DSMR MAGAZINE NUMBER 2

L O N G

L I V E

T H E

S O U T H

DOWN MUSIC SOUTHREVIEW 99¢

VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2

THE

MAGNIFICENTSEVEN Buglife

DAHittaz

Sean West

CONTENTS

5

EDITOR’S THOUGHTS

Got Next!

6

Something for the LADIES!

8

The Sound of the City It is what it is Album Reviews

14

12

Ain’t it man!

DOWN MUSIC SOUTHREVIEW Volume 1 Number 2

PUBLISHER

Mid South Clothing Company E D I TO R

L. Norman CONTRIBUTING WRITERS A N D P H OTO G R A P H E R S

Quincy Jones Kathryn Peterson Mark Wiley Kareem Moody GQ Photography Lnorm The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the opinions of the staff or publisher of The Down South Music Review. The Down South Music Review makes no implied or expressed guarantee of accuracy in the information included in this publication. Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved.

Someone asked me, “Why do a publication about urban music in the tiny mid south?” I didn’t hesitate to tell them, this region has produced some of the most influential music artists in every category of performance and studio music that the world over has ever know. The beauty of the matter is there are so many more that are just waiting on their chance to be heard. Simmering for that opportunity to blow up. The Down South Music Review was established for that very reason.

We believe the independent voice must be heard!

There are a lot of publications floating around — this is the one that’s going to bring it to you.

In this issue we’ll introduce you to some of the hardest working producers in Arkansas. You’ll be surprised that the list of artists these guys have worked with reads like a who’s who of hiphop. Lil Flip, Yo Gotti, Mike Jones, Dem Franchise Boyz and LSG just to drop a few. We’ve also peeped in on the underground scenes in Knoxville, Nashville and Kansas City. We every where! Every time I get new cd’s or talk to up and coming artist I get motivated to keep going…

REALLY!, I’m anxious to hear and report on stories of real people trying to use music to change their circumstances. It’s my pleasure to let the rest of the world know they’re out here. Let me say if you got a copy of this magazine, go back to where you got it and get another copy and pass it on. Its only $.99. You never know you may know the next artist to blow and it was you who put them in touch with us and we helped them get to their destiny! LONG LIVE SOUTHERN BRED MUSIC Down South Music Review

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GO

NEXT!

next to shine and coming on strong

Muddy Sipp Boyz

Chain Gang Parolees

Bug life

Young Taz

Hailing out of Gulfport, MS, this three man group has been crafting their sound since 96. Copesetic, Hydro and Mister Sippi Slim have stayed committed to maintain a close knit click despite the ups and downs of trying to get heard in the music business.

Their first album, THUG PIMP’N was released in 2003 and even though it was distributed out the trunk it pushed nearly 9000 units through out the south. Their sound has all that your looking for in down south music, but again don’t just take our word for it, check them out yourself.

Kansas City, MO stand up!

This click was formed behind the desolate walls of prison. Vowing to do something constructive with their lives they chose to hone their musical talents.

Using outdated tape decks and poorly looped tracks they created over 1000 songs that they consider today as "practice". Now out of the belly of the beast and a fresh start they comb the hip hop scene with a unique sound that has gotten the attention of the rap world.

Their debut album "The Takeover", 2004, sold over 10,000 units underground!

Their sophomore project "The Game", was recorded in two months. No doubt a beautifully scored piece of work it features some of hip hop heavyweights from each region of the map.

With over 1 million plays on MySpace and all-star features like Jim Jones, Dem Francize Boyz and Too Short these boys got the bread and work ethic to rise to the top. We could go on, but just see for yourself.

Nashville, TN The state of Tennessee has produced so much music talent that it would take an entire magazine to cover every hot artist. From Memphis, to Knoxville to Cashville the rap game is growing stronger every time a studio opens up. Bug life is an example of the heat coming from the volunteer state. We caught up with him while in Atlanta getting his networking on and he explained to us the trials and tribulations of a day in the life. His first album BLOOD MONEY is spread allover the southeast. Like we always say you can read about him and trust that what we say is the truth or you can see for yourself.

Little Rock, AR There are a lot of hip-hop artist who call Little Rock home. That’s not to say that there are some that have separated themselves from the rest.

Young Taz has been grinding and putting in work all over the south. A key member of the Next Page Ent. Family Taz has opened up for just about ever major artist to hit Arkansas and is just about ready to lead his own tour. Next page is on the rise as the new hot record label and with nearly 750000 spins on MySpace we’re not the only ones listening.

www.myspace.com/muddysippboyz

www.myspace.com/chaingangparolees

www.myspace.com/buglife4evareal

www.myspace.com/youngtaznpe

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something for the

LADIES! Everyone goes to a party to get crunk and dance. But, what would a party be without a slow jam or two? We’ve always relied on artists like Marvin Gaye, Luther or R.Kelly to get us closer to the opposite sex for a little connection.

