Paid In Full Entertainment: Hollywood

Paul Mooney, Jesse Jackson Ask Everyone To Stop Using The N Word
By: SoundSlam
Published: Nov. 29, 2006 - New York, New York





Black leaders Monday presented the entertainment industry with a challenge: to stop using the "N-Word."

The word that was used in Michael Richard's violent outburst is seen as a racial slur by any of those who use it, and politicians and entertainers decided that they have had enough of this intolerance. Rev. Jesse Jackson was one of the leaders who was there to speak, and voiced his concerns about the use of the "N-Word." "We want to give our ancestors a present," said Jackson. "Dignity over degradation." Jackson says he and others plan to meet with TV networks, film companies and musicians to discuss the word's use.

Comedian Paul Mooney, who is known for his work on The Chappelle Show and with Richard Pryor, claims the he will now remove the word from his act entirely, and he thanks Michael Richards. "He's my Dr. Phil," said Mooney. "He's cured me."

Rappers Paul Wall, Noreaga and Chamillionaire also discussed their beliefs and opinions of how the infamous slur should be viewed. "I think the word is very offensive for anybody to use," said Wall. "It's a disgraceful, offensive word that was used to belittle people because of the color of their skin." Wall went on to say that he supports the NAACP and all of their efforts to stop the word's use.

Queens rapper Noreaga took a different stance. "I definitely don't plan to change my vocabulary or speech pattern because of [the Michael Richards] incident," said the Queens lyricist. "You never hear from these leaders until something controversial happens."

Chamillionaire tried to shed some light on the issue. "It's not just rappers, it's as African-Americans in general, we do a lot of things that are opposite of past history," said the southern rapper. "We promote violence and drugs, but complain about violence and drugs. We don't vote, but complain about who is in office. We throw the 'n-word' around like it's a good thing, when in the past it was one of the most dreadful words. All of this stuff has grown to become part of the culture."

On of the leaders Democrat Maxine Waters, from Los Angeles. She is hoping that, no matter what becomes of this issue, that people focus on the racial problems that are still current in today's society. "This is not simply whether or not the black community forgives and forgets," said Rep. Waters. "This is about understanding that this is pervasive, that this happens in all of our institutions one way or another."

UGK Album Pushed Back
By: SoundSlam
Published: Nov. 29, 2006 - New York, New York





Those hoping to get UGK's new double disc for Christmas, or another upcoming holiday will be out of luck this year. The duo's long awaited seventh album, U.G.K. Underground Kingz will not be released until February 27, 2007.

The Houston rap group was preparing to release the album on December 19th through Jive records, but will now wait till early 2007. The album has 26 new recordings by Pimp C and Bun B. Pimp C also showcases his production skills, and is joined by LIl Jon, Jazze Pha, Swizz Beatz, Scarface, and Marly Marl behind the boards. Bun B and Pimp C teamed up vocally with Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, T.I., Rick Ross, Slim Thug, Sleepy Brown, Three Six Mafia, and Willy D.

The first single, "The Game Belongs To Me," was produced by Pimp C, and a video will be released in early 2007.

The group's first album, The SouthernWay was released in 1988. In 2000 The group received major exposure following their appearance on Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin'."

Lil' Flip: My Motivation

— by Mike Cooper


Of all the titles or honors that can be bestowed upon a rapper, perhaps "Freestyle King" is the most reputable. With that name comes respect. It means that anytime, on the spot, you can drop a line that will make young MC hopefuls sh-- in their britches.

Supposedly, that "King" is the versatile and highly talented prodigy named Wesley Eric Weston Jr., aka Lil' Flip. The Houston rapper has earned that label after years of hard work and struggle, which has resulted in him helping the Texas rap scene rise to the top the last couple years.

Flip got started early battling others in his Cloverland neighborhood. Soon word got out, and with a little help from DJ Screw, Flip eventually signed with Sucka Free Records at the precarious age of 16. Since then, it's been an eventful ride to stardom and fame.

The rapper has worked with the likes of Ludacris, Three 6 Mafia and David Banner. He's had #1 hits and platinum albums, but now, he's back for more. And with a 150-0 freestlying record, according to Flip, it appears unlikely that anyone can stand in his way.

BallerStatus.com: How have you been lately?

Lil' Flip: Just trying to get my business going and all those little entities that I'm working on. My main goal is to have my music put out the way I fell it should be put out. By leaving Sony, I'm able to have some motherf---er that have faith in a motherf---er. They're not going to treat me like I haven't sold any records.

BallerStatus.com: You were born in Texas correct?

Lil' Flip: Yep in Houston.

BallerStatus.com: What was it like growing up down there for you?

Lil' Flip: The neighborhood that I grew up in, Everybody had Lexus's and all that type of sh--. Seeing everyone around me living like that, I knew that whatever I did in the future, I had to get me some money. Sh--, you see dudes driving around in big cars made you want to have a plan to get this money.

BallerStatus.com: How hard was it to make it down there in hip-hop? Was there a good scene when you were starting out?

Lil' Flip: Back in the day, I listened to a lot of the Southern hip-hop, you know? Like 8 Ball and all tha, so that's all I grew up listening to. You know, you had your guys like Too Short and LL, but I was mainly a ghetto boy. I really liked Goodie Mob.

BallerStatus.com: How much did DJ Screw have to do with your success?

Lil' Flip: There are no words, because if I was to try to... What I can say is that I didn't realize how far those Screw tapes would migrate. He didn't even realize how big his sh-- got because he was so down to earth. Screw doesn't walk around with an attitude. He doesn't say, "Hey I'm rich, f--- you." If you needed some money, he'd give you the last bill out of his pocket. He liked to help motherf---er like I try to do. He would invite them to his house. Some would f--- him over, but he taught me a lot. I know he gave me a strong underground following.

BallerStatus.com: Didn't you start your own label at age 16?

Lil' Flip: Right, right. That's a whole different story.

BallerStatus.com: How were you able to get it going so early? You just have a gift?

Lil' Flip: I mean, my grandmother, she played the piano for church, so of course. And they got me in the choir singing.

BallerStatus.com: I know you were shot in a drive-by a while back, but I never really heard the details.

Lil' Flip: I kind of don't even talk about that sh-- no more.

BallerStatus.com: I can understand that. You reached platinum status on your sophomore album, even without much promotion. Did that give you a sign that rapping for a living was certainly something you were capable of doing from then on out, perhaps even on your own?

Lil' Flip: Well see, the whole thing -- which I've been talking to my lawyer about now -- when you press or do a double album, it gets counted as two. The reason Tupac sold ten million records on All Eyez on Me was because he sold five, but then they counted double. My sales are close to double platinum, but that's another story. I feel like they promoted U Gotta Feel Me more than "The Way We Ball." Because with Underground Legend, we only did one video. Sh--, we spent a little cash on the video and after that it was a wrap. If I wouldn't have stayed on the road doing shows that album wouldn't have gone to platinum because I was really discouraged after my first week of sales. We only sold like 78,000 records. I was like, "Damn, how the f--- am I going to go platinum." [When] you think major, you think big numbers. I was like, "What the f---." So, going on the road helped.

When they told me it went gold, I was like, "Ok, ok." But, when they told me it went platinum, I was like, "Damn." I just wish I knew back then that I could take my own money and shoot my own videos. I was so young, and sh--, when you come in the game young, a lot of motherf---ers take advantage of you.

BallerStatus.com: You are known for your freestyling all across the country, maybe even up on Mars. Who are some of the best cats you went up against and beat?

Lil' Flip: Two of the best guys I went up against would have to be Big Pokey and Hawk. I'll never forget it. One day, we were at Pokey's and we just had some instruments. We were working on some album or whatever and he had some beats and he was just playing them, and we put them on repeat. What we would do, I would rap like four bars and then the next guy who have to pick up where I left off by rhyming to what I said, and we did that sh-- for like an hour man. And that day, they kind of respected me more because that was the first chance I had to be alone with them. You have to understand that when we're entertainers, we have a million motherf---ers that are trying to be around us. You know what I mean? So, you have to make time to be by yourself. There's so many f---in'people around you trying to get a piece. And at that particular moment, it was just us three and sh--. We were just freestyling. I will never forget that sh--. And RIP to Big Hawk.

BallerStatus.com: What exactly happened with your new album, I Need Mine, getting leaked over the internet?

Lil' Flip: Yeah, that's the biggest question. I've been asking Sony. We're working on that right now. But anyway, I had a chance to add some new songs and I took off like four songs. I was only going to do four videos, but now I'm going to do eight. I just hope the fans appreciate the quality of the music, and they always do when I drop it. I apologize to them, that they have to buy this bullsh-- that's out right now. That's why I'm doing mixtapes and all kinds of sh--. In the next month, I will have about 20 mixtapes out. And I have my own show on XM Radio.

BallerStatus.com: Really? I don't know why I didn't know this. For someone who works at a radio station, I try to listen to anything but radio. I've come to the conclusion that regular radio is so shoddy, and plays such horrible music, because true music fans know what they want and will go out and buy it. They don't have to be told what to buy, or listen to, by some bald Hawaiian shirt wearing cokehead morning host.

Lil' Flip: Yeah, it's on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. eastern.

BallerStatus.com: What happened to that suit over the "Pac Man" beat?

Lil' Flip: They had the track for literally four months. I didn't want to do it because Beanie Sigel did a song to that beat. I don't like copying dudes, and a group from down here did it. So, I wouldn't rap to the beat for three months. Then somebody offered me $30,000 like, "Hey man, we're going to give you $30 grand man, and we're not going to do nothing with it without your permission." So you tell any dude out of the hood that you're going to give them $30,000.. So I said, "shoot I'll do it." If you listen, I was actually trying to cuss the f---in' first six words, so they wouldn't push that sh--. And those motherf---ers put it out anyway. But to make a long story short, they had to pay for that sh-- because they did that sh--. They arranged that sh--. And thank God.

