CONCRETE Memphis 19 by CONCRETE Magazine

8-10 ......................Big K.R.I.T. 12 ............................. DJ 007 14 .................MRMR: Ash Cash 16-18 .............Memphis 10: Angel 20-21 ..........................G-Rize 24 .....................Marco Da Don 25 ............................ M $wag 26 ............................ oFISHal 27 ......... Block Market Monopoly 28-29 ................. Marcos Stony This issue is dedicated to the Indie Artists! The Hustlers and the go getters who refuse to accept the word NO. This is for our up and comers thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pushing the issue in the South creating their own movements. This is your Independents Day. 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 ÂŠ CONCRETE Magazine 2011

CONCRETE: You dropped Return Of 4eva and recently R4 the Prequel featuring a summer anthem “Country Shit (remix)”. Can you describe your state of mind leading up to the day of the release? Big K.R.I.T.: I was excited. With all my previous releases, K.R.I.T. Wuz Here and Return Of 4eva etc, it’s always been an online release for free. R4 The Prequel was my first real release available for purchase. And even though it’s only an EP it’s my first official Def Jam release. So yeah, it’s really exciting.

CONCRETE: You’re very consistent with your music. What keeps you motivated? Big K.R.I.T.: Attempting to make timeless music is what keeps me motivated. If you look at artists like Al Green, Isaac Hayes, and others like them, they have music that was recorded over 30 years ago that’s still relevant today. That’s what I’m trying to do. Make music that resonates with the listener and ages well. CONCRETE: Did you ever think you would be a rapper? Big K.R.I.T.: When I decided that I was going to give music my full attention I didn’t anticipate exactly how difﬁcult it would be. I knew it was going to be tough, but the things I had to go through ultimately gave me the platform I have now so I’m thankful that I dealt with that early on instead having to deal with it at this point in my career. But yeah, this is my dream. I couldn’t see myself doing anything other than making music. continued on pg 10

K.R.I.T. Wuz Here

Return Of 4eva

R4 The Prequel

CONCRETE: Your words have depth. Would you label yourself a conscious rapper? Big K.R.I.T.: I wouldn’t necessarily label myself that. I just write about my real life and real life situations that lots of people go through in their own lives. Hopefully some people will use the music as therapy for anything they might be dealing with in their lives. CONCRETE: Do you think there’s a difference between being a rapper and lyricist? And which one would you label yourself as. Big K.R.I.T.: I think they are one in the same. Ultimately I hope people will view me as a songwriter who happens to rap. When I write, not only am I paying close attention to what I’m saying or what message I want to get across to the listener. I’m thinking about the structure of the song, hooks, choruses, bridges and things like that. CONCRETE: As I stated earlier...you music is consistent. However you’re still labeled as an underground rapper. What do you want for your music career? Big K.R.I.T.: I’d love for any new, old or future fans to say I never short changed them with the music I shared with them. For people to identify the Big K.R.I.T. brand of music with consistency and quality. To make timeless music. Hopefully I’m moving toward that now.

CONCRETE: When and where were you when you decided that you wanted to become a DJ? DJ 007: To be honest I can’t remember not being a DJ. I’ve been at it since I was 11. It really got serious for me when I was 17. That’s when I got my first internship at the #1 station in my market, which was Houston at the time. CONCRETE: Do you feel like Memphis DJs get as much respect as DJs from other cities? DJ 007: I definitely don’t feel like we get our just due. We’re always overlooked especially by the artists that we help to establish in most cases. I believe the only way to combat this is to have some kind of unity especially with the bigger djs in the market. CONCRETE: You also manage rap artist “2 Deep”. How did you get into that situation and what direction are you going? DJ 007: I’ve been dealing with “2 deep” since 06. I would be on the blocks selling my mix tapes & I would always see him doing the same. No matter what part of town I was in, he would be right there. I just respected his hustle even before I realized how talented he was. When I finally sat back & listened to him, I was blown away by his skill level. All he was lacking was direction. We both stand for the same thing & we both know that what we’re trying to do is not gonna be easy. A certain amount of dedication is required for us to accomplish our goal. We’re basically 2 peas from the same pod. We have an unspoken bond. Right now we’re just creating our own blueprint & it seems that people are catching on. Be on the lookout for #nomoremrniceguy. Coming soon. CONCRETE: How do you feel about the new technology that has been incorporated with DJing? Has it helped or hurt? DJ 007: I’m really a fan of the new technology. Everything is extremely convenient. On the flip side though, it allows anybody who has a laptop to call themselves a DJ. A lot of the younger “DJs” don’t practice their craft. They have no idea of what it’s like to have to spend your last money on 12” inches or to sit in your room & practice blending until your wrists hurts. It doesn’t really take a lot of sacrifice in order to make money now. Nobody cares about skills anymore. I’m not bitter because I still support those younger djs that still respect the art form. CONCRETE: Where can people find you? DJ 007: You can find me everywhere. With 2 deep becoming a bigger artist, I constantly have to travel. I also do consultation for quite a few Indy artists. You can catch me on k-97 every Friday night at midnight for the Friday night takeover & every Sunday from 8 - 10p for independent’s day, where we give Indy artists the spotlight.

