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’ , HIT US UP at JB@OZONEMA N I P P O P SEE WOHR ANOTT’SREPRESENTED AT ALL O T S DETROIT, MI: T E E R T REPRESENTED, S E H T Mayor Kilpatrick got caught exchanging dirty text S T I IS messages with his Chief Of Staff Christine Beatty. OZONFEEEHL THAT YOUR CITY IS M IF YOU
NORFOLK, VA:
Lupe Fiasco was in town and had the crowd going crazy. The ODU vs. VCU after party was off the chain and over 200 people were turned away. There were many Valentine’s Day parties, but the hottest joint was at ODU with everyone from cute college girls to certified trap stars in attendance. Derrick Tha Franchise, a.k.a. Young Fame, organized Clothing for the Community and collected over 2,500 items in order to clothe many of Norfolk’s homeless families this season. Encore and Sevens are tied for the hottest club in VA right now. - Derrick Tha Franchise (ContactYoungFame@ gmail.com)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
Watch for new releases from veteran lyricist Kurt Dogg (www.myspace.com/4kurtdogg). OKC is blazin’ the middle right now with a surge of new artists such as Kool E Mac from Wize Records, the City Boyz, and Mista Cain. The men over at DeJaVue were at it again with Webbie sliding through. You know Black Heff is putting it down for you. The ever beautiful HoneySiccle made her way to Mississippi for the SEA awards. Hit her up at Myspace. com/honeysiccle. - Marshlynn (Marshlynn.Bolden@uscellular.com) & PL (BeatBrokers77@yahoo.com)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN:
Word is, On Point Entertainment is in conversations to be the first label to sign a major deal from the city. Ladeana and the Leak Magazine have been making much noise across the Midwest. Munki Boy Ent. has also been making a lot of noise in and outside the city with their artists Riddles and Nappyville. Pacman’s CD I Can Hook U Up should be out soon. The Heatspinner DJs will be dropping a monthly mix series for independents. - Lucky The Promo King (srfoleaf@aol.com)
TULSA, OK
Tulsa, Oklahoma’s own General of Hip Hop Dangerous Rob (Myspace.com/DangerousRob) is on a mission for success with DPGC Next Generation (Myspace.com/thedpnextgeneration). This is a group of six talented guys that are shattering the glass with tight lyrics and blasting beats. The party is on and crackin’ at Club Xclusive located at 2182 S. Sheridan Ave. Club Xclusive is Tulsa’s premiere Hip Hop spot with T-Town’s native son JB Smoove on the spins. - Marshlynn Bolden (Marshlynn.Bolden@uscellular.com)
BALTIMORE, MD:
World-known DJ and Baltimore native DNA has a lot going on. Not only has his show Real Radio been banging on XM radio 4 years strong, but he is now negotiating with majors for his label Round Table Music Group, home to artists like Don Brody. DNA and P-Cutta. They’ve blessed the streets with the hottest mixtapes and street albums ever, like the recently released Pimp C – Life after Death. DNA also hooked up with DJ Drama for Motion Picture Shit Vol 3. More projects with Chazz Williams, Gorilla Zoe, Mario, and Paula Campbell are on tap for 2008. - Darkroom Productions (TheDarkRoomInc@yahoo.com)
FORT MYERS/NAPLES, FL: Lil Soldier dropped his debut album Big Hempin’ 24/365. Riskay’s song “Smell Yo Dick,” produced by 105.5’s own DJ Quest, continues to make headlines. It was played on Howard Stern’s radio show. Apparently, Stern loves the song. The Big O turns 29, again, throwing one of the biggest parties to kick off 2008. DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, JT Money, Qwote, and the rest of the 305 crew came to represent. Fab First Lady Niki of 105.5 The Beat was named 2007’s Radio Personality of the Year by Lee Pitts Live. Plies is looking for his next “Bust-it Baby.” Auditions are being held in Tampa. - Jae Rae (JaeRae1055@aol.com)
