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I just wanted to tell you how much I love OZONE. It’s the only magazine I can’t stop reading. Every article and every interview is so real and uncut. Please keep doing what you do. Leave the magazine the way it is and pretty soon everyone will switch over to you. I’m addicted. I’m a person that really doesn’t read a whole lot, but I’m dissecting every OZONE I get my hands on. – Chris Mudd, imcuts@yahoo.com How ‘bout doing a spread on the women that hold down these wannabe rap artists, promoters, producers, DJs, and street team workers? Plenty of focus is placed on the man behind the music, but how ‘bout the women who give these men the opportunity to pursue their dreams while we stay at home focusing on the homefront? These guys claiming to be on their grind are doing it because they need income to support a family, who, while they are “out on the road,” is being taken care of by the wife or girlfriend at home. We give them the support and believe in what they’re doing, while waiting with them for their “big break.” Half of the promoters or artists in this business wouldn’t be able to do what they do without a “personal assistant,” who, nine times out of ten, happens to be the wifey or girlfriend whose brain is the entire operation. Without me, there is no you! – Lyn, elleblaze@hotmail.com (Tallahassee, FL) I don’t know if there’s been a life-changing event [in his life] or what happened, but the last few entries of Charlamagne Tha God’s “Chin Check” have been some of my favorite pieces to read! In the past I have disagreed with the things he spoke on, because it was always hating or tearing down someone or something. I am anti-hating. But his approach lately has been more inspirational, making muthafuckers aware of very ignored topics. The 3rd annual DJ issue entry struck me right in the heart because it was so true. I’m born and raised in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and as soon as I got the chance to work at the local radio station as the morning show board operator, I jumped on it, worked my way up to the #1 night jock in the state (check the ratings!), and it ain’t about the money or the local fame! I got a homeboy that works at T.G.I. Friday’s that brings home more money than me. I do it for the love of my city and my neighborhood. I hear the same shit all the time when I talk to other radio personalities: “I just work here,” “As long as they cut the check…” and I ain’t gonna lie, I have said those things too, but I had to pull myself back and remember why I really do this. The [radio] pay isn’t enough to live off of, let alone try to ball! So big ups to Charlamagne and his Chin Checking. Sometimes the only way to wake people up is to knock ‘em out! I’ve been rolling with JB and OZONE since it was a 32-page picture fest held together with staples. Keep going in the same direction! There’s still a 300+ pound black man from South Mississippi who has y’all back! – DJ Big BRD, llerbac@yahoo.com (Hattiesburg, MS) Hey JB, your 2 Cents about the booking game is too real. I am also a booking agent and have dealt with artists who have turned down $400,000 tours which would’ve made my 10 percent $40,000. I have had artists decline $60,000 shows because they didn’t want to fly to Australia. The artists are bad but the promoters are the worst! Promoters say they have the money ready, then as soon as you send contracts, they’re nowhere to be found. – Tyler Morgan, bigtz@tmail.com 12 // OZONE MAG
I’m glad the OZONE Awards are gonna be in my hometown of Houston this year. I really hope Lil Flip drops some new material very soon so he can be nominated for something or at least perform. He should’ve been nominated for most slept-on album this year. Flip is the South, what OZONE mainly reps, and he definitely is Houston. If not, hey, he can always perform an “R.I.P. Pimp C” tribute. Since I first heard of OZONE in 2004 I have gotten subscriptions continuously and will continue to do so. Keep up the good work! – Luis Reyes, l.rey47@yahoo.com (Miami, FL) I just got the issue with Trina and Dem Franchize Boyz on the cover and like always it’s a good magazine, even though there’s still no Streetz & Young Deuces. The made-up Sidekick/Blackberry conversations are the best thing ever. – Young Deuces, youngdeuces@tmail.com (Milwaukee, WI) I think next month’s 10 Things I’m Hatin’ On should be about these lameass DJs. They claim they show love to local artists, but when you take them your material they don’t even listen to it to see if it’s hot or not. I was once told that you’re not a DJ if you can’t break a record. These DJs only think about playin’ these lame-ass industry rappers, who only talk about the same bullshit, but when someone approaches them with some real shit, they don’t wanna listen. They act like my struggle ain’t shit. – Hurricane BJ, myspace.com/hurricanebj (West Palm Beach, FL) I picked up the new issue of OZONE with Bun B and Webbie on the covers and was skimming through the pages and came across the article about Calvin Klein. When I saw that it was written by Wendy Day, I couldn’t wait to read it, one because of Calvin Klein’s past and, two, because I knew that Wendy would ask the questions the readers want to know without holding back. The article didn’t disappoint me one bit, and the ending comments were the icing on the cake, where she stated, “After hearing similar stories over the years from Jaz-O, Dehaven, Biggs, and Damon Dash, I lost the stomach to speak with New York’s king of rap.” You really put my thoughts and feelings on paper with that statement because I was feeling the same way as well. I wonder if you could do the same with all the ex-members of Terror Squad, because I hear the same things about Fat Joe. Wendy, you’re incredible in your work and what you bring forth to the table. I appreciate your hard work and dedication to the culture. – Ray Matos, matosr2@corning.com I read a comment from a reader named Beno in the last issue who said that OZONE is killing the magazine game right now, and I agree! All the other magazines are filled with [articles like] “Make Your Penis Bigger,” “Have Great Sex,” not to mention the phone sex ads. This is a muthafuckin’ Hip Hop mag that reports Hip Hop! It’s all good, though. As long as those other magazines sell their 100 copies, OZONE will be dedicated to the readers of real Hip Hop. I read the DJ issue, and I need to send mad shouts to the Detroit DJs who weren’t mentioned: DJ DDT at WJLB and Suga Rae on Hot 102.7. – Eric Hayes, myspace.com/crunkatlantamusic (Detroit, MI)