WELCOMETO FLORIDA

&YOUNGDUCE

TERRYELLIOTTJR. >
FLORIDA CLASSIC 2011

**SpeCIAL eDItIOn**

GHOSt ent // BUD J GReen // YOUnG CASH CHARLeS ReeD // J DASH KInG OF DIAMOnDS RALpHIGe & MORe

WELCOMETO ORLANDO

G FEATURIN

GHOST ENT.

**SpECIAL EDITION**

FLORIDA CLASSIC 2011

YOUNG DUCE // BUD // KING OF DIAMONDS J DASH // YOUNG CASH // CHARLES REED RALpHIGE // DJ NASTY // MIKE BLESS & MORE

PUBLISHER: Julia Beverly CONTRIBUTORS & CREW: Ashley Smith Eric Perrin Jason Potts Mercedes Mert Deezine Randy Roper Terrence Tyson PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR: Malik Abdul STREET TEAMS: Big Mouth Marketing DJ Slym Lex Promotions On Point Entertainment Poe Boy Strictly Streets SUBSCRIPTIONS: To subscribe, send check or money order for $20 to: OZONE Magazine Subscriptions Dept PO Box 250009 Atlanta, GA 30325 Phone: 404-350-3887 Fax: 404-601-9523 Web: www.ozonemag.com COVER CREDITS: Young Duce & Terry Elliott Jr. photos by Terrence Tyson; Ghost Ent. photos by Terrence Tyson. DISCLAIMER: OZONE does not take responsibility for unsolicited materials, misinformation, typographical errors, or misprints. The views contained herein do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or its advertisers. Ads appearing in this magazine are not an endorsement or validation by OZONE Magazine for products or services offered. All photos and illustrations are copyrighted by their respective artists. All other content is copyright 2010 OZONE Magazine, all rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any way without the written consent of the publisher. Printed in the USA.

SIDE A
7 8 9 10-11 12-13 14-15 20 22-23 ORLANDO MAP CLUB LISTING EVENT LISTING PHOTO GALLERIES J GREEN KING OF DIAMONDS RALPHIGE BUD

16-19 TERRY ELLIOTT JR. & YOUNG DUCE

SIDE b
6-7 8-9 10-11 12-13 18-19 20 PHOTO GALLERIES J DASH YOUNG CASH CHARLES REED MIKE BLESS DJ NASTY

14-17 GHOST ENT.

OZONE MAG // 5

MAP

ORLANDO, FL

OZONE MAG // 7

CLUb LISTING
11/12 nIGHtCLUB 843 Lee Road Orlando, FL 32810 (407)539-3410 @1112Lounge www.1112Lounge.com CLUB 23 23 W Church St Orlando, FL 32801 (407)420-1111 @real23orlando www.23orlando.com 57 WeSt 57 West Pine St Orlando, FL 32801 (407)872-0084 @club57west www.club57west.com AntIGUA 41 W Church St Orlando, FL 32801 (407)649-4270 @AntiguaOrlando www.AntiguaOrlando. com BAR 1 1 South Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32801 www.facebook.com/ barone.orlando B.B. KInGS 9101 International Dr Orlando, FL 32819 (407)370-4550 @BBKingsOrlando www.BBKingClubs.com tHe BeACHAM 46 N. Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32801 (407)246-1419 @BeachamOrlando www.TheBeacham.com BLISS ULtRA LOUnGe 123 West Church Street Orlando, FL 32801 (407)849-5060 @BlissOrlando www.BlissOrlando.com BOSS 39 W. Pine St Orlando, FL 32801 (407)497-2677 @BossOrlando www.BossOrlando.com 8 // OZONE MAG CLeOS GentLeMenS CLUB 1310 S Orange Blossom Trl Orlando, FL 32805 (407)839-8559 CLUB StAtUS 912 West Colonial Drive Orlando, FL 32804 (407)839-1242 DRAFt 301/333 W Church St Orlando, FL 32801 (407)826-1872 @DraftOrlando www.DraftOrlando.com DRAGOn ROOM 25 West Church St Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 843-8600 @DragonRoom www.DragonRoomOrlando.com FIReStOne LIVe 578 North Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32801 (407)872-0066 @FirestoneLive www.FirestoneLive.net tHe GROOVe CityWalk at Universal Orlando 6000 Universal Blvd. (407)363-8000 HARD ROCK HardRock.com Universal CityWalk 407-351-5483 HOUSe OF BLUeS 1490 E. Buena Vista Dr. Lake Buena Vista, FL (407)934-BLUE www.HOB.com KOHA nIGHtCLUB 426 E. Kennedy Eatonville, FL (407)740-0556 CLUB LAX 7430 Universal Blvd Orlando, FL 32819 (407)351-9800 @LAXVenue www.laxvenue.com

ORLANDO

tHe LeGACY CLUB 3925 Clarcona Ocoee Rd Orlando, FL 32810 LeGACY ULtRA LOUnGe 655 N Kirkman Rd Orlando, FL 32808 @KINGSofLIQUOR1 CLUB LIMeLIGHt 367 North Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32801-1638 (407)648-9800 @LimeLiteOrlando www.LimeLiteOrlando. com LUX ULtRA LOUnGe 5688 International Dr Orlando, FL 32819 (407)352-8838 www.LUXOrlando.com MOtOWn CAFe Universal CityWalk (407)363-8000 tHe ROXY 740 Bennett Rd. Orlando, FL 32803 (407)898-4004 www.RoxyOrlando.com SAntA Fe 630 Emeralda Rd Suite 105 Orlando, FL 32818 SenSO 13 S. Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32801 (407)246-1755 @SensoOrlando www.SensoSupperClub.com tHe SOCIAL 54 N Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32801 (407)246-1419 @SocialOrlando www.TheSocial.org SKY60 60 North Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32801 (407)246-1599 @SkySixty www.SkySixty.com tAVeRn On tHe LAKe 6996 Piazza Grande Ave Orlando, FL 32835 (407)341-4417 teRRACe 390 390 N. Orange Ave

Orlando, FL 32801 (407)425-2445 @Terrace390 www.Terrace390.com teSSA 2425 A South Hiawassee Road Orlando, FL 32835 (407)373-0005 tOUCH 55 West Church St Orlando, FL 32801 (888)455-2634 @TouchDowntown www.Touch-Orlando. com VAIn in 3D 22 S Magnolia Ave Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 835-3590 @VAiNOrlando www.vainorlando.com VIntAGe LOUnGe 114 S. Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32801 (877)386-7346 @VintageOrlando www.TheVintageLounge.com

OTHER VENUES
AMWAY CenteR 400 West Church Street Orlando (407) 849-2000 www.AmwayCenter. com CentRAL FLORIDA FAIRGROUnDS 4903 W. Colonial Drive Orlando, FL eAStMOnte CIVIC CenteR 830 Magnolia Drive Altamonte Springs, FL eXpO CenteR 500 W. Livingston (across from TD Waterhouse) Orlando, FL

ORLANDO
tHURSDAY nOV. 17

EVENT LISTING

* Megachicks Ent Classic Weekend Music BOOTH T4-5 Inside the Magic Mall Plaza (All Weekend) * Exit 21 @ Draft - Welcome to Orlando (Upscale Urban) DJ Nasty, Young Smitchell, Infa-Red, Ricky Padilla & City. * Return of Girlfriends Thurs @ The Beacham (18+) w/ DJ Q45, Disco JR & DJ Slym * Drake Live @ LAX * Karaoke Night Out w/ @DJNasty305 of 99 Jamz @ The Double Tree Orange Ballroom 5780 Major Blvd (786)301-0100 * NRG Thursdays Classic Reggae Party w/ The #1UNIT DJs @ Tavern on The Lake

* Classic Fanfare 9am Lot C @ The Citrus Bowl Stadium (Free)

OZONE MAG // 9

SAtURDAY nOV. 19

* Sunday Brunch & Daytime Soiree 10am-Until @ Draft Complimentary Admission, Breakfast & Lunch Menu, Bottomless Mimosas. * Riding Big Car Show & Concert @ The Central Florida Fairgrounds w/ Trina, Ball Greezy, Famous Kid Brick, Tom G & More * Senso on Sunday Classic Finale w/ DJ Nice & Young Smitchell * Future, Ball Greezy, Tom G, Famous Kid Brick & Rich Kidz Live in concert hosted by Trina & Yo gotti @ LAX * 102 JAMZ Ladies NIght $20 All Night @ Firestone Live w/ City, DJ Nasty, DJ Blaze, DJ Jay J, Disco & The City Boys * MANSION PARTY w/ Bigga Rankin, Druma Boy, Ball Greezy, Bama & Street Crumz (10pm-6am AFTER PARTY) 9524 Morton Jones Rd Orlando, FL 34734 Contact Mercedes Streets (407)257-7095

SUnDAY nOV. 20

Disclaimer: If any of these artists dont show up, blame the promoter not us.

