COLUMBUS, OH:
Lil Wayne and Gucci Mane performed at the Vets Memorial. A few Columbus artists also performed. YG of the Yellow Tape Gang and Choppin Game Records are just a few that were in the building. This winter is really poppin’ in the city with celebrities like Gorilla Zoe who performed at the Club Ice and Freeway who performed at Major Woody’s. Go Bucks! - Jorden Martin (Mz_Emjay23@yahoo.com)
GAINESVILLE, FL:
DJ Young Millz rocks out Friday nights at Venue Nightclub. C. Wakeley hosted the G’ville Music Summit, which was well organized. Klarc Shepard of Magic 101.3 has J. Holiday hosting Pink Chocolate R&B Vol. 6. Mob B., Big Bud, and J. Rock all hit the streets with new releases. J. Dash held his listening party at Club Level with Miami’s own DJ Furie. After the UF vs. FSU game, a man was shot and killed in the downtown parking garage. The alleged suspects are in custody. Loki’s “Count Da Money” and Dred Gator’s “Animal” are gaining steam in the streets/clubs. Also on the radar are N. Fashions, Coconuts Barbershop, and Junior’s Restaurant. - INfamous 6ixx (infamous6ixx@gmail.com)
DALLAS/FT. WORTH, TX:
The Definition DJs (above) celebrated their 7-Day Theory Party for a week. Tum Tum launched his Yum’s shoe collection and DJ Wildhairr officially signed with Swisha House. Toya has all the gossip at Lsl Hair Studio. Fatty Daddy is hitting the streets with his “Beverly Hills” single while “My Dougie” is the new local radio hit. Club Axis is your spot in Funkytown Forth Worth. Coby Savage dropped his album Beautiful. Sunny South Dallas is back with Erykah Badu’s new single “Honey.” Promoter Mychal Jeter got locked down for 8 years…stay strong. - Edward “Pookie” Hall (www.urbansouth.us@gmail.com)
LOUISVILLE, KY:
DJ Q of the CORE and Shadyville DJs along with Cipha Soundz of MTV2 (above) are politicin’ the Fight Klub through the ‘Ville. The battle went down at Divine C.U.T.S. Barbershop. D. Bricks, Tyrant, Duece Leader, and others showed what it takes to go to that next level. Yes, International P. was in the building! Seth Firkins recorded the intro on Jay-Z’s American Gangster album. All Hood brought the Playaz Circle to Club Villa. SOLO performed at TSU’s Homecoming in Nashville. - Divine Da Instagata (OuttaDaShopEnt@hotmail.com)
HOUSTON, TX:
Trae’s Life Goes On and Chamillionaire’s Ultimate Victory are killing trunks on both sides of town. Uppa Dek along with DJ Chill are putting in work for The Nose Bleed Section CD (left) release. Ronnie Rich, a.k.a. God’s Gift 2 Da Mic, got the internet going nuts, while Boss of ABN got Gangsta Session heavy in the streets. G.M.N., Yung B, and Clarke Boyz do it big. And for all who forgot, Mista Mista Scarface is back to let you know why he is God of the South! R.I.P. Pimp C and Big Moe. - Jamar “J Gamble” Irby (My.Upclose@gmail.com)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN:
FORT MYERS/NAPLES, FL:
Watch out for up-and-coming artists from Southwest Florida. 2-Saint, Origin ILL, Steve Woods, EBGB, Complex, Pay Up Gang, S-Jayy, Wicks, Zigz, G-Spot and Tiny are making moves. On the last Monday of each month, it goes down at Club Cachet with all these artists performing and battling at the Lyricist Lounge South hosted by Twin and DJ Dito. Plies performed on Christmas night charging $45 a head. 105.5 the Beat brings Hurricane Chris to town for a special all ages concert at Club Envie. Speaking of Hurricanes, the 2007 season ends without any ‘canes hitting Florida. It’s a celebration bitches! - Jae Rae (JaeRae1055@aol.com)
MACON, GA
It’s been a hell of a month for us in the Mac. First of all, Oprah (yes, Oprah) came down to tape her show and give us a few of her favorite things. Your boy Doski Wo (Myspace.com/3rdkuhzdoski) made the cover of the 11th Hour’s Who’s Got Next issue. Yall Street (myspace.com/yallstreet) is getting into position and Grinch (Myspace.com/lexcoop22) is on the grind. The Paper Chasers (Myspace.com/paperchasers3) mixtape Paper… Paper Who? might be the next big question, and Macon in ‘08 might be where the answer is. - Ali Roc (radiodj242000@yahoo.com)
MIAMI, FL:
Local artists are finally getting some love and airplay. In my opinion, it’s all due to the undeniable hot joints they’re creating. Songs like “Shone” by Ball Greezy, “I’m So High” by Grind Mode, “Naked Hustle” by Chowtime, and “The Other Side” by the Dunk Ryders featuring Trick Daddy are straight sick. Do not sleep on these talents! DJ Khaled held his annual party The Temple once again and it was pure insanity. R.I.P. Washington Redskin/UM graduate Sean Taylor. Mad love to the family of slain UM football player Brian Pata. Let’s keep the peace. - Supa Cindy (www.Myspace.com/Supadupe)
With young gunners like Street Life Cartel making noise in and outside the city, 2008 looks promising. Not new to the game but making a rise in the music scene, DJs LP and Jesse James are making major noise on the club scenes. Model Ophilia has a spread in Black Men Mag. Model Ameya has also appeared in videos for T.I., Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled, and others. 3M Management has become the new power house management company in the city, inking some of the top independent talent. - Lucky The Promo King (srfoleaf@aol.com)
JACKSON, MS:
Maybe it was Flavor of Love season in Jackson because from Bootz to Hoopz, they were all over the city hosting parties. I guess they still need to get paid too. Shawty Lo came to town but his overall performance lacked what people expected. Benz, representing 1Life1Love, has a new single circulating following the trend of synthesized vocals popularized by T-Pain. DJ Q45 and DJ Khaled gave Jackson DJs a lesson on how to step ya game up. McComb, Mississippi natives Brandy and Ray J rolled through the city spreading holiday cheer, although Ray J’s grand marshal parade privileges were revoked due to his sex tape. - Tambra Cherie (TambraCherie@aol.com) & Stax (blockwear@tmo.blackberry.net)
JACKSONVILLE, FL:
Bigga Rankin hosts a new night at Soho’s. You can catch him there for Celebrity Tuesdays. The Diamond Awards went down at Plush where Kansas City’s Mon.E.G. shot a video with Rick Ross. Shot Out has a new single called “U Don’t Wanna See Me” which has been featured on 92.7 Yhe Beat. T-Roy still hosts the open mic night at Endo Exo, and Club Christopher’s is the Friday night hot spot. Southern Syrup DVDs are circulating all around Florida. Hit them up at Myspace.com/BreakPlat. Young Cash, Midget Mac, DJ Q45 and Bigga Rankin were partying like rockstars at Sobe Live in Miami. - Ms. Rivercity (MsRivercity@yahoo.com)
MILWAUKEE, WI:
V100 threw the annual Lady’s Only concert which featured Milwaukee’s own Tank, Jahiem, Pretty Willie, Lyfe Jennings, and local artist Sincere. Lil Gucci threw the Lady’s Only teen after party. 311 held the Milwaukee Pimp of the Year Ball with Pimpin Ken, Sacramento Slim, Pimpin Cube and others. DBoyz Ent. performed in the Unleashed Talent Showcase at Club Fusions. Trey Center will release his new CD, 3rd Street Boi. Ebonix was featured in the issue of Vibe Magazine with Keshia Cole on the cover. Beef shot the second half of his video for “Baseball Bat” at Chocolate City. - Raymond L. Davis
MEMPHIS, TN:
Playa Fly hasn’t missed a beat since being released from jail. His new mixtape Prepare or Beware is getting some major love and attention in the streets. He was nominated for 3 SEA awards, one being Impact Artist of the Year, and plans to release a new group album by summer `08. Memphisrap.com held a Showcase and Industry Networking Event on January 23rd at the New Daisy on famous Beale Street. It’s rumored that an artist under DJ Freddy Hydro has been signed to Jive Records. - Deanna Brown (Deanna.Brown@MemphisRap.com)
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA:
Astrin and the Studio 76 Models kicked off their big launch party at Sevens in Norfolk. The event was hosted by the newly crowned Miss 757, Cassandra Clark. Tribeca in Newport News is on fire every Saturday night with Young Fame on the mic. DJ Joe Pro hosted his DVD release party at the newly remodeled Flame 2. Lil Wayne came to Old Dominion University with Crime Mob and a host of others. This month, WODU, Old Dominion’s college station, hosted Styles P and Freeway to name a few on DJ Smirnoff Ice and Vic Roger’s show. - Derrick Tha Franchise (ContactYoungFame@gmail.com)
OZONE MAG // 19