RAW, UNCENSORED WEST COAST RAP SHIT

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Hustle & Flow

RAPQWEST We Get Around

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The Packs Producer Gets His $$$ Right

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PUBLISHEr Julia Beverly EDITOr-IN-CHIEF N. Ali Early ArT DIrECTOr Tene Gooden MUSIC EDITOr randy roper ADVErTISING SALES Che Johnson Isiah Campbell CONTrIBUTOrS Big Fase 00 D-ray DJ BackSide DJ E-Z Cutt Eric Johnson Jessica Essien Joey Colombo Keita Jones Luvva J regi Mentle Shemp Todd Davis Ty Watkins Wendy Day STrEET rEPS Anthony Deavers, Bigg P-Wee, Dee, Demolition Men, DJ Jam-X, DJ Juice, DJ KTone, DJ Quote, DJ Strong & DJ Warrior, John Costen, Juice, Kewan Lewis, Maroy, rob J Official, rob reyes, Sherita Saulsberry, Sly Boogy, William Major COVEr CrEDITS Cino photo by D-ray

PEAcE BE UNToYoU
I
can distinctly remember when I first learned what the month of February meant. I was in the fourth grade and my history class was studying the chapter dedicated to African Americans. I learned about Nat Turner (perhaps a year or two after my grandfather proudly told me I was a direct descendant of the former rebel/slave), Harriet Tubman, George Washington Carver, Carter G. Woodson (the man responsible for creating Black History Week/Month), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and plenty of others. At the end of the day it pissed me off to know that our history wasnt significant enough to just blend with the rest of the book. But then again, there was a sense of pride that I carried with me, knowing what and who Id come from, what my ancestors were up against, what they survived and overcame, just so I could sit in that there seat. Yes, beyond the pagan holiday that falls in the middle of the month (also the date Frederick Douglass claimed as his birthday), and the one specific to me eight days later that announced me to the world some thirty years ago, February is the month that we are urged to remember, to reflect and to continue to move forward. In that respect, I trust we are all doing our part to honor our forefathers who paved the way. Without them we wouldnt be able to celebrate our most recent triumph, which comes in the form of the Barack Obama campaign. Now a politician is a politician and none of them have made me move one way or the other in years past (I feel you Lupe). I can honestly say that choosing from the lesser of two evils has never been on my things to do list. But Obama is differentfor obvious reasons-and I like where he stands on health care, education, drugs, abortion and a number of other issues. However, if the only reason I vote for him is because he is a black man, it means that I am supporting the causes that my ancestors fought so hard for. And thats enough for me. Hes withstood attacks on his character and legitimacy by the likes of multi-million dollar businessmen like Magic Johnson (a Clinton supporter who called him a rookie) and Bob Johnson (who implied Obama was incapable of running the country because he experimented with drugs as a youth - comments he later attempted to clean up, implying he meant community organizing). It all just makes a nigga completely comfortable with the idea of rolling the dice. If you believe in something you should embrace it wholeheartedly and if you dont, it seems like it would make life a helluva lot easier to just do away with it. I dont really care that dude did drugs as a youth. Who didnt? And I really dont care that there is an email going around that declares him a Muslim who cant wait to get into office so he can blow America up from the inside out. Obamas a brave man to be running for President of the United States in the first place. If he can stand firm, knowing there are forces out there desperately attempting to derail his campaign and ultimately take him down if he does in fact win, call me one of the few million new young and mighty who has his back. Im out.

edItOrs NOte

N. Ali Early ali@kreativesouls.com

oZoNE WEST
6 7-13 8 10 12 14 16-17 18 rapqwest pHOtO GaLLerIes sHOrt stOrIes CHaIN reaCtION patIeNtLy waItING: kruCHadeLIC patIeNtLy waItING: HawkmaN dem HOOdstarz bOard Game: meeCH weLLs

19-21 CINO
22-23 24 25 26

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RAPQ

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>>>>>>>>>> >>>D>NT>E>>>>ITY? >> O> S E YOUr C

ts bs, DJs and artis know which clu us up and let us ting: JB@ozonemag.com Hit represen are worthy of
Just in time to push his highly anticipated CD in early 008, the legendary DJ Chill is throwing an after party/new years eve party at The Ohm following the Wu-Tang Clan show at The roseland Theatre. Cool Nutz is really and truly a hustler look for this man and respect the game of a true legend from The 0, hes got a solo gem, King Cool Nutz, in stores featuring his homeboy from The Bay, E-0, ras Kass, Bosko & more. All love, respect and peace to Pimp C (r.I.P.) & Spice . I grew up with these brothers. - Luvva J (Myspace.com/luvvaj)

PoRTlAND, oR (503)

SEA-TAc, WA (The 206/253/360 & The 604 Too!)

The Pacific Northwest Hip Hop community has a real conscience. The annual Hip Hop For The Homeless Benefit was sponsored by Crowd Control Enterprises. It went down at The Mint in Olympia, WA and featured a whos who of the Hip Hop community. The program was founded in Vancouver, BC. Check for the Northwest Urban Debate Foundation. It fuses Hip Hop & Debate and is growing rapidly shots to Jen & Stella (Free Ya Mind)! respect to Sabzi of Blue Scholars (Seattle, WA) who recently won the red Bull-Big Tune national producer battle! DJ Kun Luvs Download radio show was recently cancelled, cutting indy airplay thats whack! - Luvva  (Myspace.com/luvvaj)

The town is showing love to r&B group LG and DJ Ktone for reppin on B.E.T.s 0th and Park in December. The groups single, Hey Miss Lady, has been gaining a buzz since then. Innerstate Ike dropped Bullets and Blessings also in December to make him the only artist in the state to drop  projects in  year. Both Eve and Fabolous were supposed to headline shows the same weekend and it didnt happen. Fusion Mag came out hard, Petey & Mass Prod dropped, Mr. Midas and DJ Shadoe dropped, and Blue Ice nightclub is revived on Saturdays. Its lookin green on the turf. DJ K-Tone (myspace.com/djktonedotcom)

DENVER, co (303, 720)

oAklAND, cA (510)

Zazoos with KMELs Sana G on Saturday nights, located in the quaint Jack London Square district, continues to bring out the best of the best with no problems after the club closes. Check for VJTV Comcast channel 78 for the best of the old and all the new rap and r&B music videos. While were on the subject of hot videos, Kuzzo Fly is reppin the Town real hard on MTV Jams with Dont Spill It featuring Mistah FAB, Bleu DaVinci and J-Diggs. Speakin of FAB, look for that new single Life of the Party with the Doggfather himself, the big homie Snoop. Eddi Projex finally released his solo debut Now or Never. The Citys famed Paramount Theater will play host to Cedric the Entertainer and Jill Scott for future dates, and Kimballs continues to keep crowd controlled with their strict rules on Hip Hop music but allow NBA and NFL players to host parties at this lavish establishment. Kay Newell (Kayshowmaga@aol.com)

The scene in Los Angeles wouldnt be a scene without parties @ Shag, Basque and Faade and with DJ Mark Da Spot leadin the pack with promotions for all three; all these events are celebrity-filled. With 008 here, the artists are more than a buzz out here. All looking to release albums or street albums this year are (but not limited to): Bishop Lamont, Glasses Malone, Topic, Strong Arm Steady and a host of others. A powerteam collaboration is also on the rise with DJ Nikbean and DJ Felli Fel looking to host a few projects this year, the first with Spider Loc. With DJ Felli Fels success with his single Get Buck in Here featuring Ludacris, Lil Jon, Akon and Diddy, The Heavy Hitter is looking to release a project of his own as well. DJ Backside (djbackside@tmail.com)

loS ANGElES, cA (916)

