WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is set to fight again in his home state of Alabama.
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Long before your Retrobudds, Northside Weezy, 2 Gunz Vito, Jabo, Modesty XO, and Black Montana’s we had pioneers in Alabama that paved the way for the Hip Hop culture. Its safe to say its only a few Alabama cats who were moving massive amounts of units independently, without the support of the major record labels. Duece Komradz would start this trend with their smash hit “Everybody Wanna Be Down With The South,” selling over 50,000 copies independently in Montgomery, Alabama. Next in line, the Dirty Boyz hit single, “Hit Da Floor,” and we can not forget the Last B.I.G.G, “Time To Go To Trial.” Lastly would be Birmingham J. of Kottage Boy Records. Music ‘N’ More is the equivalent to Russell Simmons Def Jam in the early 1980’s. While Russell Simmons was signing Hip Hop acts like Kurtis Blow, Dana Dane, and L.L. Cool J, in the early 2000’s, decades later Aquil Abur-Rasheed would become the Russell Simmons of Alabama. Kottage Boy Records created a dynasty that facilitated the careers of an artist known today as Birmingham J. Later J would bring in his artists Venus and Mr. Ha. Music ‘N’ More single handily orchestrated their efforts through their very own music store, becoming the biggest distribution company in the state of Alabama. In 2004, after the untimely death of the owner Aquil Abur-Rasheed, Music ‘N’ More is still operant today in 2015.
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Epok Mag: How did you get your start?
Epok Mag: What was your first album called? What was your first big single Birmingham J: B-ham J out of J came. I got my start from the album? with J camp to the projects. Birmingham J: I came out I started out as Jay like in with the first song and it was the fifth grade. Then out of Neighborhood Superstar. It high school-J The Pimp. Got was really different. The guy out of high school in the or producer I had to do that twelvth grade, Pimping to was apart of the OutKast the Projects Fall. After that crew. So the beats were sort the, Birmingham J thing of different from what everycame in my early 20’s, like body else was thinking at the twenty –two, that’s when I time. That’s what got me put out my first album with where I am today by doing Kottage Boy Ent. Which different shit; not just staying was through Music N More on. I stayed Ghetto but his Aquil Rasheed. He had a lo- beats were totally different. cal independent store. After that we put out Gator. Epok Mag pg 6
Epok Mag: Who was the first city to play Birmingham Jay’s music? Birmingham J: Jackson, Mississippi. They played my song ‘Gator.” The radio stations in Birmingham heard it. I had so much movement with the song Gator, and I sold really well. My cds were selling really good out of Music n More and we had a distributor who selected us out of Memphis, Tennesse and the song Gator started picking up. So when Gator started to pick up, we ended up getting on in Huntsville, Alabama. Then we started pressing down in Montgomery, Alabama, you are not the shit. Epok Mag: Kottage Boy Entertainment played a huge role in your music. Tell me how did Kottage Boy come about? Birmingham J:Im not with Kottage Boy anymore. I knew one of the guys from middle school. Wiley. I didn't
“I’m not the only one but people in Alabama don’t really acknowledge it. And I’m not dissing nobody but you acknowledge the Rich Boy’s because he got a major deal. You acknowledge the Doe B’s (RIP) because he got a deal through T.I./Grand Hustle. But pay attention to what I just said, they got their deals through someone in the industry that are major artist. Polo Da Don. Rich Boy; Doe B; T.I. Yelawolf; K.P. Now……..Who got a deal without having someone like that backing them? Dirty Boyz. Dino Daveilie signed Dirty Boyz off their independent grind.” Who else sold 100,000 cd’s?....... Deuce Komradz. Deuce Komradz sold 100,000 cds way before a lot of people could possibly imagine.” even know he had an older brother. They use to slang cds out of vans; Him and his Dad. They started their music like in the early 90’s. We were kids. I use to see them when I go by the store. I use to love to buy stuff I had never heard of. As time went on, I finally met Aquil when I got in my late teens.
Kottage Boy wasn't even started.
Epok Mag: So you met Kottage Boy when you were in your teens?
Epok Magazine: So pretty much you became Music N’ More or Kottage Boy leading artist?
Birmingham J: It wasn't a Kottage Boy then. It was just a store called Music N’ More but I already knew them; Y.B. and Black. That’s the middle brother (Y.B.) and the youngest brother is Black. I grew up with them. I didn't even know they had an older brother name Aquil. Like I said they use to sell tapes in the building down in Westgate Thomas area and on the Westside of Birmingham, Alabama they sold cds. Then as time went on, the early to the mid 90’s they ended up getting a music store which was called Music N’ More. They had one of the biggest independent music stores in the South. By them having one of the biggest music stores in the South, man they were booming. I use to always go by there and get my tapes and cds because they had every cd of people no one really knew about. So coming into the late 2000’s I was buying a cd and Aquil asked me one day, “Do you rap?” I said, “Why you say that?” Aquil said, “You always buying cds nobody know bout. You buy “nobody” cds. You got to do music because you ask so many questions.” So I told him (Aquil), “Yeah, I do.” He said, “Bring me something.” I ended up bringing him something and he liked it.
Birmingham J: Yes. I brought Venus and Mr. Ha.
Epok Mag: Who came up with the name Kottage Boys? Birmingham J:Music n More. That’s their company. Kottage Boy. That was Aquil’s Label.
Epok Mag: What year was this? Birmingham J: 2002. Epok Mag: How many albums did you complete with Kottage Boy Ent.?
I did two albums with them (Kottage Boy Records) and three mixtapes. Both of my albums sold like 68,000 copies. Epok Mag: That’s colossal for an independent artist not signed to a major record label. Birmingham J: I’m not the only one but people in Alabama don’t really acknowledge it. And I’m not dissing nobody but you acknowledge the Rich Boy’s because he got a major deal. You acknowledge the Doe B’s (RIP) because he got a deal through T.I./ Grand Hustle. But pay attention to what I just said, they got their Epok Mag pg 7
deals through someone in the industry that are major artist. Polo Da Don. Rich Boy; T.I.; Doe B. Yelawolf. K.P. Now…… Who got a deal without having someone like that backing them? Dirty Boyz. Dino Davaley signed Dirty Boyz off their independent grind. Okay. Who else sold 100,000 cd’s Deuce Komradz. Deuce Komradz sold 100,000 way before a lot of people could possibly imagine. People didn't know that. They sold that underground. Now lets turn around. Who done it before them (Deuce Komradz), The Last Mr. Bigg ( R.I.P.). You know what I’m saying? You cant take that away from Bigg. Who was behind, that-Birmingham J. Epok Mag: You were dependent Record label you. For how long were Record Label?
signed to Kottage Boy inand the label sponsored you signed to Kottage Boy
Birmingham J:Man, I was years.
with them maybe almost ten
Epok Mag: Did you have that you played or were
any other positions or roles you strictly an artist?
Birmingham J: Every role Being on a independent role.
you possibly could think of. label you have to play every
You were just raw tal-
ent?
