“Hustlin’” is a word commonly used in the hip-hop industry, but not commonly practiced until you talk to the boys of Sqad Up. Garnering their street credibility by appearing on numerous underground mixtapes, Sqad Up is preparing for their June 22nd album release. Gutta Gutta, T-Streets, Supa Blanco, Young Yo, and Nutt Da Kid are representing New Orleans, but don’t expect the group’s debut effort to be anything you’re used to hearing from the city. “Y’all used to hearing that uptown talk, but this here is downtown N.O.,” says their manager, Supa Blanco. “Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with getting ya shine, but there’s a time and place for that.” The group isn’t shy about discussing their break-up with former frontman Cash Money’s Lil’ Wayne. “Dude was hoggin’ the tracks, ya understand?” says T-Streets. Drawing their inspiration from a multitude of directions, including the late Tupac Shakur, the group’s biggest motivation comes from within. “If I see [T-]Streets with a pen and pad, I’m gonna get up and do the same,” Gutta remarks. “We here to get respect as real rappers.” If it’s respect they’re looking for, then Now or Never just might be that ticket. The album’s first single, “Headachin’,” features Lil’ Flip, and their second single, “What I’m Talkin’ Bout,” features in-house producer Crack Tracks. The video for “Headachin’” has already appeared on BET’s Rated Next. With two blazin’ hot singles, Sqad Up plans to spend the summer touring on the Underground Mixtape Tour with mixtape legend Mike Jones. “We here and we plan to stay here!” Gutta Gutta says confidently. – DJ Majick

 

Lil’ Ya and Tech 9 formed UNLV (Uptown Niggas Living Violent) in the early 90’s, long before New Orleans’ Cash Money Records was a nationally-recognized brand. Their single, “Another Bitch,” began stirring in the club scene, catching the attention of young entrepreneurs Baby and Slim. They signed a contract with the label, bringing in a third member, Yellow Boy, who has since passed away. “We were young and didn’t have lawyers,” Ya says. “We thought we knew what we were doing, but we didn’t.” With album sales picking up steadily, Rap-A-Lot Records approached Baby and told him he was interested in picking up UNLV. Baby declined. “We missed opportunities because Baby is selfish. [He would] lie about how much we were getting per show, all kinds of shit.” Five albums later, UNLV was still with Cash Money and had no distribution deal. With impressive Soundscan numbers from UNLV’s project and other artists, negotiator Wendy Day secured Cash Money an unprecedented deal with Universal Records. But UNLV never benefited from the situation. “We were taken advantage of, robbed,” Ya claims. “We helped to establish Cash Money and were never paid for it. We’re responsible for bringing Juvenile and B.G. to Cash Money.” When their contract expired in 1997, UNLV left for good. Striving independently, they’re still well-known in New Orleans. Having formed their own B Real Entertainment, they’ve recently released their second album since leaving CM: Keep it Gutta. Currently, their single “Go DJ,” is picking up spins throughout the South. – Words and photo by Julia Beverly, jb@ozonemag.com

 

Pulling up to a video shoot in a black Benz and customized throwback, 23-year-old Jeezy is greeted like a superstar. But it isn’t actually his video shoot; celebs like Monica, Petey Pablo, Lil’ Jon, and Bonecrusher are already on set. The welcoming reception isn’t surprising, though, since just yesterday the Atlanta native was sitting in LA Reid’s office. “Puff Daddy called in. We had a conference call,” he says nonchalantly. The rapper describes his style in one word: “Real. That’s it. I’m on some hustlin’, gettin’ money shit. I don’t just rap ‘cause the words rhyme. I don’t just say words ‘cause they go together. I spit from the heart. It’s not some video-type shit. It’s for real.” As a young hustler, Jeezy first caught the attention of Jazze Pha by frequenting Atlanta’s club scene. “Every time he rode by in a new Benz, he’d see me in a new Benz, so he asked me what I do.” Impressed with his “realness,” Jazze and Jeezy (try saying that five times fast) recently inked a joint venture with Def Jam for his upcoming solo project, scheduled for release this summer. According to Jeezy, Def Jam didn’t choose him – he chose them. “There were other labels interested, [but Def Jam] got the track record. I feel like I’m a Def Jam-type nigga.” His single with Bun B, “Over Here,” is already becoming a club favorite in the ATL. Most aspiring rappers would be satisfied with a Def Jam solo contract, but for Jeezy, that’s only half of the plan. His four-member group, Boyz in the Hood (Jeezy, Big Gee, Big Duke, and Jody Breeze), piqued Puff Daddy’s interest, and a Bad Boy contract is currently being negotiated. Either way, Jeezy is confident that his future in the rap game is already secure. “I got a nice advance from Def Jam, but I just put [the money] away. I mean, shit, I don’t need it,” he laughs. – Words and photo by Julia Beverly, jb@ozonemag.com