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FEATURES
MAY/JUNE 2010
BLAC ELVIS PAGE 8
BIG FRUIT PAGE 9
RETRO SOUTH MUSIC GROUP PAGE 10
SOT4LIFE RECORDS PAGE 11
MO WILLIAMS CLEVELAND CAVALIERS ... 14-B
NPM THE ALL - MISSISSIPPI ISSUE
+ BLACK LION ENT. PAGE 6-B
The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views and opinion of Colom Media Group LLC, The New Power Magazine, nor anyofour advertisers. Colom Media Group, LLC does not claim any responsibility for stories, photographs, interviews, audio, video, nor any other advertising or promotional material sent to us that has been misrepresented; nor any other unsolicited material. The New Power, the diamond fist, and all related logos are trademarks of Colom Media Group, LLC. This publication may not be reproduced in whole nor in part without the written permission of the publisher. Copyright Š 2010, Colom Media Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Editorial, advertising, subscriptions, and reviews: P.O. Box 8465 Columbus, MS 39705.
PUBLISHER / EDITOR Anthony Colom anthony@newpowermagazine.com
MUSIC EDITOR Todd Young todd@newpowermagazine.com
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Yvonne Wilson yvonne@newpowermagazine.com ART DIRECTOR Selena Lopez
COVER GRAPHICS Joe Dent THE NEW POWER RADIO DJ K. MILLION and DJ Breakem Off CONTRIBUTORS Jessica J. Jackson
CALL: 662.251.0075
CONTENTS THE ALL-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE
FEATURES CHRIS THUNDA...........4-B NATION.........................5-B NOO NOO.....................11-B IAMJOEDENT..............12-B BABI BOI.......................13-B
SECTIONS PUBLISHER’S POINT Dumb - Ass Mississippians ............ 12
IN THE STREETS Q&A Pants On The Ground......... What Do Women Think ? ............. 13
HEALTH & FITNESS Too Little Sleep Can Make You Gain Weight ............................... 8-B
STATE NEWS A Mississippi Injustice: The Story Of The Scott Sisters ... 9-B
SPORTS Mo Williams and Notable Mississippi Players In The 2010 NFL Draft ..14-B
READ THE NEW POWER ONLINE
THE NEW POWER CHICK:
SKY BLU
Dancer/Model/Actress/Singer - Jackson, Mississippi ...............10-B
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PRODUCER CLARKSDALE, MS
BLAC ELVIS Words: Anthony Colom / Photo: Solar Digital Music
Man.... from the jump, you know I’ve gotta ask you about the name. Elvis really is your name...... Right ?
M Yeah. I’m named after my father. My grandmother would name her kids after famous people. She kinda ran out of names. I have an uncle named Milton (after Little Milton). I have an aunt named Linda (after Linda Carter). I have an aunt named Marilyn. You know, Elvis was big back then. What part of the state of Mississippi are you from ? I’m was born in Clarksdale. I stayed in Lawton, Oklahoma with an uncle who was in the army, and I graduated from high school while I was there. I’ve got a lot of family still in Clarksdale. I try to get back to the Mississippi at least twice a year.. Last year we started the Elvis L. Williams, Sr. Foundation. We started a turkey drive last year in the delta. We’ll be doing that every year. Your body of songwriting and production work is huge; and a lot of people from our state don’t even know it. Talk about how you got your start.
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I bought my first MPC back in 2000 while I was living in Memphis. I went up there to try and make something happen. I started doing beats for local artists. Then I started messing with Koopsta Nicca (formerly of Three Six Mafia). Then after that I started messing with The Bar-Kays. I did the majority of their album called The Real Thing. Memphis was just kinda too slow. So I moved to Atlanta at the end of 2003. Then I met Polow Da Don. I started working with him. Over a 3-year span, we did a lot of records. The song Glamorous, by Fergie, is what kinda jumped me off. Do you still collaborate with Polow, or are you on your own now ? I basically do everything on my own, now. You’ve got your own label now. Right ? Yeah. Me and Harold Lilly started a label called Solar Digital. We’ve got two artists right now. Jason Childs and Day Day. Harold and I have had some pretty big records lately. We did “Ego” for Beyonce. “I Need A You,” for Letoya Luckett. “Lil’ Freak” for Usher, Mario, and others. We’ve been working together
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for about 3 years now. We’re basically just working on our artists right now. We got Day Day out here in Atlanta recording right now. Is there any particular sound you’re going for in production ? Naw. You know..... I grew up in the C.O.G.I.C. (Church Of God In Christ) church. I like live instruments. I use a lot of live instruments in my production. In all of my records, I’ve always used live horns and keys, and live drums sometimes. I’ve been playing piano and keyboards for about 17 years. I also play drums and a little guitar. That stuffs like second nature to me. Do you have any advice for young producers trying to get their music to the right people ? I work 18 to 20 hours a day. You’ve really got to be dedicated. You’ve got to be out here in these streets. Honestly, it’s really all about who you know. You have to sacrifice. I had to leave there. I moved on faith. I’m actually working to try and bring avenues back to Mississippi. myspace.com/blacelvismusic
(662) 251-0075
PRODUCER ABERDEEN, MS Don’t ever let anyone tell you that Mississippi isn’t contributing to todays popular music; not just in front of the microphone, but also behind the scenes with world-class prod u c t i o n . Aberdeen,Missis sippi’s Big Fruit, is one of those contributors; producing and co-writing hits like Cadillac Don and J-Money’s “Inside Peanut Butter (Outside Jelly)”, and B o b b y Va l e n t i n o ’ s “Beep Beep.”
them since September ‘08. I have a production deal thru them; that doesn’t include my Family Ties artists.
