Columbia, sc
I
n some inexplicable way, maybe South Carolina is jinxed for being the first state to secede from the Union to kick off the Civil War. Since South Carolina is the only southern state yet to have a rap artist break nationally and join the South’s reign in Hip Hop, some kind of explanation is needed. But Columbia, SC artist Mac-A-Don feels he has what it takes to lead the Palm Metal state to victory in this music industry war and he’s already begun his presidential campaign. “I can be that face for Carolina,” Mac says. “I can put them on my back and they can have their faith in me that I’mma hold it down for Carolina. I am the Carolina President. I am the face of Carolina.” Born and raised in South Carolina’s capital city, Mac-A-Don’s push for Carolina top gun began in 2003, when his first single, “No!!!,” caught on throughout the streets, clubs and radio of his home city. “I heard ‘No!!!’ come on the radio and I turned it up, and I was like, ‘Who the fuck is this?’” remembers Charlamagne Tha God, then Columbia radio personality and now co-host of the Wendy Willliams Experience. “After I heard the hook, I was hooked. I remember being on the radio the next day and playing the record over and over and over.” Once Mac’s first mixtape Bread Up! Vol. 1,
Mac-A-Don
hosted by Charlamagne, hit the streets, his polished flow and penchant for catchy singalong hooks solidified the emcee as a name to remember in the Carolinas. But when things fell apart within his independent label, G-Boy Records, Mac found his career in label limbo, until he united with his current manager Chase Michaels, who quickly backed the rapper through Juggernaut Records. Right away, Bread Up! Vol. 2, with Charlamagne back as the host, was released. “I think Mac is one of the dopest rappers out,” Charlamagne says. “I put Mac in and ride to Mac like I’m riding to a T.I. or Jeezy.” Although the streets supported his music, lack of radioplay forced him to attack radio on his newest street album Bread Up! Vol. 3: Banned From Radio. “I was trying to let [radio] know, you’re trying to ban me from radio but as long as the streets got my back, can’t nobody stop me,” he says. With the streets behind him and radio giving in, his next project Gangsta and Gentleman in the works and a major distribution deal pending, don’t be surprised if Mac-A-Don is voted president of Carolina rap music. // myspace.com/macadonmusic1 Words by Randy Roper Photo by Aaron Johnson
patiently waiting
Jozeemo T Durham, NC
he last year and a half has been extremely monumental for up-and-coming artist Jozeemo. Fans couldn’t have imagined that Jozeemo would be free and back on the block, but this time he’s popping out lyrics and wrapping up video shoots. Three years ago his career came to a complete halt when he walked into a local Hip hop showcase in Raleigh, NC and got arrested. The streets had inevitably caught up with him and he faced two years in the pen for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. “My incarceration relayed a message to me that I’m not here to just be a thug. I got something to say, not just be in the streets,” he says. “I have something bigger to do.” Since his release in the early spring of 2006, Jozee signed to the Hall of Justus, increased his studio time, overbooked his shows, and jumped on tour with Method Man and other artists. Proving that he has learned from his atrocious mistakes, Jozeemo has locked and loaded his lyrics to reach out to his peoples on the block, his family and fans. “I speak to my family and to my community. We’re in the streets and it’s really a chance to show folks in my hood that there’s a better way of doing things. I’m a street dude and I’ve taken that vacation to the Fed joint. And that fast lane money is not the way to do it,” he shares in a sharp demeanor. Bringing L.O.B. (Livin’ On Barnes) and his Blockhugger Entertainment team along for the ride, Jozee makes it clear through his music that he’s back indefinitely. Appearing in the Welcome to Durham DVD and soundtrack with songs like “Say the Word,” “Mr. Franklin,” and “My Only Way” only vouched that the man behind the bars still had unfinished business to take care of in the streets of East Durham and beyond. His latest single “Ya Hear Me” produced by 9th Wonder charted at number 5 on college radio, landed on the RapAttack charts, and is continuously raising heat. Laying down the foundation for the Carolina movement, Jozeemo makes it clear that it is only the beginning. “In the North Carolina scene we don’t get a lot of looks in the music industry,” he says. “So this is our chance. I’m just taking the ball and running with it.” Recently linking up with mixtape king DJ Chuck T, fans can currently feed their ears with Cry Now, L.A.F. Late the mixtape and a forthcoming street album Cry Now, L.A.F. Later. Jozeemo’s Hall of Justus debut L.A.F. is projected to release during the first quarter of 2008 and will feature no collaborations; simply Jozeemo at his best. Self-assuredly he states, “This is just my time to get my shine on and really show the world what I got to offer.” // myspace.com/jozeemo Words by Nadya Nataly // Photo by Tobias Rose OZONE MAG // 91