SOHH Atlanta

After dropping their new album "Wood Work" and comfortably riding a growing wave of success with their initial single "I Don't Like The Look Of It", The Backwudz are establishing themselves as one of Atlanta's fastest rising rap duo's.

Their album is a throughly put together disc that touches upon nearly every aspect of westside Atlanta hip-hop that exists or has ever existed. From the up-tempo crunk music to the laid back Organized Noise-driven production, Sho Nuff and Big Marc have successfully created a tasty pot of Decatur gumbo for the masses.

SOHH.COM
First off, the album is put together extremely well from the production to the lyrics, and even the outside artists that you decided to bring in. What was the thought process behind putting this album together?

Sho Nuff:
Yeah you know we got alot of producers on the album like our producer Milwaukee Black from Major Way Entertainment, Rico Wade of Organized Noize, DJ. Toomp did his thing and you know he's an O.G in the game, then you got Mr D.J., Dallas Austin, Justin Cameron, and The Execs who did the "I Don't Like The Look Of It" joint.

SOHH.COM
What specific artists did you bring in to be a part of the album?

Big Marc:
As far as the features go we got Nas, Big Gipp, Slim Thug, George Clinton, Killer Mike, Cash Clay, Bo Hagen, and we got Bun B up on the "I Don't Like The Look Of It-Remix" which is doing real well right now.

SOHH.COM:
Do you see a difference in the way artists relate to each other in Atlanta as opposed to other areas like the east coast?

Big Marc:
Yeah I do feel like it is a difference in the way we do our thing. I see in New York where alot of artists out there beefing with each other and some artists don't get along with each other but at the same time they still trying to get that spotlight. We don't really look at it like that down here, it's about everybody just getting this money and coming together. Down here we just about trying to get money and continuing to make good music.

SOHH.COM:
Many people think that you switched labels after the release of "You Gonna Love Me"?

Sho Nuff:
Naw we never switched labels, we still Major Way Entertainment/Rowdy Records. We've been together since 1997 but in 2004 we finally got down with some of the major's like J Records, Sony, and Warner Bros. The thing was, with our first song the sample wasn't cleared so alot of labels were scared to sign us but Dallas Austin had heard some of our other music that we had put down and he had a vision for us and saw a bigger picture. Eventually Dallas and Quincy Jones got the sample cleared, but naw man we still Major Way Entertainment/Rowdy Records.

SOHH.COM:
How involved is Dallas Austin with the production side of things?

Big Marc:
Yeah yeah, Dallas does get in the studio with us all the time, as a matter of fact he did a song called "Lock and Load" on the album.

SOHH.COM
I see you have a few of The Dungeon Family artists on the album?

Big Marc:
Yeah, we've been embraced real well by The Dungeon Family, they show us alot of love and that's a blessing in itself. You know the whle south as a whole is just a family oriented thing and everybody pretty much get along with each other. There aint no beef or nothing like that down here for the most part we all just trying to get money.

SOHH.COM
Where are we trying to take things as up and coming artists in the game?

Sho Nuff:
We just love to make music man. See the money, cars and everything else will come as long as we keep making good music and doing what we love.

Posted by SOHH Southern at 7:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (36)

Check out my man T.I.'s plan to rebuild New Orleans and his controversial statements on immigration. Ya' boy is just trying to stay in the news right.

Is this the formula for success? Drop a hot record and go plat, 86' ya chic, pick up anudder 'one, pop off a threesome and then get political on that azz. Works for me, do ya thing Bankhead. Oh yeah I forgot, star in a multi-million dollar film too.

Now, the immigration issue is a sticky situation-I have an opinion but I'll keep it short and sweet, let's just say that my black folks need all the help we can get as far as employment- that's all I'll say so interpret it how you want.

I'm with the immigration stance as long as they include the Haitian's, Jamaican's etc. and allow them to get just a little further than Interstate-95 before the jump out boys start revoking ghetto passes.

Also,Ray Cash is set to join Mobb Deep on tour this May so be looking for that. Ray's from Cleveland but he's another adopted ATLien, something like Rick Ross who's been kickin it real tuff with Block lately. Let's all get money it's enough to go around.

Check out Ray Cash's "Bumpin My Music" featuring the original King of the South, Scarface.

Keep in mind, as in any society-once a King always a King, but there are changing of the guards and different kings do reign.

Posted by SOHH Southern at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (269)

What's good folk? Maybe my H-Town people can really help me out on this one. We had some serious discussions the other day about which My Homies album was the nicest. Is either one a classic CD?
It takes alot to earn the title of a classic though...