Birmingham J: Aww… (Kottage Boy) with every-
Yeah. I came to them thing.
veryone heard what I said on the radio during The Five O’Clock Cut Epok Mag: Elaborate: Up on 95.7 Jams. I said, “Warner Bros. was trying to sign me and play me/ Its just like if you cut grass Birmingham J: Shit….. and no one comes to work Wasn’t able/ So I gave them the finger/ with you that day. Epok Mag: So there was and Kottage Boy left the table.” no artist development?
Epok Mag: So you didn't have a Manager? Birmingham J: Hell naw! They wasn't a Major. It was just my crew; My people. My click was my Management. Epok Mag: What happened with Kottage Boy Record? Why did you two part ways? Birmingham J: Well the management put up a lot of money. When you sign with any company and they goputting up a whole bunch of money, you know what I’m saying, you have to always remember they want their money back. You know what I’m saying? So at the same time of wanting their money back we sold a lot of cds, we done a lot of shows, but at the same time its time to go to the next level. So to be honest the labels didn't want to do didn't want to give an artist from Alabama a deal, or a company a situation. Its like they didn't wont a company from Alabama to blow. Epok Mag: How many labels were looking at you while you were with Kottage Boy Records? Birmingham J: Man… I cant even remember. It was so many. As a matter of fact, everyone heard what I said on the radio during The Five O’Clock Cut Up on 95.7 Jams. I said, “Warner Bros. was trying to sign me and Epok Mag pg 8
play me/Wasn’t able/ So I gave them the finger/and Kottage Boy left the table.” Epok Mag: What was the deal with Warner Bros? What were they offering Birmingham J? Birmingham J: Well, that same deal is what Mike Jones took. J.Prince came in and aided that situation with Mike Jones. That same deal Bossie and Weebie turned the same deal down first. This guy name Joey had just come back from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Joey was a Jewish guy. He flew here to Birmingham, Alabama. He sat down. We talked. He was starting Asylum. Warner Bros gave him a company which was Asylum. He really wanted to sign me but they wasn't talking about a lot of money. Kottage Boy put a lot of money into me. Epok Mag: The ten years you were with Kottage Boy Records, how much money was invested in you? Birmingham J: $800,000. If not $800,000 close to or right at one million. They did billboards; They did like twenty-three or twenty-four billboards. We did Battle of The Bands for Parker High School. Every person in Battle of The Bands on the field had on Birmingham J purple and white t-shirts. Parker High School played my instrumental beat to one of my songs and I performed. They sent me different places traveling. Epok Mag: Where are some of the places? Birmingham J: I cant even name them all. Everywhere. I was everywhere. Promo tours. Everywhere. And I never stayed in a fucked up hotel. They had me living good. You know what I’m saying? We done a lot of things together. Even jewelry. They bought $20,000 chains. Epok Mag: So the Kottage Boy Movement just ran its course? It ran out? Birmingham J: With what I just told you my dog dad was killed in 2004. The owner of Music N More in Midfield. When Aquil Dad got killed that took a toll in 2004. We stayed pushing and things were still elevating and going good. The store kind of got in a shaky situation with the Feds. We just ended up, we all and both us just went our separate ways. It wasn't really so much of this certain thing or that certain thing. You grow up and grow out. Epok Mag: Kottage Boy Records is coming to an end and the death of the owner of Music N More was murdered. Where was Birmingham J at this point in your life? Did you want to stop rapping? Birmingham J: We stayed together! We did a lot. I can name so much stuff. Even dealing with the “Move Back” video. Jack Daniels gave us like $25,000. Sponsorship. We didn't come out of our pockets. They gave us that. If you go look at that video, we had Chris Robinson’s right hand man in the video. “Me Imma Pimp” was out. I was getting a lot of love from that. Epok Mag: “Move Back” was a big single for you. It had the Jay Z sample on the hook. How did that single come about? Birmingham J:To be honest with you, my producers did. The guys came with that track. Their name was Squat Team. They were like fifteen at the time. Epok Mag: What do you feel was your biggest single to date? Birmingham J: “Me Imma Pimp” but at the same time, “Me Imma Pimp” is the song that actually got it (“Move Back”) out there. It was several songs that made a stepping way for that record. It just wasn't that record came out and people just jumped on the record. I was already stable and at that time we had already sold like 40,000 cds. That song was not even on my cd. Epok Mag: You sold over 100,000 cds. Were you seeing or getting any profits from your cd sales? How long Epok Mag pg 9
did your career spanned? What have you learned throughout your career? Birmingham J: Man I’ve been rapper since the fifth grade and I got an opportunity to make the movie Ten to Two. I’ve learned so much. It’s a lot. A lot of things that people think it is. It ain’t. And I’m going to be honest with you, Its hard coming out of Alabama. Epok Mag: You made a lot of pivotal moves in Alabama. You’re still an artist but why do you think it just didn't happen for you? Birmingham J:I didn't have a cosigner. The crew I had they were not going to let no any cosigner come in. For what?...... They have put up the money and built it. Why would I let someone come in and give me a penny? And that’s all they were offering was a penny. Epok Mag: You say a penny. You said Warner Bros wanted to sign you. What was Warner Bros offering number wise?
