Generation Next Magazine by Generation Next Magazine

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CONTENTS

FEATURES 30 POP IT FOR PIMP

54 DOUBLE TROUBLE

This is a tribute not only about Pimp C, but more or less Chad and the year since his passing. By E. Bernard Smith

As if one football star in the family isn’t enough, this one has two. By 36 Karat

56 REPPING HIS BLOCK 36 LIL RU – PALMETTO STATE WEIGHT SC has yet to produce an artist that puts the state on the map, but Lil Ru is changing that. By 36 Karat

38 GURU & SOLAR, REAL HIP-HOP Monumental things happen when a legendary music icon recreates and reinvents himself. By 36 Karat

40 ASSHOLE BY NATURE Say the word Rap in Houston and guaranteed the name Trae will be brought up By E. Bernard Smith

42 THE MULE & THE OZONE Generation Next gets face to face with Hip Hop royalty at the Ozone Awards By E. Bernard Smith

44 HIGH VOLTAGE Michael Watts a “super producer” to many and has the resume and money to back it up By E. Bernard Smith

46 TAY DIZM BEAMS UP NEXT One thousand spins a week across the country and is steady climbing the charts By 36 Karat

48 LIGHTS, CAMERAS, ACTION… IT’S SHOTIME With a major focus unlike many new hip hop artists, Shotime proves that there is still some hope for hip hop. By E. Bernard Smith

50 B. WEST At only twenty years old, B. West has his mind set for future success. By T-Angel

52 SO DUTTY, YET SO CLEAN An exclusive interview with DJ Dutty Laundry By 36 Karat

The Houston bred artist Rob G. prepares to release his much anticipated debut album “The Inauguration” By E. Bernard Smith

57 C.H.I.P – CONSIDERED THE HOTTEST IN PHILLY Exclusive interview with one of Philadelphia’s hottest artist By T-Angel

CONTENTS

Photography: Terry Lewis

DEPARTMENTS 4 THE MUSIC BIZ Learn how to live off of the music industry for life and not get ripped off in the process.

9 MIND SEX A section dedicated to stimulate the mind.

10 BEYOND THE BOOTH Step outside of the booth and learn from notable producers & engineers.

12 WHO’S NEXT The industries up and coming artists.

22 LADIES OF NEXTACY Models with Brains, Beauty and Body.

58 WE’RE EVERYWHERE; YOU’RE NEVER THERE Our photo gallery of nightlife, sponsored events, and concerts.

60 UNTIL NEXT TIME A preview of the next issue & performance shot of your favorite artist.

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PUBLISHER PUTS OUT

IT’S FUNNY BECAUSE EVERYDAY SOMEONE ASKS PUBLISHER

Generation Next Media, LLC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Marc Gates

ART DIRECTOR

Shaun Baron MUSIC DIRECTOR

Scott Perry SP Entertainment Music Group CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

E. Bernard Smith, Michael Hall Jr., 36 Karat, Amanda Straub, T-Angel, Manthu Tekhna, Barbara Ball, Anthony Foye, Jameelah Kareem, Kimberly R., Professor Pooch CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Terry Lewis, D2D Photography, Film At 2300, Linkz Photography CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS

Brewster Scott, Madism VIDEOGRAPHER

Blue Anchor Productions PR/MARKETING

Public Relations - Aurelia Anderson ADVERTISING

East Coast Account Manager – Manthu Tekhna Midwest Account Manager – Barbara Ball South Account Manager – Karat Qaiser

me or sends an email saying, “When’s the magazine coming out?” or “What’s good with the magazine?” These same people really don’t understand what it takes to publish a magazine. Do they really understand how much time, money, energy, dealing with the bullshitting/wack ass artists that want the world and have no buzz, the back and forth with advertisers, the dedication and commitment to satisfy all your readers, staff, advertisers along with yourself? When I reply with, “What’s up subscribing or advertising?” I get the same response every time; NONE! Since I became owner (Now 100% Owner/Publisher, Thanks Dale, LOL… Make sure to support his new magazine Elite Magazine) of Generation Next Magazine I lost friends, gain new haters (Hi Haters), my personal life has been altered here and there, man the list goes on. Anyone who thinks this easy at all, I dare you to try it! This issue really is important to me; I put my all into making the magazine work and grow in content, pages, visibility, readership, graphics, staff, networking and distribution. It will set the trend and lay the foundation for more issues to follow with bigger names, artists, models, vixens, new sections and better opportunities. A tribute to Pimp C, how big is that? I hope you see and support my vision to give people exposure to the world and help further their careers. We added new things to this issue like: Mind Sex, Ladies of Nextacy, Beyond the Booth, Who’s Next and The Music Biz. That’s not even all the sections that we’re adding to the magazine; it’s only the beginning. Please feel free to comment and voice your opinions on any articles or interviews you read in the magazine, whether love or hate and I’ll put in the magazine. I would like to thank all the people who believe in me and those who doubt me (You’re my motivation). Also, I would like to give a special thanks to all the people who contributed, gave it their all, put up with all the obstacles and me to make this issue happen. To the models this issue for allowing me to feature & interview you. I really appreciate that. If I left you out this issue, don’t worry I’ll place you in the next one, just hit me up via email or MySpace. (I didn’t forget you; it’s all part of a bigger plan) Before I go, to all the artists who came they are independent, please take the necessary steps to promote and support your craft like an independent artist. How can you expect someone to invest in you and you don’t invest in yourself? Also, make sure to SUBSCRIBE!!!

Jamacia Johnson

I want to give extra thank you to Dale Evans for giving me the opportunity, Professor Pooch (The Music Biz Guru), Karat, Kimberly R., Anthony & D2D Photography, Terry Lewis, Trizzy & T-Angel, B. West, Chip, DJ Mackie, Larry Larr, Jabriel The RockStar, Jameelah Kareem, Cayenne, Stallion Stables, Isis, Tone Trump, Blue Anchor Productions, Renee Pratt, Shaun, The Staff of SPEMG for making the cover story happen, Nancy Bryon, and Mrs. Butler for allowing Generation Next Magazine into your home. There are tons of other people I can name, but there is no room for all of you… Thank You and next year is going to be crazy.

Marc Gates

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Web Director – Marc Gates, LLC Multimedia – Tekhna Inc. Cover Design:

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Media, LLC and published bi-monthly. GENERATION NEXT accepts no responsibility for unsolicited articles, reviews, features, graphics, music, or otherwise. The publisher reserves the rights to edit, rewrite, or refuse editorial material and assume no responsibility for errors, omissions, or accuracy. GENERATION NEXT cannot accept responsibility for claims made by its advertisers. Advertisers who place ads in GENERATION NEXT do so with the understanding that GENERATION NEXT will not accept responsibility for claims made by such in their ads, nor will the publisher be held financially accountable for errors in advertising (regardless of fault), beyond the partial or full cost of the ads themselves. Opinions expressed in GENERATION NEXT are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the management, staff, advertisers or publisher.

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SOME OF THE NEWER TYPES OF DEALS ARE: It is a fact that the entire Music Industry is in flux and quite a lot of time is spent by people and companies trying to cope with all the changes that are occurring. Let’s look at dealing with “Record Companies”. Although the Majors and their Subsidiaries are still considered Recording Companies, nowadays, as CDs can be replaced by Downloads, the term “Record Company” may also include any Entertainment Oriented Company with tons of power and or money, such as what “Live Nation” is doing with U2, Jay-Z, Madonna, etc. Simply put, there are things that you should do before you think of signing with a Manager, Production or Record Company so that you can retain at least some of the Creative, Financial & Legal Control, along with the power and proceeds.

Sorry, but I’ve got to start out with, “You DON’T get a 2nd chance to make a 1st Impression”! You need to be GREAT - not just “Good”. There are tons of Good Artists and Songwriters. You want [need] to stand out from the crowd!

I recommend you “Trademark” your name [™]. If YOU don’t, there’s a good chance someone else, will! You want to own your name – otherwise another Band, or even a Record Company or Manager will probably want to.

If you’re part of a Group or a Band, there are 2 things that must be 1st agreed to before going any further: [A. Artist/Musician Status:] Is any musician[s] “more important” than any other[s]? [B. Songwriter/Publisher Status:] The Songwriter is the Creative entity who creates the Songs, and Publisher is the Business entity who owns the Songs and handles the business for the Songwriter. [There should be a 50-50 split of all income between the two!]

I recommend you Incorporate, probably as an LLC – to protect your personal assets.

For more information about Professor Pooch’s things you need to do before you sign with anyone, please visit his blog at : www.professorpooch.com

If you have a Band, you should have a “Band Agreement”, which is sort of a Partnership Agreement between the members of the Band. It [should] covers quite a lot, including: splits of ownership of Publishing, Recordings and the Band Name, etc., splits of moneys on all accounts, what happens if you add or drop a member[s], sharing of responsibilities, what happens if…, etc., etc., etc.

If you are paying for your Recordings - you own them! Did you ever notice the (P) on a CD or wherever? That stands for the Ownership of the Production Copyright [SR form], and will normally list the Record Company as the owner after the (P). The (c) stands for the ownership of the underlying song – Published or Un-Published. And, if you own them, why not form your own Record Company?

WHO IS PROFESSOR POOCH? I’ve been involved in Music Business Contract Law for over 25 years dealing with Artists, Songwriters, Producers, etc., on the Creative Side, as well as Managers, Publishers, Production Companies and Labels, on the Business side. I am NOT a Lawyer. I’m an Educator who has taught quite a few 4

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Songwriting & Publishing: All Songwriters should join one [only one is allowed at a time] Performing Rights Organization. In the United States, your choices are: ASCAP [ASCAP.com], BMI [BMI. com] or SESAC [SESAC. com]. At the same time, I recommend you also join the same one as a Publisher. When you pick one of the PRO’s, download both the Songwriting & the Publishing Applications, and fill them in, print them out, and send them in.

How? :: Poof:: Congratulations: You are a Record Company. But yes, you should also sign a Recording Contract with yourself! That way, if you become even moderately successful on your own, they’ll have to deal with you as a Record Company – and not just as an Artist.

Register Your Copyrights In Washington! The Copyright office now has available OnLine Registration, which they recommend you use! You can upload songs and pay right on the site [it temporarily takes you away to another government site - but you end up back on the copyright site after you pay.] The price for registering electronically is $35.

10.

You should learn at least the Basics of the Music Business and how it operates so you even know how to question interested parties to see if they really know what they’re talking about or doing! [Beware of Name Droppers!]

attorneys, as well as several thousand others, the ins and outs of the Music Business, plus Music Business Contract Law, either privately, or at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, where I developed and taught their “Entertainment Law” classes. Please take what I have recommended, seriously. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. © 2008 David J. Spangenberg

A. “360 Deals” - Where ALL avenues of income are included - including Performing, Publishing, Merchandising, etc. B. “Joint Ventures”, where everything is split rather equally with another Company. C. “Up-streaming”, where if you sell a certain amount of downloads or sales by yourself or with an Indie, a Major Company/Distributor takes over many of the responsibilities at that point. Sales numbers where you are “up-streamed” to a bigger Company, usually start at 25,000 - 50,000 copies. … Plus, other variations that are coming into existence in the Digital Era. But, BEFORE you even get concerned about those options, let alone deal with them or any other segment of the Music Biz; you need to take care of your own Artist/Band/Group Business. That is, if you wish to succeed AND make money AND be protected! Plus, you’ll know, or at least look like you know what you are doing! This way you also have a much better chance of attracting legitimate, Professional People and Companies, and not people just trying to take advantage of you, or attracting ones who have no idea about how the Music Biz operates. In other words, prevent yourself from wasting your time - or being Ripped Off!

Unsigned Acts and Drawing Fans I look around the “Big City” and I see Musical Artists/Bands looking for places to play for as large an audience as possible, wanting to be heard, wanting to gain new fans, wanting to earn a living doing what they like to do – Creating and Playing their Music. Of course, naturally, they are going to go where they can be hired, which most of the time consists of different Bars, Clubs and other drinking establishments... Well, in theory, this should work pretty well; you have places to gather and nurture fans, and you’re doing what you love to do - play Music. But, as I’m sure most of you have found out, this rarely works very well… Why? The 1st of a couple main reasons is actually very simple when you really look at it… I remember my pre-teen and teenage years, when I, a potential Music fan like anyone else of my generation, was introduced to, and developed a taste for Music, and the Artists who delivered it. This Music seriously affected me in one way or another in these formidable years. Music, and the Artists who presented and represented this new music to me, appeared as one entity. And this entity, and the other influences at that time of my life really affected me and became a major part of my life during this everimportant time of my life. A time when I, this young, growing person, became ME. That was “My Generation”, but you and every other generation living and growing socially and otherwise through these same important preteen and teenage age years, accumulate[d] your own tastes, including whom you are/were influenced by, etc. You, like me, and everyone else are attracted to certain kinds of music and the lifestyle associated with it, formulate your taste, which you associate with this very important part of your life. Your social, and therefore your musical life, are formulated together – by Music, and the Performing/Recording Acts that

6 HOT SPOTS The six must-go-to joints to showcase your skills.

brought this Music to you… So, let’s look at the situation and do some simple math: On one side we have: Unsigned Acts who are usually forced to play where they can, most often in Clubs, Bars, what have you. Clubs, in most localities, equals ages 21 and above, where liquor is served.. And, of course, the establishments want you to draw lots of fans, to drink up and make them money. [A fact of life – the venues don’t care often how good you are – just how many people you bring in.] But, your potential fans, being over the age of 21, are already pretty set in their tastes. They want cover-bands and songs from their generation, or they go to arena-type concerts where the “Stars”, whom they associate with these songs that made up these important years, perform. On the other side we have: Those under 21, who are stuck listening to whatever is programmed into their head for them to hear, usually coming from the Major Labels, or their Subsidiaries. They have no idea what they are missing – they are not given the opportunity to see and hear some great local unsigned acts that they could discover and call their own, because they can’t see these Artists and hear their Music - because they’re not allowed in the door!!! Yes there is, of course, a seemingly obvious answer to this problem. But, allages shows have their own issues, and only partly solves the overall situation even when these gigs are available… The real answers run much deeper... To be continued… Professor Pooch

1. spot: CLUB PYRAMID location: New York, NY

3. spot: LUCKIE LOUNGE location: Atlanta, GA

5. spot: ALVIN’S location: Detroit, MI

2. spot: CLUB FLUID location: Philadelphia, PA

4. spot: WHITE DIAMONDS location: Miami, FL

6. spot: ROXY location: Houston, TX

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THE RETURN OF

I am really from an era in hip hop where Sally had a one track mind or before his passing, Big L ran up in sucka’s baby’s mothers. Where it was sort-of ok to like crazy white people like Beastie Boys and their brass monkey getting no sleep ‘til Brooklyn. White Castles Hamburgers while in your car doing the human beat boxes listening to the Awesome Two from W.H.B.I. or watching Ralph McDaniels and The Vid Kid on Video Music Box to Fab 5 Fred on Yo! MTV Rap Shows and all those ill videos. What about James Brown and his “Heys!” and other oldies sample clearances and law suits. Where Hip Hop didn’t wear pink gators, but red black and green medallions with pride; Hip Hop didn’t care about ice, but dookie cables; you didn’t see Hip Hop wearing Channel glasses, but lens-less Cazals; and Hip Hop would get caught dead starring in a movie, but would mimic a-wanna-be gangta like Scarface or Good Fellas. That was the good days of Hip Hop in the 90’s! Let me take you back even further… Story by Kimberly The 80’s... where can I begin here? During the Beat Street and break dancing craze, taggin’ trains, Spit vs. Ramo, the Sha-Rocks and Debbie Dees, Dougie Freshes and Kool Mo Dees being part of The Treacherous Threes. I know I am showing my age, but I really miss those true Hip Hop days. Just close your eyes and reminisce with me. The greatest two decades that helped the birth of Hip Hop; even when spittin’ in a cipher in the middle of the block; when every brother was passing a blunt or had knowledge of self; our ears were not only listening, but were blessed. My parents never understood the noise they hated so much, nor tried. The bass and high pitched treble coming from music from behind closed doors of my room, here they come busting in with their criticism of MY music... telling me to ‘turn that sh…down!’, and in the same breath questioning me why I was playing a skipping distorted record when it was only a simple technique djs used called scratching... shows how much they knew to be the smartest parents in my world. The eras of one eyed-story tellers with their British accents and British Knights and suede fronts. Times where Adidas and Pumas were without laces, it just amazes me how those times carried me through my rebellious growing stages. I look at my pictures to reminisce…you know the ones I took with my crazy Jersey girls in New York? I had on my Bamboo earrings in a B-Girl Stance, hair to the side like Salt, Peppa, and Spin? In front of a muro of a tricked out Mercedes-Benz with a sparkling emblem, my friend Hip Hop blasting through the streets of 42nd, thinking…no… knowing, I was too “fly” and too “fresh” for that flick 6

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that picture man was about to click. Then curfew, we run down many blocks through matty hatty to hop on the P.A.T.H in the village heading back across the Hudson River to Newark in our parked vehicle in a high priced parking lot for our destination called home for classes at the university in the am. We were touched from head to toe due to Hip Hop, from polka-dots with thick ankle socks, doing the running man dance, sporting high top fades and asymmetrical cuts with ziz-zag parts; straight reppin’ village style. I thought at the time of Hip Hop being ours through the years being proud to be from Jersey, so close to New York because it was our own, but we had to share it. It wasn’t a bad thing listening to Negros with Attitudes; I mean how conscious could Hip Hop get with Public Enemies and Poor Righteous Teacher-like groups, but Hip Hop was becoming down right angry and furious. It was evolving even more as I watched it being snatched from the sewers, the basements, and the undergrounds. I even became furious while I watched it gang bang and self destruct, but all hope was not lost of course as I told myself. I stretched my mind and stayed impartial to that fact as I listened to those synthesizers and tubelike-singing of Roger Troutman samples in Los Angeles replace 12 inch turn tables and just down right take over. But I didn’t let it grab or get the best of me. I needed Hip Hop back like I needed air to breathe. I needed to stay focus as I hoped and prayed for something to carry me into the millennium.

