and become more successful in 08 then I was the year before. //

too $hort:

Last Year: Teach young people how to get money in the music business. Hip Hop has to be passed on as both art and a source of income. This Year: Thats been my main mission for 0 and next year too. Im making a lot of progress with The Pack and the kids at the youth center [Youth UpRising] but I have a long way to go, cause I want to see more of them get [record] deals and get money.

trae:

Last Year: Make the whole world become an Asshole By Nature, and get rid of fake industry niggas. This Year: I did good on my last years resolution because Ive got a lot of niggas tryin to be street and Im still alive. My New Years Resolution this year is to bring the world the truth and make an impact in the hood for 08, and to work harder to bring Dinkie home.

triCK DaDDY:

Last Year: In 200 I aint do shit but get money, so by 200 Ill be putting out my own niggas. This Year: My New Years Resolution is Dunk Ryde or Die! Im finally famous, finally free!

OZONE MAG // 2

2 // OZONE MAG

(above L-R): Shawn Jay of Field Mob & Midget Mac on the set of Young Cashs X video shoot in Jacksonville, FL (Photo: Terrence Tyson); DJ Khaled & DJ Drama on the set of DJ Dramas 000 Ones in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Julia Beverly); LL Cool J gets some love @ The Last Damn Show in Tampa, FL (Luis Santana)

0 // Trey Songz & DJ Kut on the set of Jus Bleezys Like Me (St Louis, MO) 02 // Teddy T, Haitian Fresh & his mascot @ Chef Creole for World AIDS Day concert (Miami, FL) 0 // Wickett Crickett, DJ Chill, & Slim Thug @ Party 0. (Houston, TX) 0 // Guest, Attitude, Countri Boi, & guest @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA) 0 // Chubby Baby, Jim Jones, Freekey Zekey, & Juelz Santana on the set of DJ Dramas 000 Ones (Atlanta, GA) 0 // Big Gipp, DJ Q, & Kia Shine @ The Globe for DJ Qs birthday bash (Jacksonville, FL) 0 // DJ Nasty & Christina Milian @ Mansion for DJ Khaleds birthday party (Miami, FL) 08 // Slimm Calhoun & Fonsworth Bentley @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA) 0 // Pleasure P & Jas Prince @ White Diamonds for Trina & Pleasure Ps birthday party (Miami, FL) 0 // B @ Kwanzaa Fest (Dallas, TX)  // Slim of Loose Cannon & Laurence Maroney of the New England Patriots get ready to make it rain @ Society (St Louis, MO) 2 // JR Get Money & Anne Williams @ BET College Tour (Houston, TX)  // Roccett & Terrence Tyson @ Sobe Live for Bigga Rankins party (Miami, FL)  // Webbie & crew @ Hush (Houston, TX)  // Studio & G Mack @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL)  // DJ Montay & Unk @ The Globe for DJ Qs birthday party (Jacksonville, FL)  // BloodRaw & Slick Pulla @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA) 8 // Rich Boy & Big L @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL)  // DJ Drama & Willie the Kid @ SF2 (Houston, TX) Photo Credits: Carl Lewis (02,); Intl K (0,2,,); Julia Beverly (0,0,08,0,); King Yella (0,); Malik Abdul (0); Ms Rivercity (,); Terrence Tyson (0,8); Tre Dubb (0)

OZONE MAG // 2 OZONE MAG // 2

mathematiCs the laWs of poWeR foR URban aRtists

by Wendy day of the Rap Coalition www.wendyday.com
laW 1: Never Question or Outshine The Person With Control laW 6: Keep People Dependent On You
If you are signed to a label owned by an established artist or producer, or an indie regional label, be careful you dont outshine or overrule the person putting up the funding for your career. If they hold the money or the access to the industry, it is key that you never embarrass, outshine, or piss them off. It will be just as easy for them to shift focus to another artist, and the truth is they do not care about backing the most talented or the most gifted artist (presumably you). They care about backing the one that will listen to them and follow their lead. To have attained success as an artist (if they are a rapper or producer) or to control the finances (meaning they made the money they are putting up to fund your career), they have earned a degree of power and influenceto question that, or to try to take that from them, is a guarantee that you will be replaced by someone who doesnt try to make them feel inferior or question their authority. People, in general, are hugely insecure, and if you make your leader feel insecure in the slightest way, you will be replaced by someone who doesnt.

If they dont need you, they will discard you. Labels have been controlling their artists through money (advances) since the inception of the music business. Artists do what they are supposed to do because they need to get that next check before they go broke.

laW 7: When You Need Help, Appeal To Others Self-Interest Or Greed

No one is stupid enough (except maybe me) to want to help someone without getting anything in return. Rather than asking for help based on a freebie, why not show the person you are asking for help from, how they can benefit themselves by doing the right thing and helping you. Always show them whats in it for them.

laW 8: Be Unpredictable

If people dont know what you will do next, they cant block your moves. Your seemingly odd and unpredictable behavior will keep people guessing and talking about you (see Law ).

laW 2: Protect Your Reputation With Your Life

laW 9: Know Who You Are Dealing WithDo NOT Piss Off The Wrong

This is a who you know industry. That means to make any positive moves forward at all, you need to have strong relationships. Without a good reputation for being fair and honest, you will get blocked at higher levels without ever knowing why. This industry seems big, but it is very small. It is common knowledge who all of the scumbags are, and those people are either avoided or used to do dirty work (without them even realizing they are being used). In order to succeed at a level you will want to achieve, your name has to ring with a good positive connotation. Once people begin to gossip about what a scumbag you are, or your past misgivings, your career will begin to hit the skids. Guaranteed. The same goes for the folks who represent you. If a member of your team is shady or inept, then you are shady or inept. Choose carefully. They represent YOU.

Person It is important not to piss off people who have power or who are next to the people with power. There are folks in this industry who can make a phone call and stop something from moving forward for you, and you will never even know what hit youyour deal or opportunity will just quietly dry up and go away. The real power players are not stupid enough to let you know it was their doing to fuck up your shit. They will just take pleasure in doing so.

laW 10: Do Not Isolate Yourself, Build Bonds With Others

laW 3: Seek Attention At All Cost

People who have no movement, or no support, are easy targets. Make sure you have a team or enough powerful friends to help move your career forward. Aside from needing the help to build success, you also need powerful friends to cut for you in case you hit a rough spot.

Stand out from the din. Attract attention by appearing larger than life. It doesnt matter what people are saying about you, only that they are saying something about you. All publicity is good publicity. Make sure that whatever you are doing is being discussed publicly. Hire a publicist to promote you. Self-promote at every turn. If you have not learned how to control the media yet, get media training so you can speak in soundbites. Build relationships with public figures and the media. Opportunities come to those who are in the forefront of peoples minds. Be that person.

laW 11: Always Be The Good Guy; Let Your Manager Be The Bad Guy

laW 4: Use Absence To Increase Respect And Honor

Artists must be loved by the labels staff at all cost. If the people in power and the everyday staff dont love and respect you, they will NOT go hard for you to build your career. This industry is NOT about talent. Its about lazy people doing whatevers easiest to collect a paycheck. If they like you and respect you, they will want to help you succeed. If you yell at them, insult them, or in any way disappoint or piss them off, you have already lost the battle.

If you are everywhere, you burn yourself out. When you appear on everyones remix or are the producer of every other song on the radio, the initial perception is that you are hot. But this opinion rapidly changes as fans grow tired of hearing you on everything. You become commonplace and oversaturated, driving down your value in the marketplace. This is also true for label executives and owners who cant stay out of the limelight. I even noticed this with my appearing on panelsat first, wherever I showed up to speak people thought it was the place to be because I was there to speak. Then, after folks realized I was everywhere, I was no longer special and no longer brought an aspect of special to the conference. Now people even talk through my panels so they can approach me at the end to hand me a demo (even though I just got done saying that handing anyone a demo is never a way to get on in this industry).

laW 12: Make It All Seem Effortless

If people know you struggled to complete a task, you dont look like as much of a genius if it all seemed easy. Never let your fans or co-workers see you sweat. Its a sign of weakness. Most opportunists prey on weakness.

laW 13: Acts Of Kindness and Helping People Will Not Be Rewarded

laW 5: Avoid Negativity

If there is something negative going on that attracts media attention, there is no upside to getting involved. The short burst of fame from being seen everywhere will not overpower the fact that fans see you in a negative light now. Your image is everything. Those who want to see an artist take a stand dont buy CDs. If you want to make a difference, stop trying to sell CDs or entertain and become an activist.

When you help a fellow artist or a team member, you will eventually be shit on for doing so. No one likes to admit they needed help, so in order to keep their self esteem intact, they will either shit on you or grow away from you so they can avoid the constant reminder that you were there for them when they needed you. If you put someone on in this industry, they will step on you as they try to grow bigger themselves (even though when they needed you they promised theyd never forget you and swore their allegiance to you for life), and they will never reach back to help you. In fact, if they can screw you out of paying you for your services, they will. No good deed ever goes unpunished. Depressing, but true. //

(With a grateful nod to Robert Greene for writing the hugely important book 8 Laws of Power, from which this article is wholly based.)

2 // OZONE MAG

(above L-R): Scarface practicing his golf swing @ his listening party in Houston, TX (Photo: Intl K); Gil Green & Plies on the set of Plies Hypnotized in Miami, FL (Photo: J Lash); Rasheeda & Nelly on the set of DJ Dramas 000 Ones in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Julia Beverly)

0 // Guest & Young Jeezy @ Mansion for DJ Khaleds birthday party (Miami, FL) 02 // Rick Ross, Tony Neal, TJ Chapman, & DJ Dr Doom @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL) 0 // Mario & Brandii @ The Globe for DJ Qs birthday bash (Jacksonville, FL) 0 // Lil Keke & T Farris @ BET College Tour (Houston, TX) 0 // DJ Nasty & J-Dawg @ Firestone during Florida Classic weekend (Orlando, FL) 0 // Hurricane Chris, Soulja Boy, Mr Collipark & crew @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA) 0 // James Prince Jr & Scarface on the set of Scarfaces video shoot (Houston, TX) 08 // The Runners, Bali, DJ Q, & M-Geezy @ The Globe for DJ Qs birthday party (Jacksonville, FL) 0 // Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, & Killa Kyleon @ Mike Jones American Dream movie premiere (Houston, TX) 0 // TMI Boyz, Stephanie, & Wendy Day @ The Moon for TJs DJs (Tallahassee, FL)  // Creep Boyz @ Club Lagoon (Winter Haven, FL) 2 // DJ Green & Showtime @ White Diamonds for Trina & Pleasure Ps birthday party (Miami, FL)  // Grand Hussle, Mannie Fresh, DJ Wop, & Chunch @ Lil Waynes Bayou Classic jam (New Orleans, LA)  // Bigga Rankin & Rick Ross @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA)  // DJ Demp & Lil Boosie @ Firestone for Florida Classic block party (Orlando, FL)  // Trey Songz & Ashlei on the set of Scarfaces video shoot (Houston, TX)  // RukaPuff & Beauty @ Onyx for OZONE talent search (St Louis, MO) 8 // Prince Markie Dee & guest @ Industry Secrets seminar (Miami, FL)  // Young Dro, DJ Khaled, Pimpin Ken, & Paperchase @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA) Photo Credits: Carl Lewis (08,8); Julia Beverly (0,2,,); Intl K (0,0,0,); King Yella (); Malik AbdUl (0,); Marcus DeWayne (); Ravi Angard (0); Street Grindaz (); Terrence Tyson (02,0); Thaddaeus McAdams (0)

OZONE MAG // 2 OZONE MAG // 2

ChinCheCK

by ChaRlamagne tha god

cthagod@gmail.com

am the type of person who wants this wicked system of things to come to an end. I would love for Allah to tell me to start building an ark and have me go out and spread the word that God is fed up with everybody! Black people, white people, Latinos, Mexicans, Native Americans (if they still exist); we all are not in Gods good graces right now. I have been slipping spiritually lately, I cant lie. I find myself waking up some mornings and I am so focused on what I have to do in this world that I forget to thank Allah for waking me up! The other day at like 0:0 PM I realized that I hadnt said a prayer all day! Now, thats crazy to me, because all my life I have been into religion. My grandmother was a church-going, Bible-thumping Baptist. I was never allowed to go to church with her because my mother is a Jehovahs Witness and for whatever reason Jehovahs Witnesses will not step foot in a church or any place of worship if it doesnt have something to do with their religion. They wont even go in a church for funerals and weddings! One of the things I regret to this day, especially now that my grandmother has passed, is not going to church with her one of those Sundays because of some bullshit rule that the Jehovahs Witnesses have. As I got older and could make my own decisions about how I wanted to worship I was feeling like all organized religion is garbage and the different practices that each religion followed had nothing to do with your individual spirituality. It doesnt matter if you knock on doors every Saturday as a Jehovahs Witness or walk around in a Kufi as a Muslim, as long as you believe in God! Anybody that is in tune with the Creator and knows they are connected to something far greater than their mind, body, and ego has truly found their purpose in life. Now I said all of that to say that it was sort of an epiphany to realize that I hadnt said a prayer all day, because my whole life has been rooted in spirituality! I dont call myself the God because Im some conceited, arrogant, big headed prick. I call myself the God because Genesis chapter  verse 2 said God created man in his image according to his likeness, which means that when I look in the mirror I see the image and likeness of God. We get caught up in this worldly way of doing things so much that we forget we are not human beings trying to live a spiritual existence, but we are spiritual beings living a human existence. The ways of this world, and especially this industry, should not take precedence over God. We give this world and this industry the glory when we should be giving that energy to our creator. I find myself treating God like a woman I know is going to be there, like I can just do whatever I want. I can stay out all night, smoke, drink, party, bullshit, and fuck with other women because I feel I can get away with it. You think to yourself: God isnt going anywhere because he or she loves me. Thats the wrong mentality to have. You cant constantly do the wrong things because you think God is going to forgive you. If God created us in his image, think about this: It is against our nature to let someone constantly shit on us! If youre an employer

and one of your employees was not following the rules they may get a couple of warnings, but after that you have to fire that ass. God is the same way! Dont act like you dont remember how he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, or the aforementioned flood in the days of Noah. When God is fed up, God is fed up. Im not trying to preach, Im just relaying to you my personal struggle. When I do pray lately it isnt heartfelt, its more of a routine and Im not fooling anyone but myself because God knows. I find myself praying when something is wrong, like, God, please make it right, but when something is going good Im giving myself the praise, like, Yeah, I bust Stupid Dope Moves. I have to stop and ask myself, who is giving me the power to bust Stupid Dope Moves? Not the world, the radio, the television, the mixtapes, or the record labels. Nah, brothers and sisters, its God himself! I had to get that off my chest and Chin Check my damn self just to get everything back in order. Now, the moral of the story is this: All my hood figures, d-boys, trap stars, rappers, athletes, radio personalities, DJs, lawyers, engineers, employees at Rainbow, fry cooks at Burger King, skrippers (thats not a typo I spell it how I say it), college students, and regular everyday ordinary people living this thing called life, in 2008, no matter what you do or how you do it, be a host to God. That means always see your authentic connection to your Source. Know that it is impossible to ever be disconnected from the Source from which you came and please dont allow the ways of this world or this matrix we call the industry to break your divine bond with the most high. Peace Almighty..... Charlamagne Tha God

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(above L-R): Yo Gotti showing off a Trae bobblehead in Houston, TX (Photo: Intl K); Nelly, DJ Drama, & Greg Street on the set of DJ Dramas 000 Ones in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Eric Perrin); Young Chris & Freeway @ Compound for Def Jams pre-BET Hip Hop Awards party in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Julia Beverly)

0 // Lil Hen & Ms Asia @ Plush (Jacksonville, FL) 02 // Julia Beverly, KK, & RukaPuff @ Onyx for OZONE talent search (St Louis, MO) 0 // TJ Chapman & Khia @ Central Florida Fairgrounds for DMEs annual Florida Classic car show (Orlando, FL) 0 // Kid Capri & K-Foxx @ Mansion for DJ Khaleds birthday party (Miami, FL) 0 // Chris Johnson, Webbie, & Dreadlocks @ Hush for OZONEs Webbie concert (Houston, TX) 0 // C-Ride & Hurricane Chris @ Vibe & McDonalds Yardfest on FAMU campus (Tallahassee, FL) 0 // T-Pain & Ja Rule on the Rickey Smiley morning show on . The Beat (Dallas, TX) 08 // Trae & Bun B @ KBXXs car show (Houston, TX) 0 // Young Cash & Shawn Jay @ The Globe for DJ Qs birthday bash (Jacksonville, FL) 0 // Lloyd & Willie Joe @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA)  // LeToyas grandmother Ms. Williams, Slim Thug, & Brandi Garcia @ LeToya Lucketts party (Houston, TX) 2 // J Holiday & Dr Teeth on the set of Fat Joe & J Holidays video shoot (Miami, FL)  // Guest, J Lash, & Ted Lucas on the set of Rick Ross Speedin video shoot (Miami, FL)  // Wickett Crickett & Polk @ Roxy (Houston, TX)  // Santana & Bigga Rankin on the set of Young Cashs X video shoot (Jacksonville, FL)  // Pat Nix & Ja Rule @ The Roxy (Orlando, FL)  // Kiotti & Webbie @ KBXXs car show (Houston, TX) 8 // DJ Walgee & DJ Nasty @ The Roxy (Orlando, FL)  // Trae, Lil Jared, Lil Duval, Chamillionaire, Famous, & Playaz Circle @ KBXXs car show (Houston, TX) Photo Credits: Bogan (2); BRE (0); Carl Lewis (); Intl K (0,08,,,,); Julia Beverly (0,0,0); King Yella (02); Malik Abdul (0); Terrence Tyson (0,0,,,8)

OZONE MAG // 2 OZONE MAG // 2

Dj KhaLED anD DiaMOnD

Dj KhaLED: YO DIAMOND, THIS IS IMPORTANT, LISTEEEEEEENNNN!!!!! DiaMOnD: Whos this? Dj KhaLED: THIS IS THE DON DADA!!!!! THE BIG DAWG PITBULL! TERROR SQUADIAN A.K.A THE BEAT NOVOCANE A.K.A. I MAKE HIT RECORDS A.K.A. THIS WHAT I DO A.K.A. WE TAKIN OVER A.K.A. IM SO HOOD A.K.A. GOD LOVES ME!!!!! I REPRESENT DIAMONNNND!!!!! DiaMOnD: Who? Dj KhaLED: DJ KHALED!!!!! WE THE BEST!!!!! DiaMOnD: Ooooooooh, whats up Khaled? Dj KhaLED: YO IVE BEEN FOLLOWING YOUR WORK!!!!! AND I THINK YOU DA BEST AND I THINK WE CAN MAKE THIS A MOVIE TOGETHER!!!!! DiaMOnD: Hell nah, nigga. Im not making no movie with yo ass! Dj KhaLED: NOOOOOO!!!!! NOT THAT KINDA MOVIE!!!!! YOU KNOW, A MOVIE, BABY!!! LISTEEEENNNNNN!!! I KNOW YOURE WIT CRIME MOB BUT I THINK YOU SHOULD GO SOLO!!!

OZOnE EXCLUSiVE
Textin is no longer safe now that OZONEs dangerous minds have hacked the system.

DiaMOnD: Ive been thinking about that too. But Ive been with them my whole career. Dj KhaLED: BUT U THE BEST!!! U CAN BE BIGGER THAN TRINA!!!!! U CAN BE BIGGER THAN EVE!!!!! U CAN BE BIGGER THAN BEYONCE!!!!! U CAN BE BIGGER THAN OPRAH!!!!! U!!! U NIGGA!!! U THE BEST!!!
*This is just a joke. No, we didnt really hack into anyones sidekick.

DiaMOnD: U r right. Have you been talking to Lil Scrappy? Thats the same thing he said. Dj KhaLED: LISTEEEENNNN!!! I REPRESENT UNITY!!!!! I REPRESENT THE HOOD!!!!! I REPRESENT THE GHETTO!!!!! I REPRESENT U! BUT NOT CRIME MOB!!!!! HATED ON MOSTLY, THATS NOT A CLASSIC ALBUM! BUT WE THE BEST, THATS A CLASSIC ALBUM!!!!! DiaMOnD: I do got 2 flavors of that bootylicious bubblegum, I probably should go solo. I do think Im best! KhaLED: NO!!! WE!!!! DiaMOnD: Who? KhaLED: WE, NIGGA!!!!! WE DA BEST!!! AND THATS WHY I THINK YOU SHOULD BE ON MY NEXT ALBUM. ITS CALLED.ITS CALLED.I DONT EVEN KNOWING WHAT ITS FUCKING CALLED YET!!!!! BUT ITS GONNA BE DA BEST!!!!! DiaMOnD: Ummm. Ok. Can Scrappy be on it too? KhaLED: NO! HES NOT THE BEST!!!!! WE DA BEST!!!!! GOD LOVES ME!!!!!
- From the Minds of Eric Perrin and Randy Roper

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(above L-R): T-Pain & his mother @ the Dirty Awards in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Julia Beverly); LeToya Luckett with her grandmother and mother in Houston, TX (Photo: Intl K); Lil Scrappy & his mother @ the Dirty Awards in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Julia Beverly)

0 // C Murder & his cousin Gordon & Lil Gordon (New Orleans, LA) 02 // Young Cash, Malik Abdul, Julia Beverly, TJ Chapman, Midget Mac, & Bigga Rankin @ Onyx for OZONE talent search (St Louis, MO) 0 // Tony Neal & G-Mack @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL) 0 // CO, Trina, & Money Mark @ Mansion for DJ Khaleds birthday party (Miami, FL) 0 // Pretty Todd & Paul Wall (Houston, TX) 0 // Young Dro & DJ Toomp @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA) 0 // Yo Gotti & Rich Boy @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL) 08 // Young Yo & Lil Wayne @ House of Blues for Cash Money Millionaires 0 Year Anniversary (New Orleans, LA) 0 // Trey Songz & DJ Drama @ Velvet Room for DJ Dramas album release party (Atlanta, GA) 0 // Eric & Casey @ Primetime (Atlanta, GA)  // Z-Ro & Young B @ Mike Jones American Dream movie premiere (Houston, TX) 2 // Valarie & Freda @ Club 00 (New Orleans, LA)  // TJ Chapman & Keith Kennedy @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL)  // Pleasure P & Tarvoria @ White Diamonds for Trina & Pleasure Ps birthday party (Miami, FL)  // Rapid Ric & Mohawk @ BET College Tour (Houston, TX)  // BloodRaw & DJ Demp on the set of 2 Inches (Atlanta, GA)  // BF & Unk @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA) 8 // Papa Duck & Red Dogg @ Roxy for Frontlines Florida Classic weekend (Orlando, FL)  // Slim & Mack Maine @ House of Blues for Cash Money Millionaires 0 Year Anniversary (New Orleans, LA) 20 // David Banners Heal the Hood Christmas Eve toy giveaway (Jackson, MS) Photo Credits: Eric Perrin (0,0); Intl K (0,,); Julia Beverly (0,0,,,,20); King Yella (02); Marcus DeWayne (0,08,2,); Terrence Tyson (0,0,,8)

OZONE MAG //  OZONE MAG // 

Amileyon
Words by Eric Perrin

his is the story of Amileyona massage therapy student at the Academy of Healing Arts whose current customers wish they could be the ones touching her. 20-year-old Amileyon was once hampered with bills and student loan payments so she decided to take on another major, the art of the pole at Strokers University. I love pole tricks, she says. When I was  one of my cousins danced and I used to go in with her after work and learn how to do pole tricks and everything. I would lift myself up and all that other mess. I was in training at  but I never thought I would become a dancer. But growing up in Atlanta, its not too surprising that Amileyon would look to the pole for employment. There are more strips clubs in ATL than Churchs Chicken and Popeyes Restaurants combined, and they serve up more tasty breasts and thighs as well. Strip clubs in Atlanta are just part of the culture, admits Amileyon. But ever since I was a little girl Ive knew [that] the best strip clubs in Atlanta were Strokers and Magic City. The perfect Puerto Rican and Creole creation chose Stokers, and before her first night on the job she received her stage name from the other girls. One of the girl came up to me and said, You look like your name should be Amileyon, like Christina Milian. I just ran with it, she says. But one obvious difference between Amileyon and the singer she was named after is, although Christina is cute, she lacks one obvious asset that Amileyon proudly possesses. Im most proud of my ass, I must admit, she confesses. To be so small up top and to as skinny as I am from the front, I have a big ass on me, and Im proud of that. Despite the fact that she displays her unclothed culo every night at the club, Amileyon highly values her body and rejects any request from customers that involves more than just a lap dance. Ive been offered $,000 to go home with somebody. I looked at him and started laughing, she explains. He was serious. But I just continued to give him dances until he got tired of me ignoring him. I feel like my body is worth way more than that. www.myspace.com/amilleyon Website: www.strokersclub.com 0-20-00 Photographer: Sean Cokes 0-22- Make-Up Artist: Mike Mike 8-2-28 Hairstylist: Baby Boy 0--2

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(above L-R): C.O. & Trick Daddys wife Joy @ White Diamonds for Trina & Pleasure Ps birthday party in Miami, FL (Photo: Julia Beverly); Bun B with his stepdaughter Breneshia and wife Queen @ Breneshias birthday party in Houston, TX (Photo: Intl K); Buckeey & her brother @ the Dirty Awards in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Julia Beverly)

0 // Lil Duval, DJ Q, & T-Roy @ Central Florida Fairgrounds for DMEs annual Florida Classic car show (Orlando, FL) 02 // Yung Berg, Pleasure P, & Keith Sweat, KD, & Jas Prince @ White Diamonds for Trina & Pleasure Ps birthday party (Miami, FL) 0 // WyldBoyz @ Onyx for OZONE talent search (St Louis, MO) 0 // Midget Mac, Beauty, & Young Cash @ Onyx for OZONE talent search (St Louis, MO) 0 // Young Jeezy & Young Buck @ Velvet Room for DJ Dramas album release party (Atlanta, GA) 0 // Bigga Rankin & Wes Fif @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL) 0 // Willie the Kid & Yung Joc @ Velvet Room for DJ Dramas album release party (Atlanta, GA) 08 // Wild Wayne & Lil Boosie @ Battle of the Bands (New Orleans, LA) 0 // Z-Ro remembers DJ Screw @ Mike Jones American Dream movie premiere (Houston, TX) 0 // D Glover & D Ward @ Hush for OZONEs Webbie concert (Houston, TX)  // Willie Fisher & Carl Bosse @ Central Florida Fairgrounds for DMEs annual Florida Classic car show (Orlando, FL) 2 // The Show, Mannie Fresh, & Carl Thomas @ the Kool Experience (New Orleans, LA)  // Rex & KD @ White Diamonds for Trina & Pleasure Ps birthday party (Miami, FL)  // Rovella Williams & JR Get Money @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA)  // Stephanie & Hoetester @ Plush (Jacksonville, FL)  // Derrick & the Glam Squad of Savage Promotions @ Elite (Baton Rouge, LA)  // Traffik, Garfield, Krazy Yogi, & Disco @ Firestone for Florida Classic block party (Orlando, FL) 8 // Slim Thug, Matthew Knowles, & Madd Hatta @ Music World Entertainments Hoops for Hunger (Houston, TX)  // Trae & Crisco Kidd @ Party .s Toy Drive (Houston, TX) Photo Credits: Eric Perrin (0,0); Intl K (0,0,); Julia Beverly (0,02,,,); King Yella (0,0,); Lamont DeSal (8); Malik Abdul (); Marcus DeWayne (08,2); Terrence Tyson (0,)

OZONE MAG //  OZONE MAG // 

m fascinated with this jewelry shit. You know I like to shine. When people see me and see all this shit, they be like, You made it, nigga!