SAcRAmENTo, cA (916) SAN JoSE, cA (408)

Spending the Holidays in San Jose wasnt a problem. Wild 9.9 as always has been takin over the city with Jose Melendez and Leslie Perez, as well as Don Lynch @ Taste Ultra Lounge. Producer Traxamillions This My One remix with E-0 and Too $hort slaps in every car out this way. DJ J Spin consistently feeds everyone with Dem Hoodstarz sound, releasing a few exclusive mixtapes that have gained attention around the city. DJ Backside (DJBackside@tmail.com)

Shot out to Shawdow for making drama free Hip Hop happen at Zokku each Thursday night. This month, lookout for the Omina Bust CD release party featuring Tone Malone at the Hard rock Cafe downtown. Also, peep all the Bay Area and Sacramento artists out at the Boardwalk in the Heights. And if you havent been to Powerhouse in Folsom it is always packed with Folsoms Finest Dymes as is Tunnel  with the Sac Dymes. Folsom and Tunnel  are Saturday Nights. Isiah Campbell (zaemai@gmail.com)

San Francisco Anthem featuring Big rich, San Quinn and Banger is murdering KMEL with production handled by Traxxamillion, while the underground jump-off is Mobbin All Day by Friscos own Sky Balla with E-0 and San Quinn. Messy Marv is free (for now) so you know hell be on the grind hard starting with Draped Up and Chipped Out . Loft  and Suite One 8 One continues to be gracious toward the rap artists and those alike allowing functions to take place in their clubs (Freeway, Keak da Sneak and Trey Songz have all blessed the stage with their presence) and Fillmore is the place to be for all rap concerts (The Clipse and Nas were here). Kay Newell (Kayshowmaga@aol.com)

SAN FRANcISco, cA (415)

PhoENIx, AZ (602,623, 480)

recently the newly single Shaquille ONeil and Dwayne Wade hosted two separate, sell out parties bringing the Heat in Scottsdale. The Super Bowl also brought exciting parties with A-list celebs including 0 Cent, Ludacris, and many more. With news of the 009 All-Star game coming to Phoenix, its safe to say that the West is back and Phoenix is the place to be! Jasmine Crowe (mystjazzevp@gmail.com)

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(above L-r): Suge Knight & AP9 @ The Palms in Las Vegas, NV; Clyde Carson & B-Legit @ Poetry Nighclub for E-0s birthday party in Las Vegas, NV (Photos: D-ray); Too $hort & David Banner @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: Julia Beverly)

0 // Yung Berg, Sean Kingston, & ray J @ the W Hotel for Lawman Music Conference (Newark, CA) 0 // Glasses Malone &  @ Triq Nightclub (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // DJ Backside & DJ Big Dee @ Poetry (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // DJ Drama & Scoot of Dem HoodStarz @ The Palms for Power Summit reunion (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // Clyde Carson & Maine @ Triq Nightclub (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // Clyde Carson, Baby Boy, & Mistah FAB @ Triq Nightclub (Las Vegas, NV) 07 // DJ Quote & Paul Wall (Denver, CO) 08 // Jr Get Money & Baby Boy @ The Palms during Power Summit reunion (Las Vegas, NV) 09 // Ashanti & Desire Temptations @ the W Hotel for Lawman Music Conference (Newark, CA) 0 // Greg Lawley & The Pack @ the W Hotel for Lawman Music Conference (Newark, CA)  // DJ Knuckles & The Jacka @ The Palms for Def Jam suite party during Power Summit reunion (Las Vegas, NV)  // Y.S. & Baby Bash @ the W Hotel for Lawman Music Conference (Newark, CA)  // Mamacita & Glasses Malone @ Triq Nightclub (Las Vegas, NV)  // Dee Sonaram & Steve Chavez @ the W Hotel for Lawman Music Conference (Newark, CA)  // Tila Tequila & DJ Vlad @ The Palms during Power Summit reunion (Las Vegas, NV)  // Kafani The Ice King & Hasi @ Loft  for Keaks birthday party (San Francisco, CA) 7 // Freeway & Traxamillion @ The Palms for Def Jam suite party during Power Summit reunion (Las Vegas, NV) 8 // D-ray, DJ Backside, & DJ Karmel @ The Palms for Power Summit reunion (Las Vegas, NV) 9 // Mad Linx & Felli Fel @ The Palms during Power Summit reunion (Las Vegas, NV) Photo Credits: All photos by D-ray except #7 by AZ for FOB Productions

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f you were a major recording artist who had songs on the radio and videos in rotation and your managers phone was ringing off the hook, would you only perform on tours in big cities at huge arenas or would you also do secondary smaller cities that cant pay you arena money, but love you just as much as the big city folks? I actually like going to the smaller towns better than the big cities. Dont get me wrong, theres no greater feeling than giving a good performance in front of thousands and thousands of fans in a big stadium or arena, but I really like the idea of traveling to a small town, going to the mall, a good restaurant or some local event thats taking place while Im there, and then performing that night to a not-so-big crowd thats full of energy. The folks in the crowd hi-five you and the ladies grab your ankles while they try to come on stage with you. Sometimes after I perform, I go out in the crowd to shake hands and take pictures. People come up to me all the time everywhere I go and say they took a picture with me years ago, got an autograph, or we just met and hung out after one of my shows. Its a good feeling knowing that thousands, maybe even millions of people, have a Too $hort story to tell. When youre on a big tour with stage sets, tour buses, dancers, DJs, personal assistants, family, and friends, its cool to move around with a large entourage. But when you go into the smaller cities after the big tour is over, sometimes they can only afford to fly you and whoever you really need to make the show happen. If you demand 0 plane tickets and  hotel rooms, the promoter might not be able to make a profit because your travel expenses are too high. Only a few artists command that supreme status of never having to go into small markets because theyre so huge at that time. If you want to see them and you live in a small town, youll have to drive two or three hours to see them perform in the nearest big city. The majority of us dont have it like that, and chances are, you dont either. So Im asking you again, would you go into the smaller towns and do a show knowing that they cant pay you big money or fly your cousins and best friends out, too? If you plan on having a long rap career, you might want to consider having a lower price and a set of different demands for those little towns that have big love for you. Ive flown on planes as small as crop dusters so my fans could see me up close and personal in their hometowns. Ive jumped off planes in major cities and driven up to four hours to get to cities without commercial airports. Why? I do it because I have maintained close personal ties with promoters, fans, and local artists in both big cities and small cities so that when Im coming to their area, theyll have nothing but good things to say about me. If you think networking is only valuable when you do it with industry insiders, youve got the game fucked up. Back in the day, I would hear a lot of folks say that they still have a picture they took with me years ago. Now they say, I put the picture you took with me on my Myspace page. To me, if my photo is on a bedroom dresser, in a photo book, or on Myspace, thats all advertising. If someone tells you a story about me, thats marketing.  years into my career, I dont need a hot single to keep my phone ringing because Ive built a network of friends that I keep in touch with and do business with over and over again. A lot of them are from small towns. If you think youre so hot that youre above going into smaller markets and humbling your ego to take a pay cut or trim your entourage down for a day or two, youll be missing out on a lot of the benefits they have to offer.

