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issue 10
DJ Trapper the Rapper
the Grown Man
LABEL OF THE YEAR…
THO’D STUDIO’S inside this issue:
Champ da hillbilly Piink Starr Live Sosa 10 album reviews and more
Long live the south
table of content issue 10
5 Buzzworthy News 6 Got next 7 first annual seark award
8 DJ Trapper the Rapper
the Grown Man 9 LABEL OF THE YEAR…
THO’D STUDIO’S
10 tho’d thursday 11 album reviews
editor: Laron Norman designer: G. Fresh contributing photographers: Tim Williams, Detric Elliot, Laron Norman, Felon Photography coming soon www.dsmrmag.com The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the opinions of the staff or the publisher of the Down South Music Review. The Down South Music Review makes no implied or expressed guarantee of accuracy in the information included within. copyright2013. all rights reserved
buzz worthy news 1
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duke stigall wins battle of the bars part one
champ The hillbilly
Arkansas native Champ the Hillbilly returned home to Dumas to hold his birthday bash and video shoot. The crowd was thick and a mix of local celebs where in Club Era. Big Chief was in town as well as Tho’d Studios, Black Trump, Tony Hutson and more. Nebraska is home now but I’ll aways rep A-STATE HOGGIN. coming soon www.dsmrmag.com
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GOT NEXT|
When you hear about FT.Smith Arkansas hip-hop hot bed is not what first comes to mind. Because of the lack of urban radio stations reach and limited urban communities, north west Arkansas has often been the last place you would think a music prodigy would arise. 2013 will mark the introduction of Live Tarantino. Already a leading view getter on you tube (live university) Sosa brings to the game a north Arkansas version of 607. That’s a artist who can create beats, sing hooks, rap versatile flows at various octaves and pull it all together to sound like something you’ve heard before but still sound different. Sosa recently released his latest mix tape STEAMBOAT, COSMETICS & PURE FU*KERY, available at datpiff.com with the you tube hit Stars over London. One of the hottest videos of 2012. What makes Sosa different. You only have to list to the album and you’ll know he from Arkansas by reppin it in a couple of songs but without that this album combines southern rap, pop and soul al in one. Picture a mix of Andre 3000, Pimp C and Bruno Mars. Trust me it works and works well. See for yourself you tube.com/livesosaVEVO OR LIVESOSA31
There’s nothing we love more than to support young teenagers on the move to pursue their dreams. From groups like Destiny’s Child and Exscape to solo artist like Ciera, Monica or Brandy it’s a joy to watch the ride. Mark your calendars and throw a new name into the hat. PiiNK STARR is making the moves necessary to see the big light. At 13 sky is the limit, and imagination is at high level. The daughter of SEARK rap legend Chief Fresh of D.A. Hittaz music is in her blood and ready to ooze out in her own style. Already showing in doing her first show she wowed the
road with her stage presence and drew interest from potential producers and music executives. A tryout for Americas Got Talent and work on her untitled debut solo EP with Arkansas super producer KEV of Joker Ent sky is the limit for piink Starr. Like her fan page on face book. com/piinkstarr 6
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The first annual seark awards where held in Dumas in 2012, recognizing the work put in by artist from the Arkansas delta region. Many where in attendance, Felon vzions provides the photos as the winners posed for the camera.
by LNORM
The
The
DJ Trapper Rapper
O
ne thing you can count on in Arkansas is a constant change in weather. Winter, spring, summer, fall in Arkansas. Anything can happen. Its winter and I have a sit down with Arkansas Rap veteran Trapper to discuss this article. Today its 48 degrees and drizzling cold rain, yet yesterday it was 80 degrees and sunny. So as I read thru text that he was on the way I got all my pens, and recorders ready. You just never know what Trapper may bring to the table. But to my surprise I saw the dad in Trapper as he was caring for his toddler size daughter as she was getting over the sniffles. Headphones, baby bag , tablet and phone every based covered . we exchanged pleasantry and got it going.
