RAW, UNCENSORED WEST COAST RAP SHIT

THE
GAME
AUDIO
PUSRH
WAR EN
G

KAFANI
 editor’s note
I’m Just Sayin’tho by D-Ray
I
t was a wild night cuddy! You missed out! (in my Mac Dre voice) Really, Phil The Agony and so many more. Octavia and MiMi I see you! This was
it was more like three nights. Let’s start with how I ended my hear in another historic Snoop show: he had Warren G, Butch Cassidy, The Game,
2009 with Snoop Dogg. Snoop and his West Coast family DJ Quik, Bad Lucc, Kurupt, Nipsey Hussle, Problem, Pharrell, Hustle Boyz, Soopa Fly,
Nipsey Hussle, and the Hustle Boyz hit the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, and Damani on stage with him. He had a live band who has been rocking
CA, and the name of the tour was When the West Was One. So you know with him a lot lately; crazy! He had one of my favorites, Terrace Martin, on
I had to be in the building, and oooohhweeee, was that a show! DaeOne the sax gettin’ it in doing his thang like always! Travis Barker was going so
thanks for the ride! mainey on the drums. Travis always does a dope show! This show was so
outta here! I love the WEST COAST! This is my home!
Did I mention that I’m a real West Coast kid? Chuck Taylors always on my
feet? This show definitely did not disappoint. The Hustle Boyz and Nipsey My New Years Eve was so low-key and relaxed. I brought 2010 in at the
Hussle had it jumpin’. Then there was a surprise performance by Problem. house reflecting and really hanging with the family enjoying tamales! I
He brought out West Coast legend DJ Quik. If that wasn’t enough, Quik have a lot of things in store for 2010. I’m gonna have my very first photo
brought out 2nd To None. I love that classic West Coast Hip Hop. exhibit on April 10th, 2010 in Northern California. This will be an invite-
only event, so I can keep it close and very personal with my family and
Their performances were dope but the Snoop part of the show was friends. I will also save some limited space for anyone else that appreciates
straight crazy! During Snoop’s set he brought out Butch Cassidy and one my photography (if this is you hit me at dray813@gmail.com).
of my all-time favorite Bay Area legends, Too $hort. “What’s my favorite
word?” He had the crowd going crazy. Then Snoop brought out The Dogg- Something else is brand new for 2010: Husalah is home! Welcome home
pound (Kurupt and Daz), Xzibit, and Lady of Rage. The show was bananas. cuddy! I just went to the Catalyst in Santa Cruz to see Husalah perform for
Snoop shut L.A. down that night! the first time since he’s been home. It was a surprise performance; nobody
in the crowd knew he was there. The Jacka already had the place lit. It was
Snoop shuts L.A. down every time he does an event. In December he shut crazy; one second The Jacka was telling the crowd to put their H’s in the
Hollywood down when he did an event at the Vanguard with Travis Barker. air for HUS and had them all chanting “Free Hus!” The lights were off and
It was a joint Malice N Wonderland release party and Famous Stars & Straps DJ Quest played the Husalah single “Pray For You” while the crowd started
10 Year Anniversary. As we got closer to the venue, traffic was stopped on chanting even louder. Hus was singing the hook backstage and nobody
every street. The police were out pulling cars over everywhere you looked even knew. Then out of nowhere, a spotlight guided HUS to the front of
(the police are always much thicker when it’s a Snoop show, SMH) . the stage and everyone just lost it.

We parked and headed towards the Black Carpet entrance. I know I said The crowd’s reaction was amazing. The performance was crazy; he did
the streets were packed, but not as packed as the black carpet! This was a two separate stage dives. He was straight crowd-surfing. It was bananas! I
100% star-studded event. It was so crazy I just had to get my wiggle on. I definitely got chills from all the excitement in the room. Did I mention that
learned from the best, JT Tha Bigga Figga a.k.a. Wiggler. Vanguard holds all five Mob Figaz were in the house? The Jacka, Rydah J Klyde, FedX, AP9,
close to 3,000 people, and it was filled to the max. No one was moving and Husalah were all in the building.
and I thought I was gonna go bonkers. No moving around that night. I’ve
been there before and have NEVER seen it so packed! I’m surprised the Fire Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of people trying to get in where I get in and
Marshall didn’t shut it down, on some real shit. do what I do. I must make it look easy! It may look fun, but you should take
it seriously (I see your groupie side!). At the end of the day, it’s a hard-ass
I gotta thank everyone who helped me accomplish my mission that night! JOB and I respect it like a job. That’s why I receive the respect I deserve.
S. Chung, you’re the best. Thanks for sharing your space with me. It was There are a lot of folks who carry cameras and try to take pictures they
just too packed to move! I saw a lot of my people in the building: Rick don’t need to be taking (those shots can get you caught up). I’m a hood
Thorne (BMX), Boss Lady, SkinHead Rob, Freeway Rick Ross, Ray J, DJ D- photographer and I follow the street codes. I’m not one to look for a shot
Wrek, DJ Paul (Three 6 Mafia), Kelly Osbourne, Lamar Odom, Krondon, that gets you caught up! I carry passion with my hustle. Being a female I’ve
had my share of doors slammed in my face, but, through my heard in this
game there are just as many doors that have been opened.

I’m playing chess while the rest of you are playing checkers. You can’t be
taught the game, it has to be in your blood to get the trophy. Welcome
home Dubee! Free P.S.D. Tha Drivah and Band Aide of Dem Hoodstarz.
Shout outs to all those locked down who follow my photojournalism!
I’ve tried to accept your email requests and sometimes for some reason it
doesn’t work, but one love!

