A
re you wondering why both of our feature articles (Pitbull and Jacki-O) are focused on drugs and crime? Originally, this was going to be called the “Hustler’s Edition.” I was planning on doing a whole issue with sort of a F.E.D.S./Don Diva spin. That idea was scrapped due to an unfortunate little inciden earlier this month, which made me not want to write about anything jail-related. Should you ever decide to visit Mississippi, be forewarned that you have no rights. No probable cause, no warrant, no permission? No problem. They will tear your car apart, and even if they don’t find anything, they will still arrest you. A white girl with two black guys must be doing something illegal, right? Grandaddy Souf will be proud to know that “Fuck the law” is now engraved in a Mississippi holding cell. Arggh! Too much information. Go ahead, research me! (Anyone who tries to blackmail me, your voicemail will get erased. Proven fact.)
Anyway, I enjoyed putting together this issue because Pitbull is on the cover, and I’m actually a Pitbull fan. I’m a Pitbull fan because of lines like these: “I’m on the grind, that’s why I’m like, five days, same jeans / But I switch up drawers...”
> T.I. vs. Lil Flip
Is there anyone that T.I. gets along with?
> Vivica Fox
Goes off on 50 Cent at the BET Awards. Ah, ghetto love
> Atlanta Egos
Is there room for all these rappers in one city? What’s up with Scrappy vs. Trillville?
> Petey Pablo
Tsk, tsk. Standing up Clear Channel for 2 major shows is not a good way to get spins
> The Core DJs > Trina & Benzino rumors? Ewwwwwwwwwwww
> Rappers getting arrested
Ja Rule, DMX. Free publicity for dying careers?
> G-Unit dissing R Kelly
50 Cent should just quit while he’s on top
I’m a Pitbull fan because we grind together. I actually have worn the same jeans for five days. When I first heard his “Welcome to Miami” freestyle on the radio two years ago, I knew he was gonna make it. Ever since then, every show, every video shoot, every record pool meeting, Pitbull is there: Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Atlanta, L.A., New York. I see him hustle and he sees me hustle, so there’s mutual respect. I’m a Pitbull fan because he didn’t even hesitate when I suggested we meet at 6am for a photo shoot. Pit is putting in the work and making the sacrifices that a lot of rappers aren’t willing to make, and that’s why his single is currently at #10 on the radio charts. Sipping some Cuban coffee before our shoot, he explained his philosophy: “It’s the little things that count.” The music industry is not about talent. Talent helps, but it’s not enough. It’s the freestyles and drops he does for DJs, it’s the extra effort he puts forth that gives him the edge. It’s how hungry you are that counts. And the struggle is to stay hungry. It’s easy to get to a certain point and feel like you’ve succeeded, so you’ve got to constantly surround yourself with other people that are motivated. Speaking of motivators, lately I haven’t given much ink to my detractors (“haters” is becoming a very tired term). But I must say something to this bitch that knows absolutely nothing about me and yet spends a lot of time talking shit about me to her Atlanta buddies from the safety of her New York office. I have only one word for you, and that word is “karma.” Bitch, you get a paycheck every two weeks and you could be fired at any moment. Don’t knock my hustle. “I’m more than an artist, I’m more than an entertainer / I’m more like an innovator / ‘Cause I did what they weren’t doing / Now they’re doing what I did just to get where I’m at / But it’s too late for that / Now the whole industry gon’ pay for that / A&R’s that passed on my project, what y’all gotta say for that? / Not a damn thang / ‘Cause I started my own campaign / Give me the money, y’all can keep the champagne” Most people think that I have a camera permanently attached. So, after the BET Awards, I decided to leave the camera in the car and just go out and have a good time. Naturally, it turned out to be the photo op of a lifetime. Imagine a house party in downtown Los Angeles where Big Boi, Lil’ Flip, Lil’ Jon & the East Side Boyz, Too Short, David Banner, Jazze Pha, Ciara, the Ying Yang Twins, the YoungBloodz, Petey Pablo, Sleepy Brown, Carl Thomas, Pitbull, Lil’ Scrappy, Jacki-O, and Teedra Moses are all just hanging out. No VIP, no security, no fights. Good shit. In closing, I’d like to give a special thanks to everyone who told me I would never be able to get a camera into Hot 107’s Birthday Bash. MTV couldn’t do it, BET couldn’t do it. I did it. Check out the exclusive pics in an upcoming issue of VIBE. Shouts to Marian at VIBE. Shouts to all the photo editors who don’t return my calls; you’ll be calling soon enough. Shouts to everyone at TVT, SRC/Universal, & TJ’s DJ’s. Shouts to Keinon for the wristband, Nancy for the invite, Branden for the lighter, and Vince for the tip. And now, once again, I will quote Pitbull: “Watch the thoughts that I put on paper turn to paper” - Julia Beverly, jb@ozonemag.com
Guilty pleasures: Ja Rule f/ R Kelly “I Wonder” & Juvenile, Wacko, & Skip “What Them Brains Like” Cowboy and Baby Capone “Roll Up” 8Ball & MJG “Memphis City Blues” Ying Yang Twins f/ Fat Joe & Pitbull “Salt Shaker (remix)” Tony Sunshine f/ Dirbag & P Diddy “Oh My God” Monica “You Shoulda Known Better” SlyKat f/ Dirtbag “Just Chillin’”
Mario Winans “3 Days Ago” T.I. f/ B.G. “Street Niggas” Lloyd Banks “Til the End” Suave Smooth “What They Do” Akon “Ghetto” Terror Squad “Lean Back” OZONE MAGAZINE JUNE 2004
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