Galleria on Westheimer [in Houston].

The B stands for Boosie, thats why I got my name with diamonds and the crown on top of it, which stands for the King of the Ghetto. Im the King of the Ghetto. If any ghettoes get onto Boosie, Im the King of it. Holding my piece up is a -carat diamond chain; all diamonds. Just the chain by itself is $,000. And my piece is like $0,000, so thats about a $0,000 piece all together. My ice is designed by Emmett out of Houston. He designs all my jewelry; I stick to one jeweler. You can find him outside the

The I-0 piece, I paid $0,000 for that. It represents how I used to make money before I started rappin. All these other diamond chains, these are like $0k, $20k, $0k, $k, you know, my bracelet is $0k cause its $20k times two. I got one added onto it. My watch is $0k. Ive gone one of the biggest bezels in the game. Ive got the four-row bezel. Plus, several rings, and Ive got the Bentley chain to match with my Bentley car. // Words by Malik Abdul Photo by Terrence Tyson

 // OZONE MAG

SHE LIKED MY NECKLACE AND STARTED RELAXIN, THATS WHAT THE FUCK I CALL A

LIL BOOSIE
WIPE ME DOWN

(above L-R): Yung Joc & T-Pain @ the Dirty Awards in Atlanta, GA; Young Dro & Too $hort @ the Dirty Awards in Atlanta, GA; Trina & Pleasure @ White Diamonds for their birthday party in Miami, FL (Photos; Julia Beverly)

0 // DJ Q & E-Class @ Hush for OZONEs Webbie concert (Houston, TX) 02 // Disco & Chef @ Firestone for Florida Classic block party (Orlando, FL) 0 // Spiff, Kaye Dunaway, & DJ Nasty @ The Roxy (Orlando, FL) 0 // King Ron & Shot Out @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL) 0 // Freeway, Young Sav, & guests @ Compound for Def Jams pre-BET Hip Hop Awards party (Atlanta, GA) 0 // Lloyd & DJ Drama @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA) 0 // Alesha Renee & Chamillionaire @ BET College Tour (Houston, TX) 08 // Famous & Rapid Ric @ Mike Jones American Dream movie premiere (Houston, TX) 0 // G Dash & Paul Walls son Will Wall (Houston, TX) 0 // K-Foxx, KRS-One, & Jacki-O on the set of DJ Khaleds Im So Hood remix (Atlanta, GA)  // EZ & Birdman (Houston, TX) 2 // Chise & Bun B @ Bun Bs step daughter Breneshias birthday party (Houston, TX)  // A Dub & Playaz Circle @ KBXXs car show (Houston, TX)  // Beauty & TJ Chapman @ Onyx for OZONE talent search (St Louis, MO)  // E-Class, Rick Ross, & DJ Khaled @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA)  // Black & Webbie @ The Globe for DJ Qs birthday bash (Jacksonville, FL)  // DJ Demp & Mob Boss @ Plush (Jacksonville, FL) 8 // Cool & Gil Green on the set of Fat Joes video shoot (Miami, FL)  // Malik Abdul, Young Cash, & Lil Hen @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL) 20 // DJ Star & C-Ride @ Vibe & McDonalds Yardfest on FAMU campus (Tallahassee, FL) Photo Credits: Eric Perrin (0); Intl K (0,0,08,0,,2,); Julia Beverly (0,0,,20); King Yella (); Leon Lloyd (8); Malik Abdul (02,); Ms Rivercity (0); Terrence Tyson (0,,)

OZONE MAG //  OZONE MAG // 

YOUNG CASH & MIDGET MAC

Although you might recognize Midget Mac as the shit-talking small person vying for New Yorks love on the hit VH show I Love New York 2, he is no stranger to Jacksonville, FL (Duuuuuuval!!!) natives. As the hype man for SRC/ Universal signee / local celebrity Young Cash, Midget Mac is already a permanent fixture in the Florida music scene and has appeared in music videos (including T-Pains Sprung and Young Cashs Freeze and X). Thanks to the hype generated by his memorable appearance on VH, he can barely walk through the mall without attracting a flock of squealing female fans. Whats your career goal? I always wanted to be on TV cause I knew I had the talent. Im different than everybody else. Im a midget, but Im a fly-ass midget. I always wanted to be on TV, I just had to be in the right place at the right time. When they were doing the casting for the show [I Love New York 2] I flew out to California nad did a one-on-one audition with the casting dude. I knew once the muthafuckin world saw me itd be all good. Was there anybody in the house you got along with better than the others? I got along with It. Thats my dawg, the crazy ass muthafucker. Buddhas my nigga; he saved me when I was about to drown. Pretty and Punk are straight. The Entertainer, we had got into it, but he hit me about twenty times on Myspace dick-ridin. I didnt get along with 20 Pack because he hated on me on a date and he got sent home the same night, but he hit me on Myspace and apologized, so really I aint got a problem with nobody. Going into the competition, did you feel that you were at a disadvantage being a midget? Nah, I just went in with straight attitude. Man Man was like, I thought you would be a straight dickhead because when you first came in the house you had your arms crossed, mean muggin. I was like, I aint know yall fuck niggas. But a couple days later they knew what time it was cause they started bowing down, dick-ridin. Do you normally date regular-sized women? I aint ever dated no midget. Ive met midgets, but on some real shit, I have never seen a midget in person that fit my standards. I know I dont look funny looking. Ive seen a lot of midgets but they be looking funny, for real. How is that gonna look if two short muthafuckers walk in the mall? Everybodys gonna be lookin at us. But nah, I fuck with girls that are like  2 and up. Are your parents midgets? Nah, theyre regular size. Ive got three brothers too that are regular-sized. I guess somebody back in the day was short in my family. Ive got two girls. One is regular sized and one is short like me. The doctor said that basically every time I have a kid, its a 0/0 chance [of them being born short]. Its like rolling dice. My older daughter is regular-sized and my other daughter, shes short.  // OZONE MAG

Did you get down and dirty with New York? Nah, we didnt get down and dirty, but she tongued me down. They aint show all the extra stuff. You have to go to VH.com to see it. When we were all eating dinner we went to take a smoke break, me, her, and The Entertainer. He rushed over there with her and I played it like a G. Two minutes into the conversation New York told him she wanted to spend some time with Midget Mac and sent his ass right back to the dinner table. Next thing I know, she attacked me. Swear to God. Were you offended by New Yorks moms reaction to you? Nah. That bitch was acting. Youre fifty years old and you aint never seen no midget? And you look like Grace Jones, so why are you scared of me? Bitch, you look like black Godzilla, with a wig on. I shouldve been scared of you! But I had to keep it G cause I was there for her daughter. But on the reunion show I let her ugly ass have it. I see you have a lot of female fans now. They all say the same shit. Corny lines. If New York dont want you, Ill take you. Who won? Is you Midget Mac? Naw, bitch, what the fuck do you think? And, Did you fuck New York? I love all my fans cause Im a humble nigga, but for real, the niggas be acting worse than the hoes. What else are you working on? Im doing a lot of hosting from state to state, $k bare minimum. But you could shoot me four and owe me a stack. But theres a lot of rumors going around VH. People say I made the show and Im getting my own show, but I dont believe it til its on paper. People all across the world told me the same thing: You funny. You dressed head to toe. Wipe me down. Thats just me 2/. I act like that anyway. I just kept it G and everybody loves me for that. If you get your own show, is it going to be like Flavor Flavs? Its just been rumors, but VH made history by putting Midget Mac on. If you had 20 women competing for you, what kind of challenges would you put them through? Bend over and touch your toes. (laughs) Naw, just playin. I probably would have them do some crazy shit. I might be 0,000 feet in the air and have them climb up butt naked on a ladder to rescue me. Midget Mac dont discriminate. I like em white, black, Chinese, Japanese, whatever, as long as they got a pretty face, a slim waist, and a moon pie. I aint really a titty man. You could have As or Ds; as long as youve got that drop top, Macs down, straight up. Youve gotta be fire though and youve gotta have a good attitude, and theyve gotta have that mizzle [money]. I could do bad by my damn self, thats fo sure. I just keep it real; thats what the bitches like. And Ill cuss they ass out, too, when I got to. Bitch, you aint bout to walk all over me. // Words by Julia Beverly // Photo by Terrence TYson

(above L-R): BloodRaw & Mannie Fresh @ Patchwerk in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Julia Beverly); Chingy, Ludacris, & Gorilla Zoe @ Club Society in St Louis, MO (Photo: King Yella); David Banners Heal the Hood Christmas Eve toy giveaway in Jackson, MS (Photo: Julia Beverly)

0 // DJ Khaled, DJ Nasty, & DJ Demp @ Mansion for DJ Khaleds birthday party (Miami, FL) 02 // DJ Secret, Spade, Lisa Walker, & C-Rena @ The Drink for DJ Secrets birthday bash (Lakeland, FL) 0 // Guest, David Banner, Alfamega, Gorilla Zoe, Big Kuntry, Stix Malone, DJ Sense, Damien Lemon & friends on the set of DJ Dramas 000 Ones (Atlanta, GA) 0 // Jha Jha, & DJ  @ MonEGs video shoot (Jacksonville, FL) 0 // Maddog, Midget Mac, & Mr Wyze @ Sobe Live for Bigga Rankins party (Miami, FL) 0 // David Banner & DJ Drama on the set of DJ Dramas 000 Ones (Atlanta, GA) 0 // Kyjuan & Murphy Lee reppin the Greedy Genius shoe @ Luckys (St Louis, MO) 08 // Carol City Cartel & R Kelly on the set of Rick Ross Speedin video shoot (Miami, FL) 0 // Wendy Day & Jacki-O @ Jack da Juice music conference (Atlanta, GA) 0 // B-Rich, BOB, & TJ Chapman @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL)  // Ashanti & Headkrack @ . The Beat (Dallas, TX) 2 // Benji Brown & DJ Irie @ Mansion for DJ Khaleds birthday party (Miami, FL)  // Ivory & ladies @ The Globe for DJ Qs birthday bash (Jacksonville, FL)  // Big Amp, Big Cee Jay, Charles Wakeley, & J Holla @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL)  // Bigga Rankin & Kaspa the Don @ Body Tap (Atlanta, GA)  // DJ Element & DJ Q @ Sobe Live (Miami, FL)  // Dawgman & Khia @ Central Florida Fairgrounds for DMEs annual Florida Classic car show (Orlando, FL) 8 // DJ Blak & Pleasure P @ Stankonia Studios (Atlanta, GA)  // King Yella & Malik Abdul @ Onyx for OZONE talent search (St Louis, MO) Photo Credits: BRE (); Carl Lewis (08); DJ Who (0); Julia Beverly (0,0,0,2,,8); King Yella (0,); Malik Abdul (); Ms Rivercity (0,0,0); Street Grindaz (02); Terrence Tyson (,,)

OZONE MAG //  OZONE MAG // 

Disclaimer: These are my opinions and my statements. They do not reflect on Bun B or UGK as a group.
Editors Note: This is the last column Pimp C did for OZONE before he passed away (R.I.P.). This is a dangerous industry. Its foul. With as many devils and vultures and hogs and wicked people that are involved in [the rap game], I think every [artist] ought to have a license to carry guns felons or no felons. So off top, if [the police] pull a rap nigga over and hes got a gun, shit, hes probably got a gun because hes scared somebody else with a gun is gonna try to do something [to him]. Most likely, hes not gonna take his gun and go do something to somebody. Its very probable that somewhere around every rapper, theres going to be some weapons, especially if youre in a position where your homeboy was murdered right in front of you. So its unfortunate that [T.I.] got caught up. He wasnt the first one and he aint gonna be the last one, either. The only details weve heard so far [about T.I.s case] were from the media. We havent really heard the tape [recordings]. Even the affidavit, man, if you read niggas affidavits, that shit says anything. Muthafuckers will write anything in that shit. I dont believe that shit until a muthafucker proves it to me. Play [T.I.s] voice. Let me hear his voice asking a muthafucker for a silencer and then Id ask him, What do you need a silencer for, nigga? I know at this stage in the game, with as much paper as this mans got and as many other business ventures hes got, he aint on no mission to go trying to snipe niggas. Do you really think T.I. is a hit man? The shit dont make sense. So for us to be able to judge [his] situation and get down to the bottom of it, well have to wait and see how this comes out. Its unfortunate that at this point in his career, some shit like this would have to go down. And he aint gonna be the last one. A lot of niggas are getting twisted up with these gun charges and shit. I read shit about a lot of people I mean, I just flip through these magazines but I dont believe nothing they say. Muthafuckers be lying all the time. All the time I was [in prison], nobody ever wrote the way my case went down the right way. So I know the rest of these niggas cases aint being written out right either. Didnt [Lil] Wayne just get a gun charge in New York? [The Feds] like fuckin with us. Were public enemy #, the rappers are. Bunch of niggas, bunch of money, nice cars, we rap about shit they dont like, we wear a lot of jewels hey, mayne, youre a target. If youre shining, youre the nigga they love to hate. And whats so cold about it is that the executives making all the money [off us] just sit back and let it go down because theyll have a new [rap] nigga next year. We shouldnt condemn or support anything until we know all the facts about the T.I. case. Do we know that T.I. asked [his bodyguard] for all that shit? During the recordings, did they actually use the street terms or did they use undercover terms? I aint finna take no phone call from a muthafucker talking about silencers. Ima hang the phone up. Were they talking straight up or were they talking in undercover terms? If a muthafucker calls me saying, I got some shit, he could be sayin anything. I dont know; I wasnt there and I didnt hear that shit and I dont know what theyre charging him with. But in my mind and in my heart, I know that young nigga [T.I.] aint that dumb. I know he aint went out there to do no dumb shit like that, and if he did, why would he want to do that? At this stage in the game, why would he want to do that? He aint no hit man. Hes a rapper. That aint in him no more. [The details of my case] dont matter no more. What matters is that Im home now with my family, and that shit is over. I did four years of an eight year sentence and Im on parole. Ive done two years of my parole. The facts of my case never really came out, so if the facts of what I would consider to 8 // OZONE MAG be a small case, a bullshit case, never came out and I was able to get as much time as I got, think about how theyre gonna blow this [T.I.] shit out of proportion. Its already being blown out of proportion, shit. Man, fuck all that. Did T.I. actually get on the phone and call a muthafucker and ask him for some gotdamn guns and silencers? If you cant prove that to me, throw that case out. They said they went to his residence and found guns at his house, and found guns on him, right? Hes gotta deal with that with having weapons on him, and whatever was at his house but I mean, shit. A lot of rappers have been caught with weapons on them. If you ask me my opinion, if youre a rapper in this game, you oughta have a license to be able to carry a weapon. If every other muthafucker in the street is trying to do something to you because they feel like youve got money and youre a target, shit. If youve gotta tell on your own people to get yourself out of trouble, youre a snitch. The only reason a person would ever want to spill the beans on somebody else is to (a) destroy them, or (b) get themselves out of trouble and put somebody else in hot water. The only reason a person would snitch is to save their own ass. Sounds to me like [T.I.s] bodyguard was caught already, so [the Feds] needed a bigger fish to fry. So he fried T.I. I havent read all the police reports and all that ol kind of shit. Im in the studio. I aint with that hoe-ass shit. But from what Ive heard, it sounds like a snitchin situation. If youre a nigga and you get caught doing a whole bunch of wrong shit and youre going to jail and the Feds got you, if you go and start telling on your whole city and get a whole bunch of peoples dads and uncles and brothers and shit locked up so you can get a two year sentence and come home quick, youre a snitch-ass nigga. Thats like when a bitch-ass muthafucker comes at me for some time for a funky-ass bitch case that aint really hold no merit and talked about it like it had a bunch of merit, but when you really read the paperwork, it aint got no merit. And a muthafucker says, We dont want you, Chad Butler. We really want James Prince. Just tell us something about James Prince and well let you go. Yeah, okay. Fuck you. Do whatever it is you say youre gonna do to me, and Ill come home one day. Im gonna take my time and come home, because youre trying to make me out to be a bitch or a snitch. Thats what snitching is, to me. Whatever a muthafucker is doing next door doesnt have anything to do with me unless it involves me and my family or endangers me and my family. If my next-door neighbor is making bombs that can blow the whole neighborhood up, yeah, somebody needs to tell somebody about his muthafuckin ass or hes gonna blow us all up together. But just dry snitching for no reason? Shit, I dont see too much of that. I didnt read [T.I.s] police report but the shit aint adding up in my mind that he would be buying the type of shit they said he was buying. Im sure when this shit is over with and it all comes to a head, well see the truth. The truth will come out and everybody will understand what this shit is really about. If this shit is really about one muthafucker getting caught up and getting his own people caught up because he couldnt handle his own case, thats some snitch-ass shit. Im supporting T.I.; thats all Im saying. Hes innocent until proven guilty, and we should take it that way. We shouldnt go with what the media or what these muthafuckers are trying to say about him until we know exactly whats going on. It sounds like some ol snitching shit went on, so lets support the man and dont condemn him until we find out whats really happening with his case. // Photo by Julia Beverly

(above L-R): Diamond & Rasheeda @ the Dirty Awards in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Julia Beverly); Z-Ro & Trae @ their photo shoot in Houston, TX (Photo: Intl K); Christina Milian & Dre on the set of Fat Joe & J Holidays video shoot in Miami, FL (Photo: Bogan)

0 // Block, Rico, Greg Street, & Yung Joc @ Russell Simmons Financial Empowerment Hip Hop Summit (Atlanta, GA) 02 // DJ Trauma & BloodRaw @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA) 0 // Lil Scrappy, Willie the Kid, & DJ Drama @ Mansion for DJ Khaleds birthday party (Miami, FL) 0 // Big Du & 8Ball @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA) 0 // School Boyz Entertainment @ FAMU Homecoming concert (Tallahassee, FL) 0 // Keri Hilson & Polow da Don @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA) 0 // Erik Parker, Killer Mike, Princess, David Banner, & Diamond @ MTV Jams taping (Atlanta, GA) 08 // J Prince & Mike Jones giving out Thanksgiving Turkeys @ Prince Gym (Houston, TX) 0 // Lil Boosie & Mouse @ Plush (Jacksonville, FL) 0 // Young Cash, Mob Boss, & M-Geezy on the set of Young Cashs X video shoot (Jacksonville, FL)  // DJ Aaries & Tony Neal @ Powerball Mansion party (Atlanta, GA) 2 //  AM @ Central Florida Fairgrounds for DMEs annual Florida Classic car show (Orlando, FL)  // B Star, Jas Prince, & guest @ the Houston premiere of This Christmas (Houston, TX)  // E-Class, Wyclef, & DLyte @ . The Beat (Dallas, TX)  // Ja Rule & J-Deezy @ The Roxy (Orlando, FL)  // Foxx & Mone @ Phat Phat & All That for Foxxs in-store (New Orleans, LA)  // Disco, Howard Ringer, & DJ Demp @ Firestone for Florida Classic block party (Orlando, FL) 8 // K Foxx & E Class on the set of Fat Joe & J Holidays video shoot (Miami, FL)  // Bigg D & Trina @ White Diamonds for Trina & Pleasure Ps birthday party (Miami, FL) Photo Credits: Bogan (8); DJ Who (); DLyte (); Intl K (08,); Julia Beverly (0,0,0,0,0,2,); Malik Abdul (); Marcus DeWayne (); Terrence Tyson (0,0,); Thaddaeus McAdams (0,02)

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0 // OZONE MAG
TERRENCE TYSON D-RAY EDWARD HALL TERRENCE TYSON TERRENCE TYSON TERRENCE TYSON TERRENCE TYSON

tatted

up

TERRENCE TYSON

TERRENCE TYSON

(above L-R): Seventeen & Pimp C (R.I.P.) @ Belle Noche in Baton Rouge, LA (Photo: King Yella); T-Pain & DJ Khaled @ Mansion for DJ Khaleds birthday party in Miami, FL (Photo: Julia Beverly); Willie D & Trey Songz on the set of Scarfaces video shoot in Houston, TX (Photo: Intl K)