* Florida Classic Consortium Kickoff Luncheon 12pm @ Rosen Centre Hotel (9840 International Dr Orlando, FL 32819) * Music Industry Mixer 6pm-10pm (Private Location) Contact Mercedes Streets (407)257-7095 * Recess Happy Hour 4-9pm @ Draft (21+) w/ DJ Official, DJ Yoshi & Ms Bee * 14th Annual Classic Step Show Hosted by Lil Duval @ Bob Carr - doors open at 6:30pm * Florida Blue Battle of the Bands 7pm @ The Amway Center * Waka Flocka Flame Live @ LAX $100 Bottles of Ciroc. INFO & VIP: (678)796-3925 * 30 Something Alumni Affair @ Draft (21+) Book Signing & Hosted by FAMU Grad Kwame Kilpatrick * Meek Mill Live @ Roxy w/ Bigga Rankin, DJ Nasty, City, Disco JR, DJ Bam & DJ Chilli. Hosted by Spiff TV * Kappa Klassic @ Dragon Room w/ DJ Chino & DJ 108. Hosted by AJ The Klassic & @WankaEgo * GQ Omega Psi Phi @ Club 23 * Beautiful Fridays @ Crave w/ Rod-Z, Hoe Bullard, Eaion Conner, Jay Deezy, & DJs Pointblanc, Emcee, Snow & Certified * Male Revue Dat Meat Battle of the Beef 8pm @ LUX (407)209-7813 * Jamaikin Me Crazy 10pm @ LUX * Chocolate Factory Ladies Night Out @ The Double Tree Orange Ballroom 5780 Major Blvd (786)3010100 * MANSION PARTY w/ Bigga Rankin, Drumma Boy, Ball Greezy, Bama & Street Crumz (10pm-6am AFTER PARTY) 9524 Morton Jones Rd Orlando, FL 34734 Contact Mercedes Streets (407)257-7095

FRIDAY nOV. 18

* 2:30pm FAMU vs BCU Classic Game @ The Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium www.FloridaClassic. org * Bigga Rankin, Tity Boi aka 2Chainz, Yo Gotti & Boo Rossini 100 Video Shoot @ Private Location. Models Contact Mercedes Streets (407)257-7095 * 1pm-8pm 13 Annual Dawgman Ent FLA Classic Tail Gate Party @ The Solo Gas Station ( Tampa Ave & Church St ) music by White Boi Pizal, MelloC, Baby Lac & DJ All City * Tity Boi aka 2 Chainz Live @ Roxy * Rocko, Yo Gotti & Famous Kid Brick Live @ LAX w/ Bigga Rankin * Grown Folks @ House of Blues * The Life @ Tavern On The Lake w/ DJ Q45, Hoe Bullard, Jay Deezy, Pointblanc, Kevy Kev, Rincon & Grinz * Retrospect @ Club 23 * Frat Boy Classic @ VAiN w/ Travis Porter * Twitter Bash @ Cheyenne Saloon * Alumni Jam @ Draft * Saturday Night Live @ Bar 1 * Rich Kidz @ Firestone Live * Omega Oil Spill @ Imperial Swan Ball Room * The Hangover Block Party @ Antigua w/ DJ Drama, DJ Greg G, DJ Slym & Tony C * We The Best & Friends Im On One Platinum Party w/ DJ Nasty, Ace Hood, DJ Khaled, DJ DStrong & DJ Noodles @ Bliss * Classic Reunion $10 @ The Double Tree Orange Ballroom 5780 Major Blvd (786)301-0100 * After Party To All After Parties At Santa Fe (Music By Dj Slym,Disco & The City Boyz, Dj C-Lo) (3am-6am) * Island Saturdays @ Club Limelite DJ Stamina Birthday Bash 367 N Orange Ave * MANSION PARTY w/ Bigga Rankin, Drumma Boy, Ball Greezy, Bama & Street Crumz (10pm6am AFTER PARTY) 9524 Morton Jones Rd 34734 Contact Mercedes Streets (407)257-7095

Above: Heavy Ds last performance @ the BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta, GA. RIP Heavy D! (Photo: Terrence Tyson) Below: Trick Daddy @ Plush in Jacksonville, FL (Photo: Terrence Tyson)

10 // OZONE MAG

01: DJ Prostyle & Busta Rhymes @ the BET Hip Hop Awards (Atlanta, GA) 02: Vawn, guest, & Jazze Pha @ the BET Hip Hop Awards (Atlanta, GA) 03: Wale & DJ Khaled @ the BET Hip Hop Awards (Atlanta, GA) 04: TJ da DJ, DJ Q45, DJ Smallz @ T Juans Its My Time Video Shoot 05: Travis Porter @ BET Hip Hop Awards (Atlanta, GA) 06: Rocko & Heavy Boi @ The Coliseum (Daytona Beach, FL) 07: DJ Koolaid, Fella, & Suga D @ The Coliseum (Daytona Beach, FL) 08: Meek Mill & DJ Drama @ the BET Hip Hop Awards (Atlanta, GA) 09: DJ Demp, C.O., Trina, Bigga Rankin, & Byron Trice @ Plush Nightclub (Jacksonville, FL) 10: Plies @ Club LAX (Orlando, FL) 11: Dukwon & Terrence Tyson @ Club Christophers (Orange Park, FL) 12: DJ Koolaid & Rocko @ The Coliseum (Daytona Beach, FL) 13: Fella & Heavi Boi @ The Coliseum (Daytona Beach, FL) 14: Trina & Bigga Rankin @ Plush Nightclub (Jacksonville, FL) 15: Wade, Jah da Grinch, Young Cash, Midget Mac, Lil Hen, Swole, & Malik Abdul @ Young Cashs welcome home celebration (Jacksonville, FL) 16: Pressure, PI Bang, & Plies @ LAX (Orlando, FL) 17: Soulja Boy & Miami Mike @ the BET Hip Hop Awards (Atlanta, GA) 18: DJ Kool Aid, guest, & Disco Jr @ LAX (Orlando, FL) 19: Webbie & crew 20: Yo Gotti & Bigga Rankin @ Plush (Jacksonville, FL) All photos by Terrence Tyson

OZONE MAG // 11

J Green
Words by Julia Beverly
12 // OZONE MAG

AS tHe MAIn FORCe BeHInD pOLK COUntY GROUp OHB (OAK HILL BOYz), J GReen WAS BeSt KnOWn FOR tHe pARALYzeD ReCORD WHICH GOt pLentY OF pLAY In FLORIDA nIGHtCLUBS. BUt A MURDeR CHARGe tHReAteneD tO DeRAIL HIS WHOLe CAReeR. OzOne CHeCKeD In tO FInD OUt HOW He BeAt tHe CASe, AnD HIS neXt MOVe
What exactly happened with your legal situation? I caught a second-degree murder charge. I was waiting for like two and a half years to go to trial. Once we finally went to trial, I had a five day trial and won my case. It was basically a situation with two opposing cities fighting each other, and shit escalated. I was the most well-known guy in the situation, so it kinda made me stand out. The only [name] they could really say was J Green. But I was innocent; I didnt do shit. Im guilty of fighting, you know? But I was innocent [of the charges]. Five days in trial, three dudes testified against me, five days in the newspaper, you know? Shit was hectic. I missed three birthdays [in jail]. Obviously, sitting down for two and a half years must have detrimental to your career. As an artist, I feel like it definitely slowed me down. But back then, it was a group thing. Now Im more focused on me as an individual. I kind of found myself as a solo artist. I feel like some of the [OHB group members] could have done better than what they did, but you know, I aint put my burden on nobody else. Im a man and Ive got to hold my own. So you feel like you were able to make something positive out of the situation? Yeah, regardless of the situation, Im still able to get in the booth. A lot of people try to be too serious with this music shit. I mean, Im serious too, but I just get in there and do me. The first mixtape I dropped, Fresh Out The Gate, was kind of like my introduction. When I was locked up I wasnt really able to hear [new music] so I kinda felt behind. I had to get updated. Now I can tell what people want to hear. What surprised you most about the rap game when you got out? Two and a half years is a long time to be away. It went from a million rappers to 30 million rappers. I mean, shit was just different. [Rappers] who had leverage before aint really have the same leverage. Shit went through a real drastic change, I aint gonna lie. It kinda