BallerStatus.com: Well, tell us more about this new album and what we can expect from it.

Lil' Flip: What inspires me is trying to... I see where a lot of cats get in this rap game and they get to a certain point and they get comfortable thinking it's all good. But then, you see people -- dudes like The Beatles and these dudes that make so much money off their merchandise, these rock stars that tour and get a $100,000,000. And Celine Dion, who does a show at the same f---in' place and gets... You know what I mean? To see that, that is possible is part of the motivation. You know what I mean? But as far as this album goes, I've got Nate Dogg on that album. I've got a ton of great guys on this, it's amazing. I'm thrilled and honored. I give some up and coming cats the same chance I would a big name producer. The fans are going to see a whole different sides man. We have a lot of live instruments on the album.

BallerStatus.com: What brings you the most satisfaction in your life right now? Or simply just music, is it driving by and hearing your song playing, or seeing yourself in a magazine or on the screen?

Lil' Flip: I think it's a combination of all those. I couldn't say that one is greater than the other. It goes from being in high school, hearing your song on the radio, and then the next day, people singing your lyrics. Then to dropping an album, then hearing somebody actually riding by listening to your sh--, who actually bought your sh--. So, it's a combination of all those man. And from every aspect man, that sh-- is f---in' amazing man to know that that many people pay and listen. They listen to whatever the f--- I have to say. Now I've got more conscious lyrics. But when I'm freestyling, I can say whatever the f--- I want, of course. For the most part, knowing that I've got this type of power, I'm not going to abuse it. You dig what I'm saying?

BallerStatus.com: This is a critical time for conscious, certainly politically ones.

Lil' Flip: So, I'm not going to go overboard with it. But the first song on my album, Underground Legend, was "What I Been Through." It was to let motherf---ers know what I was going through at the time.

BallerStatus.com: What's next for you?

Lil' Flip: I'm doing lots of mixtapes and of course, there will be more albums. I'm hard at work. There are a couple movies in the works and of course, the radio show on XM. It's on Thursdays, so tune in. And I have a watch coming out. I know, I know, it looks good though. I'm just trying to do it all man. Relaxing is for old people. And I'm just trying to make a little money dog with every aspect.

MixCast, a leader in hip-hop and urban lifestyle television, today announced the addition of T.V. Johnny & Paul Wall to the rising number of companies that provide video programming for the MixCast Network. MixCast is a global urban lifestyle channel that offers an insider’s peek at urban culture through the eyes of the tastemakers setting the trends. Now the TV Johnny and Paul Wall Show will be available to viewers worldwide through MixCast’s phone, web, and television distribution.

The T.V. Johnny & Paul Wall Show is a new reality show that takes the viewer along for a ride. Hip-hop mega star Paul Wall, and Jeweler to the stars, T.V. Johnny Dang, give viewers an all access pass to hip-hop’s hottest events, celebrities, and music videos.

“In addition to being incredibly entertaining, The T.V. Johnny & Paul Wall Show offers viewers a truly unique perspective on celebrity life, and allows them to virtually attend the most exclusive hip-hop events,” said Gary S. Murray II, Founder of MixCast. “Adding the show to our growing service is a great addition to the authentic programming MixCast already offers as we strive to give consumers video that they can’t see elsewhere on television.”

MixCast will offer all current and future episodes which range from award shows, to festivals, to the Playboy Mansion. Viewers can tune into the show free of charge at MixCast’s online video portal or download it through MixCast’s video on demand service.

“We are extremely pleased with MixCast’s decision to offer the T.V. Johnny and Paul Wall Show to its viewers,” said T.V. Johnny. “Their innovative marketing strategy and multi-platform distribution expands our reach tremendously.” Consumers can access the Internet version of MixCast’s channel at www.mixcast.tv.

About Mixcast
The MixCast Network is a global urban lifestyle channel for your phone, web, and TV. It is the only television network offering a first hand peek into global urban culture through the eyes of the tastemakers setting the trends. In addition to powering the digital offering for some of the most credible names in hip-hop, MixCast is establishing a worldwide network of independent affiliates who report on the local trends and culture of every major city. Additionally, the Company assists major sponsors with delivering highly effective promotional campaigns to the urban market.

UGK Working On New Album, Bun B. Addresses Fellie Fel Diss Rumors
By Nolan Strong and Houston Williams
Date: 8/1/2006 3:50 pm





Bun B. of UGK is setting up the next leg of their career by positioning their status as mature, vets amid a rush of new talents.

According to Bun B., maturity and perseverance is what allowed the group to remain longtime fixtures in the rap industry.

"Being a southern n***a, we used to have to fight for our position. But now southern rappers are valid and we just have to make the most of it. We know all the drills and all the plays. I know the play book and that's what's important. We learned how to deal with radio, record stores. We just didn't have the push and that's what all Southern acts were missing at one time."

To continue, the Texas rappers UGK are preparing their final solo album as Jive recording artists and are assembling a team of all-star producers to help create the self-titled album.

An all-star line up of hit making producers have lined up for the group's latest effort, according to Bun B.

"We are about to go to Las Vegas for a week to lock in with Timbaland, 36 Mafia, Cool and Dre," Bun B. revealed to AllHipHop.com. "This album is going to be a beast, I wouldn't bullshit you. Jazzy [Pha], Manny [Fresh], Timbaland, Blackout Movement [and] The Runnaz.

"We [are] trying to make a well rounded album," Bun B. said. "We want to take Southern rap back to a certain feel. Banging ass music and real talk. The solo albums were to keep this UGK going and this is new album is for the hardcore fans."

As artists, the new album will reflect the continued growth of UGK, who released their first album The Southern Way for Big Tyme Records in 1991.

Bun B. also addressed a growing controversy stemming from a lyric on the new single "Can't Stop the Rain 2006" featuring Shaq and Papoose, from Kay Slay and Greg Street's compilation, The Champions: North Meets South.

Rumors started speculating the Bun B. took a swipe at West coast DJ Felli Fel of Power 106, with the line "n***as used to be on top/but now you fell like Felli/"

"Fellie knows I f**k with him," Bun B. clarified. I don't have any issues with Fellie Fel. He knows I f**k with him. But then everyone calling saying 'that n***a dissed you, when really I bigged him up. Instead I got some backlash. We don't need anything hindering this project because of what we are trying to do, bringing the north and south together. If I don't squash it, it's going to give the beef validity. I was giving Fellie a shout out."

The misunderstanding is minor compared to the tribulations the group has seen in its 15-year history.

UGK suffered a minor set back when group member Chad "Pimp C" Butler was incarcerated in 2002 for parole violations. He served 3 years in prison and was released in 2005.

During Pimp C's three year incarceration, Bun B. made numerous cameo appearances and dropped a solo album Trill, while Pimp C. released The Sweet James Jones Stories from jail in 2005, as well as his album Pimpilation, which debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

My thoughts

Doesn't seem to promising since there are way too many producers producing this album. They should just stick to 3. Pimp C, Mr Lee and Mike Dean. You don't need like 10 producers producing a 17 song album.
__________________
Currently Fav Album
Trae-Restless
Currently Waiting On
Young Buck-Buck The World
Lil Boosie-Bad Azz

Texas Rap/R&B Community Unite For The DJ Screwfest and Car Show
Saturday July 22, 2006,

A variety of Texas rap legends will unite and pay homage to the late pioneer DJ Screw at the first annual DJ Screwfest and Car Show.

The event takes place July 22 at the Pasadena Convention Center & Fairgrounds in Houston.

Confirmed performers include various members of DJ Screw’s Screwed Up Click, as well as Texas rappers UGK, Chingo Bling, Big Moe, Kiotti, Play-N-Skillz, and Big Pokey. Organizers expect to confirm Slim Thug, Lil’ Flip, and others.

The car show is slated to take place during the day and will feature over 200 cars, including DJ Screw’s Original Chevy Impala, fully restored for display.

The day’s proceedings will be filmed as well for inclusion in the upcoming DVD based on Screw’s life titled Untold Story.

A portion of the proceeds from The DJ Screwfest and Car Show will benefit the DJ Screw Foundation & The “Big Hawk” Hawkins family.

S.U.C. member Big Hawk was shot and killed in May in front of his girlfriends house. The killer(s) remain at large as of press time.

Big Hawk’s younger brother Phat Pat was shot and killed in 1998 and will also be honored by various Texas rappers, singers, and athletes.

DJ Screw rose to fame based on his style of production, in which he “chopped and screwed” hundreds of mixtapes and songs by slowing them down.

He sold hundreds of thousands of copies from his Houston-based record store Screwed Up Records and Tapes.

The popular DJ died at the age of 30 on Nov. 16, 2000, after suffering a fatal heart attack in his studio while “sipping syrup,” a lethal combination of codeine and cough syrup.

The DJ Screwfest and Car Show will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Thank GOD for the hood, especially the mom and pop stores! I was able to listen to Pimp C's new album yesterday, it officially drops on July 11, and it's money in the bank. I would say that I have it in my possession, but that would be incriminating myself. So I won't say it.

It's a double CD with a regular side and an identical screwed side. The screwed and chopped side is tailored-made for the corner cuttin. The production is crisp. I think it has 11 songs on each side..don't hold me to that. But the point is don't let anybody talk you out of picking it up. It's worth the money.

Pimp C said that he wrote about 3,000 songs while he was locked up and you can definitely tell that the tracks on the album are prime choice. Coincidentally, Pimp is in town as we speak doing promotions etc.


