FREE AT LAST:
AFTER AN APPEALS COURT OVERTURNED HIS LIFE SENTENCE, INFAMOUS DRUG KINGPIN ‘FREEWAY’ RICKY ROSS HOPES TO REDEEM HIMSELF BY TEACHING THE YOUTH THE HARD LESSONS HE’S LEARNED AND SHOWING THEM A BETTER PATH

For anyone who isn’t familiar with “Freeway” Ricky Ross, what’s your claim to fame?
I’m from L.A. I’m known as a drug dealer. I became one of the biggest drug dealers in South Central. I was the guy that most of the guys who got big got their first drugs from. I was the one they modeled themselves after; guys like Harry O, Bo Bennett, Young Tommy, Pat, the list goes on and on. A lot of [well-known drug dealers] basically modeled their drug dealing pattern after me or copied my format. Some of them got bigger than I was. (laughs)

When you see what the drug game has evolved into today, do you approve or disapprove?
I mean, I can’t knock anyone for what they do, because I did so much wrong myself. It’d be like Satan throwing rocks at somebody for doing something wrong; he can’t do that. So I can’t knock the game. It has evolved into what it was supposed to come to. But I do feel that my job now is to try to figure out other things for these young guys to do now. I’m trying to show them that there’s a different route and a different path, and I believe I can do that.

A lot of people say the street game isn’t what it used to be. They say there’s no honor amongst thieves anymore.
There really never was. It was just that fake make-believe stuff. This was the way it was supposed to go. Really, when you look back at the game, the guys who were at the top always played like that.

So that’s a myth? Because I hear that often.
Yeah, that’s a myth. I totally agree that that’s a myth. Everybody that got busted, somebody told on them. From the beginning, somebody had to be a snitch. The Feds have been using snitches since the beginning of time. It’s always been there and it’ll always be there. If you’re in the game and you don’t think your best friend is gonna tell on you, you’re crazy. When I look back, the same guys that helped me get into this game are the same guys that told on me. The same guys that’ll tell you, “Don’t snitch!” will turn around and snitch on you. It’s a dirty business. The drug business is dirty. And a lot of [new drug dealers] don’t know that. When they go into the drug business, they don’t know the ins and outs. They go into it with a one-track mind. They only know one aspect of the game. Me, myself, I went into the game like that. I went in blindsided. I only saw the fame and the fortune; I didn’t see the whole thing. Nobody explained it to me.

Did you feel like dealing drugs was your only career option?
When I was young I was dumb. I was illiterate. I couldn’t read. I had never read a book and never written anything, so the only thing I knew was what I saw in my general area. When I go and talk to the kids – especially in juvenile hall – I explain that when I was coming up, my options were robbery, pimpin’, selling dope, stealing cars, and burglary. Those were the things I thought I had to pick from. I never thought about opening a magazine. I never thought about owning a record company. My options were so limited, and that was because of my [limited] knowledge.

Previously, we published a letter to our readers that you wrote while you were incarcerated. It sounded like you were renouncing what you’d done before and were trying to correct the wrongs.
Absolutely. What I did was wrong, and not only was it wrong, but I feel like it was a total waste of my talents. I’m very talented. My personal opinion is that there’s no man living on this planet that is as smart as I am.

Did that realization come to you over the years, or was it one moment that made you regret the path you’d taken?
It started to come in time, after I started to read books. It first started in the courtroom, when I found myself debating the law with these Harvard and Yale graduates.

You defended yourself? Why?
My lawyer told me, “Anytime somebody else wants you home more than you want yourself home, you’re in trouble.” I took that to heart. I took that to mean, “You should learn the law for yourself.”

So you made the decision to defend yourself, and it wasn’t just from a financial standpoint?
From a legal standpoint. So now you take a guy who believed he was dumb and illiterate and could never read or write, and you put him in a courtroom and the judge and the lawyers are taking what he says seriously. They disagreed with what I was saying, but when we went to the appeals court, I proved them all wrong. That’s a confidence booster.

How did you learn how to read?
One A-B-C at a time. My cellmate convinced me that I could read. When I got my indictment, I wanted to know what was on my indictment. I never told my lawyer that I couldn’t read until after I learned to read. He gave me three pieces of paper and said, “Here’s your indictment. Read it and it explains everything you need to know about your case.” That was the first piece of paper I ever read – my indictment.

Why were you illiterate? Would you say the school system failed you?
That was part of it. The school system was part of it and my mom was part of it. You know what they say, it takes a community to raise a child. And I failed myself. It was my responsibility to get what I needed and make sure that I could read and function. I didn’t find it important in the trades that I was looking at: robbery, burglary, stealing cars, pimpin’ – why do you need to know how to read?

Getting a “regular” job was never an option?
I didn’t see myself doing that. I didn’t know anybody that had a regular job. I grew up on Figueroa, which was the hoe stroll. My friends didn’t “work.”

And you didn’t think that those career paths – robbery, burglary, stealing cars, or pimpin’ – would have a negative outcome?
Nah, that was a part of my neighborhood. A kid can become his environment. If you’re around crime, at first you might shy away from it, but if you stay around it long enough, pretty soon you’re accustomed to it. That’s why drugs are so accepted in our neighborhoods. The reason it’s so hard for a drug dealer to quit is because his neighborhood doesn’t despise him. It’s attractive. People look up to you when you’re a drug dealer.

You’re rewarded for it.
Right. You get to go to VIP. You get all the girls. Everything a person wants can come from selling drugs, so why wouldn’t people sell drugs? What’s the deterrent?

I would think a potential life sentence would be a deterrent.
Well, they don’t know about the jail time. Most of them don’t know about the Feds until it’s too late. These kids don’t know anything about the Feds and the mandatory minimums.

Do you think the mandatory minimums are an effective deterrent?
Absolutely not. Totally a waste of time. I’m working on reforming the laws. I’ve teamed up with the NAACP and we’re gonna start a program to reform the mandatory minimum sentences, not only in the Feds but in the state [judicial] systems as well.