HUS a.k.a. Tito, I’m glad you’re home. Let’s get it! 80% of success is showing
Lil Chuckee & me in Miami Matt Kemp & me in Los up! Lead, don’t follow (unless you’re on Twitter, lol - @dray_ozonemag).
for his Young Money video Angeles @ Power 106’s Cali
shoot Christmas - D-Ray, OZONE West Editor-At-Large
dray@ozonemag.com

“Rock N Roll” DJ Pizo f/ Muggs Money & Spice 1 DJ PIZO’s

“Get Off” Krizz Kaliko f/ Tech N9ne
““Gangsta Niggas” Ludacris f/ Spice 1 & Mopreme TOP SLAPS
“Glamorous Lifestyle” The Jacka f/ Andre Nickatina “Give Me Luv” E-40 f/ Cataracs
“Baby Come Home” Spice 1 f/ Tony Toni Tone “Why I Hustle” Hot Rod
“So Far to Go” Common f/ D’Angelo “Top Spot” Laroo f/ E-40
“Fuck Me Thru the Phone” Spice 1 f/ Michelob & E-Note “Hi Way” DJ Paul

4 // OZONE WEST
MAG
(above L-R): Beenie Man & Nuch @ Club Vinyl in Denver, CO; Royce Da 5’9 & Crooked I @ House of Blues for the KOD Tour with Tech N9ne in Los Angeles, CA; Kafani & The Jacka @
Boardwalk Orangevale, CA (Photos: D-Ray)

01 // Starbuks & Lil Fats @ the Blueprint for OZONE’s Halloween Bash (Eugene, OR) 02 // Omar Cruz & Jay Rock @ Azusa Celebrity Baseball game (Asuza, CA) 03 // New Boyz &
Richie Abbott @ Crenshaw High (Los Angeles, CA) 04 // FedX, The Jacka, & Dub 20 @ Boardwalk (Orangevale, CA) 05 // Scoot of Dem Hoodstarz, B-Legit, Droop-E, & E-40 on the
set of E-40’s mini movie (San Francisco, CA) 06 // Audio Push & DJ Baby Chino @ UGMX Back 2 School Jerk Off (San Jose, CA) 07 // Keak da Sneak & J Stalin @ Senator Theater
for Giants & Elephants Tour (Chico, CA) 08 // Davey D, Julia Beverly, & Gary Archer (Oakland, CA) 09 // Lee Majors, Guce, & The Jacka @ Boardwalk (Orangevale, CA) 10 // Willie
Joe, Big Rich, Erk Tha Jerk & Freddy Hot Sauce on the set of E-40’s mini movie (San Francisco, CA) 11 // Guest, Guce, Dame Fame, & Keak da Sneak @ Giants & Elephants Tour
(Stockton, CA) 12 // Curbside & Nuch @ Club Vinyl (Denver, CO) 13 // FastLane, Problem, & Bird (Compton, CA) 14 // K-Loc, E-40, & Extreme @ Nump’s listening party (San Jose,
CA) 15 // San Quinn & Killa Kiese @ Giants & Elephants Tour (Stockton, CA) 16 // Too Short & ladies @ O’Neal McKnight’s video shoot (Los Angeles, CA) 17 // A Halloween pimp &
Dame Fame @ Boardwalk (Orangevale, CA) 18 // AngerMan & Keak da Sneak @ Giants & Elephants Tour (Stockton, CA) 19 // Big Rich, Network, Guce, guest, Dame Fame, & guest
@ Boardwalk (Orangevale, CA)

Photo Credits: D-Ray (02,03,04,05,06,07,08,09,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19); Julia Beverly (01)

OZONE WEST // 5
 Originally AN ASPIRING baseball player, the
South Bend, Indiana native moved to Los An-
geles after graduating from Ball State Uni-
versity. Making ends meet as a bartender,
he wound up getting a shot at DJing when
his venue’s in-house DJ quit. Since then he
has evolved into a mixtape DJ responsible
for breaking records like Jeremih “Birthday
Sex” and Jay Rock “All My Life” featuring Lil
Wayne.

Ozone caught up with the recent nominee

for the Justo Mixtape awards’ West Coast DJ
of the Year to talk about his origins in the
music game, and his bright future.
Start off by telling us how you broke into the music industry.
The very first artist I started working with, Hot Dollar, got signed to
Island Def Jam about 4 months after I started working full time with him.
After he got signed that quick, a lot of people started taking me more
seriously. Also, my man Terry “TK” Kennedy, who’s a professional skate-
boarder and rapper helped me garner a lot of attention early on in my
career by co-signing me. I owe a lot to him for all the things he has done
for me. TK is not only very talented, but a great friend and confidant.

We’re sure there are plenty of perks to being a DJ. What are some of the
gifts that stand out to you. Have you taken money?
I think being a DJ is the in-thing lately. Girls love DJ’s. Other than that,
we get to hear all the hot music way before the mass public does. That
in itself is the biggest perk to me. Technically, yes, I’ve taken money. As a
mixtape DJ sometimes we have unsigned artists purchase slots to lower
the costs of pressing up mixtapes. And, a set of rims sticks out as the
best gift.

It’s been said that blogs are the new DJ. What are the positives of blogs
posting music before DJs get it?
The positive is that artists’ songs can go from the studio to millions of
people in just hours, which is an amazing marketing tool. Plus careers
can be started through the internet - Soulja Boy, Kid Cudi, or Asher Roth,
for example. The negative is there is so much garbage to filter through
to find the good music because anyone with a computer and internet
access is a rapper nowadays, even if they have zero talent.

We hear a lot of DJs complain about promoters. How do you deal with
shady promoters?
I insist on being paid upfront. A lot of them are funny with the money
so I try to make myself a hot enough commodity that they are willing
to pay me upfront. That’s the best way to avoid being played in this
industry.

Did the recession affect DJs too?

What recession? (laughs) Nah, it affects us all at least a little bit, but it
forces you to separate yourself from the competition by outworking
them and by making smarter, more calculated moves so that your brand
continues to stand out.

Who are the best artists to work with and why?

Any artist that is willing to bust his or her ass and that consistently stays
in the studio recording new material fits this category. Jay Rock, Ya Boy
and Tyga are perfect examples. It’s easy to flood the internet and the
streets with their material because they’re always working on new shit.

And the worst?

