CONCRETE Memphis #18 by CONCRETE Magazine

8-10 .................... Young Dolph 12 ................... JP on tha Track 14 .............................Cayerio 16-18 ....Memphis 10: Jasmine Love 20-22 ........ Memphis 10: Ashanti 24 ....................... Urban Jonez 26 ................... Lion’s Den Ent. 28-29 ......................... Ice Mic

THANK YOU FOR 3 GREAT YEARS

MEMPHIS! Editor: Cory Sparks Online Editor: Daria Greene Sales: Ricardo Hunter, R. Ashford Distribution: Connell Boyland Art Director: Rex2 Publishing Consultant: Bryan Deese

CONCRETE Magazine - Memphis 8001 Centerview Pkwy, Suite 205 Cordova, TN 38018

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concretememphis@gmail.com © CONCRETE Magazine 2011

CONCRETE: For all the people who may not be familiar with you, can give a little background on how far you’ve come in the game? Dolph: In the past year I’ve come hella far in the game. I’ve put out three mixtapes. I am currently working on two more mixtapes. One of them will drop in May. I also have 70,000 copies in the streets right now. And to be honest I’m the only Independent Memphis artist who’s getting paid $5000 or more a show. CONCRETE: You’re signed to Paper Route and Mouth of the South with Peppa. How did that come about? Dolph: Pepper is my guy. He heard about me and when I met him he was excited. He told me my music went hard, “My son loves you. We need to get to work.” And we did. CONCRETE: Hailing for Memphis, what neighborhood are you from and how do they treat you? Dolph: South Memphis loves me. I mean the “whole” South Memphis loves me. Castalia has EXTRA love for me. They’re behind me. CONCRETE: How did you earn your stage name “Young Dolph”? Dolph: A lot of people really want to know that. It’s actually not a stage name. I didn’t make it up and it’s not a street given name. It’s my government name. My father’s name is Adolph. My name is Adolph. CONCRETE: What are we getting with Welcome to Dolph World? What were you trying to accomplish with this release? Dolph: To be honest, Welcome to Dolph World did exactly what I wanted it to do. I released a mixtape before it, but I wanted “Welcome to Dolph World” to reach everyone. It had music for the ladies, the streets, and for the kids. I wanted it to be a mixture for everyone so that everyone could take something from it. I put out hella copies of it to...I mean it’s a year later and it’s STILL everywhere. continued on page 10

CONCRETE: How did you come up with the idea of “Flavors?” Dolph: “Flavors” was the first time I ever worked with Drumma Boy. He sent me something different and exclusive, just like Dolph is. It has everything to do with being different. Different from the type of girls you talk, the type of clothes you wear, and your vocabulary. It has a lot of meanings. For example you have different flavors of girls. You have chocolate, vanilla, and caramel. You also have flavors of clothing like Dolce & Gabbana and Ferragamo. It’s the next advancement from swag. You usually would say “I got stupid swag.” Now you say, “Shawty flavor stupid.” CONCRETE: You have gained a large listening base in a very short time. What recommendations can you give to the community here on how to build the listener base larger for hip-hop? Dolph: You have to set high goals and standards. You need to know exactly where you want to go, because if you don’t your work will be in vain. You have to accept this as your job and take it seriously. When everyone takes notice of you doing that you’ll eventually get clientele and customers because they know this is what you do. It’s also about consistency and quality. You can have a lot of quantity and no quality. You also need to realize it takes money to make money. The more money you invest, the more you’ll get back. CONCRETE: How do you plan on staying consistent? Dolph: I’m going to keep making music. If you know Young Dolph or anyone who knows Young Dolph they will tell I’m in the studio. I don’t really do clubs anymore because I’ve fed them and now they want more. So I have to keep them supplied and I’m working. This is my job. CONCRETE: What would be a collaboration that you have not done to date that would interest you in the future? Dolph: A collaboration that I want and that I will get is with Mary J. Blige. Of course I want to work with Jay-Z and others, but I really want to collaborate with Mary. CONCRETE: Who are your favorite Memphis Artist and what is your favorite Memphis album? Dolph: I’m young and I grew up with a lot of cats who are still out. Like 8Ball & MJG AND Playa Fly. There’s nothing like getting in your car and throwing on that “Ghetto Eyes”. Playa Fly goes hard. You have Yo Gotti. I’ve been working with him. Project Pat locked it down with Ghetty Green and Mista Don’t Play. But I’m going with 8Ball & MJG “Comin’ Out Hard”. They laid it down and set the standard with that one. CONCRETE: What kind of advice do you give to un-signed hip-hop artists, who are trying to get established? Dolph: You have a vision now go get it. It has to be doable if you can see it. Don’t be lazy and stop thinking that because you have talent things will be handed to you. You need to work. The short term goals equal long term goals.