Until this day, I thank Jay Z, Nas, Biggie, M.-O.B.B. and Wu for that. For them I am ever so grateful, for them, and those like em, I knew all was not lost, all was good. For them I had loyalty, respect, and honor for the Hip Hop game and would never stray, only because they truly carried me through. Although there was a serious evolution that began taking place, not only in my life so it did for Hip Hop. I had to face it, we were growing up together and getting older. Not only did I have children, but so did Hip Hop, and many children it had. Because there were so many things to step up and want to father it’s style...the name had to change to stay hip and so we called it Rap. Rap had open many more doors to places beyond imagination, and I personally, did not want to experience, but found myself drawn into it like all other Hip Hop heads playing “keep up” or miss out. At 1st I didn’t mind, but like all things that are exposed, it’s bound to be pimped, dirty south, chopped and screwed; tatted-up, bubble-gummed, R and B’d, and Movie produced-Hollywood-out. Rap began speaking different languages and taking acting gigs. Rap just was passed from state to state which is not all bad I guess, but that’s when we turn our heads, look the other way and say do your thing and get your paper if you must grind baby. As the Hip Hop I knew sits in that Old School rocking chair now watching her own kids grow, inventing pop styles and sing song dances as a venture out to something new...I watch my own children listening and remembering the time when it was raw and real. Remembering the good times and how it’s just not the same. Wonder if she is feeling like I am feeling, looking to get that old feeling back. My children yelling amongst each other about who is better, young this or young that, Soldier this, do that dance there-that. Boy, they just don’t know! Until that long ride in my car with my children, sounds of distortion screeching IPods through their earphones...I am now where my parents were behind my door. I tell them to remove their head phones and listen to what I have while I slip in a CD from a true era of the late Big L. I begin to see their heads bob like mine....”yeah!” they say, right then I realized all wasn’t loss in a shuffle, wondering when that Hip Hop feeling would return, but at that very moment looking at my children, knowing they came from their dad and me, that Hip Hop never left.

YouTube Videos: Penalty vs. Payment Everyone loves a quick laugh or interesting video from You Tube every now and again. My personal favorite being the laughter of a shark from the film “Strange Wilderness” – that video never fails to make cry from laughing so hard. The latest, greatest artist videos can also be seen through YouTube; now you no longer have to rifle through MTVs website to find them. In his article, “No Video, No Problem for Artists on YouTube,” Jonathan Landrum Jr. wrote that “When Ludacris’ manager wanted to create buzz for his client’s upcoming CD, he went directly to YouTube. com. But instead of releasing a flashy video for Ludacris’ song ‘Let’s Stay Together,’ Chaka Zulu just uploaded the track directly to the site with just a picture of the rapper as accompaniment. ‘You actually get to visualize the music,’ said Zulu, who is also co-founder of Ludacris’ Disturbing tha Peace label. ‘Even if it’s not a real video, music is emotion. Music has a concept and theme.’ Though YouTube is known as the Internet’s greatest video warehouse, it’s becoming known as the place to find new music, no video needed. Put in the name of your favorite artist and there’s chance that besides an assortment of their videos, you’ll find a song with perhaps just a picture or a montage of photos to accompany it - and it still gets thousands of views” (http://www. redorbit.com/news/technology/1559128/no_video_no_ problem_for_artists_on_youtube/index.html?source=r_ technology). While YouTube is fast, informative,

and easy to navigate, it can run into problems. Like any site, according to Amazon’s Askville.com, it is possible to get a virus from YouTube videos. The site, http://askville.amazon.com/virus-watching-youtubevideos/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=4840624, relies

on its users to answer the question: “Can you get a virus from watching YouTube Videos?”. One such user, named Cerberus, explains that “The videos on YouTube are streamed to your computer using Story by Amanda Straub

Flash, a technique developed by Macromedia that has been bought by Adobe recently. To be able to play flash-modules you need a so called Flash-Player that is installed as sub-module (a so called Plugin) into your webbrowser (sic). In general flash-programs that are played by the Flash-Player is very much restricted in what they can do, so they can’t simply read or write your harddrive (sic) or do other nasty things. This can be compared to the also existent (sic) Java Applets that run in a so called Sandbox. But like all software the Flash-Player can contain bugs (mistakes done by the programmers or things not thought about, etc.) A hacker can find these bugs and use them for his own benefit. Dependent on the severity of the bug many things can happen. Starting from simply annoying things like the popup of an advertisement (sic) even with a popup-blocker being active to more dangerous things like “breaking out” of the beforementioned (sic) sandbox. If a hacker is able to use a bug that way that he can break out the sandbox everything is possible like the reading and writing of the harddrive (sic), or executing programs on the system (outside the browser). These things would allow the installation of trojan horses, viruses or other things.” Cliff notes: yes, you can get a virus from watching YouTube videos. In fact, people can create a site that looks almost identical to YouTube where you will end up downloading a virus and then will be redirected to the real YouTube, where you most likely won’t even notice you were not previously. This redirection masks the virus, so you won’t be

Illustration by Brewster Scott

suspicious that you’ve downloaded it. So in reality, what does this mean for us, the watchers of YouTube videos, and for artists who post their music and videos on Youtube, or for those random hilarious videos that just happen to get posted? Well, first of all, YouTube has been having difficulties paying royalties to artists for their music and videos. According to Greg Sandoval’s article, “Musicians still waiting on a YouTube payday”, at http://www.cnet.com.au/software/internet/0,23902952 4,339286629,00.htm, “Several managers charge that

YouTube’s filtering system is unable to accurately track videos featuring copyrighted songs uploaded to the site by users. Without an accurate accounting of the music, the labels won’t be able to compensate artists fairly, said Jay Rosenthal, legal counsel for the Recording Artists Coalition, an American organisation (sic) co-founded by singers Don Henley and Sheryl Crow” additionally, this article notes that “This [artists compensation] is not a new problem. Artists have for decades accused record companies -- Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Sony BMG, and the EMI Group -- of cutting them out of their fair share of profits. At a time when the Web and digital technology have caused the music industry numerous headaches, the issue of compensating artists for downloads and Internet rights is turning into a migraine.” So if artists aren’t getting paid for putting their music on YouTube, why would they? While it’s true that the artists’ fans who are downloading clips from YouTube could be penalized by downloading a virus or Trojan along with the video, artists are still willing to have faith in the program and put up their music. Why wouldn’t they, if they can get seventy-five million hits on it – it’ll be spreading like wildfire in no time. As long as fans are not deterred by the risk of a virus or Trojan, it poses no real threat to the artists, who most likely aren’t being compensated anyways. GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

Story by Jameelah Kareem

What is up with women chasing after the wrong men? Why is it that a good women never wants a good man? Time after time, I see women who are, for lack of a better word, sprung over someone who isn’t worth being sprung over. It’s like the men who want to take you to dinner, get to know you, and treat you like a lady are ignored, or deemed boring. When he is the man you should be trying to know, and seeing a future with. Women would rather chase after a man with a baby, crazy baby mom, no car, a dead end job, knowingly a player, and someone who would rather take you to the bar to get drunk then take you to get coffee and talk. What has happened to our society that has caused women to really see these kinds of men as exciting, or worth their time? Is it that bad boy image portrayed in media that has been so glamorized? Could the thug on TV, who is draped in diamonds, and surrounded by girls, girls, girls and more girls really leave our women with false ideologies of what a man really should be? Sometimes I believe that we, women are to blame for that crave of a bad boy. There are those women who can’t live without the drama. They thirst for the arguments, the constant tension and when it all comes down to it they just like the attention. Or can we blame the men? Sometimes women have only been amongst and even raised by these bad boy images so 8

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their standards are just that low. They don’t know how to pick and choose a good man because they never had one or never had the opportunity to meet one. The settle for what they know and that really means settling for less. That then leaves us with the question of where are all the good men at? I believe there are a lot of good men. Women have to rethink their own standards and change some of their behaviors. Try not to meet the same kind of men or try to look for alternative places to meet them. Another thing that halts women from finding a good man is this preconceived notion that all men are dogs. Just because you are bitter, or maybe mad as hell, doesn’t mean that every man you meet is going to be the same. Take the time to filter out a good man from a bad boy. Let’s bring back dating. When a man takes you out to get to know you better, learn about that person without taking any serious commitments or risk. It’s just a date. That right there can be the start of something beautiful. You know now what to look for, what you should expect, and where your new standards should be at. Eventually if women start going after the other types of men, the bad boys will have no choice but to follow the footsteps of a man.

Photography: D2D Photography, Model: RockStarr

Is it something in the water? Maybe something they are putting in the food? Could it be possibly something in the air?

Contemporary Sex

Story by E. Bernard Smith

Has sex evolved with each new generation or does history continue to repeat itself (as is the case for many “modern day” trends)? That is the question which inspired this viewpoint. I wanted to know if our ancestors were doing some of the things we do today. Can you imaging Great-Great Grandma donning a shiny black latex one piece, tying up Great-Great Grandpa and having her way with him? If you can, STOP READING IMMEDIATELY and seek therapy because you’re sick. I also wanted to know if the traditional male/ female relationship and heterosexual marriage were becoming a thing of the past, with homosexuality and “friends with benefits” sweeping the nation. Are the sexes finally tiring of one another? Forget War and Violence taking out humanity maybe the lack of reproductive relationships will be the Great Demise of civilization. Has the word family changed its definition? Has the American dream (Marriage, kids, house and dog) become something else? Read along let’s see how far the rabbit hole goes. Friends with Benefits: Let’s start with the term “Friends with Benefits.” This is a friend, who you occasionally have sex with. There is no relationship or commitment between either individual. To put it short and simple – no strings attached sex, or are there? Hmmm, let’s look into this one a little further.

Mind Sex: Her Story by E. Bernard Smith

I think of her often, she makes my soul smile. I’m infatuated with the thought of her seduced by her style. When I peer into her eyes I fall into a trance. Every night that I lay next to her my heart begins to dance. How can I do wrong to her when right is where she guides me. With each new day she never ceases to surprise me. She’s the melody to my song, the perfect ending when the day is long. Her pain can make the sun cry but her joy can brighten the midnight sky, Like lightening. It’s frightening how tight she hold’s my hearts key But with every other breath she assures me, I’m safe with her. Fresh from heavens garden she’s a prize winning rose. My pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, the high in a world filled with lows. Everyday a little stronger my love for her grows And the darker it gets, the brighter she glows. Her mind is open and her spirit is free, the missing piece to my puzzle, She truly completes me.

Mind Sex: 3 Letters Story by Shana Ware

A night of passion a second of love, stamped with 3 letters HIV. So many young lives are being snatched away. Day after day, hour after hour, second after second a child of god will be stamped with 3 letters HIV. He said I love you, she said I love you too. So they made sweet love and forever will be stamped with 3 letters HIV. It doesn’t define who you are. It doesn’t make you less of a person. It only makes you human. It makes us all human stamped with 3 letters HIV.

My opinion: Someone is bound to get hurt in this situation, I guarantee. Seriously how long can you honestly give yourself to someone and not mind that they are having sex with other people? What do you do on that one day you really need to lean on someone, so you call your “friend” because you could use their company but oops – sorry they’re busy banging someone else so they do not have time for you? Basically what I’m saying is someone’s feelings are going to get hurt. When two people engage in intercourse at least one person has some sort of feelings for the other. If the attraction is merely physical emotions will still be linked to the physical act of sex. Next issue, Modern Day Relationships. Generation Next will like to know your opinion, write to us and let us know email us at: mindsex@generationnextmag.com

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Words and Interview by 36 Karat

SINE STUDIOS Sine Studios is located in the historic Rittenhouse district of Center City Philadelphia, PA. Matt Teacher says, “There’s a lot going on right now we’re recording everything, all types of music that exists in Philly everything from rock and singer songwriter music to hip hop, R&B, audio book, basically we’re into the whole gamut”. The curvaceous floating studio built upon an existing structure was designed by O’bie O’Brien, renowned and long time engineer for Bon Jovi. Owners Matt Teacher and Mike Lawson talk to Generation Next about their feelings “Beyond the Booth”… What tricks can you pass along to help an artist improve?

Mike: Well one of the things we like to do is especially when we first meet and artist is find what their final goal is, whether it’s to be played on the radio, or just making a demo, if their doing a full album and with that we like to also maybe have also a reference of the type of music, maybe they really like drum sound from this album and they want their vocals to sound like this, so a frame of reference, a sort of direction of where we can take it as engineers and producers to help them find the sound that they want. How do you build chemistry with an artist?

Matt: Well I think it’s really all about trust. You have to get them in; you have to get them feeling comfortable. You don’t want to critique them to harshly off the bat although a little bit of critique is definitely helpful and some people react well to that and some people don’t so you know there’s a lot of kinda psychology that goes into working with an artist as far as getting the best take out of them that you possibly can without making them feel uncomfortable along the way like they’re not doing a good job. So you know if it’s as simple as if they did a take they thought maybe was good and wasn’t that good that could be better, you know you don’t want to say awh that was a bad take. You want to try to find something positive in that and accentuate that and get them in a good place where they are going to give you the good take that you know they can give you.

band doesn’t know all the parts you’re gonna end up wasting time and money in the studio trying to figure out those things that you really should have together before you come in. Matt: I’ve seen artists make the mistake of treating it a little bit less like work and more like a party and surrounding themselves with people that are gonna hinder the creative process and be distracting rather than really allow them to get down to work. From a producer’s perspective tell me when it’s a wrap; when the equipment says it’s perfect or when your gut says the track is perfect?

Matt: It’s right when my ears say that it’s right. If it sounds good to your ears that’s all it comes down to. When someone puts a record on they’re not seeing all the equipment that went into making that record. If it doesn’t sound good it doesn’t matter how much equipment it went through. I’ve seen people that make things sound amazing with little equipment and I’ve seen people with tons of equipment make some that sound kinda lousy. How much time is involved to nail the perfect track or project?

Matt: I would say on the short end of things if you come in with a track already produced anywhere from two hours to a day if you’re recording from scratch anywhere from a day to a week if it’s a major label thing they will spend a week on a track.

What’s one of the biggest mistakes you see artists make when they come to the studio?

Does practice make perfect for a producer or engineer, or are there other educational venues for upcoming producers and engineers to perfect their craft?

Mike: When you go into the studio if you come in unprepared, you don’t have your lyrics or the

Mike: Practice will help the more you do it the more you’ll figure out what works and what doesn’t

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work. There are schools out there that teach engineering and go into a little bit of producing. I think that is good it gives you an understanding of the fundamentals of audio and how the business works but I really think that being in the studio working with people on a day to day basis and also reaching out to other people in the business, seeing what their doing and keeping those open relationships will be beneficial in the long run. Does becoming a producer or engineer run in your blood or is it just a job that anyone can train for and do?

Matt: No one in their right mind would choose this job just out of choice, it’s gotta be something that you really want to do. I mean we’re not in this to make a lot of money and hopefully someday we will, we’re finally to the point where we’re supporting ourselves which is great, you know we’re not on the starving artist side of it anymore but you have to really love it. When we went to Obie to ask him to design our studio he said, “why would you want to do that, there’s really other good things you could spend your money on out there, why would you want to start a recording studio because it’s such a headache”, and you know it took us like three meetings with him to convince him that we were serious and actually it wasn’t a choice it was the only thing that we could do. Is it about getting someone to that number one spot on the chart; tell me what this music thing is all about for you?

Matt: For me, well there’s a couple parts for me. The main and most fundamental part is to make music that I like, and below that is just a realization of helping artist create what they like even if it’s something that I’m not personally that attached to. If I can see that a project’s really coming out great for an artist the way that they wanted it to then that satisfies me. On the other hand creating commercial music to get played on the radio and to have that kind of recognition is nice too, but I would definitely put that below this creating music thing that we believe in and feel strongly about. Photography: Sine Studios

s i s o h p r o m Meta

RAP to Hip Hop / MC to Guy with the Microphone By E. Bernard Smith

“Once upon a time, not long ago, when people wore pajamas and lived life slow” there was RAP; acronym for rhythm and poetry. These were simpler times when you could buy a record single and on said single there were three versions of the song. Version one was the song itself, version two was the instrumental and alas the third and final version was acapella (voice track without the background music). I would jam the song, study the lyrics and finally spout out my own words to the instrumental. Regardless the reason for the separate tracks, you had the opportunity to appreciate the “rhythm” and “poetry” individually. The poetry (also known as the lyrics) was an important part of the song as well as the determining factor of an MC’s success. Let’s talk about the term “MC”, which means Master of Ceremonies. In history the role of the MC was to control the crowd during ceremonies, if the MC could not entertain the crowd he was removed from his position and replaced. In the beginning people would come simply to dance to the music and enjoy the festivities, while the MC entertained the crowd between acts. Then the MC began to speak in a manner which flowed with the rhythm of the beat henceforth creating RAP music. With all that being said, allow me to introduce myself, I’m E. Bernard Smith a.k.a. Double R (RAP Rebel). Let’s further examine the role of the MC and the importance of “good” lyrics. “Rappers stepping to me… they wanna get some, but I’m the Kane so Yo, you know the outcome. Another victory, unsolved mystery, so pick a B.C. date cause you’re history”, opening

lines to Big Daddy Kane’s “Ain’t no half stepping”. “Now I’ve walked on ice and never fell, I spend my time in a plush hotel. I’ve stood on many stages, held many mics, take airplane flights at huge heights”, DMC from “King of Rock”. “There was a Hardy boy mystery you trying to solve, can’t understand why you got involved, but here’s a clue… try the ghetto master blaster, now think who causes disasters”, opening lines to EPMD’s “Get off the Bandwagon”. Lastly, a classic line, “I wanna rock right now, I’m Rob Base and I came to get down, I’m not internationally known but I’m known to rock a microphone” opening lines to Rob Base’s “It Takes Two”. There are so many more tracks that I can quote but that will turn this article into a book. Upon closer look you may notice a similarity of all the verses, found it yet? That’s right, every verse is a boast each MC made about their skills on the microphone. Each artist is making the same claim without the repetitiveness of today’s rappers. The pioneers didn’t do it for

the money, they didn’t do it for the women or the fame, they did it for the love. There was no money, women or fame, only street credibility. With each new artist came a new and different style, sound, technique and message. Every rapper didn’t claim to be a gangster or a big time drug dealer or boast of how many times they were shot or remind us of how much less money we have than them. They would speak to us about things we could “all” relate to and feel, while talking on equal ground. You could listen to an entire album and each track served a different purpose and would have some type of message behind it. There were songs to uplift, songs to inform, songs to inspire, songs to make you dance, songs to make you cry and songs to make you angry not because of the beat but because of the artistic storytelling of the MC. In closing, I guess what I’m trying to say is… if I have to hear another song about money, dancing or doing something *censored* to a woman, I’ll have to scream! Rappers and record labels alike, PLEASE hear this; we know you have money (we get it). If one guy makes a hot dance track, you don’t have to piggy back off of it and make up a dumber dance than the other guy. I know the song goes hard in the club, but everybody’s not in the club all the time (except my girl, Sike! Love you Baby). Finally, please-please-please… start listening to your own lyrics, you’re a professional so if it sounds like recycled garbage – write something new! Any questions??? GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

“Stick to your books and know that real is real and fake is fake.” How did you get introduced to DJ’ing?

