Various/Young Cesar Codeblack/Visual Ent Initially set in the mid ‘80s this tale takes off full blast when Young Cesar’s (Dominic Daniel) father Ali Dean (Clifton Powell) murders a man during a failed robbery attempt. It picks up shortly thereafter with Young Cesar popping up from his sleep in a cold sweat. The dream/nightmare is short lived, as he steps out onto the cold streets where he’s become the mirror image of his old man. With his own crew in tow, Cesar bullies and negotiates with the precision of a licensed barber, ready and willing to cut a foe at the drop of a dime. However, once ratted out by one of his boss’ scorned victims, Young Cesar becomes a walking target for a pair of detectives that stick to him like pollen on an unwashed car. The faithful capo’s problems escalate when his brother Tariq (Sam Sarpong) is courted by his boss, Luther Turner (Sean Blakemore). In addition to being the biggest fight promoter in the city, Turner is also its biggest bully. After setting up both of the Dean brothers, Turner catches Cesar’s wrath, but not before boisterously claiming the young mercenary as his own. A victim of his own stupidity and bloodline, Cesar ultimately meets his destiny in prison as his father completes a 20+ year bid. – N. Ali Early 92 // OZONE MAG
Cheddar/Ozone Weekend Special Edition Fittingly, Cheddar’s first special edition DVD was filmed during the second annual OZONE Awards in Miami, FL. As controlled as mayhem can be, this disc gives the viewer a direct look into the successful four-day industry frenzy. Up close and personal drops from the likes of “The Baddest Bitch” Trina, Fabo, Yung Joc, Lil Scrappy, Mannie Fresh, and a bevy of others comes in quick installments, supported by music effects that work to transition from artist to artist, venue to venue. When the crew finds its way out of the James L. Knight Center/Hyatt (host hotel/venue), the streets of Miami are ready and waiting. Cover boy “Double Deezy” a.k.a. “Diamonds and Dollars” a.k.a. Ferrari Dee is a willing and fitting navigator. With his 2005 Ferrari 360 Modena ($210k, fully paid) boasting a blazing 225 MPH on the dash, the Cheddar crew amazingly keeps the pace. The exclusive continues with clips of OZONE’s own Julia Beverly sharing bits and pieces of her journey with the viewer. Cheddar also poses questions about the Pimp C comments in OZONE - aside from Lil Scrappy, who admits to being hurt by Pimp’s spill, a good variety of artists are mum on the topic. Pimpin’ Ken closes out the exclusives while promoting his new book – Pimpology – bringing this very special edition of Cheddar to an end. – N. Ali Early
Jamie Foxx Presents: America’s Funniest Comics, Vol. 1 Codeblack Entertainment Jamie Foxx’s Laffapalooza series has worked to set a trend, that which declares one should always be able to find funny in the ATL. Hosted by Cedric The Entertainer, this first volume of a three set disc features a healthy seven young comics outrageous and hilarious all the way down to the funny bone. Handpicked by the “In Living Color” original, the series is appropriately entitled “America’s Funniest Comics.” Highlights include a spirited performance by “Wild’n Out” mainstay DeRay Davis and another Chicago native, Damon Williams. As established performers, the two move to set the mood for oncoming comics while engaging the crowd with sharp, witty and most importantly, original content. Taped in front of a live audience, the most flagrant flub finds one of the comedians mentioning “Comedy Central” during his set before a timely recovery. Lo and behold, that isn’t the surprise of the night. Save for a throwback performance by Morris Day and the Time, that distinction belongs to Bill Byrne – “one of the funniest caucasians Cedric the Entertainer knows.” He tackles children’s obesity, Dubya and NBA violence to the delight of the crowd. While Foxx pokes his head in at the onset of this sixty five minute explosion, he doesn’t allow the fiery response from the crowd to bury his hosts’ shine. – N. Ali Early