KILLER ON THE LOOSE

OZONE WEST

OZONE WEST

OZONE WEST //

PublisherJulia BeverlyEditor-in-chiefJessica “Mz Jae” Hagmaiereditor’s noteTHE REST OF THE WESTEditor-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, Bigthangs, Big Will,Dee1, Demolition Men, DJJam-X, DJ Juice, DJ KTone,DJ Nik Bean, DJ Quote, DJSkee, DJ Strong & Warrior, JHype, Jasmine Crowe, JohnCosten, Juice, Kewan Lewis,Luvva J, Maroy, Rob J Official,Rob Reyes, ShauntaeHill, Sherita Saulsberry,Sly Boogy, Syd Robertson,Tonio, Twin, William Major,Zack CiminiIt’s funny, no matter where I go when I leaveColorado, the misconceptions are the same. Icould be in Atlanta, New York, New Jersey, oreven the NO, and the questions are always thesame when people ask me where I’m from: “Damn, theylisten to Hip Hop in Colorado?” “Damn, they got blackpeople in Colorado?” “Oh, so you must’ve never seenanybody like me before, huh?”And all I can say is “WOW!”Just to let the world know, and anyone else who haseven has the slightest doubt in their minds: Yes, HipHop is alive and well in Colorado. Just like in so manyother states, Hip Hop is the life and breath, and canmean life and death, for many, many, people in themountain state. But, to be clear, Denver does not sitin the mountains; in fact we’re roughly an hour and ahalf to 2 hours from the slopes. Yes, it gets HOT here.This year it was 70 degrees in January, and it’s beenhitting 90 here ever since May. No, this isn’t Comptonor Queens, but everything, and I do mean EVERYTHINGyou find there and in any other major city in the U.S., isfound in Denver as well, both the good and the bad.Just a little introduction to the state I claim, for allthose non-believers out there. We love Hip Hop, welive Hip Hop, we die Hip Hop. To live and die in L.A., it’sthe same in CO. We live it and love it, good and bad.We’re met with adversity here just like in other states.We may not be as big in the industry yet, but we areon the bubble, a necessary market for all artists totry and penetrate. We’ve hosted the All Star game andwe’re about to host the Democratic National Convention.We get major acts out here all the time; Ice Cube,Lil Wayne, Wyclef Jean, David Banner, Twista, T.I.,Yukmouth, J. Diggs, and a few others were all here forvarious events recently. We even have our own Hip Hoppolice, but that’s a story for another day.I’m not taking anything away from any other state.I grew up all over the world, the daughter of an AirForce Lt. Colonel. In fact, I’ve lived in more countriesthen states, so I’ve always had love for and an understandingof almost everybody. This is just my way ofreminding everybody out there to not always believeeverything you hear.I love Cali, but there’s more to the West then one state.The forgotten states of the West all have a place in HipHop. And it’s not the state that makes Hip Hop. Hip Hopmakes the state. Everywhere you look, you can see theinfluence of the genre. From Hollywood to Bali-wood,Hip Hop is worldwide. So don’t ever count an artistout because they’re from New Mexico, Washington,Colorado, Arizona, or shit, even Alaska! Talent is everywhere.It’s all over the West, and we’re working onre-launching this takeover!It’s true that history repeats itself, and the West hashad a major impact on the industry for a reason. TheWest is coming back. The message is the same. Rightnow we’re just working on the remix!- Jessica “Mz Jae” HagmaierJessica.Hagmaier@ozonemag.comCOVER CREDITSTech N9ne photo by D-Ray;G Stack photo by PiankhiMe and David Banner @ SummerJamMe and Don Juan @ PurpleParadiseOZONE WEST //

The Bay Wayby D-RayPSYCHO BITCHESLife on the road! Artists have a challenge when it comes to relationships.How do you do it? I’m a photographer that’s been on some road trips! Tourbuses, RVs, cars, planes, however we are traveling. I respect the women/girls/bitches/wives (whatever you are representing yourself as) that’s gettin’ it,doin’ them! But then there are the females that aren’t quite so cool. They calland call and call, talking about nothing, just trying to hear some backgroundnoise to start a fight to mess up the whole mood, not just for the personthey’re really going through it with, but the rest of us on the tour too.Or how about the hoes that get mad over other hoes getting more attention?They take pimpin’ all out of their mind. They forget that they’re hoes andstart thinking that’s their boyfriend, trippin’ on him and questioning his judgment.Why? To get yourself caught up and ain’t none of your business. Nowyou’re getting an uppercut to the ribcage, getting the ass-beating you knowis deserved in a pimp’s mind? Go get that money to make them want to showyou extra attention. Play your role! Be real with yourself and know the roleyou play. If you can’t take the hand you’re dealt, fold. Reflect? It’s all in yourdecision-making. You’re grown. But to all the pimps pimpin’ underage girls orthe girls who have no father figure and are easy to prey on, remember thatcould be your mom, daughter, or niece that some other man is preying on tomake his income and live large as she sells her soul to keep you happy.Understand that if you are with someone in the industry, no matter how fat,ugly, or dry-humored he might be, there are always gonna be hoes, groupies,and gold-digging bitches that will test the situation just trying to hang outand gain fame! You see what it’s about! Females, I know it’s hard to dealwith, but real talk, these groupies are plain pathetic. If your partner strays hereally wasn’t yours to begin with, so why make a donkey out of yourself andgo plain psycho with jealousy and then try to get back into the relationship?Think about it. Why are you wasting so much energy?Yeah, I’m gonna go there! I can’t deny the things I see out on the road, in thestudio, and at these shows. The amazing thing is, it’s not just you! Wake upcall! As a female, it’s wild and amazing. I only trust the things I see and hear.You’re only a victim if you choose to be blind or choose to turn your head.I’ve seen artists’ women fully understand trying to humble themselves withother females, and I always wonder how long it took them to adjust to thatlife? How can you try to not show emotion when a groupie is flirting with yourguy right in front of you, and he doesn’t give a shit if he hurts your feelingscause he’s an artist claiming that all these females are just “fans”? Get real.Sad but true: so many females put themselves through it because they reallyloved that man before he became a famous artist.yourself wondering, “How come she is trippin’?” Duh! She just drilled you withthe same question five different ways and none of your answers matched.Or how about the girl you feel you have an open relationship with? Now shewants to know about the girl you knocked up after the club and had a onenight stand? She’ll hold it against you later because you’re really breakingher spirit. And how about the other woman? Do you not realize you will neverbe #1?But remember, it’s not always females. Some males are just as psycho, andthey do the same things and act out in ignorance. Why are there so manyunhealthy relationships where we are settling for less than we’re worth?When your relationship becomes violent, physically or verbally, it’s time for achange. And if you’re being threatened, there is truth to the statement. Neverunderestimate a violent thought. The drugs, jealousy, or just the plain devilhas taken over that person’s mind.Looks aren’t everything. When a person is stealing from you, breaking intoyour house, vandalizing your property, putting their hands on you, and callingnames, that pistol in your gut is coming soon. Don’t be in denial of how farthat person may go. They’re already out of body as they are being disrespectful,so the freedom is far from their thoughts. If they can’t have you, no onecan! If they can’t be in your world, they’ll destroy your hard-earned propertybecause they have no concept of what it’s like to have pride. They’re the oneswho can’t look at themselves in the mirror and say, “I love you,” and mean it.Loyalty is something that’s missing from a lot of people’s characters today.It’s sad. Real friends and real business pa’tnas are all so hard to come by.Remember, loyalty is something that is within you, not something you learn.Loyalty plays a big role in any relationship, whether it’s friendship, intimacy,work, or marriage. Trust and respect is something you earn, not deserve, in arelationship or in the streets.Psycho bitches are caused by false hope! Broken hearts bring fatal attractionsthat make psycho bitches. It used to be M.O.B. Money Over Bitches butsomewhere down the line more began to trick, so this is where psycho bitchescame from! //- D-Ray, dray@ozonemag.comThen, on the flip side, there’s insecure girlfriends and wives who are soscared of embarrassment that they just plain go psycho! Shit! They’ll totalyour whips, break your shit, and go bad on your mama with no shame! If youhave kids, they’ll threaten that you won’t see your kids. they’ll put a trackingdevice in your phone or on your whip to know where you are at all times.They’ll call your phone a hundred times as you tell her, “I’m at the studio,”and if females are around they know to be quiet. She’s checking your phone,questioning all the numbers. Sometimes you get caught slipping, forgettingto delete text messages. Or how about an extra phone she doesn’t knowabout? You’re telling her stories you may not even remember later? You catch // OZONE WEST

