BUN B “TRILL OG”
INTERVIEW
by Aaron Cortez 8.25.10

What’s up Bun? Let everyone know about this new “Trill OG” album if they haven’t picked it up and heard it.
The new album “Trill OG” is in stores right now. Production by Steve Below, DJ B-Do, Boi1Da, Big E. Appearances by Pimp C, Drake, 2Pac, Twista, Young Jeezy, Yo Gotti. I think it’s an incredible album.

What’s on your mind when going into the studio? Do you go in with a certain topic or is it about what you are feeling that day?
It’s about what you are feeling, looking out at the world and seeing what’s going on, what you like or even talk about what you don’t like.

I usually don’t mention other magazines, but you recently received “5 Mics” for your new album from The Source. What does that mean to you?
It means a lot to me. It’s an incredible accomplishment. It’s something that I’ve strive for. It stands for a symbol of excellence. It makes me want to work harder.

When UGK came out, you guys laid groundwork and foundation for the southern scene. Did you know at that time, what you were doing or were you just young having fun?
Initially, we just wanted to represent Port Arthur, TX and represent our city like everyone else was reppin’ theirs. It eventually blew up into a movement that was bigger than what we were doing. It took a while for us to understand it but when we did, we embraced it. We just tried to lead people into a real direction.

So did you know what you were accomplishing?
No, we were just keeping it real with people. We were just saying what we felt. We didn’t know that many people felt the same as us.

You are one of the very few minds that always defend the youth and their music. People say ‘They’re killing rap’, ‘they’re not talking about anything’, ‘they’re dancing’, but why do you defend it?
All that stuff has always been an element of Hip-Hop. We’ve always had dancing. Even Big Daddy Kane, who was a lyrical giant and one of the greatest MC’s of our time, has always incorporated dancing into his shows. It’s the same with MC’s singing on their songs. I feel that no one has the right to tell somebody what they should or shouldn’t be doing. If people like it ‘cool’ if not so be it. We shouldn’t set a parameter and make people rap about certain things or rap a certain way. Then, the game wouldn’t get the chance to evolve.

With the new technology around, it seems like the public wants every moment of an artists’ life from the Twitter updates, Facebook to all the YouTube footage. How do you embrace it while keeping your privacy?
You embrace the posititivity and ignore the negativity. People have the opportunity to talk to anyone all over the world about whatever they choose but they choose to talk about how much they hate somebody. Once you block people like that out, you get a chance to hear that people support you and you get a chance to show that you appreciate that. I love it. I got nothing to hide. It’s all good.

But this is same technology that allows users to share music with a click of a button.
There’s nothing, at this point, that we can do anything about it. The reality is that some people are going to download music at one point. Some people download all their music. Give people so much music that their only option isn’t to download your album. With mixtapes and features, you almost have to give them an album to be able to sell them an album. I like making music so it doesn’t bother me. Artists have to learn to capitalize off themselves than just selling albums.

Do you mind the use of the word “Trill” by others?
I mean, I can’t copyright the sh*t. I didn’t make it up. I just helped make the word popular. I can’t sit around and say who can and who can’t use it. I say words I didn’t make up all the time. Just don’t misrepresent it. That’s what I say. “Trill” is more than a word. It’s a state of mind and a way of life.

You’ve stayed down with Rap-A-Lot for years. Why the allegiance?
Just keeping it real. I’ve left labels before. You work that situation until it doesn’t work anymore. We’re happy right now.

What can fans look forward to the new Pimp C album?
It’s an incredible album. But there’s a misconception that I’m the one putting the album together. The estate of Pimp C is actually putting it together.

What’s the future hold for Bun B?
Working on another album and developing other artists. Just trying to stay focused and contribute to music as long as I can. And when it’s not my time, bow out gracefully.

TONY NEAL / CORE DJs INTERVIEW
Intervew by Aaron Cortez via email 8.2.10

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As the head of the world’s largest DJ organization, Core DJ’s, Tony Neal has his hands on the pulse of the music industry!

As the head of the Core DJs, why do you hold events like the Texas U.M.S & Core DJ Retreats?
To build better relationship with DJ’s, A&R’s, and models, ect. Everything is hand in hand, locally and nationally.

You came from a smaller market, Milwaukee. Is that proof to artists and other DJ’s that you can make difference and make a living in the music industry without coming out from a large city?
Of course. If your networking skills are in tact, it doesn’t matter where you live or where you are from now. It used to be like that before technology, but not anymore.

Where did the name “Core DJs” come from?
The Center! The DJ is the center of Hip Hop, where it started. The “core” of Hip-Hop is the DJ.

