WELCOMETO ORLANDO

FLORIDA
CLASSIC
2009
edition**
**special

G
FEATURIN

KEVIN
COSSOM
BIG GATES // BONES // DAT DUDE
DAWGMAN // DJ NASTY // DROP
+
LIL BOOSIE // MIGHTY MIKE // PI BANG
PLIES // POETIC // SHO BOY // WES FIF
& more
PUBLISHER: SIDE A
Julia Beverly
A20 BIG GATES
SPECIAL EDITIONS EDITOR: A22 DAT DUDE
Jen McKinnon a.k.a. A10 DJ Rell
Ms. Rivercity A16-17 Drop
A8 EVENT LISTING
CONTRIBUTORS & CREW: A23 LOOCHIE
Eric Perrin A9 NIGHTCLUB LISTING
Jee’Van Brown A7 ORLANDO MAP
Maurice G. Garland A18-19 PLIES
Mercedes A12-13 Poetic
Randy Roper
Terrence Tyson
Torrey Holmes
A14-15
KEVIN COSSOM
PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR:
Malik Abdul

STREET TEAMS:
Big Mouth Marketing
DJ Slym
Lex Promotions SIDE b
On Point Entertainment
Poe Boy B18-19 CASH CHRIS
Strictly Streets B6 DJ D STRONG
B22 DJ NASTY
SUBSCRIPTIONS: B4 DJ SLYM
To subscribe, send check or B8-9 LIL BOOSIE
money order for $20 to: B10-11 PI BANG
OZONE Magazine B20-21 SHO BOY
644 Antone St. Suite 6 B12-13 WES FIF
Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone: 404-350-3887 B14-17
Fax: 404-601-9523
Web: www.ozonemag.com BONES, DAWGMAN,
& MIGHTY MIKE
COVER CREDITS:
Kevin Cossom photo by Ter-
rence Tyson; Bones, Dawgman,
& Mighty Mike photo by Ter-
rence Tyson.

DISCLAIMER:
OZONE does not take responsi-
bility for unsolicited materials,
misinformation, typographi-
cal 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 copy-
right 2009 OZONE Magazine,
all rights reserved. No portion
of this magazine may be
reproduced in any way without
the written consent of the pub-
lisher. Printed in the USA.

OZONE | 5
MAP
ORLANDO, FL

OZONE | 7
 09
CLASSIC 20
FLORIDA
EVENT LISTING
Friday, November 20th
Frontline & 4 Life Promotions Present 12th An-
nual Classic Greek Ste Show @ West Orange
High School // 1625 South Beulah Rd, Winter
Garden FL // 863-838-5678
Hosted by BETs Terrance J, Music by Doc D
Battle of the Bands @ Amway Arena // 600 W.
Amelia St. // Doors open at 7pm
Frontline Presents VIP Happy Hour @ Rain
Hosted by Jay Deezy, Music by DJ Live Wyre
5pm – 9:30pm // 2 for 1 Cocktailes, Free Soul
Food Buffet
Florida Classic Kick Off Party @ 11/12
Hosted by BET’s DJ Q45 & DJ Herm T //
RoyalPairEnt.com
Slip-N-Slide Celeb Bash hosted by Trina @
Destiny // 407-290-1481
Presented by DME, Cool Runnings, & The
Sigmas // Featuring Disco JR, Disco & The
City Boys, Clientell Party Starter DJs, & More
Frontline Promotions Presents: Paparazzi @
Roxy // Hosted by BETs Terrance J & Rocsi, &
Kevin Cossom
Music by DJs Nasty, Demp, Ratt, City, Shizm
9:30pm – 3am // 18 and Up for Women, 21
and up for Men
DME, Morris Mngt, CMG Present Classic
Wknd Party @ KOHA
Music by Disco & The City Boyz, Disco JR,
Supastar J Kwik, Clientell Party Starters
Doors open 2am to 6am // 18 & Up to Enter,
21 to Drink // 407-290-1481
Frontline Promotions & Kheep Ent Present
Alpha, Kappa, Iota Frat Boy Classic @ Chey-
enne Salon // 120 W. Church St // Hosted by
AJ The Klassic, Super Man & Mr. BKS // Music
by DJs 108, Dev, Ego, Jay-R, Blaze
Frontline Promotions Alumni Jam @ Rain
Hosted by Almighty Joe Bullard & Next Level’s
Jay Deezy // Music by DJs Saxwell & Live
Wyre // 1opm to 3am // 25 and up preferred,
21 & Up // Dress Code Enforced
Saturday, November 21st
Florida Classic @ Florida Citrus Bowl // Game
starts at 2pm
OJ da Juiceman, Dorrough, Black Dada @
Club 11/12 // Hosted by DJ Demp
Tickets Available at Mens Closet or WantTix.
com or RoyalPairEnt.com
Dawgman & Nasty Beatmakers Present 5th
8 | OZONE
Annual Classic Fest @ Club Firestone
Starring We the Best Family: Khaled, Ace
Hood, & More
Music by Supastar J Kwik, Clientell Party
Starters, Disco & The City Boyz, Whilin Ent,
Cool Runnings & More // 407-290-1481 // Clas-
sicFest.com
Frontline Promotions Presents the Cash Money
Classic Luau @ Roxy
Hosted by Birdman & The Cash Money Family
// Music by Skool Boys, CT & PLO, Ratt, City,
Doc D // 9:30pm to 3am
Gator Team Ent presents Twista, Yo Gotti,
Webbie, Mullage, & Frank Lini @ Destiny
Hosted by Prostyle & Music by Bigga Rankin
407-968-4886
DME, Morris Mngt, CMG Present Classic Wknd
Party @ KOHA
Music by Disco & The City Boyz, Disco JR,
Supastar J Kwik, Clientell Party Starters
Doors open 2am to 6am
18 & Up to Enter, 21 to Drink
407-290-1481
Bell Biv Devo Live @ House of Blues
Presented by Frontline Promotions
Music by BET’s Q45 & FAMU’s Saxwell
Tickets 407-934-BLUE & All Ticket Master
Locations
Launch Party for Hennessy Black @ Rain
Music by DJ Kid Capri & Resident DJ M
Squared // 21 & Up, Dress Code: Classic Clean
Sunday, November 22nd
DME & 102 Jamz Present:
11th Annual Riding Big Car Show/Concert
@ Central FL Fairgrounds
Hosted by Lil Duval
Music by Clientell Party Starters
Gates Open 2pm – 10pm
DME Car Show After Party @ Antigua
Hosted by Dorrough
Music by Disco JR & DJ Slym
All Pro Parties Presents Sunday Nights @
Roxy
Music by DJs Prostyle, Quez & Nice
Everyone free until midnight
Frontline Promotions Presents:
Soul Session @ Rain
Featuring Grammy Nominated Saxophonist
Eric Darius, along with Rohan Reid Band &
Sisaundra Lewis
Music by DJ Live Wyre
Drink Specials 6pm to 10pm
321-276-9466
 g
Mall Listin
all
Florida M
S Oran ge Blossom Trail
8001
407-85 6- 77 00

Magic Mall .
Dr
2155 W. Colonial House of
Tessa
407-648-0779 Blues
2425 A South Hiawas-
HOB.com
all see Road
Millenia M 1490 E. Buena Vista
Orlando, FL 32835
00 Co nroy Rd . Dr.
42 407-373-0005
407-363-3555 Lake Buena Vista, FL
407-934-BLUE
Mall Voyage Night-
West Oaks ive club
01 W. Co lo ni al Dr Icon Night-
94 17 W. Pine Street
401-294-2775 club
321-277-0412
20 E. Central Blvd.
rk Mall
Winter Pa 407-649-6496
W. Fa irb an ks Ave.
64 1
32 789
Winter
407-671-
Pa rk
32
, FL
32
KOHA Night-
club
OTHER
426 E. Kennedy VENUES
Eatonville, FL
club Listing 407-740-0556
Central
11/12 Night- Motown Cafe
Dragon Room Florida Fair-
club Universal CityWalk
25 W. Church St. grounds
843 Lee Road 407-363-8000
407-843-8600 4903 W. Colonial Drive
407-539-3410 Orlando, FL
Rain
Element ClubWhispers.net
AKA Lounge Eastmonte
39 W. Pine Street 4732 S. Kirkman Road
68 East Pine Street Civic Center
407-841-1566 407-290-9896
407-839-3707 830 Magnolia Drive
Envy Altamonte Springs, FL
Antigua The Roxy
7552 Universal Blvd. 740 Bennett Rd.
41 W. Church St. Expo Center
(International Drive) 407-898-4004
407-649-4270 500 W. Livingston
Ember (across from TD
B.B. Kings The Social
42 W. Central Blvd Waterhouse)
9100 International OrlandoSocial.com
Orlando, FL
Drive 54 N. Orange Ave
Firestone 407-246-1599
ClubatFirestone.com TD Water-
Bliss Ultra house
578 N. Orange Avenue Sky60
Lounge 600 W. Amelia St.
407-872-0066 64 N. Orange Avenue
123 W. Church St Orlando, FL
407-246-1599
Fusion 407-849-2020
Cleo’s Gentle-
1 S. Orange Avenue Tabu Night-
men’s Club
407-650-0556 club
1310 S. Orange Blos-
som Trail TabuNightclub.com
The Groove 46 N. Orange Avenue
407-839-8559
CityWalk at Universal 407-648-8363
Orlando
Club Status
6000 Universal Blvd. Tavern on the
912 W. Colonial Drive
407-363-8000 Lake
407-841-1462
6996 Piazza Grande
Hard Rock Ave.
Destiny
HardRock.com Orlando, FL 32835
7430 Universal Blvd.
Universal CityWalk 407-293-6233
407-351-9800
407-351-5483