(above L-R): Cellski & Turf Talk on the set of “All Over Me” in San Francisco, CA (Photo: Julia Beverly); Tech N9Ne & Scenario @ OZONE’s Rapquest shoot in Kansas City, MO (Photo: D-Ray); Too $hort and his main bitch @ the Up All Nite Studios in Oakland, CA (Photo: Julia Beverly)01 // Kai Henry, David Banner, Baron Davis, & AP (San Francisco, CA) 02 // Big Rich, Lil Quinn & crew on the set of “SF Anthem” video shoot (San Francisco, CA) 03 // Willie Hen & TheJacka on the set of Jacka’s “All Over Me” (San Francisco, CA) 04 // DJ Stupac & King Yeyo @ Blue Ice (Denver, CO) 05 // Grant & Tech N9ne @ OZONE’s Rapquest shoot (Kansas City, MO)06 // Mistah FAB & Philly45 @ Grand Lake Theater for the Ghost Ride Your Whip Premiere (Oakland, CA) 07 // Paul Wall & Skin Head Rick @ Tech N9ne’s Fire & Ice Tour (Humboldt County,CA) 08 // DJ KTone & Kia Shine @ Blue Ice for KTone’s birthday bash (Denver, CO) 09 // J Diggs & Skrapi @ Grand Lake Theater for the Ghost Ride Your Whip Premiere (Oakland, CA) 10// Eddie @ Highline Jewelry (San Francisco, CA) 11 // Abe, Gary Archer, Haji Springer, Marty James, & Rhythm X @ Record House (San Francisco, CA) 12 // Colby O’Donis, John Costen,& Enrique @ Fresno Convention Center for Q97’s Spring Jam (Fresno, CA) 13 // Matt Blaque & Haji Springer on the set of “SF Anthem” video shoot (San Francisco, CA) 14 // DewayneWiggins & Iris @ Up All Nite Studios (Oakland, CA) 15 // Laroo & Unc on the set of The Jacka’s “All Over Me” (San Francisco, CA) 16 // Willie Hen, Zakee, & San Quinn on the set of “SFAnthem” video shoot (San Francisco, CA) 17 // The Jacka, DJ Rick Lee, & Young L on the set of The Jacka’s “All Over Me” (San Francisco, CA) 18 // Dewayne Wiggins & Black @ Up AllNite Studios (Oakland, CA) 19 // San Quinn & family on the set of “SF Anthem” video shoot (San Francisco, CA)Photo Credits: D-Ray (02,03,05,06,07,09,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19); DJ KTone (04,08); Julia Beverly (01)OZONE WEST // //

Blackberry? iPhone? Sidekick? What’s your drug of choice? Mepersonally, I’m hooked on CRACKBERRY. It’s more than my personalassistant, it’s like a close friend. I back up my files on my laptopand desktop computers. I don’t care if it’s lost or stolen, because I’ll just buya new one and upload my 2,500 contacts, memos, calendar appointments,text messages, and emails to the new crackberry.If you lose your phone and can’t get your contacts back, it’s like a relativedied and you mourn for your information. When someone gets ahold of yourphone and reads your text messages or emails, I don’t have to tell you howfucked up that can be. Nowadays we’re all having text sex (it’s the new phonesex. U ain’t know?), talking about people we don’t like, hooking up secretdates, business deals, forwarding info and all kinds of other shit like emailblasts, party invites, chain letters... the list is endless.If you’re in love, maybe the very last thing you do before you go to bed ischeck your phone for whatever reason. As soon as you wake up, you roll over,check your phone again and then you say good morning to the one you love.Texting has taken over our lives. People walk around with their heads pointedto the ground and their thumbs hitting the keys as fast as possible. We carryon multiple “conversations” at a time. Some of us even insist on using instantmessenger or blackberry messenger so we can get the texts as soon asthey’re typed. And texting while driving is worse than drunk driving.I’ve been at dinner tables with eight people, and everybody’s texting atthe same time. I try to put my crackberry away at times like that, butimportant messages just keep coming through so I HAVE to reply. Fora real player like me, this shit is amazing. I can bust a nut and text myother woman with no problems.Who remembers having a beeper back before cell phones were popular,or even before beepers made it to the ‘hood? You would check your beeperand then stop at a phone booth to call somebody back. Or, if you didn’t havea beeper, you’d have to be at home by the phone so people could find you.Pimpin’ is so hi-tech these days, instead of pulling yourCaddy over to the curb and saying, “Bitch, where thefuck you been all day?!” now you can just call her andsay, “Bitch, where the fuck you at?!” Instant results!We get offended when certain people don’t answerour calls or texts. Not to mention, a lot of times, textmessages and emails can be misunderstood. You senda sexy text and it reads back like a pervert sent it. Youtell a joke and it reads back like an insult. Slang andabbreviated words aren’t always understood either,but we’re all still addicted to our personal communicatingdevices.“TEXTING HAS TAKEN OVER OUR LIVES.BLACKBERRY? IPHONE? SIDEKICK?WHAT’S YOUR DRUG OF CHOICE?”M’fuckas like me will reply to your texts before we will answeryour calls. If I give my number out, I always tell people, “Text me. Don’tcall me, because I won’t answer.” It’s true. If texting was an Olympic sport, Iwould be a gold medalist. I’m on my crackberry right now and even thoughyou’re reading this, you’re probably on yours too so I’ll holla at you later. Goahead and reply, Biiiiiiiiitch!!!! //Hit me up on my crackberry at ShortStories@ozonemag.com10 // OZONE WEST

(above L-R): Demolition Men @ Club 6 in San Francisco, CA (Photo: D-Ray); Big Von & David Banner @ KMEL in San Francisco, CA (Photo: Julia Beverly); 2 Pistols & Colby O’Donis @Fresno Convention Center for Q97’s Spring Jam in Fresno, CA (Photo: D-Ray)01 // The Jacka & Collin @ Mezzanine for David Banner’s birthday party (San Francisco, CA) 02 // Dee Sonoram & Kafani the Ice King @ Fresno Convention Center for Q97’s Spring Jam(Fresno, CA) 03 // Mohawk Marlon & Tito Bell @ Club Agenda for DJ Rah2K’s birthday party (San Jose, CA) 04 // David Banner & DJ Skee @ Mezzanine for David Banner’s birthday party(San Francisco, CA) 05 // Julox, Fat B, & Big Tuck @ Angelo’s (Denver, CO) 06 // Haji Springer & NVUS Twins on the set of The Jacka’s “All Over Me” (San Francisco, CA) 07 // Pretty Black& The Jacka @ Club 6 (San Francisco, CA) 08 // Bigga Rankin & Miss Dynasty on the Hypnotized Tour (Kansas City, MO) 09 // DJ Moe1, Traxamillion, & DJ Juice on the set of “SF Anthem”video shoot (San Francisco, CA) 10 // Jae Synth & Dezit Eaze @ Omina Labs (Sacramento, CA) 11 // Man Up Squad on the set of “Spiritual” (Tucson, AZ) 12 // Tito Bell, DJ Rick Lee, DJJuice, & DJ Imperial on the set of The Jacka’s “All Over Me” (San Francisco, CA) 13 // Esinchill @ Oakland airport (Oakland, CA) 14 // Matt Blaque, Abe Legend, & Haji Springer @ TheRecord House (Fremont, CA) 15 // Fan & Bash Bash @ Discovery Park for Cinco de Mayo (Sacramento, CA) 16 // Davey D & Gary Archer @ Grand Lake Theater for the Ghost Ride YourWhip Premiere (Oakland, CA) 17 // Demolition Men & ladies on the set of The Jacka’s “All Over Me” (San Francisco, CA) 18 // King Yeyo & Mike Clarke @ Certified (Denver, CO) 19 // DJDevro & DJ Quest on the set of The Jacka’s “All Over Me” (San Francisco, CA)Photo Credits: D-Ray (01,02,03,04,06,07,09,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,19); DJ KTone (05,18); Rebecca Knoblauch (10); Terrence Tyson (08)OZONE WEST // // 11

