The Next level Magazine #6

14. . JAE MILLZ BACK TO THE FUTURE 18 AZ BACK TO BROOKLYN 20 CAPONE PAIN TIME AND GLORY 45-RIC GONZALEZ FROM THE HOOD TO HOLLY WOOD 48- REMY MARTIN THE FIRST LADY OF T.S 52 MARY J BLIGE THE OUEEN OF R&B 58- PAUL WALL THE PEOPLES CHAMP 62. YING YANG TWINS UNITED STATES OF ATLANTA 76 JOHN CENA WWE WORLD WRESTING CHAMP 78 ZION & LENNOX REGGAETON DUO 92- 2006 AUTOMOTIVE

24. MUSIC IN THE STREETS MUSIC REVIEWS

86 ASHLEY TRINIDAD’ ARTIST

30. CHAVITO THE LYRICAL BANDIT

88.MODELS FASHION

42. ROCKY TRINIDAD SOCA

96 PLAYER PLAYA VIDEO GAME REVIEWS

80 GIO JAPAN RADIO

100. LUV TO THE NEXT LEVEL

82. BRIG BRIGANTE TEAM DEUCE

We Still in the Game Welcome to The Next Level once again, we are sorry for the long delay in releasing this new 6th Issue. As you know we are an independently owned Publication, the struggles in creating such a high quality magazine like “ The Next level” isn’t an easy task to complete when your facing business obstacles along the way. But we have faith in our product and staff to continue being the voice of Entertainment and Fashion and we will not let our readers down !!!!

The real is still with us and the fake has perished. We are reinforcing our staff with individuals dedicated to keeping it real. We are determined to continue giving you excellent material.

We would like to thank our loyal fans for believing in us and continuously supporting when others thought we couldn’t keep a hold of such powerful tool that we have created. A lot of negativity has been brought upon us because we weren’t able to be consistent with releasing our magazine.

But we have restructured our whole format and with the New Year coming we have new ideas that will definitely keep you as our fans with what we have planned.

In this issue we bring to you the queen of R&B Mary J. Blige, who would of thought we would be able to bless our cover with such a magnificent woman. As you all know she is the first lady to grace the cover of “The Next Level magazine”. This is just a taste of what we have in store for the New Year.

Another one of our many ideas to come is that we have expanded our market and reached out to the Reggaeton sensations ZION & LENNOX, JOHN ERICK and the up-coming new phenomenon in Spanish hip hop CHAVITO and SPMG Entertainment.

OH and the ideas don’t stop there we are bringing to you Rick Gonzalez who is the new Latino face on the big screen with appearances in The War of the Worlds, Biker boys and Coach Carter.

We switched it up in every aspect of entertainment for y’all bringing you the WWE world champion John Cena You other magazines cant see us now can you?

Along with what we are infamous for in hip hop we give you the Grill Man Paul Wall, The Back to the future kid Jae MIllz, The Harlem veteran Jim Jones, Remy Martin and G - Units first lady Olivia. And also 50 cent has came back to talk about his debut film Get Rich Or Die Trying, We didn’t forget the Up and coming talent that we pay so much tribute to cause we are the true voice for the streets.

We appreciate the support as we strive to reach The Next Level and we can’t be stopped !!!!

The Next Level Crew

Publisher Ray Ramos and Mary J Blige

Founder & Publisher Ray Ramos

The Next Level Magazine is committed to covering the urban Entertainment, Fashion and Hip-Hop industries from a fresh and passionate perspective. Since its inception, Hip-Hop has been rooted in the wealth of creativity and perseverance that emerges from the urban community. With that same determination and drive to create a unique statement, The Next Level Magazine is committed to being a clear and vibrant voice for Entertainment, Fashion and Hip-Hop fans everywhere.

Vice president Luis Acevedo

When profiling established artists in Hip-Hop, The Next Level highlights the ideas and practices which have propelled them to prosper as artists and individuals.

Equally important, The Next Level is committed to covering independent/emerging artists and companies on the rise, documenting their unique journeys on the road to success - like no publications have done before.

Director of Photography Rudy Rimanich

The Next Level also provides readers with an insider’s view of the urban Entertainment, Fashion and Hip-Hop industries; where the lights are not so bright and the cameras are not aimed. From respected A&R’s to music video professionals, The Next Level also profiles industry players who work hard behind-the-scenes to keep Hip-Hop Culture blazing hot.

This credo has been the driving force of The Next Level

Assistant Vice President Miguel Acevedo Senior Writer Jessica koslow Managing Editor Elijah Murray

Photographer Micheal Blackwell Anthony Ramos Ixiana Hernandez Johnathan Mannion Mike Ruiz Brian Lemier Svetko Petrov Julia Schell Markus Klinko Indrani Graphics Coordinator Anthony Ramos Technology Editor Neil Beck Newsstand Consultant John Blassingame

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Contributing Writer Darcy.S Miguel Acevedo Zenobia G Melanie J. Cornish Storm Norm Kisha Mohammed Contributors Mike Bangles Brankie

Mark Superville

he rap game in 2003 changed with his debut, “Get Rich Or Die Tryin’,” which broke records as the highest-selling debut in history, with 900,000 units sold its first week. The CD went on to sell 12 million copies worldwide.

With his follow up, the quadruple Platinum, #1 CD, “The Massacre” 50 became the first artist to have four songs in the top ten of Billboard’s Hot 100 since the Beatles in 1964. From the streets of Queens to the corridors of Mike Tyson’s old home – now 50’s current crib – to the aisles of Hollywood, the name 50 Cent is unanimous with success.

This month, “Get Rich Or Die Tryin’” the movie, based loosely on 50’s own life, hits theaters along with the soundtrack, which is due in November as well. Powered by the vision of director Jim Sheridan and backed by producers Jimmy Iovine (head of Interscope, 50’s parent label), Paul Rosenberg (Eminem’s manager and Shady Records prez) and Chris Lighty (50’s co-manager), not just 50 stands to get rich this go-round. TNL sat with the G-Unit giant on the eve of his film’s release as he reveals the turning point in his life, if he treats women right and what’s #1 on his wish list.

The director and actors in this film have all commented on your professionalism.

I knew I was going into a film project for the first time coming from music. You don’t want to go there and be exactly what they anticipate.

Because of my position in music, they were anticipating I’d be a lot more high maintenance, as far as the things that would maintain me being comfortable. But I didn’t need a lot of things. I had a studio trailer outside of my actual trailer. And I created the soundtrack in between everything we did on set.

Did you have any fears or hesitation about doing this film?

Not much. I’ve done what I needed to do to prepare for it. I worked with an acting coach when I had the first screenplay. I got excited about the project and committed to it after I read the first one. That one had so much of me

in it. For me, it was exactly what I said to him [Terence Winter, the screenwriter].

That’s what made it exciting. Because I hadn’t made a film yet, I wasn’t aware that there would be two or three more drafts of the film before we shot it. I worked with an acting coach on that portion of the screenplay, and by the time we shot it, it was a whole other screenplay.

This movie is so close to your life. Was that hard to deal with, or are you used to it because you rap about your life so much?

It’s different when you’re actually acting it out. They say when you play in a film that’s loosely based on yourself, they don’t even think you’re acting anymore. They think you’re just being yourself. I think it’s difficult at some points. Sure you have your self and your own feelings to make reference to in each one of the scenes because it’s based on you. But it’s difficult to get out of those emotions. Once you get there… because the scenes are shot out of sequence, if you get somewhere… like I had to actually cry in a scene with Joy in the Poconos. Then the next scene was me in a car just acting crazy. The contrast between the two was a big transition.

How much of the film is true story?

It’s about 75% factual but it’s still a collage. At some points it’s jumbled up.

What message are you trying to send with this movie?

It’s an opportunity for me to draw my base closer to me. The more they know about my past, the more they’ll be able to predict and understand some of the moves I make in the future. For me, the title I came up with for the film that wasn’t used was ‘A Hustler’s Ambition,’ and it turned out to be the theme of the first song I released to set the mood of the overall film.

There’s a line in the movie when your mother says, ‘treat the women right.’ Do you think you have?

Absolutely, under the circumstances and the situations I’ve been in.

I know for a fact that stability is attractive. After a man is successful and publicly noted he then becomes as attractive as a beautiful woman.

There’s a fight scene in the movie when you and four others are naked in the prison showers.

We were supposed to be shot above the waist, but our shorts got wet and got darker than our skin complexions. I went into the film saying, I would do anything away from what people perceive me as 50 cent.

You seem very comfortable making the switch from music to acting.

To give you an example of who I am, my grandparents, what you see in the film is kind of true, when I got to the point that I had friction with my uncles and I moved into the basement. I had the opportunity to be out later than usual and for them not to notice that I wasn’t there because there are so many kids upstairs. There are 8 people in the family. I always, when I started hustling initially, I could only hustle from 3-6 when my grandparents thought I was in my after school program. I’m still a 12-year-old kid. I don’t never carry myself in a way that I become intimidating to people. I’ve been showing them my teeth more than I’m showing me frowning, even while saying aggressive things. I’ve had to be aggressive in the neighborhood and it shows in the film, but at home I’m my grandmother’s baby. I’ve had to be able to have both of those characteristics.

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the next level magazine issue.6

ow long did your debut Back To The Future take to record?

It took me about six months to do the album. I was on Warner Brothers with the “No, No, No” single and it really didn’t work out. The transition was crazy from having a deal and being in rotation with the song and video to going back to square one. I had to get the anticipation back where it needed to be. And through all that, I’m still working. I’m an artist who most of all, I like to pertain to the streets.

It’s not like I’m a street artist but that’s where my fans come from. From mixtapes, DVDs and battling. No matter what you do through your record sales and singles you still gotta keep that fan base. Cause those are the people who are going to hold you down, as well as adapt to your new fan base, which is all the other regions, the South, Midwest, West. After a while, I felt like I was just recording songs just to record songs. So I went back into the studio. I didn’t want to use any old material for this album. I work so much. I got songs that I did last week that I feel confident about.

So I just went into the studio and blanked out and talked about things going on like losing a deal, things in the hood, partying, seeing new things since I got into the game. I just tried to go everywhere with it. I got emotions, punch lines, radio records, mixtape stuff.

How did you pick the producers you worked with?

We never just get a big list and write all the artists or producers we want to work with. We work off of relationships. I was in Miami working with DJ Khaled for his mixtape. We go to the radio station. He played “Who” on the radio. We go back to his house. He was on the phone with Dre from Cool &

Dre. He said I want you to give him a single. He said I’m not leaving Miami without it. We went to his crib. He played the beat for “Live From Jerusalem.” I still haven’t been to the hotel. I did the record that same night. Cool & Dre did the beat for “I Like That” for Puffy, but he wasn’t answering his phone when they tried to call him. They ended up in Khaled’s studio, played three beats. Real hot. They played “I Like That” but said it’s already sold. I said let me hear it. They played it.

I said I need that. They must have seen how hyped I was. They kept trying to call Puff. No answer. Mr. Combs, I definitely appreciate what you did by not answering your phone. And Ron Browz is from Harlem.

When I was on Warner Brothers and before, Browz would come by the house and hit me with CDs. He has his Money Ave situation. He chill uptown. I chill uptown. Harlem is about 50 blocks and 13 avenues.

That’s not a big place. Everybody knows everybody. He hit me with beats. No money, no nothing. As soon as I heard “Who,” I knew it. I go to the studio. I spit the song for all my niggas I work with. Everybody said you have to do that. It was 2AM. We were ready to leave. I turned the computers back on and did the song at 3AM. My album is all over the place. Swizz Beatz did “Streets Melting.” Omen did a nice portion of the album. I got T.I., Slim Thug, Denim from Roc-A-Fella.

It’s an album for everybody. I’m trying to go left but not too far. It’s an introduction. I didn’t run out and get Jada, Fat Joe and Cam and go out of my budget for a Timbaland track. I want to do something I’m comfortable with. That my fans and the world are comfortable with. I’d rather do it my way and it not work.

What happened to your Warner deal?

I got signed to Warner brothers on the strength of the “No, No, No”

record. DJ Enuff was playing it in New York for like a week straight.

From that, somebody from Warner Brothers flew us out to Cali. We did the deal. My album was done already. The name of the album was Back To The Future. People was telling me, why you signing? This was after Making The Band and the S.M.A.C.K. DVDs. Warner Brothers offered me out the hood money. I’d still be paying them back. But I’m not in this for the money. I’m still in the hood.

I’m not trying to make a bunch of money. I’m in it to make my claim, for my name to be up there at the end of the day. A lot of niggas in the hood are making good money. But nobody gives a fuck about them. That shit don’t matter. When you walk away, what are you leaving there? I’m trying to leave something.

Straight hip-hop. You can’t deny my style, the way I talk, the way I rap. This is me. I ain’t trying to be nobody. I ain’t trying to be the toughest nigga. I ain’t trying to be no gangsta. I sit in the house, smoke, write rhymes and play Madden. This is my job.

I’m very serious about it.

How’d you end up at Universal?

The Warner deal didn’t work out. I left with my

masters. If you don’t know what leaving with your masters means, you don’t need to be in this rap game. Kedar Massenburg, before he left Universal he looked out for us. Before I had a deal with Warner Brothers, I had a deal with Motown. When I was in high school, like 16 years old I had a deal. Having a deal don’t mean nothing. You could have a deal and still be on the shelf. Kedar signed me to Motown when I was 16. When the shit didn’t pop off with Warner he thought we deserved another shot.

Before he left Universal, he signed us. Now we got Sylvia Rhone, Tone from Trackmasters, Eric Nicks. And my team, Wanna Blow. We all still work. It’s a team effort. When I came to Universal, it was a real good look.

They are real serious about my project. This is the first time I feel like an artist signed to the label. My song is added on the radio station now. They know I’m not a person with one song. Sylvia Rhone said I don’t want you to be an artist with one single. We want to brand you. She’s been around for a decade. That let me know that they’re looking at longevity. It’s this or nothing. I’m not a drug dealer. I’m not a basketball player or stick up kid.

How’d you get your name?

My name is Jarvis Mills. When you rapping, trying to come up with a

name, you try to be slick. I went through plenty names. At the end of the day, I ended up with myself. That fits me.

I do what I want to do, wear what I want to wear, say what I want to say. I do what I do. It represents me.

I’m me.

Your reputation is pretty strong as a battle rapper.

Have you always felt that you’re good at battling?

I’m not gonna lie. I always felt like that. I’m not saying I felt like I was better than everybody, but I always felt I could do that. I went to school for art, the High School of Art & Design in Lower Manhattan for cartoon, fashion and architecture.

Around 10th grade, things took a shift. I got into the mixtapes. After a while, I just wanted to be a part of it.

I would say around ‘94, ‘95, ‘96, I was listening to Jay-Z, Nas, Big, Pac, Snoop, OutKast, Fat Joe, AZ, Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang. Mainly from New York. My cycle was crazy.

I was still listening to Rakim, Kane, Marley Marl, Slick Rick, EPMD. How could you say I’m not hip-hop?