we spoke he was just working on singles. But the time was right and with production being overseen by Kwestion. I said why not? As we talked further we shared ideas about where the hip-hop game has come in Arkansas since he was first on the scene. A lot of things have grown and got better but its still a open market. The tech and the know-how of how-to do it correctly has expanded so there is always room at the table. Since the release of Man of the house Trapper has always maintained a place in the game, managing other artist, ghost writing and most recently turned Dj. As we’re going on with the interview I looked at the clock and noticed about 40 minutes had passed and I had yet to hear the little one get restless or loud. She was in tuned to what she was enjoying on the tablet and had a” As long as I’m in daddies lap, I’m
A lot of things have grown and got better
The first question I asked trapper was why a new album? Its been a few years since Man of the house was released and last time 8
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continue - page 10
I
n the 1990’s music saw a change that they where not expecting. The music industry was up in arms about east coast vs. west coast rap hysteria and the friction and tension it was creating in everyday American life. It was then that Percy Miller and his southern twang was creating enough noise in the music business that a label gave him a distribution deal where he would do all the work and they would put the music in front of consumer and the artist would receive the higher portion of the gross profits. This deal which the label thought would never generate the success it that it did for No Limit it also opened the flood gates for independent artist to show they could make there own way into the music business without becoming a slave to the major labels. Now you could get out on your own and sell cds out of the trunk, make your own relationships with djs and generate a nice comfortable living for yourself without a record deal. This gave them better bargaining power when the time came to negotiated fair entertainment contracts. To say all of that was to say in Arkansas there are a lot of good artist, good teams and even better promoters. But when it comes down to a label, one that can represent Arkansas on any stage no group is more poised to take the lead than D-DIRT-E and Tho’d . Founded while the core members where students at the University of Arkansas -Little Rock the label has grown to become a household name among those who know and
anytime a major show event comes to Central Arkansas fans expect to see someone from Tho’d to represent. We got well over 100,000 cd’s in the streets and countless other downloads and social media streams stated POYO. We’ve been to ATL, TX, Memphis, Fl and anywhere else you suppose to go to be heard, but unless you can capture the attention of your own state it could not mean anything, stated D-Dirt. In 2013 we adding more in the region shows to give the fans US, we are them and we do it for the grind. The ASTATE has just as much talent as any of the other southern states that have found a way to get a artist listed among the tops at doing it.
Tho’d... has grown to become a household name.
The current roster, like No Limit in the 90’s has a little of everything that you want. Dolomike and D-Dirt often combine to give you some P/ SILK, or Dolla Bill, Jokaa B and T-scrill be on some cane and abel. If Celles would be Mo-bdick, go Skully be on some Fiend, Blacksand as Skull Druggery and K2..Mystikal. However you want to look at it the team is ready. D-Dirt is always working, every time I see him he’s on the laptop, got a camera in his hand or is on the mic keeping the show in order. This is as big as family. No ego’s we all got a part to play if we going to get what we’re suppose to out continue - page 14
the grown Man continues...
classic. Djing gave me a chance to get back some of what has been put into. As a deejay to go from $50/hour to $200 a night is a logical business choice in staying near the music. But like all entertainers they miss the stage, Trapper admits its hard to sit in SMG’s Rod D family, or work a session with T-Scott and PPC, its can swallow you hold to take all that in and still be roc la familia with E-DUB. I’m really trying to put something together for when
Dub comes home so there will be checks around waiting on him. Trapper the Rapper/DJ new album titled “they going for $10” is self explanatory, hot tracks, special features, and the man of the house himself opening your mind to perhaps a whole new way of thinking about it. Two hours and 40 minutes and we rap up our interview still not a peep. There is something to be said about these rappers, but it even more that should be said about these fathers.
SALUTE!!!!
tho’d Thursday
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Album reviews ROD-D CHECK MY RESUME W/DJ RELL & NO DAYS OFF HOSTED BY DJ SMALLZ: Arkansas Rap Grinder of the year go to El Dorado Native Rod D. Well known in the streets of the ARK, SMG boss has continued to cross the borders and make connects with those who getting like he gets it. Two well produced albums that continues to show why its only a matter of time before A-STATE music will be recognized. Not only hosted by national mix tape djs, the features on either reads like a who’s who. www.datpiff.com is your link to seeing for yourself. Check out his videos www. youtube.com/smgtv PIKEBOYS PB2.1 MOTIVATIONAL MUSIC HOSTED BY DJ CAINE THE LADIESMAN: Royal Club Ent. continues to give Pike Boy all the resources he needs to be the next face of the rap game. Don’t let the baby face fool ya, pike is a rap vet, national shows, BET TV appearances and a growing following online. Great track selection, content choice and guest features from LR Legend Ball Jones, Ms. Glamorous and Money Mell make it a definite requirement in any music collection. Follow him on twitter.com/dapikeboy. Download this album off itunes.