I had a single tape player at seven years old and I used to play a song, keep rewinding it and playing it back and then I used to hit the play button down to make it sound extra slow and then let it go so it would pick up speed again”. “That’s when I originally got introduced to being a DJ without really having a clue that that was what I was doing.” What keeps you here in Philadelphia?

My family keeps me here in Philly. How many clubs have you DJ’ed for in the city of Philadelphia?

“I have been a DJ at every club in the city of Philadelphia”. I understand that you grew up in a household with no male role model until your late teens, how did that make you feel?

“I didn’t care; I had my mom and grandmother to teach me to be responsible, as well as a great father with my kids. Also, I was spoiled so I did not want or need for anything in my life, that has helped me to have an open relationship with my kids as well.” What has been the proudest moment in your life to date?

“When my children were born and hearing them call me dada, I also love to see my kids smile, it makes me proud knowing that I have an impact on making them smile.” What is the best advice that you can give to the youth?

Stick to your books and know that ‘’real is real and fake is fake.”

DJ Mackie Who would have known that the son of one Ms. Claudia would grow up to be the tri-states number one DJ? Yes, that’s right, none other than DJ Mack. Mack spent most of his early childhood years growing up in south Philadelphia before relocating to north Philadelphia. DJ Mack has turned down the opportunity to attend college at Bryant College in Rhode Island, which most people would say “are you crazy?!” Well with his repertoire of events it’s not hard to see why he chose the road and path he chose. 12

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Interview by T-Angel

How long have you been a DJ?

Thirteen years. What is the best thing about being a DJ?

Making the crowd sweat.

DJ Mack wanted to also give some very special shot outs and show some love for the people in his life: mother(Claudia), grandmother (Linda), his children Jahkare and Cashmere, my cousin Rich and family, DJ Storm, DJ Cash Money, the whole Grind Time Team family, Babydoll & Vegas, Peedi Crakk, DoeBoy, Trizzy, T Angel and Tha Bigg Show, Larry Larr, Headshot Records, Young Bob, B.A.M (say no more), Bang’em in Ya Ear Productions, DJ Amir, DJ omega, DJ Casper, DJ wax-spinner, DJ freak, cousin skip, the whole K.I.F (keep it in the family) heat holders, mega force sound company, the club 923 family and special thanks to everyone who’s helped, and supported DJ Mack.

What made you decide to be a DJ?

”I have a love for music, I remember when I was younger, my mom and I used to listen to oldies but goodies as she cleaned the house on sundays.”

Look for more from DJ Mack in the very near future and if you want to get in contact with DJ Mack for parties, mixtapes, etc, just go to his MySpace page www.myspace.com/djmack215. Photography: Terry Lewis

JAMAI Jamai a writer, he crafts lyrics which audiences young and old can identify with. As a singer, his vocal ability and rich, soulful voice captivate audiences from the first chord to the resonating final note. His soulful sound appeals to R&B, gospel, hip-hop and soul fans alike. His musical inspiration includes artists such as Marvin Gay, Luther Vandross, Gerald Levert, Prince, John Legend, India Arie, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce and Usher. Jamai has been professionally competing

in a variety of events and has earned a strong reputation as a regional favorite. His vocal abilities have been heard in musical and theatrical performances in Chester, Media, and Philadelphia. A sampling of events include The African American Idol Show in Philadelphia, the Delaware County Idol Competition, The New Artist Spotlight on WUSL – Philadelphia Power 99FM and participation in New York’s Showtime at the Apollo in March 2005. Jamai in Studio Jamai is currently in the

studio working on new material if you are a song writer or producer and would like to work with Jamai please contact us Contact information for Team Jamai Management & for booking information please call 1-866-427-7277 or visit www.jamaionline.com To purchase Jamai’s you can go to: www.myspace.com/jamaismusic www.cdbaby.com www.itunes.com GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

NEJMA

Born in cali and raised on the east, Nejma Shea has been in the belly of the beast. Nejma is arabic for a feminine star, and Shea, her government middle-name, taken after her father as a tradition to her culture. Mostly on the streets of dirty Jersey, the raw female emcee lived life as a nomad, never claiming anywhere as her home. As a true lyricist, she never stops sequestrating eardrums of true hip-hop lovers. She yearns for her flowetic enlightenment and the impact of 14

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her words to be felt thru the sound-vibrational waves delivered to the world. Being a freethinker, radical poet, and revolutionary healer, nej doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t accept any labels put upon her. She is a free spirit always searching for knowledge. She represents the hardcore base of the streets, where they breathe and come alive. The art, culture, graffiti, bodegas, corners, dealers, dope fiends, housing conditions, schools, despair, and the hope! Her sound is everyone in her tribe gathered together at the Madison

Square Garden snapping their fingers! Nejma Shea is skills with killer lyrics and a message of freedom for all the boxed-minds. Mysterious and fierce, she is a female warrior starting a movement to connect, inspire, and unite. Shining in a place where poetry will be the equivalent of the new manifestos, the flow must come out! For more information: www.Myspace.Com/nejmashea | www.Ourstage.Com

ROCSTAR P

Story by Anthony Foye Photography D2D Photography

“I Entertain the Crowd” In school Ryan was known to be the class clown and the person that everybody wanted to be

ya majesty

around, and that was fine. Ryan found joy in making people laugh whatever Ryan had to do to see someone smile, he did it that’s why his name is so poplar in Philadelphia today, and that’s how Pills aka RocStar P. was born. Rocstar P had a personality that demanded attention from everyone from the ages of 6-60 and he wouldn’t stop until he was seen. It was very hard for P. not to be seen just take a look at the facts he’s funny, young and cute what more can you ask for. Rocstar P makes sure he keeps everybody on there feet; he wants to make sure everyone is having a great time, that’s why he’s labeled an entertainer. “As a host or entertainer anytime I have a microphone in my hand I just want to entertain the people and give them want. If they want to laugh, cry, sing, or dance it doesn’t matter as long as I’m giving them a good time.” Pills makes sure that the hundreds of people get their money worth when they come out to Club Urban X-Pressions where he is one of the teen hosts. “I want to thank Shelly Shell for giving me a chance and sticking with me because I wasn’t always good. She could have given up a long time ago but she didn’t. Keith from Up Da Block for putting me under his wing and for being so good at what he does because he gave me someone I could look at to better my craft.” Millions of people watch Rocstar P. do his thing every week on television on a show entitled “Urban X-Pressions”. Rocstar P does it all to make sure you are focused on him and only him from doing silly dances, flirting with girls and making jokes. P can do it all and does these things so well because he started off young doing school plays and doing all kinds of internships where he had to interact with the public. “People say I’m lucky to be where I am today but I’m not. I worked hard for this and I paid my dues. I used to do things I really didn’t want to do, I have had internships, passed out flyers, stack shelves, etc.” Still a teenager this is just part of Rocstar’s dream, he hasn’t done every thing yet. Rocstar has only made the Tri-State area laugh but he wants to reach the world and he won’t give up until he does. “I won’t stop until I have everybody laughing my main goal is to be an actor and to have enough money to help other people by providing jobs.” “Shouts Out To My Brothers DJ Young Legend And Tommy Stars and Trev, Diane, Reeseman Kackalak and the whole M-Ville, Shawn Miles, Franky J, all my family and friends and all the people who show me love in the streets and on Myspace.”

Tommy Stars holds many names and is as complex as the mirror maze at a carnival. With aka’s such as Waaaay Better Than You, Nicer Than A Muphcka, and Ya Gurls Favorite Rapper most would consider him another actor trying to be a rapper. The reality is just like the maze all these sides are just a true reflection of himself. “I’m different from other artist because I’m just me and I’m not afraid to be myself.” As a young adult Tommy Stars wisely uses his freedom of expression to connect with his fans, the native of Philadelphia considers himself to be apart of every hood, and ghetto. “I’m here to do God’s work and to make opportunities for other around me.” Tommy explains that every artist should have the goal of becoming successful, wealthy, and to of course make memorable music. For those of you that don’t know Tommy Stars making music is only one side of this talented rapper. Working with Urban Xpressions Philadelphia’s longest running local TV show he has been giving back just as much love as he has been receiving through their Stop Violence School Tour. Tommy is definitely different from the rest check out his myspace page and listen to his Bed Remix . . .

www.myspace.com/rocstarp

www.myspace.com/tommystars

or make music; Ya Majesty chose to make music. He discovered he had a gift to write music in first and third person styles of writing. With discovering his gift, he wanted to apply it to commercial music. Ya Majesty appeared on Philadelphia’s top two radio stations “Power 99 fm and 100.3 The Beat” with two original songs that generated nothing but positive

feedback from the staff at both stations as well as listeners throughout the Tri-State area. Ya Majesty’s currently in negotiations with four major record-labels BadBoy Entertainment, RocStar Entertainment, Universal, and G.O.O.D Music (owned by Kanye West). It doesn’t matter who this guy signs with, he’s definitely going to produce platinum numbers.

TOMMY STARS

Story by Anthony Foye Photography D2D Photography

Story by Marc Gates Photography D2D Photography

The name Ya Majesty is symbolic to royalty which represents a king. The name belongs to a rap artist from the city of Philadelphia, who was born at Temple Hospital on the unusual day of February 29, 1980. He grew up in a broken household which later in life forced him to make drastic decisions with his future. The drastic decisions he had to make were to hustle drugs

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BDK-N-LOKO Formerly know as the Reaper Lords, this group makes their home in Houston, Texas. Growing up they were introduced to all types of music so it's no wonder these young men are now making music of their own. Blaze, Daze, Kill, and Loko are the lyrical voices behind this group that say they're making music like it's never been made before. A common core thread that resonates throughout the group is the reflections of each particular member’s own life struggles in the songs they write and sing. 16

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Kill says, “Everything that has happened in the past up until now is what I use in my lyrics to give people an inside look on my life, I learned to put my frustration and happiness in songs”. Loko’s feelings about the group’s music is, “Eventually it will be my brothers and I on top and we still won’t stop. I’m very confident that our music will be loved and inspire many listeners”. Blaze says, “I became stronger in my lyrics with the life I battled”, and Daze’s point of view

is, “It takes courage to keep going on to do what you love, I continue to strive for better music for my fans and audience”. Collaborating with RIP Entertainment, this group of guys has a fun side as well, and right now moving on the intoxicating beat of their single “Do Tha Skittle Mann” they’re trying to dance their way to the top and add their names to the list of H-town’s finest. You can check them out at: www.myspace.com/bdknloko Story by 36 Karat

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E. Bernard Smith

MAHOGANY

Soul

Crisus

State of Emergency Steven Thomas is a spiritual dude. The 27 year old from Columbus/ West Point, MS now resides in the Gwinnett County area of Georgia. Known by his stage name, Crisus a.k.a. Clubber Lang a.k.a. Mr. Cash House says he is influenced mostly by his sister and the people who hear him rap. Who is Crisus? “Crisus is himself” says the self proclaimed lyricist. “I try to do something different. It’s not really a set method to my style. I’m a lyrical dude, a conversationalist; I approach my rhymes as if I were holding a conversation with you.” When asked what made him want to rap he responded “everybody tries to find their purpose in life and until I see otherwise, I feel that ‘this’ is my purpose.” Rapping since the age of fifteen, music has helped manage to keep Crisus out of trouble. Presently he remains unsigned however he is currently working on his album entitled Mr. “at the same time I’m not really stressing a deal right now. If the right situation comes along and they let me be me then I’ll be moved.” Story by E. Bernard Smith

Crisus is a versatile artist and has the uncanny ability to switch styles instantaneous. On the track “Am I Dreamin” he pushes a positive message about modern day problems affecting our communities. While the track “I’m Leaving” has a classic “I Need Love” by LL Cool J vibe to it. “Where I’m From” is a street anthem and “Chrome Shoes” is a club joint, so Crisus offers something to any type of rap fan. Crisus explains that he chose his name because he is a threat to the industry. “When you think about who’s currently on top, if they were to lose everything their walls will fall down so I am a threat to them like a hurricane or tsunami, I’m a crisis” he says. “It’s time for mainstream artists to step it up and come to the forefronts and start speaking on the shit that’s not right. Stop talking about the money and women and speak on the real issues plaguing our country and our communities. They’re not doing that right now and that’s the real crisis.” www.myspace.com/crisusonline

Thoughts and Poems from the Creative mind of E. Bernard Smith

“LET ME BLOW YOUR MIND”

Mahogany Soul can be purchased at Amazon.com, Authorhouse.com, BarnesandNobles.com

SOS MONEY

Story by Anthony Foye Photography by D2D Photography

“HIPHOP ISN’T DEAD, AS LONG AS I AM STILL HERE” Since the young age of twelve music has been a major way of life for SOS Money. SOS as his friends will call him puts music second only to his family. The twenty-something writer and performer has worked extremely hard to make to make what he does look so easy. A skilled and confident rapper he exudes a smooth yet flashy style and always keeps it professional. “I never quit and I play the cards I’m dealt.” Never one to ask for a hand out SOS Money takes a road less traveled knowing every step brings him closer to claiming the prize he deserves. “My goals are almost the same as other people. Of course I want to get signed, but I also want to start a label so I can help open doors for other young artist. This cool ass dude has performed at so many spots in the tri-state area and New York that SOS became the formation of Spit On Sight. These three simple letters also hold the key to where he is from S O S = Straight Out of South Philly. He has been featured on many mix tapes including ‘Hard Way Vol. 1 & 2’ and the soon to be released ‘Cash Now Talk Later’. “At the end of the day I want people to hear my story and respect my talents. My advice for others is simple, leave the drama where it is work hard and get money.” Check out SOS Money on Myspace www.MySpace.com/sosnfd1 18

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>> Story by ????T-Angel

cash money At the age of 20, Antonio Rivera is Cash. The Puerto Rican from Boston Massachusetts has been rapping since 11 years old and made his first recording at 13. Cash (which stands for Center Attention Stimulates Hate) gets his motivation from his father. “My father is my biggest inspiration and he still supports me to this day” explains the young artist. His father used to perform in a band when Cash was a kid. At 16 years old Cash got his first opportunity to perform live. He went to an event at Cape Cod to confront an enemy,

Story by E. Bernard Smith

when the show promoter talked him into taking the stage instead. Although currently unsigned Cash has had opportunities within reach but hasn’t received the offer to satisfy his lust. A die hard advocate for G-Unit, Cash pounced on an opportunity to work with the group. The record “U Ain’t Crazy” featuring Fifty Cent and Tony Yayo was leaked without a 2nd verse. Cash took advantage of the situation and added a verse to the track. After pushing it on Thisis50.com, he was contacted to submit a demo. Cash is looking

“Hip hop is hot… but a lot of people take advantage of it. A lot people go with a trend instead of being a trend setter. I think some people are going in and just trying to get a check or better yet, just never put out quality music and we gotta stop that.” to ink a deal with Interscope/G-Unit to get that quality and perform along side his favorite artists, the G-Unit. Cash’s style is an East Coast vibe with uniqueness in his voice reminiscent of the late great Big Pun. He describes his flow as “diversity in rap, people perceive me as gangster rap but I’m more than that.” Cash says he does hip hop for the love and his musical goal is to make music without selling his soul. “Hip hop is hot… but a lot of people take advantage of it. A lot people go with a trend instead of being a trend setter. I think some people are going in and just trying to get a check or better yet, just never put out quality music and we gotta stop that.” Listening to Cash flow over a beat you can hear the work he puts in on his lyrics. He feels a connection with Soulful artist such as Terminology and Papoose, who are two individuals he would love to work with. Cash is a single young man with no children who is chasing his dreams and on the road to accomplishing his goals. His back up plan is audio engineering, so he is determined and destined to have a career in music. Although Cash has not begun work on his debut as of date, he is working on a mixtape with DJ Young C (Shadeyville DJs) and a live performance in Manchester, New Hampshire tentatively slotted for Dec 26, 2008. So keep a lookout for Cash on DJ Young C’s and the Project Next mixtapes coming soon. You can check out C.a.s.h. at www.cashmusic.net GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

POLK

the r&b thug of the south If you mix some Lyfe Jennings, a spoonful of The Dream and add a dash of Usher you’d have Polk, The R&B Thug of The South. Singing since elementary school, the 26 year old father of three is out to take the world by force. Polk (whose real name is Marcus Polk) is from Houston Texas, Acres Home to be exact. Growing up in the rugged Lincoln Park Apartments, Polk is a survivor who has sung in school choirs, churches, released three mix tapes and is currently working on a fourth (“Thug Passion volume 4)”; due out September 2008. Multitalented is an understatement for this gifted artist. From the uptempo “Shawty Love” to a mellower “Don’t Cry” Polk showcases his versatility. Hard at work on his debut album “Street Legacy”, aiming for a third quarter of 2009 release, Polk puts his life into his lyrics. “Basically there are two types of singers. Fantasy Lovers who sing about things not really going the way they’re singing about. Then you have Reality singers that sing about things people can feel and relate to. An R&B thug is a Reality singer.” says Polk. Driven by the inspiration of fatherhood, The R&B Thug of The South says he’s out to “Accomplish

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something great!” Polk compares himself to R. Kelly, Brian McKnight and Lyfe {Jennings}. The crooner say’s he relates to R. Kelly the most (not in “that” way though). With music pumping in his heart and running through his veins, the unsigned artist writes ALL his own material. With tracks like “Never Give Up” about the trials and tribulations of life and “Listen” about relationship issues, Polk’s writing skills are unparalleled. When I asked what sets him apart, he immediately responds “Me. My music is about my personal life. Of course my unique style of singing as well but mostly me. I put my life into my music so when you hear my songs you’re hearing me and what I’ve been through. That’s what sets me apart.” Don’t let the rough posterior or hard up-bringing fool you, Polk is R&B through and through. He doesn’t rap nor does he have the desire to rap. When riding around Houston he listens to Jay – Z, R. Kelly and Polk. “Yeah, I bump my own shit a lot!” he proclaims proudly. Great writing blended with a unique voice makes “Street Legacy” a much anticipated release. Ok, that’s what it is any thing else to say Polk? “Never come fake, always come with the real.” There it is! Out. You can check out Polk at www.myspace.com/PolkR&BThug