I think Pimp will do some major numbers with this disc, probably equal to Bun B's numbers or better. Maybe he can drop a brand new Caddy back on Bun for holding him down while he was in the square.

The best I can do for you right now, Love Song by Missez featuring that Pimp named C. As a matter of fact, I think they were supposed to feature this on "106 & Park" yesterday. Speaking of, we went from Free to Julissa to Roxy... It's like the booty just get's smaller by the year on that show.

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Three Thousand Boost Mobile RockCorps Volunteers Will Attend Private Concert On June 16 at Atlanta's Fox Theatre as Reward for Contributing Four Hours of Community Service

WHO: Young Jeezy, Paul Wall, Big Boi, Slim Thug, The Game, Keyshia
Cole and more perform in exclusive concert hosted by Nick
Cannon.

WHAT: The 2006 Boost Mobile RockCorps (BMRC) movement began in April
with a series of community service projects in the Atlanta
area. As a reward for their efforts, and a celebration of the
youth volunteerism movement, volunteers received tickets to
this summer's first BMRC concert on June 16 at Atlanta's Fox
Theatre.

Combining the power of music, community and volunteerism,
Boost Mobile RockCorps will offer entrance to exclusive BMRC
concert events for which the only way in is to earn tickets by
contributing four hours of volunteer service.

The BMRC program will build throughout the summer with stops
in Houston, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Detroit, Los
Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C. By the end of the 2006
tour, which concludes with a signature televised concert at
Radio City Music Hall in New York City on September 23, BMRC
volunteers will have transformed close to 125 project sites in
eight cities across the country.

WHEN: Friday, June 16
7 p.m.

WHERE: Fox Theatre
660 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA

MORE: To become involved in Boost Mobile RockCorps please call
888-ROCK-889 or log onto www.boostmobilerockcorps.com.

Trill Communication
A Texas Rap Glossary
BY SHAUN BRUCE

Unless you've been living in Albania for the past year, you're probably familiar with the recent emergence of booty-shaking Houston rap music. With tracks like "Ridin' Dirty" and "Still Tippin'" blowing up the airwaves, the signature Houston sound has moved from the underground to the mainstream. But despite their American citizenship, Paul Wall, Chamillionaire, and Slim Thug don't speak anything remotely like English. Luckily, a Texas rapper's vocabulary is not Texas-sized; there are only a few key terms you need to know to be fluent in Ballerese.

Chopped and Screwed


The trademark sound of Texas hiphop, first made famous by the legendary DJ Screw. A chopped and screwed remix is just an album cut played really slowly. It's better than scratching, since anyone can join in on the fun. Just grab your trusty Jefferson Starship LP and play it at 33 rpm while pushing down on the record with an old sock. When it sounds even crappier than it did in the first place, the track is officially "screwed down."

Purple Drink (AKA "purp" or "lean")


Purple drink is a popular street cocktail primarily made up of generic cough syrup, vodka, and soda. It's also known as "lean" due to its tendency to make you lean back when you've been drinking it. Purple drink is the perfect complement to Houston hiphop, since it's pretty much the only way to enjoy agonizingly slow, screwed-down remixes. It should be noted that the untimely death of DJ Screw resulted from complications due to overconsumption of purple drink. Apparently no one in Houston has learned from this fact, since "the purp" gets name-checked in just about every new track.

Candy Paint


High-gloss lacquered paint on a car. Put simply, the paint on your champagne-colored 1994 Honda Accord is the antithesis of candy paint.

Gripping Grain


Your grandmother loves to grip grain in her Cadillac, and I'm not talking about going to the drive-in with Grandpa. Gripping grain is the action of driving a car equipped with a woodgrain steering wheel. For some reason, woodgrain is preferable to other types of steering wheels.

Switching Lanes


Click your turn signal and gently maneuver your automobile from one lane of the road to another. You have just successfully, and legally, switched lanes. This must be a popular move in Houston, since it comes up as a lyric in so many songs. Or, maybe it's just because it rhymes with "grain" (see "Gripping Grain").

Trapper


This is someone who stands on the corner and sells you drugs. Someone who is particularly adept at the occupation is known as a "trapstar." The concept of someone being good or bad at standing on the corner and selling drugs is beyond me. Honestly, don't drugs sell themselves? As far as I'm concerned, everyone is a trapstar until they get robbed. Then they are dead.

Riding Dirty


If you are driving around in your car with drugs, you are riding dirty. I quit smoking grass a long time ago, but forgot I had left my old glass pipe and a baggie of schwag in my glove box. Unbeknownst to me, I was riding dirty for about a year.

281-330-8004

Dropping your celly number in your radio hit is either a really bold statement or a pathetic ploy for attention. 281-330-8004 is Mike Jones's cell-phone number. I recommend hitting him up on the low. When you call, ask for Mike Jones. Or just give him a text message when you head out to the club.

Trill


Basically the only Texas rap term you need to know, trill is the slant-rhyming combination of the words "true" and "real." Keeping things trill consists of doing all the abovementioned actions, having huge rims on your truck, and buying diamond jewelry. Candy paint is clearly the path to truth and/or reality. Ganking toy-ass punks like you for your imported Air Force Ones would be a fine example of something trill.

Between the success of Mike Jones, Paul Wall, and Slim Thug, Swishahouse Records was a proud father of artists in 2005.. However, as Chamillionaire and Slim Thug fared well without the label at times, Mike Jones has also recently been declaring his own independence.

Michael “5000” Watts and G-Dash say otherwise, and responded to comments that Jones made last week. These Houston hard-hitters are the CEOs of Swishahouse. It is Watts’ remixes that largely popularized the recent spread of the Chopped & Screwed movement that DJ Screw pioneered. The Swishahouse sound is set to carry in 2006, with Paul Wall’s recording underway of Get Money - Stay True, and Screwed-Up Click alum, Lil’ Keke’s next effort. The second is a historic H-Town moment in terms of past cross-town tension.

In addition to strengthening their city and clarifying allegations, Michael Watts and G-Dash reflect on the next class of Swishahouse artists that will be pressured by the masses to fill some impressive shoes. On the verge of a new compilation, The Day Hell Broke Loose 3, time will tell if the Swishahouse will be Houston’s new home.

AllHipHop.com: Mike Jones made some comments on our site last week regarding Swishahouse. He said that “foul business” had gone down. How do you respond to that?

G-Dash: First of all, that’s not true. Second of all, he’s still contractually obligated to [Swishahouse]. There hasn’t been no separation, and we still have agreements in place that we’re gonna continue to enforce those agreements.

AllHipHop.com: You said, “that’s not true.” What can you tell me to affirm that to our readers and those that feel otherwise?

G-Dash: Like I said, we have contracts and agreements in place. That definitely lets you know that’s not true.

AllHipHop.com: When was the last time Mike Jones communicated with y’all?

G-Dash: It’s been probably about…how long has it been since I spoke to Mike Jones? I guess that would be the last function I seen him at. I can’t recall what function – probably about a month ago.

AllHipHop.com: He may’ve said it was The Source’s photo-shoot for “A Great Day in Houston.”

G-Dash: Okay. Yeah.

AllHipHop.com: He mentioned it being an amicable difference. In a city like Houston, a tighter knit, close-quartered Hip-Hop community, how important is it to keep peace and friendship in general?

G-Dash: A lot of times, meetings just come together for us to sit down and settle things amongst themselves, you know what I’m sayin’? [You can’t] just let it go on and on with all the b*tchin’ and stuff, which could easily end up to other things. It’s better to just sit down, ‘cause this really is a business. At the end of the day, if the business isn’t handled right, nobody’s gonna be makin’ money. If Mike Jones don’t make no record, nobody benefits from it, even him.

AllHipHop.com: With or without Mike Jones, what’s the Swishahouse movement gonna like in 2006?

G-Dash: It’s lookin’ real good. We got a new compilation, The Day Hell Broke Loose 3 comin’ out. We also got other artists, such as Archie Lee, Coota Bang, and then T. Farris – he’s launching his record label, and we’re supporting him 100% by licensing our logos to his record label brand. We’re assisting him in bringing out artists like Lil’ Keke, which I’m sure everybody’s known. He’s had a great deal of Southern success in the past.<
AllHipHop.com: Now let’s talk about some of these artists. A lot of people came to know Swishahouse through the Houston explosion last years. Others were in the know years ago. But as Paul Wall and Mike Jones blew up, why has Archie Lee sat for two years? Why’s 2006 better than 2005?

G-Dash: Well, Archie’s back in the redevelopment stages. He was with us for a time, and then there was a time when he wasn’t with us, when we was rebuildin’ with Mike Jones and them. So Archie, he came back in, and we redevelopin’ him and Coota Bang.

AllHipHop.com: Other labels have historically had that “come and go as you please” relationship with artists. Both Death Row with Kurupt and Cash Money with Juvenile come to mind. As a business, why are you both comfortable with that?

G-Dash: I think they go somewhere else to test the waters, then come to realize that they really had it better than what they thought. They see the success we’re havin’. Also, you have no complaints – you can talk to any of our artists, there’s never been no complaints over money issues or things of that nature.

AllHipHop.com: Mike Jones said money was not a factor. Other articles elsewhere alluded to money disputes.

G-Dash: If you read articles, like you said, one article said there was a money dispute and now [your] article says it’s not a money dispute. There’s a lot of inconsistencies and contradictions, so you never know what’s true. Mike Jones is an artist, so he’s very artistic, and has a creative way of puttin’ things together – I guess his own thoughts and ideas. I mean, he’s an artist.

AllHipHop.com: In the history of Swishahouse, was there one significant reason why you blew? Was there a catalyst as to why, last year, everybody was in the know?