My Homies (Orig) vs. My Homies 2 featuring Ice Cube, Lil Flip, Bun B, Devin the Dude, Common, Mike Jones, Juvenile and my man Z-Ro are dropping in on two if you haven't heard it yet. (I gotta drop something on Z-Ro real soon too-making moves like a halfback.)

Myself, I can still bump the first one with Devin, Pac, P, Facemob and the rest. Don't get me wrong they both are nice but I can still see the Cutlass' and Regal's on 15" Dayton's twisting up the block with Devin coming out the speakers.

Also, ATL if you haven't heard Collipark Music's newest member from B'ham P-Stones, you need to pick him up. Pimpin got flow. Matter of fact pick up his mixtape hosted by big tymer DJ. Montay...20-plus tracks strong. Cop it for real.

Posted by SOHH Southern at 9:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (77)

I tried to avoid this subject for the longest, but on the real, it's the buzz of the city so let's speak on it. Yes sirr' T.I made a serious powermove last week and hooked up with Hoopz of Flavor of Love fame.

I guess Tip was watching the same channel I was for the last couple of months on Sunday nights. Yeh' mane, that damn Hoopz caught his attention too, I see.

"What's a man to do?"

Poor Tiny, she's just caught in the crossfire...Jermaine Jackson used to tell the chics "Don't Take It Personal".

I mean really, can you blame T.I for making that move? He's the hottest artist in the game right now and what's wrong with upgrading? It's all about upgrading baby-we all do it.

And let me holla at my ladies real quick. If a cat tells you up front that he's "Pimpin"...he probably pimpin'.

Sohh since we on the subject, Flav can't keep lettin' everybody knock him for his girl though--"you brought her into the spotlight Flav so I'm hoping you recieving some residuals or something". You still my manz though Flav I'm checking for Flavor of Love II.

"I dialed 911 a long time ago/Don't you see how late they reactin"--Flavor Flaaaaaaaaaaav

Posted by SOHH Southern at 6:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (307)

Apparently last year's episode of Oprah that featured the cast of Crash is still stinging Luda in the chest.

Ludacris recently had to set Ms. Harpo straight regarding the lack of southern hospitality shown to him on the show by Oprah.

Luda dropped all of this in a recent interview with GQ Magazine, rumored to appear soon.

Luda claims Oprah cut his comments and kept hers. He felt unwelcome and that Oprah even admitted in a backstage conversation that she felt like she was giving rappers a platform by having them on her show and that she wasn't at all comfortable with it.

Luda said: "I don't see why Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle, who I am huge fans of, it's OK for them to go on Oprah. They speak the same language I do, but they do it though comedy, so I guess that's acceptable to her."

I felt the exact same way Luda did when it initially aired. I wasn't expecting him to speak on it, but I'm glad he did. I wouldn't necessarily say that Oprah has a vendetta against hip hop because I have seen her treat Jay-Z, Diddy, Russell, Latifah etc. with much respect, but anytime we talk about racism there's an entirely different dynamic involved.

But overall, I'm glad Luda stood up. Nnow he needs to get at the quartet of angry broads on the view who basically tried to get at him the same way before guest host Tisha Campbell saved him and sent it to a commercial break.

Posted by SOHH Southern at 8:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (162)

Did anybody catch Da Backwudz' album review in the AJC? Your girl Ms. Murray kind of dug into The Backwudz' new album pretty deep, saying there were only 2 1/2 reasons to pick up the CD and one of those was Nas, who drops one verse on the album.

She gave the album a C , which was just average the last time I checked the grading scale. I thought it was a nice disc though, but stripes have to be earned I guess.

I've heard the album and it's got it's own flavor. It's not the typical Reasons/Fruity Loop production that we've gotten used to the past couple of years, and you can tell that Dallas had his ear on it. It's worth the 10 bones or the 15 minute download - however you do your thing.

Also, ya' boy DJ Drama is having a birthday bash tonight at 'The Club We Love To Hate'. With the likes of Juelz Santana, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, Grand Hustle and a bunch of other cats sheduled to perform, it should be crunk.

Finally, ya boy Bubba Sparxxx acted a fool a fool on Jay Leno this week with some help from Ying Yang. I used to be hard on Big BuB but he's bouncin' back real nice with "Ms. Loosebooty". But really, how can you go wrong under Big Boi - there will be no wack ishhh walking out of the Purple Ribbon lab. He's in the kennel, baby.

Posted by SOHH Southern at 8:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (66)

I won't get into a long political commentary type of blog, but I do have varied opinions on the ongoing Cynthia McKinney saga unfolding in Congress that's now headed for a grand jury.