Story by E. Bernard Smith

>> ‘Keeping It Lyrically Living As M.C.’s Intelligence Never Die’ the official break down of Killamind’s moniker. Born in Cali but raised in Philly Killamind is definitely a creative thinker in the art form know as rap. “I have been doing this since I was like thirteen, because music has been my life and I felt I had no other purpose but to get into the music field.” A regular at the ever popular Larry Larr’s Industry Tuesdays Killamind continues to make the crowd stand up and take notice. “I can easily say I sound like nobody else but that’s for the crowd to decide. I’m a lyricist so I eat, sleep, think, dream, and live music. My style, vision, focus and direction as an artist is in a whole different direction.” Killamind is currently working on two mix CDs ‘The Target & Expect the Unexpected’ so keep on the look out for these. When asked about his goals and how he wants the world to see him he replied; “My goal is to be crowned the lyrical king and make hip hop better than it is now. I feel that I am a breath of fresh air because I like to think out of the box and around the circle if you know what I mean.”

killamind

Stop by Killamind’s Myspace Page: www.MySpace.com/Killamind

Story and Photo by Anthony, D2D

WILLIANO Story and Photo by Anthony, D2D

the young gladiatorz The Young Gladiatorz are a rap duo out of Houston.A-1 (20 Yrs. old) and Tony Barz (20yrs. old) have been knowing each other for their whole lives.They have been rapping together since High school and have been pursuing rap seriously for just under a year. Formerly a five man unit,the group was recently cut down to two due to creative differences. The name “Young Gladiatorz” comes from the mind state of a Gladiator. The “mental attributes” of a Gladiator. This includes

being completely focused, never giving up, and giving a 100% effort to everything they pursue. The name “Tony Barz” has a two meanings. “Tony comes from the character Tony Montana in the 80’s movie “Scarface” because the two both share a common characteristic, “High Ambition.” Barz comes from the 20 yr olds ability to compose verses in his mind with no pen. The name “A-1” was given to him by a friend for a “quality flow”. Although very versatile, the main thing that

Be on the lookout for one of the most talked about versatile artists coming out of Philadelphia, PA, William Rivera a.k.a Williano. This 20 year old dancer and performer can surely hype up any club or party when given the chance. Since the early age of 6, Williano started dancing and performing for friends and family, but now is determine to be one of the biggest entertainers to ever come out of the Tri-State area. Williano currently performs at local clubs and other open artist events in Philadelphia. He’s very driven to succeed in the entertainment industry by not only dancing, but taking acting classes in he spare time in hopes to making it on the big screen. Williano is landing local modeling jobs as a fashion and print model to help achieve his goals. He is a man of many talents that has a plan, a bright future ahead, and will be performing at a club near you.

separates the Young Gladiatorz from other young Houston artists is the fact that they are “conscious rappers”, focusing on everyday things going on in not only there city but the world, whether than rapping about the materialistic things the majority of the time.Some of there influences include Scarface, Nas, UGK, 8-BALL & MJG, Tupac and Biggie. With rap influences like these the two plan to bring back the vibes of these LEGENDS with a “New school swagger”. GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

Cayenne Wesley AGE 25 LOCATION Atlanta, GA NATIONALITY African American / French Creole MEASUREMENTS 36-27-44 WEBSITE cayennewesley.net

I’m a “good girl, gone bad. ”

How long have you been in the industry?

1 ½ yrs Previous modeling experience (Videos, Magazines, Shows, etc.)? J Money of Convict

Music “BEASTN” Video, AS-IS Magazine (Assets Magazine), Skin Tones Magazine, Stunnaz Magazine, SWEETS Magazine, Streetwise Magazine, Industry Magazine, and Bubble Shake Magazine and the Street Credibility Mixtape Volume 1 “Mixtape Cover.” Best and worse experience in your career so far? My first year was my worst and my best

would be this year. What is the hardest part of being in the industry? Wow the “hater faces”…lol What advice can you give to anyone interested in getting into the industry? It’s

not an easy job and you got to have tough skin. You know you won’t always like what you hear. What is your career goal(s)? I would like to

grace the cover of every urban magazine. What is your most attractive feature? My

eyes, they are captivating. What’s the craziest thing you have ever done? On a dare I ran around outside naked. What’s the most scandalous thing you have ever done? Wow… I’ve had sex on the beach. Your biggest turn on and off? Turn on is strong

hands, and turn offs is ignorance. What’s your idea of a perfect date? Dinner

and a movie or dinner and the strip club. Are You Single, In a Relationship, or Married? Single Love making or Sex? Mmm… Both, LOL Lights On or Off? On Nice Guy or Bad Boy? Nice guy with bad boy style. Any last words to our readers and your fans…

Hey readers and fans, you can check me out in any of the mentioned sites, magazines, videos or online at www.gritsandeggs.com, www.ggurls. com and Thank you all for taking the time out to read my interview! Muahhhhhhhh and pick up a copy of Street Creditability Mixtape by Ole Boi of C.H.I.S.I.P.P ENT at www.datpiff.com modelmayhem.com/cayennewesley www.myspace.com/cayennebeauty www.myspace.com/cayenneblazin 22

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Interview by Marc Gates

Isis “I’m fun, outgoing, hard working, and a very good

”

bad girl.

AGE 24 LOCATION CT NATIONALITY African American MEASUREMENTS 34–26–40

Any Previous modeling? Elm Magazine, Staight

Stuntin Magazine. What is the hardest part of being in the industry?

Separating the real people from the fake. Your Favorite Photographer? Hector Mcintosh. What advice can you give to anyone interested in getting into the industry? Be confident, open

minded and true to yourself. What is your career goal(s)? Make enough

money to cover my spending habbit. What is your most attractive feature? I would have

to say my eyes, but others would say my ass (wink.) What celebrity do people say you look like? MC

Lyte in the face, Buffy in the booty. If you could sleep with one person in the world, who? Carmelo Anthony What’s your type? Ambitious, tall, dark, handsome with a good sense of humor. Biggest turn on and off? Turn on, a nice smile. Turn off, bad hygiene and someone needy. What’s your idea of a perfect date? Something

spontaneous and romantic. Are You Single? Very single and loving it! Thongs or Boy Shorts? Boy shorts Boxers or Briefs? Come on now, boxer briefs Lights, On or Off? Lights on cause i like to watch Nice Guy or Bad Boy? Nice guy with the bad

boy swag What’s your favorite thing to see a male in?

The all too famous white sleeveless tee shirt Any last words to our readers and your fans…

Thanks for the support. Check out my myspace and don’t be shocked because you’ll be seeing a lot more of me!

Interview by Marc Gates

Linkz Photography

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Stallion Stables AGE 21 LOCATION Philadelphia, PA PROFESSIONS(S) Health Teacher MEASUREMENTS 36–30–42

I’ve always “ been a sucker for bad boys! Nice guys finish last!

”

Any Previous modeling? Promotional Modeling, Calendars, Fliers, Music Videos. This is my first mag, YAY!!! Your Favorite Photographer? I don’t like to

choose favorites but he knows who he is What is your most attractive feature? I would

have to say I have a beautiful face, but most others would say, “It’s not ya beauty it’s ya BOOTY!! If you could sleep with one person in the world, who? Without a doubt LL Cool J Biggest turn on and off? My biggest turn on has to be the smell of Amber white on a delicious looking man! My biggest turn off is when a guy tries to talk to me in the club, all close to my face, and his breath smells like DEATH! What would be your stripper name? Poison because then when they play the song I can be hype on the “Can’t trust a big butt and a smile” part! What’s your idea of a perfect date? Anything

involving food and lots of laughs!! What’s your favorite thing to see a male/ female in? I’d love to see a male in nothing at all!!

Just kidding! Anything that looks neat and clean. Are You Single? Definitely on the market! Lights on or off? Hmmm... I personally like red lights, it sets the mood. While the atmosphere is still dim, you can still see each other off the hint of light. So romantic! Your #1 fantasy is? To have sex in the rain Any last words… When you think you’ve reached

your highest point, aim higher; because anything and everything is achievable with proper direction. Thank you for supporting me and I love you all!

GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

Interview by Marc Gates

Photography by Terry Lewis

Kyree “Ky” Terrell

Interview by Marc Gates

D2D Photography

LOCATION Philadelphia, PA NATIONALITY Black WEBSITE myspace.com/KyNeverLose PROFESSION? Model/Personal Trainer MEASUREMENTS 6’1, 180

it comes to sex I “wasWhen made for it! It’s sort

of like Jordan on the ball court, Mike on the dance floor, Hova on a track… Its ova in the sack!!!

”

Favorite Photographer you like working with? Stephen Hudgins Favorite Sports team? E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!!! What celebrity do people say you look like? Usher What is your most attractive feature? Would others agree? Abs/Lips, that’s what the ladies say What are 3 things you can’t live without? Vitamin Water, Black Women and Myspace!!! If you could sleep with one person in the world who would it be? Oprah! Do you consider yourself a nice guy or bad boy? Definitely a Bad Boy Biggest turn on and turn off? When a woman shimmies her pants up onto her waist!! Hate women that smoke! What’s your type? Just have crazy sex appeal and you got me! What’s your favorite thing you like to see a female in? A full Body Net! When did you know you could model? When people kept saying “you should be a model” Single or Relationship? Single Boxers or Briefs? Boxers Lights on or off? On, I love to watch! My number one fantasy is... a foursome, a bad black chick, a bad white chick and a bad Rican!!! Any last words to our readers and your fans… Check out the MySpace & KyreeTerrell.com Coming soon!! The 2009 Calendar and “Life of a Male Model” Album coming soon!!!!

GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

1st Annual International Fire

Goddess Bikini Extravaganza Outfits Loveuswimwear.com (provided swimsuit) Sexygirlstore.com (provided lingerie) Night Clubs Studio All Zone (location of fashion show/pageant) Roselle, NJ Sand Bar (location of photo shoot) Jersey City, NJ Photography Caliber Photography Maf Photography Hosting & Sponsored Company International Fire Goddess www.internationalfiregoddess.com

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Winner: Jacky-O

GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

1st Annual International Fire Goddess Bikini Extravaganza

2nd Place: Crystal Klear

1st Annual International Fire Goddess Bikini Extravaganza

GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

POP IT FOR PIMP

The year was 1999; I was barely in the Marine Corps a year when I tore the packaging off “Volume 3… Life and Times of S. Carter.” I remember riding around Jacksonville, NC bumping this FIRE album. Something was different about this album but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I just finished listening to the classic Watch Me, when track 11 started I looked at my stereo a little confused, yet moved by the unique beat. Is this an East Coast cat talking about Big Pimpin? “We don’t talk like that up North” I thought to myself. “We doin.. big pimpin, we spendin G’s, Big pimpin, on B-L-A-D’s We doin.. big pimpin up in N.Y.C., It’s just that Jigga Man, Pimp C, and B-U-N B.” What is Jay talking about? Who is Pimp C and what does he mean B-U-N B? Then it happened… “Nigga it’s the big Southern rap impresario, Coming straight up out the black barrio, Makes a Mil up off a sorry hoe, Then sit back and peep my scenario.” Story by E. Bernard Smith Interview by Barbara Ball

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“Smoking out, pouring up, Keeping lean up in my cup, All my cars got leather and wood, in my hood we call it buck.” –Pimp C

“Pimp C is the Tupac of the South.” – J Prince “One thing about Pimp, one thing I respected about him is that regardless to what that man always spoke his mind. That man did not bite his tongue and Pimp is Pimp. You gotta respect the man in spirit itself.” – DJ Michael Watts “I love you and miss you. I hope one day we will see each other again. Why did you leave me with your crazy wife (laughs), smoke sumtin!”– Nancy Byron “Pimp taught me a lot and looked out for me to keep me on the right path. He told me what to do and what not to do to keep me from fucking up and that’s a rarity in this industry today. He was very musical and a very funny dude, he’ll have you cracking up. He really was not the dude some people tried to portray him out to be, he was a good man. He was a man of his word, if he said he was gonna do it, he did it.” – DJ B-Do (Tha Underdawgz) “If either one of us ever needed each other we always went to bat. He was a straight forward person good hearted and honest. If I could say one thing to him… ‘I got ya’, he’d know what that meant.” – Trae Tha Truth “I wish he was still here so we could still get money together. I know he was money motivated and that’s what makes the world go round. I wish success to all the folks he was helping even though he’s gone.” – DeLa “I knew Pimp since 1990, when I was in college. He was a very fair and straight forward person. Thank you for bettering my life and opening up my eyes to see that it’s more to this than just Houston.” – Mike Mo 32

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Being from the North East, my first instinct was to respond “WHO are these dudes?” However my love of hip hop convinced me to listen further, I did. I was so astounded by the artistry and uniqueness of this style of rap that I repeated the track (twice). I picked up the CD case to see who was featured on the song. “UGK… what the hell is a UGK?” I asked myself. I wanted to know who these guys were and if they had other songs out. At the time the only rapper I knew (or heard of) from Texas was the King of Houston, Scarface. UGK introduced the East Coast to the future of Texas rap; I truly became an instant fan of the duo. Pimp C and Bun B put Port Arthur Texas on their backs and ran with it. Bun’s lyrical skills captured my ears but Pimp’s style and energy captured my spirit. If hip hop was the WWE, UGK would’ve been a definite contender for the tag team championships. Let me clarify some things before I continue, I was/am not limited to East Coast music. I was listening to Outkast, Snoop, Dr. Dre., Twista but there wasn’t a lot of music coming out of Texas or the South in general at the time. One thing about me is that I’m all about the lyrics and delivery, that’s why I am HONORED to write an article dedicated to the memory of one of the most entertaining Cats in the game. Pimp C, whose legal name is Chad L. Butler was born December 29, 1973 in Port Arthur, TX. This story is not about Pimp C but more or less Chad and the year since his passing. He was a father, a husband, and a best friend. He was a rapper, a producer, a business man and inspiration to many. If you were to ask the people who knew him best, their recollections are repetitive. They will tell you how generous and caring Chad was. They will tell you how silly he was. Most of all they will tell you how much he loved his family and how great of a father he was. Chad did the things that Chad wanted to do, he would not hesitate to speak his mind nor did he bite his tongue in general conversation or in his music. Chad Butler was the conservative family man, whilst his alter ego Pimp C was the swagger laced character. Both personas would blend at home creating an interesting home life. As with any good parent, he wanted his family to have the best that life could offer. He paved the way for his children to do the things that he was not able to do. Chad was more than a father to his children, he was a friend and had the type of relationship where as they can come and talk to him about anything. When on the road he made sure to call home everyday and speak with his wife Chinara and his children. He truly enjoyed being a family man; he would cook, take his daughter to pageants, joke with his boys and just escape all life’s woes while with his family. When I came up with this story, I wanted to do something different. I didn’t want to saturate the article with things you’ve already heard or already know about Pimp C. You know that Pimp and Bun met in high school in Port Arthur, TX back in 1987. You already know that they have been in the game for over fifteen years. You’ve heard that Pimp was in jail for four years. He had so many ventures and projects in the works with the UGK records, groups he were developing, clothing line,

collaborations and such. If you didn’t already know all that, now you do. I want to showcase the impact of his passing on those closest to him. Yes, he will forever be known to the world as Pimp C but to his wife, his children and his family he will be remembered as Chad and daddy. Chad and Chinara met as kids in elementary school (they did not get married then). They were married April 29, 2003. Mrs. Butler opened up her home to us and took the time to speak with Generation Next: How has the last year been for you? “It’s

hard, it’s like a nightmare, I’m not going to lie. It’s almost like déjà vu in a sense as if it were a dream I just wish he would walk back in here. I keep going by focusing on positive things, dealing with the UGK project and other projects coming out. I really didn’t want to do it after he passed but now it’s like, I have to keep his legacy alive. My husband accomplished a bunch in two years, I really haven’t seen anybody in life accomplish as much as he did in two years. This has been a hard transition for us period like just… who would imagine? It still seems surreal honestly. I didn’t even want to believe it when I heard it, I felt something was wrong but I didn’t want to believe it. I was like nope this just another one of his… yes me and him had sick humors, this just another one of those sick humors.” Was it hard being “Mrs. Pimp C”, as far as groupies and women? “No, you’d be a dumb

wife because they’re the ones who are buying the albums. I’m not an insecure wife at all; my husband called me a romantic, so insecure? No. That’s part of the job so I couldn’t get mad. Being ‘Mrs. Pimp C is more than a woman. I’m a business woman, I work in medicine and we have day cares. Chad and I stayed busy whether on the road together or off the road or on the road as a family. My daughter was on the road with us a lot because she was young and school wasn’t mandatory so she would come with us. We took a lot of time out as a family.” A lot of people know of Pimp C but you know him better than ANYBODY, what can you tell us about Chad? Tell us who Chad was. “Chad

was a complex person. It’s hard to describe, I know I’ll never find another one like him. He was intelligent; he could be arrogant at times when he wanted to be. You hear all the aliases like Sweet James Jones, I really think that was all a part of his personality and I would see all of them in him honestly. You loved Chad or you didn’t, you hate him or you love him. Chad was more of a home body, clearly more than I am. He was very intellectual, liked to read. It’ll surprise you, Pimp C and Chad are two different people and I think a lot of people just get it confused. As artists they’re entertaining its all entertainment, I mean if he was literally a Pimp he couldn’t be married. It’s kind of hard because most people feel like they know you and you’re in the limelight. To this day people even ask my brother like ‘was Pimp really married?’ For me as being his wife I felt like it wasn’t very important for the world to know who I am because he was the star that’s what he did,

“Pimp C touched a lot of people. It’s just incredible, the extent of acceptance and the admiration and honor and the respect and love that transcended as well, I’m in awe.” – Bun B

he was the entertainer not me. I don’t think Pimp and Wife work well together. I’m comfortable, that’s his job and I was just happy and proud that my husband was able to do something he really loved. Most people go to work hating their job, so it was a blessing and you can’t be mad at a person for loving what they do. Ohhh!!! Father-wise… father, friend he would do anything for his family and friends. Chad wanted to help everybody. One our good friends he hired to go on the road, he was on dialysis, Chad would pay for his medicine like ‘Chinara go get this because he needs his medicine’. He always looked out for anybody he genuinely cared for.” How did ya’ll actually meet? “We’ve known each other for a very long time. We connected chemistry when some of my friends and a couple of artists were at a studio one day; they’re all like my big brothers. We would all usually be there and Chad came through and… there it was!” How did Chad propose? “It was funny, he was like ‘we’re going to get married but I could never divorce him’. (Laughs) I was like whoa, stipulations! So I said ‘if that’s the case you can’t cheat then’. Chad is Chad and I think that’s important with a marriage, you need to understand your spouse, I understood him. I think he’s misunderstood a lot even in some interviews where I sat right there. I was like he didn’t mean that badly, I don’t think that came out right you know.”

Pimp C and Mother

Do you find it harder now, with him gone?