She Liked my NECKLACE and started relaxin’, that’s what the fuck I call a…J DIGGSTHIZZ IN PEACEMy piece is my heart. It’s a real portrait of my bestfriend, Mac Dre, who passed away in 2004. I wearit everywhere I go. This is my way of keeping mybest friend alive and with me at all times. Mac Dreis the founder and CEO of my record label ThizzEntertainment, and my piece is also the logo for the record label. AfterDre passed, Kilo appointed me President of Thizz Nation. We stamp everyofficial Thizz project with this same Mac Dre Thizz Nation stamp.Mac Dre was also my co-defendant in my 1992 bank robbery case, inwhich I received 10 years and Mac Dre got five years for refusing totestify against me and my cousin Kilo in a case he had no involvementwith. He did what most rap niggas talk about doing: he kept hismouth closed and did his muthafuckin’ time. He is also being featuredalongside me and my crew the Romper Room Crew on BET’s AmericanGangster.The chain and the piece total are worth over $200,000. It was made byExotic Jewelry in Richmond, by David Bling. This diamond chain was putaround my neck by my baby brother from another mother, Bleu Davinciof the BMF Family. Fuck what they say; we’re still here. Me and Bleulived together for a couple years. We did the entire country on a tourbus with the fam and my Dirty Girls. We were together in Vegas the dayhe was grabbed by the letter boys [Federal agents].Bleu put two diamond chains around my neck worth close to half a milliondollars. I bring the other one out on special occasions.R.I.P. Mac Dre. Free BMF! //Photo by D-Ray12 // OZONE WEST

(above L-R): DJ Black & Juicy J in Los Angeles, CA (Photo: DJ Black); Big Rich & San Quinn @ Toons Nightclub in San Jose, CA (Photo: D-Ray); Cellski & The Jacka on the set of “All OverMe” in San Francisco, CA (Photo: Julia Beverly)01 // DJ Devro, DJ Juice, & DJ Quote on the set of The Jacka’s “All Over Me” (San Francisco, CA) 02 // DJ Skee & Kai Henry @ Mezzanine for David Banner’s birthday party (San Francisco,CA) 03 // Lady Innerstate & Michael Watts @ Angelo’s (Denver, CO) 04 // Dee Sonoram & Ray J @ Fresno Convention Center for Q97’s Spring Jam (Fresno, CA) 05 // Doin It Movin, MiamiDa Most, & Tuff Da Goon @ Grand Lake Theater for the Ghost Ride Your Whip Premiere (Oakland, CA) 06 // Cinque & family on the set of “Spiritual” (Tucson, AZ) 07 // Richie Rich, MistahFAB, & Davey D @ Up All Nite Studios (Oakland, CA) 08 // Uno, Too $hort, & Stunna @ Phoenix Theater (Petaluma, CA) 09 // The Jacka & Jerm of 2C Custom Clothing on the set of TheJacka’s “All Over Me” (San Francisco, CA) 10 // DJ Vlad, Kilo, Keak da Sneak, J Diggs, & Big Dant @ Keak Da Sneak’s release party (Mountain View, CA) 11 // Geezy & Tuff Da Goon @Grand Lake Theater for the Ghost Ride Your Whip Premiere (Oakland, CA) 12 // Baby Bash & Big Al @ Discovery Park for Cinco de Mayo (Sacramento, CA) 13 // Big Rich & crew on theset of Jacka’s “All Over Me” (San Francisco, CA) 14 // Peanut & J @ Club Mighty (San Francisco, CA) 15 // 2C Clothing on the set of Jacka’s “All Over Me” (San Francisco, CA) 16 // KafaniThe Ice King, DJ Lace & Roscoe Umali @ Fresno Convention Center for Q97’s Spring Jam (Fresno, CA) 17 // Too $hort & crew @ Phoenix Theater (Petaluma, CA) 18 // J Diggs & KaddaMac @ Grand Lake Theater for the Ghost Ride Your Whip Premiere (Oakland, CA) 19 // Miami Da Most, Keak Da Sneak, DJ Vlad, & ladies @ Keak Da Sneak’s release party (Mountain View,CA)Photo Credits: D-Ray (01,02,04,05,06,08,09,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19); DJ KTone (03); Eric Arnold (07)OZONE WEST // // 13

