6 ........................ Waka Flocka 8 .........................DJ Yella Boy 10 ..................... DJ Joski Love 12 ............................... Mook 14-15 ........C-Wiz Music Reviews 16 ............ 5 Star Chick: Jocelyn 17 ...... 5 Star Chick: Bianca Rose 18 ........................ Bama Starz 20 ............... Barber Profile: Shy 22 .............................. Ty Boy 24 ........................Whip Game 26 .......................Shortchange 28-29 ................... Mic Strange Editor: Angela Dalton Ad Executives: Rick Bradshaw, Angela Dalton Photography: Issac Ward Cover Photo: Warner Music Group Art Director: Rex2-tm Ad Design: Jamal Turner Online Editors: Issac Ward, Reis O’Neill Publishing Consultant: Bryan Deese Reps: Durell Griffin, Benny Roberts, Briley Ward, Niyahh
CONCRETE Magazine PO Box 3542, Huntsville, Al 35810 concretealabama@gmail.com 256.542.1150 © CONCRETE Magazine 2012
CONCRETE: What can people expect from you on Triple F Life? Waka: They can expect off this one what they expected off the last one ... Waka Flocka! I have no words or expressions or answers for that kind of question. The only thing I can tell them is they’re going to get Waka Flocka. The album I gave y’all two years ago it’s the same one times ten. Better words, it’s topically clearer and I’m dominating the clubs. I’m dominating music this time. CONCRETE: Who were some of the producers you worked with on Triple F Life? Waka: Man I got an in-house producer named South Side. South Side did 8 beats. I got another producer named C-Note that produced the song I got with Bun B and Ludacris. It’s a smash. And Lex Luger did “Round of Applause”. I like our own producer. I feel like we got our own sound, so I’m going to stick to that. I’m not going to run away from it. CONCRETE: How did you link up with Drake for “Round of Applause”? Waka: When I made “Round of Applause” I automatically knew that shit was going to be an instant girl dancing, club popping song. I had been made the record, but I tried to narrow it down like, ‘who can I put on the record that can appeal to women.’ And who better than Drake right now with songs for women. Plus Drake had never rapped on an up-tempo beat like that. So I was curious to know how he sounds on a club beat. CONCRETE: What are some of your favorite songs off your Lebron Flaka James, and Kevin Flaka Durant mixtapes? Waka: I got one big record called “Rumors”. It was huge. I had another record called “Watch My Power Spread”. I got a record called ‘”Pole”. There’s a lot of records. I’m going to have to come out with a Best of Waka Flocka CD anyways so people can reach all the music I put out during the year and a half that I was sitting there practicing on my game. Do a recap.
6
CONCRETE: How did you get initial start DJing? Yella Boy: It was a New Year’s Eve party at the Benchwarmer. They didn’t have a DJ so I went up there and started playing music on the computer. After that, I was eating at a restaurant and met Mix Boi Entertainment; they asked if I was a DJ, I really didn’t know, so I said yes. They gave me a gig, I went to the club with a desktop computer and that’s how it started. CONCRETE: Any new mixes? Yella Boy: Dropping a new mixtape next week that sounds totally different from anything I’ve ever dropped. Working on the title for it; I’m thinking maybe “Nightmare Music.” It’s not Halloween or anything but there is a meaning behind it. You deal with a lot and have haters and people that down you, we just putting all the hate and stuff to sleep. So, they will have nightmares about it when this drops because I think this is the biggest one I’ve ever dropped. CONCRETE: How is the artist-DJ relationship in Alabama? Yella Boy: I feel like Alabama is late. Not downing Alabama but it’s late. You see Atlanta is on but the artist and DJs are hand to hand. Here you have a lot of artist that make music but don’t get it to the DJs, they sit in the studio all day and make twelve thousand songs but none get to a DJ. The relationship here is getting better because people are opening their eyes and seeing what they need to do to get there. It’s a lot stronger now and I feel like Alabama will have a major artist to blow in the next two to three years. CONCRETE: What is your affiliation with 6 Tre G? Yella Boy: I’m hosting a new mixtape for 6 Tre G called El Trapo. I’m a DJ for Mazerati Records now. I signed to the label. I’ve always looked up to 6 Tre. He is good people and really taught me a lot as far as Pro Tools. I’ve been working with him on the mixtape and it sounds good. It dropped the end of May.
8
CONCRETE: How did you pay your dues? Joski Love: I learned by carrying other DJ’s crates. From Emperor Searcy to Lil John, DJ Doc and DJ Mars, these guys had 50 crates of records and big turntables. I was an intern and would be in the club at 9 o’clock setting up for them. It was a labor of love involved, because those records were heavy and that was work. That brought me into it, but when I started on my own I was more of a CD guy. Now everything is digital. As long as I have my laptop I’m good to go. I respect the new guys because they are more so producers than just ordinary DJs. CONCRETE: Huntsville impact in the hip hop scene? Joski Love: Huntsville itself is still about 15 years off. Everyone wants to compare it to Atlanta, but look at the history of Atlanta hip hop. Whodini in the 80s allows Young Jeezy to be in the 90s. You have to be able to follow that history and respect it. CONCRETE: What are your relationships like with local artists? Joski Love: I’m glad you asked. I came on the radio in Huntsville and took the “home grown” segment to another level. The artistry here and hip hop scene now, I have a direct influence on that. It didn’t exist at the level it exists now or have the same opportunities. It has been a labor of love and war to get outside markets to pay attention to us, to get our music to the outside markets, and to get the people inside our market to understand this is a business. You have to conduct it like a business, It’s not personal. No matter who you are in the streets or who you are at school or whatever, that means nothing when we are talking about music because we are grading on a whole different scale. I’ve heard it all and been called it all. At the end of the day anyone that has dealt with me I treated fairly and I’ve done my best to look out for them at whatever level we were at.
10
CONCRETE: When did you start rapping? Mook: Around 2007, I was rapping for myself. Just making stuff and listening to it. If someone else would get in the car I would snatch it out. I was just afraid of people not liking it. I had a rental car and my brother was taking it back for me. I messed around and forgot my CD in the car. When I came back home my brother and his partners were playing my music. It really put me on the spot. It went from my family to my neighborhood and it just blossomed. CONCRETE: What is your affiliation with Artillery South? Mook: The first song I ever made was “Susan” when I was going to Ken P’s studio. To make a long story short, I was making music out there, and he let Kane hear it. Kane had actually been calling me for a while. At the time I would brush it off. I was doing other stuff and wasn’t interested in being a rapper. I weighed my options and it made more sense to try and rap. I had a couple avenues to get rich quick. Football was one and it didn’t work out, so I chose rap. We linked up after “Susan” and the rest is history. CONCRETE: What has your musical progression been like since your 2009 Bang or Slang mixtape? Mook: That was my first mixtape. It was produced by Zaytoven, he is a real cool dude. I’m more comfortable with myself and have more substance. It’s not just street records anymore. I can make almost anything. CONCRETE: What can we expect from the Re Up? Mook: It’s just me being myself. It’s a lot of stuff in there. Something for the ladies, the dude that is up at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning doing his thing, the club, and something for you to ride out to on Sunday morning. CONCRETE: What’s next for you? Mook: We have the “BFF” video featuring Rocko which we are about to shoot in two weeks. Then the “Benz Coupe” remix featuring Gucci Mane and we are doing the “Yo Body” video in Miami Memorial Day weekend.
12
The Syndicate - Syn City
The best thing about The Syndicate is each of the artist that makes up this 4 man collective compliments the entire group, as opposed to some other groups where there is a blatant weak or strong member. The subject matter of the songs stayed the same as most artist (girls, Jordans, partying, etc..), but The Syndicate pulled it off without sounding like everybody else thanks to the diverse vocals of the group. They kinda remind me of Dem Franchise Boyz. ‘Freak it’ was deviation from the norm and was good to hear considering most artist are afraid to even attempt an uptempo dance song. Overall the beats matched the vocals and every member held its own on this album. Tight work!!
Dynomite Kid - Y2K J.J. Evans Vol. 2: Where Da Haters At?
As I rode in my car listening to this CD, I couldn’t help but nod my head and bounce. The production is exquisite. The track ‘Dynomite Speaks’ gives insight into the motivation behind his songs, specifically the next track ‘Haters Everywhere’. If I have 1 complaint its that the instrumentals sound a little ‘too’ alike. I would like to have heard a little more diversity in the kinds of tracks he spit over on the mixtape. All of these are definitely tracks that I could bump in the club or on mixtapes.
KD - Crown M Me
This is an amazing street album for KD fans of the past or new ones. I love the vast topics this one covers and the way KD remains consistent with his rhymes over different types of tracks. This CD covers all types of topics. There are a lot of soulful Southern joints on this one so it feels like that real Alabama music. The only problem I have with this one is it has two DJs names attached to it but I didn’t hear any hosting and only a few drops. I understand not wanting to overdo it with a bunch of yelling like some other DJs, but I’m still a fan of the DJ hosting and mixing the tape.
Hater Proof - MAAAAAAnnnn
This EP Maaann has good old school, Southern feel to it. Hater Proof sounds like Mr.Bigg! Songs like “By Myself”” and “Twurk” are really strong but the best song on the EP is “How it Goes”! That song is jammin’! The only songs that really don’t do it for me are “Excuse Me Sir” and “All Nite” other than that this is a solid EP.
14
Young Joey the Prince - The New Fresh Prince
The first full track “college life” sums up the feel of this CD because this is more about parting and having a good time as opposed to all that wild street shit that so many people rap about but very few actually live. This mixtape actually took me back to a simpler time in life when everybody wasn’t talking about selling drugs. This felt like a project made by a lyrical beast who’s telling his own story, not somebody else’s. I love the ‘success’ skit but wish he would’ve put it higher up on the play list. I think this cat has a lot of potential to do big things as long as he sticks to his own game plan.
TC Da Outlaw - 100% Authentic
TC comes with it lyrically from beginning to end on the properly titled 100% Authentic. His delivery matches perfectly with the production, which also is top notch. This is that music that gets you charged up when you ride to it whether in the hood or on the way to the club. If I had to sum this one up in two words I would say it’s authentic and true to what TC is all about. I like that DJ Stikubush shows some DJ skills by bringing the song back and actually mixing and hosting this project. I’ve noticed that’s missing from a lot of so called ‘hosted’ mixes.
Spank Lee- Tax Free
When it comes to Spank I’m impressed by the complexity of the track selection and how well he puts together his rhymes over them. Far too many times artist rap over tracks that simply don’t go together with their delivery style. This is not the case with Spank as he flawlessly takes you on a ride with various subjects and air tight lyrics. ‘Pimp Shit’ is one of my favorite joints because it talks about the essence of pimping a broad in the South. DJ New Era did a good job of hosting this mix without overshadowing the artist.
15
16
17
18
CONCRETE: Are there any difficulties working as a group? Bama Starz: Groups can be complicated sometimes, then again it’s good. You have different styles and different stuff that people want. Everyone doesn’t rap the same. Solo you are just being you but in a group you can learn from each other. CONCRETE: Do you see progression from 2007? Bama Starz: Yes! We’ve come a long way. From a room where you stand in front of people and record on the mic, to a garage then a studio. Every year and every mixtape it gets better and better. Someone surprises someone in the group. CONCRETE: Have you had any industry set backs? Bama Starz: Last year we had an issue with a man that said he worked for Universal. We were about to send him money to come here and set some things up. Come to find out he wasn’t with them and tried to get us on some slick stuff. The real Universal contacted us to let us know we had to take the flyers down, because it wasn’t approved by them. We could have possibly been sued.
CONCRETE: What’s next? Bama Starz: New mixtape called Talk of the City City. They are really going to know about us after this one. 2012 is the year for us and that’s how we feel. We are more diverse. You’re not just going to hear Alabama or down south you will hear everywhere. The whole mixtape will be features from everywhere. CONCRETE: Musical unity in your city? Bama Starz: Folks in Huntsville act like they are too good for their own people. If you are from Huntsville show your people some love and help them out. Don’t give people a hand out but give some type of lee way. People here will charge you a thousand dollars just to do a feature with you, but you are trying to make it just like we are. Not trying to toot our own horn, but the people who try and charge that much we are better than them because we are hot right now. Since day one we have tried to show everyone love.
19
CONCRETE: Most difficult aspect of being a barber? Shy: The customers. I’ve learned that the hard way. Before, I thought it was just getting someone in the chair to cut their hair, that’s not the case. The customers come with so many different emotions and everyone is busy. Everyone has something better to do and it’s all up to the barber to get everyone out in a timely fashion, but remember they are all mad at you. (laughs) CONCRETE: Any trends you were happy to see go? Shy: Mohawks. I hate cutting Mohawks cause no one wants to hold their head still. (laughs) CONCRETE: Time frame to build consistent clientele? Shy: At Phade Away, as soon as I opened the doors. Here in Huntsville, I had a couple of guys that tried to be haters. I really don’t have haters, that type of negativity is nothing but gas to me. They told me it took me six years to get my business. Really it took me three months to get my business and six years to learn the business. This isn’t a business that you can just walk into. You have to have your hustle up. You have to be willing to stay when everyone else wants to leave, willing to come in and cut hair when no one wants to get up. Its 9:44 a.m. and I’m here cutting hair. Not because of Concrete but because of these guys right here. I know they are going to be here, so I have to be here. I’m that type of person. CONCRETE: Barbershop dynamic? Shy: I don’t really view the barbershop these days like it was back in the day. People are going through so many different phases in their lives. A lot of guys don’t like talking about their business because half of their business they can’t talk about. There are pointless conversations going on to past time. You talk about sports, or what’s going on in the news. It’s a point where the barber becomes a counselor but that’s for the younger guys.
20
CONCRETE: What is your musical background? Ty Boy: I started with music when I was around 18 or 19. In 1999 I was with Rolex Records, I salute J Rock the Sniper. We dropped an album then called In Alabama I was featured on a song with Alley B. I was with the label till 2004 and was also on the Double Up and Roll Up albums. I was going with my instinct of what I wanted to do and that was rap. Now I have switched it up. CONCRETE: Can you tell us about your label, who’s on and what it has coming? Ty Boy: Kings in the Street Entertainment LLC, I have Gas Mask Gang which is my young squad, Rillo, Angelo the Great, and Tall Boi. I started it up in 2011. I’m sitting back and doing the CEO side of the business. I’m pushing the young squad Gas Mask Gang. They are a young talented squad. They have the heat, and they are going at it hard. Look out for “Battle of the Bands” on the new K.I.T.S. Compilation. CONCRETE: What inspired “Wait a Minute”? Ty Boy: I did “Wait a Minute” for my city. I could’ve talked about selling drugs and stuff like that, but I switched it around and represented for my city. “Wait a minute”, we are on our way and when we get there I am behind it all the way. I’m behind my city and I support everyone and everything that is done around here. CONCRETE: Any setbacks transitioning from artist to management? Ty Boy: Not really. I push them the same way I would push myself. We are still growing and with what we have going on now, we’ve come together. I don’t get the same vibe from the city that I give. It seems like people don’t like me. They dap me up and say they want to do music with me, but don’t. I have to just keep on flowing how I flow.
22
Lincoln Towncar Executive Series with Outrageous Swordfish Flip on 28”s.
Camaro on 24” Asantis
24
CONCRETE: In 2009 Hype Magazine article pegged you as being on track to become one of the first rap stars from Huntsville. What was your career like at that time? Shortchange: In 2009, I dropped my album Who Dat Boi Is? Is?. You really can’t promote an album if you don’t promote the single to it. You just can’t throw an album out there. “What you looking at?” which I have the video out for now would have been the single. It’s a club banger to get everyone hype. The Beam Up mixtape was out too. It wasn’t mastered and nowhere near my best work. I just put something out there because I was anxious. We still put copies out of that mixtape today, the streets love it, but my best work is yet to come. CONCRETE: Is there musical unity in your city? Shortchange: There is a lot of unity amongst the artists, but with promoters and DJs there is rare unity. There is a gap between the DJs and artists here. If you want local music to really blow and get known, DJs should spin it in the club. There should be an hour for local music on the radio instead of one song at 6:30. Shout out to DJ Majesty and DJ 808. DJ Caesar from 103.5 and DJ Fresh do their thing on Tuesday nights at the Benchwarmers, but it’s not enough. Some of it does fall back on the artist. You can’t go to the radio with unmastered or unedited music. You have to be on your game too. Huntsville righteously has the most talent in Alabama, not talking down on any other cities but our music is on another level. CONCRETE: What’s next for you? Shortchange: We have a single on the radio “Back Against the Wall” featuring Universal. I have my upcoming street album Super Villain. The concept behind Super Villain is that since I’m from Huntsville I feel I’m on another caliber. If you’re from Huntsville you are a villain. Plus I like comic books and the villain aspect of things. The opening track to the album is killer with Ben Frank on the beat. You can expect it late May.
26
28
As a true veteran, Mic Strange grabs your attention with a distinct voice from the moment he speaks. His intent, to mesmerize listeners to one day repeat word for word the thoughts he leaves behind on each track. Zombie Gang serves as his trade mark of loyal followers that anticipate the next verse he drops. CONCRETE: What was your childhood like? Mic Strange: I grew up without my dad and my grandparents raised me. Looking back on it I know that affected me. I was the class clown and have always been the center of attention. Anyone that knows me will tell you that. I took school for granted. Stay in school. Education is very important especially with the way things are now in a digital world. Without education you will be lost. CONCRETE: Musical beginnings? Mic Strange: The first song I ever recorded was when I was 18. SHO which was one of the first rap cliques around here. I went over there with them recorded a song, heard it, and fell in love with my voice. CONCRETE: Local or national artist inspirations? Mic Strange: Growing up I was a fan of LL Cool J, Bad Boyz, and Kurtis Blow. The first tape I ever got was Run DMC. After I listened to it, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. Locally, I remember Po Boi. He goes by Jimmy Tycoon now. When I saw his first real CD I couldn’t believe it. He was like a super star to me. I didn’t know him but I knew he was from here and I knew his manager. I was tripping on the fact that a guy from around here actually put a CD out. Melodrama the group Tam Tam and C-Dub (Ray J’s brother) were a part of it and had one of the tightest songs to come out of Huntsville, “Dr. Doc.”
CONCRETE: What can people expect to hear if they listen to Zombie Land Land? Mic Strange: “Zombie Land is about drugs. Everybody in this city is on something, pills, weed, or whatever. The whole country is using Lortabs. When I did a show in Nashville, TN, they had a whole task force just for pills. CONCRETE: In “Ain’t It Hard to Tell” you said, ‘The way I look at it, if you out here getting money, I can’t do nothing but respect it.’- elaborate? Mic Strange: I’m a hustler. My granddaddy was a hustler; I’ve seen him barely be able to feed us. After he raised his kids, he helped with his grandkids. He was a garbage man and did whatever he could do for money. It’s in my blood. So, if you’re getting money I can’t hate on that, I respect that. Little guys getting money I really respect that. CONCRETE: What does success look like for you? Mic Strange: A couple things, of course, when I start getting paper for my craft. When everyone out there is saying my shit word for word, that’s what I want so bad. I want to be able to take care of my family with a rap career. I want Grammy’s, I want platinum plaques and all of that, but the main thing is I need paper. CONCRETE: Advice to industry new comers? Mic Strange: Stay driven and if you want it you will get it. Even though I want to give up so much and I go through my stages of forget this. Stay driven and focused. Do a lot of music. Right now the market is the internet and mixtapes. The more songs you do you better your chances.
29