YUKMoUTH - Ozone Magazine

RAW, UNCENSORED WEST COAST RAP SHITLIVE FROMFEDERAL PRISONHUSALAHOF THE MOB FIGAZDOPE, GUNS,& RELIGIONYUKMOUTHDrugs Are In His NatureTOO $HORTHustlin’ Isn’t The Only OptionSAN QUINNGettin’ GrownLIL DKing of OaklandMUGZIThe Silverback GorillaHAJI SPRINGERDJ AMEN& moreOZONE WEST //

OZONE WEST

OZONE WEST //

OZONE WEST

PublisherJulia BeverlyEditor-AT-LARGED-RayGRAPHIC DESIGNERDavid KAMusic EditorSRandy RoperMaurice G. GarlandADVERTISING SALESChe JohnsonIsiah CampbellContributorsBig Fase 100, DJ BackSide,DJ E-Z Cutt, Jelani, JessicaEssien, Joey Colombo,KayNewell, Keita Jones, LuvvaJ, Nippy Swagga, PortiaJackson, Shemp, ToddDavis, Ty WatkinsStreet RepsAnthony Deavers, BiggP-Wee, Big Will, Dee1,Demolition Men, DJ Jam-X,DJ Juice, DJ KTone, DJNik Bean, DJ Quote, DJSkee, DJ Strong & Warrior,J Hype, Jasmine Crowe,John Costen, Juice, KewanLewis, Luvva J, Maroy,Rob J Official, Rob Reyes,Shauntae Hill, SheritaSaulsberry, Sly Boogy, SydRobertson, Tonio, Twin,William Major, Zack CiminiCOVER CREDITSHusalah photo courtesy ofV. Alston.art of the game is understanding that thisindustry is cutthroat. Being a female in it is evenPworse! You really have to earn the respect youreceive. You’re gonna have many doors shut in your face.Sometimes you’ll understand it and learn to respect it,but other times you’ll be confused. I’ve learned not to beconfused – just understand that they have BITCHASSNESSin them! Thanks for the word Diddy! It truly fits a lot ofsituations.I’m gonna put something out here right now to make alot of people wonder. Somebody asked me to shoot a fewartists at a XXL party as their personal photographer. Mindyou, the party was in the Bay Area! Holla! I am the Bay! Isaid it! Check the photo credits. Check my resume. The Bayis what I am! So when you come to the Bay you shouldalready know who to call. That’s real, not arrogant.I didn’t commit to the shoot because I was scheduled tobe in L.A., but I didn’t make it to L.A. so I figured I’d supporta Bay party, XXL or not, because my family is gonnabe in the house. Like I normally do, I hit the host of theparty to confirm my arrival so there wouldn’t be any surprisesat the door. Since I’ve known him for years I figuredthere would be no problems. Boy, was I wrong! I was toldthat I was welcome to come, but not my camera.So I try to compose my attitude and stay professional.Okay. If you know me, you know I don’t leave the housewithout my camera in my Louis Vuitton camera bag andmy Chucks on my feet. Why else would I be out if it’snot work? I’m not trying to kick it. Please. I don’t drink.The reason was the fear of the photos being placed in acompeting magazine??editor’s noteNEW BeGINNINGS(BUT I’m NOT NEW)OZONE TOOK OVER. That’s the way I took that conversation,and trust that if I had had my wrapped truck at thattime, I would’ve made sure it was parked out front! Later Ifound out that they had other photographers hit the partyclaiming they shot for OZONE. I guess their cameras didn’tcarry the fear mine did. Now I realize that my camera is athreat! OZONE WEST! Statements are being made!So, West Coast, stand tall and show that we deserve thisbefore the shine ends! The XXL reps are haters. I knowtheir magazine is feeling the OZONE invasion! Remember,it’s all about the team you pick. XXL used to be big outhere, but trust me, the streets and the barbershops can’twait for the new issue of OZONE!OZONE is not new at all. It’s been around and it getsaround. It’s not just in the West Coast and it’s not a newpublication. JB has been putting it down! She’s the downsouth queen that made that team effort to support whoshe believed in, and the artists made the effort to pay outof their own pockets to support the mag! Look at the folksshe was down with from the beginning – Pitbull, DavidBanner, Lil Boosie – I can go on and on!WEST COAST, let’s get it together. If this isn’t a hobby foryou and your label, invest in your career and respectthe people that help you and believe in you. Don’t blindyourself or let your management blind you to believe thatyou did it yourself, because baby, you didn’t! You sure liketo see yourself in that OZONE West photo gallery. That’s USsupporting YOU. So where do you come in? We’ll continueto do our part, and all we ask is that you do your part.What other magazine shows so much love to West Coastartists (not counting Snoop)? What up, Snoop? My point is– get your business up!- D-RAY, dray@ozonemag.comozone west67-13810121416-1819202122-23242526RAPQWESTPHOTO GALLERIESSHORT STORIESCHAIN REACTIONPATIENTLY WAITING: CHRIS NOTEZPATIENTLY WAITING: HAJI SPRINGERhusalahLIL DSAN QUINNMUGZIYUKMOUTHDJ BOOTH: DJ AMENCD REVIEWSEND ZONEMAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT!Me & LL Cool J at Magic in Vegas!OZONE WEST //

RAPQwDon’tSEA-TAC, WA (The 206/253/360 & The 604 Too!)Look for the Live From I-5 Brand’s Price of The Game release, focused on an anti-prisontheme and executive produced by Seattle media-executive, Kitty Wu. The 206 Zulus just celebratedtheir 4 year anniversary with visitors coming from NY, Philly, Arizona and Oregon.206 Zulu will also host the Hip Hop segment of the long-lived Folk Life Festival. A brandnew Hip Hop format station may be launching in Vancouver, BC – we miss the old Beat 94.5!Check for Think Tank Studios’ compilation, a D&D-like project. Finally, look for Ghetto Prezand Block Teamsters’ new lifestyle magazine, Night EFX.- Luvva J (Myspace.com/luvvaj)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>see your city?Hit us up and let us know which clubs, DJs and artistsESTare worthy of representing: JB@ozonemag.comPORTLAND, OR (503)In an effort to escape the haters, Portland OG on the mic, Cool Nutzis supposedly quitting America and heading to Norway with TheSource’s Soren Baker documenting the trip – true or false? I sawhim rockin’ The Mint in Olympia, WA… Andre Nickatina and Coco areheadlining a tour that will touch Portland in early March for the annualPisces Party. Rookie on the IR, Greg Oden, threw a major bashwith the A-listers in full effect. Look for new music from Portland’sown Braille, Lilla Damone, Siren’s Echo and Kenny Mack & 6ix. Whenyou come to the 503, check out The Ohm and Greek Cuisine.- Luvva J (Myspace.com/luvvaj)DENVER, CO (303, 720)One of the biggest weekends in town, besides All-Star, hit Denver. DJ Ktone’s birthday bash weekend brought to town artists like Big Tuck, DJ Drama, Kia Shine and OG RonC for a four day extravaganza. Young J.R.’s album release with E-40 and Jayo Felony was huge, and an unknown promoter brought Chingy to town and flopped. YoungDoe is set to drop his new album A Product of the Eighties, and Innerstate Ike is dropping Turf Barbie Doll Radio. DJs Big Spade, Chief Rocka, Sabotage, Desert E, Ktone,Krhyminyl, Kdj Above, and 4M are keeping the city moving with weekly spots. Vouch Mag is set to launch real soon so be on the lookout for that.- DJ Ktone (Myspace.com/djktonedotcom)Oakland, CA (510)A recent parking lot shooting left three people wounded at Zazoos. This situation was the last straw for city officials. The promoter surrendered their cabaret permit leavingthe town without an official Top 40/Hip Hop club to party at (for now). In the meantime, the Paramount Theater plays the alternative for the grown and sophisticatedas it hosts Keith Sweat and Bell Biv Devoe’s Ladies Night Reunion Tour. Chris Rock will perform four sold-out nights on the strength that the town loves a good laugh.- Kay Newell (Kayozonemag@gmail.com)San Jose, CA (408)The Southbay is a whole different breed surroundedby multi-million dollar corporationsand the police department’s zero tolerancepolicy. Nonetheless, with all that money floatin’around, Silicon Valley has a tremendousnightlife. KMEL’s DJ Rick Lee and super-hyphyproducer Traxamillion hold down open micWednesdays at the Underground Spot insideUGMX Studios. It’s open to all ages and no IDis required. The ultra sexy Fahrenheit loungeand restaurant is for the valley’s fashionablyelite with an event happening every night(like Karaoke on Mondays and College Nighton Tuesdays) and rotating DJs in the mix. Anddon’t miss the action on Friday and Saturdaynights at Cuchini’s and just up the way in thecity of Sunnyvale the spot to be is Abyss.- Kay Newell (Kayozonemag@gmail.com)LAS VEGAS, NV: (702)It’s been “magical” in Vegas with the Magic Fashion Convention bringing manypeople in the industry together over a 3 day span. Jay-Z, Beyonce, Diddy, LLCool J, and Young Jeezy were all spotted at the Magic Convention. Undefeatedboxing champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather celebrated his birthday at JetNightclub. His next fight is scheduled in the WWE ring at Wrestlemania on PayPer View. Everyone’s been sliding through keeping it lit in Vegas. Both Poetryand Spin Nightclub have been battling for the best acts with performers rockin’both clubs including Lil Wayne, Young Buck, E-40, DJ Kid Capri, Ray J, YungBerg, and Fabolous. The scene is sizzlin’ before the summer begins.- Portia Jackson (PortiaJ@sprint.blackberry.net)VALLEJO, CA: (707)While the city of Vall-E-Jo continues makingheadlines in their efforts to avoid being thefirst California city to go bankrupt, E-40 isputting the final touches on his soon-to-bereleased album Ball Street Journal. The firstsingle, “Turf Drop,” produced by and featuringLil Jon, proves that hyphy isn’t dead.- Kay Newell (Kayozonemag@gmail.com)San Francisco, CA (415)Famed Hip Hop journalist Eric Arnold put Hip Hopstation 106 KMEL (and music director Big VonJohnson) on blast for [editor’s note: “allegedly”]killing the hyphy movement and its lack ofproper support toward Bay artists. There’s a lot ofrattled nerves in the station so this should havean interesting outcome. The nightlife continues toflourish all over town as promoters Location415keep it crackin’ with special events for the Bay’sbeloved sports teams (Warriors, Raiders, 49ers).Just up the Peninsula, Wild 94.9’s DJ E-Rock andKMEL’s DJ Rick Lee get in the mix at the newesthotspot Gossip Ultra Lounge in San Mateo.- Kay Newell (Kayozonemag@gmail.com)Phoenix, AZ (602,623, 480)Weeks after the shocking Super Bowl win for the New York Giants, the most watched Super Bowl to-date, Phoenix is still cooling off from one hot weekend. The OZONESuper Bowl edition featuring Bizzy Bone on the cover led all the fans to the star-studded events including parties from companies like Playboy and Victoria’s Secret, toevents featuring T-Pain, Flo Rida, Fat Joe, P. Diddy and more. This month G-Unit’s Sha Money XL brought us the highly attended One-Stop-Shop Producers Conference onwith more than 700 producers hitting the Valley. It’s called the One Stop Shop by Money Management Group because there is no other place you can go to sell tracks toA&R’s, find a good manager, and shop for a publishing deal. It was one sure stop for March!- Jasmine Crowe (jasmine.crowe@mystjazz.com) // // OZONE MAGWEST

