Sophisticated Urban since '05 Located in the Galleria Shopping Center 9700 N. Rodney Parham Suite D, Little Rock, Arkansas 501.661.8280
EDITOR’S THOUGHTS There is so much information available about getting or being in the music business. Being a artist is the position most identify with, but in addition to being the artist there are other jobs in the business, managers, promoters, producers, engineers, artist developers, publicist, graphic designers and image consultants to name a few. Although some of these positions don't get the glamour, but the reward($$$) can be just as good. In order to have a vibrate and successful music scene, the scene has to have all the right components in place. The million dollar question in Arkansas has always been, " When is someone gonna blow up?" and I would have to say once more of these other pieces have been created we will see a national recording artist from SasnakrA on all the major broadcasting networks. We've spent a lot of time putting out information on how to get in the game, what you need to make a impact in the game and as we look forward to 2010 the time has come to separate the cream from the crop. We'll take a pictorial view at 2009 and look forward to the leaders going into the new year. Now don't get me wrong I don't have a crystal ball but I've spent enough time studying the current participants in the game and am offering our opinion on who has it already and who been doing it and needs to stop. Please enjoy all 20 pages take the time and look at it twice and pass it on to someone else. Thank you to all the people who have supported this publication, it could not have been done without your backing. Jonno and Nick at S.Urban ya'll setting trends, thanks for inspiring me, Ricky D you my dog, i F*&^"s with you. Reggie and the whole family at M.O.E... death to your enemies! KEV! you all ready know. to everyone else thank ya'll too and LONG LIVE THE SOUTH! 4 |
Down South Music Review
CONTENTS Best Albums 2009
7
2009 Photos of the Year
14
SasnakrA — the Other Side of Arkansas
Album Reviews
18
10
17
Ain’t it man!
DOWN MUSIC SOUTHREVIEW Volume 1 Number 5
PUBLISHED BY
LNORM Entertainment Holding inc. EDITOR
LNORM GRAPHIC DESIGN
Hickory Graphics ADDITIONAL GRAPHICS PROVIDED BY
GFN Studios llc. countributing photos provided by Ricky Gazo 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 2009. All Rights Reserved.
National Recording Artist Nina James
Down South Music Review
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4701 Westwood Ave., Little Rock, AR
501.562.JUST
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Down South Music Review
BEST ALBUMS 2009 7
Tho'd Studios, When the Shit hits the Fan, solid compilation album from one of Arkansas' premier music labels.
4
T-Scott, Rap Monster vol. 1 Under rated cd, one of the most sleep on artist, vocal power and beats that work.
Feezio, Dope Boy, powerful effort, good artwork, a truly authentic Little Rock sound.
E-Dubb, Errol Westbrook, Dub showed he could do it alone, Good videos for this album too.
6
Hog Legg, Sweet Sixteen vol 3, Great CD, Hogg keeps it real and thats the stuff classic are made of.
3
5
2
Take Charge Records, Minor Setback for a Major Comeback, Little Rock Loves street music, and fresh off a release from incarciration Ricky D put together a outstanding CD. Theres a little something for everyone on the junt.
Tho'd Studio's, Who Tho'd Vol. 2
1
The only label with two entries in this years countdown. D-Dirt had the team grinding all year and it paid off. This album has street talk, swagg music bounce and pop. A collection of indie videos and good artwork seperates this album from any other in 2009 and for that, " IT IS WHAT IT IS!" the ALBUM OF THE YEAR!!!!!! . Down South Music Review
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AKOO BLACK LABEL CAVI MENS HEYDAY SHOES NINA MID SOUTH TEES CLASSIQUE WOMEN LEGGIES
Sophisticated Urban since '05 Located in the Galleria Shopping Center 9700 N. Rodney Parham Suite D, Little Rock, Arkansas 501.661.8280
2009
Photos of theYear BALL JONES AND ICE SMILEZ
SOUF-N-GUTTA
ROD D AND DA
A-STATE RAP ROYALTY
✸ ✸
E-DUBB
MR.3
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K2 AND THE THO'D FAMILY
S-N-G AND HOOD
Down South Music Review
ROCKST*R AND MR. MAYHEM
LNORM AND QUIET CORLEONE
LOVELY LADIES OUT SUPPORTING INDEPENDENT MUSIC
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More fromTHE rock
TEMOJIA
BIG DREW AND PIPH
FEDDI AND T-SCOTT
CONDUIT ENTERTAINMENT
BILLY BURN ONE, BLACK SAND AND STEEZY
JG AND THO'D
in the WAY
WHO THO'D!
MUDDY SOUF MOB
RICKY D AND LIL E
LIL BLOW AKA YUNG TALENT
SHAWTY REPRESENTING
SHOCK! PLAYA P, J-ROCK
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More More MORE!!
