ozone mag all star 2010 special edition
DESCRIPTION
Ozone Mag All Star 2010 special editionTRANSCRIPT
WELCOME TO DALLAS
**special edition**
dJ MR RoGeRs // paRtY BoYZBone // dondRia // doUGHsKi G
Fat piMp // RaY paUl // B HaMp BlocKBoi // dJ dRop // YoUnG t
lil tonY // toMeKa peaRl // Fat B
+
DORROUGHFeatURinG
ALLSTAR2010
WELCOME TO DALLAS
ALLSTAR2010
**special edition**
+BONEFeatURinGdeF JaM’s
dJ MR RoGeRs // paRtY BoYZBone // dondRia // doUGHsKi GFat piMp // RaY paUl // B HaMp BlocKBoi // dJ dRop // YoUnG tlil tonY // toMeKa peaRl // Fat B
OZONE MAG // 7OZONE MAG // 7
SIDE A12 ALLSTAREDITORIAL10 CLUBLISTING10-13 DALLASMAPS16 DJDROP18 DJMRROGERS26-27 DONDRIA28-29 DOUGHSKIG8-9 EVENTLISTING30-31 FATPIMP20-21 PARTYBOYZ
22-24 DORROUGH
SIDE b7 2MUCH8 BHAMP9 BLOCKBOI10 DJHOLLYWOOD12 DJWHITECHOCOLATE16-17 FATB14 LILTONY24-25 RAYPAUL26-27 TOMEKAPEARL18-19 YOUNGT
20-22 bONE
PUBLISHER:JuliaBeverly
SPECIAL EDITIONS EDITOR:JenMcKinnona.k.a.Ms.Rivercity
CONTRIBUTORS & CREW:Edward“Pookie”HallJee’VanBrownKishaSmithMauriceG.GarlandRandyRoperTorreyHolmes
PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR:MalikAbdul
STREET TEAMS:UrbanSouth
SUBSCRIPTIONS:Tosubscribe,sendcheckormoneyorderfor$11to:OZONEMagazine644AntoneSt.Suite6Atlanta,GA30318Phone:404-350-3887Fax:404-601-9523Web:www.ozonemag.com
COVER CREDITS:BonephotobyHannibalMatthews;DorroughphotobySLFEMP.
DISCLAIMER:OZONEdoesnottakere-sponsibilityforunsolicitedmaterials,misinformation,typographicalerrors,ormis-prints.Theviewscontainedhereindonotnecessarilyreflectthoseofthepub-lisheroritsadvertisers.AdsappearinginthismagazinearenotanendorsementorvalidationbyOZONEMaga-zineforproductsorservicesoffered.Allphotosandillus-trationsarecopyrightedbytheirrespectiveartists.Allothercontentiscopyright2010OZONEMagazine,allrightsreserved.Noportionofthismagazinemaybereproducedinanywaywithoutthewrittenconsentofthepublisher.PrintedintheUSA.
8 // OZONE MAG
DALLAS EvENTLISTINGtHURsdaY, FeBRUaRY 11tHWelcometoDallasHappyHour@Beamers2443WallnutHillLane,Dallas,TX752294pmto4am,21&UpLadies,23&UpGents214-902-6490
AllStarTipOffPartyw/Ludacris,AllenIverson,LetoyaLuckett,Tank,&DJClue@PalladiumBall-room-1135SouthLamarSt.,Dallas,TX,75215
AllStarHollywoodSoireeHostedbyVivicaFox,BorisKodjoe,Taraji,Colum-busShort,LammanRucker,&BizMarkie@UnionStation-400SouthHoustonSt.,Dallas,TX75202
AlonzoMourning&MagicJohnson8BallChal-lengeAfterPartyw/DougEFresh@Kindal’sSoulFusionCafé10333W.TechnologyBlvd.,Dallas,TX75220(I35&NorthwestHwy,InShadowofAMCTheatre)www.Kindals.com
AllStarJumpOffHostedbyTheGame@SkyeBar1217MainSt.,Dallas,TX75201GeneralAdmission$25+Table/VIP/BottleService469-323-5148
DwayneWade’sAllStarJumpOffPartyw/Trina,Brian(Day26),Bu(KonvictMuzic),Bone(“Home-gurl”),TonyNeal(COREDJs)@TheStarlightRoom603MungerAve.,Dallas,TX-214-560-8811
PlayNSkillzWelcometoAllStarAffairw/BayBay,DallasDesire,KenHamlin,Inertia@Plush1400MainSt.,Dallas,TX
YoungJeezy’sAllStarWkndTakeoverw/NickiMinaj&BirdmanPerformingLive@Cirque1930PacificAve.,Dallas,TX75201
FRidaY, FeBRUaRY 12tHMaryJ.Blige,Common,JasonTerry,DirkNowitzkiPrivateHangarParty@JetAviationHanger(LoveFieldAirport)-7363CedarSpringsRd.,Dallas,TX75235Tickets:https://allstarvip2010.ticketleap.com
CarmeloAnthonyPresentsClubMelo@Beamers2443WallnutHillLane,Dallas,TX752298pmto4am,21&UpLadies,23&UpGents214-902-6490
VibeMagazineAllStarComedyExplosionHostedbyRickySmileyw/BillBellamy,Chris
Spencer,JayLamont,AriesSpears@TheMajesticTheatre1925ElmSt.,Dallas,TX75201Shows@7pm&10pmTicketsviaTicketMaster
BiggestBossPartyw/RickRoss&ShawtyLo@ClubFlow-10945CompositeDr.,Dallas,TXVIPTickets@DaBombinBigTBazaarVIP/BottleServicecall214-366-FLOW
AllStarClashoftheTitans:NBAvs.NFLHostedbyAllenIverson&MichaelVick@UnionStation400SouthHoustonSt.,Dallas,TX75202
VibeMagazineAllStarAffairHostedbyLazAlonzo&[email protected].(FashionIndustryGallery)1807RossAvenue,Dallas,TX75201
TreySongz,YoungJeezy&Friends@Kindal’sSoulFusionCafé10333W.TechnologyBlvd.,Dallas,TX75220(I35&NorthwestHwy,InShadowofAMCTheatre)www.Kindals.com
LebronJames&DrakeLive@AM/PMLounge300N.Akard,Dallas,TX75201(LocatedinMosaicBuilding)Tickets:TexasPartyScene.com
AllStarJumpOffHostedbyDerrickRose&JRSmith@SkyeBar1217MainSt.,Dallas,TX75201GeneralAdmission$50+Table/VIP/BottleService469-323-5148
RosaAcostaPresentsAllStarLadiesNightHostedbyBorisKodjoe,HoseaChanchez,BrianWhite,Tank,LanceGross@Karma15203KnollTrailDrive,Dallas,TX7524810pm–2am
KenyonMartin,MichaelHuff,&DorroughHostedbyAjiaNicole@Plush1400MainSt.,Dallas,TX
OfficialCashMoneyBirdmanBdayBashMusicbyDJGreenLantern&DJHoliday@SexInTheCityLounge2616CommercePlace,Dallas,TX
TO’sAllStarWelcometoDallasParty@AloftHotel-1033YoungSt.,Dallas,TX
Akon’sAllStarCelebrityBash@StingUltraLounge-15240DallasPkwy.,Dallas,TXMyVIPAllStar.com
5StarChicksCelebAllStarEditionHostedbyNickiMinaj,Trina,CandiRedd@Wish3001KnoxStreet,Dallas,TXMyVIPAllStar.com
8 // OZONE MAG
PlayNSkillzLatinAllStarExplosionAppearancesbyPitbull&JJBarea(DallasMaver-icks)@Encore5361SearsSt,Dallas,TX75206
YoungJeezyAllStarWkndTakeoverw/Ludacris,SlimThug,Trae,Webbie,Foxx&MorePerformingLive@CirqueNightclub1930PacificAve.,Dallas,TX75201
satURdaY, FeBRUaRY 13tH8thAnnualTXSummerMusicConf.AllStarEdition@MaximediaStudios(10AM-6PM)13300BranchViewLane,Dallas,TX75234ContactInfo:TerryMcGill214-282-8933
TheAllStarWeekendNetworkw/DefinitionDJs,JayClassik&HustleSquadDJs,ChalieBoy&Dirty3rd,FatB,TumTum&More@TheMansion(11AM-4PM)2505PacificAve.,Dallas,TXContact:[email protected]
DaytimePartyHostedbyTerrenceJ@GoFishOceanClub(BehindGalleriaMall)5301AlphaRd.,Dallas,TX752402pm–7pm
DorroughMusic’sGangstaGrillz/OZONEReleaseParty@TheMansion-2505PacificAve.,Dallas,TX10pm-Late
NellyPresentsClubDerrty@Beamers2443WallnutHillLane,Dallas,TX752298pmto4am,21&UpLadies,23&UpGents214-902-6490
NickiMinaj&TrinaLive@ClubFlow10945CompositeDr.,Dallas,TXVIPTickets@DaBombinBigTBazaarVIP/BottleServicecall214-366-FLOW
KattWilliamsLive@TheMajesticTheatre1925ElmSt.,Dallas,TX75201Shows@7pm&10pmTicketsviaTicketMaster
VibeMagazineAllStarPartyHostedbyGabrielleUnion,EliseNeal,GaryPayton,DwightFreeney,RayCrockett,andmore@TheStarckClub703McKinnyAve.,Dallas,TX9pm–5am
VibeMagazine30+SexyParty@TheTowerClubinThanksgivingTower-SoundsbyFrancesJaye1601Elm,48thFloor,Dallas,TX7520110pm–2am30&OverOnly
DrakePerformingLivew/AppearancesbyYoungMoney@Kindal’sSoulFusionCafé10333W.TechnologyBlvd.,Dallas,TX75220(I35&NorthwestHwy,InShadowofAMCTheatre)www.Kindals.com
AllStarGuestAppreciationPartyHostedbyAllenIverson@IronCactus1520MainSt.,Dallas,TX75201VIPAdmissionOnly,$200Table/VIP/BottleService469-323-5148
AfterHoursHostedbyInternetVixenTishaMarie@Iniquity-10821CompositeDr.,Dallas,TX2am-Until
TheLavishLifew/JasonTerry,TerrellOwens,TarajiHenson@WishUltraLounge3001KnoxStreet,Dallas,TXMyVIPAllStar.com
RayJ,TerrenceJ&AmberRose@SkyeBar1217MainSt.,Dallas,TX75201
MTVMixtapeDailyAllStarPartyHostedbyRahmanDukes&ShaheemReidofMTV,Three6Mafia,SlimThug,MarcusSpears,PlayNSkillz,&Slim(112)@Plush1400MainSt.,Dallas,TX75202
YoungJeezyAllStarWkndTakeoverw/PliesPerformingLive@CirqueNightclub1930PacificAve.,Dallas,TX75201
sUndaY, FeBRUaRY 14tHTheFinalew/Diddy&Friends@Beamers2443WallnutHillLane,Dallas,TX752298pmto4am,21&UpLadies,23&UpGents214-902-6490
WakaFlockaFlameLive@ClubFlow10945CompositeDr.,Dallas,TXVIPTickets@DaBombinBigTBazaarVIP/BottleServicecall214-366-FLOW
GrandFinaleHostedbyKennySmith&MichaelVick-SoundsbyKidCapriAllStarGameWatchParty6pm–2am,21&Over@UnionStation400SouthHoustonSt.,Dallas,TX75202
Dwele,RaheemDevaughn,Kjon@Kindal’sSoulFusionCafé10333W.TechnologyBlvd.,Dallas,TX75220(I35&NorthwestHwy,InShadowofAMCTheatre)www.Kindals.com
YoungJeezyAllStarWkndTakeoverw/DrakePerformingLive&SpecialGuestsB.G.&Juvenile@CirqueNightclub1930PacificAve.,Dallas,TX75201
FortheLoveofAllStarhostedbyRayJ@WishUltraLounge-3001KnoxStreet,Dallas,TXMyVIPAllStar.com
AllStarValentinesDayFinale@Plush1400MainSt.,Dallas,TX75202
OZONE MAG // 9
Dis
clai
mer
:Ifa
nyo
fthe
sea
rtis
tsd
on’t
show
up,
bla
me
the
prom
oter
not
us.