D What have you got going on Fruit ? Well you know I’ve Big Fruit Productions. It’s a part of Akon’s Konvict Music. I’m doing a lot of work with them. I’ve also got my label - Family T i e s Entertainment. I’ve got Tha Joker out of Jackson, Mississippi, and Nation out of Starkville. I’m basically working on the production end, while trying to push my own artists. When did you hook up with Konvict Music ? I’ve been with
Talk about some of the artists you’ve worked with, and songs you’ve written and/or produced. Of course “Beep Beep” for Bobby V. I was just in the studio working on some new stuff with him. I’ve done some stuff that hasn’t come out yet with Akon and Gucci Mane. I work with a lot of new acts like Travis Porter and Roscoe Dash. Man.... there are a lot of folks. I’m just trying to get it in with anybody I can.
What can we look forward to from your own label in the future? We’ve been doing mix tapes lately; featuring both Joker and Nation. We released one late last year, and earlier this year. In January we dropped Casino 2010, featuring Nation. We’ve got one in June that’s gonna be Nation’s break out mix tape. You’ve come a
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BIG FRUIT myspace.com/bigfruitbeatz Words: Anthony Colom / Photo: Family Ties Entertainment long way since you had your studio in downtown Columbus, Mississippi, and doing the “Peanut Butter Jelly” song there. Explain to the young producers what it’s going to take for them to get where you are now. It’s gonna take a lot of sleepless nights. When
I had the studio in Columbus, I would work all night at Client-Logic, then come back to the studio and stay there all day until it was time to go back to my real job. If you wanna be a producer, you gotta study and learn everything you can about music, production, and the equipment. The thing
that’s probably helped me the most is my songwriting. It’ll take you further. People are more likely to buy beats if they’ve already got a hook on it. Having your own artists who are doing your music helps too. It’s a way for people to hear the music you’ve done.
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COVER STORY COLUMBUS, MS WESTPOINT, MS
RETRO SOUTH MUSIC GROUP Gettyberg Columbus, MS
J.C. Columbus, MS
Krucial West Point, MS
myspace.com/gettybergmusic
myspace.com/jcmusic662
myspace.com/itsyourboykrucial
The business is fairly new to me. I’ve been in this since 2009. What made you want to get into the music business ? I did a bid. I got locked up. That’s when I started writing. When I got out, I knew my other option was out of the question; wasn’t no way I was gonna back track. I kept hollerin’ at Orlando (CEO of Retro South Music Group), asking him for a little guidance, or whatever. Eventually I went out on my own. I dropped a mixtape called Starve or Hustle.. I was tryin to get a little buzz to let people know that I’m here. I did it with a cat named Don D. I pretty much did that in the closet. I dropped my single, “She Like Me,” with Retro South. Why did it take you so long to decide that this was something that you wanted to do? It’s just a gift that I discovered while I was locked up. Why were you locked up? I had a couple drug charges. What have you learned so far? That’s it’s about dealing with people. It’s just like what I use to do. If you don’t give people what they want, you’re not gonna make it. You gotta stay out there among the people. Describe your music. You know, the ladies seem to like what I do. I do it for them.
Man, I’ve been doing this since early 2000. I’m better known as “Mr. 4:30.” So you started that term that use to be really popular around the GTA? Yeah ! Wasn’t nobody sayin’ It’s 4:30 before me. I had the song “4:30.” That’s quittin’ time. It’s all over. That was a big hit in North Mississippi back then. What was your first album? It was called Too Dangerous. That was 2003. I worked with Chaos, Big Bull, and Mr. Trill on that one. That was on Swamp Mafia Records. In 2008 I dropped He’s Back Volume 1. In 2009 I dropped Still Too Dangerous.. What are you doing right now ? I’m working on a new mixtape. It’s untitled right now. I got a hot song called “White Cup.” It features Krucial and Gettyberg. The first time I dropped “White Cup,” in 2009, it featured Doughbelly Stray. I got another song called “Like This,” featuring Young Genius and Krucial. You went away for 5 years on drug charges. A lot of things changed on the independent scene. What was the biggest adjustment you had to make when you got out ? It was hard. When I went in selling cds for $10 a pop, and I was the hottest out. The sounds changed, too; But I’m good.
I’ve been at this seriously since 2008. That’s when I hit everyone with my first mixtape, Recently Discovered. I’ve been trying to go strong at it since then. Do you have any new material? Yeah, I got a track called “I’m Hot.” I just got off of a college tour last year that lasted from September ‘09 to November ‘09. J.C. and Gettyberg were on that tour with me. What was the tour called ? In The Game Tour. Ali Shabazz from Bama Hip Hop was behind that. I’m working on a new mixtape called Put That Back On Replay. It’s being hosted by DJ Breakem Off. We’re not done with it yet, but it features Gettyberg, J.C., and Young Genius right now. Mississippi considers me a commercial artist. I don’t curse in any of my lyrics. I’m coming at you straight lyrical. Do you make a conscious effort not to cuss in your songs, or is it something that you just have no desire to do? It’s just something that I do. You never slipped ? Not once ? (Laughing) Well......maybe once in the booth. That’s it. (Laughing) Ahhh! Ok. I’m just messing with you. That’s cool. That’s a hard thing for a lot of rap artists to do these days. Yeah ! Just once. That’s it.
