WELCOME TO DALLAS

SUPERBOWL

2011**special edition**

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TRAI’DFeatURinG

HitZ coMMittee’s

BiG cHieFdoRRoUGHineRtiaJR pattonKiRKo BanGZlil tonypRince RicK & tReal leesoRe loseRst.casHtUM tUMyUnG nation

PATRON + NUVO =JIMMYNUTRON

WELCOME TO DALLAS

**special edition**

tRai’d // Big chief // ineRtiajR patton // kiRko Bangz

yung nation // soRe loseRst.cash // tum tum // lil tony

+DORROUGHMUSICfeatuRing

SUPERBOWL

2011

a definition dj, dj Q can Be heaRd duRing the weekend mixshow on 97.9 in dallas/foRt woRth. known as an instRumental playeR in BReaking dallas music, he’s a com-mon face in the cluB and mixtape ciRcuit. this supeR Bowl weekend make suRe to check foR his pRoj-ects with aRtists like jR patton, tum tum, Big chief and moRe.

What’s your DJ schedule at the moment?You can catch me on 97.9 every weekend on the mixshow. I’m on Friday and Saturday from 12-2am. Saturdays I might do the urban mix from 9-11pm too. I’m at Club Crystal’s, The Ranch, and any hot spot really. I can pop up and do a live mix, or I can pop up just to show the club love.

How did you get your job with the radio sta-tion?I was DJing at the club All Star weekend and the mixshow director came in the club and checked me out. He was hosting and we were so in synch that he told me to come to the station.

Who are some of the top artists y’all are spin-ning in Dallas?It’s a lot of underground artists, but some of the main artists are Dorrough, Tum Tum, Young Black, Fat Pimp, Lil Wil, Doughski G, JR Patton, it’s too many to name. Every hood has a group of talented artists.

What made you want to get into DJing?When I was young I used to sneak into a lot of clubs with fake IDs and all that. I noticed the DJ has the power to rock a crowd and how every-body goes crazy when you drop they favorite song after they been stressing all week. They come to the club to relieve they stress after a long week. I’m like a club therapist. And I’m really just into hip hop. Watching the movie Juice kinda put me on too.

Are you involved with any DJ crews?I’m also like a music director for the Definition DJs, me and DJ Lil E. I gotta find the next hits to give to the DJs so I go through thousands of emails. I do a lot of research.

The Definition DJs is a crew based in Dallas right?Yeah. The Definition DJs kinda put the skeleton

of Dallas together. Each DJ in the squad broke a major record. I broke “My Dougie” from Dallas to the world. People probably know me from that. But being part of the Definition squad, we came together and broke records. Definition DJs is a top crew in Dallas with DJs that’s actually work-ing and making a difference. We also got some DJs in New Orleans, Oklahoma, other parts of Texas, everywhere.

What’s Super Bowl weekend in Dallas gonna be like? Y’all did it big for All Star last year. Super Bowl is gonna be great. Now as far as the teams, I don’t know, but the parties are gonna be great. Now, the party might end kinda early for some people because Dallas shuts down at 2am, unless you know where an after hours is. But the closer the weekend is, the more parties I’m seeing.

Is there anything else you want to let people know about?I got the Serving the Block mixtape coming – that’s my mixtape series. I have mixtape projects like Purp Cobain with Tum Tum, The Interview with Lil Wil, upcoming mixtapes with Big Doughski G, JR Patton, Ca$h, Big Chief and Kottonmouth. My Twitter is @OfficialDJQ. //

///DJ Q

Words byMs Rivercity

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///DJ Q

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kiki j is a veRy active memBeR of the dfw hip hop community as well as k104 fm. we caught up with heR to find out aBout heR new pRomotion with the Radio station and Busy supeR Bowl weekend events schedule.

So you have a new position at the radio sta-tion? Tell us about that.Currently I’m holding the new Director posi-tion for K104, as well as our sister station 105.7. In addition to that, I’m also the Asst. Promo-tions Director.

How long have you been working there?I’ve been with the station for 8 years now. I started as an intern, then a position came open for me to be a producer. I started producing shows for all three of our stations. I was a phone operator as well. Opportunities kept coming my way and I kept taking them.

You have a pretty popular show called Street Swagg right? I know a lot of new artists started out on your show.Yeah, Street Swagg Sunday. We’ve been do-ing that show going on two years now. It’s a platform for independent artists. We’ve had an explosion over the last five years in the inde-pendent music game and there was a need for a platform. We formed Street Swagg, a show that airs Sundays from 7pm to midnight. We feature some of the best and brightest artists from the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

How do you choose the artists featured on the show?Up until recently it was an open door policy. As long as they had the basics like BDS registered, and a buzz within the city, then I would have them be a part of the show. But now things are becoming more structured. Now they upload their music and EPK to our webpage on K104fm. We review their project from there and if it’s showing a significant buzz we try to showcase them.

You have a real outgoing personal and up-beat voice. Do you host events as well?Oh yes. I also have a company called Diva Down productions. When it comes to events, we cater more towards album release parties,

Words by Ms RivercityPhoto by Christopher McBrown

red carpets, etc. A lot of national artists that come through will do meet and greets, listen-ing parties, things like that. My company teams with them to organize those events.

Who are some of the celebrities you’ve worked with or had on the radio?We did Dorrough’s BET nomination party. I’ve worked with B.o.B. when he was on promo for his album, Trey Songz, Tank, so many people. Locally, Treal Lee and Prince Rick. I recently organized and produced our K104 Kwanza Fest. I was also on the production team for our summer jam as well when we had Ludacris and Ciara. Everyone that comes through the city I touch ‘em in some sort of way.

Who are some other local artists that people might hear while they’re in the city?We’re really excited about the R&B movement. We have JR Patton with the beautiful song “Sound of Love.” We have Epic with a song called “In the Wind.” It kinda reminds you of Jaheim. D-Jo, or Derrick J, has a song called “Full Time.” All these songs are featured on my show. Super Bowl Sunday I’ll have Street Swagg with Dorrough co-hosting.

What else do you have going on for Super Bowl? You probably have a lot in the works.We have the Young Money Takeover Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Club Escapade 2009. Friday night it’ll be Drake, Saturday night Lil Wayne, Sunday it’ll be Drake and Lil Wayne. At the same time we’ll be hosting another party at Beamers Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with Ludacris, Jermaine Dupri, and Chris Brown. Sunday we’ll also be hosting the P. Diddy party at Palladium Ballroom. //

///KIKI J

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///KIKI J

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you’Re pRoBaBly familiaR with pRo-duceR Big e fRom lil wil’s hits like “my dougie” and “Bust it wide open,” But his tag “it’s a Big e Beat” can Be heaRd on numeRous otheR texas RecoRds as well. we talked with Big e aBout the legends he’s cReated music foR, including honoRaBle tRacks foR the late pimp c.

For those who don’t know your resume, what are some songs you’ve produced?Of course, “My Dougie” for Lil Wil and “Bust It Open.” Lil O’s “Betcha Can’t Do It.” “Can’t Leave Drank Alone,” “Don’t Worry Bout Mine,” and “Driving Me Wild” for Z-Ro. “Speak Easy” for Bun B, Twista and Cedric the Entertainer. “Since the 90s” for Pimp C, Gator Main and E-40. “Made 4 Me” for Pimp C and Too Short. Mike Jones’ “Swagger Right.” And a lot of other stuff that ain’t out yet.

Yeah you had a couple tracks on Pimp’s newest album. Aw man, it’s a wonderful thing. Pimp C is a legend and I’m honored to be a part of that project. The main thing on my mind when we was workin’ on that album was it was an honor to Pimp C’s memory. I wanted to make Pimp C proud, and make his fans proud of what we put in.

Where are you from and where do you live now?I’ve been in Houston for the last two years work-ing on these projects. But I’ve been in Dallas since high school. I claim Oak Cliff, Dallas to the fullest. I went to Temple High. I’m originally from Pomona, CA.

