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4 | OZONE
Originating from Dalzell, South Carolina,
9 Million is proof that you dont have to be
from a major music mecca to create hit
records. Hes lent his production exper-
tise to nearly all of the hot artists in South
Carolina, along with artists like Gorilla Zoe,
B.o.B., and Sean Paul of the YoungBloodz.
A lot people dont know that youre respon-
sible for so many South Carolina classics.
Give them a quick list of some joints youve
produced.
I did Hey You Shawty and Im Clean for
CollardGreens and his new single Heart-
Breaker. I did Dont I Look Good For Lil
Ru, Im a Legend for Mr. Flip, and Ev-
erybody Lookin by CollardGreens, which
Atlantic Records VP Kevin Liles purchased
for one of his artists. I did Ya Know by Mr.
Flip. I also produced Lil Rus second single
under Capitol Records, Im Spinnin It. I
did Mr. Flips new single Geek Music and I
produced the hottest song in the south right
now, Nasty Song by Lil Ru.
What exactly is your title with Headhunter
Records?
Im co-CEO along with my partner Lil Bo.
Im also the offcial in-house producer. I do
a little of everything, from marketing and
structuring our company, to the little things
that make our label and artists successful.
Some people think that as long as you have
a hot song youre gonna automatically be
successful, and thats not reality. It takes
a team of individuals with a common goal
to make that record successful, and I think
my partner did a great job putting this team
together.
How do you deal with artists feeling like
theyre not getting the attention they de-
serve, especially when the focus is on one
man out of the crew?
Thats whats so good about the team. The
artists on the roster are real humble. Ev-
eryone understands business. We all know
that everybody cant be in the spotlight at
the same time. We all made a conscious
decision to push Lil Project, and its been
working. Now that weve started getting
attention from the majors, weve been work-
ing with all of our artists a lot more. I want
everybody on the label to have hit records.
How is everything with Lil Rus situation? Is
it true he got dropped from Capitol?
Everything is cool. Lil Ru is not with Capitol
Records any longer, but it was a decision
made by Head Hunter Management not to
continue with the terms of the contract.
Why hasnt Headhunter released any full
length albums? You always have a smash
single but its rarely anything at retail. I
know the streets are dying to know why
they cant cop the albums in the stores.
Actually we just released Lil Rus album/mix
CD called Microwave Music. It has all origi-
nal tracks produced by me and my label
mate Freddie L. But before this, we just
didnt feel like the time was right to release
any projects. We wanted to keep the streets
wanting more. I didnt want to over-food
the market before we had total control. Now
that we have control of the market, youre
gonna see a lot of projects in retail stores
everywhere.
So whats on deck for Nine Mill and Head-
hunter in 2008?
Im working with my labelmates Col-
lardGreens and Mr. Flip right now. Their
projects will be dropping this fall so were
in the studio every day and night. Ive also
been working with a lot of major and inde-
pendent artists. I got a lot of people coming
at me for tracks right now. I guess you can
say Im hot right now, feel me?
Website: Myspace.com/headhunterlabel
Words // Charlamagne tha God
9 MILLION
6 | OZONE
An avid supporter of Carolina music, Ike G
brings homestate talent to the masses via
Sirius Satellite Radio. He can be heard on
CORE DJ Radio Saturdays from midnight
- 2 AM and Sundays from noon - 2 PM.
For those who dont know, whats your his-
tory as a DJ?
I started out under my cousin Tony Tone out
here. When I got to North Carolina he was
on the radio and basically brought me up
under his wing. Ive been doing this since
1996.
Were you doing any other radio work before
CORE DJ Radio came about?
Ive been on the radio in Fayetteville at
WZFX and WCCG, as well as out of state:
KDOL in Iowa and WNOV in Milwaukee.
When the CORE DJs broke through and got
the Sirius show, I had done Sirius before so
I knew the format. I was one of the frst DJs
to go ahead and get it poppin.
What will you have going on for Bike Week?
I got a gang of clubs. I DJ at the East Coast
Customs Bike Show. I got Shawty Lo and
Plies coming to Studebakers. I got the K9
Bike Club Welcome to Bike Week 08 Kickoff
Party on Thursday. After I leave my last
show on Saturday, Ill be hitting up Miami.
Im grinding the whole weekend.
Tell me about some of the new records
youre supporting at the moment.
Im focusing a lot on independent artists
coming out of the Carolinas. Im mess-
ing with Small World real hard. As far as
mainstream artists, Im digging Shawty Los
swag, Rick Ross of course. Weezy is killin
the game. Right along with other DJs nowa-
days, I put a lot of focus on independent
artists, especially from the Carolinas.
How diffcult is it to break an indie artist
versus a new record from a major artist?
If the record is hot its gonna break. The
reason why I say I put my main focus on it
is because the Carolinas have been jumped
over for years. Look at the whole move-
ment; it went from New York to Florida to
Texas back to Florida and Atlanta. Carolina
hasnt really got a foot in the door. We got a
little exposure when Petey Pablo came out
but were trying to take it to that next level.
I take the hottest artists I can fnd in these
Carolina streets and give em an opportu-
nity. I play em on my Sirius show, get em
BDS spins so when they go to these labels
they got a platform. Local radio cats aint re-
ally giving em no spins and helping em out
so Im trying to give em a bigger audience.
What do Carolina rappers have to offer the
rest of the world?
We call ourselves the middle East cause
were not really the South or the East
Coast; were in the middle. Youre not
gonna get just a down South fow; youre
gonna get some cats that sound like theyre
straight from the heart of Brooklyn and
some cats that sound like they from Port
Arthur, Texas. Youll get a little bit of every-
thing combined into one. Our styles are so
diverse and cultured.
Is there anything else you want to mention?
Ive got the Carolina Coalition, which is my
promotions and marketing company. I gotta
shout out the CORE DJs. Were bring-
ing the CORE Retreat to Carolina next go
around. Shout out to the Wright Brothers,
First in Flight Ent., Grandaddy Souf. Im
on the road with J. Bully and Small World
whos signed to DTP.
Website: Myspace.com/Djikegda910
Words // Ms. Rivercity
IKE G DA
Both a radio personality and a DJ, Tab
DBiasi got his start at Power 98 interning
and working his way up. Da Million Dolla DJ
can be heard from noon - 1 PM and 2 AM
- 6 AM every Monday through Friday.
Why do you call yourself Da Million Dolla
DJ?
My name is Tab; thats my initials. When I
started DJing I couldnt think of a DJ name.
I was drinking one day and came up with
the name of an old wrestler who used to call
himself Tad DBiasi. I just fipped it. He used
to call himself The Million Dollar Man. He
would come in the ring with money all the
time. I was a wrestling fan as a kid.
So if you hadnt become a DJ you might
have become a wrestler?
Hell no! Im too little. I woulda probably
been a wrestling funky or something.
Is Power 98 the frst station you DJed at?
Yeah. I did college radio back home in
Jersey. When I got down here I got the
opportunity to intern under Nate Quick. He
saw me DJing at a party and said I should
be on the radio. I thought he was playing. I
ran into him three more times and he said
the same thing. I fgured I might as well go
for it cause something kept me running into
this dude.
With all the changes in the radio business,
where do you see technology taking it for
both DJs and artists?
Free radio is becoming harder cause you
got all these other outlets. Free radio is
governed by a lot of people that dont take
chances. As a DJ, were out in the streets
more so we know whats poppin and what
to take a chance on. Sometimes we dont
get the liberty to do that. With digital down-
loads, I feel its better. It might be hurting
the industry now but the industrys gotta
come up with ways to combat that. Its all
about the consumer. If we didnt have artists
only making one or two good songs on a
CD, they would be selling more units.
Whats something that the general public
might not understand about what you do?
In radio you have to follow certain rules and
guidelines. I used to always listen to radio
DJs when I was coming up and they always
said its politics going on. But you might not
agree with that until youre in the loop and
see it for yourself. Radios main concern is
keeping listeners tuned in. In their mind, if
you play something unrecognizable, people
might turn the channel. Its the same thing
in the club.
How do you get people to accept something
new?
We have a mixshow meeting with the DJs
and our music director at the station. We
rate the new records and if we all feel
the same way about it, well add it to the
mixshow rotation. It bubbles from mixshow
rotation to regular rotation. I think it goes
from the radio to the club really. The more
people hear it on the radio, the more they
want to hear it in the club. Internet is a
good kickoff too sometimes, like with Soulja
Boy. Everybody knew Crank Dat before it
dropped [as a major label single] so radio
was forced to play it.
Who are some artists you think will be
around for a while?
I think Hurricane will be out for a while
because he can fip styles. When you try to
stay in the same lane all the time and you
dead end, theres nowhere to go. Like with
snap music, when it died you dont hear
from those artists no more. Its hard for
them to get another single poppin. The rap
game is changing so fast.
Contact: Milliondolladj@gmail.com
Words // Ms. Rivercity
TAB DBIASI
8 | OZONE
OZONE | 9
He went from South Carolina to the Wendy
Williams Experience, and now Charla-
magne Tha God is one of the top radio
personalities in the country. Some rappers
hate, some listeners do, too. But since no
one knows whats coming out of his mouth
next, people love listening to him.
Youve been on the Wendy Williams Experi-
ence for two years now. Tell me how that
whole experience has been.