“My problem with him being gone is that the light is on me and I never really cared for it. I can’t expect someone else to hold down my husband’s legacy as I know he would want me to. It’s just hard because if you dealt with Chad period, he loved great music. We have studios, I know how to record vocals, I know how to do a whole bunch of stuff. We have studios from high rises to our apartment to one closet in our room we turned into a booth where he can record vocals. The kids would have to be quiet during vocal time, he lived and breathed music. My publicist calls me ‘Chin’ a combination of Chad and Chinara, because I live and breathe music too now, I don’t have any choice.” How have the kids taken it? “They’ve taken it better than I expected put it that way. Our kids take a lot after him, they have a lot of our personalities. Chad always said I was strong but I see Christian, you look at her and I see more of him clearly physically. When she’s talking or she’s in the house she might put her coat on and say ‘I’m a pimp’ (laughs). That’s the thing I miss definitely about Chad, we laughed and we had fun. Most of the time we were here we would cap on each other and joke, we were a family. That’s the thing that I probably miss more now. His other children’s mothers have always been great, I’m a step mom but that’s there mom so they’re spending time with their mom and other siblings. So it just leaves Christian and it’s kind of like a void, you know?” Was Chad a big disciplinarian? “My daughter mooned the cafeteria last year, she thought it was funny, she got it off of Stewie from ‘Family Guy’. He thought it was funny but certain things they 34

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know you just don’t do. Like you don’t scratch daddy’s cars, stay away from daddy’s cars. You go by the cars you’re liable to get a whipping if you go by the cars (laughs). Certain things as far as discipline, I think Chad always got on them but in a sense I’m so glad he did. He always was very open with the kids. He didn’t believe in lying to the kids. Santa Claus? Who is Santa Claus, he doesn’t exist. My daughter told him ‘Santa Claus is white daddy you’re not Santa Claus’ and he told her ‘no I am Santa Claus you not gonna believe that somebody else is buying this stuff for you and I gotta work everyday’. Me and Chad love being honest and open with them to a certain extent but that’s something that I know he would be missing.” If this were a letter to Chad, what would you like to say? “If it’s anything I would say… baby I

miss you and I’ll always love you. If I new you had to do all of this and rap, be husband, father and my best friend I would have been a more submissive wife. We all miss you and it’s not the same and I guess it’ll never be the same anymore.” My mission while writing this article was to paint an intimate portrait of Chad Butler the face behind Pimp C. I want readers to gain a closer connection with a man who helped pave a way for many and inspired even more. I hope as you have read this article you feel as though you have reached that plateau. Rest in Piece Pimp. Special thanks to Chinara Butler for welcoming us into her home and making us feel like family. To Chad Jr. Corey and Christian daddy loves you and is forever watching over you, I dedicate this to you.

He thought it was funny but certain things they know you just don’t do. Like you don’t scratch daddy’s cars, stay away from daddy’s cars. You go by the cars you’re liable to get a whipping if you go by the cars (laughs). Certain things as far as discipline, I think Chad always got on them but in a sense I’m so glad he did. He always was very open with the kids. He didn’t believe in lying to the kids. Santa Claus? Who is Santa Claus, he doesn’t exist. My daughter told him ‘Santa Claus is white daddy you’re not Santa Claus’ and he told her ‘no I am Santa Claus you not gonna believe that somebody else is buying this stuff for you and I gotta work everyday’. Me and Chad love being honest and open with them to a certain extent but that’s something that I know he would be missing.” If this were a letter to Chad, what would you like to say? “If it’s anything I would say… baby I miss

you and I’ll always love you. If I’d known you had to do all of this and rap, be husband, father and my best friend I would have been a more submissive wife. We all miss you and it’s not the same and I guess it’ll never be the same anymore.” My mission while writing this article was to paint an intimate portrait of Chad Butler the face behind Pimp C. I want readers to gain a closer connection with a man who helped pave a way for many and inspired even more. I hope as you have read this article you feel as though you have reached that plateau. Rest in Piece Pimp. Special thanks to Chinara Butler for welcoming us into her home and making us feel like family. To Chad Jr. Corey and Christian daddy loves you and is forever watching over you, I dedicate this to you.

Painting By Reginald Cornett, vulturemoney59@yahoo.com

GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

Words And Interview by 36 Karat

The pie shaped state of South Carolina has yet to produce an artist that puts the state on the Hip Hop map, but one artist by the name of Lil Ru is very close to changing that. Lil Ru makes his home in Columbia, SC. Better know as “The Metro”, it’s the largest and most centrally located city in the state of South Carolina. The city of Columbia, SC sits less than three and a half hours outside of Atlanta, Georgia, one of the largest Mecca’s of Hip Hop and R&B 36

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talent in the South. I asked Lil Ru how he felt about the pressure to become the first major rap artist out of SC and his feelings on having all eyes on him, he replied; “Man, for real it just feels like life to me, you know what I mean, feel like something I was just put on this earth to do so you know what I mean, I just take it for what it is, and try to make the best of every situation we get in man, really put this Carolina shit on the

Photography Film At 2300

map, you know what I mean, so we just out here working; it aint’ no pressure, feels like life, so we out here”. Lil Ru is not new to the music scene. He’s been putting out hit records since his teenage years, and now in his early 20’s he has already had a major deal with Capitol Records. He enjoyed the success of his single, “Don’t I Look Good” however when the purchase of Capitol by EMI caused internal changes at the label, Lil Ru and the label parted ways. Such a blow may cause some artists to fall on their face, but Lil Ru didn’t miss a beat

in fact he hit the ground running and turned out yet another hit as an Independent artist with “The Nasty Song”. The song was released earlier in the year and received radio play throughout the summer; a remix is available now featuring Gorilla Zoe, and the record continues to yield steady spins in the night clubs. Lil Ru is now focusing on his own record label Presidential Ent. His long time friend and hype man TD Tha Don, who is also a solo rap artist, has his own label as well called Met Lyfe Ent. The two artists are beginning to collaborate on projects together. The latest of these endeavors was a single released at the end of summer called, “Happy Juice” with both Lil Ru and TD Tha Don on the track. The record is still receiving radio play. The song is about the mysterious red concoction made popular by South Cak’s DJ B Lord who invented the drink to keep himself energized all night during night club parties, but ceases to ever reveal the ingredients to anyone. Special guests, including Lil Ru, TD and friends who have sipped the cocktail during parties say it kept them up all night and made them happy. The song has become DJ B Lord’s anthem and will be featured on all his mix tapes over the next year. After a few years in the rap game Lil Ru has an incredibly large fan base. I asked Ru how he deals with so many people just wanting a piece of Lil Ru for so many different reasons. He replied, “It feels like everyday life, it feels like what it’s supposed to be, ya mean it don’t feel different than that, sometimes it feels surreal like this can’t be going on but at the end of the day I always ground myself and know that this is how my life planned to be from day one, cause this all I knew, this all I know, this all it’s gone be right here man, cause I’m good at it though, If I was somethin’ bullshit, then I wouldn’t be tryin’ to pursue it like that though, so you know what I mean; I just know that I’m good at this and I gotta take it to the top, period man. So it’s love when people come up to me feelin’ how ever they feel, ya know what I mean. He appears weekly for bookings at clubs, shows, and events, some weeks two or three shows per week. He has earned a reputation as an entertainer as well. Everyone knows that Lil Ru’s show is crazy! Outside of Plies, he’s the only artist I’ve seen thus far that has just as many guys as girls participating throughout his show. Ru said, “That’s a blessin’ man, you know what I’m sayin’, to see my shit turn into that I just can imagine what it’s about to be in a couple years so it’s just getting crazier man”. Although a great entertainer on stage, Lil Ru off stage is unusually quiet, calm, and likes his space, almost like two different people. He told me, “Most definitely man, you know that’s how I am, soon as I hit the stage Lil Ru, soon as I get off [the stage] I just come out, be a normal nigga again cause I don’t know, I just separate life from this all the way out cause you can’t be confused by this rap shit, I don’t believe in rappers and all that, I just do my music man, keep it pushin’ dawg. It’s about entertainment so that’s what I hit the stage having in mind, I gotta entertain these people that’s what they came out here for you know what

“sometimes it feels surreal like this can’t be going on but at the end of the day I always ground myself and know that this is how my life planned to be from day one, cause this all I knew, this all I know, this all it’s gone be right here man” I’m saying …I gotta give ‘em Lil Ru you know what I’m sayin’! (Laughs) Ru told me some people may not realize, “I’m real spiritual I could say, I live my life based around that, probably a lot of people may not know that. Me and God gotta real cool relationship, we real tight ya know what I mean, I feel that’s the thing that keeps me grounded out here a lot too, is being the relationship I keep with God, my mind frame of outlook on life that keep me real ya mean, laid back, cool, so people might think I’m wild, crazy, “The Nasty Man” like my dawg TD call me, but end of the day we gotta feed them kids man, I just gotta keep myself sane, so we out here brett that’s it”. It’s very easy for a young artist to get caught up in the glitz and glamour of the music industry. Lil Ru has avoided that pitfall and has managed to stay connected to the people and to himself. Everyone has a story to tell and lessons that were learned along the way. The trick is applying them to the present so they shape your future. Ru told me one of his life lessons learned is…”Family will be the main mo foka’s cross you before anything with this rap shit, ya know what I mean keep it real. I don’t know man; it’s about stayin’ down man. You gotta stay grounded in this shit that’s what I learned man, stay real like not in the street aspect of real just like a person being a person, ya know what I mean don’t get it twisted, don’t ever change up man, you put your pants on one leg at a time too. If a nigga keep that in they mind, you always will be good man”. Lil Ru says when he’s not on stage he likes to, “Smoke the thug kush, play the thug X-Box and …Rap, that’s it. It might feel like we might have a lot of stuff going on everyday cause we rap rally it might just be chaotic everyday but mostly through the week I’m on the downtown tryin’ to get myself right for these shows that’s it I aint’ really doing to much man”. If you’re trying to make it in the music industry, Lil Ru’s advise is, “Naw mane, for real just keep it, keep it pushin’ man that’s all I can say I know everybody say that but that’s just the truth though, you just gotta keep it pushin’. If you believe in it and you nice and you good, people gone let you know from day one is you good or not. If you got

4 hits on your Myspace and all that you might need to change the first song up or something aint’ right, you know what I mean but we out here runnin’ bro that’s it. So, if you good keep doin’ it, if you not stop playin’ cause you wastin’ a lot of your money, that’s it man”. Ru said what we can expect next from him is, “Heat, expect to hear heat. I just plan to keep hit ‘em in the head with this good music man, that’s it. I got Td Tha Don you know what I mean Met Lyfe he crazy you know what I mean, I got this whole Presidential movement we doing right now so it’s going down man. Shout out to my whole team these boys is …they ratchet, I aint even gone say nothin’ they just ratchet, that’s my dawgs though we out here man, presidential, met lyfe it’s going all the way down you already know what it is. Now I got this new mix CD called “Eargasm”, man me and my dawg Tony Gunz doing all the beats”. The new mix CD, “Eargasm” will be released in late fall and feature Lil Ru’s new single “Deep Stroker”. Despite the pressure of carrying the state of SC on his back, Lil Ru is still keepin’ it real. He has the support of the entire state as well as the surrounding area, and fans abroad, yet he continues to just be himself. “No I aint got no tattoo’s mane, no gold teeth, no tattoo’s, I just keep it one hundred. Lotta nigga’s be with that stuff and they flexed out” (Ru is silent for a moment and looks across the room at his crew whom are all heavily tatted up, grilled and iced out, then laughter breaks out among the room) “I just keep it me you know, I just do me, keep it real man that’s it. Shout out to TI you know another nigga I know like that too mane, with no gold teeth, no tattoo’s but he one hundred, for real!” Lil Ru says to his fans, “That’s all we can say man we out here grinding, go to my Myspace, … myspace.com/lilruhoodhard… get them ring tones and ya’ll just holla at me when ya’ll see me, hug me, kiss me, touch me, cause it’s goin’ down man!” Lil Ru has put together quite a team, besides his own abilities to be versatile and giving his fans everything from hood hard crunk, to sexy club bangers and bubblin’ bounce tracks. TD Tha Don doing features, backup and at Lil Ru’s side as hype man. TD has a distinctly rough, deep and recognizable voice that Ru says is like a woofer. Young producer Tony Gunz making beats and handling the turntables at the live shows, along with features from R&B singer Mike Smith with his clear crisp vocals, and a voice that rivals Usher, Mike Smith is already showing signs of becoming a brilliant super producer in years to come. South Carolina has long been overlooked and holds a vast untapped pool of talent. Lil Ru’s accomplishments overshadow anyone thus far in the SC Hip Hop community, and that speaks volumes of his character, motivation and grind. He has over one million hits to his Myspace page. He and his crew together pose a marquise threat and with many major labels trying to sign Lil Ru he tells me, “we just workin man, ready to get the best situation on the table”. I say grab some popcorn it’s going to be a great show watching the labels duke it out over this young man! GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

t 6 Kara w by 3 ie v r te and In Words

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Guru may be widely known for his days with Gangstarr but those days are long gone. He created the classic series Jazzmatazz and has featured countless Jazz greats on each album. Guru has teamed up with super producer Solar and started the record label 7 Grand Records. Guru says, “There is no coincidence” on the subject of he and Solar meeting. The two were friends for about two years before starting the label in 2004. The newest release for 7 Grand is Jazzmatazz: The Timebomb/Back To The Future Mix Tape. Solar say’s, “The purpose of 7 Grand Records is to bring intelligent real Hip Hop that stays in touch with the whole concept of what Hip Hop was when it was created. It was a music that was based on a lot of principles that was based on what urban America, Black and Latino America was facing. We invented a music called Hip Hop to express ourselves through that music. It wasn’t a music designed to bling you up, it wasn’t a music designed to grow pimps and prostitutes and all of the negativity that’s been associated with it, it wasn’t meant to be that.” Guru has been in the music industry for over a decade. He was around when Hip Hop was still laying its early foundation. I asked Guru how do u feel about Hip Hop now, “I feel like there’s a lot of opportunities now and I feel like with the label 7 Grand Records I feel like we’re at the forefront of where music is going and where Hip Hop needs to go. I also feel that now is a most exciting, important and essential time because Hip Hop is faced with a whole lot. It’s been taken over by corporations, you’ve got real Hip Hop being over looked and really for real Hip Hop to survive and to go on to the future and thrive then it’s up to people like myself and Solar as the catalyst for change and the guardians of real Hip Hop.” Guru and Solar are tirelessly bringing Hip Hop to fans all over the world. Guru said, “There became a time when the Golden Era ended and the Bling Era came and it really put a bad spin on a lot of things especially East coast and NY Hip Hop, so what 7 Grand is doing is that in a way we’re picking up where real Hip Hop and the Golden Era left off, `cause the Bling Era is dead man, it’s gone no more of that. We’re here and we’re bringing real Hip Hop

to the world”. Guru and Solar are now wrapping up their 2008 World Tour. Guru says, “We’ve been everywhere from Baltimore to Belgium.” Solar says, “We’re not trying to take you back to 1992, come to the show and you’ll find out how live and energetic [it is], it’s just a beautiful experience”. Guru’s take on the show is, “We’ve got one of the best Hip

“you’ve got real Hip Hop being over looked and really for real Hip Hop to survive and to go on to the future and thrive then it’s up to people like myself and Solar as the catalyst for change and the guardians of real Hip Hop.” Hop shows on the planet, classics after classics, old classic’s, new classic’s, it’s all classic.” Solar is undoubtedly a multi talented super producer. He writes, raps, produces, performs, and even directs and produces some videos for 7 Grand Records. Solar says, “That it’s creativity over experience that makes a good producer, I laugh a lot of times because even myself I really don’t quite understand where all the creativity comes from. I didn’t come up through the typical machine that a producer would come up through. I come from a totally fresh perspective and no hidden agenda’s. Basically I’m here because the people want me here. I’m not the invention of some huge corporation with millions of dollars behind them”. Solar’s advice to young producers is, “Be unique and find a way to get your music out there that represents you”. Guru says when he’s not on stage you can find him writing, on the computer or working out and Solar says he’s a bit of an outdoors’ man, and when he’s not producing we can find him fishing, hiking, and enjoying nature.