Would you say your production has a Texas sound?I would say I have a universal sound, but of course I love Texas music. I love all types of music. When we was coming up, we was just hip hop heads, it wasn’t so much about where you was from. But definitely music from Texas had a strong influ-ence on me. I love that smooth ridin’ sound. But I try to have a universal sound.

What were you doing before you got your first big hit? What was the grind like?I give it up to my management team - Inter-national Red and J. Ellis over at Double Dose Ent. I gotta give it to J. Prince and the whole Rap-A-Lot family. They believed in the sound and got behind it. They allowed me to take it to the next level. As far as “My Dougie” goes, I had done an album for an artist out of Dallas named Kottonmouth. We were shooting a video to his lead single called “Elbows Out the Window” with Chalie Boy, and I was introduced to Lil Wil. They started coming through the studio and one day they came to me with an idea for “My Dougie” so we put it together. A little while after that we did “Bust It Wide Open.”

What are you working on right now?We’re working with Bun B for Trill Recognize Trill, a compilation with a lot of artists Bun deals with. Some things I don’t want to mention ‘cause it’s still in the works. I also have two artists I’m puttin’ out – Bagg Boy Beezy and Mr. Mac T. It’s gonna be a sound cats are gonna get behind. I’m also working with up-and-coming artists like this female in Dallas named L.A.D.I.. She’s refreshing for southern hip hop. She’s not my artist though, J. Ellis actually discovered her.

Is there a website people can check you out?Twitter.com/itsabigebeat.

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DorroughMusic

Words by Ms. Rivercity

Photo by Julia Beverly

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just months afteR the Release of his sophomoRe alBum Get BiG, doR-Rough music is alReady Back to woRk. and this isn’t the same doR-Rough you’ve known in the past. with Code Red, his second GanGsta GRillz due out supeR Bowl week-end, doRRough is holding nothing Back fRom his fans, the industRy, and “mad RappeRs.”

Last year around this time you came out with your first Gangsta Grillz mixtape, and now you have a new one coming out right?Yeah. This’ll be my first release since my last album which dropped September 7th. The first Gangsta Grillz with DJ Drama was a success so we had to do another one. This Gangsta Grillz is called Code Red.

What’s the significance behind the mixtape title Code Red?When I was in high school, one of the first mix-tapes I did was called Code Red. But the songs and all the concepts on this mixtape are way different from a lot of my last projects, way different from my album. It’s like I’m making a statement. The idea behind Code Red is like, it’s an emergency. I’m really getting on a lot of rappers and their mindframes. I’m really com-ing at ‘em. I’m trying to change the industry with this mixtape. It’s not in a bad way. I’m just lettin’ ‘em know that I’m here to take a spot in the game.

Explain more about what’s different now compared to your last mixtapes. It’s not the same Dorrough where I was com-ing out with singles and just happy to be doing the music thing. I’m a new leader of the industry, a new artist that’s ready to take his ranks in the industry. Code Red is like I’m warn-ing people. It’s an alert. You can’t say I didn’t warn you. This mixtape is really intense. When I start dropping a lot of the visuals, which I’m shooting right now, then people will see the concept behind the whole mixtape.

What are some of the song titles to give us an idea of the topics you’re opening up about?One is called “Hungry (Mad Rappers).” Since I got on, it’s a lot of mad rappers – most of the hate comes from other rappers, up-and-com-ing artists. The song is basically gettin’ on ‘em and tellin’ ‘em I worked for everythang I got. Even after everythang I done did, and even though I’m on, I’m still outworking people that’s trying to get in. And on top of that, I’m still hungrier than ever. Now that I’ve got a

taste of the game, I’m even more hungrier now than I was before. Another title is called “Code Red.” It’s really intense, letting people know I’m serious and I’m coming with lyrics, energy, everythang. I got another record called “The Game” describing the whole industry and my experience.

The Get Big album has been out for a few months. Talk about the response on that and your thoughts on the project.The album and feedback is great. It gave me a good transition to do the new mixtape. I stepped it up so much from the first album so people are starting to pay attention. With a lot of the viral visuals and everything I’m doing, they’re seeing an artist develop and grow. They’re really tuning in now. The feedback has been amazing. There’s a lot of big tracks and deep tracks on there, some of ‘em we’re still shooting videos to. After hearing the second album, they see where I’m going with music and concepts and everythang.

We never got a chance to talk about the “Get Big” remix when it came out. You shot the video during BET Hip Hop Awards weekend and almost everyone showed up. Who all was in it? It was crazy! I reached out to everybody my-self on the song – P. Diddy, DJ Drama, Yo Gotti, Bun B, Shawty Lo, Maino, Diamond. I also had Wiz Khalifa on the song but he didn’t make the video shoot because he was on tour.

How did that feel to have all those big names come out to support you?Man, it let me know I could do it. Honestly, the label and a lot of other people didn’t think I could pull it off myself. But when I did, it gave me more confidence and let me know my respect level in the game. These people’s schedules are crazy so for me to be able to make that happen that weekend was crazy. Just to know through my personal relation-ships I was able to call everybody and get everybody there, it let me know I’m respected. It wasn’t money or none of that involved, it was through relationships and everybody came out to support....

To read the rest of this interview, log on to www.ozonemag.com.

You can also check out Dorrough music on Twitter - @DorroughMusic

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BigChief

Words by Ms Rivercity

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Raised in west dallas, texas (Ru-peRt ciRcle housing pRojects), Big chief aRose as a key speakeR foR the dallas stReet movement duR-ing the eaRly 90’s. Rap hustling his eat GReedy volumes on the coRneR, Big chief pioneeRed the way foR many of the up-and-coming aRt-ists today. this supeR Bowl week-end he’s welcoming visitoRs with a new city anthem called “tRiple d.”

Tell us your story. You’ve been holding it down in Dallas for a long time.I’ve been rapping since I was 13. That was in the early 90’s. I was a Scarface, UGK, and Tupac fan, and I’ve been goin’ hard ever since. I did it the old-school way, gettin’ out there, poppin’ trunks, selling CDs to whoever, wherever. I did it the old-fashioned way, no radio play, just selling my CDs on the corner, stores, the mall. I did the real grind.

Back then what was the Dallas rap scene like compared to now? Was it as poppin’ back in the day?Naw. Back then you had Pimpsta and the group Hoodlum. I was affiliated with them. Then when I graduated I hooked up with Stoney Crook, they was hot doin’ they thang. It was a big music scene – it was like a certain artist or a certain group had they time. I pretty much been here since the beginning, back when Kottonmouth and all them boys was doin’ they thang. After we did the Stoney Crook thang, then we had the thang with D.S.R., then we had a lot of other artists come through and do they thang. I’m still standin’.

What are some of the big things you’re known for in your rap career?There’s a number of things really. A big hit around here was with me and Jim Jones called “My Swag.” Then I did “Check” with me, Bobby Valentino, and Slim Thug. My biggest moment would be when the whole Dallas/Fort Worth solidified me as the Don of the City, as they Tupac, as they Jeezy, TI. Having the people embrace me like that was big.

What other cities do you have a lot of fans in? H-Town, Oklahoma City, Omaha, the whole southwest region, they really up on me right now. And honestly they up on me from people burning my CDs and going online because I haven’t really been out to those markets. But they’re familiar with all my mixtapes.

Do you think a lot of the young up-and-coming rappers look up to you? Do you ever mentor anyone like that?The way I give ‘em guidance is just when they see me out there bangin’. They be like, “Man I was in elementary school listening to you. I been listening to you for the longest.” And now they in high school or college. I think my persistence and longevity really motivates ‘em to keep doin’ what they doin’.

What are you working on right now?I also got a mixtape with me and Lil Keke called Standing Ovation. I’m working on my mixtape Street Edition Vol 2 called EGD. It’s got my boy D.O.C. on there, and my boy Mr. Maintain. He just got out, he’s one of the artists on my label. I got this hot new single called the “Triple D.” Right now we got a lot of hype going on about the city, and I got a song to complement it. It’s really welcoming everyone to Dallas, to my world, to my city.