Birmingham J: When you actually going into that you have to look at the whole concept of recording cost; the whole concept of money you’re going to pocket. And these people main talking about $50-$60,000. Epok Mag: Do you look back on it and say you should have took the deal and grow from there? Birmingham J: Well they was going to try and upscale me then take me away from Kottage Boy Records. If I would have done well. Then you have someone putting $3-400,000 in you and these regular people come to you. That’s the problem now, nobody has loyalty. Epok Mag: Are you saying you didn't take the deal with Warner Bros. to stay loyal to your team, Kottage Boy? Why not bring them with you? Birmingham J: I mean, you sign your name on that paper ain’t no bringing no one with you. Its over. Its not so much they didn't want Kottage Boy Records, that just what they were offering. It wasn't no benefits. So why would I turn my back against them?..... I wasn't going to do that. Epok Mag: Not necessarily turn your back on Kottage Boy Records. A lot of artists have been in the same situation. Nelly, did it. Nelly got signed then he came back and got his crew, The St. Lunatics. T.I. did it. Even with the Braxton’s. Toni Braxton was signed first, then she came back to get her sisters. Epok Mag pg 10
Birmingham J: Yeah. Different situations. And there not in Alabama. When you dealing with Alabama, you dealing with nothing. So you cant really compare Atlanta and St. Louis. You cant compare none of that to Alabama. When you compare Alabama you have to go down to the Everglades. Epok Mag: You think even with it being 2015 its an entire different struggle in Alabama? Birmingham J: People don’t look at Alabama like that. I was in L.A. one time and this lady came up to me. She was mixed; like Iranian and something. She just came up talking to me. She was like, “Where you from? I was like, “Where you from?” She said, “I’m from L.A. and I’m about to go to class. I’m an event planner.” Then she said, “Who are you?” I said, “I’m J. She said, “Where are you from?” And I’ll just go to something else. So I said, “I’m from Birmingham.” She said, “Birmingham, England?” I said, “No, I’m from Alabama.” She was like, “Boy stop playing. Where is that?” Real talk. And that’s how they look at it. That’s the honest truth. If you look at it, why didn't Duece Komradz take the deal?.... Because it wasn't shit. Epok Mag: Warner Bros was offering you $50-$60,000. You didn't think that was enough money? Birmingham J: Again, that’s why J. Prince came in and intervened for Mike Jones. They wasn't going to take it. Some of that money be as little under $100,000; maybe $80,000. That’s not enough for you to take and put something out. That was like in 2006. and a lot of that stuff you still owe them people if you don’t sell any cds. So I you go somewhere else and you go to selling shit, you still have to pay them off. So that’s also something you have to look at too. Epok Mag: After the death of Akil, The owner of Music N More. After Kottage Boy Records. Where did you go after that? Birmingham J: In 2010, my Dad passed. I had already met this girl in 2008. I was still with Kottage Boy Records. She was from overseas. She grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and New York. She moved to New York and starting to A&R at Def Jam Records. Her name was Iisha. Iisha Allen was interning at Def Jam at the time. She had already heard my music. She use to do radio down in Tampa, Florida and she heard “ Me Imma Pimp.” Like I was telling you. “Me Imma Pimp” made it further. But it got pulled because we was about to sign a deal with Warner Bros. “Me Imma Pimp” was getting played in Dallas and Houston. They put it on the 2k5 Blast (a radio show in Houston, Texas). We had just came out with it. The deejays was booming it! Mike Watts was calling me personally on the phone like, “Yeah man what’s going on?” Like you and I are talking right now. Epok Mag: You’re working with Iisha Allen? Birmingham J: Yes. She left Def Jam. She got with an independent company up there. That independent company was going to sign seven artist and she called me. I flew to New York. I had to meet with eight major labels. They weren't independent labels. I did an endorsement deal with Pelle Pell. Epok Mag: What major record labels did you meet with? Birmingham J: Columbia Records, Hip Hop Since 1978, but I ended up meeting Happy Face in Chicago. I had to meet with Universal, Silvia Rome. I tossed her meeting up to go meet with the independent company where Iisha Allen was called Baby Gran. They had just gave someone two million dollars and the artist didn't sell nothing but like 1500 cds. As a matter of fact it was J.R. Wright, He didn't sell a lot. I met with Columbia three times. I met with three different A&R’s. I met with their Vice President of A&R Christopher Warren. I met with Dino Davelli and I met with one more A&R over there. I met with an online company Digiwax in Epok Mag pg 11
in Harlem. Epok Mag: How long were you in New York? What was the outcome? Birmingham J: I tossed my deal with Silvia Rome. Silvia Rome called when I was leaving Pelle Pell. Her secretary called and said she, “Wont be able to do that day. Can u stay an extra day?” So I said, “Man lets go on to Baby Grand!” I just kept on saying Baby Grand. Baby Grand because they were an independent company wanting to get into the South. So I felt like I could head there company. So we got down there, on our way to Baby Grand, Silvia Rome secretary called and said she wants to take the meeting now. Silvia Rome is over TV One. She running Epic now. I didn't even take it. I went on to Baby Grand. I left Baby Grand, they (Silvia Rome) called me back and said, “I want you to come here immediately.” Epok Mag: Do you think they were going to sign you? Birmingham J: Yeah. (He says very quietly and confident). I had already had an offer from Universal before. Universal offered me $125,000. A lot of times I’m breaking it down for you; The $2-$300,000. Dirty Boyz had got a good bit. At that time it didn't take a whole lot of money to do certain stuff. But at the same time if you going to be a priority artist, it does take a lot. With what we (Kottage Boy Records) sold and what we done, it ain’t no way possible you should been trying to offer us( Kottage Boy Records) that. That’s some bullshit. Epok Mag: You think you made the right decision when it came to selecting a record label? What would you have changed? Birmingham J: Jive should have been the one we signed with. Again there was nobody with us that was in the industry to help us. Everybody that came around wanted to fuck you. They thought you were slow. They thought you were stupid. They when they see you not stupid, they see you not slow, they pull back from you. That’s why I say especially if you in Birmingham, Alabama. It will be a minute before someone get up out this motherfucker. I don’t care what nobody say ain’t no company finna sign you. I tell you that. Epok Mag: So you have your endorsement deal with Pelle Pell but not a record deal? Birmingham J: I met with the same guy that signed Big Krit too. Johnny Schtitz. He was at Def Jam. He was doing some stuff with Def Jam at that time. So I met with him. He had shoes he was coming out with. He had a group, the Diplomats. They got hot. I forgot now man. He had a big deejay with him called Empire. DJ Empire was real big in New York. He was putting all my stuff on his mixtapes. So we talking about New York. He was throwing them on there. That’s who I should have fucked with. Epok Mag: Who was this guy? Birmingham J: John Sapierra. This dude told me he really cant give me no money upfront but what I can do I can put you out there. Another person that tried to fuck with me too was Big Kat. Jacob York. I didn't really mess with Big Kat himself, I was messing with his partner Jacob York. Jacob York was the guy that use to manage Junior Mafia. He was doing stuff with P. Diddy. He was co-heading Tommy Boy Records. He done a lot of shit. He came from up North, came down and start messing with Big Cat helping with Gucci Mane. Again these people wasn't offering no money for real for real. Epok Mag: So you left New York with your endorsement deal? Birmingham J: When we were up there, by Aquil having a music store too, people was reaching out to him knowing we were there. Its like I was killing radio in the Southeast. Everybody like hear me but nobody… I mean I sat down talked to people and got shit setup. So this is what I did. I didn't even want no money upfront. Epok Mag pg 12
