Ozone Magazine

AUSTIN, TX:
NiceKicks.com had their retail store grand opening off the drag downtown. Bun B, DJ Clark Kent, DJ Mike Swing and DJ Kurupt all took part in the opening festivities. Common came though Georgetown for a show at Southwestern University. The Cool Kids performed a Huston-Tillotson Homecoming Party at The Mohawk. 2010 SXSW music festival update coming soon.
- O.G. of Luxury Mindz (www.luxurymindz.com)

BAY ST. LOUIS, MS:
Guitars & Cadillacs played host to Bone Thugs N Harmony, and man, what a mess that was. The group was fighting amongst themselves and Bizzy Bone performed by himself for a few minutes before Lazy Bone came and unplugged everything. In other news, Juvenile and his producer went to jail for possession of marijuana. Welcome home Mystikal. If you missed the return of the big dog, you missed a good one.
- DJ Deliyte (unodasound@yahoo.com)

BIRMINGHAM, AL:
It was a pretty good month around the city with J. Holiday coming to Club Asia, and Charlie Wilson and Ginuwine coming to P.H. Lounge. The V.S. Lounge was busy with Street Talk Magazine coming through for their event. MasterMindz also held their open mic and beat battle which turned out great. The event also had performances by Big Chuck Ent., Kuntraversy of Murc Camp, plus many more of the city’s favorite artists. Murc Heist also dropped Some Kin 2 the Streets. Eskimo Joe dropped L.L. Cool Joe digitally. Minthol Kings dropped new mixtape as well.
- K. Bibbs (AllOrNothingPromo@hotmail.com)

CHICAGO, IL:
The number one record in Chicago is a tie between John Blu’s “In Love with Your Booty” and Dat Boy Hot’s “Up N Down.” Both are burning up the clubs and radio. Bo Deal’s record “Outta Those Clothes” is a new and good look for him. Mixtape Mondays at Club Exodus is the best way to start off the week for artists wanting to perform. Check out these DJs on Power 92’s weekend club mix: DJ Shotime, DJ Ransom, The Bigg DM (CORE DJs), DJ Clent, and DJ Nephets.
- Jamal Hooks (JHooks@tmail.com)

COLUMBUS, GA:
The Columbus area has been all over television, having been featured on Bridezilla, Extreme Home Makeover, and a few talk shows. Columbus athletes even played in the Super Bowl and the Olympics. Everyone who has turned 30 this year had a birthday bash at Club After 5…everyone. I am going to petition Congress for a law that requires parties to be as interesting and fun as the flyers that promote them. A new spot called Sky opened up. Haven’t been yet, but I hear it’s cool. Spices Restaurant also has live DJs on the weekend.
- Slick Seville (SlickSeville@gmail.com)

COLUMBUS, OH:
After the snowiest month on record, Columbus is left to recover. But because two of XXL’s featured Freshman artists graced Columbus with their presence, many of us have forgotten about cold temperatures, snow, and ice. Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa came through on his Deal or No Deal tour, and brought capacity crowds with him. New Orleans native Jay Electronica stopped through as well and gave us one of the best shows the city has seen from an up-and-coming rapper. We held yet another Help for Haiti benefit concert and basketball tournament, showing more of our city’s human spirit.
- KayJay of the FlyPaper (designsbykayjay@gmail.com)

FORT MYERS/NAPLES, FL:
DJ Quest holds it down at Club Neo every Wednesday and Friday night. Queen Unique and Hell Bound Entertainment are grinding every other Thursday night at the Lion’s Den. They host Acoustic Affairs, SWFL’s first open mic, poetry, and arts night. Local band Strange Arrangement is buzzing in the streets with their fusion of funk, rock, jazz and hip hop.
- Jae Rae (JaeRae1055@aol.com)

GAINESVILLE, FL:
Gainesville recently got to rock out with two of the biggest acts in the game right now: Travis Porter and Waka Flocka. Travis Porter put on a crazy show, but Waka brought out the type of crowd you only see during FISS weekend. Speaking of FISS (Florida Invitational Step Show), I don’t know if I’m getting older or it’s just getting whacker, but something needs to change, ASAP. All the local artists, Mr. V, as well as KB da Boss, are keeping up the grind. Don’t forget to check out FeedoffRap.com for all the latest.
- Jett Jackson (g5jett@gmail.com)

JACKSON, MS:
Nelly and Bow Wow hit the city this month for the Derrty Ent. vs. Cash Money Ent. celebrity basketball game. Nelly and Bow Wow were the only celebs we saw though, but Bow Wow did have Russell Simmons’ daughter, Angela, with him. Did I mention he had to ice his knees and ankles after the game? They all hit up Dreamz for the after party. Lil Ru, Party Boyz, Webbie, and Lil Duval hit up Freelon’s this month. Webbie was scheduled to perform at Mardi Gras, but word was he wanted to bring his pistol in the club and security refused so he left. Congrats to Jackson’s own R & B duo Recognition for performing on BET’s 106th & Park. They recently signed to Capitol Records.
- Tambra Cherie (TambraCherie@aol.com) & Stax (blockwear@tmo.blackberry.net)