YO GOTTI
NOVAKANE
SUPER SIZE FAMILY
SOUTHERN PLANTATION
POSTUP
around SASNAKRA
BEACHFEST
UNRATED FROM THE M-TOWN
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Down South Music Review
J-PRUITT AND SJ AT S.URBAN
ALABAMAS OWN 6 TRE G
HILLBILLY, GUTTA BABY, LIL SPEEDIE
playazproductionrecords@yahoo.com myspace.com/playazproductionrecords
For Booking Contact: Reggie 501.749.2448
S
ince the late ninties, southern rap has dominated the hip-hop charts with hit after hit, after hit after hit, from new artist all over the south from Georgia to Texas. Just when it seems as thought the love of southern funk should start cooling off a new artist arises and keeps the torch lite. Artist from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, North Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee have all enjoyed sitting on top of the rap charts bring Ricky D & the Take Charge Roster - Lil' E and T-Con
notoriaty and fame to the home they represent. And while the world sits back and enjoys the music no doubt artist from other areas are sitting in the wing looking for a chance to regain their former glory. And though alot of States are represanted all ready there are a couple of southern districts that have yet to display their musical jewels. 2010 looks to be a year that new stars arise, not from the usual but from SasnakrA. yes the other side of Arkansas it has long been known has a hotbed of talent. The Arkansas sound is already established worldwide, anytime you listen to Al Green, Johnny Taylor, Glen Campbell or Johnny Cash thats the rich sound rooted in the soils of Arkansas. 14 |
Down South Music Review
So as we reflect on 2009 and start to look into 2010 Down South Music Review magazine is previewing those who have the best chance at becoming the next big household name, dance move or whatever success has instore for them. There is no better place to start than the top and heading the list of the top record labels in the Saw are Tho'd Studios and Take Charge Records. Tho'd was established back in 2004, technology made it possible to record music at a resonable price and the pursuit of higher education brought together a band of college students who took advantage of resources and started cranking out mixtapes., at first, it was just something to ride to, but after the buzz picked up, a career change changed the minds . throught the ups and downs that all record companies face CEO D-Dirt has been the glue that has keep the dream alive. DDIRT has served as artist, producer, booking agent, DJ, radio host, cameraman and web designer and wearing these many hats has made him better prepared to guide the careers of Dolamike, Goon Squad, Cat Daddy and Tho'd Texas. Their most recent release, "Who Tho'd 2" topped this magazines Charts as the Independent Album of the year. Tho'd always rolls deep anytime you see one you could see 30, so if you ar Arkansas Bo
M-town and as the release of the first double disc album gets set to release look for Playaz Production to make a dent in the game.
607
trying pack the house its always a good idea to book a artist from the Tho'd camp. Theres a lot that can be said about Take Charge Records CEO Ricky D, a long time contributor to rap music in the south, he has worked on some of Little Rocks All-time classics songs dating from his time with Official 1 records and as independent artist. Setting the stage Ricky has dropped 5 albums/mixtapes since summer 2008 and theres no sign of him slowing down now. looking into 2010 Take charge plans to release albums from Memphis OG Tom Skeemask as well as the I-40 boyz a compilation album of Little Rock and Memphis Artist collaborating. Ricky D also plans to drop another solo album, Player Tims mixtape and co-produce the all star compliation album The Underhoggz vol. 1 all before spring break, his Minor setback for a major comeback album was number two on the dsmr 2009 year end charts, and after speaking with D his goal is getting that number 1 spot in 2010, at press time he just finished up the Wow remake for Kinfolk Kia Shine. Rounding out the list labels with the potential to gain regional and natinal respect are Playaz Production and Next page Ent. Young Taz heads the list of artist on next pAge his cult classic "let me wreck" is a instant head bopper anytime oits played in the clubs and at press time Next Page was set to release a mixtape featuring the family has well as Yo Gotti, Novakane, Playa Circle and many more features, if the album is half as good as the preview Taz will open2010 with a bang! Playaz Production CEO Reggie the Wizard is no stranger to the game either having been a show promoter for years it was a natural progression to owning a label. T-Scott heads up the roster and the Memphis native has all the sound and swagg to carrier the label from University Ave. to Time Square, vol 1 of the rap Monster cd is well circulated throughout Central Arkansas as well as the
2010 also looks to be the good year for several solo artist. Lil Speedie won on BET's 106th and Park and gave sasnakra a good look, its no secret Arkansas has talent and Speedie easily showed it. New songs, new albums and mixtapes from Speedie can be expected. Workaholic 607 conRah Howard
tinues at his record setting pace to put new all orginal albums out on the streets every 90 days. very few can match his drive and work ethic never worried about burnout 6 has a growing fan base and as he continues to travel the world performing its only a matter of time before his genious is exposed on a national stage. 3 artist to look out for are Arkansas Bo, rah Howard and Tho'd Studios Cat Daddy. Bo all ready a well established member of the Conduit Ent family, has all the makings of a Rap superstar, speaking on heart felt subjects that only someone who has lived thru can articulate as Bo does. He has worked the stages on several different platforms and is ready for the big stage maybe a change in producers can bring out Cat Daddy