There’s a lot of artists that I work with that are dope to me and I will do
“Your Wifey’s Favorite DJ” may be a cocky a lot of work for them because I believe in their talent. But they always
nickname, but DJ Ill Will is living up to it. want me to do all their lil’ homies and friends projects “off the strength”
which annoys me because I prefer to only work with artists that are dope
Dropping over 60 mixtapes, most notably to me or at the very least have a strong movement. Not because they
ones with female favorites like Drake, know someone who knows me already. Also, the artists that are in it for
Trey Songz and Tyga, Will is definitely the fame and the women and not the actual music; those artists are the
carving a niche out for himself in the worst. //
HEAVILY-POPULATED DJ game.
As told to Ms. Rivercity

6 // OZONE WEST
(above L-R): Pooh & Eva Pigford @ Tatou in Los Angeles, CA; Jay Rock & DJ Eque @ Styles P’s afterparty in Los Angeles, CA; Andre Nickatina & Julia Beverly @ The Blueprint for
OZONE’s Halloween Bash in Eugene, OR (Photos: D-Ray)

01 // Lil Fats, Illaj, & guest @ the Blueprint for OZONE’s Halloween Bash (Eugene, OR) 02 // Rusty with the Strange Music merchandise stand @ House of Blues for the KOD Tour
with Tech N9ne (Los Angeles, CA) 03 // Big Dan, Kilo, J Diggs, Rich The Factor @ Fat City Clothing Store (Vallejo, CA) 04 // The Jacka, Gary Archer, Big Rich, & Julia Beverly @
Boardwalk (Orangevale, CA) 05 // T Woods & Shad Gee @ Senator Theater for Giants & Elephants Tour (Chico, CA) 06 // Nick Ngo & Kafani @ the DUB Car Show (San Jose, CA)
07 // J Valentine & JayRock @ Mason Studio (Hollywood, CA) 08 // Guce, San Quinn, & T Woods @ Giants & Elephants Tour (Stockton, CA) 09 // Scoot of Dem HoodStarz & his
daughter on the set of Kafani’s “Get That Dough” video shoot (San Francisco, CA) 10 // Starbuks & Bishop @ the Blueprint for OZONE’s Halloween Bash (Eugene, OR) 11 // Bad
Lucc, Meezy Montana, Big Dant, Warren G, Kilo, & Quez @ Arcata Community Center (Arcata, CA) 12 // Trajik, Sluggz, & Marvelous Mac @ The Blueprint for OZONE’s Halloween
Bash (Eugene, OR) 13 // YG & K-Boy @ Tatou (Los Angeles, CA) 14 // D-Lo & Audio Push @ UGMX Back 2 School Jerk Off (San Jose, CA) 15 // Keak da Sneak & ladies @ Giants &
Elephants Tour (Stockton, CA) 16 // Haji Springer & Kuzzo Fly @ Rockit for Yukmouth’s album release party (San Francisco, CA) 17 // Dame Fame & Tito Bell @ Senator Theater for
Giants & Elephants Tour (Chico, CA) 18 // Big Rich & guest @ Club Illusions for Big Rich’s birthday party (Palo Alto, CA) 19 // KL, Vanessa, & Starbuks @ the Blueprint for OZONE’s
Halloween Bash (Eugene, OR)

Photo Credits: D-Ray (02,03,04,05,06,07,08,09,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18); Julia Beverly (01,10,19)

OZONE WEST // 7
 Patiently
Waiting

S
hawn Chrystopher’s tale is far from the
typical rap story. While many rappers
glorify stories of crime, Chrystopher’s
chronicle is the exact opposite. “I was always the music so much,” he remembers. “I had to make a
kid on the honor roll, so when I told people I was decision.” Management, who linked the artist with Lifted
rapping, they’d be like, ‘What?!?’ I could never go Research Group. And in 2008, he released his
to the hood niggas and get beats,” laughs the Needless to say, Chrystopher choose rhyme LRG presented debut mixtape, I Wear Glasses. His
rookie rapper/producer. books over textbooks. He spent the next two follow-up mixtape I Wear Glasses 2: I Told You So!
years crafting his sound and studying the suc- came in May of 2009 and gained appreciation
Chrystopher was raised by a single mother in cess of artists he admired. from blogs and admiration from fans.
Inglewood, California. His love for music began
when his mom placed him in an afterschool pro- “I sat back and watched who got hot,” he begins Still unsigned, Chrystopher released his debut
gram where he learned to play the drums. From to explain. “I studied [rap] like I did my school album, A City With No Seasons, through iTunes
there, Chrystopher’s passion for music only grew. work and tried to figure out where I could fit in November of 2009. And as he ponders the
He added the piano, trumpet, and saxophone to in. I went to school in 2004, and that’s when 50 possibilities of signing with a major, Shawn
his repertoire and joined the school band. Influ- [Cent] was hot. I’m like the exact opposite of 50. Chrystopher is confident in a future filled with
enced by groups like Kris Kross and Bone Thugs So, I had to sit back and wait for music to change. continued success.
N Harmony, he also began rapping. And once it started to shift, you started seeing
everybody going the Lupe [Fiasco], Pharrell way; “2009 was a great year for me, but 2010 and
He graduated from high school in 2003 at the people on TV started to look like me. And I’m beyond is about to be something ridiculous,”
age of 16, earning a full scholarship to the like, ‘Okay, now I’m ready.” he boasts. “And I know everybody says that, but
University of Southern California. And on the I really have a great feeling of what’s about to
music side, he taught himself how to produce, He began leaking music on the internet and was happen because of what has already happened.
mix and master his own music. He soon found soon contacted by Elitaste, Inc., (the manage- This won’t be the last time you hear from me.”
that being a full-time student and an aspiring rap ment team that reps Interscope artist Wale), who
artist were tough acts to juggle. “My schoolwork expressed interest in the Inglewood rapper/ Words by Randy Roper
became mediocre because I was focusing on producer. Chrystopher signed with Elitaste Photos by Brian Tampol

8 // OZONE WEST
 Patiently
Waiting
C
alifornia has had its share of dance move-
ments over the last few years. First, there
was Krump in Los Angeles. Shortly after that,
Hyphy exploded out of the Bay Area. Now, a new Hip
Hop dance frenzy has emerged out of L.A. called the
Jerk. At the forefront of this new movement is Audio
Push, a rap duo consisting of 20-year-old Oktane and
19-year-old Pricetag.

“The Jerk’s been out forever,” says Pricetag, of the

origins of Audio Push’s breakthrough single “Teach
Me How To Jerk.” “It was a dance that gangbangers
did. They thought they were too cool to do any other
dance, but they never did it as energetic as everyone
does now. The teenage and party crowd saw it, took it,
and turned it into a big movement.”

Oktane and Pricetag were raised in Inland Empire, just

east of L.A., where they met in middle school. Their
mutual love for Hip Hop led to them joining forces
in Krump battles and rap cyphers. They went on to
record “Teach Me How To Jerk,” an ode to the area’s
burgeoning Hip Hop movement. As the Jerk move-
ment started to grow, so did the song, which caught
the attention of production duo Kadis and Sean. They
soon signed Audio Push to their production company,
RozMusic Entertainment.