throwed me for a loop. And with the music now I dont really feel like theyre talking about anything. Everybody is talking about the same shit. With my style, I talk about real life shit, storylines that a nigga really goes through. But some people just have a nice ass beat and a hook and dont be saying a damn thing. You know, they just recite the hook and thats enough to get by. For people that were fans of OHBs music or Paralyze in particular, do you feel like your sound is still similar? I mean, Im older now. I was 19 then and Im 27 now, so the way I talk and the way I sound is different. This new mixtape that I just dropped is starting to catch a lot of flame. Im getting a lot of feedback every day. Im like my own promoter. I go to the streets and the hood and just flood it with my shit. I aint selling [mixtapes], Im just giving that shit away to gain momentum. You had some problems with your hearing too, right? Yeah, me and my homeboy went out to an event and we were riding. My homeboy had just got some [speakers] put in his car twelve 10 speakers, to be exact. Man, that shit was ridiculous. I told him that shit was hurting me. All day we were arguing about it. I was like, You need to wait until we get out to play this shit because I cant breathe in here, feel me? But the shit aint really affect him. When I did get home later on, man, I couldnt hear for like seven days, period. That shit drove a nigga crazy. I was getting in the booth and couldnt even catch the beat. And Ive heard about other artists going through similar shit. I never really got to get [medical] treatment for it because maybe three weeks after that situation occurred, I ended up catching a case. I had another case prior to the murder charge. I guess in due time my hearing came back in one ear, but in my other ear I only have like 30% hearing. They say that shit is ruined permanently. They tried to get me to get some hearing aids. Hell no, I cant get no hearing aids, man! They got the little blue invisible hearing aids and shit, but I aint fuckin with it. As long as I can catch the beat and stay on beat, I think I can flow with it. Whats the name of the new mixtape? The first mixtape was Fresh Out The Gate and now I feel like Im in a new chapter in my life, so shit, Im one step farther. So the new mixtape is called One Step Farther. Ive also got a new video called Take Off featuring my homeboy Snapp Dogg. He was one of the ones on Paralyzed. //
OZONE MAG // 13

Terry Elliot Sr.

Words by Julia Beverly Photo by Yusuf Ace Vernon

FOR teRRY eLLIOtt SR., pARtYInG IS SeRIOUS BUSIneSS. AS tHe OWneR OF SOUtH FLORIDAS HOtteSt StRIp CLUB KInG OF DIAMOnDS, eLLIOtt HAS HeLpeD BRInG ADULt enteRtAInMent MAInStReAM.
Have you always been a club owner? What was your first project as an entrepreneur? Ive always been interested in the entertainment business as a dancer. I had a dance group years ago and we toured around the world to different nightclubs to perform. I put on a few different functions. I got into the adult business almost a decade ago. A friend of mine had a problem with his club because the managers were stealing money. He asked if I would oversee the club and help them out for a month. I didnt want to get into the adult business and my wife didnt want me to get into it, but I did

it to help my friend out. A month turned into six months and that turned into years. I stayed in the business because I love my family and I knew I could run [the clubs] well. King of Diamonds used to be called Crazy Horse, and the owner asked me to help them out because Crazy Horse wasnt doing too well. I currently have King of Diamonds, Angels (14813 W. Dixie Highway), Club Secrets (11340 Biscayne Blvd.), and Playhouse (13045 SW 87th Ave. downtown). Were also looking into doing a chain of hotels with a theme park. What was the building before it was a strip club? Its the size of a Costco or Wal-Mart. Before it was Crazy Horse, it was just a chain warehouse. Crazy Horse did great the first week and after that it just didnt do well, so the owner was sitting on a vacant building. So I came in and built a special team to build this club. You have to have the right group of

14 // OZONE MAG

people with the right chemistry. I lined up some of the best African American guys in this business for an urban adult club. Charles Pop Young and Disco Rick and Manny. Manny is the type of person that has a very upscale professional look in a club. Charles Pop Young has street credibility amongst a lot of people. And Disco Rick is the emcee, the host, to keep the vibe in the club going. And a young lady by the name of Liz joined the team. With that team, we created a vibe and a chemistry that all the artists loved. All the major artists were talking about it in their songs. Three years later King of Diamonds is the biggest urban adult club in the world, in the state of Florida. We created a nice vibe for the celebrities along with the customers. The celebrities can come to a place where theyre not being harassed and asked for autographs, because everybody is a celebrity. Theres been a lot of publicity surrounding King of Diamonds claiming that rappers have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars. How much of that is real and how much of it is exaggeration to hype up the artists and hype up the dancers? Well, I cannot disclose the amount of money the artists spend. But I will say this: there is nothing fake about any of it. Sometimes niggas spend over a million dollars in there, depending on who is there. And yes, the dancers do leave there with thousands of dollars. It can be very lucrative for the dancers themselves. Theres a common perception that a woman would only strip if she didnt have any other options or maybe was abused in the past. Have you found that to be true, or do you think the dancers choose to be in the business because of the financial benefits? It can be all of the above, but mainly its about the financial gain. A lot of the entertainers have their own businesses or support their way through college or support their family. So theres a lot of different things, but I dont think its belittling your character just to be [at a strip club]. They actually love what they do. A lot of them are smart enough to understand that they have a skill they can use, and utilize the money to invest in another business. So when they do retire, they retire into another business. It is very lucrative to be a dancer. You mentioned that your wife was hesitant about getting into the adult business. Do you feel like King of Diamonds has broken the stereotype of the typical strip club and made it more of a professionally-run business? Has your wife changed her opinion? Well, I dont disrespect my wife. Me and my wife have been married for twenty years so we under-

stand each other and understand what levels of respect to uphold. The urban nightlife crowd tends to be fickle. What do you have planned for the future to keep King of Diamonds at the top of the entertainment game? We have a lot of plans, but I probably wont disclose them because the other clubs will be reading the article. But we do change according to the times. We are not a one-set club. When you come in there, Disco Rick creates a good vibe and Liz changes the whole atmosphere and decor. The atmosphere changes all the time. There is a lot we do to keep making the place vibe. Were just trying to create that. A lot of major artists have done events at King of Diamonds. In your mind, what are the top three events youve had so far? Diddy kicked off the first one and opened the door; celebrities started wondering what was going on at King of Diamonds. Jeezy brings a big crowd wherever he goes. Cash MOney, Young Money, YMCMB, they bring a lot to the table. Rick Ross came in on a helicopter. So I know you asked for three, but those four [events] were top notch. Aside from putting together the right team of people, what are some other key components to the success youve had with running a strip club or nightclub business? You have to be straight and direct with your customers. Dont put a celebrity above a regular customer. Your customers and your celebrities should always be treated the same, and always welcome people with open arms. I believe that taking care of your customers is key. Customers are the reason we exist and the reason weve sustained this far. I understand your son Terry Jr. is also involved in the entertainment business also. Yes, my son has an artist that hes developing by the name of Young Duce. My son knows a lot of people he networked with at a lot of clubs because of me, and hes putting his artist through that system. Is there anything else youd like to say? Im actually looking at expanding King of Diamonds to other states. We have imitators out there who tried to call themselves King of Diamonds, but when it is a King of Diamonds of yours, youll know its us. //

OZONE MAG // 15

SLIDE OR DIEs
Words by Julia Beverly Photo by Terrence Tyson

Young Duce &

16 // OZONE MAG

Terry Elliott Jr.

