Reasons Why I’m So Fly are irrelevant. I would rather see topics like 10 Ways To Properly Succeed In College or 10 Ways To Get Over Drug Addiction, for example. I think they would be more constructive for your readers. Besides that, everything is on point as always. I’m proud to see that all of your hard work is paying off financially and credibility-wise. Keep it up! – DJ Thailo, djthailo407@aol.com (Orlando, FL) I’ve been picking up OZONE Magazine for some time now. I read in the latest issue your editorial thoughts about the OZONE Awards and the magazine. I’m writing to tell you to keep up the good work! That magazine has become more popular in the hip-hop and urban community than you might think. Everyone talks about it and they pick it up! This magazine can and will grow beyond what you might imagine for it to be. Keep doing what you do! – Christiana Houston, chouston@wjmi.com (Jackson, MS) What’s good, OZONE? Yo, those voicemails of Benzino talkin’ all that shit is fucked up. Does that bitch-ass chump have Tourette Syndrome or something? Damn, Benzino is a fuckin’ baby, and The Source is the lamest hip-hop magazine out and always has been. I ain’t never liked it. I’d love to see y’all kick the living shit out of that cowardly bitch. Fuck The Source and fuck Benzino. OZONE is hot; keep keepin’ it real. – B, ripnicka@aol.com JB: Thank you for your 2 Cents. Thank you for your honestly, struggles, and drive. Thank you for revealing how hard it was to do the OZONE Awards. Thank you for motivating me to continue with my movie premiere. Thank you for hittin’ it square on the head with feelings of wondering why you continue to do this anymore. Thank you for the blueprint of a hustler and grinder. Thank you for keeping the spirit of hip-hop alive. Thank you for believing. – Chad Hendricks, krackerjackd@aol.com (Jacksonville, FL) I appreciate the hustle and the hard work, especially the creativity, of your magazine. I’m glad you exposed Benzino and helped to bring down The Source. Keep doing your thing and I wish you much success. – Ricky McKenzie, rickym08@yahoo.com I’m a former radio personality who has seen all of the industry magazines from BRE on down, and I’m loving what you guys are doing! By far, the best! This is the only magazine that I have read that is a forum for any type of discussion: music, sex, politics, and more! Uncensored! OZONE is raw and real and this is what the industry needs! – Jannine Bunn, janninebunn@aol.com (Atlanta, GA) For starters, I’m a very strong supporter of OZONE Magazine (compliments to the South’s best rappers). I like JB’s grind from the beginning. If I was on the road in different states, nine times out of ten JB was there grinding, so much respect. I’m very proud. I read most of the issues front to back; it keeps me up with the South and gives me business connects for my label. Being from Alabama, there’s not much recognition in our favor, but JB makes it possible. But if you’re gonna have a “next to blow” section about Alabama, where is your info coming from? I’m all over Alabama and know who’s who, so why give credit to most of these cats that never had one single album out and can’t pack a club here if you paid people to come? It kinda makes me wonder if your next to blow section is authentic, because I know the Alabama section isn’t. Do a thorough background check. Anybody can say they sold CDs in the streets. Maybe y’all should start asking for inventory – there would be a lot of artists missing off the next to blow. – Lil Chappy, alabamafye@charter.net (Montgomery, AL) JB, I read your latest 2 Cents. For a couple of months now, I’ve been slowly working the idea of a magazine launch. Interestingly enough, it is your magazine which led me on this path, as I have been quite impressed with the progress of Ozone magazine and while following it’s rise, became more and more convinced that my particular concept could indeed be a feasible one. Let me pause. You and I have had e-mail contact, ever so briefly. I am aka Manny Faces, NY-based “up-and-coming” producer, known mainly for my remixes (www.mannyfaces. com). I wrote feedback to you a while back, to 14
which you responded graciously, and I have also received feedback from Wally Sparks on a couple of occasions. Moving on.. Based on my background in print publishing and journalism (I was print production manager, contributing writer and eventually, director of new media for the Long Island Press , the nation’s 4th largest weekly newspaper), and my personal affection and love of hip-hop music and culture, I began mulling over the idea of a magazine. Hesitant, due to the stagnant nature of today’s print publishing world, however, motivated by the obviously successful ascension of magazines like Ozone (I been down since the little size), I began assembling the beginnings of a business plan, prototype design, comparing media kits of other magazines, etc. This idea, more so than the dozens of others that permeate my Aquarius-mind from time to time, felt like the ONE. However, with the demand of a ‘day job’, being a single father, the marketing of Manny Faces, etc., the progress has been slow and staggered. It was your latest editorial though, which has re-motivated me in two ways. Once, to not let the distractions of the world interfere with ones aspirations and dreams, no matter how rugged the course (as you well pointed out, the devil does like to mettle in the paths of otherwise well-intentioned mortals). And two, to present a suggestion, which undoubtedly you have considered, but regardless... Perhaps the solution to your dilemma, is to acquire, develop or otherwise spearhead, a new title. Perhaps a new market. Continue to maintain your executive role at Ozone of course, but branch off into new publishing territory. Just “my” 2 Cents.. Perhaps as I move from the embryonic stages of my publishing entity, I will seek to call upon your expertise to advise me. Board of directors, compensated consulting, something along those lines. Maybe, even as I continue to formulate my ideas, you might be interested in branching off into a new title, a new market, and might even reach out to lil’ ol me and discuss ways where we might be able to work together, instead of becoming bitter competitive rivals! Ha! Regardless, from a fellow who has taken too long to try and accomplish the big goals he is qualified, motivated and destined to fulfill, I send you my full support and admiration, for whatever it’s worth, for accomplishing what you’ve accomplished. Keep ya’ head up. You done good. - Manny Faces, michaelconforti@gmail.com I just picked up the new issue of OZONE Magazine with your amigo Pitbull on the cover and so far I have only gone as far as the 2 Cents article and reading some of your comments I just wanted to leave you with these few words: When you set the standard, nothing can stop you. - Rinarys “Ray” Matos, matosr2@corning.com (Rochester, NY) JB, great issue of Ozone. Your editorial really touched me. I know exactly how you feel. I’m going through the same things right now. Sometimes I just wanna throw my laptop, records, CDs and turntables up in the air and say screw it. But something always brings me back. Maybe it’s the hope that one day everything will go the way I planned it. Keep up the good work. We love what you’re doing. - DJ RReal (Abilene, TX)