the LEAKfrom all theRecently, Los Angeles exploded. The internet has played a vital partin both the increasing popularity of Hip Hop and also in the demiseof record sales. In this particular instance, the internet was the firstwitness to the release of two key tracks off Bishop Lamont’s highlyanticipated album that isn’t due out until November. Apparently, the personresponsible for leaking the tracks is DJ Warrior’s former business partner DJStrong. The incident was first brought to light through a YouTube clip whereWarrior and Bishop confronted DJ Strong and his girlfriend.In defense of Bishop Lamont, DJ Warrior released the following statement:“[DJ Strong] was a business partner of mine until March 2007. He has stolenmoney from the company, and also hasn’t paid back owed money. He gave mybrand, Hip Hop West, a bad name. He’s been illegally using the Hip Hop Westname to make money for a while and he sells the Bishop Lamont UnauthorizedCD, puts his name on it after he was told not to, and sells the master toover 10 bootleggers for few hundred dollars each. The New West has bannedthis guy from Hip Hop. This guy is worse than Empire, who illegally put the LilWayne mixtapes out. This guy is a disgrace to Hip Hop and to the streets.”How long have you been affiliated with DJ Strong and how did you link up?DJ Warrior: He was a DJ that I saw on the internet and asked him if he wantedto be in a record pool. Eventually he started coming around and scooping outwhat I had going on. He was a grinder; he was sincere about what he wasdoing. So I showed him what to do. I fixed him up and gave him street cred.I introduced him to everybody. I told him, “You do your part, I’ll do my part,and we’ll build an empire.” I took him under my wing. From day one peoplealways had problems with him, but if you’re my partner, I’m going to stick byyour side. Eventually the problems started interfering with the business.What kind of problems?Any street problem he had with a DJ or a rapper came into the business side sand became my problem as well. Being his partner, I had to stick by him, butit was only for so long I could afford to do that. I started noticing that moneywas missing from the account and different ventures we had going on, so wehad to split ways. He kept continuing to use the brand that I own 51% of, andmaking money off of it and not paying me. Publicly, the issues between meand him weren’t known, so what he was doing damaged the name that I putall my blood, sweat, and tears into.Do you think the alleged incident between DJ Strong and Bishop Lamont is agood example of how bootlegging is hurting the music industry?DJ Warrior: Yes, once it’s on the internet it’s over. It’s a wrap. I think themixtape game is totally out of control. A lot of DJ’s are mad because of whatLil Wayne said, but I think he was targeting one or two DJ’s that’s been fuckinghim over for a long time. I was seeing a different Lil Wayne mixtape everytwo weeks. It was ridiculous. I didn’t know those tapes were unofficial untilI heard his statement. Every mixtape I’ve ever put out, I’ve worked with theartist personally, and I know them personally.What do you think is going to be the Aftermath - no pun intended - of thiswhole situation?DJ Warrior: He’s going to court, both for Bishop’s shit and on my shit. If Iwas Strong I would apologize and move onto something else. If I was himI wouldn’t even fuck with this business right now, because no matter howcorporate Hip Hop gets, it’s still a street business. People on the streets thinkhe’s a bitch; they think he’s a mark, and they’re going to think he did all thisillegally.So, Bishop, tell us about this project you were working on. It was a mixtape tohype up the upcoming album release?Bishop Lamont: Exactly. I did a five mixtape series, and this last one was TheConfessional. It’s the last one before the album comes out. It’s just a way tokeep feeding the streets music. It’s about progress, evolution, energy; it’sabout giving people good music at a time when there’s only bullshit.How did DJ Strong get involved with your project?Bishop Lamont: Nah, Nah. It’s DJ Thong. He got involved because he lied toWhoo Kid and told him he’s the man on the West Coast. He told Whoo Kid thathe needed DJ Thong to facilitate the West Coast side of things, like niggasdon’t already know who Whoo Kid is and like Whoo Kid ain’t already got love^ BISHOP LAMONT’STHE CONFESSIONAL< DJ WARRIORDJ STRONG>rappers on the West Coast. That nigga was lyin’ to him, gassing him up andshit, acting like I actually fuck with Thong. Whoo Kid brings it up to mefinally. [Strong] puts up a fake cover with my head on Mack 10’s body, withthe name Confessions, like I’m Usher. It’s The Confessional cocksucker. So Icalled [DJ Strong] peacefully and respectfully and I said “Yo, you can’t be apart of this jump off; this is just me and Whoo Kid. I get down with a lot ofother DJ’s tough, but I reached out to Whoo Kid for this, so you jumpin’ in outof nowhere, I don’t even roll with you like that. It would look disrespectfulto a fly ass nigga like DJ Skee or DJ Warrior. Who are you? So he just threw itout there to be spiteful, on some fuckery, and sold it to bootleggers. That’salready copyright infringement.So the leaked tracks got you in some hot water with Dr. Dre and Aftermath?Bishop Lamont: Aftermath was bugging on my phone. But I wasn’t answeringno calls until I dealt with it. I went over there to see the hoe ass nigga[DJ Strong]. I was just going to talk to him, but he called the police. Thenhe called his lawyer and his lawyer called me. The bitch ass nigga called thepolice and his lawyer, so now he’s gotta deal with Aftermath’s lawyer. Nowyou’ve gotta go against [Dr.] Dre’s money. Then the nigga tried to sell it overseasto some other cats. Bottom line is, DJ Thong’s career is over. You try andput out some gay-ass statement talkin’ about, “We are the West Coast.” Youain’t the West Coast if you’re trying to fuck West Coast niggas over. You’re notstruggling, nigga. You got mad cheese in that store you ripped off from DJWarrior. You got mad credit cards. You graduated from UC Santa Barbara. Stoplying. You ain’t like my niggas out here in the streets. Fuck DJ Thong.Well, DJ Drama was charged with bootlegging and copyright infringementalso. Looking at the mixtape game as a whole, it’s kind of a thin line betweenbootlegging and “legitimate” mixtapes, don’t you think?Bishop Lamont: When a nigga steals music and put it out on purpose justto leak an album to try to fuck an artist over, that nigga knows he’s doingwrong. When you take a cat like Drama that’s just trying to help artists’careers bubble because the labels ain’t doing shit, there’s nothing wrongwith that. That’s just the government and the record labels being greedysince record sales ain’t shit. They’re going after the people making mixtapesbecause that’s free money. They hate it when artists get paid another way.There really ain’t nothing wrong with it except when niggas are doing shitwithout clearance, like DJ Thong. He tried to fuck up my movement, but Godturned a negative into a positive. When we exposed him for the bitch that heis, that took The Confessional through the roof. That was the best commercialI could’ve had. I’m still going to get the money for the records that he leaked,and I’m still going to pay the producers that did those tracks. Dre is just tryingto make sure no Dr. Dre beats are released. This nigga charge $500,000 abeat, and I’ve got six or seven Dre beats on my album. Cocksuckers tryin’ toleak shit? C’mon, man, this is big business here. You’re playing with us likeyou like to play with yourself and your life partner. No.Sounds like he had a reason to call the police when you went to see him.Bishop Lamont: I wanted to pimp slap him. I can’t lie to you about that. Iwanted to slap the shit out of him, because he did some spiteful shit after Iwas respectful, after I was a gentleman. Not only are you disrespecting oneof my peers, but you’re disrespecting me to my face even after a long sincerediscussion on the phone. He cried. He told the homeboy, “I’m living a nightmare.”Bitch ass nigga, you tried to fuck me! You tried to fuck the West Coast!You tried to fuck with Aftermath! You tried to fuck with the streets! Are youfucking crazy? Didn’t you learn not to do that at UC Santa Barbara?Where can people find this infamous mixtape?Bishop Lamont: I never charge people; I’m a servant of the people. You candownload it from myspace.com/bishoplamont or www.bishoplamont.comNumerous attempts were made to conduct a formal interview with DJ Strong,who released the following statement:“With everything going on and all I’m accused of, I’m gonna have to lay low onthis one and say ‘no comment.’ Thanks to OZONE for the chance to respond.” //14 // OZONE WEST

(above L-R): Haji Springer with his article on the set of “SF Anthem” video shoot in San Francisco, CA (Photo: D-Ray); David Banner & DJ Rick Lee @ KMEL in San Francisco, CA (Photo:Julia Beverly); Richie Rich @ Up All Nite Studios in Oakland, CA (Photo: D-Ray)01 // Krizz Kaliko @ Tech N9ne’s Fire & Ice Tour (Humboldt County, CA) 02 // Mistah FAB on the set of The Jacka’s “All Over Me” (San Francisco, CA) 03 // Uno of The Pack & crew @Phoenix Theater (Petaluma, CA) 04 // Tofu De La Moore @ Zokkus for Sick Wid It & 916 Unified listening party (Sacramento, CA) 05 // Kilo on the set of The Jacka’s “All Over Me” (SanFrancisco, CA) 06 // J Intell & Doey Rock @ Zokku for 916 Unified listening party (San Francisco, CA) 07 // PK on the set of “SF Anthem” video shoot (San Francisco, CA) 08 // BabyBash @ Discovery Park for Cinco de Mayo (Sacramento, CA) 09 // Sean Kennedy @ The Record House (Fremont, CA) 10 // Sauce @ Tech N9ne’s Fire & Ice Tour (Humboldt County, CA) 11// Silky Slim & A Plus @ Westcoast Wednesdays (Fresno, CA) 12 // DJ KTone & DJ Smallz @ The Palladium (Denver, CO) 13 // Lil Evil & Lil Corner on the set of The Jacka’s “All Over Me”(San Francisco, CA) 14 // Kyd & Turf Talk on the set of Mainy Mike’s “We On That” video shoot (Sacramento, CA) 15 // Sweetz & Willie @ Mezzanine for David Banner’s birthday party(San Francisco, CA) 16 // Big Body Gotti @ Club Mighty (San Francisco, CA) 17 // DJ Amen @ Phoenix Theater (Petaluma, CA) 18 // DJ Mighty Mike & DJ Smurf @ Zokkus for Sick Wid It& 916 Unified listening party (Sacramento, CA) 19 // Trackademics on the set of “SF Anthem” video shoot (San Francisco, CA) 20 // Young Win @ Club Agenda for DJ Rah2K’s birthdayparty (San Jose, CA) 21 // Do It Movin & Jae Synth @ Zokkus for Sick Wid It & 916 Unified listening party (Sacramento, CA) 22 // DJ Rah2K @ Club Agenda for DJ Rah2K’s birthday party(San Jose, CA) 23 // Bright & Ebol @ Upscale Club (Orange County, CA) 24 // Diego Redd @ Westcoast Wednesdays (Fresno, CA) 25 // Freddie Hot Sauce & Family Tree @ Club Agendafor DJ Rah2K’s birthday party (San Jose, CA) 26 // Tycoon @ Bennie Owens’ lab (Oakland, CA) 27 // Aaron @ Club Mighty (San Francisco, CA) 28 // Lil Quinn @ Toons Nightclub (SanJose, CA) 29 // P Coat Jackson & Hoodchild @ Westcoast Wednesdays (Fresno, CA) 30 // Eric Perrin @ OZONE’s Rapquest shoot (Kansas City, MO) 31 // Big Omeezy @ Zokkus for SickWid It & 916 Unified listening party (Sacramento, CA) 32 // Gu @ Tech N9ne’s Fire & Ice Tour (Humboldt County, CA) 33 // Fatality, Boo Banger, & Traxamillion on the set of “SF Anthem”video shoot (San Francisco, CA) 34 // Nova & Mike Diddy @ Westcoast Wednesdays (Fresno, CA) 35 // Rich Nix, SugaKane & Eddie Projex @ The Crest Theater (Fresno, CA)Photo Credits: D-Ray (01,02,03,05,07,08,09,10,13,16,17,19,20,22,23,25,27,28,30,32,33); DJ KTone (12); Jessica Essien (04,11,14,18,21,24,26,29,31,34,35); Julia Beverly (15); Rebecca Knoblauch(06)OZONE WEST MAG // // 15

