CONCRETE Magazine - Memphis #17 by CONCRETE Magazine

8-10 ...........................Tity Boi 12 ..............................C.Cren 13 ................................. PBZ 14 ...........................Ash Cash 18-21 ....... Memphis 10: Tristan J 22 ...........................DJ Stylez 24-26 ........Black Flag Movement We are starting Concrete off with a bang in 2011! First one of Memphis’ top movements with Major Movz Entertainment and their “Black Flag Movement” and of course Tity Boy aka @2chainz! Thank us later! See ya in the Spring! Editor: Cory Sparks Online Editor: Daria Greene Contributing Writers: Dani Inez Sales: Ricardo Hunter, R. Ashford Distribution: Connell Boyland Art Director: Rex2 Publishing Consultant: Bryan Deese

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Tity Boi b.k.a. @2chainz a.k.a. “Hair Weave Killa” and half of rap duo Playaz Circle sat down to chat with Concrete Memphis Magazine about his internet crazed mixtape Trap-A-Velli 1 and 2 and his highly demanded single “Boo”. CONCRETE: First off, how did you get the name “Tity Boi”!? Tity Boi: I got it from my Big Mama. They named me Tity Baby when I was young, because I’m an only child raised by a single black mother, plus I was breast fed. My friends heard it and started laughing, but took to it. I’ve been Tity Boi every since. That’s one of those ghetto hood nick names. (laughs) CONCRETE: Your newly titled single “Boo” is in high demand right now. Were you expecting to have such a heavy debut? Tity Boi: Actually I wasn’t. But it’s something that came with the timing. It’s one of those reality songs that people can adapt to. You know a song you play once...then you have to play it again. The song really grew by itself. CONCRETE: Playaz Circle was a very successful rap duo. What made you want to take the solo route? How did you know it was the right time to do so? Tity Boi: Really it just came when Dolla (other half of Playaz Circle) and myself were in our studio putting together material. And for the past couple of years, I’ve been in overdrive. I dropped 6 mixtapes in two years. And the momentum began to grow. When I dropped Trap-A-Velli Trap-A-Velli, people took to it, so I dropped Trap-A-Velli 2. I didn’t even consider myself going solo. I never left Playaz Circle. Right now 2chainz is popping off, and I really just go with the ﬂow. CONCRETE: What was the inspiration behind Trap-A-Velli 1 and 2? 2 Tity Boi: Putting out dope music. Reality Records. Soudtracks to the streets. I put time and effort into them. Many people take mixtapes for granted, by putting throw away records on them. I look at mixtapes like they’re albums. Mixtapes reach more markets than albums. Face it, they’re free. You can pick up mixtapes in a gas station, corner stores, clubs and other places. You’ll only be able to buy albums in places like Wal-mart or online. I put a lot effort into my mixtapes and it’s starting to pay off. continued on pg 10

CONCRETE: Is Trap-A-Velli a movement or the beginning of one? Tity Boi: It’s deﬁnitely building momentum. But all of my mixtape titles have been in conceptual to TuPac’s titles. (i.e.: Me Against the World World, All Ice on Me, Trap-A-Velli Trap-A-Velli) I don’t think I’m like Pac, but it’s all about having a work ethic like Pac. I want my music to keep coming after I’m gone. CONCRETE: All of your mixtape titles are similar to TuPac’s. Why? Tity Boi: All of my titles had something conceptual to do with TuPac. Straight Up. All Eyez on Me by TuPac was a double disc, and my mixtape All Ice on Me are double discs as well. Except it was not about me wearing all the jewelry but about people who are wearing all the jewelry looking at me, and what I am doing. Popular people always told me I was a trendsetter. CONCRETE: You were recently on a Trap-A-Velli Tour Tour. Can you describe that experience? Tity Boi: It’s been fun. A lot of great energy. Amazing fan energy. Nobody died. Nobody got hurt. Everyone woke up with good stories the next day. Only bad thing was hangovers. (laughs) CONCRETE: How is your lyrical content inspired? Tity Boi: I speak about life experiences. I’m not a daydreamer. I’m a go getter. I’m an only child and I’ve been taking care of my household for a long time. I’m a doer. All of my dreams don’t come true. I tell the dreams. I pump them out. CONCRETE: Now tell me something crazy that recently happen to you. Tity Boi: I pulled up at my studio one morning. Pulled my Louie gloves off, walked in my studio, then I sent someone to pack up the van, and they told me the doors were locked. We had to break in the van. After we did I never saw those Louie gloves again. That had me down. They were kinda expensive... I loved those gloves. CONCRETE: What’s next for 2Chainz? Tity Boi: I just dropped a DVD called Weed & Syrup, Volume 1. It’s a mix DVD blended. It’s kinda like you’re watching a mixtape. Video, Interviews and much more. I have a new mixtape dropping called Codeine Cowboy Cowboy. I felt Trap-A-Velli would change the game like I told my friends and close partners. I feel Codeine Cowboy will be the same way where they can start passing me that baton for being that lyrical street cat.