(above L-R): Travis Barker & Mistah FAB @ Jet Nightclub in the Mirage for Stars & Straps Magic afterparty in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: D-Ray); Young Buck, Roccett, & Young Jeezy @ Jet forFamous Stars & Straps Magic afterparty in Las Vegas, NV; Lil Wayne & Mack Maine @ Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, AZ (Photos: Julia Beverly)01 // The Federation @ Poetry (Las Vegas, NV) 02 // Mitchy Slick & ladies @ Club Asia in Planet Hollywood (Las Vegas, NV) 03 // Big Tuck @ the Yums booth during Magic (Las Vegas,NV) 04 // Keisha Nicole & Devi Dev on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 05 // Roccett & Red Cafe @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 06 // Yung Joc & Doug E Fresh@ Glendale Civic Center during Super Bowl weekend (Phoenix, AZ) 07 // Lil Wayne & guest @ Tucson Convention Center (Tucson, AZ) 08 // Doug E Fresh’s sons Tripps, Gleamz, & Slim ofSquare Off @ Glendale Civic Center during Super Bowl weekend (Phoenix, AZ) 09 // Kurupt & Damani @ the Playboy Club for Snoop Dogg’s “Life Of The Party” video shoot (Las Vegas,NV) 10 // Phil Tha Agony & Talib Kweli on the set of Strong Arm Steady’s “Stripper Pole” video shoot (Las Vegas, NV) 11 // Matt, Gino Green, & Kevin @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 12 //Travis Barker & crew with Mr Cartoon & Paul Wall @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 13 // Rizzo, Krayzie Bone, & Mauly T @ Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, CA) 14 // Jeff Panzer & Akon onthe set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 15 // Mistah FAB & Dove @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 16 // Colby O’Donis, Delicious D, & Homeboy Miguel @ Club Vivid (SanJose, CA) 17 // Chris Notez & Ernie Romero on the set of Bizzy Bone’s “A Song For You” (Phoenix, AZ) 18 // Bishop Lamont & Cy Fyre (Los Angeles, CA) 19 // Spider Loc & TD @ SpinNightclub for Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV)Photo Credits: D-Ray (01,02,04,05,09,10,13,14,15,16); Intl K (18); Julia Beverly (03,06,07,08,11,12,17,19)OZONE WEST // //

For over twenty years, rappers have been telling stories of sellingdrugs and everything that goes along with it: the best cars, thefinest women, getting shot, making more money than any of us canimagine, doing time in prison, killing enemies, or being killed. Our grandfatherscould’ve been street thugs when they were young. The option hasalways been there.I’m from East Oakland, California, and what I saw coming up in the 80s andwhat I see right now today is basically identical. In some cities like Los Angelesor Chicago, a youngsta from the hood is given the opportunity to join agang when they get to middle school or even while they’re still in elementaryschool. People say “that’s just the way it is,” but I don’t think that’s true. Iknow what it was like in the hood before crack cocaine turned us into a bunchof Tony Montanas.With the invention of crack cocaine and the introduction of automatic weaponsinto the inner cities, the government was able to put new laws on thebooks to lock up crack dealers and users for several years even if their caseinvolved only small amounts of the drug. I’m in my 40s now and a lot of myhomies that went to prison when we were in our 20s are just now cominghome. Ask them to tell you about their cases. They say the Feds, the state,and the local authorities lie to get convictions; they’ll interpret laws any waythey want to be able to convict you.Once they get you in the system, it’s hard to be free again. When you comehome, you’re on parole or in a halfway house and any minor run-in with thelaw might land you right back in prison. People who have been through thisprocess can tell you that it was a set-up. Hustling and having a lot of moneyfor a few years is not worth doing 30 years in prison.I truly respect a hustler who comes from nothing and is still able to get ataste of the good life. I like to see you at the club pulling up in a new Benzwith a female that looks like a video vixen. I can’t hate on that. But what I dohate is the fact that a lot of street hustlers don’t invest in the hood before it’stoo late. How many drug dealers can you name that never fell off, never wentto prison, and never got killed? I don’t know the answer to that question.I can’t even tell you why a youngsta would even pick crack dealing as hisoccupation, unless he doesn’t know that it’s a trap. But if he says, “I’m sellingdope in the ‘trap,’” he must know exactly what it is.It doesn’t make sense why anybody would become a crackhead for the firsttime these days, now that we’ve all seen the results of smoking crack. Thepoint I’m trying to make is this: Do you know why you’re a thug? It’s becauseyou’ve been brainwashed and programmed for self-destruction so you can fillthe prisons, which are modern-day slave warehouses. You’re a thug becauseit’s easier for us to kill each other than for America to personally wipe out theundesirable descendants of African slaves.What’s the difference between a serial killer and a lil’ homie in the hood whokills over and over again in the name of holding down his gang and being areal thug til the day he dies? Not much, in my opinion. We call ‘em “riders.” Idon’t blame rap music, but I do understand how we got brainwashed.I’ve been raising lil’ pimps for over twenty years in the name of entertainment.For me to be in a studio and not rap about pimps and hoes is like acrackhead having a pipe and a rock but not smoking it. But I can’t even tellthe lil’ homies that all this time I’ve been rapping about pimpin’, I really treatmy women good. I admit to being a player, but I don’t call the women aroundme “bitches.” A lot of rapping “thugs” never sold drugs and never will selldrugs. It’s entertainment.Do you know why you’re a thug? It’s becauseyou’ve been brainwashed and programmed forself-destruction so you can fill the prisons,which are modern-day slave warehouses. You’re athug because it’s easier for us to kill each otherthan for America to personally wipe out theundesirable descendants of African slaves.I see the lil’ homies disrespecting females and looking over to me for approval.They talk openly about violence, just like their fathers did in the 80s.Many of our youngstas have already accepted death, prison, and the thug lifeas their only option. I think that as the community’s loudest voice, rappersneed to tell the truth: KIDS IN THE INNER CITIES OF AMERICA DO HAVE CHOICES.It’s okay to be “square.” It’s okay if you’re not a “thug.” It’s okay to go tocollege, and it’s okay to chase your dreams. //Photo: D-Ray // OZONE WEST

(above L-R): Bizzy Bone & DMX on the set of Bizzy Bone’s “A Song For You” in Phoenix, AZ (Photo: Julia Beverly); Spider Loc & Roccett @ Jet Nightclub in the Mirage for Stars & StrapsMagic afterparty in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: D-Ray); Mr Cartoon & Paul Wall @ Magic in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: Julia Beverly)01 // Mistah FAB, Glasses Malone, Jamal, & Akon on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 02 // Nicho & Suge Knight @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 03 // Krondon& DJ Big Dee on the set of Strong Arm Steady’s “Stripper Pole” video shoot (Las Vegas, NV) 04 // Kanardo Davis & Bizzy Bone on the set of Bizzy Bone’s “A Song For You” (Phoenix,AZ) 05 // Young Jeezy & Young Buck @ Jet for Famous Stars & Straps Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 06 // LL Cool J @ the Todd Smith booth during Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 07 // DemHoodstarz, Layzie Bone, & Bun B @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 08 // Michael Watts & Da Ryno @ the Yums booth during Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 09 // Roccett & Akon @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV)10 // Dre Dae & DJ Big Dee @ Spin Nightclub for Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 11 // Thaddaeus McAdams & Young Jeezy @ Strike Bowling Alley in the Rio for Young Jeezy’s listeningparty (Las Vegas, NV) 12 // J Diggs & K-Loc @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA) 13 // Clay D & Young Buck @ Spin Nightclub for Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 14 // TravisBarker & Young Jeezy @ Jet for Famous Stars & Straps Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 15 // Tef & D-Ray @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 16 // Sha Money XL & his wife @ Jet Nightclub inthe Mirage for Stars & Straps Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 17 // Layzie Bone, Bun B, & Mauly T @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 18 // Cellski & Chingo Bling @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 19 //DMX revving up his engine on the set of Bizzy Bone’s “A Song For You” (Phoenix, AZ)Photo Credits: D-Ray (01,02,03,09,11,12,16); Julia Beverly (05,06,07,08,13,14,15,17,18); Lamar Rashaw (04,10);OZONE WEST // //

She Liked my NECKLACE and started relaxin’, that’s what the fuck I call a…“ Theysay that a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, thispicture is worth $1.3 million. These fine pieces of flashy artworkare brought to you by Ben Baller and Icee Fresh Jewels.Pay close attention or you just might miss something.Check the Interstate 10 piece. Yes, that one. It was madeover 3 years ago and has been bitten by your favorite rapper. All of them. Andthey have failed miserably each and every time. Peep the iced out cross to theright. Yeah, Fat Joe has that exact same cross in the “Make It Rain” video. Andon the left side, the soon to be infamous praying hands piece made popularby none other than the late, great Pimp C. You will get a better look at thispiece real soon. I promise. The flyboys piece. Utter ridiculous with the flyingwings design and last but not least, the whole damn state of California icedout!! Are you serious?! Then on the left wrist an iced out G-Shock watch withthe face frozen and the right wrist a fully flooded out band and face.10 // OZONE WESTBEN BALLERBLING BLINGWe shut down the Slauson Super Mall in Los Angeles when these pics weretaken. No one could walk by and NOT stop and stare at the display of ice onBen. One girl even stopped and broke out her camera phone and took herown picture too. “Is he a rapper?” You can hear some people saying as theywalked by and stared in amazement. Naw, sweetheart, rappers don’t get gwaplike this. In LA, the hustlers are the real go-gettas. The gangstas are the onesliving it up like rappers wish they could.The last thing I asked Ben Baller was, “Can anybody fuck with Icee FreshJewels right now?” His answer was, “Just shut the fuck up with that questionright there, homie. Nobody can see us.” And there you have it.Words by Big ChrisPhoto by Shaiquann“