CONCRETE: First, congratulations on winning the K97 NBT3 Producer Battle! What was that like? What was your mentality going into the competition? JP: When I won the K97 next big thing beat battle, it was an amazing sense of accomplishment. I entered the contest with winning and networking on my mind. CONCRETE: How long have you been producing and what is your inspiration? JP: I’ve been making music & playing instruments since the age of 5, but I’ve been producing Hip-Hop & R&B artists for 12 years. My inspiration comes from a lot of different things. I can easily be inspired by an artist, a chord progression, or even a catchy phrase. I could take any of these ideas & make a hit with ease. CONCRETE: You have a great support base for your music. How would you say that was obtained? JP: I obtained my fan base from making good music. I’m also an artist. I sing & rap on the side, so my support base follows me with everything I do because they know I’ll deliver what they want, “GOOD MUSIC”. CONCRETE: What is your creative process? JP: How do you know that you’ve made a good beat? I start by just clearing my mind of any negativity & I turn it into positive energy. I know that I’ve made a good beat when it needs nothing else added to it and twenty or more clients are bidding on it lol. CONCRETE: Do you play any instruments? What’s makes your sound stick out from the rest? JP: Yes I do play instruments, 5 to be exact. I play the drums, piano, organ, bass, & lead guitar. Having the ability to play these live instruments allows me to go further than just your common “beat maker”. The creativity is endless. Therefore, my sound sticks out from the rest. CONCRETE: Besides Yo Gotti, what other artists are you looking forward to working with? JP: It’s been my goal for several years to work with Three-6-Maﬁa, Playa Fly, Lil Wayne, Drake, Gucci Mane, Rick Ross, Jay-Z, and many more. The list goes on. CONCRETE: How do you plan on staying consistent? JP: I plan on staying consistent by remaining humble, & always looking to improve myself as an artist, producer, & a person. I will continue to make bangers for my fans and clients on www.Jptracks.com

CONCRETE: Let’s start with the obvious: your name? Is that your real name and what does it stand for? Cayerio: Nah it’s what my mom named me, it for the music. It means Living Water. It’s about creating music, energy, and atmosphere that breaths life. Water is essential to life, without it everything dies. The goal is to bring good music to those that are thirsty for something more. CONCRETE: You are deﬁnitely, hip-hop however you perform with a live band and do alot of non-traditional events. How did you get into the avenue? Cayerio: I started out as a solo MC but from the ﬁrst day I heard the “Do U Want More....” album by the Roots I was fascinated with the idea of doing the live band thing. I was also a fan of bands like Bloc Party and 311, so I was in to the rock thing too! However it was when I heard the N.E.R.D. “In Search of....” album that started to try and make it happen. I started going hard at it in 2006 and through a few band member changes and a lot of sweat and grinding I’m here. CONCRETE: With the music industry changing, what are you doing differently to market your self to stand out amongst the competition? Cayerio: It’s really all about building relationships and going after what I want. I have no problem getting in a van and jumping on the road, going out and playing wherever; promoting wherever! I have a slight advantage with the band because that alone affords me the opportunity to play in places not frequented by hip hop acts. The music I create is meant to be fun, entertaining, and party music but I make sure to keep it kid friendly. Meaning that I want to make sure you can pop the track in and not worry about your young son or daughter hearing something you didn’t want them to hear. So I work to appeal to a larger demographic. CONCRETE: Are you trying to catch the attention of a major label or you plan on riding the independent wave the entire way? Cayerio: I’m down to ride the indie movement until the wheels fall off. Yet, I am always willing to speak with any label that’s interested in my brand of music. I love what I do so if a label is willing to support it and stand behind what do then I’m open.