10 // OZONE MAG
DALLASCLUb LISTING2026UltraLounge2026CommerceSt.,Dallas,TX75201(214)390-6230
8Lounge1906GreenvilleAve.,Dallas,TX75206
AM/PMLounge300N.Akard,Dallas,TX
Beamers2443WallnutHillLnDallas,TX75229214-902-6490
Bijou2301N.CollinsSt.,Arlington,TX76011(817)274-2916
Carson’sLive17727DallasParkway,Dallas,TX75287
ClubChrome2408E.BelknapSt.FortWorth,TX76111(817)222-2244
CirqueNightclub1930PacificAve.,Dallas,TX75201(214)234-8404
ClubChe/Kindal’s10333W.TechnologyBlvd.,Dallas,TX(214)353-8701
ClubFlow10945CompositeDr.,Dallas,TX,75220(214)366-3569
ClubMystique455E.UniversityBlvdOdessa,TX79762432-363-8531
Crystal’sNightclub3008E.PioneerPkwyArlington,TX76010
Encore5361SearsSt,Dallas,TX
IronCactus1520MainSt.,Dallas,TX75201
Karma15203KnollTrailDrive,Dallas,TX75248
Level510733SpanglerRd.,Dallas,TX75220972-501-9935
MamboCafé2020NorthLamarStDallas,TX75202(214)999-0935
TheMansion2505PacificAve.,Dal-las,TX
PalladiumBallroom1135SouthLamarSt.,Dallas,TX,75215(972)343-2444
Plush1400MainSt.Dallas,TX75202(214)741-7587
RackDaddy’s955NCooperSt.,Arlington,TX76011
TheRanchBar&Grille701106thSt.,Arling-ton,TX76011(817)640-5114
10 // OZONE MAG
SkyeBar1217MainSt.,Dallas,TX75201TheStarlightRoom603MungerAve.,Dal-las,TX214-560-8811
StingUltraLounge15240DallasPkwy.,Dallas,TX
StoneTrail14833MidwayRoad,Addison,TX75001(972)701-9600
TePhejez2226ElmStreet,Dallas,TX75201(214)744-5299
UnionStation400SouthHoustonSt.,Dallas,TX75202(214)571-5700
WishUltraLounge3001KnoxStreet,Dal-las,TX(214)389-5723
DALLASAREA MAP
OZONE MAG // 11OZONE MAG // 11
Mapcourtesyofvisitdallas.com
ManymoreDallasareamapsareavailableonlineathttp://www.visitdallas.com/visitors/maps.php
OZONE MAG // 11
12 // OZONE MAG
DOWNTOWNDALLASMAP
OZONE MAG // 13
14 // OZONE MAG
Iapologize.It’sonlyrighttostartbyexpress-ingmyregretsthatwecouldn’tincludealltheDFWVIPsinthisspecialedition.There
wasdefinitelysomerhymeandreasonforwhowasinterviewed,buttherewasalsoalackoftime.Andsomeofy’alldon’thavegoodphonenumbersanymore(oryourgirlwaslyingwhenIcalled).
Asfortheonesthatarefeatured,Imostlyse-lectedpeoplewehaven’tshownlovetointhepast.WeknowtherearealotofOG’sinDFW,andmanyofthemwe’vealreadyfeaturedinthemagoronthewebsite,sowewantedtogivetheup-and-comersalookinOZONEtoo.OZONEalwayssupportstheindiegrindandtheunderdogs.WealsotooksuggestionsfromDJsandourreps,soessentiallythemoversandshakersofDallasputtogetherthislineup.Plus,thereareafewnamesontheradarweplantoshowcaseinmonthlyissuesyettocome,soweheldofffornow.
Istartedtoshoutoutthefolksmissing,thenrealizedit’simpossibletoquantifythemall.So,justknowthatIknowwho’swho,orIknowsomeonethatknowswho’swho,andwehaverespectforeveryoneequally.WealsohavealotoffutureopportunitiesforPatientlyWaitingarticles,reviews,photogalleries,audio/vid-eo/eventfeaturesonOzoneMag.com,nottomentiontheSuperBowlissuenextyear.Ifyoufeelyou’vebeenoverlookedorhavesomethingtosubmit,feelfreetoreachout([email protected]).
TherearetwospecialpeopleIdoneedtothankfortheirhelp.OurrepPookieofUr-
banSouthprovidedphotos,input,andanever-endingstreetphonebook.WithoutthatI’dbelost.Andshoutstomypa’tnaDJMerk,CEOofNGeniusEnt.,forkeepingit100wheneverIaskedaquestion.Merkhashisownartists,butheputmeuponalotofrappersoutsideofhiscamp.Really,MerkmademeafanofthewholeDallasmovementinthefirstplace,andhe’snotevenfromthereoriginally.
Dallasisbyfaroneofmyfavoriteplaces–theculture,themovement,allofit.Inmanywaysthiscity’sHipHopmovementparallelsAtlanta’s,andthecomparisonsareobvious–butthere’sabigdifferenceaswell.Dallas’fullpotentialhasn’tbeentappedyet.Peoplearewillingtogrow,andmostdon’thavethe“I’macelebrityalready,minusthecheck”mentality.Ifuxwithpeoplelikethat.AndIpredicttherestofthecountrywillcatchonsoonenoughtoo.EspeciallyafterAllStarvisitorsseehowy’allgetdown.BTW,haveyouseentheweekendeventlisting?AmIgonnahavetimetoeat?SomeonebettertakemetoRudy’sandSweetGeorgiaBrown.“Ifinnahitdathoe.”-Ms.Rivercity
(Below: Louisiana Cash, Kiki J, Mr Lucci, Ms Rivercity, & Mr Pookie @ K104)
ALLSTAREDITORIAL
14 // OZONE MAG
OZONE MAG // 15
16 // OZONE MAG
dJ dRop isn’t aFRaid to taKe RisKs. as ceo and one oF tHe FoUndeRs oF tHe deFinition dJs, dRop Has cReated His own lane and estaBlisHed a coalition tHat is GRowinG MoRe and MoRe eacH daY. He’s ResponsiBle FoR BReaKinG soMe oF tHe BiGGest paRtY RecoRds tHat Have explod-ed oUt oF tHe dallas aRea in tHe past YeaR, and in doinG so, He’s Gained MaJoR Respect.
As a founder of the Definition DJs, what are you guy’s working on right now? Rightnowwe’relettingthewholeworldknowaboutthepoweroftheDefinitionDJs.We’retryingtogetpeopletoknowthatit’snotjustaboutthedancingmusic.TheDefinitionDJsarereallyoverlookedinthismarket,butwe’rereallyresponsibleforthewholeD-Townmove-mentthat’sgoingonrightnow.Ifyounoticeeveryrecordthat’spoppedhasbeenapartyrecord,andthatrighttherelet’syouknowitcomesfromtheclub.ItwasreallygroundbreakingtomebecausealotofDJsgavemegetcreditforthebeginningofthismovement.IthinktheDallasmovementhasbeengoingonforoverseveralyears,butthis“Boogie”movementisthenewDallasmovement.
What made you want to start the Definition DJs, and for the people who don’t know, what does a DJ Coalition do?Ican’tspeakonotherDJCoalitions,becauseIdon’treallyagreewiththewaysomeofthemarerun.Inthebeginningwewereonlysup-posedtobeathree-mancrew.ItwasgoingtobeaDJversionofarapgroup–weweregoingtogooutandperformthroughturntables,mixing,andMCingonthemic.Itstartedwithme,aLatinDJnamedDJLilE,andDJChickenfromNewOrleans.TheconceptwasthatIwouldbringthehoodcrowd,LilEwouldbringtheSpanishcrowd,andChickenwouldbringtheNewOrleanscrowd.ThemaingoalIhadwastoputmycityon,sothat’swhywetookitfromacrewtoacoalition.How did the name “Boogie” come about for the new movement?Youwouldhavetoseeittoreallyunderstandit–it’sdancing,butit’sreallynotdancing.
///DJ DROPWords by Jee’Van Brown
“Boogie”kindofcombinesyourswagwithyourpersonality,andalsothemusic.“Boogie”isawordthatweusedownhereoften,likeifit’sadaywhereyouhaven’tmadethatmuchmoneythenit’sa“slowboogieday.”Ifyou’reabouttogowhoopsomeone’sass,thenyou’rein“gang-staboogiemode.”
You were around before the beginning of the digital era of MP3s, Serato, and downloads. Has the transition helped or hurt you, and how has the game changed from your per-spective?Tobehonest,Iloveit.Ilovethedigitalagecomingfromtheanalogera.Iwasfullytrainedintheanalogera,I’mthelastofadyingbreed.Otherpeoplecallme“thelastofthetrueDJ”justduetothefactthatIcanstillgetonvinylandstillgoashardasIdoondigital.WhenI’monSerato,it’sstillthesame.Somepeoplegetittwisted.TheythinkSeratoisgoingtomakeiteasier,butit’snot.TheonethingSeratodoesdoiscreateabettershowandenhanceeverythingyou’redoing,butitdoesn’tmakeanythingeasier.
Are you DJing anywhere for All Star Weekend?I’mDJingatClubMystiqueinFt.WorthonThursday,atSouthsideLamaronFriday,atMan-siononSaturday,andattheGrandOpeningofFatDallasonSunday.//
16 // OZONE MAG
OZONE MAG // 17
///DJ DROP
18 // OZONE MAG
OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, DALLAS HAS ECLIPSED ATLANTA AS THE DANCE CAPITAL OF HIP HOP. THE LATEST CRAzE COMES COURTESY OF DJ MR. ROgERS AND THE PARTY BOYz HIT “FLEx.” HERE IS ROgERS’ ExPLANATION OF “FLEx” AND HIS TAkE ON THE BOO-gIE MOVEMENT AS A WHOLE.
Dallas is starting to become known for a lot of dance music. Was it always like this?Dallasmusichasalwayshadaclub-likeenergytoit.It’ssimilartoAtlanta,sobeingintheclubhasalwaysbeenaDallasthing.GregStreetwasinDallasasmuchashewasinAtlantaatonepoint.I’mnotsureifhewasbringingmusicbackandforth,butthemusichasthesamestyleandessence.WeneversoundedlikeHouston.LilJonusedtoshoutusoutallthetimeonhissongsbecauseofthat.Thesoundhasalwaysbeenhere,it’sjustnowblowingup. ForsolongDallasneverhadanidentity.WeneverhadanartistotherthanTheD.O.C.butevenwithhimthemusicsoundedmoreWestCoastbecausehewaswithDr.DreandN.W.A.Weneverhadartistswhowecouldcallourown.Butthat’sstartingtohappennow.
Explain to us the DJ Mr. Rogers and the Party Boyz make up.DJMr.RogersandthePartyBoyzislikeLilJonandtheEastsideBoyz.I’mtheDJandproducer.Weallhandlethelyricsandideasbecauseweareallcreativeminds.WeallwenttoPrairieViewA&M,whichwecalltheNewMotownnowbecauseofallthemusicthat’scomingfromthere.Theyusedtogetthepartycrunkallthetime,bydancingandboo-gying.IwasDJandjustdevelopedarecordforwhattheyweredoingandthat’showthePartyBoyzcametolife.