THE GTA
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COVER STORY WESTPOINT, MS STARKVILLE, MS
S.O.T. 4 LIFE RECORDS Bennie Point West Point, MS
Chaos Da Bosman Starkville, MS
myspace.com/thapolokid
www.sot4liferecords.com
I been doing this since I was 11 years old. Me and my guys got together and we recorded stereo to stereo. That lead to me going to Atlanta and dealing with the cat that did “What You Really want from Em” for DMX. That didn’t work out, so I went to Chicago to work with MaKelly Jamison, a ghost writer for Bad Boy, who’s from West Point. I came back here and did a little time. I’m out on parole now. That’s why I’m not back in Chicago. Now I’m hooked up with SOT4Life. Do you have anything out right now ? Yeah, I got that Polo Kid mixtape out right now. 17 songs. I’m bout to start working on that Polo Kid Album. My first mixtape was called Penitentiary Memories. I did 3 years and 2 weeks in the Pen. I got out in August and dropped the CD in September. I spent my time tryin to figure out what was going on in the world so I wouldn’t fall behind the times. I listened to the radio all day, and to the new music that was coming in, so that I could stay at the level of the cats that was out there in the world doing it.
I’m CEO of SOT4Life Records. I’m also an artist, and a producer when they need me. I got a hit single right now called “Juicy Body.” We released our compilation last month. We been gettin’ spins in Alexandria, Louisiana; Meridian, MS; and 92.1 in Starkville, Mississippi, and 92.5 in Tupelo, just started putting us on at 5:00 this week. Yall understand how this independent label thing works, being that you did a lot of production in the early 2000’s for West Point’s Lo Kee Records. Yall did some huge things back then. You produced the Deentown Villains hit single, “Bend Yo Back Bitch” .... right ? Yeah ! Every hit Lo Kee had, I produced it. We did that in 1999. We had BDS in 3 states with that track. We kept the number 1 spot on Birmingham’s 95.7 for like 4 weeks straight. We had Universal looking at us back then. Then the CEO, DB, was killed, and things kinda slowed a little after that. I went to the pen in 2005. I spent some time on the gulfcoast with them Gator Pit Boys. I tried to bring the northern and southern parts of the state together. We workin’ with NodFactor in Dallas.They produced Scarface and Bun B.
Lust Starkville, MS What are your names? We’re Ikita (the singer) and Deshawn (the rapper). Describe your music. We sing and write about things that women can relate to. I guess men can relate, too. Do you write your own lyrics? Ikita: Oh yes. All of em. Deshawn: We have a single called “Long Gone” that we’re pushing right now. Who are your musical influences ? Ikita: Oh, Mary J., of course. Do you ladies have any children ? If so, what can you share with other women and young ladies about your difficulties in trying to go after your dreams? Ikita: It’s not that difficult trying to balance the two. It slows you down as far as having to live a different lifstyle, but this motivates us. We want so much more for our children. That’s why we’re doing this. You gotta have faith in God. Having a child means you just have to push yourself a little more. Deshawn: I plan on going back to school to be an RN so that I’ll have something to fall back on. Ikita: For me, this is all I’ve ever wanted to do. I’m not even thinking about doing anything else. I want this so bad. And I’m not gonna stop until I get it.
LOCKDOWN
THE ALL-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE
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PUBLISHER’S POINT Dumb-Ass Mississippians By Anthony Colom I won't beat around the bush with what I'm about to say. All of us, myself included, have not done all that we need to be doing to help take Mississippi's music to a much higher level. Artists are pissed at DJs for not playing their music. DJs want money and are promising spins that the artist/label never gets. DJs say it's not their job to break an artist; the artist has to get hot first. We've heard all the complaints and accusations for years.
I
If anyone is offended by what I'm saying, I honestly don't care. Our artists run their asses to Atlanta and Houston hoping for a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow that only exists for a hand full of people. They usually get on because they made some noise before getting there, or because they knew someone there. How many people do you know that's run back and forth to these cities who've actually gotten what they want? Our DJs and radio stations will play any bullshit artist who shows up in our state saying he/she/they're from Atlanta, Houston, New Orleans, Memphis, or Miami. These cities support their own and we help em. Dumb-ass Mississippians. Yes we are. It's 2010 and we're still following everyone else. Mississippi is only first when it's something that's negative, and we don't seem to care. Mississippi's scene has been following the master and being told what to do for so long that our people think it's ok. They don't give a DAMN about us, and deep down you know it. When I say they, I mean all of em: the labels, the magazines, radio, the DJs, the other artists, etc... Keep fooling yourselves if you want; you'll keep wasting money and time trying to get em to love you. We're always looking for riches in other places when we have it right here at home. We have such a slave mentality that the people who actually become successful don't even like mentioning they're from Mississippi, or will move away and 12
seldom come back. Go on line and read about Black Wallstreet if you don't already know the story. About an area of town in an Oklahoma city in the early 1900's that was considered to be the wealthiest black community in the country; with black doctors, bankers, lawyers, and entrepreneurs. They were self-sufficient. There were more privately-owned airplanes in their community than in the rest of the state combined. They had their own banks, grocery stores, and hospital. Why can't we support our DJs, artists, label, producers, publicists, photographers, studios, night clubs, newspapers, magazines, promoters, graphics companies, models, etc... ? And we wonder why we're last when we want to be first. If it's Mississippi, it ain't shit. That’s what we really think. But Wocka Flocka Flame can get spins off a shitty-recorded song that
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sound sounds like it was recorded on a 1985 Tascam analog 4track (with the cassette deck on it). Our artists get told that their production is weak. Others can come here - do shows - and take our money back to Atlanta and Houston. Dumb-Ass Mississippians ! Damn, I'm a hot-ass artist with a hit song. Where can I go and get paid real quick ? I hear Mississippi’s still got a bunch of old "House Slaves." They hate their own people; so that's more money for me, cause I know they ain't spending it on their own people. Dumb-Ass Mississippians ! It’s time for us to get up off our asses and stop following everyone else. Our state has produced some of the brightest most-educated minds. Some of the most talented athletes, and most successful entertainers and musicians. Let’s come together and see how many new names we can add to the long list of successful Mississippians who’ve come before us.