To call for a re-opening of the Pac case is serious look, believe that!

I will say history shows there are some things that are no doubt dangerous in the political realm. Tops on that list is helping/aiding political revolutionaries such as Malcom, Marcus, Pac, Martin, Huey etc. Though you might not suffer the same fate, your steps immediately become rocky and dangerous.

Fighting for the release of all government files related to Tupac's lifeis a bold and dangerous move, and Ms. McKinney can surely see how her life has changed. Like the older folks say, let's call a spade a spade.

But big ups to her. Hip-hop and the nation in general is in need of stand-up people in real power. So definitely respect due.

(Yeah, yeah...Is it my fault that GOD granted me the conspiracy theory syndrome? Some of y'all feel me)

Posted by SOHH Southern at 8:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (71)

The ATL Hip Hop Film Fest recently announced the inclusion of Dead Prez' documentary It's Bigger Than Hip Hop .

The 75-minute film will feature a live performance and exclusive interviews that capture the vision and progress of Dead Prez and the overall hip-hop slice they rep (which is a helluva movement right about now, I might add).

The film will feature a never before seen live concert, including "Turn off the Radio", and "Hell Yeah", plus interviews with Dead Prez members M-1 and Stic.

TheThe film screening will be held at the Carter Center on Sunday, April 30, 2006. The film will premiere exclusively on Starz In Black on June 9th at 10:00 PM EST.

Also, the over HipHop Film Festival takes place April 27-30, 2006. This year Honorees are: Lauryn Hill, LL Cool J, Ice T, and F. Gary Gray. Peep the website for more info.

Posted by SOHH Southern at 8:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (65)

If you were wondering when Pastor Troy was getting back into the lab to drop his long-anticipated album, you no longer have to wonder. He's dropping this week Stay Tru, Check for his debut single "Police Can't Break It Up."

He was at the Trap House last night doing some promo and his album release party is this week (TBA). My man from Augusta is always crunk on stage, so look for that.

Also Busta Rhymes is in the dirty tonight, once again. He's throwing a birthday bash for Spliff Starr at South Beach. The "Touch It Remix" is still bangin' in the clubs, but too bad he can't bring everybody on the video with him. I guess we'll have to settle for the original version.

Just Be in the building already 'nuff said.

Also, check for my interview with The Backwoods tomorrow.Tthey'll also be doing Direct Effect and Rap City tomorrow. I know cats is thinking, "Dammit' man, them ATL cats just keep coming with more artillery!"

Posted by SOHH Southern at 8:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (69)

A-yo, one of ATL's precious gems,T-Boz has rebounded from her marraige and is doing her thing with Takeo Spikes which I'm sure you've heard about by now.

The big rumor is that the two are engaged, but who knows? More power - I just hope she can put it on him good enough to get him to sign with the Falcons, and we'll be all good.

If you made it to the Anthony Hamilton concert last night it was on some grown man ishhh for real. I'll drop more on that in a minute. In the meantime pick up Bubba Sparxxx' Charm CD in stores now. It's a serious disc.

And lastly, happy birthday to the Da Brat, fresh off her sister's wedding. She's still puttin it down and look'n good, no doubt.

Posted by SOHH Southern at 9:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (202)

My folk' Field Mob had a lot to say recently about some of the hateration going on in the game.
Check this clip out.
They just keeping it real though so call it what you want my friend.

Speaking of the Mob, they shot the video for "So What" featuring Ciara from their Light Poles and Pine Trees album down here in the sticks and they were on their typical A game with it. So check for that video if haven't already.

Posted by SOHH Southern at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (387)

I guess this is a relationship blog today. All up in these folk' business right, ghetto paparazzi playa.

So first, big up to Bow Wow and Ciara for handling their break up with maturity. I guess Nick Cannon and Christina can take some notes from them on how to split on a good note - droppin' diss records and ishhh.

On a music note, Slick Rick was in Atlanta on Friday and hit the stage (@ The Club We love to hate) in some of his traditional linen, olive green pants, and a turqoise shirt, accented by his infamous gold dooky ropes. Typical Rick the Ruler. And know that the legend had the crowd going banana's in there.

It's funny how some cats just know how to blaze a crowd and some can't do it to save their life. I've always been a Slick Rick fan, but who isn't, right? Now I've always wondered what is it about "Children's Story" that makes people go nuts to this day?

Note: David Banner is having his birthday bash tonight at that same club and it's hosted by Flav's ex-girl Ms. Hoopz. Be there.