ITS A GOOD FEELING KNOWING THAT THOUSANDS, MAYBE EVEN MILLIONS OF PEOPLE, HAVE A TOO $HOrT STOrY TO TELL... IF YOU THINK NETWOrKING IS ONLY VALUABLE WHEN YOU DO IT WITH INDUSTrY INSIDErS, YOUVE GOT THE GAME FUCKED UP. IF MY PHOTO IS ON [SOMEONES] BEDrOOM DrESSEr, IN A PHOTO BOOK, Or ON THEIr MYSPACE PAGE, THATS ALL ADVErTISING. IF SOMEONE TELLS YOU A STOrY ABOUT ME, THATS MArKETING.

Whether you live in Atlanta or Houston or New York or the Midwest or the West Coast, look at a map and notice how many cities are within a - hour driving range or an hour flight away. Get off your high horse and get that money, man. Everybody cant be Jay-Z or Justin Timberlake on tours that make millions of dollars. Stay in your lane and make sure you dont go flying past the lil towns that love your music without stopping and showing love back. // Photo: D-ray

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(above L-r): Jay-Z & Young Jeezy @ the grand opening of Jay-Zs 0-0 Club in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: Thaddaeus McAdams); Gorilla Zoe, Flo rida, & rick ross @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: Julia Beverly); Punk & Buddha @ Club Facade in Hollywood, CA (Photo: D-ray)

0 // Mad Linx & Too $hort @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // J Diggs & Big Dant @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // Guerilla Black, Glasses Malone, & Macadoshis @ Facades for the Nu West Movement (Los Angeles, CA) 0 // Yung Joc, Dre Dae, DJ Blak, & DJ Big Dee @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // Matt Daniels & Mario @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // The Jacka, AP9, & rydah J Klyde @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA) 07 // Antonio Tarver & wife Denise @ the grand opening of Jay-Zs 0-0 Club (Las Vegas, NV) 08 // Goldie of The Federation & guest @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 09 // Too $hort & AP9 @ The Palms (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // Slim of , Mario, & Q of  @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV)  // Kuzzo Fly & Big Moe @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA)  // Gorilla Pits @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA)  // Boo & Too $hort @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV)  // DJ Q & Webbie @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV)  // Troy Marshall @ his son @ Park Plaza Hotel for Interscopes Christmas party (Los Angeles, CA)  // Miami da Most, Kilo & Lil Miami @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA) 7 // rob J Official, Big Dant, DJ Juice, & Kilo @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA) 8 // Flo rida & Baby Boy @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 9 // Paula Patton & robin Thicke @ the grand opening of Jay-Zs 0-0 Club (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // Tito Bell, DJ Amen, & Yogi Calhoon @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA) Photo Credits: D-ray (0,0,08,09,,,,,); Julia Beverly (0,0,0,7,8,0); King Yella (0,); Thaddaeus McAdams (0,07,9)

OZONE WEST // 99 OZONE WEST //

SHE LIKED MY NECKLACE AND STArTED rELAXIN, THATS WHAT THE FUCK I CALL A

he same ghost character that I have on my chain, I have tattooed on my hand. Its kinda like my brand or logo for me as an artist and an icon. [Its modeled after] the ghost Boo, from Mario Kart. I have it tattooed on me, so I just thought itd be a sick piece. Its on some whole other shit. I always like to be real creative with whatever I do, so I wanted to make a statement with this chain. Once I got my money right, Kafani and Pretty Black from The Mob introduced me to Carl at Highline Jewelry. He did 0s 0 Water chain, all that. I showed him my idea. Ive been asking him for a piece for a while, I just didnt have my money right yet. He took a picture of the tattoo on my hand and once he showed me the artwork for it, I was diggin it. It was hot. A lot of people have red diamonds, so just to switch it up, I told him to make

the ghosts tongue out of red rubies instead of diamonds. I thought thatd be sicker cause everybody has red diamonds, but Ive got rubies. It turned out sick. It didnt cost me that much cause I got a good deal over at Highline. I dont even know what its worth, to tell you the truth, I havent gotten it appraised yet cause I just got the chain. I gave him my old chain, my old watch, my top and bottom set of my grill; all my jewels, plus some cash out of my pocket. Its around 0 carats. Hit me up at Myspace.com/YoungL As told to Julia Beverly Photo by D-ray

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oF ThE PAck
GhoSTBUSTER

YoUNG l

(above L-r): Melyssa Ford & ray J @ Club republic for Melyssa Fords costume party in Hollywood, CA; AP9 & Kafani Da Ice King @ The Palms in Las Vegas, NV (Photos: D-ray); Paul Wall & Webbie @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: King Yella)

0 // Lucky & Kafani Da Ice King @ The Palms (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // Too $hort & Mistah FAB @ Kimballs (Oakland, CA) 0 // Sanford Wallace & Mad Linx @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // DJ Q, DJ Big Dee, & Gorilla Zoe @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // Mistah FAB & rydah J. Klyde @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA) 0 // Clearly, OZONE is the shit 07 // Mistah FAB, DJ Q, & David Banner @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 08 // Flo rida, rick ross, & Gunplay of Carol City Cartel @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 09 // Sumthin Terrible @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // Malik Abdul, guest, & Mad Linx @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV)  // Black, Webbie, Courtney Scott, & Mike Fresh @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV)  // Yogi Calhoon & Kuzzo Fly @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA)  // Neal, Thaddaeus McAdams, & rico Brooks @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV)  // King Yella, randy roper, & Malik Abdul @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV)  // Mob Figaz FedX, AP9, & The Jacka @ 0 Folsom for Freeways album release party (San Francisco, CA)  // Gorilla Zoe, Baby Boy, & D-ray @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) 7 // DJ reflex, DJ Skee, & Glasses Malone @ West Coast regional Awards (Universal City, CA) 8 // DJ Q, Dre Dae, Mario, & Mad Linx @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV) Photo Credits: D-ray (0,0,0,08,09,,,7); Julia Beverly (0,0); King Yella (0,07,0,,,8); Thaddaeus McAdams (,)

OZONE WEST //  OZONE WEST // 

Krushadelic
SS TLY BUSINE STRIC

SACrAMENTO, CA

minute now. in it to win it for a g out rushadelic has been game (actually puttin to a g in the Eighteen years stron know what it feels like to go to records) and has yet a! Straight out of West Oakland, he Are t. I was ng hard for the Bay 9-. Pushi the hyphy movemen slow representatives of that was one of the early everybody was doin can hear /hyphy shit, when on some up tempo earlier albums you u trace back to my k/mob music. If yo fun he says. that hyphy sound, h Jullie D. ound rebellion wit Came r in a group Undergr He began his caree t Diggin the Way We album They Ain released their first They

good ol in 99. Yes, those ed by Dont Tweek , in the at Em in 99, follow dent music was at its most profitable epen album early 90s when ind released S.N.O.P.s also produced and sistently cassette tape era. He Starvn. Since then, he has been con s of the Poor N t camp. He was once Lifestyle tainmen m the Armada Enter sa dropping projects fro ous Dangerous crew (that Too $hort wa infam pursuing a member of the preneur continued t, the young entre member of); after tha career. his own . He ent pots, not just rap hands in many differ d all edy showcases, an Krushadelic has his g, writing books, com of the business to get is also into producin other facets tly collaborated that buck. He recen Next Friday, h Don D.C. Curry ( wit adelic After Next) for Krush e DVD Friday Hop Comedy. Th presents Hip roberts, Mike Bonalso features Tony edians youve ner, and a lot of com f Comedy Comic View and De seen on at the t together a show Jam. He pu tre in Oakland which Paramount Thea s in such presreceived rave review New York s publcations as the tigiou tract that still doesnt dis is Times. But mary goal, which him from his pri making music. album Ghost He just released the cks, videos, ing tra rider, with bang features like and heavy-hitting ort, Keak Khan, ray J, Too $h Chaka re. He E-0, and many mo Da Sneak, artist Young Bari, also has a new ernet right now whos blazin the int rground soon. The 9th Unde coming soon, album will be coming n rebellion by two books writte accompanied self. One is a by the Delic Man him ustry. I to book on the ind howa book for the just wanted to write go they know how to youngsters so , , reading contracts about distribution ve in this y mo and how to basicall e second book will game, he said. Th experiences in be on Krushadelics the industry. // - Nippy Swagga