OZONE|| 9
OZONE
 If you’re looking for the local
street mixtape guy in Orlando, DJ
Rell is it. But don’t get it con-
fused, as DJ Rell is quick to tell
people he’s far from just a local
DJ. With his new mixtape, Kiss My
Local Ass, Rell is making a state-
ment about his status in the game.
How did you get into DJing?
My dad had a record label and I fell in love with
music. I had a passion for it. I started playing
around with records and putting together differ-
ent compilations that people liked to hear. From
there it went into doing mix CDs.
Are mixtapes your main focus as a DJ?
I’m a mixtape DJ, to be honest with you. I do clubs
if I’m booked. Lately I’ve been gettin’ booked
out of state as a headline DJ, but I that’s off the
mixtapes. I just got added to 88.5 in Tampa. I do a
mixshow the first Saturday of every month.
What’s the name of your mixtape series?
I don’t really have a set series. My biggest series,
that really got me known to the public, woulda
been the Wilt Chamberlain series I did on Gucci
Mane last year.
Do you have any DJ affiliations?
I’m affiliated with myself. I’m not part of any-
body’s crew. I bust my ass, and my whole market-
ing campaign and everything is really paying off
now. I’d say I’ve got the same connections as a DJ
crew. I was affiliated with a couple of them but I
withdrew ‘cause I felt like it there weren’t benefits.
I do everything on my own. I got records before
they get ‘em.
DJ RELL
Words by Ms Rivercity
at the end of the day, labels look at numbers,
regardless if you’re making show money or
promoting real hard and the whole city knows
you. They look at numbers. I’m a fan of radio. If
you’re able to get a radio promoter and you got
a hot enough song, get in the streets and get
on radio. They look at that Mediabase.
What are you promoting for the Classic
weekend?
I’m droppin’ a project called Kiss My Local Ass. It’s
pretty much telling a lot of people who thought
I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doin’ now, or
get as far as I am, I just tell ‘em to Kiss My Local
Ass. I’m far from local, but I still keep it grounded
to the local scene.
What else do you want to say?
Shout out to my website MixRUs.com, my
brother Big Will, Darren. Shout out to my cousin
HQ. I appreciate OZONE for giving me this
opportunity. If you’re down with me you know
who you are, if not, kiss my local ass. Free Nate,
free Armstrong, free Hot Mike. If you tryin’ to get
at me, you can reach me at 407-770-8168, Twit-
ter.com/DJRell, or Myspace.com/WhoDJRell.

What crews did you belong to?

I was a Slip-N-Slide DJ, I was a Future Star DJ, I was
a Lord Gang DJ, I was a Street Connect DJ. I done
been through a couple of crews, but like I said, if
I’m bringing more to the table than the DJ crew,
then I can do it on my own, right?

Do you put together tapes for local artists?

Yeah, of course. I work with a lot of locals. Any-
body on their grind I’m pushing for. My biggest
break out was when I worked with Armstrong. I
was very hands-on with him. I’m the go-to guy for
independents in the city.

You have a heavy street presence. How impor-

tant is it for an artist to connect with that mar-
ket in addition to radio and club promotions?
If you’ve got a big enough street buzz the labels
are gon’ come to you. If you got a street buzz, it’s
gonna generate paid shows and revenue. But

10 | OZONE
OZONE | 11
Poetic Words by Ms. Rivercity
Photo by Blenus Martin

12 | OZONE
As A MEMBER of the group TREAL,
Poetic has had a successful That’s the people I’m targeting. Even the Presi-
run as an artist/producer – the dent says we’re broke, so how does everybody
group even locked down a single have money? A lot of artists are scared to
deal after breaking through on touch on that [topic] ‘cause they don’t want to
radio. With that experience behind mess up their appearance to the people.
them, TREAL has branched into
new realms, allowing Poetic to You touched on some pretty personal things
explore his individual talent. in that song, like living in a foster home.
I was living in a foster home at one point
in my life. My mother went to jail. I saw my
So you’ve been working on some of your
mama on the news and everything when I
own music lately. Tell us about the solo proj-
was a kid. I had to stay strong for my little
ects you’re promoting.
brother and sister. I’m the oldest on my
I just dropped a new mixtape called Twist the
mama’s side. As time went on, she got out of
Industry hosted by DJ Jay Rock and mixed by
jail and got us back. But I went through all
my homeboy Cheeze of TREAL. I just dropped
that, and I wanted to talk about it ‘cause a lot
a video for “Impatient.” It’s about – with me
of people don’t know that about me. It’s my
right now, I’m kinda impatient. I send beats to
time to show people who I am.
people and sometimes they take too long to
drop verses on ‘em, or people take too long
What’s going on with the group TREAL?
with business. I just wanted to drop a song
We’re restructuring everything business-wise.
pertaining to my life and about trying to get
We wanna be able to sign other artists and
money. Time is money right now. To get my
expand. We got flown back and forth trying
mixtape you can google it; It’s getting a whole
to work out [record] deals, but the deals they
lot of downloads. People have been hittin’ me
were offering wasn’t what we were lookin’
up for beats, hooks, a whole lot of stuff.
for. We ain’t have enough pull to say what
we wanted. We had a little single deal with
What do you mean by “twist the industry?”
Universal, but they never helped us push the
I’m just as good as the industry. My songs,
record. “I’m Not Lock Down” was a hit record
my beats, my hooks – I’m just as good as the
and they didn’t push it. Every radio station
industry. Put my song up against an industry
it got played on was because of us and our
song and let the people judge how good I am.
personal grind. Big ups to Clay D, he helped us
I’m a producer, a writer, an artist, all that at the
out on traveling and everything.
same time. I want people to look at my creativ-
ity. I call it Twist the Industry ‘cause I’m mixing
But you guys didn’t break up?
my songs with the industry songs.
For everybody that’s saying TREAL broke up,
I got another thing comin’ for you haters. We
Is that your family in the “Impatient” video?
got a new mixtape that’s finna be droppin’ real
It’s my son, my daughter, my little brother,
soon. We’ve proven to the game that we’re
my grandmamma, my dad, everybody in that
talented, we just gotta make good business
video. My whole family is in it pretty much. My
moves right now for us as a group.
mom, of course she couldn’t make it, and my
wife couldn’t be there. But I put everything
Before we go, is there anything else you
into that video. It was over there off of Par-
want to say?
ramore ‘cause that’s where I pretty much grew
I just want to give a shout out to everyone
up at in Parramore Village.
that looked out for TREAL and me personally,
and the whole Orlando movement period,
How do you think the song pertains to other
all the DJs and promoters. I also got a new
people’s situations and what’s going on with
project where I’m just doing beats and hooks,
the world right now? Especially the economy.
which is pretty much what The Runners did.
You’ve got a whole bunch of rappers coming
It’s gonna be a Florida type thing and I’m
out actin’ like they got a whole bunch of
gonna let these local rappers rip it. I’m just
money. I’m being real with the people. A lot of
gonna keep dropping these hits. I’m trying to
these artists ain’t got it. They sign with a record
build a strong base for myself as an artist and
label just to get a chain from ‘em. I ain’t about
producer at the same time. //
that. I’m speakin’ for the people that ain’t got
nothin’, people that are hustlin’ everyday tryin’
to feed their family and make ends meet.

OZONE | 13
 Words by Eric Perrin
Photo by Terrence Tyson

Kevin
Cossom
14 | OZONE
Chances are you’ve been singing
along to Kevin Cossom songs
for years, you just never knew it
until now. Meet KC, a Philly-born,
Orlando product who until re-
cently has been the man behind the
melody. He has penned a plethora
of songs for artists ranging FROM
R. Kelly to Ace Hood, and scored
his first Billboard number 1 single
last summer with Keri Hilson’s
“Knock You Down” featuring Kanye
West and Ne-yo.
Regardless of his undeniable suc-
cess as a songwriter, KC’s first
love is his own music, something
he feels he was born to create.
Now with the backing of a major
label, his VOICE may soon become
as familiar as his pen.
You’re an established songwriter, but when did
you decide to become an artist yourself?
Being an artist was always the priority for me. In
my quest for the artist endeavor to pop off, the
writing thing came a little faster for me.
You’ve written some very big hits throughout
your brief career. Can you talk about some of
your biggest records?
I got my first placement with The Runners for a
song called “Go Getter” by Young Jeezy and R.
Kelly. I wrote the hook for that song, and that’s
when I got my publishing deal. After that I wrote
[Rick Ross’s] “Speeding,” [Ace Hood’s] “Cash Flow,”
and“Won’t Let You Down” for Chamillionaire. And
recently I just got my first number one [single].
I wrote “Knock You Down” with Keri Hilson and
Ne-Yo. So, everything is going good.
When you first found out that “Knock You
Down” was the number one song in the coun-
try, how do you react?
First of all, when I heard that it was gonna be a
single that was crazy. When I heard that Kanye
and Ne-Yo were gonna be on it that was crazy as
well, especially because of how it all happened. I
got a few emails saying that it had gone number
1 in the UK before it became number 1 here,
but when it reached number [in the U.S], I had
to actually see it as the number 1 song in the
Billboard Magazine before I could believe it, and
when I saw it, and saw my name [in the credits], it
was amazing! I can’t lie though, one of the most
amazing feelings is to go to a club and they play
the song you and everybody’s singing all the
lyrics. Just thinking about how they’re all sing-
ing a song I wrote is a trip.
How important do you think it is for singers to
write their own material?
I feel like it’s important to know how to put a
record together. I feel like the people who are
most relevant in the game are people who write
their own stuff or are at least part of the creative
process. If you’re not part of your creative
process, you’re probably gonna find yourself
a little lost. Everyone that’s winning is writing
their own shit, and I feel like [writing your own
material] lets you create your own lane.
In your own music, what kind of themes do
you cover?
I talk about a lot of things that people can relate
to, especially in terms of relationships and the
boy-meets-girl concept. If you’ve ever been
in a relationship before, or if you’ve ever liked
someone, I got something for you. It’s definitely
relatable concepts and not just random music.
In your opinion, why haven’t there been more
artists from Orlando making it on a national
level?
This is kind of a touchy subject for a lot of
people who are trying to do music in Orlando,
but I feel like a lot of people think you need to
stay in Orlando to make it, and people get of-
fended when you step out and go other places.
We do have a lot of talent in Orlando, but it’s
underdeveloped. There are no record labels in
Orlando so it’s hard for us to get people to pay
attention to us. But I love Orlando and I feel like
we have a lot of talent and I definitely want to
do things to help bring that talent out.
Do you feel discouraged at all by the fact that
there are so many artists trying to get on the
music industry?
Naw, it’s not discouraging; I just do me. I feel like
I’m blessed to be where I’m at right now, and
hopefully the success continues. I feel like if you
work hard and commit to what you’re supposed
to be doing and stay focused, you’re gonna
eat either way. What you put in is what you get
out. You can’t worry about what the next man’s
doing. I’m just trying to create my own situation,
my own story, my own lane, and for people to
see me for who I am. //
OZONE | 15
Drop
Words by Ms. Rivercity
Photo by NVD Photography