G-Dash: I think it’s just been a long period of grindin’ through the years. I’m sure people had heard about us in the past. But every year, we just been takin’ up another level. I think what finally cracked everything off was the “Still Tippin’” video that we had on our The Day Hell Broke Loose 2 compilation. I think that set the tone for the visuals that exposed our whole culture – the slowed down music, the candy-paint, the cars. I think people gravitate to somethin’ that’s new. I don’t think they gravitate to somethin’ they already gettin’. I think we came with something that was new and creative to the rest of the world – I think that’s what made everything jump off.

AllHipHop.com: That’s a good point. That said, will the focus move from candy-paint and grills to new directions?

Michael “5000” Watts: You know what man, I think all artists are growin’ beyond the candy-paint, the syrup, the rims, and stuff like that. A lot of the stuff on Paul’s record, that’s not the main focus. If you hear Keke’s record, that’s not what the album’s about. Of course we gonna keep our Houston thing. But our artists are goin’ farther than just that.

AllHipHop.com: Mike Jones, Paul Wall, even Chamillionaire – these guys had very friendly images. Looking at the tough exteriors of New York and West Coast rappers, I think that had tremendous crossover appeal. I know there’s real talk on those records too, but it’s less ego at times…

G-Dash: It’s different in them streets though.

AllHipHop.com: I’m quite sure. Mike, you recently did a Chopped & Screwed version of Dem Franchise Boyz album. Will there ever come a time when we see you come to New York artists? Where’s the Mobb Deep or Papoose Chopped & Screwed?

Michael “5000” Watts: Of course, man. My door’s always open as far as expanding stuff. Recently, I did two songs for Matisyahu. On my own, personally, I do a lot of Rock and stuff too. I’m very unlimited. Like, my radio shows, I don’t just do Southern stuff. I do East, I do West. I even do two hours of R&B, Chopped & Screwed. Whenever they wanna step up to the plate on what they want to do, I’ll do it.

AllHipHop.com: The Chopped & Screwed movement, as we all know, came from DJ Screw on the Southside of Houston. Swishahouse is about the Northside. When you started doing what you’re doing, was there animosity or resistance?

Michael “5000” Watts: Yeah, when we first started doin’ it. When I started, my mix CDs represented the Northside. There was a lil’ tension. But there was a lot of tension between the North and Side [sides of Houston] goin’ on before we even got into the music thing. A street tension, that carried into the music. Of course, all that is resolved now, ‘cause we all work together.

AllHipHop.com: What resolved it?

Michael “5000” Watts: What it boils down to man, we gotta feed our families. The only way we can all be successful is if we all work together. If you go out there and bump your head a couple times, we all realize, “Man, we’ll get a lot farther working together.” If you sit up there and look at the reasons that we’re successful, a lot of the guys are workin’ together.

G-Dash: I think the [gangsters], as they got older, they got wiser. All that s**t wasn’t gettin’ them nowhere or no money. Let’s get this money.

AllHipHop.com: Lil’ Keke started with Screw. To have him riding with Swishahouse now is a big deal. What does that mean to Houston?

G-Dash: I think it’s real big. At the same time, it’s gonna help unease all that tension. He’s like the Don over there. He was with the originators. That slang. That whole style was originated by Keke and Fat Pat.

AllHipHop.com: Does the parts of the city have different sounding music today?

Michael “5000” Watts: I think, right now, we have a culture as a whole. We have a Houston sound as a whole. When it comes down to styles, it’s not about North and Side [sides], it’s between artists within themselves. There’s different Southside artists that sound different from Keke and different Northside artists that sound different from Slim Thug. Slim Thug and Chamillionaire are both Northside artists with two totally different styles. [Same with] Trae and Keke.

AllHipHop.com: Mike, there’s an artist out of Philadelphia named Mike Watts. He messes with Screw music a bit too. Have you heard any feed on this guy?

Michael “5000” Watts: I’ve never heard any of his music. I’ve heard from other sources that it sucks. It’s like, I heard of him before he popped. But the thing about it, I know his lawyer that was representin’ him, right? He told me ‘bout this guy named Mike Watts that was gonna come out, right? He was making it like it was a coincidence that we both had the same name. Okay, this guy is from Philly and all that stuff. A lot of people in Philly aren’t doing Screwed & Chopped that I know of. So him havin’ the same name is tryin’ to plagiarize off of the success that we had with “Michael Watts and the Swishahouse.” He recently dropped a single and had an uncleared verse from Paul Wall on it. I look at this as plagiarism. You’re tryin’ to capitalize off of what we’re doing. If you’re gonna go that far to get a bootleg verse from Paul and market it as a commercial release, come on man!

AllHipHop.com: The feature has been what’s kept the streets hungry for Archie Lee and other artists you’re redeveloping. In a community like Houston, do you feel that enough attention is paid to linking the new popular acts with veterans like K-Rino, Willie D, and Lil’ Troy?

Michael “5000” Watts: Of course, you gotta respect the people that opened the doors for you. If it wasn’t for people like Rap-A-Lot and K-Rino,… they were the ones who got Houston to the point where it is right now. A lot of people gotta respect that and recognize that.

AllHipHop.com: Lastly, Paul Wall is newly a proud father. What’d the label do for its artist?

G-Dash: Oh yeah, plenty. We gave him a congratulations and a cigar.

Well-known Houston rapper fatally shot.Mystery surrounds overnight shooting

(5/02/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) - A Houston area rapper with a nationwide following is dead. Jonathan Hawkins, who goes by the name Big Hawk, was gunned down overnight while going to visit a friend on Houston's south side.

Hawkins was on his way to a friend's house to play dominos when he was shot several times near Redfern and East Orem. He died at the scene from his injuries.

Police say they have no suspects or motive at this time. Several witnesses reportedly heard the shots, but no one saw anything.

Hawkins's brother, who was also a rapper, was reportedly killed a few years ago.

Hawkins had recently released a new CD and was getting quite a bit of airplay. Fans are calling radio stations from around the nation. Some local fans are arriving on the scene.

According to a close friend of the rapper's, Hawkins was just married three weeks ago. He leaves behind his wife, a five-year-old son and an infant boy.
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

Energizer(R) and Slim Thug Reward Underground Talent; Fresh Talent Takes the Stage as the Winner of the Energizer(R) e2(R) Titanium Technology(R) Freestlyin' Music Contest

ST. LOUIS --(Business Wire)-- April 25, 2006 -- Friends on MySpace know him as Cifa Skrpx. His hometown just calls him Skrpx. Slim Thug, one of the nation's hottest rappers, calls him a winner.

Slim's debut album "Already Platinum" took him from the underground to the main stage. Now, he's trying to help someone else do the same, by serving as judge for the Energizer(R) e2(R) Titanium Technology(R) Freestlyin' Music Contest.



"I worked a lot of mixed tapes to get started, to get my skills up," said Slim Thug. "It's cool that Energizer e2 Titanium has taken notice of the music scene that's taking off in Houston, Miami and other cities and is rewarding underground talent by helping to make things happen with their music career."

The contest that lived on Myspace.com/Energizer this past month garnered more than 8,400 friends as they encouraged, playfully trash-talked and voted for their top choices, narrowing it down to two for Slim to make the final call. As winner, Skrpx met Slim and performed his entry live at the DUB Auto Show & Concert in Miami, Fla. on Sunday. Check out www.myspace.com/energizer for additional photos, clips and his winning entry.

Energizer sponsored the Energizer(R) e2(R) Titanium Technology (R) Freestlyin' Music Contest to build awareness for its Energizer e2 Titanium battery that keeps going among music listeners. Independent testing has proven that the orange and silver AAA alkaline batteries provide more minutes of music on the industry standard test for digital audio devices than competitive alkaline batteries.*

Energizer(R) e2(R) Titanium Technology (R) batteries are performance alkaline batteries that provide longer lasting power in high-tech devices.** They have proven to be the best performing AAA alkaline battery in MP3 players*** and the best performing AA alkaline battery in CD Players.

Additional information on Energizer(R) e2(R) Titanium Technology (R) batteries can be found at www.energizer.com. To learn more about DUB magazine and the 2006 DUB Magazine Car Show and Concert Tour visit www.dubpublishing.com.

Catch Energizer(R) e2(R) Titanium Technology (R) next rewarding underground talent in the independent scene as part of the CMJ/Rock Hall Music Fest, June 14 - 18. For upcoming music contests from Energizer e 2 Titanium check out www.myspace.com/energizer.

Paul Wall's A New Father, Still With His Wife
By Biddy Mason
Date: 4/20/2006 5:00 pm




The self-proclaimed "People's Champ" Paul Wall and his wife Crystal have given birth to a baby boy.

William "Fat" Patrick Slayton was brought into the world Tuesday (April 18) at 11:33 a.m.

The birth comes amid speculation that Wall and Crystal, whom he married in October 2005, were headed for divorce, but Wall assured otherwise.

"Me and my wife have been together a long time," Paul Wall told AllHipHop.com. "Every trip has its bumps in the road. Our relationship is a journey. We're not giving up anytime soon. Wer'e doing great."

In related news, Paul Wall is hard at work on Get Money, Stay True, the follow-up to his platinum-selling debut album The People's Champ.

"I've been working in the studio with T Farris, who A&Red my first album and also Mike Jones' album," said Wall. "We're pumping out a lot of hits with Houston producers."

Get Money, Stay True is slated for release in September

"STILL TIPPIN" IN HOUSTON'S FEDERAL COURT!!!!



MIKE JONES, MICHAEL 5000 WATTS AND SWISHA HOUSE SLAPPED WITH LAWSUIT!!!!


