Publisher Julia Beverly Editor-AT-LARGE D-Ray GRAPHIC DESIGNER David KA Music EditorS Randy Roper Maurice G. Garland ADVERTISING SALES Che Johnson Isiah Campbell Contributors Big Fase 100, DJ BackSide, DJ E-Z Cutt, Jelani, Jessica Essien, Joey Colombo,Kay Newell, Keita Jones, Luvva J, Nippy Swagga, Portia Jackson, Shemp, Todd Davis, Ty Watkins Street Reps Anthony Deavers, Bigg P-Wee, Bigthangs, Big Will, Dee1, Demolition Men, DJ Jam-X, DJ Juice, DJ KTone, DJ Nik Bean, DJ Quote, DJ Skee, DJ Strong & Warrior, J Hype, Jasmine Crowe, John Costen, Juice, Kewan Lewis, Luvva J, Maroy, Rob J Official, Rob Reyes, Shauntae Hill, Sherita Saulsberry, Sly Boogy, Syd Robertson, Tonio, Twin, William Major, Zack Cimini COVER CREDITS Sky Balla photos by D-Ray; Glasses Malone photos by Ray Tamarra.
editor’s note THAT DJ MADE MY DAY
D
amn, that DJ made my day!
A DJ’s role is one of the biggest and most important parts of the music industry. I will bang all day for my real dope DJs, so I should also bang against these whack-ass fake DJs--the ones who smile in your face like they support, but they really hate and talk the utmost shit once you’re out of their city. It’s sad but true; this is why the real music is sometimes overlooked. The ego of a DJ can be ugly. Unless you started in the streets, you can’t please the streets. You can’t candycoat the situation by hiding behind a playlist. Today, we have 70% bedroom DJs. Bedroom DJs are followers; they just play whatever their CD changer has in it. The other 30% bang for what they believe in, setting trends and breaking records and giving back where they can help by rolling the dice and taking chances. I was in the club the other night and I heard the same song over and over at least four times within an hour, and it wasn’t a Top 5 hit! The club is where you should be open to new music. If it clears the dance floor, then hey, you have a point proven, especially if that artist is in the house. But if you play a banger due to demand in the club and then won’t put it on your playlist, that’s your ego taking food out of someone’s family’s mouth. Karma is a bitch! If an artist’s talent is in front of you and you’re in a position to help them get to the next step, why wouldn’t you? I go to other cities and they have the same problems, but the few DJs that do get down the right way and break records pick new artists from their area and support them hard by mixing their records with all the national hits. They make sure the artists from their area are represented. These same DJs get all kinds of exclusive
songs, drops, intros, and outros so they can put out mixtapes or even albums with exclusive songs. This helps put them in a better position. We have a few DJs like this on the West Coast, but not like everywhere else. After doing this issue, I see why we only have a few doing it! They’re the smart ones; the ones who have the self-promotion game down pat. They always make time, somehow, some way. It’s 10% sleep, 90% work. They’re getting it done! Notice they are having Luals for a feast while you’re still eating McDonald’s drive-thru. Take the time to promote yourself and don’t sell yourself short of your own success. Look at the way that some artists get sold short when it comes to radio spins even though they’re the dopest performers and all-around artists. My top picks when it comes to shows are Tech N9ne, Mistah FAB, Lil Wayne, David Banner, Andre Nickatina, and last but not least – the late Mac Dre (T.I.P.). I enjoyed a Mac Dre show, not even taking pictures, but really watching the show. These are the kinds of artists that deserve the support of DJs, and anyone else who puts everything into their shows, not just the records that sound like everything else that’s on the radio. For OZONE’s annual DJ issue, I reached out to some DJs on my coast who do their part in the West Coast movement. Even I was fooled by a few DJs who I thought had their shit together, but they couldn’t even find the time to answer a few questions (excluding DJ D-Wrek, which was my fault for not getting the questions to him on time). We’re gonna do a DJ Booth on you! Stay true to the visual if you’re not gonna stay true to your ears. - D-RAY, dray@ozonemag.com
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PHOTO GALLERIES SHORT STORIES CHAIN REACTION: YUKMOUTH PATIENTLY WAITING: BLU PATIENTLY WAITING: KHARISMA PATIENTLY WAITING: KUZZO FLY GLASSES MALONE
Roccett & me in Phoenix
Me & Wendy Day in Phoenix
Zakee & me in the Bay
18-19 sky balla 20-23 25 26
DJ ISSUE SLAP END ZONE
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