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

0 // The Pack @ Tucson Convention Center (Tucson, AZ) 0 // Cipha Sounds, Angela Yee, Bun B, & Michael Watts @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // Dem Hoodstarz & roccett @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // J Diggs & Tito Bell @ the Playboy Club for the Life of the Party video shoot (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // DMX & Don Salter on the set of Bizzy Bones A Song For You (Phoenix, AZ) 0 // Bun B & Young Jeezy @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 07 // roccett & Fabolous @ Strike Bowling Alley in the rio for Young Jeezys listening party (Las Vegas, NV) 08 // Mistah FAB & Layzie Bone @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 09 // Young Jeezy playing with his balls @ Strike Bowling Alley in the rio for his listening party (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // The Dragons & J Diggs @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA)  // Vinny Blanco & Chingo Bling @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV)  // TD & Goldie of The Federation @ Spin Nightclub for Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV)  // King Tech & DJ revolution @ Power 0 (Los Angeles, CA)  // Gary Larochelle, Cheri Dennis, & DJ Lite @ Glendale Civic Center during Super Bowl weekend (Phoenix, AZ)  // B-Luv & Talib Kweli @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV)  // LL Cool J & D-ray @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 7 // AP9 & remy red @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA) 8 // Boo, Meezy, & Too $hort @ Spin Nightclub (Las Vegas, NV) 9 // Spider Loc & Bun B @ Spin Nightclub for Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) Photo Credits: D-ray (0,0,0,0,07,09,0,,,7); Julia Beverly (0,0,08,,,,8,9)

OZONE WEST //  OZONE WEST // 

Hawkman
ET CK oN STRE STU

DENVEr, CO

ter, or the spark a change for the bet ife-altering events either ee, Hawkman, it ns. For Denver-reared emc worseno in betwee was the former. ax Cac was murfrequent collaborator, Colf When his blood cousin and out of trouble , Hawkman, whod been in e been him. dered a couple of years ago In his mind, it should hav rly lost it. since he hit puberty, nea , he says, recalling wasnt into the street life I felt guilty because Cac of the streets and would urge him to get out couldve instances where his cousin shit that Ive done, people all the into the studio. Based on him. been me, not understood if it wouldve

h his guiltpartly kman is still grappling wit Over two years later, Haw But instead of sinking, ed, he was locked up. because when Cac was kill et music. Always up emotion to make stre ertainchosen to utilize his pent hes the streets for his Elite Ent tector in playing the role of the pro mirrors the dark places hes ily, Hawks music ment labelmates and fam ns of the world may done. While the Al Sharpto Hawk has made been and the things hes tto reality music he makes, ghe have a problem with the a damn. a solid effort to not give g to them, the deep in the ghetto; Im speakin e, Gangstar, Im like a million niggas of his biggest hits to dat . One logy. voiced 8 year-old argues , directly reflects his ideo rado anthem which he claims is a Colo the Kanye I dont give a fuck about d I dont hate niggas, he continues, An a place nobody, I just think theres on t ody in Hip Hop. Kanye can for everyb here shit. They aint tell niggas from gonna feel that shit. s due out With his upcoming release y on Elite early next year, Criminolog and Mayhem, Entertainment and Murder o after ch will be presented by C-B whi ce on out of jail, Hawks presen he gets scene only continues the Midwest rap his mark to grow. Initially making group, MNLD ngside Denver based rap alo Elite whom are now signed to (most of as solo artists) in the Entertainment stant bouts late-nineties, Hawks con d his rap h the legal system sideline wit for a long time. career e the music I really honestly didnt tak killed and ously until my cousin got seri on t got me on the path Im thats wha used on the music side, now, being foc has two he says, adding that he also the Bomb tapes circulating, including Ive mix Since Money hosted by DJ KTone. , Ive been mashing. got out of jail reached new His musical work ethic has feels . At the end of the day, he heights resent for his cousin. And he has to rep mise his sound he isnt willing to compro for anyone. et shit, Thats all I know is the stre e from. I he says. Thats where I com es, but not to do speak on political issu rwhelm my the point where I let it ove e reality rap, its music for music. I mak are still stuck in the turf and people who that reality. // Words by Jacinta Howard

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

0 // David Banner @ record Plant (Hollywood, CA) 0 // ray J @ Club Vivid (San Jose, CA) 0 // DJ Quote & Juice @ Tucson Convention Center (Tucson, AZ) 0 // rydah J Klyde, D-ray, & AP9 @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA) 0 // rick Edwards & Lil Fizz @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // Young Buck @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 07 // Ludacris @ Club rain during Super Bowl Weekend (Scottsdale, AZ) 08 // DJ Devro @ 0 Folsom for Freeways album release party (San Francisco, CA) 09 // Selah @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // Double D Promotions @ Glendale Civic Center (Glendale, AZ)  // DJ Amen @ Tucson Convention Centre (Tucson, AZ)  // Fat Ant & Turf Talk @ Kimballs (Oakland, CA)  // Bishop Lamont on the set of Glasses Malones Certified video shoot (Watts, CA)  // DJ Buddha & Pitbull @ Club Mist during Super Bowl weekend (Scottsdale, AZ)  // D-ray & Yung Berg @ Tucson Convention Centre (Tucson, AZ)  // Pusha of The Clipse @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 7 // PSD Tha Drivah & Lil PSD @ Benihanas (Walnut Creek, CA) 8 // Meezy Montana & Taz @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA) 9 // Moe @ The Phoenix Theater for Merry Thizzmas concert (Petaluma, CA) 0 // Colby ODonis on the set of Glasses Malones Certified video shoot (Watts, CA)  // Cheri Dennis @ Glendale Civic Center during Super Bowl weekend (Phoenix, AZ)  // Al Lee @  Cs Clothing (San Leandro, CA)  // Paul Wall & Gu @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV)  // Kevin Liles @ Club rain during Super Bowl Weekend (Scottsdale, AZ)  // J Diggs @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA)  // Gorilla Zoe & Julia Beverly @ LErmitage (Beverly Hills, CA) 7 // Cyrus @ Tucson Convention Center (Tucson, AZ) 8 // royal Epic Clothing @ Tucson Convention Center (Tucson, AZ) 9 // Tum Tum @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 0 // Baby Boy @ Spin Nightclub for OZONE New Years weekend (Las Vegas, NV)  // The Jacka & Garrett @ 7 Hertz Studio (Hayward, CA)  // Taje on the set of Glasses Malones Certified video shoot (Watts, CA)  // Willy Northpole @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV)  // Akon on the set of Glasses Malones Certified video shoot (Watts, CA)  // Bizzy Bone on the set of A Song For You (Phoenix, AZ) Photo Credits: D-ray (0,0,0,0,08,,,7,8,9,0,,,,8,9,,,); Julia Beverly (0,0,07,09,,,,,,7,0,); Lamar rashaw (); Malik Abdul (0,,)