I didn’t grow up listening to bullshit. I grew up listening to real shit, Gangstarr. DJ Premier is one of best producers in music, period. I’m a young dude but I’m a hip-hop dude. I grew up studying hip-hop and wanting to be a part of it. I still got that same attitude. I don’t think I’m the best, but I think I can do what you do and because now I’m part of the game, I think I can also do what the best niggas did. I know how to engineer my own session. I know how to produce. But I’m a rapper. I’m an artist. That’s my first priority. I want people to look at Harlem and fuck with us the same way you would fuck with a nigga hood from Miami or Atlanta. A lot of niggas from the city get too caught up on being on their own shit. If you look back, the niggas hustling in Queens stayed together. Now you got a nigga on 144th not like a nigga on 145th and they both getting money. I want to bring it back to where everyone fuck with niggas. Fuck with our style. A lot of niggas are coming up. The old era is over. It’s a new generation. I want to bring Harlem back. Brand Jae Millz. Put Wanna Blow in the game where we need to be. I want to catch people’s ears with this album. After that, I’m going to go somewhere and learn how to play guts.

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NL: Tell us about your label and your deal with KOCH AZ: My label is Quiet Money because “silence is golden” & “real bad boys move in Silence”. By being on major labels so long EMI, Motown, I just felt it was time for me to start my own thing and Koch opened the door. It seems like everyone came over to Koch, you now have Dipset, the new No Limit, Death Row, D-Block and the venue is open. So many years as artist we have been trained to think that major labels is the way to go. But at the end of the day you leave with no money! Its nothing like owning your own masters and making $8 off an album. That’s the real beauty of this music thing. Do you want fame or fortune? But if you’re a good artist you can have both like myself.

TNL: Is there any truth to the rumor that’s flying about u putting out a solo project with nas?

Az: That was on the table at one time we was going to do that u know I love nas to deaf that my Conrad but I think there would be no magic in the music we came to the fork in the road we on different journeys we got different life he got ill will going on I don’t know if that would ever happen I would love for that to happen but right iam focus on quiet money and this awol album TNL: Tell me about the new album AWOL? AZ: I had four albums out before this one this being my 4th album is crazy. “Mentally I’m Gone” rhymes are at its best. If you’re a hardcore AZ fan this is what you’ve been waiting for, It’s lyrically inclined.

TNL: Who did you have working with you on the album?

AZ: I have some great producers the Heatmakerz, Premier, Buckwild and a few new producers. On the collaboration tip I have Raekwon, Ghostface, Bounty Killer And right Iam wrapping up this last record Iam trying to get Slick Rick on that.

TNL: What makes A.Z? AZ: The experiences I’ve seen growing up in East New York, Brooklyn and from those experiences I speak and rhyme from.

I got at least 5 more albums in me I love colorful word I just love life itself.

TNL: Who did u listen to growing up?

AZ: I listen to Luther, the oldie but goodies, the patty the disco music then from that the sugar hill gang.

TNL: What Hip-Hop artist do you listen to?

AZ: I listen to Common, Fat Joe, TI and Game TNL: what the biggest challenge u face this far AZ: My son having a child because u have to make that child better then u but every lesson is a blessing and experience is the best teacher so u really can teach but u can shoe him the way but they have to make there on decision.

TNL: Do you have any advise for other artist?

AZ: I would just say master your craft and believe in your self TNL: what can people look for in the future from AZ? AZ: My label Quiet Money bringing new artist to the table As on that big screen in a film with Lisa Raye, Ray J and Chico Debarge.

TNL: Anything we didn’t touch on that u might want to say?

Az: I think u pretty much answered everything just my albums will be out everyone go pick that up

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hough Capone, of Capone-NNoreaga was physically freed from prison five years ago, his solo debut is just now seeing the light of day. Powered by a list of all-star collaborators, Akon, Devin the Dude, Scarface, Raekwon, C-Murder, Butch Cassidy and Peedi Crackk and production from the Heatmakerz, Twinz, Screwface and DJ Absolut, Capone claims his CD debut, Pain, Time & Glory, like the new GT out now, is well-worth the wait. Here, he reports about his own company, how hip-hop started in Queensbridge and his plans in two years, when his two felony charges are wiped clean.

This is your first album in five years. What’s been going on in your life?

Everything that’s been going on in my life since I came home in ’99… Me and NORE been doing our thing, throughout the bumps and bruises of being on Penalty/Tommy Boy, then on Penalty then going to Tommy Boy and Tommy Boy being the dicks they was, didn’t know how to work a group like us and they just wanted to take on the responsibility, not knowing what they were getting into and fucked our career up. It’s a lot of shit. But as far as everything else that led up to now is irrelevant because right now Pain, Time and Glory comes out July 12, and the bump and the bruises along the way was really publicized: the Kim shit, the Hot 97. Everything has been publicized. That’s when you know you kind of big from me getting caught with weed and all the real shit that went on. Five years ago I wasn’t thinking like I’m thinking now. I’ve grown as a man and as an artist. Right now I’m trying to make it possible for me, and everyone involved in what I’m trying to do, to eat.

What made you decide to release a solo album?

I’ve been recording solo songs ever since 2000. I started recording solo songs because NORE and me were doing us and so I had bought equipment for the crib. I just started working. From 2000 to now, I’ve been recording. In 2002, I had an album deal with Tommy Boy. When we deaded Tommy Boy, we went through Def Jam. Def Jam picked the deal up. So I’ve been supposed to drop a solo album. It’s just that all the situations fell through. It was always something that wasn’t right for me to drop solo album. I wasn’t concentrating too hard on a solo album anyway. I was good with the CNN movement, but there comes a time when you say, Fuck it, let me just see how they’ll grasp me as a solo artist. So I started solely concentrating on myself, and that’s basically what I’m doing now.

What are your first two releases?

“It’s Been A Long Time” and “Soldier’s Story.” That’s the two records I’m running with. Them two records are my life. “It’s Been A Long Time,” the title speaks for itself. I’ve been gone for a while and I came back with a great record.

I’m telling them I’m here now. It’s a good wait. It’s like they waited for the new Benz and now they happy. I’m like that new GT that’s out now. Motherfuckers waited for a good Coup Benz they could afford and I’m it right now. “Soldier’s Story,” that’s my pop shit record. For anyone who don’t know my name, nigga, now you know. I think it’s a lot of energy in both records. I just came to have fun with it this time. I’ve been thuggin’ a lot. With the army fatigues and all that. That’s easy for me now.

I’m trying to make different records now. I can make “Bang Bang”s all day. When you listen to this album and the direction I took it, you can see the artist side of Capone. Instead of just the thug side that everyone hears about.

How did you pick the artists that you collaborated with on this album?

I just picked all my homeboys. I could have got anybody. I figured let me pick my homeboys, Scarface, Peedi Crack, Devin the Dude, Butch Cassidy. Everybody I got on my album once upon a time was like, Man, why don’t you do a solo album? I better be on it. So I did the solo album and I put they ass on it. Word.

Talk about your company.

Pain, Time & Glory Enterprises. We do everything, management, we got our own line of producers, I got artists. Right now I’m concentrating on making my business bigger. I’ve done the artist thing for years. I’m a good boss. I just feel like at this point in the game I’m not trying to get dicked no more, and I’m not trying to get my people fucked. We can sell records on our own. The whole thing is getting the right push, the right distribution.

But as far

as marketing, give me the dollars and I’ll make it happen. That’s basically why I got my own company. So I can take more control of my own destiny instead of having someone else control me and my people’s destiny. And fucking it up. Then they can say we’ll do this next time. What if there’s no next time? Then they’ll move on to the next artist, and I don’t want that. So I figured, let me get my own company, get some distribution for it and make it happen from there.

What does being from Queens mean to you?

Being from Queens means a lot to me, but being from Queensbridge means more. I could have been from Sunnyside, Richmond Hills, parts that don’t mean nothing to no one. I feel good because anytime you mention Queens, you have to mention Queensbridge. I feel good being from those projects even before the music. I lived in Queensbridge my whole life. My father lived in Queensbridge his whole life.

My mother died in Queensbridge. My grandma lived there her whole life. My aunt and uncle still live there. Growing up in Queens is an experience. You got so many parts of Queens, and you got so many artists coming from different parts. You got G. Rap from Corona, Cheeks from Jamaica, everybody in they own area, and you look at other boroughs and there’s no comparison to how many artists is coming out of Queens. And Queensbridge itself. Queens has taught me a lot cause my projects was the birth of the park jams. We had KRS-One, MC Shan, the Eric B. battles. It wasn’t just rapper battles. A lot of borough battles and DJ battles, so I’ve seen all that shit growing up in my projects. You couldn’t get that nowhere else in Queens, besides Jamaica where you had the Lost Boyz. Now the era done changed. It’s a pleasure

to come out of a borough where there’s so many talented artists. Everybody says hip-hop started in the Bronx, man, that shit started in Queensbridge. Queens is where it’s at.

What is Capone adding to today’s hip-hop music?

I’m not even worried about fitting in. At this point in the game, it’s the same shit. I’m trying to bring something different. I’m bringing that lil thug twist with a lil R&Bish with a lil bit of Pone. I think my experience speaks for itself. I’ve had a lot of experiences in situations that people rap about that make it up. So I think a person will listen to my album and say I remember that, or I remember when that happened. I’m not trying to bring a whole different shit to the game, because the game is what it is. I’m going to give you me. If you can’t accept me then I don’t need to be doing it. I ain’t gonna come with all types of… I’m going to just be me. I’m bringing a live squad with me this time. We’ll see July 12, exactly what I’m bringing to the table. It’s a big round table and I’m just trying to fill it up. Everywhere I can.

Bring new producers in the game, new artists. It’s all about me, but at the end of the day it’s not all about me ‘cause I got things I’m trying to do within my company. I don’t care if I go super-Platinum as long as people hear what I got to say, they’ll respect it. I ain’t going nowhere. I got two more years for my two felonies to get expunged, then I’ll really be able to do what I want. I’m here to have fun with it. Represent Pain, Time & Glory to the fullest. QB to the fullest. Stay that fly nigga I be.

He’s backkkkkk the dip set crack man is definitely in the building. He hit us with the “whistle song” Just so that the ladies can grab a hold of what he’s doing then he drops the “ oh yes “ to smooth it out for the fans. But don’t get it twisted this sophomore release has a little extra spice in it with the DVD. Basically he showing you growth he’s been in the game and is well respected as a mc the boy is on flames right now. The beats on this album is hot the lyrics is always something to brag about when it comes to jewels because his word play is so slick. He got the song “clockwork” which is one of my favorite joints cause that’s how I get it on the block baby like clock work so I can actually play this song while I am on the strip hard body.

It’s a step up from the last album and he sure is mastering his craft but that’s what a real mc does he masters his craft. He didn’t go left field and give u a different Santana he is still the same A! Guy with just a lil more power behind him. He got his own clothing store in Harlem, he frequently puts out mix tapes and his jewelry game is serious I guess it goes with the name JUELZ. Please understand when do these review I don rate any bodies work I give you my opinion on the overall artist from personality to craftsmanship to music overall I don’t give mics, stars, faces like these other mags I just voice my opinion and this album right here is definitely one to get cause you can hear and see the movement. Dip set bird gang stays 050 ya heard.

50 cent is one of the most consistent artists of our time this time he switched it up and dropped a movie with a soundtrack titled the same as his first album. That alone shows you how he is a marketing genius. He jams his life story in your mind and sells it to you the beats on this album are crazy as always 50 makes sure he sets his standards and puts his whole roster on the album you got joints like “Window Shopper” in which he explains all the songs have to do with scenes in the movie. “Ambitions of a hustler “ was the first single from the soundtrack and that broke in the aggression of the movie. One of my favorite joints on the album is “ill whip our head boy” that joint is so serious when it comes on I go crazy and want to go outside and whip someone’s ass. Then also you got the song “I don’t know” featuring Mase Murder and prodigy where mase spits about how come Fabolous and loon don’t call him daddy wowww 50 you letting the goons loose I just want to know how u convinced mase to go hardcore again was the check that big???

Let’s get back to the music as far as lyrical content & beats the album is good you got mob deep, M.O.P, young buck, Tony Yayo, Lloyd banks, Olivia and the whole g - unit how is it not gonna be a good album.

It’s mister F U president back at it with another banger. Kayne west to me is one of the best most slept on artist ever. To be a great producer and a successful artist is a very hard thing to do. He has accomplished that task with fling colors. The chi town veteran has even bring back such legends like common sense and sold many albums in the process that what you call real recognize real. People who love kayne love what kayne thinks is worth listening to. I mut say when he gave us “Diamonds are forever “ people didn’t get his direction until he dropped that “ gold digger” with Jamie Foxx now how big is that. The crazy part is that kayne west performance is so heart felt like you can feel the energy even if your watching him on TV your like in the moment with him and I must say him and Jamie did a dam good job at the VMAS. I know hova is proud of this young man. He saved the ROC when everyone thought jiggas retirement and dash gone was the end of the dynasty he came and lifted everyone out of there seats and kept them with there hands high. That’s what you call a true hip-hop artist he might be a little crazy with his outfits but he is original just like his music. He got that new single “ heard them say” and he drops knowledge like a schoolteacher in a lot of his records.

He speaks truth well and its more like spoken word umm didn’t he say that? Ha-ha I guess so well go get this album cause it’s definitely a master piece I’m feeling this one kayne keep doing the dam thing.

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Yeaahhhhhhh. The snowman is in full effect he started the snowman shirt frenzy and got everyone’s hustle game up. This is what I call block music in the A town they call it trap music.

Young jeezy is not your average mc he is more like the o.g. On the block that gave you pointers on how to do your dirty work on the block. When I copped this album I swear to you I bought me a bird.hahahhaha. Just kidding but on the real this is definitely thug motivation 101 perfect title for the album. The beats are bananas and his message is so powerful and come on now jay – z jumped on a joint and even hung out with him at the VMAS this boy has to be the next generation. He got joints with T.I, Lil Jon, Lloyd, and of course the god Mc hova. Production says it all they pound out the trunk and his ad libs are so catchy I think he gave Lil Jon a run for his money on this one. Besides his side deal with bad boy with the boyz in the hood this album is so fire it hasn’t left my cd player. I must say there’s not much versatility to the snowman but his words and message is very powerful and he lets you captivate every detail. A good rapper can paint a picture with his words and young jizzo definite does that with this solo debut. Go out and cop this album and learn how to flip a brick or 2 get your hustle on. Shout out to the whole BMF cliq keep your heads up and stay strong…

Chamillionaire is one of houstons new breeds to smash the hip hop scene, even though I always get tongue twisted trying to say his name must say I’m diggin his cd it got some hot beats like the single produced by Scott Storch “shine on” which is banging in the clubs and also being played on the video stations like crazy. Chamillionaire is stated to be one of the hardest working southern acts. killing the mixtapes his lyrical game is serious and he has a good support system when it comes to artist doing joints with lil flip bun b scarface and other hip hop legends. This kid is definitely coming out of the smoke I heard about him for a minute and I would always be like who the hell is this kid? It sure wasn’t mike Jones but some kid named chamillionaire. Now I know he gave me the product I popped it in and he proved to me that he is worthy of my listening time. I don’t like to listen to that crap that the labels just throw at us to listen to hoping they get a review on some artist they have shelved. Nah this kid right here was worth my time and I had to give him this review right here cause if I didn’t I would be robbing my readers of some good work. Don’t get it twisted though I don’t always review a album I like I got to give you the real deal on what’s corny but I must say this months catalog is tight, and this young boy right here is definitely in rotation for having some good music. Check him out!!!!