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IN THE STREETS Q&A
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Pants On The Ground..... What Do Women Think ? Words: Jessica J. Jackson
Since my teenage years, like many of you, I’ve been unfortunate enough to be subjected to the ridiculous “bustin a sag” phenomena that seems to have possessed our black men, and young black men. For the life of me, I can’t figure out what would make a man, or young man, want to let his pants hang down below his butt cheeks so that the world can see his funky underwear. I think we’ve all heard the stories of how this started. Whether it’s true or not, I don’t really know; but it kind of makes sense. They say it comes from prison inmates not being given belts out of fear that they will hang themselves or other inmates; or that they’ll try to use it as some sort of weapon. What I hadn’t heard until recently is it’s also a way for homosexual men in prison to let the other inmates know that they are available for sex. I guess that would explain the pants hanging below the butt cheeks: ‘Hey guys... look at my booty!’ Ewwww. Now I don’t know if this is true, either. It’s no secret that most young black men in the United States are hip-hop fans. They want the money, women, cars, homes, and lifestyles that they see in the videos of their favorite artists. So quite naturally, they’re going to copy the look also. A lot of hip-hop artists are fascinated with living the thug lifestyle. Some have actually really lived it. So they’ve adopted the prison look, and our youth have taken it from them. I’m curious as to how many young black men know where this really comes from ? If the stories are true. Would they still wear their pants saggin’ if they knew that it meant they were offering their booty to other men ? Hummm ?
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Do our black men care what we women think about it ? Because they let their pants hang low for us.... Right ? I was so curious that we presented this question to various African-American women of different ages to see how women really feel about it. “A couple of years ago I thought it was how cool guys wore their clothes, but as I matured I realized that there was nothing cool about it. After paying close attention I noticed those guys spend more time pulling their pants up than walking. At that point I understood exactly why the older generation felt the way they did,” says 26year-old Branna. Roderecka, 23, said, “Soo not attractive; but don’t get me wrong, I don’t like skinny jeans either. Its not cool walking around holdin’ your pants and walking wide legged because you bought your pants 4 sizes too big ; thats crazy! Upgrade your swag.” “I think that it’s very disrespectful and stupid to show your underwear to people thinking that they really want to see it,” says Kristen, 13. “I don’t care to see anyone’s underwear out in public; especially an unattractive guy who’s out of shape, or some little skinny guy with his shirt off. If these guys mothers walked around with their pants hangin’ down and their panties all bunched up on their back, would they like that? Would they think that shit is gangsta?, I guarantee they’d be embarrassed. Grow your asses up!” says Sharon, 28. Now I know that these four females and myself don’t constitute a majority, but I would bet that we’re speaking what most black women feel about the subject.
Again, I ask : These guys are doing this for us.... Right ? So if we’re telling you we don’t like it., and it’s unattractive, disrespectful, and nasty looking, why are you still doing it, and for whom are you doing it ? The only conclusion I can come up with is.... you’re doing it for other men. You like for men to look at your butt. To see your booty. To see your underwear. Remember, women are saying they don’t like it. So how do other guys feel about your pants on the ground ? I’m sure there are plenty of guys who don’t wanna see that. And I’m sure there are those who do (for whatever reason). I once witnessed a white manager of a store tell a young black man who asked for an application, that they weren’t hiring at the time. After the young black guy left, the manager turned to me, without hesitation, and said, “We are hiring, but I would never hire someone who was stupid enough to ask for an application for a job with his pants hanging down and underwear showing. I’m 33, and I have a 12-year-old son. I’m telling you..... I would whoop my son’s ass if I ever saw him disrespecting himself, me, his father, his grandparents, and most of all, God, by acting as if he were not taught how to live like a man. Not a wild animal, but a huMAN. Parents, these are our young men. It all starts with us. Make them get their damn pants off the ground.