(above L-R): Glasses Malone & Mack 10 on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot in Watts, CA; Fabolous & Young Jeezy @ Strike Bowling Alley in the Rio for Young Jeezy’slistening party in Las Vegas, NV (Photos: D-Ray); Bun B & Big Tuck @ Magic in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: Julia Beverly)01 // The Jacka & Haji Springer @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA) 02 // Rick Edwards, D-Ray, & Roccett @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 03 // Latin Prince, Mack 10, Glasses Malone,& Nick Peace on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 04 // DJ Amen & Solemon @ Tucson Convention Center (Tucson, AZ) 05 // Michael Watts & Mama Cita @the Yums booth during Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 06 // Young Buck & Spider Loc @ Spin Nightclub for Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 07 // Mistah FAB & Taje @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 08// Bone Thugz N Harmony & their crew @ Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, CA) 09 // Young Dro, Richie Rich, & Bun B @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 10 // DMX pours a glass for Bizzy Boneon the set of Bizzy Bone’s “A Song For You” (Phoenix, AZ) 11 // Bibi Guns & Dee Sonoram @ Jet Nightclub in the Mirage for Stars & Straps Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 12 // KingTech, the Avila Brothers, DJ Revolution, BamBoo, & Roc-C @ Power 106 (Los Angeles, CA) 13 // Kam & Taje on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 14 // FedX& Rydah J. Klyde @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA) 15 // Mitchy Slick, Talib Kweli, & Krondon on the set of Strong Arm Steady’s “Stripper Pole” video shoot (Las Vegas, NV) 16// Colby O’Donis & G. Malone on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 17 // Bun B & Sha Money XL @ Spin Nightclub for Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 18 //Kevin Delaney & Spiff @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 19 // Little Bruce & Dubee aka Suga Wolf @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA)Photo Credits: D-Ray (01,03,04,07,08,11,12,13,14,15,16,19); Julia Beverly (02,05,06,09,10,17,18)OZONE WEST // // 11

Chris NotezPHOENIX, AZis the word often used when Chris Notezgratefully describes his deal with After Platinum“Blessed”Records. Collaborating with his labelmate BizzyBone, Notez blessed the emotionally charged chorus for Bizzy’s newsingle “A Song for You.” The song, which also features DMX, illustratesyears of experience which Chris acquired through the churchchoir and singing groups during his youth. This experience not onlytaught him the art of vocal instrumentation and hitting just the rightnote, it also demonstrates where his immeasurable depth and soulare derived from.privileged to share these experiences with people.” He furthersillustrates his purpose by saying, “I’m trying to make classics. Musicis not like that no more. It hasn’t been like that in years so we’rejust trying to bring something real special back to the music gameand give everybody something they can really feel. That’s my mainoverall goal. Yeah, I wanna make money and take care of my family,myself, my friends and live my biggest dreams, but first and foremost,I just wanna make people happy and make God happy.”When asked to talk about the inspiration behind the song Chrisexplains, “‘A Song for You’ is a classic from my guy Donny Hathaway,God bless his soul. It’s a positive message for all the people goingthrough the struggle. When it graced my ears, I felt a lot of soul andemotion from the song. I definitely put that magic behind it. It’sgonna touch a lot of people and really change people’s lives. I’mhappy to be a part of it.” It’s an experience that Notez humbly refersto as “unbelievable.” He continues, “Here I am as a kid listening tothese artists, never actually thinking I would end up on [a record]with anybody like that. It’s a dream to me. Everything is unfoldingbefore my eyes so fast that I don’t evenhave time to breathe, think, or anything. Ijust wanna say that I’m ecstatic. I thank Godfor this opportunity that I have with them.It’s an experience I will never forget.” Notonly was working with two music veteransa memory that Chris will never forget, butso was the filming the video which recentlyaired on Rap City. The scene was one thathe describes as beautiful. “We shot it out inArizona at a big ol’ mansion. It’s gonna be mymansion one day,” Chris envisions.These sentiments capture his good hearted nature in a nutshell, butaside from his giving personality and outgoing characteristics, Chrisalso says he’s the missing element in the game. “I’m definitely real,”he adds. “There’s not a lot of realness out there anymore.” And incase the ladies were wondering what Notez brings to the table asthe future of R&B, he reveals, “I’m a great cook. If you ever get in thekitchen with me, it’s a wrap. I’m just a cool, calm, collected, humbletype of guy. I got something for everybody. I’m everybody’s friendand family. That’s me wrapped up in one beautiful package.” //Words by Ms. RivercityAfter being discovered at a local Hip Hop andR&B showcase in Glendale, Arizona by AfterPlatinum’s Ernie Romero, Chris was asked tocorroborate his talents in the studio. Fromthere the opportunities mounted. Chris says,“I’ve had an opportunity to get on a BiggieSmalls tribute track with Chingy, 50 Cent,Bobby Valentino, and Lil Kim. I’ve done a lotof stuff with MC Magic. I got a lot of songs onBizzy’s album. It’s all coming so fast for yourboy.” Although Chris admits that “A Song forYou” is his biggest record to date, he is currentlypiecing together melodies for his ownalbum slated for release this summer.Chris hopes that the message behind his musicmakes a difference in the world. “I done beenthrough a gang of stuff and I want to have anopportunity to write about it. I know some ofthe experiences I’ve been through in my lifeand I’m definitely not the only person that’sbeen through these things. I’m proud to be12 // OZONE WEST

(above L-R): Red Cafe & Akon @ Magic in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: D-Ray); Willie Esco & Willy Northpole @ the Blanco Label booth during Magic in Las Vegas, NV (Photo: Julia Beverly);Bishop Lamont & his mom on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot in Watts, CA (Photo: D-Ray)01 // Glasses Malone, Kilo, & Mistah FAB on the set of Glasses Malone’s “Certified” video shoot (Watts, CA) 02 // DJ Big Dee & DJ Masterweb @ Spin Nightclub (Las Vegas, NV) 03 //Strong Arm Steady & ladies on the set of Strong Arm Steady’s “Stripper Pole” video shoot (Las Vegas, NV) 04 // Miami Da Most & AP9 @ the Blow Big Show (Humbolt County, CA) 05// Tito Bell & Pitbull @ Poetry (Las Vegas, NV) 06 // Bun B & Young Buck @ Spin Nightclub for Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 07 // Pusha T of The Clipse & Mistah FAB @ Magic (LasVegas, NV) 08 // John Costen, Ray J, & Dorsey @ Club Vivid (San Jose, CA) 09 // DJ Franzen & Young Jeezy @ Strike Bowling Alley in the Rio for Young Jeezy’s listening party (LasVegas, NV) 10 // Selomon & crew @ Club Pearl for Royal Epic Clothing afterparty (Tucson, AZ) 11 // Lamar Rashaw & DMX on the set of Bizzy Bone’s “A Song For You” (Phoenix, AZ) 12// Mistah FAB & Osiris of Swurv Radio @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 13 // Ed Strickland, Bizzy Bone, Ernie Romero, & Rage on the set of Bizzy Bone’s Bizzy Bone’s “A Song For You” (Phoenix,AZ) 14 // Lil Wayne & D-Ray @ Tucson Convention Center (Tucson, AZ) 15 // Roccett & Smurf @ Jet for Famous Stars & Straps Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 16 // Astor Chambers,guest, Clark Kent, & guest @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV) 17 // Dre Dae & Pitbull @ Spin Nightclub for Magic afterparty (Las Vegas, NV) 18 // Guest, Bizzy Bone, Rage, DMX, Ernie Romero, &Chris Notez on the set of Bizzy Bone’s Bizzy Bone’s “A Song For You” (Phoenix, AZ) 19 // Dave Mays reppin’ Monsta Magazine @ Magic (Las Vegas, NV)Photo Credits: D-Ray (01,03,04,05,08,09,13,15,18); Julia Beverly (02,06,07,12,14,16,17,19); Lamar Rashaw (11); Malik Abdul (10)OZONE WEST // // 13

Haji SpringerOAKLAND, CAWhen you have multiple personalities in the medical worldit’s called schizophrenia, but in the rap world it’s commonplace.It worked for Diddy, Lil Wayne and now Haji Springer.Springer stands out like he’s wearing bright colors at an all-whiteparty due partly to his Indian ethnicity, that he was raised on the grimystreets of Oakland, and just as importantly he raps - and for one of themost prominent rap labels in the Bay.Unlike some of the new generation of Thizz artists who record for thelabel but never knew Mac Dre, Haji is one of the few whom he shared apersonal relationship with the King himself. “Me and Mac Dre are cool,”he says reminiscing from a hotel room after a performance in HumboldtCounty. “I talked to him over the phone, and I opened up a lot of showsfor him before he passed away. ‘Rims Spinnin’ [with] me and J. Diggswas actually my song at a certain time, and it was real big when heasked me, ‘Can I put it on my album?’ It gave memy jump-start in the industry.”In 2007 Haji released the classic Thizz-certifiedHello Buddy (he personally financed videos forthe singles “Haji’s Back” and “Indian Rapper/I’mA Do My Thang” and promoted the album bywrapping a Chrysler Hemi to resemble a taxi cab)but eight years prior dropped his first record, theBambino-produced P.I.D. Talk, under the monikerP.I.D.Between the seven years alot had changed inthe Bay Area, and the hyphy movement wastaking off so he shedded that name in exchangefor Haji Springer, whom he says “was gettingmore money.” While working on tracks for hisnext album Haji saw an opportunity that wouldeventually change his life. He explains, “[A]closed mouth don’t get fed so when I seenJ. Diggs one day I was like, ‘Cuz, what’s up? Iknow you fresh out the pen, I see your posterseverywhere, let’s do a song; I’m that Indiandude,’” he says slowly exhaling purple cloudsin the air. “He came and fucked with me, andthe first song we did was ‘Rims Spinnin’. Itwas big how Diggs brought me into Thizz andintroduced me to everybody. It was a blessingdoing all that stuff [and] for them even lettin’a boy like me in this shit ‘cause I wasn’t black.I’m a different nationality but I keep it real sothat’s why they fuck with me.”Influenced by the musical sounds of Bay artistslike GLP family, Andre Nickatina and DreDog, and having worked with Keak the Sneak,Yukmouth, and Baby Bash Haji’s third album,Indian Prince (there’s also a Hindu version tobe released in India later this year), is moreabout the Haji movement than the hyphymovement. “Not to sound conceited, but I’m onanother level of what I’m doing,” he says, stillweary from a recent trip to India. “I can gethyphy sometimes but it’s more about bringingthat real music to the table. I’m rappin’ in mylanguage, too, on some of it showing peoplethat I’m really flexible with this shit. I let ‘emknow that this Indian dude spit it; it’s not agame. Do not sleep on the kid.” //Words by Kay NewellPhoto by D-Ray14 // OZONE WEST