CONCRETE: What are some of your musical influences? C. Cren: It isn’t limited to a specific genre or form. I’m pretty much influenced by what intrigues my ear. Inspiration can be attributed to what I observe everyday. CONCRETE: What has been your favorite performance? What makes it stand out? C. Cren: 106 & Park Park. Very few can say they represented Memphis on a National level before millions on BET. I can. CONCRETE: What has been your favorite collaboration so far? What local artist would you like to collab with (that you haven’t)? C. Cren: My favorite collab would be with Choir Boy who helped birth my latest single “Dance For Me.” If you listen close, you’ll notice his background vocals are crazy! The energy we had transcended into a great record. I look forward to working with Drumma Boy in the future. CONCRETE: What do you think of the current state of hip hop? C. Cren: Hip-Hop is evolving for better and worst. The longevity of some artists is questionable because they talk about the same shit and don’t treat creating music as a craft. Everyone wasn’t destined to do this. I’m realizing that everything is a cycle and what seems to be the end will bring forth new life, but it lies in hands of artists such as myself that will keep giving something refreshing. CONCRETE: Who do you consider your ears? Who do you go to for input on your new records? C. Cren: I believe God gave ME the ability to discern good and bad qualities of music so I use my own. I embrace the streets input because it’s easy for them to recognize what’s authentic, especially with music. CONCRETE: What song do you feel was the biggest risk you took? How was it received by your fans? C. Cren: “Saturday Night” was the biggest risk. It was my first diverse record. However, it felt right to ME. My fans received it the same way.

CONCRETE: How do you feel about the fact that social networks allow people to tell you exactly how they feel about your craft, meanwhile, you are expected to be moderately censored in how you respond? Do you think that’s fair? Part of the game? C.Cren: The instant feedback is cool but you shouldn’t feed too much into it because it isn’t all 100% honest. I say this because I see other “artists” post material that’s wack but their friends boost their egos by saying its good, which leads to more wackness.

Find C. Cren at: crensworld.com

Meet the Faces Behind New Memphis. These recording artists joined forces to create PBZ (Macktown Records). Check out Lil T, Fly Boi Zee, and Rickey as they discuss the rise of a new hip-hop dynasty in Memphis. CONCRETE: When did you guys start rapping? Lil T: Me and Rickey have been rapping together since 2007. Fly Boi Z: I started on my own in 2007 when I was 15. I joined the group a little later. CONCRETE: Are you solo artists, or exclusively a group? Lil T: We’re focused on pushing group projects right now. We’ve done the solo thing but the people preferred seeing us together. CONCRETE: How did you all connect? Rickey: Just hustling our music. We all went to Kirby High School, so that’s one thing we have in common. CONCRETE: You’re with Macktown Records now. What projects are you working on? Rickey: We have our mixtape coming out mid-February called Paper Route. The same time that drops, we’re going to be releasing a video on World Star Hip Hop. CONCRETE: What’s the ﬁrst single off Paper Route? Rickey: Yeah. “Madonna” is going to be the ﬁrst single – PBZ featuring Gucci Mane. CONCRETE: Have you guys been performing? Lil T: We were all over the place for awhile. We took a little break, but we’re gonna hit up Envy [Night Club] about doing our mixtape release party up there. Stay tuned for more information about that. CONCRETE: What’s your take on the current state of Memphis music? Fly Boi Z: Ain’t nobody really helping each other out. Lil T: Besides that, I feel like there’s a lot of jealousy. Rickey: Really, everybody is just in it for themselves! Fly Boi Z: But really, these people get on and don’t want to help other people get to where they’re at. Lil T (to Fly Boi Z): I don’t feel like it’s really their responsibility. These folks grinded to get where they are, and they did it by themselves. So, they probably f*ck with who they wanna f*ck with.