OZONE MAG // 17

MIAMI nAtIVe YOUnG DUCe IS DeteRMIneD tO SLIDe OR DIe. WItH FRIenD & MAnAGeR teRRY eLLIOtt JR. AnD tHe YMCMB FAMILY In HIS CORneR, HeS On tHe RIGHt pAtH.
How would you describe your music? Id say Im kinda different. I have a lot of beatmakers that I work with, and I just add myself as the extra instrument on the beat. So you decided to start your own label, and are working with Terry Elliott Jr.? Me and Terry have been friends for a very long time. We had a car club years back. So when my music started getting real serious, hot in the streets and everybody started to like it, Terry took me on. We already have a bond, so it was more of a comfortable feeling than to be working with somebody I dont even know. So from there, its just about staying focused. Everything is full-time music: music, music, music, thats all I really have right now. So we came out with my label Slide or Die. Slide or Die is actually a marketing company, but we have a music group in the marketing company along with it. Slide or Die means, go all out for everything youve put your mind to. Youre either going to go full throttle with it or dont do it at all. I live by it on everything I do. If Im going to go full throttle with this music, I go overtime, just straight working, you know. Do you feel like strip clubs are the best place to break your records? The clubs are always going to be a good place, you know. I consider the strip clubs to be like a tester. Its a teaser to see if it can pop off fast. I call it a make-it-or-break-it test, you know? When you play it in the club youre going to get the crowd reaction, youre going to get the dancers reaction. If its a hot song, theyll call you for bookings or anything. Youll know [the reaction] within a week. Somebodys going to say something about the song. Before we try to take a song to the radio stations, online, and XM radio, we take it to the strip clubs. Thats just the first level. What are the biggest records youve had? I would have to say Tear The Club Down, Like A Drummer, and Surf Boy Swag. I have a lot of songs down here in the South and in Miami. I just came from Portland, Oregon; Ive been up there playing a couple of songs. They really

like Tear The Club Down. Its really the most played, the most energizing song. And youre involved with Young Money too? Yeah, Im affiliated with them. Were just going through a pre-trial thing. Theyre just watching and keeping me on standby, trying to see how much were really going to do by ourselves. I really dont know the business side because Terry handles that. I just stay focused and stay working. Do you have any big records coming in the near future that you want people to be looking out for? Weve been shooting music videos for all the records, trying to push them out like singles. Its going to be a really good album. Iced Out Human was my first mixtape, and right now Im working on Iced Out Human 2. Im thinking about dropping it around Christmas or maybe New Years. Everybodys waiting for some new, new music. Are you releasing an album independently? If I come across any major labels, well see whats good. It depends on whats more beneficial. But were still working on the Young Money thing. I feel like Im in football right now. Its like when youre in college and about to go to the pros and theyre scouting you. Im just trying to be prepared so there wont be any artist development needed. Im just focused. Slide or Die! Are you doing any events in Orlando during the Florida Classic weekend? Ill be there. OZONE came from Orlando, right? Its only right to do it big, so Ill be there. Youll probably see me at the games on the sidelines, out there vibing with my manager and the whole team, passing out promotions and CDs and everything. Club-wise, you know, we might fall through and Tear The Club Down. Is there anything else you want to plug? Iced Out Human 2, the mixtape. Be on the look out for it. Swisher Gang Clothing coming soon. Rise to Millions DVD coming soon. Reality show coming in 2012. I mean, were working. Were trying to get on every [magazine] cover until they notice what time it is. Just going to stay working. Everybody thats reading this issue, hit me up on Twitter. I like to stay in touch with my fans and get advice. Web: YoungDuceMillions.com Twitter: @YoungDuce305

18 // OZONE MAG

WHILe teRRY eLLIOtt SR. WAS MAnAGInG MIAMI StRIp CLUBS AnD FOUnDInG tHe pOpULAR KInG OF DIAMOnDS, He pASSeD ALOnG tHe FAMILY BUSIneSS tO HIS SOn. FOLLOWInG In HIS FAtHeRS FOOtStepS, teRRY eLLIOtt JR. ALSO MAnAGeS A StRIp CLUB SeCRetS - AnD MAnAGeS YOUnG DUCe OF SLIDe OR DIe MUSIC GROUp.
Your father has been very successful in the nightclub and adult entertainment businesses in South Florida. Has he been a mentor to you? We have a very close relationship and hes been teaching me the ropes ever since I was a kid. I knew how to run a club by the age of sixteen, so I was just following in his footsteps. Currently Im running Club Secrets, on 113th & Biscayne Blvd. I also manage an artist and my artists record label, Young Duce and Slide or Die Music Group. What are some of the things youve learned by running a strip club that you were able to apply to the music industry? Well, a club cant be right without a DJ. Youve got to have a good DJ; a DJ thats known and respected. If you dont have a DJ thats respected or liked, no one will come to your club. Do you feel like strip clubs are still a prime place for artists to break their music? Yeah, because in the strip club you never know who is there. Theres many big name artists that come around and A&Rs from labels like Poe Boy and Cash Money. Theres different record labels that come through every night and actually listen to the music. What are some records youve seen break at strip clubs? Billy Blue When You Hood You Good, Flo Rida, Brisco, Ace Hood. One of my managers was real cool with Ace Hood, so we helped break his record. DJ Khaled, you know, the list goes on. How did you link up with Young Duce? Weve known each other for years. Back in the day we were in the same car club, Swerve Kings. Its now called Street Sliders. We do all kinds of cars; imports, domestic cars, racing cars. We hook them up, from 18 to 30 inch rims.

When did you start managing him? It was funny how it happened because when Duce was doing his thing back in the day, he was out there in the streets hard. Everybody knew Young Duce and looked up to Young Duce. He was real big in Miami and a cool guy. So Ive been seeing him around and been supporting his music also at my clubs. We break artists and hit records at Club Secrets. A couple years ago he asked me to be his manager. Weve also been able to spend a lot of time around Young Money and I look up to Lil Waynes road manager and personal assistant. Him and Duce are real close and hes become like a mentor or older brother to me. Do you plan on releasing an album yourselves or are you looking for a major label to handle the distribution? The next mixtape Iced Out Human 2 is coming out soon. Iced Out Human 1 was crazy; everybody loved it. Hell have another one coming out after Christmas. The album is almost done too, but were letting everyone feed into the buzz before we release it. We want them to be asking for more before we actually let out the big album. Do you have anything specific planned for Florida Classic weekend? Yeah, were going to be around for that weekend. We went out there last year and killed it so were going to be there again. Also, my car club is going to be down there. My car club is supported very well. Its called Street Sliders Car Club and were the number one car club in Miami, FL. //

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died. When he died everyone turned on me. All the diehard Michael Jackson fans hate Ralphige now. Whats your opinion on Dr. Murrays conviction? I think he shouldve just lost his license, not been convicted of anything. But just because of the fact that Michael died in his hands, I think the sentence hes gonna get of 3-4 years is appropriate. But at the same time, Michael Jackson killed himself. And I said this even before the defense brought it up as their defense. He would take that [Propofol] every night, and one night he woke up and he was pissed off because Dr. Murray wasnt there, so he saw the [IV] right there, pushed it in himself, and gave himself too big of a dose. A COMeDIAn In HIS OWn RIGHt, MIAMI pRAnK CALLeR RALpHIGe HAS FOOLeD tHe LIKeS OF FAt JOe, LIL KIM, BIG BOI, YOUnG BUCK, SUGe KnIGHt, AnD CHRIS BROWn - BUt HIS CROWnInG ACHIeVeMent WAS pRAnK CALLInG MICHAeL JACKSOn. How did you get the idea to prank call celebrities? Ive always had the ability to get all these [celebrities] phone numbers and a lot of inside information. I never knew what to do with it. I was really young so all I could do was prank call em. They didnt expect it. How did you have access to those numbers? Ive revealed my source before but people dont believe me. They think its crazy, but the truth is, Im able to dream up these numbers. I just see them pop up everywhere. Can you dream lottery numbers? That might be more profitable. I cannot, no. Ive tried. At first I thought they were lottery numbers so I tried playing them at the lottery but I had no luck. Once I realized they were ten digits like phone numbers, I thought Id go ahead and dial em. Who was the first celebrity that you called? Back in 07 I believe it was Scott Storch. Scott Storch and DJ Khaled were the first two. When you strike one of these rappers egos, they dont let it go. The Michael Jackson call was pretty controversial. Some people didnt believe it was really him, and other people felt like you were wrong for crank calling him. In the beginning everyone loved it. I was the king of crank calls for being able to prank Michael Jackson. Everyone loved it, until he
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Have any of your prank calls gone too far and really caused some serious trouble? Everybodys taken the joke well. I make sure to let them know right after [the prank call] that it was a joke. I contact them immediately afterwards and make sure were cool. Has anyone not wanted their calls released? Yeah, Ive had a lot of people ask me not to release their calls. There are some which Ive released anyway and some which Ive suppressed. One of the biggest prank calls [I never released] was Jay-Z. I prank called him and he didnt want it released. I guess he felt like he had nothing to gain from it. [The call] actually wasnt very controversial at all; it was kind of disrespectful to him and Beyonce though. This was before they were actually dating. Do people know what you look like? Im not undercover, but Ive never been after the fame so Ive never released my face or tried to get any attention. Im not trying to get press at all. I can definitely walk down the street and look bummy in chancletas or sandals and shorts like Jay-Z says and not be recognized. Where are your prank calls available? Theyre available on iTunes and on ralphige. com. You can also check out michaeljacksonprankcall.com. Thats made me a crank call legend. Nobody can ever take that crown from me. I have a lot of crank calls I havent released yet Floyd Mayweather, Paula Abdul, Ellen Degeneres, all A-List celebrities coming soon. Is there anything else youd like to say? Jesus Christ is the greatest. // Twitter: @Ralphige Web: Ralphige.com

