COLUMBUS, GA:
PHOTO: EDWARD HALL
Fall in the South means football Classics, tailgating, concerts, and parties. The granddaddy of them all went down in October between Tuskegee and Morehouse. Plies tore down Club Ritmo, while Pastor Troy did it big at the V&S Lounge. DJ Chip celebrated the 3rd year anniversary of his morning show and Greg Street hosted Chip’s party. Chip did the morning show live with Pastor Troy, Rasheeda, Kandi, and local up-and-comer DK. DK’s single “Yuah” has had radio and clubs on lock since the summer. - Slick Seville (SlickSeville@gmail.com)
COLUMBUS, OH:
The Usual Suspects Crew’s weekly podcasts are quickly replacing the radio as the place to go for new music – www.fullblastradio.podomatic.com. They also have dope interviews. Cove Lounge threw another tent party hosted by Melyssa Ford a.k.a. Jessica Rabbit. This time they had a clear roof and you could actually see the stars. PA Flex of The 3rd is putting in work on an upcoming solo album as well as vocalists Middle Child and J Rawls. Rawls was nominated for Producer of the Year at the Ohio Hip Hop Awards. They hosted an album preview in October and their album release is planned for Spring. - Dawn Dickson (Dawn@TheUrbanStarr.com)
DALLAS/FT. WORTH, TX:
Big Chief’s (above) album All About Emotions is in stores now. The Dirty South Block Party radio show on KNON 89.3 will end this month. I heard Trap Starz signed with Universal and Skin with Quick DFW is your weekly exposure. Mic the Menace is keeping Fort Worth’s name strong while Baby C outhustles the local rap vets. Patty Geiger continues to try to save the DFW music scene with hardly any support from the city. Baptist Original Clothing got the streets fresh. - Edward “Pookie” Hall (www.urbansouth.us@gmail.com)
DOTHAN, AL
Killa Keem a.k.a. the Alabama Ambassador continues to showcase his talent locally as well as regionally. As he continues gaining popularity from his last mixtape Coming To Alabama, Keem is ready to release new music with his next series of mixtapes called the Tribal Rights Movement (above). Keem’s music can be heard atMyspace.com/skentertainment05. DJ Marcus Kage has pre-released his 4th mixtape to a select few listeners in the underground. Currently the mixtape remains un-named. D&R Promotions is attempting to bring the Hood Hard movement to the area. - DJ Akil (DJ.Akil@yahoo.com)
FORT MYERS/NAPLES, FL:
We average one grow-house bust per day. We are the hometown of Deion Sanders, Jevon Kearse, Ernest Graham, Vonzell Solomon, Noell Devine and Plies. 105.5 The Beat brings J. Holiday to Club Envie. Time to Shine goes down every Monday on the Afternoon Drive with Scrappy giving local artists a chance to spit what they got on-air. MTV2 Fight Klub comes to town for a showdown between local battle rappers. K.L. Shanks, a.k.a. Queen Unique, releases her debut book A Mile in My Heels: A Personal Compilation of Word Play. Check your local bookstore. - Jae Rae (JaeRae1055@aol.com)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN:
One of the hottest models from the city hit it big in the 50 Cent “Get Money” video. Simply Ophilia is doing her thang and it’s starting to pay off. Shoot her some love at Myspace.com/SimplyOphilia. DJ Murdock was named VP of the Heat Spinner DJs, and they are locking up the city. Be on the lookout for the Takeover mixtape by DJ J Torcher. He has started making a major presence in the streets and clubs. The 3M Management team has signed some of the hottest talent in the city. Fetti Black’s single “Weather Man” is getting radio play in various cities. - Lucky The Promo King (srfoleaf@aol.com)
JACKSONVILLE, FL:
HOUSTON, TX:
It’s round two of the New South takeover. Chamillionaire and Trae are back. Coughee Brothaz are putting that good fire in the air. Upclose Entertainment is resurrecting Hip Hop with Uppa Dek, Dre Steel, and Krystal. The Grit Boys are holding down the hood. Jak Da Rippa, Upfront Records and Fatman are making things happen all over Galveston. Come hit up Baby O’s where all the hoods’ favorites go to perform. - Jamar “J Gamble” Irby (My. Upclose@gmail.com)
MACON, GA
DESIGNED BY LT
Happy Homecoming to all the schools in the Mac and Warner Robins. We love the kids. Big Wu put out his mixtape I Am What I Am so find a way to cop that. DJ Wiz is taking the show on the road in surrounding counties as soon as Friday Night Fever is officially underway. Halftime won’t be the same. In the meantime, the Mac continues to bubble. - Ali Roc (radiodj242000@yahoo.com)
LOUISVILLE, KY
Big John Henderson missed his first career game against the Denver Broncos due to a concussion. The Jags held it down though, despite being an NFL underdog. DJ King Ron held his birthday bash at Club Endo Exo. King Ron is known for his work with local artists as well as breaking national acts. Ciara from the Street Team Divas celebrated her bday at Arielle’s and Trick Daddy partied with J-Ville on his birthday at The Globe, hosted by Point Blank Entertainment. Midget Mac is all over VH1’s I Love New York 2 and Young Cash shot his video at Plush. Bigga Rankin’s RNR mixtapes still go hard. - Ms. Rivercity (MsRivercity@yahoo.com)
Lately it’s been poppin’ in the “Lost City.” Kentucky Muzic Pool had its annual KYMP Kamp Weekend which included parties, a car and bike show, a DJ music conference, and performances by SOLO, JY Ent., Kobe Keyz, and others. Special invited guests included DTP, Koch Records, and Universal Records to name a few. Sincere had his mixtape release party with Don Diva, powered by Forever Records. Nova produced a track for 50 Cent called “Jugganaut.” It’s featured on DJ E-Feezy’s Myspace page. The female emcee Baby Loc had a signing party with Ice Age Records. Malik held the Rap Fest pre-tour show. - Divine Da Instagata (OuttaDaShopEnt@hotmail.com)
MEMPHIS, TN:
A new breed of flashy has claimed territory in Memphis this month with the young group Grafiti Boyz (left). This talented and vibrant group has gained much recognition in the city with their hit “Riding Swerve” streaming through the airwaves. Keep a look out for Lord T and Eloise coming to a city near you. They have begun their tour and are reppin’ Memphis to the fullest. Claiming Aristocrunk, they have made it big performing with artists such as Al Kapone, Danity Kane, Coolio, and the Ying Yang Twins. Check in with MemphisRap. com for some new columnists touching on some very interesting topics. - Deanna Brown (Deanna.Brown@MemphisRap.com)
MONTGOMERY, AL:
Gorilla Zoe and Flo Rida came through Montgomery and had Front Street on fire. Zoe couldn’t get through the last verse of “Hood Nigga” before the shit jumped off. Not only did they grace Montgomery’s presence but so did Tank, Trey Songz, and Twista. It was a hoeasis. Maxximum Exposure mix CD hit the streets and these tricks still ain’t ready. Beat Camp Productions is taking over graphic designs and music production – the Maxximum Exposure flyers were blazing. 107.1/95.9 does it big for local artists; check out the Candy Shop weekly from 6 AM - 2 PM. - Hot Girl Maximum (HotGirl.Maximum@gmail.com)
MIAMI, FL:
Shaq and Shaunie called it quits. Chillax South Beach hoochies! Trick called into my 99 Jamz morning show to vent about wanting to part with Slip-N-Slide and go where he’d be “wanted and respected.” G-Unit maybe? CEO Ted Lucas responded by saying Trick was free to go! Now that DJ Khaled is finding success (his songs are playing in South America!), it seems like the beef is flying from everywhere. I guess Biggie was right: Mo’ money, mo’ problems! Trina’s song “Single Again” is crazy! - Supa Cindy (www.Myspace.com/Supadupe)
OZONE MAG // 19