com is becoming a destination for all the hottest music. DJ Phinesse still has the radio on lock while Pittsburgh Steeler anthems are popping up everywhere. Spuck Johnson, P. Vicious, Toby Grind, and Ikey Bubz are all grinding hard. - Lola Sims (lolasims@gmail.com)
PORTLAND, OR & IDAHO:
LOS ANGELES, CA:
Where were you when you found out Barack Obama was elected? I was on the set of The Game’s video shoot for his new song “Camera Phone” featuring Ne-Yo (to peep the interviews I did with them on election day go to www.hardknock.tv). The video shoot went down at Club Area, which is a new favorite spot for showcases. Lupe Fiasco got down at Club Nokia Downtown, and my favorite show of the month was Hip Hop Live at The House of Blues featuring Talib Kweli, Little Brother, Strong Arm Steady, and Bishop Lamont. - Devi Dev (devidev.kday@gmail.com)
MANATEE COUNTY, FL:
With Tampa’s 98.7 LDS not far away, Hip Hop goers are purchasing less tickets due to high price entry for the Halloween Plies concert at the Hall in Palmetto. Gigolo Weeze’s Big Bro Comedy Show has made its home at the Rumba Lounge in Sarasota, offering free shows to compete in the Friday nightlife. Obama/Biden voters showed up in mass numbers. Prior to the election, they made a stand on several areas off Cortez Rd. in Bradenton with their signs of support. Cartel4Life’s artist Cane is promoting his recent project RNR Product of the Streets Vol. 2.5: The Re-Up, hosted by Bigga Rankin. - Hollywood Red (era9880@yahoo.com)
MEMPHIS, TN:
Project Pat and Gucci Mane teamed up together for their new single “Bang, Bang, Smack, Smack” and it’s receiving good reviews. Project Pat’s album Real Recognize Real is expected to drop sometime next year. Hypnotized Minds’ new artist Yung D just released a new video titled “Damn What Chu Think” from his upcoming album Beyond the Glory. Live Hip Hop band Haymakers Project just wrapped up their seasonal gig at Café Ole on the patio and are moving to warmer spaces at Quetzal. 8Ball came out to their last show and is considering bringing the group on tour with him. Be on the lookout for all these upcoming albums and artists. - Deanna Brown (Deanna.Brown@MemphisRap.com)
MONROE, NC:
R&B soul-sation Calvin Richardson has been heavy on the radio with his new single “Sang No More,” but he isn’t the only one from Monroe that has the streets buzzing. The literary genius Aaron “Silky” Allen, who is currently incarcerated, and has been for some time, is about to self-publish his urban novel. Silky’s street team has been busy blogging and going handto-hand with short stories. Visit myspace.com/freesilky to see what all the fuss is about. Rapquest tip: put on for your city, even if it is Monroe, NC. Stop saying you’re from Charlotte just because it’s a major city 15 minutes away (you know who you are [R&B Bad Boys]). - Aaron Allen (aaronallen78@yahoo.com)
NASHVILLE, TN:
What’s up in Cashville? Seriously...Lendale White is throwing up signs? Barfly’s is bringing new life 2nd Ave.? Is Hurricane’s the city’s newest hot spot? Wet Dymes left Out of Bounds on Wednesdays? Star is ghostwriting for big named artists? L.O.V.E. is taking over Friday nights? M.U.G., Deuce, Semi and Cowboy are all dropping new heat for the city? 101 The Beat and 92Q are staying very active in the community? C-Dub and Crisis are preparing for a DJ battle rematch? No matter what it is, Cashville was united and stood the “f” up for Obama. Now let’s keep the plan in motion. - Janiro (Janiro@southernentawards.com)
PITTSBURGH, PA:
Gorilla Zoe, Jody Breeze, and F-Block Records all tore down Privilege. Josh is steady producing hits while S. Money is still “Parking Lot Pimping.” Kev the Hustla is dropping his new mixtape entitled Animal and LeakJones.