Talk about your label and the team behind you. Are you still doing the independent thing?Right now I’m independent. I got a couple key players behind me – my manager Mychal Jeter. I got an R&B artist named T-Bone. My biggest thing is my production team. I got a flurry of producers that keep me with fire producers. We been independent for the lon-gest, and we would love to have the national exposure through a major. It’s good music and the people need to hear it, so if it’s a good situation, I’d love to have a major behind me. But right now we indie and we move how we move.

Where will you be Super Bowl weekend? Any shows?At this time I’m just gon’ enjoy the festivities and spotlight along wit’ everybody else. If something comes up I might make an appear-ance somewhere.

Is there anything else you want to mention?Shout out to Urban South and Pookie for always keeping me in the magazine. I’m on Facebook, Big Chiefa and Twitter @BigChiefa. Eat Greedy or don’t eat at all – it’s not just a slogan, it’s a way of life. //

lately theRe haven’t Been many teenage gRoups in the Rap game, But 17 yeaR old B. Reed and faime, who foRm the duo yung nation, may change that. foR the last fouR yeaRs yung nation has made a name foR themselves thRough-out texas. they have taken the Boogie movement and cultivated it with theiR own dances, songs, and witty vocaBulaRy. with doRRough coaching them and lil twist on theiR team, it’s only a matteR of time BefoRe you’ll Be singing along to theiR tunes.

What do you guys have going on right now?B. Reed: We’re currently working on our new mixtape iYess. It’s going to be all original tracks on there, we’re also doing shows.

What else do you guys have going on for Super Bowl weekend? Faime: We’re shooting our new video for our lead single, “Spiffy” which features Dorrough. We’re opening up for Nicki Minaj, she has a show with Dorrough at Flow. We’re also performing at the Shoe Expo at Market Square, and we’re still booking shows right now. B. Reed: I also got a call today that we will be at Deion Sanders event at the Palladium with Snoop Dogg.

How old are both of you? B. Reed: We’re 17. We’re still in school.

How do you balance school, performing at shows, and recording in the studio? B. Reed: It’s great. We just have fun doing it all, and we just try to live out a teenagers dream.

Have you had any problems in school be-cause you’re so well-known in Dallas?Faime: Yes, we always have negative energy, but at the end of the day it’s all promotion and it boosts whatever we have going on. In this industry a lot of people hate you and a lot of people love you. That’s something I’ve learned my four years of going hard in this industry.

Both of you knew Lil Twist growing up. What kind of relationship do you have with him now and how has he affected you musically?B. Reed: Twist is like family. Even without music

///YUNG NATIONWords by Jee’Van Brown

we go play basketball and go to places like Dave & Busters. We’re also going to connect on our music soon. It’s awesome to work with him because Wayne shows him so much, so he shows us so much too. It’s just crazy because he helped us a lot with our movement. He shows us how to better ourselves. Dorrough is also a blessing from God and he’s like a big brother.Faime: Yes, Dorrough. Without him we wouldn’t be as successful as we are right now. He’s our guidance in the game and big brother. We met him through our producer Q Smith.

Who influenced you coming up?B. Reed: I would have to say Lil Wayne and I’m not just saying that because he’s Lil Twist’s big brother. He just helped us find a way to music. And I would also have to say my parents.Faime: I would have to say my family, my danc-ers, and my Nation Gang, they keep me going all the time. Without them my music wouldn’t be the same, they keep the movement going. They come up with new dances, they help me better myself with lyrics, and they call me to make sure everything is good.

Are you a part of the Dallas Boogie move-ment?B. Reed: The dancing is a big part too. We actual-ly make music, so dancing is just how it started but it’s not going to finish it. Making music is really the most important thing in Nation. We’re not just a dance team. We make real music that people can relate to. It’s a lifestyle. Everybody is Nation. We even have our own vocabulary and are about to come out with our own dictionary with all of the words we use.

A few labels are looking to sign you guys. What labels have you been talking with?B. Reed: Atlantic, that’s the main one that we’ve been talking to. Jive has showed interest, and E1, which is Dorrough’s label. We’re trying to do the independent grind a little longer in order to make them respect our grind. //

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///YUNG NATION

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TrealLee &

“THrOWED OFF”, AkA “F*Ck EvErYBODY”, IS THE SECOnD mAJOr HIT FOr DALLAS DuO TrEAL LEE AnD PrInCE rICk. AFTEr BuBBLInG WITH THE DAnCE SOnG “mr. HIT THAT” LAST YEAr, TrEAL AnD PrInCE JOInED COLLIPArk muSIC WHErE THEY CuLTI-vATED THEIr SOunD, AnD GOT A vErY ImPOrTAnT CO-SIGn. WITH THIS nEW SOnG, THE GrOuP IS LOOkInG TO ExPAnD PAST DALLAS, THrOuGHOuT THE SOuTH, AnD ACrOSS THE nATIOn.

What have y’all been up to lately? The “Throwed Off” song is taking off everywhere.Treal Lee: The main this is getting our name out there more nation-ally. Right now we got the whole south Dallas, where we’re from, on lock. And we’ve been trying to collab with a lot of Atlanta artists that’s really doing something. We’re just trying to get the name out and let everybody know what we’re doing, letting people know we’re bringing energy and put on a good show. We’re not Dallas rappers that just do one song. We’re here to stay.

Some people might not be aware, but you actually signed with Col-lipark music out of Atlanta right?Treal Lee: Yeah, we’re with Collipark Music. We just did a new distribu-tion deal with Malaco. We was with Interscope for a little bit when we had “Mr. Hit That.” We’re just staying on the grind and keepin’ it movin’.

So what have you been able to ac-complish since the “mr. Hit That” song? Has Collipark music helped a lot with your development?Treal Lee: More radio stations, stamping our name more so it’s not just underground. Now we’re more up there. We’ve met a lot of new people. More people are taking our music serious. The name Collipark Music just stamped us in.

You mentioned working with

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Words by Ms. Rivercity

Atlanta artists. Who have you collaborated with?Treal Lee: We did a track with Stuey Rock. We did a lot of tracks with Mr. Hanky. Mr. Hanky did “Throwed Off.” Mr. Collipark did a lot of our tracks too. We collabed with a group named Solace – I don’t know if y’all know them yet, they in Atlanta. They on “Throwed Off” too. The dude singing the hook is also the dude on the 3rd verse.Prince Rick: Man, and I wanna shout out to all the Atlanta DJs – DJ Pretty Boy Tank, DJ Instinkz, DJ Scream, ET & J Nicks, all the DJs showing love. They showing us love like we from Atlanta. We appreciate y’all supporting us and our movement.

Is “Throwed Off” getting bigger faster than “mr. Hit That Hoe” did last year?Treal Lee: Aw man, this is the biggest. This kills “Mr. Hit That.” It’s more national. “Mr. Hit That” was one of those songs where we were more worried about holding down Dallas. But as it got big and expanded to other markets, we started doing shows in those areas. But with “Throwed Off”, we trying to go everywhere now, so everybody can relate to what we’re talking about.Prince Rick: It’s spreading everywhere – it’s hot in the whole South. We’re trying to get it like that on the east and west coast. They love us in Dallas. You can’t mention Dallas without saying Treal Lee and Prince Rick. We had to get hot in Dallas before we took it anywhere else. Shout out to DJ Drop and Definition DJs for support-ing us with the “Throwed Off” movement.

What makes “Throwed Off” such a big hit with the people?Prince Rick: It deals with emotions and every-day life. At one point in your life you’re gonna feel like “fuck everybody.” You might wake up and not be in the mood to talk to nobody. Your job might be going wrong, or just anything in life.

Are you working on an album or mixtape?Treal Lee: Oh yeah, we got the mixtape done called How We Feel Vol 1. It’s not out yet. Then we gon’ drop Who Is Treal Lee & Prince Rick?. The album is in the works. Right now we’re just developing ourselves, and getting people more familiar with Treal Lee and Prince Rick. Like how y’all know Travis Porter or Roscoe Dash or Wiz Khalifa, that’s how we want y’all to know Treal Lee and Prince Rick.Prince Rick: The album’s gon’ be crazy! It’s gon’ be real hot, real different, a lot of energy.