The Insite has learned that an Ohio man has quietly sued Houston rap label Swisha House. That man, Bradley Tilford, claims he has not received any of the profits from the 2004 Swisha House Hit "Still Tippin". Tilford in a federal lawsuit claims he obtained the rights in September 2003 to the original version of "Still Tippin" authored in part by Randy Jefferson. The federal filing claims just before the song was released with artists Slim Thug, Mike Jones and Paul Wall, Swisha House sent Jefferson a letter ending their agreement to work together after Jefferson had already substantially contributed to the song. Tilford says since he acquired Jefferson's interest in the composition he should be paid some of the profits from Still Tippin. The Ohio resident also claims without "Still Tippin" Houston rapper Mike Jones wouldn't have signed a major label deal - so Tilford is suing Jones as well. Also listed on the lawsuit is Michael 5000 Watts of Swisha House. The latest action on the lawsuit was taken on April 7.

Swisha House, the Houston label that introduced the world to Mike Jones and Paul Wall is gearing up to unveil new 2006 releases from both artists, in addition to several other projects.

Within the last year the independent label, started ten years ago by mixtape DJ Michael "5000" Watts, has grown an audience far beyond its Texas stronghold, gaining national recognition with Jones' Who is Mike Jones? and Wall's The People's Champ. Although Swisha House has been around since 1996, in the last year video and radio has been dominated by the likes of Jones and Wall as well as early Swisha House signees Slim Thug and Chamillionaire.

Swisha House execs Watts and Co-CEO G. Dash along with label president and A&R T. Farris and VP of Marketing and Promotions Michael Clarke recently granted SOHH an exclusive interview to talk about the year ahead.

"Mike Jones has his album coming out, The American Dream; Paul's album Ain't No 401K for a Hustla is coming out," Dash told SOHH. "We have our annual compilation The Day Hell Broke Loose 3 coming out as well as Coota Bang's album Big Bang Theory and Archie Lee's album Hollyhood.

"We haven't changed our style," Watts added. "Everything we're doing today is the same stuff we were doing yesterday. Same southern style and Texas heart, same producers we just took stuff up on a higher level."

The label will also have a hand in the release of Lil Keke, an original member of DJ Screw's Screwed Up Click, who has signed to Farris' new label, TF Records.

One of Houston's most noted freestyle MCs, Keke's album, Loved By Few, Hated By Many, will be released this fall. While there have been murmurings of conflict over Keke leaving his Southside roots to sign with the Northside label, Farris assured SOHH the move is simply a case of common sense.

"The conflict is everybody knows what's about to go on," Farris said. "Everything I've touched, I've brought home a plaque. He [Keke] ain't crazy. He knows what's going on. He sees what we did with the projects I was involved in."

Farris is credited for signing both Jones and Wall as well as pairing the two on the beat that would become "Still Tippin." While Farris maintains his position at Swisha House, he's continuing his own entrepreneurial ventures by starting TF Records. He also manages Wall and co-owns the Houston after hours spot Club Blue.

"I still wanted to be deeply involved in Swisha House," Farris told SOHH about the new label. "Watts and Dash, they supported me 110 percent so I don't feel like I'm jumping out there doing what I'm doing. I can always call them up and ask them any questions."

Swisha House has plans to release a third volume of the classic compilation series The Day Hell Broke Loose 3 this August. While a lead single has yet to be determined, leading contenders appear to be "Gangsta" which uses a Scarface rhyme as the hook and features Lil Keke, Coota Bang and Scarface, and Lil Keke and Paul Wall's "So Fly" which explores their love of fine automobiles.

"T. Farris makes music the way it makes sense," Clarke told SOHH of the Swisha House method of assembling Houston talent on records. "When Paul Wall did the song 'Sittin Sideways' that phrase came from an old Big Pokey freestyle on a DJ Screw mixtape, so it only made sense to bring him on.

"[UGK's] Pimp C is still a relevant artist, so if we think he will sound great on the third verse of something it only makes sense to put them together," he adds. "We grew up with these artists and Michael Watts has been a fixture for a while, so for us it's like who is the most talented to make this come through."

In addition to Watts' accomplishments with Swisha House, he is also the first DJ credited for chopping and screwing a major label CD. Some of his chopped and screwed remixes include 8Ball & MJG's Space Age 4 Eva and David Banner's Mississippi: The Album.

He's also currently hosting several radio mixshows, including his spot on Houston radio station 97.9 The Box where he offers up Swisha House screwed and chopped mixes every week.

"Besides our labels remixes, next I'm chopping and screwing Dem Franchize Boyz, [Lil Wayne's] Da Carter 2, Matisyahu, the Lil Keke album and The Day Hell Broke Loose 3," Watts told SOHH.

With all of Swisha House's accomplishments, Clarke was quick to point out the label's do-it-yourself approach.

"We are very much a self-contained unit," he said. "When you look at Swisha House you are looking at the hard work we put into the label. We shoot our own videos, make our own posters, do our own marketing. You have to put in the grind, put in the work so you can develop your same team and have a chance of really making it. You have to be in the grind 24/7 making it happen for yourself."

Houston Rapper Lil Flip Prepares Video Game

Rap artist Lil Flip's new game will have gammers fighting their way up the hip hop ladder to steal Lil Flip's title.



Nationally known and Houston based rapper Lil Flip is branching out. The Sony recording artist continues his effort to increase his financial stake in the entertainment industry by announcing he's designing a video game.

Flip says the game will be called H-Town Legends. He says players will have to fight their way through various hip hop artists across the country(like Warriors) in the yet unreleased game. He says you have to fight artists in various places from Milwaukee to Houston.

In order to win you've got to beat the rapper. Flip says his character, which will be in the game, will be the ultimate challenge for players.

No solid release date has been set. In the meantime, the sony artist expressed frustration with his record label. He says his latest album has been pushed back twice over the last two years. As of writing this post Flip's fourth album, I Need Mine, is expected to be released on May 2nd.

Chamillionaire is readying to hit the road with Lil' Flip for the Texas Boyz Tour starting Today (March 30).

The 30-city tour opens in San Diego and will feature stops in New York, Las Vegas, Detroit and Atlanta.

With his debut The Sound of Revenge past gold status, Cham is now pushing the album's second single, "Ridin Dirty" featuring Krayzie Bone. He has also dropped several regional remixes, including a NY mix featuring Jae Millz and Papoose, an L.A. remix with The Game and DJ Quik and an extended Texas remix with UGK. Other official remixes featuring Fabolous and Keak Da Sneak are expected to drop soon.

As SOHH previously reported, Chamillionaire recently signed on as a spokesperson for the Makaveli Branded clothing line.

Here are the "Texas Boyz" tour dates:

March 30: San Diego (House Of Blues)

March 31: Las Vegas (House Of Blues)

April 1: Los Angeles (House Of Blues)

April 3: Anaheim, CA (House Of Blues)

April 4: Tempe, AZ (Marquee Theatre)

April 5: Tucson, AZ (Rialto Theatre)

April 8: Tulsa, OK (Club Energy)

April 13: Detroit (Zoo Bar)

April 14: Cincinnati (The Ritz)

April 15: Cleveland (Metropolis)

April 16: New York (BB Kings)

April 19: Worcester, MA (Palladium)

April 21: Washington, D.C. (Fur Nightclub)

April 23: Orlando (House Of Blues)

April 28: Fayetteville, NC (Crown Center Theatre)

April 29: Myrtle Beach, SC (House Of Blues)

April 30: Greenville, SC (Club Caliente)

The G.R.i.T. Boys To Star In First Mobile Reality Series
Saturday - March 25, 2006

Houston rappers, The G.R.I.T. Boys, are set to become the stars of the first ever mobile reality series, titled "NEXXT: The Hip Hop Mobile Series."

Made possible by Mobile Streams Inc. (the leading global mobile media specialist) and The Nickels Group, "NEXXT" will feature 52 two to three minute episodes following the lives of The G.R.i.T. Boys, known individually as Poppy, Scooby, Unique and Yung Red.

The groundbreaking form of promotion will give indie artists such as The G.R.i.T. Boys an outlet to potentially connect with millions of fans -- a technology both Mobile Streams and The Nickels Group see as a way the of the future.

"By creating the 'NEXXT' series, Mobile Streams will provide a valuable platform for indie artists to gain exposure to potentially hundreds of millions of mobile phone users around the world," said Daryl "Dogman" Young, co-founder of The Nickels Group. "As a result of these direct relationships with mobile users, the indies will be able to command larger royalties from digital music sales in future deals with major labels."

"The future of mobile content is made-for-mobile content. We're thrilled to collaborate with The Nickels Group on 'NEXXT,' the first ever reality mobile series and look forward to watching the story unfold," added Simon Buckingham, CEO of Mobile Steams.

According to the show's producers, "NEXXT" will follow the Houston, Texas natives over a period of six months and explore all aspects of their lifestyles, and will include surprise guest appearances from some of the biggest stars in hip-hop, as well as emerging artists.

In addition, mobile users will be able to access exclusive "NEXXT" ringtones and wallpaper content.

The G.R.i.T. Boys are currently working with Paul Wall, as he produces, develops and promotes the group for their debut under label, Mobetta Grooves & Co.

"The G.R.i.T. Boys are a reality rap group," said Paul Wall. "They talk about real life situations, no exaggerations. They are something that the Houston rap scene really needs right now."

— Jay Casteel

Paul Wall Launches Online Grill Store; Addresses Lil' Flip Beef
Wednesday - January 18, 2006

By now you are seeing platinum iced out grills by Paul Wall on almost every rapper in the industry. And for the fans and general population who are dying to look in the mirror and see those same gleaming grills, Paul Wall is ready to make that happen for you.

