2007 OZONE AWARDS: PATIENTLY WAITING ALABAMA Mobile, AL’s Rich Boy bum rushed industry doors for Alabama last year and patiently waiting behind him were a slew of emcees ready to follow the D’s on Rich Boy’s Cadillac. Birmingham’s Attitude signed to Warner Bros., landed writing credits on Timbaland’s Shock Value album and Nelly Furtado’s hit single “Promiscuous,” and still kept his flow tight on Rich Boy’s “Role Model” and Key 2 Da Streets mixtape with DJ Wally Sparks. The BA Boys’ staked their claim claim with the Birmingham duo’s debut album Days of Being Broke and their single “Check Me Out.” After many years of independent hustling, Birmingham J sustained his presence in Alabama rap with his DJ Serious hosted mixtape Gotta Grind and asked the streets “How U Like My Style.” modesty xo showed Alabama how to re-up on his street smash “Bag It Up” and Columbia record’s newest signee Yela Wolf stood tall as the next great white hope. Don’t call them ’Bamas anymore. In this age of slumping album sales and “Hip Hop Is Dead” rhetoric, sweet home Alabama has plenty to offer. THE CAROLINAS The Carolinas haven’t seen mainstream Hip Hop success since Petey Pablo spun his shirt around like a helicopter, but this past year birthed a new breed of Carolina artists prepared to take their Carolina reign to the masses. Disturbin’ Tha Peace’s Norfclk boasts two Raleigh, NC artists that made their presence felt. Small World and his distinctively heavy flow provided a new voice vying to be synonymous with Carolina music on the Don Cannon hosted mixtape World Domination, in preparation for World’s debut album World Premiere. And fellow Norfclk group member Brolic D impressed streets from Raleigh to the ATL on his Carolina’s Favorite mixtape alongside DJ Chuck T. South of the NC border, Lil’ Ru kept clubs and streets rocking throughout SC with his hit single “Don’t I Look Good” and 500 Grams mixtape. Meanwhile, all eyes were on Ru’s independent Headhunters Records labelmate, as Collardgreen’s single “Everybody Looking” smashed clubs and radio across the Carolinas. Two states, two cliques; these four rappers were a cut above the rest in Carolina during ’06-’07. FLORIDA Poe Boy’s Flo-Rida lit up the Sun Coast with his hit single “Birthday” and followed up with a Rick Ross remix, proving that the Port of Miami got his back. They say timing is everything, and for Des-Loc of the independent duo Piccalo, there was no better year for the club release “Stick N Roll”, not to mention a new clothing line and guest appearance in the movie Bloodline. Sean Kingston, the Beluga Heights/Epic Records’ wonder boy, came out of nowhere with suicidal thoughts of “Beautiful Girls” and became living proof that MySpace.com is not only a place for friends, but a place to land major label deals. Haitian sensation Smitty found his way to the ballot with a “Diamonds On My Neck” remix featuring Lil Wayne and Twista; the 80’s inspired “Died In Your Arms” remix with T-Pain, Rick Ross and Jr. Reid; and don’t forget about his Nitti beat. Orlando representative Wes Fif conquered the streets with mixtapes by Bigga Rankin and DJ Smallz, while his Orange County brethren Treal smashed radio boundaries with the player anthem “I’m Not Lockdown.” Booty music may be extinct, but Florida has a fresh new crop of faces to keep the momentum going. GEORGIA Though he’s been patiently waiting in T.I.’s shadow for 6 years, Big Kuntry continued to build his own fanbase via solid appearances on In Da Streetz Vol. 4 and street singles like “Yeah” and “That’s Right.” Fabo strengthened his popularity by voicing hit for other artists like The Alliance on “Tatted Up” and One Chance for “Look At Her.” B.O.B. came on strong with his Cloud 9 mixtape making fans from the Bay to the A salivate over is upcoming debut. The most distinctive new voice of the year, Gorilla Zoe, is putting in double duty as the newest member of Boyz N Da Hood and the latest solo star on Block Entertainment thanks to his club smash “Hood Nigga.” But the most patient of all of these artists is D.G. Yola who broke through last year with “Ain’t Gon’ Let Up” but saw his ascension stalled by label drama and a shooting that left him hospitalized. He returned earlier this year with “Rollin’” featuring Bone Thugs N Harmony. Atlanta’s megastars stomped through the last year snatching plaques and trophies along the way, but this crop of new talent will keep the state grounded. KENTUCKY Thanks to those nappy rooted emcees, Hip Hop’s lasting impression of Kentucky is along the lines of country rappers eating watermelon, chicken &
