CAN’T SHUT THE FUCK UP AWARD Winner: Kobe Bryant Runner Up: The Game After an asswhoopin’ that would drive most competitors like him to a seething post game rant, Kobe regained his composure… so we thought. Less than a month after his second first round departure, the Lakers wunderkind flip-flopped more than a dead fish out of water as to whether he would to leave the only organization he’s ever played for. BEST WEBSITE Winner: www.rapbay.com Runner up: www.dubcnn. com Easily the most consistent, unbiased and informative West Coast Hip Hop site on the Internet, rapbay.com is the first to receive everything from all West distributors. More importantly, they are all about the Coast. With everything on sale from mixtapes and energy drinks to bobblehead dolls and OZONE magazines, there’s no shortage of product here. BASED OUT AWARD Winner: The Pack Runner Up: Keak Da Sneak For different reasons, this one was hard to decipher. But any group from the Bay who can honestly claim to ride skateboards and shoulder the scrutiny therein deserves to be commended. Quietly, The Pack has inspired a new generation of mavericks unafraid to test social norms.
BARRY UNDERHILL
MOST PLAYED OUT CLOTHING ACCESSORY Winner: Stunna Shades Runner up: Gold teeth Yeah, the rest of the country finally caught up, but what else is new? The Bay has been settin’ trends since pimpin’ been pimpin’. Go ahead and continue to live in 2005 if you want to, but understand this: Stunnas are officially a fashion faux pas in Northern California. Gotta keep it pushin’. MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT Winner: Fabby’s thrashing of Royce Da 5’9 in NYC Runner Up: Bigfase 100 gettin’ socked on the set of Spyder Loc’s video The asswhoopin’ Mistah FAB administered to the “battle tested” Detroit vet was almost as bad as the one Kobe was dealt at the hands of the Suns… Okay, it was worse. If dude had any momentum toward mounting a comeback, it vanished suddenly in three rounds at New York’s SOBs allhiphop.com freestyle battle. TOO HARD FOR THE RADIO AWARD Winner: Mitchy Slick Runner Up: B Legit An admitted Damu in the Blood capitol of the world – San Diego – Mitchy Slick is the definition of a gangsta rapper. While he earns decent spins on local radio, his socio-political fire is at times too much for the airwaves. Even after a dominant PG-rated showing on BET’s Rap City, Slick still can’t catch a break. Independence is golden.
BEST BURGER JOINT Winner: Fatburger Runner Up: In And Out It’s 2 o’clock in the morning and you need something to soak up all that liquor that you consumed. Your conflict is naturally whether you want a $10 burger or a $6 burger. Given the fact that it’s so late/early, the idea that Fatburger can slap a fresh egg on your sandwich is the midnight snack/breakfast combination that puts them (Fatburger) over the top... shit does cost hella much tho. BEST DANCE Winner: Hyphy Dance Runner Up: Crumpin’ Yeah, yeah, we know, gangstas don’t dance, they boogie and 40s keep you hard, but nuthin’ beats a good time. From the Bay to LA, all the way to the 5280, this Mac Dre inspired dance kept the clubs crackin’ and the mood festive all the Yay around the country. RIP Furl. BEST ENERGY DRINK Winner: Hunid Racks Runner Up: Hyphy Juice Most people across the country drink Red Bull or Crunk Juice when they need some real energy, but across the western region Hunid Racks is the turf’s drink of choice. With the release of the Mac Dre and 2Pac versions, an assortment of accessories – shirts, bags, socks, jackets – and more surprises for ‘08, Hunid Racks is easily the hustler’s drink of the year, if not the decade. SUPER HYPHY AWARD Winner: Golden State Warriors Runner Up: Los Angeles Clippers After a mouth-dropping performance toward the end of the 2007 season and a seven game upset of the number one seeded Mavs, the Warriors ran out of gas against the more methodical Utah Jazz. With decided roster changes and some new-booties in the mix it’s up to BD and Captain Jack to hold down the fort. Don’t sleep. These fools got heart. BEST ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE Winner: Patron Runner-up: Louis 13 The ultra-premium Tequila has never tasted so good, and as the top shelf drink of choice Patron has surpassed the popularity of Belvedere and Hennessy. If you think you can handle yo’ liquor and wanna step it up from the popular Patron Silver, give these flavors a shot: Burdeos, Platinum, Reposado, Citrónge, XO Café and their rums Pyrat Cask and XO Reserve. Drink responsibly. BEST WEST COAST VA-CA SPOT Winner: Honolulu, Hawaii Runner-Up: Anchorage, Alaska Surrounded by the warm waters of the North Pacific Ocean, Honolulu is known for its volcano attraction (Diamondhead), 80 degree year-round weather and is easily accessible to Asian countries, Australia and Antarctica. Plus it boasts the best in shopping malls (Macy’s, Burberry, Gucci), restaurants (The Cheesecake Factory, Orchids, 3660 On The Rise) and nightlife (Dave and Busters, The W). Bring a bathing suit, plenty of cash and an appetite for destruction! //
OZONE WEST // 19