CONCRETE: Right now you are on a tour. Who are you touring with and what areas will you be going into? Cayerio: We normally tour with indie rock and punk acts, but we aren’t touring with other bands for this one. Just Cayerio & Speakerboxx. We are touring in the Paciﬁc Northwest area like Denver, Boise, Seattle, Portland and Eugene. CONCRETE: How can people get in contact with you or ﬁnd your music? Cayerio: Visit Cayerio.com for info on dates, street team, and the release of the new album “Monday Night Dance Party” on May 24th. The new album is crazy! It will be available on iTunes, Amazon, Napster, etc. Also, you can check me out on Facebook and Twitter.

CONCRETE: What body part of your attracts the most attention? Ashanti: My dimple. CONCRETE: What would you like for people to be attracted too? Ashanti: My legs. CONCRETE: Sleep or Sex? Ashanti: Sleep CONCRETE: Shoes On or Off? Ashanti: I prefer shoes on. I like to role play and put on my 5 inch stilettos and become someone else. CONCRETE: Who is your favorite porn star? Ashanti: Male and Female? (laughs) I dont watch porn ... I make it. CONCRETE: Who is your style icon? Ashanti: When it comes to style, I like to keep it simple. But if I had to choose, I would say Meagan Goode is deďŹ nitely someone I can relate to style wise. She has no limits and does what works for her. CONCRETE: If I ruled the world I would...? Ashanti: Travel the world for the rest of my life!

CONCRETE: For those who have never heard of you, can you introduce yourself? U. Jones: Cali Born, Memphis bred is the best way to describe myself. Born in LA, but I’ll always put on for Memphis. I couldn’t really define my style because everybody hears something different when they listen to me. To west coast cats, I sound super southern. But to everybody that lives in the South I sound like a Cali dude. It’s kinda crazy. CONCRETE: When did you decide you wanted your voice to be heard? U. Jones: I first started doing music when I was 12, but I didn’t take it serious until 17 or 18. The beginning of this year was when I really started to grind & bang out songs for the masses to hear. I’m at a place now where I really feel like I’m ready to go hard at it. CONCRETE: What artists inspire you? U. Jones: Biggie is the main one. Every time I listen to him, I feel like he’s telling my story. I’m also inspired by the grind of artists, even if that means I don’t necessarily like their music. I don’t get a chance to listen to much music because I’m so into creating my own, but if I’m listening to anyone, I’m listening to Rick Ross, Jeezy, Outkast, Joe Budden, Eminem, Jay Z, J. Cole, Wiz Khalifa, Yo Gotti, and the list goes on. CONCRETE: Does your music have a purpose? Is there a message you’re trying to get across? U. Jones: I just want to give people a sense of real. I feel like there are so many artists who don’t keep their lifestyles authentic that people can get strayed away from what the truth is. I’m a street dude, so that aspect of my life is always going to come across no matter what genre of rap I might be doing. I’ll never make a song that doesn’t fit to what I’ve actually done or what I’m about and I think people can appreciate that. CONCRETE: You have out a mixtape called Ready Ready. How long did it take you to complete it? U. Jones: It took about a month and some change. To be honest, it was a bit rushed. I’m planning on re-releasing it with better production and a better sound quality so my fans can listen with no discrepancy.

