COLUMBUS, OH: Mr. Scarface, 2 Pistols, Ray J, Rocko, Shawty Lo, Dwele, Eric Roberson, Bun B, and even The Flavor of Love girls have stopped by to kick it. Elephant Man got his trunk grabbed by some wild fans (go to flypaperblog.com to see the video). The Flypaper had its first industry event with execs from Def Jam, B.E.T., Interscope, and other labels. On the music scene, look out for Ohio’s own Searius Add; he’s blowing up in the Midwest. His Unplugged concert was dope. Fly Union is performing with The Cool Kids on some of the Midwest dates. - Yohannan Terrell (ImageInq@gmail.com)
DALLAS/FT. WORTH, TX:
Teenage artist Lil Twist signed with Cash Money. Stub a Lean has everybody wearing his Addiktion clothing, while Fat Pimp is making the clubs and radio do the “Rack Daddy.” 97.9 the Beat Car Show & Concert had downtown crunk. Metro Muzik is letting all local artists perform at Palm Beach on Friday nights. The Trap Star Cartel is keeping the Westside of the Metroplex on chill with “I’m Cool.” Club 820 is your new Sunday night spot in Funkytown. Tre D is on the airwaves with “Gutta Chick” and Versatile dropped his Verses the World album. Free Twisted Black, Z-Ro, and Boleg city. - Edward “Pookie” Hall (urbansouth@gmail.com)
DENVER, CO:
The historical Holly Strip in Park Hill was burned down, and the community is outraged. On the Eastside of town, the creator of the Crips in Denver during the 80s, Michael “Cyco Mike” Asbury, was murdered. The Nuggets talk about trading Carmelo and Camby. On a better note, Innerstate Ike dropped his best work titled Jay-Z of the Blacktop. Ktone T.V. video show now airs weekly along with Groove Zone and Real Hip Hop 5280. Freestyle Fridays at ONI’s Barbershop is poppin’; The Loft is jam packed weekly as well as 95.7 the Party out at Paladium. Summer Jam is featuring about 10 big artists and First Saturdays at Blue Ice is gonna be big all summer. - DJ Ktone (Myspace.com/djktonedotcom)
DETROIT, MI:
Deezy’s new project Roll Model is in the streets. Trick-Trick is heating up the airwaves with “Let’s Work.” Identical is getting video play with their single “I’m Doin What I Do.” The Zone Radio (89.3 FM) celebrated its 6-year anniversary. FM 98 WJLB had their annual What’s Next on the Menu Concert at St. Andrews Hall. Stretch Money was featured on AllHipHop.com. Radio personality Cheron and Flavor of Love 2 winner Deelishis had an on-air altercation with Khia. D12 is set to drop a new mixtape. You can expect to hear Eminem, as well as Royce Da 5’9”, Guilty Simpson, King Gordy, Monica Blaire, Marv Won, Famous & Flame, and Rock Bottom. Lady Blade is working on her mixtape Queen of the City. - AJ (the313report@yahoo.com) & Eric tha Crunk (Myspace. com/CrunkAtlantaMusic)
DOTHAN, AL:
D&R Promotions and Creative Vybes Entertainment teamed up for the first annual Community Day on Spring Street. In attendance to show support were Tallahassee rapper Tre Snatch; Mobile rapper Thao; Hood Hard DJ Marcus Kage, and over 200 members of the community of all ages. There was music, food, and fun for all. Musical guests scheduled to make appearances in the near future include BloodRaw, Dolla, Kinfolk Kia Shine, and Young Ralph. - DJ Akil (DJ.Akil@yahoo.com)
GAINESVILLE, FL:
Miami invades the Ville with featured performances from Brisco, Ace Hood, Bizzle, Trick Daddy and the Dunk Ryders, as well as the first act signed to Yung Joc’s label, Hot Stylz. Since it’s a college town, summer has slowed down the club scene but that hasn’t stopped the B.R.E. Cartel from tearing it down on the 1’s and 2’s every Saturday, along with Mr. Ripper and DJ 44 putting it down every Thirsty Thursday. DJ Terrah of Magic 101.3 and the Gatekeepers makes history by being the first from Gainesville to appear on BET’s Rap City. - Jett Jackson (g5jett@gmail.com)
HOUSTON, TX:
Bun B is II Trill and showed it at Bar Rio for his album release party. GL Productions is pushing out hits for Letoya Luckett’s new CD, as well as the new smash