Will you be in Dallas during Super Bowl? Do you have any events?Prince Rick: Yeah we have shows starting Wednesday. We shooting videos off the mix-tape. We’re putting out more viral videos. The mixtape will be coming out real soon.

What else do you want to let the people know about?Treal Lee: Hit us up on Twitter @TrealAnd-Prince and Facebook Treal and Prince, and Youtube us.Prince Rick: We’re always gon’ have the clubs, we’re always gon’ have the streets. Y’all gon’ know about us.

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Prince Rick

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KirkoBangz

Words by Julia BeverlyPhoto by Ron J Photography

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21-yeaR-old pRaRie view univeR-sity student kiRko Bangz hit it Big on the houston aiRwaves with his catchy auto-tuned RecoRd “what yo name iz” and landed a deal with waRneR BRos. while at fiRst listen you might mistake his single foR a lil wayne & dRake mix-tape cut, kiRko is taking the time to develop his cRaft and make a name foR himself.

Let’s start with the obvious. Did you name yourself after kurt Cobain?Actually, I wasn’t aware of who Kurt Cobain was at first. I was like 15 and I heard [the name] on a movie. That’s when Myspace was popular and all the Myspace names were taken, so I spelled it [Kirko Bangz] to get a Myspace page. I thought it was catchy so I just ran with it. Once I started rappin’, I looked it up to research who it was. I came to find out that I actually liked the dude [Kurt Cobain] and once I got into some of his music and looked at his life, I felt like we have some similarities as an artist. He loved music, I love music. He wanted to be successful and loved but at the same time, he didn’t want the fame; he was a very private person. Courtney Love was more outspoken than he was. It’s cool to have a girl who can get the cameras out of his face, so I thought that was dope.

You’re signed with Warner Bros., right? How did you catch their attention?Me and my team, the independent label LMG, we were out here in Houston grindin’ and we got a buzz poppin’ out here, and they came down and heard about us.

Houston had a real big year around 2005, with the success of guys like Slim Thug, Paul Wall, and mike Jones all around the same time. Do you think there’s another wave of Houston artists coming comparable to that? I don’t know, because that was a strong wave that came through in 2005. I don’t think we’ll ever be able to duplicate that. That’s like some-body trying to be the next Michael Jordan or the next Michael Jackson. But I think we do have a lot of talent and a lot of potential, so if everybody gets together it can happen. I wish everybody a lot of luck.

musically, are you stepping away from the traditional Houston chopped-and-screwed sound and taking it in a different direction?I’m not a screwed-and-chopped, “comin’ down

on swangaz,” “grilled down” type of person, so if I did that type of music it would be fake. I just try to stay real to myself. Of course the song I have on the radio, “What Yo Name Iz,” is real mainstream. I do music for me. I’m not tryin’ to stay away from Houston or tryin’ to be Houston. I’m just goin’ with the flow.

You used a lot of AutoTune on “What Yo name Iz.” Obviously, the record is doing well, but how did you feel about Jay-Z declaring AutoTune dead, and the general overuse of it in the rap game?I never really looked that deep into it. We did it, we were just playin’ around, and it hap-pened to hit. I don’t think AutoTune is God and I don’t stand behind it 100%, so people talking down on AutoTune really doesn’t bother me. If you’re painting a house with a hand paintbrush and I walk up with a sprayin’ brush and get it done faster and better, don’t knock it, you know? Music is music.

Do you have a release date yet for your album or are you more in the development mode?I’m in development mode. I’m an infant in this game. We’re about to come out with another mixtape right before the Super Bowl with DJ Drama called Procrastination Kills 3. We’re not working on an album right now, just tryin’ to get the buzz out nationwide first. We’re just working off the mixtape and hopefully there’s something on there that everybody will love, like last time with “What Yo Name Iz,” and we’ll roll with that. We aren’t really searching for singles right now, just taking it step by step.

I see you’re doing a lot of viral videos as well, to build up your internet hype. Yes ma’am. In fact, we’re about to shoot another viral video this week or next week to build anticipation for the mixtape.

Where can people look out for you in Dallas during Super Bowl weekend?I’m not sure if we have any shows or anything, but we’re gonna be at all the events. We’re doing something with Nike and we’re working on something with Wiz Khalifa.

How can people get in touch with you or check out some of your music?You can hit me on my Twitter - @kirkoBangz - and you can find my music on datpiff.com. //

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SIDE A10 CLUBLISTING11 DALLASMAP8 EVENTLISTING18-19 INERTIA12-13 JRPATTON16-17 LILTONY9 SORELOSERS14-15 T.CASH22-23 TUMTUM

20-21 TRAI’D

SIDE B14-15 BIGCHIEf10 BIGEBEATS6 DJQ8 KIKIJ20-21 KIRKOBANGZ18-19 PRINCERICK&TREALLEE16 YUNGNATION

12-13 DORROUGH MUSIC

PUBLISHER:JuliaBeverly

SPECIAL EDITIONS EDITOR:JenMcKinnona.k.a.Ms.Rivercity

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DISCLAIMER:OZONEMagazinedoesnottakeresponsibilityforunsolicitedmaterials,misinformation,typographi-calerrors,ormisprints.Theviewscontainedhereindonotnecessarilyreflectthoseofthepublisheroritsadvertisers.AdsappearinginthismagazinearenotanendorsementorvalidationbyOZONEMagazineforproductsorservicesoffered.Allphotosandillustra-tionsarecopyrightedbytheirrespectiveartists.Allothercontentiscopyright2011OZONEMagazine,allrightsreserved.Noportionofthismagazinemaybereproducedinanywaywithoutthewrittenconsentofthepublisher.PrintedintheUSA.

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DALLAS EVENTLISTINGWednesdayFeBRUaRy 2nd-SuperBowlParty@GreyGooseLounge(1500DragonSt.)-MelaniefionaLive@Beamer’s(2443WalnutHill)

tHURsdayFeBRUaRy 3Rd-OzoneMagazineBlackCarpetAffair@InfinitiLounge(2929N.BucknerBlvd)-BirdmanHosts@Matrix(5818LBJfree-way)-NickiMinajLive@Avalon-Diddy’sSuperBowlBashw/JermaineDupri&DJProstyle@MainStEventCntr(2208MainSt.)-DeionSanders&NfLfriendsHost@ZOUK(703McKinneyAve.)

FRidayFeBRUaRy 4tH-NickiMinaj@Palladium(1135S.Lamar)-RickRossLive@Matrix(5818LBJfree-way)-fromJerseyShoreToTheGame&KeriHilsonLive@MainEvent(2208MainSt)-Drake&PlayNSkillz@Escapade(10707finnellSt.)-LudacrisHosts@Beamer’s(2443WalnutHill)-Diddy&RicoLoveHostLastTrainToDal-las@ThriveNightclub(CrownPlaza,Elm&Griffith)-TerrellOwensHosts@SkyeBar(1217MainSt.)-ErykahBadu@GreyGooseLounge(1500DragonSt.)

-LanceGross@StarlightBallroom(603MungerAve.)-Wakaflocka&TrinaParty&Concert@Clubflow(10945CompositeDr.)-SuperBowlPlayboypartywithperfor-mancesbySnoopDogg,WarrenG,&floRida@ALoftHotel

satURdayFeBRUaRy 5tH-MoneyMilitia&CloutRecordsPresent:TexasModel&MusicConference@Ma-trix12pm-7pm(5818LBJfreeway)-CloutRecordsPresents:Media&ModelAppreciation@AllStarStudioLounge7pm-10pm(703McKinneyAve.)-SMUGridironCelebrityBasketballGame@MoodieColliseum(6024AirlineDr)-JeezyLive@Matrix(5818LBJfreeway)-Diddy&ClintonSparks@TowerBuild-ing-fairPark(3809GrandAve.)-ChrisBrownLive@Beamer’s(2443WalnutHill)-LilWayne&PlayNSkillz@Escapade(10707finnellSt.)-SlimThug,Dorrough,JuvenileLiveClubflow(10945CompositeDr.)

sUndayFeBRUaRy 6tH-DiddyHostsSuperBowlGrandfinale@Palladium(1135S.Lamar)-LilWayne&DrakeHost@Beamer’s(2443WalnutHill)-KeriHilson&ChrisBrown@Matrix(5818LBJfreeway)-OchoCinco&friendsSuperBowlWeekendfinale@HouseofBlues(2200N.Lamar)-SuperBowlBashHostedbyTerrence&Rocsiof106th&Park@Clubflow(10945CompositeDr.)-OfficialOZONESuperBowlBash@RackDaddy’s(844SecretaryDr.Arlington,TX76105)

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Dis

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don’t let tHe naMe soRe loseRs Fool yoU. BlUe (tHe pRodUceR) and BRoWn (tHe lyRicist) aRe aiM-inG to Win. toGetHeR tHese tWo Have cReated tHeiR oWn lane.