If this were a classroom and I asked how many people have a “side hustle” I can guarantee that almost everyone would raise their hands. When I say “side hustle” I mean something that you love doing that gives you extra money, but is not your main source of income. It can be DJing, Promoting parties, your Hip-Hop blog or just selling your mixtapes on the weekend. We all have our “side hustles” and if this were a perfect world our “side hustle” would be the main. But why isn’t it? Starting a business is not an easy task but with the right preparation, dedication, and focus you can free yourself of that dreaded job you hate so much. All action isn’t created equal, so it’s important that you follow certain steps so that you can increase the chances of your endeavor being successful. Starting a business should be done in an effective way instead of just doing it for the sake of just doing it. The following are a few steps to take in order to start a business effectively: 1) FIND TIME

First you need to put aside at least two to three hours a day to focus on your business. No matter how crazy you may think your life is, I can guarantee you that with proper time management you can ﬁnd two to three hours.

2) SET GOALS

Once you’ve ﬂushed out all of your ideas and have come up with a strategy to execute them, make sure you set goals for you and your business so that you have something to be held accountable to. Make sure that your goals are S.M.A.R.T., which stands for: Speciﬁc - Measurable - Achievable - Realistic - and Time bound. They should also be broken up into short and long term.

3) TAKE CARE OF LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE STUFF

Now that you know where you’re going and how you’re going to get there, you have to search for and create a business name. Once you ﬁnd an available name go to either Dreamhost.com or GoDaddy.com to register it and create your website. Complete forms on Legalzoom. com or WeThePeople.com to legally set up your business as a sole proprietorship, Corporation, LLC, DBA, or LLP. Lastly, you need to go to the IRS and get a Federal Tax ID number. It’s free and you can print it out in seconds by visiting IRS.gov.

4) LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS

There’s never such thing as too much knowledge. Whenever you have some free time, preferably on the weekends make sure you are taking online classes, workshops, and seminars pertaining to your business.

5) LAUNCH AND SPREAD THE WORD

Now you’re ready to start making some money! Once you launch your business, its imperative that you tell your friends, family, coworkers, church congregation, classmates, strangers and whoever else you run across.

6) STAY FOCUSED & COMMITTED

Now that you’re ofﬁcially a business owner you have to remember one thing; not all days are going to be the same. Some day’s business is going to be great and others not so great. The important thing is to work your plan and stay committed to your success.

Congrats! You are truly a boss, keep grinding and make those dreams become reality. Again, nothing can stop you. THE WORLD IS YOURS!

Originally from Covington, TN, GRize was an upcoming rapper in the Local Memphis area until one fatal incident derailed him from his path and put him on a new track. Here’s his story... I always had a passion for music so I decided to make my own. I started my ﬁrst mixtape personally before I had albums with people who had their own record labels. I wasn’t happy so I started to record alone. The ﬁrst album I ever completed was with Tommy Wright 3rd. The second album was with another guy and that situation didn’t turn out well so I stopped.

I then had encounters with a few well known stars and that’s when I began to pursue music again. I moved to Chicago in 1996 and met B.Lowe from “Do or Die” in the summer of 1997. He and I were on my aunt’s porch free styling with one another and he was impressed with me. He asked if I had any of my music on me because he was getting ready to ﬂy back to Houston and told him I didn’t have any and he told me I should keep music with me because I never know who I may encounter. In 2004 I ran into Big Daddy Kane in a club on the Westside. I had no music so I didn’t mention it. In 2005 I moved back to Memphis and in 2007 I ran into Dirty Fresh and Kia Shine at the Dub Show. Dirty Fresh introduced me to Tone Yates and that’s when my ﬁrst mixtape started in 2008. And in early 2009 I did a song called “Lightskin Bring It Back” with Kia Shine. After that my mixtape was complete, so I was passing it out and selling it. I was doing shows. I could really feel my success taking off as an artist. My brand was spreading and that was my goal, just to get my name out there. To have a home-base following. Everything was good. One day I had just gotten off of work and I was headed to record at Tone Yates studio. I decided to stop by my guy’s house to hang with him as usual. But I went earlier instead of going late at night. When I arrived I was assaulted and thrown from a 2nd story balcony. I cracked my scull, broke my spine and had broken ribs. I don’t know why I was in that altercation. They didn’t rob me. I had all of my belongings. It was completely out the blue. I didn’t have beef with anyone. I went to work and I did my music. I don’t know where it initiated from. I still don’t know.

