AUSTIN, TX:
The 2010 NBA All-Star Game went down at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Thanks to Dr. Teeth and a number of others, MTV Jams held its own Texas Day of programming in preparation. Featured area artists included SouthBound, COD, J-Kapone, Question, Fade Dogg, Mojoe, and many others. J Cole came through town for a show at Ace’s Lounge and an in-store at Complete Clothing. SXSW is coming to town. Confirmed artists include Chamillionaire, Paul Wall, Trae, Killer Mike, Chalie Boy and more. - O.G. of Luxury Mindz (www.luxurymindz.com)
BIRMINGHAM, AL:
Mayor William Bell is the new mayor in the Magic City. Lloyd came to the P.O.B. and Attitude hit the stage at the Palace alongside Trina. Cosmo’s and Club Martini’s have been going strong for the more mature crowd. DJ Serious spins every week at Club Ice. Yung LA came to Los Diaz, hosted by B-Money 3 Stacks of 95.7 Jamz. Murc Camp dropped Big Business in Bama 2, Lil Haze dropped a mixtape hosted by D.J Smallz, Eskimo Joe dropped LL Cool Joe, and M.P. has a new mixtape. Off Tha Chain Records also dropped several projects. - K. Bibbs (AllOrNothingPromo@hotmail.com)
CHICAGO, IL:
Hot to Def has the hottest record in Chicago clubs and radio with “Up and Down.” Moonie from L.E.P. has a new hot record with Ray J called “Hood Girl.” Artists to check for include Rockie Fresh, Money Bag Boys, Big Homie Doe, YP, and Twone Gabz with his Hip Hop VS. Gucci mixtape. DJs to check for are DJ Ransom, DJ Reese, DJ Metro, DJ Tmac, and DJ Bman. Chicago radio stations are letting club DJs spin on-air during the weekend mixshows. - Jamal Hooks (JHooks@tmail.com)
CINCINNATI, OH:
The Nati Mixtapes are now on www.midwestmixtapes.com. Producer M-80’s beats are really hot and artists in the city are gravitating to his studio. Mz. Nicky’s new single “Uh Oh (Did I Do That)” (above) is getting rave reviews from Rap Star Promotions and Zulu Nation South. Chris Johnson and Hakeem Griggs teamed up to bring back Street Fame Magazine. Gospel Rapper KDrama has a new single entitled “Walkie Talkie.” Be on the lookout for the hit singles “Play Head” by Mickey Mac Main Ft. Killa K and MBG’s “My Swagg.” - Judy Jones (Judy@JJonesent.com) 14 // OZONE MAG
COLUMBUS, GA:
DJ O3 has been doing parties all over the Southeast. Big D and SOA have been spotted everywhere. KG Smooth almost single handedly made WKZJ the city’s #2 station. Jay Stylez kicked of his TV/blog site. Columbus State hosted a music conference, and OZONE’s own Ms. Rivercity was in the building. I heard some people actually learned something - which doesn’t happen at every conference. - Slick Seville (SlickSeville@gmail.com)
DALLAS/FT. WORTH, TX:
Dorrough’s single “Triple D Dat” featuring Tum Tum and Lil Tony from Gangsta Grillz 23 is the new anthem for DFW. Def Jam’s Bone and So So Def’s Dondria are all over the radio while ladies in the streets are loving “My Body” by Que P from Richmind Records. The Mansion is the official Saturday night spot with DJ Merk (NGenius) and DJ Drop (Definition DJs). Forth Worth is holding their own with artists such as Immortal Soldiers, Bossaliny, and Flonitti with DJs Dre, Pay, Wildhairr and Tuss in rotation at clubs Mystique, Crytals, Rackdaddy’s and Bijou. People in TDC reading this stay strong! - Edward “Pookie” Hall (urbansouth@gmail.com)
GAINESVILLE, FL:
Travis Porter turned up Skyy Nite Club with their new single “Go Shorty Go.” DTP’s latest R&B sensation Rudy Currence put on a five star performance for the University of Florida’s Black Student Union. Slim T and Looney G dropped their Center of Attention mixtape hosted by DJ Klarc Shepard, and J Road da College Kid dropped #Scholar Music. Bad Villian Creative Agency launched FeedOffRap.com, a revolutionary Hip Hop aggregate site that compiles the top news and latest music all in one spot. - Jett Jackson (g5jett@gmail.com)
HOUSTON, TX:
J. Cole of Roc Nation performed at Warehouse Live, which is also where the Go DJs and Rap-A-Lot hosted the Hip Hop for Haiti concert featuring all of the biggest names in the city: Bun B, Slim Thug, Young Problemz, Just Brittany and many more. Candi Redd’s video shoot was a