What are you currently working on?Blue: We’reworkingonournewproject,Get a Life.Brown: We’vegotTDEwithus,TopDawgEn-tertainment.WehavealotofshowscomingupforSuperBowlweekend,butotherthanthat Get a Life isthefocus.

How did you hook up with Top Dawg Ent.?Blue: ImovedouttoCaliin2007andIjustmetJayRockrandomlyandtheytoldmetoplaysomebeatsforhim.fromthereitprettymuchtookoff.Brown: AftertheyheardourfinishedmaterialtheytookusinlikewewerefromCompton.

What mixtapes have you guys put out recently? Brown: Weputoutourmixtape Free LoaderslastDecemberanditgotbiggerthanwhatweexpecteditto.Itcameoutlastyearandwereallyhaven’tputanythingoutsincethenandit’sstillpickingupspeed.We’vebeengettingrecognizedforitinthepapers.It’sremarkablehowpeopleareacceptingit.

How did you meet? Brown: We’rebothfromDallas,andwemetthroughDorrough.Dorroughcamebymyhouseandsaidhehadaproducerhewantedmetomeet,soIroadoverwit’himtoBlue’scrib.fromthenonweswappedmaterial.IcameoutwithamixtapecalledJust Cause backin2006,andsomeofhisbeatsmademymixtape.HewouldsendmebeatsbackandforthandIwouldsendhimtrackstoo.

Hetoldmehefuckedwithmymusic,ItoldhimIfuckwithhisbeats,andweformedouralliancefromthere.

What’s your sound like compared to the Dallas Boogie movement? Blue:We’redefinitelyanti-boogie,nothingwe’veevermadeisboogie-related.Notthatwehateit,becauseit’sgoodforDallas,butit’scompletelynotusandwe’recompletelyalternative.Brown:Ifanything,we’resheddedanewlighttoshowthepeopleofDallasanewformofHipHop.We’recallingit“experimental”mu-sic.Wecanshowpeoplethatyoudon’thavetomakeboogiemusicorknowhowtodancetoberespected.Blue: Ontopofthat,boogiemusickindofrepresentsthehoodmovementandwekindofbothrepresentthesuburbs.It’smoremu-sicthatpeopleinthesuburbscanrelateto.

What challenges have you come across? Blue: Justalotpeoplethatseeourpotentialandwanttouseitforpersonalgain.We’vehadmanagersandpromoterstrytouseus.Butourmusicisstrongerthanthat.

What’s your ultimate goal?Brown: OurgoalistogetDallasrespectedna-tionallyforsomethingotherthantheboogie,becausethat’sallpeopleknowDallasfor.Imakemusicbecausethatshitjustinme.Blue: MydirectionhasalwaysbeentogettherespectofDallastothepointwheretheywantustorepresentusonbiggerscale.It’spickingupandalmostgettingtothepointwherewecanputDallasonourbackandrepresentthemregionallyornationally.Brown: Justtoaddtothat,ifanythingitfeelslikeanalternativeaspecttocreatingmusicperiod.ThecontentthatIchoosetotalkaboutandthesoundthatBluechoosestogowithissomethingthatalotofhiphopartistsareafraidtogowith.It’salotofcookie-cutmusicbeingmadelately,sowe’rejusttryingtobedifferent. //

Sore LosersWords by Jeevan Brown

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DALLASCLUB LISTING8Lounge1906GreenvilleAve.,Dallas,TX75206

AllStarStudioLounge703McKinneyAve.,Dal-las,TX75219

AM/PMLounge300N.Akard,Dallas,TX75201

TheBank1313MainSt.,Dallas,TX75202

Beamers2443WallnutHillLane,Dallas,TX75229214-902-6490

Bijou2301N.CollinsSt.,Arlington,TX76011(817)274-2916

ClubChrome2408E.BelknapStreet,fortWorth,TX76111(817)222-2244

ClubDrama1911N.Griffin,Dallas,TX75202

ClubPure2026CommerceSt.,Dallas,TX75201(214)390-6230

CirqueNightclub1930PacificAve.,Dallas,TX75201(214)234-8404

Clubflow10945CompositeDr.,Dallas,TX,75220(214)366-3569

ClubGucciatTheElegance2604MainSt.,DeepEllumDistrict,Dallas,TX75226

ClubMatrix5818W.LBJfreeway,Dallas,TX75240

ClubMystique

455E.UniversityBlvd.,Odessa,TX79762(432)363-8531

ClubRollsRoyce9220SkillmanSt.,Dal-las,TX75243

DG’s(DallasGentle-men’sClub)2117W.NorthwestHwy,Dallas,TX75220

DMixx3008E.PioneerPkwy.,Arlington,TX76010

Encore5361SearsSt,Dallas,TX75206

Escapade2009110707finnellSt.,Dal-las,TX75220

fatDaddy’s5005thSt.,forthWorth,TX76102

IronCactus1520MainSt.,Dallas,TX75201

Level510733SpanglerRd.,Dallas,TX75220

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972-501-9935

TheMansion2505PacificAve.,Dal-las,TX

MembersOnlyIIAfterHours1908MLKJr.Blvd.,Dal-las,TX75215(214)565-5538

Mr.BiggsatKindal’s10333W.TechnologyBlvd.,Dallas,TX75220(214)353-8701

PalladiumBallroom1135SouthLamarSt.,Dallas,TX,75215(972)343-2444

PeepNToms2925EastAbramSt.,Arlington,TX(817)640-7505

Plush1400MainSt.,Dallas,TX75202(214)741-7587

DALLASAREA MAP

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Mapcourtesyofvisitdallas.com

ManymoreDallasareamapsareavailableonlineathttp://www.visitdallas.com/visitors/maps.php

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oRiGinally FRoM McalesteR, oK, 20-yeaR-old JR patton noW Resides in dallas, tX. He’s KnoWn aRoUnd tHe city as tHe Hot neW R&B cat on tHe scene. His sonG “soUnd oF love” is His FiRst MaJoR BReaK on tHe aiRWaves, BUt He’s no stRanGeR to tHe MUsic BiZ. HeRe He eXplains HoW He Got His staRt sinGinG as an inFant, linK-inG WitH FaM liFe enteRtainMent, and His FUtURe plans to Release an oFFicial ep.

Tell us how you got into music before things started taking off for you.I’vebeendoin’musicsinceIwasanewbornalmost.AlmostmywholelifeI’vebeenwiththelabelfamLife.TheyhadalabelinOklahoma.

Is that where you’re from?IwasborninPortland,ORandImovedtoOklahoma.TherewasalabelthatwashotouttherecalledfamLife;thatwasbackin1997.IwasrealyoungbutIwasintomusicawholelotandIgotthechancetoworkwith‘emin2000.I’vebeenkeepingthefamLifeEntLLCmovementgoingeversince.We’vejustbeengrindinginthestreets.

So you moved to Dallas after that?WepoppeditoffinHoustonfirstbeforewemovedtoDallas.WehadtherestaurantHarlan’sBBQinHouston.

Tell us about this big record you have in Dallas. A lot of people are talking about it.Yeah,“SoundofLove.”Jaiproducedthere-cordforme.Wegotinthestudio,heplayedthebeat,andwewentfromthere.It’sbeenoutforalmostayear.ItgotprettyhotaroundOctober.