So people are calling Prairie View the New Motown?Yes,theyare.IwenttoPrairieViewandIgrad-uatedfromthere.WhenIcamethereaDallasrecordcouldn’tevengetplayed,butthathaschanged.We’vebrokenalotofrecordstherelikeTrapStars“GetItBig,”and“HalleBerry”whichwasmadebySuperstarbeforeHur-ricaneChrisblewitup.PlustheschoolistheclosestblackcollegetotheWestCoast,sowegetallkindsofpeoplecomingthroughthere.
///DJ MR ROGERSWords by Maurice G. Garland
WehavegreatalumnilikeDJPremier.PrairieViewdoesn’tevenhaveamusicprogram,butwe’vegotitpoppingoutthere.
So how did your hit song “Flex” come about?ItstartedatapartyatPrairieView.DudewasoutthereinthepartyandIplayed“PaperPlanes”byM.I.A.withdifferentacapellasoverit.Theydidaroutinetoit,dancingbehindgirls,incorporatingthedanceintothebeat.Thentheystartedgettingbehindthegirlsandputtingtheirhandontheirhead.Itlookedfun.AfterthatIwaswithonthewaybackridingfromDallastoHouston.ImadethebeatinthecarandmymanagerCamwaslike,“It’sgonnawork.”Thewholepatternofthebeatrollswiththeboogie.IbroughtitbackthatnextdaytoHumpDayontheHill.Itoldthemtogooutand“hitthathoe,”whichiswhatwesaywhenmean“dothedance.”Iplayedthebeat,andthewholecrowdwasdoingit.Weknockedoutthesongthenextweekandtookittotheclubanditwasawrapafterthat.
Earlier you said you guys are like Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz. Ae you trying to brand this as your sound, the way he did with crunk?ThepositionheplayedinthegroupiswhatImean.That’smyrole.Idon’twanttobelimitedtoonesound.Hehasanincrediblesoundbutitgotstuckupunderthatmoniker.I’monethirdofDSFproductions.Wedid“Swang”forTrae,“WalkLikeThat”forHurricaneChris,aswellassomeproductionforBossHoggOut-lawsand“WalkThatWalk”forDorrough.Sowehavealotofsoundstooffer.//
OZONE MAG // 19
///DJ MR ROGERS
20 // OZONE MAG
PartyBoyz
Words by Ms. Rivercity
20 // OZONE MAG
discoveRed BY dJ MR. RoGeRs at pRaiRie view a&M, tHe paRtY BoYZ weRe Known FoR a dance tHeY Had eveRYone doinG aRoUnd caMpUs – BUt tHeY weRen’t actUallY Rap-peRs. aFteR linKinG Up witH RoGeRs, tHeY RecoRded tHeiR FiRst sonG eveR, “Flex,” and qUicKlY enteRed tHe BillBoaRd cHaRts. HeRe tHe newlY siGned HitZ coMMittee/Jive aRtists explain How tHeY Fit into tHe new dallas MUsic MoveMent.
How did the whole Party Boyz’ group situa-tion come to be?Iceberg Slim: ItallstartedwhenwewereatschoolatPrairieView.Wehadadanceweweredoin’atpartiesandeveryoneattheschoolwasdoin’itsowehadalilbuzzgoin’.Everyonewastellin’usweshouldgetasongtogowiththisdance.Wedidn’tpayitnomind,wejustkeptdoin’us.WegotcallfromMr.Rogersandhesaidhehadanopportunityforus.Wemetupwithhimandgotabeat.Wetookithometoallourfriends,andeveryonewasexcitedaboutit.Acoupleweekslaterwedidthesong.
Did “Flex” catch on fast with everyone al-ready being familiar with the dance first?Iceberg Slim: Everybodyatschooljumpedonboardrightoffthebat.Wegotalotoflovejust‘causeofwhowewereattheschool.Wewerealwaysthecoolkidsatschool,butwedidn’tknowwecouldendupdoingthis.Thatwasourfirsttimeeverbeingrecorded.We’refreshinthegame.
Besides Texas, where else has the “Flex” record gotten a lot of play?Iceberg Slim: Wetookoverthewholesouthreallyquick–Texas,Louisiana,Oklahoma,Arkansas,Mississippi.We’reworkingontheMidwest.
Is everyone in the group from Dallas? Did you know each other before going to Prairie View?Iceberg Slim: We’reallfromDallas.There’samisconceptionbecausewewenttoschoolatPrairieView,butweallgrewupinDallas.Duce Phat: LilPudgeismybrother.Everyonethinkswe’retwins‘causewelookjustalike,butwe’renot.Lil Pudge: He’solderthanme.AndBigChris,that’sourbloodcousin.Big Chris: That’sme,a.k.a.HiC.I’mfromtheCliff,whichisahoodinDallas.Mygrannyistheonethattalkedmeintogoingtogoingtocollege.WhenIgraduatedhighschoolIwasjusttryna
getthismoney,butaftertwoyearsIfinallywent[tocollege].Ayearlaterwestarteddoin’this.
So did y’all finish school or did you put it on hold for now?Iceberg Slim: Someofusputitoff.Someofusarestillinschool.Duce Phat: Well,Iputschoolonholdfornow.Big Chris: Iwasneverreallyintoschool.Iwasjustseeingwhereitwouldtakeme.
What’s your perception on the boogie move-ment in Dallas? Iceberg Slim: Asfarasallthehaters,Ithinkthereasonthey’rehatin’is‘causetheycan’tdoit.Wedon’tdoitforthehaters–wedoitfortheladies.Thinkaboutitlikethis:whenrapmusiccameoutitwasmadeforpeopletodanceto,andthenitevolvedintothelyricalstuff.Iftheydon’tlikeit,ohwell.We’rejustgon’boogieourwaytothetop.Duce Phat:We’refromDallas.Weliketoparty,handleourbusiness,getmoney,andboogie.Wedon’thateonnobody.Life’stooshort.Wejustboogieanddous.
What are each of you like as individuals? Describe your personalities.Iceberg Slim: I’mtheplayer,theladiesman,thelover.I’malwaystakin’myshirtoff.AllIwannadoishavefunbyanymeansnecessary.Ilovetoparty.IlovePolo–PoloistheonlythingIknow.ShoutouttoRalphLauren.Duce Phat: Ihavea2yearoldson.Ilovetoparty.CoogiisallIwear.IwearCoogifrommyboxers,tomypromotionalT’s,ImightevengetaCoogipartinmyhead.Lil Pudge:SinceI’mtheyoungestoutofthegroup,everyonethinksI’mtheoneraisingallthehell.Butnotmepersonally.Ilovetheladies,IenjoywhatI’mdoing.Andyeah,meandmybrotherareCoogifanatics.Big Chris: I’mthemorelaidbackone.Youcanhearitinmylyrics.
What else do you have going on right now and coming up? Iceberg Slim: ThefirstdayourvideowasonWorldStarHipHopwegot2.3millionviews.Beforethevideowasevenputup,wehad1,000radiospinsaweek.Wegotour Welcome to Dallasmixtapedroppin’AllStarWeekend.We’re#43ontheBillboards.We’recomingsoontoBET,SpringBling,MTV,TRL,allofthat.Dallasgotnext.PartyBoyzFlex.com.//
OZONE MAG // 21
22 // OZONE MAG
DorroughWords by Ms. RivercityPhoto by SLFEMP
22 // OZONE MAG
OZONE MAG // 23
Words by Ms. RivercityPhoto by SLFEMP
SINCE’S HE’S A DALLAS AMBASSADOR, WE HAD MR. YEAH BUDDY BREAk DOWN WHAT’S POPPINg OFF IN HIS CITY ALL STAR WEEkEND. ALONg WITH HIS GanGsta GRiLLz RELEASE PARTY, DOR-ROUgH ALSO LETS US kNOW ABOUT SOME OTHER HOT SPOTS IN D-TOWN, AS WELL AS ARTISTS HE’S WORkINg WITH ON HIS LABEL. BE SURE TO CHECk OUT DORROUgH’S OTHER COVER FEATURE ON OUR ANNUAL SEx ISSUE HITTINg NEWSSTANDS SOON.
You’ve been putting out a lot of new videos and collaborations. What do you have circu-lating on the net right now?IjustputoutanewtrackwithYoGotticalled“HoodChickFetish”offthe Gangsta Grillz I’mdroppin’AllStarWeekend.It’spickin’upalot.DJsarespinnin’itintheclub.It’sgonnabeabigrecord.We’vealsobeenpushin’the“Num-ber23”record.Wejustdroppedthe“CaramelSundae”video.Itpickedupabigbuzz.Itgotlike6millionviewsonWorldstarhiphop.
Is the Gangsta Grillz mixtape your first nationally released mixtape? I know you’ve done other tapes here and there, but is this your biggest one so far?Ididalotofmixtapesinthepast,butthisismyfirstmajormixtape.IalsobelieveI’mthefirstTexasartisttodoaGangsta Grillz,ifI’mnotmistaken.
How did you link up with Drama for this mixtape? Was it something you reached out to him to do?Onedayweranintoeachotherandhewasspinnin’the“IceCreamPaintJob”record.Thiswasbackinthesummertime.Weexchangednumbersandafterthatwestartedhittin’eachotherupfordropsanddifferentthingsIwasdoing.Istartedgivin’himotherrecordsthatwereonmyalbumandhethoughttheywerejammin’sowestartedtalkin’aboutdoin’amixtape.Iwantedtodosomethingafterthealbum[wasreleased]andhewascoolwithit.AfterthealbumdroppedIstartedputtingtogethermixtapetracks,whichareontheGangsta Grillzthat’sbeingreleasedAllStarWeekend.
What’s the experience been like for you since “Ice Cream Pain Job” hit number one? This is probably not where you saw yourself years ago; I know you used to have basket-ball dreams.It’sjustfast.OnedayI’llbehere,thenextdayI’mthere.Idoalotofstuffsofast.ThatwasprobablythemainthingIhadtoadjustto,livingafasterlifethanIwas[before].I’madjustedtoitnow.That’sbeentheexperi-ence.Everythingcomesfast.Youmakesomemistakes,youlearnandgrowfrom‘em.Sothatwastheprocess,andnowI’mmoreofa
OZONE MAG // 23
24 // OZONE MAG
matureartistthanIwasayearago,andnowIseeawholedifferentlaneforwhereIwanttogowithmymusic.
You put out a huge remix for “Ice Cream Paint Job” and you have some records with Three 6 Mafia, Yo gotti, and a lot of other people. What’s it’s feel like to work with artists that have been in the game for a while?Igrewuplistenin’toThree6Mafia.TomeIfeellikethey’reveteransinthegame.SnoopDoggisalegendinthegame.I’monJuvenile’snewsingle“WeBeGettingMoney”withShawtyLo.IfeelliketheartistsIgrewuplistenin’toandnowI’mworkin’with,it’sanhonorjustbedo-ingit.Igrewuplistenin’toLilFlip,andtogethimonmyalbumshowshowfaryoucangowiththemusic.I’veworkedwithalotofartistsandIplanonworkingwithalotmore.MainlyI’mtryingtogetto[thepoint]wherepeoplerespectmeasanartist.
How do you plan to get that respect? OnethingIcansayI’mproudofisthatIcameoutwithmyownlanewhenIputmysinglesout.Ididn’thavefeaturesonnoneofmysingles,not“WalkThatWalk,”“IceCreamPaintJob,”or“WiredtotheT.”Thosewerealljustmerapping,andalotofpeoplenowadaysdon’treallydothat.Ifeelliketheonesthatcomeoutandstandontheirowntwofeetstayinthegamelongerthanmostotherartists.