What is the point of having crews like the Core DJs and why should artists be thankful for having the Core DJs around?
FIRST, we are a organization. A family, not a crew. We feel, Core DJs are the most consistant and have the most relationships with independent and national artists. It takes more than DJs to make a successful situation.

What’s next year hold for Tony Neal & the Core DJs?
A record label, more nationally syndicated commercial radio shows and to improve our brand through partnerships with other brands.

For more info visit www.coredjs.com

Fans are patiently waiting for the return of the Trill. Bun B of UGK is back with his third solo album “Trill OG” on Rap-A-Lot Records. The album originally was coming out June 29th but was pushed back for unknown reasons since the entire album is completely finished.

The lead single is “Countin’ Money” feat. Gucci Mane and Yo Gotti but it’s another song that is catching everyone’s attention. The track “Right Now” features the late-great Pimp C and legendary 2Pac Shakur.

Overall, hip-hop fans everywhere are waiting for this all-star release. Plus, after “Trill OG”s release fans should get ready for the last solo album from Pimp C “Naked Soul of Sweet Jones“.

Here is the tracklist for “Trill OG” August 3rd
“Church”
“Trillionaire” ft. T-Pain
“Just Like That” ft. Young Jeezy
“Put It Down” ft. Drake
“Right Now” ft. Pimp C, 2Pac, Trey Songz
“Countin’ Money All Day” Ft. Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti
“Ridin’ Slow” ft. Slim Thug
“Speak Easy” ft. Twista, Cedric The Entertainer
“Lights, Camera, Action”
“”I Get Down For Mine”
“No Competition” ft. Raekwon
“Let ‘Em Know”
“All A Dream” ft. Latoya Luckett
“It’s Been A Pleasure” ft. Drake

It’s the D-Town Boogie: Crowd-moving, dance-motivating, party songs coming from the DFW area. From “My Dougie”, to “Check Out My Lean”, to “Do Tha Ricky Bobby”, Dallas artists have moved the dance floors across the nation. Emerging from the movement, local Dallas artists have landed on BET, MTV and on radio stations everywhere. But, with so much opposition to the dancing will the music ever be accepted?

WHY THE D-TOWN BOOGIE IS HERE TO STAY!
by Definition DJ Drop

• BOOGIE MUSIC IS A MOVEMENT
Ignorant people look at Boogie music as the “paint on our car”. They don’t understand that Boogie music a “vehicle of transportation”. It’s the biggest look that Dallas has ever had.

• EVERY REGION OR MARKET, THAT HAS BUBBLED, HAS HAD DANCING INVOLVED
Dancing is a part of Hip-Hop. It’s crazy to me when the industry tries to label a market, artists or DJ’s just because of people wanting to dance to the music. Is this the same industry that vouched for “gangsta” rappers wearing pink clothes? What’s the difference between doing the “Stankey Leg” and doing “The Butt”? What’s the difference between “Ricky Bobby” and “Humpty Dance”? The song “My Dougie” was not a dance song. People danced to it. If that’s the case, Lil Boosie, Webbie, and Gucci Mane are Boogie artists.

• THE ECONOMY IS MAKING THE MUSIC MORE YOUTHFUL
There’s power in the youth. From the Boogie to the “Jerk”, this is a youthful movement. It’s a recession and parents are worried about mortgages and jobs. The teenagers are on the internet all day. They’re able to make videos and post them online to music they like. They are doing the promotion for you. The youth wants to party.

• THEY’RE TRYING TO TALK YOU OUT OF YOUR MONEY
The dancing is the part of the movement that everyone is stuck on. The people doing the music are getting distracted by people telling them “it ain’t cool” or “it’s feminine” or “it’s for the ladies”. Artists need to realize, they are trying to talk you out of your money.

• IT’S TIME FOR PHASE 2 OF THE MOVEMENT
It’s not all about clubs and partying. It’s time to give you Boogie with substance. Dallas has always been a dance floor city. We got artists who are as “club friendly”. Friendly is not negative but we have to balance the music out. The majority of these artists are not dancing. “Mr. Hit That Hoe” is not a dance record. He talking about f**king. As long as I’m alive the Boogie movement will not die.

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Definition DJ Drop
Interview by Aaron Cortez

Cortez: How big of a role are mixtape DJ’s to the movement?
DJ Drop: The DJ’s mixtapes are the radio station for the Boogie movement. The movement is led by the DJ’s.

The only problem I have with the movement is the lack of the business side.
The reason its like that is because it’s a DJ led movement.