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PatientlyWaitingWhen the hyphy movement surfaced around 2003 a handful of the Bay’s newgeneration of rappers dubbed themselves the “New Bay,” particularly thosefrom Oakland, basically writing off everyone that came before them. Inhindsight they created a sound catered for the hyperactive A.D.D. generation,but what artists like Too $hort, Richie Rich and MC Hammer created during the90s was a movement.Oakland reigned musically during that era as groups like 3XS Krazy, The Luniz,and Digital Underground continued the push as major labels kept them in thenational spotlight. Even though The Delinquents (aka G-Stack and V-White)didn’t receive as much national attention, they were still major factors in thecity’s musical history. “Most of us came from a family member putting yourrecord out or a very close friend, or putting our own record out,” G-Stackexplains now, 16 years deep in the game and counting with the release ofhis ninth album (eight with The Delinquents), the solo prequel My PurpleChronicles in preparation for this summer’s Purple Hood. “JT The Bigga Figga,A.W.O.L., all of us came from the struggle,” he remembers. “They just kindarode the wave of something cats established. I would never call Too $hort orE-40 ‘old.’ I would call them ‘legends.’”Since then, the music scene has changed, as local stations like 94.9 and106.1 pick and choose which Bay artist’s bandwagon they want to ride. Butfor G-Stack, that passive attitude “is irrelevant” compared to a new movementhe’s leading with The Heem Team and Dot of the Mekanix. “Radio isirrelevant, even though I need them,” he says with a hint of resentment.“They’re becoming irrelevant and I’m structuring my material, my movement,and my records around it. If I do get radio that’s a bonus, but it’sfrustrating. The way consumers [think] now, if you’re not on the radio,theythink something’s wrong with you. I’m tryin’ to do my thing so that ifI don’t get radio, people will wonder what’s wrong with them, not what’swrong with me.”Right now G-Stack is heading up the purple movement (if you don’t knowwhat it means, ask somebody), and for his new position as leader pleaserefer to him as the Purple Mane from Purple City. “People ask me why I’mnot putting, ‘Formerly of The Delinquents’ on my CD,” he says. “It’s becauseI don’t wanna follow nothin’. I wanna set another trend. I want them tofollow me and bite me. If people put purple on their CD cover now, catsare callin’ me like, ‘They bitin’ you.’ No, they’re not. Purple is a color, butI’m building it like a movement. I want people to appreciate that I can beoriginal, even though I know purple has been done before, but not in theway that I am doing it.”- Words by Kay T. Newell // Photos by PiankhiOZONE WEST // 17

Words by Eric Perrin & Ms. RivercityPhotos by D-RayWhen discussing the essence of Tech N9ne’s music, “distinctive,”“unique,” and “strange” are all words that come to mind. Even TechN9ne himself emphatically embraces the description. Often misunderstoodand shunned by the industry, Tech still remains one of the top-selling independentartists in the country. In fact, with the release of his forthcoming albumKiller, his total career sales are set to spill over the 1 million mark. So why hashe been denied the commercial recognition that many one-hit-wonders receiveovernight? Ironically, the answer probably lies within the same factors that causeTech N9ne shows to sell out and CDs to fly off the shelf. Being distinctive, unique,and strange are characteristics that have seemingly dissipated from the world ofmainstream Hip Hop, aside from the occasional Gnarls Barkleys and Andre 3000sthat break out of the box. After two decades spent building a large loyal fanbase,Tech N9ne is thankful, but not satisfied.18 // OZONE WEST

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Can you talk about how you acquired such a unique style? Youdefinitely have a swagger and style that’s one-of-a-kind.Being from the Midwest, we’re right here in the heart of the middle. With that being said, we get it fromthe East, the South, the West, the North, or wherever it’s coming from. It’s a musical overload. And by myfamily being into not just rap music and R&B, but into Gospel, orchestral music, and rock & roll, all that wasinstilled into me. I think with me being in the middle and my family being diverse, it created Tech N9ne.That’s what my name means – Technique Number 9. We spell Tech, T-E-C-H, but it’s not like the gun whichis spelled T-E-C. It’s short for Technique and Number 9 is the number of completion. 9 months completes apregnancy; a cat has 9 lives; the whole 9 yards is everything. Technique Number 9 is the complete techniqueof rhyme. With my family being diverse and being in the middle and me being a lover of all types of music,that’s where my style came from. It’s ambidextrous – left or right, up or down, I don’t care. It’s everything.20 // OZONE WEST