0 // G-Mack, DJ Q, & guest @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL) 02 // Hustle House Records & Rich Boy @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL) 0 // Guest, Pitbull, & Sheek Louch on the set of Fat Joe & J Holidays video shoot (Miami, FL) 0 // Russell Simmons & Jermaine Dupri @ Russell Simmons Financial Empowerment Hip Hop Summit (Atlanta, GA) 0 // Young Jeezy & Block on the set of DJ Dramas 000 Ones (Atlanta, GA) 0 // Gucci Man & Yo Gotti @ KBXXs car show (Houston, TX) 0 // BloodRaw & his son on the set of 2 Inches (Atlanta, GA) 08 // Diamond & Lil Scrappy @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA) 0 // Pimp C & Raw LT @ KBXXs car show (Houston, TX) 0 // Kim Ellis, Erica Bowen, Asha Blu, & Jade Abercrombie on the set of BloodRaws 2 Inches (Atlanta, GA)  // Beat Boy, DJ Q, guest, & Swordz @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL) 2 // Keith Kennedy & Grand Prix @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL)  // KJ Hines, Latin Prince, & Wu Chang (Houston, TX)  // Steve Bellamy, Pimp G, & Papa Duck @ Upstart Record Pool (Jacksonville, FL)  // Foxx & Lady Nell @ Club 00 (New Orleans, LA)  // Jerry Clark & Big Oomp @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA)  // 8Ball, Young Bleed, & Pookie from Urban South (Dallas, TX) 8 // Lil Duval & Stix Malone @ Velvet Room for DJ Dramas album release party (Atlanta, GA)  // Lil Ru & Foxx @ Vibe & McDonalds Yardfest on FAMU campus (Tallahassee, FL) Photo Credits: Bogan (0); Edward Hall (); Eric Perrin (8); Intl K (0,0,); Julia Beverly (0,0,0,,); Marcus DeWayne (); Ms Rivercity (0,,2); Terrence Tyson (02,); Thaddaeus McAdams (0,08)

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WAITING ATIENTLY P

rake D

TORONTO, CANADA
Im going to try and be tha t dude. star in his own ions, Drake is already a Despite his rap star aspirat wn as an actor. He has played seven kno right. To many, hes better Brooks, on the disabled character, Jimmy seasons as a physically The Next Generatelevision series Degrassi: n, much like Canadian teen drama ther form of self-expressio tion. I love acting. Its ano music, he says. tent and hopes cess, Drake is far from con que reception Even with his thespian suc avoiding a Nick Cannon-es in my le to be taken seriously whi sic industry. I believe from the mu says. One thing talent in a major way, he fact that my music is Im confident in is the people doubting me. great. I look forward to transfer really made a successful No one has sic. I just wanna be the from acting to mu around. first dude that does it alle (his father wrote With music in his pedigre uncle played bass for for Al Green and taken the necesPrince), he has earnestly rys undivided strides to get the indust sary m For His first major mixtape, Roo attention. ted by DJ Smallz, caught Improvement, hos us fans and insiders. the attention of numero Girl featuring first single Replacement His & Park, debuted on BETs 0th Trey Songz first unsigned Canadian making Drake the feat. artist to accomplish that

e to mind and Melyssa Ford all com old weather, ice hockey rage Hip Hop fan . But the ave when Canada is mentioned original members of the Wu nine could probably name all per ld name one Canadian rap Tang Clan before they cou game. But if 2-year-old act on the rap thats had a significant imp g to do with it, ake Graham has anythin Toronto emcee Aubrey Dr nt. things will soon be differe , and thats the lacking an icon right now Canada is a place thats begins. Canada just to fill as an artist, Drake void Im really trying the door. I guess to get their foot through really needs that person

eback Season has His follow-up mixtape Com buzz and strengthened his accelerated his sistently ranks as internet following. He con st on Myspace. # unsigned Canadian arti the nt album to release an independe With plans , his All Things Fresh imprint in 2008 through his quest to become Drake is undaunted in in front of the the best to ever step from behind the mic. camera to
says confidently. Just keep an eye out, he hard or listen u wont have to look too Yo ly patiently Ill be there. Im definite too hard. wait is about to come to waiting but the 8 is going to be a an end. I really think 200 for music and nomenal year all-around phe Drake, let . Anybody thats a fan of my career coming. // them know, Im rake www.myspace.com/thisisd Words by Randy Roper

2 // OZONE MAG

(above L-R): Polow da Don & Mike Jones @ the Dirty Awards in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Julia Beverly); Lil Wayne & Mannie Fresh @ Lil Waynes Bayou Classic jam in New Orleans, LA (Photo: Marcus DeWayne); R Kelly & Rick Ross on the set of Rick Ross Speedin video shoot in Miami, FL (Photo: Carl Lewis)

0 // Gorilla Zoe, Big Teach, Derek Jurand, Tony Neal, & Emmanuel @ Emmanuels Swagga video shoot (Miami, FL) 02 // DJ Quinn, Laurence Maroney, & DJ Sir Thurl @ Society (St Louis, MO) 0 // Lil Wayne & DJ Raj Smoove @ House of Blues for Cash Money Millionaires 0 Year Anniversary (New Orleans, LA) 0 // Malik Abdul & Alju @ Roxy for Frontlines Florida Classic weekend (Orlando, FL) 0 // DJ Khaled, Gorilla Zoe, & Leo G @ Mansion for DJ Khaleds birthday party (Miami, FL) 0 // Bun B & Block @ KBXXs car show (Houston, TX) 0 // Freda, Lil Boosie, & Cupid @ Battle of the Bands (New Orleans, LA) 08 // DJ Chino, DJ Drama, Wililek the Kid, Spiff, & DJ Nasty @ Firestone during Florida Classic weekend (Orlando, FL) 0 // DJ Q & Project Pat on the set of DJ Dramas 000 Ones (Atlanta, GA) 0 // The Morton Sisters @ Plush for Young Cashs X video shoot (Jacksonville, FL)  // Dr Teeth & Gil Green on the set of Fat Joe & J Holidays video shoot (Miami, FL) 2 // Raekwon, Don Cannon, LA, DJ Drama, Willie the Kid, DJ Sense, Rick Ross, & the Carol City Cartel on the set of DJ Dramas 000 Ones (Atlanta, GA)  // Big Red & Michael Watts @ BET College Tour (Houston, TX)  // Brittany, Mike Frost, DJ Chill, & Teresa (Houston, TX)  // Elora Mason, Jullian Boothe, & Tarvoria @ White Diamonds for Trina & Pleasure Ps birthday party (Miami, FL)  // Lex & Big Teach @ Vibe & McDonalds Yardfest on FAMU campus (Tallahassee, FL)  // Birdman, guest, & Horseman (Houston, TX) 8 // Midget Mac, Maddog, & DJ Demp @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL)  // Hollywood Chuck & Kisha Smith @ Primetime (Atlanta, GA) Photo Credits: Bogan (); Intl K (0,,,); Julia Beverly (0,0,2,,,); King Yella (02); Malik Abdul (0,0); Marcus DeWayne (0,0); Ravi Angard (08); Terrence Tyson (0,8)

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ITING IENTLY WA PAT

oy Tre Playb
ATLANTA, GA
ability of rapping substance, Tre has a unique issues fuse his humor for lack of manner, mixing real life contradictory about serious topics in a with humor. humor in it at the serious song, but also find times, Im able to write a real d times, you gon get bad u gon get goo same time, says Tre. Yo I said one line that they k away feeling like but as long as people wal the day, Im doing helped them get through ld relate to, and maybe cou my job. teen-year rap vet quite a while now. The thir Rap has been Tres job for s: selling CDs out of the like many other rapper , the Stone began his career in music over ,000 units this way his car. Soon after selling Crow and trunk of Attic Crew (home of Jim up with The er, Mountain resident linked rapper Bohagon. Togeth r befriended BME The YoungBloodz), and late Tre decided to start a Hagon and orgia movement of their ownGe own our Durt. We decided to make Georgia movement, so we started ts been the foundaDurt. And tha ever since tion weve been building then, says Tre. g to Tre has also been helpin combuild the career of up and st B.O.B. ing Atlantic Records arti eting Three years ago, after me manager B-Rich at B.O.B.s coTre a Playstation tournament, at of a began serving as somewh per from mentor to the young rap tching B.O.B. mature Decatur. Wa of my as a rapper has been one being in best experiences as far a lares Tre. the music industry, dec edible talent and God He has incr Just to speaks through his music. influence know that Ive had a big ment of on him is a real proud mo mine. Playboy Another proud moment for eer will be when his own car Tre point he feels its desgets to the na entined to reach. I just wan Music is tertain, he emphasizes. of what definitely the foundation , do, but I also wanna act I want to pursue whatever write movies, and n up for other doors God may ope . me also For now, the rapper who er will claims to be a drunk lon tinue to make his type of con ience. I music, for his type of aud that dude who gets make music for down off work and just settles ts h a beer to get his though wit and reflect his hard together Im able daythats the audience to reach. // Words by Eric Perrin

their music sts who are serious about nta ost patiently waiting arti at their craft, but for Atla laughing wouldnt want listeners e he longs for. In er is the respons rapper Playboy Tre, laught Hop, much most comical skits in Hip make the voice of some of the fact, as come from his ability to industry has of Tres success in the rap people laugh. pay attention to my s, and that makes them to listen, Some people hear my skit way for me to get people edy is a music, says Tre. So if com laugh. Every day needs to rybody wants to thats good, because eve laugh, he adds. in rap to mimic the ds is for his own career Lil But what Playboy Tre nee nted (Lil Jon, E-0, and skits have augme artists whose albums his that you shouldnt conAnd while he stresses Scrappy, to name a few).

 // OZONE MAG  // OZONE MAG

(above): Lil Wayne @ Hot Beats Studio in Atlanta, GA (Photos by Eric Perrin)

0 // T-Pain @ Mansion for DJ Khaleds birthday party (Miami, FL) 02 // Trina @ Mansion for DJ Khaleds birthday party (Miami, FL) 0 // Tyra B @ Party .s Toy Drive (Houston, TX) 0 // Wendy Day @ The Moon for TJs DJs (Tallahassee, FL) 0 // Slim Thug on the set of Fat Joes video shoot (Miami, FL) 0 // Trey Songz @ Velvet Room for DJ Dramas album release party (Atlanta, GA) 0 // Young Cash @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL) 08 // Trae & Tre Dubb @ Block Ent. Show (Dallas, TX) 0 // Yo Gotti @ FAMUs homecoming concert (Tallahassee, FL) 0 // Tum Tum @ Kwanzaa Fest (Dallas, TX)  // Pimp G @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL) 2 // Rovella & Randy Roper @ The Moon for TJs DJs (Tallahassee, FL)  // Smilez on the set of Fat Joes video shoot (Miami, FL)  // Rich Boy @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL)  // Malik Abdul & Keyona @ The Globe for DJ Qs birthday bash (Jacksonville, FL)  // Ms Dynasty & T-Roy @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL)  // Roccett & Rick Edwards @ the Lyric Theatre (Jacksonville, FL) 8 // Lil Duval @ Velvet Room for DJ Dramas album release party (Atlanta, GA)  // Jesse James & County Brown @ Club Society (St Louis, MO) 20 // Star & Slim @ House of Blues for Cash Money Millionaires 0 Year Anniversary (New Orleans, LA) 2 // Pastor Troy @ Velvet Room for DJ Dramas album release party (Atlanta, GA) 22 // Madd Hatta, Scooby, Buddha, & Gu @ KBXXs car show (Houston, TX) 2 // Matt & Big De @ The Globe for DJ Qs birthday bash (Jacksonville, FL) 2 // Mami Chula @ Primetime (Atlanta, GA) 2 // Tity Boy & Lil Wayne @ Hot Beats Studio (Atlanta, GA) 2 // Tony C @ Dragon Room (Orlando, FL) 2 // Eclipse & Mississippi Fatz @ Club Nashville (Hattiesburg, MS) 28 // Flo Rida @ Venecian (Houston, TX) 2 // J-Kwon @ Intercontinental airport (Houston, TX) 0 // Lil Boosie & Q Dog @ Firestone for Florida Classic block party (Orlando, FL)  // Julia Beverly, Keith Kennedy & Dior George @ The Moon for TJs DJs (Tallahassee, FL) 2 // Papa Duck @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL)  // Kelley Williams @ Club Crossroads (Chicago, IL)  // Kaye Dunaway, TJ Chapman, & guest @ Club Whispers for record pool meeting (Orlando, FL)  // K-Foxx & Jacki-O on the set of DJ Dramas 000 Ones (Atlanta, GA) Photo Credits: Eric Perrin (0,0,0,2,8,2,2,2,,); Intl K (0,22,28,2); Julia Beverly (2,); Malik Abdul (,2,2,0,); Marcus DeWayne (20); Ms Rivercity (,2); Tammie White (); Terrence Tyson (0,02,0,0,,,,); Tre Dubb (08,0)

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WAITING ATIENTLY P

laq rty B Di
HOPE, AR

pses into the hoods of Arkansas or a lot of people, the first glim gin In now infamous documentary Ban came when HBO aired the n rest of the  states to the urba Little Rock, which exposed the Muldrew tell it, its been try. But let Tecero underbelly of Razorback coun like that from the jump.

es that are world down here. You got plac Its really like a whole other e time, he explains. er at the sam beautiful but theyre still gutt to ent is quite possibly what lead Being a product of this environm l struggle, which has taken him to utifu Muldrew, a.k.a. Dirty Blacs, bea to make a position as one of the favorites the proverbial next to blow l Hip Hop scene coming dent in the nationa out of the AK. that shine is The reason Arkansas aint got y down here. Everybody because aint no unit on and they wanna be the first one to get trying even got deals yet but theyre aint on next mans blessing and step to stop the . each other, he says iously the Not an elected official but obv esentative, Blac is poised to be states repr his region with the first to give that shine to ind, which the release of his album Masterm of 2008 ed to be released in February is slat an album on Keep It Pushin Records. With e sound which he calls full of his signatur the multirangin (rappin and sangin), to bring ted artist is positioning himself face he to the game, something that a newness ely needs right now. feels music desperat clarifies. It aint like T-Pain do it, he been screaming for something Fans have ging a whole new thats not corny. Im brin rest of yall different kind of style for the to jock. Evmimic. Something new for em to I spit, I go, they accept it. The way erywhere way I sing, its something my swagger, the totally new. l sales of Not worried about the potentia use, as he puts it, they Mastermind beca Blac is more gon bootleg it anyway, Dirty project erned with putting together a conc c shing break from the formulai that is a refre have become used to. tunes that many Its new music. This album is not like others. how you get an album and one You know ? This aint song sounds like all of the rest theyve got that. I want people to feel like r this. r moneys worth when they hea thei a the bar. It hasnt been done in Im raising ut to do it. // while, but Im abo Words by Anthony Roberts

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(above L-R): Lloyd @ Velvet Room for DJ Dramas album release party in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Eric Perrin); Plies @ Plush in Jacksonville, FL (Photo: Terrence Tyson); Andre 000 @ Stankonia Studios for Outkasts Christmas party in Atlanta, GA (Photo: Eric Perrin)

0 // Deelishis @ White Diamonds for Trina & Pleasure Ps birthday party (Miami, FL) 02 // Cubo @ Mansion for DJ Khaleds birthday party (Miami, FL) 0 // C-Ride & Joe Hound @ Mansion for DJ Khaleds birthday party (Miami, FL) 0 // Huey @ Club Society (St Louis, MO) 0 // G-Mack @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL) 0 // Chamillionaire @ Music World Entertainments Hoops for Hunger (Houston, TX) 0 // Jas Prince @ White Diamonds for Trina & Pleasure Ps birthday party (Miami, FL) 08 // -Ize @ The Moon for TJs DJs (Tallahassee, FL) 0 //  AM @ Club Whispers for record pool meeting (Orlando, FL) 0 // D-Lyte, Young Jeezy & Ebony @ The Beat (Dallas, TX)  // Charlie Chan & DJ OK @ AJs Martini Mondays (St Louis, MO) 2 // Dreamer @ Stankonia Studios for Outkasts Christmas party (Atlanta, GA)  // Doug E Fresh @ Q . (New Orleans, LA)  // Cee-Lo @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA)  // DJ D-Tec & Lucky Leon @ Stankonia Studios for Outkasts Christmas party (Atlanta, GA)  // DJ Ro, Sonny, & Foxx @ Club 00 (New Orleans, LA)  // DJ Black N Mild & Foxx @ Phat Phat & All That for Foxxs in-store (New Orleans, LA) 8 // Bibi Guns @ Velvet Room for DJ Dramas album release party (Atlanta, GA)  // DJ J-Hustle @ Club Cirque (Dallas, TX) 20 // Eclipse & DJ Marcus D @ Club Nashville for OZONE party (Hattiesburg, MS) 2 // BloodRaw, Slick Pulla, & Wild Billo @ Club Miami (Mobile, AL) 22 // DJ Drama & Alex Gidewon @ Velvet Room for Dramas album release party (Atlanta, GA) 2 // Haitian Fresh & his mascot @ MonEGs video shoot (Jacksonville, FL) 2 // Bay Bay @ Kwanzaa Fest (Dallas, TX) 2 // Benisour @ The Moon for TJs DJs (Tallahassee, FL) 2 // 8Ball (Dallas, TX) 2 // Black & Currensy @ Club 00 (New Orleans, LA) 28 // Big Gipp & Khujo Goodie @ Stankonia Studios for Outkasts Christmas party (Atlanta, GA) 2 // J Xavier @ Music World Entertainments Hoops for Hunger (Houston, TX) 0 // DJ Chino & Ricky P @ Dragon Room (Orlando, FL)  // DJ Khaled & Dee Sonoram on the set of DJ Dramas 000 Ones (Atlanta, GA) 2 // Big Koon & Hollywood @ Plush for Ghetto Diamond Awards (Jacksonville, FL)  // DC & Sean Mac @ Club Crossroads (Chicago, IL)  // DJ Trauma @ the Dirty Awards (Atlanta, GA)  // Jazze Pha & Gangsta Boo @ Stankonia Studios for Outkasts Christmas party (Atlanta, GA) Photo Credits: DLyte (0); Edward Hall (,2); Eric Perrin (08,2,,8,22,2,28,,); Julia Beverly (0,0,,20,,); King Yella (0,); Lamont DeSal (0,2); Malik Abdul (0,0); Marcus DeWayne (,,,2); Ms Rivercity (2); Terrence Tyson (02,0,0,2); Tre Dubb (2); Wild Billo (2)

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WAITING ATIENTLY P

tarz aps Tr
DALLAS, TX

what inhibited about expressing s appers have never been st physically. From Biggie lea they want in a woman, at That, Cream to Webbies Like Dreams to Raekwons Ice want. about listing what they Hip Hop artist arent shy las-based added to that list. The Dal Now The Trapstarz can be Y.T. (with group affiliates ers J. High and king noise group comprised of memb B, and Bingz) has been ma describing a Pacman, T.E., Big B, Double Get It Bitch. The single, le Dallocally with their new sing like Trina, spread from the and an ass girl with a face like Mya a deal with Universal, earned the group las airwaves so quickly it more to come. ir fans that theres much and the group assures the gonna hear ng soon, says Y.T. Youre The album will be droppi up album with just our gonna be a gro nothing but street hits. Its na make the album have a different is gon style. Being from Dallas up, our style, , our swag, how we grew sound in general. Our talk its all on the album.

ne the Dallas album will help them defi . The Trapstarz believe this know, Southern, they say y country, you sound. Our sound is ver n what a lot of people lf is different the Just our grammar by itse are use to hearing. ng with other album will help them, alo The group also expects this shine the spotlight on their Texas , to Dallas artists like Tum Tum city. n doing this for sts in Dallas have just bee Up until now a lot of arti king the music but we We just liked ma fun, says The Trapstarz. an artists like Tum pushing it. Then you see might as werent really out there started to think that we so we eone Tum come out and do it, for fun and you see som something well do it too. If you try sful, youre gonna work become succes else do the same thing and vement is about. sful. Thats what this mo harder to become succes st out here in Dallas. // d arti There are a lot of talente art s // Photo by Jeremy Cow Words By DeVaughn Dougla

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ITING IENTLY WA PAT

ep De 3

BATON ROUGE, LA
from the group fans hungry for material while they to act as an appetizer to  Days hits shelves. And debut beats until their February 2008 just spitting over industry ed route of couldve taken the overus e been a step in the ls that would hav for their mixtape, Shell fee ng direction. wro the hottest prory tracks when weve got Why would we use indust Mouse is always cooking ady in our group? says, recalling ducer in the industry alre nie Fresh right there, he Boys. something. Thats our Man up a 2008 version of the Hot up to people comparing the gro but it does gotta just jiggin and bouncin, Our sound is more than t know, Shell t beat in that trunkI don p C (R.I.P.) beat in that trunk. If it don the real Mannie Fresh, Pim ts from will continues. With guest spo is hoping that  Days the group and the entire Trill Family, stardom. jumpstart their journey to that were just l. We got so much music win Were that new shit at Tril on right now. We just sho presentati trying to put together the We coming. // e is gon be about. everybody what the gam Words By Anthony Roberts Photo by King Yella

le mark ne Katrina left an indelib hile the tragedy of Hurrica st, one ss families on the Gulf Coa was on the lives of countle he e out of such a catastrop positive aspect that cam n making a name of the group who have bee the forming as Three Deep. thern Hip Hop landscape -third of for themselves on the Sou Orleans native Shell, one ne, New rhyme Displaced by the hurrica Baton Rouge partner in up with his the group, would later link say, is history. Since and, the rest as they in work as the Fat and producer Mouse the trio has diligently put expecturing their musical bond, sec ily of artists. But if youre Trill fam es, newest additions to the of the labels bigger nam sion of some ing to hear a recycled ver coming. youve got another thing one group, exswaggers put together in se Were like three different day ya heard, but then Mou in that club all plains Shell. Well do ya and me and Fat will take of that gangsta shit will come up with some down that alley too. ya produced breakout er Mouse (the man who Having in-house produc Down, and Webbies , Foxxs Wipe Me g their mark hits like Lil Boosies Zoom groups chances of makin n on d Bitch) doesnt hurt the Ba scene either. The three pla Hip Hop on the crowded Southern ths at the end of November First Six Mon serving up the mixtape The

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Compiled by: Randy Roper | Eric Perrin | Matt Sonzala

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2007

will be remembered for some of the worst moments in Hip Hop history. From the RIAA raid of The Aphilliates office to the Feds arresting T.I. on his way to the BET Hip Hop Awards to Pimp Cs untimely passing, its been a very tragic year, to say the least. However, there were some highlights of the year in which we saw album sales hit an all time low and ringtone songs prevail. For instance, Lil Wayne was somehow able to solidify his best rapper alive claim even without releasing an album. Kanye West and 0 Cents / showdown produced one of the most anticipated rap moments in years, and Andre 000 returned with a vengeance. Welcome to our rd Annual Year End Awards. Crank that Soulja Boy, party like a rock star, and wipe yourself down one more time, cause 200 is officially over, and were poppin champagne like we just won a championship game.

A VIDEO [ALMOST] RESURRECTED MY CAREER AWARD < Ja Rule Ja Rule was fed up with failing at every other attempt, so he decided to go the sex sells route and load his Body video with a plethora of fine-ass, half naked women. The only problem was, Ja Rule was also in the video, and we all know Ja can no longer sell shit. The song wasnt that bad, but it still wasnt enough. R. KELLY AWARD < Akon Were not giving Akon this years R. Kelly Award for his onstage antics with a fourteen year-old Trinidadian girl; of course not. Dont believe us? We dont either. Sorry Akon, blame it on us. THE LOVE & BASKETBALL AWARD < Lil Romeo What could make Romeo put his career in music and movies on pause to play ball at USC? Pussy. Hes obviously in love just like Q from Love & Basketball and were not hating on him; its a beautiful thing. Just dont leave school early to play in NBA and break your knee, cause your career as a rapper was never a long-term option. DICK IN THE BOOTY AWARD < Ne-Yo Pimp C had the world questioning NeYos sexuality in the August 200 issue of OZONE where he poetically referred to the singer/songwriter as dick-in-the-booty ass Ne-Yo in addition to taking shots at Russell Simmons and the whole city of ATL. He also pointed out that the singer wears enough lip-gloss to put Lil Mama to shame. Were not saying Ne-Yo is gay, but the Pimp C appointed nickname is just too funny to leave alone. Get ya finga out ya bootyhole, dawg! SHAWTY IS DA SHIT AWARD < Alicia Keys
Runner-up: Robyn Thickes wife

GET ON MY LEVEL AWARD < Soulja Boy Say what you want about Soulja Boy, but he probably sold more than three of your favorite rappers this year. Not to mention he influenced the culture more than anyone else in Hip Hop with his simple song and danceand hes only . DEUCE BIGELOW MALE GIGOLO AWARD < Ray J Ray J stressed that he made far more money in 200 than he made his throughout his entire career. But aside from fucking Kim Kardashian on film, what did he do? No music, no books, no (non x-rated) moviesnothing. He received a reported $ million for his sex tape with Kim K., but unless he earned less than that for all that singing and acting hed done in the past, Brandys lil brother obviously made a killing fucking old hoes like Whitney Houstonwhat else could have earned him the kind of money he claimed to have made? Either way, he gets the Deuce Bigelow Male Gigolo Award for that proving men can be prostitutes also. WORST TV SHOW: Tie: BETs Take the Cake/Hot Ghetto Mess BET should have never got rid of Uncut, especially if they plan on continuing to replace it with programming that does more to demoralize the black race than Uncut ever did. Hot Ghetto Mess (the title was changed to We Gotta Do Better in a weak attempt at make it appear more positive) was not even entertaining, and Take The Cake somehow managed to be even worse. BET has got to do better. PULLYOUR FUCKING PANTS UP AWARD < Kia Shine Every time you see Kia Shine he has his pants sagging so far down that his entire ass is exposed. Not a good look. He recently moved to Atlanta, which is probably the sole reason the city deemed sagging pants illegal. VIDEO HOE OF THEYEAR < Angel aka Lola Luv She look guudBut shes a hoe! Yep. Weve seen her following around numerous rappers and R&B artists this year, so we can only imagine how busy Angels drawers have been. OZONE MAG // 

JULIA BEVERLY

JULIA BEVERLY

RONNIE WRIGHT

Alicia Keys got thick as hell this year, and add one of the best soul R&B albums sinceher last album, and she easily wins the Shawty is the Shit Award. This category was pretty easy to decide however, there werent very influential female singers, emcees, or anything else for that matter in 0.