What about the artists within your camp Primetime Click and Ngenius Entertainment? What’s the lineup look like?I’mPresidentoftheNGeniuslabel.DJMerkandCashCaponearetheCEOs.Wemadethatupincollege.Theartistsareme,LilTony-anupcomingartistmakingsomenoiseinDallas,DaBlockboi,andasingernamedDJo.Prime-timeClickismyimprintthatIputtogether.Blockboiisinthatalso,andwegotYungLottintheBayArea,andTeddyBwho’sinHouston.WegotNormTandQSmith,heproduced“Hal-leBerry”and“CaramelSundae.”He’sgonnabeabigproducer.We’reputtingourfirstofficialPrimetimeClicksinglethat’sonthe Gangsta Grillz too.It’scalled“StopLight,”producedbyQSmith.It’sgonnabebigbysummertime.Iwantthebrandtobebiggerthanme,soI’mputtingalotintothat.
This is the first time Dallas has hosted the All Star game. What do you think it’ll be like?Man,it’sgonnabecrazy!It’sgonnabediffer-entfromanyotherAllStargame.IwasattheoneinHoustonacoupleyears.AsfarastheHipHopsceneandeverybodycomingdown,
they’redefinitelygon’haveagoodexperienceandseehowwedothangsinDallas.We’reveryunique,fromtheclubnightlife,toourfadsinfashion,tothespotswehitup,tothefood.It’sgon’berealexciting.Everybody’sgon’leavewithagoodtasteintheirmouth.
On that note, what are some food spots people should check out while they’re in Dallas?YougottahitupRudy’sChickenthateveryonehearsabout.YougottaeatHall’sChickenaswell.SweetGeorgiaBrownisabigspotinDallas.TD’sBBQisabigspot.William’sChickentoo,wegotalotofchickenrestaurants.There’smore,butthosearethemainspots.
What clubs are jumping off out there?OnSaturdayyou’vegotTheMansion.That’soneofthenewer,biggestspots.OnAllStarWeekendIwillbehostingmyGangsta Grillz/OZONEReleasePartythereSaturdaynight.You’vealsogotClubBeamers;that’sabigspot.Level5goesdownonSunday.CirquegoesdownonFridayandSaturday.ThePal-ladiumisgon’jumpoffthatFriday.Dallashassomanyclubandnightlifespots.It’scrazy.They’reallspreadoutthough.
When people come to town, where do they go to get a fresh Dorrough-type haircut?QualityCutsoffPleasureRun.Mybarber’snameisMalcolmandhe’stheonethatfresh-enseverybodyupandgives‘emmyofficialDorroughfade.That’sthespotIrecommend.
What else do you want to mention to every-body coming to your city?IjustwanttoleteverybodyknowthattheyshouldpickuptheGangsta Grillzfeaturingart-istslikeShawtyLo,OJdaJuiceman,YoGotti,DiamondfromCrimeMob,andChalieBoy.It’sgon’beabigprojectinthestreets.It’llbeatallthemomandpops,it’llbeatBigTBizarre;theygon’seeandheariteverywhere.//
//Dorroughcontinued
24 // OZONE MAG
OZONE MAG // 25
//Dorroughcontinued
26 // OZONE MAG
DondriaWords by Ms. Rivercity
Photo by Derek Blanks
26 // OZONE MAG
OZONE MAG // 27
23-YeaR-old sonGstRess dondRia is explodinG on tHe scene witH HeR R&B sonG “YoU’Re tHe one.” aFteR aMassinG a YoUtUBe aUdience coM-paRaBle to soMe MaJoR aRtists, tHe dallas native was discoveRed BY JeRMaine dUpRi and siGned to so so deF. now tHat HeR alBUM is neaRlY coMplete, dondRia talKs aBoUt How sHe Got HeR staRt, and pUBliclY sinGinG tHe national antHeM FoR tHe FiRst tiMe.
Tell us how you got serious with your singing career.In’06IputmyfirstvideouponYouTubewhereIwassinging“Love”byMusiqSoulchildaca-pella.Iwantedtoseetheopinionsofpeopleotherthanmyfamilyandfriends.Iknewthey’dbestraighthonest:eitherIsuckedorIwasgood.Iwasn’ttryingtogetadeal.AyearlaterIhadputup25videos.IreachedamillionviewsonthevideoIdidforCiara’s“Promise.”Mynamewasgettingpopularandpeoplewererequestingvideos.Peopleweretryingtocollaborateonrecordsandeventryingtosignmetoundergroundlabels.
How did Jermaine Dupri hear about you?Someonetoldhim,“GolookatthisgirlonYouTubesingingotherpeople’ssongs.She’sre-allydope.”Ittookhimawhile.Iguessatfirsthewasthinking,whywouldhewatchsomeonesingingotherpeople’ssongs?Eventuallyhewentandlooked.Inadditiontothenumbers,hesawthetalent.Ithinkhewasimpressedbecausehehitmeupandwantedtoworkwithme.Isignedwithhimabout6monthsafterthat.
You have a song on the radio called “You’re the One.” When did that come out?ItwasreleasedinNovembersowe’reworkin’that.I’mactuallyabouttostartapromotourtoworktherecordinsurroundingcitieslikeChattanooga,Augusta,Macon,Charlotte,placeslikethat.
Have you been working with other writers or do you write music as well?I’vebeenworkingwithpeoplelikeJohntaAus-tin.BryanCoxwroteasong,andsomeothers.IwrotesomethingsonthemixtapeIputout.I’mgettingthealbumtogether;it’ssupposedtocomeoutinMarch.
What about collaborations for the album?IhaveonewithJohntaAustinandBowWowthatmightbeonthealbum.Atthispointwe
have20songs,sowe’llseeifitmakesthecut.It’sintendedtobeforthealbum.
Do you have a title yet?Yeah,it’sgonnabeentitledDondria Vs. Phatff-fat.PhatfffatwasmyusernameonYouTube.MycollegeroommategavemethenicknamebecauseofhowmuchIeatandI’msolittle.Thedeepermeaningofthetitleis,Dondriaistheartistcomingout,andeverybodyisabouttoseethatshe’smorethanthePhatfffatonYouTubesingingotherpeople’ssongs.
Did you have any formal music training when you were growing up?I’vebeensinginginchurchsinceIwaslike3.Mymomputmeintheyouthchoir.OnceIgotintomiddleschool,IstartedrecognizingthetalentandfiguredoutthatthisiswhatIwantedtodo.That’swhenIstartedtakingfor-malvoicelessons.Ididthatinmiddleschool,allthroughhighschool,andevenintocollege.
For those who haven’t heard your music yet, do you have more of an R&B sound or it is like pop/crossover?I’mtakingtheR&Broute.
You’ve been working a lot in Atlanta. Did you move to Atlanta? YoucouldsayImovedtoAtlanta.I’mouthere6to8monthsoutoftheyear.YoucouldreallysayIliveinAtlantaandDallas.
Are you going to be home in Dallas for All Star Weekend?YesIam,actually.I’mreallyexcitedbecauseI’mgonnabesingingtheNationalAnthematoneofthegames.I’mexcited,butnervous.
What else do you want to let people know about?Stayonthelookoutforthesingle“You’retheOne.”It’sspreadingprettyquickly–it’soniTunesandit’sontheBillboardcharts.ThatmakesmeveryhappybecauseI’mnotevenreallyoutyet.MymixtapeDondria Duetsisavailableforfree.Itgivespeopleafeelforme‘causethey’restilltryingtofigureoutwhoIam.It’sasmallintroduction.YoucanfindthatonGlobal14.com–that’sJ.D.’swebsite.AndyoucanseemyvideosonYouTube.com/Phat-fffat.IalsohaveMyspace.com/DondriaNicol-eMusicandonTwitterit’s@Dondria.//
OZONE MAG // 27
28 // OZONE MAG
Doughski GWords by Ms. RivercityPhoto by Edward “Pookie” Hall
28 // OZONE MAG
OZONE MAG // 29
even tHoUGH He’s a FaMiliaR naMe in tHe dallas aRea, doUGHsKi G isn’t actUallY a native oF tHe citY. BoRn in caliFoRnia, doUGHsKi G didn’t eaRn His stRipes as a d-town RappeR Until He went on tHe Road witH pooKie & lUcci a Few YeaRs aGo and pUt oUt tHe ReGional sMasH “sHe Baad.”
Take us back to how you got started.I’vebeenaseriousartistinDallasaboutthreetofiveyearsnow.Ifeellikenowisthetimeforme;backthenIwasonsomeothershit.IstartedoutpushingagroupcalledT.M.A.–theyweresomebuddiesofmine.Iwasgettingthemintoparties,clubs,andallthat.Onedaysomeone[challengedme]andtoldmeIcouldn’tdoit,soIstarteddoin’me.IwasdoingshowsandIbumpedintoPookieandLucci.Theytookmeontheroadandthat’showIgotmyfirstpaidshowandmyfirstpaidverse.Istuckwithiteversince.
What happened with your career after that?Mybrothersingsandraps,sowedidalittlemixCDtogetherandwewereselling‘emattheclub.That’swhenIreallysawpeoplelikingme.Fromsittin’inthetrapfreestylin’,tofreestylin’ontheradio97.9theBeat,tobattlingonMTV2,Ididallthatanditstartedopeningpeople’seyes.DJsstartedreachingouttome.Idroppedamixtapein2008called Just Feel Me BrowithDJQ.Ihadasongontherecalled“SheBaad.”
That’s the song that a lot of people know you for, right?Yeah.Afemalefriendofminemadememakethesonganditpopped.IshotavideoinNo-vemberof2008andthat’swhatreallyelevatedthesong.Ittookoffin2009andit’sstillgotlegs.Igooutoftownforshowseveryweekprettymuch–fromKansas,toOklahoma,Arkansas,Louisiana,east/west/southTexas.
Where were you born? You’re not from Dallas originally.IwasborninInglewood,CaliforniaandIwaspartiallyraisedinSt.Croix,VirginIslands.I’vebeeninDallassince’96.
With you coming from other regions, what do you bring to the Dallas sound?Ibringmoreofastreetessencetothegame,butIdon’twanttobeanartistthatcanonlymakestreetmusic.You’vegotartiststhatcanonlyrapaboutdope,butIjustwanttorapaboutreallifesituationsthatanaverage
persongoesthrough.Iwannabearegularnigga,andthat’swhatIputinmymusic.Idon’tboogie,butatthesametimeImakegoodmusicthatworks.I’masongwritermorethanIamarapper.
According to how you describe your overall aim with music, would you say “She Baad” was out of your normal element?Well,Imadeamixtapewith28songsand2of‘emwereaboutfemales.Tothisdaythey’rebothbubblin’intheclubs,whichiscrazytome.Iain’tgonnasayImadetheboogiemusic–Irespectittothefullest–butit’snotwhatIdo.Butthesongfitswiththatsound.WhenIwasmakingthesong,Ijustlookedatitlikearegularcatwoulddolookin’atawoman.TheresponseIgotletmeknowIstayedinmyele-ment.DJsandrealcatsonthestreetcametomelike,“Youdiditright.”Thatsongchangedmylife.
What have you been working on since then?Mymainfocuswastokeepmoving,makenewmusic,stayinmyelement,andmakefansthatIgainedfrom“SheBaad”happyatthesametime.IgotamixtapewithOGRonCcalledStill On It thatI’mabouttodropafterIcompletemyalbum.MyalbumiscalledDoughski By the Zoneandthereleasedateissetfor4/20.IhaveadistributiondealwithMusicAccess.