Solar says, “Guru and myself don’t drive Royal Royce’s and we’re just normal dudes”. Guru tells me, “You’re not going to see Solar and Guru with a bunch of bodyguards and inaccessible, you know we get down and dirty with the people. We’re in the trenches”. They say they have a new release coming soon and all they can tell us for now is its bangin’! Look for Guru and Solar to be embarking on a College Tour in 2009 as well. Guru’s modest about being viewed as an icon in the music industry. He says, “That’s a great accomplishment to get to that stage of one’s career or one’s body of work, but also it comes with a whole bunch of responsibilities and challenges. I just look at it like I got stripes, ya know what I mean, I got credentials but at the same time with those credentials and those stripes, I’m still a man amongst the people that they can come to and kick it with. They can come see the show and they gone feel the energy and they gone leave there inspired and you know it’s gonna help them take whatever their doing to the next level”. It’s not everyday that advice is given by such a seasoned veteran in the music world so young artist should appreciate these words of advise from Guru, “Originality, as far as if you want any type of longevity, `cause I can’t speak on being a one hit wonder or anything like that I can just speak on having longevity. If you want longevity you’ve gotta be original and you’ve really gotta have your feet planted firmly on the ground, network, get your stuff out there and be confident about your stuff but at the same time be able to take criticism as well you know, so that you can really make sure that what you’re doing is coming across hot. Don’t just try to be better than that dude on the block and don’t just have yes men around you, when you may need to tweak something or whatever. Originality is the key and you have to have a drive. You have to be able to do it 24/7. It can’t be something that you just do a couple hours a day or once every two or three days”. Guru says check him and Solar out at: www.myspace.com/gurusjazzmatazz www.myspace.com/guru7grand www.myspace.com/solar7grand http://www.guru7grand.net Monumental things happen when a legendary music icon recreates and reinvents oneself. Not intimidated to do so Guru has gone back to the drawing board, and by doing just that has regained popularity with his tried and true fans as well as a newer crowd of young people worldwide that are just now discovering what real Hip Hop has to offer. GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

Story by E. Bernard Smith

Say the word Rap in Houston and I guarantee you the name Trae will be brought up. The introduction of South Houston’s own Trae a.k.a. Trae “Tha Truth” began in 1998 with a guest appearance on his cousin Z-Ro’s “Look What You Did to Me”. Trae then co-founded the group Guerilla Maab with another cousin Dougie D, which released several albums during the late ‘90s and early 2000s. Over the next couple of years Trae put out an arsenal of solo albums, such as his 2003 solo debut “Losing Composure”, 2004’s “Same Thing Different Day” and in 2006 Trae released “Restless”, which was picked up by RapA-Lot Records/Asylum for nationwide distribution. His last solo album, “Life Goes On” was released in 2007. As a member of the Screwed Up Click, Trae has put out mixtape after mixtape that can be found through out the entire South. Tha Truth and King of the Streets monikers were bestowed upon Trae by the People of Houston. Trae’s unique low deep fast raspy flow stands out on every track he’s on. He has collaborated with Artists such as Lil Wayne, Shawty Lo, UGK, Chamillionare, Yung Joc, Slim Thug and the list continues. He has made cameos in many of todays mainstream videos including Lil Boosie’s “Zoom”, Hurricane Chris’ “A Bay Bay”, Yung Joc’s “Coffee Shop” and Gorilla Zoe’s “Hood Nigga”, Trae’s own “In The Hood” video features Yung Joc. His hit track “Real Talk” was featured on the soundtrack to the video game Madden NFL 07. Trae has won two Ozone Awards, one

for Patiently Waiting Artist for Texas (2007) and more recent the Mixtape Monster Award (2008). Trae and Z-Ro’s A.B.N. (Assholes By Nature): It Is What It Is, released July 2008 on Rap-A-Lot is already making waves. Fire tracks like “UmmHmm”, “Whoa”, “Down In Texas” and my personal favorite “In My City” shows why the ABN gang are hometown legends. He currently has a critically acclaimed mix tape in circulation, The Diary of Tha Truth, a song with Slim Thug “Nothing to a Boss”, and a single featuring DJ Khaled “So Hot”. In the course of his music career, Trae has scanned well over 200,000 units, both as a solo artist and as a member of ABN Gang, without the benefit

of major promotion. In August 2008, Trae and fellow Houston rapper Mike Jones got into a physical altercation in the backstage area at the Ozone Awards. According to witnesses, the two had an unknown conversation before Trae struck Jones for disrespecting him. Trae spoke briefly about the incident with a blogger on a YouTube video. There were rumors of jealousy and cheap shots running rampant in the streets and online. According to Trae, Mike Jones was provoking him behind the scenes. “He popped off at the mouth and got popped in the mouth, that’s what happened, it’s not that serious.” Trae says the situation “is what it is” as far as he is concerned it’s over. With the smoke clearing from the incident at the Ozone Awards, the “Asshole By Nature” is focused on moving forward. For his outstanding work within the community and charitable contributions, the city of Houston has honored the hometown hero with his own day, the first time this honor has been extended to a rap artist. July 22nd is recognized as Trae Day. The proclamation was awarded by Houston’s Mayor Bill White on July 22, 2008. The ceremony was attended by city officials and several prominent rap artists. Trae’s album Tha Beginning is in stores now and his mixtape Streets Advocate is slated for a November 11, 2008 release. Say what you like about Trae, just please… make sure it’s Tha Truth.

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A BALL BY BARBAR INTERVIEW ARD SMITH RN BE E. WRITTEN BY

Imagine this; it’s August in Houston Texas. You’re at the Ozone awards walking through the crowd one minute, the next you are face to face with Hip Hop royalty. Don’t know who I am referring to? Here are a few clues: He is the King of the Ghetto. The New York Times has called him “one of America’s most underrated rappers”. His 2006 album “I’m Still Livin” was released while he was incarcerated and was called “one of the best rap albums to come out of Houston” by the Houston Chronicle. He shot the music video for Hate You while he was a prisoner of Orange County jail. He came home on July 19th 2007. He is… Joseph McVey, better known as Z-Ro. Hello, this is BB with Generation Next Magazine. I have Z-Ro here at the Ozone Awards, what’s up Z-Ro how are you doing tonight?

I’m good, I’m good. What’s up with you? Oh, I’m good. You didn’t get to perform tonight, you know what happened? Maybe ya’ll was running a little behind?

Oh nah, I wasn’t supposed to perform. I’m just a VIP guest; I’m just supposed to be in the house so I’m in the house, so shit my thing is fulfilled. I know that’s right. You were just gracing us with your presence and we can appreciate that because you are the “King of the Ghetto.” So what’s been up with you since you’ve been home?

Just a whole lot of grinding, whole lot of studio, a lot of nights away from the crib, in other cities and other states and shit. I’m just

trying to keep the thing going for the new movement going on down here.

it is, you need to go on ahead and get what the people trying to get from you.

You say the new movement, what do you have coming up now? What can we expect from Z-Ro?

Okay one last question, are you able to do hooks and features on people’s albums right now? I know there a lot of people trying to get at you right now.

I mean I got a whole lot of lip. Man my new album “Crack”, I got a “Crack” series going down. It’s gonna be “Crack” volume 1, everything from here on out is gonna be “Crack”. I’m on like the fourth series already, like September 23rd is when the first series come out. So you know that’s what I’ve been doing right now, doing them shows, getting that “Crack” ready for the public. That’s good! If people wanted to contact you or get some more of your music where can they go?

Of course you can visit Rap-A-Lot, they gonna put you in the right direction you know what I’m saying? Already, that’s what

Yeah, I’m doing a little bit of that right now. I’m not really focusing all my time on featuring right now but I am open to do certain things. I’m only fucking with the real right now. If you a fucked up ass you know, wishy washy ass you know, one night wonder ass rap nigga – you can’t get Ro on the track. Real niggas and real bitches they can get at me and it can go down. Well Z-Ro I just want to tell you I appreciate you giving us your time to do this interview, is there anything else you want to add?

Nah, that’s what it is. GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

uston, e of Ho e id s h t r th the No der of uy from ts is the foun ists such g le p is a sim 0” Wat ced art Keke, l Watts Michael “500 which produ e a , Lil h c i M t!!! ul Wall rds, h a o Pluto c P ig , e r g R h u e Th ving on /or m li li TX. Yea SwishaHous n S e , e e us ou’ve b tts and illionair infamo , Cham ang. Unless y f Michael Wa s ike e n o J B e in” by M rd o p a e ip as Mik e, and Coota h T l e it “Stil un for ou hav Le Archie st few years y he breakout h was a homer e la .T ty. Th ul Wall for the aHouse crew and Pa nwide notorie tts has g h u is h T w the S natio el Wa g Slim eaturin d helped gain career. Micha orations Jones f ’ n a es llab House ike Jon tapes and co nown for his M d e h Swisha nc s, mix cade. K referred lso lau 0 album re than a de 0 track a 1 nly r e v o ommo sm ed o ixing, c wn before his produc eer that span m f o car ay. d style t. Kno over a istorte try tod k it ifferen s d d u d d ly n t in c a c slowed ixes are distin names in the y to ba st f mone m e o s t g y t t a ig n b W f the nd ple Screw, some o the resume a h late DJ it e w h t d s y e ith ous b and ha s work ard Sm ade fam e box, he ha er producer” E. Bern m y b d e w p ie rv d chop station 97.9 th to be a “sup and Inte Words y wed an n . e io a r s d t c s m a o r s o y DJ r to a ston ed b on Hou n be consider king with his ic a DJ days t c s ble by l Watts Michae remains hum he up, yet How you doing today Michael? Oh I’m good

SwishaHouse? It’s just like this here man, when

man, on the road just trying to do my thing.

I first started doing the slowed down mixes, I didn’t want to call them Screw mixes but I called them Swisha mixes and I called my studio the SwishaHouse. So that’s how I came up with the name SwishaHouse.

No Doubt, no doubt. The name of this article is “High Voltage” referring to 5000 watts. “5000” how’d you come up with that name?

When I started working at 97.9 the box, my original DJ name was Michael Watts, they was saying it didn’t have enough flair to it. My friend Lester he added the “5000” with it as Michael “5000” Watts and I just ran with it ever since. It’s been working for you real good too. I don’t think it’s anybody alive who doesn’t know who Michael Watts is. If they don’t know

who I am I’m trying to make it where they do know who I am. Definitely, you’re the creator, the mastermind behind SwishaHouse Records correct? Yeah,

That’s what’s up and everybody knows the logo too. You’re first breakout hit would’ve been Mike Jones with “Still Tippin”. That was the first hit that really put ya’ll on the map, that’s where you got that recognition correct?

Actually it’s more like where he got his recognition from, I was made before that you know. I feel that… It definitely was our first national commercial record.

I’m the one who created the movement.

What’s good with SwishaHouse right now, what are we looking for besides the mixtapes, who you got dropping? Wow, we got Paul Wall

Okay. How’d you come up with the name

dropping, Archie Lee, Coota Bang. I linked up

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with my boy T. Farris we got a mixtape that just dropped with Young Redd on it. Also Young Redd and Paul Wall did a mixtape together so you know we got a lot of stuff going on. Also we got some new up and coming artist coming out by the name of Lil Young and Surreal, so they should be hot in like a year. Lil Young and who? Surreal, she’s a female artist. I’ve never really worked with a female artist directly. She’s a rapper? Yeah. That’s what the business is right there. I’ve put out commercial albums but mostly doing a lot of remixes for people. Matter of fact I just got through doing two new remixes, I just remixed Z-Ro’s Crack album, also Devin the Dude just dropped a new album and I remixed his. Those are the latest outside the box albums I just did. That’s actually good because we have an article about Z-Ro in this issue and he talks

about the Crack series. Oh and I don’t even know if I said this in the beginning but it’s a pleasure to be able to sit down with you. You probably don’t even remember but I bumped into you and had a brief conversation at the Red Bull Beat Battle back in June. Yeah, the

Red Bull Beat Battle… You came in the house representing SwishaHouse moving through the crowd. I was like “I ain’t know Mike Watts is a big dude”, I was kind of scared (laughs). You ain’t

gotta be scared of me man, I ain’t gonna come at you unless it’s about money (laughs). Exactly. You were just there to show your moral support? Yeah man, they had the beat

battle going on and we got a lot of talent out there. I was just out there to show my support and find some new people who got some new beats that I can push them what I got going on. Maybe get some new beats for some of my new artists, you know what I’m saying? How about the two kids who won, Sound Mob. Are you looking to do anything with them in the near future here? Yeah, we trying to

make it happen, they’re talented. It was just more than just the kids that won there was a whole flock of talented producers out there it just depends on what level you want to be on. No doubt, I mean you’re right my mind was blown. I couldn’t even judge it to be honest, it was… Yeah man, I’m glad I wasn’t a judge of

it because I couldn’t have judged it either. There are just so many people who have talent and like I said it just depend on your level. The good thing about it is that if there was anybody out there looking for a producer that was just the perfect spot to be in. No matter what level of the game you’re at or what you trying to do I promise it was somebody on that stage that can add some heat to what you trying to do. You’re definitely one of the people who help put Texas on the map. Tell me, what was that ride like for you? It was a beautiful thing to

know that I was being a part of bringing a lot of new Texas artists to the mainstream. Right now I’m working on bringing more Texas artist to the mainstream. I’m headed to Dallas to link up with some of the Dallas artist; we’re putting together this project called I-45. I’m trying to get everybody together in Texas and bring some heat. It’s an underground project to let everybody know that we do got heat out here. I know you’re not limited to Texas and that you’ve stepped out the box and worked with other artist(s). Who are some of the people that you have worked with? Eightball, MJG, Lil

Wayne I’ve done two albums for Wayne. Actually I just finished a rock project for Korn. Really? Yeah I just stepped out the box and did something totally different. How’d you like that? It was different; I was really excited about it because it was something totally out of my element. Do you think that’s something you might dabble in again or was it a one time event? I’d

love to do it again to be honest.

I love for artist of different genres link up because that’s what should occur. It also helps get your name into different ears so that way now there’s some rock head out there that now knows Michael “5000” Watts, know what I’m saying. Any plans on trying to dip into the West Coast movement? There is a huge music scene out there too. I was just

saying something about the West Coast the other day. There’s an artist out there by the name of Glasses Malone, I got his tape and just started playing that shit man! I’ve heard of Glasses Malone. I like that nigga tape. Texas and Atlanta, well the South in general are on top of the hip hop scene right now so I guess that would put you on top as one of the Officers leading this rebellion, you feel me?

You know what man? I won’t say it’s a rebellion it’s just what hip hop is all about. Hip hop is about change, if you look at every hip hop song that was a hit it was something totally different that had never been done before. True. On the real man, those principles have never really changed. People can talk all the shit they want about like Soldier Boy, but the reason that his shit popped was because it was something totally different. You can never change people’s argument about wanting something different. Exactly, like me my Moniker is the RAP Rebel but I agree with you on that. As far as people hating on Soldier Boy or whatever, I’m like well if you think about it he came out and dropped The Soldier Boy as a dance track. There’s nothing wrong with making a dance track, if you think about when Digital Underground came out with “The Humpty Dance” it was one of the most popular songs of the time and it was a fun song. A lot a

niggas that be sitting there talking shit about, they probably never would’ve done the Humpty Dance but I bet you their records didn’t sell more than that did. I’m not telling you to sell out and not do what you believe in but you’ve gotta respect what hip hop is all about. It’s about being creative and it’s never gonna change, regardless to how anybody feel about it. There are no laws of hip hop. What do you say to people who say hip is dead or it’s dying, it’s not the same – what’s your opinion on that? Hip hop is never about

being the same, look you gotta think about the 80’s to now, look how much it’s changed. If hip hop was all about being the same we’d all be sitting around this motherfucker wearing Jerry curls and Kangols. (laughing) I’m a bald headed Cat, I don’t think I could rock the curl. It changes man, it’s not

about being the same, life itself is not about being the same. Not just music, when you buy a car and they come up with the new body style you want the new style. So what makes people think that hip hop or music is any different from that? That’s a really good point. I never even thought about it like that. Do you think that there’s a lot of repetitiveness, because

speaking with people that’s what I hear. It’s like “oh, everything’s the same, everybody talking about the same thing”, what’s your opinion on THAT? Yeah it is but you know it’s not

working for you man. The people that are doing all the repetitive shit man… that’s not working for them. I mean look at the units they’re selling, look at the shows they’re getting, they’re going on stage and getting $500.00 that shows that they’re not doing anything out the box. Basically you just need to stay to your own, find your niche and move from there to accomplish something great. You can copy

somebody and imitate them but you will never be them. You will never be as great as they are. Speaking of motivating and things of that nature, when you first got your start in the game, let’s go back to before 97.9 the box. What got you into that? The Box? Yeah, like what got you into music in general?

A lot of people know on the box right now for doing the SwishaHouse movement and doing the slowed down screwed music but actually I was on the box way before that. I’ve been on the box since the early 90’s to tell the truth about it. I always had a crazy mixtape game so I had a strong enough name on the street. I had some friends that worked at the box. Was it something that you always wanted to do as a youth or did you kind of just fall into it? I kind of just fell into it as far as radio.

I’ve been DJing since like the 8th grade, I feel like music and DJing that’s what I’m meant to do man. I think that’s my calling. As far as radio, I could’ve gave a damn less if I got on radio however I greatly appreciative that I do have a radio spot. I just love what I’m doing period whether I’m on the radio or not. Does Mike Watts have skills on the mic? Have you ever picked up the mic and laid something on your own?

MW: You know I did the whole freestyle thing but that’s not me that’s not what I do. There’s a lot of producers out there that are like “I’m a producer, I’m a producer” but they dropping albums. I’m like okay… which is it? Play your part. What’s your ultimate goal with this whole music thing, what are you looking to do? I want to be able to open doors and create

opportunities for people who have talent. I know if I’m able to bless people with talent and open doors for them to be successful then I’m going to always be successful. No doubt, respects. If people wanted to get at you and checkout the SwishaHouse how do they go about doing that? Our website is

swishahouse.biz, that’s the website. How soon can we look out for Surreal and Lil Young? We’ll probably have something out before

Christmas hits. They’ve been featured on all my latest mixtapes so make sure you check ‘em out. Okay, that’s what’s up so Michael I want to thank you for taking the time to sit down with us and let us into your world. We appreciate you and look forward to linking up with you again. No problem man, definitely. GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

Words and Interview by 36 Karat Photography Film At 2300

Most people don’t realize they’ve already been introduced to Tay Dizm as a feature artist on Dolla’s, “Who is that” and 2 Pistols, “She got It.” Tay told me, “I got into music, playing the drums in the band”, and then tells me a few years later in his life, “I kept seeing my brothers doing their rap thing and having so much fun so, I tried to do it one day and fell in love with it.”

Tay is the first artist to release a single on T-pain’s Nappy Boy Digital record label. Tay tells me that he and T-pain have been friends for over six years and begins laughing while recalling that their friendship began when he beat T-pain in a dance off at a Florida night club. The new single is called “Beam Me Up”. Produced by Atlanta hit maker Bangladesh, filled with core thumping bass and galactic sounding keyboard loops, the track features T-pain on the hook and Rick Ross rips his bars giving the record the fire to blaze into an out of control hit. Starting out, the record was getting about one thousand spins a week across the country and is now steady climbing the charts. Look for it to pop up on countless Car & Bike videos for the 2009 spring and summer seasons. Tay says, “This record is crazy and I’m ready to beam you up”. His album will feature T-pain, Chris Brown, Akon, B.O.B., Gorilla Zoe, and the whole Nappy Boy family; including Jay Lyric, and Young Cash. Tay’s Dizm’s single “Beam Me Up” with also appear on a collaboration album called, “True To The Game” being released by Stadium Entertainment and a portion of the album proceeds will go to Kansas based Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Coming from a rough childhood, Tay has a positive outlook as an adult. Tay says,”Sometimes you just have to excuse me, I like to have fun! “I’m all about having fun, man I’m all about doing whatever I feel like I wanna do, I’m me, talk to me, I talk back baby”. The video for “Beam Me Up” was filmed at Miami’s Metro Zoo. Tay Dizm, Rick Ross, and T-pain are surrounded by sky high donk’s parked amongst the palm trees with flying UFO graphics, and cameo’s by Khaled, Ace Hood, Bangladesh, Jim Jonsin, and DJ Irie to name a few. Tay gets serious with me for a moment and takes off his darkly tinted shades, when I asked him to give some advice to all of the artists trying to make it. He told me, “I’m being real with you;

you gotta have a plan…You gotta have a plan and stick to your plan, and let’s say your plan may take five or ten years, but you just gotta stick to it, you know what I’m saying and that’s what we did. My manager Marco Mall, when I first got to his crib, we had a plan you know what I’m sayin’ and we stuck with the plan, and a lot of things were in that plan from cutting grass to like walking with posters, you know what I’m sayin’ but it was a plan. You know and by just doin’ that plan and sticking to it, it got me here. It took six and a half years so you know what I’m saying we stuck to it, everyday, everyday, we just stuck it out and made it happen, you know what I’m sayin’ and we got here! So everybody, get yourself a plan, trust me, get wit’ your team, sit down, chart up a plan and make it happen, trust me. I don’t know how your plan’s gonna go, but just get yourself a plan and stick to your plan and you know what I’m saying just watch yourself move up the ladder on your plan but you just gotta stick to it. That’s what it is”. I asked Tay what it is that he wanted people to know about him. He responded, “I want everybody to know that I’m a cool, cool, cool dude, you know, I’m out here on the grind man, I want everybody, just to give me a chance, you know what I’m saying just listen to me dog, I’m telling you man, you know, I won’t let you down” Tay is different, fresh, fun and creative which are key ingredients for a fantastic artist. Of course there are critics who say he’s off beat and was just handed this opportunity on a silver plate by T-pain. Although critics say what they will, the fact of the matter is Tay has toured the globe extensively along side T-pain not only dancing in his show but became a seasoned, crowd motivating hype man for T-pain before ever stepping into the forefront as a solo artist. Judging from the way his new record is climbing the chart ladder, he’s turned the old theory,” stay close to the wise man and you’ll learn something” into a reality.

GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

By E. Bernard Smith

Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittttttttttttt’s Shotime!!!!! Have you ever held a conversation with someone and just TRULY enjoyed it? Where you felt as if after the conversation was over, you actually learned something interesting? That’s the exact feeling I had after I spoke with Byron Perry better known as Shotime. I must admit that speaking with the 19 year old RAP (Rhythm and Poetry) artist from Philly was mind blowing. I have spoken to and/or interviewed many of artists and no one has impressed me more thus far. To be such a young man Shotime speaks with wisdom well beyond his years, during the interview I found myself frequently reaffirming his age. The words he spoke were so poetic it was as if I were listening to a song. Shotime naturally speaks with punch lines as if he were on stage performing. On the track “Take ‘Em Back” he showcases his talent with lyrics like “Everybody says the game done changed, It ain’t changed it’s just the players no longer the same, but don’t fear the draft pick has came, Saying hip hop is back and I’m continuing to reign” off his Lights, Cameras, Action promo CD. He spits with a mid 90’s East Coast type of flow the likes of Prodigy (Mobb Deep) or AZ. Shotime has amazing skills on the microphone and shows them off on my favorite track “Slow Grind”. Coming into the game at an era where lyrics are not a major focus of many new hip hop artists, Shotime proves that there is still some hope for hip hop. Shotime is the first artist signed to SP Entertainment Music Group (see “We Got Next.”) He is the little brother of SP Entertainment Music Group CEO Scott Perry. Be it they grew up in the same household, Scott discovered his younger brother’s talent from the people in the neighborhood. Shotime would beat down his big brother’s door saying “I can rap, I’m an artist” but was constantly brushed off. It wasn’t until the elder Perry sibling watched a DVD aptly titled UFC: Underground Freestyle Champion. The DVD was a compilation of street freestyle battles (think 8 Mile minus Eminem), it was the first time Scott had ever

saw his brother rap. “People on the streets would tell me ‘your brother got flow’ and I was like yeah right” admits Scott. Once he saw the DVD and saw the rawness and passion of Shotime, Scott knew he truly had a gift. As the “modern day Simmons brothers” (Russell and Run), the pair look to take hip hop back to RAP. Shotime, as talented as he is, only rates himself an 8.5 on a scale of 1 – 10, stating “there’s always that 1.5% for improvement, that way I’m always looking to improve.” If you ask Shotime who he is, he will tell you “I’m the youngest underrated rapper. I was like 10 years old when I wrote my first rhyme but I didn’t

get serious until 13.” Shotime doesn’t define or label his style, “I like to give everybody what they like. Not just conscious or gangster, it’s all of that combined. I’m just an artist, I’m that slash between rap and hip hop like on a record store label (rap/ hip hop).” When asked about the current state of hip hop, Shotime responds “Hip hop is still here, RAP is what’s missing right now. Rap is a simple word but hip hop is a completely different level, its more complex. They say hip hop is dead, like a battery in a remote but if you shake it around it’ll come back on. It’s not dead but idle, it’s a lot of bull out there right now. There are smart, talented rappers that are just saying bull over a hot beat just to get a check.” Shotime say’s he would love to have a lyrical chop session with Lupe (Fiasco) and Andre 3000. His top three favorite rappers are Jay-Z, Lupe and Ludacris. If you were to ride around Philly with Shotime, you will probably here Jay-Z’s Blueprint volume 1. Shotime states that T.I. is the hottest artist out right now but be on the lookout for Shotime. Shotime is not the typical modern day rap scenario. He is currently in college, has no children and ladies you will have to share him with his current wife - hip hop. He has just put the finishing touches on his promo CD Lights, Cameras, Action and his debut album Cash Cow is set for a nationwide distribution date of February 10, 2009. You can check out Shotime at spentertainmentmusicgroup.com myspace.com/spentertainmentmusicgroup myspace.com/spentertainmentpromo GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

So who is B. West you ask? Robert Westcott. He got the name B. West all the way back in high school. His teachers called him Bob and his friends and classmates called him West so he combined the two and came up with B. West. At only twenty years old, B. West has his mind set for future success. He is already making fast tracks there; he has done the “Ride Ya” video for H. Pain and as also done the “do my own thing video” which is his song featuring H. Pain. Words and Interview by T-Angel Photography D2D

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“MY MOTIVATION IS KEEPING MYSELF OUT OF TROUBLE.” There is more to the twenty year old business man though, he is also a funeral director at his parents’ funeral home. West has been working at the funeral home since the very young age of five and is on his way to obtaining his degree in mortuary. He has the support of his parents and also his twenty-five year old sister Marie Oakman. B. West has had a lot of positive remarks about his sister, Marie; “she has shown me the most support and motivation and has always made me feel like I can accomplish anything and I love her for that”. With all the support and love from his family, and determination and business minded savvy that he has, West is destined to make it big. West grew up in Hunting Park and has his eyes set on moving out of the hood when he is financially set. However, he makes it clear that he will never forget where he comes from. Generation Next Magazine asked West what he enjoys doing outside of music and there are a few things that are quite interesting and also quite extraordinary. West is interested in getting into stocks and also has fun in his spare time by gocarting and sleeping. Everyday since he was in North East Catholic High School, West has told himself to “do what he dreams to do” and the right person will eventually see his work. He has busy days and nights being a multi-talented engineer and producer/rapper, as well as funeral director but never quits, no matter how much he may feel like it. He says that “the sky is the limit, never let a cloud get in your way, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to and the only person that can stop you is you”. Outside of the regular careers he maintains, West also has his own label called B. West Music, where he does gospel, rap, hip-hop, hardcore rap, R&B, and will soon be expanding into rock & roll. West also belongs to a group called Heavy Artillery which is artists and music on one scope and a car club on the other. West what exactly do you do? I rap, produce, direct and shoot music videos, ghostwrite, record and engineer. Wow, that’s a lot for just one person, how do you manage to fit it all in your schedule? Ummm, I just do what I do, a lot of people can do some of the things I do, so I have to stand out and be different. Is there anything that you don’t have your hands into yet? Yes, movies…I want to do movies.”

B., At only 20 years old you are doing a lot of things by yourself that some people can only dream of, how does that make you feel? “It’s a great feeling, I just met with EST a few weeks ago and he told me that “the way I am going and with everything I do, I will be a millionaire by the time I’m 30 years old”. Now when you say EST, you are talking about EST from three times dope, and also writer for Beyonce? Exactly. Wow, that’s great to hear, let me ask you how did you get into music so heavy? I started rapping in the 8th grade after writing poetry and then from there I learned engineering for equipment and programming. Now speaking of poetry, I understand that you have some published works; how can one read them? They are actually on poetry.com, so if anyone wants to check them out go to poetry.com and tell me what you think. What is your motivation? My motivation is keeping myself out of trouble. Now to my understanding, you have done over 300 songs in combination, who are some of the artists you have sampled? “I have sampled, Pharrell, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, and Curtis Mayfield”. Wow, you seem really focused for someone at the tender age of 20, where do you see yourself in 5 years from now? “In 5 years from now, I see myself with a platinum plaque, uptown NJ home with a fleet of dream cars, and also known as a businessman who plays no games and has in hand in everything.” Who are some of the artists that you want to work with?“I want to work with Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Pharrell; i look to them as inspiration, Jay-Z has a business mind like me, Kanye and Pharrell are different and like to stand out.” For more information on B. West or to find out how to feature on his mixtapes or other works go to his MySpace page at www.myspace.com/bwestbeatz GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

DJ Dutty Laundry

Interview by 36 Karat

Photography Film At 2300

So tell everyone why they call you Dutty Laundry…Do you have some Dutty Laundry to air? Er’body call me Dirty Laundry. It’s not Dirty (Laughs) you know what I’m sayin’? Now you’re thinking its something illegal too right? Go ahead and say it (Laughs) you think I’m laundering money or something. (Laughs) Er’body always be thinking all kinds of crazy stuff why they call me that. I’m doing this, I’m doing that. (Laughs) The dude that taught me how to DJ; his name was Chinese Laundry. Yeah, and when I moved to the south, cause I was in Trinidad before I moved up to the south, come from New York, I said okay I’m gonna start DJayin’; I’m gonna call myself something but I gonna give respect to the guy who taught me how to do this. So I kept the Laundry but I couldn’t call myself Chinese Laundry cause I aint’ Chinese. So I’m in the south so I say okay, let me try something different aint’ nobody thought about instead of saying dirty, like D-I-RT-Y(Laughs) I said Dutty. See what I’m sayin’ it’s a play on words, and that’s how I came up with that name. Tell everyone how you got into the DJ scene… I have been doing this since I was 12. I used to live in Trinidad and I grew up on dance hall, reggae and calypso music and when I moved to America well actually when I lived in NY, I was still doing dance hall and reggae. I moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee and they didn’t have a reggae and 52

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dance hall market, so I had no choice but to do hip hop and when I started to do it I was like I aint’ got no where else to go, because it was like Chattanooga aint’ that big. You know what I’m saying. It aint’ that big and it’s like if one club poppin’ that’s the only club poppin’. And the dude that DJ here that does the club, he been doing this for years, and years, and years and years and years and they just keep using him and they didn’t want to let nobody else get in and that’s how I started doing the mix tapes, cause I couldn’t get no work( Laughs) The mix tape game is crazy right now, with so many out there how does your work always remain at the top? `Cause a lot of these cats not in it for the right reasons #1, a lot of these cats fake #2, and a lot of these cats is not even real DJ’s #3. You know what I’m saying because everybody got the internet around… no, that don’t mean you’re a DJ. You know what I’m saying…Everybody got the internet, everybody can go on Myspace, or AOL, or Gmail and say that they’re the best. At the end of the day the proof is in the puddin’, ya know what I mean? All these cats talk about they do this, they do that. You know they be lying right? You know that right. You done broke me on that, they be lyin’, just lyin’! You go in the streets, and you know the guys that really relevant because you see them every single time, you know what I mean? When you go you see the same guys, so something

must be right. You know what I’m sayin’ the other guys that just pop up here and there them, shhhhh. Them fly by night guys don’t last to long in this here. Real talk… Right now you’re on tour with OJ Da Juice Man. Have you always been his DJ? Real talk about five years, and OJ finally got hot this year but it took like five years in the making. Jeezy gave you a shout on the remix of Fabo’s song “Geeked Up”. That song has become a club classic and two years after it’s release it’s still being played nightly in clubs across the U.S. Do you realize at the time of recording or remixing that certain songs will be a hit or have the potential to be a club classic? Oh yeah, a hit is a hit like, you know a hit is a hit, prime example “Vette Pass By” with Gucci and Juice that was a hit from the time they made that record. First I heard that, knew was a hit. “Quarter Brick”, “Kop A Chicken”, knew it was a hit ya know what I mean. Jeezy records, damn near every last one of them was a hit. You feel what I’m saying? A hit record is a hit record you can’t deny a hit. A lot of artists be like I don’t know how to make hit records, just gotta do it, real simple. You’re one of the top 10 DJ’s in the country what kind of mark are you hoping to leave on this country as a DJ? I wanna be one of the realest DJ’s standing that’s all I can say, it’s like real

talk, I wanna cat to be able to say yo, he wasn’t on no arrogant stuff, he wasn’t on no industry bullshit, I brought him my record and if he liked it he f*#^ed with it, ya know what I’m sayin’. I wanna go down as one of the cats that actually was trying to break records when everybody else was trying to get paid for breaking records. Everybody wants to get a dollar right now. Now I mean you charge for shit now, you know what I’m sayin’ but everything shouldn’t just be about a dollar sign. Ya’ know I mean…if it’s hot it’s hot. A lot of artist think all they gotta do is step to you and keep sending you music all the time and that’s what make it. Nah, sometime your presentation matters. Every single day I get new music, that don’t mean I’m listening to every single record, ya’ know I mean. Somethin’ must stand out for me to say let me check this record out, or somebody must have gave me the co-sign you feel what I’m sayin’. That’s like with you Karat, I know you have a lot of people trying to get into the magazine and stuff and they hit you up all day, ahey let me do this or I’ll send you stuff and they send you stuff and everybody send you a CD in a brown envelope. After a while you’re gonna be like wow, that’s a lot of brown envelopes I’m not even going to open those brown envelopes, ya’ know what I mean? But if one person sends a brown envelope and he took the time to graffiti on it or put a big picture of Generation Next Magazine on the cover, ya’ know what I mean, you’ll be like wow, that’s original I like that and you’ll open it. Music might be whack as hell, but you’ll open it won’t you? It’s all about how you present yourself too, a lot of these new artists now days they don’t really care about presentation no more. All they do is hit you on myspace; check my music out if you like it play it. Nah, buddy if I like it I won’t play it, you didn’t come at me the right way (Laughs) Ya’ know what I’m sayin’. You gotta think how many people’s on myspace (Laughs) Now if everybody sent you that everyday, and you’ve got a hundred people a day telling you hey, check my page out if you like it add my song. Dang, that’s a hundred new songs added every single day (Laughs) Who gets broke at that rate? You know what I mean, you can’t break a hundred new records everyday it take a while just to break one, much less a hundred!

keep changin’, keeps evolving. Every year it’s something different, whether it be Krunk, whether it be Snap, whether it be the Trap music, whether it be the Swag music, you know what I’m sayin’, every year something different comes up. In New York east coast, or L.A. west coast they still doing the same thing, think about it! Right now you go in the club and you get an hour of just Biggie, wo-o-o-w. I mean respect to Biggie and all, but you don’t really want an hour of Biggie every night at the club now do ya’? A hour of Jay, I mean after a while that gets ridiculous man, for real. Now in the South, you not gonna get no hour of T.I. or hour of Jeezy, they don’t do that shit. Right now Gucci’s so hot you might get an hour of Gucci (Laughs) He hot right now, you know what I’m sayin’. Yeah, he hot right now, but look check how funny it is…last year it was Lil’ Wayne, you would get an hour of Lil’ Wayne last year, the year before that it was Jeezy, you feel what I’m sayin’? Every year it changes, It gets different, new stuff, new artists coming up. In New York I can’t remember the last time I heard a new artist, see what I’m sayin’; no new artists, but that’s why I like the South music. Do you have any projects coming up that you want to tell us about? Of course I got the Juice man two mix tapes that’ll come out in about a month or two, then I got that So Icey Ice Attack 3 with Gucci, we’re gonna’ push that back `til he gets out, Yo Gotti , Young LA, Big Stacks

American Dream which is a real, real, big one that comes out in about a month. I just started the Dutty Laundry marketing and entertainment company/management, like I started managing artists too `cause the way I see it in the next two years there won’t be that many people buying CD’s and stuff like that, everything’s gonna’ be digital, you know what I mean. I’m trying to get a jump on the game and hopefully can catch a lot of these new artists trying to come up and capitalize on it, you know what I mean. I’m looking at life after the DJayin’ right now I’m at that point, you know what I mean. You can’t do anything forever, there’s nothing you can do in life forever. I’m gonna be on the tables for a while but I’m just saying, as far as just being a mix tape DJ alone that’s gonna change in the next couple of years. I just started the media marketing company, then I’m add the management side so I’m trying to broaden my horizons and put people in positions to do different things, you know what I mean. This Generation Next Magazine and we outta here - Tell `em something Dutty… I appreciate you for showing me love karat and staying on my ass. I like what ya’ll are doing out there, ya’ll show mad love in South Carolina, boy for real!

You’ve made your home in the South and most of the artists you work with are from the South. The South seems to be a good fit for you, so tell us what’s your favorite thing about music in the South? I used to live in NY for a while, so this is 2008 and New York’s DJ’s so caught up on old rap like Wu-Tang Clan, Biggie, Jay, Nas. Even if you listen to the style of rap they do now, it sounds like it did ten years ago. You see what I’m sayin’, Southern rap don’t sound like that. Stuff we heard ten years ago, Master P, old Cash Money shit, ya’ know what I’m sayin’, ah 8 ball & MJG, this stuff do not sound like anything that’s out right now! The South’s music GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

DOUBLE

As if one football star in the family isn’t enough, this one has two. From Florence, S.C. meet Justin and Darian Durant. Justin attended Hampton University. He earned MEAC Player of the Year three times and finished school ranked second in school history with 353 career tackles. Darian attended UNC and decorated the record books with far too many accomplishments to list. He is the only player in UNC history to throw for more than 6,500 yards. Since their days as record breaking collegiate athletes they have moved on to the big leagues. Justin Durant is now an OLB for the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars and Darian Durant is a QB for the CFL (Canadian Football League) Saskatchewan Roughriders. Justin and the Jaguars narrowly missed going to the Super Bowl in the `07 season, while Darian and the Riders in their `07 season clenched the CFL’s 95th Grey Cup Championship. I sat down with Justin as Words And Interview by 36 Karat his `08 NFL season begins, and with Darian as his `08 CFL season comes to an end. know the things that I needed to be on the field so I just took that as a valuable experience going out there with the best team in the league, at the time they were undefeated, and you know I’m out there rookie from a small school, just out there on the same field with the league MVP and people breaking records in the NFL so I just took that as just a confidence booster for me, you know I’m just applying it this year as being confident in something that can also help you in your game you know if you’re not really confident in what you’re doing and you’re not sure of yourself and you don’t have your swag up a little bit you know it kinda brings you down a little bit so I just took that as a confidence booster and I’m just rolling with it.