ERIC PERRIN

D-RAY

ANTHONY CUTUJAR

I SHOULDA SIGNED WITH KOCH AWARD < Foxx Adding insult to injury (his hit song Wipe Me Down was virtually stolen by his labelmates) he only sold ,000 units first week. With those kind of numbers he would have done better signing a ringtone deal with Koch. DAMN, NIGGA, MAKE A NEW SONG AWARD < D.G.Yola Not only did Yola perform Aint Gon Let Up at the first OZONE Awards in 200, but he rushed the stage and stole the mic to perform Aint Gon Let Up at the second OZONE Awards a year later. Damn, nigga, make a new fucking song. I FEEL LIKE SLAPPIN MY BOSS TODAY AWARD < Killer Mike During the first annual ATL Day rapper Killer Mike apparently got into a slight scuffle with his former labelhead Big Boi. Varying reports emerged from both sides, but according to those in Mikes camp, Killa Kill from the Ville gave Big an Idlewild-style slap to the face. We cant confirm any details, however. HE DONT BE IN THE STREETS AWARD OZONE Music Editor Randy Roper Certain Corporate Thugs dont feel that Randy Roper (not pictured for his own protection) has sufficient street cred. Upset about their OZONE album review, Jeezy and CTE complained, He dont be in the streets, and reportedly found a picture of Randy in one of OZONEs photo galleries. Now they have placed a bounty on his head and Randy chooses to spend most of his Friday and Saturday nights at home or in the office. OPRAH WINFREY HONORARY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD < Karrine Superhead Steffans Karrine managed to overcome last years : Award by writing another book, publicizing her relationship with this years Hip Hop MVP Lil Wayne, and sleeping with Bill Maher and Eddie Winslow from Family Matters. Superhead wins the Oprah Winfrey Honorary Achievement Award for being such an inspiration and positive role model to young black women all across the world. WON THE BATTLE BUT LOST THE WAR AWARD Camron Yeah, Cam had everyone on the net mocking 0 Cent by yelling Currtissss, but for the rest of the year the only place we saw Cam was on 0 Minutes. Good move, Cam, now get my fuckin pool in the back. GOD LOVES ME AWARD < DJ Khaled With the worst ad-libs since Jazze Pha, the only explanation for Khaleds success is the man upstairs. At least Khaled knows it and screams it out every chance he gets. DAMMIT,THIS FUCKIN COLD WONT GO AWAY! AWARD < Gucci Mane Is it just us, or does Gucci Mane always sound like his nose is stopped up? Every time you see him you just wanna hand him a Kleenex

and tell him to blow his nose. Advice to Gucci: leave the X alone for a day and try poppin some cold pills or some nasal decongestion spray. Yeaaaa! Gucci Mane is also nominated for Best Beer Gut Award and, since hes still not speaking to us because of last years Year End Awards, he is also an honorary recipient of the Most Sensitive Rapper Award. FACE FOR RADIO AWARD < The Dream
Runner-up: T-Pain, Sean Kingston

KING YELLA

Once upon a time, R&B singers had to have sex appeal. But lately it seems to be the opposite. With The Dream, Sean Kingston, and TPain all topping the charts this year, it looks like the new demand in R&B is for brothers that are fat and ugly as ever. ONE HIT WONDER AWARD < The Shop Boyz Was that not the fastest  minutes ever?!? The next time you see the Shop Boyz theyll be asking if you want fries with that, and offering you a -cent upgrade to a larger size. They werent even around long enough to earn an audition for a future has-been show on VH. (Should have returned our calls/emails for interviews and show bookings when you still had the chance) I CANT FEEL MY FACE AWARD < Chaka Zulu Chaka was a corporate thug for standing up to T.I.P and telling him that he wasnt shit, but as a result his bold statements got him socked in the mug. Now he cant feel his face. Ouch! Sorry, Chaka. FACEBOOK FIEND AWARD < Lil Jon

JULIA BEVERLY

JULIA BEVERLY

JEREMY COWART

RAY KAY

COURTESY OF LIL JIZZELS FACEBOOK PROFILE

Runner up: Julia Beverly

If youre still wondering what happened to that long-awaited Lil Jon Crunk Rock album, dont place all the blame on Steve Gottlieb. Just check out Lil Jons (a.k.a. Lil Jizzels) lengthy Facebook profile and youll see where hes been spending most of his time lately. When hes not drinking actual shots of Patron, hes sending his online-socialnetworking friends Booze Mail. And when hes not multi-tasking between multiple AOL Instant Messenger conversations, hes adding silly Facebook applications like Drunkometer, Addicted to Chappelles Show, Will Ferrell Quotes, and Puff Puff Pass, or taking quizzes like How Romantic Are You? (OZONE editor Julia Beverly, now also a semiFacebook addict, adds: The only reason I signed up for this shit is because Lil Jon sent me a email invitation.) BEST DUDE IN RAP AWARD < Bun B Theres no one in this game who has taken the time and the effort to help young rap artists progress in the past 20 years that Bun B has. Bun is not only the greatest lyricist and performer in rap, hes a mentor to many of your favorite artists and a man who stands behind his words 00%. This is hard to find in the rap game where so many people are out to get each other. While everyone else fights, Bun teaches the youth and entertains his fans and keeps kosher with all aspects of this Hip Hop shit. He is definitely the most complete and real dude in this game hands down and should be respected as such. The man needs to teach a class.

JULIA BEVERLY

ALLWYN CRICHLOW

 // OZONE MAG

JULIA BEVERLY

ACTIVIST RAPPER WHO SHOULD RESPECT HIS ELDERS BUT HAS A POINT AWARD < David Banner Although its silly that Congress is taking time to discuss rap lyrics at a time when our nation is ass deep in a war that means nothing but woe to anyone who doesnt have stake in an oil company, its equally silly for David Banner to direct so much energy to attacking Al Sharpton and Oprah Winfrey. We all know that Banner has a point (they arent in the community and dont do all that much to help the situation so they really shouldnt speak on it) but Banners energy could be put to better use attacking much greater problems. Al Sharpton saying that rap music is vile and obscene means almost nothing to anyone, so theres really no need to call for his head. And although we might not see these rich TV-activists doing all that much right now, people like Sharpton and Jesse Jackson were on the front lines way before any of us were born and should be respected for the progress they did bring. You wanna attack someone, fine. Stay focused bro, youre too smart for this shit. REALEST RHYMERS AWARD Tie: < Grit Boys & Killer Mike In the immortal words of astronaut Jack Swigert, Houston, weve had a problem. Atlanta has too. This entire generation seems to as well. Hip Hop, weve had a problem. But like the nether regions of our universe, theres still plenty of shining stars to marvel at, theyre just not always visible as often things obscure their radiant light. Killer Mike and the Grit Boys are Hip Hops shining stars at the moment. While most of Atlanta is trying to figure out new dance moves and the bulk of Houston is still obsessed with their cars and sizzurp, Killer Mike and the Grit Boys are taking time out to speak to the people about whats really going on in the world, from a perspective that young kids in the street can grab a hold of and understand. Problem is, the powers that be keep them off the radio and out of the video shows and all the youth really knows about these days is Soulja Boy and a bunch of lame R&B. These two real rap stars are receiving this award this year for holding down the underground and keeping the hungry masses of real Hip Hop fans, people who appreciate great art, satiated until the next big renaissance hits. Hopefully itll happen before the oceans swallow us up. PASSPORT PIMPIN AWARD Chamillionaire Five years ago I was sitting at my kitchen table with Chamillionaire and his then-partner Paul Wall talking to them about how no southern rap artists ever go to Europe and never exploit any territories outside of their native regions. I told them that they had the potential to hit all over the world, but the only way to make that impact was going to tour those places and touch the fans. I remember my analogy, I said, You guys have gone and done free shows and tons of promo in places like Birmingham, Alabama and look at you now. You can go there and do shows for $,000 and sell a ton of mix CDs to boot. Youre gonna have to go do some promo runs to places like Birmingham, England and do the same things you did in Alabama to make that world wide impact. Chamillionaire obviously listened as he has performed all over

Europe and Canada and recently even went to do three shows in India. What other rappers are doing shows in India? Chamillionaires Victory might not be as Ultimate as he had hoped, but hes still winning this game on so many levels. Big respect. MOST ANTICIPATED TEXAN < Killa Kyleon Come on, man, even your Boss Hogg Outlaw partner J-Dogg has a hit now. Weve heard countless freestyles and flows that blow the pants off of just about every one of your contemporaries, but I cant remember a real, genuine, Killa Kyleon official solo song. Is there one? Does it exist? The man spits straight fire and genuine reality on the mic every time he hits the booth, but it needs to stop being over other peoples beats. We need an album, man. Killa Kyleon is a soldier in the fight to save Hip Hop, but real talk, he aint gonna save shit without an album. We love you a lot Slim Thug, but its time to change your lane for a minute and get your boy the hell out there. Time is now. < THE PIMP C FANGA IN THE BOOTYHOLE AWARD Tie: Viacom and The Recording Industry as a Whole We know that most of yall calling the shots in the music game are extremely out-oftouch evil white men who dont know shit about music or art and only care about the bottom line. We know. We know that kids buy CD singles and ringtones and we know that as a business you have to do something to keep your ship afloat. All that being said, theres still great art out there that needs to be heard and legions of people who want to hear it. If you keep stifling genuine art, if you keep spitting on the streets, if you keep portraying black men as nothing but coke dealers who can barely complete a sentence, then were gonna come to your offices, rip the fangaz out yo bootyholes and replace them with bombs. For real. Muthafucker, we gon rip your suit up and stick a bomb up your ass if you dont get it straight. Bitch! Editors Note: This is the opinion of one freelance journalist and we here at OZONE Magazine love the Viacom-owned MTV Jams. Look out for OZONEs Rapquest airing soon as well as reruns of the first and second annual OZONE Awards. :) CITY UNDER SIEGE AWARD < Houston, TX Two, three years ago it was the it city for Hip Hop. The whole world seemed to become obsessed with Houstons culture of putting diamonds in your mouth and buying a big, gas guzzling car. The cartoonish imagery provided a lot of attention for a short period of time and as soon as the masses began to tire of said culture, magazines, newspapers, gossipy bitch radio hosts and corny, lowquality DVD makers began announcing that Houston was over. Houston is not over, were just back to where we were before the media came down here for lap dances at butt nekkid clubs and sex with publicists. Houston is an independent city and its Hip Hop scene is incredibly dynamic when you look past the surface and really dig in. Real will always recognize real and the cream will always rise to the top. It might not go triple platinum again for a while, but who is? Instead of hollering about how Houston has fallen off (XXL) OZONE MAG // 

TALIB HAQQ

JULIA BEVERLY

INTL K

just shut the fuck up and go back about your business. You dont have to like it, but you gotta respect it. BITCH BETTER HAVE MY MONEY AWARD < Remy Ma After a close friend allegedly stole $2,000 from Remys purse, the former Terror Squadian was accused of putting two bullets in her companion. I guess the saying is true, money over bitches. LAMEST THING ABOUT THE OZONE AWARDS Litter Have some respect for your city, someone elses city, wherever you may be when attending an event you plan to promote at. It aint your home so you have no right to throw your posters, flyers, stickers, promo pens, hats, t-shirts, and whatever else into the streets as if someone else should clean it up. The destruction of the earth IS your problem, dudes. Have some respect when you step into someone elses home or work. The good folks at OZONE spent a long time and a lot of money to produce an event that for all intents and purposes should catapult this culture to a whole nother level. But no, that doesnt matter to you. As long as people saw your six hundred -foot tall posters, all of which ended up on the ground in a big mess, then I guess you have succeeded. But real talk, I havent heard shit from any of the artists I saw posters for all over every inch of that area since I left Miami. I guess you haters lost, again. WORST TREND IN RAP The Rockstar Phenomena We dont care how you dress, the tight shirts and jeans and shiny belts, all good, whatever. But please dont pretend to know anything about real rock and roll. Some artists might, but not the ones who made Party Like A Rockstar and all their followers. First of all, glam rock died quick. It had a vibrant, but fairly quick run. Played out licks and lackluster chops looped on a computer will see the same fate. Maybe some of you will score a VH reality dating special  years from now, but  minutes from now your fake ass sound will be dead and your career will be relegated to the frat boy bars who still book people like Vanilla Ice and bill them as nostalgia acts. Do your homework you lazy asses, this is art, not Wal-Mart. BEST HIP HOP FLICK AWARD < American Gangster Hip Hop superstars T.I. and Common starred alongside Denzel Washington in the story of drug kingpin Frank Lucas. The movie captivated Hip Hop culture and single-handedly inspired Jay-Z to release an album. WORST HIP HOP FLICK AWARD < Whos Your Caddy Whos Your Caddy wasnt just one of the worst Hip Hop films of the year, it was one of the worst films, period. Big Boi starred in this Caddyshack knock off that grossed nearly $ million in its first box office week, but it would have been better off going straight to DVD. AND THE WINNER IS AWARD Tameka Foster Getting impregnated and wed to a pop icon 8 // OZONE MAG

like Usher is like winning the lottery. Usher could have chosen any woman in the world, but he chose her (were still puzzled too). Congratulations, Tameka, you won. WEEDCARRIER OF THEYEAR AWARD < Gorilla Zoe Zoe began his career carrying weed for Block and Yung Joc, but things changed for this hood nigga in 0. One hit record and solo album later, Z-O-E has his own weedcarriers. Their names are Jody, Gee and Duke. THE UPS IS HIRING AWARD Grand Hustle With T.I.s impending trial and the possibility that the Grand Hustle meal ticket could face a very long time behind bars, Jason Geter and company may need to get their resumes together, just in case. Like Big said, dont be mad, UPS is hiring. INTERNET GANGSTA AWARD < Saigon No other artist has utilized the internet this year like the Yardfather. Saigiddy used his Myspace blog to bicker back and forth with his albums producer, Just Blaze, tell his side of the Mobb Deep scuffle story and release a retirement statement. And he still hasnt released his highly anticipated debut album. Even as this article is written, Sais Myspace page reads Online Now! And we have no explanation for his profile picture. HATE I THAT LOVEYOU AWARD Limewire As much as illegal downloading is taking a toll on the music industry, most of us cant stop using Limewire downloading softwares. As much as it hurts to download songs and albums, why would someone pay $. for an album with one good single when Limewire has all the songs available for free? YOU SHOULD KISS WEEZY AWARD < Playaz Circle It took most rap fans a few months to realize Duffle Bag Boys wasnt a Lil Wayne single. Because of Waynes hook, Dolla Boy and Tity Boi didnt have to rhyme on the track and it still would have been a smash hit. For giving PC the jumpstart their careers needed, these two should kiss Weezy just like his daddy. UMMA DO JEEZY AWARD < Rocko We know the song is called Umma Do Me but from listening to his song, minus a few adlibs, it sounds more like Rocko Da Don is doing the Da Snowman. WEBSITE OF THEYEAR AWARD Youtube.com Last years runner up for Website of the Year had to be the most visited, viewed, shared, linked and uploaded site of 200. If you missed anything in pop culture, chances are you can find it on youtube. Want to see the new DJ Khaled video? Its on youtube. Want to see people make complete fool of themselves? Its on youtube. Soulja Boy became a household name through it and any average Joe or chick with a nice rack and a camera can use it to do the same. //
JULIA BEVERLY ERIC JOHNSON JULIA BEVERLY COURTESY OF SAIGONS MYSPACE PAGE

JULIA BEVERLY

OZONE MAG // 

MR. COLLIPARK
HATE IT OR LOVE IT
Words: Randy Roper // Photo: Eric Perrin
0 // OZONE MAG

e discovered two of 2007s biggest successes (Soulja Boy and Hurricane Chris), yet Mr. Collipark (better known as DJ Smurf to some) has felt more hate than love this past year. Still, the former Ying Yang Twins producer hasnt let the critics stop his plans to turn his Collipark Music imprint into the next LaFace. And with Soulja Boy riding high on the charts, Collipark is crankin dat Supaman all the way to the bank. For anyone resenting the music he cosigns, be careful, this ATL impresario may take offense to that.
You helped build the Atlanta Hip Hop scene to what it is today. How do you feel about the game when you first started, to where it is right now? Its good to see its the focal point of the industry right now. I just think were the heartbeat of not even just Hip Hop, like music right now, its coming from here. Youve got a lot of R&B writers and producers coming out of here now too. I never thought it would be where it is now. I think back to my high school days, listening to Luke and all those cats from out top, you just never would have thought we would have the opportunities that we have now in the game. You were also very instrumental in the snap and whisper music a couple years ago. What were your thoughts at the time you were making that music? Just trying to do something new, man, and get out that whole crunk movement that we never really considered ourselves apart of. Even when I started with the Ying Yang [Twins], the stuff that I did with them wasnt really popular at the time. The music down here was going a little more street. Thats when Pastor Troy and that whole Master P movement was real big. And we just came with something different. It wasnt popular to have a booty shake record like that. Fast forward seven years and now you gotta have a strip club record on your album. I think we were very instrumental in putting that in the game, cause I come from bass music. But to take it from that and make it a part of Hip Hop, its everywhere now. Everybody from the East to the West, even gangsta, street cats from down here gotta have that strip club record. Lets talking about your label, Collipark Music. Youre doing it real big right now with Hurricane Chris and Soulja Boy Actually, I found Hurricane and he was like a gift to my man, Bryan Leach, over at Polo Grounds. I executive produced his project. But Bryan had left TVT, he did my deal over at TVT with Ying Yang, and he left and started his imprint over at J [Records]. I told him, Ima give you your first artist. He actually wanted to do something with P. Stones, who was my first Interscope signing, but he wasnt settled in at J yet. So I found Hurricane and it was like a perfect jump off situation for him over there. You saw the A Bay Bay record from the beginning, so A hit record is a no-brainer to me. Some people hear the records that Im affiliated with and they frown on them. My thing is, I make records for the people. I never was into myself. As a DJ, you have to service other people and I think thats what separates me from a lot of people that consider themselves Hip Hop heads. Thats self-serving almost, you feel me? I grew up listening to everything, but when I hear hit records its a no-brainer. Its almost like Im missing out if I dont be a part of it. When I heard A Bay Bay, even before I knew I was gonna have anything to do with it, I was like, That shits outta here. And the same thing with Soulja Boy, I didnt hear in his song what I heard in Chris song but I saw it on his Myspace. When I saw it, I was like, Oh my God! This is it! Cause he was serving the masses. Those kids, they were loving him. Whether I liked it or not, he had already generated this whole following. I saw those little girls holding up I Love Soulja Boy signs and painting it on their chests and all that, I was like, There is no way. I have never heard of this kid. And no adult I asked knew about him, but every kid, every kid, one hundred percent, here in Atlanta knew him and they knew about four, five of his songs. You said, whether you liked it or not. So does that mean you didnt like Souljas music when you first heard it? Nah, I aint gon lie, man. Bapes, that was the first record I heard. And I

think it was moreso for the quality than anything. I couldnt get over it. It was like a bad demo. I didnt get it. I was like, I dont care who likes this, I cant do nothing wit this. But when I saw it, it made me go back and listen to it with a different ear. And I said, aint nothing wrong with it, its just poor quality. So how do you feel about Soulja Boy as an artist now? Hes the best. He out-hustles these cats. He out-thinks these cats. Hes outperforming these cats. And hes so young. He was  when I found him. He dont even have the vocabulary to be competing with these cats. At a time when the game is so messed up, there are very few success stories in rap music right now and hes one of them. And hes winning big. So you gotta give credit to that. I dont care if you hate every song you hear from him. In the climate of whats going on, you cannot front, its hard to sell a record right now. And hes going up. He did his numbers, then he took his drop and hes going back up right now. This is wit no tour. Its beyond a ringtone thing, its people buying into him. Hurricane, its a lot to him, talent wise. Hes more of a talent than Soulja Boy. Soulja Boy is a movement. A lot of critics Julia Beverly came to me and she said, How do you feel about people calling Soulja Boys album whack? I said, I dont care about nobody who called Soulja Boys album whack. If theyre over  years old, I could care less. I said something about the numbers, he did like ,000 the first week and then she asked me again, like, What do you think about people saying the album is whack, though? I said, I dont care! I didnt expect Soulja Boy to appeal to anybody of out high school when I signed him and the fact that its this big is phenomenal to me, cause I didnt get it. But I knew that Soulja Boy had the potential. Is he an artist that has longevity, as he gets older and his fans get older? He learns so quick. He asks a lot and he observes a lot. Hes crazy about 0 Cent, not just his music, but how 0 took the game over. So he watched everything that he did. Thats the aspect about him that lets me know hes gonna [have longevity]. Because he actually looks at whats going on around him. He looks at Kanye. And when those kinds of cats meet him, they see it. They see that its bigger than Crank Dat the dance when they meet him. Hes a student of music. Anytime you got an artist that produces himself, that does his own beats and puts songs together like that, its something special about him. And hes able to go in and make records. Theres a lot of artists that cant make records. Hes a young Kanye in his world. If you look at the variety of subject matters, the lifestyle records that he put together, theyre very primitive but its a lifestyle thing that hes done with the Bapes, the Yahh, the Crank Dat, the Shoot Out, the Just Got My Report Card. Its a bunch of different themes that appeal to those kids. So as he grows and the things that he sees expands, hell be making records about that stuff. Do you do the Crank Dat Soulja Boy dance? I said if we go platinum Im doing the dance. I aint seriously cranked the dance. But Im waiting on the record to go platinum. Do you have any last words for the Soulja Boy haters? I get real defensive when I talk about Soulja Boy, cause Im passionate about it. If I dont like something but I see someone who does like it, I take it as just that. I say, I dont get it but I see why its working. The thing with Soulja Boy is, the people that dont like him, they dont like him passionately and I catch a lot of that because I found him. So a lot of times I lash out. Hes gonna easily get a gold album. You tell me the last new artist that got a gold album, period. Joc might be the last one. And hes three million ringtones, so hes got that too. And three million digital singles, so thats six million digital downloads. So that success story is humongous. For Hip Hop heads, if you like real Hip Hop, Ill use somebody like Talib Kweli [as an example]. People can say hes dope but he doesnt sell cause the so-called real Hip Hop community doesnt support him. So what good does it do him to be dope for yall? For yall who are out here criticizing, you dont even support him. He aint even sold 200,000 records. You gotta look at the game for what it is. This is how I eat, thats how [my son] goes to school. It gets emotional to me in the sense that this is what I do for a living. And for somebody to sit back-somebody who doesnt contribute in a positive way-and just sit back, critique and run their mouth, I have a problem with that. Yeah, I have a serious problem with that. //