Are you involved in any other projects?WehaveanN.D.A.movementwhichstandsforNawfDallasAssociation.It’sagroupofartistslikeLilWil,JB,Mr.Pookie,Mr.Lucci,T.Cash,Deonte,thelistgoeson.It’snotjustaboutmusic,it’sabouttheyouthandtryingtokeepviolenceouttheneighborhoods.Wetrytoteachkidspositivethingslikestayinginschool,playingsports,reading,stufflikethat.Kidslookuptoussowetrytogivethemadifferentdirection.
Do you want to give out any contact info for booking or collaborations?HitmeatTwitter.com/DoughskiGorMyspace.com/BigDoughskiG.//
30 // OZONE MAG
FatPimpWords by Ms. Rivercity
Photo by Edward “Pookie” Hall
30 // OZONE MAG
OZONE MAG // 31
Words by Ms. Rivercity
Photo by Edward “Pookie” Hall
oRiGinallY FRoM dallas, Fat piMp Moved to HoUston to attend col-leGe wHeRe He landed His BiG BReaK FReestYlinG on Bet. since tHen, tHe RappeR/pRodUceR Has Had soMe MaJoR laBel oFFeRs on tHe taBle, BUt is cURRentlY pUsHinG His MUsic independentlY. sonGs liKe “RacK daddY” and “i’M Gettin’ MoneY” Have Made Fat piMp in HiGH de-Mand, and He continUes to Release new MateRial FoR His Fans, liKe tHe Mixtape He’ll Be pRoMotinG all staR weeKend.
give us your background in music. How did you start rapping?Istartedin9thor10thgrade.ThenIwenttoTSUandusedtohostalotoftalentshows.B.E.T.cametoTSUin’04andIwonthefree-stylecompetition.EversincethenI’vebeentakin’itseriouswiththismusic.
Besides rapping, you’re also known for being a popular producer.Yeah,IactuallyproducedallthesongsIcameoutwiththefirstgoaround,like“RackDaddy,”“I’mGettinMoney,”and“Rollin’OffX.”Iwasreallyknownmoreforbeingaproducerthanarapper,butattheendoftheday,Ican’thelptheloveI’vegotforrapping.Rappin’iswhatIlove,butproducingpaysthebills.
Out of those songs you mentioned, is “Rack Daddy” your claim to fame?Yeah,Iguessyoucouldsay“RackDaddy”wasthemostpopularsong.“I’mGettinMoney”withRayPaulwasbig,butitdidn’ttakeofflikeitwassupposedto.“RackDaddy”wasreallythestartofthewholeD-Townboogiemove-ment,alongwithLilWil’s“MyDougie.”
What’s your perspective on the boogie move-ment, as far as it representing Dallas?Ononehandit’sgood‘causetheattentionisgoodformyhometown,butontheotherhandit’snotgood‘causetherecordlabelsain’trespectingit.IjustleftNewYorkandtheythinkit’sajoke‘causeit’snotsellin’norecords.It’sagiftandacurse.Youcanenjoythemusicintheclub,butonanationallevel,it’snotprofitable.
As far as you being with a major label, what’s going on with that step in your career?I’mkindagladmysituationlastyeardidn’tgothroughwithWarnerBros.Businesswasn’trightatthetime.I’mgladIstayedindependentbecauseitgavemeachancetobuildmycata-logofmusicanddevelopatrackrecord.Thela-
belsarelookingforanartistthat’sconsistent,hasafanbase,andisgonnasellsomerecords.That’ssomethingIwouldn’thavebeenableto[prove]ayearandahalfago.
What do you have going on now as far as new records?Igotarecordbuzzin’ontheradiorightnowcalled“Maserati.”Bythetimethisisprintedit’llbeontheBillboardcharts.Isampled“BizzyBody,”thatMouseproduced.It’sabigrecord.It’sprobablylikethenew“BackThatAssUp.”WejustgotrotationinHoustonon97.9,Loui-sianajumpedonit,Austin’sjumpin’onit.
Who are some other big names you’ve worked with that people might not know about?IstarteddoingacouplesongswithMannieFreshthat’sprobablygonnabeonmynewmixtape.Hereallyhelpedmeoutandgavemedirection.IgotSlimThuggonanewsinglecomingoutcalled“LikeaBoss”thatIproduced.It’sgonnabelikeaDJKhaledtypeofrecordforDJJ.BossinHouston.
So you live in Houston now?Yeah,IstayinHouston.Iwasgoingtoschool,butwiththemusicgoingonIdon’treallyhavetimetogotoschool.That’swhyIdon’treallyconsidermyselftobejustaDallasartist–Ire-allyconsidermyselftobeaTexasartist.Dallasishome,butHoustoniswhatputmeon.
Where do you think the Dallas sound is go-ing in the future?Iftherappersdon’tlearnhowtobeartistsandnotjustsongmakers,Idon’tthinkDallasisgonnastandachanceintheindustry.Youneedtobeabletocreateanalbumandafanbase.Idon’tthinkmycityhasenoughartistslikethatrightnow.LikeTumTum,he’sbeeninthegamealongtime,hehasafanbase.Hehasnumbersacrosstheboard.Ifwedon’tgetenoughpeopleinmycitydoingthat,we’renotgonnabesuccessful.
Where will you be during All Star Weekend?I’mcominghomeearly.I’matrytohitasmanypartiesaspossibleandgetmynetworkon.PlusIgotamixtapeoutcalled Bad As I Wanna Be hostedbyDJStormsoI’llbeoutpumpin’that.//
OZONE MAG // 31
32 // OZONE MAG
OZONE MAG // 33
descRiBinG HiMselF as an UpcoM-inG UndeRGRoUnd pRodUceR witH soMe nationwide exposURe, dallas pRodUceR 2MUcH landed His FiRst MaJoR Hit last YeaR witH doRRoUGH’s “ice cReaM paint JoB.” HeRe 2MUcH talKs aBoUt His FUtURe placeMents and wHat MaKes tHe dallas soUnd so catcHY.
For those who don’t know, which records are you most known for producing?“Ice Cream Paint Job” was my first nationwide hit. I did that and “Wired to the T” for Dorrough’s album. I have some records that are more popular in Dallas – “Work That Lumba” by Young T. I got two joints on C-Murder’s last album Screamin 4 Vengeance. I did Yung Texxus’ “Drank In My Cup” and Sparkdawg’s “Mouf Full of Blang” featuring Trae on the remix.
Do you have any songs with major artists that haven’t been released yet?I’m doing some work with Slim Thug. Bun B’s people at Rap-A-Lot got at me for some place-ments on his album. There’s a Florida artist named Triple J with a record called “You Know It’s Me” – he reached out to me to do the remix featuring Lil Boosie and Bun B. I’m working real close with Glasses Malone and Cash Money. He hasn’t released the song yet, but I think he’s got Red Café and Birdman on it. I got some stuff with Young Money’s Lil Twist featuring Birdman on the Head of the Class mixtape. I’m working on some stuff with Plies and Flo Rida for an A&R at Atlantic.
Where did you get your name from?I got it in middle school. I used to be DJ 2Much, I did little house parties. I started making beats in 9th grade and dropped the “DJ.” There’s not a big story behind the name though.
How does Dallas’ sound differ from other parts of Texas?I know Houston got the laidback, sippin’ on some drank, Screwed up kinda sound. Dallas music has more of a faster paced bounce to it, it’s got a jig to it. It’s real radio friendly. You got your hood stuff too, but it’s not like Houston hood, or Scarface type stuff – it’s more up-tempo and Atlanta-type crunk. Dallas has a variety of music.
What equipment do you use to make beats?
Right now I have the MPC 2500 and a Motif XS6. I go back and forth from Mac and PC. I mess with the FL Studio and Reason too. I try to work with everythang ‘cause artists like dif-ferent sounds.
A lot of producers have artists they’re devel-oping. Are there any artists you’re directly tied into?My artist Young T is the next Dallas artist about to get a major deal. He has a song on the radio right now called “Shawty What It Is.” I did the beat for that. We’re just pushing him. And I’m still doing beats with Dorrough. We’re working on his Gangsta Grillz mixtape, so look out for that All Star Weekend.
How can people get at you if they want to shop for beats?Get at me on Myspace.com/BlackTeeProduc-tions or Twitter.com/2MuchBTP. My publisher’s email is [email protected]. I’m pretty easy to get at. //
///2MUCH Words by Ms Rivercity
OZONE MAG // 7
8 // OZONE MAG
YoU’Re pRoBaBlY FaMiliaR witH B-HaMp’s Talladega NighTs in-spiRed sinGle “RicKY BoBBY” tHat tooK oFF last YeaR. He neveR Had an oppoRtUnitY to sHaRe His stoRY witH oZone so we ReacHed oUt to HiM FoR a Few qUestions. B dasH is still pUttinG oUt new MUsic and will Be appeaRinG at 23 paRties all staR weeKend (Yes, twentY tHRee).
Last year you had the Ricky Bobby single poppin’. How did you get that song out there?When I recorded “Ricky Bobby” I was in a group. “Ricky Bobby” was my solo song. When I recorded it, I was just playin’ around, being goofy, and I gave it to my manager and he heard somethin’ in it. He gave it to DJ G Rock and they took it to the other DJs around here. They liked it and blew it up in the clubs. And YouTube helped me a lot.
Which clubs started playing “Ricky Bobby” first?It started in Rhythm City on Sundays, Stars Lounge, Cirque was hittin’ it. In Fort Worth it was at Club Access, Cristal’s…it was crazy how quick everybody caught on to it. I didn’t expect it to blow up that fast.
You had a couple other songs buzzing in your area after that too. What were those?I put out “I Be Jiggin” and “Put You On,” which was a slow song featuring Dorrough and Daron Jones from 112. I also had another song called “Don’t Say Nothin’.”
When did you drop the album? Was it through a major label?I dropped an album in May of last year. I’m signed to the label CKB Entertainment and it was distributed through Malaco Music group. I had a bunch of major labels reach out – Sony, BMG, Asylum, Koch, a lot. Malaco was the one that stepped forward and let us know what they wanted to do, and it was great so that’s who we went with.
Who else is on CKB Entertainment?CKB just signed two new artists – Cor’ess is an R&B singer featured on my new track “Fooly”
///B HAMPWords by Ms RivercityPhoto by Keith Milburn
and Motion is another rapper. And we have the rappers Lil Rick and Aqua Man. We’re also work-ing with an R&B group called Lush.
What’s going on with your Yums deal?I have a clothing line with Yums. We put out a bunch of stuff with Yums and we have a bunch of stuff coming up that y’all will see soon. And I have eyewear called Forever K. Michaels.
How did you get interested in music in the first place?When I was younger I used to sit in front of the television and watch The Box channel that used to be on basic cable. I would watch videos all day – from country, to R&B, to rap, to pop, everything. Me and my little brother knew every word to every song on the radio. My mama used to be like, “Shut up!” And when I’d get ready for church I’d imitate James Brown and dance in the mirror. In high school I was on the step team, in theatre, so I always knew I had to do something with music.
What are your plans for All Star Weekend?We have 23 parties planned and people still calling. I’m tryin’ to work ‘em all in. The first party starts Wednesday. A lot of the clubs don’t end til 6 in the morning because it’s All Star Weekend.
What else do you have in the works?We got that new single “Fooly.” Look out for the official video soon – we just put up the unof-ficial video on YouTube. I’m working on a new mixtape right now, and I’ve got three movie soundtrack songs with Lions Gate Films. 2010 finna be real “Fooly.” //
OZONE MAG // 9
da BlocKBoi can Be FoUnd tHis all staR weeKend alonGside His laBelMate doRRoUGH MUsic at all tHe spots Hittin’ in dallas. as paRt oF tHe pRiMe tiMe clicK/nGe-niUs RosteR, BlocKBoi is woRKinG on His own MateRial, wHicH in-clUdes tHe new sinGle “Bottles n Models” FeatURinG cHalie BoY.