just put this shit out here. Like put it out here. Out here. Birmingham J: Hell naw! Flood the world! I mean I can flood the city. That wasn't shit! Just being honest. That’s nothing. Get me BET. Get me on MTV. That’s what we was pushing for. It was no game because we didn't have play time numbers. It ain’t nobody in Birmingham that got the numbers that I got. Period! They cant even see the numbers. (referring to the amount of unis Kottage Boy records sold independently). I don’t give a damn who they is. If you not Ruben Studdard or Bo Bice or 6 Tre G, its nothing no one can say. 6 Tre had a record independent….. Nobody was doing that. Epok Mag: You’re back from New York and you have your endorsement deal. What did you do after New York? Birmingham J: We had to do some things with Hibbets Shoe Department.. I got in touch with Lil Homie. Pelle Pell was just bringing their clothing line to Hibbets. Epok Mag: You were the face of Pelle Pell clothing line. So you were cross marketing with Pelle Pell. How did the endorsement deal work? Birmingham J: Yes. They played my music in the background during each commercials and I would say, “I’m Birmingham J.” Commercials got played in Memphis, Tenennese, everywhere in the South. I think it was for sixty days. Thirty days. They sent me boxes of clothing. I’m talking about $500 jackets. Heavy leather jackets. Then the economy failed. You got to remember the economy failed. Cds stop selling. Epok Mag: Did you work on another album? Birmingham J: We had the record, “Your Body.” That’s when everything kind of slowed down because the music stores wasn't selling cds anymore. So everybody had to regroup. The streets. Everything slowed up. Everything. So now you have to take care of your family. It wasn't nothing like we (Kottage Boy Records) just separated like, “I don’t fuck with you.” We were men that had to do things for their family. Epok Mag: Speaking of family lets talk about the special people in your life. Birmingham J: Oh yeah. That’s been since day one. I had my daughters when I was in high school. My daughters we grew up together. Epok Mag: How many daughters do you have? Birmingham J: Two. They’re in the “Move Back” video when I jumped out the Hummer. Epok Mag: Cool. The economy slows down. The music industry I going digital. You regroup. Did you get a regular 9-5 job? Birmingham J: My 9-5 job never stopped. Epok Mag: Wow. Does a lot of your fans know that Birmingham J had a regular job? Birmingham J: Yeah they did. If they got my album. Oh I say it, “Oh yeah, I work at a coke plant.” I always have. Epok Mag: How long have you worked at the coke plant? Birmingham J: Since I was eighteen. Epok Mag: The music industry has evidently changed over the years from when you started. Its now digital. When did you get back to doing music? Epok Mag pg 13
Birmingham J: 2011. I didn't come out with a song in 2011. That’s when I got back to it. Online it was a big interview on me. I said I had a job working at a coke plant. When I got to New York, Jive Records was laughing. It was Dave Lightly he said, “Boy everybody say you don’t wont no deal, you want to stay working at that plant.” I was blessed making good money. At that time you twenty-two making 60,000. I bought a house at twenty-one. I’ve been blessed. So I didn't jump at any and everything because I didn't have to. Epok Mag: In 2011, you back at doing music. Birmingham J: Iisha Allen came back to holler at me. When the shit fell through with Chuck (Baby Grand) when Chuck went bankrupt, Iisha left Baby Grand. She was an A&R at Baby Grand. She got some investors behind whatever she wanted to do. She had signed an artist to her company and she came and hollered at me. She said, “What’s going on with you? You still with Aquil?” I said, “Not really. Aquil and I ain’t really been talking like that.” She said, “Are you out of your paperwork?” I said, “Yeah. I’m not really going to do nothing else with him like that as far as signing with the company again.” She said, “Fuck with me.” I end up teaming up with her. In 2010, she end up flying me out to Jacksonville, Florida. I was at the Diamond Awards with Bigger Rankin. Then in 2011, the next year she flew me out to L.A. I did the Source Magazine party in L.A. I did have new music out at the time too. We end up shooting a video, “On Dat.” The treatment was shot like the movie Hangover. B Manson did his thing. I ain’t seen no one do better than him in videos down here. If there is I ain’t seen it. B Manson the shit. Then I went to Miami. Man I was everywhere. I got with Iisha we was going everywhere. I went to the BET Awards in LA. Then I turned around and went to the Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta. I did the BET brunch. I was doing a lot of upscale stuff. I tell you one thing that was a blessing, people knew who I was. Epokmag. What other artist in Birmingham have you worked with? What do you think of Alabama artist? Birmingham J: Reality of Alabama (R.O.A.). They done they thing. Jazz done his thing. Attitude. Super dope. Murder Camp. A lot of them I worked with in the past the main ones doing it then that was hard are still doing it now. They still going in. Epok Mag pg 14
Epok Mag: I’m just going to throw some names at you. Alabama artist. Tell me what you think. M16? Birmingham J: Dope. He done his thing. I got tracks from him. Epok Mag: I’m just going to throw some names at you. Alabama artist. Tell me what you think. M16? Birmingham J: Dope. He done his thing. I got tracks from him. Epok Mag: Attitude? Birmingham J: Man…… He super dope! Man both of them. They Super dope. Awesome. Epok Mag: Mali Boi/Slow Motion Sounds? Birmingham J: I know Slow Motion Sounds. Epok Mag: Jackie Chain? Birmingham J: Yeah. You know what Jackie and I talked several times. Did I ever do something with Jackie?...... I knew his Manager. Jackie got real hot in Huntsville, Alabama. He was hot up that way. I don’t know what he sounds like but I knew he was pretty goo. I liked him. It was a long time before I heard Jackie Chain music because it wasn't played around here. (Birmingham) Epok Mag: Yelawolf? Birmingham J: Oh he dope as fuck. I fuck with Wolf. I really interacted with him a lot. Epok Mag: Dirty Boyz? Birmingham J: Man off the chain. They super dope. Hell yeah. They Alabama! That’s Alabama! Dirty superior over all of it. They like the Grand Daddy’s. They put it in. I just think their problem was bad management and a miscommunication of the money. They the ones that should have se this bitch off. All these other….. Man…… Dirty Boyz and Bigg should have set this bitch off. Epok Mag: Doe B? Birmingham J: Doe B did his thing. I hate that happened to him. I never got a chance to meet him. He was doing his thing, but he came under a major artist (T.I./Grandhustle). He was a young dude, under a artist so he still had time to grow. I knew the dude that was behind him (Doe B). Big Hulk. I knew Hulk real good. Small Tyme Ballerz. I salute them too out of Montgomery, Alabama. Them boys was good man. Young and Baby. Epok Mag: Duece Komaradz? Birmingham J: Man off the chain. Them boys like that there, I knew them personally. I use to be down. Montgomery, Alabama). Like I said in order to be the shit in Alabama you have to get Montgomery, Alabama. You ain’t shit if you ain’t got Montgomery; not in Alabama you aint. Epok Mag: Rich Boy? Birmingham J: I fuck with Rich Boy. Rich and I had a good close relationship. Rich done his thing. My main song from Rich is, “On The Regular” (as he begins to reminisce and chat Rich Boy song). I was in the studio in Atlanta and Rich called me to come do a record with him. Rich a cool dude. Epok Mag: CeNile? Birmingham J: That’s my dog. We have a song together right now, “Love My City.” With him and one of the Epok Mag pg 15
“When you say regrets, I have no regrets as far as like taking a penny when I know I deserve $100.000. So no regrets on that note. If its going to come to you and its all do to Allah, Allah gone bring it to you regardless. If it ain’t through Allah, I don’t want it no way.” hottest up and coming artist in Alabama Atlantis. Right now the only one I know out of Huntsville, Alabama right now that’s doing they thing and I’ve heard a lot of their music is Dynomite kid. He dope. Epok Mag: If there is one thing that you would you tell the younger Birmingham J what would it be? Birmingham J: Get the fuck out of here (Alabama). Man where we at is a piece of shit. I live this. Why you think Attitude left. Everybody left. A lot of people will say, “Well U. it’s a lot that you done.” Yeah but I spent my time getting you to recognize me, and I lost my focus to get to television. To getting to the next level. Epok Mag: So instead of local recognition from Alabama, you should have focused on what Alabama needed to take the state to the next level? Birmingham J: Right. Here it is I’m working my ass off in the streets and a motherfucker that no one even met in their life, not even their neighborhood get a deal. Epok Mag: Has this mad you bitter? Are you upset or mad? Birmingham J: No Man I live a great life. Epok Mag: So you have no regrets? Birmingham J:When you say regrets, I have no regrets as far as like taking a penny when I know I deserve $100.000. So no regrets on that note. If its going to come to you and its all do to Allah, Allah gone bring it to you regardless. If it aint through Allah, I don’t want it no way. Epok Mag: What would you tell artist coming up now? What advice would you give them. Birmingham J: Right now before you came, I was just talking to my little cousin Bloxo. He just started out. He doing his thing. I have another cousin Photo Slim. He doing his Thing. I have another cousin, Savage Slim. He doing his thing. One thing I can say because it’s a lot of artist in the city coming up. Number one; everybody stuck on sides and everybody want to dis each other. You cant do that man…… If you gone do that, you Epok Mag pg 16