Under Kadis and Sean, Audio Push remixed “Teach Me

How To Jerk.” The song landed on local radio, and nu-
merous major labels began offering deals. In the end,
the Jerk duo inked a deal with Interscope Records,
through RozMusic.

Audio Push wasn’t the first Cali rap group to break

their Jerk record on a national level; before them
came Asylum’s New Boyz, whose single “You’re a Jerk”
topped charts months before “Teach Me How To Jerk”
broke nationwide. Still, Oktane and Pricetag insist they
came out with their Jerk song first. “A lot of people
that did their research on Jerk [music] know that we
came out with [our] jerking song first,” Oktane says.
“But what separates us from [the New Boyz] is we
really rap. A lot of people put the New Boyz and this
whole Jerking thing in a box. We’re not in that box.”

Audio Push insists that they want to be respected as

bonafide emcees, and in the process, lead a new gen-
eration of rappers into Hip Hop’s limelight. The duo
hopes their latest mixtape, Soundcheck, and debut
album in 2010 will prove their skills. “[Soundcheck]
shows that we really make good music. We really spit,”
Pricetag says, continuing, “This is a new generation.
The style has changed, the music has changed, every-
thing has changed.”

“A lot of people think this new generation is a group

of little dancing kids that wanna Jerk for a couple
months, and then we’re just gonna fade out,” Oktane
adds. “But we actually have something to say.”

Words by Randy Roper

Photo by Meeno

OZONE WEST // 9
 GETTING
G RO W
Warren G GN
oes InDEPENDEN
T
Words by
Photo by DM-Raurice G. Garland
ay

10 // OZONE WEST
 Why do you think that is?
As the West Coast continues tRYING TO It’s the industry. You got a lot of people here that’s heads of the
find a new identity that isn’t somehow company who ain’t from here and don’t understand what we do.
connected to the extended N.W.A family I was told by a person that my record was too West Coast. How
the fuck am I too West Coast? I do me. I make Warren G songs for
tree, Warren G finds himself trying to everybody. So when you got people thinking like that, of course
slide back in. Although he’s been active, you ain’t gonna get no talent out here. These people can’t speak
a lot of people aren’t aware OF HIS NEW for the fans, and the fans actually want that. They want that old
PROJECTS. With The G Files (his second West Coast sound because the shit that’s coming out these days
independent album since 2005) out right sounds like some electro shit. We need this real shit back crack-
ing.
now, Warren IS FACED WITH SEVERAL CHOICES:
rapper or producer, independent or How can we get music from everywhere heard everywhere
major. But if there’s one thing that isn’t though?
up for debate, iT’s his loyalty to the west A lot of it has to do with the DJs. The music was controlled by
radio and DJs, so we have to start supporting. People are getting
coast and good music. Ozone caught paid for playing records. We should get back to the love and the
up with Warren to get his thoughtS on paycheck is gonna come. Radio and DJs have to understand,
the new direction he’s taking his career, when you don’t play the records, we don’t get paid. This is how
the state of West Coast Hip Hop, and why we survive and send [our] kids to college. This is our job. So when
people forget that he helped save Def Jam you tell an artist you can’t play their record, you’re crushing their
whole world. People need to get back to doing it for the love. I
in the 90s. get major love in Atlanta and New York, but when I come back
home to L.A., we’ve only got West Coast Wednesday. How come
Let us know what you’re up to nowadays. the West Coast only gets Wednesdays in L.A.? When I went to
I have an independent album called The G Files out right now. I’m NYC to let people know I was in town they wouldn’t let me get
just testing the independent game, seeing how it is, and how I on the radio station to tell people. And I’m a guy that brought
can work in it. It’s got a lot of great people on there like Snoop, you tons of music. I’ve done a lot for Def Jam and New York,
Travis Barker, Nate Dogg, and Raekwon. I’ve got a bunch of new working with Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles.
artist on the bubble too, so I’m just working on that. Other than When Def Jam was down, I saved the day. There should always
that I’m doing my production, getting my beats stacked up so I be love there. They should never tell me I can’t get on [the radio].
can press play on the industry and get people back into Warren And the Program Director was from California, that’s what made
G the producer as well as the artist. it even crazier.
Are you doing that to clear up the perception of you? Some Now that I’m independent, I see what the process is. A lot of the
people looked at you as producer first and rapper second. people I helped get into positions with major companies are like,
I did it all from the gate. As far as people thinking I’m more of “Fuck you Warren, thank you, we cool. I don’t owe you nothing.”
a rapper than producer, I’m cool with it. I’m happy with people And that’s fucked up. I’ve busted my ass, told companies that if
looking at me like that. But I’m a multiple artist, so I produce, rap you fire so-and-so, you might as well drop me. That’s fucked up.
and write. That’s just what happened when I started doing my That’s why I’m not mad at dudes like Suge loc’ing up on these
thing. I’m trying to re-establish myself as a producer right now, industry people.
that’s my main focus. That’s what the industry has wanted from
me. I never stopped though. I’ve been in the studio grinding out Despite your affiliations, we’ve never heard you do a lot of
beats for people to pick up. banging on wax like some of your peers. Why is that?
I’ve got kids, so I can’t be on record talking about I’m cripping.
What direction are you going with your production? I don’t want my kids saying I was a gangbanger. I want them
Everything I do is G-Funk. I’m just into producing great music. I saying, “My dad has been around the world and made great
try to make singles. I just do good music. Music that’s hood, but records.” I’m grown and sexy now. I still appeal to people, I ain’t
still appeals to the world. I want the world to love the sound. I try old and shabby-faced. I ain’t in my 40s yet, but the ladies still like
to make hit records, constantly. me. I just can’t do the gangbang thing on my music. I’ve got two
daughters and three boys.
What made you want to go the independent route?
Because a lot of guys I know that are independent were like, We know you’ve been doing a lot for the community lately. Do
“The independent’s get all the money.” You get what you work they still have Warren G Week in Long Beach?
for. With a major, you get 35 cents [per record]. Independent you I was just named as the face for all the Boys & Girls Clubs in Long
can get $5 to $8 a record. I was trying it out. It’s cool, but you Beach. I got a certificate from the district for the good I’ve done.
have to surround yourself with the right people to push yourself That was big for me. They still have Warren G Week in the sum-
independently. I’m thinking if I do another record, I might do mer, but in the winter I go to the homeless shelters and pass out
it on a major so people know it’s out there. Independently I’ve stuff to the homeless. They’re good people, they just get in bad
done all the promo I can do, but the world doesn’t know it’s positions when nobody wants to hire them.
there. I’m getting back into my production. I like scoring and
music supervision. How is Nate Dogg doing these days?
I’m going to see him this week. He’s in therapy. We’re trying
I did the music for this TV show on BET called Harlem Heights. to get him back up. He had two strokes; a lot of people don’t
That was my tester, and they loved it. As far as film, most of the survive from that. We’re keeping him in our prayers and trying
records you’ve heard from me were made for movies I had in to get him back right, and that’s all we can do. It hurts because
mind. So beyond that, I’m trying to get into sounds. If they need that’s my dawg. I do a dedication to him every time I perform
a fart, I’m trying to put the fart in. I’m a DJ, so I know how to to let my good vibes and prayers get out to the Lord for him to
place and blend things so they sound right. get better. But it’s a part of life we have to deal with. So I have to
keep myself up and healthy.
How do you feel about the current soundscape of West Coast
music? Lastly, since Dr. Dre is your brother, are you privy to any Detox
We ain’t really got nobody besides Snoop out right now. It ain’t information?
really nothing out from the West right now. I can’t really speak The stuff I’ve heard was dope. When he drops it, he’s gonna
on it. I couldn’t tell you right now. But I do know when Dre drops change the game as far as the music. I couldn’t tell you how far
Detox it’s gonna open up the new talent. It’s just hard to make along he is or if it’s finished. I really don’t know what he’s doing
the West like it was before because we don’t have any outlets. right this minute, but I know he’s gonna put the record out. I do
Snoop is the head of Priority Records now, so we’ll see how that know it’s coming out this year. //
goes. I’m trying to get a position too, so I can let this West Coast
talent be heard.

