Ready for
Change
Editorial by Ms. Rivercity
When you look back at your life 365 days ago, were things the same as they are today? For me, life is completely different. Things have either evolved, sped up, been left behind or outgrown – I guess that’s how the life of a productive person should look, but where I’m at today feels so far from the life I knew a year ago. Not that it’s a bad thing. Since last year’s Florida Classic issue, I’ve moved from Jacksonville, the city I love, and hopped on the Atlanta bandwagon – well, not really, Julia offered me a steady position with the mag and since OZONE is the shit, I made the move. As I’m writing this, I realize this is my third Florida Classic issue, and each year I’m reminded why I love what I do so much. There’s always so much energy and talent to be discovered Florida, and let’s face it, Florida is running shit right now so you never know who is gonna pop off next. I know Atlanta is the Hip Hop Hollywood and the mecca for Southern Rap music, but Florida is, well, Florida. And ain’t no place like home. Over these last few years I’ve seen a lot of sunshine state artists come and go, but I’ve also seen a lot of them rise to the top and put Florida back in its respected #1 spot. There’s a lot of new blood emerging that will keep the legacy alive for us. I respect those of you that refuse to give up, regardless of how long the process may be taking, you inspire me every day. What up TREAL! (I didn’t forget you in this issue, I just wanted to reach out to some of the other people I’ve missed along the way.) I also support those of you that may have hit some road blocks, just know that your spot is still here when you get home. Dee Boi you better write your homie back! And to those of you that aren’t coming home, I want to say rest in peace…Toro, you will be missed.
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS COVER STORies
B20-23 A24-26
Radio Slim E
INTERVIEWS
A12 A13 A14-15 A16-17 A18-19 A20-21 A22-23 A28-29 A30-31 A32-33 B10-11 B12-13 B14-15 B16-17 B18-19 B24-25 B26-27 B28-29 B7 B9
DJ Prostyle Ricky P Wes Fif Armstrong Slim Goodye Traffik Antonio Tarver Rarebreed POPOV DJ Khaled 1Lee Skai Young Ac KC Pitbull Sho Zoe Swordz Papa Duck Tony C Oddz N Endz
FEATURES
A10 A9 A8
Club Listing / Hotels Event Listing Orlando map
So back to my original point of change and how necessary it is. This year I voted for change. I always vote, but this time my ballot was about more than electing a person into office, it was a chance to stand for something I always believed in – unity. 365 days ago if you told me our country would come together, despite race, sex, or any other differences, and elect an African American president I would have laughed – because 365 days ago I didn’t think the majority of our nation was ready for change, or unity. I’m glad I was wrong. Hopefully 365 days from now we’ll all be a OZONE MAG //