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IN TODAYS OVERSATURATED MUSIC ENVIRONMENT, ITS RARE FOR A RAPPER TO gET SIgNED OFF A DEMO WITH NO PROVEN SALES RECORDS OR RADIO SPINS. BUT THATS ExACTLY WHAT HAPPENED FOR SLIP N SLIDE ARTIST BUD. NOW PREPARINg FOR THE RELEASE OF THE FOLLOW-UP TO HIS POPULAR MIxTAPE, Heart of a Hustla 2, HE AIMS TO gIVE THE STREETS OF LIBERTY CITY AND BEYOND WHAT THEYVE BEEN FIENDINg FOR. How did you get started in the rap game? I really stumbled upon it. My friend had a studio and I ended up doing like ten, eleven songs, just freestyling or whatever. We ran into an A&R from Slip N Slide Records in the streets and just gave him one of my CDs. They gave me a call and ever since then Ive been doing my thing. Are you born and raised in Miami? Yeah, born and raised in Miami. Liberty City, to be exact. I went to Liberty City Elementary, Martin Luther King Elementary, you know. My grandma stays in the heart of Liberty City. Is your music similar to what weve come to expect from other Slip n Slide artists? Its hard to categorize it, you know? Its reality music. Its based around current events; things going on in my city. What I know. What I see. The environment I was raised in. Why do you think theres such a disparity between the tourist perspective of Miami and the actual reality of someone who grew up in Miami? South Beach is made for tourism, like any other place thats made for tourism. Theyre going to show you what they want you to see. But in Liberty City Dade County in general on the other side of the bridge, its a whole other world. I guess its the mentality of the people. Liberty City and South Beach have a whole different mentality. What are some of the topics you discuss in your music? I speak on the streets. I speak on jealousy. Jealousy breeds envy. A lot of times its crabs in a barrel. When a person sees that youre trying to do music, they want to pull you back to discredit you or whatever. Thats just how it is. And a lot of the violence stems from jealousy; thats the root of it if you get down to the core

of the problem. What do you have coming out now? I dropped Heart of a Hustla 1.5 and now Im getting ready to release Heart of a Hustla 2. My first mixtape got me a buzz; it got me a lot of shows from here to Georgia back around to the Carolinas. Heart of a Hustla 2 is an amazing mixtape. I really just call it a street album because I dont jack tracks; I do original tracks. Jacking beats is kind of played out to me. I mean, people want to hear new ideas. As soon as you hear a jacked track, okay next song you know? Thats where I see Hip Hop going. People dont really want to hear that; they want to hear beats and lyrics. Thats what I bring to the table: original music. Do you have features from other Slip n Slide artists on your mixtape? Yeah. Mike Bless from Slip N Slide is on there. I have a few other artists also, but I dont really have too many features because I wanted to premiere myself. I worked with artists like Brisco and Piccalo on the first Heart of a Hustla, so I wanted to do me on this one so people could see who I am. What about on the production side? Any big-name producers we should be looking out for? I worked with CP Hollywood, Trackology, Zaytoven, and a few others. Thats all I can think of off the top of my head, but theres some good music on there. Is there anything else you want to add? Bud is the new face of Slip N Slide Streetz. Right now the rap game needs to be ready for me. What Im bringing to the table is crazy. Its going to be a movie. Things are moving faster than a lot of people expected. We keep it moving! twitter: @BudMusicSnS Facebook: Bud, Slip n Slide Streetz Web: Budmusic.net or SlipnSlideRoyalty. com

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Bud
Words by Julia Beverly Photo courtesy Slip N Slide

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Above: Plies @ Club LAX in Orlando, FL (Photo: Terrence Tyson) Below: Yo Gotti @ Plush Nightclub in Jacksonville, FL (Photo: Terrence Tyson)

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01: DJ C-Lo & Rocko @ The Coliseum (Daytona Beach, FL) 02: Swordz, Dead Prez & Friends @ Fat Kat Lounge (Jacksonville, FL) 03: Lil Hen, Lil Duval, & Field Mob @ Fat Kat Lounge (Jacksonville, FL) 04: Heavi Boi, Stix, Dawgman @ The Coliseum (Daytona Beach, FL) 05: DJ Demp, Yo Gotti, & Bigga Rankin @ Plush Nightclub (Jacksonville, FL) 06: Wiz Khalifa, LL Cool J & his wife @ the BET Hip Hop Awards (Atlanta, GA) 07: DJ Koolaid & Yo Gotti @ The Coliseum (Daytona Beach, FL) 08: Tyrese & DJ Drama @ the BET Hip Hop Awards (Atlanta, GA) 09: Fella, DJ Big Tiny @ The Coliseum (Daytona Beach, FL) 10: DJ Rell & Lady @ The OEC (Ocala, FL) 11: Kevin Liles, Big Sean, & Busta Rhymes @ the BET Hip Hop Awards (Atlanta, GA) 12: Kim Osorio & Julia Beverly @ the BET Hip Hop Awards (Atlanta, GA) 13: Jasmine Guy & El Debarge @ the BET Hip Hop Awards (Atlanta, GA) 14: Plies & Disco Jr @ Club LAX (Orlando, FL) 15: LL Cool J & his wife @ the BET Hip Hop Awards (Atlanta, GA) 16: Vee, Julia Beverly, & Too $hort @ the BET Hip Hop Awards (Atlanta, GA) 17: Yo Gotti & Stix @ The Coliseum (Daytona Beach, FL) 18: Travis Porter & PI Bang 19: Busta Rhymes & Young Jeezy @ the BET Hip Hop Awards (Atlanta, GA) All photos by Terrence Tyson

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J Dash
Words by Julia Beverly
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WHILE ATTENDING THE UNIvERSITY OF FLORIDA IN GAINESvILLE, FL, COMpUTER SAvvY JACKSONvILLE NATIvE J DASH pRODUCED THE WOp IN HIS DORM ROOM, A SONG WHICH WOULD GO ON TO GENERATE OvER A MILLION vIEWS ON YOUTUBE AND THOUSANDS OF COpYCAT vIDEOS. NOW THAT HES GAINED A FAN BASE, HE pLANS TO TAKE THEM ON A JOURNEY BEYOND A DANCE GIMMICK. I see the Wop dance is gaining a lot of popularity youve got NFL players doing it in the end zone as their celebration dance. How did you come up with the Wop? The Wop was just a dance me and my friends came up with when we were in college. We used to dance to other peoples music in the clubs, and everybody was like, What is that dance? We didnt actually have a name for it. One of my friends said, We need to make a song for this dance. So I went back to my dorm room in college and made the beat and came up with the name for The Wop. I put the video out on YouTube and came back a few months later and there was a half a million views on the video. I know you wear a lot of different hats, so was it always your intent to be an artist? Or were you more behind the scenes and it was just something that happened? Its always been my intention to be involved in music, but did I know I was going to be an artist? No. Did I know it was going to be The Wop that did it? No. But I love that it happened that way. Im a producer first. Im a musician, a producer, and I dabble in engineering. Im a computer engineer, so I wear a lot of different hats. What are the pros and cons to coming from that background? Most rappers come from more of a street background, as opposed to computer engineering. I dont really identify myself as a rapper. Im a poet and an artist. But there is definitely pros and cons to it, as far as having that street cred. Im a geek, Im a nerd, so I dont have that street background, but I just love music. I think theres a lane for that. When it comes to street credibility, what saves me is that I have a lot of friends that have street credibility. So you dont always have to have that background. Theres a lane for just good, fun music. The Kanyes, the Drakes. Do you think its true that you get more respect coming out of jail than graduating from college? I think that can be true in certain circles. A