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grits. But this year’s group of Patiently Waiting nominees proved that the Bluegrass State isn’t just country backwoods rap music. B Simm raised the bar in Louisville with his mixtapes (Legend In The Making and The Legend Continues hosted by DJ E-Feezy) and “Rope-A-Dope” single. G-Mack’s resume checked out as his street anthem “Hatah’s” rang loud from Lexington, Kentucky hoods. Mr. Kentucky Don Fetti’s “Let’s Get Em” featuring Pimp C was a D-boy favorite. And three man rap group, Below Zero, represented for Bowling Green on their ode to fitted caps, “New Era,” with Lil’ Flip. Kentucky may be better known for its fried chicken but even the Colonel would respect the grind these nominees have put in. LOUISIANA Judging from the last 12 months, that state between Texas and Mississippi should probably be renamed Lou-WEEZYana. But there are still a few names that managed to eat. New Orleans tradition was continued when B.G.’s Chopper City Boys kicked off the year with their indie effort We Got This, rekindling light memories of the Hot Boyz. Beyond that, it was obviously the year of Baton Rouge. B.R.’s Max Minelli continued his underground grind dropping On The Cut, while at the same time prepping for his Koch debut Pain Medicine. Fellow Baton Rouge rapper Foxx emerged from the shadows of his Trill Fam brothers Webbie & Lil’ Boosie with “Wipe Me Down.” But while he urged you to brush off your shoulder, chest, pants and shoes, Shreveport’s Hurricane Chris was in hot ass clubs taking his off to the chant of “A Bay Bay.” The entire state of Louisiana took in displaced New Orleans residents after Hurricane Katrina, and now it sounds like they are adopting their musical success too. MISSISSIPPI It’s been four years since David Banner let the world know Mississippi does it “Like A Pimp” but the rest of the Crooked Letter state is still patiently waiting for their chance to baptize the game in Mississippi water. Boo da Boss Playa had trouble making it rain this past year but still maintained a solid buzz with his Gangsta Grillz mixtape Drugstore. Canton, MS rapper/producer GMB made his claim for next to blow with his hit single “Like Dat” that had clubs all across the state doing the Mississippi bounce. Jewman was out to prove Banner wasn’t the only talent from Jackson and made noise with tracks like “Swagg,” “Proof Be Gone” and “Pull ‘Em Out.” And Soulja Boy had everyone from Atlanta to Los Angeles crankin’ his dance as his smash hit “Crank Dat Soulja Boy (Supaman)” spread across the nation, up the charts and all over YouTube. TENNESSEE From Three 6 Mafia to 8Ball & MJG to Young Buck, the Volunteer State has had its share of successful artists put it down for Ten-A-Key. And this year’s gang of Tennesseans have all made their push to carry the torch in ’06-’07. Cash Money signee All Star made his name known by showcasing his skills alongside the likes of Young Buck, Yo Gotti and the Birdman and proved his solo worth on his indie album Prince of the Ville. After years of independent grinding, Kia Shine finally broke through with his hit record “Krispy” which set the table for his major label debut album Due Season. Three 6 Mafia protégé Lil Wyte released his third studio album entitled The One and Only, as he attempted to match the success of his Hypnotized Minds camp. And Memphis duo, Da Volunteers, released their album What’s Yo Favorite Color?, with the single “Favorite Color” featuring MJG. TEXAS Texas remains a staple in the Southern rap movement and the new breeds appear ready to carry on a strong lineage in the Lone Star State’s rap legacy. Houston legend Scarface introduced Green City and the Killeen, TX rap group drew attention with their single “Party Like A Pornstar” from their debut album Brand New Money. The Grit Boys spread their ghetto reality as their single “Fresh” caught on strong and anticipation for their album Ghetto Reality In Texas grew. Houston’s “Freestyle King” Rob G represented his city strong with hit single “Reppin My Block,” along with one of the year’s best mixtapes State of the Streets. And DSR member Tum Tum helped to establish Dallas as a city to take note of with his single “Caprice Music” that had trunks rattling all across the South. // - by Eric Perrin, Randy Roper, & Ms Rivercity