MANATEE COUNTY, FL:
JACKSONVILLE, FL:
Mob Boss of Hustle House was shot in front of the studio, but is making a full recovery. Although Midget Mac was kicked off of VH1’s I Love Money on the first damn episode, he can still be seen in clubs across the country due to his popularity from I Love New York 2. Young Cash is expected to release a digital album with T-Pain. The Duval County Mixtape Vol. 4 featuring P.I.T. and Dirt Diggla is still scheduled despite criticism from those who think an interracial mixtape is cliché, instead of encouraging unity within the city. Alju Jackson recently signed to Interscope Records. - Lil Rudy (LilRudyRu@yahoo.com)
LAS VEGAS, NV:
For a city that never sleeps, it’s becoming difficult to find things to do when you’re not sleeping. The club scene is extra bogus, for the locals. Don’t get me wrong, there are still wild nights, but not as much as before. Only a few months back, there were several clubs to choose from to have a fun night out. I’m not sure what happened, but the banging clubs have dwindled down to about two. I suppose if you’re coming to visit, it’ll suit you; but if you live here, it’s not suitable. Get it together Vegas! - Portia Jackson (PortiaJ@sprint.blackberry.net)
LOS ANGELES, CA:
Strong Arm Steady’s Krondon, Phil The Agony, and Mitchy Slick brought the true West Coast Klak Klak spirit to DJ Warrior and DJ Envy’s Cali Untouchable Radio 17 mixtape. A mega-deal went down on the MLB trade deadline day which brought the Boston Red Sox’ Manny Ramirez to Los Angeles. The DUB Carshow & Tour hit the L.A. Convention Center. Pacific Division took the stage at Crash Mansion, a prime spot for new Hip Hop acts. Akon, Ray Lavender, Kardinal Official, and Rock City took over 93.5 KDAY for full day of Konvict programming. Myspace.com stepped their bars up with their Secret Show series, bringing Dwele to the Temple Bar and Nas to the Roxy. - Ant Wright of Swag, Inc. (www.Myspace.com/antsandg) & Devi Dev (DeviDev.kday@gmail.com)
LOUISVILLE, KY:
Whiteheads World Ent. released the Frisco 2 The Ville DVD which showcases talent from San Francisco and Louisville like San Quinn, Mistah F.A.B., Static Major, HurraSeason, and many others. Make It Rain Ent. brought Rick Ross to The Ville for a live performance. B96.5 had Three 6 Mafia come through for a promo/appreciation show at the newly opened Club 26. B Simm is back with his single “Hustlin’,” produced by Chri$ Rich. HurraSeason’s “I Can Make It Work” and SOLO’s “Lace Me Up” are both on radio. I’m promoting Nuvo, a new liquor. - Divine Da Laison (OuttaDaShopEnt@hotmail.com)
KILLEEN/BELTON/TEMPLE/WACO, TX:
R.I.P. Mista Lonestar and Slam of Fedtyme Records. Sparkdawg is working his new album The Lonestar Kid. MYLYFE Records got production from Kooley, who co-produced Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop” with Jim Jonsin. Black Sound Ent., Playa Made Texans, and Nappy Town joined Tito and the Wego Carshow World Tour. Russell Mack and Gutta of Mack’s On Tha Rise opened up for Big Rat Loc at Bayou Lounge in ATX. Lil ZA of Balling Outta Control Records released a mixtape with DJ Drop. Rick Ross, E.S.G., and Big Pokey were all at Club Nico’s. Lotto of Tha Co Ent. went to Florida to get DVD footage. - Tre Dubb (Myspace.com/mackonthariserecords)
MACON, GA:
Word on the street is Young R’s single “Shawty Off the Chain” may be getting some ATL love via the Dirty Boys’ Battle Ground on Hot 107.9. Bohagon and DJ Rick Flare made their way to the A for the Crunk in HD album release (it’s in stores now). PPC dropped the Raw Material Press Play Vol. 2 mixtape. Don’t be surprised if you see some Macon cats in an area near you real soon. - Ali Roc (radiodj242000@yahoo.com)
20 // OZONE MAG