You’ve obviously established a presence in the game that’s unprecedented,especially for a Kansas City artist. How were you able to takeover the game and get to the position you’re at right now?Kansas City doesn’t have a lot of opportunities when it comes to music.We ain’t got no Sony Midwest. We ain’t got no Def Jam Midwest. I had toblow it up here ‘cause that’s where it starts, at home. From here, all theDJs and clubs were finding out about Tech N9ne. Next thing you know, I’mon the radio and it spread. It spread to Cali through Quincy Jones. FromQuincy Jones and QD3, it spread to everybody. It put me on the Gang Relatedsoundtrack, Tupac’s movie. That’s how a lot of people got to know about me,and being on the Wake Up show with Sway and King Tech. I’m just a veteranin the game with everything, being on Yukmouth’s albums, the Thugged Out:The Albulation and so on, being everywhere at once. That’s how you probablyheard my music, through all the connections we made through me being apolitician, going state to state, city to city, shaking hands and kissing babies– just like how Master P did it. Nobody knew Master P when he first cameto Kansas City, but he was doing little hole-in-the-wall clubs, getting thepeople to know his name. That’s exactly what we do. We’ll go to Oregon;we don’t care where the show is. I remember when I first did a show in SanDiego. It was like 7 people in the crowd. Now we’re selling out whatever[venues] we do there. Being a politician is how you branch out from yourtown. I’ve been in this since I wrote my first rhyme in 1985. I’m proud to bewhere I’m at right now, at the top of my game.With Kansas City as a whole, you’ve been able to do your thing but a lot ofyour predecessors or people that followed you haven’t been able to establishthemselves like you have. Why do you think that is?Kansas City on the Hip Hop scene is huge. You got a lot of cats that hit theroad too. Rich the Factor hits the road; The Popper hits the road. It’s a lotof others. I guess they just gotta hit a lot more places. We’ll go everywhere.We done did a show up in Lawson, in the middle of a field, standing on acooler, yadidamean? We did raves. It’s about being a politician so you gottado it to the fullest. Not saying that my dudes don’t do it to the fullest, butnobody does it like us. But they can go with me whenever they want ‘causeI got love for all my cats. But if you’re really trying to be the President ofRap like I’ve been trying to be for a long time, you got to be in the running.We’ve been doing this independently, but we’re trying to get my name knownglobally. I’m trying to be the number 1 politician. Listen to the music. Cometo a show and see if I’m bluffing. We’ve been humble for a long time. A lot ofpeople love what we do and how we do business, but this new album I gotcalled Killer, it kinda put a chip on my shoulder because I wish the industrywas more about good music instead of payola. Me and Travis O’Guin use ourown money. We ain’t got $20,000 to give to some DJ to play our stuff 24-7. Iwish it was more about the quality and content, as opposed to the money.I understand everybody’s gotta get paid and everybody’s palms gotta getgreased, but if it was about how good I was, I’d be a billionaire. We’re gonnabang it into they heads to where they gotta see me. They’re gonna have tosee me when they come to the show, when they start hearing more DJs playingme. MTV and BET are gon’ have to see me. It’s written in the wind ‘causethis is raw. You’ll hear a lot of rappers say, “This is raw, this is real,” but naw,this ain’t real, this is right.Some of your past label situations in the past haven’t worked out well. Howis Fontana/Universal distribution working out so far?We finally got with a partner [Fontana] that pays us on time. All me andTravis’ past partners like Mark Stephens Cerami – fuck him very much forrunning with our money – we’re suing them as we speak, yadidamean? JayFaires at JCOR – fuck him very much. He ran with our money also. I knowwhere they live, but in this business you can’t go in their homes and hemthem up because you’ll be in jail for life. You gotta pay money to get yourmoney back. It’s crazy. But with Fontana, we were able to get tour buses andbuy Benzes. Travis just bought a Maybach. It’s a wonderful thing. We’ve onlydone two albums with Fontana and with that, we’re already seeing shit. Allthose albums I did in the past like Anghellic, Absolute Power, Vintage Tech,Anghellic Reparation, and our DVD Tech N9ne Experience, my fans are stillbuying those and we don’t get no money from that. It’s all at Sony.I guess that would bring the Killer out in you. Is that where your album titleis derived from?Usually when you talk to Tech N9ne, there’s a deep meaning behind something,but simplicity is the key on this one. Killer is simply saying – and thisis rock & roll terminology – this music is all killer, no filler. Now to go alongwith what you asked, I wish I could be a killer and get my money from thesemuthafuckas with a pistol. We’d love to do it Kansas City style but we have tobe “professional” ‘cause we have children.What’s the concept behind your snake and bat chain?Nobody would ever think of that but Tech N9ne. The snake and the bat arenocturnal creatures. A lot of people who see it think I’m a devil worshiper.What the hell is a devil? Anybody ever had any proof? You ever seen a ghost?I ain’t never seen nothing supernatural so I question a lot of people whenthey talk about Satan and super-natural beings. They thought this [symbol]meant sadomasochism – S&M. This is an S and an M, but it stands for StrangeMusic. I got the name Strange back when I was with Quincy Jones. I did thisdeal with Windswept Publishing and they wanted to know the name of mypublishing company. I wanted to call it EGN Arts – that’s Strange spelledbackwards. So when I hooked up with Travis O’Guin in the late 90’s, he said,“I want to start this label and split everything 50/50.” I said, “Yeah, let’s doit. I wanna call it Strange Music.” He liked it. I was a big Jim Morrison fan.The Doors had a song (singing) “People are strange…when you’re strange,faces come out in the rain…” I loved it. It was kinda creepy, like dark circussounding music. I was really into that. They used to call me the Black JimMorrison. That’s where Strange Music came from – the snake and the bat.Is that also how you would describe your sound?Strange. Totally. When you listen to a Tech N9ne song, you know it’s TechN9ne. It’s distinctive. It’s all about pitch. A lot of people don’t know pitch. Alot of rappers are monotone. The way I say my name “Tech N9ne!” (with emphasis),it’s exciting. It’s strange. My rhymes are like that. It’s a little bit tothe left and I love it. I love being special. If you had caught me a couple ofyears ago, I had red spikes in my hair. You’d still see it today if I knew howto take care of dyed hair. But I’m a black dude so I don’t really know nothingabout that. I was on a lot of drugs back then – a lot of ecstasy, shrooms,GHB. I was killing myself slowly and contributing to genocide back in theday. I came out of that, but I would never take back what that gave me, thatwild Tech N9ne with the red spiked hair. But it started falling out so I had tocut it all off and start over. I’m going to grow it all the way down my back.It’s gonna be beautiful.Compared to how you started back in ’85, how has your career compared towhat you anticipated? What did you envision when you first started?I remember an interview Jim Carrey did after that Batman movie where heplayed The Riddler. They asked him if was surprised to get $25 million. Andhe said, “No. I’ve been planning this all my life.” I’m similar. When I first setout to do this Tech N9ne thing, I knew that I wanted my stuff to be for theworld. So naw, we ain’t there yet. We’re getting there. We haven’t exceededour limit when it comes to fans. There’s more to be taken. I always expectedfor everybody to be involved, so you can imagine how I felt when they calledme to Denmark last year to perform for 60,000 people with Kanye [West],Tool, Guns and Roses, and George Clinton & the P-Funk All-Stars, doing itbig. You can imagine how I felt when I went to Australia with The Luniz,Dru Down, and Kurupt, doing it big. That’s what I’ve been planning since Istarted; just to get my music to the rest of the world. When I got a cat callingme from Turkey wanting me on a song, thank God for the internet, baby. No,I’m not surprised at what’s happened. I’m thankful for what’s happened, butit hasn’t happened like it needs to for the entire world to know my story.What’s so special and important about my story? I am everything you are. I’mhuman. My ups and downs, my happiness, my sadness, my fuck-ups, that’swhat we all have in common. That’s what I want to get to the rest of theworld.When people talk about Tech N9ne retiring one day, what thoughts cross yourmind?I’m doing Killer like it’s my last album. I’m saying everything I always wantedto say but held back. My mama taught me if you don’t have anything niceto say don’t say anything at all, but I’ve been humble all my life. I’ve beenthe nice guy and always got the short end of the stick. But now, it’s lookingway brighter. What me and Travis built in the years we’ve had Strange Music,it’s turning into something humongous. I can’t quit until my mission is done,when you see me everywhere, when I can’t go to Japan without them mobbingme. If I can walk in the mall and these bitches don’t melt, that meansmy job’s not over. You feel me? I’m not done. I’m trying to get to wheremy babies’ babies are well-off. Russell Simmons said he likes seeing theseyoung cats come up from the ghetto and now they have rich kids. I feel him.That’s what I’m reaching for. //OZONE WEST // 21