Posted by SOHH Southern at 12:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (496)

Mr. Trey Songz did infact get caught up at Clark University by the po-po last week and the boyz in blue roughed him up real good I heard. It's nothing though, they do it everyday. So Welcome to Atlanta where the playa's play''''

Let's be real, a brother with braids in the district...Target! Pretty or not.

I'm hearing the word lawsuit against the ho-lice being whispered around but damn if I could have dropped a lawsuit on the soooey err'time I got 'cuffed or harassed damn where would I be...

So a bit of advice for all out-of-town "celebs" chasin' skirts throughout the city, if you ain't ready...do that s**t downtown near 112 or something 'cause once you come into the district the stakes get high like DeLa would say.

I am interested in hearing his side of the story though so Trey get at me when you can.

Oh yeah and last week I told you Ghost ripped the show at The Roxy but I forgot to mention that M1 did his thang too, the crowd was a little thin but People Army came right.

I was standing by security and you would have thought the Watts riot was about to jump by the look in his eyes when M was on stage performing "You Wonder Why We Feel Like F**k The Law". I guess he was a lil' too raw for 'em. Had to be there. Yo I'm out.

Posted by SOHH Southern at 12:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (232)

Katt Williams - comedian, actor, and now emcee? That's rightttt! His debut album, It's Pimpin', Pimpin', is set to drop later this year on Universal. The CD will be 50% stand-up and 50% hip hop - yeah, full-length singles.

He's already doing what other rappers do. He's dissin' Bankhead's own D4L by saying, "I'm not gonna ever be a great rapper...But I can flow better than 36 percent of the rappers out there. As long as 'Laffy Taffy' is out there, I could be a genius, lyrically."

The CD might end up being decent since he's already got Lil Jon and T.I. on his album, among others. Plus Katt's funny as s**t anyway.

Check for that CD real soon. And oh yeah, last night Ghostface killed it. If you made it, you saw Tony Starks do his thing for real.

Posted by SOHH Southern at 11:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (74)

As one-half of the duo Dead Prez, M1 has solidly established himself as a proponent for full-freedom and systematic change. Though enduring much criticism for some of his political stances, M1 has exemplified the fortitude to remain true to his vision while at the same time making raw music for the soul.

I had a chance to talk to M1 recently, during some downtime from The Fishscale Tour where he's performing with Ghostface. Here's that interview...

SOHH: First of all, respect due on a nice solo debut album. I know a great deal of work went into the album, but first why did you entitle the album Confidential

M1: Well the album is called Confidential because I wanted people to think in the mindstate of somethng that you might not get to know or hear otherwise in the world. I wanted to people to think along the lines of top secret F.B.I document type of dealings.

SOHH: Well, continuing with that same thought process. I just finished listening to Assasination, one of my all-time favorite Dead Prez joints and I'm wondering, if there is ever anytime that you feel as if what you're writing is too controversial or that "maybe I shouldn't say that"?

M1: Well, I always try to write what I feel and stay in tune with the people with what I write and how I feel. The thing that I try to be concious and aware of more so than anything is how I package what I say. I really just try to be a temperature gauge for the people.

M1: Well, I always try to write what I feel and stay in tune with the people with what I write and how I feel. The thing that I try to be concious and aware of more so than anything is how I package what I say. I really just try to be a temperature gauge for the people.

SOHH: Now, with you and Stic venturing out and each doing solo projects, is this something that was always in the plans or what?

M1: Yeah I think it's always been a clear and present possibility in my life that we would do separate albums. I can recollect the possibility of this happening from the beginning of Dead Prez. The thing is, when I met Stic he was already a fantastic solo artist and had recorded many songs before we even met. So, we formed Dead Prez and that's what helped to define me, Dead Prez is one of the greatest groups that I know about based on what it is. I saw Stic develop as an artist and he saw me develop and I think it just came a time when we would both present what we've been learning.

SOHH: As you said earlier Dead Prez is and will always be respected and known as a great hip hop group. However, many people are still unaware of who Dead Prez is because you don't get that mainstream shine. As Kris Parker would say "Why Is That"?

M1: [Pausing for a minute...] You know we just continue to do what we do. I think sooner or later we're going to turn this corner and things will become much more relevant...It's like the phenomenom that you see with Dave Chapelle because at the same time he recognizes and he's able to in turn shed the same light that he's gettin' and incorporate that knowledge into the equation. It's like sooner or later everybody will know.

SOHH: Aiight M, let me get back to the album Confidential. You have collabo's with numerous artists, much more than we're used to Dead Prez incorporating into their albums. Are these artists who have been in the camp for a minute man, tell me about some of these artists and producers.