As far as radio, that was an adjustment
because I come from doing my own show,
Charlamagne Tha Gods Concrete Jungle
in the Carolinas. Ive never been nobodys
co-host. So its not my system, its her sys-
tem. I had to fnd a way to do my numbers
and put up my points within her system. But
as far as the career aspect, it was the best
move I couldve made at the time. My talent
is showcased on a national level now. I
went from zero to sixty in 15 seconds and in
the next two years Im going to go from 60
to 200. Its a beautiful thing.
Wendy has a bad rep with a lot of people.
Do people that dont like Wendy not like
Charlamagne Tha God?
I came into the situation with my own
enemies. Its like the industry hates me
just as much as they hate her. I think its
just because we dont kiss the ass of the
celebrities. Nobodys come up to me like, I
dont like Wendy, so I dont like you. But I
have heard people say, Wendy, I like you,
but I dont like Charlamagne.
What was your problem with comments
Lil Wayne made in a recent article in
OZONE?
Im writing a book called Socially Irrespon-
sible and a lot of times people in general
with a voice, when youre an infuential
person like Lil Wayne--when you got a
brother like that saying, I wont rap about
you, Ill murder you, your family, your wife,
and your newborn baby--that shouldve
had everybody in an outrage. We dont get
outraged for nothing. They shot Sean Bell
50 times; we didnt get outraged. Jena 6,
we didnt get outraged. We saw how they
responded to Hurricane Katrina; we didnt
get outraged. People really dont care no
more. But when you hear a brother saying
he will kill newborn babies, somebody had
to check him.
You do a lot of things outside of radio. Care
to talk about that?
Yo, my South Crack [Carolina] album
should be out no later than August. We got
distribution through EMI for our label imprint
Stupid Dope Moves. I got a real nice TV
situation bout to go on. God is good.
Anything else you want to talk about?
I just got named one of the Top 30 radio
personalities under the age of thirty. Its a
big thing because its not just black radio;
its country, rock, and different people in the
industry under the age of thirty. In 2005 I
got named one of the top infuential people
in arts and entertainment under the age of
30 in South Carolina. Now Im saying that
to say this: WHXK Hot 103.9 in Columbia,
SC wont let me do [my show] Concrete
Jungle. I asked [the stations program
director] Chris Conners numerous times; he
says the general manager Steve Patterson
always says no. I think its funny how Im
one of the top personalities in the nation; I
work for Inner City Broadcasting, but they
wont let me do Concrete Jungle when I
come to the town and it bothers me. Its not
like they dont need the help; theyre num-
ber 13 in the market and their competition
is number 3. I was on one day a week after
they demoted me and now Im one of the
top 30 under 30.
Words // Randy Roper
CHARLAMAGNE THA GOD
OZONE | 9
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10 | OZONE
OZONE | 11
Currently on the road with Boosie, Rick
Ross, Pleasure P., and Plies, Snook is
poppin bottles like a true Rokk Starr. Its a
lifestyle Snook exposed long before it be-
came the current trend. Here Snook speaks
on the tour and how hes fnally getting the
recognition he deserves.
Youve worked with a lot of big names in
the industry. Who all have you collaborated
with lately?
My latest collaborations were with Lil
Boosie, Yo Gotti, and T-Pain. Ive worked
with Sean Paul from the YoungBloodz, Lil
Mo, Rich Boy, and Princess of Crime Mob.
Tell me about the album American Roc
Star.
The album is set to come out late 08. A lot
of groups came out and everybody wanted
to do the rockstar thing; they had the fad
with it. I dont party like a rock star; I live like
one. The albums gonna show you the life
and times of real hood rock star, like going
to the club, poppin bottles. Thats my life-
style, everything I do. I cant really go into
depth. Im open to a lot of different things.
Elaborate on what you mean by groups
that came out wanting to do the rockstar
thing.
I had a song called Rockstar on Myspace.
It wasnt Party Like a Rockstar. It was
about living like a rockstar. I had a live
band come in and play it. I released it on
Myspace right out the studio, no mix on it or
anything. Maybe like a month or so later I
hear the Party Like a Rockstar song. I had
already done business with a record label
out of New York on the song prior to that.
So are you saying that you think the Shop
Boyz got the idea for their song from yours?
I cant remember what publication it was in,
but I actually read an article I dont like
to say names cause thats how you make
other people famous but he was like, I
heard the song on Myspace and I liked it so
we wanted to put our own twist to it. Thats
where that came from.
It seems like the major DJs are cosigning
you. How did you get their support?
They just like my music. I was down in
Jacksonville at Vision Sounds shout out
to Jawad recording a lot of my mixtapes
and Bigga Rankin heard some of the music.
One of my managers had a relationship
with Bigga and they were having a lunch
meeting one day. Bigga was telling him
that he liked it. He got behind it and put my
music out there, let other DJs hear it. The
South Carolina DJs jumped on it quick once
they heard it. It was like a domino effect, a
nice lil chain reaction.
Who do you consider to be the most inspi-
rational artists throughout history?
Big Daddy Kane was the ultimate per-
former. He wasnt just a rapper; he actually
did acrobatics and all types of stuff. When
you came to see Big Daddy Kane you knew
you were gonna leave outta there sweat-
ing. Other than that, I like Biggie Smalls. He
inspired me with his lyrical content. Nobody
can tell a story better than Biggie to me.
Jay-Zs business mind was inspiring. He
somehow made it through the adversity and
got to where he needed to be. And last but
not least, Lil Waynes grind is crazy. He had
77 features last year; that speaks for itself.
When you think of your biggest dream in life
what comes to mind?
Getting my mother outta the hood. However
I have to accomplish that dream, Ill do it.
The music industry is defnitely part of my
dream cause I plan on that being my outlet,
but its by any means necessary.
Tell me about the history behind Southern
Dynasty Records.
The label was started by me and my big
homie thats locked up right now. Im origi-
nally from New Jersey and I came to South
Carolina in 99 to go to school. I stopped
going to school in 01 to further my career
in music. I met Chris and we started the
label. I was the frst artist under the label,
currently still the only artist under the label.
He got messed up with the whole Federal
thing and went to jail. We had to branch off
into ventures with other people. My homie
Mixx and Biggs came in and took over the
business side.
Do you have any upcoming events or pro-
motional plans you want to mention before
we go?
Im on the Hypnotized tour with Lil Boosie,
Rick Ross, Pleasure P, and Plies. Shout
out to SSP and Mon E. G. the Ghostwriter.
Weve been to Augusta, Columbia, Jack-
sonville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, St. Louis,
Kansas City, and its still going so keep your
ears out for that. Watch out for the new
mixtape coming soon.
Website: Myspace.com/Snookmusic
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Photo // Ingrid H
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12 | OZONE
OZONE | 13
Danny! is not your average rapper. You
cant box him in or classify him. Although
several comparisons to Kanye and Little
Brother have been made, after one listen to
Dannys music, its obvious hes a one-of-a-
kind musician.
Whats your background as an artist and
producer?
I started making beats and writing lyr-
ics when I was a kid. When I turned 19 I
decided to go full force with it. I put out my
frst album in 2004. A lot of people were
feeling it. People were trying to compare
me to Kanye West too much so I got a lot
of fack for that. I kept working at it, trying
to get people to take me seriously. After
a while people said, Okay, this guy has
something. I put out my third CD and thats
when things fell into place. Everybody was
saying it was the best album they heard in a
while. A couple of the tracks were selected
for the Grammy Short List in 2007. I got
an invitation to go to the show. That was a
testament as to how far you can go in music
if you keep working at it.
What happened after that?
A month before I went to the Grammys I
got a record deal with a label in Manhattan
called Def Jux. Im working on my album for
them right now. Before that, Im going to put
out one last independent album on my own.
Are you doing a movie or something?
Thats actually the album Im working on
called And I Love Her, the original mo-
tion picture soundtrack. Its not really a
soundtrack and theres no movie at this
point. I was trying to pattern it after this
Beatles movie called A Hard Days Night.
The cover art and song titles were based
off of the Beatles. Its really a movie on
wax. From start to fnish its like watching
a movie but youre listening to it. Halfway
through it I thought it wouldnt hurt to do a
movie, so were talking to a few people right
now about shooting something for it to go
along with the album release.
Youre music defnitely falls in a class of its
own. If you had to title your sound, what
would you call it?
(long pause) I dont know. If people arent
saying Kanye, theyre saying old-school.
But I wouldnt say that at all; Id say
new-school, something fresh, an updated
version of what were all familiar with. Its
not just one sound. I have songs that have
cymbals youd hear on a Rick Ross song,
but Im still doing me. I sound international. I
cant even classify myself. The only reason
why I understand people comparing me
to Kanye is because I titled my frst album
The College Kicked-Out. I did it in a joking
way, not because I wanted to be like Kanye.
At the time I got kicked out of school for
something stupid.
After that you went to the Savannah Col-
lege of Art & Design, right?
Yeah, Im still there now. I got kicked out
and moved here a year later in 2005. I lost
a lot of credits but thats not gonna keep me
out of school. Well see how far the music is
gonna take me but I want to have some-
thing to fall back on. Im studying sequential
art, storyboarding, TV shows, movies and
things like that.
You have the right look to star in movies.
Have you thought about that?
Me and my friend were joking about going
into movies if this rap stuff doesnt work out.
We do talk about it. We could make up a
sitcom or movie and people would laugh at
it. Ive never acted professionally but I have
thought about doing it after everything else
has been accomplished in music.
What would be the perfect character for you
to play?
Some neurotic character, somebodys whos
wildin out for no reason, someone crazy.
Thats not completely me but Id defnitely
play someone funny that makes somebody
laugh, unintentionally or otherwise.
What are some other things people should
be looking out for?
Check for this album. Were working some
things out as far as distribution. Look out for
updates on Myspace. Shout out to Charla-
magne and Randy Exclusive. Randys kick-
ing around a mixtape idea with Sam King
and Charlamagnes got me on the South
Kak album. Play my music and you wont
be disappointed.
Website: Myspace.com/Mcdanny
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14 | OZONE
Yall might be sick of all these dance re-
cords from the South, but dont throw up un-
til you hear Statehouse Records young hit
maker J.Q. His single Crank Dat Roy has
become a powerhouse on both Myspace
and YouTube.
Youve got some records and dances that
Im betting are gonna pop off. Either youre
creative as hell or youve got too much time
on your hands. How do you come up with
those joints?
Im just creative as hell. Its just a process I
follow when it comes to making records. Ev-
ery artist has got his or her own method. I
like feel-good music, so thats what I make.
I got dance records; I got street records; I
got sex records; it just so happened to be
the dance record that popped off big time
for me after promoting it heavy.
The Elroy has been bubbling in the streets
of Orangeburg for a minute. Where did that
dance originate from? Someone told me
yall got it from a crackhead named Elroy.
The dance is something a few people
where doing in O-Burg by Elroy. What I did
was come along and make a track about it
and freak the dance. Everybody needs to
go to YouTube and type in Crank Dat Roy
and see the views. Ive got 400,000+ views.
You can post a comment while youre at it.
A lot of people are gonna come at you and
say the music you make is not Hip Hop.
How are you gonna handle that when
people say that to you?
I do what I do for my fans. You cant win
everybody, and Im not trying to. One thing
I learned is you cant take what critics say
too seriously or you gonna end up at the
doctors offce getting pills for a bunch of
migraine headaches.
Are you getting any groupie love off of the
success of The Elroy?
(laughs) Im nowhere close to what you get-
ting. Im tryin to catch up though.
Whats your situation with State House
Records?
Im signed to State House Records. Shout
out to Mo The Peoples CEO. But I got
other responsibilities that deal with the
label. Im personally invested in it so I know
everything thats going own. Im in the busi-
ness of making money.
I hear yall have been getting approached
by a lot of labels trying to sign you. Who
are the labels that have been trying to sign
you for pennies and sell your publishing for
millions? And what do you expect from a
major label?
Some labels approached us already. Were
just tryna get in a situation where both par-
ties beneft. The right situation will present
itself soon.
You need to sign with Stupid Dope Moves,
Inc. If youre gonna get raped, at least get
raped by people you know.
(laughs) When you fnd good people who
are willing to do anything for you before the
money, you keep em. Its like Lil Wayne
and Baby; its all about loyalty at the end of
the day. Money comes and goes but real
people are hard to come across. Im happy
with my situation.
Naw Im just fucking with you, but I really
like what you dudes are doing; thats why
The Elroy is the frst single off of South
Crack The Album. Im expecting some real
major moves from yall. Tell the people
where State House is going.
Stupid Dope Moves has been making
moves in South Carolina for a minute and
we all respect the work you put in, Charla-
magne. The album is gonna be a success.
In the mean time, everybody can pick up
my mixtape/album Brand New in stores and
online. You can check www.myspace.com/
shrmuzic or www.myspace.com/jqmuzic for
more info. I just wanna thank every person
that plays the record at home, school, iPod
and everything. I also want to thank all the
DJs that play my music. I will keep deliver-
ing hot music for you; just keep supporting
your boy. South Carolina I got you for life.
Website: Myspace.com/shrmuzic
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OZONE | 17
No disrespect to the West Coast, but Chi-
cago started this gangsta shit--yet, looking
at most of the citys current successful Hip
Hop acts, youd never know it. Backpack
and skateboard rap have dominated The
Go and may give many outsiders the wrong
impression of the city home to the most
infamous gangsters since Al Capone.
Make no mistakes: Chicago is a criminal
city. If the current violent streak continues,
it will be without question 2008s murder
capitol of America, and at times can make
Compton look like Connecticut.
And while Lupe Fiasco and The Cool Kids
can kick push through parts of the city
with ease, they certainly werent frolicking
around The Bogus Boys Low End neighbor-
hood. Count, Moonie, and Big Rugg, also
known as the Low End Professionals give
a new meaning to the word real. Straight
off the streets, these three dont attest to be
anything they arent, but even though they
do gangbanging music, theyve proved that
you can do so without promoting violence.
They blamed Hip Hop for everything thats
going on in the streets and in the gangs,
says the Infared Records CEO who just
goes by the name E. But [no gang] is
worse than the government. Right now
Chicago is the murder capitol. Were talking
about whats going on down here.
Not only is the group talking about
whats been going on in the crime riddled
Chi-Town, but theyve also transcended
Chicagos recent reputation for friendly rap,
and are representing the city their way.
The Low End is a very distinct hood in Chi-
cago, but for people that arent as familiar
with the city, can you give a little description
of what its like out there?
Count: Its grimy on the Low, real grimy,
thats where all the projects areState
Street. The whole South Side, really the
whole Chicago is grimy, but the Low End
got a whole nother story to tell, its the
grimiest.
Bogus is a trademark word in the Chicago
vernacular. Can you explain why you guys
call yourselves Bogus Boys?
Moonie: Chicago started the whole gang
banging movement, and we feel if you gon
be a part of something you should at least
know the history behind it. In Chicago back
in the 80s and 90s [Gangster Disciple
leader] Larry Hoover had a hit mob called
the Bogus Boys. When he had a problem
with mfuckas he would send them Bogus
Boys to do his murdering. My cousin was
an offcial member of that, and I grew up
around him. The Bogus Boys got so big
that they basically revolted and told Larry
Hoover, Fuck you, in a sense. Of course
Larry Hoover didnt like that, so he had
anybody who said they were a Bogus Boy
killed. Most of them got annihilated, but
there are still some that are around now,
like my cousin Andre Gill. They call him Billy
the Kidd. So thats where the name Bogus
Boys comes from; it was a hit mob from the
GDs.
Tell me about the movement?
Count: The movement is going well. We all
kinda came up together. We from Ingle-
wood on the Low End of Chicago, and we
all came together, and decided to do music.
We would be in the projects just messin
around, man, and eventually we got seri-
ous. We frst had a deal with Interscope,
and then we got out of that and we got
signed to Sony, but then my little brother got
killed, so that kinda scared them, so we got
outta that deal. Now, weve been grinding
independently, we got like 100,000 mix-
tapes out in the street. We got that fanbase
going, and we got songs out here on the
radio now on like 40 stations. We got songs
with Jim Jones, Young Dro, Fabolous, and
we got a song with Rick Ross called Thug
Girl. We defnitely gotta buzz going, espe-
cially in Chicago.
Moonie: The movement is strong. We get
like 10,000 hits a day on Myspace. Were in
the new Kanye video, Homecoming, and
the new Yung Berg video Do Dat There.
We get love from all the DJs: Ferris, V-
Dubb, Sean Mac, all the Violators, we mess
with all the DJs. We got a serious move-
ment; I can go to Cabrini Green and get 100
niggas out here. I can go to West Sideto
the village, K-Town and get a hundred nig-
gas. I can go to the south side and get a
hundred niggas.
Who does most of your production?
Big Rugg: We got two producers that do all
our production: Low Key and the Fly Boyz.
In your opinion, what is Chicagos role in
the national Hip Hop scene right now?
Count: Man, Hip Hop moves around from
this coast, to that coast, to down South, but
Chicago has always been on something
different. We werent really about Hip Hop
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here, we were more about the organizations
in the streets. Rap hit hard around here
like everywhere else in the country, but in
Chicago, we dont have any major labels,
so people just have to get their buzz up and
perfect their craft. Weve got the momen-
tum, and were pushing down the door
and creating opportunities out here. The
Chicago story needs to be heard and thats
what were here doing.
There defnitely seems to be a distinct con-
nection between the culture of Chicago and
the South.
Count: Well, Chicago has a little bit more
of an edge to it then down South does.
People up here are a little less friendly than
cats down South, but there are defnitely a
lot of similarities. The South is as gangsta
as it gets, and so is the Chi. But Chicago
has a lot of different musical styles, and
some music from the Chi is really similar to
Southern music. The Bogus Boys get love
everywhere we go, whether its the East
Coast, West Coast, or Down South.
What type of fans come to your shows?
Count: Our fanbase is diverse. We keep
it in the streets, but the females do what
they do, too. We gear some of our music
to the females. We got some songs for the
guys, and some for the lil juvies, cause
they be out in the streets, too. Basically, we
make music based on the last 6 months of
our lives, so whats currently going on the
world, you gon hear in our music. We make
music for the streets, for our hood. I wish I
could tell you something different, but we
aint in the corporate buildings downtown,
so I cant tell you about that. Im in the
streets every day. Were in the streets right
now while Im talking to you.
As Chicago artists, what attracted you guys
to Bike Week in Myrtle Beach?
We just wanna be a part of whatevers
going on. Thats how were getting our
music and our movement out there. We go
everywhere thats poppin.
What it is about L.E.P and The Bogus Boys
that makes yall different from the legions of
other independent rap groups?
Our story. Were different. Our streets is
differenttheyre more structured. You
need to hear about our political prisoners.