I had the opportunity to interview CTE artist BloodRaw for the Hollywood Red Vibe on WSLR 96.5 FM, and his interview touched on why most rappers claim to sell dope. I also made a visit to AMV Studio in Tampa while Tango (I Love New York) fine tuned his Hip Hop album. In other news, Lakewood Ranch High School’s quarterback has been charged with murder of a 19 year old over marijuana. All Floridians be on the lookout for the GOTCHA newspaper. It features everybody arrested within the past month. Cartel4Life artist Cane was recently featured in an issue. - Hollywood Red (era9880@yahoo.com)
MEMPHIS, TN:
White boy lyricist Kaz is nothing but entertaining when it comes to music. From playing harmonica to rapping on his own tracks, this boy is all over the place. He just released his new single “Dirty on Purpose” featuring 8Ball. Playa Fly is slowly releasing singles from his much-anticipated album. His latest single “Moo-Lah” is catching a big buzz here in the city. Mista Ian just dropped a new mixtape called Tokyo Diamonds featuring the Ying Yang Twins, Too $hort, and 8Ball. - Deanna Brown (Deanna.Brown@MemphisRap.com)
MONTGOMERY, AL:
C-Hall and Deuce Komradz were nominated for an OZONE Patiently Waiting Award. Everybody in Alabama is waiting on Deuce’s album to drop; it’s titled Drofessionals. Boomerang’s is on fire Saturdays with DJ Shadow. Napalm the Bomb had a crazy album release party and “Work That” has the females dancing. 1610 has Bird Flu Friday blowed out at Club Fusions. Jay Dee Ent./DJ Swift got the streets locked with Dope Boy Fresh the mixtape. Konvict Music signed on to the Maxximum Exposure Conference November 1-2. Eldorado Red’s mixtape is on fire with the hottest song in the streets “Stack of 1’s.” - Hot Girl Maxximum (Maxximummp3@gmail.com) & DJ Frank White (Myspace.com/DJFrankWhite96)
NASHVILLE, TN:
Mint Condition closed out the summer with a special live performance. Some of the Nashville nominees for the Tennessee Music Conference (right) and Hip Hop Awards are: Haystak, All Star, GRITS, Young Buck, Paper, Cowboy, 615, Lil Bizzy, Smoke, Rip, C-Wiz, Sir Swift, Don Juan, Crisis, Rage, Bigg DM, Bryant D, Ron C, Latino Saint, Stiz-Izza, Kyhill, Pistol, Quanie Cash, Dolowite, Scooby and more – visit www.tmchiphopawards.com for more info. DJ Ty and Club Fuse began their quest to bring Vegas-style entertainment to Nashville. They also feature a Vodka locker that chills their Vodka to 20°. - Janiro (Janiro@southernentawards.com)
NEW ORLEANS, LA:
Since Curren$y’s departure from Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment, he’s been hotter than ever. He’s dropped back-to-back classic mixtapes like the Chicago Bulls of the 90s. Mack Maine’s “Bitch I’m Mack Maine” is off the chain and people need to give him more credit. The Show and Lil Wayne have a new joint called “Imma Get Mine” and it’s really tight. Raw D.I. released his new digital album On the Inside Looking Out and it’s a certified New Orleans classic. C-Murder has a new album out called Screamin’ 4 Vengeance. - Derrick Tha Franchise (www.Myspace.com/DerrickThaFranchise)
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA:
The Clipse have re-branded themselves as the Re-Up Gang and they just dropped their digital album online via Myspace. Young C Da Slaya and Yung Thugz Ent. are making noise online and in the 757. Fam-lay’s Dirtyway should be hitting the streets sometime this decade. DJ Babey Drew, fresh off tour with Chris Brown, is back doing it big in the streets. Plies, Rick Ross, Young Steff, Pretty Ricky and T.I. all came through the 757 this month. Sevens, the hottest Hip Hop club in the 757, was shut down due to the city’s goal of “cleaning up” Granby Street. - Young Fame (contactyoungfame@gmail.com)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK:
Mista Cain, a.k.a. Mr. I-35, is shining in the Oklahoma City area. He joined forces with renowned producer James Elliot, a.k.a. BrokBundlez, with tracks such as “Get In Between” and “The Middle of the Map.” Mista I-35 is a bad man on stage. Infamous is a busy play these days. His “Hustle Til I Die” track says plenty. Infamous recently performed for a two-night show alongside Bizzy Bone. - Marshlynn (Marshlynn.Bolden@uscellular.com)