CINCINNATI, OH:
Aristakrat Records’ K-Riley dropped a track so hot that WIZF 100.9 couldn’t deny it: “That Boi Cold,” featuring Jim Jones and Gucci Mane. The new smoking ban in Cincinnati means no smoking in public places: no tweed, no trees, and no Marlboros. It’s so serious they’re even going after the restaurants with wood-burning stoves. I bet Cracker Barrel won’t get a citation. Cincinnati police and the Crime Stoppers have teamed up to start playing their own game of Wheel of Fortune. They got the most wanted faces on the wheel – they spin it and that’s who they’ll go after this month. Damn it man, them boys cold. - Judy Jones (Judy@JJonesent.com)
WASHINGTON, DC:
D.C.’s rap fate is starting to emulate Chicago’s. Both cities are deep in the streets but it’s the nerd rappers that generate enough noise to break their city out of the rap depression. Twista aside, Chicago broke off of the not-so-gangsta offerings of Common, Kanye and Lupe. The District seems to be following a similar trend behind industry favorites Tabi Bonney and Wale. That’s cool, but the streets are salivating for niggas like One Way, rumored to be in talks with Warmer Bros., Kingpin Slim, a former Source Unsigned Hype held up by a recent weapons charge, and Black Flag, anchored by Chink Santana, to get on. – Pharoh Talib (Ptalib@gmail.com)
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA:
Scandalez hit 106th & Park and repped for VA in a major way! O.V.A. is prepping the streets for his new single “Arm & Hammer.” Fam-Lay is still on the grind and waiting for Interscope Records to start pushing his project. Club Miami, which was closed after a Jim Jones concert ended with SWAT teams being called in and several people shot, reopened as the Aqua Lounge. – Derrick Tha Franchise (Trax4Profit@hotmail.com)
RALEIGH, NC: MONTGOMERY, AL:
While I was getting a pedicure, I hustled somebody’s baby mama into telling me that the Small Tyme Ballaz aren’t together anymore. Small Tyme denied it, but look at the Dirty Boyz – they’re still “together” too, but it’s funny how Big Pimp just dropped a solo album. It’s fire, but what’s really going on? Somebody tell Jim Jones that up North ain’t the only place “BALLLLLLLIN’,” but we do like to get our money’s worth. He should’ve kept the fucked-up attitude and given a better show!
Twin cannons Ike & Shyst, otherwise known as “The Country City Boyz,” have started the year with a bang. Their joint “Supa Star” featuring Freekey Zekey of the DipSet is bangin’ in the 919 and the surrounding areas. Other hot joints in the streets come from Fayetteville’s J-Khrist, Raleigh’s Cab Life, and Durham’s The Presidents. - Big K (kapcitypromo@gmail.com)
COLUMBIA, SC:
South Carolina’ s DJ Chuck T and DJ B-Lord each took home a couple awards at the SEAs, and Hot 103.9 WHXT won radio station of the year. Columbia’s nightlife has seen a couple changes, with Club 3000 opening on Two Notch Road and Club Elements lowering their age requirements to 23 for women and 25 for men. Of course, Club Evolutions is still packed on Fridays and Saturdays. You can find local artists like Collard Greens and Lil Ru at any of these spots on any given weekend, but you’re most likely to find them at Liquids making it rain.
- Hot Girl Maximum (hotgirl.maximum@gmail.com)
TALLAHASSEE, FL:
Palm Beach’s Pupp graced our city with his birthday bash, with the first live performance from Plies since FAMU homecoming. Diddy Bo from nearby Quincy made the final cut for Diddy’s newest “Making the Band.” Speaking of making the band, FAMU’s World Famous Marching 100 performed with Prince at the Super Bowl in Miami during halftime. TJ’s DJ’s Quarterly Tastemakers Pool Meeting was off the chain as usual – the highlight of the night was a live performance by hometown representative T-Pain and his brand new single “Buy You A Drink,” featuring Yung Joc, who was also in the house with Boyz N Da Hood. - DJ Dap (DJDapOnline@gmail.com)
ORLANDO, FL:
DME front man Wes Fif dropped one of the most anticipated mixtapes of 2007 with Real Nigga Radio’s slick talker Bigga Rankin called Direct Connect. After gaining a buzz in the Tampa Bay area, “The Smoothest Mouth of the South” Sean Simp joined the battle to be on top of Orlando. Orlando native Grandaddy Souf, who has now relocated to Atlanta, released his new single “Keep ‘Em Comin’ Back.” Since Orlando is considered the mecca of boy bands, Vh1 chose Orlando to be the location for their new show where “Surreal Life” meets “Making the Band,” led by super-producer Bryan-Michael Cox. DJ Nasty, who’s been moonlighting as a producer along with his brother LVM, landed the first single on Lil Wayne’s new album.
- Rob Lo (RobLoPromo@aol.com)
CHARLESTON, SC:
DJ Chuck-T repped Chucktown properly by winning the prestigious Impact DJ of The Year and Best Rap Mixtape at the 2007 Southern Entertainment Awards. Chuck T also prepares to continue the Down South Slangin Carolina Kings Edition Series with a new installment on Chucktown’s favorite rapper, Marley Marl. Local police continue to show prejudice and racist behavior by putting pressure on popular strip club Badabing to close down, after a fatal shooting occurred in the parking lot this past January. Needless to say, McDonald’s and the Northwoods Mall weren’t shut down after similar incidents. The Weekend Pub in Goose Creek continues to build a buzz as the new hot spot in the Chuck with the help of promotions company Lavish Entertainment. - DJ B-Lord (BLordDJ@aol.com)
JACKSONVILLE, FL:
Believe it! It was a sad day for local Hip Hop when Hot 105.7 changed to a Latino format. Derrick Washington changed the Quarterly Upstart Record Pool Meeting format to an Industry Mixer & Showcase. Bigga Rankin’s annual Ghetto Grammys was more exciting than the real Grammys. Charm is holding down Duval in New York; she’s doing big things along with Dot 1 who released a new EP this month. The Duval Boyz’ “Stay Fresh” and Dirt Digg’s “Block Bleeders,” featuring Paul Wall, are bangin’ in the streets, along with Shot Out’s new album Nice Guys Finish Last. - Ms. Rivercity (www.myspace.com/msrivercity)
MIAMI, FL:
- Destine Cajuste (upromoteme@aol.com)
TAMPA, FL:
Wild 98.7’s freak, Orlando, is officially off the market and is now a married freak! Blazin’ Entertainment and All Or Nothing Inc are taking over the upscale party scene by making sure they bring hot artists to their spots. A $263,574 necklace was stolen from Sam’s Club, so be on the lookout for a bangin’ chain at a club near you! Black Reign is a crowd favorite, but R&B singer D.Wyte was victorious at the Bay Area Haps Artist Showdown! - Mz T-Rock (mztrock@yahoo.com)
Comedian Mike Epps busted his ass on a scooter in front of a crowd on South Beach. Dwayne Wade celebrated his 25th birthday by throwing a private party on the 55th floor downtown where his “invite only” guests had to buy their own drinks! DJ Irie got his own limited edition Adidas sneaker! Trick Daddy caught some bootleggers in front of a Walgreens selling his CD, so he called the cops. When the dispatcher asked for his first and last name, his answer was, “Trick – Daddy!” There is a newsletter circulating in the streets called “The Truth About Diamonds [Strip Club]” naming the strippers who allegedly have the funk, the owner who has a “sickly dickly,” and everything else! Yuck! - Supa Cindy (Supaisaqueen@gmail.com)
OZONE MAG // 19