lot of people are going to talk behind your back. The haters talk, but when you get in somebodys face, its different. People respect different things. If youre making money, sometimes they will respect you just for that. But I definitely think I have a fan base that enjoys my music no matter where I come from or where my background is. What did you gain from college that has helped you in the music business? I think I just have a wider perspective on business. I was exposed to a lot of things when I was in college, but I dont think it makes me better than anybody else. I always work hard. Ill be in the studio in Miami and drive back in the middle of the night so I can be in class at 9:00 in the morning. I wanted those things so bad. So its really not about a college degree, its all about what youre exposing yourself to and the goals youre setting. Coming out with a dance record like The Wop, are you concerned about getting people to take you seriously as an artist? How do you move past that gimmick? Im not nervous about it at all, only because The Wop was something that was fun for me to do. Artists are so multi-dimensional that you cant try to pigeonhole somebody into one thing. I can make dance records, but thats not normally what I do. As long as you have your fan bases attention and put out good music, it doesnt really matter. But I think the fans are going to appreciate where I take them next. Im excited more than nervous about it. I have a record called Tabloid Truth featuring Captain Carlito, the last member of Menudo. Its such a deep record, its the realest song Ive ever done. Its a spiritual record and Im excited for people to hear that because theres a lot of soul in it. Are you still independent? Im with an indie label called Stereofame. Were doing it independent with no major label support. Its like a partnership; a family. Were just letting The Wop grab some more attention before we look at putting out an album. It just broke in the West Coast and got picked up by twenty Top 40 stations last week. Ive been doing a lot of interviews and shows and just getting out there with the people. I think thats whats most important right now touching the people and letting them see that Im deeper than one dance track. // Twitter: @TheRealJDash Facebook: TheRealJDash Web: TheRealJDash.com

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Young Cash
Words by Julia Beverly Photo by Terrence Tyson
NAppy BOy ARTIsT yOuNg CAsH WAs WINNINg BeFORe DJ KHALeD AND CHARLIe sHeeN. FResH OFF A ONe-yeAR sTINT IN JAIL, CAsH Is BACK HOMe IN DuvAL COuNTy AND AIMs TO geT BACK ON HIs HusTLe. Lets update the OZONe readers on whats been going on with young Cash. youve been gone for about a year, right? Yeah, I was locked up on drug charges from 04. I had already got out of the drug game in 04, 05, and some dudes I was fucking with back then got me caught up. Some Mexicans I had been dealing with back in 04 got knocked off at the end of 2009 and told on everybody they ever dealt with. I used to get weed from these dudes; I aint never even get no muthafuckin coke from these dudes. I was getting coke from a whole other set of Mexicans. They told the Feds that they brought me five keys. I didnt even know they were bringing the keys, so when they showed up, I was like, Nah, Im straight. I didnt want them. [The Feds] said that since I knew they had the keys, Im part of the conspiracy because I didnt notify the authorities. Thats how conspiracy works. It was all some bullshit. A lot of people think they can escape the street life by getting into the rap game and itll never catch up with them. You cannot escape that shit, man. Especially with that bullshit conspiracy [charge] because conspiracy runs so many ways. For example, if I tell you I can get some keys from somebody, and you dont even deal drugs but you tell me, Here, call my homeboy, and me and him hook up and one of us gets fucked up, youre getting charged with the same [charges] as we do. Even if you never saw nothing or touched nothing, thats conspiracy.
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Thats the law. So you cant escape that shit, man. Conspiracy runs forever; theres no time limit. Thats what I thought. I was like, That was back in 2004. And I didnt get charged until 2009, damn near 2010. After six years, I thought the state of limitations [wouldve expired] but that shit doesnt apply. Conspiracy is ongoing, and if they charge you, your ass is going to prison, period. The judge was lenient on my sentence because he said this was the first time anybody came in his courtroom and had stopped [selling drugs] on their own. I had already started my music career and put the drug game to the side, and he said he had never seen somebody quit on their own. Niggas always get caught and then say, Yeah, Ill change my life, you know? So, that played a big part in it. I aint trippin. He gave me 18 months, but really I shouldnt have even got that because I never touched no muthafuckin keys that these people were talkin about. So even if you get out the game, youve still got to worry about all the shit you did in the past. As soon as a bitch gets knocked off, if they want to flip it on you, they can do it. Theres really no escaping the dope game at all. I dont know too many niggas that have survived; theyre all either dead or in prison. Another rapper that used to be a part of your crew is locked up, and theres been a lot of finger pointing - why did you two fall out? I really dont even want to talk about it, but Im going to talk about it because you know us and you know how much I looked out for him. I brought him into the music shit, but I brought him into the street shit too. But he got so caught up that he started feeling himself too much and listening to what all these other niggas in the street were telling him. He started going around telling people that I set him up. How did I set you up when you

got [arrested] before me and you aint even tell nobody on your team that the Feds had picked up your case? We knew he had got knocked off [on a] regular state case, but nobody knew the Feds had picked him up. So he [snitched]. If you snitch in the Feds, youre going to get a 5K or Rule 35 [paperwork] added to your case. None of those two things are on my case - you can look at it and see. But what I failed to realize is that he briefed on me. He gave the Feds information on me. And the whole reason I even revealed that is because he was telling people that I got him knocked off. Everybody knows that aint true because that muthafucker was arrested six months before I was. Anyway, I aint got no Rule 35 on my file, but he does. Thats his business. He did what he thought he had to do; you gotta play the Feds game. When they snatch you up they want to play all these games. I played the role, but Im not finna snitch on nobody to get nobody else locked up. Especially being a rapper - you cant do that shit, they can go look up [your paperwork] anytime. So that whole situation with dude, he did what he did, but I still love him to death. We were raised under the same roof since we were five years old, so Im past that shit already. A lot of people know that youre signed to Tpains label Nappy Boy now, but theres a lot of history there too. How did you first meet? I used to go to Tallahassee back in the day, when [T-Pains group] the Nappy Headz had Robbery out. Then T-Pain went solo, and I heard his Sprung song when I was in Tallahassee. A dude at the radio station told me that T-Pain had done the beat for Sprung and Robbery. I asked him, Whats the nigga selling his beats for? He told me $150. I had a whole gang of money on me because I used to go party in Tallahassee. I met TPain and Jay Lyriq at the studio, and rolled back to his house - this fucking poor ass house on Ridge Road somewhere. He was letting me listen to some beats; he had a little studio in his little room. I couldnt believe he had done all that shit in that little small ass [studio] he had in his room. I asked him, How much you charge for the beats? Hes sizing me up - here I am, a young nigga with a lot of money, pulled up in my Hummer and shit. Of course he was going to up the price. So he told me $500. I was like, Damn, the nigga at the radio station told me fifty bucks! He said, Man, in my city, all these dudes are trying to hate on me. They dont want me to get no money. I felt where he was coming from because I was going through the same shit in my city. Niggas be hating just because youre doing something. So I gave him a thousand dollars a track and I bought three beats for him; I handed him $3,000, which was probably more money

than hed ever had in his life. I told his daddy I was going to take him back to Duval with me to drop a whole gang of beats. Me and my brother Vic gave him another $7,000 for seven more beats when he came back to Duval with me. He started staying with me whenever he came through; hed sleep on my couch in Jacksonville. Around 2005, we both got a deal. He got a deal with Jive because Sprung started poppin everywhere. SRC was seeing me in OZONE and they heard two of my songs and wanted to sign me. Steve Rifkind signed me to SRC/Universal. Pain took off; he had all those records. I was still working on my album; Universal aint really want street music. They wanted more of that Chamillionaire sound, commercial rap. They werent with that gangsta shit at the time. So I was just sitting there on Universal doing my own thing independently, dropping my own records and just getting independent money. I saw Pain in L.A. shooting a video with Akon and he was like Bruh, what the fuck are they doing with you [at Universal]? Pain said he was going to call them and have me signed to his label. Mike Blumstein, who is now my manager, made the call to Steve Rifkind and bought me out of the Universal deal, so I ended up on Nappy Boy. When should we expect your album to drop? I aint really focused on no album. This shit aint even about albums anymore, as you can see. Nobodys selling records like that anyway, so it doesnt really matter. The only thing that matters is hit records. Im going all the way in with this Win Movement I created. You see everybody in the world has copied my shit, but its all good. Charlie Sheen needs to cut me a check. Khaled needs to cut me a check. I let Khaled borrow my swag; as long as he gives it back, its cool. I aint eat off that song [All I Do Is Win], but I started that whole Win Movement right here in Jacksonville. I gave Pain the idea he used for that Khaled hook. Thats how that industry shit goes, so I just charged it to the game. Next thing you know, Charlie Sheen is winning. But its all good. Im getting ready to put out my Win Squad mixtape with my whole team. Were you able to come away from your prison experience with anything positive? I read the Bible cover to cover. You know, Ive always been a man of God, and I feel like thats why God sat me down - so I could do that. Thats something I had always wanted to do - read it from cover to cover. And I got in shape too. // Twitter: @youngCash Facebook: Joey Williams Web: NappyBoyOnline.com