According to Dorrough, he says you’re on both his label Prime Time Click and DJ Merk’s label NGenious Entertainment. Tell us how you ended up being their artist.I was in college and Merk asked me if I wanted to be with NGenius. At first, nothin’ was really official. Then Dorrough put me in Prime Time. Him and Merk worked it out so that I’m under Dorrough and Merk at the same time.
What were you doing before you linked up with them?Originally I had my own song called “Check Out My Fit.” I kinda already had a name by myself before I clicked up with them. Dorrough happened to be the front man because “Walk That Walk” and “Ice Cream Paint Job” jumped off. Now that Dorrough opened a lot of doors, it’s easier for me to my thing.
What do you have poppin’ right now?I just dropped the single “Bottles N Models” with Chalie Boy. It’s only been out for two months and it’s doing pretty good. Corpus Christi radio just started playin’ it and I’m wait-ing on everybody else to pick it up.
How’s your mixtape game looking?Man, I done hosted so many mixtapes. I just did Southern, Smothered N Covered with DJ Mr. King. The next mixtape I’ma do is with my manager DJ Hella Yella in Austin. It’s gonna be a compilation of just my songs.
Where are you from originally? You don’t really have the full Dallas accent.I was born in Hartford, CT. I stayed in Cleveland, OH, Dayton, OH, Charlotte, NC, New York, then I came to Dallas. I’ve been in Dallas since I was 12 years old so this is my home.
Describe your sound and what you’re trying to express with your music.
///BLOCKBOIWords by Ms Rivercity
OZONE MAG // 9
I don’t feel like I got a certain sound because I’ve lived everywhere from the Midwest to the East Coast to Down South. And I like all types of music. It’s just how I feel at the moment, but I do prefer to make club music – not dance music, but club music.
What type of resources do local artists in Dal-las have for getting their music heard?Dallas is really supporting Dallas. There’s a lot of open mics. If you grind hard enough and get your stuff poppin’ in the club, you can get a paid show. The Definition DJs throw an event called The Dallas Explosion where artists can bring their music. The GO DJs have a meeting every Monday for artists to bring their music. But you can get a couple hundred singles pressed up and grind in the streets with the people.
Is there anything else you want to mention?I’ve also got “Drop, Pop, Repeat” with my bro Dorrough, and another song called “Go Dumb.” A couple DJs got it but we ain’t really put it out there yet. Just support this whole Prime Time Click and NGenius movement because I feel it’s one of the strongest movements in Dallas with me, Dorrough, and Lil Tony. //
OZONE MAG // 9
///B HAMP
10 // OZONE MAG
FoR tHe last two YeaRs dJ HollY-wood Has Been at K104 in dallas, wHeRe He BReaKs a lot oF tHe new MUsic coMinG FRoM tHe ReGion. His dJ aFFiliations inclUde tHe Go dJs, coRe dJs, FUnHoUse dJs, wHicH is Based in dallas. tHis all staR weeK-end YoU can catcH HollYwood spin-ninG at soMe oF tHe Hottest paRties in d-town, as well as His ReGUlaR scHedUled Radio MixsHows.
What’s your history as a DJ?I’ve been in the game since I was 15. I’ve been at several radio stations, and I’m currently working at K104. I’m one of the main mixers. I try to break a lot of new local artists and put Dallas on the map. I started at a community station and DJ Reave took me under his wing and really inspired me to get where I’m at now. I also want to thank everyone at K104 and our music director for lead-ing me in the right direction.
Who are some hot local artists getting radio play in Dallas?Young T – “What It Is,” Bone – “Homegurl,” Party Boyz – “Flex.” I also do a local show on Sundays where we have artists like Vell’s “Coogi 2 The Frame.” Mr. Cirque is big too. Young Black had “Big Boy Stuntin” and now he has “That Pipe” and “Sorority Chick.”
What’s your on-air schedule?I mix on Friday from 8pm to 12am with Cat Dad-dy, Saturday 4pm to 8pm with Cat Daddy, and from 7pm to midnight I mix with Kiki J on Street Swag Sundays. I also do the 8 O’Clock mixtape on Monday through Thursday.
Why do you think Dallas is more open to break-ing new music than some other markets?We’ve got a lot of talent out here, like Atlanta does, but I’d rather break a local artist than break an Atlanta artist. We’re more of a dance and boo-gie scene. If you go to the clubs here you’ll see
the difference. We’re a #5 market in the radio industry and even the #1 markets look at us as kind of [trendsetters]. We just need more artists that aren’t one-hit wonders. If more of them can come out with a whole album like Dorrough, we could have a shot. We’ve got talent, but the only one putting us on the map right now is Dorrough.
Do you think the artists in Dallas just need to be more educated on how to get their music hot outside of the city? That’s what I tell a lot of the local artists. They can’t just stay at home, they’ve got to go to other cities. You don’t need a lot of money, just go on a little road trip and get a cheap hotel. They don’t get out there. They just want to stay in Texas.
Besides radio, do you DJ in the clubs as well?On Thursday I’m at Whiskey Charlies. On Friday I’m at Club 2026 in Downtown Dallas. On Sat-urday I do a new club called Infinity 81 and on Sundays I’m at 8 Lounge. I travel to San Antonio a lot as well.
Where will you be during All Star Weekend?On Thursday I’ve got a big show with the “I Work I Jig” Boyz performing, B-Hamp, Trai’D, and I’m working on Candi Redd. Wednesday we’ll be doing a Welcome to Dallas party at Infinity 81 for all the Latinos. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I’ll be at the Crowne Plaza with the Go DJs. If people don’t want to pay $150 and up [at the clubs] they can just come to the Crowne Plaza and hang out. You ain’t gotta dress up, it’s a hood spot. Just enjoy yourself. //
DJHOLLYWOODWords by Ms Rivercity
10 // OZONE MAG
OZONE MAG // 11
DJHOLLYWOOD
12 // OZONE MAG
AS A MEMBER oF THE DEFINITIoN DJs AND HuSTLE SquAD DJs, DJ WHITE CHoCoLATE HoLDS DoWN THE TEEN CLuB MARKET AND ALSo DJs oN 97.9 THE BEAT. AT oNLY 17 YEARS oLD, HE STILL ATTENDS HIGH SCHooL AND MANAGES To PuT ouT oNE oF THE HoTTEST MIxTAPE SERIES IN DALLAS – APPRoPRIATELY TITLED AheAd of the ClAss.
How long have you been DJing?I’ve been DJing almost 5 years, since I was 12. DJing intrigued me, and one year for Christ-mas I asked my parents for a beginner DJing kit. It started out as a hobby at first. I was at a record store and met a DJ that worked for a Hip Hop station in Dallas. That’s when I started taking things seriously. Through him I started going up to the radio station and one thing led to another.
Did you start out with mixtapes or party DJing? What got your name out there?I actually started out as a turntablist. I was focused on doing tricks and scratching. If you go on YouTube, the videos of me when I was younger are scratch videos. That got my name out there ‘cause everyone was like, “Check out at this scrawny little white boy scratching like crazy!”
///DJ WHITE CHOCOLATEWords by Ms Rivercity / Photo by Juicy Graphix
You’re Ahead of the Class mixtapes are really popular. When did you start doing those?It’s one of the biggest mixtapes in Dallas, especially with the teen crowd. I dropped that series when I was 16, but I started doing mix-tapes when I was 14, just little compilations of the hottest songs out.
You’re also big in the clubs too. What’s your club schedule like?I do almost every teen club in Dallas. I don’t have a permanent spot, I bounce around. When I turn 18 I’ll do bigger clubs. My birthday is September 4th.
What about radio? What’s your on-air sched-ule?I’m with 97.9 The Beat and I guest DJ on differ-ent stations around Texas in smaller markets. I don’t have a permanent schedule. Until I turn 18 they can’t fully hire me so they have me on during stuff like holiday weekends. They’re putting together a teen radio show, so if that goes through I’ll be on every Sunday.
With you being in school and DJing, how are you handling both responsibilities?I’ve had to turn down a lot of video shoots and gigs because school comes first. I’m pretty much making A’s and B’s right now. It gets hectic sometimes, but I manage to balance it.
What’s the big plan after graduation? I’m sure the DJing is about to blow up for you.I hope so, I need something to pay rent. (laughs) Once I get out of high school I’ll be able to go on tour and get outside of the city, which is the next step for me. The way things are going right now, I’m getting a lot of offers so I might not go straight to college. If I do go to college, I’ll go somewhere in Dallas so I can still do clubs and radio out here.
Are you working with any artists?The main artist I’m working with Thug Boss Na-tion. You’ll be hearing about them pretty soon. My group is SkyHigh. There’s so many people. I was supposed to go on tour with Lil Twist for the I Am Music tour but that never happened – I’d like to do something with Lil Twist ‘cause he’s doin’ it big for the younger generation.
How can people get at you?Myspace.com/DJWCMusic, Twitter.com/DJWhiteChoc214, YouTube.com/DJWCTV. //
12 // OZONE MAG
OZONE MAG // 13
///DJ WHITE CHOCOLATE
on tHe Road to sUccess ManY people Give Up aFteR FacinG oBsta-cles, BUt not lil tonY. FoR neaRlY ten YeaRs, lil tonY Has Been cHas-inG His dReaM oF BecoMinG an all-staR RappeR, and it seeMs tHat all tHe HaRd woRK is FinallY aBoUt to paY oFF. aFteR BeinG in a Rap GRoUp wHeRe tHinGs didn’t woRK oUt and losinG soMe oF His closest FRiends, He’s FinallY FoUnd His HoMe witH nGenioUs enteRtain-Ment. now lil tonY plans to do it BiG, texas-stYle.
What do you have going on right now? I just joined NGenius Entertainment, and I’m pushing my singles “I Like That” and “Shout Out.” The first artist off of Ngenious Entertain-ment was Dorrough. The second time around we’re going do it real major, plus we’ve got DJ Merk as the CEO. I’m also working on my visu-als like YouTube, Twitter, and MySpace.
How did the opportunity for you to get signed to NGenius come about?I was a friend of Dorrough’s and he used to always tell me he was going to look out for me. One day DJ Merk just hit me up when they were on their way back from a show. He said he was thinking about bringing me onto Ngenius Entertainment.” We just took it from there. He put me in the studio and it’s been crazy ever since.
How did you and Dorrough know each other?I knew Dorrough because he played basketball in high school, and in Texas, high school basketball is a big thing. I had been hearing his name and then I heard he started rapping. We really hooked up from doing shows together, seeing each other in the club, and networking.
As a child you were in the group S.A.S., Street All Stars. What happened with that group? Well, we never broke up. It was a group with me, Lil Twist of Young Money, and Gator Main, now of the Ball Playaz. We were signed to M.V.P. Entertainment, but we all parted because of financial problems.
You’re half African-American and half Mexi-can. Has your racial background affected
///LIL TONYWords by Jee’Van Brown
your rap career?It kinda helped me because a lot of my fans are black and a lot of my fans are Spanish, but I really felt like some people just wouldn’t give me the chance that I deserved. They thought I was this mixed breed trying to be something I wasn’t.
Your two best friends died when you were younger. How did that change you?My two best friends Sergio and Hillard were murdered on October 4th, 2007. From how the story was told to me, they tried to rob a security guard. During the robbery Sergio was shot dead on the scene, and my other partner Hillard was driving off and the security [guard] shot his car 11 times. He was hit 5 times. That changed my life forever. That was my last year of high school, and I just couldn’t believe I lost two of my partners like that. That woke me up and helped me change my life. It inspired me to work harder at what I do.