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SPORTS
MO WILLIAMS CLEVELAND CAVALIERS Birth name: Maurice Williams Birthday: December 19, 1982 Hometown: Jackson, MS High school: Jackson Murrah College: Alabama Began NBA Career: 2003 Draft Selection: 47th Position: Point Guard Height: 6’ 1” Weight: 190 lbs. Drafted by: Utah Jazz. 2004 signed as a free agent with the Milwaukee Bucks Traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2008. All Star Games: 1x
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Website: www.mowilliams.org
NOTABLE MISSISSIPPI Players IN THE 2010 NFL DRAFT All related logos are property of the National Football League
Jamar Chaney
Anthony Dixon
Fort Pierce, FL College: Miss. State Selected: 7th Round 220th Overall Eagles
Jackson, MS College: Miss. State Selected: 6th Round 173rd Overall 49ers
Greg Hardy
Kendrick Lewis
Millington, TN College: Ole Miss Selected: 6th Round 175th Overall Panthers
New Orleans, LA College: Ole Miss Selected: 5th Round 136th Overall Chiefs
The ALL-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE
John Jerry Batesville, MS College: Ole Miss Selected: 3rd Round 73rd Overall Dolphins
Dexter McCluster Largo, FL College: Ole Miss Selected: 2nd Round 36th overall Chiefs
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Interviewed by Todd Young
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(662) 251-0075
INDIE VET HATTIESBURG, MS
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What’s up man ? You’re not only an artist, but you and your mother are very active in the community in Hattiesburg. Tell me about your organization HMF. HMF is a non-profit organization. We go out and help people in the community. We sponsor events like the one you’re at tonight to help promote higher education. Sometimes we’ll raise money and give it to the kid with the highest grade point average at each grade level. We have a slogan that says, “It pays to get good grades.” We started this in the Palmer’s Crossing community. We actually have a museum there. We’re trying to enrich that area. How long has this organization been in existence? It’s been around for like 5 years. We’ve been doing It Pays To Get Good
THE ALL-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE
Grades for 3 years. My mom is the president of HMF. We have board members also. How much support do you receive from the community and the Hattiesburg city offi cials ? I guess it all depends on what events that we do. We have relaxation seminars. My mom does grief seminars. I’m over the hip hop, and things that pertain to the youth. It just all depends. For the most part, everything we do is well received. Mrs Hall: We tried to start slow with this. The museum is a place where people can go and see our heroes from the civil rights movement and what Palmer’s Crossing use to look like. We try to reach out to the community for any kind of support that we can give; from counceling, to lending them things that
they may need, to helping with resumes for jobs. Music is how I know you. Talk about your U2DK Produkshunz. I’m CEO of U2DK. It’s an artist development company. We try to develop artists, and make sure that they have their look and their sound right. We have our own inhouse producers: Kataz and Eclipse. We have artists like myself and D’tre, and Pretty Boi. We’ve got the Heat 4 Tha Streetz mixtape hosted DJ Aziatikk Blakk. We’re releasing Pretty Boi’s project : Hub City Classic. We’ve also got Tha Movement. It’s available as well. That was the big compilation project that we did. We’re trying to create a scene, instead of begging other people. The whole concept behind U2DK is to be an independent force.
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DANCER/ACTRESS JACKSON, MS
Sky has known since her introduction to dance as an art that she wanted to pursue it further. She has explored dance through various styles. She started out in the APAC (Academic and Performing Arts Complex), and was then promoted to the Modern Dance Collective Company of Jackson, which led her to receive a full tuition dance scholarship to the American Dance Festival of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. She then ventured into solo dance efforts in churches, local festivals and concerts. One of her most enrich ing experiences was receiving a dance scholarship to attend Ballet Magnificat School of Arts. Sky later studied under David Keary of Ballet Mississippi in which she trained to begin working with various schools and programs throughout the Jackson, MS area. She also performed hip-hop and jazz dance with the Bridget Archer Performing Arts Group.
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Sky is an instructor for Xtreme Dance School of Performing Arts, Inc. A nonprofit organization which is designed to mentor, motivate and educate youth (3yrs. to 18yrs. old) to become positive and successful individuals by helping to make their dreams a reality. Some of the places she has performed includes: The Bronner Brothers Hair Show, Music Awards, Casinos, Festivals, Churches, Schools and many concerts throughout the United States. Sky recently appeared in an episode of Tyler Perry’s “Meet The Browns” which is to air this summer 2010. skyblu101@gmail.com
SKY BLU
NEW ARTIST JACKSON, MS
NOO NOO Interview: Anthony Colom Photo: Play Wit It Entertainment
Hello Noo Noo.
performing. I’ve been rapping since I was 7. It’s something that I really enjoy.
Are your friends from school checking out your music and videos on the internet?
Your father is Benz from The Queens Boys and One Life One Love Records. Has he inspired you to wanna rap ?
Yeah, it’s getting to the point where I don’t like to talk about it at school cause I don’t like a lot of people coming up to me.
H Hey ! How are you doing?
I’m great. I’ve been hearing a lot about you lately. How old are you?
Well.... I’m 9 years old and in the fourth grade. I’m headed to St. Louis right now to perform. My album is coming out soon. It’s called Lil’ Rich Girl. It’s gonna be available in Be-Bop Records (in Mississippi), and online. I’m also about to have my album release party. Everything is going good. What is it that makes, you, a 9-year-old little girl, want to be hip-hop artist? I like making songs, and I like making my fans happy. Your video on youtube is really nice, and I see that you have a dance called “Da Noo Noo.” Is dance music what you like doing ?