We structured these organizations, and had
these neighborhoods under control where
it wasnt all wild out here like it is now. They
took the structure out of the streets when
they locked up our chiefs and our lead-
ers. It wasnt all this random killing before
then. We got a serious story to tell; this is a
Chicago thing, and plus weve got some re-
ally good music. Weve got cool production,
nice features, and its real professional. Its
on point, and its industry ready.
Big Rugg: We dont advocate violence, we
only talk about what we see. We put out
120,000 copies of our mixtapes last year,
we got 60,000 out in the streets right now.
Weve done the Raw Report, The Source,
and a couple of other small magazines. Our
grind is so ugly. Weve got our wrapped
vans, a hundred miles moving. A label is
gon really have to come get it with us, and
put they money where they mouth is.
Not too long ago, you released a Yung Berg
diss. Where did that come from?
E: Yung Berg used to be on our label.
He tells everybody that DMX signed him,
but actually we were in a meeting in New
York with DMX. I wasnt gonna go with the
deal they were trying to offer us, because
we werent getting enough from the label.
[Yung Bergs] dad lied and said he had left
his bag in the meeting room; he went back
in and got DMXs number. Once we got
back to Chicago we didnt hear from Berg
again. Then we found out he had went
back up there and signed a deal with DMX.
Shorty feels hes in a good situation right
now, but well see where his career is when
the real gangstas come through. Were in
his video, but we still dissing him. He knows
he cant come to the city without letting us
in his video.
So do you still have animosity with him?
E: Until he straightens it out with Moonie I
aint got nothing to say to him. I put $50,000
dollars into him for he and his daddy to be
where they are. Yung Berg wanted to be on
so bad, he would cross his mother or father
to get in the game.
Okay, so getting back to L.E.P., tell me
about your current label situation?
Moonie: Were independent now. Infared
is our label. We were with Sony, but when
Larro got killed, the label kinda got scared.
We got off the label and started pushing the
music ourselves. Weve had a few labels
call us offering 360 deals. We dont want a
360 deal. Weve been good by ourselves,
why would we get into a situation where
somebody can control our music?
Website: www.myspace.com/bogusboyslep
OZONE | 19
S.Dub enjoyed a brief record deal under
Russell Simmons Music Group. With the
label now out of commission, Young S.Dub
reveals plans to further his own label as the
Mayor of Charlotte.
You look pretty young. How long have you
been in the rap game?
Im 22 now. Ive been doing this seriously
since I was 18. Im from Charlotte, NC and
I performed a lot to build a buzz in my city.
I really didnt expect it at frst coming out
on my frst local album called Offcial Take
Over. I opened arenas for big artists at
the time. I got signed to Russell Simmons
Music Group and I was on the Waist Deep
soundtrack the movie with The Game,
Larenz Tate, Tyrese, and Meagan Good.
What happened with the label situation?
The label kinda crashed and I started my
own label called Everything Proft ETP.
Ive just been promoting that and doing
shows. Last night I had a show at the old
Comedy Zone. Theyre bringing that back. I
did my hit single Im Fly produced by Kra-
zy Figgz. Hes gonna be a big problem for
the industry. Krazys gonna be the executive
producer cause hes got every sound the
rock, the Hip Hop, whatever. He can adapt
and make any type of track, not just Down
South records. Basically, when it folded, I
took the songs that were in my possession
and put em on other producers beats.
You have a mixtape coming out with Chuck
T. How did you link up with him?
Its called Im the Man in My City. Im
still putting the fnishing touches on
it. Im looking forward to putting it out and
letting em really know who I am and why
Im at this point, and why I have the right
to call myself the Mayor of My City. I got
another mixtape coming out before the
Chuck T tape called Kings of the Queen
with my dawgs Sport E. Odie and DJ Cease
Fire. Im trying to have both mixtapes in
the streets at once. Sport E. Odie is a big
party promoter out here. Hes got the col-
lege crowds and with DJ Chuck T being
known all around the Carolinas and having
relationships in other cities, I thought it was
a good idea to go with him too.
Were you pretty disappointed when your
frst big break didnt go as planned? How
did you bounce back from that?
When I got signed, I was working on the al-
bum in Atlanta. I had about eight songs with
production from DJ Toomp, Drumma Boy,
and a couple of Charlotte producers. I dont
really know what happened with the label,
but it didnt have nothing to do with me as
an artist. It wasnt like I got dropped off the
label or I didnt have no singles. The song
that was on the Waist Deep soundtrack had
a buzz in my city and rotation on the radio.
We was waiting on a video to be shot for it.
Technically Im still signed under that label
under Def Jam.
What are you planning to do about that?
I want to get released off the label cause
Ive got people that want to do other
situations with me. Some people might
say theyll buy me out of the contract and
re-sign me, you got people that believe in
me like that, but what if something doesnt
come out right? Im trying to get released so
I can do my own thing and promote my own
label. I want to bring my people in with me
but I got to get through the dirt frst. I know
Ive got what it takes to be on the next level,
win awards, be in movies, and all that. Im
still a young ass dude and the man in my
city, the new face of the South.
Website: Myspace.com/Sdubthegreat
Words // Ms. Rivercity
YOUNG S DUB
20 | OZONE
The new blood of DTP, Le-Le is a writer and
artist from Jackson, MS. After fnishing a
degree at Howard University in D.C., Le-Le
came to the A to pursue her goals. Less than
a month later she became an offcial Disturb-
ing Tha Peace family member.
When you were growing up did you ever
imagine youd be an entertainer?
Actually, I did. Me and my sister would listen
to songs and make our own renditions of
them. Singing and music was always in the
works. My daddy had his own band. I always
wanted to be an entertainer; I just never
planned it out or nothing like that.
How did you go from Le-Le the regular chick
to Le-Le the rapper? What was the turning
point?
Probably when I went to school. I majored in
radio, television, and flm. Being in the studio
and utilizing the music really helped me to
hone my skills and get my weight up on the
writing tip. Ive always been a writer but get-
ting in a real studio didnt happen until I went
off to college.
What made DTP want to sign you?
Actually it was on some fate shit. An A&R
from DTP heard some music I had done in
D.C., and Chaka heard some music too.
They called each other like, Its this chick I
heard thats tight. She got a fre ass song.
Come to fnd out, the same chick was
me on both ends. It just took off from
there.
Did they sign you off the Im Da Shit
song or is that new?
Thats the one I got the single deal off of.
Im trying to make this the ladies anthem. I
think female power has been lost in the in-
dustry. If you think back to the days of Salt
N Pepa, thats when female emcees were
fy. I think weve lost that over the years. Im
trying to bring that aspect back to the game.
Did you move to Atlanta prior to signing with
DTP or afterwards?
I was already here. Thats why I just know
that its destiny. I moved here on August
6th and my situation with DTP happened in
September. I was planning on moving to At-
lanta to see where that would take me. I was
living in D.C. for like seven years. I wanted
to be closer to home but I wasnt ready to
go home yet. Anybodys who has been to
Jackson knows nothing positive is coming
out of Jackson right now. My roots are in
Jackson and when I die Ill be in Jackson,
but I feel like it doesnt have the opportuni-
ties. In order for me to help somebody, Ima
need to get myself right frst. If you look at
Mississippi, its at the bottom of everything
education, even the mayor himself.
I know DTP has several other artists. Where
do you fall in the timeline for releasing an
album?
DTP is very music driven. I think the more
music we put out, the better they can
decide who to drop frst. Im not tripping.
Ive learned patience. I want it to be right
and not rush nothing. My other labelmate
Willy Northpole has something coming out in
Summer 2008.
Whats next on your agenda?
Check for the movement titled The Get It In
Girl Click. Thats a group of women thats
about their business and making the best out
of situations. Check for my album coming up
this summer, as well as some more singles
were trying to put out as soon as possible.
Website: Myspace.com/LeLeonthemic
Words // Ms. Rivercity
LE-LE
OZONE | 21
While other rappers his age Crank Dat
[insert dance name here], 17-year-old,
Durham, NC rapper Young Swift is the
anti-crank. He has NC hitmaker 9th Wonder
proving him with the sounds and Raw 66
on XM radio spinning his songs on heavy
rotation, making him a young dude the
Carolinas need to be familiar with.
At 17 your music is lyrical. Why arent you
doing dances like other artists your age?
When I frst started listening to music, that
wasnt really the type of music I was listen-
ing to. I listened to Nas, Jay-Z, Pac, Biggie,
stuff like that.
Your buzz is coming through XM radio 66
Raw. Howd you get your music played on
XM?
XM has been a blessing for me and my
whole career. Leo G and Nina 9, theyre
like the greatest things since sliced bread.
I got love for them. Nina peeped it out frst
over Myspace, then she let Leo G hear
it and he started playing The Cool Dude
(Slow Motion). He started playing it; people
started liking it, putting it on regular rotation
or whatnot. And now, I just gave [Leo G]
another song called Amen that hes been
running a couple times.
What opportunities have come from get-
ting your music
played on XM?
Its a lot of things going on for me right now.
I just signed a management deal with Nina
9. We got a lot of things in the works, as far
as me and her and what were gon do out-
side of the station. We shot a video for one
of the tracks and weve been in the studio,
trying to work on some new music.
Youve done some work with 9th Wonder.
How did you hook up with him?
I met him when I was 14. I was in a group
and we met him at a Hip Hop conference.