OZONE WEST //  OZONE WEST // 

 // OZONE WEST

Words by Kay Newell // Photo by D-ray

singles back to back to back. You cant really refuse us on the next round. How did the song Video Vixen come about? BA: We did Video Vixen cause we knew it was for the Too $hort compilation, and Too $horts favorite word is bitch. We wanted to give em somethin that was evolved around that subject. Not necessarily that word, but somethin around it. We feel like every dude-even if they dont right now-at one point they looked at a video girl and was like, I wanna do that, whether they admit it or not. I know a lot of girls that feel the same way, and even if she dont wanna be a video vixen she lookin at herself in the mirror and sayin, I coulda been one of them. Everybodys gonna be able to relate to it a little bit. That was the first single for the I Love The Bay compilation. For those outside the Bay, explain a lil bit about East Palo Alto? BA: Its two and a half square miles. We were the murder capital back in 9. Thats nothin to glorify, but thats where a lot of people came up [thats in this rap game]. Its really a small city filled with Latinos, blacks and a few whites, Asians, pacific islanders, and we all in like one little area. Its like in a hole, a cage. Its the smallest city in the Bay Area and theres a whole lotta tragedy out here. No doubt East Palo Alto is hard, and yet your Lawless record label has a longstanding history for giving back to the community. BA: We been raised around this shit so we tryin to show em different-the young ones growin up under us. Not tryin to come off as no type of role model because I wouldnt consider myself one, although I wouldnt lead nobody down a one-way street. I wouldnt have nobody runnin down no path of destruction. We try to lead them in a different way so they see theres somethin else other than the street. Weve gotten keys to our city and that didnt mean shit round here cause the police ran up in my grandmas yard, searched me, stripped me down and took $,000 out my pocket. I was on my way to a show, I had that money advanced [as a show deposit]. It didnt really mean shit, but at the same time we were presented with that because of the hard work. We done threw free barbeques, free turkey giveaways, free backpacks for the kids, stop the violence concerts, all that shit out here. It really aint no gimmick. We give back to our hood, we been givin back to our hood. Would you classify yourselves as part of the hyphy movement? BA: They think the whole Bay is on the hyphy sound, but dont get it twisted the whole Bay will get hyphy. Tupac was hyphy, E-0, Mac Dre-they been down since hyphy started so its just like your energy, and thats all it is. In Northern California we carry a lotta energy about our stuff. It aint necessarily just the music, cause we dont have hyphy music. Not knockin nothin on hyphy, but people might think our sound is this way [when] you got muthafuckas from all over this whole Bay with all different sounds, and niggas be on some gutta shit. Its like Atlanta; how Atlanta got a lot of different sounds. Speakin of being different, you guys did a commercial for the CW network? BA: We done been on the CW for the [sitcom] Kings of Queens. Our song has been played on TV for [MTVs] rob and Big. Weve performed in penitentiaries. Theres hella shit about Dem Hoodstarz that people really need to know about. Like what? BA: Our song, Grown Man got more spins than any song in Bay Area history. It surpassed I Got  On It which had the most spins. //

Since releasing the album in 0 have things gone as planned? Band Aid: We were hopin for a deal. A few of them came our way. We wasnt in it for the money cause what they was offering we already got. [They were offering] a few hundred thousand, and people get happy with that few hundred thousand but dont realize theres a recording budget, marketing budget, and videos [included]. All of that and they in the hole. We aint playin that game. How did you guys come together? Scoot: I was doing my solo thang. Me and Band-Aide was in a crew with these niggas called Totally Insane which was my older homies. They let me get on they album in 98, but I was doing some solo shit when Band-Aide came home from the pen. Before we was rappin we was on the block together, feel me? So there never was no beef between yall? Werent you in Totally Insane and Band in a group called Neva Legal? Scoot: I was fuckin with them niggas too, but I was always a solo act. We was all just still one crew though. It aint like it was Totally Insane ova here, Neva Legal ova there. We was always one crew. You guys are good for doin mixtapes. BA: We got this new mixtape called the Cheech and Chong mixtape. We aint gave em nothin since the last album. They can go to our website or our myspace and listen to it. We plan on droppin [the new album] in February, and we gotta couple of meetings with some ole big wigs, so its a real good look. Like I said, the money they was offering we already got, so its really business with us. Its pretty competitive in the Bay. Do you feel like underdogs? BA: Were the dudes thats always been reaching out with everybody in the Bay. When we did our song Grown Man On and did the remix, we reached out to everybody from the Bay. We been on some lets get our shit together but you got a couple helium heads that felt like they gotta do it on they own and thats good, too. But at the same time its lonely at the top and its hard to get there. Despite your last album droppin in 0 you guys are still actually promoting the album and releasing singles like it just came out. BA: We got this new video, the Uggh remix. We were gonna shoot a video for Video Vixen, and still might. Thats up in the air. We got two more videos that we gon shoot, and we just gon prepare to hit em like the majors. Three

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meeCH

bOardGame

life, but thats so clich, and that Meech is anything but clich. Before hitting puberty, he was already stroking a keyboard on stage. Shortly after, he was producing and writing for Tracey Lewis, son of George Clinton, and quickly graduated to working with Clinton himself. Then a meeting with Def Jef, who shared the same management as his mother, evolved into a team known as The Arsenal. A double up of dope producers equated to the biggest hit, I Got Skillz, from an unlikely rapper, Shaquille ONeil. However, Shaq Diesel was far from being his claim to fame. It was the notorious partnership between him and Snoop Dogg that certified him as a West Coast beat dealer. I did so many songs with him, Meech recalls, at one point he [Snoop] was like, me and you, we did like ,000 songs or something crazy like that. A lot that made sense on those records [Da Game is to Be Told Not Sold, Top Dogg, and The Last Meal], thats whats missing right now, but I think we can get back to that. resurrecting classic Snoop, though, is not top priority on his agenda; its about orchestrating the success of the New West. Meech is banking on these young kids to bring something else to his music, something else to the West. He believes in evolving because we cant stay on the same level; everything has to develop with the technology. The first installment of The New West World Order, mixed by DJ Hustle, offers this fresh sound and gets you acquainted with the Wests next generation. The street album features The Game, Juice, Jay rock, E-White, Topic, Glasses Malone along with his own artists, Eastwood, Young Joker, and Young Mack. It is West Up for sure, but also serves up a different dose that the Left Coast is in dire need of. Its the rebuilding of the community bringing the New West together, and passing the torch. Its cool when others blow up, Meech acknowledges, Its good for all of us. With websites like myspace.com and dubcnn.com, Meech is taking advantage of technology and laying down the foundation for a New West Coast community. This is what needs to happen: People need to keep dropping stuff and doing like the other coasts. Like [Lil] Wayne; hes got 0 some mixtapes out, and I know its hard without the budget, but they got to keep on if you fall off and doing articles but not dropping nothing, whats the point? And dropping them New West bombs is what Meech is all about. Hes staying relevant and making sure everyones staying active. With his company, In The Zone Production, where its beyond beats, its about business, hes slowly bringing back a pulse to West Coast Hip Hop. reach out to Meech Wells at myspace.com/tharealmeechwells. // Words by bombai // Photo by Money Moses