Me and Mariah go back like babies and pasaphires. She is killing them this year I have to say she has to get an award for reinventing herself. I thought she was a lost case after that down fall she had when she was in the hospital and all that with Eminem, But our home girl MIMI sold over 6 million copies this time around thanks to your boy Jermaine Dupri lacing them tracks and adlibs. She is all over now looking better then ever dam Mariah holla at the kid. She hit us with “ what about us “ that’s her current single and it is killing the air waves I mean I cant turn on the radio without hearing this song a few times and then I turn on the TV and the video is playing its like she is everywhere. This has to be her best project in a long time cause wow the attention she’s getting right now you would think she’s 21 and still a virgin. The production on the album is good and he song writing is genius even though I’m not much of a RNB fanatic nut when she got joints like “Shake it off” and then turns around and does the remix with the jigga-man and young jeezy you have to give this girl her props and she also laced a joint with styles p and jada kiss.

Mariah um I mean MIMI always stays in touch with her hip hop artist, that is one thing I have always admired about her she brings the artist into her fan base and expands acts such as the lox or a young jeezy to people of her listening status. Who would of thought MIMI ^ million and counting you go girl…check the credits email me baby

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ow did you get signed to Warner Brothers?

The actual deal went about with the VP and head of A&R over there, Naim Ali. He’s from Nashville like me.

He came down and was asking questions, who’s the new hot guy? He was at a barbershop and the barber gave him directions to our studio, Cross Tracks Studio.

Me and Jazz have Cross Tracks Entertainment. He came around and said he heard that Nelly had Cruna. I was actually in New York, and Jazz said no, me and Cruna are together. He didn’t take that deal. So the next day, Naim was in New York.

We had a meeting. That part is history.

How does it feel to be with Warner Brothers?

I feel good to be on Reprise. It’s the best spot for an R&B artist. Cynthia Johnson fights for me like Mike Tyson. She’s VP of Promotions. I have that relationship with her like she’s a manager or A&R. She knows artists. She pushed the promotion behind Alicia Keys and Jaheim. I feel like I’m in a win/win situation.

How did you get to be that dude in Nashville?

Hard work. And I sang everywhere to anybody, regardless of the size of the venue or how many people were in there. Regardless if it’s one or one million. I’m going to sing to that one person like I really am excited to see them, instead of them seeing me. Like I say, my gift is what God gave me. Being able to look at life, write it down on paper and sing it to people. I love the response that they give me.

So you still live in Nashville?

I have a house in Nashville, but I transferred to Atlanta because right now that’s the music mecca. I’m doing things with several of my label mates, Tango Redd, Scrappy. I have the second single from Sharissa called “I Got Love” on the radio.

Is R&B big in Nashville?

Yes, because of the gospel roots. Nashville is big in gospel.

We have Shannon Sanders, the musical director for India Arie.

He’s written a lot of songs. Young Buck from G-Unit. Those are the two names that are sticking out now. We have a lot of unsigned hype. It’s tough to break through down there. You have to be smart in what you do. You have to know your art and if you show people you’re passionate about it, they’re going to accept it.

What do you tell young entertainers is the secret to success?

Know what you want, get out and get it and don’t take no for

an answer.

So you were really doing it on the indie level before you got signed?

Me and Jazz put out an independent project called A Hustler’s Love Story, which is the title of the album coming out on Warner Brothers. It made a lot of noise on the streets. We pressed it up. We mastered it ourselves. We recorded it at our own studios. It made a lot of noise.

That’s what got the attention of Nelly, Irv Gotti, Jimmy Henchmen, Kevin Liles, Ashanti, DJ Quik and Naim Ali at Warner Brothers, which is the only deal that’s right for me. Everybody has this wrong perception about people from the South. People think I’m country, slow. That gives me the advantage when I meet them because I already know what they’re expecting. They’re expecting a country bumpkin. You’re not expecting somebody with some intelligence. I’m not a college graduate but I do have intelligence. I may have a different slur and lingo than somebody else. But that doesn’t make me not human or worthy of doing what I’m doing.

How are you going to stand out from the rest of the R&B singers?

I stand out because I’m not ProTools. What you hear on the CD is what you hear live.

The passion. Every feeling, every word is vivid. You can see it. You can reach out and touch it. Everything I wrote on this album is a personal experience of mine or somebody else. I’m not trying to reach the make believe love. I want to tell you about love. I want to tell you why I love you instead of, baby, I love you. I want to be able to tell the real stories about life, not the make believe.

You have a tear tattoo near your eye. You’ve been to prison, right?

I spent 7 years, 2 months incarcerated. The tear tattoo is a symbol for my stupidity. People look at it and say I must have killed somebody. My grandmother died in 1996. She was my best friend in the whole wide world. She was the one that taught me how to keep my feet on the ground and look straight ahead. Don’t look back. She died and I wasn’t able to attend her funeral because of my incarceration. So it’s a constant reminder of my stupidity and it’s a tear I’m going to shed forever for my grandmother.

Many rappers feel that jail gives them street credibility.

Jail is a place for no human being. Not one person alive should be behind a gate where another man dictates if you use the bathroom or not. No man deserves that.

Anything else you want to add?

I want people to know that there is a young cat out here with an old soul. There is a 2005 Smokey Robinson.

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nd from Brooklyn Steyvesant (many off the livest ones) and Bushwick comes CHAVITO, he represents and gives love especially to, he writes and expresses love to both sides of town. He elaborates on his upbringing and everything that he has seen and lived. CHAVITO is a Hip Hop--Regaetton Artist—la combination..always good to mix the brew, what you got..toma hip hop +regaetton=CHAVITO--You’re gonna love it!!! CHAVITO is 24 years old; he has been doing music for the past six (6) years, five (5) years with training and one year really going hard at it. (TNL loves dedicated people that leave it all as lesson, see I did it, so can you!).

TNL met with CHAVITO in the summer at our studios, it was a nice summer day, he was a pleasure to meet with and we have even seen him perform, he moved the crowd with TITO GRAHMZ over in Brooklyn, it was all love, TNL gives tribute to positive brothers that spread love and wisdom in the world, CHAVITO you are one of them, we love your energy!!!!!!!!!!

CHAVITO’s musical style is diversified, he’s “dirty south flow, the east coast, laid back west coast and Latin Puerto Rican, (that sounds grand to me). He is real , fun and energetic, what you have been waiting for---Wait no more!!

His early influences have been Michael and Manuel, El Playero, Wise G, Memo y Vale, Guanabana, these guys were holding it down before the word regeaetton was out there, it was called Rap and Reggae underground, when the parties were in garages, Hector Lave, Frankie Ruiz, El Gran Combo, that’s where the flow and mambo come in”. Say no more, TNL listeners are you ready?? That’s what’s up, Get that album!!! His brother use to feed him cassettes expanding his musical horizons since the age of five (5).

CHAVITO expressed that he will stay up to give us his grandness, we asked him about his feelings upon Regaetton in the US, “ it’s opening a lot of

doors, it’s a big movement, look where we are at the VMA’s the biggest thing to happen to Regaetton”. “It gives us the chance to expand, it helps Artist like him become greater and come up”!! In addition, he said about HIP HOP, that the future of hip hop looks stronger, he knows that Hip Hop will only gain strength, he is aware that Hip Hop needs something with power, (and he is putting his grain of help in that department), different styles, more creativity, have fun with it songs, be more real with it, --Let’s stop talking about the rims”. So be on the look out for CHAVITO’s new album, he going to hit you with realness that is what we need!!!!

And since the TNL message loves it when you can leave a positive message fulfilling the world with food for thought, take this: CHAVITO enjoys sharing his energy with the kids. CHAVITO and SPMG records in Brooklyn is the first studio in the hood to available to the kids. Can you just imagine that CHAVITO is helping the kids define their inner talents for free; it is an honor to know CHAVITO and SPMG Studios for this grand favor to the Hood!!! TNL is feeling that.

And how does TNL love it when you are leaving a legacy behind for the youth?? Well CHAVITO knows how we do and informed us that has plans to give back to the kids by opening up after school studios in Brooklyn. At the moment he has already opened the first and only studio for the kids, in unison with SPMG studios they are the first studios open to the public so that kids can go and build upon their talents.

CHAVITO endorses INDIGO RED AND AZURE clothing.

CHAVITO wants the world to know that the youth in Brooklyn love him and that he will continue to do for them, leaving them and the rest valuable lessons to gain strength from, keep on with your good self-CHAVITO… Be on the look out for his album that he is preparing.

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he world is at grips with the phenomenon of Reggaeton and we are seeing a lot of success being made out of young Latinos coming out of Puerto Rico and now branching off to other countries all over the world. Now we see the face of one named john Erick in the hip-hop world we would all compare him to the late great big pun. And to be exact he can be compared to big pun john Erick’s flow and delivery is so crazy that it aint hard to tell why he is one of the elite of the Reggaeton Movement.

John Erick has been in the game for a pretty long time he broke on to the seen with a production called guatauba xxx and his first hit was called “rakata”.

He has been influenced by hip hop as so is a lot of your favorite reggaeton artist when asked who he would like to work with as far as hip hop artist he quickly says Fat Joe, noticeably because he is a well respected Latino rapper a lot of people coming out of P.R would like to do a record with him. But john Erick stands on his own. Being related to Tego Calderon who is one of the top 3 Reggaeton artist actually Tego is more spanish hip hop then Reggaeton but the world has yet to separate the 2 categories. But John Erick lyrical content and flow is one to be recognized within the reggaeton community he travels across the globe performing in places from New York to California to Venezuela and other places people would have never thought reggaeton could reach he has rotation on radio station and TV stations across the country...his new album “Peso Completo” will give u a better look on why he is a hot artist today in the market he has features with Tego Calderon, Voltio, Zion & Lennox Dj Nelson and others also has production with one of the top producers Elias de Leon a multi platinum producer who is responsible for a lot of hits today in reggaeton..

John Erick was born and raised in Puerto Rico where there are a lot of good and bad influences. He chose his way out of the hood by running to his musical talent and nowadays in Puerto Rico you either Boxing, playing baseball or doing music other then that you are a product of the environment where there’s is a murder rate that is unexplainable and drugs flood the small island. Luckily John Erick has escaped all them bad influences and set himself in a good place with this music thing finding a home with white lion records. He is also very humble and humorous as we spoke in the offices of Sony in Manhattan his manager Pablo guides him thru the daily agendas he’s busy doing radio spots and also other magazine interviews but they made sure we get the exclusive before they go on with the busy day. He will be performing in club copa in New York so he is very hype .his performance is very on point for a big guy he holds his vocals well and he can do song after song similar to the late big pun I guess that means he will be known as one of the best also cause this boy still got a lot of work to put in and he is already making his name known...until we meet again the next level will be exposing a lot more upcoming Reggaeton and Spainish hip hop acts who are taking it to the next level just like John Erick we out of here...

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hat’s been going on lately?

Avant: Just working hard you know, everybody’s been kinda messed up since Hurricane Katrina, so what I’m trying to do is get my buildings together because I own property in Cleveland. I’m trying use these buildings to house some of these people hurt by the hurricane.

Storm Norm: What’s going on with the music thing?

Avant: I just finished up my new album. It’s called Director. I worked with a lot of different producers on this album. The first 3 albums I worked with Steve Huff exclusively. This time I spread it out. I worked with Brian Michael Cox, Rodney Jerkins and Jermaine Dupri.

Storm Norm: How’s Geffen Records treating you?

Avant: It’s a rocky road but at the same token we respect one another and they see my angle. They see what I’m trying to do and they’re trying to help me get to that point I’m trying to make.

Storm Norm: I’m going to say some names of your albums. Tell me what was your personal favorite song and why.

Storm Norm: My Thoughts…

Avant: My personal favorite was Seperated because I went through this situation you know what I mean. I was in a relationship and it went bad and instead of reacting like some brothers would have done, I just sat down and wrote a song about it.

Storm Norm: Ecstacy…

Avant: I have to say Don’t Say No, Just Say Yes. Don’t say actually wasn’t written for me. I wrote the song but I wrote it for the Isely Brothers and it just gave me that old school vibe, that old school feel that music is lacking right now. I think we need to get that chivalry back.

Storm Norm: Private Room…

Avant: I had a colossal of favorites on that album.. Read Your Mind, Don’t Take Your Love Away. I think the best song that I ever wrote was…

I Just Wanna Be Close. That song basically described exactly the chivalry that today’s music would be like if you ask me. I metaphorically put it in a sense so that everybody could see what I was trying to say. It was just a well written song and it made me feel good about it.

Storm Norm: Your song My First Love kinda got me and my girl at the time back together. My First Love was a winner.

Avant: That was a big song. I didn’t write the song. When I first got in the game, that was a song that I always wanted to do, so being it was my first album I had control over whatever the situation was and I said this is a song that I really wanted to do over.

Storm Norm: How was it working on the set of Barbershop2?

Avant: It was really cool. I spent a lot of time with Ced (Cedric the Entertainer) and Ced showed that he was human and that’s what I like about him. We all are celebrities in our own right but to show that you’re human, that’s the best part.

Storm Norm: Now Ice Cube was directing, right?

Avant: Cube was directing, but I didn’t see Cube much and then when I saw Cube he was like “yo man, keep on putting them ballads out dawg. You doing your dawgphizzle,” and I appreciate Cube just giving me the chance to be on that movie.

Storm Norm: What’s next as far as your acting career?

Avant: Actually everybody’s asking me that same question. I’m focused so hard on music right now man. I’m just trying to get my placement in music right now. I wanna rise to the top as far as I know my potential is to be, so that’s my whole focus right now. Later on, I took drama at Cleveland School of Arts. I didn’t even take music so I had to make sure my performance was perfect. That’s why I took drama to be able to act it all out perfectly so it’s not that far fetched that I might be in acting. But right now my focus is just music.

Storm Norm: You did alright to me in Barbershop2.

Avant: Thanks, but I was really doing what I do, you know what I mean. I was singing, so you haven’t seen the best of me yet.

Storm Norm: How do you feel the music industry has changed since 2000 when you first entered the game with My Thoughts?

Avant: Well, I know it was a lot of heavy hitters in the game when I first entered the game, the likes of R. Kelly, the likes of Ginuwine, it was a lot of people… Jodeci, Mary J, Joe. It’s still a lot of entertainers in the game, but you haven’t heard anything yet from anyone, so I’m just trying to be that front runner and bring the heat.