My dad told him that we rapped and what-
not, but he wasnt paying too much atten-
tion to us. But he actually did a remix for us,
so we were all excited about that. Last year,
I had a Hip Hop class that he was teaching,
so I met him again. I went up to the studio,
and he remembered I rapped, and he was
giving a tour of the studio, showing people
this and that. So, he asked me to hop in the
booth, so I rapped for him. We did a couple
tracks together and weve been cool ever
since. I got a track [produced by 9th Won-
der] called Young Love, got a song called
Thinking of You, Magic Show, Competi-
tion Is None, a bunch of stuff.
Its been hard for artists to get on out of
the Carolinas. What are you, being a new
younger artist, bringing thats different than
the Carolina artists that came before you?
Im just bringing more of a balance to it. A
lot of people say Hip Hop is dead, and
they blame Soulja Boys type of music.
Im not blaming that, Im just saying there
needs to be more of a balance between the
Soulja Boys and real Hip Hop.
What projects are you working on now?
Im working on a new mixtape called The
Return. Thats gonna be complete by the
summer. I got beats from E. Jones; he just
did Talib Kwelis new album. A cat named
Gotti whos worked with T.I.; I got BQ Music
on it; I got a new cat named Picasso. Hes a
monster. I got a guy named Kwes the Beast
on it.
How does it feel to be so young and making
a name for yourself in the music business?
It feels great. Outside of my youth, just do-
ing it, period, feels great. Being young and
doing it is just a plus.
Words // Randy Roper
YOUNG SWIFT
22 | OZONE
Along with the Carolina Pathfndaz, TR
Flow has created a resume that includes
promotion, clothing, and an all-around
movement with his Baby Mama Real
song. Here he speaks on where his inspira-
tion comes from and what it will take for the
Carolinas to pop off.
Whats been going on with you over the last
year? Whats new?
I dropped a new mix CD called Child Sup-
port Money talking about being out here
hustling and feeding the kids. My Baby
Mama Real song is still strong in South
Carolina. I just opened a nightclub out in
Walterboro. Everything is going good.
Have you been through some baby mama
issues yourself?
Yeah, Ive got kids and a couple baby ma-
mas so Ive been through those situations.
The Baby Mama Real song came from an-
other song that was real popular in the city.
I got the inspiration from the guy that had
that song. We put it together and thats what
made it successful. I was going through a
situation dealing with child support with my
baby mama. One day I was thinking to my-
self, Man, this would be a good connection
to take it from being a fun dance song, deal-
ing with the ladies, and digging deeper into
the issue of child support money. I know a
lot of people can relate to it.
Why do you think the Carolinas are
often overlooked in the music industry?
I cant tell you why they dont give us
credit. If record companies would do
their research and analyze it, theyll see
that its some top-grade talent here. They
just havent made it down this way to
really look. I listen to a lot of things in the
industry, and a lot of stuff where Im from;
a lot of stuff is weak compared to the stuff
going on here. We got some hot music.
People outside of the Carolinas move to it.
We dont be fakin with it. We respect real
talent, real money, real rappers. The thing
I dont like is a lot of dudes sitting in the
government of the rap game come to the
Carolinas and they dont really know how to
support, push another man up, or give em
knowledge. Why they cant open the door?
If somebody opened a door for you, what
dollar amount do you think youd be worth?
If you give me $300,000 Ima be alright.
If you asked me fve years ago when rap
was really making money, Id need a million
dollars. Put my song anywhere and theyre
gonna love it. Im telling you from experi-
ence, not to be arrogant. Put me in the
studio for three months, and Ima get you
paid.
What else do you want to mention? Whats
going on with the Carolina Pathfndaz?
I got the video for the remix with Petey
Pablo. I got some other remixes coming.
I got some new joints called Check that
Hoe and Hands on Your Hips. As far as
these rappers and DJs who say theyre rid-
ing around in Phantoms and Bentleys and
think they all that, you need to pay attention
to whats going on in Florida and how they
coming together. DJ Khaled brings all the
powerhouses together. These dudes here
claiming they getting money and they hot
but they aint showing me nothing. We need
to come together. You aint gotta get to-
gether with someone that dont got a buzz;
come together with people that got move-
ments. Ive been out here with the Carolina
Pathfndaz. Look at the club promotions,
clothing, CDs, anything around here, we
started that. Thats why I got the right to say
what I said. And if anyone has a problem
with it, come see me.
Words // Ms. Rivercity
TR FLOW
OZONE | 23
Youve probably seen his ads in OZONE
and thought to yourself, Man, this dude is
crazy. But honestly, there arent too many
artists who market themselves better than
Carlos Cartel. Lets fnd out why:
When I frst saw your ads in OZONE I
called Chuck T, like, What the fuck is
wrong with Carlos? Is he trying to sell CDs
or cocaine? What was your thought pro-
cess behind that?
First of all, that wasnt a smart thing for me
to do, but it was necessary. It was a story
behind the brick of cocaine I put in the
two-page ad in the mag. On the frst page, I
sat a brick of cocaine on the table and told
you about the positive things I could do out
of something negative as far as my own
wrapped van, ads in magazines, songs with
major artists, rather than buying unneces-
sary things that would not help once my
run is over in the dope game. Look at it as
motivation for niggas who rap who dont
know what to do with dope money.
I also saw you on so many street
DVDs I was like, damn, Carlos is on his
grind, but you were showcasing your arse-
nal of guns more than your talent. Why?
For a while I was the triggaman in my city;
niggas know to call me for straps. Also, who
would you rather listen to, a nigga holding a
mic or holding an AK with a hundred round
drum? Youre a smart man if you said the
nigga with an AK. So I went that route and
it worked. Every DVD you see me on, after
I foss the AKs, I drop a freestyle. Thats the
part where I speak and yall listen.
One thing I started to appreciate is the
fact you seem to invest in yourself a lot
with wrapped trucks, fyers, ads in national
publications. What motivated you to start
doing that?
Simple. I play chess, not checkers, and by
saying that I use my mind a lot more.
Youre also known as Cause Hell Cartel;
youve had altercations with Juvenile and Lil
Wayne, among others. Has your reputation
ever caused any doors to shut for you in the
industry?
I run and make money on the streets of
one of the hardest streets in America. Im
around guerillas all day; so if Im around
guerillas all day Ill know when I see a
monkey. But as far as them hurting my
career, lets just say this is my third year
in the bike week edition so you answer
that.
Why do you think the Carolinas havent
popped off in the industry yet?
Because you got a lot of fuck niggas whos
in position to help niggas out going for self
and picking favorites.
Tell people what to look for from Carlos Car-
tel in the future.
Look for the new album The World is
Cartels. Check me out on Myspace.com/
Carloscartel and Myspace.com/Causehell-
cartel. Im also on BlackPlanet and me and
my dawg T Drumma got the new clothing
line called Everythang Mix coming soon.
Website: Myspace.com/CarlosCartel
Words // Charlamagne Tha God
CARLOS CARTEL
OZONE |
PUBLISHER:
Julia Beverly
GUEST EDITOR:
Charlamagne Tha God
CONTRIBUTORS:
Earl Randolph
Eric Perrin
Jen McKinnon
Jason Cordes
Randy Roper
PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR:
Malik Abdul
DISTRIBUTORS:
DJ B-Lord
DJ Chuck T
Rob-Lo
Strictly Streets
SUBSCRIPTIONS:
To subscribe, send check or
money order for $11 to:
Ozone Magazine
644 Antone St. Suite 6
Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone: 404-350-3887
Fax: 404-350-2497
Web: www.ozonemag.com
COVER CREDITS:
Sonny Rich & DJ Chuck T
photos by Jay Black.
DISCLAIMER:
OZONE does not take responsi-
bility for unsolicited materials,
misinformation, typographi-
cal errors, or misprints. The
views contained herein do not
necessarily refect 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 2008 OZONE Magazine,
all rights reserved. No por-
tion of this magazine may be
reproduced in any way without
the written consent of the
publisher. Printed in the USA.
Section A
6 GUEST EDITORIAL
7 MyRTLE BEACH MAP
8 EVENT LISTING
9 CLUB LISTING
10-11 LITTLE BROTHER
12-13 SHELLy B
14-15 SHAWTy LO
16-17 RAIN
22 PIMP
18-20 Sonny Rich
19-21 DJ chUcK t
Section b
4 9 MILLION
6 IKE G
8 TAB DBIASI
9 CHARLAMAGNE THA GOD
10-11 SNOOK DA ROKK STARR
12-13 DANNy!
14-15 J.Q
19 S DUB
20 LE-LE
21 yOUNG SWIFT
22 TR FLOW
23 CARLOS CARTEL
16-18 L.e.P.
OZONE |
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very year artists from South to North
Carolina look forward to this maga-
zine because there arent any na-
tional publications that give the Carolinas a
Good Money look like OZONE. Last year
my homie Randy Mr. Exclusive Roper was
the Guest Editor for the Bike Week Edition.
In case you havent heard, Randy is busy.
Between OZONE, writersblockmedia.net,
and smashing blogger groupies, he just
doesnt have time (careful about picking up
groupies, Randy, because if you give an in-
adequate performance in the bedroom, the
next blog you read might be about you).
When Randy told me he wasnt doing
the Bike Week Edition, I got at JB and
requested to take the reigns on this one.
