PATIENTLY WAITING:
| DEM FRANCHIZE BOYZ | EVE'NIN RIDAHZ | BIG MOOK |
| “In
my white tees, in my white tees...” Come on, admit it! Even those of you who
hated on the catchy summer banger of 2004 can’t help but sing along. The
song that put Dem Franchize Boyz on the map was so popular it spawned a
number of response songs, such as “Pink Tees” (an anonymous Camron diss) and
“Black Tees.” The success of “White Tees” secured their label, Tight 2 Def,
a deal with Universal Records. Not only that, but it saved one of the group
members from getting a speeding ticket. When the officer pulled him over and
realized he was part of the group, the officer thanked him. “He told me, ‘I
just wanna thank y’all muthafuckers, ‘cause y’all saved me a whole lot of
money! I just bought my children a whole bunch of white tees! I used to buy
throwbacks.’” More than anything, Franchize agrees that their hit record is
a lifestyle record. “No matter where you go in America,” adds their
Universal A&R Robert Watson, “No matter what color, what creed, it doesn’t
matter if they’re into urban music or club hoppin’ or gang bangin’, they all
wear white tees.” Musically, the four-member group (Parlae, Buddie, Jizzal
Man, and Pimpin’) embraces their Southern roots. “Down South is all about
crunk music, we lyrical but at the same time we’re just letting you know how
we do it in the South,” says Parlae. When it comes to clothing lines that
charge outrageous prices for urban wear, Franchize warns, “Get your game
right, ‘cause Franchize on the way. We like cheap stuff!” - Photo and words
by Julia Beverly, jb@ozonemag.com |
In
Tampa, an area mostly known for its bouncy bass and superficial club joints,
the Eve’nin Ridahz clique brings a street element to the music. “We’re known
in the streets for our struggle lyrics, our hood lyrics, our rhythm,” they
emphasize. “It’s not all about violence, it’s just a different gift to the
world.” The four-member group, consisting of Shime, Nife, J-Creek, and
Drizzle (currently incarcerated), is signed to deeply-rooted Tampa label
2-4-1 Records. The four met while working together at a day job and
eventually became roommates. “We had a basic hole-in-the-wall studio at the
house,” says Shime. “We’ve got this vibe that’s more than just music, it’s a
movement. We’re brothers.” After flooding the streets of Florida with
freestyles and underground mixtapes, the group is preparing for the release
of their first full-length album, Bright Nights and Dark Days. “That’s got a
real strong meaning to it,” they explain. “The world is not always what you
see it to be. The sunshine can deceive you. At night, we really see the ugly
part of the earth. That’s why it’s Bright Nights.” Combine the street
success of their single “My Click” with the production and and backing of
2-4-1, and a hit single doesn’t seem far off for the group. As for the
so-called “Tampa curse” (the one-hit wonder syndrome), the Eve’nin Ridahz
say they’re here to break the mold. “We’re gonna become the foundation for
everything that comes out of Tampa,” the group says confidently. “We know
this music business takes hard work. We don’t believe in the curse, we
believe in us.” - Photo and words by Julia Beverly, jb@ozonemag.com |
“I
just want people to know that there’s more to Tampa than getting crunk,”
emphasizes Big Mook. “We’ve got some real lyricists down here!” Big Mook got
his start in the game from watching older family members freestyle. He began
by working with Florida legends Jam Pony Express, and recently has worked
with well-known Tampa cliques like Ovados, 2-4-1 Records, and Dirty Down
Records. He’s hoping to position himself to bring Tampa to the forefront of
the hip-hop music scene. “I’m just a kid on the grind tryin’ to bring some
shine to the Sunshine State,” says Mook His debut album, Think Big, is
slated for a November release. He promises that the album will explore the
deeper side of hip-hop. Featuring production from Sonny Crack and Kashem
Sadiq and a guest appearance from singer Marcus Vance, Big Mook plans to
give listeners a glimpse into his personality. For this artist who says he’s
inspired by life, he promises to satisfy a wide range of hip-hop fans. “I’ve
got joints for the club, I’ve got some reality-based songs, and definitely
lyrical tracks,” says Mook. The first single, Gimme a Break, seeks to please
the lyrical crowd, whereas the second single I Told You So fires back at
some of Mook’s critics. But just because Big Mook doesn’t sound like the
typical Tampa artist, he’s still got love for those doing big things in his
neck of the woods. “I got love for cats like Knowledge, the SK Squad, Bomb
Entertainment, Bum Squad DJs, Grind Mode, and Versatile Entertainment,” says
Mook. “These are all cats that are really representing Tampa lyrically.”
While the industry doesn’t usually look to Florida when seeking witty lyrics
and in-depth subject matter, that’s what keeps this rising star motivated.
“When it’s all said and done,” says Mook, “I just wanna be able to look back
at those who doubted me and say, ‘I told you so!’” – DJ Majick |