Are you working on any new material? Yeah, I have two projects coming out: Flight 214: No Destination with DJ Drop and The Original Tape…Posted, Loaded, Floatin. Chalie Boy is also putting me on his All Star Remix for “I Look Good.” //
14 // OZONE MAG
///LIL TONY
16 // OZONE MAG
Fat BWords by Ms RivercityPhoto by Aaron Cortez ofNon Stop Graphics
16 // OZONE MAG
OZONE MAG // 17
alwaYs a BiG Mixtape selleR, Fat B, a.K.a. Fat BastaRd, is dRoppinG a new tape FoR all staR weeKend. also pRepaRinG FoR tHe Release oF His deBUt solo alBUM, tHe FoRMeR d.s.R. MeMBeR explains wHat ReallY Happened witH tHe GRoUp and How He’s GRown FRoM tHe expeRience.
For those who don’t know the history, explain how you came up and some of the things you’re known for.Everybody knows me from my underground mixtapes, that’s how I started out. I was collabing with a lot of H-Town artists on the freestyle level. We started traveling and everywhere we’d go we’d leave our mixtapes. Then when we’d come back they’d want us to perform because the whole town knew our music. People know me as Fat Bastard with D.S.R., they know me as Mr. Get In My Belly – they know me for being on “Not a Stain on Me” with Tuck. I also collaborated with Dorrough on his new joint “Caramel Sundae.”
A lot of people consider you to be a pioneer of Dallas rap. Would you agree with that?I don’t really wanna be a pioneer – I’m like a legend. I feel like I originated a lot of the free-style in Dallas. We were the first cats to really grind on the mixtapes and move units out of Dallas. It was all freestyled, it wasn’t written. We set a lot of trends. Even though a lot of art-ists coming out of Dallas today got the dance movement, they’re still using the freestyle swag in their dance songs.
How do you view the current music scene in Dallas right now?It’s great. We’re at the peak of our game. The whole city is jumpin’ with All Star coming up. We got the Super Bowl coming up next year. We got the hottest music right now. It’s a real big movement. We’re all coming together and have unity. It’s never been better and I feel like it’s my time too.
Take us back and explain what really hap-pened to D.S.R. and T-Town Music, from your perspective.It’s the same thing that happens to every other group. Everybody already knows it’s about m.o.n.e.y. Some of the people wanted more than everybody else. It was a lot of issues – miscommunication, greed, and management. You might could say there was favoritism too.
What did you learn from that experience that could help others avoid the same is-sues?Do you, but be a team player. Everybody’s time is gon’ come. If you’re in a group workin’ hard, your time will come. Just be ready when it does. Groups aren’t permanent. Most groups break up. Take the promotion you get and really stand out in the group.
So once things started to disband with D.S.R., you and Tuck did “Not a Stain on Me.” Where did things go from there for you?It blew up in markets we never had before like Kansas City, St. Louis, parts of Indiana – we were going to different places. During the midst of “Not a Stain On Me,” it jumped off the beginning of MPR Ent. It was a whole new label with new financing. That’s the label I’m on now. Free Trini, that’s my CEO. He’s actually George Lopez’ cousin from T-Town. I’ve been with Trini from the day one. I’m doing it for him.
What direction are you and the new label moving in now?We got the mixtape droppin’ February 4th with Definition DJ Drop. I’ma be promoting heavy during All Star Weekend, hittin’ radio stations and doing in-stores. It’s all Fat B free-styles, no pen, which is what the fans want. The buzz is crazy. We’re in New Era music, all the mom and pop stores. It’s a good look.
What about album plans?I’ma drop Belly of the Beast after the mixtape. It’s gonna be the first Fat B album ever. It’s real anticipated. We’re droppin’ hot singles, exclusives with other artists, just gettin’ it in right now.
You mentioned working with Dorrough. Who are some other people you’ve been featured with lately?I’ve still been workin’ with Tum Tum. We’re on both of each other’s projects. I’m everywhere. If you go to Worldstar you’ll see me in the “Mr. Hit Dat Hoe” video, Bone’s video, the Chalie Boy video. We’re gettin’ a lot of cameos in with Mr. Boomtown [the director] and we’ll be shooting my video soon. //
18 // OZONE MAG
Young TWords by Ms Rivercity
18 // OZONE MAG
OZONE MAG // 19
cURRentlY pRoMotinG His sinGle “Hit eM witH a JiMMY (sHoRtY wHat it is),” 22-YeaR-old YoUnG t Has sev-eRal local dallas Hits UndeR His Belt. HavinG collaBoRated witH tReal lee on “woRK dat lUMBa,” YoUnG t is also GettinG a BUZZ witH tHe new paRtY RecoRd “2 da Flo.” witH 3 sonGs in Rotation si-MUltaneoUslY tHRoUGHoUt texas, YoUnG t is on tHe veRGe oF siGninG a MaJoR deal. we sat down witH tHe dallas all staR to Find oUt How He Got to tHis point.
How did you come up on the Dallas rap scene? I know you have a few hits out there already.Me and Treal Lee went to school together at West Mesquite and I heard he had a song in the clubs called “Bad Lil Braud.” He had some exposure so me and him did a song together called “Work Dat Lumba.” It starting gettin’ hot real quick. He went on to do “Mr. Hit Dat Hoe” and he got on. I went on to do “Hit Em With A Jimmy” by myself. I just been hitting the clubs, grinding every day, anything the radio had going on I was there pushin’ my single.
So you were definitely taking things seri-ously at a young age?Oh yeah, I’ve been serious since I was 16. That’s how long I’ve been rappin’ – about 6 years. I just been practicing my craft and I’m very seri-ous about it.
Is “Hit Em With a Jimmy” the same song people call “Shorty What It Is”? Yeah, it’s the same thing. We had to kinda change the name from “Shorty What It Is” to “Hit Em With a Jimmy” for radio.
What other songs do you have that people are familiar with?“Work Dat Lumba” came first. It’s still in rota-tion in Houston. Then I got “Hit Em With a Jimmy,” and I got another song called “2 Da Flo” featuring Double R. We ain’t even been pushin’ that one, and it’s already spread to Tennessee. We had one DJ push it in Level 5, that’s like the biggest club in Dallas, and it spread out from there. It’s on the radio in Tyler right now. So I got three different songs on radio, not just in Dallas.
Did 2Much produce all of those songs?Yeah he produced all of ‘em.
You’ve had a lot of success working with the producer 2Much and BTP. What’s your his-tory with them?Yeah, me and him have been working togeth-er for a good 6 years now. We went to school together too. I remember rappin’ in the studio with a sock over the microphone. We’ve been doing this forever.
You make dance music, but do you actu-ally dance yourself? or is it more for other people’s enjoyment?I mean, I make the music for the people to dance to. I call it party music. If that’s how they gon’ categorize me, that’s how I want to be categorized – party music.
How did you know when you had hits people would like? Were you testing your music in the clubs first?We have the Definition DJs here so I go to their meetings. I play the music for them and then they’ll rate it and give feedback. Once I played “Hit Em With a Jimmy” they said, “Yeah, we need this.” So they started pushing it. The radio got a hold of it and it’s been a wrap since then.
What do you think it’ll take to get some of your music a little bit more known nation-wide?I’ve already been talking to different labels that have called. We’re just waiting to see who’s gonna give me the better deal and who’s gonna promote me the best. It’ll hap-pen any minute now. If they promote me right it’s gonna go. Are you promoting any mixtapes right now?Yeah, I got a free mixtape right now called Sex, Drank, Money on Myspace.com/YoungT-BTP. I’m on Twitter too @YoungTBTP. I have 27 tracks on the mixtape. Most of ‘em are produced by 2Much, and a couple of ‘em are radio beats. It’s jammin’. People are liking it. I been promoting it as best as I can by myself. My grind is paying off right now.
For people just now hearing about you and your music, what do you want people to know about you? From my sound, you’d think I’m the crunkest, loudest person in the club. But that ain’t me. I’m a real laid back, chill type of dude, but when it comes to rappin’, that’s my thang. //
OZONE MAG // 19
20 // OZONE MAG
oFTEN, A HIT RECoRD ExPLoDES ovERNIGHT AND DISAPPEARS JuST AS quICKLY. BuT FoR BoNE, HIS SoNG “HoMEGuRL” HAD To MARI-NATE BEFoRE HITTING THE CHARTS. CIRCuLATING IN THE TExAS REGIoN FoR NEARLY SIx MoNTHS, “HoME-GuRL” GoT A MAJoR PuSH AFTER BEING DISCovERED BY THE CoRE DJs CEo ToNY NEAL DuRING THE TExAS SuMMER MuSIC CoNFERENCE LAST YEAR. BoNE, A STuDENT AT PRAIRIE vIEW uNIvERSITY, WAS SIGNED To CITI uSA ENT/DEF JAM AND THE SoNG WAS EvENTuALLY ADDED To RADIo RoTATIoN. NoW ovER A YEAR SINCE HE oRIGINALLY RELEASED THE SINGLE, BoNE AND HIS LABEL ARE DRoPPING THE vIDEo AND INTRoDuCING HIM To THE REST oF THE CouNTRY, START-ING WITH THE PATRoNS oF ALL STAR WEEKEND. HERE HE ExPLAINS HoW A SMALL ToWN KID FRoM EAST TExAS LANDED A BIG BREAK.
How did you get the “Homegurl” song so hot out there in Dallas? It’s been out for a little while now.It got popular after Definition DJ Tuss broke it in the club, and then it spread to the other Definition DJs. Michael Watts put it on his I45 2K8 mixtape. Then more DJs started pickin’ up on it. After the Texas Summer Music Confer-ence with the CORE DJs and Definition DJs, Tony Neal heard the song and liked it. He put the CORE DJs on it and that’s how it all came about.
Are you originally from Dallas?No, I’m from East Texas. It’s not too far though – Dallas is the closest metropolitan area to where I’m from. I don’t say I’m from Dal-las though. When I graduated high school I went straight to Prairie View where I met my
producer, and he was from Ft. Worth. I wanted to continue doing music, so after that I moved to Dallas/Ft. Worth. I had family that stayed in Arlington so I decided to move there to be closer to the music scene.
What did you go to college for? Did you finish?I’m actually still in school right now. I’m a his-tory major.
Did your song start poppin’ and that’s when you decided to pursue music, or were you always serious about rapping?It was something I always did since I was little. It’s just that being from a small town, there really wasn’t an opportunity. I knew I’d have to leave eventually – that’s why I came to Prairie View and moved to Ft. Worth.
Were you known in the area before “Home-gurl” blew up?Nah, actually I was part of a group. When I met my producer we established a group but things weren’t moving completely the way we wanted. I always had this idea for “Homegurl” but I never made it because I was trying to do the group thang. But after I got out of the group and we did the record, it came out the way it did and that’s how it happened.
Do you have any mixtapes out right now? At school we did group mixtapes. Freshman year we did Kings of the Yard mixtape, we did another one junior year. We were just trying to get ourselves out there.
So you were going to school at Prairie view and staying in Ft. Worth during your off time – where did the song get hot at first? In school or in the Dallas area?It got hot at Prairie View, and then it got hot in Dallas at the same time.
How long did it take for “Homegurl” to get in radio rotation?The amazing thing is, the first time it was played on radio was by Michael Watts. Watts played it on radio in December 2008 and the radio spins picked up after that. It was getting like two or three spins a week, nothing major, then it took off.
So when did you sign to Def Jam?