You don’t think that lowering the mandatory minimum sentences would encourage more people to get into the drug business?
Well, [the mandatory minimums] haven’t stopped drug dealing, we know that. We know drugs are more plentiful on our streets. We have more people in prison. So it hasn’t worked for the past 40 years.

How would lowering the sentences help?
We’re not saying right off the bat that it will help, but we’re saying it won’t hurt. Because it isn’t working. Throwing people in prison and throwing away the key absolutely doesn’t work. I believe we have to come up with programs that really work. We have to start addressing the issues that are at the root, and that’s lack of knowledge and lack of opportunities. These laws have nothing to do with that. I believe we should go with an ounce of prevention instead of a pound of cure. That’s what our government is doing now – throwing pounds and pounds of cures on a problem that for 45 or 50 years has been a waste of money. The drug problem is worse than it’s ever been. Murder rates are up. Snitchin’ is up.

Do you think the government has been going to war against the wrong people? Should they be targeting the user and focusing more on prevention instead of locking up the dealers?
[The government] should focus on the user and try to prevent people from using. Locking [dealers] up is just not the key. This is not a criminal offense. It’s a victimless crime, because nobody is gonna come in and testify and say, “He stuck a gun in my face and robbed me.” There’s never gonna be a victim in these [drug] cases, so they’re gonna have somebody who’s in trouble already and decided to snitch come in and testify and say he saw you do something to somebody that’s never gonna come to court. Then he’s gonna get off so he can go out and sell drugs again, so it’s just a perpetuation of the problem. Incarceration is definitely not the answer. We’re spending billions and billions of dollars every year on incarcerating [convicted drug dealers]. Just to take me to court cost [the taxpayers] $3 million dollars. Just to take me to court! Then they kept me in prison at $40,000 a year for 20 years. And when you take a drug dealer off the streets, how many other drug dealers come in and take his place? We should be putting all that money into education and prevention.

Sounds like the prison system is quite profitable for the private companies that run them.
Absolutely. That’s why they only allow the prosecutors, judges, and police officers to invest in them. Everyday citizens can’t invest in the prison industry. All of the prisons in the United States are private. If you’re a government worker, you can invest. It’s definitely a profitable business.

In a perfect world, if you were in charge of the government’s War on Drugs, what would you do?
I’d start educational programs in the schools. There are basic principles I’ve learned. Anybody in any position can make money if they know these principles. And that’s what I’m doing now – I go all over the country and talk to kids and teach them these principles. For example, 10% of everything you earn is yours to keep. You must save 10% of your money, and that’s the money you’re going to get rich off of. Invest it wisely.

You’re working on an autobiographical movie, right?
Yeah, I just signed my movie deal. I’m producing it, writing it, directing it, everything. We’re thinking it may take two or three different movies to tell the whole story. There’s a lot that went on in my life. There’s the reporter, Gary Webb, who broke my story in 1995 and then [supposedly] killed himself. There’s the Nicaraguan connection, which involved Oliver North and President Bush and Ronald Reagan. They were all tied into my case. I got my drugs from the Nicaraguans. Then there was the Freeway Task Force, a bunch of cops put together to bring me down. After they started seeing all the money I was making in the drug game, they couldn’t resist. They went from being cops to being robbers and dope dealers themselves.

Who’s going to play the role of “Freeway” Ricky Ross?
I’ve been talking to Columbus Short pretty seriously. He’s come on harder than anybody else. I spoke to a lot of people about it, though. Nelly, Tyrese, Scarface, Don Cheadle, Larenz Tate, Denzel Washington. Snoop Dogg asked for the role. Mark Wahlberg, Brad Pitt, and Leonardo DiCapro are interested in playing Gary Webb, the reporter. Gary has a pretty substantial story too. He was a prize-winning writer who came up dead. Two shots to the head with a shotgun.

Two shots to the head and they ruled it a suicide?
I was in jail [when he died] so the only thing I know is that I didn’t do it. I can guarantee you that, because I was in Texarkana. They just did an article about me and Gary Webb and everything in the Pasadena Weekly.

How would you explain the alleged CIA/crack cocaine connection to the younger generation? We’ve always heard that the government put crack and guns in the hood. How accurate are those statements?
We found out for an absolute fact that my guy, who I got my drugs from, was a Contra. The Contras were backed by the CIA. The CIA knew that they were selling drugs and turned a blind eye. Not only that, but the CIA went to the Attorney General and asked her to change the law. There was a law that said that they must report drug dealing if they knew about it, and they had that law changed so that they didn’t have to report it. Those are facts that the CIA has admitted.

What other projects are you working on?
I’m doing my record label now. I’m looking for artists right now and I’ve got a group I’m putting together. I’m finna lock down Hollywood. I felt like the movie was the most important part. I wrote a book, also, while I was in prison, but I don’t want to publish my book until I’m already rich. I’m really interested in grinding my way back up so that people won’t be able to say I got a bunch of handouts. I really want to earn my way back up. I’ve also got my social networking website FreewayEnterprise.com picking up. We’re gonna start doing webisodes there, and I’m gonna be working on my clothing line. I’m starting a trucking company. I’m pretty busy. Basically, what I’m doing is using my name and my brand. So many people want to be attached to me, so it’s a way for me to get into so many other businesses. Oh, and shout out to my girl Wendy Day.
How much money did you earn during your career as a drug dealer?
I don’t know. I made a lot of money. During the height of my career, for about two years, I made a million dollars every day. And out of that million, $200-300k was mine to keep for myself. Some days, I made $3 million.

And the government confiscated all of that when you were arrested?
Property, yes. I had bought a lot of property. But the properties that were listed in other people’s names, no. They kept it.

So you’re still alright.
No, I’m broke right now. (laughs) Well, I was broke [when I got out of prison]. I had to start over from scratch. When I got out of prison I had about $700 to start with. It’s not glamorous to be broke. A lot of people ask me, “Why didn’t you put some of that money up?” But what they don’t understand is that I now know the most valuable thing I have is my mind. Now I’ve learned how to use my mind to get the things I want.