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Charles Reed
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Words by Julia Beverly

ORIGINALLY FROM CLEvELAND, OH, SINGER CHARLES REED MOvED TO FLORIDA TO pURSUE HIS CAREER IN MUSIC. HAvING BUILT BRIDGES WITH SEvERAL KEY MUSIC INDUSTRY EXECS, HE AIMS TO BRING A LITTLE HEART & SOUL BACK TO R&B. How did you end up coming to Miami? I was going to school at Full Sail [in Orlando, FL] and ended up meeting some producers that introduced me to Cedric Hollywood. Ced wanted to start working with me so we just formed a company together, Star Studded Entertainment. We just started working on records and put out Fallen, featuring Ace Hood. Afterwards we started pushing the record Jook Wit Me. At first it was me and then Ballgreezy. The Iconz stepped to me and wanted to get the song poppin. Were you going to Full Sail for audio engineering? Yeah, for Recording Arts. I was more behind the scenes but still trying to do my artist thing. Im steady learning about music, day by day. It seems like your sound is a little different from the typical Miami style. Im definitely different. Im really trying to create my own lane. But sometimes, in order to create your own lane, youve gotta follow a lane and make it better; make it fit your criteria for your music. To me, it just depends on the record. You cant appropach every record with the same amount of soul. You can only approach it with the same amount of hunger. It seems like R&B artists today have to collaborate with a rapper to get radio play, and the records have gotten a lot more explicit. Do you feel like todays R&B is a lot different from the soul music you grew up on? Most definitely, especially with the music that I do. Im an artist who believes that love exists. It still exists. Women still want to be wined and dined. Women still want to feel beautiful. Telling them to pop that ass open doesnt really mean anything. You can make them do that if youre talking sweet to them anyway. Weve lost the meaning of what love is and what we really do this music for. So many people are getting caught up in the idea of just trying to get played in the club. Do you feel like thats just a reflection of society as a whole? Or why do you think R&B music has gone in that direction? I dont know. People dont realize that the music you do today reflects on you tomorrow and in your future also. When you get older, will you still want to be singing that song?

Thats really the situation. If you plan on your career going that far, youve gotta make timeless music. A lot of artists arent realizing that fans are only as strong as we make them. Right now, we dont have a solid artist that everybody is in love with. We really dont. No solid rap artists, no solid R&B artists, nothing like that. When you go to the pop lane, youve still got somebody like Justin Bieber. His fans go hard, and hes singing love songs. Theres a big market out there for love, and Im really trying to tap into that market because thats what I believe in. I know you had caught the attention of a major label at one point. What ended up happening with that situation? We really had an agreement, but it was a lot of miscommunication. We just decided to keep the friendship and maybe we can work together in the future on something else. So as of right now youre independent? Right now, Im going for the fans. Im going for the people. I plan on putting out a mixtape. If I have to put out an album alone, independently, thats what Ill do. And Ill have to pick people to have around me in order to help that situation work. If a major label comes around and the business is right, Im with it. The name of the mixtape is Lovers Lane, and the album will probably be called Charles in Charge. Im pushing it with my independent label, and Cedric Hollywood is definitely involved. Cedric has really been working this radio stuff for me. Hes really like family to me. Hes trying to get me into as many [radio] markets as he can. He used to run 99 Jamz and now hes running three stations in Valdosta, Georgia, and one in Atlanta. Hes steady building me up at radio and Im just constantly working on records. Whats your next single? I got the single Think That I right now. I did a video for it, thats the song Im pushing right now. And in the clubs, weve got the War (In The Bedroom) record popping right now. Im really trying to get all of my music to the people. But with R&B, like you said, a lot of times you have to get a rapper on the song to get played in the club. I guess the DJs go with a format, and sometimes that format messes up the freedom of the music. If we hear the same songs in the club that they play on the radio every day, thats what gets stuck in peoples heads. // Twitter: @CharlesReed Myspace: CharlesReed YouTube: ItsReedWorld

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Ghost Ent.
Words by Julia Beverly Photo by Terrence Tyson
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(top row L-R): Mike Bless, A&R Bernie, Smoovey, & engineer Science (bottom row): Splurge Gang

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(L to R): Troy2Davent, GQ

gHOsT eNTeRTAINMeNTs TROy2DAveNT eXpLAINs WHy He LeFT sLIp N sLIDe DJs, AND WHy HIs NeW DJ CReW THe A&R DJs Is A sTep AHeAD OF THe ResT. Lets start by giving the people some background on you and ghost ent. Who is Troy2Davent? Are you an artist, DJ, manager, or all of the above? My brother is the CEO, GQ. He started the whole movement. Im the CO of Ghost Entertainment, which is our management company. We manage Mike Bless, we just picked him up. You already know his history. He signed with Slip N Slide. Then weve got another upcoming group called Splurge Gang. They have a single right now called 808 with Waka Flocka. you also promote events, right? Yes, Ghost Ent. is also a promotional company. We throw concerts all across the country literally, everywhere. I run the A&R DJs. I used to run Slip N Slide DJs, and about 70% of those DJs followed me to the A&R DJs. Whenever we have a DJ posted in any city or state, we try to go there and throw a show and employ the DJs that are in our union. Well hire the DJs to play and promote. The company makes money off the show, but the DJ that is in our union will also get paid because we booked them to play or promote the concert. What makes the A&R DJs different from some of the other DJ organizations that are out
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there? A&R DJs is not a coalition like the Slip N Slide DJs were, or The CORE DJs, or some of the other organizations. The A&R DJs is just a union where DJs try to employ each other. We still do some of the necessary things like share music and do conference calls, but our main focus is to have our DJs employed. We refer work to each other. Who are some of the most well-known members of the A&R DJs that people might be familiar with? DJ Big Cap, hes on Shade 45 Radio. Hes the president. He was Biggie Smalls DJ, you know, everybody knows Big Cap. Then youve got Boy Wonder. Basically, we recruit a lot of DJs that people like on the radio. They might not be the DJ Khaled or DJ Drama doing songs, but theyre radio DJs. They might be the main in their market because theyre on the radio. What happened with you and the slip N slide DJs? We kinda outgrew each other. I outgrew the label; I outgrew the DJ coalition. I dont want to sound disrespectful like I outgrew them, I just felt like it was time for us to move on. I wanted to go in a different direction. What makes the A&R DJ union different from other coalitions? Well, were different from the other coalitions. You can be in any coalition and join us if youre

about making money. We have some DJs in our union that are also with the Slip N Slide DJs. We have DJs in our union that are in a lot of other coalitions. As long as they represent us and believe in our movement, we refer each other work. Youll see that a lot of the DJs on our roster, we helped them get work in some of those cities. Thats the difference. If an artist comes on our line, they cant come on our line unless they give the DJs drops. Thats a minor thing, but a lot of times, DJs push artists music and the artist wont even do a drop for them. If you come on teh A&R DJ line, trust me, the minimum is that youre going to give all our DJs drops, and theyre going to push you. Theyll basically push you for free because of your music. If theyre going to push you, the least you can do is give them a drop. We only mess with [artists] that are helping the DJs. Its a union, so were fighting and standing up for ourselves. Who are some of the artists that have showed the most love to the DJs? Rick Ross, and Maino really show us love. If you go to our page right now youll hear those cats shouting us out; they show love. If one of the DJs calls Maino, hell do a discount rate on booking. Thats another thing that helps us with prices. He shows a lot of love. 2 Chainz, Big KRIT, all of those cats are showing us love. What should we look out for from Mike Bless? Mike Bless has this song called Im A Star which is going to be a hit. And hes got the single Gone, so thats two hit records. Mike Bless, Im telling you, he is going to be that nigga. The next big artist. The next Trey Songz, Im telling you. Trust me, all he needed was a little backing. It takes money to make money. Were going to help him with product and hookups and the looks he needs, like with OZONE Mag. Is there anything specific youll be doing during the Florida Classic weekend? Were working on some parties for Florida Classic right now, but it hasnt been confirmed. We do have a show coming up in Birmingham at The Palace. Were going to do different types of concerts and events. Were actually going to have that plug every Saturday - The Palace in Birmingham. So were going to be out there doing a lot of work. We do a lot of shows. Right now were setting up shows that our DJs are working on with the manager and club owner. What role does your brother gQ play with ghost entertainment?