(Laughing) Oh.... OK. Yeah my daddy helps me write all of my songs. I tried to write something myself, but he mainly helps me. Do you find it difficult to go to school and be on the road performing, in the studio recording, and shooting videos ? No sir. It’s not that bad. I still get straight A’s. I always know that school comes first. So I still have to study and stuff.
Is there anything that you would like to say to all of your young fans, and future fans ? Yes. I just wanna tell everyone to please stay in school, study, and always, always let school come first. All right ? And that’s really it. myspace.com/noonoo2009
Whose music do you like listening to? I like Monica, Keyshia Cole, and of course my dad.
Yeah ! I like to dance. I like
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HEALTH & FITNESS
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Too Little Sleep Can Make You Gain Weight
Recent studies have linked inadequate amounts of sleep to weight gain, obesity, and an increased risk of developing diabetes.
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According to Dr. Simeon Margolis, a 2005 report involving about 25,000 men and women enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) found higher body mass indexes (BMIs) and more obesity in those subjects who averaged less than 7 hours sleep a night. And a 2007 analysis of NHANES data found a nearly 50-percent increase in the risk of diabetes among those participants averaging less than 5 hours of sleep daily. About 1 in 10 of the men and women surveyed slept less than 6 hours a day, while a comparable number slept for more than nine hours a day. Studies found that sleeping for 9 hours or more did not lead to weight gain or to a greater incidence of obesity. Dr. Simeon goes on to state that, The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), revealed that obesity was greater in those people who slept either less than or more than 7 or 8 hours a day. Obesity rates were 33 percent among those who slept less than 6 hours a night; 26 percent in those getting 9 hours; and 22 percent in those getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep.
Eat this many small meals per day. Find a small bowl the size of your two palms when they are placed next to each other - this should be the size of each meal. Eating throughout the day keeps you from becoming hungry and overeating at your next meal. Source: Dr. Maoshing Ni, health.yahoo.com
According to registered dieticians, chewing gum and gum balls are low in calories, and are a great source for fighting fat. Is the number of minutes one should begin exercising (walking, jogging, swimming, or bicycling) each day to fight chronic fatique, according to Robin Parks, MS (Master of Science). This is recommended for those who do not exercise regularly.
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WANNA GET IN THE MOOD ? EAT THIS Italian researchers have found that women who eat dark chocolate have a higher sex drive than those who don’t. Just make sure the chocolate contains at least 60% cacao.
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STATE NEWS
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A Mississippi Injustice freethescottsisters.blogspot.com Jamie and Gladys Scott are blood sisters and have been wrongfully convicted of armed robbery. The sisters received double life terms each. No one was murdered or injured during this robbery. One witness testified that the robbery netted about $11. On the other hand, a victim said that around $200 bucks was in his wallet. Witnesses and the two alleged victims testified that the sisters had absolutely nothing to do with this robbery. Witnesses also testified that the sheriff coerced and threatened them to lie on the Scott Sisters. The sisters have been in prison since October of 1994. The father of the Scott Sisters moved his family from Chicago, Illinois to Mississippi for a better life. He had no idea of the tragedy that awaited the family in rural Mississippi. On a cold December morning the Scott Sisters left their modest home to purchase heating fuel as Jamie had run out of fuel and had a very young baby in the home. As a result, they experienced car trouble which lead to being framed for armed robbery. The transcripts state that one witness ( a teenager) testified that the sheriff told him he would be sent to Parchman (the notorious Mississippi Prison), to be made out of a woman (raped by men) if he did not lie on the Scott Sisters. There exists, several affidavits which state that The Scott Sisters had nothing to do with this crime. The witnesses received very short
THE ALL-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE
s e n tences in this crime while Jamie a n d Gladys have completed almost 1 5 years o f double l i f e s e n tences each.
Scott County Mississippi was a dry county, meaning no alcohol could be sold in the county. A relative of the Scott Sisters turned state’s evidence on Sheriff Glenn Warren which placed the sheriff behind bars. The Sheriff had been accepting payoffs to allow business owners to sell alcohol. Deputy Sheriff Marvin Williams briefly worked under Sheriff Warren and is the deputy responsible for fabricating this robbery. Deputy Williams is said to have promised the father that he would “get” him, even if through his daughters. This robbery with double life terms is allegedly the method Deputy Marvin Williams used to “get” Mr. Rasco. Judge Marcus Gordon Presided over this trial. Judge Gordon is the judge who presided over Edgar Ray “Preacher” Killen’s trial. Edgar Ray “Preacher” Killen is a Ku Klux Klansman who assisted in the murders of three civil rights activists, Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner in 1964. Killen was found guilty of three counts of manslaughter on June 21, 2005, which was the fortyfirst anniversary of the crime. Killen’s punishment was 3 times 20 years in prison or 20 years for each murder – which was reduced by Judge Gordon to manslaughter. The father of The Scott Sisters passed away of a heart attack, knowing that he could not help his daughters out of the great injustice. Their mother left Mississippi out of fear of additional injustices.