Why do you think you became such a successful drug dealer?
I modeled myself after the movie Super Fly. I went in to get out. I didn’t want to make drug dealing my career. I wanted to get enough money to start a business and get out. That was my goal. When I first started, it was only to get my car fixed. I needed some wheels for my car and a paint job. $5,000 was my goal. But once I got in and got started, I told myself, “You could get a business out of this.” I wanted to start a body shop, because I was stealing cars at the time. It kept perpetuating as I got smarter, but when I went in, I always had the idea that I’m not gonna be in this forever.

You set goals but after achieving them, you couldn’t just walk away?
Money is crazy. It’s addictive. It pulls you in, but it also educates you. From the drug business, I learned how to do construction work. I built a motel from the ground up. I started building apartment buildings. I became a contractor. I started a tire and wheel shop. I started a phone store, a beauty salon, a junkyard, a shoe store. [The drug business] makes you educate yourself because it brings you in contact with a lot of people. You have money now, and people are after you because they know you’ve got money to finance projects. “Hey, I’ve got this great idea…” Just like NBA or NFL players, [being a successful drug dealer] brings you in contact with people. I financed Anita Baker’s first album, you know.

So was it worth it? Were the 20 years you spent locked up worth the experiences you had during the height of your drug dealing career?
Aw, you know, they ask me that question all the time and I really can’t answer. Would I do it all over again today? Absolutely not. If I had the chance to decide, “Okay, you can sell drugs for eight years, make all this money, and then you’ve gotta go to prison for 20 years,” no, it wouldn’t be worth it. I wouldn’t do it at all. I wouldn’t sell drugs now because now I know that I don’t need it. I never needed drugs. At the time, I felt I did. But at the same time, I love who I am today. Right now, I’m in love with myself, absolutely. I love being me and I know why these other guys wanna be me. I know why they use my name. I couldn’t be mad at them for wanting to be me.

The rapper Rick Ross actually said on the record in an OZONE interview that he didn’t take his name from you. You don’t believe that?
Well, he said [previously] that he did take it. But, I mean, it doesn’t matter. He didn’t just come up with the name Rick Ross out of the sky. My name was a household name all over the globe. In 1995 when Gary Webb broke the story, I made the front cover of every major newspaper in the country, and everywhere else too. All the countries that don’t like America put me on the front cover to blast America, and the countries that do like America still put me on the front cover. So, it is what it is. But I understand why he did it. It’s somewhat flattering. For somebody to name themselves after you is one of the greatest honors you could have. It’d be like a mother coming up and saying, “I wanna name my son after you.” To have a grown man name themselves after you is even more flattering. But at the same time, there’s a way it should be done. There’s a respect level that should be there; maybe even some compensation for the sweat and the tears that were put into it. I marketed my name. I worked with the newspapers and the TV stations (laughs) to get it out there. It’s no accident that my name became known. I wanted my name to be known. Once I was in prison and everybody felt that I was finished, I started coming up with ways I could use that to my advantage.

Knowing what you know now, what other career options would you have considered?
I probably would’ve went to work for [Wal-Mart creator] Sam Walton or [Nike co-founder] Phil Knight, because I’m just as smart as they are. When I read their autobiographies, I learned that I have the same qualities they have, and some that they don’t. The drug business is a tough business. A guy that can run a drug business can do anything. That’s why I can’t wait to get a hold of these kids on the street when I get my legal business going, because they have things in them that these other [executives] don’t have. Anytime you’re willing to die for something, you’re willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. Death is the ultimate sacrifice. The next ultimate sacrifice is going to prison. When you’re taking those two chances, you have the [drive] to pass everybody up. You’re taking chances that Bill Gates would never take. If they told him right now, “If you don’t leave Microsoft, you’re gonna die,” he’s gone. If they told him, “If you don’t leave Microsoft, you’re going to jail for 20 years,” he’s gone. If they told Phil Knight or Donald Trump [the same thing], they’d quit tomorrow. But these young kids won’t quit. They’re gonna keep going no matter what anybody says.

What other options do you plan to show street kids?
It’s gonna take time. This drug problem didn’t develop in one or two weeks so it’s not going to be solved in one or two weeks. I was there when you had to stand on the corner for two or three days and you might not even make $50. That’s how I started in the drug business. I didn’t start when people were just coming down the street buying crack cocaine. It wasn’t like that. So I know this rebuilding process is gonna take some time. I’m gonna have to keep doing what I’m doing, going city to city, speaking to 50, 100, or 200 kids until I get ‘em to where I want ‘em. I’m gonna start doing webisodes where I’ll be teaching online, so I can start teaching more kids at a time. One of the problems I’m having is that I can’t be with the kids all the time like I need to be. Some of my people tell me that when I’m around they act one way, and then when I’m not around, they do it differently. I have to be able to be in all these different places all the time.

When you look at movies like Blow or American Gangster or even more recent stories like BMF, it seems like every drug kingpin’s story is the same, always with the same results. Do you think the lesson will ever be learned, or do you think the allure of the fame and fortune will always overpower the possible consequences?
I don’t think anybody’s really taught the lesson. There hasn’t been anybody to teach the lesson because the guys who could teach the lesson are in the penitentiary. Most drug dealers don’t speak out. So I have a rare opportunity right now because my life sentence was overturned. I have an opportunity to speak out, and the kids still respect me.

How was your life sentence overturned?
They said I was a three-striker because I had sold drugs all over the country. When I pled guilty, I pled guilty to all these different cases [in different states]. When I got arrested the second time, they counted it as three strikes. What I discovered is that my first conviction was a “continuous criminal episode,” meaning, even though I sold drugs in Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Los Angeles, and all these other places, I had never been brought to justice. So I argued that my case was the same as a kid standing on the street corner who sells crack to every car that drives by. Every time he sells to one of those cars, is that a separate conviction? My lawyer and the judge all said I was wrong. They thought that by being in different states it qualified as separate criminal episodes. The appeals court said, “No, he’s right. It’s only one criminal episode. You have to bring him to justice, punish him, then let him out. Then he has to go commit another crime [for it to be considered a separate criminal episode]. Those are the grounds on which I got my [life sentenced] reversed. I served just about 20 years; fourteen and a half years, then five and a half years.