I was hospitalized for my injuries from May 2009 until August 2009. I had surgery on my brain due to swelling and I had part of my scull removed. After my surgery I slipped into coma, and was put on life support for 2 months. I revived in July of 2009. I had no idea where I was or why I was there. The guy I was visiting the day I was assaulted came to visit me in the hospital. I told him I needed to be released because I had a show. He then told me that date and that the show had come and gone. When I was released from the hospital, I returned home with my parents who told me the reason I had been hospitalized and everything that I had been through. When I was released I was unable to walk. The doctor told my parents and I that I would never walk again and that I would be a vegetable. However I never felt defeated. My dream to make music never diminished. I just felt that it needed to change. I never made “gangster rap”, but I did make “party music.” During my recovery time I tried to do just that. It didn’t work. No matter what I wrote I always ended up talking about God. After much prayer I decided that that’s what I would do. I am now a gospel rapper because I owe everything to him. In September 2009 I began to walk again, and I knew God had blessed me and there was no turning back.

CONCRETE: What got you into music? Woods: Being around Young Snipe and J from Money By Da Pound, I saw what music can really do for your life if you take it serious. P.O.: My cousin Mike Hopson (RIP Mike) got me into music as well as my big brother Mr. Gamp. They saw it in me before I did. CONCRETE: Can you name a few Memphis’ artist that inﬂuenced you coming up? Woods: P.O., Snipe, Yo Gotti, Young Dolph and 8Ball & MJG. P.O.: Real niggas like Yo Gotti, Project Pat and 8Ball & MJG CONCRETE: Big time music producer Carlos Broady is your brother. What have you learned from his experiences in the music industry? Woods: It’s a business and never put all of your eggs in 1 basket. CONCRETE: Your single “Hi Hater” is heating up in the clubs here in Memphis. Where else are you gaining ground as far as your music? Woods: Greenville, MS, Jackson, MS and Jackson, TN. P.O.: We also have a street buzz in St. Louis, Little Rock and some cities in Alabama.

CONCRETE: What can we expect in the future from BGI Maﬁa? Woods: New mixtape “Sum 4 Da Streets”. Hard work, good quality music and consistency. P.O.: You can expect real music for the streets and a few artists under our label. My big brother Mr. Gamp and Mac Million. They are on the Last Supper album hosted by DJ Lil Larry.

CONCRETE: When did you first decide that you wanted in the music business? Marco Da Don: I’ve always had good writing skills, but when I started doing high school talent shows I began to take music more seriously. CONCRETE: Who would you say are your biggest influences? Marco Da Don: People like 2pac, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne inspire me, but my biggest influence is my sister Ms. Kra-Z. She’s the reason why I do what I do. CONCRETE: What producers and artist are you currently working with? Marco Da Don: Young Dolph and Don Trip are just two of the talented artist I’ve had the pleasure to work with. As far as production, I’ve been blessed to work with one of the true pioneers of this Memphis music, DJ Squeeky. CONCRETE: Artists these days come a dime a dozen. What sets you apart from the rest? Marco Da Don: I don’t try to be something I’m not, I just do me. I ain’t a trapper; I don’t play the tough guy roll. I just let my work speak for itself. CONCRETE: What plans do you have for this year? Marco Da Don: I got two mixtapes coming this year. One for the summer and one for the winter. I’m trying to stay consistent and create a major buzz. CONCRETE: For anybody that wants to get into the rap game, what 3 things should they know? Marco Da Don: First, direction. Always know the direction you’re trying to take, as well as the direction the game is going. Second, it takes money to make money. If you believe in what you do you have to invest in it. Third, nothing comes easy. Only faith and hard work pays off.