OZONE WEST // 11
 THE GAME HAS NEVER BEEN ONE TO HOLD HIS TONGUE,
AND THIS OZONE EXCLUSIVE IS NO EXCEPTION.

Words by Tone Swep

12 // OZONE WEST
 ment. Wasn’t no convincing the nigga otherwise. But I love that nigga, man.
Gangsta rap is dead! At least that’s what Hip
Carol Edith Zeigler.
Hop’s reclusive legion of Facebook bangers, Aw, man. You spinning me around the room right now. That’s my grand-
Twitter hipsters and blog’d out skinny jean mother. That woman right there was a special woman. That’s my Lena
b-boys would have us believe. Horne. My Oprah Winfrey. My Angela Bassett. She is another person that I
lost way too soon. My grandmother is the person who called me Game. I
wish she’d lived to see where I made it to, not necessarily all the negative
And, on some level, they do have a valid shit I had to do to reach this point, but the pinnacle I’m at now.
argument. With the global economy tilted like
your local pool hall’s pinball machine and Lastly, I have to ask you about that little dude that was crawling around
Cali penitentiaries hella crowded like public The Documentary photo shoot in chucks and a diaper. Harlem Caron.
housing, things just ain’t the same for gangstas. (laughs)… Harlem is good. That dude is Tiger Woods, man. He don’t know
nothing about no hood. He doesn’t even know that I’m a rapper. He just has
Consequently, it’s back to bangin’ for way too fun at school. Plays soccer, baseball, little league stuff. Plays with his toys.
real estate and slangin’ rocks for rims in a dope Harlem is all innocent and I’m grateful that I’m able to provide that for him.
spot nowhere near you. But my two year old, Justice, that dude knows my songs and shit (laughs).
He knows all my business. He’s like,”‘You goin’ to tha dudio?” (laughs)
Knowing his golden state is a little bang’d up, THE You’ve obviously enjoyed tremendous success without 50. And, in turn,
GAME g-rides through rap’s OZONE layer leaking he has done well without you. But deep down, real talk, is there any part
crimson R.E.D. comments. Chilled out in a so-Cal of that creative business relationship you miss? Any regrets?
burger joint, we rapped about why he’s so much I made some of the biggest songs of my career with that dude. And it’s not
smarter at 30, why he and 50 never should have about he wrote this or I wrote that, but it was just the collaborative effort.
No different from Swizz working with Cass or Jay working with Beans or
dismantled the “Black Beatles,” and why his R.E.D. Puff working with Bigg. I miss us being the Voltron of Hip Hop. Em, D12,
Album is his most street of all. Get The Game str8 Dre, Nate, me. All of that power and creative energy and good music.
from Chuck Taylor’s bloody mouth.
I bet Iovine misses it too.
They say gangsta gap is dead, G! Is that true? To this day, every time I see Jimmy he says, ‘Why’d you guys have to go and
That’s obviously somebody’s opinion. It ain’t mine. But I will say that what break up the Black Beatles?” And, honestly man, that relationship didn’t
niggas consider “gangsta” is changing. Like, the hardest niggas I’d ever seen have to spoil. But I’m principled. Things weren’t headed in a direction I was
in the hood are wearing suits now. Dressing it up. Being more professional comfortable with and you know me. I’m not one to hold my tongue. I’ma
about themselves and aiming more at money than each other. Niggas in tell a muthafucker when shit ain’t right.
the hood are taking better care of their families and shit now, at least more
than before. But as far as gangsta rap, as long as I got Eazy Duz It and Dog- Back in the studio with the good Doctor. He and Pharrell are executive
gystyle spinnin’ in my changer, gangsta rap will never die. producers on this album. How’d that reunion happen?
I wouldn’t say it’s a reunion. It’s more… (pauses)… Dre was kicking it with
Is society safer now that these youngsters are tryin’ to be Drake and Wale Snoop one day and called me to ask if I wanted to come in and work. We
instead of Game and Snoop? Especially on the West Coast? should all be happy Dr. Dre ain’t God, because the world never would
I’m loving the West Coast right now. Most niggas out here are on chill and, have been created in seven days. It would have taken three years like my
like I said, focused more on money than mayhem. Don’t get it twisted album… but yeah, they called me and asked if I wanted to work. One thing
though. You can still turn the wrong corner and get your melon split, but led to another and we’ve been working on my album ever since.
everyone is on that cool shit. I call it the “Drake Era,” and you can print that
in bold. I fuck with Drake because he is leading this sort of cool movement There is so much energy in your sessions right now. Skateboard P and
that is contagious right now in Hip Hop. I wish ‘Pac had lived to see Cali on Dre, Snoop. And to think that you were threatening us all with your
cool like this. retirement after L.A.X. went platinum. What changed?
I ain’t going nowhere. What happened is Hip Hop changed. And I told
When you arrived in Hip Hop, around ’02, you were grinding to get you people that it would on my last album. You can hear how everybody is just
and the homies out of the hood. You were driven to build Black Wall having a good time. Gucci Mane, Soulja Boy, Wayne. These cats are just hav-
Street. You’re rich now and established. What’s the motivation today? ing a good time and that is where Hip Hop needs to be.
Two boys, my sons. One is six years old and the other is two. Harlem and
Justice, man. You could put me on the Lakers and I’d score more than Kobe I would be remiss if I didn’t talk to you about Compton. Everything from
with how I’m feeling right now. public education to public transportation to teen pregnancy rates,
murder rates, violent crimes, gang-related crimes, are through the roof.
I can tell, man. I hear it. I see it. The enthusiasm. The energy. I haven’t What’s it going to take for shit to change in the CPT?
seen you this amped since The Documentary sessions. 50 years of dedication to changing things. See, Compton is rotten to the
My sons advance my thinking. Fatherhood has forced me to think ahead core. Like you said, all the way down to the kindergarten level. By junior
and be smarter about things. I’m even more motivated to take shit over. high you already know that you don’t really have a good shot at making it
out. I don’t know what else I can do that I haven’t already done. We did a lot
We’ve followed your career from the gate. And in doing so we’ve been for the hood with Black Wall Street but shit hasn’t really improved except
exposed to different people in your life. I’m going to ask you about a few for a few people we helped directly.
of those people and see where you are, today, with those people. Let’s
start with George Ausborne Taylor, Jr. Do you think President Obama is going to cop the R.E.D. Album?
Man… (pause)… Right now, man… (longer pause)… I ain’t seen that dude I don’t know about cop it, but he’ll definitely have a couple songs in his
in a minute. That’s my pops. I’ve always had real mixed feeling about that iTunes workout (laughs). Because if he cops the entire album and listens to
dude. I haven’t really fucked with him in a minute because of different shit it his war strategy is gonna change. He’s gonna take all the soldiers out of
that’s going on in the family that I don’t really wanna talk about right now, Iraq and send the prisoners over there instead.
but I recorded a song about it for the R.E.D. Album. You listen to that joint
and it’s gonna bring tears to everybody eyes. What’s the biggest difference between Chuck Taylor at 20 and Chuck
Taylor now, at 30?
Billboard. I was a dumb, dangerous muthafucker ten years ago. Walking around with
That’s my Beanie Sigel if I’m Jay-Z, not the [recent] beef but the unstop- loaded weapons and no brain. I understand life more now. I know how
pable Roc empire days. If I’m Jadakiss that’s my Styles P. That’s my nigga things are going to end. Not when, but I know how. When is up to God’s
for life, best friend ever. But you think I’m hardheaded (laughs)! That nigga will. Only he knows that.
wouldn’t listen to nobody. I’d be like, “Let’s not go out tonight. Let’s stay in
and record.” And he’d be like “Nah, I’m riding. Serving this nigga. That nigga.” Safe to say you’re a lot richer now too, huh?
But to be honest, and that is my nigga for life when I say this, I think the Yeah, that too (laughs). //
way Billboard went out, being murdered in the streets of L.A., is how that
nigga wanted to go out. He’d already accepted that as his will and testa-