The grill man himself has recently opened up shop online, making his custom grill business available to anyone and everyone wanting an official iced-out grill by Paul Wall himself, via his new website.

"[My new site] is gonna give people the opportunity to order an official Paul Wall grill from where ever they're at -- all over the world," Paul Wall told BallerStatus.net.

His new site, located at www.GrillsByPaulWall.com, will be fully operationally within weeks and will include all the instructions on how to go about getting a custom grill made, including information about how to go about getting a mold of your own teeth done professionally.

"You will be able type in your zip code and it'll take you to dental office near you (with a selection of choices to choose from), so you can get a mold of your mouth and you can send it to me. And bam, next thing you know, I send you a grill," the rapper explained to BallerStatus.net.

According to the rapper, prices for his custom grill work can range anywhere from $25 (for a single cap) to $50,000 (for a fully-iced grill), but a typical order ranges from $25-$4,500.

"We make the grills from scratch at our workshop, so we allow people to get the best quality for the lowest price," said Paul.

In addition to his new website, Paul Wall addressed his current situation with fellow Houston rapper, Lil' Flip, who threw some barbs his way on a song called "From The South" last year and mocked him by saying that he had gotten "a tattoo with a bullet" that included the date the rapper was shot. Paul contends that he wasn't aware of any beef.

"At one point in time, me and Lil' Flip were friends and as far as I know we're still friends," Paul Wall said of the rumored beef. "If he's said something negative in an interview, he hasn't said it to me or in my face when I've seen him, so I don't know nothing about it."

The rapper further told BallerStatus.net that he's "got love [Lil' Flip] for how far he's helped take the Houston sound," and even stated he was "proud" and "happy" for all his success.

— Jay Casteel

The Wire / Daily Hip-Hop News
written by Janeé Bolden
Thursday - Jan. 19, 2006


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


After founding The Source over 18 years ago, David Mays and longtime president/artist Raymond "Benzino" Scott have been sent packing by the magazine's new board of directors.

As SOHH.com previously reported, the duo went to court last week to obtain a temporary restraining order to prevent being ousted by the board.

According to the New York Post, that order has now been lifted and a majority of board members have voted to fire Mays and Scott. They have been replaced by former Source chief operating officer Jeremy Miller, who will now serve as the new chief executive.

Miller, who resigned from his position as chief operating officer at The Source in 2004, worked at the magazine for 14 years before leaving to start his own publication Down, which was dedicated to Southern hip-hop and culture. Four out of six members of the board agreed that it was in the magazine's best interest to replace Mays and Scott with Miller.

In the last year and a half, The Source has been plagued with problems, ranging from defaulting on an $18 million loan to a prominent sexual harassment lawsuit filed by fomer employees Kim Osorio and Michelle Joyce.

Originally published at SOHH.com [http://www.sohh.com]
©1995 - 2003 4CONTROL Media, Inc.

Trae: The Real Houston
Thursday - January 5, 2006

— by Jay Casteel


Houston was arguably hip-hop's city of the year in 2005. Slim Thug, Mike Jones, Lil' Flip, Paul Wall and legend Bun B all enjoyed some heavy success, as the spotlight shined bright in Houston, Texas. Although these rappers were able to break out of the regional success they all shared, there are still many artists in H-Town on the everyday indie grind, pushing their mixtapes out the truck -- one of those rappers is Trae.

Already an OG in Houston as a member of the legendary Screwed Up Click, Trae is beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and who does he credit for opening the doors? He credits Paul Wall, and with Paul's help, Trae's music has spread beyond Texas to all 50 states.

The 25-year-old Houston native is currently in a bidding war with several major labels looking to find the next star in Texas. But, Trae isn't jumping into any deal, he is weighing his options and continues his independent hustle while waiting. After all, if you are selling 20,000 mixtapes at $10 a CD, why rush to sign with a major?

Trae chopped it up with BallerStatus about how his career is taking off, why Houston is the breeding ground for new talent and why his fans are so loyal.

BallerStatus.net: How has the last few months been for you, being that your name is starting to spread beyond the South?

Trae: It's been cool 'cause I've been out here grindin'. When I first started, I was like the youngest in the race 'cause I been with a bunch of the old school cats. Now that I'm getting of age (I ain't nothing but 25), it's crazy! [People] be knowing me on a wider scale than before -- they knowing me in all 50 states and overseas now. It's cool.

BallerStatus.net: You recently did a mixtape with DJ Smallz and you were on a few other tapes including Game's latest one (Stop Snitchin', Stop Lyin'). Why do you feel people are beginning to catch on?

Trae: For the most part, I have to say real recognize real. If you come to my city and my state and you ask about Trae, people will let you know I'm the truth. My music is not falsified in no form or fashion and I guess people respect that.

Shout to my n---- Paul Wall 'cause he really shining the light on me right now. He is letting people know that "If y'all like the South, y'all trippin' if y'all ain't up on Trae yet 'cause he's the truth."

BallerStatus.net: How does it feel to have one of your city's biggest stars in Paul Wall looking out for you like that?

Trae: It's cool man 'cause I think real recognize real and I appreciate him for that. That's why I let people know that they gotta watch what they say about Paul 'cause we the streets out here. So, he got a hell of a team behind him. It make me feel good to know that there is someone out here still loyal to pump it up for me 'cause a lot of people try to keep the doors closed, but he's opening them up for me.

BallerStatus.net: How did the Game collabo come about?

Trae: Game, him and Paul is cool, so they was chopping it up. I guess Paul was out there doing something with Game and he was like "Yo, I got this dude from [Houston] who's really hot, I think you otta f--- wit him." Game was like "Cool, y'all just do it and send me the verses," so we went from there. We actually did two songs and the sh-- came out hard as hell. I give respect to Game for even putting us on there.

BallerStatus.net: You are one of the original members of the Screwed Up Click...

Trae: I'm actually one of the youngest. There are few of us who are younger than everybody. You know how in the hood you got the O.G.'s and the B.G.'s, well I'm finally getting up on that O.G. status, but I was always one of the baby ones.

BallerStatus.net: Talk about how you got up with them, and how they've helped mold you to who you are today.

Trae: I really looked up to them on a street aspect 'cause it's a big camp. We've always done our own thing, but we're out here and we're well respected, you know? Really, they just kept me on my toes of what needed to be done.

BallerStatus.net: Ok, for the people out there, tell me more about yourself. Talk about how you came up in the game and what kinda things you've been doing over the years.

Trae: I came up as a young, hungry type guerilla man. My situation is different, that's why a lot of people out here respect it. I wasn't the cat that you would find featured on everybody's stuff. I wasn't one of the cats who you would find in the videos when someone got a guest appearance; I wasn't a guest. Ain't nothing was given to me; I had to work for everything I've gotten. A lot of people respect me 100x more because I got out here and made my own name. I got on these mixtapes when I was younger and sold these mixtapes on my own, so I brought people my own way. There wasn't anyone out here trying to give me a chance being that I was younger than everybody, so I got out here and did it on my own. And it's paying off 'cause of how my sh-- sells. Like I was never trippin' off radio play or anything 'cause every time I dropped a tape, it would sell. I would release a tape, press up 10/20,000 and sell 'em for $10 a pop, so just imagine the money. I was doing mixtapes once a month or once every other month and people was buying them. It was all gravy; I just made my own little formula.

BallerStatus.net: Now, from what I hear, you're music is really personal and you really get into the experiences of your life, instead of rapping about material things or just crank out club hit after club hit. So, why do you feel it's important to let people into your life via your music?

Trae: That's what I tell people man...that there is a bigger picture. Everybody can rap, but I don't consider myself a rapper; I just do what I do. I tell people that I write about my emotions and that's why a lot of people can respect it because those are the people who go through the same sh-- I go through. I'm the one who represents for the underdog and people who really go through sh--. You know how some people make the happy music and the girl music, well sh--, there are people out here with real problems who are barely making it from day to day. They can't relate to this other sh--. That's why I make my music for them 'cause I am one of them.

I got an older brother doing three life sentences -- Free Dinkie. When you see my n----s on that Later Dayz mixtape that says "I'm my brother's keeper; Free Dinkie," I'm holding it down for my brother, you know? I've lost a lot of people and I've been around a lot of sh--, so for me to still be here strong like I am, that's what makes me keep going, just to show them they can do the same thing.

BallerStatus.net: And I think because of how much you let the fans into your life, that's one of the main reasons they are so supportive of you.

Trae: Yea 'cause I don't have the average fan base. My fan base will ride or die for me man 'cause I keep it 100% real with them. The way I was raised, it was just simple: be real. If you can't be real, you don't even need to speak like you is man. That's just that.

BallerStatus.net: That should be a general rule for everyone...

Trae: Yea, it should be, but due to certain situations, it ain't like that right now. There are a lot of falsified rappers out here man. I'm glad that I'm gonna be one of the few that they really, really know that I'm keeping it real out here man.

BallerStatus.net: With Houston being the new spot for major labels to scout talent, what does Trae bring to set himself from the rest of the talent in Houston?

Trae: Well, my gang is called Assholes By Nature, so they better be prepared for an asshole themselves. They can take my music any way they want 'cause I'm doing sh-- my way, I ain't following the rules. I'm not being political, I'm not going to get the hottest producer to get on my album and I'm not gonna be friendly with these people because they hot -- I don't care about any of that. I'm doing sh-- my way, the Assholes By Nature way. For some people it's gonna be good, but for others, I'm gonna be a pain in the ass. It is what it is. I'm finna bring the real 'cause I'm sick of this fabricated sh-- you hear today. There's supposed to be all these real n----a in the game today, but in reality, there ain't that many. So, that's what we are bringing.