fucking up the whole smoke, smoke, pass. You cant pass it! If we don’t open our eyes and realize that we cant dis one another, we got to come together, its not going to happen. We (Alabama) are still stuck in the Willie Lynch syndrome. I though the generation under me would be different. They the same way. Epok Mag: Alabama is one of the most oppressed states. Birmingham J: And we still are. I’m not trying to change it anymore. My partner spent damn near a million dollars. Epok Mag: The things you have done has helped play a small change in Alabama. Do you think it was a waste? Birmingham J: Its not so much a waste but all the money that my partner spent. The people that came to give me chance, really didn't want to give me a chance because where I was from. Epok Mag: You made great music and you’re still considered one of the pioneers of Alabama Hip Hop. What does Birmingham J have coming up in 2015? Birmingham J:Right now, I have deejays coming together to push me. DJ Tommy Brown. Kat X. That’s one key manager I have. These people are not even from Alabama. Tommy Brown is from Philadelphia. He grew up in Atlanta and lives in Jacksonville Florida. Kat X is from North Carolina. He lives stay in Atlanta. They coming together making this shit happen. They just brought some people from Cleveland, Ohio on board. Its supper crazy how everyone is just excited to work with me from things I did in the past. They seen me in the Source Magazine. They seen me in XXL magazine. I had the cover of Ozone. Julia Beverly I know her personally. She came and walked through South Town projects with me. Epok Mag: Now you’re on the cover of Epok Magazine. Birmingham J:Exactly. Epok Mag: What else does Birmingham J have planned? Tour dates. Appearances. Shows. Birmingham J:One thing about what happened in the past, I have built something. The things I did in the past helped me now. Epok Mag: What’s Birmingham J next move? Birmingham J: Putting stuff in the streets. I always did. Epok Mag: Whats your new single? Birmingham J: We got 24 Karat Gold. I’m about to shoot a lot of videos, kill the internet, step to another level with the videos and do something bigger. I do have a mixtape out. I have some selling in local gas stations. The mixtape is I am Legend; Jay I Am. I kind of alter my name to Jay I Am from Birmingham J because of everything that was said about my name Birmingham J. But I’m still forever Birmingham J, Jay I Am, Jack Balling 3000, still all that. Epok Mag: Its good to see you still keeping everything authentic and true to what you did in the past. Birmingham J: I have other people coming in and helping me like Teddy T. Teddy T worked with Trick Daddy. He done something with Rick Ross. He the reason for Pretty Ricky. I got him on deck. I have investors that I’m talking to but that’s what its about investors. Investors is the key. Epok Mag: Where can the fans find your music? Epok Mag pg 17
Birmingham J: Livemixtapes.com. Jay I Am Legend. Epok Mag: Birmingham J. it has been a pleasure. Thank you for your time. Birmingham J: Thank you Epok Magazine. The hottest magazine in Alabama. Thanks for coming through. I’m glad you were able to come through so we can get this interview done. I support you. Much Love. I got you. Whatever you need me to do. I just want you to do this for me. Support MTF Bloxo.
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hear ye hear ye!!!!! have you ever wondered about the Dirty South’s lingo? Many who are not native to the South laugh at our slowtalking, disdain , and lack of emphasis to the English language . But it is our Southern drawl that makes Alabama so distinct. So take notes and read every month for Epok’s word list on Bama-Bonics. “I’m With The Shit”
“Juug”
Translation: Phrase used as a term of endearment when indulging in any type of foolery or juvenile activity with friends or love ones.
Used to describe ones hustle of obtaining money. A hustle that one may have to obtain monetary gain.
“Dabbing” To smoke or take a puff of the purest form of marijuana. To cause one to cough and cuff using the forearm.
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The Mobile, Alabama rapper known as The Last Mr. Bigg or The Real Last Mr. Bigg, widely seen as the most influential rapper to come out of the Port City, has died, a close friend confirmed Wednesday morning. Shocked social media reports began circulating early Wednesday that Donald Maurice Pears, who was in his early 40s, had died. Rodney Toomer, better known in the area as DJ Rodski, confirmed the death. Toomer said Pears had apparently died in his sleep at his sister's home sometime Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. Toomer said that Pears had been performing actively, but that he had been losing weight and experiencing kidney problems in recent months. While he wasn't widely known to a mainstream audience, Bigg had a thriving independent career from the '90s onward, earning respect far outside southwest Alabama. He released two albums on Warlock Records, and was featured on the hit single "Poppin' My Collar" released in 2006 by Grammy-winning Memphis group Three 6 Mafia. Jeff Childress, longtime publisher of Real Talk Urban, said Bigg's legacy was huge. "I knew he had made it big when I went to Cincinnati and they were playing his music on the radio and in the clubs," he said, speaking of a trip in 2002 or 2003.Especially when it came to his home area, he'd been helpful to younger artists. "He was a big supporter of the local scene, he made it big, but he always gave back to the local community," Childress said. Last summer he headlined a "Summer Jam" at a local club, an event specifically designed to give new artists some stage time, and to show them how to use it. "He tore the stage down," Childress said of Bigg's set at the event. "He was known all over the Southern region," said Mobile rapper Rod Maine. "They treated him in Atlanta like he was a celebrity." "He was a big influence," said Maine. "He was one of the originators of the local scene." The rapper also was prominently featured in a 2010 documentary titled "Number One with a Bullet," focusing on the relationship between rap and gun violence. In the film, Pears describes a 2004 incident in which he was shot twice in the head. He survived, but lost an eye; he later took to wearing a glittering prosthetic, which gave him a second stage name: Diamond Eye.
Kim Kardashian is not building a West on the couple’s property, deinaccuracies. It’s true, Kardashian is tate, but it will be outdoors and it
7,000-square-foot basketball center for Kanye spite a slew of reports with varying degrees of now having a basketball court built on their eswon’t be close to 7,000-square feet.
The generally reliable TMZ got the of other outlets, including the New the ball even more. HollywoodLies, be 7,000 sq. feet, as if the couple’s include a glam room. Yes, only in glam room in the same building.”
ball rolling with the inaccuracies, but a number York Daily News and HollywoodLife, dropped for example, wrote, “The new b-ball center will mansion isn’t already massive enough, and also Kimye’s home is there a basketball court and a
Once again, the basketball court will not have its own building. A rep for Kardashian confirms exclusively to Gossip Cop that the court will be “OUTSIDE their home,” and it will have added space beyond a regulation basketball court of 94-feet long by 50-feet wide, but “it won’t be near 7000-square-feet.” Kardashian began having the basketball court built as a surprise for West while he and his buddies and some NBA players shot hoops on Monday at the Staples Center in L.A. in celebration of his 38th birthday. Epok Mag pg 22
It appears ATL 2 is back in business. necessary for this classic coming of
But many are wondering if a sequel is truly age story.