the best in BO. A relative newcomer Rah Howard jumped on the scene witha win in the A-State showcase, unknown to our staff before the event, ladies love cool Rah and with hype man Boaz thought provoking energy is what is translated. No scheduled releases but with a rising flame the skys the limit. Only time will tell how successful Down South Music Review
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Tho'd Studios will be and one key element will be the artist known as Cat Daddy, no stranger to the scene, but a rising star Cat's style, is what it is..REAL.. powerful stage pressence and a fast growing fan base 2010 could be a breakout year for this artist. Not many ladies are mentioned in the this article because…well???, there just are not many others offering any. For the sake of being poltically correct we will mention that singers Gina Gee and Nicky Parrish are bright spot in the industry and Peazy Baby is constantly working their angles but there no guarantee any of them will make a real impact in 10. The Music game encompasses many aspects not only the artist but the manager, producers and media people all play a big part in the success or failer and we wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t also mention those indivuals to look out for in 2010. Producers often set the tone, they make or create the sound that is music and in SasnakrA their a literally hundreds of people making beats, not all of them belive in their talent so we won’t mention them. 2009 Producer of the year was MOTIF of Little Rock. No one had more of their tracks recorded and put out on the street than Motif, " It’s
Label CEO's D-Dirt Tho'd & Reggie of Palyaz Production
a Motif Flame" can be heard on over half a dozen different cd’s floating around and expect to hear it on many more. Joker Ent Ceo Kevin Cottrell is also a producer putting in work, when signed artist come to town usally if any recording is going to happen KEV gets the call. a true monster on recording, mixing and mastering , KEV is usally booked weeks in advance so anyone trying to get their weight up with Joker right now has to take a number and wait in line. 16 |
Down South Music Review
Arkansas Bo
Kwestion
After the music has been wrote, recorded, mixed and mastered now it goes into the hands of the record breakers, Radio personalities and club DJs could be considered just as important as the artist. If they don’t like it, it doesn’t get played and if the music not getting heard by anyone, well you know the rest. DJ Deja Blu has been a mainstay in the music scene for years, he broke the Jumprope and Little Rock bounce records and recently got affliated with St. Louis banner Derrty ent. Getting your music to him can get music played at parties and clubs all over Arkansas, Missouri , Texas and Atlanta, as well as DJ Worm, Special K, Dr. Feelgood and Dj Hiley. There are names in SasnakrA that when you here it you instantly thing radio, but the one name that is important going into 2010 is Caine the Ladiesman, KIPR dj was the man with the plan in 2009, bring several big events to Central Arkansas to entertain the masses but more importantly he changed how many fans viewed independent artist music. Traditionally when a major artist came to town, local artist where all lined up back-to-back and shuffled off stage Caine mixed unsigned with signed to create a more enjoyable show and by doing that helped jump start the recognition of unsigned artist music by local fans. He was truly the HNIC in 2009 and getting under his wing in 2010 could spell success for someone. We know that we helped with putting this magazine out and thank everyone that has had a part in its success, we won’t toot our own horn but will ask those that we’ve put a spotlight to keep doing what your doing so that the things we’ve said can come true.
2010 will be a breakout year for someone, as we continue to bring you info updates every issue lets see if our watchful eye was on the mark. Happy New Year!!!!
ALBUM REVIEWS
$3
$5 This is definitely a good album/compilation/ mixtape. the music and lyrics work and the arrangement of the songs make it worth listening to. If it was in store i might pay more, but there are areas that need working on, so good job with this one its a step above the rest.
$5
SWAGG
Konyak
$3
$3 Mista Mayhemm
Its pretty good, there are a couple of songs that catch the ear, but not all of it, I've got questions on the realness of the lyrics and there are parts that you could have left out. keep making music, but think outside the box because either some of this CD is not believable or your producer needs some more lessons on mixing.
$3
Tony Ocean
$5
$3
Gutta
Chain Swang Shawty This piece has some flaws in it. without hurting your feeling or discouraging you, let me say this I'll give you $2 for the effort, but don't think this is some hot flame. IT'S NOT! DO SOME RESEARCH, GET SOME HELP. presentation is important and if the CD has no artwork or its a burnt copy..this is the new millennium! get your weight up or get out the business.
$2
$2
$3
Kilo Kapone
Suga City Down South Music Review
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THINGS Ain’t
that make you say… 1 2 3
Who Tho'd Vol. 2!
4
Death to the Mohawk, now its for kids.
5 6
Lottery tickets in Arkansas.
7 8
Reality shows on BET suck.
9
Where O Where is Nina James?(again)
10 18 |
it Man!
Down South Music Review
Lean Back and Cock It! Michael Jackson is Dead, R.I.P
T.I. getting out, Lil Boosie and Gucci going in.
Are there any new R&B performers in LR?
Down South Music Review, The only published voice of the Little Guy!