She agreed and Ms. Rivercity and I got
together and BONG, here it is! Truth is,
this is a bittersweet situation. On one
hand, I love when my state gets a look on
a national level. It feels like were one step
closer to our goals. On the other hand, I see
a bunch of individuals but they arent one
collective unit like they should be. Artists in
Columbia dont drive that hour and a half
to see whats going on in Charleston, and
Charleston artists dont take that ride to
Columbia. Why?
We have two cities that could beneft tre-
mendously from fucking with each other, but
they dont. We have to come together and
make this music thing happen for ourselves.
The majors have never given us anything
and truthfully we dont give enough of our-
selves to each other. How can you expect
from someone else what youre not giving
to yourself?
I have something I call the Carolina Nine
Point Theory. If executed properly, a Caro-
lina artist cant help but win. The Carolina
Nine Point Theory is that there are certain
areas that--when infltrated--artists can
enjoy tremendous success:
Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Spartan-
burg, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Charlotte,
Raleigh, and Greensboro. Imagine your
song spinning on all the stations in these
markets. Imagine your record causing the
club to go crazy. Imagine your mixtape
bumping in whips throughout all these mar-
kets. Imagine having an independent album
in stores of all of these markets.
Your name would ring bells! Not just in the
Carolinas, but in the South and eventu-
ally the country. I dont understand why
our artists run to Atlanta, Miami, or NY
when they havent even made it shake in
their own backyard. With all this prime real
estate here, why are yall trying to cop land
somewhere else? I need DJs and radio per-
sonalities from both states to let each other
know which Carolina artists are bucking off
in their respective cities. We have to play
each others records, both on the radio and
in the clubs.
Individually there are a few people in the
Carolinas making it, but thats not doing
anything for the Carolinas as a whole. Its
about a collective effort to turn the Caro-
linas into a brand we can all beneft from.
Think about that when youre busting Stupid
Dope Moves on the strip during Bike Week
in Myrtle Beach. When you see me, South
Cracks Prime Minister, salute!
Streetfully Yours,
Charlamagne Tha God
GuESTEditor
6 | OZONE
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thursday, May 22
Thirsty Thursdays f/ DJ Ike G @ Studebakers 10 PM - 3 AM
2000 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach, SC (843) 448-9747
Friday, May 23
East Coast Custom Motorcycle Show
@ Myrtle Beach Convention Center
2101 N. Oak St. (714) 513-8409 (Sarah Timleck)
11:00 AM 6:00 PM
Blackout Party @ Myrtle Beach Convention Center
2101 N. Oak St. 9:00 PM 3:00 AM
DJ Ike G and The Carolina Coalition Presents
The Welcome to BBW 08 Hosted by K9 Bike Club
@ Myrtle Beach Drag Strip 3:00 PM 7:00 PM
George Clinton and the Funkadelics @ Hard Rock Park
www.HardRockPark.com
Plies Performing Live @ Studebakers 10 PM - 3 AM
2000 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach, SC (843) 448-9747
Friday Night Freak Off @ Club Kryptonite
Music by DJ B-Lord, Doors open @ 9 PM, ladies free until 10
2925 Hollywood Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC (843) 839-9200
saturday, May 24
East Coast Custom Motorcycle Show
11:00 AM 6:00 PM @ Myrtle Beach Convention Center
Music by DJ Ike G
2101 N. Oak St. (714) 513-8409 (Sarah Timleck)
Comedy Show @ Myrtle Beach Convention Center
2101 N. Oak St. 7:00 PM 12:00 AM
Precious Metals Bike Fest 08 Party @ 2001 Night Club
920 Lake Arrowhead Rd. Myrtle Beach, SC (843) 449-9435
Shawty Lo Performing Live @ Studebakers
2000 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach, SC (843) 448-9747
10:00 PM 3:00 AM
Supastar Saturday @ Club Kryptonite
2925 Hollywood Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC (843) 839-9200
EVENt ListiNG
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OZONE | 9
EVENt ListiNG
2001 NiGhtCLuB
920 Lake Arrowhead Rd. Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
(843) 449-9435
thE aFtErdECK
9719 Hwy 17 N. Myrtle Beach, SC (843) 449-3655
dErriErEs GENtLEMENs CLuB
804 Seaboard St. Myrtle Beach, SC
(843) 946-6615
thE G sPot (after hours spot)
3636 Highway 90 Longs, SC 29568
CLuB isis
9578 S. Ocean Hwy Pawleys Island, SC 29585
CLuB KryPtoNitE
2925 Hollywood Dr. Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 839-9200
Liquid City
504 Yaupon Circle Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 626-4919
PLaNEt hoLLyWood
2915 Hollywood Dr. Myrtle Beach (843) 448-7827
studEBaKErs
2000 N. Kings Hwy. Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 448-9747
CLuB ListiNG
OZONE | 9
suNday, May 25
East Coast Custom Motorcycle Show
@ Myrtle Beach Convention Center 11 AM - 4 PM
2101 N. Oak St. (714) 513-8409 (Sarah Timleck)
Ruff Ryder Concert @ Myrtle Beach Convention Center
2101 N. Oak St. 4:00 PM
Othaz Records, Rico Barrino, & DJ Ced @ Studebakers
2000 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach, SC (843) 448-9747
Sista Girl Sunday @ Club Kryptonite w/ DJ B-Lord
2925 Hollywood Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC (843) 839-9200
Doors open @ 9 PM, ladies free until 10
10 | OZONE
At one point you dropped the Separate but
Equal mixtape with Drama. Are you starting
to feel like its more of an equal thing now?
Phonte of Little Brother: Things are always
lookin good. For me, it aint really so much
about getting on the Grammys and shit like
that. Im always getting hit up from people
I respect, telling me they respect my work.
Thats what its all about. As far as us be-
ing equal, I dont think thats ever gonna
happen. I think were always gonna kinda
be the underdogs, the odd-men-out. But
were still able to make a living doing what
we love. Were still able to tour and see the
world. We can put out records whenever we
want, so I cant complain.
Would you ever trade that for one hit record
that blows everybody out the water?
I personally wouldnt. Hindsight is always
20-20. If I was 19 and you said, Do you
wanna have one hit and make $10 million
dollars or have a career for 25 years?, who
knows how I would answer. Going through
the industry over the years and seeing what
people go through, I wouldnt trade places
with nobody. Im always working to achieve
more, but Im good where Im at. Once you
get a big hit record, they dont even know
you anymore; they just know your record.
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OZONE | 11
Yall released The
Get Back with ABB
Records. Are yall
done with major
labels all together?
Personally Im
done. I think for
his solo record
Pooh may look into
distribution with
some majors. For
me, it doesnt make
sense to sign my
life over and give
up all that control.
Im doing all my
projects pretty
much on my own
with just distribut-
ing. I personally
dont see the need
to sign to another
label again. For
me, it would be the
kiss of death.
Is that the main
reason you leaked
The Get Back
album?
Nah, the album had already leaked and it
was missing a track. I didnt want people
hearing the incomplete record. So thats
when I was like, Fuck it, lets just put the
shit out. Let me give it to the fans and see
what they say. It turned out to be a real
good thing. A lot of fans were surprised,
like, I cant believe this motherfucka just
gave his album away; thats the most
gangster shit ever. A lot of cats were like,
Just on the strength of this, Im going to
buy two copies. Nothing says that you trust
your product more than you giving it away.
Its saying, Yo, this record is so dope, Ima
give it to you and yall are still gonna wanna
buy it cause this shit is quality. Its all about
making a product you can stand behind and
be proud of.
You do a good job connecting with your
fans, whether its through Myspace blogs
or YouTube videos. Can you touch on the
importance of that?
Its the life blood of any artist. Its more im-
portant to talk to that kid that hits me up on
Myspace than it is to reach the kid listening
to the radio. Thats a person that, if you reel
them in and keep giving em quality product
and treat them right, youll lock them in for
life. If somebody hears your song on the
radio, thats just a casual listener. But with a
person thats reaching out to you, checking
out your site, signing up to the mailing list,
that can be the difference between paying
your mortgage or not. I tell my fans all the
time, Im not in business with any record
label. Im in business with yall.
Whats the difference between the Little
Brother sound now as compared to when
9th Wonder was your producer?
The main thing we always keep in our
music is the essence of soul, that raw
unbridled honesty. To me, its just some-
thing that hits you in the heart. It strikes a
chord of truth in you and youre like, damn
I cant even front on that. Thats the main
thing that has remained the same with 9ths
absence. As far as differences, our music
has become a lot more vibrant, a lot bigger.
The tempos have gotten faster. When we
do shows now, you can feel it really shaking
the foors.
Whats next for Little Brother?
I just fnished up the album with my man
ZO! out of Detroit. Were doing a project
called ZO! and Tigallo Love the 80s. After
that I got the Foreign Exchange album with
Nicholay called Leave It All Behind. Pooh
is gearing up for his second solo album
called Dirty Pretty Things. Hes got a crazy
record with Young RJ. And were releasing
a DJ-free version of the And Justice For All
mixtape with some new songs.
Website: Myspace.com/Littlebrother
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Photo // O
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12 | OZONE
OZONE | 13
y
The HBIC Head Bitch in Caro-
lina believes strongly in the in-
dependent grind and not settling
for second best. We spoke with
Shelly to fnd out whats next in her busy
schedule and why its important to build the
right relationships.
Whats your label situation like at the
moment? Have you had any offers on the
table?
Weve had some offers, but defnitely not
what were looking for. Im not one of those
artists thats just gonna jump the gun on
the frst thing that comes to me. I take my
career and everything I do very seriously.
