Hood Deeds WORDS & PHOTO By Eric Perrin
Are You a G? abcdefG 7 Questions to FIND OUT if R&B SINGER MYKO is the 7th letter of the alphabet. New York Jets’ running C. Did any of your two you’ve written? back Thomas Jones is the latest athlete with ambitions of being a music mogul. His flagship R&B artist Myko may help Jones succeed where many other athletes-turnedmusic-execs have failed. OZONE put the Atlanta native to the test to see if he is in fact a G’ or just another soft ass singa.
A. Are you a real singer or more of a T-Pain hybrid? I’ve been singing ever since I can remember. I started singing in the church, but I didn’t get serious with it as a career until 2001. I’ve been doing showcases all over. I’ve been on the treadmill for a while, just getting my swag up. For being true to the craft Myko gets a point, but he almost lost us with that treadmill analogy. B. What ‘hood are you from? I’m originally from the A, born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I grew up in Zone 3. My father was a minister and my mom was [involved in] the church, so their focus was to make sure we were brought up in the church. I grew up a block away from the projects but I had a good family. My upbringing humbled me; I know what its like to struggle and have to work 2 or 3 jobs. You can leave the hood and still be a G’, just ask Tip. 26 // OZONE MAG
or three jobs entail hustlin’ on the block? I was never a d-boy, but every dude I know was a d-boy, I tried my hand at it, but that just wasn’t me. This answer is indecisive, so Myko gets no points.
D. In what ways have you been trying to make it as a singer? I’ve been out there on the treadmill, grinding. I’ve been performing at a lot of showcases, and in the A, every showcase is a rap showcase. If you’re an R&B singer and you want to get on, you’re going to have to do it at a rap showcase, so I just took myself to every rap showcase and blazed it. They don’t always respect singers, so if you get up on stage at a rap showcase, you better lay it down. If you don’t, they’re gonna boo you and throw shit at you. We’ll give Myko credit for trying to get on any way possible, even if it means getting hit by a shoe. E. Why do you think you’ll make it in music? I feel like I’m good right now. I’m not in nobody’s lane, and nobody is in my lane. Another ambiguous answer, so he gets no love on this one. F. What are the most unique song concepts
I’ve got a song called “Heels On,” that’s about telling a chick you want her to leave her heels on while y’all having sex. I’ve got a lot of songs for the ladies. I’ve got a song called “Masquerade Ball, that’s crazy. Another song, “Dangerous,” is about a girl I met in the strip club. I’m young and writing about things I know. For perhaps being the next R. Kelly-type nasty-ass R&B singer, Myko gets points.
G. What did the girl
who inspired your single “Late Night Creep” look like? It’s just about my experiences in general. Just being in Miami, in the clubs at like 4, or 5 in the morning and shawtys just come outside the club trying to get in the car with you. If you’re pulling up in Lambos and all that, they’re trying to leave with you, so that’s how the song came about. It’s something everybody can relate to. We wanted a description; you could’ve made something up. Next time just say, “5’5 with brown eyes,” that always works.
ScorE: 4/7
Myko gets a passing grade, but barely. Hopefully the music from his upcoming debut album will score higher when it’s released later this year. - Eric Perrin
The infamous Bankhead Community is known throughout the world as the hood that produced such talents as T.I., Shawty Lo, and a slew of other successful entertainers who rapped and hustled their way off of Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. But for every T.I., there are thousands of Bankhead natives who never have a chance of knowing another life. Seattle Seahawks safety Deon Grant, a Georgia native, has made millions in the NFL. He’s been on Super Bowl teams and even made it to a Pro Bowl. But Grant still feels obligated to help inspire the children of Bankhead. The man who received the largest signing bonus ever given to an NFL safety ventured to Bankhead Courts this past March. The Bankhead Court Projects are scheduled to be torn down later this year, but while they are still occupied the small Bankhead Courts Library remains in business. “I came from a similar inner-city [community],” explains Grant. “So I just try to give back as much as I can to motivate the kids in any way possible.” The way he chose to motivate this group of elementary age kids was certainly inspiring. Not only did Grant talk about the importance of reading, but he also answered all their questions, took pictures with every child, signed autographs, and reached in his own pocket to reward the kids with a cash prize based on their report card grades. “It all starts with them believing there’s hope,” says Grant. “The main things I hope my presence does is help them set goals and believe that there is a way they can go, other than the negative route.”
by Maurice G. Garland
1. LUNCH MONEY (myspace.com/lunchmoneymusic)
Trap money, drug money, blood money, street money? Please. Lunch Money is really what’s good in the hood. It’s the most coveted currency in the streets; it’s what you’ve been striving for since elementary school. All jokes aside, this Miami-based artist is a part of the Inner Circle family tree (they made the “Bad Boys” song used for COPS) and makes some pretty decent music.
2. SAFE SEX ENTERTAINMENT (myspace.com/kingpimpproductions)
If the company name doesn’t tell you what they’re about, surely lyrics like “I’ma pull your panties down, and put a Magnum on” will. Judging from the sound quality of their music, they’re practicing what they preach - it sounds like they record with a condom over the microphone.
3. TREASURE TROLL (www.myspace.com/treasuretroll)
“The Leprechaun” was just a nickname for Lil Flip, but this Mississippibased rapper is going all in with his name. Judging from the pictures on his myspace page, we can’t tell if he has pink hair or a diamond in his belly button that gives off a special power. We’re hoping he doesn’t.