meet our panelists women in the urban entertainment industry, The Murda Mamis. This prolific group covers all industry genres from DJs, recording artists, media personalities, producers, executives, journalists, and models including placements at MTV, Don Diva Magazine and power stations like KBXX-Houston to name a few. Lady El notes that “I started Murda Mamis to unify women in Hip Hop. Women are very powerful and together we can be invincible.” With a hustler’s ambition this strong, the Murda Mamis will always be respected to the 1st degree. GREEN LANTERN – DJ Panel (New York, NY) Aside from the infamous Jadakiss DVD incident which led to Green’s dismissal from Eminem’s camp, Green is known for being one of the sickest mixtape DJs, dropping unique blends and exclusive songs regularly.
KASPA / CEO, Hittmenn DJs (Atlanta, GA)
and Ray Cash.
KHAO – Producer Panel (Atlanta, GA) Production credits include Young Jeezy f/ Trick Daddy & Young Buck “Last of a Dying Breed,” T.I. “Why U Wanna,” T.I. “Stand Up Guy,” T.I. f/ P$C “Limelight,” Paul Wall f/ T.I. “So Many Diamonds,” and Lil Kim “Get Yours.”
GREG “GATE$” DAVENPORT / Murder Dog - Media Panel (N. Florida) GREG STREET – DJ Panel (Atlanta, GA) The Ultimate Hustler, Greg once balanced dual radio shows in Atlanta and Dallas and has expanded his brand to encompass car shows, sneaker shows, and other entrepreneurial ventures. JAMES EICHELBERGER / A&R, TVT Records – A&R Panel (New York, NY) JASON GETER / Co-CEO, Grand Hustle – Indie CEO Panel (Atlanta, GA) As both T.I.’s manager and business partner, Jason can be largely credited with not only the success of T.I.’s individual career, but the success of the label as a whole. Grand Hustle was responsible for the Hustle & Flow soundtrack and, in addition to the veteran P$C crew, recently brought in new acts like Young Dro and Yola who are set to follow in T.I.’s footsteps and achieve worldwide success. JESUS TRIVINO ALARCON / Senior Editor, Scratch Magazine – Media Panel (New York, NY) Jesus Trivino Alarcon has been apart of the Scratch Magazine family from the beginning as a founding editor of the DJ publication. Alarcon is not relegated to the desk as he has interviewed Nas, Kanye West, Willie Colon, Jay-Z while writing for Vibe, The Source, XXL, King, People.com and others. As a Brooklyn-born South American, Alarcon provides a unique experience that readers can’t enjoy more. JILL STRADA / Program Director, WPYO Power 95.3 FM – Women In The Industry Panel (Orlando, FL) Jill Strada is currently the Program Director of Orlando hip-hop station WPYO/Power 95.3. Jill entered the entertainment industry in January 1996 as a promotion intern at WJHM/102 Jamz in Orlando. In 1999, she became the Marketing Director of a new start up radio station in Orlando, WPYO/95.3 Party. Jill is always challenging herself, and over time she took on additional responsibilities in the station’s programming department and added Assistant Program Director & Music Director to her title. Jill also believes that giving back is one thing that is missing in the industry, so she started up Stradagy Inc. – a non-profit organization that fosters mentorship within the entertainment industry. JIM JONSIN - Producers Panel (Miami, FL) Formerly 1/2 of the Unusual Suspects duo with Big D, Jim has now branched off into a solo production career and also maintains an executive position at Southbeat Records. Production credits include Trick Daddy “Let’s Go,” Pitbull f/ Piccalo “Dammit Man,” Jamie Foxx f/ Ludacris “Unpredictable,” Pretty Ricky “Your Body,” Pretty Ricky “Grind With Me,” and Trina f/ Kelly Rowland “Here We Go.” JOIE MANDA / Head of A&R & Promotions, Asylum Records - A&R Panel (New York, NY) Asylum, billed as an “incubator” label, serves as the “umbrella” for many successful indie labels like Swishahouse. As head of A&R, Joie is involved with projects from artists like Paul Wall, Mike Jones, Webbie, Lil Boosie, Cam’Ron, and Bun B.
KAWAN PRATHER / Executive VP of Sony Urban and Head A&R (New York, NY) Originally from Atlanta, KP first made his mark as an A&R by pairing Usher with Jermaine Dupri for the My Way album. He also discovered and signed T.I. and the YoungBloodz and signed them to LaFace Records long before the Southern movement was widely accepted. Now at Sony, his most recent signees include John Legend
KIM OSORIO – Editor, BET.com Although you may recognize her name as former editor of The Source during the Dave & Benzino days, Kim is now responsible for BET’s online content. KLC / producer, Beats By the Pound & The Medicine Men – Producers Panel (Baton Rouge, LA) Few producers can claim an entire place in time. KLC as a member of Beats By The Pound served as the backbone behind the No Limit movement that peaked at over 40 million units sold and opened a brand new sound. Today, as a member of The Medicine Men, KLC has produced for mega stars such as Ludacris and Mariah Carey while anticipating the release of the first release for The Medicine Men’s Overdose/Asylum venture entitled KLC The Drum Major. KRAZE / CEO, All Access DVD (New York, NY) MATT SONZALA / Writer, Photographer, Promoter, Booker –Media Panel (Houston, TX) Matt Sonzala is a writer/photographer/promoter/booking agent from Houston, TX. He’s been in the music game since the age of 16 when he first started promoting live events at clubs. Since then he has developed into THE voice for Houston hip-hop. While he is not affiliated with any artist officially, when you need to get at someone from Texas, you call Matt first. In recent years he has been published in Ozone, The Source, XXL and Vibe Magazine, and is currently booking artists like Devin the Dude and DJ Rapid Ric on tours of Europe, Canada, and the Pacific Rim. His weekly radio program - the wildly popular Damage Control Show with DJ Chill - is heard all over the world and is a direct link to everything going on in Dirty South Rap. MAURICE G. GARLAND / Music Editor, OZONE Magazine – Media Panel (Atlanta, GA) After a stint working at Rolling Out, Maurice joined the OZONE team and has been responsible for several memorable spreads (“20 Greatest Southern Albums,” “Bay Area Patiently Waiting,” etc.). MICKEY “MeMpHiTz” WRIGHT / VP, A&R – Jive; CEO, HiTz Committee – A&R Panel (New York, NY) Arriving in New York fresh from his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, Mickey Wright embarked on a journey fueled by faith and determination that would eventually lead him to becoming the most sought after golden ears of hip-hop. Wright released both the debut album of his latest signing, Tallahassee R&B singer/songwriter, T-Pain, as well as the YoungBloodZ’s third album, only a week apart. He is currently back in the studio, preparing releases with legendary Houston group UGK, J-Kwon, and newcomer M.O.S. (Money Over Sex), a rapper from Durham, NC. With his recent promotion to Vice President of A&R at Jive, Wright’s eyes and ears are always poised for the next big thing, but he particularly cares “more about real talent, potential stardom, and longevity.” MIKE CAREN / Senior Vice President of A&R, Atlantic Records - A&R Panel (Los Angeles, CA)
ozone 11 awards