M1: Aw man...yeah these are artists who I have been wanting to work with for a while now. Let me just say this, this is not your typical Dead Prez album and I'm sure you know that by now if you've heard the album. This is really done from the mind of M1, I put together this whole vision. I wanted to make music that would catch people in a different way so I used various producers that I had already been thinking about. I used producers that I felt were revolutionary and that had an edge and a sound that could attract those who weren't familiar with Dead Prez. I wanted to also work with MC's who I always considered family and had developed previous chemistry with, some of them we just never took the time to really work and this album gave us that chance.

SOHH: Name some other artists on the album

M1: I pulled in Styles P from D-Block who I think is soldier and a rider. I pulled in Q-Tip who I think is legendary. I pulled in Ghostface who I think shares the same struggle with me. And of course there's some brand new cats like Bang Double and K-Naan who's straight from Africa. He's from Somalia

SOHH: "Till We Get There" featuring K-Naan, Why did you release that first?

M1: I did "Till' We Get There" thinking about Tupac alot...[Pausing] and the struggles he was enduring. I thought about what he would want if he could see the aftermath of what took him and Big off the planet. The sentiment was...we might not feel like we friends or blood kin but it aint no hate, and realistically I wish each man the best even though we may not want the same things we gon' get to our goals together. We 'll eventually walk in this like together and that's how it came about. I chose it as my first single because it was different and I wanted it to be a breath of fresh air to everybody.

SOHH: What differences did you run into as far as being a solo artist in comparison to being part of a group?

M1: What I realized is that it takes alot to make really good music. Me and Stic we shared the lion's share of the work and what people need to know is that Stic is a producer to be reckoned with, seriously man.

Posted by SOHH Southern at 12:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (245)

Ghostface of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan invades Atlanta on Thursday night as the headliner of a heavyweight show that also boasts M1 of Dead Prez on the bill.

The outspoken Ghostface was criticized earlier in the year for his "controversial" remarks about southern hip hop but later responded that he was seriously taken out of context, and that he was simply honoring his hip hop roots and dissing no one. Respect Due.

It should be interesting to see how he's recieved as he swings into the southern leg of his Fishscale tour. I would think that one could only give respect to a legendary MC such as Ghostface though.

Ghost is joined on his tour by my manz M1, one half of the revolutionary but gangster-always thought provoking duo Dead Prez.

M1 is a serious lyricist. Don't believe me? Pick up his solo album Confidential that he just released, even without Stic-man he's established himself as an artist to be seriously reckoned with.

Be sure to look out for my interview with M1 to be posted later on

Posted by SOHH Southern at 12:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (187)

Lately Lil Jon has been spending a bunch of his time gettin' dumb and going stupid in the Bay Area. It's common knowledge that he contributed heavily to E-40's latest project but now he's about to set out Mr. Cusswords himself, Too Short.

Lil Jon produced Too Short's latest contribution to the game "Blow This Whistle" and it's definitely a nice street banger, although it's not in vintage Too Short "beeeyatch" mold.

"My new shit, It's just a fun song about blowing the whistle like a referee, on anybody that ain't supposed to be in the game. It's not a usual Too Short pimp song and it's not too explicit. Just shake that monkey and dance!" Short recently explained.

Yo, I've always been a Too Short fan and I'll even go out on a limb and say that with Jon behind him, he will easily go gold when his 16th album, Up All Night comes out later this year, under the direction of Lil "XXX" Jon. (Yeah I know...Didn't he retire on album number 10?) But whatever man...

My Top 4 Too Short Albums of All-Time

1. Life Is...Too Short -Solidified his place in history with this album [Toss-up w/Born To Mack]
2. Born To Mack - Freaky Tales...A legend is born, might be the rawest west coast production of the 80's.
3. Gettin It (Album Number 10) - He retired on top with this one and went out like Michael Jordan on Byron Russell. But he just couldn't stay away.
4. Short Dogs In The House - In The Trunk, I Want To Be Free, So You Want To Be A Gangster...'nuff said.

Posted by SOHH Southern at 11:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (205)

Ya' boy T.I isn't the only one looking to capitalize off the movie dollar as Lil Jon dropped his long-awaited porno flick "Lil Jon's Vivid Vegas Party". I had a chance to see some of it the other day and it's funny as s*%t.

Your boy is straight poppin' in and out of scenes like the old "jack in the box" toy from back in the day.

He aint getting down with the ladies, but word is he had to coach and direct the "actors" and "actresses". What? If somebody has to coach you on how to put it down you might be in the wrong industry.

My thing is, why did Jon go all the way to Vegas when there's a boattload of porno queens in the city. But yo, if you want a good laugh peep it out.

Posted by SOHH Southern at 10:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (213)