PITTSBURGH, PA: Pittsburgh lost its only Urban Radio Station, WAMO, after it was sold to St. Joseph’s Mission. After more than 30 years of serving the African American community with music and events, it is now expected to become a religious station. We may be down some, but don’t count us out yet. Everyone’s in the streets with new music and projects. Wale, Trey Songz, Lil Wil, DJ Drama (pictured at left), DJ Holiday, and Shawty Lo have all stopped through to kick it, while Pyrex Press and Moola Gang just got back from overseas. Paper Boys Entertainment is gearing up for another run and F-Block Records is taking major meetings. - Lola Sims (lolasims@gmail.com)
HOUSTON, TX:
Paul Wall’s album release party at Bambou and listening party at the Galleria TV Johnny location were both successful. The city was also filled with guest performances by Drake, Rick Ross, Soulja Boy, and Maino, but one of the most interesting weekends of last month was Vince Young’s Birthday/ Celebrity Basketball game featuring Young Jeezy, Nelly and Jermaine Dupri. - Ghost Da Hustla (Ghostdahustla.blogspot.com)
HUNTSVILLE, AL:
The June Black Arts Festival was canceled due to the economy. There goes the biggest thing we had to look forward to this year. G-Side has been traveling the East Coast. 6 Tre G is gearing up for the release of Boss Muzik. Can’t Stop Records has been putting in work. Short Change leaked a banger with “Dirty Like That.” Untamed threw a crazy party at the Homeport. DJ Drama, Gorilla Zoe,Young Dro, Project Pat, and Rich Boy all hit the city. Lookout for VIP TV from Pleasure Houze. The PRGz signed to E1 (Koch). - Codie G (huntsvillegotstarz@gmail.com)
TAMPA, FL: Laws proves why he’s Your Future Favorite Rapper on his latest mixtape release (pictured at left), a collabo with DJ Smallz and Grammy–Award Winning producers J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. DJ Christion released his own mixtape entitled Overtime. 2 Pistols and Young Joe filmed the video for their smash hit “Lights Down Low.” The rest of the music scene prepared for the 6th Annual Tampa Music Conference at Ritz Ybor. This year’s panel of speakers included Sean Kingston, DJ Noodles, Pleasure P, 3rd Leg Greg , Jacki-O, Orlando, and DJ Christion, as well as others. The Hip Hop Soda Shop closed its doors. - Slick Worthington (Myspace.com/SlickWorthington)
JACKSONVILLE, FL:
Young Cash had a big birthday week with all the promoters in the city. HighLife Music is still pumping strong in the Westside with their new club nights. Bigga Rankin has been trying to bring the local artists together with little success, being that the independent grinders in Duval County are remaining totally independent, and in the process nobody is really working together. Derek Washington has been trying to keep the record pool going, and Big L is in the same boat with his newspaper. These guys have good intentions, so hopefully the city can get behind them and open the flood gates for Jacksonville’s music scene. - Lil Rudy (LilRudyRu@yahoo.com)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN:
I-Hustle Ent. brought Boosie and Webbie for the thickest event of the year. DJ Don Don celebrated his birthday at Club Tropicana as Young Dro and Yung LA rocked the set. OJ da Juiceman performed in front of a sold out crowd. Keri Hilson and The Dream brought out the city’s finest at the Vogue nightclub. Trill Tight DJs and Greatest DJs are keeping the city pumped. DJ Black and his Dragged Up DJ crew are releasing the official Naptown anthem produced by Three 6 Mafia. Mz Fe, Cold Hearted, and Lady Free are repping for the ladies. - DJ Black (djblackhcp@tmail.com)
KANSAS CITY, MO/KS:
Hot 103 JAMZ Summer Jam II went down at Sandstone Park. The lineup featured Soulja Boy, Plies, Rick Ross, Hurricane Chris, Yung LA, Dorrough, the Kansas City King Tech N9ne, Black Walt and Block Life Ent. Got spins? Underground Heat is still breaking music in KC. You can now see the show live on the web at 11 pm on Friday and Saturday. Tech N9ne released his new collabo album Sickology 101 and Van Brunt Ent. is dropping Red Ragz and Blue Flagz this summer. - Kenny Diamondz (KennyDiamondz@gmail.com)
LOUISVILLE, KY: J Skillz da Bandman has a hit single called “Simon Sayz” and Kenzo’s single “Do da Shiz” is also getting support in the city. Both artists shot videos recently. Young Miz is killing the scene with his Certified mixtape. KD is back with a track called “My M.O.B. (My Michelle Obama).” Young Bell dropped his mixtape Let’s Talk Bricks. Look out for Harolin back at B96.5. - Divine Da Liaison (OuttaDaShopEnt@hotmail.com) MEMPHIS, TN:
Lil Wyte is pushing his new single “Take Yo Moni” off his newest mixtape Cocaine & Kush Reloaded featuring Partee. Upcoming artist Big Face Mike has hit the ground running with his new mixtape Gangsta as I Wanna Be and is fitting into the Memphis rap scene quite well. The underground Memphis dance style called “juking” made its debut on “So You Think You Can Dance” by Memphis police officer Marico Flake. After locking himself in the studio for weeks at a time, Yo Gotti has produced a slew of mixtapes including Cocaine Cowboy, 5 Star Chef, and his latest Cocaine Muzik 2. - Deanna Brown (Deanna.Brown@MemphisRap.com)
NASHVILLE, TN:
Cashville’s goin’ off courtesy of Cheezy, who’s new single “I Go Off” is carrying the heat of the summer with it. The City Paper is in stores and is guaranteed to show you why Paper is the 09 SEA Slept on Artist of the Year! The Cancer/Leo Bash II hosted by Serious featured performances by Ms. Honeysiccle, Ashthon Jones, and Mario, a.k.a. Rio Moore. AG Entertainment, WUBT, Diavontti, and Flymajor.com brought something new to the table for the grown and sexy in Nashville courtesy of the All White Beach Affair. The event featured 5 DJs, celebs, and class. - Janiro (Janiro@southernentawards.com)
RICHMOND, TRI-CITIES, VA:
Streetz Deep shot a video for his new single “That Go Round” produced by VA’s next hot producer Murda One. The song features Bola of Grand Hustle’s group Xtaci. Our City Boyz are performing at the South Carolina Music Awards in July. Charles Owens, a.k.a. Vito, is in the studio working with VA producers The Incredibles who are best known for their work on Jeezy’s “Vacation” and Ace Hood’s “Ride” featuring Trey Songz. Canayda releases hot new digital music on Myspace.com/CanaydaMusic. - Atiyyah Wali (atiyyahwali@hotmail.com)
ST. LOUIS, MO:
Loose Cannon Ent. beat Derrty Ent. in a charity basketball game that raised money for Nelly’s 4 Sho 4 Kids www.4sho4kids.org. Derrty DJs held the Midwest Summit that brought DJs from all over the country. Several artists made an impact but it was Louie V. with his “Do Ya Own Dance” that had people talking. The Midwest Summit ended with the St. Lunatics all on the same stage for first time since 1999. Jibbs has a new single rotating called “Ay DJ” featuring Lloyd. DJ CD’s mixtape with Murphy Lee has been a top seller at Vintage Vinyl for three months now. Check out the newest STL mixtapes at www.MidwestMixtapes.com. - Jesse James (JesseJames314@aol.com)
WASHINGTON, DC:
DJ Heat from WPGC, a.k.a. The Mixtape Madame, recently released 2 brand-new projects: This is the Remix Vol. IV and Fiyah: The T-Pain Edition. The DMV Music Movement continues to gather momentum and there have been a slew of red-hot singles hitting the streets: “Spotlight” by 32 and Y’anna Crawley (BET’s Sunday Best winner); “Natural” and “Smoke Break” blazed by Whitefolkz; “Blog Food” by Pro’ Verb; and “I Remember Hip-Hop” by Go-Go Michelle. Go-Go Michelle is also ready to drop her new album Hegemony. Judah, who is one of DC’s top producers, also has one of the best blogs in the city: www.forthedmvonly.blogspot. com. - Sid “DCSuperSid” Thomas (dcsupersid@aol.com) - Compiled by Ms Rivercity, jen@ozonemag.com
OZONE MAG // 17