Looking in the independent ranks, JPhil, Sean West and Skillz are crooners that have a sound that can put the party in the same mood. All three are different in their style, but make no mistake about it; the music is for the ladies, (or for the fellas, to help with the ladies.) Not household names yet, Skillz is a born and bred Kansas City balladeer who describes his music as “grown folk’s music”. He can be seen all over the Midwest getting the crowd involved. Sean West is a newcomer out of Little Rock making a name for himself with collabos and shows all over Skilz central Arkansas. A JPhil Fashion aficionado looks for him in the society pages. The traditional sound of the south is laced with,(remove comma after with) love, pain and spirituality. It's these emotions that ring out in Las Vegas born, JPhil. After spending some time in Central Arkansas, JPhil had an impact on the neo-soul movement there. After releasing an album and getting rave reviews, look for JPhil to take the game over. Definitely one to include on any slow jams mix tape. All three have a great appreciation for artists before them. If you haven't already heard them…what are you waiting for?

Sean West 6 |

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THE SOUND

by KAREEM MOODY

IF A PLAYA DON’T GRIND then a player won’t shine, we all know the platinum rule to getting it in game. The Rock City is home to some of the nation’s truest grinders. The Rock lays claim to real soldiers that have put in work over the years. Guys who have put in hours on the clock, you know that up at the crack a dawn-hop on back of the work truck kind of work- talking construction hat-lunch box type, chain gain, and sweat shop type work. You see this Little Rock of ours proudly boast of being home to the blue collar hustler, the guy who is built to last an born to go get it, he is used to clocking in and making a way out of no way.

Many people, on the outside looking in, believe that rap music is as simple as having microphones and recording equipment in the back bedroom and playing out a scene from the movie Hustle & Flow. And though it made for an inspiring movie, it’s not that simple. A good producer can separate the real from the fake, using their ear for music to carve, shape and mold an o.k. song into a great song.

When you, like most tourist come to the Rock City with your eyes wide open chances are you will head over to the Clinton Presidential Library and be astounded by the magnificent amount of props that have been paid to the former president, then you will know doubt hop the trolley and visit the River market, or cross the river to Alltel Arena, and some point you will decide to pay homage and head to world famous and historical Central High and be intrigue by the historical accounts of those ground breakingtrend setting Little Rock nine icons, and if you stick around long enough you will learn that General Douglas Macarthur once laid his head in our fair city. This city is born of go getters.

In the tradition of putting in work the Down South Music Review is shedding light 8 |

Down South Music Review

OF THE CITY with inserts from LNORM

on another genre of legendary central Arkansas contributors, the producers and beat makers. We are formally tipping the crown and tapping the shoulder of the local hip hop immortals the guys in the Rock that hold the ever elusive key to the rap supremacy. In other words if you ain’t been touched by these guys, then chances are you ain’t who you think you are and the game might not know you period point blank No one will deny that “the jump rope” by dre and Jontai was a hit in the mid south, and they gave producer Y.K. a shout out early in the track.

KEV of Joker ENT. did major work on the Grafiti Boyz track “ride n swerve” featuring Jibbs. Arkansas doesn’t have a major hip-hop artist that calls it home yet but many major artist from all over the USA have come to Arkansas to put the right stink on their music. Big Keys of Key Ingredient and Shorty P have both worked with some our favorite R&B and Rap artist for years and are always looking for that special talent to help take to the next level. When asked why no urban artist has broken thru the ceiling many producers concluded how it takes more than just an ok sound. Too many artists have not wanted to invest in themselves and have put their work in the hands of partners and homeboys who don’t have a good understanding of the music business. It may sound good coming out of your stereo system in yo ride but that doesn’t make it industry standard. A lot of good artist have gotten discouraged and found something else to do with their life because they didn’t understand why they weren’t getting the feedback they thought they should. “You want someone who has a good understanding of the music composition and they know what their doing In Pro Tools. Fruity loop is for beginners or novice in this day and age. A good producer can mean the difference in an award winning slab of BBQ ribs or some meat that was grilled and has BBQ sauce on it. As we enter into 2009 we can look forward to new music from all these producers and who knows? some young producer is reading this article and is upset that they weren’t mentioned in this article the only thing we can tell you is….GET YA WEIGHT UP! PLAYA. continued on page 11 Down South Music Review

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TO MAKE IT EASY FOR THE UP AND COMING ARTIST HEAR IS A SHORT LIST OF PRODUCERS AND HOW TO GET IN CONTACT WITH THEM. YEAH YOUR WELCOME. DOWN SOUTH MUSIC REVIEW WITH THE PLUG! myspace page KEV/wwwgottraxcom artists

myspace page GREENWOOD/greenwoodsouth artists

Calico Jonez,Next Page, Grafetti Boyz, Yo Gotti, Hurricane Chris

PBilly Burn 1,Business Partners, Muddy Ent.,

myspace page MOTEF/motef artists

myspace page SHORTY P/ www.myspace.com/traxz4dayz artists Lil Flip, Kingpen Skinny