OZONE WEST // 13
 KAFANI
A MILLION HUSTLE
S
BEVERLY
Words by JULIAOR TRAYNOR
PHOTO BY TREV

You’ve got a couple videos circulating now on the internet and MTV Jams. Is the You gotta have the females, they the ones that come out and party and dance.
video with Dorrough the main one you’re pushing right now? Or is the Bobby
Valentino song the newest? A lot of artists claim, “I’m not a rapper, I’m a hustler.” Which are you?
The one with Dorrough is the newest video I’m pushin’. It just got added to MTV Honestly, I’m a hustler. I got in the game dealing with other artists. I’ve always
Jams and hopefully to BET soon. This is my third or fourth video on MTV Jams. been a hustler no matter what I do. It’s a grind. I be makin’ music for fun, but at the
I still work with a lot of Bay Area artists but single-wise, I’ve been working with same time, by me being a good hustler, I’m able to network, make connections,
southern artists because I’m trying to get that nationwide look. My records are and get it out there.
getting a better, different look with Southern artists. I’m basically trying to take my
sound beyond the Bay Area. I think the whole hyphy sound has kinda died down. When you say you got in the game working with other artists, you mean you
I think artists are doing them right now and creating their own sound. When you were putting money behind them and it didn’t work out?
had the hyphy movement it seemed like everybody was doing the same thing, Nah, it wasn’t necessarily that. My family members who were aspiring to be artists,
but now everybody is developing their own lane. The Bay Area sound has always I started off working with them in the beginning and going off they vibe. Then I
been universal. took it to a whole other level really. When I was first getting studio equipment, I
was just experimenting, but they was really taking it seriously. But then I was like,
When you hunt around for beats or you’re looking for hooks, what kind of damn I can do it too. It seemed like every year I was taking it to a whole other level
sound are you looking for? Or what attracts you to a particular record? in the game. My game would elevate.
Single-wise, generally speaking, you wanna go towards the females. On “Need Ya
Body” that’s why I hit up Bobby V and got him on the hook. That’s where the indus- I know you put the album out through Koch/E1. Did that situation work out
try is going right now – R&B/Hip Hop. That’s the direction I’m going in right now. well for you? Are you looking to go another route?
The new record with Gucci and Dorrough is like a street record. My main focus is The last project went aight. I mean, I had the “Fast (Like a NASCAR)” song and
the R&B/Hip Hop direction. I think the majority of the fan base is females, from it was a big thing about it being marketing for NASCAR. We had a remix with
what I see at my shows. Generally speaking, for a lot of artists, females re the big- Bubba Sparxxx and DJ Unk and there was a big situation about it. I feel like my
gest fans in the game anyway. Once you got the ladies, it’ll crack. When these cats whole album [release] was based around Nascar getting it hot and blowing it up
be throwing parties and they whole fan base is dudes, it don’t be crackin’ like that. to their fans, and then at the last minute it kinda fell through. The day my album

14 // OZONE WEST
was supposed to drop, instead of me having record release parties and autograph I try to make music I think people wanna hear that’ll take ‘em away from what
signings in the Bay Area, they set me up to go do the video in Greensboro, NC at they’re going through. As we know, it’s a recession and a lot of people ain’t doing
the NASCAR stadium. The day before, NASCAR cancelled it. I don’t even know why. too good. Why would you want to hear about that? Maybe you wanna hear some-
It seemed like after that they never really worked a second single for me. thing positive, that you can make it out the hood and become something else.