BallerStatus.net: What do you think the biggest misconception people have about Houston rappers or rappers from the South in general?

Trae: It depends 'cause some rappers in the South get respect and some they don't. Some they think are gimmicks. I ain't one of them gimmicks. I'm finna show them that the South ain't no gimmick.

BallerStatus.net: Does it upset you that rappers from the South get stereotyped as rappers that only make club hits?

Trae: That don't offend me because they're not aware of me yet, so until they see it, they can't really speak on it.

I'm finna bring a lot of stuff. I wanna give people the understanding of what Screw music really is or who DJ Screw was. I finna bring light to a lot of places out here. I got a hell of an album and they probably gonna be amazed when they hear the versatility -- I not only rap Southern, but I flip fast. I don't care who you are or what you can do on a track, I can hold my own with you. I'm one of the raw talents from out here and I'm going all the way.

BallerStatus.net: Now you are one of the few to really work with DJ Screw when he was alive, so how does it feel to see all these people today using his name to benefit themselves when they didn't even know him?

Trae: It bothers to the point where they don't really know they history man, so I'm here to show them they history. That's all it is. I can't get mad at people for what they don't know. For the people who do know, they d---riders and they leeches for that. But at the same time, there are people out there who are really shedding light on what it was about like Paul Wall.

If you look at Paul Wall, he's bringing out the South to the rest of the world. He's introduced the Screwed Up Click to the mainstream, you know? He's letting them know how we do, but he's recognizing the cats out here that been doing it. That's why I give some much respect to Paul Wall 'cause he doing it the right way man. He's doing it the same way I would've done it if I was in his shoes. There's some cats out here doing it a little, but they still trying to hide it.

BallerStatus.net: Speaking of majors, I understand that there are some labels very interested in you. Can you talk about your current situation as far as a deal is concerned?

Trae: Right now, I got a few labels hollering. I'm just trying to weight out my options.

BallerStatus.net: Now, do you have an album ready to go when you sign? Tell me about that?

Trae: Everyone is waiting on Restless. It is what it is. I got the hot single "Swang." I also got The Outlawz, Three 6 Mafia, Mya, Bun B, my family S.L.A.B. and the Screwed Up Click, Jim Jones and Paul Wall -- I'm bringing it. It's a helluva album. It was supposed to drop independent, so I'm bring it to a major to show them that it holds as much weight as if it was made with a major's budget.

BallerStatus.net: What other things are on your plate right now?

Trae: Right now I'm working on my solo album. We got S.L.A.B. The Anthem in stores -- that's my little brother and them; we pumping them right now. And anything that comes out under this G Maab Entertainment/ABN family sh--.

For more info on Trae, visit him online @ www.TraeOnline.com.

Chamillionaire Sparks Beef with Soccer Mom
By: Alyssa Rashbaum

January 6, 2006

Soccer moms tend to be anti-rap, but one has taken her ire a step further by stepping into the recording studio to release a track that specifically calls out Chamillionaire.

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Comment (1) Shila Mitra, aka Soccer Mom, is a partner in BCD Music Group, a music distribution company based in Kingwood, Texas that used to distribute Chamillionaire's music. In September 2005, Chamillionaire decided to sever his relationship with BCD, and went on to make slanderous remarks about the company, according to a statement released by BCD. Mad as hell and refusing to take it anymore, Mitra brought her anger into the studio and recorded "Jamrags."


Over a Jay-Z-produced beat (not made by Jay for this track), Mitra as Soccer Mom takes aim at Cham's manhood and refers to him as a "jamrag," which is British slang for a used maxi pad. The track appears on the BCD album, executive produced by Mitra, called Road Trip Volume 5: Revenge of The Jew, a disc that also features tracks by Lil Flip, Memphis Bleek, Willie D of the Geto Boys, Domino, Bootleg (of the Dayton Family) and producer Joe Traxx. The album is set to hit stores on January 24.


Mitra said this is the first time she has ever rapped and it will be the last time, as she will instead devote her attention to developing new artists.


Read more vibe.com news headlines.

Hip-hop nation goes global
By CRAYTON HARRISON
Dallas Morning News
Posted: Jan. 1, 2006

The whole world loves hip-hop. Well, maybe that's a stretch. But the genre has replicated around the globe like a virus, implanting its beats and rhymes in the minds of young people from Nigeria to Japan to France.

Hip-hop is a democratic art form. With some simple recording equipment, or even just a computer, any kid in the world can make a hip-hop song. And kids all over the world are doing just that

This year, a Brazilian style known as "favela funk" began to reach our shores on compilation CDs, and it sounds suspiciously like the Miami hip-hop known as "booty bass." Reggaeton, the hybrid of hip-hop, Caribbean and Latin music, has taken off, and the U.K. grime scene, bubbling under the surface for years, is about to unleash an army of rappers onto our shores.

The U.S. has brought hip-hop to the world, and in 2005, the world began bringing it back.

New York, the birthplace of hip-hop, has never been so irrelevant.

The genre now belongs to the South, with rappers from the large, diverse scenes in Atlanta and Houston dominating the charts. This was Houston's big year, with blockbuster albums by Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Slim Thug and Chamillionaire.

Sure, New York's 50 Cent still reliably produces mega-hits. And the Big Apple has plenty of talent, such as Cam'ron's Diplomats crew. But the city just seems to be devoid of fresh ideas.

The East Coast's concert of the year in 2005, an October show in New Jersey in which former rivals Jay-Z and Nas made peace, "felt like a celebration of an earlier era," music critic Kelefa Sanneh wrote in The New York Times. "Now that Southern rappers have so much momentum, hip-hop's ultimate big city is looking more like a small town."

The South is experiencing an artistic renaissance. In the last two years, Atlanta rappers and producers have popularized a dance music called crunk with bleeping synthesizers, buoyant bass and loud call-and-response chants.

This year, Southern rappers started whispering, apparently just to try something new. Atlanta's Ying Yang Twins and Mississippi's David Banner both had huge hits with bawdy raps performed in hisses and coos.

The trademark sound of Houston exploded in popularity in 2005. Its hip-hop beats are slow and lazy, loping along like a strut. It sounds downright eccentric next to 50 Cent's sharply produced dance hits. Houston rappers don't hide their Southern drawls, letting their vowels stretch out into several syllables.

Rap fans were obviously looking for something different this year. Mike Jones' "Who Is Mike Jones?" debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard charts in April. Paul Wall's "People's Champ" shot straight to No. 1 five months later, displacing Kanye West from the top spot.

New York has been challenged before. West Coast gangsta rap was the hottest thing going in the early '90s, but only one California rapper, the Game, dented the charts this year. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg still make hits, but they no longer pretend to represent a particular region.

But even if the scenes in Houston and Atlanta lose favor with the CD-buying public, there's no guarantee that New York would go back on top by default.

Hip-hop's influence has spread, spawning artistic communities around the globe. The next big sound could come from anywhere.

2005 Radio One Dirty South Awards Nominees


Best Gold Grill

Baby
Lil' Jon
Mike Jones
Paul Wall
Slim Thug


Crunkest Crib

Diddy - Miami Crib
Evander Hollifield - Atlanta Crib
Ludacris - Atlanta Crib
R. Kelly - Miami Crib
Shaq - Orlando Crib


Dirty Chic of the Year

Ebony Eyes
Jackie O
Missy
Rasheeda
Trina


Dirty Boy of the Year

Lil' Jon
Mike Jones
Slim Thug
T.I.
Young Jeezy


Dirtiest Video Vixen

Buffie the Bod
Gloria Velez
Ki Toy Johnson
White Chocolate


Best Whips

Baby
Big Boi
Missy
Shaq
Swizz Beats


Best Video

Ludacris - Pimpin All Over The World
Mike Jones - Back Then
Missy - Lose Control
T.I. - Motivation
Wait - Ying Yang Twinz


Dirtiest Lyrics

D4L - Laffy Taffy
David Banner - Play
Trillville - Some Cut
Wait - Ying Yang Twinz
Webbie - Gimme That


Producer of Year

DJ Smuff – Colli Park Music
DJ Toomp – Zone Boy Production
Jazze Pha – Noontime
Jermaine Dupri – So So Def
Lil' Jon - BME Recordings


Producer On Deck

Michael 5000 Watts
Nitty
Shawty Redd
Shondrae


Designer of the Year

Chilli O
Gi Gi Hunter
Kenlo Shoes
Ryan Kenny


Indy Label of the Year

Big Cat Records
BME Recordings
DTP Records
Grand Hustle
Swisha House


Most Bootlegged CD

8 Ball & MJG
Boyz N Da Hood
Slim Thug
T.I.
Young Jeezy


Best Stage Performance

David Banner
Destiny's Child
Lil' Jon
Ludacris
Usher


Dirty DJ of the Year

DJ Boom Bip
DJ Demp
DJ Drama
DJ Irie
Michael 5000 Watts
Scientist


Dirty Song of the Year

Dem Boyz - Boyz N Da Hood
Lovers & Friends - Lil Jon, Usher, Ludac
Soul Survivor - Young Jeezy feat. Akon
Still Tippin’ - Mike Jones, Paul Wall, S
U Don’t Know Me - TI
Wait - Ying Yang Twinz


Dirty South Legend Award

8 Ball & MJG


Best New Dirty Artist

Ciara
Mike Jones
Paul Wall
Webbie - Gimme That
Young Jeezy


Best Dirty Collabo

Georgia – Field Mob feat. Ludacris
I Smoke – Magic feat. Lil Boosie
Lovers & Friends - Lil Jon, Usher, Ludac
Soldier - Destiny’s Child, TI, Lil Wayne
Soul Survivor - Young Jeezy feat. Akon
Still Tippin’ - Mike Jones, Paul Wall, S