hen youve got music running through your veins, its hard to not to come with bangin beats. For the past decade, Meech Wells has supplied exactly that. Though less ubiquitous than the West Coasts favorite Doctor, Meech has been its biggest donor, giving up only that good stuff just to keep the West alive. With his newest project, a street album series entitled The New West World Order, hes letting it be known that the West Coast aint dead, the swagger is still OG, the artists are ready, but whats lacking is the love. But now with Meech making the transition from donor to surgeon, hes ready to innovate, to regulate, to resuscitate the West Coast. An advantageous, yet humble beginning is how Meech arrived. Slugs and snails and puppy dogs tails are what little boys are supposed to be made of. Lucky for Meech it was a Motown crown and that 70s soul sound that made him. Like the name he bears, he is a perfect blend of his creators. Nicknamed after his father, Cecil Meech Womack, brother to Bobby (think Across 0th Street and If You Think Youre Lonely Now), he carries on the same steeze which resonates in his beats. Choosing to keep the name Wells, he pays homage to his mother Mary, a wise decision on Meechs part, considering Mary Wells is one of the most respected artists ever. Youve probably heard her sampled, and never known it, but your favorite producer does. She made hits like My Guy, The One Who really Loves You, Whats the Matter With You Baby, and the list goes on. With this blend of ancestry and the environment to cultivate, it was only a matter of time before Meech took over the family business. As a natural born citizen of L.A., it was easy for him to get trapped by street 8 // OZONE WEST

CINO

OrgaNIzed grINd
WOrDS: N. ALI EArLY

orn in Compton, California, Vegas based rapper Cino indulged, in real life, the cinematic fervor that most movie directors live to fantasize over. While his Bel Air peers were sizing up rims for their new Benzes, he was embracing the pressure of living as a fourth generation Carver Park Compton Crip. By the age of  his good conscience forced him to make a decision as to whether he would continue to risk his life on the same streets that were rapidly absorbing his friends and family, or find reprieve in some other city. Since choosing Sin City two defining years ago, the -year-old has found himself focused and more importantly, a main component in the family that is Triple P records. Upon impressing CEO Dwayne Crum Crumwell enough to organize a seven month multi-city/state promotional tour through the South, which included Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and Arkansas, Cinos spent his days wrapping up In The Closet his unofficial mixtape debut and an as yet untitled debut album to follow. What was your experience in Compton where gangbangin is concerned? Im like the fourth generation from my neighborhood. My daddy was one of the young foot soldiers back in the 70s. We had the 80s on lock and Im fourth generation from my block. But you know, a nigga tried to turn himself around. I wouldnt say I was the hardest, but being hard is not [an option] when thats all you grew up around.

anywhere you go you got niggas somewhere outdoing the next, but most niggas dont speak on what they did and Im one of them cats.

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I always was a nigga that chased them broads. I always liked women. I cant fake it.
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What set you claim? Carver Park. Its over there in Willowbrook District, but its Compton nigga rules. It states that Carver Park is Compton. We right on the other side of Nickerson Gardens. But in my music, youll see that its a difference. Im a little something different. You wouldnt even expect a nigga that comes from that area to be makin that type of music. So what is your message? What are you talkin about? I tell you about my life and things that I experience. Then I got the message songs with the substance also. But for the most part, I like to rap to the girls. I like to rap to the women. We got a lot of ugly goin on, but at the same time people want to have fun. I like havin fun. What straight nigga gon say he dont like women? It sounds like you werent in a whole heap of trouble before the move to Vegas. Your immediate goal wasnt bein the hardest nigga The thing about that, if a nigga will sit here and tell you he the hardest, he a damn lie. Its a gang of niggas out here doin whatever. Anywhere you go you got niggas somewhere whos outdoing the next, but most niggas dont speak on what they did and Im one of them cats. I try to keep things quiet and to the side. I moved out here to change my life and find something different. But where your story is concerned, what happened to make you want to leave? Basically, fuckin around with knuckleheads and me being one all at the same time, I cant just put the blame on everybody else. Me fuckin with knuckleheads, being a knucklehead, doin wild shit, I had to look at myself. I had homeboys from my inner circle that I grew up with, dyin. Some of my homeboys was dead. Niggas was facin seven years. My other nigga had just got seventeen [years]. My little cousin is fighting his case right now. All that type of shit. Being amongst it and being a part of it, sooner or later its going to catch up with you. What you live by you go by. But there wasnt anything specific or a general incident that happened that made you want to bounce? It was everything. Two years before I moved out here, [I had two] homeboys [named] Lamar, same name, different families. They both grew up on the block with me. One was involved in some hood shit, got killed. The other one was just being him and ended up getting killed. Im from a neighborhood, I aint gon lie, we aint too much loved by the rest of the city. We dont have a lot of friends. We dont click up with niggas. Niggas dont really like my neighborhood and dont nobody really get along with us, cause its a lot of knuckleheads and niggas do a lot of stupid shit. I was trapped in that frame of mind and had to get away from it. But I seen a lot of that shit and it wasnt no good comin from it. regardless, I love my niggas. I love my hood, but sometimes you gotta do for yourself. The hood aint gon be there all the time. You can talk about that homie love and all that type of shit, but niggas aint gon pay your bills for you or nothin. So did you already have a network when you moved to Vegas? Is that part of the reason why you went there or was it a leap of faith? I had a brother. My brother stays out here, so I just moved out here. I didnt know nobody from the label. A nigga moved out here lookin to find work, really. From where Im from its real crowded in California and its harder to find jobs. So I was lookin to find a job. What kind of work were you doing? I had a little factory job. A nigga was workin at a warehouse Clark County Community Food Bank. Got boxes down, delivered shit, basically just maintaining the warehouse. Howd you hook up with Triple P records? It actually happened at work. It was a man by the name of Barry Brag. He played the guitar and one day niggas was at work and he started playin. I was like, I didnt know you played the guitar, and he said, I play everything. So he started playin and I started spittin. So he was like, Man, my homeboy got a studio, which is the CEO of the company Dwayne Crumwell a.k.a. Crum. He called Wayne on the phone one day and I spit something for him. Next day I got a call from the Vice President of the label. I spit, spit again and they wanted me to come through the studio. Im thinkin theyre just auditioning me one day and I do a freestyle to a BG beat and next thing I know its going on the Gangsta Grillz (Insane Gangsta Grillz) mixtape. So we did the last one with Drama before he got cracked. So after that I was fuckin with Triple P real heavy. We live in a reality conscious society/industry and we love to represent. How