How did you maintain hope while serving a life sentence?
I never thought they could keep me in prison. The fighters don’t ever give up. I even contemplated escaping. That was definitely an option in my mind. I talked to the escape artists all the time and told them, “Count me in if you come up with a plan.” You have a lot of options available. You always want to keep hope alive that one day you can get out.

How can people get in touch with you?
They can contact my assistant Tiffany at 910-978-5133 or visit my website at www.FreewayEnterprise.com. //

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

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

Stunnaman
Legendary
The Pack member Stunnaman has now released a solo project with a lot of quality songs. The Pack’s “Vans” days were nearly four years ago, and you can hear Stunnaman’s growth as an artist on several songs including “The Rain,” “Superman” and “Never Find Love.” His music isn’t legendary or ground-breaking, but at the same time, this street album shouldn’t be overlooked. – Randy Roper

Juice, DJ Ill Will & DJ Rockstar
American Me
With 15 tracks boasting a solid flow and original production, Juice drops a lot of heat on American Me. “Crush My Cool” with Bun B, the nothing-to-something tale on “True Story,” and his letter to Biggie, “Time To Get Paid,” are undeniable bangers. There’s only one throwaway track (“Focused”). American Me won’t lead listeners to believe Juice is the “new face of America,” but this mixtape is good enough to cosign him as one of the better new faces out of the West. – Randy Roper

Ya Boy
The Fix 2
On this mixtape, Konvict’s newest artist Ya Boy teams with 5 DJs—Digital Product, Woogie, Rockstar & Folk—to present the follow-up to his 2007 release The Fix. But unlike this mixtape’s predecessor, nothing really blows you away on The Fix 2. Aside from “So High,” which features E-40 and Beeda Weeda, and “Real One” with Yukmouth, this mixtape features freestyles and verses over beats listeners have heard 1,000 times by now (Snoop’s “I Wanna Rock,” Luda’s “How Long”). Ya Boy does get in good verses here and there, but overall, TF2 does little to justify Akon signing YB to Konvict. – Randy Roper

Swag & DJ Reese
The Recession Is Over
The first mistake Seattle rapper Swag makes on this mixtape is making it 31 tracks long. Some of his music isn’t bad (emphasis on some), but listening to 31 songs of Swag sounding like a poor man’s Jim Jones, which isn’t a compliment to his rhymes skills, is far from enjoyable. Quite simply, so-so rapping, plus so-so beats, equals one so-so mixtape. It’s good to know the recession is over for Swag, but from the sound of this, it’s hard to believe he’s getting any rap money. – Randy Roper

Davinci
The Day the Turf Stood Still
With everybody waiting for Los Angeles to come back and represent the “New West,” listeners are missing out on the fresh voices the Bay Area (post-Hyphy) has to offer. One of these is San Fran representer DaVinci. The epitome of what it means to be a “street” rapper, DaVinci offers stark and realistic commentary on his surroundings and the people in it. Tracks like “What You Gonna Do” and the money-themed “Ben” show that he has he has verbal illustration skills on par with the artist he named himself after. While his attempts at making club bangers fall flat, DaVinci is definitely on his way to carving a new niche for Bay Area rap. – Maurice G. Garland

Kurupt
Streetlights
Kurupt’s sixth solo album is exactly the kind of quality release you’d expect from a veteran West Coast rap pioneer. Tracks like the Terrace Martin-produced “I’m Burnt,” “Yessir” produced by Pete Rock, “All I Want” featuring Snoop Dogg, and the introspective title track “Streetlights” are standouts that show his lyrical wit and ability to make feel-good music. Kurupt is an insightful MC with something to say. With the exception of a few uninspired tracks—“I’m Drunk,” “Scrape,” “Riot In The Club”—Streetlights is a well-rounded album. It displays both vintage DPG music while still allowing Kurupt a chance to reflect, in the manner you’d expect from an artist with nearly 20 years of experience. – Randy Roper

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

For those who might not be familiar with you, can you start off by telling us who YB is and where you’re from?
YB is short for Ya Boy. I come from the Bay Area, San Francisco. I started when I was 17 under San Quinn and Done Deal Entertainment. I’ve got two cousins that are pioneers in the Bay Area rap scene – San Quinn and Messy Marv. I’m just that young wild nigga.

Your first record “16’s With Me” was a hit. How did it feel to be sitting in the room with all those DJs as a youngin’ tryin’ to get on and you played your record and they just went wild?
It was a good feeling. I really didn’t expect it to blow up how it did. Everything that happens in my life, to me, is a surprise. The results always end up ten times better than expected, and that’s a good thing, because I’m always surprising myself. When I was trying to get myself heard there were a million other people trying to get heard, but the people chose me. I remember when they first played the song on the radio and played it like eight times in a row. Big Von played it back to back and people kept calling me saying, “You’re on the radio!” It was the best feeling ever. That was my first taste of stardom back then.

Today you have one of the hottest songs on Power 106 in Los Angeles, so that has to be a blessing. How does that feel to be getting love on Power 106 as a Bay Area artist?
That’s huge. It’s so hard to get played and even get one spin on L.A. radio, so for me to be in heavy rotation and have the number one song on L.A. radio, that’s crazy.

There was a lot of controversy behind the record “We Run L.A.” What is it about, from your perspective?
The song was paying homage to the city of Los Angeles. I moved out here when I was young. I lived out here for a few years and I see where it’s going. It’s a beautiful city. I see a lot of people – models, movie stars, actresses, actors – coming out here trying to make it. It was basically just a theme song for them. I was paying homage to the city sort of like Tupac did with “To Live And Die In L.A.” A lot of people misunderstood the concept at first.

When I heard people talking about you in the streets I didn’t understand why that was the song they were upset about, because it’s a feel-good song.
Some people want to turn something like that into something negative, and it just shows their ignorance.

You’re still running with The Game too, right?
Yeah, he’s a busy guy and I’m a busy guy, but it’s respect there. I fuck with him and he fucks with me. I’ve got my own thing going. I felt like it helped my career a lot when I started fucking with The Game. I was fresh out of the Bay and I had no idea what the industry was like or anything as far as independent. Fucking with him helped me learn the ropes a little bit. I just soaked it up and it helped me a lot.