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husalahdope, guns, & religionWords and photos by D-Rayusalah was born into the life of his name, straight out of the El PuebloHousing projects in Pittsburg, CA. He is a legend in his community; it’sHalways a huge party when Husalah is out. If you’ve never heard his music,you should take the time to gig for a minute, straight Hus style. Here, OZONEbrings light to one of the Bay’s biggest talents, whose record “Cuttin’ It Up” is aregional favorite. Hus’ is also 1/4 of the popular group the Mob Figaz. Currentlyserving a five year sentence for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute inSan Pedro, CA, Husalah has spent his time in prison strengthening his faith.How old were you when you recorded your first song?I was about 11 or 12, me and my producer RobLo, back in about 6th or 7thgrade. We had a group called Undaje. We were dope. Rob use to steal raps fromhis older brother Jaquin, so I had to come tight. I never knew he was stealingraps from a grown man until I got older, so I was rapping in a group with agrown man when I was only 11. I guess that’s another reason why I’m so dope.That’s crazy you asked that question; it brought back memories. Kris Kross woretheir clothes inside out, but we wore ours backwards. (laughs) We were realyoung ninjas, you know, his beats were as dope then as they are now. Rob isactually amazing and super dope.How did you hook up with The Jacka, Rydah J. Klyde, Fed X and AP9?We are all from the East Bay, and grew up in Pittsburg as kids - Jacka, Fed X andKlyde. Klyde is my blood cousin; same projects, same family. Then AP9 came outhere and got on with the illest ninjas doing it.How did you become one of the Mob Figaz?The homie C-Bo got out of prison in ‘96 or ‘97. He heard about a pack of youngninjas who had heat, and he came to a record shop to listen. I was playing[basketball] in the local gym, dunking and shitting on people, and AP9 came inthe gym and said, “Aye, bro, C-Bo is out here.” I said, “I don’t give a shit. Fuckrap! That shit is for fake-ass dudes who front. I’m rich and selling dope is myoccupation. You can sing and dance all you want, but I’m cool.” But AP was persistentand he persuaded me to go outside. Young C-Bo pulled up in a sporty SLBenz AMG thang, stupid clean, and I said, “Fuck it, let’s do it.” Money was my lifeat that time. We went to the lab and recorded “Ride Til We Die.” It was an instantdumb-ass stupid slap, and C-Bo said we were a group and going on tour. I wasreally young so I had to ask my mom to sign me off with consent [forms]. All Ican remember about that day was how the headlights on that Benz looked likethey were blue; that new Euro shit. I was dedicated [to rap] from that day on. Iwanted to be like C-Bo, young and rich.What is one of your most memorable moments with the Mob?When C-Bo dropped “Til My Casket Drop,” I was still a young dirtbag choppin’O’s and you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t going to be the illest ninja ever in life.When I first heard somebody slide through stuntin’, he pulled to the stop signand the driver looked over at the crowd, rolled down his window, and punchedhis gas. His shit was stupid running, and he slid across the intersection, and lethis top drop while he was still burning rubber, figure eight-ing and everything.When he turned his slap up I heard my voice; it was our song, “Ride Till WeDie,” the first song to ever be on a real record, blaring out of about six twelve[inch speakers] in a drop 1970 Cutlass, ridiculously clean, on five-time Zeniths.It made me feel like, this is everything I am to be, Mob for life. Youngstas loveshit like that. That’s why I fuck with young ninjas who never had a record. I tryto put them all on, I love the young ninjas.Do you normally write your verses or freestyle them in the studio?A lot of my music is off the [top of my] head. I feel it and I go. I focus on themusic first, and when the music is slapping, I feel like I’m thirteen again andI’m in the car parked in the middle of my hood, blowing trees, and we fourdeep, making beats pounding on the console of the car - hitting the roof forbass while another person beat boxes. And it’s on me to spit dope to thatperfect slap. That’s how I feel when I’m on. I love this shit. I do it for youngninjas who live like that, to let them know that the raggedy Cutlass you rap incan turn into a million-dollar studio, or a stage with ten thousand fans.You often speak of Islam and occasionally rhyme in Arabic. Can you explainyour faith, and how is your current incarceration testing it?I first realized that I was something other than what I saw on the wall atchurch as a young youth. I was raised in a religious family and my mother isvery open to truth. I saw a lot of other kids getting baptized and I asked, “Whyam I not baptized? Everybody is happy for them. Can I do that too so everybodycan be happy for me at church?” My mother said, “When you understandwhat it means to [be baptized], then it is your choice. It’s between you andAllah.” By the time I was around ten years old, I heard KRS-One rapping aboutknowledge. That’ was the second album I ever owned after [Too $hort’s] Bornto Mack: [KRS-One’s Boogie Down Productions’] Criminal Minded. The cover wasa likeness of Malcolm X. “Love’s Gonna Get You” was my favorite joint. As a kid,16 // OZONE WEST

my dad would make me rap around all the dope[fiends] and hustlers. I was only a kid and I thoughtKRS-One was a Muslim, so I said, “I’m gonna bea Muslim when I grow up.” That’s really when itfirst crossed my mind. Arabic is the internationallanguage of Muslims worldwide. We pray in Arabic,we recite the Quran. Anywhere in the world thereis a brother greeting you and speaking in Arabic.One in every five humans are Muslim! People don’trealize that.You’ve got several different names. How did you getthem and what do they mean?I am the fourth, I come from a long line of strongand solid bloodlines, so obviously I was given thenames of my father and his father. As for the namesyou hear throughout my music, along my path I’vebeen many places and around many cultures, andmy peers tend to bestow these names upon me. Asfor my [rap] name Husalah (pronounced “Hus’la”),I mean, I’m in a Federal prison for distribution ofnarcotics, so what more do I have to say? I shouldhave chosen something like “The Husalah That GotAway,” because you truly do manifest your name.But I look at it like this: the name Husalah has theroot “Hus” in it, [short] for “hustler,” but it also hasthe word “Salah,” which means “prayer” in Arabic.So I guess you could say that my name means“remember Allah.” That’s better than [a namemeaning] “drug dealer,” at least to me. I’m Muslimbefore anything.Since you’re currently incarcerated, is thereanything you’d like to say about the informantwho snitched on you? How close were you to thatperson, and why do you think they did it?I was told on by a close friend, and even worst aMuslim. But Hiram was destined to fall, and deepdown when you know that people around you aren’tcut out for the level of crime you’re committing,it’s your fault for fucking with someone that weakin the first place. The money canceled the risk, butto be perfectly honest, the streets have a strangeway of giving those who cross it what they deserve.May Allah bless the souls of the countless manywho fall, and those who have yet to [fall] but stillowe the game. For me, I accepted the possibilityof prison, even life if it came to it, that’s when youhave a grasp on how real this shit is. I might getlife or I might not live past this summer - that’s themindstate of a true hustler. It’s a harsh reality youmust accept when it comes to this street shit. Whenyou get to a certain level, you hear it over and over:“It’s either prison or death.” For me, it happenedto be prison, and for that I am thankful. I paid myprice and I’ve got receipts. I stayed solid and paidthe game its taxes. How about you? Ask yourselfif this is a reality you’re willing to accept. This shitain’t for play. I sacrificed for every dollar I evermade. With this hustlin’ shit, it’s not about an outfitor a chain or a car. It’s not on you, it’s in you.What can you tell us about your experience beingon the run from the law? How long was it ‘til theycaught up with you, what were you actually doing,and how much rapping and performing were youable to get done during that period?[The Feds] had been investigating me since May2001, and [they] said that I distributed somewherearound 20 to 30 [kilos] until I was detained in Julyof that same year. I was snatched in a huge Chicagosting on July 3, 2001. I could smell the [4th of July]barbeque from the county jail yard in Cook County[Illinois]. I love Chicago, they showed me nothingbut love, but the police had nothing on me. I wasnot driving and I hadn’t touched a single kilomyself, so I was released. I moved to New York thenext month and tried to resume my music [career],but when 9/11 came I left New York. AroundThanksgiving [2001] the house I was staying at wasraided, and I was named as a fugitive. I remainedfree until a week after my child was born in January2003. I mostly stayed in the many projects I knew,from my own - the El Pueblo projects - to all overthe town, OAK, even Shoreview in San Francisco. Iwould be walking like I was a regular tenant, seeingFed cars and just acting like I belonged there.I felt at home right in the places they would neverthink I was, right in the middle of the ‘jects. All Idid was watch over my little young hustlers I knew.I lived how they lived, like I had nothing left. I hadmoney, but when you can’t go home? What good isit? I slummed it out. I barely rapped. It was like adream that was real. I knew I had to face this shit,and all I could do was thug it out until they got me.Here I am, still solid and feeling great, like a realninja should, no matter what.After your sentencing, what was your mindstate forthe next few months knowing you were going in?How did it affect your work ethic and your motivationto be in the booth?When I was sentenced [to five years], I was almosthappy. Five years seems like a long time to anordinary person, but when you live this shit, it’seither that or death. I would gladly hop on a few“I could not stop [moving weight]. The hustlewas still in me. Even though we made goodmoney as rappers, the streets had more tooffer. The risk was nothing to me; I’d grownaccustomed to death and destruction.”years on the shelf over the “big ride” [death] anyday. I was relieved it was over. I felt like I beat itbecause they dropped [my charges] from conspiracyto possession. Conspiracy comes with a mandatoryminimum of ten years, and I would’ve had to dowhatever [time] I got, no choice, no options. Realninjas take their time, period. Anything else andyou’re less than a woman and you should sit downto use the bathroom. You’re a bitch, period, but youbleed from your face when you get lit up not fromyour vagina like a traditional woman. I made a fewmore songs and went to prison as a man. My musicreflects me, so that’s what the fans got.Can you tell us about any of your personal experiencesor addictions with dope? You’ve made referencesin your songs to hop and china white. Howreal was it for you?You ain’t right for that question. What about theyoung dudes who are waiting to hear me say, “Isprayed heroin on my weed.” Dope ain’t cool. That’show I look at it. Don’t fuck with it. You might findyourself with a gorilla on your back when youthought it was only a monkey.How’d you first get started pushing weight? Afteryour rap career popped off, why keep moving it?I come from a long line of street dudes, like I said,we all even share a name. When I was coming up,I was Lil Boobie James and everybody said to me,“Boy, you’re going to be exactly like your daddy.”He’s a good man, real solid, but I thought I wasgoing to play sports or some shit like that. I wasagainst grinding. My pa’tnas started selling dopeat age 10 or 11; that’s how long my hood was. I’mfrom a legendary project of the East Bay, the quietmoney capital. So with all the respect the peoplehad for my father even though he spent a lot oftime in prison it was as if he never left. His bloodwas in me, hidden. I loved him and when I heardstories of all the street hustles he put down, it wasalmost like the people of the underworld looked tome to be the new king. All the old school friendswho knew my dad supported me, protected me,and raised me from a crumb snatcher into a youngninja pushing [weight]. I was trying to be like mybig brother Spice Trig and Sauce Kelly, R.I.P., youknow, dudes who stood for everything that is sold.And before I knew it, the world was in my hands.The sacrifice almost seems like nothing. All thedeath and destruction was collateral damage inthe struggle. My mind got fixed on “getting it” andtaking this thing far past what any person couldimagine. It became my identity. I started highschool as the skinny dude who was the class clown,and the girls never took me seriously. They said,“You’re cute, but you dress dusty.” The rich kids hadJordans on. I had on Cortez and Five O Ones. I gotsnagged with about $60 worth of crack at school,and they said, “You’re smart and we hate to haveto do this, but you can’t play basketball.” I neverlooked back. By the next basketball season, I cameback to the school and showed up at the game. Butthis time I wasn’t playing ball. I was ballin’ on theypunk ass! I was the cutest dude in town by then. Iwas Young Hus. That shit made me. Soon after that,C-Bo came and put me into the studio. I could notstop [moving weight]. The hustle was still in me.Even though we made good money as rappers, thestreets had more to offer. The risk was nothing tome; I’d grown accustomed to death anddestruction. I was raised in it and beforeI knew it, I was almost the only one leftof my original crew. I miss my people,but the struggle must go on. To this dayI look around and say, “Damn, wheredid everybody go?” Allah’s got them.You’ve wrapped, “I sold crack all my life,many dreams I killed.” How can you reconcile thiswith yourself? With your faith? With the plight ofBlack people in this country?You know, that’s one of my worst fears, the punishmentI must face. I can try to convince myselfthat I had no choice, but I knew better. When youcommit evil and you have a relationship with Allah,you shall be held accountable for everything youdo. I remember nights I had close calls busting atpeople, getting busted at, car wrecks. Sometimes Iwas running from the police; they were all over thehood and I refused to leave. I was into the overnightersreal heavy. That was me, the young ninjawith the stupid two for ten jumbos. I rememberhitting gates, barely getting away from the boys.I would be in somebody’s backyard and I wouldlook up and see that the moon was so bright it feltlike it was daytime. That’s how much I stayed outat night. I would think to myself in those people’sbackyards, “God is not protecting me right now. Godwould never allow me to behave like this. What I’mdoing is the work of Shaytain, the devil.” That’s whowas with me right then. I felt like that many nights.I am sure I must pay. It hurts me. Even if I knew notat the time what I was doing, it still hurts. Othertimes I would be out of town, out of state, and Iwould pick up money from people: shoe boxes fullof bundles of money, and the money would reek ofdeath; blood. One time I even had to get anotherroom to keep the money in. It was screaming everystory of every soul who had been destroyed for mypersonal gain. It made me feel sick inside. Until Iwent to the mall. I’m joking, but it’s not that funny.Sad but true.Why are you currently serving time?I was put in Federal prison for Possession withIntent to Distribute more than five kilograms ofcocaine. I received [a sentence of] 60 months. Inever spent a night in prison until I came for this.I had a long run [of freedom] so I can’t be mad. Ifyou get money the ways I did, be prepared to dotime. If you aren’t prepared, get out. You’re not cutOZONE WEST // 17