Playa Mone, Nina James, Tho'd Studios, Ricky D, A-State Hustlers

Pimp, Low 4, Mike Jones, T. Scott

myspace page BIG KEYS/keyingredientmusic artists

myspace page RICKY D/takechargerecords artists

A-State Hustlers, Trapper the Rapper, Playboy SHane, LSG

Official One, player Tim, Klicka Boyz, Tom Skeemask, K Rock

myspace page FEROCIOUS/ferocious83 artists

myspace page HOGLEG/goodpeoplerecords artists

Bware, Conduit Ent., Maria V, Sean West

Suited-n-Booted, Tony Ocean, Good People Down South Music Review

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IT IS WHAT IT IS

ALBUM REVIEWS

PLAYBOY SHANE MOB HITS

CLASSIC

Little Rock, AR

Released in 2000, this album was one of the first rap albums to move units across Arkansas. No-limit like artwork and an all-star cast of features, including LA Lakers guard Derek Fisher, 16 tracks of Shane spitting tales of streetlife, music business and personal life. Always reppin the John Barrow neighborhood songs like Contact, Its On and we gone ball you got to love this album. When you add features from West Coast heavyweights Rich da Factor, Messy Marv and Spice 1 this album was ahead of its time. Numbers don’t lie and this album was well received in the bay area, the Midwest and central Arkansas. Shane is truly an Arkansas rap legend and if you don’t have this album in your collection….SHAME ON YOU!

T. SCOTT Memphis, TN/Little Rock, AR RAP MONSTER MIXTAPE VOL. 1 M.O.E! Money Over everything, is the name of the record label and the title to on of the hottest track on the cd. This mixtape hosted by D.J. Boone is explosive and defiantly some to ride to. It does just what a mixtape is supposed to tweak your interest and anticipate more. T.Scott has a distinctive sound reminiscent of classic Memphis rappers of the past. With production from Reggie the Wizzard, Magic and Shorty Pe look for T.Scott to make some noise in 09.

DA HITTAZ Dumas, AR STILL HEAVY When you speak of rap groups in Arkansas, the number one group out of southeast is D.A. Hittaz. STILL HEAVY is the 3rd independent project from the group. After rave reviews on their first album RAW SAW (1999) and lackluster response on their second, Chief Fresh and No Love added Newman the CEO to the group. Big Keys, Gina Gee and Slink Capone headline the guest feature with production work by Kousane, K.E.V and Natraun, these are 18 of the hottest track on the under. This album has a down home groove feel to it, just when you found your favorite track something else jumps out at ya. I’m ready to see these guys on the T.V.

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TAKE CHARGE RECORDS Little Rock, AR A MINOR SETBACK FOR A MAJOR COMEBACK This album was featured on the cover of last months issue and now that the it’s pressed up. Defiantly one of the best albums released in Arkansas this year. Features from E-dub, Big Drew, Tom Skeemask, K-Rock and Rod-D as well as the home team of P.T. and the Klicka Boyz make this album flow track for track. Ricky D puts his personal experiences of life and the music business together to make for a potentially underground classic. If Take Charge can put together the right promo push lookout Hip-Hop here comes Arkansas.

THE GOON SQUAD Little Rock, AR HARDHEAD AND MANISH D-Dirt of Tho'd Ent continues to flood the streets with hot artist and bangin music. The Goon Squad consist of 5 members and at the time of release was on e of the most anticipated albums on the streets of Little Rock, turning head everywhere they performed. tragically one member (yung squaddy)lost his life in a car accident, but the group continues on and will never let his life be forgotten.Jwalk, start choosin and take the pain away show their versatility to touch on several different topics. skys the limit for the Goon Squad. If you can find it, cope it.

SOUF-N-GUTTA Little Rock, AR U GOTTA LUV IT This is the first release from the S-N-G click.

11 tracks laced with energetic tracks, boss ballin and hustle to get up lyrics. The entire click contributed songs that flow and get ya' going. Call it a lil something to smoke to.

Things will only get better and we hear a rumor of a young Gutta solo album in the works. A little bird told us.

Album Review Submission

For album reviews send (2) copies along with any press kit or bio information to: Album Reviews, c/o dsmr magazine, PO BOX 45272, Little Rock, AR 72214

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THINGS Ain’t

that make you say…

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it Man!

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44th President of the United States! BARACK OBAMA

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Don't miss the 6th annual SOUTHERN ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS in March

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shout out to the soliders on Lock! Keep Ya Head up!

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Lets all get out and help rebuild America.

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On that note support independent artists and your local mom and pop stores.

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Whats up? Pine Bluff, Tupelo, Tulsa and Knoxville. Get at us.

Down South Music Review

where o’ where is Boogie Shoes?

Is YO GOTTI the king of Memphis!