16 // OZONE MAG
I can’t say enough about Cool Nutz’s hustle. Some are born, some are taught, some are it! Cool Nutz just completed his PO-HOP (Portland, Oregon Hip Hop) Festival. As Hip Hop continues to grow and big money loses sight of the substance of the art form/culture, it is important to acknowledge the local actors who keep the culture alive and relevant. Cool Nutz’s PO-HOP is a networking, business, and cultural event that specifically highlights the successes and efforts of Pacific Northwest artists. Look him up. Also, look for new material from Native America’s #1 DJ, DJ Tee of Lapwai, ID. - Luvva J (Myspace.com/luvvaj)
SACRAMENTO, CA:
Sacramento artist Bueno definitely has the streets buzzing with his new single “6 A.M.” tearing up radio airwaves in the entire Northern California region. The release of Bueno’s mixtape Back to the Future hosted by Mistah F.A.B. fed the streets, while his confirmed signing with SMC/Universal added fuel to a fire that continues to grow. Doey Rock continues to make noise with his new single “Feel So Good,” despite circulating rumors that he has cut ties with E-40 and The Sic Wit It imprint. Artists JDK, J-Gib, and Smigg Dirtee continue to build momentum. Night spot Tunnel 21 continues to support Hip Hop. - Zay (zaemai@gmail.com)
TULSA, OK
Lil Wayne took over the city with a highly anticipated concert at the BOK Center which sold out in a week. The concert was a great turnout for the city and Lil Wayne put on a great show as usual. Murphy Lee stopped by 105.3 FM to inform everybody about his new single “My Shoes.” DJ Goodground, who spins the latest underground music, recently premiered the new hit single “Let Me See You Joog” from Tulsa’s newest artist 7Up. With great concerts and good DJs spinning underground music, as well as mainstream top 40, the city of Tulsa continues to sizzle. - DJ Bigg Rich (DJBiggRich@gmail.com)
ST. LOUIS, MO:
You can now listen to Mr. Marcus Mixtape’s show online at www.stlcc. edu/kcfv every Sunday 4-8pm CST. Jus Bleezy had a good turnout for his Go Hard or Go Home in-store signing. XP Muzik, who produced most of the All Stars, just dropped their artist J Kidd’s mixtape titled Preseason. DJ Sir Thurl also dropped The Fixx mixtape with M.C.’s remix of “I’m Cool” featuring Twista, Chiny and Ebony Eyez. Huey has a nice new track called “24/7 365” featuring Maino and Glasses Malone, produced by Trillion Billion. Murphy Lee dropped 3 mixtapes since last March: U C ME + Derrty Ent=$, Midwest Heat with DJ Lexx, and Murph or Die. Murphy Lee’s official single “My Shoes” has been killing the airwaves. - Jesse James (JesseJames314@aol.com)
TALLAHASSEE, FL:
Tallahassee just finished a phenomenal 2008 FAMU Homecoming. Thousands flocked to the capital city to celebrate. Young Jeezy and T.I., along with others like Tay Dizm, M-Beezy, Bizzle, Piccalo, and Young Cash, tore up the Leon County Civic Center Saturday night with great performances. The streets were also on fire with both Jeezy and T.I.’s new albums blaring out the cars and trucks of homecoming participants. Even though it was homecoming, you could tell that it was election time with the Respect My Vote campaign in town. - DJ Dap (DJDapOnline@gmail.com)
WASHINGTON, DC:
Big B “The Mixtape King” released his latest CD Married 2 the Streets, and the lovely ladies of Alorious just dropped the Temporarily Disconnected mixtape. Tabi Bonney won Entertainer of the Year at the 1st Annual Velocity Magazine Awards. Look for Tabi’s new CD Dope coming in January. DJ Heat of WPGC keeps the DMV blazing with her radio show, club appearances, and popular DC Mumbo Sauce blog. - Sid “DCSuperSid” Thomas (dcsupersid@aol.com)