Jamie Scoot says, “I have asked that this is posted on the different web sites that have been created for my sister and me. I do understand there are many people out there that don’t understand a lot about prison and what someone goes through in a situation such as this. Please don’t get me wrong; IF you commit a crime, then you should be punished. In the state of Mississippi, the crime chart is just crazy. I have met so many women here that their husbands were beating the living mess out of them and these ladies have legal action against their husbands, but as soon as she tries to stop him from killing her and she takes his life, she comes to prison. But keep in mind; they still do not receive two life sentences. Men are here for brutal raping of children and women, but yet they don’t have double life.” She goes on to say, “For all that don’t know, slavery in Mississippi has changed names. It is still very much active and alive in Mississippi. Its new name is called the LAW! So, if there is anyone out there that thinks this cannot happen to their child or family, think about Gladys and Jamie Scott. We were not criminals nor were we drug addicts. I worked everyday. I have a right to be bitter, angry, mad as hell at the United States of America, but I choose not to because I know a higher power and Gladys and I WILL walk the streets again.” The Scott sisters and their family are asking that everyone contact Mississippi Govenor, Haley Barbour, your state senators and representatives, local and national radio and t.v., and The Oprah Winfrey show, to help bring attention to their situation. Jamie Scott #19197 CMCF/C-Bldg. P.O. Box 88850 Pearl, MS 39288-8550 Gladys Scott #19142 CMCF/B-Bldg. P.O. Box 88850 Pearl, MS 39288-8550
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COVER STORY GREENVILLE, MS
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BLACK LION
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ENTERTAINMENT ARTHUR HOLT
Interviewed by: Todd Young Photo: Black Lion Ent. Arthur.... Man I gotta say you’re a man of your word. You said you wanted the front cover and you didn’t waste anytime going after it. Man, that’s how I operate. That’s how we do over here in the delta. What have you got going on ?
Well... I’m from Greenville, Mississippi, and I own Black Lion Entertainment We jumping off the porch with this shit. You know what I’m saying ? We use to dibble and dabble with this, but now we serious with what we doing: video shoots, albums, and everything. How involved are you with the creative side of what goes on ? I’m the CEO. I’m the captain of the ship. I just do whatever needs to be done to get this thing going. How many artists are you working with ? I’ve got a couple right now. I’m just so focused on building up the name of this label so that when people hear Black Lion Entertainment they’ll know that it’s another hot track being released. I don’t wanna be one of the cats who says we got this coming, and that coming, and nothing is ever released. So right now, we gotta keep letting everyone know about this label. We’re finishing up some mixtapes right now. Phunk Dawg is actually producing an album for one of my artists right now. We got an album called Me, Myself M.Y. I have an artist called M.Y. The Mississippi Delta is always portrayed as being poor and lacking in a lot. The past couple of years, I’ve seen a movement going on over there like I haven’t seen since The Golden Triangle Area (Columbus, Starkville, and West Point) was killing it in the
THE ALL-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE
early 2000’s. Yall seem to really be working together over there. Or at least trying. Yeah ! We got so many talented people over this way, man. Everything is in order in the Delta. Shout out to Hot Jock DJ Drop. We got money, and getting money over here. We got a little scene going on here. The promoters all gettin inline. The club promoters gettin inline. The rest is gettin they boys up. You know what I’m sayin ? It’s already startin’ to bubble now. You mentioned DJ Drop. What kind of relationship do you have with the local DJs in your area ? We get much love. In my opinion, most independent artists and labels make a big mistake when they try to act like major labels, and when they feel they can just release music all year round. Do you feel that there is any particular time that’s better than others for you to release a single or mixtape ? To me, all the time is the right time. People want music all the time. A lot of independent artists and label feel like the summer is the best time to release music. How do you feel ? If people fuck wit cha, then they gone fuck wit cha. When can our readers expect to be able to purchase music from you ? We should have something ready from our artist, Mississippi Queen, by the end of the summer. M.Y. is in Dallas working on his album right now. I buy tracks. So whoever’s got something hot can hit me up. My number is (662) 820-7243. I ain’t one of those cats who’s gonna try to get a track from a producer, and talk about
how we gone blow him up by using the track, just to keep from paying him for it. But on the flipside, anything is negotiable; as long as everyone is happy at the end of the day.... It’s all good. If anyone wants to come to a club in the delta, you can holla at me about that, too. What do you think about the concept of this All-Mississippi issue of our magazine? Man..... when yall first said All Mississippi ? What ? And the Delta ? Man, come on ! I had to get it done. I had to get that cover; not just for me, but for the Delta. And as you see, I took care of it 2 days after I found out about it. I would have done it right there on the spot. (Laughing) I got to send a shout out to Greenville. We made it on the cover. We here where we need to be. You know what I’m sayin’ ? Our people have got to start getting with people who are making moves, and stop listening to these people who keep lying to us. Damn it ! I’m really making moves. I’m doing shows. I’m on the front cover of The New Power Magazine. I’m really out here trying to do this. Yeah, you took care the cover pretty quick. That’s probably the quickest ever for us; and we appreciate the support. Not just from you, but from the Delta. The area has been showing us a lot of love the past 7 years. Man we appreciate what yall do. You just don’t know. Ain’t nobody else out here holdin’ it down for us. You know, giving our people the chance to hear from us. If I got anything to do with it, we gone get behind yall, and stay behind yall. I mean that bruh !
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INDIE CEO GREENVILLE, MS
CHRIS THUNDA
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Interview by Anthony Colom Photo: Thundastorm Entertainment
What’s happening Chris ? Tell us your story.