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soulja Boy
Words by Julia Beverly // Photos by Anthony Cutujar
Clown Soulja Boy all you want, but hes making more money than you. Among the millions of aspiring rappers, producers, singers, and models flooding the internet with their novice creations, Soulja Boy went the gangsta route and launched his song Crank Dat (Supaman) into cyberspace with filenames like 50 Cent - In Da Club that eventually led thousands of curious fans back to his website. Thanks to Google, Mr. Collipark, and Interscope Records, 17-yearold DeAndre Ways catchy tune launched him into stardom virtually overnight. Now, faced with critics labeling him a ringtone rapper and a one-hit wonder, Soulja Boy faces the challenge of growing with his primarily young audience and turning his massive hit into a career with longevity. Have you graduated from high school yet? Yeah, I already graduated. We did a back to school special with BET and I went back to my high school and all my teachers and the principal were tellin em my situation, letting all my fans out there know how it all went down with my education. So Im good on that tip. Are you the hometown hero now? Yeah, I guess you could say that. I went back to my hood and everybody was like, Souja Boy! Soulja Boy! Once you make it out the hood youre the person everybody looks up to. Theyre just glad somebody came and did it, and everybody was showing love because they already knew what I was about before I made it and blew big. Im just holding it down like I always have. Ive always been rapping, so back in school everybody knew me as Soulja Boy. I always had songs out and I had a couple local hits or whatever, so I was signing autographs and stuff back before I signed my record deal when I was just in high school. So its mainly all the same to me; just more money. When you started out, did you really think youd end up having the #1 song in the country or were you just playing around with rap for fun? It was just something I was doing. It wasnt just to have fame or whatever. I just wanted to have everybody jumpin in the party. When I hit a party, Id be putting my CD in and everybody would go ahead and Crank It Up. Thats what it was about. But as far as the point Im at now, I aint know it was ever gonna get to this point. I thought I was gonna get big, but I aint know it was gonna be this big. Im on a whole nother level. Sometimes when people become famous at such a young age its hard for them to stay grounded and they end up getting a big head. How do you stay humble and keep that same hunger that you had for it in the beginning? Im good. I always look at it like, this is just something else I want to do. This aint really nothin, you know? Its just having a goal or an accomplishment or something that you want to do. I wanted to have the #1 song in the country and now Ive done that. I want to have a platinum-selling album and Im still working on that. I still wanna have my own cartoon and Im trying to do that. I wanna be in a movie so Ima go do that. Its just something else to do, so theres no reason to get big-headed from it because it could be gone tomorrow. Plus, whoevers hot, youre not gonna stay hot forever. Youre not gonna be able to do this forever. When youre hot youre hot and when youre not youre not; all this could be gone tomorrow. What is your cartoon gonna be about? The cartoon is called Bad Lil Homies. Its really just based on my life, with a twist to it. Im gonna have superpowers. Its funny though, its not too kiddy and its not too grown. Its for everybody. I created the cartoon and Ive got my homeboy Arab doing the illustrations, so once that cartoon releases its gonna be crazy. Thats just something else I want to do with my career as far as promotion, doing TV. Its gonna be airing on a network but we havent chosen an official one yet. Of course the story goes that you got your main fanbase through the internet, but theres millions of people trying to rap and promote on Myspace and YouTube and all that. What do you think you did that was different enough to make your music stand out from everybody elses? I know a lot of people who log onto the internet and just spam people and post their link everywhere, like, Listen to my music! and nine times out of ten, thats not gonna work. That aint gonna get you nowhere. I never really did that cause I knew nobody was tryin to hear that. When I started recording songs I wasnt getting no love from the radio stations or DJs. I was a nobody. So when I recorded Crank Dat (Supaman) Id take whatever was the #1 song in the country at the time or the song everybody was listening to that was on BET like 50 Cents In Da Club, for example, that was a huge record. Everybody was downloading music for free off the internet and theres websites where everybody goes to get new music. So when I recorded Crank Dat (Supaman), Id rename it 50 Cent In Da Club and Id upload it to [websites] where people could download it for free. Then Id copy it and rename it as a Justin Timberlake song, a Master P song, a Jay-Z song; every big artist you could think of. So every time you got on that site and tried to download a 50 Cent song or a Jay-Z song, youd get the Crank Dat record. Everybody was like, Who is this dude right here? Did you plug your Myspace page or something in there? Or how did they know how to look you up? Nah, my name wasnt on there nowhere. It was just the song, I guess. Thats

I know a lot of people who log onto the internet and just spam people and post their link everywhere, like, listen to my music!That aint gonna get you nowhere.
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where the buzz came from, because everybody was Google-searching Supaman and Crank Dat and Soulja Boy or whatever, and as soon as you typed that in [Google], my Myspace page would come up. I had SouljaBoy.com and thats when all the hits started coming in. To capitalize on it, I did the Crank Dat dance and put it on YouTube. It had 15 million total views before I signed my deal, and the MySpace page had 20 million total plays before I signed my deal. I was doing shows every weekend and getting $10k a show before I signed my deal. Then when I signed my deal and started doing promo shows, I was like, man, why am I doing shows for free now that Im signed if I was getting ten stacks before I was signed? It was a change, but it was cool though, travelling across the country and selling out shows. Was Mr Collipark the first person that reached out to you about getting a major label deal or was there a lot of labels reaching out to you? I had lost like three deals. [The labels] would reach out to me like they wanted to sign me, wed be in contact or whatever, and then I guess they werent interested anymore. I guess they thought it was a joke. Now, all those people [that tried to sign me] are like, damn. Theyre mad now. (laughs) But as far as the situation with Collipark, he hit me on my Sidekick [SouljaBoyTellEm@ tmail.com] and gave me a number to call. I hit him up and I signed with him that same week. He signed me in my house, in my living room. Then I went to L.A. and I signed with Interscope. Did he help you put your album together, musically, or was it basically done at that point? How did he help you take it to the next level aside from signing the deal? Hed already seen my fan base and my following. It was strong. I was on a Bow Wow level before I was signed. He told me, Do everything how youve been doing it, and Im gonna just sit back and let you do you. Ima let you go in the studio and do you, and when youre finished, turn in your album. He told me, Youve proven yourself. If its not broke, dont fix it. Youve already proven that this is what the people want to hear, so do what youve been doing and were just gonna master it and Im gonna come in at the end and tell you whats up. So I did my whole album, turned it in, and Interscope loved it. He told me we needed to do the Soulja Girl record. He made the beat and we put it out. I had full creative [control] over everything but he gave me a lot of good advice, and I thank him for that. He steered me the right way and gave me full control and it just made a monster. The girl from the Soulja Girl video was introduced to me as your real-life girlfriend. Is that true? Nah, nah, thats not my girlfriend. Soulja Girl is a song for my female fans. How do you respond to the critics that say your music is a gimmick or people that dont take you seriously? I really dont care what people think. Thats where most rappers mess up: Caring about what people think. Who cares, you know? I had the #1 song in the country seven weeks straight and sold over 3 million ringtones. Ive had critics all my life. When I first started doing my shades, in high school, I had written Soulja Boy on them in white out and everybody was talkin about me like, Man, thats stupid. Today, Im selling a hundred pair of em a day on SouljaBoyTellEm.com. So when I just sit back and think about it, man, I dont really care what nobody says. Once you get that in your head do what you do youre gonna be straight, feel me? Ive got that mindframe where I can make a song about anything I want to make a song about. I aint got no limits and if its a couple people who think that, who cares? So? I dont care. Who are you supposed to be anyway? So if I put out my album and I dont get the reviews that I wanna get, who cares? I dont care about reviews, I care about sales. As long as my album sells more than that other rapper, its all good. As long as my fans are happy, Im straight. I dont make music to make the critics happy cause theyre not gonna be happy anyway. I make music to please my fanbase whos been down with me before the deal. Everything thats happened after the deal is people who dont really care about me. Everybody whos been riding with me since before the deal and has gotten me to where Im at is the people who Im making this music for. Everybody whos been rockin the white out on their shades or the rubber band necklace and knew about who I was before this deal, thats who Im making music for. And for the down raters that are haters, who cares. Once you start trying to please people, thats where you mess up at. I dont care about what nobody says. Do you plan on using the same formula for your second album, or working with some different producers and adding features to change it up a little? After a while, once you do hear a lot of criticism, it does get to you. Going into my second album, I might come with a couple tracks where Im just gonna step it up a notch. I might just give em that one track and be like, BAM! And then the rest of my album might be on that same vibe as the first album. I might just do a whole mixtape and the critics hearing that would be

like, Oh my God, Soulja Boys a beast! But thats not my style, you know? Ive got talent and Ive got the ability to do what a lot of people dont think I can do lyrically. They think Im just a snap artist or whatever, but thats what I do. I dont come on a track trying to sound hard or be like Nas or Jay-Z. I mean, I can do that if I wanted to, but thats just not what I intend to do. I might just drop a mixtape or whatever and kill all the talkin on that level and still do my album the same way I did the first one, cause thats what my fans want to hear. Whatever they say they want, thats what theyre gonna get. I overheard some DJs in Las Vegas talking about you after youd done a radio interview, and they felt kind of insulted by one of the comments you made. How important do you think DJs are to your career? Well Im not too familiar with that situation, but I understand that the DJs are just as important as the emcees because without the DJs, people wouldnt get to hear your record. DJs are very, very important, and if they feel like that [about me], I dont know why. I feel that DJs are a big part of Hip Hop. Shouts out to all the DJs. Yall need to keep spinning my record for real (laughs). Yall dont need to be talking like that, man! (laughs) All the DJs out there, Soulja Boy is with you! Why do you go by the name Soulja Boy Tell Em? I heard that somebody already had the name Soldier Boy trademarked? The reason I call myself Soulja Boy Tell Em is because every time I did a song, my hook would come on and then before Id do my verse, Id holla out Soulja Boy tell em! That was my trademark, and my fans started saying it so much I just used that as my name. We did a rapper survey last month for the sex issue and we asked rappers what supersoak that hoe means. What does it mean to you? Supersoakin that hoe, man, thats a dance. Its not sayin supersoak that hoe as in, a female. Its just like if youre playin basketball, you could say, Slam dunk that hoe! Its just a dance. However they took it, it isnt intended to be meant that way. Since youre representing the youngest generation of music lovers, where do you see music headed from here on out? Do you think snap music and dance music is where its at? Nah, I dont think snap music and all that is gonna take over. I feel like its just gonna be some stuff that I cant even predict. I think theres gonna be new music coming out every day, not just snap music or whatever. I know theres gonna be a lot of Frooty Loop beats comin out. But I think everythings gonna go digital; I dont think theres gonna be anymore albums being sold. You know how they had the 8-Track and then that went away? Then they had the cassette tape, and then that went away and they had CDs. I think CDs are finna die out too and theyre gonna just have iTunes. Everythings gonna go digital; aint nobody gonna buy albums no more. In the beginning, you made use of digital technology to benefit your career, but as you become a bigger artist, does it concern you that people can get your music online for free? The only thing you can do about that is capitalize on it. Aint no way you can fight that; you can try, but it isnt gonna work. The main thing I wanna get across is that everyobdys talking about ringtone rapper, but I think you should try to capitalize on the digital market by selling ringtones and digital downloads. I know its good to sell albums, but you can see that aint nobody selling albums no more. What would you rather do sell 3 million ringtones and no albums, or no albums and no ringtones? See what Im sayin? So instead of trying to fight it youve gotta capitalize on it and get some money. Instead of selling 50,000 [albums] your first week and no ringtones, if you sell 50,000 your first week and 4 million ringtones youre straight. So capitalize on the digital market. Dont fight against it or you aint gonna have no money. You mentioned your cartoon; are there any other projects coming up that your fans should look out for? The album is in stores right now. Ive been out to L.A. and I met with Nickelodeon, Disney, Paramount Pictures, and a lot of casting directors to do auditions. So yall might see Soulja Boy Tell Em on the big screen in 2008. I want everybody to look out for that SOD Money Game mixtape in the streets, hosted by DJ Scream, thats gonna be hard. Yall look out for Arab coming in 2008 on Stacks On Deck Entertainment, thats my label. Any unsigned artists reading this right now, yall can hit me up at www.SouljaBoyTellEm.com or SouljaBoyTellEm@Tmail.com. Were looking for new artists so if youre trying to get your shine on, come holla at me. Stacks On Deck: its no discrimination, were just looking for talent. //

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HurrIcane season
Words by Randy Roper
urricane Chris isnt exactly the easiest interview subject. You would think that questions about meeting Alicia Keys, groupie love and addressing haters would lead to interesting commentary, but the 18-year-old rapper from Shreveport, Louisiana seems disinterested in such juvenile debates. Instead, the artist discovered by A-Town impresario Mr. Collipark and signed to Bryan Leachs J Records subsidiary, Polo Grounds Music, has other things on is mind. His A Bay Bay single shot up the charts and sold millions of ringtones but critics were quick to write him off as another song-and-dance Southern Hip Hop act. So Hurricane has something to prove, which probably explains the reason the teenaged rhymer barely ever cracks a smile. With his debut album 51/50 Ratchet in stores and the Shreveport ratchet music movement thrown upon his young shoulders, Chris is focused on running the game. Whoever feels differently can holla at Hurricane. Youre from Shreveport, Louisiana, which is the home of ratchet music. Can you explain what ratchet music is and the music scene in your city? Im from Ratchet City, you know what Im sayin? Come to Shreveport, Louisiana and go to Club Cocoa Pevis. We got a movement behind it. We dance ratchet. Everything we do is ratchet. Ratchet is our culture, ya heard me? What exactly is ratchet? The ratchet movement is the movement I got coming out of Louisiana. Its a lot of people that are a part of the ratchet movement. Im putting it to the forefront. Ratchet is our culture, how we dance. Atlanta got crunk. The bay area got hyphy. We got ratchet. Your single A Bay Bay took off this year. Whats been your biggest adjustment to the success and fame? I aint had no big changes. Im financially better. But for the most part Im still the same dude. Can you explain the whole concept of A Bay Bay? The A Bay Bay ratchet movement comes from Shreveport, Louisiana. My OZONE MAG // 69

dawg, Hollywood Bay Bay, they used to holla his name in the club every time he wrecked it. It became so popular I made it a hit. I heard DJ Hollywood Bay Bay was going through some legal issues with rape charges. Nah, nah, nah. That aint true. I heard people were thinking that but aint none of that true. Are you sure he doesnt have any rape charges? So where did that come from? I dont know. I seen it on the internet though. He was in Cali last night, hes on the road, were doing shows. Hes on his way to Atlanta right now. So what exactly does the phrase A Bay Bay mean? Its positive vibe. Whatever youre rockin wit, you holla a bay bay. Like you, hittin the club tonight, a bay bay. Its just another word for fa sho. Youve taken a lot of heat for A Bay Bay. A lot of people say its a simple, bubble gum song. 50 Cent even took shots at you and the song. How have you taken all of the criticism? Man, whoever said A Bay Bay aint what it do, can kill themselves. (laughs) Ive seen you freestyle and you really do have skills. How important do you think it is to show people those skills? Come get on the microphone wit me. Im a beast over here, ya heard me. Its real important to show your skills. Thats what its about at the end of the day. You gotta make the club bangers and the dance songs to keep the clubs going and keep them dancing. But at the end of the day, you gotta have it in ya. You gotta be reckless and be able to go tit for tat. What are you going to do to prevent yourself from being a one-hit wonder? Since A Bay Bay, we done hit em wit the remix, the Hand Clap, we done hit em wit the Hand Clap video, the remix video, we put Game, Baby, E-40, Boosie, Jadakiss on it. The album just dropped October 23rd and weve got my new single blazing the streets, Playaz Rock. On the A Bay Bay remix, you have a line on there where you said, Ever since I dropped A Bay Bay Ive been running the game. Do you actually feel like youve been running things? Do you think youll be the next King of the South? I dont dib and dab in all the king and queen [talk], I was through playing like that when I was in preschool, ya heard. It is what is. Ever since I dropped that A Bay Bay Ive been running the game and whoever feels different can holla at Hurricane. You had a lot of big names on the remix. Were you nervous at all doing a song with cats like The Game, Lil Boosie, Jadakiss and the rest of them? Nah, nah, I wasnt nervous. Its what we do. Were all big musicians, were all big fans of music and we all grind real hard. We was all on the same level wit it. It wasnt hard to get them to work. They came to the video shoot. They worked wit us. They created a good vibe, so we rolled wit it. Your album is entited 51/50 Ratchet. What is 51/50? 51/50 is 101 percent real. Add it up, 101 percent real. What can you tell me about your album? The album is off the meat rack. Its all the way versatile. I got club bangers, something for the females to listen to, something for the white folks, gangsters and the thugs, ya heard me. Tell me about the Hand Clap single. We started clapping our hands on the A Bay Bay video. Thats why we came back with the single, thats where it comes from. We shot the video in L.A. The video is off the chain. We rode around in a drop top, made the whole Hollywood go crazy, ya feel me. Thats the single were pushing now. Its hot in the streets, got the clubs banging. You have a new single with your labelmate Boxie, right? I got a new single called Playaz Rock. The Earth, Wind and Fire [sample]. Its slowed down for the grown and sexy, but were using words so the youngsters will be able to feel like theyre involved too. Whos the kid in the beginning of the A Bay Bay video? Baby Three. Hes with Go Live Entertainment. Wherever you see me, you see him. Thats my artist. Four-years-old, in the game. Can you tell me about your label? I got an independent record label called Go Live Entertainment. Thats really one of the only record labels that helped me get on. That was the only resource I had in the beginning, my own label, Go Live Entertainment. Hopping 70 // OZONE MAG

in our own vehicles, hitting the road, just making it happen the best way possible. Now Ive got an artist coming out by the name of Big Red and a lot more artists thats coming out of Ratchet City. You gon see Go Live Entertainment all over in the future. The game has changed a lot over the past few years. Things seem to be more about ringtone sales. I mean, its crazy. Ringtones are selling, albums [sales] are decreasing. We gotta start getting back out here and selling albums. Thats why I dropped my album October 23rd, 51/50 to show em that people still buy albums. Thats why I want people to go out and support who theyre jammin. If youre jammin them, go buy their album. What do you have to say to people that think youre just a ringtone rapper? Kill yourself. Can you explain your relationship with Polo Grounds CEO Bryan Leach? I met Bryan Leach through Smurf [Mr. Collipark] when I was getting radio play in Atlanta. We basically got our relationship off of him coming to my hometown and seeing the movement and him believing in the movement. He signed me to Polo Grounds, the Hip Hop department at J Records. And me and him have been making it happen ever seen then. Got a real good vibe over there, ya know what Im saying. We both know what we want. What have you been able to learn from him? Hes a real good dude. Ive been able to learn a lot from him. Just being around him and seeing how he handles certain situations. Being with J Records is a whole different level, period. Since Ive met him, I done met Clive Davis and a lot of other people, just off knowing him, so its all good. Lets talk about your relationship with Mr. Collipark. How did you meet him? I met Smurf because I was pushing myself through my independent record label. I was getting record play in Atlanta through King Arthur; he was spinning us real, real, real hard. Smurf heard it on the radio and he caught a plane, came to my city and saw the movement and believed in it. Me and him been rocking ever seen then. Thats who took me to Bryan Leach. Another artist that Smurf brought in was Soulja Boy. Whats your relationship like with him? I know him from being around the Collipark scene. We got signed at two different times. We do two different types of music. We have two different crafts. But were still affiliated with the same person. Smurf found me, Smurf found him. What do you think it is Smurf saw in you that made him want to sign you? From what Smurf said, he saw the whole package. From being able to spit to being able to drop a club banger to being able to battle. Just the whole package. Lets talk about battle rapping. I heard you were big in battling in Shreveport. Yeah, thats how I started out. When I first started getting my name up, I was in battle rap competitions. So thats how I got my name out there, from battling. Thats how I got the name Hurricane cause I used to leave my opponents silent and after a storm its silent. Battle rapping isnt big in the South. Why dont you think a lot of rappers arent down for battle rapping here? I dont know. There used to be this spot called Crystal Palace, it was a skating ring but they put a stage in there and we used to do our thing on the stage. It was like the only spot you can come showcase your talent. It wasnt so much as we were on battle rapping, but you already know, you get a bunch of rappers and you put them all on a microphone on a stage, somebodys gonna spit something in somebodys direction. So you know its gon be a battle. Every time I see you, you look dead serious. What are you so serious about? I dont know, people say that because I guess I dont have no facial expressions. I dont know. (smiles) So what do you having going on right now? Im on the Chris Brown tour. Soulja Boys on there. Sean Kingstons on there. Lil Mamas on there. Its supposed to be a lot more acts added on. Its supposed to be real hot. Things seemed like theyre moving real fast for you, from your album dropping to be on the Chris Brown tour. How do you feel about the industry as a whole and how fast things are moving for you? Its a blessing, ya know what Im sayin? Weve been grinding for a real long time. Were taking it all one step at a time. We love the fans. We give the fans the same energy they give. We gon ride it til the wheels fall off. //

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the ratchet movement now; do you think ratchet is the new crunk? I think the argument that crunk is dead is a stupid argument. If crunk was dead, you wouldnt be able to have a ratchet movement. Did you sign Hurricane Chris with the idea in mind of having him lead the ratchet movement in the same way that Lil Jon led the crunk movement? I primarily signed Hurricane Chris because I believed in Hurricane Chris as an artist; same reason I signed Lil Jon, Pitbull, and the Ying Yang Twins. They werent popular signings when I signed them. Anybody who really knew, and was there, including yourself, knows that at that time in 2001 it wasnt a popular signing. You knew Pitbull before I signed him, and it wasnt a popular signing. It wasnt like I was competing against labels or there was a bidding war. It wasnt like people were patting me on my back when they heard that I signed him and were like, Yo, you did a great signing. They werent popular signings. Neither was Hurricane Chris. I dont consider myself an arrogant person, but its crazy to me that people doubt my consistency. Im one of the most consistent A&Rs in the game. Hurricane Chris was penalized because he had such a huge record that people werent really able to look at who he was as an artist. Maybe they still havent decided whether they like him or not for the long run, but I signed Hurricane Chris because I thought he was a tight artist. The thing that made me really invest in the project was because he had a hit record. I felt he was part of a movement that Hip Hop music was missing. But without crunk music there would be no ratchet music. Did you leave TVT more because of a desire to start your own thing or because of differences you had with Steve Gottlieb? It came to a point where I made Gottlieb a lot of money and I didnt feel like he paid me what I was worth. I decided to make a move so that I could control my own destiny and make money. Steve Gottlieb, real talk, is a fucking genius and a very innovative person. Hes an asshole, and I mean that with affection. Gottlieb is an asshole but half of what I know, I learned from working with him, and vice versa when it comes to urban music. You know, theres people that say Julia Beverly is an asshole. The decisions you need to make to build your brand arent always popular decisions. Being an asshole in terms of paying artists? Lil Jon was pretty vocal about the issues he had Im talking in terms of how he built his company. Those are separate issues; those stories are very real, and theyre sub-stories so to speak. But in terms of what he built his company on Im sure youll learn that when Lil Jon built [his label] BME, he borrowed from his experiences with TVT, and there are definitely things I borrowed from TVT [when starting my label Polo Grounds]. For instance, the way weve got to operate nowadays in the business, these so-called 360 deals where you sign an artist and you participate in the publishing, merchandising, touring, and management in addition to the record side Gottlieb was doing that back in 2001. The industry is more conscious now in terms of how they market and promoter records and how they spend money investing in projects so that they can project their profits so that theres a better chance of making money, and thats how Steve has operated since 2001. When I left TVT and went to J Records, a major label, they were kind of new to this business model but it was something I was already used to because thats how Gottlieb had been operating since 2000. Hes a smart guy. Hes not a great people person or a pro-artist person, but he is a good businessman. Im a pro-artist person and Gottlieb is not. But anybody who was a part of that period from 2000 to 2005 knows that me and Gottlieb made a great team because we balanced each other out. Why did you choose the name Polo Grounds Music? Polo Grounds is named after the housing projects I grew up in. When I decided to make a move and do my own thing, I just wanted it to be something that was personable so I just decided to name it after the place where I grew up. How did you initially come across Hurricane Chris? Smurf. Short and sweet. I wouldnt have known about Hurricane Chris if it wasnt for Mr. Collipark [a.k.a. DJ Smurf]. I was in L.A. having drinks at a Beverly Hills hotel and I got a call at 1 AM Los Angeles time which was 3 in the morning in Shreveport from Smurf, saying, I found your first artist for Polo Grounds. So it was a gift hand-delivered and packaged by Smurf. I flew out to Shreveport on Smurfs word, saw it for my own eyes, and signed him up. Who else have you signed to Polo Grounds? C-Ride came to us through Cool & Dre out of Miami, and he has an ability to make big records. Nina Sky is my urban pop act; they came to us through Cipha Sounds in New York. Boxi is an 18-year-old singer/songwriter/musician and a ball of energy. Ratchet City is another extension of the whole ratchet movement. We manage Diamond from Crime Mob and Avery Storm, who is signed to Nellys Derrty Entertainment through Universal. We manage Phunk Dawg, who produced Ay Bay Bay and Hand Clap. We manage Los Vegas, who produced Soulja Girl for Soulja Boy. We have a publishing division