Right now Ive got a situation with Offcial
Entertainment as far as management,
marketing, and promotions, and also Stupid
Dope Moves with Charlamagne tha God.
Were releasing an album under his label
soon. When the labels come correct with a
situation, thats when well make a move.
What makes you the HBIC?
Over the years Ive been able to capitalize
on marketing right here in North Carolina.
I go out there in the streets and do the
footwork; I do the promotions; I distribute
my own projects; I do shows. Ive really
been recognized for my stage performance.
And I dont have to go outside of my state
to get that recognition. A lot of attention is
starting to come to us now because of the
grind that I have and a lot of other artists in
North Carolina.
What makes your shows so talked about?
I heard youve opened up for a lot of major
artists.
I put all my shows together myself. I dont
have a DJ or hypeman. The fact that I am
a female and I can get on any type of stage
I can go to a college, or a show in the
hood it doesnt matter what type of crowd
it is, I can move it myself. I think my energy
and the way I interact with the people draws
them in.
From listening to your music its clear that
you have a strong personality. Where does
that come from?
I think it comes from everything Ive been
through and experienced, and things Ive
learned being in the industry. Im a people
person. Ive learned how to build and
maintain relationships. Thats a key factor
in being an artist. Other than just record-
ing, writing, and performing, you have to
know how to be a people person. I enjoy
everything that I do.
What are some important things in life you
try to make time for?
To be honest, I dont do anything else but
music. I havent quite gotten to where I
want to be in my life so theres no time for
sleeping or playing or clubbing. I dont even
do the club unless I have to be there for an
event or show or have to interact with the
people concerning my music. Outside of the
music, family is very important to me. Me
and my mother are very close. Shes my
best friend and a huge supporter.
What else do you have in the works?
Im working on Shelly B Promotions, an
event promotions company specializing in
mainstream and commercial party experi-
ences, and at the same time bringing the
up-and-coming sounds and artists to the
forefront. Ive been putting together a lot
of my own shows in North Carolina and
giving unsigned artists a chance to get they
shine on. I got the HBIC mixtape out right
now. Thats hosted by DJ Barry Bee. Im
working on a few video shoots and a DVD.
Im looking at releasing a couple of albums
within the next few years. Im just gonna
keep grinding.
Website: Myspace.com/Shellyb1
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Photo // Earl Randolph
r
ight now Shawty Lo is blatantly
breaking the law. Hes a block
away from his beloved Bankhead
Highway, on an abandoned street, home to
dope fends and hood urchins-and he is
standing on about 40,000 bricks. His ever-
present army of white-tee clad soldiers are
all paranoid that the police are on their way,
but Lo doesnt muster an ounce of concern.
Man, calm down! The police aint wor-
ried about us! yells a defant Shawty Lo,
motioning the photographer to continue
with the photo shoot from the remains of
a recently bulldozed building. Los voiced
disregard doesnt ease the anxiety of his
nervous crew (seconds earlier, the owner of
the demolished building threatened to call
the police for trespassing on private prop-
erty), but when Shawty Lo gives an order,
his generals follow, so they remain quiet.
They just wanna be around they king, Lo
later says about his loyal laborers.
And right now, Shawty Lo certainly feels like
a king. Its late afternoon on the west side
of Atlanta and even though the sun is hiding
beneath the overcast sky, Carlos Shawty
Lo Walker is basking in the bright lights of
a fashing camera. Its no secret that Carlos
Walker was a once prominent drug lord who
served time in prison for his dealings, but
now hes paid his dues, and done his time.
He and his generals have been moving
units in this city since 1993, and today is no
different.
Los units In The City still come pack-
aged in plastic, but now theyre distributed
through Asylum and peddled by pushers
such as Best Buy and Sam Goody. Shawty
Lo maintains that he never intended to be a
rapper, but thats exactly what hes become.
Like it or not, his hit single Dey Know,
which samples the classic 1970 Edwin Starr
hit, War, has undoubtedly become one of
the hottest songs in the South, and if you
add that to his growing resume including
tracks such as Dunn Dunn and 2005s Im
Da Man, it becomes apparent that Shawty
Lo is quickly becoming a staple of the ATL
music scene.
Los life is essentially similar to many of his
predecessors who transitioned from trap-
per to rapper, but one element that makes
Shawty Lo truly unique is that if you want
him, you really can fnd him in the A. Hell
be on the west side, more specifcally, right
in front of his studio at 2610 Donald Lee
Hollowell Parkway. The offcial name was
recently changed, but is still referred to by
natives as Bankhead Highway.
I dont need no security guards or noth-
ing out here, says Lo. Even amidst his
growing fame and success, he refuses
to relocate his D4L studios and bounce
from Bankhead. All you see is me and my
homeboys. The Bowen Home hero adds,
No matter what kinda money I get, Ill still
be right here.
Minutes after his photo shoot in the
demolished building, Shawty Lo sits in
the backseat of his chauffeured Cadillac
Escalade outside of his Bankhead studio.
He has a fresh order of Chinese chicken
wings and a lingering hangover from the
night before (Rockos album release party),
but for Shawty Lo, life doesnt get much
better than this. He is making his mark on
the world from the very same street he grew
up on, surrounded by lifelong friends and a
comfortable setting. Shawty Lo is in his ele-
ment, and theres Lo Limit is sight.
You get a lot of love in the streets. How
were you able to acquire so much respect
around the hood?
Look around you. Were right here on my
street, Bankhead...
For the full interview, log on to ozonemag.
com or pick up the April issue of OZONE
Magazine featuring double covers with
Shawty Lo and B.o.B.!
OZONE | 15
16 | OZONE
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OZONE | 17
o
ver the last few months Randy
Rain Watford has been seen
on every medium available for
an up-and-coming artist, so his
face may be familiar. Expect heavy Rain in
the foreseeable future, and were not talking
bad weather or a stack of ones in the air.
Coming out of Fayetteville, NC, has it been
harder for you to get heard?
Yeah, it makes it harder because Fayette-
ville is a military base city. The problem with
that is, people from the city are always com-
ing in and out. Theres always new people
moving in and people that have been here
for years moving out. So its kinda hard
to get your buzz up, cause the people
that relate to you and know you, lets say
youre putting in a two year grind out here,
those same people might not even be here.
So, its harder to build your buzz out here
versus a place like New York or Atlanta.
Thats why it forces me to hit other markets
to promote my music.
At one point you moved to New York. Is that
the reason you moved there?
I moved there because I wound up dropping
out of school. My mother basically told me,
You cant stay here with me if youre not
gonna be in school. I fgured Id go to New
York. My father was staying there at the
time; I didnt really know him cause he was
locked up for the majority of my young life.
I thought itd be a good time to get to know
him and at the same time pursue my career.
How did New York work out for you?
My mother wasnt there and my father
wasnt helping me. As far as the music
goes, I had to get out there and grind on my
own. I didnt know anybody up there. It put
me in a situation where I was forced to grow
up a little bit quicker and be more mature at
an early age.
You have been able to establish a buzz. But
your buzz is more internet and DVD related.
The buzz I got now is from me keeping
up on what was going on. As soon as the
DVDs started poppin, I made sure I jumped
into that. A lot of people catch on to things
late. I was always a person that keeps my
eyes open, and my ears open, to see what
the next thing was. Every opportunity that
opens, I make sure I attack it. What a lot of
artists do nowadays is, they come out and
release records but nobody knows their
story. Thats why you might see somebody
with a hit record on MTV and BET, but they
wont sell no records when their album
comes out because nobody knows them.
People dont really buy into your music;
they buy into your character. People like
Jeezy because of his persona, so the
people that were relating to him bought his
music. And thats what Im doing right now.
Im giving people me, who I am. Thats
why you see me in different magazines, on
DVDs, Im giving you a chance to see me
before I present all my music.
You were recently on Rap Citys Spit
Yo Game. Howd that opportunity come
about?
BET reached out. That was crazy. I dont
have a record deal. So for me to be doing
all this with no deal, this has nothing to do
with me; this is God pushing opportuni-
ties to me and I tackle them. For me to be
on BET and come back to my hood, and
people see me like, Yo, I just saw you on
BET, it motivates me cause Im one of
theirs. They didnt grow up with the rappers
in the game now; they grew up with me.
Seeing me on TV shows them that theres
something else they can do.
Not too long ago, you dropped a mixtape
with Don Cannon. What kind of response
did you get from that?
The mixtape with Don Cannon was like
the classic for the streets. The CDs called
Highly unanticipated and I did that to basi-
cally clown and joke on my situation. Most
artists come out and be fronting like, Im
the hottest dude out, theyre anticipating
me, and I felt the exact opposite. I feel like
Im hot and putting good music out, but
nobodys waiting to hear a Rain CD. So, I
feel like the theme we were going with, we
tackled it pretty good.
Are you going to be at Bike Week this year?
Yeah, any situation like this, you gotta be
there, especially when its your town or your
state. Ill have the whole team with me,
First in Flight Entertainment. Best believe
youll see me out there with like ffty people.
Theyre gon have Rain t-shirts on, passing
out Highly unanticipated CDs and were
gon try to make an impact out there.
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CHARLOTTEs
TRAPMAN and the
CAROLINA KING
link up to share
their recipes for
COOKIN UP RAW
MUSIC...