CONCRETE: How long have you been on the music scene? M $wag: Actually I’ve been on the music scene for a minute, but I’m just now getting my name a buzz. I started out a while back performing at every club in Memphis, doing so many open mic performance’s and live on the spot freestyle video’s on YouTube it’s ridiculous. Now im networking 24/7. You can look forward to seeing me as well as hearing my name alot more. CONCRETE: Where did you get your start? M $wag: Honestly I got my start from my big brother’s. They’re presidents, CEO’s, engineers, rappers and singers. Since a child I’ve been musically inclined because I grew up in the studio. Not just any “rinky dink” studio, I’m talking a real deal studio, Elite Music Productions. My brother’s been guiding me since I was 7. Now that I’m 20, this make’s me a young OG. I’ve been putting in work! I just look at the rap game as another way out the “hood”, my struggle is what makes me strive to accomplish my goals. CONCRETE: Your upcoming project, is it an album or mixtape? M $wag: To be exact, I’m going a different route with my first project I’m dropping a demo which is Called “ This Aint’ Easy’’ which I will hand out to major artist, label’s and dj’s only. Then directly after that I’m gonna drop my mixtape which will be entitled “Grind Music’’ hosted by Hot 107.1’s own DJ J Rock, one of the hardest working dj’s in Memphis. Big shout out to him on that highly anticipated project. I plan to flood the streets tough with my first mixtape. Shout’s out to Baby Reggie and Rock Steady, Rico Owen’s and Dreco for their support as well. CONCRETE: Are there any other artists you’re working with? M $wag: The only artist I’ve worked with is “Marvelous”, an artist signed to Elite Music Productions and other artist off that label. I’m willing to working with any and everybody who wants to work with me. I’m looking forward to working with alot of Memphis artist from 3-6 Mafia, Yo Gotti, Kia Shine, Playa Fly, Don Trip, Starlito, Zed Zilla, Young Dolph, OG Boo Dirty and Lil Lody. I’m talking from mainstream to underground. Get at me!! CONCRETE: With rapping, what do you hope to do that’s different from a lot of other artists? M $wag: Since everybody’s the same in my eye’s. I’m going to earn my respect, Come at the rap game from a different point of view, and change the game with versatility! Since the average is stuck on the same page im gonna set a new trend which will make me a leader and not a follower. CONCRETE: What’s next for M. $wag? M $wag: I have so much planned I can’t talk about it all. Just know its alot next from M. $WAG and Grind Member ENT which is my promotion team. I’m making my next move my best move. I’m not just a young rapper on the come up; I’m a young businessman also. I know what im getting into before I meet my goal! With an entrepreneur mind frame.

MySpace: 123gme Facebook: Michael Oliver Twitter: @MSWAG1

CONCRETE: Where are you from and how long have you been rapping? oFISHal: I’m from Nashville, TN. Born and raised. I spent about ﬁve years in Los Angeles, but my roots are here. I’ve been rapping since I was 14. For a while it was just a hobby, something I did with my friends. When I was 18 I moved back to LA to act; I spent more time on music than auditions for ﬁlms. I realized I didn’t want to spread myself thin, so I moved back to the ville, and started really perfecting my craft. Now at 20, I feel like I’ve accomplished some goals I set for myself. Got a lot of work left though.

CONCRETE: Explain the “Oﬁshal” movement? oFISHal: I’m all about partying! Every night I’m somewhere getting wasted. That’s my image, it’s what I do. The movement is all about having fun, doing what is expected of us (my generation) at the prime of our adolescence. Living carefree, being young and rebellious. CONCRETE: You put out a music video that MTV noticed and the brand Solo Cups even came after you. What’s your goal for the upcoming year? oFISHal: It’s funny; the video hit MTV without any of me or my crew’s knowledge. It was surprising. Hitting the top of WorldStar was our ﬁrst power move, and it extended to MTV. A few days ago, I received a letter from Solo Cup asking us to cease and desist. Our movement was Solo Cup Gang. As an optimist, I view it as a W. I mean, if they know who my team and I are, how many other people do. It was eye opening, and it hyped me up. As far as the upcoming year, I’m in talks with two of your favorite DJ’s about pretty big projects. One continues the party image; it’ll be straight bangers including songs with Tha Joker, Starlito, and more. The other will delve into my life and things I struggle with on a daily basis. I’ve got a bunch of videos I’m doing with Figz! Shouts to him that’s my dude. Long story short I’m just going to keep working hard. CONCRETE: It’s obvious that the game is oversaturated. What you are doing to stand out above the competition? oFISHal: I’ve got plans. I’m starting a clothing line, and it’s going to be promo for me, but some people aren’t even going to realize what they’re wearing. That’s how dope it is! My music I hope speaks for itself; I’ve got a lot more work to do. I’m targeting the college kids. I don’t necessarily have to do club shows. I’m trying to hit the frat house parties. I think I can be the name of Frat House shows. I’m just staying true to myself, keeping it consistent and fun. And one more thing, shouts to my team: G@metime, Bily Blast, G-Lo SupaHero, DJ Logan Garrett, Drumma Drama, Tranzforma, Zeus, Swizzy, Jit The Beast, Hot Rod, Coop, Blake, Max, Matt, and anybody else that’s behind me.