Justin what’s it like to meet and play football with some of the same athletes that just a few years ago you were watching on TV? It’s something you have to get

used to. I was kind of star struck at first just because they were living my dream when I was watching them on TV, so now I’m living it right now you know what I mean for myself, so I was kinda star struck when I saw the people but I realized that out there on the field you can’t really think about who they are you just have to play the game or they’ll get rid of you. The league, it’s a tough business that’s why everybody can’t be in it, so you just have to tighten up and make sure you do everything right to go back to the stadium. In the 2007 season your team was 2 games away from the 54

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Super Bowl. Tell me about the disappointment of not making it there… Oh it’s tough. We went

in there with our hopes up high we felt like we had a good game plan and that we were going to be able to beat the Patriots, you know they were undefeated at the time, but you know we were confident in everything that we would do. We felt like we were playing the best football that we were playing all year you know we were rolling at the right time and it was just tough it’s just something that happens. What did you take away from that experience that you will apply to your `08 season? That was my

rookie year, you know they threw me basically out there in the fire when I was young so that showed that they trusted me and me being able to

This is your second season with the Jaguars. Was it easier for you to start the season and find your groove not being a Rookie? Yeah,

cause you know, basically you know the routine and everything and how things work, basically coming in as a rookie you know you really just don’t know what’s going on but now I have the ability to pace myself and think about what’s to come so I already know to have my routine set you know for the season when it comes up so it definitely helps to be going into my second season Is there a lot of sibling rivalry between you and your brother Darian who plays football as well? No, No definitely not. You

know we’re both just trying to be the best at what we do. It’s no type of rivalry or anything like that. So what do you like to do in

the off season? Just relax and get a chance to travel, you know go to different places. Who’s your favorite artist? Right

now of course I got Jeezy’s CD going right now, I haven’t been able to really take it out. Of course Lil Wayne is just killin everything right now; you gotta respect the man’s’ hustle and his grind and how hard he goes. Busta Rhymes is one of my favorites I like how he can just get on anything and go, love Outkast, and slow jams but I’m ah just chill `bout that. (Laughs) Tell me outside of football some of the projects you have going on; charity work, mentor programs and etc. that you’re involved in…

Right now I’m trying to get this scholarship established up at Hampton University you know I’m trying to get a football/academic thing going on up there, setting up a scholarship at my high school that I went to in Florence, SC which is a book scholarship to the college of their choice. Just around here we do a lot of community work, visit hospitals, go out to camps and have football camps around here and different things like that involving the community so it’s a lot of different stuff going on around here. Justin, can you give some advice to the athletes and artists that are on the come up? You get out

of it what you put into it. You know, nothing was given to me, I worked hard as I could to get where I’m at. I went to a small school; black college and I did everything that was within me to make it to where I am right now. You know I put in extra work Photographs by Getty Images

TROUBLE

all the time, studied extra film, did everything possible to put myself in the best possible position and if it doesn’t work out then you know you gotta have a backup plan. You gotta try to go to school and get your grades but you know school’s not for everybody either so you have to be able to be good at your trade; whatever you choose to do then make sure you’re the best at it. Before we go would like to say something to your fans? Yeah, I

appreciate everybody for supporting me through everything I been through; the support is very much appreciated.

this game with your eyes closed?

(Laughs) Not quite. Not quite. I think there’s still a lot to learn but you know I’m grasping it well, it’s coming along for me and I’ve had a little success. Hopefully the success will grow and I can become a superstar up there.

The teams nick named the Riders, so what’s it like living in Rider Nation during the season?

You were injured this season; what happened? Man I took a shot

difference. At the end of the day it’s football. The field’s a little bigger; wider and longer. There’s an extra guy on the field, he’s a defensive back. At the end of the day it’s still football, but there are a couple of little things that make a difference.

Will you be okay and back on the field before the end of your season in November? Oh yeah,

Oh man, it was exciting! Probably the closest thing you’ll ever get to the Super Bowl in my opinion. You know it’s basically the Super Bowl up here in Canada. Its Canada’s game and it was just an exciting moment for me. Hopefully we can get another one this year. What’s it like just a few years ago watching athletes on TV and now you’re the athlete on TV? (Laughs) Ah, I mean it’s

exciting and it’s definitely a blessing. There’s so many people at home who would give their right leg to be in the situation that I’m in, and it’s definitely a blessing, and I take it as a blessing and you know everyday I’m just thankful that I can get up and do something that I love as a career. This is your 3rd pro season with the team. Do you feel like now your seasoned and you can play

on different levels. We read to kids, we got out to recess with them, and participate in different activities like that with them during the season.

Who do you listen to when you’re not on the field? Mostly

Is there any advice you can give to those young athletes and artists coming up? Just don’t let

D Block you know the L.O.X., I’m a big L.O.X. fan so I would say them. I have to put a little Weezy in there,

anybody tell you that you can’t do something. I’m the prime example, I’ve been to the NFL and the CFL as

but I definitely a L.O.X. fan.

a 5’11” quarterback, so you definitely can make it if you just put your mind to it and also have good grades in school, make the grades because you know you want to get accepted into a good college and further your education. Education, first and foremost and don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do something.

(Laughs) It reminds you of College. You know it’s a small town and they love their football here it’s not like being in Toronto or Vancouver where there are millions and millions of people. You know it’s a football town and it’s very exciting playing in an atmosphere like this.

Is there a big difference between playing for the US in the NFL or for the CFL (Canadian Football League) in Canada? It’s not really a

In 2007 your team won the CFL Championship the 95th Grey Cup. Congratulations, tell me what that experience was like…

so long. Basically it’s six months long so, whenever I can get a break I like to take a couple months off and then I train the other three or four months to get ready for the season again.

in my ribs. I took a pretty hard shot and I cracked 3 of my ribs.

yeah we still have about a month left in the season so hopefully I can get back out there pretty soon. I’ve been practicing a lot lately and hopefully I can get back out there and have continued success. What’s your team prediction for this season? Man, I just predict that

we’ll win the Grey Cup. I don’t want to say a record or anything like that because you know teams have their ups and downs but when it comes time to get to the playoffs, I think we’ll come out on top. You’re trying to make more history aren’t you? (Laughs) Why

not? You gotta enjoy this game while you can. Let’s talk about your brother Justin, who plays football as well. Are you two always trying to out do each other with sibling rivalry? (Big Laugh) Nah I don’t

So you’re a little inked up. Do you have a favorite tattoo and what does it mean? Yeah a little

bit. (Laughs) Yeah I do, I have one on my arm that says against all odds and around that it has the sun and says I’m gonna shine up under it. Its about going through being a shorter quarterback trying to over come the obstacles of playing pro ball being a quarterback under 6 feet and you know it’s definitely a motivational thing for me.

think it’s like that. I think we wish the best for each other. You know we want each other to succeed.

Darian, tell me about some of the projects, charity work, mentor programs and events you have going on this season…

What do you like to do in the off season? Man, just relax the season is

Well what we do during the season is we go throughout the province of Saskatchewan and we go to school

Darian, before we go say something to all your fans and fans of the CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders… Just look out for

the Riders, you know we had a few injuries earlier in the season but we’re starting to get everyone healthy and everybody beware! We’re gonna be ready for any and every challenge. To my fans, I appreciate the support during the injury and hopefully I can get back on the field soon and be able to have continued success! GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

ROB.G IS by E.Bernard Smith

As the Houston bred artists prepares to release his much anticipated debut album The Inauguration, the “block representer” took time to speak with Next about inspiration and the current state of Hip Hop. At the tender age of 26, Robert Gallineras aka Rob G. already has his hands filled with the cards life has dealt him. The son of Uruguayan immigrants, Rob didn’t grow up having a lot of money, he watched his parents work hard and struggle to provide a home. Sadly at only 12 years of age tragedy struck when Rob lost his father to cancer. Rob’s mother instilled in her young son that if he wanted to do something or be somebody he couldn’t make excuses and had to get out there and work hard for it, because nothing would be handed to him. On January 17, 2008 while on the path to becoming the next Latin Legend, Rob’s entire world was rocked and forever changed when cancer struck once more. Rob’s wife and mother to his only son, Raquel passed away after a battle with the disease. Now as a single father and also raising his nephew Rob G. is back and hungrier than ever. Thanks for taking the time to sit down with us Rob, I know you got a lot going on today. No Problem. So Rob what are we doing here today, what you got going on? This is the Raquel G. celebrity softball game benefiting the Texas Children’s Hospital. We’re just trying to help raise money and awareness about cancer. That’s what’s up! So what made you want to do this today? Seven months ago my wife passed away from cancer, so this is in honor of her and to commemorate her life, you know? Yeah, my condolences of course. Appreciate that. This is a close topic for me because my dad died from cancer too, when I was twelve so this definitely hits home. So you’re doing this in honor of your wife, what would you like to say about Raquel? Man… she was an AMAZING woman, my biggest inspiration for life and what I’m trying to do. So Rob were you born here in H-Town (Houston, TX)? Yes Sir, S.W.A.T. (South West Alief Texas) in the building. Who would you say influenced you? I wouldn’t say anybody really influenced me as far as like rappers. My parents came here from a small country in South America with nothing and I used to watch them work hard and be on they grind to keep food in our mouths. They would always tell us that you have to work hard to get the things you want in life. So it was kind of like what B.I.G. said, “I was just sick of being broke?” Exactly. I feel that. So who did you listen to growing up? I listened to Scarface, Jay-Z, Nas, they were people trying to influence life. Nas is like one of the best story tellers ever. Long time ago when I was doing the rhyme thing in high school, I used to try and do that and it’s not easy at all, to tell a story.Actually that’s what I pride myself on, that’s like my prowess. Okay, that’s what it is. So “repping my block”, how’d you come up with that? Man, I was just sitting around and the words just came to me, that’s how it be. 56

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It’s definitely a hot track. Preciate that. The album is called The Inauguration when is it scheduled for release? October 21, 2008. Okay, that’s my cousin’s birthday so I can remember that. With all that drama and beef going on in hip hop, how does Rob G avoid all that? I just don’t get caught up in it. You can ask around the city nobody will have anything bad to say about Rob G. I mean there’s always going to be a few cats trying to throw shots around but if it don’t help, than why go at them it’s just a waste of time and energy. Who are some of the artists you would like to work with? Anybody who would like to work with me. I’m willing to work with anybody. Alright. So what do you say to a person who says “hip hop is dead?” I don’t think that hip hop is dead but it’s definitely going through a transition right now. It used to have more of a message before. I think some people are loosing the artistry and dropping jingles but with the advancement of technology and people being able to download and rip tracks it weeds out the artist from the non artist. Wayne didn’t have a problem selling any albums, Kanye didn’t have any problem selling albums, Fifty Cent didn’t have a problem you know. So I think the people know who the real MC’s are and want real lyrics, Rob G is bringing it back to that. Do you plan on jumping on the Raggaeton movement? Yeah it’s cool, I’ve worked with a few already but I do plan to do an all Spanish album in the future. What would you say to any young artist out there trying to do their thing, any advice? First and foremost do it for the love, don’t do it because you like the jewelry and the women or I promise you you’re not going to last. The last thing to come in this business is the money so be true to yourself, perfect your craft find out who you are as an artist and believe in your dream. That’s what’s up, who would you say is the Greatest of all time? Wow, greatest of all time, hmm… can I name a few? Man this is you, name who you like. Jay-Z, B.I.G., Scarface, Nas, Dr Dreoverall because he’s done a lot for hip hop and bringing us the NWAs, the Snoops, the Eminems, the Fifty Cents so I’ll have to say Dre just overall. What about Pac? Oh WOW!!! Hell yeah I’m tripping, most definitely I mean because he just took it to a whole nother level and was so real with it. He was just like fuck you this me, what? Alright Rob, before we rap this up I gotta ask the 1 million dollar question, you ready? Go ahead. Who’s the hottest out right now? Rob G. Already.

Words and Interview by T-Angel Photography D2D

Abdul Johnson, a.k.a. Chip, is the youngest of three brothers, all whose lives were taken by acts of violence. Chip decided to take a different path. He used his talents to break the chain. Chip’s path would be similar to his cousin’s, the late great jazz musician, George Howard; however, Chip’s music is rap. With an obvious story to tell, the South Philadelphian and three friends decided to wait outside a radio station for people in the entertainment industry to hear them. As crazy as it sounds, it worked! Bad Boy recording artists, G-Dep and Craig Mac, were leaving the station. This was around the time of the single by

G-Dep called “Special Delivery,” with the remix that featured Craig Mac. It was supposed to be the return of Mac as said by Diddy in the song, but it wasn’t. The halt in Craig’s career resulted in the world not yet getting the chance to be introduced to Chip. Chip is featured on rap DVD’s called “Philly Freestyle,” which also featured Philly artists such as Hedonis, Mike Knox and new black Wall Street artist, Cyssero. Chip’s performance on the rap DVD, “Battles,” stirred up a lot of controversy and beef. This led other rappers to feel as if they had to retaliate with diss songs against Chip. Chip’s face might also be familiar because it was featured in the Vibe Vixen magazine. Some of Chip’s music can be heard on Myspace.com/ chip220. Chip is currently working with up-andcoming producer, Mert, of Hidden Beats, Thorn and DJ Tyson. Chip is also being sought by a digital label called “Zoo Music”. He plans to start his own label in the immediate future called, “220.” “220” is an idea that he came up with that stands for second to none. Be on the look out for Chip in the very near future. What Made You Get Into Rapping? I Always Had An

I’m Better Than You Attitude, And I Would See Rappers And Feel Like I’m Better Than Them So I Started Rapping. How Long Have You Been Rapping? I Have

Been Rapping And Performing For 10 Years. Now What Exactly Does Chip Stand For?

Rapping First So Why Did You Stop? Yes I Started Battle Rapping First But Stopped Because There Is No Money In Battle Rap. You Have A Few Projects Out Right Now, Care To Elaborate On Them? Yes I Have Done

A DVD Out Now Called Philly Freestyle And It Features Cyssero, Mike Knox, And Hedonis Da Amazon. I Also Have A Digital Label Called Zoo Music Promoting Me So That My Music Can Be Downloaded Form iTunes Stores And More. What Is Your Motivation? Money Is The Main

Motivator And Family Is Next, I Had Three Brothers That Got Killed And I Am Determined To Make A Difference. You Are Also In The Philly Freestyle That’s Coming Out, How Did You Become Associated With That? I Was Working With Mert And Since

That’s His DVD, He Put Me On, I am Also Working With Mert On My Upcoming Album. You Have Two Albums Coming Out, Lets Talk About Those. Yes I Have My “Chip Off Da Old

Block”, And “Element Of Surprise” CD’s Dropping In May. Who Are Some Of The Artists And Producers That You Have Worked With? I Have Worked

With Mert Form Hidden Beatz, Thorn, DJ Tyson, Mike Knox And Hedonis Da Amazon Just To Name A Few”. Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years? Well In The Next Year I See Myself Married And In The Next Five Years I See Myself With Children And Running My Own Business. Now You Also Do More Than Music, What Else Do You Have Your Hands In? Well I Am Also In

The Business Of Renting Out Properties, As Well As I Just Got My Commercial Driving License So I Am Looking To Get Into Trucking As Well. Are You Doing Anything Now For The Youth?

I Have Done Some Speaking To The Youth To Let Them Know That They Can Do Anything As Long As They Stay Focused And Only Have Themselves Around Positive Influences.

Chip Stands For Considered Hottest In Philly.

What Is The Best Advice That You Can Give To The Youth? Stay Focused And Be Your Strongest

You Said You Started Battle

When You Are At Your Weakest And You Can Achieve Anything. GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

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18 1. Ace Hood &Guest, Club H20, Greenville SC 2. DJ Swamp Izzo & DJ Philly, Club Hush, Spartanburg SC 3. Lucky 7 Promo Team, Club Level , Columbia SC 4. JQ & R&B Singer LS, The Sandtrap, Greer SC 5. V.I.C. , Metro Car Show, Columbia SC 6. Spaz & Yung Berg, Club Rolex, Greenville SC 7. Big Kuntry King & Cutty Boi, Club Eclipse, Charlotte NC 8. Minnesota Viking Sidney Rice & Tymes Up Ent. CEO Key Man 9. Promoter “The Mayor” Big Moe, Club Level, Columbia, SC 10. Club Rain owner Marc and Rocsi from 106 & Park, Club Rain, Florence SC 11. Blood Raw & Gator, Club H20, Greenville SC 12. Mook Money & Snook Da Rokk Starr, SC Music Awards, Greenville Tech. College 13. Shawty Lo in VIP at Club Hush 14. Citty & Princess, Club Hush, Spartanburg SC 15. Karat- Generation Next Mag. & Superfriends DJ Shakim 16. Mylow “The Shoe King” Custom Kicks Artist 17. Pleasure P, Summer Jam Concert, Charlotte NC 18. Don Diva Promo Team

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19. P.I.M.P. and Carlos Cartel, SC Music Awards, Greenville SC 20. Lil Ru and Tony Gunz give Buck TV an interview, Fatz Café, Greenville SC 21.Promoters & Poets Jeff “Wyld America” Wildman & Moody Black, Hub City Art Gallery & Café 22. DJ JK 107.3 WJMZ, Club Rolex, Greenville SC 23. Adina Howard & Rock-A-Bye, Club Rolex, Greenville SC 24. Power 98’s Million Dolla DJ Tab D’Biasi at Club Hush 25. Let This One Marinate…DJ Tay & AMG at Summer Jam, Club Backstage, Charlotte NC 26.#1 Donk Ryder Black Boy with Promoters Red, Smokey, and friends at Club Level, Columbia SC 27.Konvict Muzik’s Gypsy Stokes, Allstars Lounge, Charlotte NC 28. Promoter Rocko with US Currency Entertainment 29. Superfriends DJ Bobby Black, Club Rain, Florence SC 30. WPEG’s Mr. Incognito & J-Pragmatic, Club Eclipse, Charlotte NC 31. SC Film Group Members on the set of Murder/Mystery movie “Close, but Closer” Downtown Greenville, SC 32. The set of Marc B’s “Fight Song” Video Shoot, Spartanburg SC 33. Dbo &12yr. old Lil’ 85, Summer Jam Try Outs, Charlotte NC 34. Absolute, Atl Director James Wade, Blaze Brown, & DNA on the set of Blaze Brown’s “Tree Man” video shoot, Spartanburg SC 35. DJ Fatt, Mr 85, & Yung Joc, Grand Hustle Studios, Atlanta GA GENERATIONNEXTMAG.COM

>> UNTIL NEXT TIME

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MARAPR 2008 | NEXTMAGAZINEONLINE.COM