KILLEEN/BELTON/FT. HOOD/TEMPLE/WACO, TX:
Harker Heights Texas is now the home for In Da Cuts Studio. Doors have officially opened. Producer and artist Joon Cartier dropped a new single entitled “Case of the Mondays.” You can hear his mixtape Euphoric Depression on DatPiff. Belton Texas super-producer Noki Swazay released a free downloadable mixtape The Vaccine, as well as an album called The Antidote available in Centex stores. Be on the lookout for J.P. The Pyrexican with his street anthem “Workin My Wrist.”
- Chris OA (jupzchris@gmail.com)

LAS VEGAS, NV:
Prive Nightclub, located inside Planet Hollywood, is stepping up to be the only Vegas club spinning Hip Hop every weekend. Fabolous and Lloyd both rocked Prive on different nights. Jay-Z ended his BP3 Tour here, along with Trey Songz and Jeezy at the Pearl Concert Theater. The Floyd “Money” Mayweather vs. “Sugar” Shane Mosley fight at the MGM Grand Arena was the talk of the town and the Vegas odds were in favor of “Money,” who won. With summer fast approaching, Vegas is gearing up to be the place to be.
- Portia Jackson (PortiaJ@sprint.blackberry.net)

MEMPHIS, TN:
The Memphis in May music lineup has been announced and Al Kapone and Yo Gotti are both set to perform. There’s nothing better than rap on the river! Up and coming artist Foley was crowned Master of the Microphone at Hard Rock Café after a battle rap competition. He won bragging rights, a huge golden microphone trophy, and a song produced by award-winning Al Kapone. Gospel rapper Mr. Del became Memphis’ first rapper nominated for Gospel’s highest honor. Another local artist you might want to peep out is Tha Bank. He has been doing shows in and out of town and really pushing his new single “Ball Out.” You can check him out at www.memphisrap.com/THABANK.
- Deanna Brown (Deanna.Brown@MemphisRap.com)

MONTGOMERY, AL:
Congrats to DJ Swift for getting on at the Big Station. Chize Money of Deuce Komradz is acting up out the gate. “Rich Shit” and “Bow Down” got everybody going ham, even in the Ham. So look out for Star Playa Ent. Congrats to Frank White on winning the Impact DJ of the Year award at the SEAs and Maxximum on winning On Air personality of the year at the Real Talk Awards. Other winners include: Chappy for the new single “Body of a Goddess,” and King David. Apollo Wednesday still has the open mic on lock at Boomerangs. May 8th- 10th is the next Maxximum Exposure Conference and Awards (The Street Edition).
- Hot Girl Maxximum (Maxximummp3@gmail.com)

PITTSBURGH, PA:
Even though the weather had a lot of people snowed in, Young Money and Lil Kim came out to the Burgh to kick it. Local artists S. Money, SK, Boaz, & Wiz Khalifa are all going hard in the studio for summer mixtape projects and buzz releases, while F-Block Records is extending its reach all over the South. Fab 5 Ent. is still holding down the party scene from here to Atlanta. Expect big features and production coming from Pittsburgh soon.
- Lola Sims (lolasims@gmail.com)

SALT LAKE CITY, UT:
Hip Hop Station U92 is home to some of the area’s most talented artists and DJs, like U92/Bumsquad DJs E-Flexx, Handsome Hands, and DJ Latu; and 2004 US DMC Finalist DJ Poetik C, as well as many others. Besides showcasing their skills on the turntables, they also showcase their talent on various mixtapes and albums. Check out TML’s Powerhouse Duo Lump Sum, who’s mixtape Pressure, Pipes and Diamonds, is produced by DJ Brisk One and Mixed by DJ Poetik C., and The Commission’s New Album, as well as many others. You can check all of these peeps out at Summer Jam and at various events in the city.
- Nasha Nelson (nashagyrl@yahoo.com)

TAMPA, FL:
Laws and Don Cannon released 4:57, a 17-song street album with elite production from DJ Khalil, L.A. The Craftzman, Feb 9, M-Phazes, TN2 Productions, 9th Wonder, and in-house producers, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. (Free Download here: www.myspace.com/lawshiphop). While Tampa braces for the next Tampahiphop.com “Battle Basics” in April, Skillet won Aych’s “Da Cypher Emcee Battle,” as a fight erupted among bar patrons to close out the night. Bigga Rankin and Swazy Baby were among guests on Pirate Radio Invasion along with local favorites Dynasty, Mason Caine, and Prophit. Laws appeared on WiLd 94.1’s“The Sunday Session” with Orlando.
- Slick Worthington (Myspace.com/SlickWorthington)

WASHINGTON, DC:
The Diamond District (XO, Oddisee & YU) kicked off 2010 with a European tour. Tarica June released the thought provoking Moonlight Revolution mixtape. She also has a nice blog at www.taricajune.net. Likeblood and Bobby Valentino shot the “Money Over Here” video at the Ibiza nightclub. The video is currently in heavy rotation on MTV Jams. Promoter Dre “All Day In The Paint” brought Freeway and Yo Gotti to perform in DC on consecutive weeks. The Blood Link Cartel just dropped a hard-hitting CD entitled Da Family. “Goblin” is Southeast Slim new single produced by the Hitter Quitter Boyz. Eezy Money has two nice tracks out right now: “Jockin” and “Get Paid.” And finally Team Jomo from Capitol Heights, MD has a hot song entitled “Sidekick” featuring Nia Owens on the hook.
- Sid “DCSuperSid” Thomas (dcsupersid@aol.com)

For more, check out Issue #84 of OZONE Mag: