L O N G
L I V E
T H E
S O U T H
NUMBER 9
THE RETURN!!!
Note from the Editor It’s the end of what has been the hottest summer ever. Record 100 degree plus temperatures everyday made it very uncomfortable to be out, but it did great to season artist to the next steps in the process. Never before has so many indie artist got exposure on regional radio. Everyday you could turn on your radio and hear T-Scotts “Flashy” or “Wanna B’s” , Rod D’s “BOSS”, Feezios’ “Outlawz” or Black Trumps “Sipperz Only”. We now can see the fruits of our (independent music supporters) labor is asking for more on our airwaves. What’s funny is we only made a little noise and got results. Imagine if a major move could put us all where we want to see our music be. DSMR magazine is making more moves to get the word out to more people, here are a few pics of yours truly out putting the magazine into the hands of the readers personally. Long live southern music.
CONTENTS
Image Makers 5
8
THE SCENE
The Return of Ace of Spades!
11
9
Claiming the Throne
12
Album Reviews
14
Ain’t it Man!
DOWN MUSIC SOUTHREVIEW Number 9
PUBLISHED BY LNORM Entertainment Holding inc. EDITOR LNORM CONTRIBUTING PHOTOS Micheal Worsham downsouthmusicreview@gmail.com www.facebook.com/dsmr www.myspace.com/downsouthmusicreview
PO Box 45272, LR, AR 72214 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 2011. All Rights Reserved.
On the Rise One artist not to be slept on calls Dumas, AR home. No Love is no stranger to the music business, since 1999 No Love has been giving the raw as a member of the Heavy Hittaz. As a Hitta he teamed up with others from the town to drop 3 full length cd;’s and did shows all over the Delta NO LOVE building a name for himself. Now a s a solo artist No Love has dropped 2 cd;s and linking up with STRUGGLESOUTH ENT the drop of the HOODSTAR maxi-single is in circulation throughout the mid south. Check Mr. no out at cdbaby.com/no love or get in touch with him at face book.com/no love Jesse. All experts will tell a up and coming artist to do as many shows as possible and as often as possible. It increases your stage presence but also putting you in the face of fans emphasizing your commitment to your craft. One place any artist needs to make sure they hit up and bless the stage is Greenwood Studios.
3 colleges in a 5 mile radios and one super big high school within yards! Any promoter trying to have a good show will make sure he has the parking lot pimpin under control and he will be all smiles at the end of the night. In 2011 every artist is stepping his game up, not only does he have a quality produce in his music, but his promotional graphics are on point, social media pages updated, but now more and more artist are adding music videos to there campaign and where there’s music videos there are beautiful models to give it just enough to not make it homemade. DSMR magazine understand this DUANE WILSON and so to support independent models we’re teaming up with face book beast, producer and promoter of all things fresh Duane “Magic tha Legend” Wilson to bring on the snapshot photos of the sexiest ladies in the Deep South. Look forward to that new section now…
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Are you tired of the same old TV programs? Coming soon something familier, yet different! Hosted by your favorite go-to-guy for the hookup LNORM! STAY TUNED...
STYLE. SWAGG. MEANING. clothing with it all. 2011
-–---– -- - -–-IMAGE MAKERS!! by LNORM
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IF YOU WHERE TO GO THROUGH your cd collection right now, and being completely honest, sort your entire collection based on why its really in your collection, I’m sure you would have different stacks. Some of the cds would be for artist that you are a fan of, some have that one song
CAZ DA CHEF
you like, some will be because you got a free copy and there will be those that you wonder why you still keep. For those the answer may simply lie in the fact that you liked the artwork on the cover. All these reasons are good reasons but its that last one that came down to true dollars and cents. Major Artist and production companies realize that having a eye catching artwork is the first step to getting consumers attention — so much so, that a major part of production budget goes into branding the image through visual aid. Why do artists spend seven figures on a music video? Because they know the greater the impression the greater the response at the sales counter. This creates greater demand for entertainment and makes it more valuable for a artist presence. Music business 101 would say to any new artist once you’ve recorded, mixed and mastered your product the next big step is to package it in a way people will be drawn to it. Whether it’s a music video or a cd cover, this is just as important to the project as the product itself. In the deep south there are hundreds of people who can take a photo and with Photoshop add Down South Music Review
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-–---– -- - -–-some captions and place a logo and call it a cd cover but if the colors aren’t balanced, or images leveled its not something a fan would look at twice if in the record store or shopping online. In central Arkansas, as artists are making a stronger push for industry recognition, there are several image makers that, with their help, can make or break a project. Ever since the late 90’s many graphic design artists have helped local artists create the right look for their cd, One such legend goes by the name of J’Visions! His list of work looks like a wall of fame, everyone from Project Dawgs to Take Charge Records, J has put the stank on cd covers and promo flyers like no one else. Not big on being out front and screaming look
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Down South Music Review
at me, Visions quietly keep the attention where its suppose to be. On his work. But there is more to J than just hot cd covers, Vision also does artist management for the like of artist EDUBB aka Errol Westbrook and others and recently added Veshionfilms to his arsenal. Covering the entire image consulting game. Another multitalented image maker is the Moljaman, the Cali born rapper, promoter, videographer, producer and graphic artist. Temolja Washington if nothing else is his own greatest promoter. You name it and Temolja is doing it. Constant travel from California and Arkansas keep him working. The list of artist he is collaborating with is
– - - ----- --– - --to long to list, but lets just say its his goal to work with everybody. You throw in Dinky designs, and Burna boi over at RTLD Media and there is no reason any artist cd cover can’t look like it belongs in Best buy. In the late 90’s a lot of artists where pushing on the door of the industry, they had good music, professionally packaged and ready to sell, and a few took it one step further and added music video to their media bio. In central artist the only outlets for getting that video looked at was either on the Broadway Joe video show or on the more popular HOODSTRUCK TV. The shows producer Chris Austin applied a college education and street savvy to bring to the masses a inside look at the lives of our favorite indie artist and had the equipment to make you look much bigger than you where. This show inspired other shows like Phenomenon TV and WOODtainments LIVE AND DIRECT TV. All these shows where popular, but in a small market where many don’t understand the behind the scenes efforts of broadcasting and videography in those days only a few artists could put a budget together to get a video done... and as we all know love don’t pay the bills. Fast-forward to 2011. Many of the OG’s are still in the game but thanks to their efforts they have spawned new players in the game like ILL Legal productions Matt Dizzle and Smart moves gangs CAZ
DA CHEF. You tube has opened it up for everyone to get their voice and vision out to the masses. Its seems like every week Dizzle drops a new video for any artist will to take a change on success, but like those before him he is not a one dimensional artist, He raps, he does graphics , records and if needed he’ll spit a bar or two. Why Dizzle will press up your project if needed. In theory working with Dizzle you can record your album, have him do a cd cover and insert a poster, and have him shoot and edit your music video and never leave his office. Kind of like a franchise. Like Dizzle, Caz is also a working artist. But what has his name all a buzz is his videos, we all love Hype Williams videos, they are big budget products that entertain us and give a visual story behind the lyrics. When you watch a Caz video they all are different but by the end you just know it was a caz the chef production. Of course there are other in the City and Region who are making moves and these moves will in their own time get the recognition they deserve. Finding success in the Music game is at the finger tips of anyone who tells themselves they want it. But comes down to the ones who study the art of the game and cross all T’s and dot all I’s. Its not my opinion that you can’t make it off just hot music alone, but I can say looking at my own personal cd/dvd collection that if it hadn’t been for explosive eye catching graphics many of the things I treasure would not have even got a second look. Down South Music Review
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the scene
SOPHISTICATED URBAN CUSTOMER APPRECIATION BBQ K2, PETEY WEEDSTRAW AND EDUBB
PRODUCER TANK WEST AND DJ STACK 3
THE MOLJA MAN
GK SKULLY AND ROD D RODNEY BLOCK AND QUIET
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The Return of Ace of Spades!
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SINCE THE END of the 20th century the central Arkansas Hip-Hop scene has been filled with artist who have come and gone. Not to call any names , but to look back at the top artist 10 years ago and compare that list to the active roster today, there are not many who would make both list. 10 years ago artist where just starting to believe that they could achieve more success than just schoolyard fame or being the annual talent show contestants. Artist from all over the mid south where watching artist from Texas, Georgia and Missouri dominate the TV and Radio airwaves spreading the word of life in the South. Arkansas had its own scenes, east Arkansas was vibbing on
the Memphis sound, sw Arkansas was chopped and screwed with Texas and in Central Arkansas you could get a lil bit of sounds from all over the country. In getting back to the list of the top rappers 10 years ago , as stated , very few who where on that list are still in the game, but one. Ace of Spades Records CEO Black Trump was on the short list then and now in 2011 is poised for a Spartan like return to the throne, Pine Bluff is home to Trump and as job loss, crime and migrating population plaque the Delta, Trump still shines like a diamond in the ruff. Many will remember Ace of Spades Records as a regular performance of the Juneteenth celebration in Little Rock, as well Down South Music Review
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-–---– -- - -–-as all of major shows throught the first decade of the new millennium. With albums in the street like Southern Cartel As the World Turns and Black Trump presents UAPB HOMECOMING MIXTAPE. Ace of Spades Records have long since paid dues. Missing on the scene for moment Trump suffered a physical setback , while in California on a promo tour a automobile accident keep Trump off the scene for almost two years. In the game of hip-hop a 2 year layoff could mean falling into obscurity, but Bosses have a way when the chips seem down they keep playing and prepping waiting for the right time to resurface.
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As the second half of 2011 gets under way Trump recently released the first single of his new project for the Sipperz featuring Z-RO and Ronnie Spencer. Along with crew of soldiers ready to ride, Trump , Phunkee Phoot and the crew are already getting radio play in regional markets and a business arrangement to get a greater exposure in more markets is in the works. Ace of Spade Records will emerge again as a Arkansas Super label. No stranger to the grind Trump already has songs with Playa Fly and Big Hawk and sky is only the limit for the Don of the SEARK…ALL HAIL A KING!
- ------ – - --–--CLAIMING cLAImING tTHRONE! THE ThE THR HRoon NE! E!
V. I. P. VICIOUS is pimpin was born off east 21st and raised in the Dub so its safe to say she has all of Little Rock covered. Bossillini Ent. Number one artist is poised and ready to stake claim to a crown few have been ready to wear. Rapping all her life and taking it seriously since 2003 Vicious is not only claiming the crown but with industry ready product and music videos to boot she setting a high bar for achievement. When asked how she would describe her sound off top Club Bangers! Loving to give way to high energy and something you can rock to you can see what Vicious music can do in the strip clubs. But before you try and label the music it also touches on everyday life issues and offers another option in the everyday struggle of being an American in the south. When asked who her musical inspiration where off top Da Brat and UGK, but also Dirty, TI NO Limit and suave house just to name a few. “My goal out of this music game is to give back, and to show the word the flowing talent that comes out of the A_STATE!” Vicious motto is to keep GOD first then family and doing that will keep everything else in order. Currently in the studio working on new music, making connect all over Arkansas and Fort Worth , TX its only a matter of time before the Queen Expands her empire. Check for yourself face book.com/latonyaholmes Down South Music Review
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ALBUM REVIEWS
EARFEAR ARTCLASS What can we say 607 and Bobby once again put together just what we expected a stellar piece of art. Fresh of the 2010 Album of the year with the first installment of Ear fear the brother duo followed up with 15 tracks of pure music. Don’t label it just hip-hop or rap but bend those things with soft rock, R&B jazz and a pop and what you have is truly ear fear. New Niggas is the first video for the project but its hard not feel to the beat feat. Alia Moore, Don’t Go and Inside feature EDUBB. Osyrus bolly and Pepper Boy also are featured and the due introduce Jessica Lauren to the indie scene. Anyone not having this album will truly miss out on the music experience of 2011. It’ll be like having all the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle except the one piece in the middle, at least sofar this year anyway. When you see six or bobby out give’em at least $5 for a copy or go to ear fear.band camp.com and show your support.
GK SKULLY THE HEART OF A REAL NI**A Every year there is that artist who with tell you what he got plan shows you that he obviously has a master plan. Hog Music Entertainment General GK SKULLY is doing whatever artist says they doing. Putting in work. No one under 30 years old and say that they new to rap or just started because hip hop is the music of their generation. From birth it is the music of choice and with that said GK Skully takes life to beat and makes it real. Recorded at Key Ingredient studios and features from the Don himself SKULLY enlist help from Mr.3 and Aye tell em JT among other to round out a hot 17 tracks. Number 3 ITS WHATEVER is already a local favorite as it seems like 100 people on stage every time HOG Music to perform the song. A voice different from other GK puts you in the mind of Jeezy and with the work ethic and drive of a strong team. Industry take note! Skully go hard. And did I mention J’Vision on the cd cover layout.
HOT SINGLES 1. WANNA B’S TSCOTT 2. BOSS RODD 3. OUTLAW FEEZIO 4. ARKANSAS(remix) PETEY WHEATSTRAW 5. I AIN’T GOIN KLICKED UP ENT 12 |
Down South Music Review
thanks to all our advertisers and corporate sponsors‌
SO-PLAYA RECORDS
TEE WHY ENTERTAINMENT
THINGS Ain’t
that make you say… 1
it Man! Did the NFL or NBA really try to make us believe they wanted to do a lockout? really.
2
T-Scott, Feezio, Rod D, Black Trump! Independent music heard on Arkansas radio..and not a pump it or dump it!
3 4 5
Fawn Don or Kisha B? Really missing Rap City! Football season! Lets Go Bears, Golden Lions, Boll Weevils, Hogs and Red Wolves!!! Oh.and Go Raiders!! Yes I said Raiders.
Are you tired of the same old TV programs? Coming soon something familier, yet different! Hosted by your favorite go-to-guy for the hookup LNORM! STAY TUNED... 14 |
Down South Music Review
STYLE. SWAGG. MEANING. clothing with it all. 2011