Storm Norm: So what would you like to see change in the music industry?

Avant: It doesn’t really matter what I would like to see changed but at the same token, I’m the type of person that knows R&B for what it really is, and that’s rhythm and blues and either catering to your girl or telling the bad points about the situation. I would like to get back to that other than what I got and what I possess because a lot of people don’t possess that and it’s really strengthening to hear people say, “yo man I put your album in and I don’t have to worry about having a fly car or whatever. You’re really just like catering to the girls, the ladies, man and that’s what I love about it. You really help me get to the next step for whatever the situation is.” That’s what I’m trying to do man for real Storm Norm: Why did you leave Magic Johnson’s label?

Avant: Actually, I didn’t leave Magic. Magic just left the music game, you know what I’m saying. It was basically like, yo I’m doing something else now. It was a good thing. I appreciate you, Avant. I’m moving on to a different venture and you know he got a lot of different ventures. It wasn’t like I ever left. It was just more he grew past the music game and jumped into something else and big ups to him for helping me to get in the game and getting noticed cause it was hard you know.

Storm Norm: Does he still give you advice?

Avant: I don’t talk to him no more but at the same token, if I did talk to him he would give me good advice because that’s just how he is.

Storm Norm: What artist and producer is on your wish list to work with?

Avant: It’s always going to be Michael Jackson. But I’ve been blessed.

I’ve been blessed to work with the greats such as The Isley Brothers, Charlie Wilson… just them two alone…Keith Sweat. These guys are legends and they’ve been in the game, and not only would they work with me in the studio, but they would lend a helping hand to me like tell me a few things I should change or should do different, and the way to succeed in this game. So those heavy hitters alone was enough for me.

Storm Norm: Have you ever wrote or produced for any established artist?

Avant: Keke… my girl Keke. She’s on Cash Money right now and she’s doing other things. She’s got her new album coming out and I wrote a couple of songs for Ginuwine. I don’t know if they’ll be placed yet. I’m willing to work with anybody that wants the vibe and the flavor. I’m not a writer that just gives you my flavor. I’ll give you any type of flavor you need.

Avant: I just want my company to get behind me and make me who I am….you know what I’m saying.

Storm Norm: What makes you different?

Avant: What makes me different is that we’re both different writers. We have a different vibe. We have a different feel for music period. It’s just like the Charlie Wilson’s of their era and the Aaron Halls of their era and also the Stevie Wonders when he was being compared to Donnie Hathaway all the time. It’s just making your niche. People understand who I am now and that more than anything is what I battle with being in the game on the first album. Everybody wanted to say “yo this is a R. Kelly wannabe dude.” Now everybody hears my music and says, “oh that’s Avant.” I look at it like it’s about goals. It’s about reaching your goals and I tell all the young kids out there right now today, keep faith in the Lord and follow what your heart is. I could have folded a long time ago when I had the comparisons, but my thing was I’m gonna make the people know who I am even without the push that I so rightly think I deserve, but at the same token, every time they hear a record they’re gonna say, “whoa! what’s that!” It might not be an image behind it. It might not be a face behind it, but it’s gonna be like whoa! “I mean I gotta respect the joint if I don’t respect nothing else I gotta respect his song,” and that’s the whole thing. I’m about striving and fighting.

Storm Norm: Is there a Mrs. Avant?

Avant: My mother. But uhhh…not necessarily, yes I’m looking. I got a 2 year old son so I’ve been active, but at the same token, no I’m not married and there’s room, there’s room, put it like that.

Storm Norm: So what type of woman that would have access to your Private Room?

Avant: The type of woman that understands that I’m a man before I’m an artist and could look past everything that I have. I do have things and I’ve been blessed with things but I want you to know that when I write songs, I’m looking for that woman that I can cater to. I think it’s very important for people to understand that yeah, we are all different in certain ways, but we’re the same in ways too.

Storm Norm: What’s your game, 9 ball-8ball?

Avant: I like to play 8 ball when I’m playing against someone, but I like to shoot 9 ball just to see where I am with my game.

Storm Norm: Are you one of those cats that carries their own stick?

Avant: I used to. I don’t cause I don’t have much time to shoot like I used to. At the same token, I try to do my best.

Storm Norm: I read somewhere that you’re an artist that likes giving back to the people. What made you auction your Durango on ebay?

Avant: Because it was more of a situation for the less fortunate. I’ve been blessed with things to give back. Even right now with the hurricane situation, I’m fixing up my buildings and houses that I have down in Cleveland. These people were pushed out of a situation and I might not have a house like they had in New Orleans but at the same token I will have a residence for these people. These people had a residence where they stayed and I think we should give it back to them at least to start over because there are a lot of them that couldn’t start over.

Storm Norm: What is it you want to say to your fans that have been patiently waiting for your return?

Avant: I love you. I truly love you and I’m not going to let you down. The first single, You Know What is mid tempo, but it still deals with the issues that you hear from Avant. It’s produced by Jermaine Dupri and features Lil Wayne. It’s kinda racy. It’s kinda on the edge. I’m not gonna go to far off but at the same token, it’s gotta little tempo to it, but then as you reach deeper down in the album, you’ll see that I have the same chivalry, the same feeling about young ladies and women in general.

ip Hop is wack! When asked the current status quo of Hip Hop music, rap artist H.U.L. quotes that hip hop is just not what it used to be. He reminisces about how artists used to address hard-hitting issues. H.U.L gives respect to shyt talkers such as Nas, Talib Kwali, Mos Def, NWA, and Tupac Shakur. And on a deeper level he takes after Nina Simone, Angelique Kidjo, Afrika Tamtamkulu, James Baldwin, and William Shakespeare. H.U.L design of music steps on the status quo while blending in. He uses beats that attracts the music community while pushing his pen toward freedom. This artistic phenomenon has been crawling his way up the entertainment ladder for some time now.

He has conquered a sundry of talent showcases, such as Showtime at the Apollo, “The Conan O’Brian Show”, and several local TV shows nationwide. He has become a fixture in famed New York clubs like Pyramid, Club Speed and SOB’S. H.U.L is recognized and respected on radio air waves nationally as well as internationally. He also been tackling the forever growing mix tape world.

He has blessed DJ Kay Slay, Cut Master C, Big Cal of WGBB Radio, and DJ Mix of 91.9FM with his political eclectic flawless flow. Brooklyn born H.U.L is from the Ivory Coast in West Africa. He is a descendant of King Behanzin (last King of the Kingdom of Dahomey). This 22 year old gained an interest in the industry at the tender age of 10. Watching his mother suffering, he wanted to assist by using his street and book smarts in his field of interest MUSIC. Prince H.U.L knits his ancestral history with his works of music. Dahomey meaning Belly of the Snake has direct correlation to the title of his upcoming 2006 debut album THE KORE. H.U.L describes his music as the central essence of hip hop. The Album THE KORE has a political approach with an instrumental twist. The album overwrites the system and elevates to higher ground by tearing apart the broken down walls of existing music.

From track to track H.U.L takes you on a different ride. The persuasive flow on “Thee Amerikan Way” pulls you in by design. It undoubtedly gives a crash course on being in the club. A definite club jam. H.U.L then creatively steps up and

takes on the narrarative role of an infuriated solider. “Missionary Souljahz” provides the realization and raw thoughts regarding the in Iraq and impact of Sept 11. The video provides hard hitting footage of the mentality of a solider serving overseas. A raspy male crooner chorus introduces you to In “My Shelter”. The track is intertwined with cutting edge guitars ripping in between the hard hitting lyrics. The song tackles missing your homeland, and trying to survive without losing cultural influences. The track illustrates how US survival is different from other nations. H.U.L has plans of expanding further than music.

Along side with his brother Arnaud K. Tossinou, he is cofounder of Unstoppable Inc., which is not a record label but an enterprise. An enterprise steered to marketing and promoting artists, branching to restaurants, a clothing line, and conquering emotion pictures. Unstoppable Inc. will be releasing mix-tape volumes entitled Definition of Art. Every volume will include art in many forms, finally pushing pop, R&B, poetry, and comedy to the front line of Hip- Hop. H.U.L is the new generation. He is our past, present, and future.

He is today and tomorrow topic. With his substantial lyrics and cultural rhythms, his marketable style and catching hooks and more specifically, his Universal Appeal, this verbal juggernaut has earned his membership into the platinum series.

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ot too many rappers have a story like Rich Boy. After getting his song played on a local radio station in his hometown, Mobile, Alabama, he met up with Polow of Jim Crow and was soon signed to Interscope. Currently working on his debut, he’s in the studio with Kanye West, Timbaland, Jazze Pha and Needlz. And he’s only 21.

Add to his resume a short stint at Tuskegee University studying mechanical engineering, plus as a young beat maker, Roy Jones Jr. was one of his clients. Ready to follow in the footsteps of his influences, UGK, 8Ball & MJG, South Circle and Crime Boss, Rich Boy is letting the world know Alabama rappers got game too.

What’s the hip-hop scene like in Mobile, Alabama?

It’s more of a local scene, local artists. Everybody watches 106th & Park. Everywhere you go someone trying to make it. I’ve been rapping for two years. I was trying to make it in school but I just wasn’t feeling it. Around the time Ice Cube had “Today Was A Good Day” out, I used to freestyle, but I was never serious about it.

What was your first performance?

My first performance was in Puerto Rico with Mannie Fresh. It was backwards for me because I know you’re supposed to start off with the talent shows, but I got a deal before I had a chance to perform.

How did that happen?

My homeboy Polow from Jim Crow, when they were hot, they were coming through Mobile at the radio station. I know DJ Nick at Night (at 93 WBLX) because I took my CD up there for him to play. He was playing one of my songs, “Cold As Ice” and he called me when Jim Crow came. Me and Polow hooked up. Jim Crow were with Interscope. When Polow heard my CD, he flew me down to ATL. Him and Bubba Sparxx. They put some money behind studio time and we did a demo. Polow went to Jimmy Iovine and Jimmy loved it. We got a deal. We didn’t even have a meeting.

Do you think you were signed because the South is so hot right now?

My style of rap, I switch it up a lot. I don’t feel like I’d be stuck if I came out any other time. It’s not really about the South being hot.

The way my music is, it’s more of a universal thing. I got songs you probably couldn’t pinpoint my location.

I heard a few of your songs and they have a real party vibe. Most topics are street characteristics, things I did on the street, or seen first-hand. The stuff I can relate to as far as the streets of Mobile, AL. All of them, they give a different vibe. Depends how the person feels when they hear it. Sometimes a party vibe just came out. Every time I hear a beat, I try to vibe with it.

What was it like for you growing up?

My childhood wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good. Somewhat in between. I had bad days and good days. I wouldn’t say it was the slummiest of the slums. I’ve seen people killed, all the dope. I seen all the negativity but I also had a positive side.

My mom always tried to keep me in church. She balanced it out.

That’s probably why I’m not in prison today because of my mama.

A lot of my kin folk got locked up so it was an example before me.

I took that as a lesson. I did a lot of stuff where if I got caught I would be locked up.

How’d you get your name?

I got that because my daddy owns a liquor store in the middle of the hood, so people call him Rich. So they say, that’s Rich’s boy or Rich Boy. Do you feel pressure being the only rapper from Mobile, AL? It’s a lot of pressure. A lot of people think it would feel good. It keeps your mind working. Every morning I wake up I feel like I got to do something for the hometown. They never had anybody on TV representing them. It’s big for the city. They probably feel better about it than me. I’m just trying to stay focused.

You were signed by Interscope, the hottest label right now.

I feel like it was destiny. I feel sometimes God put me here for a reason. I feel like I do have to deliver a positive message sometimes because he gave me this chance on this big label. At the same time, it’s very competitive because they have the big guys over here like 50 Cent and Eminem and I have to try my best to give them the best material to the point where they won’t look over me. I have to stand out. It’s an everyday fight.

How did you hook up with Mannie Fresh?

I was messing with Jazze Pha because Polow gave him my CD. So Jazze Pha flew me out to a Cash Money session because he wanted to meet me.

He introduced me to Mannie Fresh and so we hooked up. Fresh wanted to work me ever since then. He stuck to his word. He wanted to work with me and he made it happen.

Did Polow produce the majority of your album?

Polow produced a lot of the album. But he’s not the type of producer that wants all his records on there. We came up with the best of the best.

What’s your first video, “D-Boyz” about?

It’s not glorifying drug boys. It’s telling drug dealers, ok, you’re in the dope game. It tells them the rules. It represents how everybody wants to be a drug dealer these days. They look up to them more than people who graduated college.

How do you feel about hip-hop today?

I feel like some rappers do give a positive image, some a negative. If people but they CDs, that’s what they want to listen to. You can listen to the negative stuff, but it’s all on how you’re raised. If you’re raised tight, if won’t rub off on you.

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When this songstress bolts out tracks she blows Artist like Mariah out the box. Keke is an exotic beauty and looking at her you may think she is Latina or as she stated people think she is Korean, even. However, even though she got a little Kimora Lee Simmons or Amerie look going on, she is none of the above. I give Keke credit because she doesn’t deny her culture and proudly states she is bi-racial – born to fa white mother and black father. Nevertheless, Keke gives her mother (a gospel singer that she compares to Aretha Franklin) the credit of blessing her with a beautiful voice that can be compared to divas such as Whitney, Patti La Belle and so on.

Keke grew up singing in the church and her parents exposed her to all types of music. She enjoys listening to Shania Twain, Whitney Houston, Ella Fitzgerald, Tina Turner, Donnie Hathaway, & Celine Dion.

Keke’s mainstream career began when she met Steve “Stone” Huff who produced her demos and attempted to get her a record deal. She then collaborated with R&B sensation Avant.

The two teamed up to bolt out love songs on her debut album Soul Sista that top the charts and the album went gold.

Keke has come a long way in a short time.. At the time of her first album release she was quickly surrounded by drama. Keke was accused and indicted of stabbing her husband during an argument on Christmas Day 2001. Something she quickly denies but goes on to say that the true story is on her upcoming album, Emotional Roller coaster. Her single, released in May 2005, Put your Hands on Me describes a woman who’s man is

he Next Level Magazine met with KEKE at Universal Studios, she is happy with Universal Records, we had a fun gathering. We learned that KEKE’s first album “SOUL SISTA” sold 800,000 units, she touched it, and it went Gold.

It’s no wonder since her parents contributed towards her musical influence; Her father who is African American plays the organ and she said, “ my mother sings like Aretha Franklin, she’s White American”.

KEKE says, “Her mamma is BAD!!” I love the way my mamma sings”, she said.

Keke Wyatt proves to be a downright southern R&B Soul Sista. She likes living it “cozy” in Kentucky and although she enjoys urban cities like New York, she can’t see raising kids in a big city because things are just too close together.

beating her and goes on to suggest that if a man wants to put their hands on a women they should be tender touches versus hurtful bruises. Since Soul Sista, Keke has also reorganized moving away from the MCA label to Cash Money Records.

MCA was bought over by Geffen Records and they didn’t have too many R&B singers so she chose to move to Universal because they best suit her style…R&B. Although, Keke has gone through trials and tribulations her overpowering beautiful voice outweighs the controversy that surrounded her and she keeps her head up with her outshining sense of humor. In the future, Keke wants to have her own charity and believes that those that can help others should.

On her upcoming album, Emotional Roller coaster she teams up with Lil’Wayne, Ginuwine, Birdman, and Avant. Going forward, she is also considering collaborating with Latino artists and she recognizes that they are doing their thing.

Emotional Rollercoaster is soon to be released and as Keke describes it, it is Hot, passionate love making music. KEKE’s greatest challenges have taught her “we must learn to allow what people say to roll off our shoulders, to look past people’s negativity” (especially in the entertainment industry).

Pick up KEKE WYATT’s new album “Emotional Rollarcoaster” she will entice your with gracefulness and greatness energy

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YSTERIOUS is her name, she isn’t playing no games, at her young age there is no mystery as to what MYSTERIOUS wants and is serious about. She may have you thinking that you may not know what she up to or thinking, all that your need to know is that she will leave you stunned by her delightfulness (mystery: not knowing what to expect—that’s her). I like her song a lot. Mysterious writes her own music, her music style is Story telling on the female side, she has grown up and been exposed to plenty, she educates the listeners upon “raising kids, selling drugs (dope), out there struggling for real”, female Tupac”. Mysterious wishes that her story will help men and women in every aspect of the walks of life; she just wants to share her story and make a difference. Her experiences have never crutched her, nor made her break; she is a miraculous strong female to honor.

Her beats are from DMOET, PETER PANIC from Brooklyn, she respects and shouts out to Brooklyn and the hood, for real, she includes “DAVE REEDS, DIRTY BIRD from Detroit”. MYSTERIOUS quoted “Up and coming people that bring new sound, people in the hood got hot sounds.” Real recognize real, MYSTERIOUS is a beautiful female sharing and educating people right from her own life. It is a big thing to go through things in life, but want to live to tell and do it, is admirable. MYSTERIOUS was an orphan, living in foster care, look at her now, sharing her story, making musical magic, she is a living example of success, she made it past adversity. As she describes it “I’m making records in the street, I’m starting from the sewer up, I’m doing DVD’s.” She’s putting an album together and you will want to go get that, so be alert. MYSTERIOUS describes her biggest challenge as being “a female in a male industry, trying to gain respect in the man’s game, being away from her child, cause she chasing this dream, once you set out for a dream you should not let anything stop you, fight for LIFE—just to stay in the box, stay in the loop” as is the world, that’s a whole additional issue.

You can also hear MYSTERIOUS on The Next Level Level’s INDEPENDENCE ALBUM, in stores now, you will love her, from jump. MYSTERIOUS was in a reality based TV show, check her out to know her better, I love how she has done for herself and the world because once a person is able to leave a legacy after having lived some gratefulness and being able to leave it to the world as lesson or inspiration, that is a great thing, it is on the level of Einstein and other Greats (los otros grandes), TNL applauds MYSTERIOUS and will remain on the expectative of her creations, we don’t not want to miss out on her.

MYSTERIOUS WORDS TO THE READERS: “Take your dream and fulfill it whatever it may be”, she wants to be viewed as the female who others can relate to, hang her “posters up on their walls and say that’s my girl she understands”, shoot!!!

I want a poster. That means a lot in life, I give her a standing ovation again, she has blessed us with wonderfulness, leaving a message to the world, giving everybody a gift of faith, Hey look I did it and I was an orphan so can you, we all have strengths and that is what MYSTERIOUS represents in her music, ya heard!!! And it doesn’t even stop there, get this: Kids keep her motivated, she went to a Boys Youth home and the boys told her that they loved her

music and to continue doing it”, (she moved hearts that lacked love in the world, in this life time—that is grandeous). She says that the hood keeps her going, “the hood chicks, to see the thugs, the dope dealers, the elderly person giving her advice (do you see where her heart is at) HER CHILD. God had blessed her again (and she was left as living proof for the world to see and learn from). It isn’t hard to tell MYSTERIOUS, you are doing your thing, it is a pleasure to know you and hear your wise words, we the world, we thank you for sharing; we will keep out heads up!!!MYSTERIOUS son is one year old and she says that he is what keeps her focused and determined, God blessed her again, she is definitely a good person, YOU don’t want to miss out on her album and the other greatness that she has aside for us.So TNL asked her what is behind the name: she replied “MYSTERIOUS is the deepest that she can go, Mysterious is in all of us (she stays sharing with her people) MYSTERIOUS is the essence of any emotion that drives us to do things, (since we don’t know that to expect, but imagine not even trying and missing out—try it and know why you went wrong) Here she goes again, “Everyone has some MYSTERIOUS in them”. She wants to be the first female to make it to the five top; she has already made it to the TOP FIV OF THE TNL GRAND ARTIST LIST.And quoted from MYSTERIOUS,”She’s a chick from the sewer, reps Detroit and Newark, “she belongs to the hood and wants to keep her focus on the importance to get them up all mentally”. I love her, you have to hear her album, enjoy it with love THE NEXT LEVEL MAGAZINE, ONE.

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NL: So I hear you are also an MC, how did you get into music?

RG: Well I call myself a closet MC, because when I was 14 until my senior yr of high school I used to write rhymes and I started rhyming in the cafeteria. Now I built up my confidence to get into recording and being that I was a member of “U-Crime” since back in the day helped me get my feet settled. So running back into them again and being able to do music is great and a good look. Now, I’m able to take that venture and have confidence and put that music out.

MC’s? What separates an Eminem from a KRS? Both being amazing MC’s, but both different in there own right, because of how they spoke about things differently. To me that’s loving Hip-Hop to the fullest extent! To me someone like NAS who I really respect, said he “challenges himself to do different things” and that’s something I learned in Hip-Hop that I’ve wanted to achieve, which is doing something different and I think that’s something people in the game today aren’t doing! Those are the steps I took. Just being a student of the art and craft.

TNL: So can you tell me about a typical day on the set of WAR OF THE WORLDS?

RG: Ever since I was 5 yrs old I wanted to act. By the time I was eight, I used to really watch music videos and I was pulled in by the Hip-Hop culture. It has always been the life for me. I just figured that being an artistic person and loving to be creative, I automatically began to write rhymes and express myself.

RG: Well.

It was the biggest film I’ve ever been in. The studio actually gave them a budget of 300 million. On the set it felt like an independent movie, because everyone was very friendly and knew each other. They also moved much faster on the set then any other movie I’ve been in. Being with Tom Cruise was a great experience. He was very laid back, really comfortable around people, starting conversations with the local people and everything.

LOL When you’re on a “set” and the directors and the producers are nice, that stuff trickles down to other people and makes the whole environment better.

TNL: What are the steps you took to build up that confidence in rap?

TNL: How is acting for film different then acting on television?

RG: Really just writing everyday, studying the greats and seeing what it takes to be a good MC. What separates the good MC’s from the bad

RG: The difference between the two is that television moves at a much faster pace then film. I would say, in television you lose

TNL: So which did you have a talent for first?

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creativity, because most of the time you have to be ready to shoot and get that good shot. But when you’re doing film your able to search for that idea that you’re striving to create. I’ve always hated TV. I love having the time to be creative. To be respected in TV, you have to have your look together and be ready when there ready to shoot, not with it looking rehearsed.

TNL: What’s been the biggest challenge for you in your acting career?

RG: I would say maintaining work has been the biggest challenge, but for many actors that’s the reality. My goal has been to have a small downtime. As an actor when your work on the film is over your unemployed! So I try to have things lined up, so I can stay busy, stay focused where I continuously put out material.

TNL: Being a native New Yorker do you feel you have an edge over other actors because you’re from New York?

RG: Yes, because being from New York you have an automatic grind mentality. Like the messengers riding the bikes in the streets, there grinding. In New York there’s pressure coming from everywhere, so when you go to a different city and your hit with there pressures, your like this is nothing. I’m going to make it happen. So living out in L.A many New York people go out there and become successful because they have that extra grind. That’s how I look at it. New Yorkers just know how to turn it on.

TNL: What are the keys to being a good actor?

RG: Perseverance. If you let a no get to you, this isn’t the business for you. When I went to L.A, I was blessed to get into a film in my first 3

months out there. Then I turned around and I didn’t have any work for almost a year. You have to have perseverance. That separates those in the game and those not in the game.

TNL: Is there anything a magazine hasn’t asked you that you wished they would?

RG: Being Puerto Rican, I just want to put out there that I’m for us coming together. If you have a passion or a dream, get up off your ass and go for it, because there are people in your culture who are looking to embrace there culture. We need to support one another. Shot out to the founder of The Next Level magazine a fellow Puerto Rican.

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emy Martin wants you to know something: She is not a female rapper. She is a rapper that happens to be female. Sitting in a hotel suite in midtown Manhattan, Remy is amped for the release of her solo debut, There’s Something About Remy: Based On A True Story.

Though she will tell you she sounds retarded when she talks, today, as sits rolling a blunt, she’s animated, playful and hilarious. Remy’s got it all. Looks, talent and personality. She’s got that star quality. Big Pun knew it. Fat Joe is banking on it. And every female rapper in the game right now is trying to match up to Remy. The BX-rapstress is well aware of the high expectations surrounding her debut. But she’s way too confident to be scurred. She made the album she wanted to make, powered by the beats she picked and chose to do only one rap collabo with Big Pun. Remy knows she’s good. And with a Grammy nomination, BET Award, Source Award and Vibe Award under her belt without even releasing her album, looks like the fans and critics agree.

How did you go about picking beats for this album? And collaborations?

As far as picking beats, I wanted to work with Timbaland, Just Blaze, Neptunes. But the producers that brought me beats, that kept coming back to studio, I was picking from Swizz Beatz, Scott Storch, Cool & Dre, LV, Alchemist, Buckwild. Big names. As far as collaborations, over the years I’ve been doing mixtapes and freestyles, remixes and collabos. Everybody knows what Remy sounds like on a track with someone else. No one knows what Remy herself is about. Not too many people have heard a full song just with me. I didn’t want to flood my album with collaborations. I have Mario on there, Keyshia Cole. The only rapper that I have spitting a 16 is Big Pun. There are 17 tracks on the album. I’ve been working hard to keep my name out there without an album. I got a Grammy nomination, BET Award, Source Award, Vibe Award. I did all of this with no album.

Now I have to make the album that could let me achieve all these things as a solo artist. If I don’t, it would be a failure because I did so much before I had put out an album.

You told a funny story at your album listening session about how you kept saying no to Scott Storch after he played you beats.

I don’t have to sit here and listen to your track for 10 minutes to know if I like it. You know in the first 10 seconds. I wasn’t getting that with the beats he was giving me. This is my album and I need everything to be the best. At the end of the day, he came out with a crazy song.

What are some of the things you talk about on this album?

I discuss abortion, hit and run. I still got the club bangers. It’s a mixture of me. No one is always positive, happy, sad. Every person has different emotions at different times. That’s what I tried to express in my album. I named the album There’s Something About Remy: Based On A True Story. I feel like a lot of people don’t know Remy as an artist. On every song I tried to give you something of me. At the end of the album you should feel that you either know me or to some extent know something about me. The Terror Squad album was called True Story and I put in a lot of work on that album. That was the first project I could consider my album. I left off from where I started. My main thing is I want people to feel they know me to a certain extent. And I’m not a regular female rapper. I’m a rapper that happens to be a female.

You once told me that people don’t like you. But you seem really likeable.

People who’ve met me more than once or sit around me, you’ll see that’s just how I am. My first impressions suck. I don’t mean harm. I’m very outspoken. I say the first thing that comes to my mind. I say what I think. People can’t handle that. It seems like I’m arrogant or cocky. I don’t know how to be any other way.

I can’t lie. I’m like a bully. It’s my way or no way. If I listen to me and it turns out bad, I made a bad decision. If I listen to you and it turns out bad, I’m going to want to kill you and myself. I want people to be brutally honest with me. I can take it. You can’t please everybody all the time. All I can do is listen and value

everyone’s opinion.

How did you meet Big Pun? A friend brought me to Pun’s house. He’s sitting on the bed in his boxers, no shirt. I was there for mad hours rhyming for him. The next day Pun called. He was outside in his Benz signing autographs. Ever since then I was with him every day. I don’t remember ever going home. Eventually I started meeting everybody from the Terror Squad. When he passed, they all came to me and said we got you. I’ve been Terror Squad ever since.

Why did you stay and members like Cuban Linx and Triple Seis left?

I was still new at the time. They had already been together for years and had problems I wouldn’t know about. I didn’t even pick a side. I was the one trying to make everyone stick together, on the strength of Pun. It worked for a month. But then the media got a hold of it. It got too crazy where I couldn’t control it anymore. To this day I would like the original Squad to be together, but sometimes people just grow out of relationships.

It’s well documented that Pun was a practical joker.

A clown. A walking Eddie Murphy Show. He had a water problem. You were sleeping, he’d throw water on you. This was the worst. One day he had a bag of ice. He’s chewing the ice and he spits it at me. That was nasty.

All night, we’re going at it. Now he gets the ice again, chews it and spits it. It lands on my neck, slides down my shirt and goes into the crack of my pants. I was furious. He got a rush out of driving people crazy.

Does your crew treat you differently because you’re female?

I go so hard. I put a lot of work into everything I do. It’s to the point where Joe asks me what I think about things. I’m the youngest. I’m pretty much the streets. They don’t treat me no different. Only when they want someone to cook something or they want their crusty feet massaged, or want lotion or hair gel. I don’t want to get treated a certain way because I’m a girl.

Because that’s when you don’t get as credited as you should be.

You have a sexy and hardcore image. Which one do you prefer?

Some days I feel like wearing shoes, sometimes sneakers. Some days jeans, some days shorts with a crack up my ass. Some days I’ll do a bitchrun-that-give-me-all-your-jewelry rhyme and then the next day I’ll do a thug love joint. No one could be one way forever. Look at Kim. I don’t think she wants to be half-dressed every time she comes out. It seems like she’s stuck like that. I don’t want to feel stuck in a certain way. I don’t want people to think of me as the hardcore rapper, or this tomboy rapper. I want people to see I can do anything.

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im Jones didn’t get into the game to be a rapper. Somewhere along the line Mase taught him how to rap. But be clear, rapping has always come second. After he made business moves. After he directed videos. Check the resume.

He’s CEO of Diplomat Records. Video director of classics like “Oh Boy” and “Hey Ma” and now, he holds an executive position at Warner Brothers Music Group. Got hustle? Jim knows first-hand it’s about getting as much money, as many ways as possible. On the eve of the release of his second CD, Harlem: The Diary Of A Summer, Jones sat down at Dream Hotel in midtown Manhattan to talk about his all-star line-up, the respect he gets from heavy hitters like Kevin Liles and Lyor Cohen and why hip-hop today sucks.

“I didn’t know if I was going to do another album,” Jones confesses as he rolls another L. “I just keep taking people’s money and they want an album. Shit is like homework to me. I didn’t ever do homework. I cheated all my life. I pulled it together. I came out with a bomb ass project. It just started feeling like summertime. All the shit that we go through is the shit that was coming out. If you listen to it real close, you’ll understand what I’m talking about.”

In addition to sounding like a Dip Set compilation with Cam, Juelz, Hell Rell, 40 Cal and newcomer Max B, the album also features Puffy, Trey Songz, Denise Weeks, Paul Wall and Fatal Hussein. “I pretty much used my same formula as last album,” Jones relays. “I didn’t do too much different. I need people around me when I record. My studio tends to be crowded when I record. All the energy. I need people talking to me. All that plays a part of my music.”

Jones’ first album, On My Way To Church debuted at #18 on Billboard’s Top 200 and has sold over 200,000 copies independently to date. That’s just one of the reasons why Kevin Liles and Lyor Cohen tapped Jones for an executive position when they left Def Jam to head up Warner Brothers.

“Kevin Liles and Lyor Cohen gave me a real big executive position up at Warner Brothers Music Group,” boasts the Harlem-bred capo. “Kevin and Lyor, they respected my grind as far as Diplomat Records. What I did with Cam. I’ll be a major part of their foundation at this billion-dollar company, where they’re starting off. It’s very exciting. For them to start a company with billions and billions of dollars and then start the foundation and pick the new executives and to call me, like we respect your grind. That’s some shit right there.”

It’s not hard to see why they are looking to Jones to deliver hits.

“We were signed to Roc-a-fella, which was distributed through Def Jam,” Jim explains. “We were always going through a lot of battles with them as far as Diplomat Records was concerned and we always proved them wrong. By us doing that, they had to respect the grind. Because they want some of that fire.”

With so much to do and only 24 hours in a day, pressure would

seem to be the norm. But it doesn’t appear to even register with the Bronx-born, H-Dub dweller. Jones is focused, man. “I’m trying to find some of the new biggest artists out there who are trying to take it to the levels that Cam did, Jay-Z, Nelly,” he assures. “From Rock, R&B, rap, whatever. I ain’t biased. I’m just trying to make stars.

I’ve got Max B. We’re getting ready to start his album. Jha’ Jha, first lady of Diplomats. We’re working on her deal. Hell Rell just came home and is finishing his album.”

Though Jim Jones loves the game, he does admit things done changed. “Hip-hop today sucks. It’s starting to look up. It ain’t no fun. It ain’t that much fun. It used to look like hell of fun when I was young. They said they was doing the tours and niggas having big water fights with this crew and that crew.

Now you could get killed for throwing a bucket of water on somebody.

“But this is my hustle. This is my life. I love it to death. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. But hip-hop as a whole sucks right now. I’m having fun. I’m grindin’.”

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s we watch the teen princesses take their spot center stage with their pretty faces, toned bodies and their dreams and aspirations of being the next lady to sing the Rhythm and Blues, we see their backs walking off stage just as quick as we saw their fronts walking on. However there is one face, one voice and one legacy which continues to reign supreme in the kingdom of Hiphop/Soul and R & B and that belongs to Mary J Blige.

After six multi-platinum selling studio albums, the poignant persona of one of the music industry’s most influential is ready to add more jewels to the crown that has adorned her head for the last thirteen years. As 2005 draws to a close, Mary presents to her fans both old and new the latest diamond for her crown, The Breakthrough, another chapter in the life of a woman whose lyrics and emotions we have come to respect and appreciate.

Throughout her career, Mary has continually earned our love from her honesty, and our high regard from her ability to craft melodious words from her own life’s exposure to heartbreak, pain and now happiness. Never has the Bronx-born, Yonkers, NY-raised icon made a track that one of us out here in the world of fans and listeners haven’t been able to relate to.

Regardless of how successful, how celebrated Mary J. Blige has become, she is still that girl from around the way that can make you feel that she is singing that song for just you and what you may be going through.

As we have heard her 411, understood her Life, Shared her world and finally celebrated when she realized that No More Drama would compensate her Love and Life, people forget, or sadly don’t realize as she embarks on her Breakthrough project just what other achievements this unique personality has under her belt. She heals us with her words, but she also touches many with her actions.

So besides the Platinum and gold discs, Ms. Mary J. Blige has throughout her career won awards that your typical music fan may not be aware of. Among Grammys, MTV Video Music Awards, Soul Train Awards, there are

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awards that possibly mean just a little more than the rest; one being the Patrick Lippert Award, which is Rock the Vote’s highest honor for involvement in community activism.

Mary has never faltered in paying her success forward by involving herself in abundant charitable organizations. Having raised substantial funds for AIDS charities, such as the City of Hope National Medical Center and playing an active role in organizations such as the Crest Healthy Smiles campaign, which promotes oral hygiene and provides kids in deprived areas with the essentials to encourage healthy teeth, reaching out and helping those that need it, without a melody or video involved is equally important to Mary. She can make a difference to many, through her words, through her actions and all the while, maintain that authenticity she has encompassed from the first time she stepped center stage.

Having reached a new plateau in her life after marrying Kendu Isaacs, renowned music producer, the Breakthrough project exemplifies the change in

her mind-set. It closes in on the missing link that her life was lacking before Kendu made her his wife; a partner. She admits ‘being married has drastically changed my music,’ but it is exhilarating to see her once again share this transformation with us. We have lived her previous heartbreak and distress. Now we can rejoice with her as she embarks on an entirely new episode in her life; an episode that may be long overdue, but nonetheless anticipated.

It is apparent that she still subconsciously stands center stage, glowing, basking in our admiration, because there is just something about Mary that encourages us to want her to maintain that position.

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aul Wall’s been doing his thing in Houston We’re doing the same thing in Houston but we not getting the notoriety for for a minute. But it wasn’t until his feature on it. It’s no hard feelings. It’s just the way it is. When I saw that, I said we Mike Jones’ “Still Tippin’” that his notoriety ain’t too far off. It’s real hard to step above the rest in New York. When I sky-rocketed. Now, powered by his label compare the New York to Houston in terms of productivity and sales, we Swisha House’s deal with Asylum/Atlantic ain’t too far off. We really are doing our thing. It’s all timing. The Geto Records, Paul Wall’s music is headed mainstream.

Boys, Rap-A-Lot and J. Prince set the foundation 20 years ago. If UGK was His major-label debut, The People’s Champ features Lil Wayne, from any East Coast city or West Coast city, they’d have won Grammys.

B.G., Bun B, the Grit Boys, T.I. and Freeway.

Being they from the bottom, people don’t have the slightest clue.”

But don’t get it twisted. This is really like Paul’s fifth release.

Now, artists all over are looking to get down with the Lone Star State star.

“The first album I dropped was called Get Your Mind Correct.

Just look at his one-sheet. “I got Bun B. I’ve done a lot of projects with Bun The second one was called The Chick Magnet. Then I dropped B. I hope to put him on every project I ever do. He’s a hero to me, him and one called How To Be A Player. Then most recently was Pimp C. They icons and legends in Texas and in the South. They innovators Controversy Sells.” The transition from indie to major artist is one Wall and pioneers for Southern music, for gangsta music and for Texas music. welcomes. “This has been a big step. When we’re independent, we’re taking Not to mention, they were some of the first Texas artists to put out albums care of everything ourselves. And on major labels other people take care of and they still getting better with time and being consistent with their music those things for you. In a sense, it leaves me more room to be me, where and they still relevant to hip-hop today. I’ve always been a fan of Lil Wayne independent I’m doing most of the business myself.” and B.G. Lil Wayne was going to the University of Houston and I knew one It’s not that Wall wants to be an artist more than a businessman. To the of his boys and I hooked up his grill for him. I have a studio and I offered contrary, Paul doesn’t like being an artist. “A lot of people don’t respect you as him access and he told me one of the problems he was having is that the an artist, but a lot of that is because of the artists who’ve been assholes in the engineers’ aunts and sisters and everybody wants to take pictures so there’s past. They don’t do things on time, don’t do what they need to do by deadlines, no freedom for him to do his work. Our studio is more exclusive. When you so there is less respect if you’re an artist. They put you on a celebrity pedestal, working, you working. We give the artists the respect and privacy that they but at the same time, they don’t respect your mind in terms of business. I look want. He used the studio and from there he got on my album. And the same at it all like it’s a business. I don’t look at it like I’m a celebrity and an artist. I with B.G. I have been a fan of the Hot Boys for so long. So to get B.G. take care of my business and do my job. The fame is bullshit.” and Lil Wayne on there was great. Freeway is one of my favorite rappers.

Being from Texas, Paul Wall has sold CDs, flooded mixtapes, but never had Freeway and Cam’ron. I got Cam’ron on some future projects. I like the the fame – until now. Texas, until recently was mostly self-supporting. “Hipway they rap because they rap about hustling, but not from a rapper’s hop has always been huge in Houston. The radio stations play a lot of local aspect, they rap about it from a hustler’s viewpoint. They styles music. At the same time, there are a lot of rappers and every rapper doesn’t is so different from the type of style I do. have a song on the radio. I think since we’re so far from New York, the media It’s different shit that you didn’t know about us for a long time. And since we’re so far from Hollywood, that side didn’t know about us. The rest of the country had their respective movements, Miami, Atlanta, St. Louis. Houston is at the bottom of the map in the middle. We got the short end of the stick for a long time in terms of props and credit go. The mixtapes we do, the DJ Screw tapes, he created a whole new art form, a whole new branch of the hip-hop tree. It created a whole genre of music that we live that reflects our culture that the rest of the world is completely oblivious to. But it’s so huge in Houston. Screw music is Texas. It is the Houston culture. The number of mixtapes that we sell and the wouldn’t expect. number of people that listen The Grit Boys, we got a crew in Texas to our mixtapes by far called the 713. It’s like a movement. With myself, the Grit Boys outnumbers the DJs (Ghetto Reality In Texas), also the production team the Grid Iron, and my in New York, L.A., boy Young Red and Tre. We coming together and making music together and Florida and forming a united movement for Houston. Toward the end of the recording of Atlanta. the album, that’s when we saw the success of “Still Tippin,” so opportunities for me to work with more major producers. It’s good to have major features and production on the album because it draws the spotlight to you but with me, I didn’t want the spotlight to be on who I had on the album and what production I had. I wanted it to be more of what can I bring to the table. I got a beat from KLC from the Medicine Men, Juicy J and DJ Paul from Three 6 Mafia and Sanchez (T.I.).”

Paul Wall’s 15 minutes of fame has arrived. He has become a fixture on BET and received the requisite comparisons to Eminem. It only seems natural he will have to address the “White” question, often. “I was rapping before Eminem came to the spotlight. At that time the only rappers were Vanilla Ice and MC Serch. At the beginning, there was a lot of, you White. Me being White overshadowed my lyrics and style. So I took a step back and avoided the whole White thing. It was more important for me to be White than for me to be a good rapper. As time went on, the spotlight drew to me because I was White. From there it’s up to me. I have to step up to the plate and either I’m going to hit a home run or strike out. When I got down with Michael Watts and Swisha House and they hear me on the tapes, they don’t know I’m White, especially on the slowed down tapes. As time went on, I got on my first Swisha House tape in ’99, some people just figuring out now I’m White. I don’t put it out there that I’m a White rapper. I’m a rapper who is White. Eminem came to the spotlight and broke down a lot of barriers for other rappers that are White.

He earned respect. He kept it real. He made people say that’s cool, you being you. He didn’t give a fuck. And his success. The labels started looking for other White rappers. They got Bubba Sparxxx. Then Haystack. Then Lil Wyte.

People started comparing me to all those. My style is nowhere near their styles.

My style ain’t like any other rapper, no matter what they are. My style is Paul Wall. I represent the Texas culture and the culture that I grew up in.”

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anging out with the Ying Yang Twins is a bizarre ride. Especially when they’re taking you on a tour of their hometown of Atlanta. While the tour bus jumps from auntie’s porch to the projects to Big Daddy’s Restaurant, D-Roc and Kaine explain the meaning behind their latest album title, the reasons why everyone loves the Twins and how they’re headed for MTV. The title of their latest CD, United State Of Atlanta, tells a lot about today’s Ying Yang Twins. “We’re trying to show everyone how Atlanta is a united state,” assures D-Roc. “Because we have a lot of unity in Atlanta. As you can see within the music scene, Atlanta artists are with each other all the time. It ain’t no beef. There’s a whole lot other than strip clubs in Atlanta. We’re raised in the streets, but you got to go to church, go to work. And we wanted to get that across on this album.” Kaine adds, “This album will let people know that we are not only representers of the strip clubs, but we address politics and pain. D-Roc and myself are grown.

We got to be adults. They get mad at us because we have a big following and we act like teenagers. But we are a long way from being teenagers. We’re acting our age and this new album is going to show that a lot.”

From their arrival on the rap scene with their surprise hit “Whistle While You Twurk” to their

latest chart-topper, “Wait (The Whisper Song),” the Ying Yang Twins have traveled from anonymity to celebrity. When Universal didn’t promote them right, they got the hell on. And since joining forces with TVT Records, they’ve scored Platinum plaques, features on late night TV shows, New Year’s Balls and MTV’s Cribs. “We’re going to do our own TV show in a minute,” D-Roc boasts. “We’ll be in your face every day,” So what is it about Ying Yang that has grasped America’s imagination and won’t let go? “We have people feel like they can be theyself,” Kaine proposes. “We ain’t nobody to prove nothing to. We ain’t superstars either. We just ordinary people.” D-Roc also has a theory. “A lot of people relate to Ying Yang. They see us vibing to our own music. Because we do. We love to vibe to our music because if I don’t like it, ain’t nobody else going to like it. That’s what people love about us. We unique. We original.

We creative. There’s a whole lot that comes along with Ying Yang. We up for a party. If Ying Yang comes in the room, it’s going to be fun. Because life is too hard for you to walk around with your head down. That’s what Ying Yang brings – the party back to life.”

D-Roc is always ON. Always has been, always will be. It’s as if he is the joker to Kaine’s straight man.

“I just love life,” D-Roc grins. “Everybody looks for a party. I bring the party with me. That’s my whole driving theory. Always bring the life. I don’t like going around and everybody’s looking sad. I got to go.

Just getting up is my inspiration. I love being crunk. I love to stay crunk.” Being a self-promoter is a quality that has helped boost their careers. “I promote when I go out everyday. A good promoter always promotes for himself. I got to radio stations. You got to stay in the street. But you don’t stay so far in

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the street that you get lost.”

At first glance, the Twins may seem very much alike. But dig deeper and there are key distinctions. “I conversate and do the negotiating,” D-Roc points outs. “Kaine ain’t. I hear what you got to say and then decide whether I want to listen to you or not.