Hes the one that came in and helped my situation to the point where I was able to grow and move on from the Slip N Slide situation. He personally came in and helped em fund my whole situation. He believed in my movement and helped me, and in exchange I helped him build his label and his management and promotions company. So, he is the one responsible for Ghost Entertainment, he funds the management company and the concerts. He grabs the artists. Hes been doing concerts for like ten years. He did Super Bowl parties, hes done parties with Rick Ross before. He was promoting and we kinda hooked up and made this Ghost thing happen. Is there anything else you want to add? At the end of the day, I just want DJs to know that Im ana ctivist. I feel like DJs and people should understand this: the reason why I started A&R DJs is because I feel like a DJ is more than a person that spins records. I feel like a DJ is an A&R. If you understand what an A&R means, it means Artist Repertoire/Artist Relations. It doesnt mean that the person just got an artist and a record and a label and puts their name on it as an A&R. An A&R should basically be somebody who handles the artists relations all the way around. Theyre the ones that develop the artists at the label. The way you develop an artist ist hat you take that artist and coach them in the studio, build them, play their music, get their music played, send out email blasts, do posts, do facebook. To tell you the truth, as a DJ, we did all that already. Were just knwon for spinning. So I said the new school A&R DJs should really get the credit for everything they do. We do all of that. For example, with Mike Bless, were taking his music and helping him out on his social networking sites, on his Facebook, basically just reaching out to people like yourself. If we were just DJs spinning in clubs, we wouldnt be reaching out to the Julia Beverlys and the OZONEs and the Sources. So basically were reaching out to people like that. Were sending the email blasts, were sending the Facebook messages, were setting up the Twitter accounts, and I just feel like these are some of the things DJs dont get noticed for. DJs arent getting noticed for the A&R work theyre doing. So thats why I decided to call our union the A&R DJs. Yes, weve got A&R DJs that do spin at nightclubs and talk on the radio, but the new school DJs, in my opinion, should be an A&R DJ because he does both jobs anyway. Web: TheRealghostent.com Web: ANRDJunion.com
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Mike Bless
Words by Julia Beverly
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AKRON, OH RAppER MIKE BLESS TOOK HIS TALENTS TO SOUTH BEACH AND SIGNED WITH SLIp N SLIDE. HERE, HE TALKS ABOUT LINKING Up WITH GHOST ENTERTAINMENT & THE A&R DJ COALITION.
so youre working with Troy2Davent and ghost entertainment on the management side of things now? How did that come about? Yeah, I met Troy2Davent when he was president of the Slip N Slide DJs. He was there since day one. He was there the day they picked me to sign with Slip N Slide, and he just believed from day one. It was genuine. A lot of my first paid shows really came from him and his brother Q, so I built a personal relationship with them. Its kinda like a big brother type relationship. We started putting some more things together. I definitely needed that extra push and we all had the same vision, so we made it happen. What do you think the A&R DJs bring to the table compared to some of the other DJ organizations? The thing about the A&R DJs is that they really try to help DJs get money. Its more than just spinning records; they also handle the business side of things. They help teach them the game and how to make money off it. A lot of coalitions have DJs playing records, but its usually just one person making all the money. The last time we spoke you were in the middle of filming a movie. Can you tell us a little more about that? The movie was filmed in Miami and its called Magic City. Its directed by Malcolm Jones; hes done a lot of music videos for Travis Porter, Flo Rida, Chris Brown, T-Pain, the list goes on. Hes been doing a lot of things on the music side and decided he wanted to take it to the next level and start shooting movies. This was his first movie, so I submitted soundtrack music and ended up building a relationship with him and getting to do a reading [for a character]. I play a character named True; hes one of the lead characters in the movie. So make sure you check out Magic City directed by Malcolm Jones. Music-wise, what do you have coming up? I just dropped by new mixtape, Money Sex & Paraphernalia 1.5. I had dropped Money Sex & Paraphernalia the first time but it didnt really get out there like that, so we decided to touch it up a little bit with a different flavor and put it out there.

Is it all original beats or are you remixing well-known beats? Everythings original. I might borrow some beats for the next mixtape, but this one here is all original tracks. My boy E&G, the Diaz Brothers are on there, The Architects, theres a lot of producers on the record that I fuck with. Its all family. Ive built relationships off twitter and throughout the industry. Theres a lot of producers out of Miami, some from Toronto, you know, its all original beats. Are there a lot of features on this project or are you mainly focused on introducing yourself as an artist? Its primarily focused on me, but Ive got a couple features from Miami, like Iceberg, Papa Duck, and Trina. Its mainly me just being an artist and not just a rapper or a singer. I feel like music is getting back to just music. Do you have any plans to release your debut album through slip N slide? its in the air right now. The main thing were trying to focus on is getting that buzz correct. I want my album to drop when its something that everybody is asking about. Recently, uncle Luke spoke out against some of the Miami transplants because he felt they werent doing enough for the community. Being a Miami transplant yourself, how did you feel about that? I understand where hes coming from. Were in his hometown so hes basically just speaking about how he feels. Do you have any plans to give back to the community of Miami? Oh, definitely. When I first got down here I was a part of the Care For Haiti movement. That was one of the first things I did. I was working with Michelle, a commissioner in Miami, on a lot of things as well. Once I get to the point where Im a major name in the industry Im definitely going to be sending information to a lot of different kids and get them to start spreading the message. Is there anything else you want to say? I gotta give Pensacola, FL, and Akron, OH a shout out, and the whole Gulf Coast and definitely Miami - shout out for having me. Im loving it. // Twitter: @MikeBless Facebook: /MikeBless Web: ANRDJunion.com

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MIAMIs DJ NAsTy NOT TO Be CONFuseD WITH ORLANDOs DJ NAsTy OF NAsTy BeATMAKeRs MADe HIs MARK WHILe ATTeNDINg COLLege IN TALLAHAssee BeFORe BRINgINg HIs DJ sKILLs BACK TO HIs HOMeTOWN. Hes ReCeNTLy LINKeD up WITH FLO RIDAs IMg sTRONg ARM LABeL AND pLANs TO ReLeAse HIs OWN ALBuM. How would you compare Tallahassee and Miami when it comes to DJing? What are the pros and cons of each market? Miami is a way better market but its also oversaturated. Theres too many DJs here. So the oversaturation is horrible, but as far as the opportunity and the chance to make money and progress, this is one of the best markets in the world. since were speaking about oversaturation, what do you think sets you apart from the other DJs? What do you think is your strength? For me personally, I think my strength is just the ability to break a record. A lot of these DJs really dont know what it takes to break a record. I think I have the ability to take a new record and make people feel like its the biggest record ever, even though theyve never heard it before. What are some of the recent records youve broken? Theres a kid out here in Miami that just signed to Flo Ridas label named Whyl Chyl. Hes got a record called Money In The Bank, and the record is nuts out here. Like, in the hood, people go crazy for it. Its really starting to pick up now on South Beach. I think everybody is starting to jump on that particular record.

Who are some of the other artists locally that are making a lot of noise? Iceberg, Ballgreezy, Whyl Chyl, theres so many local artists in Miami that are doing there thing, its hard to name them all. Will you be DJing in Orlando during the Classic weekend? Yeah, Thursday Im doing a karaoke joint at the Doubletree Hotel right off of I-Drive. Then Im at the Roxy with Meek Mill on Friday. Saturday Im at the Roxy again with 2 Chainz and then Sunday Im at LAX with Future. And Im supposed to do a car show soon. Aside from DJing, do you have any other projects youre working on? Im getting ready to start on my album, Get Real. Im going to get in the studio and start fucking around and I should have a single ready by February. My album is basically [a compilation] of me breaking some of the local Miami artists and putting them out there in the major scene. Ive got a team of producers Im dealing with, this dude named Breyan. A lot of people dont know about him but this dude is crazy. Hes done records for Flo Rida, Pleasure P, Trina, the list goes on. This dude is incredible. // Twitter: @DJNasty305 Web: www.imgstrongarm.com

Miamis
Words by Julia Beverly
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DJ Nasty

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