AUSTIN, TX:
Showcased artists at SXSW 2009 included Big Boi, Rick Ross, B.O.B., Killer Mike, Asher Roth, Balance and more. Regional artists included Gerald G, Bavu Blakes, Question, and others. Tosin & TheScrewShop.com just dropped Watch Ya Tone Pt. 2 which is hosted by SoS.A. from San Antonio’s Cocked N Locked camp. Trae tha Truth and Rob G came through town for in-store autograph signings as part of their promotional tour. - O.G. of Luxury Mindz (www.luxurymindz.com)
CHICAGO, IL:
Frostbite, Dane, and Bullet are emerging artists in the Chicago scene. Hot to Def has a new single called “Leggins and Heels.” Inf Click has a new record called “Bitchassnigga” that is percolating in the clubs. Chekk Famous, DJ Slugo and the Blok Club DJs are building a movement. Mixtape Mondays is an open mic for new artists every Monday. Timbuck2 is dropping his first mixtape. DJ Shaun T is gathering another Artists vs. DJs basketball game. - Jamal Hooks (JHooks@tmail.com)
COLUMBIA, SC:
Lil Ru’s “Nasty Song” hit the Billboard charts at #97 and he recently signed to Def Jam Records. Team Irac’s “Pants Saggin” just got added to Hot 103.9 and they have a new mix CD hosted by DJ B Lord. The song “Put It on Me” featuring OJ da Juiceman is a crazy joint on that CD. It was produced by Mo Beatz, who also produced the song Teezy and Piazo just did with OJ da Juiceman. Mo Beatz is becoming one of the hottest producers in SC. DJ Shyy from Club Laroice is also about to drop his new Red Light District mix CD. Not Not done has become the #1 host in the South. Free Pachino Dino! - Rob Lo (RobLoPromo@aol.com)
CINCINNATI, OH:
Digital Distribution has taken the music business to another level and everybody has a chance now to sell their music not just locally but world-wide. Sports Page Café located on the east side of town right across the road from Déjà Vu’s Showgirls Club in Batavia is an outlet for networking and promoting new artists. Thick Wit It Thurdays has now moved to Celebrities on Reading Rd. Cincinnati’s Hennessy Girl, Melyssa Ford, was in the Tri-State for meet and greets recently. - Judy Jones (Judy@JJonesent.com) 14 // OZONE MAG
COLUMBUS, GA:
People who have been broke since the day before forever want to all of a sudden blame it on the economy. Well, this economic downturn should be a sign that you should use your re-up money wisely. Poor economic times have led to a few changes in the lineup of a certain local radio station. A few shows were cancelled, but many of the cancelled jocs are still making moves elsewhere. By the time you read this they may even be back on. Bases Loaded Records recently signed a promising artist named J. Money out of Atlanta. This is the first time a Columbus-based record company signed a non-local artist. Anything is possible: the President is black and it snowed in Columbus! - Slick Seville (SlickSeville@gmail.com)
DALLAS/FT. WORTH, TX:
Club Flow is the new place to be if you want to see your favorite rapper performing. Cowboy dropped another controversial DVD called Prison Made Me a Better Criminal. The Donny B Show in Funkytown is providing TV coverage for all artists on channel 28. Wet Willie’s is your new hot spot in Forth Worth. Young Muhammad’s “Baby Phat” single featuring Lil Will is buzzing the clubs. Word in the streets is that Kotton Mouth and Big Ben are working on a Rally Boy album. VI’s “King of My City” is becoming the anthem for the Metroplex. K104’s Playground Morning Show are fools with it. Check out www.FreeTwistedBlack.com. - Edward “Pookie” Hall (urbansouth@gmail.com)
DAYTONA BEACH, FL:
Piccalo made a stop in Daytona Beach for a concert at Essence Night Club and to push the new single “Stick Drill.” Thirsty Thursdays made its return for the party crowd, but its new home is Essence Night Club with Ratt Productions. Tyte Work Promo linked up with the DJ Nailz and DJ Woods to throw the Blackout Party, which shut the city down. Everybody is geared up for Bethune-Cookman’s Spring Homecoming and Black College Reunion. - DJ Nailz (djnailz1@gmail.com)