Words // Charlamagne Tha God
& Ms. Rivercity
Photo // Jason Cordes for
Uimages Photography
20 | OZONE
h
is videos look like hes got a
major label budget; hes been
featured in XXL Magazine;
BET.com voted him to be one
of the breakthrough artists
in the music industry and all I keep asking
people is, Who the fuck is Sonny Rich?
Well, lets ask him.
Sonny Rich, who the fuck are you?
Nigga, Im me! Im just a nigga tryin to
make it, bra. Ima straight 704 soldier.
Keep Lock Entertainment is the label you
rep. Theyre indie, but they promote you
like a major, so who is selling all the kilos of
cocaine thats funding the situation?
Man I dont know nothing bout no kilos. I
rap homie! (laughs) You wont catch me on
no DVDs talking about I sell dope, or done
sold this and that. Its only in my music. Its
entertainment, baby.
I asked that question cause I have heard
you refer to yourself as Da Trapman and
the whole trapper-turned-rapper thing is
kind of corny for the simple fact that rappers
be lying. Is that your life for real or are you
just following the current trend?
On some real shit, bra, Ive traveled down
every lane in life, from the streets to a regu-
lar 9 to 5, to the military, so when you hear
me speak on the trap its nothing fabricated.
There was a time in my life when I was out
there doing what I thought I had to do to
make a decent living in this fucked up world
we live in. Does that name defne who I
am? No, its just a part of my life that Im
not proud of, but at the same time Im not
ashamed of it either. The name itself Da
Trapman came from my partnas when I re-
turned home from the military. They always
used to say, The citys gotta voice now that
the Trapman is home.
Charlotte, NC is not known for its Hip Hop
scene. How did you establish such a big
buzz in this city? And how did that buzz go
from the city to the industry?
To be truthful, its a lot of talent in Charlotte
as well as the whole Carolinas, North and
South, but as far as me, I didnt sound like
anybody else so it made me stand out. The
city as well as the industry took notice of
that fact.
Charlotte has got some bad broads and
I know theyre recognizing your status.
Whats the groupie love like for a neighbor
hood superstar like yourself?
Well, the chicks have always been there,
homie. The fame from music aint make
Sonny Rich. I been pimpin since pimpin
been pimpin. (laughs)
Whats the reason you think the Carolinas
havent popped off in the industry yet? And
how will your upcoming album The Virus
make sure it does?
I cant really say, but I know when the
album drops Im going to shock a lot people
and these labels will start to take notice
of the Carolinas cause we really go hard
down here.
You got a hell of a name. It makes me want
to ask you to borrow some bread. How Rich
are you, Sonny?
My ribs aint touching or nothing but I aint
where I wanna be by a long shot.
Whats your relationship with the Carolina
King DJ Chuck T?
Thats my nigga! Ive been a fan of his work
for a minute and I always wanted to work
alongside him on a project and we fnally
did it. Thats one DJ I can honestly say if he
needed me for anything I would go all out to
help anyway I could.
Let the people know what to expect from
Sonny Rich in the future.
The future looks very promising for ya boy,
ya feel me? But the people can expect me
to keep dropping that 704 music, a classic
album on in May, and a voice thats going to
ring bells in this music industry.
Website: Myspace.com/Sonnyrich704
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he self-proclaimed Carolina
King has rightfully earned his
title over the years. Consis-
tently releasing CD after CD, DJ
Chuck T has received a number
of awards and accolades which he himself
cannot even count. We spoke with the
Down South Slangin mastermind to fnd out
what else is up his sleeve for 2008.
You drop a ton of mixtapes. How quickly
can you fnish one?
It depends on what type of mixtape it is. If
its a blend tape, then it will take anywhere
from two weeks to a month to put it to-
gether. If its a paying artists mixtape, then
it takes me about two to three days to mix it,
bring some records back, blend it together
and make it sound real professional. If its
an exclusive tape, where the focus is on the
music and not so much skills, that can take
me a day or two max.
What else is new with you?
Right now my main goal is my new com-
pany Publicity Stunt Marketing. Im trying to
make the transition away from the mixtape
game because at the end of the day its still
illegal. No matter how many label reps call
me wanting me to play their artists, its ille-
gal. Its nothing we can really do until labels
decide to make mixtapes legal and regulate
them. Publicity Stunt Marketing/Manage-
ment/Consulting is the new company.
Im focusing on taking some artists from
the Carolinas and showing em how the
industry works; really trying to take some
Carolina artists to the top.
Who are some artists youre working with?
My main goal is staying neutral, helping
anybody whos talented and making moves
in the Carolinas. Ive even blasted out mu-
sic from artists who I didnt see eye to eye
with. I look at it like Im one of the pioneers
in Carolina music and I have a responsibility
to set aside personal issues.
I see youre promoting your brother, P.I.M.P.
Yeah, P.I.M.P. is my older brother. Hes
been rapping since we were children. He
used to have the turntables in his room.
My other brother would play like he was
the DJ. I was the youngest so they used to
make me control the volume. They gave
me the bullshit job. Weve been honing
our craft since we were little. He recently
started taking rap seriously when he came
home from jail in 2001. He did a fve year
bid for drug traffcking. I just recently started
working with him cause I just saw him take
things seriously. Im his younger brother,
so I understand its hard for him to listen
to my [advice[ when it comes to the music
industry. Recently we were able to get past
the egos and start working together.
It seems like youd have a successful radio
show. You say whatever is on your mind.
Ive been on radio before and to be honest,
its not a road I want to go back down un-
less the station is willing to give me some
type of control. Radio is an industry where
the jock is never supposed to be bigger
than the station. We saw that when my
homeboy Charlamagne Tha God became
bigger than the station and they got rid of
him. Thank God he already had something
in the works with Wendy Williams. It was
like a big fuck you to jump from market
number 50 to market number 1. It shows
you the mentality of radio. I dont have time
to sacrifce sitting at a computer at a radio
station for pennies. Ive built my stock up
enough for people to know what I bring
to the table. Look at all Ive accomplished
without radio. The radio PDs and General
Managers should be throwing the check-
book at me but theyre not. Im one of the
top mixtape DJs in the world without radio.
What are you killing the streets with next?
Im working on Down South Slangin 50 and
I just released Sexxxplicit R&B 40. My lon-
gevity in the R&B mixtape scene is equal to
my longevity in dirty South mixtapes. I just
fnished the Sonny Rich mixtape which will
hit the streets around Bike Week. Im about
to put out my brothers album. Im work-
ing on a CD with Black Jerus from North
Carolina, who has produced for G-unit
and Snoop Dogg. Were getting together
with Jozeemo to do an album called True
Identity. Im about to get into executive
producing, marketing and promoting artists,
management, and label consulting, just
using a lot of knowledge Ive gained over 10
years in the business to help out my people.
Website: Myspace.com/Djchuckt
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One thing about Charleston is that a lot of
artists in the booth are really in the streets
living what they spit. One artist is trying to
be known more for the records he writes
than the criminal record the system has
written up on him.
P.I.M.P. Peace G! What the Mixx Is?
Im good family, just chilling, keeping it real,
and staying as fresh as I can.
Glad to hear that, homie, especially since
the day were doing this interview is a day
before youre scheduled to go in and do a
six year bid. How much is that weighing on
you?
Any time away from your family and close
friends is gonna fuck with your mind a
little but I knew what I was doing and the
consequences, so like the real G that I am,
I man up and take my charge, keep my
mouth closed, and come home. It doesnt
deter me at all because I never gave up on
anything. Ill always follow my dreams and
rapping is one of them. Six years is a long
time but I dont fall under the 85% law so Ill
be eligible for parole after a year. Plus I only
get better with time, like some good wine.
You are one of the more socially conscious
rappers in South Carolina. Are your experi-
ences in the system what prompted you to
put some truth in these babies brains?
Yes, because Im a real dude. If I said it,
Ive done it, but it aint about that. I know
young black kids listen to my music. I have
3 kids from the ages of 4
to 14 and I would never let
my kids do some of the shit
Ive done. Its my obliga-
tion to give them some real
game thats gonna beneft
them. A muthafucker told
you a lie if they said being
in jail is cool or being
dead or being somewhere
strung out on drugs is
cool.
DJ Chuck T is your blood
brother. What are the
benefts of having one of
the most infuential DJs
as your brother?
Chuck T is a real good dude. I love him
to death and if anyone fucks with him Im
do something stupid and go back to jail.
(laughs) Im joking, but I respect his opinion.
He never tells me something I did was
straight tight; he always lets me know what
I can improve on. I believe that has helped
me become a well-rounded rapper, because
I know how to take constructive criticism.
So youre featured on South Carolina The
Album with one of my favorite records, peri-
od, Fishhead. Explain Fishhead for those
outside of Charleston who dont understand
why thats a term we dont like.
People outside of Charleston use it in a
negative way because they say we eat
fsh with everything. Charleston is a port
city, so you could expect that. But come to
Charleston and get some of this good fsh.
Try Ernies downtown on Remount Rd. or
Berthas Kitchen, but just dont call nobody
Fishhead or you might get hurt.
I know that you have a lot of material that
youre planning to release while youre
incarcerated. Give us a rundown of what to
expect.
You can expect that real music from me
fre lyrics, stimulating tracks, unique
swag. Im tell you bout the game, not only
the good side but the bad side as well. Im
touch on some political issues. I consider
myself intelligent so Im always talk about
something positive. Communication rules
the nation. //
Words // Charlamagne Tha God
P.i.M.P.
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