Dirtiest Reggae or Rageton
Collabo / Remix

Damian Marley
David Banner
Elephant Man/Lil Jon
Pit Bull/Lil Jon


Best R&B Male

Anthony Hamilton
Bobby Valentino
Chris Brown
Trey Songz
Usher


Best R&B Female

Brooke Valentine
Ciara
Fantasia
Nivea
Tyra


Best Sports Athelete Male

Dwayne Wade – Miami Heat
Jamal Lewis – Baltimore Ravens
Mike Vick – Atlanta Falcons
Shaquille O’Neal – Miami Heat
Tracey McGrady – Houston Rockets


Best Sports Athelete
Female

Chamique Holdsclaw
Cheryl Swoops
Danica Patrick
Serena Williams
Venus Williams


Best Dirty in a Movie

Andre Benjamin - Four Brother
Cedric the Entertainer - Honeymooners
DJ Paul - Hustle & Flow
Jamie Foxx – Ray
Ludacris - Crash


Best R&B Group

112
B5
Destiny's Child
Pretty Ricky


Andre 3000 Trendsetter Award

Beyonce
Farnsworth Bentley
Missy
Pharrell
Usher


Best Magazine

Juice
Ozone
Rolling Out
Upscale


Dirty South Representative of the Year

David Banner
Lil' Jon
Lil' Wayne
Mike Jones
T.I.
Young Jeezy


Best Mixtape

Corey Mo
Down & Dirty
Gangsta Grillz
OG Ron C
On the Level


Best Club

Hush – Houston
Opium Gardens – Miami
The Moon – Tallahassee
The Shore Club / Red Room - Miami
Visions – Atlanta


Crunkest of the Crunk

Crime Mob
David Banner
Lil' Jon
Three 6 Mafia
Ying Yang Twins


Spirit of Hip Hop Award

Canton Jones
Shei Atkins
Gospel Gangstaz
Markie J
Mr. Del
T-Bone


Best Rap Group

8 Ball & MJG
Boyz N Da Hood
Three 6 Mafia
Trillville - Some Cut

Houston grows its own stars
By Steve Jones, USA TODAY


Houston's long-thriving hip-hop community has generally skirted the mainstream spotlight while other regions, particularly in the South, have taken turns challenging New York and Los Angeles for supremacy.

But in the city where the rappers extol a laid-back lifestyle with candy-paint cars, exotic rims and diamond-encrusted teeth, determination and self-reliance are starting to pay off. Set far away from the music industry's coastal power centers, Houston grew its own record labels and distribution networks, and is now fertile with breakout stars.

"Texas is one of the biggest states, and if you can just sell units here, you don't have to worry about going outside of Texas to eat real good," says Mike "5000" Watts, owner of Swisha House Records, whose motto is "Major Without a Major Deal."

Now the city's fiercely independent scene is getting a big push in the music industry's mainstream. Three long-established Houston mixtape stars have landed in the top 5 of the Billboard album chart this year with their major-label debuts.

Mike Jones' Who Is Mike Jones? was No. 3 and sold 181,000 copies in its first week in April. In July, Slim Thug's Already Platinum was No. 2 and sold 129,000 copies its first week. Paul Wall's The People's Champion replaced Kanye West's chart-topping Late Registration in September, selling 176,000 copies in its inaugural week. All three got an MTV/BET-fueled boost from their collaboration on Jones' first single, Still Tippin'. (Related story: Houston's 'chopped and 'screwed' sound)

"It's just a matter of timing and patience," Wall says. "The sound hasn't changed all that much over the past 15 years. It's time that the world is ready to hear what Houston has to say."

Says Jones: "It's new to the mainstream, but we've been holding it down for a long time with the cars, the dialect. The world is finally getting in tune with H-town. We live the American Dream down here."

More music is on the way. Veteran Bun B of locally legendary duo UGK released his highly anticipated solo debut, Trill, last week. Lil' Flip's third major-label release, I Need Mine, is out Dec. 6, and Chamillionaire, aka The Mixtape Messiah, makes his debut with The Sound of Revenge Nov. 22. He just released a World Series remix of Turn It Up Astros, a song he created for the National League champs.

Bun B says the spate of major-label interest is money-driven. "Major labels deal with crunching numbers," he says. "And when you see a Slim Thug on Boss Hogg Outlawz Records moving 40,000 units outside the system, they figure they could put a push behind that and sell five or 10 times as much."

With such goals in mind, Asylum, Warner Music Group's year-old "incubator" label, which links with promising independent labels, signed marketing and distribution deals with local powerhouses Rap-a-Lot and Swisha House, homes to many of the city's top artists.

"We are looking for strong brands that have a local following we think we can take national," Asylum president Todd Moscowitz says. "Houston has one of the most vibrant music scenes, and it's been around for 20 years. A lot of people are looking at Houston like it is to rap what Seattle was to rock.

"But you still have to find the stars within that music scene. Anybody who just rushes in to sign just any Houston artist will find themselves breathing the fumes as the car pulls away."

Chuck "Jigsaw" Creekmur, co-founder of AllHipHop.com, says the isolation from industry power centers helped Houston artists and executives.

"They didn't have the opportunity to sit in front of Def Jam," he says. "They had to rely on themselves rather than looking for a handout."

Nearly 20 years ago, James Prince founded Rap-a-Lot Records. The Geto Boys' 1991 We Can't Be Stopped album, with its infamous cover of member Bushwick Bill on a gurney being rushed into the emergency room just after being shot in the eye by a girlfriend, sparked outrage with its violent subject matter. At the same time, it gave the trio, which also includes Willie D. and solo star Scarface, a hit with the classic Mind Playing Tricks on Me. Scarface, whose 2002 masterpiece The Fix featured the hit My Block, now heads Def Jam South.

UGK (the Underground Kingz), featuring Pimp C (Chad Butler) and Bun B (Bernard Freeman), was another pioneering act. Like the Geto Boys, they never sustained mainstream success, but they were prominently featured on Jay-Z's 2000 hit Big Pimpin'.

Bun B, who has become a guest artist of choice for a number of rap stars, says he intends to keep the UGK name alive until Pimp C's prison sentence for aggravated assault is up, probably in December. They co-own Trill Entertainment and will release a Middle Fingerz album early next year.

Swisha House was started 10 years ago by Watts as a mixtape production company and was a launching pad for Jones, Wall, Slim Thug and Chamillionaire. It became a record label in 1999; Slim Thug later left to form his Boss Hogg Outlawz label.

Lil' Flip (Wesley Weston), a protégé of DJ Screw (see sidebar), helped spark the current interest in Houston music. His 2002 album, Undaground Legend, sold more than 700,000 copies, and he followed it up with 2004's million-selling U Gotta Feel Me. He scored with the hit singles GameOver (Flip) and Sunshine.

Diversified new breed

Flip's success helped pave the way for the newest crop of artists, all of whom say they are grateful for the major-label push, but remain uncompromising when it comes to their music and other entrepreneurial pursuits.

• The 6-foot-6 Slim Thug (Stayve Thomas), who owns three record stores and has partnered his Boss Hogg Outlawz label with The Neptunes' Star Trak label through Interscope, says he's more into the hustle of the business than the art of it. It wasn't an idle boast when he named his album Already Platinum, but a reflection of the wealth he'd built on his own.

"It was always more a business in my mind," he says. "Anybody who knows me knows being in the limelight is out of my personality."

• Jones, who is taking acting lessons, has a clothing line and owns Ice Age Entertainment, says that even though he has gone mainstream, he's going to continue to keep the street percolating with his mixtapes.

"On the radio, people hear the same old stuff all the time," he says. "People want to hear some new stuff. That's why we still drop stuff on the underground."

• Wall (Paul Slayton), who works extensively as a DJ, remixer and promoter and has his own show on XM radio, is also one of the leading providers of bejeweled fronts — which he says can run from $50 to $50,000 — through his TV Jewelry. Kanye West, Nelly, Bun B, Jones, Brooke Valentine, Lil' Jon, David Banner, Chingy and Master P are among those who sport sparkly teeth courtesy of Wall.

"The designs are real intricate, and all the diamonds are hand-set," Wall says. "We have top-quality diamonds. You've got to shine, baby."

Chamillionaire (Hakeem Seriki) says he resisted signing with a major for a long time because the offers seemed paltry compared with what he already was achieving. Universal, he says, was the first label to understand who he was and offer a worthwhile partnership.

"If you are already selling 100,000 units at $8 apiece and a major offers you less than that," he says, "what would be the benefit of giving up everything that you control for nothing?"

But, he adds, "you don't want to be a regional superstar forever. You may have bigger goals, and that's why people started taking that bigger jump."

From the ground up

In addition to his own album, he has rapper Rasaq and DJ/producer O.G. Ron C on his Chamilitary Entertainment label. Chamillionaire and Wall started out together passing out fliers and learning the business from the ground floor at Swisha House, and got their feet wet freestyling on mixtapes. In 2002, they released Get Ya Mind Correct as the Color Changin' Clique on the local Paid in Full label and sold 100,000 copies.

They eventually went their separate ways. Wall returned to Swisha House while Chamillionaire started his label, then signed with Universal. There were hard feelings after the split, but both say they've moved on.

"I'm on a positive note," Wall says. "Anybody who is bringing any negativity to me, I'm dodging that."

"I've had my problems with people," says Chamillionaire, who has also had publicized differences with Jones. "But I feel I make good music, and I'm just chilling and focusing on my career. I called my album The Sound of Revenge because success is the best revenge that you can have on anybody that doubted you. It's not hinting at any beef, and I'm not dissing anybody. It's about success."