Fly Boi Z: I understand that, but I’d give back if I was in their position. Rickey: In defense of some of these artists that make it out of Memphis, I feel like people just assume they can help. They’re still out here grinding every day. Hell, they might ﬂop. We gotta respect their hustle. CONCRETE: What national artists do you want to collab with? Lil T: We already did a song with Gucci Mane already. I would say Rick Ross. Fli Boi Z: Wiz Khalifa! Rickey: Young Jeezy!

Once upon a time and not too long ago, bad financial management use to only mean bad credit. Now not managing your finances can cause many issues including loss of employment, bankruptcy, foreclosure, and even jail! More specifically we’ve seen many celebrities fall victim to jail time for not paying their taxes. Ron Isley, from the legendary R&B group The Isley Brothers spent 3 years in prison while Wesley Snipes has just begun his bid. Other celebrities in tax trouble include Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Method Man, Swizz Beatz, Wyclef, Big Boi, Young Buck, Trick Daddy and the list goes on. The main reason we are seeing more people fall into tax troubles is because new technology has made it easier for those who are self-employed to take their business matters into their own hands. While managing your own business matters may cut cost in the short run, if you are not well versed it may cost you more than just money. Whether you work 9-5 and have a side hustle or you are a full-blown entrepreneur, the following are tips that every self-employed person needs in order to keep themselves out of trouble with our dear old Uncle Sam. 1. KEEP VERY GOOD RECORDS: Most large companies rarely ever have issues with taxes because they hire accountants and financial officers to oversee most of their spending. If you are a one-stop shop it is important that you keep good records and save all receipts so that you can support your deductions. 2. USE YOUR DEDUCTIONS WISELY: Again make sure that you are keeping your receipts for everything! Obviously you should deduct anything that is used to conduct your business such as business travel, office supplies, postage and shipping costs, dues, subscriptions, and anything else business-related. Don’t forget your office space; whether you have a separate office or use space in your home you are able to deduct either the rent you pay for your office space or a percentage of your rent or mortgage from your home relative to what you use for your business. You are also able to deduct child-care, phone bills, and utilities. 3. DEFER INCOME IF NECESSARY: Being self-employed gives you the flexibility as to how or when you pay yourself. If you notice that you are beginning to reach a higher tax bracket it is wise to hold off on paying yourself or adding income to your books. 4. INCREASE EXPENSES IF NECESSARY: Just as you can choose to defer income, if you see that your income is high, you can make many more year-end business purchases to increase your deductions. 5. GET THE RIGHT HELP: Not all tax experts are created equally. Make sure you ask for help from someone who has experience working with self-employed taxes! 6. FILE ON TIME: The worst thing you can do is not report your taxes. Make sure you are filing your taxes on time and if for whatever reasons if you need more time to file make sure you file an extension.

CONCRETE: What inspired you to b a DJ? DJ Stylez: I grew up in Boston singing and playing piano in church as well as different R&B bands. It has limitations when it comes to music. DJs can play all the instruments and every artist in one show, and I’ve always thought that was powerful. Watching DJs battling back in the day and then the movie Juice came out! Here I Am! CONCRETE: How important is your role in music? DJ Stylez: The Doctor gives you drugs, The Preacher give you the message to get you though your problems. DJ Stylez roll is both delivering a message and administrating a high through music. I’m a total crowd hyping entertainer. That means doing it 110% every time I hit the stage. I want the people out their seats, feeling me and feeling the music for the four or five hours I’m giving it to them. That’s the only way I do it! CONCRETE: Most artists don’t know how important it is to build relationships with DJs. What advice would you give them? DJ Stylez: Any artist that wants to become a successful, needs to build relationships with the DJs. I mean, you can pass your demos and mixtapes out to everyone you come in contact with and may never see them again. They may or may not feel your music. But a DJ can play your music to the masses over and over again, allowing them to vibe together. The vibe from the people that’s feeling your music will catch the few that’s not. On the business stand point, get your music to the DJs. CONCRETE: How has becoming a video DJ broadened your mixshow experience? DJ Stylez: Being new in the city of Memphis, I knew I had to come with something different to get in the game in 2002. Being a VJ was my answer by allowing the people to see the music. At first it was hard rocking a party, because it gave people that movie effect. They would watch rather than dance. Now that we have more VJs in the city, it’s growing more and more popular. CONCRETE: In your own words, define a DJ. DJ Stylez: Disc Jockey simply means one who plays music. Being a DJ is like any sport. Anybody can get in the game, but can you play? You got to decide if your gone play, park commissioned or play with the pros. If you can’t mix and blend music, you park commissioned. If you can’t use turntables, you’re park commissioned. If all you got is a laptop, you park commissioned! If you are calling yourself a DJ with no equipment, you not even park commissioned. You in the pee wee league! Work on your craft. Leggo!