What else was going on before that? Was “Sound of Love” your big break?Iwasdoingalotofshows.Mylabelhasrespectinthestreetssotheyhavealotofplugsandmesswithalotofpeople.Iwasdoingalotofshowsandpeoplewereadmir-ingmytalent.Peopleknewme‘causeIcouldsing,sowhenIhit‘emwiththe“SoundofLove”ittookoff.

Have you had a chance to collaborate with anyone?IcollaboratedwithalotofDallasartists,andacoupleWestCoastartistslikeKeakda

Sneak.

What else do you have going on right now?Ihaveamixtapethat’llbeoutbySuperBowlweekend.It’llbemixedbyDefinitionDJQ.

It’s strictly an R&B mixtape?Yeah,newageR&B,that’showIgetdown.Igotmyownstyle,Idomyownthang.

What are some songs you think people will like from the project?Ithinkpeoplewilllikethewholething.Nottotootmyownhorn,butwhenyougetthemixtapeyougon’see.Themixtapeiscalled I Ain’t Lazy andIlivebythat.

What’s the normal non-lazy day like for you?IfIdon’thaveashow,IwakeupandI’minthestudioallday.Irecordmyselfmostofthetime.Idon’thavetimetobewaitingonanengineersoIjustdoitmyself.

How did you learn to record yourself and use all the equipment?WhenIwaslike3yearsoldIknewhowtohookupawholestudio,keyboards,andeverything.MyunclewasanR&BsingerandIalwayslookeduptohim.Herecordedmyfirstsong.Iwantedtobelikehim,soIlearnedfromhim.Thenheboughtmeakara-okemachine,andafterthatitwasover.

Did you ever take singing classes or were you just a natural?No,Inevertookanyclasses.Iwasalwayssinginginchurch,andjustaroundthehouse.Mywholefamilysings.

What are your plans for Super Bowl week-end?I’msureI’llhaveacoupleshows.We’llbepromotingthismixtaperealheavy,andmyEP.MyEPdropsApril27thandI’llbeonWildOutWednesdayon106th&Parkthatday.Thecodetovoteistext"A"to79922.

Do you have a Twitter or anything else to let people know about?MyTwitteris@JR_Patton.MyfacebookisJRPatton.MymixtapewillbeinthestreetsSu-perBowlweekend.Mysong“SoundofLove”isoniTunes,AmazonandtheSoundofLoveEPwillbeoniTunesandAmazonandselectstores.It’sanewageinR&B.SoonasIgetthechanceit’sawrap.//

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OZONE MAG // 13JR PattonWords by Ms. Rivercity

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T.CashWords by Jeevan Brown

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t. casH Has Been RappinG FoR oveR Five yeaRs and He’s Finally GaininG attention tHRoUGHoUt teXas and otHeR soUtHeRn states. His FiRst alBUM Get to da Real did eXcep-tionally Well in tHe local MoM-and-pop stoRes in dallas, BUt noW t. casH is Ready to taKe His BRand to tHe neXt level. His stRip clUB antHeM “spRead yoUR leGs” is in Heavy Rotation and tHe plan is in Motion to Get an all-staR lineUp FoR tHe ReMiX.

Tell me a little about yourself.IwasbornandraisedinSt.LouisbutIcamehereasakidaround13,andfromthereDallasraisedme.

How long have you been rapping? I’vebeenrappingprobablyforabout5years.

You’re the CEO of Swagg House Muzik? Yessir.I’vehadthelabelforaboutayear.

What have you learned from having your own label and putting out your own music yourself? It’sactuallyfunbecauseitkeepsyoumoving,working,anditkeepsyouseeingallthebene-fitsyouwanttosee.Especiallyfromsomebodytellingyousomethingandyounotseeingitonpaper.Whenyou’rehandsonwitheverythingyouhavecontrolovercertainthings,nothinghappenswithoutyouknowing.It’smorelikeyou’recontrollingyourvisionandyoucancompleteitwithnodistractions.

How many mixtapes have you put out? IputoutthreemixtapesbeforeIputoutmylastalbumGet to da Real.

What were the names of those mixtapes? TheywerecalledFirst Quarter, Music & Money, andthethirdonewas L.O.B.whichstoodforLook Out Bitch.

Are you planning on putting out another album? Yes,it’sactuallyabouttobefinished.It’scalledI Don’t Play.ItshouldbeherearoundMarch.

Is “Spread Your Legs” going to be on that album? No,“SpreadYourLegs”won’tbeonthatalbum,buttheremixwillbeonthere.WespokewithJuelzSantana,we’vegotDorrough,ChalieBoy,andBeatKingz.They’reallgoingbeontheremix.

“Spread Your Legs” has gained momentum out of Texas. What would you say is the key to coming up with a marketable strip club anthem?firstisfindingproductionthatyouthinkcouldbegood;thebeathasgottobesmash-ing.Soyouhavetogototheclubandgetthatsoundfirst,thendropyourlyricsinwhateverdirectionyou’regoinginyoursong.IwentthroughmyproducerLBoogiewithBeatMonkeys.Ijustpusheditforawholeyear,goingfromclubtoclubpushingittotheDJs,anditstartedtakingoff.

What would you say your signature style is? I’munorthodox,forreal,man,mystyleiskindofcrazybecauseIdon’tevenknowhowI’mgoingcomeonatrack.Ican’tevensay,becauseImightjustdosomethingoutoftheordinary.

What obstacles have you overcome since getting in the music industry? I’vebeenactuallytryingtocreateabudgetformyselfbeingaCEO.Igotkickedoutofmyjob.IfeltlikeIwasgoingtostaythere,butIgotfiredonsomebackgroundstuff.SoIjustwentstraighthustlingonthestreets,day-to-daygrinding,puttingmoneybackintomyownproject.Mymomwasinjailforfouryearsthenshegotoutofjail,butshe’sintherenowdo-ingthreeyears,plusI’vegotfivekids,soIhavealotofresponsibilitiesonmyshoulders.Butit’sreallykeepingGodfirstandgrindsecond,that’sreallywhatpulledmethroughallofthis.Inevergetcomfortable.I’malwaystryingtodosomethingdifferent,juststaypushingtoreachmygoal.

Would you say you’re a part of the Dallas Boogie movement or are you separated from that movement?I’mseparatedfromtheDallasmovementbecauseIdidn’treallydoadancelikedothe“RickyBobby”ordothisordothat.Itwasmorelikeseeingfemalesintheclubspreadingtheirlegsandarchingtheirbacks.“SpreadYaLegs”isreallymyonlydancesong.Mymusicisreallifeshit.

Are you performing anywhere during Super Bowl weekend? I’mgoingtobeatGroundZeroThursday,fridayI’llbeatSteveAustin’s,SaturdayIhaveashowatMurphy’s,andSundayI’llbeatClubflowwithTerrenceandRocsifromBET.//

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lil tony deFinitely Has tHinGs poppinG in tHe city WitH His MiXtape Posted loaded Floatin, WHicH Was a tWitteR tRend-inG topic in dallas Recently. tHe nGeniUs ent. aRtist Has seveRal otHeR tHinGs in tHe WoRKs, inclUdinG MoRe MUsic, and eXpandinG oUtside oF His HoMetoWn.

What have you been up to since our interview last year?LastyearwasAllStarweekendandwewereworkingonthemixtapeFlight 214.Weputitouton4/20withDJDrop,theCEOofDefinitionDJs.Weblastediteverywhereandpickedupabuzzonit.Atthesametime,Iwashalfwaydonewithmyoriginalalbum Posted Loaded Floatin.WeweregoingbackandforthonreleasedateswithMusicAccess,whichisaDallas-basedindependentmusiccompany.Wesetadateandwaspromot-ingitrealheavy,butwhenthedatecame,MusicAccesstoldustheCDwasn’tcomin’outduetoamisprint.

What did you do when the album wasn’t released? Set another date?WesetadateandhadtobuzzitrealhardfromJulytoDecember.WedroppeditfreeonlineonDecember6th.Wewantedeverybodytobeabletogetit.IttrendedinDallasonTwitterfortwodays.Andwehadabigalbumreleaseparty.WejustbeenpushingPosted Loaded Floatin sincethen.