We told you the sequel to the hit of the original gang popped up on nal cast posted pics on their social what appeared to be the set of ATL 2.
2006 film was likely in the works when pics Instagram back in March. The entire origimedia accounts from behind-the-scenes of
Soon after, there were conflicting coming to life on screen or not. While Game" back in May, she said the se-
reports on whether the sequel was actually actress Lauren London was promoting "The quel was just a concept and nothing more.
Now, it appears that concept has new storyline about the then teens hit the box office.
been given the green light to morph into a growing up in the ATL, nine years after it
New pics have popped up of the cast, including, T.I. (Rashad), Lauren London (New New), Evan Ross (Ant), Jackie Long (Esquire), Jason Weaver (Teddy), Albert Daniels (Brooklyn) and the twins, Khadijah Haqq and Malika Haqq (Veda & Star). New dad Evan shared the shots with the caption, "Now thats a great crew !! @troubleman31 @iamlaurenlondon @albeback @jackielong @itsjasonweaver/ cast" And yes, the original director, Chris Robinson, will helm the follow-up film. He was pictured in the shots back in March. Who else wonders if the roller skates will be replaced with hover boards this go around?
Amber Rose is insisting she and Blac ever had a reality show in the works.
China are still friends, and denying they
On Sunday, the generally reliable TMZ series was “canceled” before ever makthe BFFs. According to Rose, however, Twitter on Tuesday to set the record
claimed Rose and Chyna’s rumored reality ing it to air due to a growing rift between neither claim is true. The model took to straight.
“I hate waking up to fake ass stories on show. The Blogs came out with that rua series of tweets. She went on, “So how show to cancel? Question of the day.”
the net… Chyna and I Never had a reality mor we didn’t,” Rose wrote in the first of does ones show get Canceled if there’s no
Rose continued, “Furthermore at my Slutwalk cuz… It’s none of ur ing about the worst possible things and Good [expletive] happens too.”
@BLACCHYNA is my sis for life. She wasn’t [expletive] business why. Let’s stop thinkrealize as humans… [expletive] happens.
“Now I’m about to take Sebastian over Chyna’s house so he can play with his Brother King,” concluded Rose, referring to their respective sons and using a peace sign emoji. For her part, Chyna has not yet commented. Gossip Cop actually previously corrected one of the aforementioned blog rumors. In late August, RadarOnline wrongly claimed Kim Kardashian tried and failed to stop Rose and Chyna’s alleged reality project from moving forward. Kardashian’s rep exclusively told us the allegation was false. Epok Mag pg 23
Charlie Sheen is HIV Positive. Sheen said he was diagnosed with HIV in May 2011. 'I thought I was going to wake up from a bad dream, but that wasn't the case. 'Then I gave it some time. I told my father about a month later and he was shocked at first and sad, but ultimately, everyone's come to a place of love and support and helping me stay and get healthier. 'Despite his anger over his diagnosis, Sheen said he never contemplated ending his life. 'I've never been that guy,' he said. 'And I never considered it before the diagnosis. 'Sheen broke the news of his HIV diagnosis last month on the 'Today' show. The star faces barrage of lawsuits after confirming he has HIV as 'goddess' exes claim he never told them his status despite his claims 'all my partners knew'. Just hours after Sheen told Matt Lauer on Today that he has had the virus for 'roughly four years' and informed all of his sexual partners since that time, the actor's former girlfriend Bree Olson made an appearance on The Howard Stern Show telling a very different story. She claimed that Sheen never once revealed to her that he is HIVpositive, and said later in a separate interview; 'He's a monster. 'Shortly after Olson appeared on Stern's show another one of Sheen's sexual partners, Natalie Kenly, came forward to say that the actor never told her either that he is HIV-positive. Despite the public attacks and lawsuits, Charlie - who has had three wives, additional fiancees and lived with various porn star 'goddesses' - said he did not regret revealing his virus 'It was such a tremendous weight lifted off my shoulders when I made the announcement,' he said. “I realized afterwards, I wish I had possibly done it sooner. As we’ll discuss, there were a lot of different elements in the mix that prevented me from doing that.' Sheen said he hadn't been afraid to come forward for himself but had been concerned about the privacy of his sexual partners. 'What I would say to others? If they’re living in fear or living in some shackled existence, take it to the next level and be free of that prison.' Sheen, 50, has spent most of the past year out of the spotlight and has not appeared on television since his show Anger Management went off the air in 2014 save a guest appearance on the ABC comedy The Goldbergs in February. The National Enquirer was first to report that Sheen is HIV positive, a story they have worked on for 18 months,, and two hours after they released their story People confirmed the news with crisis manager Howard Bragman.
Deontay Wilder is staying close to home for his first defense of the WBC heavyweight title. Wilder will fight Texan Eric Molina on 13 June at UAB’s Bartow Arena, about an hour from his Tuscaloosa hometown. It will be the first title fight held in Birmingham, Alabama, a state that has produced past champions Evander Holyfield (Atmore) and Joe Louis (Lafayette). The 12-round bout was announced on Friday and will be televised by Showtime. “This is the first championship boxing event ever in the state of Alabama, and I love making history,” Wilder said in a news conference at the arena. “I love putting on for my people, my family. I can’t wait. It’s going to be a great fight. I’ve got a great opponent (who’s) got a great opportunity to become the heavyweight champion of the world himself. “But I can’t let that happen. As for now, it’s just going to only be an opportunity. It’s the 6ft 7in Wilder’s first fight in Alabama since a 2012 bout in Mobile. He has also had four pro fights in his hometown. Wilder is 33-0 with the only fight that went the distance his unanimous decision over Bermane Stiverne on 17 January for the WBC crown. He is the first unbeaten American to own a piece of the heavyweight title since Michael Moorer in 1994. Much of the talk still swirls around a potential fight down the road between Wilder and Wladimir Klitschko to unify the title. Wilder and Jay Deas, his manager and co-trainer, said that won’t be a distraction from the upcoming fight. Epok Mag pg 24
Tyga has NOT moved out of Kylie Jenner’s house, because he was never living there full-time in the first place, despite a report. Gossip Cop can exclusively debunk the story, which we’re told is entirely wrong. As Gossip Cop reported, Tyga and Jenner briefly broke up last week. While it’s still not clear what led to the temporary split, the teen actually dumped her older boyfriend on his birthday. By the weekend, however, they were back on. But according to the generally reliable TMZ, one consequence of the couple’s ongoing issues was a change in living arrangements. The site claims Tyga moved out of Jenner’s mansion and is living in a rented residence. It’s said the decision was based on the couple’s desire to stay together romantically, but not be together all the time. But a source close to the situation exclusively tells Gossip Cop, “They don’t l live together. They never have. So this is a joke.” The incorrect update comes one day after the on-and-off couple celebrated Thanksgiving together with the Kardashian-Jenner clan. On Monday, the reality star will discuss the relationship on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” As Gossip Cop reported, Jenner tells the inquisitive host that she and Tyga are “hanging out”