COLUMBUS, OH:
Buckeey and Bootz came to the city and got loose. Tailor Made was spotted looking for love in the CO too. On the mixtape circuit, Jigga mixes are in high demand with I Am Legend by Team Invasion Midwest, American Gangster Trappers Edition by DJ Dru and D Boogie, and AG vs. TIP by our own DJ Bern. Chris Brown, Soulja Boy, and CO’s dog Bow Wow shut the stadium down this month. The MLK March kicked off Black History Month and Power 107.5 celebrated their 10 year anniversary. This is dedicated to Tony Sharpe – R.I.P. - Big Yogi (ImageInq@gmail.com)
DUMAS, AR:
Interstate Riders’ dropped a mixtape hosted by Countryside Productions. Arkansas’ rap scene is ready for prime time; the talent here can match any state when it comes to music. The Crawfish Festival went down in Dermott, Arkansas. The festival is like Mardi Gras with a country flavor. It’s just like the old Freaknik – anything goes. The Countryside DJ Coalition was formed for DJs in smaller markets. Not to call out names, but some big name coalitions have forgotten where they came from. - DJ Hiley (LamarHiley@yahoo.com) 16 // OZONE MAG
K-Deezy seems to be featured on everybody’s album. Trick-Trick is heating up air waves with “Let’s Work.” Detroit’s Vet Doc Chill is hitting streets hard with “Boom City.” Flint Town’s MC Breed is back with a new group (Bake Up Boyz) and single featuring Jim Jones “I Can Do That.” Identical is getting local video play with “I’m Doin What I Do.” Zone Radio plays all independent/underground artists on 89.3 FM Saturday’s from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. (thezoneradio@gmail.com). D-Party is the hot TV show on 38 WADL. - Eric (itscrunkatlanta@yahoo.com) & AJ (the313report@yahoo.com)
AUSTIN, TX:
Bavu Blakes is releasing a weekly flow in 2008 at 08IsSoGreat.com. DJ Grip took home the Mixtape Rookie of the Year award and DJ Hella Yella took home the Slept on DJ of the Year award at the 2008 SEAs. The Dirty Wormz put on a big show at Antone’s. South Bound held their Birthday Bash at Ruta Maya’s. Will Hustle and DJ Knowledge released What-A-Hustla 4. Paul Wall and Lupe Fiasco came through for concerts at Emo’s and Fuze. Hip Hop journalist Matt Sonzala made a new transition from Houston to Austin to work with SXSW. He also founded AustinSurReal.com. - O.G. of Luxury Mindz (CreativeOG@gmail.com)
DALLAS/FT. WORTH, TX: NEW ORLEANS, LA:
Mardi Gras had everyone eating king cake and sippin’ gumbo in the 504. Here We Go Entertainment and DJ Hollaback had the city on lock for Mardi Gras and All Star. When you come to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, you have to watch the parade under the Claiborne bridge. Artists like Shawt, Young A, K Gates, Skip, Wacko, The Show, Dizzy, and Currency can be seen in the streets. Juggie of Phat Phat receives the “shining harder than a rapper” award for his cameo in B.G.’s new video. 2Cent made its debut on ABC with big fine Amanda looking sexy as ever. - Derrick Tha Franchise (www.Myspace.com/DerrickThaFranchise)
There will be a TX showdown of music conferences this summer between Tony Neal’s TUMS (TX Urban Music Summit) and Mike Moodswing’s TSMC (TX Summer Music Conf.). Donny B is keeping Funkytown Forth Worth artists moving with his channel 28 TV show. The legendary DJ Snake makes Club Torch his official spot. Fat Pimp’s “I’m Getting Money” featuring Young Guerillas is locking down the streets and clubs. Big Tuck’s single “Ain’t a Stain on Me” featuring Fat Bastard is rotating on the airwaves. The 1st lady of screw music DJ Princess Cut continues to drop her Bout to Blow mixtape series. - Edward “Pookie” Hall (www.urbansouth.us@ gmail.com)