What are some of the songs off Posted Loaded Floatin that are getting a big response?Mysingle“ShoutOut,”asinglecalled“WeRideWeRoll”featuringCoressandBigLos.IalsohaveafeaturefromJuicyJcalled“Let’sGetIt”producedbyToddHamburger.IalsotriedtoshowlovetopeopleinDallasthat’sgotsomethinggo-ing.IalsogotmyproducersDangerousMGzonthere.Wewentinandtriedtocreatethebiggestsituationwecan.Wegot18alloriginaltracks.

What’s your label situation?RightnowI’msignedtoNGeniusEnter-tainmentwhichisme,Dorrough,AceBoogie,andourCEOisDJMerk.IstartedwithNGeniusin2010.WhenMerkwastouringwithDorrough,when“IceCream

PaintJob”washot,hehitmeaboutjoin-ingNGeniusEntertainment.HefeltlikeIwasoneoftheeliteartistsinDallas.fromthereheputmeinthestudio.Merkhasdonesomuchforme.

Do you have your own label as well?Yeah,IalsowannaspeakonmyclickTri-pleG’s.We’redroppingalotofnewstuffthisyear.We’llbedroppinganalbumsoon,andthemixtapewillcomefirst.

How would you describe your sound? Are you a street rapper or club type rapper?I’ddescribemysoundasbeingcool.WhereIgrewupitwasjustwildandcrazy,soyoucanhearalotofthestreetmentalityIhaveinmyrhymesandsongs.ButI’mtryingtocatertothefemalesalotbecauseIfeeltheygonnabethebiggestfansandallthedudesgon’comelater.Sothat’swhatItrytodowithmyclubsongs.BasicallymysoundisallaboutmylifeandwhatIbeenthrough,allthehappymomentsandsadmoments.IputallthattogetheranddowhatIdointhestudio.

What do you have going on for Super Bowl weekend?We’redoingacoupleclubnightsandshowswithDorrough.He’sgotabigmixtapereleaseparty.We’regonnapromote Posted Loaded Floatinuntilwecan’tnomore.I’mgivingy’allthenewsonmynewall-originalprojectI’mworkingoncalledCatch Me If You Can.We’renotgonnasaytheDJyet,butit’sabigDJfromthewestcoast.I’mdroppinganotherFlight 214 mixtapeon4/20.I’madothismixtapeagainwithDJDrop.

Have you cut off the shag since the last time we saw you?Nah,Ihaven’tcutofftheshag.That’saD-Townthang,that’showwedodownhere–thepartsontheside,themoneymakingmitchuptop,shagfade,youalreadyknow.Ilovebeingcool.Iloverockin’wit’coolpeople.TheshagisjustnoticeableeverywhereIgosoIwillnevercutitoff.

Is there anything else you want to say?IwanttoshoutouttoNGenius,TripleG’s,DCC,everybodythat’sholdingmedown.RIPSergio.IwantpeopletohitmeuponTwitter.com/LilTony214.WelcometoDallas,TXforourSuperBowl.//

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Lil Tony Words by Ms. Rivercity

Photo by Brian Childs

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InertiaWords by Ms. Rivercity

Photo by Lorenzo Wallace

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ineRtia Got His FiRst taste oF tHe MUsic indUstRy at aGe 16 WHen He Joined MasteR p’s no liMit RosteR. since He Was so yoUnG, and no liMit Was still in tHe developMent staGes, tHe sitUation didn’t FUlly taKe oFF. leaRninG a lot FRoM Mas-teR p, ineRtia tooK His indie GRind to conFeRences and MUsic events WHeRe He eventUally caUGHt tHe attention oF play-n-sKillZ. noW siGned WitH play-n-sKillZ tHRoUGH G4/sRc/UniveRsal, He’s laUncHinG a neW MiXtape and sinGle caMpaiGn, UtiliZinG His past eXpeRiences as Motivation.

How did you get started rapping?WhenIfirstcameinIwas16.IhookedupwithNoLimitRecordswhenitwaspoppin’.IwasoneofthenewartistsPpickedup.Butyouknowhowhisrosterusedtobe,withallthosedudesonthefrontlineandIwasjustayoun-gin’.Thatwasmyfirstlookthough.TheyendedupmovingfromPrioritytoUniversalsoalotofourartistsgotleftbehind,andIwasoneof‘em.Butitwascool‘causeIlearnedalotfromP.

How did you keep things moving after that?Istartedgoin’toalotofconferences,liketheCOREDJRetreatsandSummerMusicConfer-ence.SoIwouldgolikeeveryyearfor5yearstough,grindingCDs,t-shirts,posters,allonmyown.Ididitforsolongpeoplestartedpayingattention.Play-N-SkillzhadjustgottheirG4labelsituationwithSRC/Universalandtheydecidedtocheckmeout.IgotbroughttoaguynamedBabyBoywho’sanA&RatG4.Itwasperfecttiming.

Did you have any songs that were popular at the time?Ihadapopularsongout4yearsagocalled“MoBass”anditwentnuts.Itgrewandkeptgoing.ThenIputoutanothersongcalled“BusStop.”That’soneofthebiggestrecordsI’veseeninthisarea.Iwasgettin’almost1000spinsaweekbetweenhereandDallas,Brownsville,Arkansas,thewholesouthernregion.Ialreadyhad3recordspoppin’ontheradiobeforeIevenhadasituation.Itwascrazy‘causeformetohavethatmuchgoingonandnothaveasituation,itjustwasn’ttherighttiming.Iprobablywouldafuckeditup.(laughs)

Now that you’re with G4, what are your goals?I’mworkingonthealbum.Iactuallyhavea

mixtapegettingreadytodroptheweekafterSuperBowl.It’saseriesofmixtapescomingoutcalledWhere Is Inertia. Volume 1iscalledLookin’ for Myself.It’salloriginalmusic.Ihavealotofthingspeoplemightnothaveknown,andthingsIprobablywouldn’thavewantedtosharetothegeneralpublic.ButnowIwantpeopletoknowmoreaboutmeasanartist,andunderstandalotofthingsIwentthroughandthingsIhadtodealwith–notonlygrowingup,butdealingwithbeinganartist.Beinganartistisn’talwaystheeasywaytogobecausethere’ssomanyartistsoutthere.Atthisdayandagethere’swaymorerappersthanfans.We’reallfightingforfans.

And what about the album?I’mworkingonthealbumnow.Ihaveasingleoutcalled“DoItGirl”featuringDorroughandTrai’D.Ihelpedco-produceit.Therecord’sonfirehere.Whilethatsongisout,I’llhaveamixtapecomingthe2ndweekoffebruary.

Where are you from originally? I read you were a military kid.I’moriginallyfromH-Town.ImovedoutherewhenIwasin8thgrade.Igrewuphere,butIwasbackandforth.

Where can people find you during Super Bowl weekend?We’reatEscapadeSaturdaywithYoungMoney.That’sactuallyaG4event.Beamersisonfriday.Wegotalisteningsessionwe’redoingforrecordsonmytape,myalbum,andPlay-N-Skillz’album.WehaveaneventonSundaywithNe-Yo.AllStarwascool,butIthinkthisisgon’benuts.There’sgon’besomanymorepeopleoutherefortheSuperBowl.Dallasisblessedtohaveallthatgoingoninthespanof2years.

What else do you want to tell folks about?CheckouttheWhereIsInertia.com.I’mblog-gingonthere.Me,Dorrough,andTrai’Darefinnagetontheroadandhiteverybodyforthepromotour.Wegotalotofthangspop-pin’.//

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Trai’DWords by Ms. Rivercity

Photo by Julia Beverly

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even aFteR BeinG RecRUited By a&R MeMpHitZ and siGninG WitH Jive/HitZ coMMittee, tRai’d still Had to discoveR HiMselF. HeRe tHe 20-yeaR-old dallas native talKs aBoUt inK-inG a deal in HiGH scHool, His neW “popUlaRity,” WoRKinG WitH t-pain and tWista, and a neW ManaGe-Ment sitUation WitH play-n-sKillZ.