Kaine ain’t going to listen to you at all.” Maybe Kaine has become jaded from their trials in the industry. “Don’t none of this shit love you,” Kaine states.

“The industry don’t love you.

You gotta love yourself. You and whatever your squad is. The industry don’t care.

It’s about turning over the value of a dollar. So putting your emotions in it is the wrong move. I’m glad D-Roc and myself learned that early.”

Signed to the same label as Lil’ Jon & the Eastside Boyz and Pit Bull, the Twins are part of the reason TVT is currently the hottest independent label. Their hit-making streak is unrelenting.

On the heels of the success of “Saltshaker,” they now have one of the summer’s biggest smashes with “Wait (The Whisper Song).”

What seemed like a gimmick has turned into another Ying Yang banger. “When you in the club, it’s impolite and unattractive to yell in a girl’s face,’ relays D-Roc. “But you whisper in her ear, it’s attractive and it turns her on and she want to know what you said. It catch her attention.

So we whisper and we catch everybody’s attention.”

With a track record to be proud of, the Twins have started their own company, Punnnn Entertainment, People United Never Negotiate Negatively. “We move to fast for you,” smiles D-Roc. “We got the Musicians, me and my little brother. The Hard Boys.

That’s the group, they was out before OutKast.

They were our mentors. They told us about each other and then we met on our own.

We bringing them back. And other than that, we open for options.” They also want to do movies, and get into real estate. “That’s the only thing that I can see that you can buy that man can’t make – and that’s land,” D-Roc advises.

With the release of their latest album, United State of Atlanta, Ying Yang is helping add fire to the Southern hip-hop flame.

“The South has worked hard to get accepted,” DRoc emphasizes. “So now that we’re getting accepted, it’s like we’re messing up a lot of other coasts. It’s not like we’re messing up their sales. Their vibe is just off. You got to change with times and a lot of people don’t want to change with the times.

It’s like everybody look at New York supposed to be the spot where hip-hop was born. But the South is the bottom. And to build a house you got to start from the bottom up. We’ve just been down here marinating. We trying to make our way up, and we have. So the South right now is off the chain. But it’s the unity what the South has. That’s what’s different than every other state.”

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fter a short stint and one record released on J Records, Olivia couldn’t be happier with her new boss: 50 Cent. With the release of her muchanticipated CD, Behind Closed Doors, the first lady of G-Unit shares how Clive Davis discovered her, what’s up with GUnit Lingerie and why she’s better than the rest. Judging by the sound of her party single “Twisted” featuring Lloyd Banks, this Brooklyn-born, Jamaican-bred, Queensdweller is setting the game on fire.

“I wouldn’t categorize my album as R&B,” Olivia states. “It’s a variety. I love that I can be so diverse and I don’t have to stick myself in one niche.” In fact, Olivia is quite sure she stands out from the rest of today’s R&B pack. “I’m definitely set apart,” she assures.

“When I first came out singing the “Bizounce” record, nobody was doing that. Then I had another record called, “Silly Bitch In Love.” I already had my own niche that I made for myself. With this album, you’ll hear I still have the same content. The other girls aren’t singing about that. I’m totally set apart. But most people will compare you regardless. We’re all are fair-skinned and have blond hair. But I’m the only one with real blond hair. I don’t wear fake hair. I sing. I dance. I play the guitar and the piano. I rap. I’m very diversified.”

At G-Unit Records, Olivia is afforded total creative control. On her latest, Behind Closed Doors she wrote 13 out of the 15 records. “It’s just me and 50,” she says. “I love that. At J Records, I couldn’t pick my records. They did what they wanted because they figured since I was a brand new artist, I didn’t know what I was talking about. Of course, they were wrong, and I’m in a better situation now. I don’t

have anybody over my back telling me what direction to go in. It’s total freedom.”

But with every rocky road traveled, there are valuable lessons learned. Olivia knows now to always listen to her gut. “I couldn’t then because they were the ones in charge,” she admits. “J records didn’t want to listen to me. They thought they knew everything. At G-Unit, 50 doesn’t say I have to do anything.

The G-Unit staff, everybody helps everybody. They all want everybody to win. Everybody on G-Unit, we’re all solo artists and we’re all hot. You can’t say that about any group.”

50 is just as amped about Olivia and her project. “A lot of people view G-Unit as a group, and as I begin to diversify the kind of music that comes from our camp, they’ll start to appreciate us more as a company,” he points out. “That’s what excited me about Olivia’s project. Having it be R&B project, it doesn’t fit the protocol for what they’ve seen from this point. Her project is great. The last project she had [on J Records], she wasn’t able to be exactly what she wanted to be. I don’t think we know her until we get this new record. We’re winning. So through association she’s a winner.”

Olivia is winning all over the world with her new team. “I was just on 50’s last promo tour,” she begins. “We actually just got back from Europe. We did Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Milan.

We did so many places. The response was so crazy. I got as many yells and screams as 50 did. I didn’t know I touched that many people. I had a “Cloud Nine” record out and 50 was on it.

We just threw it out. In London, it’s #1. For them to acknowledge me like that, and they all had my first album. It’s a good feeling to know that you’re making them happy, while you’re making yourself happy because you’re sharing your music with them.”

Olivia was born in Brooklyn, and moved to Jamaica as a

newborn. She came to the States when she was eight.

Her father is Catholic and mother Christian, and so since the age of four, Olivia attended two Sunday services. Then at 14 or 15, she realized she wanted to be a singer, and so her first cousin, who’s also one of her managers, took her to studios. There, she learned the technical side of recording tracks. She also enrolled at Hofstra University and Five Towns, and took courses in everything from opera singing to law to psychology.

While at school, Olivia secured a production deal with Joshua Thompson. His management told her that Clive Davis was looking for new artists because he was leaving Arista to start J Records. She gave them three songs. A week later, Clive wanted to meet her. She sang the gospel song “His Eyes On The Sparrow,” and blew him away.

“When I first came out on J, it was Alicia Keys, me and Jimmy Cozier and Clive had to put us in different routes,” Olivia explains. “We all had to do something different. I had to go the bad girl with the attitude route, Alicia went the good girl that played the piano and Jimmy went bad boy, rude boy. That’s what we had to do. The company gave us the money. It didn’t work the way I wanted it to because it wasn’t me. But I’m thankful I got my start there because if I didn’t meet Clive Davis, I wouldn’t have met Jimmy Iovine at Interscope and then signed to G-Unit. I stayed at the top. Nobody goes from Clive to something better and then something better. 50 sold 11 million records. His first week he just did 1.4. And he’s still humble. He’s the best boss ever.”

50 was so impressed with Olivia when he heard her tracks that he called her himself to tell her that J Records messed up, that they didn’t know what they had. Then he asked her to be the first lady. “I was so shocked because it was

50,” the first lady admits. “Then I was nervous because I didn’t know how I’d fit in with four guys. If they’re in a room talking, and I walk in, they’ll stop cursing. That’s so respectful. They’re all great guys and they all have such different personalities. 50 is just the head who holds everything together. The cool one. He never gets upset. If he’s upset, you won’t know. Banks is just the playboy. He thinks he’s God’s gift to women. Buck and Yayo, you never know what to expect from them. They’re so high energy.

Buck is all over the place and Yayo is just so happy to be home. Then I bring the sexiness element. Now I get to speak from the lady’s point of view. We all fit. We’re all from Queens. I was always the girl that hung around all guys. It works well for me.”

For now, Olivia is more than content making G-Unit music and working on the G-Unit Lingerie line. “I want to go wherever this life takes me,” Olivia relays. “I’m a natural actor. But I want to be a singer first. When it comes time, I’ll act as well. I’m not rushing into anything. I have a few artists I’m working with now. I always help others because I know when I was in that position, I was grateful to have someone else help me.”

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beat-making braun behind Cash Money Records, the indie label started by Slim and his younger brother Baby. And Baby, as many Hip-Hop fans know, is something of a father to Lil’ Wayne, stepping in when Lil’ Wayne’s step father was murdered in the nation’s on and off again murder capital. Cash Money’s cronyism, unlike that say of George W.’s, has produced enviable results: Lil’ Wayne, for one.

Lil’ Wayne arrives at Impact 210’s SOHO offices chainless but icy. Cuffing the sleeve of his white polo sparkles an assortment of multicolored diamonds parsed in a several rows; candy colored bracelets to match his prominent pinky ring. Most people could work forever and still not be able to afford Wayne’s accoutrements, and he’s not even stunting today. True Religion jeans casually hang from his slim muscular build, a long-sleeved white Polo shirt mirrors the bright white of his Stan Smith’s and a sleeveless plaid down vest keeps the Miami resident warm in the cool grey of the Manhattan fall. Garbed in the same articles, anyone else would be doing it as Mannie Fresh says, “real big.”

But this is nothing for Lil’ Wayne. This is ‘Tha Carter’: Hip-Hop veteran, record executive, label owner, rhyme spitter. A young man poised to drop his fifth solo album, Tha Carter II, November 22nd, less than two months after his 23rd birthday.

Lil’ Wayne emits an unsettling nonchalance about his success and unshakeable confidence in its perpetuity. “There’s gonna be a Carter 5,” he decrees. Same name, advanced game much like the other Carter, Shawn, arguable G.O.A.T. Since taking over the reins at the house that

Russ and Rick built, S dot publicly courted Cash Money’s franchise player, eventually losing out to the home team with Bird and Baby retaining Wayne by swiftly naming him President of Cash Money Records.

Regardless, Jay’s cosign served to elevate the rapper’s status. Crowned a certified wordsmith by some, cynics labeled Wayne nothing but an expensive imitation. Posed with Jigga-biting criticisms, Lil’ Wayne doesn’t even bother to dust his shoulders off. Slick with the confidence of a young veteran, he lets the dirty criticisms fall, but not before succinctly stating his peace, “I do me. If you hear anything in my flow or if you compare me to anybody, hopefully they are as good as Jay-Z. I don’t write. I just get behind the microphone and just spit. We may be similar,” he concedes, but chalks it up to Jay-Z’s “big influence now.”

A lot has changed for the kid from New Orleans’s Hollygrove projects who only listened to Cash Money artists. Changes that are reflected in Tha Carter II’s composition. For one, Mannie Fresh no longer mans the boards, but instead the rapper invited a host of big name producers to ou leave tragedy behind you submit tracks. “It’s a whole new sound,” he says. “It’s kinda like the Lil’ and keep moving” mumbles Lil’ Wayne that the world is trying to hear.” Global accessibility is the name Wayne while fiddling with his cell of the Soundscan driven Hip-Hop game, a game Lil’ Wayne studies in phone. Six weeks after the natural addition to his business curriculum at the University of Houston, where disaster that struck New Orleans, this he recently enrolled to fulfill a pledge to his mother. On a recent episode native son refuses to dwell on the city’s of MTV2’s “Making the Video,” Wayne, in Atlanta for the video shoot submersion. He wastes no energy detailing for his lead single “Fireman,” is compelled to explain why he’s at the water damaged possessions, they’re as he put it, unknown Oglethorpe University as opposed to one of the esteemed in music industry terms no less, “recoupable,” Historically Black Colleges in the area. “I want that different look. I he’s just grateful that his “everybody made it want that MTV look,” he stated as the camera shifted to a bevy of blonde out.” models masquerading as underclassmen.

If or if not George W. Bush cares about A guest appearance by Thicke, Growing Pain’s Dad Alan Thicke’s black people, Lil’ Wayne, née D’Wayne Carter, does. But it’s his 7 year soulful progeny seems to speak to the same desire for commercial old daughter, Reginae, whom he sees on the weekends, who fuels this viability, but was actually born of a mutual admiration. Thicke’s heavily “Hot Boy” turned “Fireman.” “I gotta make good music cause I know I slept-on debut album impressed Wayne who lifts the album track “Oh got a feed her,” he states plainly, before adding that she’s “the reason I go Shooter” for this offering. But Lil’ Wayne isn’t about to alienate his as hard as I go.” He could also easily be speaking of his mother, who calls loyal hardscrabble demographic. Kurupt and Birdman make appearances during our interview. She tentatively pushed up her son’s lighter when in addition to artists from Wayne’s newest venture, Young Money most parents were pushing their children’s swings, letting an adolescent Entertainment. Poised for the public to hear his album and certain of his Lil’ Wayne skip school to jumpstart his rap career. There are certainly ability to deliver the goods, Wayne anxiously anticipates his November others whom Wayne holds dear, but he doesn’t elaborate, especially not on 22nd release date. “It’s always exciting to get better at it, to find Trina, the self-proclaimed “baddest bitch” he recently squired to the MTV something new about it, to do something better than I’ve done before, Video Music Awards and with whom he trades verses on Trina’s Mannie and to do something a whole lot better than somebody else has done it.”

Fresh-produced single “Don’t Trip.” Mannie Fresh’s family too; the former

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he moment lasts but only a second. What do you do? Do you go for it, stand where you instead are scared? What do you decide? To ride or hide, forget death my friend your name in the stars or in infamy. It can be that bad. Nah, that’s not you, so you look out. All lights, all screams of elation fill the dome. You smell the air, thick with electricity, fire and sound. The type that is live, one would say, it’s your time. “Who wants to challenge me, Kurt Angle”? You remember the words vividly. So you think back to your room, in the mirror, puffing up your chest. Hitting your desk you begin to write, and recite in the mirror, waiting to become that man. The one who will stand in the center with mic in one hand, and belt in the other hand? Is it a dream or crying for tomorrow, crying for elation and admiration to be forever famed one would say.

Now imagine you’re him, what would you do? Oh yes this goes again but his shoes on you. Take that look down the path again. Did you pay attention when you where supposed to? Because practicing makes perfect they say. Not worrying about the effect of what you are doing instead the love you are spreading. Love? Yeah love because standing up means that you have heart

for something you believe in. Not giving up your dreams and following your heart. That’s smart.

That’s John Cena.

On top of the world as of this writing John Cena is the WWE world champion. Which, along with his album, a Hollywood movie “The Marine”, John is happy. “I do this all for the love, I’m out here living a dream and having fun man.” It’s the buoyant attitude and humble demeanor have fans feeling like Cena is one of them for real. An aspect that brings authenticity. People really rock with Mr. Cena. “I got to live one day at a time, try not to over think everything so much, and just do my best. I ain’t never been a thug, or gangsta, not every kid in the hood is one either. That’s who I am, and I know that”. John Cinea’s sober outlook comes across, but looking at his matches you can tell he reserves the other side for his opponents. If you want some come get some.

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hey have been involved in the Reggaeton genre for the past five years as a duo-ZION y LENNOX, before that they were each on their own.

They united, “since they grew up in the same hood in Puerto Rico, Carolina, La Ceramica”. Zion says “that his grandmother use to live near LENNOX, he use to have a home studio in his crib, that’s where we would go and record”. “You know with the dream of becoming an artist and being rappers in Puerto Rico” they had to work and it all happened in that studio.