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April 25th started off as a moderately warm day in Kansas City,slightly overcast with predictions of rain. By mid-day, thetemperature dropped nearly fifteen degrees and a hazy drizzleset upon the city. Though an unstable climate threatened tohalt a historical moment in KC Hip Hop, not even an ominouscloud cover was able to overshadow the positive vibe in the air. It was a dayof new beginnings. It was a day when over 30 artists and DJs would put downstreet beef, color clashing, and underlying hostility to unite for a photo signifyingone cause. Unity, often quoted as being one of KC’s biggest hurdles,found its way to the heart of the city’s new Power and Light District thatFriday afternoon. As everyone crowded together for a snapshot that wouldcapture some of the city’s greatest talent, ground was broken.“We saw unity today,” says Travis O’Guin, Co-CEO of Strange Music. “We saw alarge amount of artists come together peacefully and be a part of the photoshoot. We’re working with each other a lot more. I really think the city is slepton because of the [lack of] unity. Once you start having success, instead ofendorsing and congratulating that, often times it’s hated on. That’s the difficultpart about this city, but now people have gone out and done their ownthing and a few different labels are having some independent success. Nowthat there’s more unity, I think there will be a hell of a lot more exposurefor Kansas City. We’re gonna do everything we can to ensure that we put thisbitch on the map, with Tech [N9ne] and everybody else that’s involved.”Because the mainstream music industry has side-stepped Kansas City (evenwhen the spotlight was on St. Louis), local indie labels have had to opendoors for themselves. One of the labels with the strongest footholds isStrange Music. As the brainchild of Tech N9ne and Travis O’Guin, StrangeMusic has virtually become a touring and merchandising powerhouse. Afterenduring a few setbacks with distribution and major label partnerships in thepast, Strange Music now has a more solid situation with Fontana/Universal.Tech N9ne’s new album Killer (with guest features from Ice Cube, Scarface,Paul Wall, Mistah FAB, Shawnna, and others) will be the third release underFontana/Universal. Things are finally looking up for the “Kansas City King.”In addition to Tech N9ne, several other artists on the Strange Music rosterare enjoying the success that comes with independence, like Kutt Calhoun,Skatterman & Snug Brim, Ill Bill, Grave Plott, and Prozak, who all have albumsscheduled to be released mid-2008. Krizz Kaliko, who lends his opera-likevoice to many of Tech N9ne’s choruses, recently released his album Vitiligo.When it comes to characterizing the style of Kansas City, Krizz Kaliko explains,“We’ve got our own distinctive sound, swagger, language, our own dances,everything – just like the Bay, just like down South. But there’s a ghetto in(artists pictured in the photo above include the following, in alphabetical order):Bishop, Black Walt, Cash Image, D Locc Da Chop, DJ Fresh, Hobo Tone, Hustlamade Bugz,Kutt Calhoun, Krizz Kaliko, Paul Mussan, The Popper, R.O.B., Rondoe, S.S.P., Skatterman,Snug Brim, Tay Diggs, Tech N9ne, Toothpic, Van Brunt Ent., Xta-C, Young Don D. Oursincere apologies to anyone we forgot.every city and it’s pretty much the same [everywhere]. That street edge isusually a major component of the music in Kansas City. On Strange Music, wegot all of the elements – hood, rock, East Coast. Myself, I try to make my ownlane. The lane I made for myself is called The Funkra, which means funk, rock,rap, R&B, and opera. It’s musical gumbo.”“Musical gumbo” is a term that well suits Kansas City as a whole. Kutt Kalhounsays, “We got a collection of everything. We get a mixture of the East, DownSouth, the West. All that comes through Kansas City. We’re like the core of everything.We’re known for our lyrical styles and patterns in our music. I thinkthe showmanship value of what we got is very unique. We’re very creative.When you come to Kansas City, the basic apparel you see is creased jeans anda nice, crispy t-shirt. KC had the Rockport boots. That’s the whole Kansas Citytheme right there. We don’t try to be like nobody else. You got down South,the way they do they cars. You got the East coast, the way they wear theyclothes and do they thang. You got the West coast, they’re more on someDickies stuff. We got a mixture of all that, but we run with our own style thatwe created for ourselves. That’s just in our swagger.”Straddling the Missouri/Kansas border, Kansas City rests in the dead centerof the U.S. map, making it the merging point for all four regions. Because ofits location, pinning a definitive label on the KC sound is difficult. “We takeall those different sounds, mesh ‘em together, and come up with somethingsuper, super hot,” says Kenny Diamondz, host of Underground Heat on KPRS.Underground Heat is one of the few outlets for the city’s emerging artists.Recently, Van Brunt Entertainment’s artist Cash Image received hundreds oflocal radio spins with his single “In My Chevy” produced by Don Juan. Introducedby Underground Heat, the single spread from a mixshow to regularrotation, later reaching airwaves in markets outside of the city.Other KPRS residents like JT Quick, Sean Tyler, and DJ Fresh also play animportant role in the development of KC’s presence. In the late 90s, DJ Freshput together an album called The 50 Emcees where he highlighted the city’stop talent. Grant Rice, who formerly toured with Tech N9ne and is presentlya member of The Regime with Yukmouth, credits the album for putting himon. He recalls, “DJ Fresh put flyers out everywhere saying he was putting the50 best rappers in Kansas City on the album. Everybody was trying out. I gotOZONE WEST // 23

