CINCINNATI, OH:
The Macy’s Music Festival turned out positive this year. There was an after party on every corner. Gucci Mane, Keyshia Cole, and Juvenile came through, just to name a few. DB and JRodge Entertainment opened up Club Mixx with a show stopping performance by Raheem Devaughn. Sinonem’s new mixtape has a good response in the clubs and streets on the North side of the city. Jay Lii’s single “Juicy Juice” is a winner with the kids. Bootsy Collins still has haters – there were 3 fires at his un-opened restaurant in one night. It was reported as arson. - Judy Jones (Judy@JJonesent.com)
CLEVELAND, OH:
Has the city turned into the Wild Wild West? Two cops were brutally slain and a young man was burned to death? The city is facing problems reminiscent of the 70’s. The Russ Parr Bus Tour came through and the city came out in numbers. Deep 3 performed on BET for the third time and while their single “I Look Good” is still very popular, qP has banged the city on the head with his new hit “You Rollin Shawty (I Got $$$).” The single has caught the underground by surprise. - “X” Allah (X@NuBludManagement.com)
COLUMBIA, SC:
The first annual SC Music Awards was held in Greenville, SC. For a list of winners and pics from the event visit www.scmusicawards.com. Buck TV video show premiered on August 3rd and I caught an advance screening of it at one the hottest spots in the Metro, Pure Ultra Lounge. Speaking of hot spots, Club Level is still holding down the weekends and two new spots, Dreams and The Fever, just opened up. Snook won the Patiently Waiting Carolinas Award at the 3rd Annual OZONE Awards. - Rob Lo (RobLoPromo@aol.com)
COLUMBUS, OH:
Freeze is doing it big; check him out at www. freezedaworld.com. Celebrity Status is always in full effect with Playaz Circle, The Lox, Gucci Mane, Day 26, Donnie Lang, John Legend, M.O.P., Nice and Smooth, and Black Sheep stopping through. Dominique from America’s Next Top Model (above left) got signed and is moving to L.A. to do her thing on TV. We ended the month off with the biggest event in the city, my Celebrity Birthday Bash. It was crazy. - Yohannan Terrell (ImageInq@gmail.com)
DALLAS/FT. WORTH, TX:
King Ashoka and TheAutoGrafix.com wrapped the new OZONE truck featuring Carnivo Xo. Big Hood Boss Hood President hosted by Tum Tum and SHO’s 36 Ounces hosted by DJ Drop are hot on the mixtape grid. Immortal Soldierz are moving a lot of trunk units past Fort Worth. Primetime Click and B HamP are holding down Aggtown. The 4th Annual Hood Car Show from Byron & On a Mission was a success in Oak Cliff. I heard the On Air Divas are with K104 now. Trai’D’s video “Gutta Chick” is on the Top 10. Mychal Jeter in Collin County, stay strong. - Edward “Pookie” Hall (urbansouth@gmail.com)
DAYTONA BEACH, FL:
Nitro Tek’s 1 Dread celebrated his birthday bash at Club Xclusive with D4L’s Fabo in concert. R&B songstress Tarvoria was interviewed by BET for an upcoming appearance and performance on 106 & Park’s Wil’ Out Wednesdays. Bethune-Cookman University’s incoming freshman class came to Daytona for orientation and DJ Nailz, along with Wilin’ Entertainment’s Syco Ced, rocked the crowd at a campus party. Check out next month’s issue of OZONE for a check of Daytona’s Back to School Block Party, Trina’s Lingerie Party, and more. - DJ Nailz (djnailz1@gmail.com)
DENVER, CO:
Mistah F.A.B., Webbie, Roccett, and Cee-Lo have all made their way to the Rockies this past month. Colorado Heavy Weights Young Doe and Hawkman locked down a deal with West Coast Mafia/Koch and will be dropping projects this fall. Innerstate Ike, Nyke Nitti, Hypnautic, Izm White, all recently dropped projects, as well as DJ Ktone, DJ Stupac, DJ Bedz, and DJ Quote. First Saturdays at Blue Ice is the hottest
night to hit the town in a while and Fridays at The Loft continue bring out the numbers every week. - DJ Ktone (Myspace.com/djktonedotcom)
DETROIT, MI:
The Murder City concert went down at St. Andrews Hall with artists like 7 Da General and Cash Out. The Warp Tour invaded Detroit at Comerica Park. Producer Symphony produced a couple tracks on Ice Cube’s new album. The Divine 9 held their annual step show with a special performance by Juvenile. The Red Bull Beat Battle took place at the Majestic Theater. P.L. dropped his latest mixtape Wit Out Warring Vol. 4. Obie Trice has been released from Shady Records. You gotta come to the “D” to learn about Belle Isle after dark. Look out for Hot Lava Records (Stretch Money), Dirty Glove Entertainment (K-Doe a.k.a. K-Deezy), 5th Ave Records (John Drama), and Demand. “It’s So Cold In Tha D” became a viral sensation on YouTube. - AJ (the313report@yahoo.com) & Eric tha Crunk (Myspace.com/ CrunkAtlantaMusic)
HOLLYWOOOD, CA:
Bishop Lamont and Glasses Malone headlined at the House of Blues Sunset to a sold-out crowd. The Confessional mixtape release party was hosted by Devi Dev (93.5 KDAY) and Hoodrat Miguel (Power 106), and had performances from Taje, Prime, Damizza, Butch Cassidy, and Warren G. Bishop premiered his new single “Grow Up” while Glasses ended his set with “Haterz.” Talib Kweli and Strong Arm Steady got down at the Sofitel Hotel with DJ EQ. Def Jam showed off their newest prodigy Karina at The S Bar, and threw Nas’ album release party at the Zune Lab. - Devi Dev (DeviDev.kday@gmail.com)
HOUSTON, TX:
Paul Wall and Chamillionaire are back recording together. ABN (Z-Ro and Trae) are giving the streets that raw. Big Pokey and Lil O are killing the clubs. Slim Thugga and Devin the Dude are dropping soon. The new cats on the scene like Dre Steel and HISD are all prepping takeovers. Can’t forget the Latinos like Chingo Bling, Juan Gotti, and the Street Grindaz. For the real party spots, you gotta hit the new Mayka Mayka on the north or Venue on the south. - Jay Gamble (My.Upclose@gmail.com)
HUNTSVILLE, AL:
The Huntsville scene was featured in a few UK publications courtesy of Rob Breezy and David S. The Green Room won the club battle with the Split Personality campaign. QCDJ’s is gearing up for another record pool meeting. G-Side just released the Starshipz and Rocketz preview. PRGz were featured in national publications along with the Block Beataz. DJ Majesty is holding down the club scene. DJ 7-11 and JRock are holding down Shoals. Bigg DM is the new PD at V101.5 in the Shoals. XO, Bipola, and Obvious Obsession did shows at Crossroads. G-Mane repped hard at the Handy Festival. - Codie G (huntsvillegotstarz@gmail.com)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN:
Zack Randolph from the New York Knicks threw the birthday party of the year. Bun B represented his birthday to the fullest at Club Industry. Indiana Black Expo was another success this year bringing a lot of industry heavyweights to Naptown for celebrity basketball games, promo, and after parties. Gee Twinz Barber Shop is keeping the city freshly faded, and Naptown Music is sewing up the eastside with all the new music releases. Monty and crew at Hangtime are also pumping out fresh fits, kicks, and hits in one stop. Pretty Ugly was chosen to host the highly anticipated all Naptown mix. Fuck B-N-Local dragged by DJ Black is coming soon. - DJ Black (djblackhcp@tmail.com)
JACKSON, MS: Lil Wayne packed in nearly 10,000 people at $40 a head in Hattiesburg. Although it’s an hour from the bold new city, Jackson showed up in numbers. Our mayor, who was featured in OZONE as “the real Hip Hop mayor?” recently caught a federal indictment. Stax and Lil Boosie showed up to pay their respects at a Jackson street prodigy funeral (R.I.P. Slo). Lil C is dropping his mixtape Welcome To The Battlefield real soon. David Banner threw a hell of an album release party for The Greatest Story Ever Told at Freelon’s, during which he gave the ultimate speech and a heartening performance. - Tambra Cherie (TambraCherie@aol.com) & Stax (blockwear@tmo.blackberry.net) OZONE MAG // 19