SCOOTER MADISONVILLE, KY Scooter is an upcoming KY emcee armed with a formal education in the radio biz. Inspired by the grind of Jay-Z and Master P, Scooter is using his insider knowledge to get a foothold in the independent label game. What sets you apart from other rappers? I’m not afraid to be myself. I just do me. I don’t try to be something that I’m not. I don’t put up no front for nobody. I’m not a gangster. I’m showing people it’s cool to be who you are. Do you think Kentucky has a particular style when it comes to Hip Hop? I think Kentucky’s got a variety of styles. We got different swags. People do their thing in different ways and put their own spice in the game to make Kentucky stand out. What songs do you have out? I just dropped my street single called “On My Grind.” I’m out promoting that real heavy right now. A couple of mixtape DJs got it right now. I’m promoting the street single for it to lead up to my radio single for the album. I opened up for Kia Shine. I’m doing small venues at different clubs in the tri-state area of Kentucky and across the bridge in southern Indiana. Tell me about your indie label. I’m doing my thing. I got my indie label, Dope Boy Fresh Entertainment, that I’m trying to get off the ground. I have a couple artists that I work with. My manager is Kevin Waters from H2O Entertainment. What are you working on in order to get the attention of major labels? I’m really not looking for a major label deal right now. I’m being patient and trying to set my mark out there and get my target audience. I’m doing it myself so the labels can see what I’m doing to promote myself; I got my own street team. I’m doing shows, passing out flyers, putting out posters, contacting DJs ourself. Are there any independent labels you’re trying to model yours after? What really influenced me was the whole grind of Jay-Z and Dame Dash before Jay even really got it poppin’, when they were going to labels and people weren’t hearing them out so they decided to do it themselves. I like how they grind in Houston, going out and bangin’ CDs out 22 | OZONE
they trunk. I really look up to Master P and the No Limit Camp, how they was going to different hoods and bangin’ CDs to get their name known. Have you ever wanted to quit music, and if so, how did you overcome it? Everybody doubts themselves. I’m my worst critic. It’s been times where I wanted to give up and quit, but whatever don’t kill you makes you stronger. When people tell me I can’t do it, I use that to power my dreams. I do not want to live a life of regrets and “what ifs.” My inspiration is my mother, Rocelia Owens. She showed me that you get out what you put in. If you put 110% in, you’ll get 110% out if you keep faith and believe in the man above. You went to college for radio broadcasting, right? How has your education helped you? It helped me get in contact with some DJs and some radio stations. Did it teach you how radio actually works at all? Or give you some insider knowledge? It taught me that music is a real business. People think that radio is all about playing music. Radio is all about commercials and selling ads. Radio is a business. You gotta promote your radio station for people to listen. That’s what I got out of it. Radio stations gotta sell ads to get their money. With music, you gotta sell yourself for people to have faith and buy your product. Anything else you want to plug? The radio single will be coming soon. Check out the street single “On My Grind.” I want to shout out H20 Entertainment and Vez Ent., my producer Q da Gamer. R.I.P. Static Major – he will be missed. And R.I.P. to my father James Owens. // Website: Myspace.com/dopeboyfreshent Words: Ms. Rivercity Photo: Chase Hollie