What about Kevin Federline? A lot of people thought that was crazy when you two started being seen together. How did that come about?
I was living in Malibu, and Kevin Federline and Britney Spears were also living in Malibu so we were like neighbors. Of course I was in the studio out there tearing shit up, and there’s nothing but rich and famous people out there. Everybody that went in the studio was just blown away by my music, and he was one of them. That’s just my pa’tna, nothing else. Whenever I go fuck with him or we go out to eat or something and Britney was around, the paparazzi would start snapping away and I would be the only little hood nigga in these USA Weekly and OK! Magazines. People were wondering what the hell was going on. But we were just neighbors though.

That’s what introduced you to the Hollywood lifestyle.
Yeah, that’s when I started turning into the rock star. I come from the hood so I’m comfortable being around the hood elements, but at the same time I’m able to mess with the crossover crowd. I feel like all of that is helping me develop into the artist I am today.

How did you end up signing with Akon?
Akon was just hearing my name everywhere he went. People kept talking about “Ya Boy” and he was like, “my boy who?” (laughs) My pa’tna does security with Akon and they were in Miami. He was hearing my name buzzing all the way in Miami so I flew out there and was in the studio with him for about two days. He was like, “Yo, this kid is crazy.” He talked about signing me, and then we fell out of contact. Two years later, [my song] hit the radio. See, I was just buzzing on the streets two years ago. Now I’m buzzing on the radio. Then we found each other again and we just inked [the deal] right then and there. So you know, it was supposed to happen. It was meant to be. Ya Boy, Konvict West, Kon Live.

What features do you plan on having on your debut album?
I’m good with me and ‘Kon, honestly, and the big homie E-40. I need the world to hear me on this breakout album. I’m gonna kill them. I might need that D-Ray hook; I hear D-Ray is doing hooks around the Bay now.

You’re a fool. (laughs) But seriously, what do you say to the young kids that are trying to be a rock star too?
Just be yourselves. Don’t be a rapper just because you see rappers with girls and money. It’s not meant for everybody to do it. This game is really hard, and it’s not for everybody. If this is what you really want to do, stick to it, but be yourself. That’s what I would tell them.

It’s hard to trust people in the industry. How would you tell them to sort out the good from the bad?
Just be careful of the people you have around you. A lot of people are in it just for themselves. Make sure the people that are around you are here for you and not just to help themselves. Make sure they have your best interests in mind too, cause a lot of people will fuck you off just to get themselves on too. There are a lot of sharks in the water.

What’s been your most memorable moment so far in the rap game?
I have a lot of them, but probably the most memorable was when I performed at Paris Hilton’s house. I was on some rock star shit. She took my chain off and put it on her. She was on stage with me. I didn’t even know her at that point, but she knew my song. She was a fan so she wanted me to perform. She’s got a little baby club in her house with a stage, a stripper pole, and all that.

Your family is pretty well-known in the Bay Area. They didn’t really want you to become a rapper, right?
Yeah, when I was like 10, I told [Messy] Marv I wanted to be a rapper. He was like, “Nah, lil nigga, go to school. You don’t wanna be a rapper,” and I was mad at him. But I see why he said that, cause it’s a fucked up game. He was looking out for me. Then I started hanging with my cousin Bailey, and he was poppin’ with Big Rich and Don Torriano. They had a group called Fully Loaded. We would be on the karaoke machine every day. He gave me the name Ya Boy. I wanted to be a part of their group Fully Loaded, but Bailey was like, “Nah, nigga, you need to go solo. You’re gonna get more money by being solo.” I was scared to death of going solo, but fuck it. It all worked out for the best.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?
Holla at Ya Boy. Konvict West, we’re the only things poppin’. Believe that.

How can someone get in touch with you?
If anybody needs to get in touch with me about verses, shows, or anything like that, hit me at nightvisionmanagement@gmail.com. If you want to check out some of my music go to YouTube.com/officialYaBoyTV or hit me up at Twitter.com/YBTheRockstar or Myspace.com/YaBoy. //

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

Everybody knows you’re a West Coast dude, but you’ve been moving around a lot lately. Did you just need a change of scenery?
As a whole, [artists] in the Bay Area are just content with where we are. That’s just my opinion. I fuck with a lot of different people around the world, and I’m out networking and trying to build my brand.

Do you think living in different places affects your style of music?
I don’t feel like I have a particular sound. You’re gonna hear a little South, a little Midwest, a little East, and you’re definitely going to hear the West cause that’s where I’m from. That’s the problem, man, everybody’s caught up in how you’re “supposed” to sound. I ain’t caught up in none of that shit, man. I’m me. I ain’t got nothing to prove. Every time I drop, I sell a substantial amount of units, so I’m good.

How do you think you’re able to maintain that kind of fanbase without a major label behind you and without having that mainstream look?
Because I’m out here networking. I built my worth.

Are you going to get out and start doing more shows now? You don’t give the people too many opportunities to see you. And you’re in high demand because of that fact.
I’m planning my 30-city tour right now. But before I do that, I’m building my online presence. I’m doing a radio show. I’m on Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace. I’m going to get out here and give the people what they’ve been waiting for.

What’s going on with you and San Quinn? The beef was pretty ugly at one point but you recently mentioned on Twitter that you guys had squashed it. How were you able to get to that point?
People have different opinions on everything. Quinn had an opinion on how he felt I should’ve handled some things, and I had my opinion on how I felt he should’ve handled some things. It escalated when the media and the people grabbed ahold of it. You know how that shit goes. But mutual friends of ours have been trying to squash it since day one. Me and Quinn ain’t even talked yet. Things take time. Whenever he comes around, or whenever I come around, we can sit down and talk. But for now we’re just going through our mutual friend from the turf and just putting it all behind us. But really, it wasn’t no beef – it was just two opinions being stated and just how two men felt at the particular time.

Is there anything else that needs to be hashed out or are you just ready to move forward and forget the whole situation?
I would like to do that, to just move forward and forget about the situation, but things take time. Wounds take time to heal, especially ones like these. So whenever we decide to come around and sit down, we will.