(L-R above): Mon E G, Grant Rice, SSP’s Fat Boy, Kenny Diamondz & ROB, & Rich the Factorthere too late [but I battled] a dude, smoked him, and got on the album. Techheard my voice and The Popper called me saying that Tech N9ne wanted tomeet me. Right off jump, me and Tech clicked ‘cause we were both into othertypes of music. All the unity back then was amazing. But when Mac Dre [waskilled], it drew a line. It stopped a lot of shit.”Kansas City was a haven for Bay Area legends like Mac Dre. “I can rememberunderground cats that were big back in the days, like DJ Quik, Spice 1, MacMall, all these dudes hit really big here. I don’t know why it was bigger herethan anywhere else, but we’ve always had closely knit ties with the Bay. TheBay Area artists would even move up here ‘cause they could get so muchmoney here doing shows and verses,” Krizz Kaliko explains.The murder of Mac Dre while he was in Kansas City for a performance causeda rift amongst people in the town. Allegedly, the death of local rap legend FatTone was a retaliation killing for Mac Dre’s death.It’s no secret that Kansas City has a reputation for its crime rate. Oftenreferred to as “Killer City,” the town’s number of homicides and gang-relatedactivities are probably just as famous as its number of fountains and BBQspots. “Kansas City is cutthroat,” Snug Brim says. “You ain’t safe unless you’reon your home turf with your real people. Anytime you cross that line, you’reout of bounds. You’ve gotta be in your part of town, and if you ain’t you betterhave your people with you. Kansas City is small but deadly.”Despite the obstacles, Kansas City rappers, producers, promoters, and DJs areslowly coming together in a positive way. “This [Rapquest shoot] we’re doingtoday, it’s a great thing to see artists come together from the 816 and 913.We’ve been divided for so long,” says local Kansas City rapper Hobo Tone.Another major player in the unification of KC is The Popper, who works closelywith his brother DJ Fresh to put the city on the map. Before the release ofhis mainstream single “I Do” in 2003, The Popper was well-known in theunderground for his lyrical, true Hip Hop style. Recently, he’s gained recognitionfor his KC Landmarks mixtapes, which showcase both legendary andup-and-coming artists from both sides of the water (Kansas City, Missouri andKansas City, Kansas). 10,000 copies of The Popper’s first mixtape were givenaway, which created a crazy buzz in the city. Due to the popularity of hisfirst KC Landmarks tape, The Popper was able to branch off and lend a handto others in his hometown. Now that the momentum and anticipation havegrown, other artists are investing in the movement like Donta Slusha, Rondoe,Big Ben, HustlaMade Bugz, Tay Diggs, Ron Ron, and Paul Mussan, who all havetheir own mixtape under the KC Landmarks brand.A common name in the streets of Kansas City is Rich the Factor. Through consistencyand credibility, Rich the Factor’s sales have increased over the yearsthroughout various regions. With over seven projects released, Rich the Factorhas become a respected figure in the KC rap community. His label, Major FactorRecords, is also home to artists like Rush, Rappin Twan, Sliccs, and YoungFe, who have collectively released a number of albums and mixtapes.The Southside Posse, another crew worthy of mention, has recently emergedfrom Kansas City through its work with Bigga Rankin (CORE DJs, Hittmenn DJs,Slip N Slide Streets). S.S.P.’s front artist, Mon E G, a.k.a. The Ghostwriter, maybe recognizable from OZONE’s photo galleries (www.ozonemag.com, if you’renot up on that). Mon E G recently returned home from the Hypnotized Tourwhere he shared the stage with Rick Ross, Plies, Dream, Lil Boosie, Pleasure P,and T-Pain. His “Chevy Anthem (remix)” video featuring Rick Ross and Yo Gottiis scheduled for release in the near future.There are numerous artists struggling for a shot at fame, and while only afew have received a national nod from the industry, many have found internationalfans through mediums like Myspace and YouTube. One such artist isThe KC Gift. His dance song “Do the Double Dutch” has inspired kids acrossthe globe to hop on home video and show off their moves. Collectively, withall the videos posted on the net, “Do the Double Dutch” has earned approximatelyhalf a million views.Speaking of rappers on the rise, DJ Fresh wanted to make sure these namesdid not go unmentioned: Locc the Chop, The Weapon, J-Casino, B-Hood,Legion the Legend, X-Tacy, Infinity, Young Boss, and D-Figga, along withseveral others already discussed. It’s also a little-known fact that Bishop, oneof the town’s very own natives, worked with both Hip Hop legends and R&Bsensations. Bishop’s voice can be heard on the hook of Tupac’s “Changes” andhis writing talents are displayed on Joe’s “Stutter.”With the getting-money mentality that KC artists are known for, it’s a wonderno one has stepped in and cultivated the possibilities. Besides just a culturerich in musical history, from jazz to blues to Hip Hop, KC has a lot to offer theoutside world. Arrowhead Stadium, home to the Kansas City Chiefs, boasts ofthe loudest NFL fans; the Negro Leagues Museum is based in KC; and the newSprint Center and Power and Light District attract many visitors to the freshlyrenovated downtown area.“I couldn’t think of no better place to be than Kansas City,” Tech N9ne statesduring his Rapquest interview. “I have a house in Sherman Oaks, Californiabut I ain’t never there. I’m here. This is my comfort zone. Ask any of thepresidents where they go eat – Gates BBQ. We’re famous for BBQ. Have youbeen around this place? It’s beautiful. People just wanna go to the ghetto. Wegot a lot of ghettos and it’s good. That’s where I’m from. My Uncle Ike raisedme on 9th Street. We’re right there on 18th and Vine. Jazz, Charlie Parker,anybody who ever called themselves doing jazz – 18th and Vine, baby.”“This is the AMC headquarters. When I go to other towns and they talk aboutrap, they say we got that gangster. Yeah, we got gangster but on Sundaysyou can go to The Peanut if you’re into Hip Hop/backpack music and wannasee breakdancers do their thug-thizzle. If you wanna go to a rave you cango to Envy on Saturdays. If you want the college scene, where the Q Dogs aresteppin’, you might wanna go to Zen on Fridays. Our Rodeo Drive is calledThe Plaza, where you can go to buy your Chanel glasses and your Armani.Everything that you love, it’s all here. If I take you around the whole city, youmight wanna get you a spot here. We’re a little bit smaller than New York andL.A., but we got everything they got, and we got emcees that bust better thanmost too,” Tech continues.Excited about shedding light on their city, Tech N9ne and Strange Music sponsoredthe Rapquest photo. During the home-town stop on his Fire and IceTour with Paul Wall, Tech N9ne invited his rap brethren out for a day that willalways be remembered (by the KC Hip Hop cast, at least). //Be looking out for more info on the KC camp as Kenny Diamondz breaks downthe haps in his monthly Rapquest article. (KennyDiamondz@gmail.com)24 // OZONE WEST

Tyga/No IntroductionYoung Money/DecaydanceRiding off the buzz from his lead single “Coconut Juice” thisCompton bred rapper has hit the scene with an evolutionary soundthat can only be described as Hip Pop. This album is definitelytargeted towards the new generation of Hip Hop heads with songslike “AIM” which talks about internet chatting and the out-ofthis-worldsound of, “Space Joyridin’.” Even with 13 tracks NoIntroduction fails to cover the basics of a solid album. Best casescenario is ringtones for this kid. “Coconut Juice” bought you ablunt cause my girl likes it. — Jared AndersonDJ Haze & Black Wall Street/BWS Radio Part 4Black Wall Street is dropping more than stocks on Wall Street thesedays in preparation for Game’s LAX. BWS Radio Part 4 has its highpoints, like Juice’s “Ownership Tag,” but also has several tracksthat aren’t all that enticing. While Juice has been doing morethan his part, offering heat on most recent BWS efforts, the samedoesn’t go for Elijah and Southside. BWS is using the LAX hype toits advantage and is showing signs of success outside of Gamewith artists like Juice. — Rohit LoombaDJ Whoo Kid & Bishop Lamont/The ConfessionalDropping solid mixtapes over the last year and some change,Bishop Lamont has already proved that he can make good musicand potentially great albums. Why he has yet to release one, noone knows. Until then, listeners will have to settle for his latestmixtape where the production presents a well balanced attack,but Bishop himself sounds like he’s practicing for his impendingalbum. The concepts have been done before, but songs like“What People Do” and “One Night” sound great even thoughthey’re lacking the “it” factor that would make you want to listenagain. Even though tracks like “Be Cool” featuring Xzibit, RasKass, Glasses Malone and Mykstro save the day with some goodold fashioned, high-quality L.A. Hip Hop shit, The Confessionalis probably a secret that would be better if kept. — Maurice G.GarlandKeak Da Sneak/DeifiedKochWith a catalogue that’s twice as deep as major label artists,Keak da Sneak has made a living as an underground regionalartist. With his first national look since his 3XKrazy days, Keakputs all of his cards on the table with a 23-track CD. Unlikemixtapes, albums are better when concise, and this album fallsvictim to simply being too long for its own good. Songs like“Oakland” featuring Mistah F.A.B. and even the silly “Ass Chauffeur”could be stand outs, but by the time you reach the endof the album, you forget what you liked about it. Young Mozarthandles all of the production, striking gold here and there buthas some glaring missteps along the way. As harsh as it maysound, there’s only so much of Keak’s voice you can take withoutfeeling like you have to cough. — Maurice G. GarlandJP a.k.a. Lil Suave/Hi HatersAtlanta native and Ft. Collins, CO transplant JP a.k.a. Lil Suaveshocks with the release of his second mixtape, Hi Haters. Unlikemost artists who throw verses over the hottest beats of themoment, JP picks a variety of beats, both new and old, that bestshowcase his witty lyricism, Southern swag, and unique style.Stand out tracks include the title track and “Top Dog.” Deliveryof the message is good, but could be stronger on a few of thetracks. The talent is definitely there. It will be interesting to seehow JP performs with original beats and production. Bottomline, this is how you make a mixtape. — Jessica HagmaierDon Cannon & Willy Northpole/Street Kings (28 Grams)DTP’s Arizona rep Willy Northpole brings 28 Grams with helpfrom Don Cannon. Northpole and his apathetic delivery leavemuch to be desired and the only saving moments come with“Self Biography” and “Get Up and Get Down.” While Northpolehas an interesting story of how his career came about, his musicisn’t quite as fascinating. More energy and emotion in his deliverywill help Northpole on his DTP debut. — Rohit LoombaOZONE WEST // 25

end zoneLil WayneVenue: HP PavilionPromoter: Lawman PromotionsEvent: Wild 94.9’s Wild JamCity: San Jose, CADate: June 12th, 2008Photo: D-Ray26 // OZONE WEST

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