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JB, first off, I want you to know that your magazine is a great asset to black careers. It’s an awesome outlet, no doubt. But I wanted to go back to something you stated recently. You said that you’re tired of interviewing rappers because they’ve all got the same things to say. See, to me, you’re an underground icon and idol yourself, so when you make certain statements like that it bothers some people. It’s not what you said, because nine times out of ten that’s true, but it’s how you say it and where you say it. That statement agitated me a little, that’s why I responded saying you should give me a shot to change that cycle or stop asking the same questions. You gotta remember that you are the magazine [writer] and you’re the one doing the interviews, so you have the ability to make that interview bright and big. Tell us in the interview, “Look, that’s not gonna work. My last interview was identical. You need to be a little more creative” or what not. Or, write a helpful blog or article in your magazine that will help us better ourselves rather than blasting us on twitter or myspace or whatever. It hurts some people that do have more creativity or wanna even try for something with you. This also relates to the Mistah FAB situation. You’re way to professional to even follow up behind his mess. - Tha Cook King, via email (Florida)
This magazine is a disgrace to society. I used to buy it and even had the opportunity to write in the Rapquest section, but God spoke to me to leave the lifestyle you promote in your magazine every month. How can you sleep at night knowing that you are promoting sex, violence, drugs, gangs, evil rappers, money, material possessions, and fast cars that you can’t take with you once you die. It’s time to wake up and turn your magazine around to give Jesus Christ praise and stop letting the devil deceive you and others. These rappers want the fame and when they die they will spend eternity in hell if they haven’t confessed Jesus Christ as their personal savior. It’s a scary thought. DJ AM, Pimp C, Mac Dre, Shakir Stewart, Biggie, Tupac, Left Eye, Aaliyah, and many more have passed, and I can only hope they were saved Christians. Not professing to be Christians, but real Christians. Professing Christians are people who say they believe in God but they live their own lifestyles contrary to the Bible every day. A true Christian is seeking Jesus daily. I only hope that you will take a stand and decide to put Jesus Christ first and promote him throughout your entire magazine monthly. God gives us all warnings before judgment day and here is yours. You should turn your magazine into a Christian magazine to help lost souls in society so they won’t burn in hell during judgment day. - DJ Civil Rightz, via email (Oklahoma City, OK)
JB, your 2 Cents was a really good article about the nonsense that goes on at some of these award shows. It’s not always the artist that’s willing to do anything, it’s usually the entourage that’s in his ear saying, “You have to do something, didn’t you hear such and such’s song?” I shake my head. At the end of the day, all they’re doing is messing up the money. No real business entity wants to deal with foolishness. We should all come together for one cause at these shows; network, build relationships, get a chance to be one-on-one with the artists, producers, and managers that you really want to meet, and then go party. Everyone’s trying to get ahead and everyone wants to be a part of something. I watch these [shows] and when they go in a certain direction I’m like, man, they’re messing up the money. There’s a time and place for everything. - Gary Williams, via email
Editor Responds: You seem to have good intent with your message but your approach is all wrong. And you must not be reading very closely, because all the negative things you mentioned are not what OZONE promotes. What we promote is being real and being yourself, being honest and handling business, working hard, striving to achieve something from nothing, and focusing on your goals and overcoming obstacles. All blessings come from God. OZONE would have never become a successful magazine without his blessing and as I’ve mentioned in my editorial several times, he’s the one who deserves the credit – many artists have said the same about their success. Only God can judge; you aren’t in a position to make assumptions about someone’s lifestyle or their personal spiritual beliefs based on what you see in a magazine.
Hey Too $hort, what’s good with you, boss? I read your $hort Story on how you feel about West Coast music and its contribution to Hip Hop. I personally feel that the West deserves all the respect it has strived for over the years, but as an inhabitant of the East Coast I also feel like the East Coast and the West Coast need each other. One cannot exist without the other. Also, as an upcoming artist from the East Coast I feel as though both coasts have plenty more music to offer to the world, and a continuous beef between the two major powerhouses is pointless. In real nigga terms, if we bind ourselves to beefin’ all the time, what time do we have to produce music? Of course there will always be classic disses between East Coast artists and West Coast artists. But if you take a minute to think about it, B.I.G. and 2Pac blazed together before all the East Coast and West Coast beef started. So I believe the two sides can do a collaboration that can shake the foundations of Hip Hop itself. As you said, each side has given its 100 to show the world what it has to offer and what can be achieved in the world of Hip Hop. - Young Slim, via email
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JB, I can’t be a hater; it ain’t in my blood. Your magazine is the shit, so you deserve your props. I’m from Tulsa, Oklahoma, doing a 16 year sentence. You and your mag keeps a nigga up on the streets, plus, lookin’ at your smile in your 2 Cents works as well too. Keep smiling and gettin’ money! - Nicholas Price, via inmate message (Tulsa, OK) Hey JB, this is Jai-Te from Decatur letting you know that all of us here at USP McCreary are holding it down for the ATL! The mag is looking better each issue. You’ve shown my cousin Paperchase and big uncle Pimpin’ “Maserati” Ken a lot of love too! I like that you cover all regions. I’m the R&B prince of the family. Keep the haters hatin’ with the real music scene news. - Jai-Te, via inmatemessage (Atlanta, GA via Milwaukee, WI) Y’all are one of the few magazines with thought-provoking articles that all of us actually like to read. - Stone World Music Group, via email (Ohio)