out for it. It’s coming. Every empire falls, from thegreat Romans all the way down to YOU, Joe Hustle.Who are you, anyway? Move over. Here comes thenext baller. You had your time; how did you spendyour profits? Here are some years to think about it.Now get back, and when you get out if you thinkyou’re ready, try again.Now that you’re down, do you think about life onthe outside? Were you truly happy? Was there anythingyou see now that was trapping you, mentallyor spiritually, or that contributed to your demise?I always knew I was in a fortunate situation. I knewthat if people understood me or not, I would still bewho Allah intends me to be. It’s been a rough roadand I paid so much. I sacrificed a lot. I lost a lot. Ilost friends, I lost love, I hurt a lot of people, andfor that reason I remained distant from most. I accepted[my lifestyle], and I didn’t wish to have anypassengers along on the path I took. I drive coupeson the streets, two-seaters. I do my own thing. Myreality may seem to be the next man’s nightmare,but at the same time, my actuality is the nextman’s dream. I dance in the middle of a war zoneand somehow I don’t have a scar. Emotions is onlybased on something you miss. I don’t even knowwhat emotions are; all I know is that I feel alive.I would go through it all again if that was what ittook to know what I know now: Allah is greatherthan anything great, and I am a warrior.People are making mixtapes and albums with certainMob Figaz on them. Does that bother you?I’m in prison; they need to keep the grind alive.I’m cool with it. I don’t look at it as disrespect, aslong as the Mob is keeping it lit. I’m good; stayinghealthy and avoiding busting heads every day.This game we grew up in is vicious. The life we areforced to live is deadly. Most street ninjas don’tknow that what they ride with every day on theblock would only get them two years in state prisonbut can get you 20 years in the Federal system fast.Only a few ounces of crack is damn near a ten year[sentence] off top for a first-time [offender]. And ifyou’ve got a [gun] now it’s about ten more [years].It’s crazy. Ten ounces of crack will get you moretime than ten kilos of cocaine. Why? Because youngblacks deal crack, and rich people like Lindsay Lohansnort coke. Crack is only a processed version ofits true form, cocaine. It’s like that old song, “TheySmart Boy.” Watch out. This shit is no joke.Should we expect to see a complete Mob Figazalbum anytime in the future?I have faith that we are going to record and releasean album, but we’ve been through so much. I’mhappy to see my ninjas alive. Feddy sustained abullet to the head and not only is he alive but hestill talks more shit than before. We’ve all been inlegal trouble. We are fools to have went through allthis crazy shit when all we had to do was make music.The people pull for us everywhere we go. When Icame to prison, people knew the song from the firstand only Mob Figaz album and I forgot them. I wasso caught up in trying to be some type of overlordthat I forgot about the people and the music. But ifI get rich we all get rich. If Rydah gets rich, we’reall rich. If Jacka gets rich, we’re all rich.Since you’ve been in the Feds you have an anthemon the streets “Cuttin’ it Up.” It’s performed in yourname and fans go dumb. Does that surprise you?I always was the one in the group to have myown fans. I always had the super grimy dudes andwomen who liked what I brought to the table. I wascool with just being on the hook, or having the startoff verse, and letting everybody else shine. I like tosee everybody get on, because deep down, I knowwhat I’ma do. I’m great and it takes time for peopleto see that. I won’t tell you I’m great, you’re goingto have to find out that secret. People started to getthat special secret while I was in here, so now it’snot just the grimy hustlers who love me, but regularpeople too. Who would’ve known? Regular peoplelike maniac music. That’s kind of funny to me.Has the music game changed since you started?A lot has changed. People rap about selling kilosbut they’re wearing fake chains. It’s crazy. I wasa young ninja with dreams so I support even thesmallest rappers. As long as you’re a solid person, Ifucks with you. I’ll even do your crazy dance. I loveblack culture and everything that is project andghetto. I’m gonna need everybody to make a hitsong so the whole hood can do a concert. We canhave a million dances that white people love andthe hood can have stars again, not just dope dealers,who might only be there until they get shot orend up here in Federal prison, looking at picturesof what we had. Whatever it takes to feed the kids,I’m all for it, even the songs that sound like theywere [recorded] in the bathroom. Take [that song]to number one so Junebug can stunt and buy a carand some rims, so I won’t have to give him a ride.I drive two-seaters and the other seat is for babywith the big butt, so you need to get your own carso we can get in traffic and stunt on everybody.“I would pick up shoe boxes full ofbundles of money, and the moneywould reek of death; blood. I hadto get another room to keep themoney in. It was screaming everystory of every soul who had beendestroyed for my personal gain.”Who did you look up to as a youngster that influencedyour rap career?I grew up in the Bay Area, and I really didn’t lookup to any particular rapper. I looked up to thedudes who my favorite rappers were talking aboutand emulating. Two of them to be exact, who Ihappen to be on the yard with. Both are known aslegends, Bay Area icons, who inspired everythingfrom how we walk to how we hustle: Lil D and JB.These two men sacrificed a lot to remain men withhonor and integrity, and stood for everything thatis honor in the world that people glorify in music.To me it’s not just that they are legendary hustlers.They stand for ambition and strength, traits thatany person can look up to, not just street people.You’ve got a unique style. Do you have a stylist?My mom is my real stylist. I’m from El Pueblo andstaying dipped is what we do. Even when I wasyoung and dudes pulled overnighters for Jordanmoney, I had to have Gucci sneaker and kick money.My hood stays stupid clean. Mobsters, hustlers,and players 100% across the board. I’m the type ofdude that can knock you out with a left hook whileyou’re still thinking, “He won’t fight me with acoke white $600 sport suit on.” Before you know it,you’re down flat. I’m everything fake dudes wish tobe, live in the flesh. Shitting on people. Having fun.How have you been spending your time in prison?The first year I was wilding out, like every youngninja that come to prison. Slapping the shit outtaanybody I wasn’t feeling. I was winning fights, butwhen I got moved to a [higher security prison], Ihad to think, “Hold on, player.” So I learned howto do my bid like a real ninja; feeding my mind,striving towards my faith in Allah. Work out, soakup game, bullshit around, talk shit, listen to all thedifferent types of lies you hear in prison. Everybodysays they had thousands of bricks. Some really did,so it’s fun to hear it all. If you know somebody inprison, your actions are all we have to go on. If youdon’t look out, how do we know [that you love us]?This shit is our reality. Look out for whoever youlove that’s in a place like this. It’s real shit.I see you’ve been working out. What’s that about?You peep that? (laughs) I’m working my supermodelgame for when I peel out in that new stupid coupe.I can’t let my car look better than me.What should we expect when you come home?Don’t expect anything. I am a Muslim before rap,before anything. My path is the will of Allah. I don’tmean to sound like I’m preaching, but it’s true.Have you been writing songs?I really don’t write in here. I’m an artist who workson emotion and vibes, and I’m not in a place thatexudes creativity. I look up and see a thousand uglydudes. How could I be feeling it in that circumstance?I do listen to a lot of music from all genresand I have a lot of ideas. The verses fall into placefor me, but the music and feelings are first. Versesare only words, but the music moves the soul.What’s the latest book you read?RIYAHD-US-SALEHEEN, a book of habits and fortressof the Muslim. I read it every day.You’ve got a good view at Terminal Island, huh?Yeah, my bunk actually sits right on the L.A. harbor,so I’m beachfront. This is actually an island, and Ialways wanted to have a beachfront estate. I neverimagined it would be a Federal Correctional Facility(laughs) but I have a great view. I’m right on thewater and I sleep with the sound of the waves andthe tide rolling in. My life amazes me sometimesWhen I get back, the world won’t be the same.Is there anything else you’d like to say?Everything a man goes through can only make himstronger or destroy him. Life is 10% what happensto you and 90% how you react to it. People havetheir priorities fucked up, and the reality of life isthat this shit is not a joke. Have faith in Allah, andstrive for what you believe in. To everybody in thesystem, stay solid, and believe that Allah does notbestow upon any man that which he can not handle.Even when this shit seems like a no-win [situation],keep pulling. Shout out to my young ninjas inthis shit who I’ve been bidding with: JB, Big Boob,Mark Young V, my brother Mike Mike, Slick G, mypops, everybody that’s down, everybody from thePueblo area. If I’m on, you’re on. Most above all, theuhmmah across the world. Allah the Glorified andExalted is greater than anything great. //18 // // OZONE WEST