20 // OZONE MAG
OZONE MAG // 21
BoneWords by Ms. RivercityPhotos by Hannibal Matthews
OZONE MAG // 21
22 // OZONE MAG
After the Texas Summer Music Conference, Tony Neal introduced me to Citi Under Siege and Citi got me the opportunity to perform for L.A. Reid. I performed for L.A., he liked what he saw, and signed me that day. That was October 16th when I got signed; I believe it was at 11:32 pm. (laughs)
What has the label had you working on the last few months since you signed with them?I actually just learned that I have the number one priority record in the building, which is a great look, especially coming from Def Jam. It’s a dream come true. They really got behind me and the person I am. I’m just keeping it real for the whole college boy movement. They’ve been putting me out there with the marketing and everything. It’s truly a blessing.There’s a lot of rappers coming out of Prairie view right now. Is that like the new trend?I think it’s a tremendous thing. I really hope to publicize that as much as I can. The first record to pop was Supastaar’s “Halle Berry” record. After that, Dorrough had “Walk That Walk” and “Ice Cream Paint Job.” Then I came with “Home-gurl.” After me, it was the Party Boyz with “Flex.” All of us have had the opportunity for major exposure, and it’s a lot of new artists coming along. It’s a beautiful thing on campus. It’s a lot of love from everybody. The Hip Hop scene out here is real crazy.
Have you had a chance to collaborate with any major artists yet?The only one I had an opportunity to work with so far is Tum Tum and TBGz. I was on his song “Just Might.” For me that’s major because I remember buying Tum’s mixtapes. I had to drive all the way to Tyler, which is like an hour and thirty minutes away, just to get the D.S.R. mixtapes. So for me to do a song with Tum was like a dream come true for me. I was in the studio nervous and sweating, but it came out pretty good.
Tum and D.S.R. definitely opened a lot of doors in Dallas, but the sound has somewhat changed since they came on the scene. What are your thoughts on how things have evolved since then?I don’t think it’s necessarily different, I think it’s just gotten more loose with the younger generation. When Tum and them started it was more like crunk, aggressive type of music, and it’s still crunk and aggressive but it’s more about dances now. It wasn’t so much about dance music back then. It’s more of a party feel now than a fight feel.
Who are some other artists in the Dallas area that you looked up to?Recently Doughski G reached out to me. I was a quick fan of Twisted Black. He’s one of the most amazing artists I’ve ever heard. He didn’t get a lot of publicity like I thought he would. I used to jam Fat B’s Get In My Belly like every day when I was 16 years old. I’m a big fan of Big Tuck. I’m a big fan of Mr. Pookie and Mr. Lucci and Diamond D. When I found out The D.O.C. was from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, that’s when I knew there was a chance for me. 6 Tre is from Ft. Worth – he’s on the “Explosive” song with Dr. Dre. Listening to them, I saw there were opportunities out there if I kept workin’. It motivated me not to give up.
What are you working on for the next month or two?We got the mixtape finished called Realest N*gga in the Classroom. That’s what we’re pushing right now. We’ve got my second sin-gle coming called “I Got Paper.” It’s already L.A. Reid approved so we’re gon’ get everythang goin’ with that. I’m working on my album with my producer JB. Hopefully we’ll have a sum-mertime release on that.
Do you have your show schedule lined up for All Star Weekend yet?I’ma definitely be rockin’ the house at the Dwyane Wade/Trina CORE DJ party. I know I got some more stuff comin’ and I’ma be real busy, but that’s the only thing set in stone right now.
For all the out of towners coming to Dallas, where are some local spots people should check out, as far as shopping, eating, etc.?I’m a big fan of Rudy’s. Sweet Georgia Brown is my favorite – that’s the best soul food in Dal-las. As far as Ft. Worth goes, they don’t have the Chill’s Snow Cone stand up right now, but I’d definitely tell you to go there if it was open. As far as clubs, Mistique is gon’ be packed. Beamers is crazy. I heard Diddy is throwing a party at The Palladium. The CORE DJ party is gon’ be crazy, Level 5, Crystal’s, The Ranch in Arlington, they’re all gon’ have a lot of people.
What else do you want to let the people know about?Boogie music is more than dance. You got real artists that make real music. The dance songs are a foundation – now it’s time to build up. //
//Bone continued
OZONE MAG // 23
//Bone continued
24 // OZONE MAG
RayPaul
Words by Ms RivercityPhoto by Edward “Pookie” Hall
24 // OZONE MAG
OZONE MAG // 25
RepResentinG tHe oaK cliFF aRea oF dallas, RaY paUl Has a HeavY stReet pResence in tHe citY, alonG witH His clicK tHe Y.G.Z. last sUM-MeR RaY invited oZone oUt to tHe Y.G. picnic and it was cleaR tHat tHeiR cRew coMes oUt in nUMBeRs. HeRe He Gives Us tHe scoop on His Fan Base, His aFFiliation witH GReG stReet, and soMe insiGHtFUl opin-ions on tHe MUsic GaMe.
Introduce yourself and tell us how you be-came known in Dallas.They call me Ray Paul Massaun in the streets. I started getting known when I was in 7th or 8th grade. I was always popular in the streets so that made it easy for me. I knew people from the nawfside, soufside, all the hoods everywhere. When I was about 16 that’s when I started rappin’. At first I took it as a joke but I started seeing the fan base we had. You can’t buy that overnight.
Where did you go from there?My cousin T-Nick kept telling me, “Man, I think we got somethin’.” He was gettin’ calls from everywhere about me and Y.G. – Y.G. is a click of about 400 people and we all support each other. It’s a big family thang. I was one of the leaders out of the situation so people knew me. One day a few years ago I was performing my first single “I’m Gettin Money,” and I met Marone – he’s Greg Street and C Dawg’s patna. He’s an A&R for Def Jam and Bad Boy South. He saw me performing at Rhythm City and I had the whole club goin’. We took over the whole hood area with that.
So Marone is the one that hooked you up with Greg Street?Yeah, he called Greg Street in Atlanta and Greg Street was lookin’ for an artist out here in Dallas. A few weeks later he threw a party with Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson. I performed up there and we made magic after that.
Has dealing with Greg Street helped you get your music outside of the city at all?That’s one thing I can say about Marone, that’s one hard-workin’ dude in Dallas. I hadn’t
been out of Dallas till I started doin’ shows with people like them. Them and Greg Street hooked me up with a lot of different people. Marone and T-Nick keep me live.
Where exactly are you from in Dallas?The middle of Oak Cliff – Wheatland and Polk.
Dallas has a big dance/boogie movement going on but you obviously don’t fit into that sound. Talk about how your music dif-fers from some of the stuff Dallas is getting famous for.I don’t hate the dance music. If a person makes a #1 hit off a dance song, I’ma con-gratulate ‘em. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a com-petition out here, and this industry is not a friendly sport. But as far as me, that’s not what I’m tryna come into the game with. I brought “Gettin’ Money” to the game. I brought an-other character to the game. I don’t try to be like the next man. I’m not tryna be on Jay-Z or Lil Wayne’s level – nah, I’m just focused on Ray Paul. I think a lot of youngsters can learn a lot from me and my music.
Besides “I’m Gettin’ Money” what are some of your other hits?We got “Feed These Streets” featuring B.o.B. Me and Gorilla Zoe got a song called “Tudilu.” I got another song called “Feel Free to Hate,” which is all me. We have a new one we’re pushing right now called “Out of There (I’m Gone)” with Young Black, he did “Big Boy Stuntin’.”
Do you have any mixtapes out right now?Matter of fact, I’m putting out two of ‘em. I’m doing one with Y.G. J Don, that’s my lil young-sta comin’ up in the game. We’re gonna drop a Y.G. compilation and I’m gettin’ ready to drop a mixtape with Greg Street. I might come out with a mixtape just for All Star Weekend just for promo.
Where will you be during All Star Weekend?My patnas Marone and C Dawg are throwing a lot of parties out here. They got Club Che, Cirque, they got Drake coming out, Snoop Dogg, Trey Songz, Jeezy. I’m gon’ be at all of ‘em.
outside of All Star Weekend, what else do you have going on?We have the Y.G. picnic coming up again June 1st. People can also check me out on Myspace.com/YGRayPaul or Myspace.com/YGTexas or Twitter.com/YGRayP. //
OZONE MAG // 25
26 // OZONE MAG
TomekaPearlWords by Jee’Van Brown
26 // OZONE MAG
OZONE MAG // 27
settinG HeRselF apaRt FRoM otHeR FeMale R&B aRtists, toMeKa peaRl BRinGs spice and BoUnce to HeR MUsic. aFteR deBUtinG HeR aRtistRY on doRRoUGH’s alBUM dorrough Music, MoRe oppoRtUnities aRe coMinG leFt and RiGHt FoR tHis talented YoUnG sinGeR. witH HeR stReet sinGle “YoU liKe it” HeatinG Up on tHe soUtH and west coast, YoU can Believe tHis isn’t tHe last tiMe YoU will HeaR FRoM HeR.
You were featured on a few songs on Dor-rough’s album. What else do you have going on right now?I have a little single that I’m working on right now. I have a street single that’s doing pretty good out there in the Bay area, it’s a song called “You Like It” featuring Dorrough.
Do you have a name for your album yet?It’s probably going to be self-titled, but I’m re-ally kind of crazy with the whole artistry shit so I don’t know. I want to say it will be self-titled, but it probably won’t.
How long have you been singing and writ-ing?I’m 23 right now so I want to say I’ve been pursuing it since I was about 18, but I’ve been singing since I was about 10 or 11. I’ve been out here in Dallas performing since I was 18.
You graduated from high school early to pur-sue your music career full time. Do you think you missed out on any of those childhood/teenage memories?Definitely not. I graduated a semester earlier than everybody else so I could pursue it full time, but I wasn’t really into school. I’m not say-ing don’t go to school and don’t go to college, but school just wasn’t my thing. I originally wanted to pursue the whole music thing full time, so I had my little childhood moments.
Your cousin, who was very close to you, died on your birthday. Did that motivate you to keep going?Yeah, my cousin died on my birthday when I was 11. He was killed in Houston, and he actu-ally rapped. I looked up to him especially with what he was doing [musically]. I wanted to pursue the same thing he wanted to pursue so when he passed I felt like I wanted to continue his legacy because he was only 19.
As a child you took vocal lesson and acting lessons. Do you have anything going on as far as acting right now?Yeah, I am actually reading for a role right now that is being filmed through Prime Time Click. I can’t get in depth about it, but I am reading for the main role.
How did you hook up with Dorrough for his album?Man, it’s crazy, we actually hooked up to do his last album on the track “Hood Song.” When we did “Hood Song” he liked the whole vibe and sound, so he put me on some other re-cords. Then he hopped on the “I Like It” record. When that happened he was kinda like, “Do you want to be a part of the whole Prime Time Click movement?” I saw that his movement was doing big things, so I was like shit, I’m gonna fuck with it.
What is the process like when you two are in the studio?Well, for the most part we’re both just in there vibing and we kinda bounce ideas off each other. With his whole album situation, Dor-rough did his thing with the hooks and kind of had everything laid out and ready with how he wanted to do it. But, we definitely do vibe all the time.
Your style of music isn’t the typical cliché R&B. What made you want to step out of the box and be different?I don’t want to really say it was me being dif-ferent. At that time in my life, that’s just what I was into. But right now I’m at the point in my life where I want to talk about love, getting hurt, or being with a dude. With me it’s going to always be a little more edgy – like if I say, “I love somebody,” I’m going say, “I love that nigga!”
Are you performing anywhere for All Star?I’m doing a Haiti Relief show out here in Dallas around the same time All Star comes here. I also have a fashion show and a couple of ap-pearances lined up for All Star. //
Words by Jee’Van Brown
OZONE MAG // 27
28 // OZONE MAG
OZONE MAG // 29
30 // OZONE MAG
DALLASAREA MAP
OZONE MAG // 31