while Shyne opens its doors and provides upscale urban fashion for all. - Janiro (Janiro@southernentawards.com)
JACKSON, MS: Shawty Lo (pictured with Tambra Cherie), DJ Drama, and Lil Will invaded Freelon’s. Lil C and Scrilla Boy represented for the independent scene. Lil C turned out the show, along with 1Life1Love’s Scrilla, gaining more momentum from the crowd than national artists. Look out for Scrilla’s singles “Speakers” and “Rock Boy.” The mayor (R.I.P.) had a federal mistrial and landed on Mediatakeout.com with some of the “model” citizens. Word has it Mo Williams is bringing Lebron James to his annual weekend. Boo the Boss dropped a new mixtape with DJ Scream. He brought Mississippi to Atlanta’s own Velvet Room when he performed at Jeezy’s after party. - Tambra Cherie (TambraCherie@aol.com) & Stax (blockwear@tmo.blackberry.net)
JACKSONVILLE, FL:
T-Roy of 93.3 the Beat and DJ King Ron held it down with their long-running Open Mic Monday event (even Flo-Rida stopped through to check it out). Bigga Rankin brought OJ da Juiceman and Gucci Mane back to back at Plush, and the newcomers at HighLife Music have successfully branded a new Saturday night on the Westside at Sharkys. Point Blank Ent. is still holding it down every Wednesday at Aqua by the beaches. Rumor has it that many Duval County artists have deals on the table, and I’ll be sure to report it when the rumors turn to reality. - Lil Rudy (LilRudyRu@yahoo.com)
LAS VEGAS, NV:
T.I. made a tour stop at Thomas & Mack Event Center with Jazmine Sullivan, and Lil Wayne rocked the Palms Hotel. Speaking of hotels, a new hotel sprung up with a classic grand opening. The “M” Resort is the newest addition for luxury accommodations featuring gaming, dining, entertainment, and spa/salon services. Another great luxury hotel is Trump Hotel, featuring great prices and no gaming. Reggae in the Desert, a true smokers’ festival, takes place June 13th from 2pm to 11pm at Clark County Amphitheater. - Portia Jackson (PortiaJ@sprint.blackberry.net)
LOS ANGELES, CA:
Busta Rhymes performed at Club Nokia with openers U-N-I and Diz Gabron. The Game, Nipsey Hustle, and Jay Rock all got down at L.A. Live; and The Dream had his secret Myspace party at Area with surprise guests Kanye West, Fabolous, and Electrik Red. 93.5 KDAY, Kanye West, Rick Ross, Quik and Keri Hilson rolled through for interviews (hardknock.tv) - Devi Dev (devidev.kday@gmail.com)
MEMPHIS, TN:
Hard Rock Café Memphis put on a one of a kind “Master of the Microphone” event. Each contestant had to freestyle battle to rap and rock music. The winner was Patrick Worthy, a.k.a. Poncho Piffy. He received a golden microphone trophy and studio time at Band House Studios. Other big winners out of Memphis came from the SEA award show – we walked away with Industry Power Player with Freddy Hydro, Website of the Year with Memphisrap.com, Model of the Year with Pebbelz, Indie Producer of the Year with Drumma Boy, and Event of the Year with Crunkfest. - Deanna Brown (Deanna.Brown@MemphisRap.com)
NASHVILLE, TN: Ace Rip showed out at the SEAs by opening the show with his singles “Keys to the Chevy” and “Firecracker,” reminding everyone why he is the Ace. Speaking of the SEAs, several of the city’s finest won awards, including DJ Wheezy (Best Intro on a Mixtape), 101.1 “The Beat” WUBT (Radio Station of the Year), AG (Impact Personality), Allstar (Indy Rap Album of the Year), Paper (Slept On Artist) and Deshun Smith (Photographer/Journalist of the Year). S.E.V.E.N. Promotions is gearing up for their annual fashion show
PHILADELPHIA, PA:
100.3 The Beat and Radio One presented the 2nd Annual Music & Entertainment Conference at the Marriott Downtown. Jamie Foxx, The Dream, Jadakiss, Brandy, and Ryan Leslie were all panelists. DJ Touchtone holds it down with the touchdown show on 100.3 The Beat Sun-Thur 10pm-2am. Philly Hip Hop Reader (www.phillyhiphopreader.com) is a youth literacy program developed by the Urban League of Philadelphia to encourage middle school and high school students to read. Every Monday Boy Wonder, a.k.a. Andre Coles, hosts World Cafe Live’s weekly Open Stage and Talent Competiton. Artist on the rise are The Last Donna, HomeMadeSoul, and Doc DollaSigns. - Infamous6ixx (infamous6ixx@gmail.com)
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND:
T-Pain definitely felt the pain as his Dublin concert clocked less than 200 ticket sales, while his partner-in-rhyme Akon managed to sell 3,000+ tickets just weeks before. Blackhouse Studios opened in Dublin last month, specializing in urban music, with the first artist Yung Brady getting an opportunity to open up for a resurgent D-12 last week. - Kev Storrs (kevstorrs@gmail.com)
RICHMOND, TRI-CITIES, VA:
Big Get It of GMGB released his album Get It City featuring last year’s hot single “Disco Ballin Remix” with Trey Songz. Dollar Gang’s artist J Nero released his CD The Unexpected. Jay30, The Promotions King, is building his brand by promoting the hottest events, artist showcases, and parties in the Cap City. The Coffee Shop, located off Union Street in Petersburg, VA, hosts poetry/Hip Hop every Friday night. Soul Singer Rodney Stith performed his acoustic set there and is currently promoting his R&B CD My Life. Any performing arts artist can showcase in this fly urban spot. - Atiyyah Wali (atiyyahwali@hotmail.com)
SACRAMENTO, CA:
Lil Weezy and the I Am Music Tour passed through Mackramento. The tour played to a sold out crowd at Arco Arena. The Boss Rick Ross was a guest on 103.5 The Bomb, Short E’s show, where he discussed his ongoing beef with 50 Cent and his recent admission of being a former correctional officer. Bueno released the first video off his Maloof Money project. The Bueno video “Around the World” featuring The Jacka and Dubb 20 definitely had the Nor Cal streets buzzing. - Lavega “Kream” Sims (lavegais@yahoo.com)
ST. LOUIS, MO:
Ray Goss hit the streets with his Meet Ray Goss mixtape hosted by County Brown. Stevie Stone signed with Ruthless Records. He also has a mixtape in the streets along with a dope single “Wait a Minute” which is getting some radio spins. Yung Ro’s “Donk Dat” is still growing nationally and he hit the streets with the “Donk Dat” remix featuring Chingy and City Spud. Yung Ro also rocked a dope Step Show at McCluer South High School. DJ T Gutta has his Respect the DJ Vol. 2 in the streets and on datpiff.com. DJ Trackstar’s Boogie Bang 18 is hosted by Phonte. Rockwell Knuckles’ mixtape The Glow is available now. - Jesse James (JesseJames314@aol.com)
TAMPA, FL:
KRS One interrupted his own set to endorse opening act Dynasty at The Tamiami Bar in St, Petersburg. Javon Black, Lil Kee, and Strizzo performed their smash hit, “Shawty Tear It Up” alongside Sean Kingston at Wild Splash, and followed up with a remix featuring Kingston as well. The track also earned Black a deal with Universal Republic. The Basiqs continued their assault on the scene with another solid performance opening up for Raekwon and Ghostface at The Ritz Ybor. DJ Knucklez released Knuckle Up Round 4 hosted by Slim Thug. - Slick Worthington (Myspace.com/SlickWorthington)
WASHINGTON, DC:
Wale won the 2009 DMV Award for Best Male Rapper, Shy Thoro won Best Female, and Topp Dogg Hill took home the trophy for Best Rap Group. Madam Madon walked away with the crown at the annual Queen of the DMV all-female rap contest. Tyrone Norris, founder of www.dcrap.com, organized the 3-day Engage Hip Hop Festival. Woosie, who’s claiming Cash Money Records, did an interview with DJ Vlad and sparked major beef by dissing Marky and Kenny Burns (Studio 43). Kaye M responded with a song dissing Woosie. Don’t forget to check out new singles “Red Carpet” by Likeblood and “I Mean Business” by the Diamond District. OZONE MAG // 17