There musical influences were Hermanos, Daddy Yankee, Baby Yan, Donche Zina, Vico C, Jerry Rivera, Gilberto Santarosa, Frankie Ruiz, Notorious B.I.G., Das EFX, Tupac, Mobb Deep and many more.

ZION y LENNOX’s album titled “Motivando a la Yal” means motivating the ladies. It is a relaunch of their album; it has 8 new songs, remixes. They have a new distribution with Sony, “It means a lot for us, cuz it’s getting big with Reggaeton, you know”. They were excited because 3 of there songs made the top 15.

They both enjoyed performing and recording. TNL witnessed them their show and confirm that is was crazy!! In Puerto Rico at LA JUSTA concert, it was a phat one. TNL has pictures with them at the concert giving love. ZION says “that we love to go to the studio, with nothing in mind, we hear a beat and start free styling, improvising, flowing with the creativity heard.”

Z&L presently have an independent label called Baby Records, they are developing new artists, and they have producers.

Talking future: In the Hip hop field ZION & LENNOX would like to work with Kanye West,

50 Cent and Jay Z. They want to keep doing music, do movies, modeling, get into the fashion industry, LENNOX has something in mind for a clothing line, open a restaurant, a club.

Z&L duos are always focused on the business, good move.

TNL went to chill with ZION & LENNOX, where they tore up the dance floor, that night, they were ready to do what they both love---Perform.

Z&L message to the readers: “Know that ZION & LENNOX were the first duo to be part of the big movement and represent 100% all over the world at the same time, in the United States, South America, Central America, in Europe, everywhere”. “We are among the top five of the genre, we remain strong!

“We are the stallions, humbly we can say that we have worked hard and earned that status”, they thanked the Fans. The awards, Fans listening in the streets, just step out and listen, the Internet, all facts that show and prove what they said.

They advise you not to stop following ZION & LENNOX; the new album is coming soon, and big up to The Next Level Magazine with love.

he Next level met with Nagasi the MC at JFN ONLINE RADIO; she transmits a live radio show from New York to Japan. Yes, TNL Magazine visited JFN studios in midtown, New York City, it was nice! Japan is a very limited island, and JFN brings them the outside world, Japan loves hip-hop, R&B, Dance, Jazz and reggae, so Nagasi blesses them with good old and new music.

Global Interface Organization, Inc. (GIO) is an international bilingual broadcaster and promoter of American culture that produces radio and Internet entertainment programs that reach audiences virtually everywhere in Japan. And since that is how they spread their love of arts to the Japan world the CEO and founder of GIO, Masashi Nishikawa big producer in Japan founded GIO in 1994. Masashi would travel to the US and Europe for live broadcasting shows, there was no suitable studio in New York so he created one.

There are varies radio programming shows transmitted from NY to Japan, The show Nagasi produces has 10 million listeners, ages range from teenagers to 50 years olds approximately. The show is called WORLD MUSIX LIVE FROM NEW YORK; it is transmitted for two hours, from 2am till 4am. The concept of the show is to expose good music from New York hit charts. This show has been on air for two (2) years since October 2003.

The other shows that she airs are on Saturday from 6pm till 6:30 pm. This broadcasting is for new hip-hop, R&B, they feature NEW YORK lifestyle, gossip and relationships, and they involve people in the streets and ask them their opinions on set topics.

Topics, songs and themes for shows are set in each month meeting that NAGISA has with the CEO. Nagasi covers reggae festivals in her broadcastings as well, she send it to them HOT as it’s happening. Nagasi receives feedback from her

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listeners via email, no phone calls, they requests song and let her knew that they are thankful and appreciate her work.

KAORU SANADA hosts the show, she was an R&B singer, and DJ Premier, Marley Marl and Evil D have remixed her songs.

Reggae is big in Japan, TOK came to interview at the radio station, people love them, SEAN PAUL, and he is very popular also. The J&J Connection stands for Jamaica and Japan government’s nice relationship for the past 25 years. There are many Japanese living in Jamaica. Nagasi went and researched Jamaica, because she loves Jamaica, she did coverage. Reggae reminds them of the taiko drums, there own music.

Station CEO opened a radio station in Hawaii, it is a popular destination for Japanese, and its location is right in the middle of states and Japan. CEO: MASASHI NISHIKAWA was a surfer when he was young and she enjoys returning to surf and he is one with nature. There were too many pros, he just knew that he had to do it, purchase the spot in Hawaii. The Studio is in a surf shop called “local motion” they play Hawaiian music and reggae is big there as well.

There are plans to do a compilation that surfers like to hear including acoustic. Other plans include opening a studio in UK, presently her shows she features UK artists from time to time.

In New York they want to launch a record label, promoting new underground artists from the states planning to compile CD’s and do promotional events in Japan.

NAGASI and MASASHI stay planning for the future of the music and great interviews that they send out to Japan listeners.

Therefore they can expect guaranteed satisfaction through the airwaves because Nagasi is a dedicated female that knows what she’s doing. Much love to them from The Next Level Magazine, we had a great time at your studio.

here are only so many teen stars that make it into their twenties and continue down the road of success. In the Hip-hop world there are the Bow-Wows and the Lil Romeos who are mainstream all the way, but bubbling in Atlantic City, the East Coasts own very Metropolis of Sin, there is a talent so underground and so ridiculously rare, so unique and so welcomed to those who believe Hip-hop to be the way of life.

That talent is in the form of Q45. An emcee who has been mastering his craft for over twelve years and who is just a mere 21 years old. But as the old saying goes “Age ain’t nothing but a number” and in the case of Q45, his approach and his insight to what he is hoping to achieve, the particular saying couldn’t be more correct.

He performed his first live show at the remarkable age of ten and even more notable is the fact that he was paid for his performance. Aspiring emcees can go years without being recognized let alone being paid to perform. But Q45 notably states that he never once got into the game to be rich. All he wanted to do was develop his talent and love of music into a paying job. Perhaps it his own personal knowledge as to what the urban youth of today actually can relate to that will encourage his longevity in the game.

Having served his time in The Sound Tank Recording Studios in New Jersey under the guidance of Andrew Manzano, credited for producing the likes of NSYNC and soundtracks for movies such as “You got Served” and “10 Things I Hate About You,” Q45 became familiar with the ins and outs of the production and engineering aspects of the game. Thus encouraging him to encompass all facets of the industry.

His business skills are innumerable. Wildcard Entertainment is his baby, along side his business partner Ca$’is Clay, he is constantly putting mixtapes out on the streets which have a tendency to move

faster than Asafa Powell. But his empire doesn’t just stop there; he has a production company called Total Dynasty Entertainment which handles all the hooks, bridges which accompany Q’s catchy lines. But probably the most important and critical component of Q45s empire is a motivational program called F.O.C.U.S which in its entirety means “From Opportunity Comes US”. ‘This is a program which is aimed at the youth in Atlantic City and Atlanta, correlating life and music’ Q states.

Having received financial benefits from not only the government but the streets on which they are trying to educate and encourage, making the youth move in the right directions, it is the empowerment of youth which enforces Q45 position in the game.

He wants to make changes, he wants to be a new generation of artist who is actually hands on in urging today’s urban youth to monopolize on their talents and not lose themselves to the hustle of street life.

The advance Q is making musically is pretty impressive. Having just released his own mixtape, “Good Day for Rap, Bad Day for Rappers,” which in just three weeks has moved close to 2,000 copies without any real serious effort in distribution, Q eloquently broke down his scope on the way the business aspect is defined;

“The record label is responsible for building your house, but it is up to you to build that foundation for your house. They cannot build a mansion if you only have the foundation for a garage.”

With reasoning like this it is obvious why Q45 attracted the attention of fellow AC residing Harlem native Fats, and his label, Never Enough.

Q45 opts not to dwell on matters that bring about negativity.

(Q had his own ‘beef’ with West Coast rapper Game over him stealing ideas and concepts to incorporate into his Documentary project.) Instead, he’s knee deep in up and coming projects such as releasing a special series of mixtapes for Villanova University, hosted by the universities very own celebrity sports personalities, contributing the theme song for a clothing line for urban surfers based in Brooklyn known as Brooklyn Surfer and appearances on his partner in crime’s up and coming debut album, Split Decision which is hitting stores on January 10, 2006.

With age on his side and a continuous grind, Q45 will be the purveyor of quality lyrics and beats encouraging the Hip-hop devotees to respect his conscious effort to make change.

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NL had the pleasure to meet a very

colleges from east to west across the states. Spread that

interesting Artist from Williamsburg,

goodness, TNL congratulates them for their contribution to

Brooklyn. Readers, TNL brings you

the hip-hop and reggae ton movement. BRIGANTE would

BIRG BRIGANTE who is in his 20’s, he’s been

enjoy making music one day with “his boy TITO GRAHMZ,

involved in the music industry for the past 15

KANYE WEST, DON OMAR among others, “love is love”.

years, just doing it!

TNL asked BRIGANTE if he felt any competition from other

BRIGANTE is a rap artist and at the same time

artists? “No competition, we all in the same game, he doesn’t

he owns an independent label representing

look at it like that”, real recognize real, we like his style. We

hip-hop and Reggaeton artists. As a determined businessman

know that with the right guidance and once players learn

he makes it happen for himself and his artists: IRON HEART,

to maintain their positions in the music industry, which is to

GRAYSON and D-MEZZY known as TEAM DEUCE. And

use the power of their voice in society positively hip hop will

doing Reggaeton are his artists: ANTRACKS, DIANA and ALI

remain alive, it’s a win-win!

BALA.

About Reggaeton BRIGANTE says, “it lacks originality,

BRIGANTE thanks his whole team and recognizes that

they along with his partner

his artists will be

LT: Co-President and his

switching it up in the

Production unit-WHITE

future, they are going

BEATS and PISTOL PETE

to take the game by

“keep up his creativity”.

storm”. It’s all part

Other artist such as BIGGIE

if of the movement,

(R.I.P), Jay Z, 50 Cent,

think back when hip

EMINEM, New Edition,

hop started, some

and old school music

may have thought it

from the 80’s made him

might of faded out

want to do Hip Hop in the

with time, but as long

90’s. We especially liked

as we have artists

BRIGANTE’s come up

such as BRIGANTE

story: In 94 when Biggie

master minding ways

dropped his first album,

to improve and keep

BRIGANTE didn’t want

it alive, there is only

to do anything illegal for

upward everlasting

money, so he started

mobility—Que viva!!!

battling in the lunch room

BRIGANTE gives

for money, (that’s what’s

importance to the

up). He might have been

community and taking

playing back then, but when

action where and

BIGGIE past he started

when necessary. His

rapping seriously, he fulfilled

friend TWITCH (R.I.P)

his passion and turned it

(he was an upcoming

into his career.

boxer) passed,

BRIGANTE faces

collections and drives

challenges, as do all

were organized, the

humans, he is a single

proceeds were given

father, doing music full time

to the family and the

and making time for the kids.

But TNL knows that he and his team have what it takes to keep moving forward.

Right now in the streets you can find “the album before the album”, expect the album to drop in February—look out for that.

BRIGANTE and TEAM DEUCE will be touring 151

funeral expenses were paid for. It’s good to know that our artists, the voices we are listening and learning from give a hoot about what really matters in the world.

BRIGANTE and TEAM DEUCE are bringing Brooklyn back, mark your map!

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Playa- this is not the spider man experience I was looking for. I still think spidey 2 was better then this one although this one has a lil bit of extras like being able to be venom and stuff like that. the graphics is cool something like a comic book video game but the controls on this one was kinda hard which makes it annoying to play...leave this one on the shelf and wait for spider man 3 to come out..

Player-peter parker’s back and this time true to comic form. Ultimate Spiderman puts you right in the comic book. I really didn’t get a chance to do to many missions but I was happy just web slinging around town. The best looking spider man game yet also must I mention the variety of spidey foes in the game. more characters more moves more fun..

Playa - wow 50 is definitely killing the market music, vitamin water, clothes, movies and now a video game what’s next his own gun? Well getting to the point this game is alright if u a 50 fan the story line is cool the only thing wrong with this game is there’s not to much versatility in the characters. and why the hell does Tony yayos head always tilt to the side. lots of extra stuff like a whole new album and videos that u can watch instead of pausing the game while u get a sandwich.

I like this game though its fun and has a lot of potential for a sequel..ggggg gunit Player-50 is everywhere he ventures where no rapper has ventured before(except for wu tang and the def jam roster in vendetta) If your not a fan of g unit there’s not much to the game. The gameplay is a little repetitive. The thing I really liked about this game was unlocking music and videos. Keep Killen me fifty.

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Playa - one of my favorite games right now I never thought rockstar can actually make a game with no gun play that can be fun...congratulations on this one...the game play is fun the whole game was made exactly like the movie...the game has some extras and also u can play a arcade version of the game thas a reinstallment of double dragon wow remember that... this is definitely a game to have in the house...

Player-warriors come out and plaaaay. This game is awesome. Rockstar lets you Terrorize NYC with the warriors. Take out rival gangs ,steal car radios, loot stores, and buff rivals tags. One of the best games of the year. Go pick this up and wreak havoc on NYC boppers.

Playa- this is one of the years best games it is definitely better then the la version and I’m not just saying that cause I’m from New York. the graphics in this game is very good not to mention that u can chase the diddy man himself and JLO around the city and shoot them down. the missions are exciting and being able to interact with the city just step up the game experience GTA better step it up themselves. this is a good one for the collection we hope to see true crime in Brooklyn..

Player-True crime is back and better then ever. This time on the island of Manhattan. It would have been great to have all five boroughs although it is fun gunning people down on the streets of Manhattan. True crime returns with all-star voice acting from Christopher walken, Larry fishburne and a rapper named Reggie from brick city. True crime 2 is definitely one of the best games of the year. As a matter of fact I got to get back to my game. If you don’t have it yet go get it.

Playa - this is a cool game there wasn’t to much promotion on this game. but the story line to this game is cool and the shooting is kind of fun lots of weapons and cool moves. It’s a blend of grand theft auto and dead to rights...if u like those 2 games then you should get this one cause it is fun to play. its a little cheesy as far as goals and stuff but I definitely have this in the collection Player-I haven’t even played it. My boy playa likes this one, but he also bought land of the dead. I don’t know. I sat and watched playa shoot ill Mexicans and actually the graphics are cool u can jump off walls and shoot people in the head as far as me getting into this game is very unlikely not my type of game..

Playa- I hate this game with a passion I’m upset that I even bought this thing ..its creepy and gruesome but the game play is so lame. this is definitely a kids game because a hardcore gamer like me will throw this out the window. I want my money back on this one Player-this is the worst game of the year. Maybe one of the worst games ever. Whoever made this game should kill themselves. This game is not what I expected it to be . Graphics are poor and the story is so lame. Why was this game put on the market I can’t believe playa spent his money on this one. I think he watched too much dawn of the dead.

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HEY WHERE BACK WITH ANOTHER BIG LIST OF CELEBRITY GIVING THE NEXT LEVEL LUV. WE ALWAY LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THIS SECTION

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