Did you record that song with the intention of getting NASCAR involved? If you look at Hip Hop, you’ve got artists wearing skinny jeans now, and trends
Nah, that happened after the fact. I think that was more of the label’s idea. that are constantly coming and going. Do you think it’s ever gonna get to a
Everybody was saying I could get NASCAR behind and it’d be big. When I was point where the ice and jewelry and all that is played out? Kinda like grills?
having meetings with the label we were talking about making that happen, but I think it’s gonna play itself out. To me, once you get famous and you got money,
it ended up falling through. It was some type of politics, I don’t know exactly why. you don’t really need to show it. In the beginning, when you coming up, you may
You know how it is, they throw everything against the wall and if it sticks, it sticks. I go crazy with the jewelry ‘cause you wanna be seen. It’s a statement. But once
guess that didn’t really come through all the way. But as far as me getting national you make that statement and everybody knows you got it, ain’t no need to show
attention, it was a good look ‘cause I was able to release a national album. it no more. If you look at bigger name artists, they don’t even really have to wear
jewelry no more. You know who they are when you see ‘em. A lot of up-and-com-
Next time around, are you gonna take things into your own hands a little more? ing artists probably wear jewelry just to show that they’re somebody. Eventually,
I know now you gotta make sure everything’s situated before you drop an album. jewelry is getting so crazy with designs, and as technology grows they startin’ to
Just ‘cause you have a label putting you out, you still gotta do the same footwork go crazy with it, so eventually it’ll come to an end. Nothing lasts forever so I don’t
you did to get there. You can’t depend on the label to do anything for you. You think it’ll stay in Hip Hop forever.
gotta still do everything on your own. The label is only gonna go so far. They’ll only
go off the hype for so long; after that, you’re on your own. How do you view the West Coast movement right now? There are a lot of up-
and-coming artists from California. Do you see a whole wave of artists ready to
It seems like a lot of Bay artists would rather put out a project themselves than take over, or do you view yourself more solo?
sign with any label. Do you share that mentality? Or are you looking for more of The West Coast needs to come together. I think that’s the reason why the west
a major label situation? coast isn’t what it was before. I feel like a lot of the veterans artists ain’t put on the
At the end of the day, I can do a lot of the stuff that the major labels can do. I’ve newer artists. It’s a lot of stuff in the west coast. Me personally, in the Bay, we’re
developed the contacts for people behind the scenes that run a lot of the industry. tryin’ to come together. We startin’ to do a lot of stuff together, put tours together,
The only difference in having a label deal is having that name and money behind and different things – tryin’ to make something from nothing. On a national level,
you. If you got the connections and the money you can do it yourself. The differ- I’m just tryin’ to get my name out there and take it beyond the region. You got a
ence in being independent and being with a label is them putting that money up lot of cats just tryin’ to break the region and I already did that, so now I’m trying
and having a stamp on it. It’s really about how much money you’re gonna spend to take it further. Whatever artists that are trying to do the same thing, get on the
marketing yourself. boat with me and let’s do it.

You mentioned that off the ads and some of the previous stuff you’ve done A lot of West Coast artists mention that lack of unity as something that’s hold-
with OZONE, a lot of people think you sell jewelry. Have you thought about ing them back. What do you think the problem is?
going that route? I think it’s just the mentality of the people in this area. The South is more welcom-
Nah, I researched the jewelry game. It’s not a real good game to get into unless ing. It ain’t like that in the West Coast –the hospitality of welcoming someone into
you’ve been in the game for like 20 years and you bought the gold when prices your house, so to speak. I don’t think cats on the West Coast are like that.
were real cheap. That’s the whole game – these jewelers have a reserve of gold.
They’re selling you a piece for whatever the market value of gold is at the time, What about the relationship between Bay artists and L.A. artists? Do you feel
that’s how they eat. If you bought some gold bars 10 years ago when gold was $10 like that’s getting better or worse?
a gram, and now it’s at $30 a gram, you make $20 off every gram. I ain’t really worked with any L.A. artists. A couple of cats reached out to me and
I’ve reached out to them. We gotta put it together and get it in. But I haven’t actu-
Have you researched any other types of businesses you think would be good to ally done a record with anyone from Southern California yet. I know a few cats out
get into outside of the music game? there, we just haven’t had the opportunity to get it in. I gotta make an effort to do
I invested in a bail bond company in the Bay Area and I had a trucking company at that.
one point, but when I got my record deal and all that, I was on the road so much I
kinda let that falter a little bit. In the South you feel like you get more support from the artists?
Nah, I’m not even really saying that. I’m just saying us West Coast artists as a whole
You were dealing with gun charges at one point. Were you able to get that need to start reaching out to each other and doing it. There’s no west coast artist
cleared up or are you still looking at possible legal consequences? that’s really on, besides older cats like Snoop or maybe somebody like The Game.
Nah, I’m still dealing with that. That’s been 2 years almost, but I should be straight. There’s no new West Coast national artists that are real superstars. But there’s new
That’s all I can really say. I’ll probably end up going to trial, but it’s looking good. If I artists from the South every year that go national. Maybe it’s the DJs. Maybe the
was looking at any time, it shouldn’t be too long. I’m innocent. DJs need to step it up and break more records from the West Coast, instead of just
South records.
Gucci Mane was featured on your single, but he isn’t in the video. What hap-
pened with that? Do you think part of the problem is the records aren’t commercial enough?
Yeah, that was a clearance issue we had with Warner Bros. They [wouldn’t clear the Prime example is my record with Bobby Valentino. The same producer that did
record] in the 4th quarter because it was around the time they was droppin’ his that for me, did “Trickin’ If You Got It.” If you listen to the two songs, they sound
album. similar. Originally, the dude from the Mullage hook sang my hook. I released it on
the West Coast with him on the hook first. I didn’t get the response I was lookin’ for,
You paid him under the table to do the record? so I took him off and put Bobby Valentino on the hook. Three months later, they
Yeah we got it hooked up. It was done a while ago and you know how it is when a do a similar record and it comes out in Atlanta and it blew up. My record touched
buzz goes crazy and the label gets behind it – it’s a whole different story. the South, but it didn’t really blow up on the West Coast.