Mistah FAB, Lil D, & Turf TalkKnown to some as the “King of Oakland,”Darryl “Lil D” Reed was born on December12th, 1968. Throughout his teenage yearshe helped fuel the crack cocaine epidemic inEast Oakland and beyond, becoming one ofthe most powerful drug dealers in the BayArea. Today, he is serving a 35 year sentencein a Federal prison on Terminal Island.Words and Photos by D-RayWhy are you currently incarcerated?While growing up in the environment I was exposed to, I witnessed a lot ofpeople struggling. Both of my parents worked very hard to provide for me andmy little sister. Personally, I never felt that I was poor, but I used to hear somany black people-including my parents-complain about how much harder itis for us to get ahead. So as I got older I began to ask, “Why is it more difficult[for black people]?” That’s when I became familiar with racism and how it affectsour communities. My parents stressed education, so I studied pretty hardand became a bright kid, but I just felt that I wasn’t going to work my buttoff for twenty years for the government and still be barely getting by myself.SO I formed a somewhat rebellious attitude. I decided that I was going to dowhatever I had to do to help my mom and others do better financially. I startedscalping tickets at sporting events and holding drugs for my older homeboys.I got involved in selling marijuana and then I got involved with cocaine bysimply buying 1/16th of an ounce. I was just a 16 year old kid trying to helpmy family get ahead. I didn’t know that I would flourish like I did, and I damnsure couldn’t imagine what kind of damage I was causing to the communities.Unfortunately, the prosecutor and the judge who sentenced me concluded thatI should’ve known exactly what my activities were doing to the community. Iwas given a 35 year sentence for being convicted of [possession of] 14 kilos ofcrack cocaine and 7 kilos of powder [cocaine]. That was my first time ever beingconvicted of any felony. Most people think that I was convicted of a murder. I’vebeen incarcerated since December 7th, 1988, six days after my 20th birthday. Ifnothing changes with the law I’ll do another 10 ½ years [before I’m released]. Iknow that selling drugs is a bad thing, but 35 years and life [sentences] do notserve justice. I strongly believe that I’ve done more than enough time for thecrimes I was convicted of.How did you get down in the streets?I was hustling for a purpose. I really wanted to purchase my momma a houseand look out for my family and friends. The first thing I learned was to save fora rainy day. I showed discipline at a very early age. I used to stack my moneyin shoeboxes and feel good about my achievements. I was a great thinker whocould always figure out ways to generate income, resolve conflict, and come upwith sound solutions to everyday problems. Those qualities attracted people tome in droves. I became very popular around the time I got to 9th grade. Dudesfrom different neighborhoods trusted and respected me enough to where Icould squash damn near any beef. Nobody from my era had that type of power.People listened to me because I’m a great communicator; I express myselfwell. I had a lot of power in the streets but never abused it. I stopped a lot ofviolence that the authorities were well aware of when I was out there.Have your friends and family been supportive?I have a strong support system of immediate family and friends who appreciatethe wisdom and knowledge that I share. They have witnessed me mature intothe wise man that I am today. I’ve built strong relationships with my son anddaughter, who are both continuing their education, one in the Midwest and theother in California. I’ve met some people who are trying to make a difference inthe community of Oakland like Olis at Youth UpRising youth center, and Nicoleand Diana at the Ella Baker Center. We’ve discussed ideas of how to try to curbsome of the violence. I sit down with some of the rappers from time to time,like Mistah FAB, Too $hort, [MC] Hammer, and others, trying to figure out waysto get through to these youngsters who feel like the world is against them.Even though I do get some support from these people, a lot of my so-calledhomies that I went out of my way to help [when I was free] don’t do shit for me[now]. So don’t think that my folks kept it 100%.What’s a typical day like for you?I get up at 6 AM, wash my face, brush my teeth, go to breakfast, come back andwatch the news until 7 AM. Sometimes I take a little nap before I go exercisefrom 9 AM to 10:30 AM, every Monday through Friday. I check my emails beforeToo $hort, Kilo, TurfTalk, Lil D, & guestsI head back to my unit to shower up before they serve lunch, which I don’teat most days. Then I’ll do some reading or writing for a couple hours. I enjoyreading a variety of news publications and books like the Female Brain thathelp broaden my ability to grow mentally. At 5 PM I might go eat dinner, checkmy emails, and respond to the ones that are first priority. Then I go walk withone of my guys that I vibe with for an hour, head back to the unit, make acall to check on moms or one of my folks. Watch some TV, like Nip Tuck, PrisonBreak, or A&E. At around 11 or midnight I crash out and get ready for my nextday of prison life, which doesn’t consist of much. I don’t hang out on the yarda lot because all you hear is old war stories and dudes complaining about howtheir girl ran off. I’m antisocial in a sense because I don’t trust too many peopleunless I’ve known them my entire life. Also I did fifteen years all over thecountry before they brought me back to California, so I don’t need a bunch ofhomies [with me] to do my time.Have you been keeping up with the conditions in Oakland – the murder ratethat’s out of control, and a lot of kids, both boys and girls, going to jail?Sure I keep up with this, and it’s very sad because our youth seem to have losthope. With our poor education system, it’s not possible for their mentality tochange. Elected officials are willing to invest in building more prisons, but notbetter the schools. The bad part is that our people keep voting these peopleinto office. We have to demand better programs for our kids. Why can’t we havea Youth UpRising in San Francisco and not just in Oakland?Can you name at least one positive thing about being incarcerated?To be very honest, nothing is positive about this experience. I feel that asI would’ve gotten older, I would have realized that I could be successful inlegitimate ways.Have you thought about the next phase of your life when you’re released?I have more than prepared myself for when I get released. I’ve learned a lotabout real estate and the entertainment industry and I have the people andresources to immediately bring me in. Also, I would definitely like to go out anddo some speaking engagements with our youth. I owe them that.If you could speak to kids who are going down the same road you went down,what advice would you give them?Don’t be influenced by the money, cars, jewelry, clothes, and women, becausethe price you pay isn’t worth it. Today you have a better chance at accumulatingthese things legitimately because ofopportunities like the internet. But youhave to be serious about learning inschool so that you can compete in theworkplace. Drinking, drugs, and unsafesex will only destroy your future. Don’twaste your life away like I did. One love.Where can our readers write to you?Darryl Reed83801-001PO Box 3007Terminal Island, CA 90731E-40 & Lil DOZONE WEST // 19

Getting GrownWords by Jelani Photo by D-RayTHE OLDER & WISER SAN QUINN!There are certain memories--indelible images--embedded within the fortressof San Quinn’s mind, detailing the dramatic chronicles of his turbulent rise From A Boy To AMan. The defining moments of both his career and his life, these torrid flashbacks are subjectto constant scrutiny, review, and on some occasions, discussion.NEWSFLASH: BUSINESS IS BUSINESS!!Priority Records office, 1996. The Sucka Free native has just returned to hisnew label home, courtesy of a once in a lifetime record deal with childhood friend and GetLow Records owner JT The Bigga Figga. Pac is alive. Yay Area radio boldly supports itshomegrown artists, proudly championing the burgeoning scene to a nation wide audienceof artists, labels, and adoring fans. 18-year-old Quinn, however, is about to get one of theharsher lessons of his fledgling career.“Silkk the Shocker [had] dropped the same day [as me] with The Shocker,”Quinn remembers. “Silkk’s my pa’tna, too. And this is no disrespect; this is a competitive,stupid young kid. So I’m talking to the A&R and he’s like, ‘Yeah, Silkk The Shocker just soldlike, 40,000 this week’.” Pause. “You only sold like 14,000.”Another pause, followed by a juvenile outburst of hubris.“I was like, ‘Put me and Silkk the Shocker in a room and I’ll out-rap him.’ Hesaid it didn’t have nothing to do with that--it was business.”The ambiguities behind the business of the rap game (a paradox in itself) stilldominate the Northern California scene Quinn emerged from. It was, after all, business thatled Quinn to spit out his first solo, Don‘t Cross Me, at the precocious age of 15. It was personalbusiness that led to his affiliation and subsequent signing with JT (whose son is Quinn’scousin) which enabled him to infiltrate the offices of Priority Records. And it was unmistakablybusiness which led the youngsters (Fig was less than 25 at the time) to lose their labeldeal two years later, temporarily ending their professional dealings together.“That kind of fucked me up,” Quinn revealed. “And that’s when I started fuckingwith blow, right around that time. I started selling dope, and everything turned from rappingmore into forming a street nigga.”NEWSFLASH: ROLL, WON’T YOU COME OVER?3rd Street, The 49er Club, 1997. Explosive Mode, Quinn’s magnum opus collaborativeeffort with blood-cousin Messy Marv, is burning up the streets and the adolescent’slife. Having sidestepped a contract with Master P, who himself is fresh off the success ofhis first film and soundtrack I’m Bout It, Quinn is back to the independent grind with all ofits querulous funds and infamy as he arrives at his wife’s baby shower for his first born son.Somewhere in the back of his mind reverberates P’s prophetic admonition, “You’re gonnadeal with a nigga from the street and all [his] problems will become [your] problems; youand Mess should just sign with me.”“Niggas robbed my baby shower, man,” he recounts easily. “I had to hide in themuthafucking place; they pulled a gun on Mess. Mess didn’t give up the [car] keys [to his’Vette] or nothing. They put a gun to Mess’s head. I’m hiding up under pots and pans in thejoint, 19 years old, thinking they’re finna kill Mess. I didn’t have no strap or nothing.”“[They robbed us cuz] our executive producer had went to jail,” he continued.“He fucked around and shot some niggas, and me and Mess were driving through theprojects in the car that he shot at the niggas in, before he shot at them! He told us get upout of there, so we [did] and he goes back and gets at the niggas in the car. So word gotaround that me and Mess had got at them. So he gets out and we all rolling and I get a callfrom my sister like, ‘Quit driving dude’s Tahoe who’s putting out your record.’ This is all themusic business. I was like, ‘I ain’t worried ‘bout them niggas; they’re from a certain project inFrisco.’”FLASHBACK 3: LIES, STRAWS, MIRRORS AND PLATESThe most difficult of his recollections to isolate, this spiraling series of remembrancesdates back to the early 90’s and ends, somewhere, in Quinn’s conscience. Oftenshrouded in deception both of body and spirit, his lengthy courtship of Britney, Christina andBlondie--not to be confused with that of his wife--may perhaps be the final measuring stickby which his story may be judged--and upon whose ultimate demise his true transition tomanhood may be evidenced.“Where I come from, muthafuckers was smoking blow with their weed,” Quinnadmitted. “That was the original thing. Like with me, I done used. You look up, muthafuckersgiving you a plate, right? Then next thing you know, you buying it. But when you get thefirst plate you’re saying, ‘I ain’t finna buy that shit.’ Next thing you know you look up 10 yearslater, [and] you’re buying it. You look up six, seven eight years later, you’re out all night, lyingto your wife and your kids and your folks; you done embarrassed niggas at the party.”Quinn’s reconciliation with his life and career will be brought to the forefrontthis spring with April’s release of his anticipated long player, From A Boy To A Man. Includingheat from Sean T, Cosmo and Davey D on the boards and Messy Marv, Lil’ Quinn and PSDsprinkling the tracks with certified soil-based game, it will be his final say on the exactingjourney whose toll he is just now beginning to weigh; a lasting contribution to the Movement.“Me and Mess wrote Exxplosive Mode together,” Quinn related. “I was high asa kite when we wrote that. We were 19 years old experimenting. That’s why I say I lookedup and a muthafucker was, you know, on blow. It was normal; when I was 15 I had startedsmoking cocaine and weed. Just ’cuz it was what muthafuckers was doing. It was a part ofgrowing up where [I was] at. And I had an uzi, you know? Not bragging on that shit, but Ididn’t have it to kill nobody but it’s just that I lived in the neighborhood.”“From the era we come from if you fuck with hard, you a dope fiend. If yousmoke crack you a crackhead. And I’m not glamorizing blow but blow is flyer. I guaranteeyou somebody in the Forbes Top 10 snorts cocaine. Crack is cheap; they see you with it outsidebent over. With me and blow, muthafuckers might’ve seen me with my eyes bugged,but I ain’t never pull out my plate out around nobody. Except for the gangsters that I washaving the blow with. So it wasn’t noticeable... Til a nigga muthafuckin’ mouth starts movingand shit off blow. Your mouth moves too though. You get lockjaw, your muthafuckin’ eyeswill be bugged out your head. You want to keep drinking to level it out.”20 // OZONE WEST

