Got feedback? Send email to JB@OZONEMAG.com  or mail: 1516 E. Colonial Dr. Suite 205, Orlando, FL 32803

OOZIE & BOULEVARD REP ATL'S DUNGEON FAMILY & ATTIC CREW TO THE FULLEST

It would almost be impossible to discuss the growth of Southern rap without mentioning the Dungeon Family. The original Dungeon was the early studio where artists like Outkast and Goodie Mob recorded. Chillin’ at Club 112 in Atlanta, I had the chance to talk with two “2nd generation” members of the Dungeon Family, Oozie and Boulevard.

What is your role with the Dungeon Family?
(Oozie) I’ve got my own entertainment promotions company. It’s like, the number one promotion company in the world, because it’s headed by me and I just make it happen wherever I go. I’m an international player! Basically, I’m a 2nd generation Dungeon Family member. I couldn’t rap, but I like to do the next best thing – promote. I’m a good networker, so I keep it political. I’m a part of the Attic Crew, you know, all my homies from the Swats, Creole Road.
(Boulevard) I’m a solo artist on Dungeon Family Records. Right now, I’m working on my album.

Tell me a little bit about the Dungeon, the whole legend behind it?
(Boulevard) The Dungeon was actually the name of the studio that was in the basement
of Rico Wade’s house. The studio we have now is actually the second Dungeon. The first one was really like a dungeon, because it was real dirty. That was the studio where Goodie Mob and Outkast got started. The reason we call ourselves 2nd generation Dungeon Family is because they were there from day one, but me and Oozie, Killer Mike, Slim, Concrete, my boy C-Bone with Aquemini Records – we all came along later. Some of us are signed to the Dungeon Family, and some are signed to Aquemini Records.

What’s the difference between the two?
(Boulevard) Aquemini is owned by Outkast, and Dungeon Family is owned by Rico Wade of Organized Noize. He’s been doing my production so far, but I’m also working with Ray Murray, another member of Organized Noize.

How would you describe your musical style?
(Boulevard) It’s a little bit of everything. We just trying to hold it down, and keep it real. We representing out there for the Latin people too! I was born in Panama.

Do you think it’s a little harder for you to come out as a Latin artist?
(Boulevard) Yeah, especially in the South. When I go to New York or L.A., I get plenty of love. I was featured on Outkast’s last two albums, “Aquemini” and “Stankonia.” On Aquemini, I had a song called, “Mamacita,” and on Stankonia, I had a song called, “We Love These Hoes.”
(Oozie) I was also featured on Outkast’s album, I did the intro to “Aquemini.”

How are the Attic Crew and the Dungeon Family related?
(Oozie) Well, we’re like distant cousins. We’re all friends, and we all know each other. Everybody comes to the Dungeon for insight and support. We’re all family, but we just do things a little differently.

From your perspective, what makes the Dungeon Family different from other cliques like Cash Money or Wu-Tang?
(Boulevard) They just tell it like it is. They tell you what you need to hear. It’s really a positive thing – straight forward and just enlightening.

Do you keep your lyrics on that positive tip?
(Boulevard) I definitely try to stay positive, but at the same time, I’ve got to tell my little stories. I’ve been down with the Dungeon Family since I was 16, so I was really raised by them. Me and Oozie came into the game together, so that’s why he’s my right-hand man.

What’s the story behind your names?
(Boulevard) My real name is Bolivar, but a lot of people couldn’t pronounce it when I was little.
(Oozie) For anybody who really wants to know, it came from niggas laughing at me. I was young and wouldn’t let this older guy ride my scooter, because I knew he woulda left and never came back. He called me a “fat-ass oozie,” and everybody started laughing. People I didn’t even know started calling me that. I didn’t like it, but I just had to make it work. That’s how I came up with Oozie Promotions.

So, what’s next? Albums? Tours? What’s happening?
(Boulevard) Right now I’m working on my album, “Boulevard International.” Like I said, I’m trying to represent for all the Latinos, and thank them for their support cause they show lots of love. I’ve been doing some shows here and there with Outkast whenever they go on tour. My goal is to finish the album by the end of the year. Rico Wade also is putting out an album called “The Connect,” which features me and several other artists. I also did about five tracks with my boy Martinez for his album, “Moving Weight.”
(Oozie) Y’all already know y’all gon’ see me! Turn on your TV! You know, I make cameo appearances. You might see me and not even know it’s me. Look out for the Youngbloodz album, the Attic Crew album, Killer Mike, Slimm Calhoun’s new album, the Outkast album. Goodie Mob’s still working. Khujo is doing great, after the accident. Me and Thomas from 112 helped raise some money, about $1,200, for Khujo. On my birthday I had a bunch of parties and made some money for myself, but I knew that my brother needed it more than I did.

Was it a real difficult time for the whole family when Khujo was in the accident?
(Oozie) Yeah, we took it real, real hard. Big Boi was out there in L.A. at the BET Awards, and he dedicated the award they won to Khujo. I still can’t believe it happened. He was actually leaving the Dungeon to go home, and that’s a trip I take every night. Sometimes I’m sleepy too. Man, it really hit me hard, because he’s one of the first people that showed me love in the Dungeon Family. I love him to death – his momma, his brothers – they took me in like I was family. He’s doing better now though. He told me don’t take it hard cause he ain’t dead. Anyway, we out. Love, peace, and hair grease. Oozie Entertainment puttin’ it down for A-Town. Dungeon Family! Attic Crew! - Julia Beverly