Well.... my name is Chris Thunda. I’d like to start by letting everyone know about my comapany: Thundastorm Entertain ment. I’m originally from Greenville, Mississippi. I’ve been in Houston, Texas since coming out here to attend college at Texas Southern University. The vast majority of the artists associated with my label are from the Mississippi Delta. I’m doing what I do because I’ve always loved music. I use to play trumpet in the band when I was in high school. What made you attend college in Texas? I had to leave Mississippi in order to get a degree in music business. You’re one of those people who left the state to do other things. You 24
could be trying to get things poppin’ for you over there in Houston, and not worry about what’s going on here. Why is it so important to you that you still represent Mississippi ? I’ve read your Dumb-Ass Mississippians article, and it’s true. Until I got on the internet and researched, I didn’t realize how many famous people there were from Mississippi, that you never hear say that they’re from our state. Musically, we’re one of the only states that can claim to have had a huge impact on the music industry from way back; with our blues and gospel. But we don’t have any representation. We don’t have any bignamed artists out here representing us. We can’t all run away and say we’re not from the state. I guess the independent artists and labels have to be the ones who step up and represent us. I’ve been in Texas for awhile, but I will
never, ever, claim Texas. OK. Talk about your label and what you’ve got going on. Well... like I said, most of my artists are from Mississippi. I have 2 artists that I linked up with while I’ve been here in Houston. We have 2 mixtapes out right now through digital downloads. We released our first mixtape last year. It’s called The Delta Mixtape. Our second mixtape is called The Rising. We’ve also got a single by Lil’ One called Better Man. We’ve been doing some shows in the delta. I use to do promotions for a company called Hotline while I was at Texas Southern. I learned a lot from Shana Henson. She use to work for Bad Boy as an intern. She put me up on a lot of stuff. So first, I’m really trying to market and promote what we’re doing, and trying to do.
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INDIE VET STARKVILLE, MS
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NATION Interview by Anthony Colom Photo: Family Ties Entertainment
O.K. Nation. Let Our readers know a little something about yourself. Well my name is Nation, and I’m from Starkville, Mississippi. I used to be in the military. I spent some time in Iraq; like 15 months. I came back and started investing in myself. I ran a little label for a while; then I signed a contract with Family Ties Entertainment, and moved out to Atlanta. What albums or singles have you released so far?
The first project I did was Made In The Streets, with some local cats around the GTA (Golden Triangle Area: Columbus, Starkville, and West Point). From there I went on to drop another project called Slumdog Millionaire. I released it under my label, Hood Life. From there I made the transition to FTE, where in October 2009, Tha Joker and I dropped a mixtape called
The Casino Family : Volume
THE ALL-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE
1. It was hosted by DJ Spinz. Then in January 2010, we dropped that
Casino Family :Twenty Ten.
that was hosted by DJ Rell. Shortly after that, we dropped a mixtape called Black Sunday with a couple of cats out of Atlanta called Cyco and Young Envy (who use to be signed to So So Def). Right now we’re working towards the release of my debut mixtape: The Belief. Did you go to Atlanta before or after signing with Family Ties? The plan was to leave Mississippi and move to Atlanta. I had been in talks with J.R., the CEO of Family Ties, for a few months. He kept telling me that he could do a lot more for me in Atlanta, versus my being in Mississippi. I felt that it was the best move for me. When I got here, everything that he told me would happen, happened. Is there any one thing that really bothered you
about being in Mississippi, that made you feel you had to leave? You know, our artists complain about Mississippi urban radio and club DJs showing more love to outsiders than to their own. Our DJs and radio just aren’t as business-oriented and well connected like the DJs in Atlanta. The people in Atlanta have been doing it for awhile, and they understand it a little better. Mississippi is not as business driven when it comes to pushing it’s artists. I felt like.... if I could use this place to network, it would do a whole lot more for my career. Those issues that are being complained about in Mississippi are the truth. I’ve been through a lot of em myself. With Big Fruit doing production for a lot of big acts out here, and having a production deal with Akon’s Konvict label, he has his foot in the door..... so to speak; but I won’t ever stop reppin’ Mississippi.
The New Power Magazine l
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HMF COMMUNITY OUTREACH MUSIC SHOWCASE HATTIESBURG, MS 05/07/10
MO G .
& SAM
MY CA
IN CELES
Rappers ippi , Mississ s o Gulfp rt /bluehousegee m o c myspace. aino@aol.com sammyc 43-5920 (228) 3
TA
Sin Hattiesb ger urg, M ladiesco rpio201 ississippi 0@ (310) 89 yahoo.com 5-4061
J. SIZZILL Rapper Hattiesburg, Mississippi myspace.com/jsizzill601 missfits136@gmail.com
T.N.T. Rapper Hattiesburg, Mississippi myspace.com/tharealtnt tnt_mjda@yahoo.com (601) 270-5324
POPPY D. Rapper Hattiesburg, Mississippi myspace.com/crgproductionz atwork_edward_chatman@hotmail.com
(601) 606-4282
DUB & STO Rappers Hattiesburg, Mississippi limakmusic@gmail.com / stogotyou@yahoo.com
(601) 297-2592 (601) 447-1811
CRG Rapper/Producer Hattiesburg, Mississippi myspace.com/crgproductionz craigmoney2006@yahoo.com (601) 434-1750