TheSilverbackGorillaE-40’s younger brother Mugzi soaks up game.------------------------------------------“Wisdom is better than rubies, and all the thingsthat may be desired are not to be compared to it.”- Killah Priest, “Wisdom”, Heavy MentalWisdom. To speak wise words. To see things clearlyfor what they are, not for what they appear to be.But everybody ain’t able. Those who are, should letit be known. Those who ain’t, need to get a goodsponge and soak…“How can you not listen to an elder - an olderperson - and they lived to be twice your age?”demanded an incredulous Mugzi one rain-soakedwinter afternoon. “Like they ain’t never beenthrough what you’ve been through before?”------------------------------------------1324 Magazine Street. The soil. The turf. The heart ofthe Hillside, that notorious section of Vallejo wheremany of the shoot-em-up, rah-rah, cookin’ cakescracked out tales from E-40’s early raps took place.The same place that Mugzi called home, developedhis formative years in, along with the same 40 WaterMugzi calls brother. Eldest brother, to be exact,and whose company, Sick-Wid-It Records, Mugziis currently co-piloting with 40’s son Droop. Thenthere’s the relationship with Mugzi’s other brother,boss balla D-Shot, and his plethora of film andrecord releases throughout the years. Sista Suga Tand cousin B-Legit each rounded out the Area’s firstfamily of rap, the Click, and have sprouted their ownrespective albums, labels, and careers.No wonder Mugzi’s pushing his 30/30 imprint, withflagship artist (and cousin) Turf Talk, a new Mugzillasolo debut, and project after project with theMossie, a group consisting of yet another cousin,Kaveo, and day one patna Tap Dat Ass. With such aspiring examples from hisphysicals, he had little choice but to get it.But first, there was still Magazine.“I grew up in it,” Mugzi laughed. “Soon as I popped out mom’s stomach I wasright up in it, in the thick of it. I can’t talk about that type of situation. That’slike lightweight snitching - lightweight indicting yourself. Where I was born andraised it was knocks all day. The streets [were] flooded; it was good hustle. Butyou never use while you’re tying to sell it, or while you’re doing what you do.That’s the number one rule, I feel. Some people get caught up in it, and nextthing you know their smoking their count up. If you want to make profit, you’renot gonna be dipping in your shit.”---------------------------------------------------------------A montage of sounds and colors, Beats By the Bay’s video for “Stay In School”assaults its viewer with an assortment of the hues and intonations of rappersfrom nearly every part of the Yay. Mugzi and 40 blaze through their respectiveeight bars along with Dem Hoodstarz, Cellski, Keak Da Sneak, the Jacka andmore, urging the youth to get right for the sake of posterity - and a world we’llall inhabit. Such a message may not have come immediate to Mugzilla, but itwas no less natural a progression.“When you’re a kid, you’re going to get involved in certain things that arearound you,” Mr. 30/30 reasoned. “You turn into a product of your environment.But the wise men, my brothers, was detouring me out the way also. I [would]sneak and dibble dabble, and do what I got to do, but at the same time theywere like, ‘Ah naw, man, don’t do nothing with him’.”“As I got a little older, I got a little wiser. It ain’t the thang to do. I like doingthis over here better than I like doing this over [there]. I don’t like beingstressed out, worried about the po-po’s when I could be over there playingsome good ball, got a few women loving me, doing what I do. And havinga ball with it; being a star that way too then [coming] back to the track andbe like what up? ‘Aw man, you was over there, you just ran for 150 yards thatgame.’ I’m loving it. That felt way better than sitting out there being a lookout,or going out there trying to get my little knocks off worrying about the po-pos.But at the same time you gotta do what you gotta do. You live and you learn,so once you live and you learn you try to break it down and teach others that’scoming up under you.”Just like it was taught to you.---------------------------------------------------------------The Sick-Wid-It Umbrella will be dropping the compilation The Machine in mid-April, soon followed by 916 Unified. Future 30/30 releases include Mugzilla’ssolo, a Lifestyles of the Disobeyish 2 compilation, and forthcoming projectsfrom Turf Talk and Poppy Cash. //Words by Jelani // Photo by Jessica EssienOZONE WEST // 21

in my natureYukmouth may have been borninto the drug game, but he doesn’tplan on dying in it.Words by Maurice G. Garland // Photo by D-Ray22 // OZONE WEST