Why did you feel like it was important to squash it?
The beef didn’t affect me when it came to record sales or nothing like that. I do remarkable numbers independently anyway. It was just getting out of hand, and Quinn felt the same way. When shit like this happens, innocent people can get fucked up. So we’re coming together to let these kids know, and let the people know, we’re bigger than rap music. We’re gonna put our differences to the side and move forward like men. That doesn’t mean me and San Quinn are gonna hang out every day. You might not catch me at McDonald’s sitting down with the nigga eating no cheeseburger or nothing. But we’re definitely gonna put our differences to the side and squash this shit like men do and move forward with what you’re doing.

Is it your ultimate goal to be on a major label with your video all over TV and your songs all over the radio? Or are you more comfortable being in theunderground position you’re in, still selling independent units?
I’m a street nigga, so the hustle is in me. Independently, I feel like this is what I’ve got to do because this is what I know. Of course I wanna take it to another level as far as media, publications, and sales. But I’m not gonna just make commercial music and chase million-dollar dreams. I’ve had paperwork in my face for two million, three million. I turned those deals down just based on what they want to take from me and what I’ve built.

What did they want to take from you? Publishing?
Publishing. How many albums they want, what I’m limited to do, just [giving up] the freedom I have as an independent. They wanted to take that all away from me for that little amount of money. That few million is a little amount of money. I can make that in a year. Last year I released 100 songs. I don’t remember how many albums – five, I think. [I sold] over 50,000 at $6/unit, so that deal didn’t look like shit to me. I definitely would like to further my career but I’m not gonna make commercial music tryin’ to chase this muthafuckin’ dream that might not even turn into reality. I’m gon’ keep this shit solid. I keep the people feeling like I’m one of them, because I am. That’s why I’ve been so successful. I’m one of the people they recognize and they’re like, “I’m just like that nigga.” That’s why my core fanbase won’t let me die. I ain’t did a show in three years, but I’m able to maintain my sales and my presence through the internet, the publications, and the media. That’s just a blessing. The fans won’t let me die.

What project are you working on now?
I just dropped Highly Aggressive Volume 2 yesterday. I’ve got a documentary and a soundtrack coming out called Gigantic, which is the untold Messy Marv story behind the rapper, the entertainer, the father, the gangster. There’s a lot of educational Bay Area history in there too. I shot and directed my reality show Mr. Ghetto Celebrity. I’ve got my clothing line coming soon. Right now I’m working on a new LP called The Cooking Channel. I’m working every day.

You also seem to change your phone number every other day. It doesn’t seem like that’d be good for business.
I got a 1-800 number that I keep steady for business. That’s on 24 hours so I don’t ever miss the networking and business call. But when you’re dealing with a personal line, you’ve got to keep the line clean and avoid the bullshit. Somebody’s negative energy can suck up all the positive energy out of you. I’ve got muthafuckers calling asking for Sprint bill money and telling me their bitch done ran off. I don’t wanna hear none of that shit, man. My business associates and my homies keep my line. But everybody else, once they wanna suck the positive energy out of a nigga with that bullshit, I change my number.

When you go out on tour, who else from the Bay do you plan on performing with? What’s your take on the current Bay Area movement?
I feel like everybody’s representing. Everybody’s got a part they play, whether it’s the old Bay or the new Bay. I just feel like we’re at a standstill because everybody feels like they can’t leave the Bay Area. So everybody ends up with the same production and the same graphic designer doing their cover. That means everybody looks and sounds the same. Then you get everybody putting each other on the album, so you’ve got the same features. Everybody’s fuckin’ with the same jeweler. Niggas are buying the same outfits from the same clothing store. Nobody knows who is who. It’s 400 muthafuckin’ rappers and they all look and sound the same.

Do you think it’s lack of ambition or just being too comfortable?
I guess everybody’s comfortable with it, and I ain’t knockin’ it. But I’ma tell the world a different story as far as the Bay Area. But I ain’t mad. Everybody’s playing a part. Everybody’s representing, and that’s what it is.

Have you officially changed your name to The Boy Boy Mess or is that basically just an alias of Messy Marv?
I officially changed my name to The Boy Boy Young Mess ‘cause I officially changed as a person, as a whole. I’m always gon’ be Messy Marv, but it’s the new Mess. It’s the Mess that got up out of that jail. It’s the Mess that moved out of those conditions. It’s the Mess that outgrew a lot of people in a lot of situations. It’s the Mess that couldn’t get rich in the Bay Area and had to move up out of that muthafucker to get his pennies. The new Mess.

You’ve been pretty open in the past about your struggles with drug abuse. Have you moved past that?
Yeah, I’ve been clean for two years now, no drugs. I didn’t go to rehab. Rehab is for weak people. I did mine based on discipline. I smoked the fuck out of some weed, though, and had a drink or two, but as far as the party drugs, I don’t fuck around.

What prompted you to decide to quit?
Just transitioning into The Boy Boy Young Mess and this new person. That came along with the transition.

In retrospect, do you feel like your drug use was affecting your career?
I mean, people have opinions. They say, “Aw don’t deal with him, he fuck with dope,” or they’re scared to fuck with me. I hate them putting out there like that, but it never affected my career. It affected me, just because I was indulging. But I had one of the biggest singles in the Bay Area, “Playing With My Nose,” just talking about addiction and having fun with it and letting everyone know that I’m not ashamed of being who I am. It was big. Snoop Dogg even quoted me on the new album from that song, so I know it reached a lot of people. I wasn’t trying to promote drugs, I was just having fun with my addiction. But that shit is behind me. I’ve been clean, I’m doing great, and I’m healthy. I’ve got my son full-time now, so I can’t fuck around.

Is there anything else you wanted to add?
Yeah, check me out at Twitter.com/TheBoyBoyMess, Facebook.com/TheBoyBoyMess, Myspace.com/MessyMarvOnline, and for any merchandise log onto ScalenLLC.com. //

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

Unlike most of his peers, Kendrick Lamar did not succumb to the gang bangin’ and violence that has plagued his community for generations. When asked how he managed to stay clear of the crime in Compton, California, the 22-year-old up-and-coming MC’s answer was simple: his father. “Out of all my peers, the thing that separated me from them, is that they don’t have no fathers,” he begins. “I had a father, and that’s why I stayed on the right road. And that’s the reason behind the gangs that’s out here. Cause a lot of cats out here have broken homes.”

