MONTGOMERY, AL:
MILWAUKEE, WI:
The city recently came together for the Summer of Peace Youth Rally, DJ Rock Dee (R.I.P.) Celebration, Unity Concert, the Milwaukee Urban Music Awards, and the Public Enemy Tribute. Each week we have several venues hosting live Hip Hop nights. Free McGee! - Gorilla Promo (info@gorillapromo.com)
KILLEEN/BELTON/TEMPLE/WACO, TX:
DJ Mack dropped a new single called “My Swag 2 Clean” featuring Lil Za of B.O.C. Records and Lil Wayne’s new artist Lil Twist. R Mack and Gutta are guest performers for Da Mic Wrecka’s B-Day Bash and Underground Hip/Hop Battle Showcase at the Music Vault. Mylyfe Records artist Yung Money dropped two new singles: “Mean Something” featuring PJ of Adykted Sol and “I’m A Money Machine” featuring Bama. Black Sound Ent. dropped a new mixtape for Belton Texas. Raheim of Tha Co Ent. finished up his new album and is on his promo tour. Maino performed “Hi Haters” at Club Niko’s in Tyler, TX. - Tre Dubb (Myspace.com/mackonthariserecords)
LAS VEGAS, NV:
Last month I informed you about the lack of Hip Hop clubs in Sin City. Unfortunately, another one bit the dust. Jay-Z’s 40/40 club in Vegas, located at the Palazzo Hotel & Casino, has closed. But check out Prive Nightclub inside Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino as an alternative. Two of rap’s greatest – Nas and Ice Cube – rocked separate shows at the House of Blues. DJ Franzen recently celebrated his seventh year in Vegas. He’s definitely one of the reasons why the city stays hot. Halloween is coming up and Vegas never disappoints when it comes to trick-or-treating. - Portia Jackson (PortiaJ@sprint.blackberry.net)
LOS ANGELES, CA:
DJ Ill Will threw the release party for the Rap or Die Volume 4 mixtape at Aqua Lounge in Beverly Hills with performances from Hot Dollar, Bangloose, and Krys Ivory. Young Keno, whose song “Let’s Get Together” has been blowing up on the radio, got down with Roscoe Umali at Crazy Horse. Glasses Malone performed with The Bloc Boyz, Conflict, and Quiz at Copa Cabana in LB. Dubb Union (b.k.a. Westurn Union) celebrated the release of their album at Mood. It’s in stores now via Koch Records. Ice Cube, WC, and Crazy Toonz hosted a listening session for Cube’s CD Raw Footage at SIR off of Wilcox. - Devi Dev (devidev.kday@gmail.com)
MEMPHIS, TN:
Memphisrap.com interviewed Shane Gutta, formerly of the group Block Burnaz. The interview included details of him and Yo Gotti growing up together in Memphis, his take on Cash Money, and his upcoming album release. Mr. Del, a Christian Hip Hop artist, recently signed a multi-million dollar distribution deal with Universal. Calling his latest album Hope Dealer, Mr. Del is nothing but positive. Everyone can appreciate that! Da Volunteers, protégés of 8Ball and MJG, just released their album Coming Out Harder featuring their hot single “Days of Our Lives.” - Deanna Brown (Deanna.Brown@MemphisRap.com)
MIAMI, FL:
T-Pain and DJ Irie got beef? Well, not really; it was all love as T-Pain vs. DJ Irie went down at Parkwest. The Serato Macbooks were on fire as they battled it out musically. Bow Wow, Vanessa and Angela Simmons went crazy. It was insane! Not only are the hurricanes tearing up the 3-0-5, so is the music. We are running MTV and BET. I’m no psychic, but by what I’ve been hearing, Poe Boy is about to change and reinvent this game – remember Supa said so. - Supa Cindy (www.Myspace.com/Supadupe) 20 // OZONE MAG
Jane Flame came to Moneytown for the Konvict Music Showcase and won. Ms. Shyne and Southern Belles also held it down along with Keep It Hot! Promotions and Hot Girl Maxximum. Napalm The Bomb’s “Work That,” Play Boi’s “Jocking My Swag,” and “Stack of One’s” are killing the clubs. You would’ve thought King South was literally “killing the club” the way police waited for him to perform and gave him some bracelets for reasons unknown. Dem King Boyz got it popping with “My Swag” and Iron Kidz with “Like Dat.” Alfamega was the headliner but it was Da Law and Da Religion’s show. Their show was so hot Alfamega called them back on stage to dap them up. - Hot Girl Maxximum (Maxximummp3@gmail.com)
LOUISVILLE, KY:
Nappy Roots bounced back with their new album The Humdinger, and had a nice turn out for the album release party. Young GO gave an energyfilled show at the release party. Da Show has been traveling around KY and had Flavor of Love 3 star Black (right) with him. Yo Gotti came through and performed. He also did a verse for Cocky of Success Ent. They remixed “Microwave.” DJ Q hosts the Hot 16 on his mixshow every Saturday. The Russ Parr Morning Show sent our children back to school with free school supplies and a free concert. - Divine Da Liaison (OuttaDaShopEnt@hotmail.com)
NASHVILLE, TN:
Allstar brought home an OZONE Award and also picked up five SEA Nominations. Other Cashville SEA Nominees include: Crisis, C-Lo (fresh off of Rap City), Sir Swift, Bryant D, Whitey, Emeka, Sheri Hauck, JC, C-Dub, DJ Ron, Tayst Fashion, Hang Time, Robin Raynelle, Becky The Great, Tango Rae, Paper (Paper View in stores now), Mario Moore, Darnell Levine, Pistol, The Place, WUBT, Dolowite, Scooby, AG, Pamela Aniese, Fate Eastwood, Kenny Smoov, WQQK, Princess Ivory, Connie Donell, Nino Blac, Deshun Smith and more. The month of October brought shows with Pete Rock, Rapheal Saadiq, Dwele & Eric Benet. TSU Homecoming is coming up. - Janiro (Janiro@southernentawards.com)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK:
Infamous performed at Club Bora Bora. The CityBoyz are still mashing the Hip Hop scene with their hit “American Dream.” Brokbundlez is a busy man these days as one of the hottest producers around. Check him out at www.myspace.com/brokbundlez. Mista Cain, a.k.a. Mr. I-35, is still making his mark in the Oklahoma Hip Hop arena with notable hits like “U Can’t Do It Like Me.” - Marshlynn (Marshlynn.Bolden@uscellular.com)
PHOENIX, AZ:
Florida invaded the Phoenix Valley with Rick Ross and Flo Rida both stopping through to deliver stellar performances. Three 6 Mafia and Ice Cube visited Phoenix for separate performances. Ice Cube introduced his new artist Judge, who is a Phoenix native. Phoenix congratulates Willy Northpole on winning the Patiently Waiting award at the 2008 OZONE Awards. Mr. I AM Arizona, C-Thug, has the city buzzing with an album slated to drop early 2009 and songs currently with Mistah F.A.B. and Glasses Malone. C-Thug is someone to watch out for and perhaps the next Patiently Waiting Arizona artist. - Jasmine Crowe (jasmine@mystjazz.com)
PITTSBURGH, PA:
F-Block Records has the city on lock and Twerk Thompson is back home and ready to deliver the hits. Yo Gotti, Gucci Mane, and a host of others have come through the city to kick it. Fetti of Haleraza Records just signed a major production deal. Black J is hitting the streets with “Y Not” and the Ultra Sexy Sharmyn is “Live in the Steel City.” Hardcore Ent., Freeze, FBlock, and G. Money are making big moves while Crakk King is producing that fire for major label artists. DJ Nitro got some things cooking and GQ continues to drop new music every night, keeping the clubs packed. - Lola Sims (lolasims@gmail.com)
PORTLAND, OR & IDAHO:
Portland’s Cool Nutz has done it again. The North East Portland OG has revived the much needed PO-Hop (the Portland, Oregon Hip Hop Festival) just in time for the fall. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the community-based event that celebrates and educates about Hip Hop culture, while providing a platform for locals and visiting artists to perform and