“Ridin Wit’ No Ceiling” from Boss Hogg Outlaws and Slim Thugga. The G Kamp is reppin’ South of Houston with the new project Against All Oddz. The love for Pimp C is so strong that G Kamp is giving a percent of sales to his kids. H.I.S.D. is bringing the original Hip Hop with “The District.” Byron Bank, Uppa Dek, Trae, and ABN all dropped smashes recently. - Jay Gamble (My.Upclose@gmail.com)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN:
Brew, Ms. Dumas, and ABC Bail Bonds is staying busy getting folks out of jail. Picture Perfect has club pics on lock. They also have player prices on portfolio packages and a new location at 38th and Park. Lil PeeWee and Dimelife Ent. are getting a buzz in the streets. Gig Fam is putting on shows to support the local rap scene. Trash Life Ent. and HoggBillies did the crunkest performance I’ve ever seen in Indianapolis. Nappyville’s single “Supa Clean” with Lil Boosie is blazin’ airwaves. Dragged Up Music’s new location is shocking the world with its impressive murals and graffiti. Check out the DJ Screw, UGK, and Gucci Mane murals. - DJ Black (djblackhcp@tmail.com)
JACKSON, MS:
Young Jeezy made his way back to the Capital City courtesy of his newest addition to the CTE label, Boo “Rossini.” Stax’s 6th Annual Birthday Takeover was crazy. A gunman opened fire inside Upper Level, creating another ruckus with the mayor. Rick Ross and Webbie hit the city, and Webbie had a little altercation with the sheriff’s department upon his arrival. Soulja Boy, Hurricane Chris, and B.E.T. host Terrence J also came through the city, making the kids happy with an end of the school year jam. - Tambra Cherie (TambraCherie@aol.com) & Stax (blockwear@tmo. blackberry.net)
JACKSONVILLE, FL:
Midget Mac brought VH1 to the city while filming for his new show I Love Money (coming July 7th). We can’t get enough of Boosie and Webbie, plus Yo Gotti and Pleasure P stopped through for Bigga Rankin’s 16th Cool Runnings Anniversary at Plush. Bigga flew over 15 hard-working Jacksonvillians (including Midget Mac, myself, DJ Kool-Aid, Ms. Dynasty, and Terrence Tyson) to Kansas City for Mon-E-G’s video featuring Yo Gotti and Rick Ross. The HardHeadz shot a video with Swordz; Young Jeezy stunted through the city for Garfield’s birthday; and C.E.O. not only threw another outrageous Foam Party but also dropped a new mixtape with DJ Q45. A Lot 2 Lose has a new club smash “Ballin on You” featuring Shawn Jay. - Lil Rudy (LilRudyRu@yahoo.com)
KANSAS CITY, MO/KS:
OZONE Magazine and MTV Jams invaded the town and filmed the next episode of Rapquest. Kansas City’s King Tech N9ne was one of the featured artists in the shoot and his new album Killer is in stores now. Be on the look out for Legion the Legend; he just signed with STL production team The Trackboyz and his single “Paramedic” is blazing Hot 103 Jamz’ Underground Heat. DJ Rice is working on his Still in These Streets compilation that will feature the street banger “Whip It” from Chain Gang Parolees. - Kenny Diamondz (KennyDiamondz@gmail.com)
LAS VEGAS, NV:
Jay-Z, Kanye West, Memphis Bleek, Lupe Fiasco, Pharrell, DJ Clue, Flo-Rida, Sugar Hill Gang, Lil Jon, DJ Drama, and Ludacris have all been on the scene. Las Vegas sends our condolences to the family and friends of Orish Grinstead – original member of R&B group 702 and twin sister of Irish – who recently passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. - Portia Jackson (PortiaJ@sprint.blackberry.net)
LOS ANGELES, CA:
Jay-Z and Mary J. murdered L.A. with three stellar shows, followed a week later by Kanye West’s Glow in the Dark Tour. KPWR’s annual Powerhouse Concert boasts one of the dopest line-ups that a Rap fan could imagine, featuring performances by Lil Wayne, Game, Ice Cube, T-Pain, Chris Brown, Colby O’Donis and more. USC Super Frosh, O.J. Mayo, enters the NBA draft amidst allegations he violated NCAA rules and took the cheese while in school. Oh well, get that money playboy. R.I.P. to Xzibit’s son Xavier who passed after only 11 days in the world. Our prayers are with you X. - Ant Wright of Swag, Inc. (www.Myspace.com/antsandg) OZONE MAG // 19