KARI FAUX SOPHISTICATED RATCHETNESS: A new comer on the Little rock rap scene, Kari Faux is a welcome face in a male dominated region. Sophisticated rathceness is her first release. Available at datpiff.com, Kari got BARZ!! Flowing on various topic throughout the cd shows she has a pallet for different taste and with great taste spells a winning recipe. Now she didn’t have beats, but that’s nothing a little more exposure won’t bring. Keep a eye out for her.
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Album reviews THO’D STUDIO’S END OF THE WORLD III HOSTED BY JOE FLASH AKA HOGGLEGG: In Part 3 we see that signs have come to pass and the world is at its end…Its at this moment that K2, Blacksand, Poyo, King Dolla, Petey weedstraw, Big Dolla, Dolamike, Celles, Motif, DJ Stylz and the rest of the team went into the studio and collaborated on melodic medifores that altered the fate of music listening kind to in the end have Captain of the team DDIRT collabo with TOPKEY for a change gone come and all was right with the world…we hope? T$E. com PLAYA P PLAYMADE: Dumas has always been of Arkansas hip hop’s hotbeds. From the Heavy Hittaz, Mary Jane Click back in the day to Rodney Block and now PlayaP. As a member of the Muddy Ent often like the WU_TANG everybody didn’t get a chance to shine. With no ego Playa P played his role. Now stepping out on his own he drops his first solo project. That Muddy sound is that muddy sound and P holds his own to give the streetz a word. P’s ability to paint a picture and use his whisky tenor voice to reel you in and hold you to the end will make P not just a member of the group. GINA GEE evolution of a woman: Long since regarded as the go to voice when you needed a hook sang on a rap song in central Arkansas. Gina Gee steps out on her own with the help of producer Ferocious to give the streets a long awaiting contribution to the legend that is Gina Gee. To describe her sound is like hear a track, know you want to her a female voice on it that fits perfectly and that’s her. No comparison needed to other ladies would only do all parties a injustice. Available on itunes..you welcome.
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label of the year continues...
this movement says T-LEE often the most silent piece of the puzzle, working the backgrounds to make sure the same detail don’t become major setbacks is just another example of a tank ready to withstand anything. Arkansas rap has a fast growing following. Everyone always wants to hear something new, they’ve sampled just about every other states
music and the hungry eyes are being to look in the direction and when it comes down to having what you want and expect to see, the checklist is most complete. Music, videos, graphics, multiple purchasing options, website and scene presence. Hands down THO’D STUDIOS ENTERTAINMENT IS DOWN SOUTH MUSIC REVIEW MAGAZINE LABEL OF THE YEAR.
SALUTE!!!!
O T H ER ALB U M S WOR T H C H ECK I N G O U T
ARKANSAS BO “Inauguration” Arkansas Bo is one of the states most recognizable artist and rightfully so. Just in time for President Obamas re-election Bo gives the game more of what they ask for. Download it... • datpiff.com • www.arkansasbo3.bandcamp.com
KTOOMER THE PRE Ktoomer represents a true indie artist. He writes, makes beat, take photos and is ever learning new ways to brand and put that personal touch. I said that to set the tone for the music see for yourself. • Jingo.com/ktoomerradio • you tube.com/ktoomertv • sound cloud.com/ktoomer 14
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RODNEY BLOCK AND THE REAL MUSIC “Lovers Steel” Second album from Arkansas hottest live band. Front man Block continues to thrill crowds and be a ambassador of professionalism itunes. com is your link SMOOTH DA DUDE - internet radio show host putting in that necessary extra work to make a name and help pull other up from the underground. Smooth got major follower number check him out every... • Wednesday: 10pm-12am • @ smoothdadudeshow/blogtalkradio.com
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