s one half of the Luniz, Yukmouth a.k.a. Smoke-A-Lot helped makeweed Hip Hop’s drug of choice when he recorded “I Got 5 On It.” AsAcomical as that song was, Yuk’s life as it pertains to drugs is seriousbusiness. Here he speaks on growing up in Oakland during the crack epidemic,rap’s fascination with D-boy rappers and how his mother died while in rehabbefore she could recover from her personal bouts with drug abuse.Talk to us about your experiences growing up in Oakland during the start ofthe crack epidemic.I was right there. I grew up in the projects, 65th and east 14th in EastOakland. My projects was ran by niggas like Lil D and Felix Mitchell; kingpins.I grew up under that card, so all I seen was niggas in the ‘hood pushingweight, dope fiends fighting and getting beat up, bullets hitting my windows.It was rough growing up. I’m on welfare, Section 8, mom spending the welfarechecks on drugs. I had to eventually start hustling to survive in life. Wewere homeless and shit behind the crack epidemic. We got evicted out of theprojects [and were] sleeping and eating at the Salvation Army. We stayed withrelative to relative, all because of the crack epidemic. It made my life change.So you got to see how a lot of cats went from being Black Panthers to dope fiends.I was born in the 70s so I was raised around the Panthers. Everybody wantedto be a Panther or Muslim; trying to uplift the community. My father wasin the Black Guerilla Family, the offspring of the Panthers, but [he was] inprison. Everybody was speaking Swahili and all types of stuff. My familywas BGF, so I grew up around that. [Everybody in] the community was ridingfor the cause but when crack hit, it shut it down. All the Black Panthers, thecenters started shutting down, the leaders started getting on crack, dying offand going to jail. The death of the Black Panther movement grew into dudesbeing kingpins and dope fiends.Since you saw it with you own eyes, do you think the CIA and the governmentimplanted crack in your community?Yeah, I believe they did it. They were scared of the Panthers; they knew itwas the next big revolutionary thing since Malcolm X. The Panthers was THATon the West Coast and they was branching out and getting Panthers on theEast Coast and Down South. [There were] Panthers in Chicago; it was goingeverywhere and they were scared of it. Stuff started getting bombed and theyblamed it on the Panthers and they started wiping them out byaking them tojail with outrageous sentences. They put AIDS and crack in the Bay to destroythe Panthers and that’s when it started.You’ve rapped about being a drug dealer. Seeing the extreme destruction thatdrugs brought to your community, why did you decide to get into the drugtrade yourself?It wasn’t a hard decision. I was poor and [moving from] family to family,but once I got with one part of my family, they were selling all the drugs.I started living with my uncle and it was a crack house. He lived where heworked at, me and my two sisters. So I got to see it hands-on, one-on-one.[I learned] how to do it, sell it, and cook it. It wasn’t hard. I was gettingspoiled. My aunt bought me outfits. I was in 7th grade with Gucci and goldchains on. My uncle was spoiling me. Then he went to jail and my sister hadto hustle, then she went to jail. I was used to that life, so I said fuck it. Ihustled for school clothes, then cars. I had my own apartment when I was17. I started hustling because it was in my face. I tried to work [real jobs]. Iworked at Taco Bell. I worked at Domino’s [Pizza]. I had jobs but the hustlewas making so much money that I quit.Did you ever sell drugs to your family members?I never sold to my relatives, but my friends did. They said they sold to myuncle or my father. I didn’t want to believe it. My family tried to keep it awayfrom me, but I knew they did it. My mom did drugs but I never sold to her.Did your mom ever beat her drug addiction?She never got over it. My mom passed. She died in rehab. She was trying toget her life back straight but the rehab [center] caught on fire. They lockedthem in their rooms when they [were] in rehab. I guess the staff memberthat let them out went to go get some food. When he came back the buildingwas burning. They had gates on the windows, so they couldn’t get out. So mymom got burned to death [while] trying to sober up and get her life right.Damn.We had to sue the city, all types of stuff just to get retribution and to feelbetter. We sued, but it still wasn’t worth my mother’s life. We had to gothrough a lot of stuff. Just losing [my] mother, period. That’s the most importantthing in life outside of your kids. My sisters crying, I’m crying, goingthrough it. Because when she got out of rehab, she was gonna live with us.We were looking forward to that.A lot of rappers, yourself included, rap about drugs. What’s the fascination?The rap business period is about trends. I’ve been through all the trends. Inthe 80s it was “fight the power” and medallions, now it’s about “bling bling,”diamonds and being a drug dealer. I think people who don’t know the streetswatch TV and [decide], “Jeezy blew up off that shit, so I’ma go at that angle.”You’ve got to know this game because if you say numbers that don’t add upit makes you look like an ass because you really don’t know what the fuckyou’re talking about. You said that shit because you heard Jeezy [say it]. Itdon’t go for $17.5 everywhere. 250 grams is not a kilo, that’s a quarter. Niggasgonna know if you’re speaking the right shit. If you’re saying some dumbshit, niggas ain’t gonna buy your shit. Niggas are gonna look at you like abuster. If you’re a backpacker, do your Kanye. If you’re fighting the power,do your Chuck D. If you dance, do your Soulja Boy. But don’t do this trapstarshit if you ain’t never chopped down no shit, or shot at no shit. Don’t evenmention that, because if you live by the gun, you die by the gun. Niggas aregonna be coming to your shows asking where you’re from and they’re gonnatest you. So you gotta be prepared for this shit. This blood and crip shit, too,niggas are claiming [sets] and they’re not from LA. Niggas glorify shit in HipHop, period. You’re gonna get tested by the wrong m’fucka and your albumain’t gonna sell because game recognize game.A lot of rappers are smart. A lot of them came from college, good homes,so everybody ain’t from the projects. They try to pick up clues, read DonDiva, they [think they] gonna listen to Jeezy and Rick Ross and put their shittogether and come out with a masterpiece. So at the end of the day, it’s goodpeople that just do that. They just copy cat. We call them sponges in the Bay- soaking up game, but never been in it. Niggas know they’re fake and thewhole reason it’s glamorized is because niggas are winning off this shit andniggas follow. When Ja Rule was singing, there were a lot of niggas in love atthat time. Then 50 [Cent] came with the gangsta shit and everybody did that.Then Jeezy came with the d-boy shit and now everybody wants to be a trapstar. It’s about trends. When ‘Pac was thuggin’, everybody was thuggin’. Niggasgonna follow the top rapper. The industry keeps getting faker and faker.Niggas know the real, fans know the real.We’ve touched on how the Bay was home to crack. Nowadays it seems like it’sthe home of ecstasy pills.Niggas is heavily off the X and coke. Everybody is snorting coke and [doing]X and smoking weed. That’s what’s going down in the Bay. All the crackheadshad babies born in the 90s and now they done grew up and these m’fuckasare crazy. The crackbabies grew up and they’re crazy; shooting m’fuckas fornothing, robbing for nothing. There’s a lot of dumb shit going down in theBay right now because of shit that went down in the 80s. To each his own. I’mnot one to hate - do your thing - but its crazy to see 17-year-olds snortingcoke and doing heroin and shit. Young girls snort coke to stay skinnyand then these niggas think they’re gonna be extra tough if they snort coke.They’re all Die Hard Rambo and shit, they’ll shoot up anything so they stayon that, that’s like their Superman juice. That’s what niggas is off right now,its wack. Its like fucking Taliban out there, suicide bombers. These niggas areready to die and they don’t give a fuck so drugs done took the whole Bayarea out, again.The Bay is the player’s graveyard right now. Niggas are dying for nothing andthey’re brain dead off these drugs. It’s crazy as fuck out there, period. That’swhy I live in L.A. Niggas be like, “Aw, you from the Bay, why’d you [move toL.A.]?” I moved because I know too many niggas, too many kingpins, riders,thieves, everybody’s gonna look at me for something. Or, if bad times happenI might hit the streets instead of waiting until the next show comes or thenext check clears. I’m not a rapper rapping about it, I’m trying to get the fuckaway from it. I think I’d be dead if I ain’t get away from Oakland when I did.I fuck with the kingpins, I fuck with the killers and I could fuck around and behanging with them and catch a stray bullet so I’m glad I got out and starteda new life for my family where we don’t have to worry about dealers andkingpins and pimps and stray bullets or going to jail or being in the wrongplace at the right time.In a previous interview you admitted that albums like Godzilla were recordedwhen you was heavy off the X. Have you kicked that habit now?I let that shit go. I’m focused right now. I don’t do no X pills, I just smokeweed. I barely drink, I got so many DUIs in the last couple years I cut backon that. I’m just on weed. Weed, water, exercise. I used to have the bumpiestface in America, but in my recent pictures, I got smooth skin, withoutPhotoshop. I’m eating good, looking good. Niggas called my last album aclassic and even though Rap-A-Lot didn’t push it, it still came in #46 in theBillboard Top 100. I outsold hella people on 106th & Park with videos becauseI got a fan base that holds me down. I got big opportunities jumping off formy next deal. I’m not heavy into the drugs, I’m into the kush and occasionalchampagne or Patron shot. I got kids, I’m old now, I’m cool on that youngshit. That shit I was doing, that’s for a nigga who had nothing to live for backin the day. I got 3 kids now. //OZONE WEST // 23

dj boothDJ AMENKING OF THE SUPER HYPHYThe future for a DJ is being a businessman. An all-around hustler,marketing, branding; you gotta take care of all corners.One thing always leads to another. When it came to the concerts, me andmy partner were supposed to help this one dude book a show but he dieda week before the show. I didn’t know dude; he was just the dude thatcame to us for help. That was our first concert so we didn’t really knowwhat we were doing but we fell into it, and it was so successful that wekept doing them. I’ve always been big into marketing and branding so Iwas like, “Let’s push this brand and make this a machine.” By the time we[did] our 20th concert like people didn’t even care who was performing.They just wanted to hear that name and that brand [Super Hyphy].With the Super Hyphy, basically, it fell onto us [and now] we’re the bestat it. I had my street team in the streets. My boy handled all the business,I handled all the marketing and we went hard. We wanted to come withsomething fresh to really take over the culture at the moment. It wasinstant success. We sold out twenty shows. We just had the right formula.Our biggest show as far as attendance was Super Hyphy 13 at the SantaRosa fairgrounds. We had Keak the Sneak, Mistah F.A.B., The Pack, PSD andJ. Diggs [performing]. There were over two thousand kids there, and wewere doing this every 4 weeks, so it wasn’t like we were only pulling in athousand every once in a while. We have one to two thousand kids everymonth.[For the last Super Hyphy] we tried to end big. We filmed it and it was realbig. E-40 came out and did his thing and killed it. People in other marketsand other towns wanted us to expand, and they wanted to get a pieceof the Super Hyphy. We still do shows in other places. We’ve got a showcoming up with Too $hort and The Pack but it’s not called Super Hyphy. It’sjust the same concept because we’re the people that started that.We just did a show with Lil Wayne in Tucson, Arizona with nine thousandpeople. We do shows in San Diego; we do shows in Los Angeles, Las Vegas…allover the place. A lot of people don’t know that we have an eventcoordination/production company [called Noisemaker Entertainment] sowe throw events all over the West Coast.It’s all about supply and demand. We find people interested in doingevents and help them produce it. We get ahold of the artists, [book] travelaccommodations, lock down venues, insurance, security, everything. We’redoing some tour dates for the Tech N9ne and Paul Wall shows coming up.The Lil Wayne show is the biggest we’ve done in the last month or two.But we could do anybody. As long as you’ve got the budget we can put ittogether. //As told to Kay NewellPhoto by D-Ray24 // OZONE WEST

DJ Aaries & Willie Joe/Thrax On Wax Vol. 2Vallejo, California representer and ATL transplant Willie Joe hooksup with DJ Aaries for Vol. 2 of Thrax On Wax and over 23 tracks,Joseph proves why he’s the newest Sho’Nuff/Capitol Recordssignee. Whether Joe is going retarded (“Get On It”), trading lineswith B.O.B. (“Life Iz Crazy”) or teaming up with his Wataboy Ent.family (“Keep It Coming”), it’s clear why his buzz in the South isunmatched by other Bay rappers. Willie Joe is an artist to watch in’08 and Thrax On Wax Vol. 2 is a mixtape desiring of heavy rotationfrom the Bay to the A. — Randy RoperDJ Warrior & Prime/TransformationTransformation is the first solo mixtape release from Long Beachemcee Prime, and through 20 cuts the Cali newcomer showspromise but still has room for improvement. Tracks like “Give MeThe Grind,” “Dying To Floss” and “Go Hard” are skippable, while“Meagtron” featuring Bishop Lamont, the sped-up flow on “MachineGun Funk” and “Change” with P. Rod are this mixtape’s bestcuts. Prime has a LBC thing going for him but he still has work todo before he becomes the Optimus. — Randy RoperDemolition Men & The Jacka/The Jacka Is The DopestThe Jacka Is The Dopest is a solid mixtape from top to bottom.“Break Em Off,” “Go Cop Whatever,” “Starz” and “Barney (MoreCrime)” are memorable tracks amidst numerous standout cuts,while “Doin It Moving” and “Got Paper” are the mere two lessthan-impressivesongs. And what The Jacka lacks in mic skills,he makes up for with vivid street tales over dope beats. Afterlistening to this project, The Jacka, without question, is one of thedopest the West Coast has to offer. — Randy RoperCinque/Angel DustWhenever you think of Phoenix, Arizona, the words “hot” and“dry” come to mind. Hometown emcee Cinque leans more towardsthe former. Backed by production from No I.D. and SuaveHouse’s Jiggolo, ‘Que does a good job in showing that the Sunsaren’t the only draw in town. The Eagles’ sampling “U Know ULuv It” and “Space” have ‘Que displaying some nimble word playwhile “Keep The Shotty On Me” sounds a little G-Unit’ish, butstill offers some entertaining moments. Cinque now is far fromthat guy you saw on Teen Summit back in the day, but, he’s wellon his way to making an impact in the rap game. — Maurice G.GarlandSnoop Dogg/Ego’ TrippinGeffenWhen Snoop revealed that he hired other rappers to write hisrhymes for Ego Trippin’ it wasn’t too much of a surprise. Anyonewith at least one good ear could hear the drop off after theDeath Row crumble when he actually had to write his own stuff.But over the last two or three years Snoop has relied more onhis personality than lyrical skill, as evidenced by last year’sThe Blue Carpet Treatment. Ego Trippin’ has him doing more ofthe same, but it doesn’t sound quite as good this time around.Highlights include the self-narrative “Neva Have 2 Worry” and“Waste of Time” featuring Raphael Saadiq. But his attempts atbeing different fall flat, especially the Johnny Cash-inspired“Buy My Medicine” and faux-Mike Jones sounding “Staxxx In MyJeans.” Overall though, Snoop still has enough likable songs tomake it a solid album. — Maurice G. GarlandOZONE WEST // 25

end zoneNu Jersey DevilVenue: Tucson Convention CenterPromoter: Royal Epic ClothingCity: Tucson, AZDate: January 20th, 2008Photo: D-Ray26 // OZONE WEST

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