There are questions over the abnormalities of the alleged suicide attempt of 28-year-old black woman, Sandra Bland who was in police custody in Prairie View, Texas. Bland was found dead with a plastic rubbish bag around her neck days after being stopped for a minor traffic violation by a white trooper. Her mugshot and arrest documents reveal uncomfortable inconsistencies which do not tally with the official account. She was found dead three days after her arrest, which had gone from a minor traffic violation to a police confrontation. Her family have called her autopsy ‘defective’ and are shaken by the level of inconsistencies and irregularities during her arrest and custody. Her police mugshot while in custody shows what appears to be a dead woman lying on the floor with her eyes opened. There is no available discernible second side-on mugshot as is usually needed for police records. The Daily Mirror reports: A post mortem showed her death was consistent with suicide but officials have said they are handling the investigation like a murder probe. Activists claim her death is the latest example of racial bias and excessive force by US law enforcement. Now conspiracy theories have emerged on social media, suggesting the Chicago woman may have been dead when her mugshot was taken. Other have raised suspicions after apparent inconsistencies were spotted in her arrest documents. Bland was arrested over a minor traffic violation in Prairie View, Texas, on July 10. Epok Mag pg 25
Epok Mag: I’m standing here at the Palace Gentlemen Club with Black Montana. Its was last year the last time I saw you on the set of your WWW video shoot featuring Rich Boy. What’s been up with you? Black Montana: Black Montana! Covella what! Just working baby. Whats good. Epok Mag: Aight. Lets talk about your new mixtape The Trap Translator. BM: Trap Translator: You wanna know what it means? Trap Translator is the act of knowing how to carry oneself in every environment; knowing how to talk when in certain places. Like….. A lot of people claim Dope Boy this, Dope Epok Mag pg 26
Boy that. If you really meeting the plug you not finna dress like you in the hood with yo partners. When you meet the real plug, you’re going prepared for business because, “out of site out of mind.” The biggest trick the devil pulled off was to convince the world that he didn't exist. So then when your talking, you can sit and talk about a person, in their face without them knowing what you’re talking about. Lingo, lingo, lingo, lingo, trap lingo, lingo; Hold up. Lingo?......(Someone in Black Montana’s entourage repeats him and sounds off) (Lingo! Black Montana answers) Lingo?..... K. Lingo. Finnesse! Amigos said, “Get your weapons Paneho.” It just like another way to teach; its like this. We got a lot of youngsters who coming up and they just wreckless. And Im over twenty-five. I’m an O.G. (original gangster) now. So I see that the only way we can change the game is to lead by example. You what I mean? I follow behind niggas like the O.G. Luck, Mr. Key, Squirt, Mr. Bigg; you know what I mean? These are niggas who vouched for me in my life so lets change the game and show people how to do things organized instead of unorthodox. So when you get unorthodox, make sure its something that’s going to get you some money. Trying to elevate my people. Epok Mag: Who are some producers you worked with on this mixtape Trap Translator? Black Montana: T.Time, Hoodzone, Felipe Got Bank aka Low Key, Black Montana. Black Montana produced a lot of songs for me. I did some songs with Tre 334 out of Montgomery, Alabama. I aint going to lie, it’s a lot of Ric and Thaddeus. If anyone don’t know who Ric and Thaddeus is just go on Soundclick.com. But I tried to keep most of my production in house and family oriented; based out of Birmingham, Alabama for the simple fact that we gave people freedom of speech. The Civil Rights started here. (Birmingham, Al) Epok Mag: For those that don’t know explain how Black Montana got started with this rap thing? Black Montana: Black Montana got started with the rap game just working. As a matter of fact while we speaking in this interview, Big bruh, P. Jizzle, How did Black Montana get started with the rap game? P. Jizzle: Eighth grade, beating on the desk. These niggas use to make my beats, beating on the desk. The man been doing this since knee high to a grasshopper. You can understand. When we was at Bush Middle School, they use to stop the class because the teacher would be like, “Jizzle go get that pencil and beatbox.” Then the drum majors shopped it though. Then after that it became we was in the hood. You know what Im saying? Everybody was doing their on thing. The receipe. Mongue. Shille le com. Black Montana.; Alabama Finesse game.: Shout out to Shod D, D Mobb; Shout out to Bam Bam Carter. You know what I’m saying. P.J. then Dolla, everybody. Its like put your trigger fingers up. Just cuz you mg me, everything solved and and branched off. But every since then Black Montana. Ride that wave man because you got it. Freedom of speech. I tried to cover my own flavor and I realized the gift wasn't about me. My gift was about opening doors so people like my niggas who been working K.E. Epok Mag: One thing I do like about Black Montana is your creativity . What do you feel has contributed to your creativity? Your style? Your flavor? BM: My style, I cant tell you where it comes from because half of the time, I don’t know. When I hear that beat, I let that beat make the music. Before Momma died she said, “What’s in you will come out you.” You know what I mean? So I just roll off the feeling. A lot of people got to understand that you can try to rap another nigga life, the real nigga in the streets ain’t gonna support that because real recognize real. And a lot of guys look unfamiliar right now. It’s a lot of guys who stealing swag. Bring swag! Then they get mad when you recognize it. But it’s a business. You know what I mean? Epok Mag: Now I know your back and forth from Birmingham to Atlanta. Have you given up on BirmingEpok Mag pg 27
BM: Hell no! This home! How can I give up on something that’s greater than a lot of places I ever been to in my life? I’ve been to LA, Compton, shit Inglewood but at the same time ain’t no place like home. This my city to me! Every artist who rap in Alabama should feel like “this my city.” They should say that to themselves, “Man this my city!” The whole goal is to have a click full of bosses. You know what I mean? Epok Mag: So what type of work are you doing in Atlanta? Are you going to Atlanta to help Birmingham, Al out? Black Monatana: The goal in Atlanta is to eat most definitely. I wanna a M. (Meal) If I can open up a door or I can vouch or if I got to pay a couple of dollars to get someone that I feel is great through a door, the whole thing is some of the greatest artist that Alabama has ever had or the world, came from right here in this city. (Birmingham) You know what I mean? Its on us to support each other to get somebody through the door. I didn't ask for no support. I’m not going to say I did it by myself because I got loyal friends and family. I don’t even like to say friends. That’s a word I hate K.E (talking to someone in his entourage). Framily. K.E. Because we came from friends to family. Black Montana: Like during this interview you see a lot of people walk up to us who knew me since we were little boys; I’m talking about little league football type shit. I was spitting then. When you get to a point where you realize ain’t nobody going to handle your business for you, you got to run yourself. If this your dream, your goal, you gotta handle that. Epok Mag: I noticed you said you love your city. Who is Black Montana feeling in the city? Old or new? Black Montana: Man I fucks with everybody who real! Real niggas like….. If I go to calling names, Ill call out names forever. So I really don’t even wont to go there, but if I could do a run down…. Felipe, K.E. Alabama Finesse Game, Rodriquez, Montana Team Tim, Northside Weezy, Lyric, I fuck with the whole TTE; dem