What are you working on right now? Any-thing new coming out?Everything. I’ve got the Popularity Contest 1.5 coming out. That’s my new mixtape. I got a new record called “Popular” featuring Tyga, and “Drop” featuring T-Pain and Twista, which is a big record.

How did you put together a collaboration with T-Pain and Twista?Through Memphitz. I recorded it when I was in Vegas and it came out so well. I got Johnny Juliano on the beat. Shout out to Johnny Juliano, he’s doing his thang. So, Memph reached out to Pain and he set that up, then Twista submitted his verse. Shit sounds crazy. I can’t wait for the world to hear it.

You have a good ability to come up with hooks and put together songs. Have you written for anybody else yet? Or is that some-thing you want to do in the future?Not for other people, but I have been keep-ing a lot of shit for myself. (laughs) But I’m ac-tually looking to get into that. If it’s another outlet to bring in bread, why not?

What’s with the whole “Popularity” theme? Where does the concept come from?I did the original Popularity Contest mixtape with DJ Ill Will and DJ Rockstar. Shout out to them and their website HotNewHipHop, it’s blazin’ right now. The popularity theme came from – I went from high school straight to a major label situation so I went straight to TV. I had to get back into my city and figure out who the power players was. For the last two years I’ve been getting my relationships with certain people right. With the popularity theme, it’s like I’m the rapper at school again, but it’s on a bigger level now.

Were you popular in high school?I went to school away from where I lived. So I’d go to school, and then go home and work on my music. I was always well-known, and I always had my thing with the ladies, but I wasn’t really Mr. Popular. I stuck to my music and went straight home after school. It got me where I needed to be, so I can’t complain.

Music kept me out of trouble.

So you’re a ladies’ man?Yeah, I can’t really fight that argument. (laughs)

You’re still single then?I don’t have no lady in my life, but I guess I’m always lookin’. But I can’t really balance it I guess, you can only focus on one thing or the other.

When will you be old enough to get into 21 and up clubs?(laughs) March 27th. I’m excited. It’s coming up soon. But I’m pretty much good every-where to get in the clubs, depending on who I’m with, even though I’m not 21.

How does it feel to be so young and have experienced this much so far?There’s always somebody younger than you that’s working just as hard. Of course youth is an advantage, but I’m finna turn 21 and there’s cats that’s 17 coming up in the game. I was 17 when I came in, and there’s some people that age that’s already got it made. So you gotta keep pushin’.

You feel like there’s always somebody on your heels?Yep. And you have to feel like that in order to stay motivated.

Having a record with T-Pain and Twista is a pretty big deal. What are some other big moments in your career?I mean, when y’all get to hear that record, it’s probably going to be the biggest sound-ing record y’all heard from me, as far as nationwide appeal. But other than that, I’ve had plenty of big moments. Anything is something to me. I’m just a country boy from Texas, and on top of that, I’m Ethiopian so I never expected any of this to happen. For me to even be doing this interview is something big to me.

Your parents are foreigners?Yeah, they were born in Africa...

To read the rest of this interview, log on to www.ozonemag.com.

You can also check out Trai’D on Twitter - @TraiDMusic.

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Tum Tum

Words by Ms. Rivercity

Photo by Aaron Cortez of

Non Stop Graphics

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a tRendsetteR in tHe dallas Rap ciRcUit, tUM tUM’s cReativity coM-Manded attention once aGain WitH His Recent MiXtape Release PuRP Kobain. HeRe He talKs aBoUt tHe concept, His neW pRoJects, and a lonG-aWaited d.s.R. ReUnion sHoW dURinG sUpeR BoWl WeeKend.

Give us an update on what you’ve been working on.IdroppedthatPurp Kobain onLivemixtapes.comandIgotcopiesinstores.I’mreallywork-ingthatrightnow.I’malsoworkingonmynextprojectTumK11.I’mshootingvideos.I’mstillwithYums.I’mtryingtobrandthatD.C.C.movementwegotgoin’realtoughouthere.

The Purp Kobain tape is definitely all over the internet. How did you come up with that idea?Ourclickgotlikelittlesmokin’nicknamesandIjustnamedmyselfPurpKobain.That’smyfavoriteweed,purp.(laughs)Iwaschillingoneday,IthinkIwaswatchingCourtneyLoveonVH1,andIwaslike,“Youknowwhat?I’manamemynexttapePurp Kobain.”Iranwithit.IgotwithDanielGotSkillztodesignthecoverwiththebabywithashag.

What are some of the songs that people were talking about when they heard that tape?“CannibusClub,”“GasPipes”withKillaKyleon,and“Chucks.”Converseevencalledandwantedtogetbehind“Chucks.”

You mentioned shooting videos. What videos do you have out right now?IdidavideowithPlay-N-Skillzcalled“SmokeSomethin.”Ididanotheronefor“IfIt’sfuckMe”andonefor“OdetotheBay.”

You’ve been around for a long time and some newer folks might consider you an OG Dallas rapper. Has the game changed a lot for you over the years? Like having to do a lot of videos and internet work.Yeah,that’scrazytheysayI’manOG‘causeIjustturned27.(laughs)Butyeah,it’skindadifferent‘causeyougottadoalotofvideosnow.Butwewasdoin’thatwhenD.S.R.startedsowealreadyhadalittleknowledgeofhowtodothenewagevideos.Peopleusedtoalwaysaskwhereournewvideoswere.ButI’mstilltryingmyhardesttogetitallthewaydown.AdifferenceIseebetweenalotofpeopleistheyjustdotheinternetanddon’tbeonthestreets.Idoboth.

You actually press up hard copies of the videos, right?

Yeah,yeah.YouknowinTexastheydonechangedthemixtapegameup.Inordertosellamixtapenow,youkindagon’havetoputtheCDinthereandallthevideosyoudid.Igotlike6ofthemfloatin’aroundtown.

Explain what the D.C.C. movement is.It’sisalotofmyhomiesfromDallas.Wealreadybesmokin’andrecordingtogethersowejustputanamebehinditandcallourselvestheDallasCityCouncil.It’sme,DJQ,Tuck,andMase,wekindarunit–thentherappersareLilMan,fatPimp,LilTony,LilRon-nie,fatPimp,Hoodboss,LilWil,Doughski,thehotstreetartistsintheDlookin’outforeachother.MarquisDanielshelpsuswithittoo.IstarteditwithPlay-N-Skillzsoyouknowtheyalwaysgon’lookoutforme.We’rejusttryin’tomakeanimpactonthecity.

Does D.C.C. have any projects out as a group?Wegot2mixtapesoutrightnowonLivemix-tapesthataregettin’agoodresponse.

So you’re working on TumK11?Yeah,Idoonelikeevery2years.Thisyear’sthemeisLeeHarveyOswald.IhadgotIndieAlbumoftheYearattheSEAslastyearforTumK9.AcouplelabelshavebeencallingafterPurp KobainandaftertheysawIgotIndieAlbumoftheYear.

What are your thoughts on major labels right now?I’vebeeninthegameforaminuteandIseelabelsmakingchanges.UniversalandDefJamarechanging,andthenIreadsomewherethatWarnerwastryingtosellsoI’mwaitingtillallthatgetsdone.Idon’twannagosomewherewithonestaffandthenthepeopleI’mwork-ingwithgetfiredandI’mbacktosquareone.I’mwaitingthatout,continuingtobuildthestreetsandbuildmybrand.

Do you have any info on your Super Bowl appearances yet?TheYumseventisgon’bebig.It’sgonnabeme,MartellusBennettfromtheCowboys,andwhoeverelsetheygotcomingdown.ThenwegottheD.S.R.reunionshowwithmeandTuck,LilRonnie,allusgon’bewildinout.AndIthinkI’matBeamerswithPlay-N-Skillz,LilWayneandDrake.

Where can people find you on the web?Youtube.com/ZillaTV,Twitter.com/Zillaman,andthenewwebsiteThaCannibusClub.com.

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