16 | OZONE
If you’ve followed Drop’s rap ca-
reer these last couple years, you
know he’s in all the right places
works out, me and bruh gon’ make somethin’
with all the right people. Work- happen.
ing with All Pro Records until
recently and doing several major What’s up with that mixtape? How’s the
artist features, Drop created response been?
many SITUATIONS for himself. Here DJ Scream from Atlanta hosted it. We got
he talks about the things he did Trina, Boosie and a couple other people on
to create a buzz, his time with All there. We did a record on that CD called “Swag
Pro Records, and his plans now for Sale” and the song got kinda hot. A few
weeks ago I started getting a lot of calls say-
that he’s a free agent again.
ing 2 Pistols had done the record. I checked
into it, but it ain’t really got nothin’ to do with
How did you come up in the rap game? Give
2 Pistols. We were posed to do somethin’ with
us your history.
the producer but it didn’t go down. [2 Pistols]
First I started off in a group called Gutta Boyz.
has a song with the same beat and the same
We did a tour of Florida and started getting
hook, so I was gettin’ confrontational calls like,
calls outside of Florida. The situation didn’t
“This nigga done stole your song and he put
work out. My pa’tna had a baby and he backed
your name in it.” I listened to the track. I’m the
off. He felt like the music thang wasn’t going
type of nigga that my mind is open, so when
fast enough for him. I started doin’ my own
I listened to the record, I don’t really look at it
thang and dropped a mixtape. It caught fire
like a diss. He said my name but I didn’t look
a lil bit. I kinda fell back off the rap thang for
at it like a diss. I know how the streets can be,
about a year, and when I came back I did a CD
but I don’t get into all that. I didn’t really get
called Free Agent. Everybody was lovin’ it and
into it with him like that. We were already sup-
DJ Prostyle approached me. He wanted to
posed to do a record together anyway.
work with me so I started fuckin’ wit’ him. That
was at the end of ’07.
You’ve done a lot of a collaborations. Would
you say that’s helped you a lot?
What happened after that?
Yeah, I would agree with that. The one record I
I got my credit off of the grind, hustlin’, be-
did with Wayne got over a million downloads
ing where I needed to be. I was at all the DJ
on the internet. That helped me out a lot with
retreats, conferences like TJ’s DJ’s, all that good
exposure. I ran across a lot of mixtapes that
stuff. I stayed in contact with everybody and
had the record on there. The record with me
kept my relationships good. Everybody in the
and Boosie, he got that on two of his mix-
industry, like Wendy Day and Tony Neal, still
tapes. The one with me and Zoe, he pushed
fucked with me when I came back out.
that record. I do good music. I only do music I
feel is good enough to be put out.
What have you been working on lately?
I just dropped a mixtape called No Rookie
Which single are you promoting right now?
hosted by DJ Prostyle and DJ Drama. I got
The main single I’m pushing right now is off
Boosie, Gorilla Zoe, Papa Duck, and Traffik on
the mixtape with Marquis Daniels. It’s a song
there – he’s part of All Pro Records. After that
with me, him, and Trina called “She Don’t Like
mixtape, the situation with [leaving] All Pro, it
Me.” We’re goin’ in hard on that record. We’re
was a good look, but as far as what I represent
just tryin’ to make shit happen.
and the business part wasn’t right for me. I just
had to make the best decision for me as an
Is there anything else you wanna let the
artist. We cool, I still fuck with All Pro, but we
people know?
don’t do business together.
Let everybody know I’m puttin’ on for Florida.
Everybody will hear from me eventually. I ain’t
What’s the plan now moving forward?
goin’ nowhere. I’m gonna keep goin’ hard for
My mom is still my management. We’re always
the city and for the whole state. I’m the new
willing to work with everybody. As of right
face of Florida. //
now, I just dropped another mixtape with
Marquis Daniels – he plays for the Boston
Celtics. We’re discussing doing a couple things
together with his backing. I’m doing my thing
and everybody fucks with me, if everything

OZONE | 17
Plies & Big
Gates
Words by Eric Perrin
Photo by Hannibal Matthews

Words by Julia Beverly

18 | OZONE
Plies
no longer claims to
be real. by now, we
all know. From his 2007 debut The
Real Testament to his follow-up
The Definition of Real all the way
to his third outing The RealIst,
Fort Myers’ Plies has constantly
re-iterated his realness. Now,
with his brother Big Gates home
from prison, Plies feels it’s about
time to pivot from his once
ubiquitous “real” philosophy and
bring the world Goon Affiliated.
On his fourth album in 2 years, Plies is promis-
ing to do it bigger than he’s ever done it. He
guarantees a classic or your money back, and
is confident that his latest effort will be far bet-
ter than any of its predecessors.
What made you decide to release “Becky”
as a single? That’s a pretty unlikely radio
record.
I actually cut that record about three weeks
before we had the Super Bowl down here in
Tampa. I remember having a couple of my
homeboys listen to it, and I love [creating] a
record that [brings] everybody to a unani-
mous consensus. When everybody heard that
record they felt like it was a major record.
When my brother Big Gates came home [from
prison] I played my album for him and “Becky”
was the third song on the album, as soon as
he heard that song he told me that he didn’t
need to hear no more records, because he
wanted that to be the first single for my new
project. I would’ve never tried that shit at
radio. I thought it was a “helluva” record, but
at the same time I definitely gotta give him
all the credit, because he picked it to be the
single.

You’ve always had a great balance between After 3 albums, what keeps you motivated?
street and commercial music. How are you I feel like the company. I’m honored to be a
able to go the commercial route but main- part of a system that’s ran like a mini-major in
tain love from the streets at the same time? terms of the whole Big Gates Records brand.
I actually give my following all that credit, the Even with this “Becky” situation, this is all our
people who gravitate towards my situation. vision. It ain’t a label or a business partner
I just always make music that’s true to me. I that put a dime into this situation besides Big
never one time went in the studio and said, Gates Records, and we’ve got a record that’s
“Let me make a record for radio.” I never did. crazy in the streets and crazy on radio. I think
Before my career really blossomed, I was on a that mindframe allows us to be who we are as
national level with certain records like “Get You a company.
Wet,” or “Ms. Pretty Pussy.” There were a lot of
records that were working for me without the The rest of this interview is featured in the cur-
national exposure. I was working on a national rent issue of OZONE.
level before I ever got signed to a major, and
those situations were what I like to consider a
testament to the people that really fuck with
me. A lot of those records from “Shawty,” to
“Bust It Baby,” to “Hypnotize,” to “Becky,” and
“I Got Plenty Money,” I just personally feel like
I make diverse music. I ain’t mad every day,
so I don’t make just mad music. I think I’m
probably one of a few artists that this industry
really accepts in terms of being able to make
diverse music. I’ve learned that there’s a lot of
different types of music fans in the world—
there’s people who only listen to radio, there
are people that just watch the outlets on cable
TV that play videos, there’s certain people that
just listen to shit that’s only in the streets. I re-
alize that a lot of people just know Plies based
on what’s playing on the radio as opposed to
what’s actually been on three of my albums as
well as my mixtapes, so for me to find that bal-
ance, I credit the people that fuck with me and
support me. Even when you hear records on
the radio, people gotta request those records
for them to keep playing ‘em.

OZONE | 19
 PLIES’ brother Big Gates, who
played a significant role in his
plies’ decision to rap and EVENTU-
AL ascenSion to stardom, recent-
ly returned home from a three-
year hiatus. Here, he tells ozone
the TRUE story of his incarcera-
tion and his future plans FOR BIG
GATES RECORDS AND MORE.
This past weekend you hit the streets again.
What was your mindset at the time you
found out that you were gonna actually be
released?
It felt like a dream, with me being in them con-
ditions for so long, and the amount of pressure
and problems that’s going on inside those
places. I think everybody out there knows that
[prison] isn’t the best conditions to be living
in. So it’s just me coming out and seeing my
brother, seeing the rest of my family and being
able to be free. I can’t really describe the feel-
ing – overwhelming joy is the best way to put
it. It’s like winning the lottery for $500 million.
How would you feel, you know what I mean? I
really don’t think you could tell me.
You were in for three years, right?
Yeah, three long, rough, hard years. Sec-
ond time, three years. It was actually two
sentences. It was a three year sentence and a
twenty-seven month sentence combined with
state and federal charges.
Did you get out early for good behavior?
I was basically allowed to get out when the
time was up. (laughs) The Feds don’t really
give you any favors unless you’re snitching.
Sometimes they don’t give you favors then
[either]. It was [just] me doing my time and my
time being up.
Each charge is enough to put you away for-
ever. So people just prejudge situations.
Were you able to take a plea bargain on
those charges, or what actually developed
when it came to your sentencing?
It took about a year. The prosecutors didn’t
want to talk to me, you know? They believed
that it was an open and shut case. They felt
like I was done; the state had ninety witnesses
against me. They found six guns in the car,
the car [was] in my name, I [was] driving, and
they’ve got all of the victims who were shot.
Not only [were there] ninety witnesses who
didn’t get shot [testifying against me], but
the other five victims who actually got shot,
the majority of them were sayin’ I did it. That’s
how I got the six attempted murder charges in
the first degree. So with those type of charges
people rightfully assume for the worst instead
of the best.
Obviously, your brother has become a lot
more successful on a national level since you
went away, so is there a sense of you coming
back to join the party? Or just resuming
what you were doing in the early stages?
I don’t wanna say too much and give away
too much. While I was away, I was able to do a
lot of things and make a lot of things happen
to keep his career going upward. I can’t get
into the details, ‘cause you know Feds read
magazines too...
The rest of this interview is featured in the cur-
rent issue of OZONE.

I think some people were under the impression

that you were away for a lot longer than that.
Yeah, ‘cause most people want bad for you
anyways, especially when you ain’t got any-
thing going for you. JB, when you were first
trying to come up with a magazine years ago,
you weren’t on anybody’s radar so they really
didn’t care about what you were doing. You
weren’t a factor. But once you are successful,
people have knowledge of your success. That
comes with the fame as well. That’s when all
the hatred comes. People wish bad for you
at that point. Some [people] wanted me to
be gone forever, you know? It was a serious
case, six attempted murders, first degree, and
possession of a firearm by a convicted felon,
federal violation and shooting into a building.

20 | OZONE
 Dat Dude Words by Ms Rivercity
Dat Dude started rapping 2
years ago and gained local
support QUICKLY. His first song,
“Claim Your City,” received radio
play on 102 Jamz via DJ Chino
and launched Dat Dude’s music
VENTURES. Since beginning his
rap career, Dat Dude has opened
for artists like Three 6 Mafia,
Yung Joc, AND Lil Wayne. He’s now
campaigning for his new single
and preparing for his upcoming
college tour with DJ Smallz.
What songs are you pushing right now?
The single I have right now is “AO” with Poetic
from TREAL. The reason I came up with that
song is because everybody be sayin’ “aye”
in the club and here they say “ohh” being in
Orlando. I feel like we’re talented and have our
own movement just like them cats in the A. So
it’s kinda like a reverse psychology thing. I also
got a strip club anthem called “Camel Toe.” Of
course that’s self-explanatory. Me and DJ Baby
Lac came up with that.
What are you known for mostly in Orlando?
To be honest with ya, I’ve been in the streets
pretty heavy doin’ my thang. I’m in a new era
though. I went to school for Criminal Law.
That’s how pretty much everybody knows me.
They know me from sports too. I played high
school and college ball. My cousin and the
streets started callin’ me Dat Dude. I just kept
the name.
At what point did you become interested in
rapping?
I started throwing my own shows. I had my
own artist and it didn’t work out with him. I
had all these beats and stuff that I had bought
so I just said, “Let me start rappin’.” I wrote my
first song called “Claim Your City” and it hit 102
Jamz in like three months. DJ Chino used to
always play it when he was on air. He broke it
on the radio here, and that really motivated
me. It was my first time writing a song and it
really wasn’t too hard for me.
So far, is the rap game what you expected?
What I learned about the music is you got
22 | OZONE
deal with these cats tryin’ to run all over ya,
‘cause it’s all about money at the end of the
day. Everybody tryin’ to make a dollar off ya
and givin’ you broken promises. I learned the
business of it first before I jumped in the game.
I was on the road with Skull Duggery in seven
different states back in ‘05. My homeboy was
his main promoter so I saw it firsthand. No
grind no shine.
Have you put out any mixtapes yet?
Yeah, I’m the first artist to do this – I got four
DJs on one mixtape. I broke it down into four
quarters like a football game. I got DJ Rell, DJ
Headbussa, DJ Baby Lac, and Disco Jr. all on
the same mixtape. I put that out a year ago.
Where will you be during Florida Classic?
I’ll be at Dawgman’s Ridin Big Car Show on
Sunday, and at The Classic Fest at Firestone on
Saturday night. Friday I’m doing the Teen Jam
at Club 360.
What do you want people to know about you
and your music?
My concepts are totally different. I have a
different sound. Our problem in Orlando is we
don’t have a definition of a sound. Miami and
all these other areas have their own sound. So
when they listen to my music they will hear a
real Orange County representa. And every-
thang in my music is facts. It’s not made up,
talkin’ ‘bout ridin’ on 30s, I got all these bricks,
and all that. It’s all reality. If you ask anybody
about me, they gon’ vouch for me. When it
comes to keepin’ it real, that’s what I do. Every-
body has respect for me.

Ft. Lauderdale rapper Loochie is
making his DEBUT in the Florida
rap scene. As a Self-described
“feel-good rapper,” HE keeps THE
state dancing with songs like his
new single “She’s Perfect.”
How did you get into rapping?
I always loved music. I ‘ve always been a music
dude. I’m an old school music lover, I like R&B
and rap, so music has always been a part of
my life. I’ve always been able to put rhymes
together. I played around with rappin’ and I
started taking it seriously when I was in high
school. I started writing when I was goin’
through thangs, and I got used to writing. I
started my own label called Lu-lew Entertain-
ment about five years ago. In my spare time,
I started letting people hear my music and I
got a good reaction out of that, so I decided to
pursue it.
When you started letting people hear the
music, were there any songs that they liked
the most? Or did they just like the music in
general?
I just got good responses all together. I already
knew I was good at making songs by that
point, so once I heard from other people that I
was pretty good, I decided to take it serious.
What are some topics you cover in your
music?
I’m a feel-good rapper. I write about things I’ve
experienced. I never talk about things I don’t
have a clue about because I’m not trying to
sound ignorant. My music is explaining things
Loochie Words by Ms Rivercity
I’ve done. I’ve done probably everything there
is to do, so I’ve got a lot to talk about. Basically
my music is just a feel-good vibe, dancing
music. That’s pretty much it. Being from Ft.
Lauderdale, and in the South, we like to party.
We’ll spend our rent money to party. We’re
very fast-paced and like to have fun so that’s
the kind of music you’re gonna get outta
Florida, music that makes you move.
What are you promoting right now?
I’m promoting my single “She’s Perfect” featur-
ing Young Cash. It’s doing real good. And I’ve
got the 4th Quarter mixtape coming soon with
Bigga Rankin and DJ Bigg V.
So you linked up with Young Cash for the
single and Bigga Rankin for the mixtape. You
seem pretty big on supporting the Florida
movement and working with artists from
your home state.
That’s very important – if you can’t make it
where you’re from, if you have to go some-
where else to make it, I don’t think you’re
career is gonna last as long because you’ve
always gotta come back home. You gotta have
that home team and fan base behind you at
home, so if nowhere else loves you, you still
have home.
Have you been working with anyone else?
I did a song with Ace Hood called “In My
Donk.” I wanna connect with a lot of these art-
ists that have been in the game from Florida
like Trick Daddy, Plies, Rick Ross. I just wanna
show my respect. Once I make it I don’t want
nobody to say I didn’t keep it G with my hood.
Where can people check out your music?
Myspace.com/Loochie75 and Twitter.com/
Loochie75.
OZONE | 23
24 | OZONE
 WELCOMETO ORLANDO

FLORIDA
CLASSIC 2009
**special
edition**

FLORIDA
MUSCLE
BONE,DAWGMAN,

+
&MIGHTYMIKE
BIG GATES // DAT DUDE
dj d strong // dj nasty // dj rell
drop // kevin cossom // lil boosie
MIGHTY MIKE // PI BANG // PLIES
POETIC // SHO BOY // WES FIF & more
 DJ Slym understands that a big
element of DJing is also promo-
tions. Through his company Street
Buzz Ent., DJ Slym is strengthening
his impact in the Orlando market
through mixtapes, club DJing, and
party promo. During this year’s
Florida Classic weekend you can
catch him at several big events,
including Dawgman’s 11th Annual
Car Show.
What’s new? Where have you been DJing?
I DJ at Rain on Thursdays with Q45. I’m booked
a few nights for the Classic weekend. I’m at a
fashion show at Firestone that Thursday during
the day. Friday and Saturday I’m at the after party
at KOHA’s with Dawgman. Saturday I’m also at
Firestone and Roxy. Sunday I’m at the car show
and Sunday night I’m DJing at Antigua.
When did you move back to Orlando from Palm
Beach?
I moved back about 4 months ago. Palm Beach
is home, but for what I’m trying to do, I’m trying
to do things on a bigger scale. What I’m doing
would make a bigger impact in Orlando.
Are you working with any artists in Orlando?
I’m putting together something called The
Pipeline to promote different artists to differ-
ent regions. We’re gonna release a south Florida
Pipeline for artists in Palm Beach, Broward, and
Dade. We’re gonna be cross-promoting those art-
ists in Orlando, helping them get a buzz up here.
I’m gonna take that nationally. I have DJs placed
in Mississippi, Dallas, Atlanta. We’re gonna do a
Florida/Atlanta Pipeline, a Florida/Dallas Pipeline.
4 | OZONE
DJ SLYM
Words by Ms Rivercity
Photo by Thomas & Adams Photography
Have you put out any mixtapes recently?
I’m putting out the Classic Weekend mixtape.
We’re putting out 20,000 copies. We’re doing
that with Frontline Promotions and Flyer Promo.
Who are some of your favorite artists in
Orlando?
PI Bang is doing his thing. He’s really making a
lot of noise. Drop is really increasing what he’s
doing. Wes Fif is making noise with his single
“Goin In.” He’s from Orlando but he has the
song buzzing in Atlanta. KC is doing his thing
with the R&B side. Armstrong had a strong
movement before everybody went to jail. If we
take it back to Palm Beach, G Boy is doin’ his
thing. There’s a new producer out of Palm Beach
named Schife. He’s working with Triple Cs.
Another person to lookout for is Tay Dizm. He’s
got a real good single called “Point Em Out” on
the Classic mixtape. It’s a banger.
How do people get in touch with you?
They can contact me at Twitter.com/DJSlym or
call me 561-542-8444.
 DJ D-Strong has been with 102
Jamz for about 5 years. Along
with his full club schedule,
which includes nights at Club
Firestone and Icon, among
other venues, Strong also plays
new music on his mixtape series
Strong Radio.
Where can people catch you spinning?
Sunday nights I do Club Firestone. Tuesdays I’m
at Cleo’s. Wednesday I do an all new night in
Daytona that’s crazy at The Coliseum. Friday I do
Icon. I like to keep Saturday open so I can bounce
around. I’m on radio Monday through Thursday
for the 8 O’clock bomb. That’s from 8pm – 9pm,
and then I have my own radio show on Sunday
from 3pm to 7pm on 102 Jamz.
If someone comes to one of your parties what
can they expect from you as a DJ?
You’re gon’ have a great time. They hands are
gonna be in the air, they gon’ start dancin’ and
not stop all night. If they partyin’ with DJ D-
Strong they gonna wanna come back.
There’s a big difference in DJing for radio and
DJing for the club.
Radio is a little more conservative. When you
DJ in the club you’re able to open it up more,
whether it’s a street-based club where you’ll get
to hear a lot of songs you may not hear on the
radio. You’ve got a lot more freedom in the club.
What are the hottest new club records?
For me, the biggest club record, whether it’s new
or not, is Gucci Mane “Wasted” with Plies, and the
remix with OJ and Wayne. Plies’“Becky” is crazy.
Gucci Mane’s “I’ma Dog.” Lil Wayne’s “Steady
Mobbin.” For the ladies, a crazy song right now is
Beyonce’s “Sweet Dreams.”
DJ D-STRONG
Words by Ms Rivercity
Photo by Corday Cardwell of Lution Media
it’s just becoming so small. People are fallin’ off,
people are disappearing – from the DJs, to the
rappers, to the promoters. I’m blessed to know
that I’m still relevant. I’m still here and I ain’t
goin’ nowhere for now. I got a lot of things goin’
down. I’m blessed and thank God that I’m still
doin’ my thang to this day and I ain’t fall off.
What are your plans for the Florida Classic?
My normal parties are goin’ down as usual. On
the business tip, I got a couple websites I’m set-
ting the launch date for during that weekend.
I got a social networking website and my own
personal website 247Strong.com. I got a couple
mixtapes I’m gonna drop that weekend. I’m
gonna do a big mixtape release party that
Friday and Icon. And I’m doing a part 2 continu-
ation party that Sunday at Club Firestone.
Tell us about the mixtapes.
I’m gonna do another D-Strong Radio Edition.
I’m also thinking about dropping another mix-
tape catering to everybody in central Florida.
I’ll probably do a joint venture with Disco J.R.
It’ll have artists like TREAL, Drop, Popov, Papa
Duck, and more. Other than that, I’m working
on this album I’m dropping independently
with distribution through Universal Records. It’s
going to be under my company, S.M.G. – Strong
Music Group. I’m focused on leaking the single
for 1st quarter.

Are there any highly requested songs

from local artists right now?
Right now I wouldn’t say there’s a
particular local song that’s highly in
demand. There’s a couple local art-
ists out there that’s on the grind
and doin’ their thing, but I don’t
think they’re really penetrating
the market to where people
are coming to the DJ booth
requesting their song.

You’ve been doing your DJ thing for a

while. What are some things you’re most
proud of in your career so far?
Honestly, I’m just proud to still be here at
this point. The way the music game is going,

6 | OZONE
Lil Boosie Words by Maurice G. Garland
Photo by Diwang Valdez

8 | OZONE

To LIL Boosie right now, Trill Ent.
is in his pas.t and even though Su-
perbad just came out, it’s already
ancient history. Boosie’s first step
towards independence is starting
his own company, Bad Azz Enter-
tainment and from this day forth,
that’s all he’s focusing on.
Superbad just hit the streets and people are
saying good things about it. The album did
have a lot of features on it, which was odd
considering we never saw that from you in
the past.
Really, I didn’t have a lot of features. I brought
ten songs to the album with just me on there.
My CEO was trying to blow his son [Lil Phat]
up, and put him on my CD. [The only features]
I thought were on my album was Webbie,
[Young] Jeezy, Trina, and Bobby Valentino.
I didn’t tell [Turk] to put [Lil Phat] on there.
When I saw Phat on a quarter of my album,
that was the CEO trying to blow him up. That’s
what made the album look like it had more
features. He’s on five songs, and I ain’t like that
shit at all. I wasn’t going for a lot of features, I
was going for a classic. They weakened it.
Have you spoken with your CEO since this
happened?
We’re not talking right now. I will express it in
songs they’ll hear later. I am going to express it
though. Every nigga in every city is calling me
asking, “Why is [Lil Phat] on so many songs?”
No, I turned the album in and the CEO put that
nigga on the rest of the songs.
put my son on there and get him famous. I
was disappointed by that. They’re not letting
me have say-so on what’s on my album. I
wanted a double disc and couldn’t get that.
There’s all kinds of fucked-up shit going on
with me. I feel like if there was more of me on
[Superbad], it would’ve been a classic. Most
people fast-forward his shit and rewind my
shit; it makes people have to keep fucking
with the song. I like for people to let my songs
ride. So that was a big-ass mistake, trying to
blow your son up on my album. Some people
sons have it and others don’t, like his son.
[Turk’s response: Our normal practice of doing
records is similar to most labels. We have tracks
and artist hop on them. The artist with the hot-
test verse stays on the track. Three of the songs
that Phat is featured on, Boosie delivered to us
with his verse already on there.]
But you don’t have a problem with Lil Phat
himself though, right?
I ain’t got no problem with lil’ buddy, they
ain’t gangsta no way. My thing is, I turn an
album in and you put him on all those songs
like that. This is my album. They know if they
called and asked me [if they could add him],
I’ma say, “Shit no!” So don’t do no shit like put
him on five songs. You don’t do that to me like
that. You got me having listening sessions for
people and I’m having to explain my CD?
The rest of this interview is featured in the cur-
rent issue of OZONE.

[Turk’s response: We don’t talk as often as we

used to because we both have legal issues that
we are working through, but [we speak] at least
once a week. My business manager talks to him
four or five times a day, so we are communicat-
ing. You see the album out and him working.
That’s us getting it done.]

If that’s true, we can see why you’re eager to

start your own company.
That’s why I’m focused on getting my own shit.
They’re trying to blow their son up off me. I’m
trying to do my thing, so this new album I’m
doing, I’m turning it in straight to the people in
New York so it ain’t gonna have nobody from
Trill on the album but Webbie.

Why would they do that to you?

They might’ve thought I was doing my thing
too much and figured since I got one of the
biggest albums of the year coming out, let me

OZONE | 9
 PI
Bang Words by Ms. Rivercity
Photos by Colourful Money

10 | OZONE

ORLANDO-BASED RAPPER PI BANG
GOT THE STREETS (AND TRAPS) OF
CENTRAL FLORIDA JUMPIN’ WITH HIS
NEW ZAYTOVEN-PRODUCED SINGLE,
“TRAP KEEP JUMPIN’.”
What’s your story? How did you end up becom-
ing a rapper?
I’ve been rappin’ since like ‘01. I first started by
calling the radio station with a dude Copafeel,
y’all probably know him as Malik. He was on an
underground station and I used to call in and
freestyle. He ended up giving me my own show
and everybody liked what I was talkin’ about. I
came out dissin’ everbody and shit. I’d be like,
“Fuck so-and-so, fuck Smilez and Southstar.” I got
my name buzzin’ in the city. I got good at [rappin’]
but I just didn’t have the right record. Now I got a
hit record.
Why were you dissing everybody? Did you re-
ally feel that way or was it just a way to get on?
I half felt that way, and I wanted to make a name
for the O ‘cause wasn’t nobody doing it. I wanted
to be the first person to do it. I was like, fuck ev-
erybody else. If I gotta push everyone else down
to do it, then that’s what I’ma do.
You said you have a hit record now. Let’s talk
about the “Trap Keep Jumpin” song that Zay-
toven produced. How did you link up with him?
I hit him on Myspace. I had just got out of jail a
few months before that, last October, and when
I got out the first thing on my mind was coming
up with a record and getting on the radio. I hit
Zay and his people hit me back and sent me
some records. The night I recorded it I went to do
a show with Dawgman at Destiny. I performed
that song and when Disco J.R. heard it,he was like,
that’s it. I started pushin’ it, it got hot, and I did the
video.
You mentioned Disco J.R. and Dawgman. Who
are some other people in Orlando that support
you and your music?
Greg G and DJ Prostyle, definitely. He’s spinnin’
the record on his mixshow on 95.3. D-Strong
messes with me a little bit. The whole Disco and
the City Boyz. Everybody messes with me except
a few DJs. My song is getting played in almost
every club every night.
So you’ve been rapping for about 8 years now.
Is it what you expected it would be in the begin-
ning when you first started?
Hell naw. When I first started, I thought if you
was hot you would just get on, like if somebody
sees you hot then they sign yo ass. But the game
done changed so bad, you gotta invest a certain
amount of money to even have your name
known. Otherwise you gon’ waste your time. You
gotta put some money in. You gotta have a seri-
ous marketing game, you gotta have mixtapes,
you gotta buy beats from producers. It’s nothin’
like I thought it was gonna be. It’s more of a
challenge.
Are you with an indie label? What kind of team
do you have behind you?
My team consists of me, really. I got my own
label. I played around with a couple artist over
the years, but ain’t nobody stickin’ out. They ain’t
tryin’ to do what I’m tryin’ to do. They ain’t tryin’
to grind and pass they own CDs out, holla at
the DJs, get on the internet. I just try to stick to
myself and do my own thing.
Within those 8 years of you rapping, what
projects or other songs had you put out?
I did a lot of big shows. I opened for a lot of artists
– Boosie, Plies, Juvenile, Gucci Mane, OJ da Juice-
man. I was actually throwing my own concerts
and doing teen nights. That’s how I really stayed
relevant. The last mixtape I put out was in late
2006 with White Boi Pizal. That did real good
and that’s when my name really startin’ ringin’.
I had good records, but never really had a hit
song, so what kept my name relevant was shows
and mixtapes. I got a mixtape coming out this
month. It’s really more like an album ‘cause it’s all
original beats, but it’s gonna be put together like
a mixtape. Me and Sho Boy got a record coming
out too called Paper Chase. We tryin’ to show
each other love. We both kinda got a name in the
O and got people behind us, so we’re trying to
put a movement together.
Are you performing during Florida Classic?
I’ma be at Dawgman’s Car Show.
What keeps you motivated to make music?
I’m trying to turn a negative into a positive. I
come from the street and ain’t nothin’ good out
there. The money is good, but it ends up nega-
tive. If you put work into your music, shit will start
lookin’ good. Right now I’m getting paid to do a
couple shows and features. I’m just tryin’ to get
out the street. I’m tryin’ to speak for the city of Or-
lando. We gotta support each other. I ain’t tryin’
to toot my own horn, but I’ve got the hottest
record outta Orlando in a long time. If everybody
supports that, then we can move a little faster. If
somebody else had a hit record, I would do the
same thing. If it woulda been Drop, Sho Boy, Wes
Fif, any of these dudes, I would support. If some-
body asks who’s the hottest in Orlando, I’m not
gonna say myself, but I have a hot record. That’s
the problem with Orlando, everybody wanna
be a rapper, even the DJs wanna be a rapper. We
need to show support for each other.
OZONE | 11
 Wes
Words by Ms. Rivercity
Photo by Sertified Photography

Fif

12 | OZONE
s Wes Fif has been BUSY since the
last time he spoke with OZONE. He’s
been all over the blogs with new
videos, controversy with the City
of Orlando, and a questionable
photo with KEYSHIA COLE’S MOM
Frankie. They say timing is every-
thing, and in this case, it was the
perfect opportunity for Fif to
drop his new single “Goin In.”
How’s life with no hair treating you since you
cut off the braids?
Life with no hair is good. I don’t get too many
of them funny looks like I used to get. I guess I
used to look like a hoodlum or somethin’. Now
I look handsome and shit.
I see the new song “Goin In” is doing well. Is
that your official single?
Yeah, despite all the other singles I’ve put
out, that’s probably my first official single that
we’re pulling out all the stops on. I look at all
the other singles as buzz singles. This is the
first one we’re putting everything behind. I’m
about to go up to Power 95.3 with DJ Prostyle
on his mixshow for the world premiere. He
holds down everything I do, as far as Orlando
radio goes.
What’s your label situation looking like? Tell
me about the team that holds you down.
I started my label Street Smart Music earlier
this year. I’ve got my management team – Nick
Love and Dinero Jones – out of Atlanta, and
my partna Leon Bailey in Orlando, who also
runs WordOfSouth.com. I got a publicist out
of Houston named Sharelle Renee. That’s my
core team. I’m pretty much hands-on with
everything. Between us five, we get everything
done like email blasts and viral promotions.
What happened with Clientell Music? Are
you still working with them?
That’s family right there. Dawgman is always
gonna be a mentor to me. We still break bread
together, but as far as the paperwork situation,
as far as me being an artist with Clientell, my
time with that ended last November. They still
doing their thing. They got a few artists and
Dawgman still got the party shit on lock.
You travel back and forth between Orlando
and Atlanta. How does that influence your
sound or affect your business moves?
In Atlanta, they’ve been on top for so long
they’ve got it figured out. It enables me
to move more professionally when I’m in
Orlando. A lot of people in Orlando haven’t
got the opportunity to go outside of the
city and see how shit operates elsewhere. As
far as the music, it’s different, but it ain’t too
much different. Going to Atlanta enables me
to get in touch with [producers like] CNote
and JUSTICE League and all that. The level of
production in Atlanta is top notch. That allows
me to sound different and makes my quality
better. It’s more crisp and it hits harder.
We haven’t had a chance to talk to you about
what happened with the “Get It In Orlando”
video. The media came down on you pretty
hard.
That was really just the media being media.
I think they were bored as fuck that day. The
whole purpose of the song was saying that
Orlando is basically like anywhere else. Shit
goes on here just like anywhere else. At one
point in the song I said, “You better watch
the news before you leave your hotel room.”
Somehow they got the idea that I was threat-
ening terrorism and put shit on the news like
five days in a row. The FDLE had opened up
a case on me. At the end of the day it was a
misunderstanding on their part. We actually
reached out to them to come kick it with us,
ride through the hood or whatever and do an
interview, of course they declined.
I see you on a Twitter a lot and you’ve always
had a pretty heavy internet presence. How
important is that, in addition to being out in
the streets?
People don’t really understand, but the
internet for me is like a shortcut. It doesn’t
cost you as much. My last mixtape got 6,000
downloads and it didn’t cost me shit to
upload it and throw the link out, versus press-
ing up 6,000 CDs. I tell niggas all the time,
you need to find somebody who’s good with
that shit, or take the time to learn about it.
It’s cost effective. Nowadays you either have
to have spins or have the internet on smash.
You can spend 30 or 40 stacks for spins, or
you can spend $1,000 for a laptop and get the
internet.
What else do you have going on that the
people should know about?
I got two mixtapes in the streets – Just Watch
Me with DJ Spinatik, and I got my group
mixtape called Public Enemies with my partnas
Hoodlum and Ill Essence. “Goin In” is the offi-
cial single. I got the “I’m Tellin Ya” video comin’.
We ain’t lettin’ up. If you see me in Orlando,
Miami, Atlanta, wherever, when you see me
fuck wit’ me. I’m a good nigga most the time,
as long as you don’t catch me in a bad mood.
(laughs) Follow me on Twitter.com/WesFif.
OZONE | 13
 Bone Mighty
Dawgman Mike
Words by Eric Perrin
Photo by Terrence Tyson

FLORIDA
MUSCLE
14 | OZONE
Whether he and his Clientell Fam-
ily are donating 1,000 turkeys for
Thanksgiving or orchestrating
the some of the hottest events
in Central Florida, Dawgman is
the embodiment of the Florida
Muscle Movement. This multi-fac-
eted Orlando icon declares the
Florida Classic as his domain, and
he dares anyone who denies this
claim to come forward.
What is Florida Muscle in your definition?
To be honest, Florida Muscle is us just doing
some shit from the heart and basically givin’
it 100 and putting the game in a chokehold.
Florida Muscle is a spinoff of Florida Power—
OZONE did a Florida Power issue a while ago,
and I was on that [cover] with DJ Khaled, but a
lotta mu’fuckas ain’t authorized right now, so
we changed it to Florida Muscle. It’s basically
the same thing with how a lotta little bullshit
ass magazines tryin’ y’all—but they ain’t got
that Florida Muscle, so they can’t fuck wit’
y’all. So basically, we’re just re-defining Florida
Power, because we are the creators. Print this:
Dawgman Entertainment is the new Orlando.
I got 90.9 backing me a hundred percent, I got
some Taliban niggas that’s backing me up a
hundred percent, I gotta couple of banks that’s
backing me up a hundred percent, and I got
OZONE backing me up a hundred percent. I’m
straight. With Florida Muscle we went and got
the niggas that were making the most buzz
which was Mighty Mike, Bone, and Dirty G.
Dirty G missed his plane so he couldn’t be here
at the photo shoot, but we’re just gon’ rep for
him in ink.
What does the Florida Classic mean to you?
The Florida Classic? We are the Florida Classic.
Next question.
(laughs) Okay, can you elaborate a little so
people from out of town can get a better
understanding?
We is the Florida Classic, we do this. But shouts
out to Frontline, them the only niggas that I
feel put in work for the Florida Classic. The rest
of these niggas, I’ll give ‘em an A for trying, but
that’s about it. I’ll share the Florida Classic with
Frontline, because they showed me a lotta lit-
tle shit and I showed them a lotta little shit. We
do the teen parties at 360. We got Club Destiny
for the grown and sexy, we got DJ Nasty on
Saturday, he’s bringing the whole Live from the
305 and I got all my niggas coming from the
A, then on Sunday we got over 10,000 people
at the riding big car show—it’s just too many
names on that roster to list. But they’ll see
the ads. We’ve got the official afterparty that
we’re doing with OZONE for everything that’s
going down on Friday and Saturday at Club
Koha, and the official after party for the Riding
Big Car Show at Icons. We’re just trying to be
blessed, man, and we gon’ bless the hood by
doing a turkey drive for Thanksgiving. We’re
giving away 1,000 turkeys!
You have a good reputation around Orlando
and do a lot for the city, but why is that
traditionally, most promoters are looked as
shady individuals?
Because promoters are putting their money
and their reputation on the line by bringing
artists and events to the city and if one small
thing goes wrong the people hold you to it,
and think you’re trying to be shady. And it
happens to best of us [promoters], like when
Shawty Lo got sick and ain’t show up to our
shit, it looked bad on us. It’s the promoters
that hold on to that type of shit. But I don’t
think promoters try to do it on purpose. To
make a long story short, we were the first to
do this type of big shit for the Classic, and we
even got a movie coming out called “Ridin’
Big: The Movie.”
I know you always have a lot going on, so
aside from the Florida Classic events, what
are you working on?
Right now at DME we’re looking for talent. We
looking for producers, we got the studio, we
do CD and DVD duplication, we got a promo-
tional company, and we’re doing a big dance
competition called “Who’s Got It,” and that’s
going to be on January 16th at the arena, it’s
gon’ be big. Look out for the SEMA (Southeast
Music Awards) Show, that’s coming up. And
we got our own fleet of DJ’s called Clientell
Party Starters Reloaded.
Damn, so you’ve been pretty busy.
We’re just trying to get money. Wachovia,
Suntrust, and Bank of America; those are my
sponsors. But I just want people to know that
I’m a sincere cat that loves to give back to the
community. We know we can’t save the world,
but we do give back.
OZONE | 15
 Dade County born Bone has been
asking the world to listen to
him for years, AND NOW he’s done
asking. It’s time to kick down the
door and take what’S HIS.
Why is the Florida Classic important to your
music?
The Florida Classic represents a very big
market and it only happens once a year. I think
every artist that’s trying to get their music out
needs to attend that and do a lot of promo.
People are coming from all over just to attend
the FAMU-Bethune Cookman classic and being
that it’s in the middle of Florida, it’s easier for
people from all parts of the state to attend.
Do think Florida artists are finally getting the
national recognition they deserve?
Florida has been slept on for a long time. It’s
not like we just started it, we were just slept
on for a long time. Now, we ‘refinally getting
recognized, but what we just gotta do is use
what we got to actually get further, because
really, we still ain’t getting the respect the state
deserves. We just gotta really get our respect
off the muscle; that’s why we named the mix-
tape Florida Muscle.
Talk about the bats and the all-black you
guys are wearing. You don’t think that’s a
little intimidating for the Florida Classic?
Well, black has always been perceived as a
negative color, unfortunately. But that’s not
always the case. Everybody wearing black
could also signify unity. We could’ve all worn
something different on the cover, but that
wouldn’t catch your eye. If a bunch of people
walk in with all black on, it’s like, “Damn.” It
makes you wanna know what’s going on. It’s a
statement that we’re trying to make, a strong
statement—we’re here, it’s Florida Muscle.
Okay, so when people see the black and
wonder what’s going on with you specifically,
what do you want them to know?
I just want everybody to know that everything
I say is real. I’m not just all about being in the
club, or all about being the block, but I done
been on the block, and I done been in the
club, so you gon’ hear some of those songs. I
also had a lot of pain. I had a lot of joy and a
lot of happiness, so you gon’ hear all that in my
music. I don’t want people to just assume that
I’m this or that, because really you gotta listen
16 | OZONE
to it for what it is. I don’t want people to auto-
matically label me negative, because I’m not
negative like that. I done did a lot of negative
things, but who didn’t? I want people to look
at me for what I’m doing now, and how far I
done came from that.
How’d you get involved in the Florida Muscle
movement?
I’m from Dade County and all of us are from
different places and we’re doing our own
individual thing, cause we’re all bosses. We
were all making noise individually, and we all
knew of each other and had respect for each
other. It ended up that we would always be
in the same place together doing shows, so
eventually we started talking about forming a
powerhouse group, and that’s what we’re do-
ing right now. Believe me, if you ain’t got the
mix CD Streets Most Wanted, make sure you
get that because it’s serious. It’s killin’ ‘em.
How has Dade County sculpted your music?
That’s where I’m from and I love it. It’s rough,
but it’s also fun. A lot of people think you can’t
go down there because it’s so bad, because
they see The First 48, and whatnot, but if you
go down there to party and have fun, you’re
gonna have fun. If you go down there to be in
a different realm though, yeah, you gon’ get
caught up. As far as Miami relating to my aura
in terms of the music, I don’t want to be too
tied in to nothing. I’m not trying to be labeled
as somebody who tries to follow the trend. I
don’t want to do the same music as every-
body else. I’m not trying to get caught in a
box, I believe it’s all about being yourself, and
that’s what I’m doing.
Finally, tell us in your words exactly what
Florida Muscle is.
Florida Muscle is this: When you get tired of
asking for so long, and not being answered,
then you get to the point where you just gotta
go ahead and get it yourself. It ain’t no asking.
We done been asking, we done been trying,
now we kicking the door in. We was trying to
tell y’all we was hear, and y’all wasn’t listening,
so now we ain’t asking for it no more. We
taking it.
Sometimes looks can be deceiving;
most of the time they aren’t. In
Mighty Mike’s caSe, his appearance
is right on. His image portrays the
exact sketch of what he wants his
life and music to contain: Muscle.
More specifically, Florida Muscle.
What does the Florida Classic mean to you
and how does it pertain to your movement?
First of all, Orlando is like my second home.
My family’s down there and Clientell. I’ve been
fuckin’ wit’ Dawgman forever; and the Classic
is like one of our pressure points when you’re
trying to takeover Florida. You’ve got Orlando,
you got Tampa, you got Miami, Jacksonville,
Tallahassee—basically any city that has a big
event, and the Florida Classic is huge. We’ve
been grinding, putting up posters and move
CD’s in Orlando forever. During the Classic
there’s gonna be like 2 million people down
there so we really gotta step it up.
What do you want people who are coming
to visit Orlando just for the Classic to know
about Mighty Mike?
I just want them to know strictly that I grind.
If they don’t know nothing else, know that
I grind and respect the grind if you don’t
respect nothing else. I got flyers everywhere,
street team everywhere, and when they see
that they gon’ know that Mighty Mike is in the
streets. Mighty Mike is everywhere.
How have you been able to build your buzz?
Recently it seems you’ve been building a lot
of momentum.
It ain’t no play-play about my music. I hooked
up with my cousin BloodRaw, BRE Entertain-
ment, and I represent that shit, I represent the
CTE shit—I’m well connected. Everybody who
knows my grind knows that I’m a real cat, and
that’s made people start talkin’ about my mu-
sic. Right now we really buzzing in the streets
and if you ain’t got that Streets Most Wanted
mixtape with me and my cousin Bloodraw
you’re missin’ out on a raw ass CD.
Aside from the mixtape, what other projects
have you been working on?
I’ve been doing a lot of tracks with a lot of ma-
jor artists; I did a track with Pastor Troy called
“Kill ‘Em Dead,” talking about snitches and
stuff. I done did a song with Lil’ Boosie talkin’
about that fire-fire. I did a song with Brisco,
and some of everybody, so basically I’m out
here. Niggas know me from the streets, niggas
know me from the industry, niggas know me
from everywhere.
I know you’ve been doing music for a
minute, but how exactly did you get started
in rap?
I really don’t rap, I just tell you what I did in
life. But basically, me and my cousin Bloodraw
started this shit when we got outta prison. I
gotta outta prison before him so I started the
NFL Riders. Then he got outa prison after me
and our dream was always to do something
to get up out the hood and do better for our-
selves and our family. We had a song together
with Lil’ Jon, but then [Bloodraw] caught on
and I started helping him out, and then Jeezy
and Kinky B came and sat down with us one
day at the Superbowl in Jacksonville and it
just kept going from there. This shit just don’t
happen overnight, you gotta be persistent. If
you ain’t persistent you ain’t finna get it—and
I’m a persistent cat. If you go to the library my
music would be over there with the real shit,
like the Malcolm X type shit. I ain’t over there
wit’ Snow White and all that shit. My music is
gon’ touch people.
How did going to prison at the age of 15
affect your outlook on life, and how is that
expressed in your music?
When I went to prison at 15 it was a crazy
experience, but I never let shit like that bring
me down. I took it and made the best out of
it. I caught 15 years and prison made me read,
play a little chess, and taught me how to go
in the law library and represent myself. I had
to go learn the law myself to bring that shit
back to they ass and get back out, because if I
didn’t, I would still be trapped up in that bitch.
I ended up only doing 3 and a half years and
then they found out that they over-sentenced
me, but that’s what they were doing to young-
black males. Clarence Foster was the Judge
that was sending niggas over the guidelines.
He was fuckin’ us and if you didn’t know noth-
ing about the law you woulda been stuck up
in there.
OZONE | 17
Cash
Chris
Words by Ms Rivercity

18 | OZONE
Cash Chris is a new name with May-
bach Music. Now residing in Orlan-
do, Chris IS originally from South
Florida BUT relocated to central
Florida to work on his craft. Be-
ing in a centralized location, in
a city that brings out the major
figures, Chris’ music eventually
found its way into the hands of
the right cosigners. Through DJ
Nasty, Chris was given the oppor-
tunity to showcase his talents
on-air and at various nightclubs,
building a name worthy of the
Maybach Music stamp of approval.
How did you build a name for yourself in
Orlando?
I’m originally from Palm Beach, and I moved to
Orlando in 2000. My homeboy had moved up
here and he had met this producer from Miami
named Da Deacon. Me and him started mak-
ing music. We had a group for a couple years,
then I wanted to move on to my solo project.
In 2007, I met Spiff TV. At the time he was an
A&R for DJ Nasty and the Nasty Beatmakers
and he eventually introduced me [to them].
DJ Nasty started putting me on the 5 O’clock
Traffic Jam and I would perform at his parties. I
started getting a lot of attention from that.
When did the situation with Maybach Music
come about?
Rick Ross came down for one of DJ Nasty’s par-
ties, and Spiff TV was working closely with Rick
Ross. He had me come to the radio station and
I met Ross; then I saw him at the studio with
Khaled, Fat Joe, and The Inkredibles. We talked
after that and Ross did a feature for my song
that was produced by OZ n Da Deacon. After
that, he was hearing more and more of my
music, and on March 15th, they aired a video
on WorldHipHop saying I was signed. I didn’t
even know. A month later they put down the
contract and the rest is history.
You have the “Duffle Bag” video out with
Rick Ross. What are some other songs you’re
known for?
If you listen to “Duffle Bag,” you’ll hear a lot
of shout outs. It’s kinda like my welcome to
Maybach Music song. Prior to that, Rick Ross
was featured on two of my other songs: “I Like
Dat” was the first one, and “Put Em On Me” has
Rick Ross doing the hook. It was produced by
Natural Disaster.
Besides Ross, who are some other Maybach
Music artists you’ve collaborated with?
I’ve done a song with Magazeen, he’s a reggae
artist on Maybach Music. It was produced by
The Inkredibles. I’m currently working on a
song with Masspike Miles, an R&B singer on
Maybach Music. And I did the song with Triple
C’s.
Are you putting out any mixtape projects?
I’m working on a mixtape right now called
Everybody Hates Chris. I got one out right now
on DatPiff called Dirty Sexy Money hosted by
DJ Slique of Block Movaz.
Why are you calling your new tape Every-
body Hates Chris?
I’m not from Orlando, and I felt like in a lot of
situations I wasn’t shown love because I’m not
from a certain area. But you gotta keep going
on anyway and not let that be a problem.
And I call it Everybody Hates Chris because it’s
catchy. Everybody’s gonna pay more attention
to it. All I have to do is deliver the music.
It’s interesting that you’re from South Flori-
da, and after you moved to Central Florida,
that led to you signing to a label based in
South Florida.
Yeah, that’s crazy. That’s the thing about
Orlando, being a tourist spot and a central
part of Florida, I felt that if I could started
gettin’ heard here, because there’s so many
tourists, my music could be taken so many
other places. A lot of people from Jacksonville,
Miami, Tallahassee come in and out of the city.
And we’ve got a lot of schools and universities
here.
What else should people know about you
and your story?
I’ve been doin’ this for a while. This is authen-
tic music, this isn’t a guy livin’ somebody else’s
dream. I did this. When you hear the raps, this
is actually my life. I done did those crimes,
anything I did you can look up in public re-
cords. I’m not rappin’ things I don’t really know
about. This is authentic street music. It’s not
coming from a guy that was from the suburbs,
I’m from a hood. I have a mother addicted to
drugs and I’ve never seen my father, so my
music comes from a whole different place.
OZONE | 19
Sho
Boy
Words by Ms. Rivercity
Photo by Wrap Giants

20 | OZONE
An Orange County native, Sho Boy
takes pride in representing for
his city. He gained local support
through DJ Nasty for his song “Sip
Slow” which went on to collect
over 100 radio spins. Since then he
and his independent label have
continued putting up numbers
and are now focused on produc-
ing a movie and book for the
upcoming year.
Tell us about your background and how you
came up in your rap career.
I’m still coming up and catching a buzz right
now. I started writing in 2007, but you’re not
a rapper until you get the deal. My grind has
been impeccable, doing hand-to-hand sales.
I met DJ Nasty and was able to establish a
good cosign. I got over 100 spins on Clear
Channel 102 Jamz. With my Haitian decent, I
was already doing shows in Haiti. That was all
within 12 months.
What was the song that got you all those
spins?
It was a song called “Sip Slow” produced by Da-
vid Breed. He went on to do production for Lil
Boosie, Anthony Hamilton, and Young Jeezy.
We’re all on the come up and it’s a blessing he
did the track. It also got me on the corner store
and street mixtapes that DJ Khaled does. It
was a good look for me.
What did you move on to after that? What
came next for you?
I did records, like DJ drops, for DJ D-Strong,
Chino, and other guys that were coming up at
the time. It kept me on the radio and kept me
poppin’ on air. Soon after I caught a buzz, get-
ting on every central Florida rapper’s features
and whatnot.
What made you want to start doing music in
the first place?
I think money is the biggest motivation on the
face of this earth. Everyone moves for money,
and nobody moves without money. But back
in high school, I started off with my homie Big
Rob making beats first. We had our own little
studio and it was kinda cool. Then I started
getting in the freestyle ciphers and freestyling
over beats and started getting recognition.
When I heard girls reciting the words, that’s
when I kinda knew what was good. What really
got me into it, was when I was in the cafeteria
and I got $5 for one of my tapes. I went home,
dubbed two more, came back, and made $10
more. It was on and poppin’ ever since.
Being from Orlando, who would you say are
the pioneers in your city’s music scene?
I got to give my #1 shout out to Preacher.
Other than that, I’d like to say that I’m the
future and I will be a forefather of Orlando rap.
A lot of people migrate to the city, so most of
the rappers that have made it out of Orlando
aren’t really from here. I feel like I’m one of the
representatives of Orlando as a forefather.
What’s the significance behind your rap
name? Where did it come from?
Being Haitian, “sho” in Creole means “hot.”
When I was younger, and still to this day, I’m
a hot boy so that’s why people called me
Sho Boy. Some people think it has to do with
me performing, so I guess that could be the
meaning too.
Are you with a label?
My independent label is called Swamp House.
I’m backed up by big homie Kizzo. We’re doing
pretty good numbers. We do move more indie
sales than any other artist, period, in central
Florida.
What are some things you guys are working
towards in the near future?
Well, right now, I’ve been talking to David
Geffen, he’s interested, and Warner Brothers
is interested in me. There’s a movie situation
we’re working on. I’m also finishing writing a
book with my publishing company Norfolk.
We’re on set and have the screen play of the
movie finished already. My goal is to release
that during the 1st or 2nd quarter. We haven’t
picked the official title yet. I want to call it 100,
but of course they want to go with something
more commercial.
What do you have going on for the Florida
Classic?
On Friday I’m booked at Club 57 West down-
town. I’m also booked at Dawgman’s Car
Show.
Is there anything else you want to say?
People can always check me out at Myspace.
com/TheRealShoBoy. I’d also like to say this,
$10k to anybody who can say who’s hotter
than Sho Boy at the top of 2010. I’ll put up
$10k to anybody who does it harder. I got 10
mixtapes, 6 videos, the movie, and the book. I
ain’t braggin’, I’m just swaggin’.
OZONE | 21
 THe grind is never ending for DJ
Nasty. In addition to him and his
brother LVM making up the pro-
ducer group Nasty Beatmakers, DJ
Nasty is also a prominent figure
on 102 Jamz, at Club Roxy, Fires-
tone, and several other venues.
Alongside Khaled, Nasty manages
The Runners and works with new
production duo The Inkredibles.
DJ NASTY
Words by Ms Rivercity
When it comes to producers I looked up to, like
Timbaland, Neptunes, The Runners, and now
The Inkredibles, those dudes are on another
level. They do pop, R&B, rock, you name it. I take
my hats off to them. They drop bangers left and
right; I get in where I fit in.

What have you been up to lately?
I don’t even know where to start. As I get deeper
into this music business, I’m not just DJing any-
more. I’m a producer, a manager, and I got my
own company. I manage producers and artists
now. We been working on Khaled’s album. Me
and my brother from Nasty Beatmakers did some
work on Ace Hood’s album. We did a beat with
Ace featuring Ludacris that we shot a video for
a couple months ago. We’ve been working with
Weezy for his Rebirth album. Me and Khaled
manage The Runners so we’ve been working with
Usher, Mario, Jeezy, Lloyd, Wayne, you name it.
I’ve also got my producers in VA, The Inkredibles.
Me and Khaled got ‘em on the Jay-Z album featur-
ing Young Jeezy.
What’s your radio schedule look like?
You can catch me on 102 Jamz at 5 O’clock. Also
catch me on Saturday night from 10 to 12 during
the Classic. DJ Nasty and DJ Khaled are taking
over the radio heavy. You can also catch me in
the clubs. I just got back from Europe with Rick
Ross. We did 5 shows in Germany and we also hit
London. It’s non-stop. They don’t call us We The
Best for nothin’.
What are your plans for Classic weekend?
It’s goin’ down in a major way. On Friday we’re
doin’ Phat Friday at Roxy with Frontline Promo-
tions. Saturday night we got The Classic Fest
at Firestone – We The Best and Friends with DJ
Khaled, Ace Hood, Red Rum, The Runners, The
Inkredibles. It’s the family. Sunday I’ma be at the
Sunday Night Shut Down at Firestone Live. I got
the home team there – Disco and The City Boyz,
DJ D-Strong, DJ Chino, Young City.
Is there anything else you want to tell the
people?
Stay tuned for the new Rick Ross album – Teflon
Don. We’re gonna be on there heavy. Stay tuned
for the Lil Wayne album. Hopefully it’s dropping
this year. I’m hearing a December date. We got a
lot of greats on that album. Ludacris is droppin’
real soon – Battle of Both Sexes. Check me out in
the streets heavy. If I’m not in Orlando, I might
be in a country near you. Follow me on Twitter.
com/DJNasty102 and Myspace.com/DJNasty.

Who discovered The Inkredibles?

My partner in crime, Spiff TV. He discovered them
on Myspace. He would play me their beats all the
time, and I would be busy with all types of other
stuff. I’d hear it and be like, “Oh, that’s alright, it
needs a little work.” He would keep playing me
stuff as they were advancing. One day it caught
my attention. I was like, “Damn, who is that you
playing?” They sounded dope. We set up a meet-
ing and brought them down. Then it was on.

Being a producer yourself and being hands-on

with music, how does that help you with the
management and business side of things?
When it comes to music, there’s unlimited
resources out there when it comes to putting
these albums together. There’s a million produc-
ers, but only the cream of the crop is getting on
these projects nowadays. With me being hands
on, I like to get on the project as much as I can.

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