WASHINGTON, DC:
CINCINNATI, OH:
Are things really quieting down? With the Street Dreamz Tour coming through the city and no incidents I would personally like to say congratulations to T.C. Entertainment and Garnett Entertainment for the opportunity to show the city that we can have a gathering without any major incidents. Also big ups to Black Rain, this cat is super hot and I had the pleasure of hearing him spit not only on the Streets Is Talking Video but also in person. This guy is the truth not only on Memorex but more so live and in livin’ color.
Some people didn’t agree when I called Wale and Tabi Bonney “nerd rappers” a couple issues back. Deal with it; it’s not a bad thing. Actually, I’m a fan of nerd rap. Local rapper Izzy Battle made a name for himself by signing with Nick Cannon’s Can I Ball Records and appearing on one of his singles, yet he is virtually unknown on the local scene. Even though he’s touring with Dub Magazine, Izzy’s trying to raise his profile locally by dropping records that scream “I’m from DC.” Check out his latest “Talkin’ Bout” featured on DJ Rob’s Throw Ya Sets Up 4 mixtape. – Pharoh Talib (Ptalib@gmail.com)
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA:
A birthday party for the Clipse’s manager ended with a man shot multiple times on the dance floor; no motive for the shooting has been discovered as of press time. Fam-Lay finally shot a video for his song “Da Beeper Record.” Derrick Tha Franchise a.k.a. Young Fame made the move over to Energy 106. He hopes to broaden his audience but will continue to produce his mixtape series Ear 2 Tha Street. Students at Hampton University hosted a producer’s battle this month. Among the guests was J Praize, who produced “Wangsta” for 50 Cent. – Derrick Tha Franchise (Trax4Profit@hotmail.com)
- Judy Jones (Judy@JJonesent.com)
RALEIGH, NC:
ST. LOUIS, MO
Huey signed a deal with Hitz Committee/Jive and is getting video play on all the major outlets, and he also has a hot little mixtape floating around the town. 714 is still on a roll; they kicked the year off with their group Da Banggaz’ song “Ain’t No Bitch” landing at #1 for The Evening Whirl. 714’s other act, Lil Roge, has been opening for every major artist you can think of. Local Hip Hop publication INBOX just dropped another hot issue. Vintage Vinyl’s top selling indie St. Louis acts are County Brown, Top Knotch, Huey, Tantrum Montana, and OutDaWoodWorks.
There seems to be quite a buzz coming from the Norfclk Camp with the hot new single from Small World “Put It In Reverse.” That joint is fire. Y’all might want to request that one. There’s also some noise coming from the Haz Camp, J-Khrist with the “Rockstar” track, and I even heard that Josey Mo & P Batters are back in the studio. R.I.P. Knotty, we’ll all miss you. - Big K (kapcitypromo@gmail.com)
- Jesse James (JesseJames314@aol.com)
TALLAHASSEE, FL:
After going through it with the MIA police, T-Pain, a.k.a. “Tallahassee Pain,” might have a new nickname - “Miami Pain.” It’s all good though, “Buy You a Drink” is the #1 single in the country. The “Tallahassee Hero,” as he calls himself in Unk’s “2 Step” remix, is having the biggest album release party North Florida has ever seen. He’s inviting over 40 artists, from Akon to R. Kelly, to perform at the 102.3 Summer Jam on June 10th in the Tallahassee/Leon County Civic Center. Congratulations to the newly crowned IBA Boxing Champ, Travis Walker, who won the title in April. - DJ Dap (DJDapOnline@gmail.com)
COLUMBIA, SC:
Neek, DJ B-Lord, Rob Lo, Big Gee, DJ Frosty, DJ Cleve, Ant Mac, Collard Greens, 9 Mil and Head Hunter Records were all nominated for the SMES Music Summit coming up in July in Myrtle Beach, SC (smesmusicsummit.com). Piazo is preparing to drop another project that’s sure to have the streets talking. Club Level is keeping the club scene hot with Cadillac on the mic, and John Abraham of the Atlanta Falcons, Cash Checks and Snoop from In The Hood fashions popping bottles every time their in the spot. Welcome home Teezy. - Rob Lo (RobLoPromo@aol.com)
LOUISVILLE, KY
DJ E-Feezy, the hottest radio DJ on B96.5 fm and a member of the Heavy Hitters, keeps the streets buzzin’ with the Hottest in Da Ville - where local artists go at it and the people decide. Shadyville’s own DJ Q keeps the Best Damn Mix Show poppin’ on Saturday nights. B-Simm is killin’ the Young Jeezy Street Dreams Tour as he reps da Ville. Hurricane always balls like it’s his birthday in the clubs. What up Club Villa! Plus Static keeps Pretty Ricky on the “hotline”. Jon Woo got placement with Birmingham J. Young Sears is with DJ Drama. A.P. reps the 502 fa sho. - Divine Da Instagata (Jaron_Alexander@tmail.com)
JACKSONVILLE, FL:
ORLANDO, FL:
Believe it! Duval’s own P. Pluck is BET’s 2007 Spring Bling Freestyle King. The Duval Mixtape Vol. 2 just dropped. Flyi DCG is smashing haters with his new “Gossipin” video. J-Ville’s nightlife is booming - Club Paris is popping at The Landing; Point Blank is still kicking it at De Real Ting on Friday’s; 92.7 The Beat’s T-Roy hosts Open Mic Monday at Endo Exo; and every third Wednesday RM Entertainment holds the Tristate Music Competition there as well. Club Christophers is still the spot on Wednesday nights. When he’s not hosting Rap City, DJ Q45 keeps all the parties bangin’ in the Bangem’.
R&B sensation KC is working with Grammy nominated producer Wyldcard (Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, Destiny’s Child). After months of being in New York, DJ Prostyle returns to Orlando, only to join the Power 95.3 team. Orlando’s former Kings of Crunk, Treal, came with a new sound and sparked a bidding war with the first single from their sophomore album, “I’m Not Lock Down.” Slim Goodye dropped a new mixtape called 1,000 Grams with DJ Khaled.
- Ms. Rivercity (www.myspace.com/msrivercity)
- Destine Cajuste (upromoteme@aol.com)
TAMPA, FL:
Supa Man was crowned king of the show and Jersey followed at another Aych Enterprizes production at Da Cypher. Is there an all girl street team in Tampa with Trinity as the ring leader? There is an unconfirmed rumor that Tommy Gunz aka Tom G will do a video for his hit song “10 Wangz and Fryz” at a favorite local wing restaurant - you know, the one that’s thick after the club. Plies was hangin’ in VIP at Studio Inc while Jagged Edge was performing, but why did I see a few pregnant groupies in the club tryin’ to holla? - Mz T-Rock (mztrock@yahoo.com)
OZONE MAG // 19