CONCRETE: What do you plan to bring to the music industry? Block Market: I plan to bring a new attitude, drive, & variety of music to the game that’s been lost due to lack of understanding. I feel that there is a gigantic generation gap that I plan to close expeditiously and shine a little light on my side of town, The Mighty Mississippi Delta in the process. CONCRETE: Who have you worked with on your upcoming project? Block Market: I already have Records with Don Trip, Tone Yates, The First lady Of Block Market K Mel, & the Prodigy known as Fleetwood. But recently thanks to my manager Gary Nickles, I have projects with Zaytoven, Block Entertainment, G Sound of DTP, Marc B of Grand Hustle and features from artist like Gorilla Zoe & Future. CONCRETE: Who inﬂuenced you coming up? Block Market: Of Course UGK, 8Ball & MJG, Master P (the whole No Limit Records), OutKast, Ghetto Boys, Playa Fly, Too Short, Three 6 Maﬁa, Tupac, Biggie, Tech 9, The Hot Boys, Project Playaz & Dj Squeaky, Dj Screw & The SUC, Snoop and Dre, Rocafella Records and the list goes on.

But I am influenced most of all by the Mississippi Greats like Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, BB King, Jimmy Rogers, Johnny Taylor, David Ruffin, Sam Cooke, The Norwood Family (Brandi & Ray J) and even Elvis Presley so I got some big shoes to fill. CONCRETE: How do you use social media to gain new fans and connect with your future fans? Block Market: Today the viral game is crucial to your success in the industry. I tend to use the ratio tactic, where I constantly update all networks daily. So whether they love me or hate me, they will see me. All publicity is good publicity. It has worked great so far for me and my label mates. Fleetwood has taken off with his latest release, and K-Mel has gotten positive reviews from the majors to the locals, both due to great networking. We still travel from small towns to big cities & overseas to present our talents to all cultures & genres. If you do everything, something gotta work. Our fans have been very receptive, and we are gracious with the utmost appreciation. PEACEPROFITPROGRESS

CONCRETE: You are all the way in East Tennessee (Johnson City), yet your record with Yo Gotti is spinning all over the Mid-South. How do you feel about the reaction? M Stony: Man I love it! I feel so blessed to be in this position. I feel like it’s been a long time coming, yet we got a long way to go. And the way the people are responding on this song, I really can’t wait till they hear what else we got. And when I say we I’m meaning my whole Full Grind Team. CONCRETE: When are you planning on dropping your project? M Stony: Well we are planning on dropping the mixtape “Special Delivery” at the end of July or maybe beginning of August. We gonna hit the streets hard with that so we can get people acquainted with Marcos Stony. Hopefully after hearing the mixtape they will be anticipating the release of the album. CONCRETE: What producers have you recently worked with? M Stony: I’ve worked with producers from the home team (Full Grind) - Menace, Synphany, Kasino. Other producers I worked with are Tone Tha Artist and of course Young Juve (So So Def), he’s going to have a lot of

production on the album. I’m in the works of reaching out to Drumma Boy and also a producer named Mouse from the Trill Entertainment team. CONCRETE: What’s your take on the decline of the music and how do you plan on making your splash? M Stony: All I can really do is just pray, be me and continue to do me pimp. That’s all I know to do! CONCRETE: How did you start rapping? M Stony: Actually I started out singing. I lived in a studio in Charlotte for like 3 years and I was just around a whole bunch of niggas that rap. I mean I listened and honestly I was like man I can do this shit. I always wrote my own music, so to me rapping was just like singing but expressing it in a way more of speaking rather than a melody. CONCRETE: What are your lyrics inspired by? M Stony: My lyrics are inspired by my relationships. Struggles that I’ve been through. Memorable moments in my life with friends and family. Just my life in general and things I really do, feel me? CONCRETE: What other artist would you like to collaborate with? M Stony: Well I’m actually in works of doing a track with Birdman. I would love to do a track with Lil Wayne of course. Don’t know if you know but I’ve actually kicked it with the Cash Money family. Birdman let’s us come to all the shows VIP on some personal shit. But other than that, I’d like to work with Bun B, Maino, Stylez P, The Clipse and I think me and Ray J could probably make some hot shit. I just like to be versatile pimp and work all across the board with niggas I feel like have good talent. CONCRETE: What’s your viral plan when it comes to work this project? M Stony: Man just ﬂood them with visuals, mixtapes after mixtapes! Just make sure everybody sees me, even if it’s your old white grandmother who could give a fuck about a rap or R&B songs!