my family. Shod D, Bam Bam Carter, everybody who was on 6’s definitely, But a lot of folks don’t know me and Shod D got work together. That’s one of the most humble, real niggas who will get in yo shit about what he do.! Ah……… Let me see who else in the city, JG. It’s a lot.; P. Stone. Ah…… Birmingham J, Chuck The Music. But on some real shit I fuck with everybody who genuine, who really work towards a goal; Lil Mone, Lil Mell, Lil Tez; I just work with everybody. That’s my goal; to make sure Alabama don’t get seen the way they talk about us. I’m not going to lie. I’ve been traveling and a lot of folks think that we lame, slow, confused and stupid. But on the other hand, we the ones making some hits. You know what I mean? Doe B, 100 Gang. That was one of my close partners that I met through Show Life. Epok Mag: Speaking of that this year in 2015 we just lost another Alabama greats The Last Mr. Bigg. What was your relationship like with Mr. Bigg? BM: Mr. Bigg seen some in me. Mr. Bigg did a show at the Palace and he stopped in the middle of his show and said, “Hey, you got some up here, that’s more diamond than my eye. Its called a “Diamond in the ruff.” He shouted me out in front of my whole city and gave me the torch. I made that man a promise and also my Epok Mag pg 28
Momma that I wasn't finna let this city down and I will make sure that we get some money. I refuse for us to live as average niggas because ain’t shit average about this lifestyle we live. When you come from the mud and you ain’t got nothing nigga, the turn up get real! Epok Mag: What shows does Black Montana have coming up? BM: Man I’m on a Strip Club Tour; I’m on a regular tour; you know what I mean…….Like in Atlanta and Florida. Epok Mag: When does the tour start? BM: The tour already started. The turn up been real! We doing like eighteen cities right now. We just tapping in everywhere to let them (the world) see exactly what’s going on. I got an O.G. by the name of Squirt Man or Squirt Go Hard whatever y’all want to call him. I call him Squirt! That’s my nigga Shawty! Squirt showed me a lot of love and how to do the ins and outs to some of this shit. Business. Paperwork; Get your publishing rights. It had been coached to me but it was a point in time where like I said after Momma died, it was to the point where I was like, “Fuck everything! Boy I’m out chea!” He (Squirt) said, “No Black you bigger than that!” It was a lot of shit going on. I had to get my mind right. You know what I mean…. And once I got my mind right, I had to realize that the gift was bigger than me. Epok Mag: Lets talk about Black Money Clothing. Are you still affiliated with Black Money Clothing? BM: Fucking right! That’s my brother clothing line! Jerrad Campbell, Jay, Rudy. I still wear Black Money. I got on Black Money draws right now and socks! You know what I mean…. Black Money is one of the first clothing lines to reach out to me but I was already there, so we reached out to each other. Legendary. Jona Crooner. If you really want your brand put out go holla at him. (Jona Crooner.) He will show you ways to put your brand out in different lights. He showed me things and Jona Crooner has been out here. Epok Mag: What can we expect in the near future for Black Montana? BM: For the future you can catch me in everything. My goal is VH1. VH1 is when Grandma cry. You get on VH1, Grandma crying and we done made it baby! This life is more than just music. We have to be able to elevate. It would be project mentality for Black Montana to be content with just music. I want to do movies. Shit we can do some screenplays too. I’m about a check! You know what I mean? I want it in every way because I got partners who people will never know are some of the most hilarious people on earth! Terry Thomas me and him went to school together, still kick it till this day! One of the best comedians out here King Harry Welch. I was just at Stroker’s (Adult Entertainment Club in Atlanta) with him the other night. This man promotes me like I’m Jezzy or Future. So I gotta a line I have to run behind. I cant be the average nigga or that old nigga I was. Black Montana use to be in your club acting a fool, drunk as fuck! Acting up! Trapping in your club! Epok Mag: What do you think about the music scene in Alabama so far? Good or Bad? BM: Alabama we got the best talent out here but we overlooked. So the goal is until someone get in this door to kick that bitch down! I don't even want hinges on the door when my niggas walk through! What they say, “The doors of the church is open.” Epok mag: “One thing you’d like to see change about Alabama? What would you like to see? BM: Us come together and be 100 with each other. A lot of people try to rap but nigga you ain’t no rapper! Bitch you need to do what you do best! If you sing you sing. If you trap, you trap! Most of the real rappers Epok Mag pg 29
Tabius Tate, a.k.a. CountryBoi Tweet hails from the West Side of Montgomery, Alabama. Over Half of his 20 years have been spent rhyming. The stage accepted him at twelve, and has continued to embrace him through his years at Carver High School and today. Having been around uncles who were "street pharmacists", CountryBoi decided on a different path for success. His work ethic and drive brought him scholarships and other awards which allowed him to pursue music and basketball in a focused and positive environment. CountryBoi's 6'4" frame contains more than raw lyrical talent, it is also composed of basketball fearlessness. The ALLAMERICAN ranking he received while at Southern Polytechnic is the proof. He has played all over the South East, and has even been given the opportunity to play semi-pro overseas. This Hot rapper has worked with the likes of SoSo Def, Block Entertainment, Ying Yang Twins, and Lil' Noah. He is definately on the come-up with his debut album "Alabama Lottery". Why such a title, you ask? Here CountryBoi explains, "I chose "Alabama Lottery" because I feel that the lottery helps in so many different ways. With the lottery, schools are benefiting, which gives better educations to the kids that can't afford to attend private institutions. Alabama doesn't have a lottery, so I have to be Alabama's savior
Da "Baby Pacino" of Blackklown! Born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama where he ran into Big Pimp & Gee. Soon after that a "Star Was Born." In ’03 Lil’ Mario hit da game hard on da Dirty album titled "Love Us Or Hate Us." He was featured on a track titled "Keep My Name Out Ya Mouth" and has been elevating ever since! He is a Producer/Artist & runs protools like he went 2 school 4 it. Since "Love Us or Hate Us," he’s been featured on Dirty's albums "Hood Stories" & "The Art of Story-telling.” APPER PRODUCER ENGINEER SHAWTY GOT TALENT MY GENERATION PT.1 OUT NOW
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Another native of Montgomery, Alabama who kind of sounds like and brings to mind the late great The Last Mr. Bigg. This former basketball player is looking to go hard in the paint. That’s exactly what he does in his deliver on every track. Some of his biggest tracks to date are Never Miss a Run and the ladies anthem Ass Like Nikki is tearing through the streets of Alabama. This 6’4 rapper has also coined hit singles with the late Doe B himself. With hits like this its no wander that the hood calls him the Saver of the streets.
So who is 2 Gunz Vito?..... As of lately he is the Birmingham, Alabama Rapper that unrentlessly antagonized another local rapper who goes by the name of Retrobudd. For those who are not familiar with Retrobudd, this Alabama native was tearing down Alabama’s 95.7 Jamz airwaves with his hit single, “Regular.” The mixtape that created a small buzz throughout the city of Birmingham, Al where 2 Gunz Vito pretty much attacked Retro’s street credibility, credentials as a rapper and also his earlier years at Parker High School. With no retaliation from Retrobudd’s camp, lets see where Vito goes next.
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