Is that good or bad?
It’s good.

But doesn’t that bring in artists of one-hit wonders with them not knowing the business?
We all come in the game not knowing. It’s up to you to realize that I’m here now. I need to know ‘what’s better for me and my people’. Now I will agree that we have a lack of managers and role players.

Everybody’s a star.
Right, nobody wants to be behind the scenes. What the DJ’s did was give that average street guy a voice. The Trap Starz, to me, was the beginning of the Boogie movement. They were regular people, then they were on BET, doing shows in Houston, and getting played on the radio. I’m not gonna stop the Boogie movement. Like the songs, these artists party, have fun, pop pills, and hang out with their friends. Some artists try to do Boogie music but have people saying to them that the music is friendly, then try to switch it up to “street” music. But that ain’t you. And I don’t like when street artists try to bash the Boogie music. It ain’t never been cool to bash another man’s hustle.

But how many times can we do this? Can we go another year of artists blowing up, getting a record deal and quickly losing their deal? You don’t think you have a responsibility to help?
Yeah I do. But, I can talk but there’s no need for me to waste my breath. If there was communication from the jump, they wouldn’t be one-hit wonders. That’s where the greed came in. Some artists felt their song was just so hot that everybody jumped on it. Don’t get me wrong, it takes a good song but the DJ’s really stood up for the city. It was certain artists that really didn’t come back and rock with the city like they should have. Personally, when the artist’s name got so big outside the city they felt like they didn’t need the DJ’s anymore.

Check out our cover story with the “Versatile Child” Chalie Boy. Last year, his smash hit single “I Look Good” landed this Texas artist a major label deal with Battery / Jive Records. (Interview by Aaron Cortez)

Where are you from?
I’m from Hearne/Calvert, Texas. I was singing since a child in church. That’s where my singing background comes from. In 2000, I started rappin’ and I signed on to Dirty 3rd Records. I started accumulating years of mixtapes until 2009 when I made my song “I Look Good” which got me signed on to Battery/Jive Records.

When creating “I Look Good” were you trying to make that ‘big hit’ single?
The objective was to make a catchy single with current style and tempo of music today. We were trying to meet the radio standards.

Where did the Chalie Boy name come from?
My great uncle was named Chalie and my name is Charles. I just combined the two.

When you first came out it was apart of the “Freestyle Kingz” and then with rapper Tite. When did you become a solo artist?
When I joined Dirty 3rd Records, in 2000, it was initially the “Freestyle Kingz”. As time went on, Tite and I got together. Then we moved on to solo projects.

What’s the biggest difference in the music industry from when you started to now?
The biggest difference is establishing yourself. You’re in a market making mixtapes. It’s easier now with the internet. People can now physically see you and hear you. The internet is a gift and a curse. For an artist starting from ground zero, its the best thing possible. Back then, we had to hit the road, stand on the block and put music in stores to get people to listen. Now, people can click ‘download’ for a mixtape on the internet.

Does the internet hurt the artists and create one-hit wonders?
It definitely watered-down the music. No one is checking for their history. Guys are jumping in with a hit song and that’s that. That’s a big fall back for artists who have been around a longtime but haven’t made that one song with the industry standards.

Where have you been traveling to?
Before I got signed I was always traveling. Now, I get an indepth look on the industry when I go to New York or California and work with the movers and shakers.

Speak to the independent artists who have to been in the game as long as you.
For those who have been doing it as long as me, don’t give up. Doors and opportunities are always open. Use all the tools in front of you: radio, internet, and DJ’s. Even with the internet being as big as it is, the DJ’s are your most important tool.

Be sure to check out the PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS CONFERENCE Professional development for the aspiring entertainer. Saturday, May 15th Dallas,TX www.ppr201.com

Come out to network with various music industry figures in the West End Dallas! This September! …. Artists, Models, Producers, Media, Promoters, Manufacturers, Bloggers and more! Plus it’s FREE! Register here to RSVP and reserved you admittance.

Nov. 22nd – The 27th Annual Los Magnificos Lowrider Car Show Presented by 97.9 The Box takes place at Houston’s Reliant Arena. With performances by Slick Rick, Doug E Fresh, Naughty By Nature, Big Daddy Kane, Chalie Boy, Louisiana Ca$h, Paper Chaserz, Party Boyz, Treal Lee and Omarion!

Nov. 22nd – The 38th Annual Tejano Super Car Show takes place in Odessa, TX – Ector Co. Coliseum. With performanes by Twista, MC Magic and Dope House Records. Last year, both events each drew over 15,000 spectators.