CONCRETE: You’re starting a company called Lions Den Entertainment. What is your main component of the company and do you have artists? C. Cash: Yeah my main component to my label would actually be two artists: Smilez A.K.A. Jay-Star, and Menifee. Shout out to Coldway, Deloren C, and Vic Blaze. CONCRETE: How did you come up with that name? C. Cash: Well me and my brother Chris “Lil One” Taylor who is also my Co-Captain in the label took the name from the “Good Book”. The story of Daniel in the Lions Den! I was thrown into this game with the lions! This business is somewhat like the jungle, but I’m a Leo so I ﬁt right in! CONCRETE: What type of entertainment will you be distributing? C. Cash: Right now the main genre would be Hip-Hop, but I don’t want to be limited to one particular genre! I have other potential acts outside of Hip-Hop with pending contracts! CONCRETE: Overseeing an entertainment company can be quite stressful and extremely hard work. What motivated you to choose this line of work? C. Cash: I grew up around music, following a well-known family based group called U-Turn. I became a student of the game and then found my love for it and decided I wanted to start my own company! I want to give artist a chance that deserve it but may never be given the opportunity! CONCRETE: What is your plan to make your business successful and stay consistent? C. Cash: I will continue to grow with the business, and stay consistent with the grind. What you put into something is what you get out of it! You can do anything you put your mind to. “We’re Kings of the Jungle.”

CONCRETE: When did you ﬁrst know you wanted in the music business? Ice Mic: Well actually, it’s been like a dream and a passion of mine such since I was 11 years old. CONCRETE: Who would you say are your biggest inﬂuences? Ice Mic: I’m inspired by the underdogs who overcame the odds. Like 2Pac mainly, as well as 50 Cent & Lil Wayne. I respect them because I feel I’m where they were and I know where I’m trying to be. THE TOP... CONCRETE: You are coming out of Pine Bluff, AR. Are you trying to be the one to put Arkansas on the map or are we sleeping on y’all? Ice Mic: Consider it a done deal. Sign, sealed and delivered. Yes, we have been slept on but mainly it’s all about how you apply yourself. But yes I should open alot of doors for the natives of Arkansas. Swish!!! CONCRETE: What producers & artists are you currently working with? Ice Mic: As far as producers: I’m working CT, Science, KikDrum aka Kahmplx (with the bomb threats tucked in his armrest) and Phunkee Phoot (Arkansas Natives). I’m also working with 2tall 2tall, Lex Luger, Sony Digital, Marvelous J and Shawty Redd to name a few.

As far as artists, I want to work or worked with Nicki Minaj, Lil Twist, Yo Gotti, Young Buck, Starlito, Rick Ross, Kahmplx, Parlae of Dem Franchise Boyz, Tranzilla, Calico Jonez, Scorpio, Black Trump and J Money. CONCRETE: Artists nowadays days come a dime a dozen. What sets you apart from the rest? Ice Mic: Let me see the best way to word this.. I guess you could say I’m lyrically inclined. I hold immaculate grammar & delivery. I’m original & no one sounds like me. I’m a ﬂy guy who is just having fun being me and doing what I do best.. Hell I got the juice.. M.A.D.E. Creations (Money All Day Entertainment) Swoosh!!! CONCRETE: What plans do you have for 2011? Ice Mic: This is the year where I put the stamp on my name and my label. This is the year where I really let the hearts and minds of millions know who I am & what I’m about. Stay tuned for multiple videos, mixtapes, collabs, compilations and watch for my movie coming soon “Born Souljah” on M.A.D.E. Creations. CONCRETE: For anybody that wants to get into the rap game, what 3 things should they know?

Ice Mic: In the beginning you’re always going to have the ones whom doubt you. You’re always going to have to evaluate the proper sacriﬁces for your future in entertainment. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or cannot be. Your fate lives in your own hands. Be a leader not a follower. Hold your composure & keep pushing no matter how hard it gets. Trust me if you do that you have no choice but to succeed. Words of wisdom... CONCRETE: Any last words? Ice Mic: Be on the lookout for TrapStar Vol. 1: Gotta Get It It.