do you feel about being a real nigga from Compton, in Vegas, on some rap shit? I dont really think its no problem, cause the key word is real. I always been a real nigga. All the niggas from my family was real niggas and all the niggas from my circle is real niggas. I dont never have problems goin back to my hood. I visit my hood often. I was just down there. Its really that our label is about talent, so thats what it is. real recognize real. It dont matter where you at. Im always going to forever rep my city cause thats where Im from. Thats where I was born and raised. Its just my label is based out of Vegas. On the flip side, what about Vegas? Do you feel a duty to include the place where you are and give it some shine? Yeah, I hear you. Vegas, it goes down out here and all that type of stuff. I ran into a lot of real muthafuckas and I ran into a lot of muthafuckas that wasnt so real. But shit, I ran into both in Compton too, from everywhere. So basically, it dont really matter where you from, long as you a real muthafucka and you a man of yo word and you a straight up nigga. Youll never have problems out of me and Ima fuck with you. But if you on some other type shit, I cant deal with you. I dont care where you from. What types of strides have you made with Triple P since signing with them? right now, they gave me a real opportunity to really pursue my dream and go after what I know. Im working on my album. We got a lot of shit comin up. We got shows. They hooked me up with a real bomb ass producer by the name of Dub Knox. He from the Bay, a real West Coast producer. He grimey with it. He go hard. He hooked me up with another dude by the name of Ishmael and hes a master with the keys. So basically, its like they puttin me in all the right places and puttin me in the right peoples company. Im gettin all the right beats. I could be on some hood shit, cause thats what I grew up around. But then at the same time, I gotta be me. I always was a nigga that chased them broads. I always liked women. I cant fake it. Thats going to be in my music and I like to have fun. I do my thang. What about product? We actually workin on a mixtape right now. We did a lot of them songs in the closet while we was on the road. real shit. Stuff that I experienced while I was on the road. We got a lot of things goin. And we workin on my album at the same time too. My albums almost finished. We lookin to work with different cats. The album is so different and doin so much that we got like four or five potential singles. Its goin down. Yall started workin the radio yet? Shit, a little bit. We been feedin it to DJs and we been gettin a good response out of them. A lot of DJs gettin back at us askin what they can do to help out with my project; club DJs and radio DJs. We gettin good feedback. They wanna know if they can put my songs on their mixtapes and they playin it in the clubs and stuff like that. Being the third artist on the label, how do you feel about your chances, seeing what they did or didnt do? I feel my chances are real good because I got people behind me thats workin too. We all got a goal that were tryna meet. We all wanna make it in this industry. Were an independent label. Were tryna get it and basically were all grinding. So when you see somebody grinding like that and you a hustler and you come from a hustlers background and you grind also, its lovely. We all doin our thang. Everybody is doing what it takes to get us to that next level. What do you hope to accomplish as a rapper? What are your goals? First of all to live better, to do better by my family. I want to have longevity in this music business, venture off into other things and set a foundation for my family. I want to create businesses, go back home and set up some programs. I got dreams of doin that. You got people who cant feed themselves, clothe themselves or know how to get a job to do that. So I plan on helping people. What should we expect from that album? We got a lotta shit. We touchin everywhere. We make music for everybody. Im a hood nigga. I make music for the hood and thats what I surround myself with. I love my niggas and they love me back. But I was always that type of person that didnt just think hood. I always had a mind of my own. Not to say that niggas that think hood aint got they own mind, but I was always my own person. My nigga DW, when we first did it, I told him I was thinkin Amsterdam. Im thinkin everywhere. Not just regional or coastal. Im thinkin oversees as well as hood, East Coast, West Coast, down South Im thinkin for all that. Im makin music for everybody. //

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(L-r) Krondon, Phil The Agony, and Mitchy Slick

STRoNG ARm STEADY

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mIx A ND moB
Words by DJ Backside // Photo by D-ray he Strong Arm Steady Gang is really serious. Theyre serious about their music, serious about their grind, and even serious when it came to this interview. A Southern Cali, West Coast Hip Hop group formed in 00 with original member Xzibit, they began putting together mixtapes in 00. Since then, Krondon, Phil The Agony, and Mitchy Slick have had a cumulative 0+ mixtapes released to the streets of Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Atlanta, New York, and beyond. Their debut street album was released last August 007 and with a new deal through Blacksmith/Warner Bros., they plan to release their first major label album in 008. Who else was initially a part of the group Strong Arm Steady? Krondon: Xzibit was part of the official group. And really, Strong Arm Steady is a movement; we are just the face of it. We got cats like Chase Infinite and Planet Asia, and Mitchy Slick has got a label called Wrongkind records. We got people from the Bay and down South and east coast that are part of the movement, like Talib Kweli. We are just the faces. It came together as a platform for new artists to be heard. What is Xzibits role in the group right now? Krondon: Hes just inspiration from far off places. He doesnt partake in any of the recordings right now, but hes definitely with us in spirit. Why do you do so many mixtapes? Mitchy Slick: Well, that was the whole concept and plan. [We took] the idea that Dipset was doin on the East coast, and we were the first to do it on the West Coast. We did it because there wasnt any other way for our music to be heard. Now everybody wants to say that shit, but really we were the first to jump on that scene and bring it out here. The flood of mixtapes now is crazy though. Phil the Agony: Yeah, I mean, we was at the W hotel, and the W hotel had a mixtape.

As artists that are known well on the underground Hip Hop circuit, especially through your mixtapes, you seem to travel a lot. Do you have any crazy stories from being on the road so much? Mitchy Slick: Just that slow grind. I come from the underground West Coast gangsta rap. You know, Brother Lynch, E-0 and all that. A lot of people dont understand why we aint eatin over here on the West Coast. We go to New York, and they be on us, Germany, Norway, all that. Its really mean on that road, rockin shows everyday. Havin to drink warm tea and honey and all that shit. Its work. Krondon: But you get to see peoples lifestyles in different placeslike how people live in Norway and shit, and then you go to a place like Atlanta and see how these big records develop and shit, and then come back to the West Coast and see how these records dont develop out here. But what about some crazy road stories? Krondon: No. Those that tell dont know, and those that know dont tell. So you have the Deep Hearted album out now, and looking to put out another album in 008. Are you getting away from the mixtape game? Phil the Agony: No, mixtapes are like exercise for us, because it might be a Prince loop or some Michael Jackson sample that we cant clear, that we might want to rhyme over. Thats what mixtapes are for. Krondon: Yeah, and sometimes, the beat might deserve a better song. Why did it take two years for Deep Hearted to come together? Phil the Agony: This is a street album, just to put out there with songs that we have been doing with people from all over like Juvenile, ras Kass, Paul Wall, Chamillionaire, [and] Talib [Kweli]. We put Deep Hearted together so that it could be all collaboration songs, so once the real album comes out, Arms and Hammers through Blacksmith/Warner Bros., people can just focus on the group. The Arms and Hammers album is goin to sound West Coast-like when Dr. Dre says, When you come to the West Coast, this is how your music is goin to sound. The time frame thing was that in the middle of making Deep Hearted we got a situation with Blacksmith/Warner where they will put some serious money behind it. But for right now, go get that Deep Hearted. Its all across the map, its worldly and its ghetto shit on there too. You all came together as solo artists. Is that what the future holds as well? Phil the Agony: right now we are pushing the brand of Strong Arm Steady. Everyone knows us individually, but weve been workin on pushin the brand first. But we definitely will have solo albums comin after. Its like WuTang; a lot of great minds comin together. //

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DJ RAh2k mIx AND FlIP WOrDS BY ANDrEW BESS