You’ve got a lot of expensive toys in the video. Is there anything you want to Do you feel radio is supportive of your projects?
buy that you haven’t been able to get yet? Yeah, the radio supports me for the most part. Every record I come out with I get
Nah, I got a lot of toys already. I just copped a Maserati a couple months ago so I’m support from radio. Of course you wanna blow up and go everywhere with it, but
kinda content right now, but you never know. I guess I need to have the right people working my records. I don’t know – I’m just
putting out records and if it happens, it happens. Every 3 months I’m dropping a
Your last album was called Money is My Motivation. Money can only take you so new record and shooting a video. Something’s bound to happen. I’m just really
far, though, you’ve gotta have the passion for it. What else motivates you? putting out singles till I get that right buzz. It’s really nothing to do an album, you
Taking care of my family and friends, and just having fun. Just trying to live, and just need a single to sell your album. I’m making my money doing shows, selling
stay out of jail. That’s basically it. The music takes you away from all the stuff you’re ringtones and digital downloads. I’m still eating off putting out singles – I don’t
dealing with, that’s why I like doing it. Doing music takes me away from whatever necessarily have to put out an album to make money.
problems I may be having at the time. Not saying I have a lot of problems, but if
I’m going through something I can go in studio and vent. If people want to buy a ringtone or check out your music, where’s the best
place for them to go?
With a lot of people going through hard economic times, do you think they’re Search Kafani on iTunes and it’ll pull up all the mixtapes and singles I got out right
more or less likely to listen to ballin’ music? now. I be on Twitter – @Kafani. If you wanna check out my videos you can hit me
Sometimes music is motivation. Hearing somebody else talk about what they’re up on KafaniDaIceKing on YouTube. I think you can buy music off Myspace too. I’m
doing may motivate them. But sometimes it’s depressing. If you’re going through about to release my street album. It’s called My Daily Bread. I’m still working on my
the struggle and you’re only hearing about the struggle, people dying, and you’re album I.C.E. – I Create Envy. I’m waiting to get a big record and get that buzz right,
really in the streets living that, that might not be something you wanna listen to. then I’ll drop an album. //

OZONE MAG // 15
Snoop Dogg Balance & Big Rich Good A$ Money
Malice In Wonderland Priority Ayinde Music/Bang Bang III Story Gang
Though Snoop Dogg has become more known as a character Picking up where their 2007 effort Unda Dogg Kingz left off,
and celebrity in recent years, the man still knows how to make Balance and Big Rich continue to show why they’re two of the
dope music. Recreating himself once again, Snoop blends in more universal artists in the Bay Area. While both have unique
with just about every beat thrown at him. Although this album styles and perspectives, here they’re able to tone down their
features more cameos than Snoop albums of the past, he still respective personalities just enough to make sure teamwork
remains the star. – Maurice G. Garland is the priority. With all but one track, “I’m Back,” not featuring a
cameo, this album actually comes off more like a compilation
in disguise. Fortunately the solid performances from allies like
A.R. of H2 Hardheadz Glasses Malone, Allen Anthony, Messy Marv, The Jacka, Clyde
The IntroducTion of… H2 Ent. Carson, Yukmouth, Freeway and Jay Rock make this a good
Carrying on the legacy of his Bay Area forefathers RBL Posse, A.R. problem to have. - Maurice G. Garland
comes with a fresh but familiar sound on his introductory mix-
tape. Providing street raps with a perspective that offers both
reality and celebration, you can tell that A.R. is out to remind 40 Glocc Concrete Jungle
people why you fell in love with Bay Area rap to begin with. Zoo Life Ent.
His choice to use production (provided mostly by Rome aka Mostly known for checking your favorite rapper’s gangsta
Slapadelic) that leans more towards mid-90’s funk ala Sam Bostic whenever they set foot in Los Angeles, 40 Glocc has finally de-
and Ant Banks immediately sets him apart from his many peers cided to prove that he is actually a rapper, and a pretty decent
who are struggling to find a musical identity post-Hyphy. If one at that. He holds his own on “Another Angel Dies” with
you’re looking for some vintage Bay Area rap with a new school Ras Kass and shows traces of vulnerability on “Hell On Earth,”
appeal, you can’t lose with this CD. - Maurice G. Garland where he ponders some of the decisions he’s made in his
volatile past and questions if there’s a spot in heaven for him.
Backed by adequate production that gives him and his Zoo
Young Shaad of H2 Hardheadz Life cronies enough space to get their point across, 40 Glocc
Cold Game Official Business/H2 Ent. proves that he can actually make some good music when he’s
Falling from the same family tree as A.R., Young Shaad does a not busy terrorizing other rappers. - Maurice G. Garland
good job in blending his Bay Area roots with a national appeal-
ing sound. However, the “young” part of his moniker definitely
shows at times. While he obviously puts forth effort in each song Roccett & DJ Drama
on this mixtape, his heavy accent and decision to use the same Free Agent
cadence on many of the songs will have the listener struggling After departing CTE, Roccett recruited DJ Drama to announce
to identify him from the average Bay Area rapper. To his credit his independence. Roccett stays true to form when it comes
though, Shaad is able to approach everyday themes with a to punch lines, metaphors, and tales of West Coast living
different angle. Surely not an artist to sleep on, Shaad at least on songs like “City I Love,” “How We Roll,” and “Bang That.”
interests you to the point that you’d want to hear what he has to However, there’s an appreciated upgrade on some of his
offer next time around. - Maurice G. Garland hooks (“I Do That” ft. Bobby Valentino and “I Don’t Think So” ft.
Primo). Other than awkward female-oriented records like “All
a Woman Needs,” this may be Roccett’s best work, or pretty
close. Being on the free agent list has obviously upped Young
Roccett’s stats. - Ms. Rivercity
 endzone

Tech N9ne
Event: K.O.D. Tour
Venue: House of Blues
City: Los Angeles, CA
Date: October 22nd, 2009
Photo: D-Ray

18 // OZONE WEST