His pop’s guidance was enough to steer Kendrick away from the streets. And at age 13, instead of Bloods and Crips, rappers and emcees were his heroes. Enticed by artists like Tupac and DMX, a young Kendrick started to pen his own rhymes. “I remember looking in the mirror and saying, ‘I wanna rap just like Tupac,’” he recalls, of his childhood icon. “I liked ‘Pac when I was coming up. ‘Pac passed and after that I can remember it being kinda commercial, but when DMX dropped I was like… a nigga got inspired.”

He took his inspiration to the recording booth, and at age 16 recorded his first mixtape, Youngest Head Nigga In Charge, under the name K-Dot. The release garnered local attention. Soon after, he joined the Los Angeles-based independent label Top Dawg Entertainment, also the home of burgeoning Watts rapper Jay Rock, where he released his follow-up mixtape Training Day.

Kendrick spent the next few years developing his craft and collaborating with Jay Rock, who’s now signed with Warner Bros. “Even off the music that’s my brother,” he says of his relationship with Jay Rock. “I remember the first song we recorded, the first mixtape he put out, I remember the day he got signed, all the way to the single he got with Wayne. So, it feels good to see a dude come from the bottom and get to the level he’s at. And we’re doing this shit together and still progressing.”

And Kendrick’s progression can be heard through his music. He recently changed his moniker from K. Dot to his government, Kendrick Lamar, and in December of 2009 released the most noteworthy music of his young career on The Kendrick Lamar EP. “The actual sound of [this record] is actually music I’ve been holding back for years,” he says. “I found my niche when I said I’ma give the people what I want, and if they don’t like it, fuck it. I’m doing me.”

But the people praised his music. Now, Kendrick finds himself a favorite amongst bloggers, and anticipation for his next project, Good Kid In a Bad City, continues to grow.

“I think a lot of artists draw themselves away from the people because the people can’t relate,” he explains. “We’re going through a muthafuckin’ recession. Muthafuckas [are] trying to hear that shit that we actually go through. So, I represent music for the muthafuckin’ humans, people that actually go through life. Whether it’s love, hate, happiness, all emotions. That’s the type of shit that I’m trying to give across to the world.”

Words by Randy Roper
Photo by Dee Jay Dave

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For the last four years, this West Coast rhymer has been a staple in the Bay Area rap scene. “I just feel like it’s time for me to expand,” he explains. “We’ve done everything we can in the Bay Area so far. I feel like we’ve reached that top level where there’s nothing else to do but expand.”

Raised in the Fillmore District of San Francisco, CA, a neighborhood notorious for crime and drug trafficking, Big Rich began pursuing a rap career in 1998 when his rap group Fully Loaded signed an independent deal with Done Deal Entertainment. Done Deal was a label launched by Charles Kelly and established San Francisco rapper San Quinn. Fully Loaded released two independent albums on Done Deal, but in 2005, the group split.

After the split, Rich teamed up with Kelly to pursue his solo aspirations. The duo started Street Cred Music Group, landed a joint venture with Koch Records, and in 2006 Rich released his solo debut album, Block Tested Hood Approved. His solo debut featured the single “That’s The Business,” which picked up video play on BET and MTV Jams. The buzz surrounding his debut, followed by numerous mixtapes and collaborations, made Big Rich of the biggest names in the Bay. “When you come out to San Francisco and somebody asks who’s Big Rich, they’re [going to say], ‘Aw, man, he’s holding the city down.’ In the Bay Area, I’m involved in everything that’s going on out here. Ever show, every tour that’s going on, I’m in it,” he says.

After parting ways with Koch, Rich launched his own label 3 Story Muzik in 2009 and released his sophomore album, Heart of The City. He also teamed up with Oakland rapper Balance for a collaborative iTunes album called Good As Money. But even with a slew of music and releases, Big Rich still finds himself a relative unknown to Hip Hop heads outside of the Bay. And while West Coast artists like Nipsey Hussle and Jay Rock are being crowned Cali’s new kings, Rich is confident his day will come.

“I’m absolutely still the underdog. I’m definitely still overlooked,” he says. “That’s why it’s perfect that I’m in this Patiently Waiting. Out of all the artists that represent this section of [OZONE] Magazine, I’m definitely a prime example of an artist that’s patiently waiting. I’ve been waiting for my turn for a while. But it’s kinda good, though. I don’t want no overnight successes, cause that shit can go [away] the next night. When I get there, I’m gonna be there for awhile.”

Words by Randy Roper
Photo by Thoroflix

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Hip Hop is not dead! I’ve seen three incredible shows lately that prove Hip Hop is alive. First, I saw my first Paid Dues concert, which was their fifth annual. Good work, Murs! I love me some underground Hip Hop, I just don’t always make it a point to cover those events. When I do go, it’s mostly to enjoy myself and the surroundings. This time I went and did what I do!

I had just seen Tech N9ne in Petaluma a few days before and he encouraged me to go to the Paid Dues show. So I headed to L.A. and linked up with my fam Strong Arm Steady and Planet Asia. It turned out to be a long day, but I was having fun so it flew by. It was more like a festival than a concert. There were indoor and outdoor stages and people everywhere. I got to see some of my all-time favorite artists, Tech N9ne, Strange Music, Freeway, The Jacka, Strong Arm Steady, and The Dogg Pound, and shutting the show down was a vet in the game, Ice Cube. There was so much excitement and energy in the building!

Ice Cube addressed the OGs and the New West rumors. It’s very ugly when rumors get started. I think the uneasy feelings just got a little out of control. To me, Ice Cube lives and dies for West Coast music. All the West Coast beef needs to stop. Everyone needs to just do them, period, not add to the problems. If we all just do our jobs and not get upset over what other people are doing, we’ll all be so much better off! Let your music speak for itself. Quit interrupting!