Bryan leacH

he average clubgoer might not recognize Bryan Leachs face, but chances are he played a key role in many of the hit records theyve grown to love every night on the dance floor. Lil Jon & the Eastside Boyz, the Ying Yang Twins, and Pitbull are just a few of the artists who have Bryan to thank for helping to develop and bring their trademark sounds to the masses. He recently departed his longtime post at TVT Records to form his own label, Polo Grounds Music, which is distributed by J Records. With a promising lineup and decades of experience in the music business under his belt, in 2008 Bryan plans to show the world that Hurricane Chris (of Ay Bay Bay fame) is much more than a ringtone artist and unleash several new acts. What was your role at TVT Records? I created the Urban department. Im the reason why people know who the fuck TVT is. I mean, it sounds arrogant, but its the truth. When I got to the label in 95, TVT was a rock label. They had Nine Inch Nails, Sevendust, industrial rock music and soundtracks like Mortal Kombat. Hip Hop was a hobby. They had a bunch of bullshit [Hip Hop] acts. Irv Gotti worked there for a year and I watched as [TVT owner] Steve Gottlieb passed on [signing] DMX, passed on DJ Clue, passed on Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella. Irv went on to Def Jam, but I stuck with the shit and took five years of catching bricks before I signed Lil Jon and Naughty by Nature in 2001 and then went on to sign the Ying Yang Twins, Pitbull, and Jacki-O, and started to create an identity. For six years in a row, we were the #1 independent Hip Hop label on the Billboard charts. We built the company together, me and Steve Gottlieb. Through your work with Lil Jon and the Ying Yang Twins, etc., is it fair to say that you were one of the main catalysts in the whole crunk movement? I was one of the main catalysts in commercializing crunk music. So whats your thoughts on the people who say crunk is dead? Youre pushing 72 // OZONE MAG

where we handle the publishing for all those people. Our business model at Polo Grounds is exactly what the major labels are trying to figure out: management, touring, merchandising, publishing, and the label side. So weve got a pretty good spread. And Im still a consultant; Im a co-executive producer on the Lil Jon project on TVT Records. What do you look for in the people that you hire for Polo Grounds? I look for people who put in as much work and passion as I put into the company. I look for people who do what you and I did when we were building our companies. I look for people who are doing what you did when I met you in 2001 and what I was doing in 2001; the passion and the hunger and the grind that I had and that you had. Thats what the fuck I look for. If somebody aint got it, then it aint worth fucking with them. Nowadays its so hard to make money in this business that if you aint ready to hustle, you might as well just not fuck around with it. What about when you sign artists, aside from the obvious? I need artists who are humble, but confident. Artists that are talented and have the ability to synergize with all kinds of industries, whether its film, TV, music, or the corporate world. Kids just want to buy music from the artists they love. Its not really about songs. Theyll buy the songs, but in terms of the artist that they really want to be a part of, theyve gotta have all those things. I think I was a little spoiled by being involved with some of the artists that I was involved with. Pitbull is one of the hardest working artists Ive ever worked with. If I could take one artist from TVT, I would take Pit. [Lil] Jon is one of the smartest artists, and one of the most creative and diverse people Ive ever worked with. Smurf is really underrated. Hes a hard-working, humble executive. So now that Im looking at all kinds of other artists, its hard to find somebody who can measure up to that shit. You look for artists who could either do [what Pitbull and Lil Jon do] or get as close to hitting that mark as possible, but there aint too many of them left. You mentioned that back when you signed Lil Jon and Pitbull they werent popular signings, but these days, as soon as a Southern artists gets a slight hit record the major label start bidding wars. Do you think the fact that the major labels are on the South so hard right now actually works against us and decreases the quality of the music because artists dont have to work as hard to get a fanbase and get deals? I think all of those arguments are suck-ass arguments. People start crying about how the labels only sign artists who have a sales base and radio play and a story, well, yes, you do need to have all that, because the artists have raised the bar. Itd be different if the labels got smart and had something to do with it, but the labels didnt have nothing to do with it. David Banner, Bonecrusher, T.I., Ludacris, Three 6 Mafia, all these artists learned the indie game and decided to be entrepreneurs. They decided that. Labels aint have shit to do with that shit. We just play catch up. So when people started crying and saying, Oh, all you do is sign artists that have got a story, well, youre muthafuckin right. We didnt have nothin to do with it but were smart enough to follow the artists lead. When people criticize ringtone artists, to me, thats just another form of hating. They act like its easy to sell 3 million ringtones. Selling 3 million ringtones is a sign of popularity. People put the stigma on Southern artists, and they put the stigma on ringtone artists. Stop hating. Stop crying because you cant do it. Hurricane Chriss album sold 30,000 units the first week. So people ask me, What makes you continue to pump money into a project like that? You believe in the artist? You can believe in the artist all day, but thats not enough. The fact that he sold 3 million combined ringtones and digital downloads allows you, financially, to continue to invest in that artist you believe in. So now that hes passed the first week of sales and that pressure is gone, and he has another record [Playaz Rock] thats potentially a big record, that allows us to continue to make sure he never goes away. We can invest in this artist that we believe in and break him on the second record, which is no different in terms of the artist development process then how we did it a few years ago. So you felt like Hurricane Chriss lead single Ay Bay Bay kinda overpowered him as an artist? People are surprised when they hear his album. Theyre like, Dude can rap. Were already working on a second album. With Polo Grounds Im coming from an indie background, so this whole grind mode, Im used to it. Were dropping another album in June with remixes from the first album. Were going to remix the album and put it out with new artwork. Hes on Mike Jones first single that Smurf produced, the cover of OZONE Magazine, the cover of the Source Magazine, hes on the Chris Brown tour, so hell never leave the market. Hes got a whole lifestyle campaign thats about to kick in to make sure that he never goes away. Thats how you develop an artist. So stop hating. Stop talking shit because homie sold 3 and a half million downloads and ringtones. T-Pain sold 5 million ringtones off Im In Luv (Wit A Stripper) and people were saying all types of criticisms with dude on his first album, like he was done. Now all of a sudden everybody is riding his dick and they want him on

every fucking single. How many times have we seen this happen? I saw it with Lil Jon. I saw it with the Ying Yang Twins. People said, Them niggas are half retarded. All of a sudden we put them in suits and give them a hit record and Lil X directs the video and now you want them on your red carpet. Pitbull? Oh, His pants are too tight, blah blah blah. But he was part of all these big records like Shake that influenced music. Its just hate. Call it what it is: Its hate because you cant do it. Do I want a fucking Pitbull, or do a want a fucking Saigon? No disrespect to Saigon, but you do what you do, and let them do what they do. Stop trying to be the judge and jury about whos hot and who belongs. Its hate. Thats the way I look at it. Its like Source and XXL and King and Vibe telling you that you dont belong because youre OZONE, when youve got a better relationship with all these artists and tastemakers and executives than all of those other magazines combined. You can walk into studios, walk into places with the artists and you aint gotta go through the publicists, the marketing people, none of that shit. Artists want you involved with their career. Its all hate and bullshit and I just thank God that I come from an independent background so I dont get caught up in that bullshit. Do you see Hurricane Chris being at the point T-Pain is at in a couple years? Im gonna make sure this nigga never goes away. And if niggas dont believe me, they need to do their homework. My history and my muthafuckin consistency rate is solid. Youve had a lot of success with Southern artists even though youre from New York. Do you see the Southern movement continuing for a long time or are you looking into other parts of the country? Louisiana is poppin. Atlantas always poppin not just because of the artists but because of the producers, the songwriters, the music, the energy, the lifestyle. Do your homework; dont be ignorant and think that the South aint been around. If you do your history youll know about Stax Records [in Memphis] and Motown and the origins of this music. It didnt all start from New York. In the South there are places that could stand to have a rebirth; new energy. New York can stand to have new energy. L.A. can stand to have new energy. The Midwest needs something that just kinda ties everything together. There are places that do it and do it well, and people just need to follow up and educate themselves on why theyre able to do it and just stop hating. Hate is a fucking disease and if you buy into that shit youre going to end up broke and irrelevant. Do you think the album format will eventually go away and music will only be sold by ringtones and digital downloads? I have no idea, but usually in any industry theres a minority group of people who are responsible for actually being the first to make those changes and pave the way. I may not know where the next change is, but I am smart enough to know what my limitations are. Im 38 years old, but here in this studio I can point out five kids that are 19 or under, and Im smart enough to follow their lead about certain things. Smurf is smart enough to follow the youth. We dont need a think tank and all that other research to figure this shit out. Ive got a 20-year-old daughter, another 13-year-old daughter, and a 7-year-old son, and honestly, Ill listen to him before Ill listen to one of these suits. Weve got a challenge and a responsibility to be kind of unbiased about what we report and really try to make sure that we get people who are hot and put it out there. Thats all niggas tryin to do. Hurricane Chriss album got 90% good reviews and 10% bad reviews, and everything hes done has created a reaction. He had a hit record out of the box that a lot of artists struggle their whole career to have. Most artists may not have a hit record like that til their second or third album, and this kid is still only 18 years old. Will C-Ride be the next artist dropping on Polo Grounds? C-Ride is a huge priority for us. He has a lot of the things that he needs and hes missing a lot of the things that he needs, but those other things are going to come. Were going to go back to artist development. A lot of the reasons you liked SWV and Xscape and some other artists is because they grew up right in front of your eyes with all their abilities and inabilities. You saw Bow Wow grow up from being a kid to what he is right now. This is an experience; music is an emotional experience. I believe in him as an artist. Whats up with Lil Jons album? Working on Lil Jons Crunk Rock album is exciting. A lot of people are wondering what this dude is coming with, and it kinda makes me laugh. If theres anybody that counts this dude out and questions whether or not he can bring it, to me, thats personal. I started my career with Lil Jon and he started his career with me. We were both influential in each others careers. I still get paid by TVT [as a consultant], but I would do it if I wasnt getting paid. Im still involved with Lil Jons album and with BME, Rob and Vince and everybody else over there. Thats where the creativity and the direction came from and thats what it is. // Words by Julia Beverly OZONE MAG // 73

RTY DI

TY HIR T

S VERSE PC IC PIM SS 30 CLA

Compiled by Maurice G. Garland, Eric Perrin, Randy Roper & Wally Sparks Photo by Julia Beverly

ide dirty is exactly what Pimp c did on every track he made, rapped or sang on. When was released from prison we sang Im Free right along with him. But now that hes gone, we cant seem to get his verse from I Miss My Homies out of our heads. Here are thirty of his most memorable recorded moments, in chronological order.
uGK:something Good One of the standout cuts on UGKs national debut album Hard To Swallow. With a syrupy Rufus & Chaka Khan sample providing the musical backdrop, this record showcased two fresh voices in Hip Hop unlike any other. It also showed that Pimp C as a producer was as on point as his peers in regards to sampling old soul records and making them sound new. uGK:use Me up Another gem from Hard To Swallow, with Bill Withers song of the same name serving as the foundation for some the most influential Southern Hip Hop ever made. This was also one of the few commercial singles from the UGK catalog. Straight pimp game is being laid out here. Lames, pay attention. uGK:Pocket Full of stones This was the first UGK song that many diehard Pimp and Bun fans ever heard. Pocket Full of Stones was the third single on 1992s Too Hard to Swallow album and its placement on the Menace II Society soundtrack introduced them to more ears across the nation. It foreshadowed the career to come for UGK; it was vintage, real, and loved to this day by all fans of the Texas movement. uGK:Its supposed To Bubble The lead single and video from 1994s Super Tight. Long before rappers were drinking Cristal, Pimp and Bun, along with a bottle of DomPerignon, showed the world how the boys P.A. boys popped bottles, had a good time and still kicked street knowledge. uGK:Front, Back and side to side An ode to candy cars never sounded so good. Those organs, snapping-ass drums and wonderful use of the Eazy-E voice sample equaled musical greatness. Easily one of the worlds favorite UGK records, T.I. paid homage to the original Kingz by remaking the record with Pimp and Bun for his King album.

uGK:I left It Wet For ya This is the pinnacle of shit-talking. Its one thing to say youve got somebodys chick, but its another thing to tell em that you left it wet for them. Sonically, this is one of Pimps most hypnotic beats. OZONE is raw, but, the lyrics here might be too explicit for even us to reprint. Big Mike f/ Pimp c:Havin Thangs By producing this track, Pimp laid down the epitome of what Southern Hip Hop is supposed to sound like. Boom-bap drums blended with gospel organs and wah-wah guitar riffs made for a syrupy instant favorite. This 1994 classic was remade in 2006 for Cs Pimpalation album with both Pimp and Mike (who were both recently released from prison) trading bars. uGK, Master P & silkk the shocker: Playas Down south With this song, the South was given a phrase and self-identifier wherever they set foot: Playas down south stack Geeeeeees. Master P f/ uGK:Break em off something If you ever owned a car with some beat in the trunk, then you already know the deal about this one. Recorded and released in 1996 when UGK was on top of the underground world, Pimp gave an entire region something to either smoke, ride or bounce too, often all at the same time. Of course Ps verse is the one that everybody remembers, but this song wouldnt be the classic that is without UGKs verses or Pimps production. uGK:one Day This track originally belonged to Mr. 3-2 but wound up on Ridin Dirty. The last lines of Pimps verse, as usual, speak for themselves: I asked God why he let these killas live and take my homeboys son away / Man, if you got kids show em you love em cuz God jus might call em home / Cuz one day you here but baby the next day you gone. uGK:Murder Everybody remembers Bun Bs verse on this blood-curdling classic, but it was Pimp who really set the song by off opening with Im still Pimp C, bitch! So what the fuck is up? In interviews, Pimp always said that he emulated Run from Run-DMC, and he shows it throughout what is perhaps the most energetic verse hes ever recorded. Before he said no record til whitey pay me on Big Pimpin, he warned you here that I aint rapping shit until my money in my hand!

74 // OZONE MAG

uGK:Diamonds and Wood Classic beat. Lets let some of the lyrics speak for themselves: I got a baby but its momma act like he aint mine / Wicked women using children to live on / When I hurt and try to hate cause she knows the thrill is gone ...Niggas talk a lot of shit in a safe place, I know cause he cant look me eye-toeye when he in my face Niggas frown when you up and smile when you down / And when you make a change for the better shife fools stop coming round Got to the point where I could not decipher day from night / She say she love me but all we do now is fuckin fight / My conscience fuck with me so much I cant eat or sleep / The other side of sellin dope and out there runnin the streets uGK:Bumper and Grill This became instant vintage the minute it dropped. All of the usual Pimp C production suspects are here: sweaty drums, light cymbals, jook joint guitars and church organs. He knew it was tight, and if you werent convinced he demanded that you tell your bitch ass brother he cant fuck with my beats / so if you wanna be bangin nigga the good shit dont come cheap. He also reminded you that down in Texas nigga, we got our stars, we got the baddest bitches and we ride the freshest cars. The beat reappeared as Simply Beautiful on Sleepy Themes The Vinyl Room. c-Murder f/uGK:akickdoe Co-produced by Beats By the Pound, this is another example of Pimps penchant for working guitars into Hip Hop production. His opening verse is also another example of his unique braggadocio, setting the tone for rest of the song. The hook, also courtesy of Pimp, came from his verse on Master Ps Break Em Off. uGK:Hiside One of Pimps more jazz influenced productions sounds like it could have been conceptualized during the Super Tight era, but it actually appeared on Sic Wit It Records 1997 compilation Southwest Riders. One of UGKs many songs when they call a bitch a bitch, but the songs most poignant moment comes when Pimp says, The preacher got the clothes and the hoes with his dick on swoll / Trickin off my peoples bank roll / I peep that shit, I read my Bible at home / Cause I aint payin for that niggas broughm. PsK-13 f/uGK:like yesterday One of the highlights of Pimps production career, this song (and others he did with Adamshame, Critical Condition and X-Mob) is a testament to his Underground King status, showing that Pimp and Bun were truly dedicated to the streets and independents. Pimps trademark drum sounds and live guitars make this song an equally dope rap track and instrumental. uGK:Take It off When he got the chance, C would justify the meaning of the Pimp in his moniker and on this track that originally appeared on The Corruptor soundtrack, he had strip clubs buzzing. Take it off chick, bend over, let me see it / If you lookin for a trill-type figure, let me be it. Even though the video was a bit comical (UGK pimping in Chinatown?), Pimps charisma coupled with his straightforward lyrics made Take It Off a standout. Pimp c:Top notch Hoes This song first popped up on the infamous 1999 Dirty Money bootleg and later appeared on Trill Azz Mixes. Bluesy guitars and synths served as a smooth bed for Pimp Cs voice as spoke on everything from BET not playing Southern Hip Hop artist videos to serving a slight diss to The Roots in response to their What They Do video. This verse also appeared on his collabo with Meen Green Deep In the Game. Save for the hook and last verse, the song didnt really say much about hoes at all. uGK:Piece and chain This song has Pimp C coining the phrase country rap tunes for the first time on record, asking people to separate us from the rest. An unfinished version of the song first appeared on the Dirty Money bootleg while the final one was placed on The Wood soundtrack. uGK:Woodwheel Appearing on Rap-A-Lots 1999 compilation Realest Niggas Down South, Woodwheel helped UGK fans through the drought between Ridin Dirty and Dirty Money. Hoe niggas scream and talk, trill niggas bust and leave / How the fuck you gonna go to war when you bitch ass niggas aint go no cheese?! will go down as one of Pimps trillest lines ever. crooked lettaz f/Pimp c:Get crunk One of the highlights on Crooked Lettaz (David Banner and Kamakaze) criminally slept-on Grey Skies album. Another example of Pimps ability to make a

beat, write a verse and sing a hook on one song. Banners line: Pimp done told me, Vell, these niggas aint nothing but hoes / You make most of your cheese off production and shows, shows the impact Pimp had on his peers. uGK f/jay-Z:Big Pimpin This was a song Pimp C was very hesitant about doing. Bun told MTV, He didnt want to do [the Jay-Z collaboration] Big Pimpin, but he rolled with me on that. The song rolled all the way to the number 3 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 1 on the Rap/R&B chart. It was the biggest track of UGKs career and in the June 2007 issue of OZONE, it was declared that UGKs outshining of Jay-Z was one of the 25 most important moments in southern rap history. Pimp and Bun upstaged Jigga on his own track long before Em proved who the real Renegade was. Three six Mafia f/uGK:sippin on some syrup Take that monkey shit off, you embarrassing us. Enough said. Hopefully the right ears will take heed to that suggestion. uGK:let Me see It In 2001 when Dirty Money was released, UGK was witnessing a growing fan base beyond the South, but for some reason this album didnt translate into the commercial success that was due. Let Me See It debuted with little fanfare but still became a classic UGK record. It was a strip club anthem before strip club anthems were standard on rap albums. uGK f/ Devin the Dude:aint That a Bitch The highlight of the long-awaited but slightly disappointing Dirty Money album. Sampling B.B. Kings Chains & Things for the beat, Pimp dropped some life game on what happens when you think with the head in your pants. Only thing wrong with this instant vintage was Jives bonehead decision to alter the songs flow and blur out the curse words. Bun B f/Pimp c,young jeezy, Z-ro & jay-Z: Get Throwed After serving nearly four years in prison, Pimp C was reunited with his UGK counterpart on this single from Bun Bs solo debut album Trill. The song was the first time Pimp C worked with Young Jeezy and his first time working with Jay-Z since Big Pimpin. Hearing him start off the track Pimp C P.A. trill nigga / Polo fuck that Hilfiger / Made myself a ghetto star / On the slab, sippin barre, seemed to breathe life into the South. Pimp c f/P .o.P & lil Keke:Knockin Doorz Down . Pimp C was never one to hold his tongue. On this single from Pimpalation, Pimp speaks out on the state of rap music in Houston, urging Lil Flip and T.I., Paul Wall and Chamillonaire, Z-Ro and Slim Thug to end their feuds and make their money together for the betterment of the rap industry in H-Town. Many rappers took heed to his words, proving the influence and respect that Pimp C had amongst his peers. uGK:swishas & Dosha Underground Kingz could not have had a more appropriate opening track. Lines like I remember when a rapper was a go getta, now all these rappers are some hoe niggas / Hide behind the guards at the show nigga, dont want no pussy, homosexual on the low nigga and Ima tell you pussy niggas once again, aint had no friends since I left the pen / Its some niggas I respect in the rap game and its some niggas I bet not hear saying my fucking name let you know that the original Trill Ass Nigga was back in rare form. uGK:Quit Hating the south When critics started taking shots at Southern rap, UGK spoke up to defend the Souths movement. A boisterous Pimp C spoke up for country rap tunes and the Souths place at the top of Hip Hop charts, screaming, Fuck how you feel, country rap tunes NIGGA! Lets put all yall records on one side of the store and put all the country rap music on the other side of the store, and see who sell out first! uGK f/outkast:International Players anthem This single, produced by Three 6 Mafia and featuring Outkast, was a sample of the 1970s hit I Choose You by Willie Hutch. It was the last official UGK single of Pimp Cs life, and fittingly the most commercially successful song to ever appear on a UGK album. The video, with cameos by Bishop Don Magic Juan, Pimpin Ken, DJ Paul, Juicy J, Chamillionaire, David Banner, T-Pain, Big Gipp, and Fonsworth Bentley, among others, became an instant hit. At the 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards, Kanye West refused to accept his Best Video Award for Stronger, instead offering the honor to UGK for International Players Anthem. This bold statement from the notoriously award-hungry Kanye is even further proof of the lasting influence Pimp C left behind for both fans and peers for many years to come. // OZONE MAG // 75

Chad Pimp C Butler

12/29/73 - 12/04/07
THIs
issue was supposed to be out a month ago. Ive been stalling, partly because its hard to get anything done in December while everybodys gone for the holidays. But mostly, when Pimp C passed right before this issue was supposed to go on press, I knew Id have to add a Pimp C tribute, and I couldnt do it. Because doing a tribute makes it real. Nobody involved with Southern rap wants this to be real because he was one of our most vocal proponents. So I put it off as long as possible. Of course, it was easy to type in Pimp C on the search window of my computer and find hundreds of pictures. It was (somewhat) easy to email a few of his friends asking for quotes and call a few others and record them reminiscing about their favorite memories of Chadexcept when their voices started cracking. Theres nothing easy about hearing a grown man cry. So I sat and stared at this Pimp C Tribute folder on my computer and the blank pages in the layout and did nothing. I really tried to psych myself up for it, knowing that he wouldnt want us to stop hustlin on his behalf. Hed want us to take it as a reminder that life is indeed too short and use it as motivation to work that much harder and enjoy it that much more. But I still couldnt make myself do it. 76 // OZONE MAG Back when Pimp C was in prison I started sending him copies of OZONE religiously. After he got out he always wanted to see the new issue, especially when it had one of his interviews or articles in it, and would text me impatiently until they arrived. Id feel bad if they werent ready yet and would personally send a Priority Mail package as soon as they came off the press. Its a lot of work to put together a magazine. Its like any other artistic endeavor; the finished product is what makes all the sweat and tears worth it. The appreciation of othersespecially coming from a legend in the game, someone you look up tois priceless. As OZONE has grown over the years, the main thing thats kept me going is the feedback from our readers, and it always amazes me to find out that artists like Pimp C appreciate my art form as much as I appreciate theirs. With everything he contributed to the culture and to OZONE both directly and indirectly, the least I can do is finish a feature commemorating his life and the memories he left behind with some of his closest friends and collaborators. So here it is. Hopefully hell be able to find a copy up top. // - Julia Beverly

CORY MO

I people dont know that show in Houston. A lot of know [KBXX The Box annual] car car show. He didnt even Pimp into going to the to the car show? was the one that talked was like, Pimp, you going ch he didnt ut it. The night before, I abo He goes out of town so mu [Thug], car show? He was like, Man, what ys gonna be there, Slim like, Everybod even know about it. I was show your face. He was everybody, youve gotta Chamillionaire, Paul [Wall], shit. I said, Cmon, man, t show, I aint going to tha he really needed like, Man, fuck that car lly stressing to him that hing, I was that to the city. I was rea you owe tell him to perform or not face. I didnt So he to be there and show his trip out if they see you. face. Everybody will just like, Go show your on stage. He saw Bun was begging him to get man, lets get showed up and everybody in. Pimp was like, Shit, Houston didnt know he was com there; Bun the last show they did in ing. That was , and on stage. Lets do someth as Houston is concerned ching moment as far together; that was a tou UGK as a whole. Shit. getting choked up again. Damn, I cant believe Im n, forget Pimp C. I lost most. Put the music dow a lot. Wed sit I lost a friend, first and fore ther. He used to teach me a bro things and Chad Butler as a friend and board and hed show me and the key tell me down at the mixing board tell a lot of people. Hed t he didnt really n teach me little secrets tha ass, and hed tell me whe me out and get on my to do bigger and n I was wrong and cuss whe ted me the back. So that motiva ht near] Port I was right and pat me on d. college in Beaumont, [rig w [Pimp]. I r Mike Mo used to go to and really be more focuse My brothe rs before I kne better things l with Pimp and Bun yea e Arthur, so he was real coo p to the studio. I had a littl was his road manager too r all the time to bring Pim t dude, man. My brother I used to beg my brothe real raggedy. I begged miss the shit out [of] tha I re family than anything. rd in the garage; it was Pimp than I was. Its mo ht, all of a sudden, ry the torch studio in my moms backya so he was even closer to to hold his head and car year straight and one nig about a g s gonna have na him to bring Pimp by for the studio and did a son feel for Bun because he die. Im definitely not gon gold Impala and came in t shit aint gonna never him. It Pimp pulled up in a little now. Its UGK for life. Tha t the history books are dest memories I have of of the first and fon e die. I guess if thats wha he went to jail. with me. Thats really one let the UGK legacy or nam ey. That was in 99, before do shit about it. a song called Get Your Mon ed to say, cant nobody was suppos y just did the when the mories I have of Pimp was One of the recent good me

LIL WAYNE
My favorite Pimp C mome nt was when he called me personally and told me that Im killing the se these niggas out here. And niggas out here, and to keep killin he [also] told me to wat ch out [with] how Im doin all these mix tapes out here because I could be makin money off that shit, and I could also be makin bet ter songs then the ones I put out on my alb um if I put the songs from my mixtape on my album. And I what I tried to explain to him was that nothing, so it just be how I feel, and that just be how I dont write [particular] song. But I told I felt on that him, I was like, 9 times out of 10 Im on the original song anyway , so when he heard that he laughed with me, and that was a cool moment. Ya dig?! Aint no nigga in the game real like Pimp C, and eve ry nigga in the game will tell you that. Reality-thats what we gon miss the most about Pim p C. Reality.

PIMPIN KEN

in Milwaukee for my Pimp C was when he was and I said, The best time I had with wasnt going to make it me that he love party. He called and told , and all the people that youre not coming okay, Ill just tell OZONE you or my girl JB down. was like, Man, I cant let ht cost him $1,100 you the same thing. He ght his own ticket; the flig if he there in 2 hours. He bou Ill be the type of person he was . Thats just : The because it was last minute that my book Pimpology r time, he told me had love for you. Anothe s [book]. I said, Man, better than Iceberg Slim e. The next day 48 Laws of the Game was l like that, put it on YouTub his MySpace just BSing me. If you fee youre had put me on the top of said Pimp has done Paperchase called me and e that brother for all he said to me. I lov page saying what he had be another Pimp C. for me. There will never

8BALL
I have so many memories of Pimp C. We kicked it a lot when I used to live in H-Town. He has always been brutally honest, love him or hate him. Rest in Peace Pimp! You will be missed!

DIAMOND
Im really fortunate to have known him personally, and as a fan of UGK. Working with him in the studio was phenomenal, and anybody who knew him would know that he was always trying to give others knowledge about the game and life itself. Its always a hard thing to accept when our fallen soldiers leave. God bless and may he Rest in Peace! OZONE MAG // 77

nels. Everybodys playing his music now. I remember when they wouldnt play [UGK records] and now theyre gonna do it when hes dead? Why cant we see [the success] while were alive? Pimp C had just called me right before he came to L.A. and I was asking him if he needed me to come pick him up from the airport. Thats the kind of relationship we got. Dude, if you need me to come pick you up from the airport, I got you, homie. And regardless, Im still a fan. In the back of my head Im like, Damn, C is my homie?!? Yeah, I am David Banner, but Im still a fan of the music. So to have that kind of relationship and be able to call him you know, Snoop and Pimp C really talked me through a lot of the bad shit I was going through. I remember when I really thought everything was over for me. I thought my career was done. Pimp C called me up and he was like, Banner, you aint did nothing wrong. You made a few mistakes, but if you go back to doing the David Banner [music] that everybody loved, people will forgive you. Thats how I got focused. Pimp C said, Dawg, I know you wanna change music, but niggas dont wanna hear that shit. Go back to the niggas that [loved] Like A Pimp. He had just told me, I want you and Three 6 Mafia and a couple other producers to really help me out on my album. He wanted me to be a big part of his solo album. Pimp would call me and talk about politics. When I got into it with Al Sharpton, Pimp C was like, Whatever you want me to do; if you want me to jump on the So Special song, dawg, whatever you want to do on the political side, Im here. Im ready. Just call me. I got you, Banner. You know? Pimp would call me and talk about his children. It was really crazy, but I would see Pimp C act ways around me that he wouldnt act around nobody else except his family or Bun. The conversations we had were never really about rap; it was more about life and the shit he was going through. Thats really what I want people to see out of Pimp. He was Pimp C, that part was real, but there was a whole lot more to the man. Its sort of like when Pac died. Pac had a whole nother vision of what he wanted to do for black people. Honestly, Pimp had that too, but Pimp knew that he had to take care of his UGK fans, the people that always supported him for all his life before he branched out and did anything else. He had to make sure that the core UGK fans were happy, and [not doing] that was a mistake I made in my career and Pimp saw that. Hed tell me, You gotta take care of your fans, the ones that were down with you before Play and before the lights and the glamour. Thats the people youve gotta take care of. Once you know theyre good, then you can do some other shit. Thats what I remember from Pimp C. The joking, the laughing, the warnings and the shit to watch out for in the music industry, the big brother that had a lot of respect for his lil brother. Pimp wasnt afraid to show me that he respected me too. It was a mutual respect and kinsmanship. Look at what happened to Kanye [with his mother dying]. I just lost my daddy and my grandma. Look at Spice 1. Look at all the shit thats happening with Lil Wayne and T.I.s [arrests]. Were getting blatant signs every day that theres something else were supposed to be doing with this time that weve got here on earth. Pimp Cs passing is a sign to me to keep my health up and keep myself out of bullshit and unnecessary drama. You just dont know how long youve got. I just finished talking to Pimp C. And he [died] in L.A. He was close to me. We were in the same fuckin city. In my head Im thinkin, maybe if I had tried to get him close to me or somethin, maybe that shit wouldnt have gone down the way it went. You tell somebody, Aight, we gonna get together as soon as I finish doing this, well, you dont know if youve got that time to call somebody back or get right with somebody. Pimp was a good dude. Pimp had a certain way of sayin shit, but youve gotta take the emotion out of it when youre listening to Pimp C. The dude really had some shit to say. There was a bigger man there than what the world had the opportunity to see. I hope that people can dig just a little bit deeper and see what I saw. I want people to know that it was more than the jewelry and the mink coat. The nigga was smart. But he didnt try to act like he was above nobody, hed put it to your ass exactly the way he felt it. It was more than the pimpin. It was so much bigger than pimpin and hoes. It was so much bigger than that, and thats the tragedy to me. Just like Pac. Our people get taken away from us before theyre able to blossom into what they actually are or what they have the capacity to become. // As told to Julia Beverly Photo by Marcus DeWayne

DAVID BANNER
Instead of a specific moment, I think my best memory was when me and Pimp C started forming a friendship. It was crazy for me to see the joking Pimp C, the laughing Pimp C; to get to know the political Pimp C. The voice of Pimp C changed my career. [The hook of my breakthrough single] make them girls get down on the flo, you know, that was his voice. Pimp told me I was one of the few people that looked out for him and wrote to him while he was in jail. When he was in jail, I really didnt know him like that. The reason I wrote him while he was in prison was because his voice changed my life. Well, the beat [to Like A Pimp] was jammin too; I gotta give myself some credit (laughs) but you know, that sample from his voice changed my career and changed my life. Most people are not blessed with the opportunity to become friends with a person that helped change your life. UGK and Pastor Troy were really strong influences on the way David Banner represents the South. When Pimp C said, We dont do Hip Hop music, we do country rap tunes, and when Pastor Troy said he aint worried about the rest of the world because as long as hes got GA, hes cool; that kind of mentality really changed the way that I do music. I had always felt that way in my heart; but when Pimp C and Pastor Troy said it [it made sense]. And the reason Im mentioning Pastor Troy is because I want to give him his props before he dies. Everybody wants to give praise and buy records and play songs and play videos [after an artist dies]. Pimp C is finally now getting what he deserves. Hes nominated for a Grammy. Everybodys playing his videos on all the chan-

78 // OZONE MAG

things they say about being a good leader is that in order to be a good leader, you have to be an excellent listener. He didnt have any ego. I would call him and say, I dont know, this is whats going on with the label, what do you think? and he would give me advice. He would call me sometimes- I remember when he first did [The Chronicles of Pimp C] in your magazine, and I was like, Pimp, you need to have a freakin radio show, because Ive got your radio interview [on Atlantas Hot 107.9, responding to the controversy caused by the magazine article] on my iPod and I listen to it almost every day just to get me in a certain mood. People still talk about that radio interview. He did several interviews around that time, but that one specifically in Atlanta, literally, anybody you talk to can give you at least three quotes out of that. Thats the type of guy he was. I said, Man, you need a radio show. He said to me, Yknow, Bent, one more of my people just said that, and Im thinkin you right. Im bout to start workin on it, man, this makes sense. I was like, Man, you aint gotta overthink it. If you need any assistance, Ill help. I dont want no money. I just wanna hear you on the radio. I want to listen, to be completely honest and tell you the bold truth. (laughs) Obviously Im a rookie in the [music] game but Ive worked in other forms of media so I have some knowledge, and he would holla at me about some of the other things. Its just a really sudden, ill calm for the South. We all know he had so much more to offer. I feel very blessed to have known him and been a part of the classic video [for UGKs International Players Anthem] which was nominated for a Grammy two days after his unfortunate transition, as I like to call it. I dont say Rest In Peace. I say hes Resting in Paradise. I want people to really understand that life is too short. As much as he was a real dude, like even when hed say, We can pop it out, we can stab it out, and all that, at the end, hed always say, We can talk it out. Anybody that knows him, the very fabric of who he was, thats really what he wanted. He was very much about the proliferation of the Hip Hop culture and wanted to see it continue to flourish. He wanted people to continue to do different things, and he really thrived off it. Life is too short, and these little things that people sometimes get so frustrated over, sometimes youve just gotta calm yourself down and say, Its a good morning, and Im thankful Im here. Everybody who loves Hip Hop music needs to own the [UGK] album Ridin Dirty and they need to understand that the song Murder is one of the top five hardest songs in the history of Hip Hop, period. Ive been saying that for the longest, and thats how we became friends. [Pimp] had just got out [of prison]. I had never met him, never spoke to him, and I asked my man Cory Mo [with the studio where] he did a lot of his recording, Could you please put me on the line with him. I am a fanatic fan. Cory put me on the phone [with Pimp C] and I spit his entire 16 bars from Murder. I aint even say hello first, you know? He was like, Yknow what, Bent, I knew you was a real dude. When I was in [prison] I was holding you down and I didnt even know you. I saw you on Access Hollywood with all the fashions for men and fashions for women and you were representing for Hip Hop. I told them fools, Thats grade A pimpin goin on. So he was one of those few people that saw some of the things I saw, and he didnt even know me. God bless his family. I just feel fortunate that hes on the title track of my album. We were literally about to shoot [the video for C.O.L.O.U.R.S.]. He was like, Im gonna fly in all my different color cars, and Ima fly in all my different color minks and all the color furs. We gonna do it big, Bent, cause we got something with this one, boy, Ima tell ya. So somehow, I definitely wanna do a tribute with him because its the title track on my album. I told Kanye a long time ago, The second verse on my album, period, is going to be Pimp C. Im fortunate and blessed to have worked with a legend. // As told to Julia Beverly Photo by Julia Beverly

FONSWORTH BENTLEY
My fondest memory of Pimp C was the first time I actually got an opportunity to see him produce a record. UGK is definitely known for being classic emcees and their quality music has inspired so many artists, but I dont think a lot of artists really knew what a producer he was and how much producing he actually did. Ill never forget this; I was in L.A. and he was like, Come up to the studio, and when I walked in it was like watching a chef. I worked in a fine dining restaurant in New York for almost three years. When you see a real cheftheres line cooks, maybe somebody on the fish, somebody on the meat, somebody working on the different sauces, somebody making the appetizersthe executive chef just walks around and hes working on different things for the salads and stuff that youll get before the entre comes. Thats how he was producing. He had several musicians, probably about six musicians. The gentleman on keys, he was keeping him in pocket and telling him the way he wanted him to play. The gentlemen that was on bass, he was like, Naw, that aint the funk I want, and he told him how he wanted it. Sean Paul [of The YoungBloodz] was in the other room; it was several emcees there. I came by because if Pimp is cooking, you wanna be around. Hes cooking for somebody because the session is booked, but let me tell you, aint nothin like Pimp C leftovers. These were legendary musicians, and he had all these gentlemen in pocket. And when he jumped on the organ it was amazing, cause the man can play! Like, he can for real play! He had horns and when he got on that organ and started going on the organ, he just went off into a vibe and completely went off on a tangent. I know thats exactly what instrument hes playing upstairs in heaven right now. I know hes on that organ. Hes probably got the angel Gabriel with a trumpet and hes like, Cmon now, I need that trumpet to blare a lil more like this, yknow? Our Fathers up there and I know Pimp is up there right now on that organ directing right now with all of our other fallen soldiers. People are thinking hes up there with just the Hip Hop artists, but hes probably up there with Marvin Gaye and Miles Davis on trumpet too. He had a real love for music. His musical catalog and the vast knowledge of music that he knew was so impressive. [Our relationship] was like an interesting type of mentorship. One of the

SCARFACE

ay. We lost a Marvin Gaye. We lost a Donnie Hathaw rched to thafucker, man. Chad ma Chad was a bad mu Tell m, like hed always say, the beat of his own dru ing to the beat of my rch them muthafuckers Im ma first , I remember when Chad own drum, yknow? Shit ot for he came to the video sho got out of jail and Music. He had on a mutha [Ray Cashs] Bumpin My a Bentley, gleamin like ing fuckin mink and was driv

was n, that was my boy. That a muthafucker. Chad, ma e. when he had just came hom g was when me and him san I think the greatest shit n es and chains and swangi for the first time. Ho that Big Mike song, yeah, thangs, that was Chad on , sang Look Me In My Eye he sang that shit. He also e album. on the hook, on the Scarfac , man. that was him t there. I love him That was Chad Butler righ real close friend of mine, t was my homie. I lost a Tha the words. // dawg. I dont even know Photo by Richard Flood As told to Julia Beverly //

OZONE MAG // 79

BIG GIPP
We met Bun and Pimp right after Pocket Full Of Stones had started really blowing up, just by us being in contact with Rico [Wade] from the Dungeon. We really didnt know them, we were just fans of theirs because [their] single was on the Menace to Society soundtrack. We were recording Outkasts album at the time and they just showed up at The Dungeon [Studios] one day. That was the beginning of me and Pimps relationship. Me and Pimp were together for all of the first album, when their stuff was blowing up and our stuff was blowing up. In the early 90s we did all our tours together; UGK and Goodie Mob, all through Louisiana, Texas. I developed a real brotherly relationship with him and Bun. Pimp was always wild. He was always wildin and he always loved us for doing what we did. Its really hard to talk about it, man. I was the last person to talk to him [before he died. Me and Bun always were together the whole time Pimp was locked up. When Pimp went through all the wars with Master P; when he moved out to Atlanta he was with me for like five years. He had the mansion out in Alpharetta. That was the first time I met Lil Boosie, when he was like 14 years old, I think it was his first time coming to Atlanta. We were at Pimps house and he was talking about Trill Entertainment. This was right before [Pimp] went to jail, so it was a real bad time, man. When they dropped Sippin On Syrup that shit blew up. I remember when Bun called me one night like, Yo, man, Jay-Z wants us to rap on his album. He had flown to New York but Pimp was like, Fuck that. Bun told me, This is crazy, Gipp. You gotta call him and let him know how important it is for him to rap on this record. I called Pimp and we talked about it. He was like, Gipp, I just want people to respect us for what we do, dawg. I dont wanna feel like weve gotta go and do records with everybody for people to respect how we do it. He was always on that shit, and I really felt him. In the early days, it was hard to still be putting time and energy and everything into the album and not get the results or the certification or the industry recognizing what you did. As soon as he came home he called me. I dont know where I was; I just jumped on a plane and went there [to Texas] to meet him. We jumped in the car and he was all fresh. He was fuckin with J [Prince]. We went to the jewelry store and shit. The song we did on the Kinfolk album was the first verse he laid after he got out of jail. It was so important to me, because it was like I had something for him to do when he came home. Its hard, man. There aint never gonna be nothin like him. What UGK did with 80 // OZONE MAG that music, man, Pimp was the nucleus of that shit. He was like Dr. Dre. Thats like Dr. Dre dying. Cant nobody ever make the music that he created again because he was the nucleus of that shit. Niggas can only copy that shit and come up from that shit. Niggas are getting rich off the shit he created. He watched niggas around here eat off him and never say his name. There was a lot of things he wanted to say to the niggas that got rich off him, but he had to be cool about it and be like, This is a new era, Gipp. In the 90s we wouldnt allow people biting our style. Wed step to em. Thats what he was saying about these niggas hiding behind bodyguards. He said the whole game right now is on some show shit. Thats what hed say. He had so much to say about everybody. Hed say, I remember all you guys when yall was in second grade with this shit. I was in Atlanta. He watched the whole Atlanta scene and ould tell you what they were doing in the 90s before they reached the world. It was a whole lot of faking going on. He was like Pac because he always told the truth, whether it hurt your feelings or you didnt agree with it, hed still say something in there that touched your nerve. There aint too many people out there that can do that. Most of these niggas are see-through. You take the paper away and the people thats kissing their ass away, and what are they standing on? Nothing. Were dying for nothing all over again. All the things the first generation put in work for, all the money and attention [Southern rap] is getting now, there aint no worth to it no more. Thats why people are dissing us and saying we aint shit no more. Theyre like, Aw, man, fuck them niggas from the South. Theyre starting to say that all over again because we aint saying nothing [in our music]. Its just like Pac. Nobody will be like him. They wont tell the truth about the game. The way the game is set up now, its all about the person with the most money. To me, its like, damn, we lost another one thats gonna tell the truth in this music. These other niggas are just gonna keep doing what they feel like is gonna bring them the most money, and thats whats making us [look like] clowns again. I dont do music for the money, man. I do music for what it means and what it stands for. These other niggas came in [the game] during the era of music being a hustle, and thats what [Pimp C] understood: Music aint no hustle. This is not a hustle. See, music and hustling are two different things. And thats why the game is so fucked up; its more fans in this shit than it is artists. // As told to Julia Beverly // Photo by Julia Beverly

BUN B
There are surreal aspects to [Pimp Cs death]. Ive likened it to trying to hold onto a bowling ball with silk gloves on, its the only way I can explain the process of how Im trying to wrap my head around this. It doesnt process in the normal sense that things logically process. Its an entirely different grieving process as opposed to every other time that Ive ever had to grieve anyones passing. My father passed recently. I took it pretty hard but this is still a little bit different. Im not saying that I hurt more for him than my dad, its just different. Im stronger than I think I am but Im not as strong as I would like to be... [Because] Im doing a lot of [interviews], or talking to The Box [KBXX 97.9 FM in Houston], the assumption is, Wow, this guy is really strong for him to be able to do this right now. But the true reality is that Im weak, and thats why Im doing it. Because I need to talk about it, I need to think about him amongst people that loved him. Not just by myself and with family, but his fans loved him unconditionally. His family loved him unconditionally. Even all the artists that have called into local radio, and XM and Sirius, were aware of all of that. The tribute that you guys made [on Damage Control Radio], I got calls from London, Canada, Amsterdam, Nigeria, and when I was at The Box this morning a guy emailed in from The Virgin Islands. Its just incredible, not just the extent that the music reached, but the extent of the acceptance and the admiration and honor and the respect and love that transcended as well. Im in awe. We were just starting to understand the full range to which we had been accepted. It took a long time to realize that internally in just this country that people in North Carolina could love you as much as people in Texas. People in Washington state and Nebraska can love you as much as the people in Louisiana and Mississippi. We really didnt get to see it like that, we didnt get to feel it like that. But you go out to these shows and sing a song from 1997, you sing a song from 1995 and even Pocket Full of Stones from 1992, and they knew it all. We were just starting to understand the acceptance. Now Im just starting to see the extent of the admiration and love and how close people felt themselves connected to UGK internationally. When Pimp was locked up, I really began to understand what we meant to people. The way people reached out then in that respect. But to really just start to see it internationally with the different places that we have been to and just the interaction with Germany and shit like that.

We were really lucky to have [people like] Scarface, Willie D, Too $hort, and J. Prince to really pull us to the side in parts of our lives, not only in our musical lives but in our everyday lives, and just give us different game on different things. And some of the shit was really life altering and career altering. It made such an impact that we felt it was only right to give whatever we had learned to others. We were never selfish about that. Anything I could talk to a cat about lyrically, I would try to talk to them about that. Pimp C mentored a very large percent of the people who are doing it and making a lot of noise right now. Not just producers, but lyricists as well. We wanted everybody from here to win, and that was something that was really instilled in us by J. Prince. He instilled that in us a long time ago. He said, No matter what you do or where you go or how far you get, you remember where you came from. And for us, it was the South. Dont let anybody make you feel that you cant be who you are. We took that shit to heart, man, Pimp more than anybody. And we were determined to make it on our terms and we wanted other cats to understand that and we wanted them to make it on their terms so they wouldnt owe anybody. So they could really be able to take pride in their success or feel comfortable in their failures. Pimp was very gracious in that respect, a lot more than people would ever know. You have to think like, people like Crazy C, he gave Pimp C his organ sounds. So whenever someone would ask Pimp where he got his organ sound from, Pimp would give it to them because he had gotten it from somebody. How could he claim the right to that when somebody gave it to him? Different little things like that. Hed show people different little ways to program, different ways to sequence, just different things. Its still too early to speculate on how he died. To be honest, we dont know yet. We havent gotten results back from toxicology, we havent gotten the autopsy results yet. Everything is based on the condition he was found in and the condition of the room. Pimp was never one to bite his tongue about things. Sometimes in life its not what you say, its how you say it. I think that the way Pimp phrased things was a little more off putting than what he was saying. It was just his blunt honesty about things. Pimp didnt really have a filter, he wasnt really good at sugar coating things for people or being PC about things. If it was something he felt strongly about, he had to say it. He just could not hold it back. Keep in mind he had a lot of positive things to say too, like Knockin Doors Down. I would hate to try and even guess what his mental state was in that sense. You know he had been in the studio with Paul, he had been on stage with Paul, when we know for sure we will let it be known. These things are public record. Why lie on someone who wouldnt lie on himself? One thing that people respect about UGK is that we were always so honest with them. We let them know about our ups as well as our downs. And we tried to let people know that no matter how big we seem, were human. Pimp C did a crime, he had to go to prison, like everybody else. Were human.

When he did his interviews while in prison, he said I did this, it was my mistake, it wasnt anybodys fault and Im paying for it. He stood up as a man, he did his time in general population and he came home to respect, love and admiration. We were together last at the Jeezy concert here in Houston at Bar Rio, you know, we went there, jammed Jeezy. He wanted to go there and let it be seen that he had nothing against Jeezy and that he enjoyed Jeezys music, which he did. And he wanted Jeezy to see that as well. People think that a lot of that was personal, but it wasnt. I talked to Jeezy at the Dirty Awards and he wasnt trippin, and Pimp wasnt trippin and I dont want anybody to think that he passed away with any issues with anyone. Anyone he had a problem with he had already rectified all those issues. Even if I dont say it out loud, I ask myself, What happens now? I remember going to Dallas, actually it was in Arlington, with DJ Whoadie and doing some of the first shows prior to Pimp being locked up and how hard it was to get on that stage and do a dedication. This gonna be for Pimp, yall gonna rep with me for Pimp. That was hard enough and I knew that was temporary. I just cant even say what this holds. I know I have to carry on this tradition. I know that I have to get back up on that stage, I gotta get in and finish this album, I gotta get out and promote this album, I gotta get out and honor his memory and lift him up and maintain the legacy of this group as well as Pimp C the individual. Its just, I cant even see that far right now. You know like I know we were mid stream on that thing, hell, he was midstream on his solo album and we had another album we had to do and turn in this year. We were trying to get it back together, he was getting his equipment together and we were trying to figure out what we were gonna do respectively on each others albums, but before I can be a strong artist again, I have to be a strong man. Im not gonna put myself under any pressure to feel like I gotta go in [the studio], but eventually I got to get back on it. Im gonna give myself some time to heal. We still havent buried Pimp C yet and Im not sure what the after effects of actually seeing that will be. I cant tell you how Im gonna be until that happens. At this point its still somewhat surreal. I can honestly say that it still hasnt really washed over me. You would be surprised at the outreaching that has occurred [since his death]. Like, Id never expect to get a text from the RZA, only because you would assume that our worlds are so far apart and that were so on different tangents as far as artists. But as men, as brothers, hes already been where Im at. ODB wasnt just a member of his group, he was his cousin. When youre poor and cousins, yall use the same spoon and shit for cereal. These are people that probably started building things at the same time in their lives. I had people like that reach out to me, just to say they care. And for him to see my pain, you never know who cares. But so many different people are calling in, telling their Pimp C stories. Because you know anytime you met Pimp C there was a story. If you met him three times, you had three stories to tell. Literally, thats no joke. Thats just how hard he was on peoples minds. He was just un-fuckin-deniable. You was gonna know he was in the room. Thats my motherfuckin brother. You was gonna know he was in the house, man. Square business. // As told to Matt Sonzala Photo by Julia Beverly

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pmp
E

BoardgamE
Words by Jared Anderson

very now and then something new comes along that changes the way companies or people do things. Its been said that great businesses provide a simple solution to a complicated problem, and the founders of PMPWorldWide.com are proving just that. Anthony Merchante, the CEO of PMP (Production MarketPlace), had his first vision of things to come in 1998 not long after he and good friend Ainsley AZ Nicholas started looking into the success of internet communities that provided networking and socializing. After studying how the web communities functioned and generated money, they started a blog site and online record pool. Several comments were left on the message boards of their websites addressing a need for a virtual marketplace where producers and artists could showcase, buy or sell their music directly to record labels. Once the groundwork for PMP was completed AZ reached out to a former high school classmate, Conrad Dimanche, who is the Senior Director Of A&R at Bad Boy Entertainment, to structure a system that would benefit A&Rs or label representatives interested in purchasing music. Merchante, AZ and Dimanche began to pool their resources to bring A-list producers and A&Rs to the site and establish an instant quality to their marketplace. PMP has grown to over 500 subscribed users without much fanfare or advertisement. Merchante credits PMPs user expansion to the idea that People who have the right resources will be in the right arena to do what they need

to do. PMP is providing that arena. Unlike Taxi or Digiwaxx, the Production Marketplace is a hyper competitive market that is not for the faint of heart. There is no one to critique your work or anyone to provide production advice, its just your songs competing against other high caliber peers. Competition is a valuable tool to let you know where you stand, Merchante says. PMP puts their quality above their name. You come to PMP because you feel youre ready to compete. Presentation is important too. Each producer is given a profile, which includes a picture, a bio, and your music. The PMP administrators stress the importance of keeping your profile fresh and updated. You can be talented but your presentation is critical to your success, give your music a chance to be heard, advises Dimanche. Each song submitted for a track dump is screened for quality assurance and to make sure each song matches the track description given before going to an artist or label representative. Once a producer has demonstrated a stand out ability to create good music consistently PMP will feature them on their site putting their own personal stamp of approval on the producer. Another way to stand out is to send in a video, a producer or artist can send a video in of their production process as long as they credit PMP on the video. PMPWorldWide.com is setting itself apart from any competition and is growing rapidly. Upgrades and new features will be added within the coming year to go deeper in the many different needs that go into making an album. //

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roBerT KasPa sMITH

Words by Eric Perrin

industry 101:

obert Kaspa Smith has been influential in the Atlanta music scene for a quite a while. Nearly ten years ago, the Los Angeles native began interning at ATLs Hot 97.5 radio station on the exact same day as MTVs LaLa, Coco Brother, marketing executive Marsha Meadows, and a man who used to be known as Cris Luva Luva. Since then, Kaspa has gone on to become one of the most instrumental industry execs in Atlanta. He cofounded the highly successful Hittmenn DJs collective (which reaches an audience of over 50 million), formed promotional strategies for countless label heads, and has become a notable community servant, annually donating time and toys to children in need. But now the man who prides himself as being a pioneer in all facets of the Atlanta music industry, is goin back to Cali. Not literally, but he does have Hollywood aspirations. I was born in Hollywood, CA, so its expected for me to do movies, says Kaspa. And as he juggles his many industry jobs while attempting to create the first and definitive Atlanta street movie, Robert Smith is focused, because to him, the industry may be rewarding, but he knows that its NADAGAME! You seem to pop up at every event in Atlanta. What exactly do you do? Basically, Im a pioneer in all facets of the Atlanta music industry, ever since the first Hip Hop artist ever popped off in Atlanta. Im influential in terms of the music industry tastemakers around Atlanta. I have a lot of different titles, so I just try to break all my tasks down so I can try to take care off all my business throughout the day. Im the President and Founder of Hittmenn DJs; were a national DJ organization that was founded here in Atlanta by me, Greg Street, and Bigga Rankin. Im also the VP of Marketing for Zone 4, which is Polow Da Dons label on Interscope. And I have my own label, a joint venture with a guy named Yung Sean. Recently Ive started writing, directing, and producing movies. If you had to compare your role in the Atlanta music scene to a human organ, what would that be? The heartdefinitely. Im where it all starts. When a person comes up with an idea and they wanna start a label and they wanna go in the studio and cut a record, Im the one that actually forms the whole marketing and concept of how the music should be implemented in the market once that record is done. Im like the heart, and the DJs are like my branches. I have a staff of 6 people, but with so much work, sometimes it feels like only two. But we get it done. Im the get-it-done guy. How important are the Hittmenn DJs to an artists success in the industry? People overlook relationships. Relationships are immensely important to an artists success, and The Hittmenn DJs have incredible industry ties. We have like 80 DJs across the country, 38 markets, and we reach an audience of 50 million. We consist of radio DJs, on-air personalities, mixers and mixtape DJs, and also club DJs. I see a lot of DJ Crews, but this particular DJ crew is differ-

ent. Its not just about being part of a group. Were more family oriented. We do a lot of stuff in the community, and we try to give back. Do you ever beef with other DJ crews? No, I think its just plain competition, and thats healthy. Its just like a football team or baseball team. Off the field everybody is cool, but on the field youre gunnin and runnin. Its not war, its just competition. How do you gauge success as a DJ crew? How would you win? As far as DJ crews, being successful is just being noted. For instance, when the 50 Cents I Get Money video was out, we were noted. The Hittmenn DJs were listed right after they showed Shadyville. So, I won that one. But when Tony [Neal] came into our city for the BET Hip Hop Awards and got nominated and we didnt, he won that one. Its just competition in different lanes. Speaking of 50 Cents I Get Money video, it was a good look how they spotlighted many of the DJ crews. It seems like more artists are giving shine to the DJs, would you consider that a true statement? Definitely, I think that throughout the past three years, DJs have gained more respect. I think the DJs have taken it to the next level. The labels are realizing that even if you have a good relationship with a [radio stations] program director, and you have a hit thats played 200 times a day, that doesnt ensure good sales. Artists and labels realize that mixtape DJs or club DJs can have just as much, if not more, power than a radio DJ. Take Bigga Rankin, for example. Hes not on the radio, but hes the biggest DJ in Jacksonville. I think people now see the importance of DJs. You have to have the DJs on your side in order to sell. Its not gon happen without the DJperiod. Lets change topics a little. Whats going on with your movie? Ive actually written three movies. One of the movies I wrote in only two days. My movies are a lot of reality dialogue, but Im really trying to build and show-off my writing skills. Weve been doing a lot of filming, and our website is getting around a million and a half hits a month, so Im really trying to take it to the next level. Being that I work so in in-depth with music, Im always aware that rappers and R&B artists, or just artists in general, are always looking for a new lane to get their music heard. I feel like this is a time now where we have to change the game, and give the artists more visuals with the songs that theyre writing. Movies can give the music a lot more than a music video being played for five minutes on 106 and Park, because movies can create a household name with a story along with it. Atlanta has yet to have a street movie, a movie thats just all about the streets of Atlanta, so [my first movie Off Da Hook] will serve that purpose, but its also dealing with the Delta in Mississippi. This movie is giving the entire South a great look. Im really trying to take it to the next level. // www.hittmenndjslive.com OZONE MAG // 83

lease dont ask US Virgin Island native Benny Demus what part of Jamaica hes from. That question is his pet peeve. A lot of times people hear the accent, and the first thing they identify with is Jamaica because Jamaica has been on the scene for a very long time, so you cant take nothing away from them. But Im from the Virgin Islands, and Im here to really make a name for us, says Benny. And since moving from V.I. to ATL in 2001, the St. Thomas-born Benny D. has done just that. As the personal DJ for R&B superstar Akon, Benny has traveled the world displaying his unique and immensely entertaining DJ skills. Aside from his distinctive appearance (he rocks a Mohawk and a kilt onstage) he has equally intriguing onstage antics, which has led to his title of The Worlds Most Entertaining DJ. But Benny wants it to be known that he is much more than just a DJ. He is an all-out entertainer that can do it all. Youre a pretty unique DJ. Im so much more than just a DJ. Im a full-fledged entertainer: I DJ, produce, rhyme, write, act, and pretty much everything else that goes along with the music industry. Im always trying to look for something new to bring out and to give people their moneys worth plus more. I want to make sure that they want to come back the next time after seeing me on stage. How did you get started in the game? My brother was a DJ before me, and he decided to start teaching me how to spin on the ones and twos back when I was in the 4th grade. At that same time I started playing saxophone, and he saw the potential in me at that time. He knew I wanted to do music. I was very musically inclined so he decided to start showing me how to work on my techniques and everything just started moving from there. What is your trademark as a DJ? My trademark is really my persona, what you see. I wear a Mohawk, which is pretty much like a half Mohawk cause its just on top of my head, and of course when I get up on stage I dont look like the type of person you might see walking through a mall. I wear a uniform, and my uniform is a kilt. I rock the kilt on stage and then my antics on stage is what really gets people going. Im not just behind the turntables. I jump out in front of the tables, I jump on top of the table, I may jump off the table. I go down and do a couple of things with Akon. I get on top of the speakers, I dance on top of the speakers, jump off the speakers. I spray fire onstage, I do break-dance moves on stage. I stand on my head; I do all types of different things. Like I said, Im an entertainer. Thats why I got the name now as being the Worlds Most Entertaining DJ. Im out there, and Im not afraid to do extra stuff. A lot of the big name DJs out there give me so much props. They tell me, Youre doin things I wish I could do. But theyve got their own lanes, and Ive got my own lane. Im just always looking to entertain myself as well as the people who come to see me perform. I imagine your energy and persona is what attracted Akon to solicit your services, but how did you two link up? I moved to Atlanta from the Virgin Islands back in 2001, and I was a member of the Virgin Island super-group Rock City. We had already put out three albums in the Virgin Islands, and we decided, were so big here [in V.I.], why dont we take it to America and see if were really cut out to be in the music industry? So decided to move to Atlanta, and we came and just started going to all open mics we could find. Every open mic from 2001 to 2003, we were just killing em. Everybody started talkin about these three island guys, two guys on the mic and then this crazy DJ. This was right around the time Akon was getting looked at by different labels for his music, and he was saying to himself, Man, I really need a DJ for what Im gonna be doing. So once Akon heard about this crazy DJ from islands he decided to come to one of our shows. One of my guys introduced us, and I was like, Hey, Akon, nice to meet you. Akon told me, Yo, be easy. Im here for you. Do your show, come back, and well talk. I did my show, and after that he told me needed a DJ, and that he wanted me to DJ for him.

thEdjBooth
Words by Eric Perrin // Photo by Sophia Jones
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BEnny d

Whats next for the Worlds Most Entertaining DJ? I want to get into a lot more production. I did tracks on both Akons Trouble album and the Konvicted album. Im one of the main producers for the Rock City, the super group out of the Virgin Islands. Ive produced for Fishscales from the Nappy Roots, Sonny Valentine, and Willie Joe; all of them are tentative with their albums coming out. Also, Im trying to get into the acting. I can definitely see myself on the silver screen, because my personality is so there, and Im outgoing, and Im daring, and Im ready for any challenge. I get a lot of encouragement from my industry friends like Busta Rhymes, Doug E. Fresh, and Fatman Scoop. All these people are telling me Ive gotta do it. // www.myspace.com/supervillainbeats

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pitBUll/BoatliFt/tvt rEcords
Pitbull returns with the follow-up to his gold-certified debut album M.I.A.M.I. with The Boatlift, offering 18 tracks in which Pitbull gives fans a mix of club tracks, storytelling, and introspective tracks, displaying his ability to take on various roles as an emcee. The album starts off with an intro that leads into the club favorite Go Girl featuring Trina. Deeper into the album, Pitbull enlists Twista on one of the highlights, Candyman, where the two boast about their masculinity over an Echo-produced track. Lil Jon also makes a production appearance with Sticky Icky featuring Jim Jones. R&B crooner Lloyd lends his vocals for Secret Admirer which is making a successful climb at radio, and Pitbull wraps the album up with an English remix to his Spanish radio hit Tell Me which features Frankie J and Ken-Y. While Pitbull shows his unquestionable versatility on Boatlift, a fair scattering of mediocre tracks keeps the album from really taking off. Rohit Loomba

With Camron, Duke the God, and Jim Jones all releasing mixtapes the same month as Writers Block 5, fellow Dipset emcee J.R. Writer has been relatively overshadowed. Though J.R. debuts the 5th installation of his popular Writers Block series with little fanfare, WB5 is still a solid offering. At times throughout the CD, fans who are not diehard Dip heads may get somewhat bored with J.R.s New York heavy flow. Outside of Slim from 112, Writer does it dolo, but despite the lack of guest appearances, WB5 does display the trademarked true lyricism Writer is known and revered for. Overall, the 14 track disc does good by those anticipating Writers Block, but probably wont garner too many new fans. Eric Perrin On 7 Figga Pimpin, UK emcee Sham Pain tells the tales of a true pimp on songs like Thick Chickz, where Sham shows his admiration for voluptuous women and Lets Roll, where Sham testifies to loving women of any and every color. 7 Figga Pimpin is a double disc, although with just 18-tracks the reasoning behind two discs is elusive. The album isnt all about macking hoes, though. He takes a page of out Chamillionaires book and addresses the rap task force on Hip Hop Cops. Sham Pain isnt the best rapper but this album lets listeners know pimping aint dead, it just went international. Randy Roper

j.r. WritEr/WritErs Block 5 diplomat/BaBygrandE rEcords

sham pain/7 Figga pimpin

First Jay and Dame break up, then Freeway wakes up and finds himself caught in the middle of one of Hip Hops biggest splits, leading the Philly MC to take a hiatus from the game. Now, over four years since his debut album Philadelphia Freeway was released, Freeway finally returns with his sophomore LP, Free At Last. Still down with the Roc, Free and Jay-Z go toe-to-toe to show listeners how big spenders operate on the Dame Grease-produced Roc-A-Fella Billionaires. Another standout cut features Freeway going for radio play with a ladies jam featuring Curtis and his patented sing-along serenade on the Take It To The Top produced by JR Rotem. Scarface, Rick Ross, Jadakiss and Busta Rhymes all make appearances but Free still shines for dolo on Still Got Love, Reppin The Streets and I Cry. This follow-up album was worth the wait.

FrEEWay/FrEE at last island dEF jam/roc-a-FElla

There used to be a time where artists had to show and prove themselves through mixtapes, trying new things on the mic to persuade people that they werent the average emcee and that they deserved to have their album bought. For Young Jeezy and the rest of the USDA roster this doesnt seem to be what was on their mind when they hooked up with DJ Folk for All Eyes On Us. Old flaunts of money and the street life placed over mostly recycled beats prove nothing but the complacency that USDA feels with the style Jeezy has developed. Recent USDA arrivals Roccett, 211, and Boo show face on this album but dont do much to build themselves up other than a few respectable attempts by Boo. USDA seems happy with mediocrity and leaves the lyricism far behind to deliver yet another mixtape just good to ride through the trap with the bass turned up. Rohit Loomba

Usda & dj Folk/thE shiEld gang: all EyEz on Us

cassidy/B.a.r.s. thE Barry adrian rEEsE story j rEcords/FUll sUrFacE A car crash and an involuntary manslaughter conviction after Da Hustla, Cassidy comes with B.A.R.S. Cass pits his Barry Adrian Reese persona versus his Hustla
persona on the boxing match-esque battle intro, with B.A.R.S. predictably claiming victory. Drink N My 2 Step has already made an impact on the club scene. A few tracks later, Cass brings the obligatory anti-snitching track, Will Never Tell, which deserves nothing short of the skip button. Cass share his side of the story about his legal troubles on Innocent, snug over a constantly changing, no-loop Swizz Beatz effort. One of the strongest tracks is Cash Rulez, which showcases the entire Full Surface family sharing their more rapid flows. Other standout tracks include Damn I Miss the Game and I Get My Paper. B.A.R.S. proves to be a strong effort but, at the most, gets a split decision and leaves hope for a knockout the next time around. Rohit Loomba

After going through label issues and legal problems, Young City proves to be resilient on this DJ Obscene mixtape Money Over Everything. Through 29 tracks, Choppers flow is impressive as he doesnt back away from his controversial past on tracks like Money Over Everything and How You Like Me Now. The majority of the mixtape consists of freestyles over tracks like Playaz Circles Duffle Bag Boy and Kanyes Cant Tell Me Nothing and may have been better with more original tracks. But Citys hunger throughout is enough to shake his days of walking to Brooklyn for Diddys cheesecake and be taken seriously as a MC. Randy Roper

choppEr yoUng city & dj oBscEnE monEy ovEr EvErything

grit Boys/ghEtto rEality moBEtta mUsik/tvt rEcords

On Ghetto Reality, the slept-on Texas trio mixes introspection and real life struggles with the codeine and candy painted ways of the streets of H-Town. Whether theyre trading lanes and switching verses with Paul Wall and Killa Kyleon (Now N Later), doing what ballers do along with Trey Songz and Lil Keke (In The Mix), or keeping it trill with B.G. and Yung Redd (Still Trill), the Grit Boys album is filled with banger after banger. During a year when Texas hasnt garnered much mainstream attention, the Grit Boys have crafted one of the better albums of the year as their ghetto realities can relate to hoods from Houston to the A and Chicago to the Bay. Randy Roper

Dont get it twisted: Orlando, FL isnt all about Disneyworld and Sea World. And on Dead Presidents O-Town newcomer Wes Fif hooks up with DJ Smallz to put sweet notions of the O to rest. Tracks like G-Code, Freaky, and the bubbling Southern banger, Haterz Everywhere with ATL rookie B.O.B. is evidence enough why Fif received a Patiently Waiting Florida nomination at the 2007 OZONE Awards and recently inked a deal with Slip-N-Slide Records. The mixtape could have gone without some of Fifs freestyles, like remakes of the Shop Boyz Party Like a Rockstar and T-Pains Buy U A Drank, but judging from the overall quality of this project, Fif will be stacking plenty of dead presidents in the near future. Randy Roper

dj smallz & WEs FiF dEad prEsidEnts

David Banner made it out of the 601 but if Jackson, MS duo Super & Fame, want to know why Banner hasnt put anyone else from Jackson on, their mixtape is a good indication why. Neither artist is extremely talented but there is a noticeable difference in skill level between the two. Super outshines his counterpart, Rob Fame, track after track. Jacking for beats is a common trend but this mixtapes doesnt have one original song and if it does, I cant tell. Nevertheless, Fame does have content within his lines. Couple that with Supers flow and Return of the 601 Kings mixtape is something to ride to in the whip-if theres nothing else in arms reach to pop in the deck. Randy Roper

sUpEr & FamE rEtUrn oF thE 601 kings

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1. DJ Sean Mac Sold Out 9 | www.myspace.com/djseanmac

3. DJ Frosty and Charlamagne Tha God Trap Boys Love Us Vol. 3 Hosted by T.I.P. | www.myspac e.com/djfrostydotcom | www.myspace.com/cthagod

dj scrEam & dj drama hEavy in thE strEEts 12: thE thanksgiving Edition
Two of the Souths biggest mixtape DJs hook up to feed the streets with more exclusives just in time for Thanksgiving. This edition of Screams Heavy In The Streets series is packed with new music and world premieres from Shawty Lo (Dey Know Remix featuring Lil Wayne and Plies), Jay-Z and Swizz Beats (Baby) and Soulja Boy (Go Ham On Em). With Hoodrich setting the table for Dramas Gangsta Grillz album, Mr. Thanksgiving is in a position to win. DJs, send your mix CDs (with a cover) for consideration to: Ozone Magazine 644 Antone St. Suite 6 Atlanta, GA 30318

2. Will Hustle & DJ Knowledge Hustlemania Hosted by Trae | www.willhustle.com

4. DJ Chuck T Down South Slangin Vol. 46 |www.myspace.com/djchuckt 5. DJ 1Mic, DJ DVS-1 & DJ 2Mello American Gangster | www.myspace.com/dj1mic 6. DJ 2 Dope Dave Getting Krunk On Tha Border Hosted by Lucky Luciano | www.myspace.com/dj2dopedave 7. Funk Boi DJs Funk For Ya Trunk | www.myspace.com/funkboidjs 8. DJ Bobby Black Down & Dirty 28 Hosted by Chamillionaire | www.myspace.com/theofficialbobbyblack | 678-851-0479 9. Makell Bird ATL Classx Vol. 1 | www.myspace.com/angelicdestroyer 10. DJ Rondevu Dirty Business Vol. 3 www.myspace.com/djrondevu 11. DJ BNasty King of Blends 12 | djbnasty@gmail.com | 317-490-7664 12. DJ Frogie Club Sexxy | www.myspace.com/djfrogie | 888-318-7918 13. Pace the Kid Southern Swagga Hosted by Durty Boyz | www.myspace.com/southernswaggamusic 14. Mr. King T Southern Smothered & Covered Pt. 11 Hosted by Magno & Sparkdawg | www.myspace.com/djmrking 15. Evil Empire Be South 18 www.myspace.com/evilempiremixtapes

16. Supastar J. Kwik No Pad No Pencil | www.myspace.com/supastarjkwik 17. DJ Drama & Katt Williams All Hail The King | www.myspace.com/djdrama 18. DJ Cool Breeze K-Ville Vol. 1 19. DJ Big Mike & DJ Thoro Soundtrack To The Streets Pt. 7 | www.myspace.com/djbigmikeofficia l | www.myspace.com/djthoro1
20. DJ LRM The Roc Boys | www.myspace.com/superdjlrm OZONE MAG // 87

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endzone

Pimp C Venue: Belle Noche City: Baton Rouge, LA Date: October 20th, 2007 Photo: King Yella

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