CONCRETE: Are you guys ever out on the scene just to party? Snipe: Deﬁnitely. Senses, 152. CONCRETE: Do y’all pop bottles? Snipe: (laughs) That’s what they know us for! When Movement is in the building, they know money is in the building. CONCRETE: What is it about Black Flag Movement that makes you stand out from others on the rise right now? Nunie: We’re about bettering the whole city. We’re not just trying to put Major Movz and Black Flag on. We’re trying to create that extra avenue (for everybody). There were other artists before us that tried to create an avenue but didn’t really follow through. CONCRETE: So, you’re committed to sticking to it? Snipe: Yeah, and something else that sets us apart is that everything we do is in-house. We’re independent but doing things on a major scale. So everything we’re doing, whether it’s studio production, mixing, engineering, artwork, websites, whatever, it comes from in-house. We control our own destiny. CONCRETE: What about the Memphis fans? Is there anything you’d like to say to them? Snipe: Yes. I need everyone to go check out our video on World Star Hip Hop. Watch it and leave comments. They say Memphis artists don’t do things, but when we do things on a major scale, they aren’t there to back it. We have our stuff on World Star but all we have is one hundred comments from New York people. So, we need people to know that we have a major movement going on. We’re going to give 110%, but we need the back up from Memphis. CONCRETE: People say it’s hard to get Memphis to support our hometown artists. Why do you think that is? Snipe: Because ain’t nobody doing nothing. It’s show-and-tell. You can say you doing a whole bunch of sh*t, but you ain’t doing nothing. It’s called show-and-tell, but by the time people get to showing something, everybody is tired of it and on to the next one. So, what we’re doing is, we’re right here and right now showing and telling. CONCRETE: In 2011 what’s going to deﬁne BFM? Snipe: Black Flag, we’re ungoverned. (We’re) ruly but unruly at the same time. We’re making a way for everybody to eat. We have our own culture. Everything we do is to create lanes to build opportunities and not just for music. It’s a movement where the outsiders have a way to win, for people who don’t have a diploma, who don’t have business sense, but they have talent. That’s what Black Flag Movement is. Nunie: The whole Black Flag Movement is about helping our people. For us, it’s about progression.

Earlier this month, we sat in on a studio session with several young rap artists who are making major noise in the underground hip hop circuit. Two of the artists, Young Snipe and Nunie, explained exactly what it means to be a part of “Black Flag Movement.” CONCRETE: What were individual members doing before you became Black Flag Movement? Snipe: Basically, Black Flag Movement consists of the group Young Trojanz, myself, Nunie, Belini, M. Dolla, Young Rell, J-Bo, Capone and Sean B. The Young Trojanz have been around since 2002. They had a major deal and their songs were on the radio around here. Me, I had a deal with Lil John. So, we have a nice background. CONCRETE: Nunie, how long have you been rapping? Nunie: Professionally, since like ’05 or ’06. CONCRETE: Does everyone focus solely on music? Any side hustles? Snipe: Everything we do is based around music. I’m a producer, but, for the most part, everyone else focuses on producing good music. CONCRETE: Aside from other members of BFM, who’s someone that you’d like to collaborate with? Snipe: Me personally, I’d say Kanye West or T.I. When it comes to R&B, I’d have to say Lloyd or Trey Songz. I like Jay-Z, too. CONCRETE: What about you, Nunie? Nunie: Drake, Swizz Beatz, all of the big producers. CONCRETE: When is the next group project coming? Snipe: We’re already working on Movement II with DJ Scream right now. That’ll be dropping in early February. CONCRETE: Do you have any solo projects coming up? Snipe: I have my solo mixtape, Jetpack Man. Nunie is doing Young, Fresh, and Focused Focused. M-Dolla’s and the Young Trojanz projects will be dropping at the same time, too. CONCRETE: The current Movement mixtape that you have out, how are you getting that around the city? Snipe: Hand-to-hand. We’re handling everything we do right now. We’re our own street team. CONCRETE: Are there any performances lined up in Memphis? Snipe: Man! We have shows lined up with Starlito in Jackson, (Tenn). We’re doing a show at (Club) Envy with Rocko and Gorilla Zoe. We also got called up to do a Sweet Sixteen party on February 4th. continued on pg 8