Help yourself, real talk. Don’t sit around talking about what other people aren’t doing for you. You might be blocking your blessings. I see music vets pick certain artists. Sometimes you just don’t make the cut, but keep pushin’ and don’t stop. Real music and real artists cannot be denied. It’s a show and prove game. Take a gamble on yourself before you think someone else should!

I also hit the Steppin’ Laser Tour when it came to the Bay at the world famous Warfield Theatre. That was another first for me. I had never seen Lupe Fiasco’s show. He was scheduled to perform “Kick Push” back in 2006 at an independent record store called Moses Music in East Oakland. He was having a block party, and hundreds of people attended the BBQ. They were giving away free food and drinks and a chance to see Lupe perform. But, before that could happen, a young Latino boy was shot and killed right outside the store. It messed me up because the streets were packed and everyone had been enjoying the festivities.

I always wondered how Lupe felt about that day, which was his first time in Oakland. He expressed his feelings from that day at the Steppin’ Laser Tour and held a moment of silence for the unknown soldier whose life was taken that day. He mentioned how emotional he was not being able to perform and do what he loves to do. I hope if Lupe ever decides to visit East Oakland again, he’ll come see our East Oakland safehaven, Youth UpRising. It’s a beautiful youth center, and they just installed a skate park. If you ever come and see the kids, it would make a huge difference in at least one of their lives.

B.o.B., otherwise known as Bobby Ray, was also on the bill for the show at the Warfield. I’ve been a fan of B.o.B. since 2007. He’s a dope young’n and an all-around artist. Big ups to you and your success. The #1 single and #1 album in the country. Wow! Research his Billboard stats. You showed us how teamwork can create dreamwork! Keep living your dreams!

Speaking of dreams, yet another great act hit the Bay Area. Drake performed in the Bay for the first time. Man, as I’m writing this, I just realized I got to see some good shows while I was home! I love the BAY AREA and the West Coast!

Now I’m gonna rant about Drizzy real quick. I’ve known about Drake for a minute. I met him a few years back on Lil Wayne’s tour bus. Wayne says, “D, take a photo of my next superstar!” I said, “Who?” the whole YM camp was on the bus along with Jas Prince, and everyone pointed at Drake. I can spot a star pretty well, so you know I didn’t hesitate. I remember taking that first photo of him. Now look – he’s one of today’s biggest superstars! I watched him grow! I saw him on tour with Wayne and even when he sang Bobby Valentino’s part on “Miss Officer” the arena was roaring. Females were just head over heels losing their minds for him.

Now, the timing is great for Drake. He’s one of the YM artists that has to lead the way while Wayne is locked up. One love Drizzy! Young Money is a machine, not a rap label. They’re an example of what it takes: patience and work ethic. They all pay attention to how Wayne stays in the studio, his work ethic, and the way he constantly strives to keep his success going. None of the artists on the YM roster wants the rep of being lazy when you have someone like Wayne just making money at all times! He doesn’t sleep, he stays grindin’! And he keeps his family close!

The mind is powerful as long as you know how to use mind over matter. Mack Maine, I see you baybeeee! Keep up the good work! CMB/YM a.k.a. Oil Money! Slim and Baby deserve a lifetime achievement award, ya heard me?

If y’all are looking for that new fresh talent out of the West Coast, check out Nio Tha Gift. Google his videos! My favorite is “Grateful.” Don’t sleep on him!

#Loyalty
#FreeWeezy #FreePSDthaDrivah #FreeZoastaDaRoasta

I’m gonna do me! (in my Drake voice)

- D-Ray, OZONE West Editor-At-Large
dray@ozonemag.com

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

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

1. DJ Black Bill Gates “Black Diamond Radio” Blackbillgates.podomatic.com
2. DJ 5150 & Dre “NO To The BR 2” Twitter.com/dj5150br
3. DJ Chuck T “Down South Slangin’ 67” Djchuckt.com

4. DJ Ames “International Hustle 15” Hosted by T-Shyne & Charlie Boy Twitter.com/DjAmesUK
5. DJ Holiday “Holiday Season 3: Heartbeat To The Streets” Twitter.com/djholiday
6. DJ IQ & DJ Whiteboi “Sexual Climaxx Vol. III” twitter.com/iamDJiq
7. DJ Knucklez “Knuckle Up Round 10” Twitter.com/djknucklez
8. DJ Kut “Everybody  Chris” Twitter.com/djkut
9. DJ Sense “Rhythm & Streets 14” featuring Keri Hilson Twitter.com/DJSense
10. DJ Skillz “Roc-A-Fella The Golden Years Part 1” Skillzthedj.com
11. DJ Smallz “Follow Me! RnB Volume Two” Hosted by Baby Boy Djsmallz.com
12. DJ Spinz “Heart of the City 9” Twitter.com/spinzhoodrich
13. DJ E-Top “Get Ya Game Up 15” Twitter.com/djetop
14. DJ Woogie & Mz Stylez “Southern Sippin 16” Twitter.com/Djwoogie
15. DJ Suga & Exclusive J “Boss Chicks-R-Us Chapter 1”
16. Lil Fats “Coast 2 Coast 116” Hosted Kurupt www.coast2coastmixtapes.com
17. DJ Mr. King “Bedroom Blendz Vol. 3” Twitter.com/djmrking www.djmrking.com
18. Shoot 5 Ent. “Dirty South G’s Vol. 14” Hosted Alley Boy
19. DJ Spintak “Street Runnaz 45” Djspinatik.com
20. DJ Smooth Denali “Best of 2009 Hip Hop Edition” Djsmoothdenali.com

Mix of The Month:
DJ Scream & MLK
“Saks Fifth: Rockin’ Republic Edition” Hosted by Lil Duval
Twitter.com/djscream
DJ Scream and MLK got their hands on a few exclusives and ATL underground hits, but having Lil Duval host this mixtape is what makes this the Mix of the Month. Duval’s skits are hilarious, but this mixtape’s gem is Lil Duval’s very own single “Basic Chick.”

DJs, send your mix CDs (with a cover) for consideration to:

Ozone Magazine
644 Antone St. Suite 6
Atlanta, GA 30318

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