DJ BooTh
Youve worked with Bay artists like E-0, Big rich, San Quinn, and others like Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, Akon, and T-Pain. Who has been the best to work with and why? Turf Talk and Big rich are the easiest and best to work with - both got hella bars, and when it comes down to it they about business. Juelz Santana was high as a kite when he hosted a mixtape for me one time and that shit was a hella funny session. Mixtape DJs put in a lot of work but dont get recognized for it. Youve dropped over 70 mixtapes alone in 007. Why do you think mixtape DJs have to work harder than your average artist who drops a record or two a year? Thats simple. Money talks - mixtape DJs do it themselves. I know for a fact that a lot of artists you see in magazines with full page ads get outsold by mixtape DJs. Think about that for a second - the DJ sells more then the artist. It all goes back to money and promo budget. As for me, Im just pushing tape after tape to support these artists who dont have major labels behind them to pump their single. You were recently nominated for Best West Coast Mixtape DJ for Justos Mixtape Awards. What does that mean to your career as a mixtape DJ? All the hard work has amounted to something, not just selling tapes to support my rock star habits. This is what I do day in and day out. I eat, sleep, and shit mixtapes. What other West Coast DJs are you up against? Honestly, Im not gonna even step on anyones ego, so Im gonna say log onto www.themixtapeawardsonline.com and see for yourself. Youve had a strong presence this year in the mixtape game. What do you have lined up for 008? Some projects Im working on are with artists like Balance, Hot rod of G-Unit, my dude Bailey, Papoose, Mistah FAB, and Turf Talk. Many artists who are successful in the mixtape circuit arent able to pull [their audience] it over to mainstream albums. Why is there such a big difference between albums and mixtapes? I can say that if you doing mixtape numbers over 0-0,000 you should just keep it up, cause someone will notice the fact you pushing weight. Go to as many functions like the Power Summit or award shows anywhere there are record labels. Ive seen artists do good numbers with street albums, but when it comes to a mixtapes, they might not do so well. It all comes down to if you have a good following and if you have the bars to beat the rest of the competition. //

ver the past five years, the Bay Areas DJ rahk has been grinding out mixtapes with the fury only matched by few. rah networked with the Drama King DJ Kay Slay, joined forces with Streetsweepers and over the last year has contributed over 70 mixtapes to the game. Not to mention, he is the official DJ for Sick Wit It records own Turf Talk. Lets get it poppin - forget the Bankhead, bounce with the Bay. A lot of music is generated by regional sound. Being from the Bay, what makes your sound different from the rest of the region? First off, a lot of these DJs dont break records. Thats something I think I do different. Also, I bring an East Coast attitude to the mixtape game out here talking shit, doing shoutouts to stores, labels, and sponsors. I think my style of mixing and hosting is one of a kind. Not too many DJs in the Bay can rock the turntables and rock the mic at the same time. This is why I get a lot of mixtape hosting as well as club gigs, cause Im a beast when Im DJing. Ive traveled all around the country and seen a lot of DJs and most of them just play their regions [music]. How did you get involved with the Drama King DJ Kay Slay and the rest of the Streetsweepers? I hooked up with DJ radio of Streetsweepers through my dude DJ E-rock of Sick Wit It records, and now we have a series called Thats The Bizzness. Weve made over a dozen different tapes. Last year I went out there for the Mixtape Awards and chilled with radio and Slay, and Ive been in radios ear about bringing the Streetsweeper movement out here. I hit Slay about it and he told me to rep it out here and that if I ever need anything to holler at him. You are also the official DJ for Sick Wit It records Turf Talk, who is E-0s cousin. How did you become his DJ? (laughs) This was dope, I remember I was DJing this club called Angels in San Jose, and I saw Mugzi and my dude Nanell & E-rock outside. Im inside mashing up the club with hella Bay shit and once I see Turf and Mugzi and the rest of Sick Wit It records enter the venue, I start running thru hella Sick Wit It record cuts. Mugzi told me to call him and I thought I played some exclusive shit that I shouldnt have. Anyways, he called and asked me to DJ for Turf Talk. Of course I said yes. A lot of the Bay Area is nationally associated with hyphy music. What are your thoughts on critics saying it was just a fad? Thats what really put us out there on TV, but I would tell the critics to come out here. Theres a lot more then hyphy going on and artists are really making good music. Its not just hyphy and ghostriding your whip. We just gotta keep pushing for these radio stations to pick up on Bay area music.

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tOO $HOrt/Get Off tHe staGe/jIVe With his 7th release and an ever-increasing fan base full of new booties, it only makes sense that Short goes back to his roots on Get Off The Stage. Sardonic and scornful throughout, hes straightforward on the title track, warning groupies (male and female) to kick rocks: I dont come to your job tryna flip yo burgers/ I can handle this crowd/ I dont need your service. The verbal beatdown continues on Broke Bitch, Shittin On Em and FUCK YOU, where he and Mistah FAB trade verses and insults conceptually of course. N. Ali Early j-Hype/abOut my tHIzzNess/tHIzz eNt. As Thizz Nation continues to move about the Bay Area extended, its devout soldiers never miss an opportunity to rep the label Mac Dre built. So goes Mac Dre and Thizz Nation Presents: About My Thizzness, a moving testament to the charismatic rapper. I Been Out Here, featuring San Quinn, rydah J. Klyde and Chop Da Hook Man, is among the tracks where Hype deviates from the Nations norm. However, Hypes desire to rep is loud and clear on Thizz  Life, California Dreams Pt.  and the Furl-assisted Space Age Hustle. N. Ali Early CLINtON pLaCe #9/NeVer judGe a bOOk: a jOurNey tHrOuGH tHe INdustry In forging necessary relationships with some of the West Coasts more reputable emcees, Brick City born producer Clinton Place #9 has arrived at a place where he wants to give back. He does just that on Never Judge a Book: A Journey Through The Industry, a compilation featuring lyrical hurlers like Yukmouth, Kurupt, Westside Connection, roscoe and Canibus, among others. A convincing ride from beginning to end, Never Judge a Book boast contributions from Dae One and Sir Jinx, hard hitting beats, clever word play and relative subject matter that make it an instant West Coast street classic. N. Ali Early

bIsHOp LamONt/pOpe mObILe Without so much as a video or a mainstream single, Dr. Dre protg Bishop Lamont has easily established himself as one of the most dexterous emcees on the Coast. His sociopolitical charged material continues to impress on Pope Mobile. Lamont does his part to edify the listening public on Anyway, then offers biological tales of triumph on Music Shit. He unapologetically goes at industry cats on rappers Wanna Sing, ultimately urging Nick Cannon to stay in his lane on the amusing hook. The gospel influenced Street Theology though, is perhaps the most impressive track, where Bishop manages to teach, not preach. Chuuuuch!! N. Ali Early CrOOked I, dj feLLI feL & dj NIk beaN/st. VaLeNtINe day bOssaCre On this mixtape, hosted by DJ Felli Fel and DJ Nik Bean, Crooked I drops lyrically superior freestyles over rick ross The Boss and Snoop Doggs Boss Life instrumentals, amidst new bangers like Crooked Dont Dance and My Life .0. Mr. Hip Hop Weekly may be well into 0 plus weeks of his unprecedented once a week freestyle series, but couple that with the new music on St. Valentine Day Bossacre, and thats enough to make him a legitimate candidate to bring the West back when his long awaited debut album B.O.S.S.: Being Of Something Serious finally hits the streets. randy roper

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I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T women gettin a handful of Webbie Venue: Spin Nightclub Event: OZONEs New Years Eve City: Las Vegas, NV Date: December st, 007 Photo: D-ray

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