OZONE MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES HOST AND LIST OF NOMINEES FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL OZONE AWARDS

OZONE Magazine today announced actor/comedian, DeRay Davis [MTV’s Wild ‘n’ Out, BET’s Comic View] as host for its 3^rd Annual OZONE Awards show in Houston, Texas, Monday August 11^th, at the George R Brown Convention Center. Topping the list of nominees for this year’s award ceremony is Lil Wayne, with 8 nominations in more than 5 categories including TJ’s DJ’s Hustler Award, Club Banger of the Year and Best Lyricist. Other Nominees include T-Pain, Rick Ross, Plies, Kanye West, Killer Mike, Trick Daddy, Shawty Lo, Bun B, Trey Songz, Flo Rida, Usher, Young Jeezy, DJ Khaled, Greg Street, Akon, Ice Cube, Snoop and The Game.

 

Honoring the memory of the late UGK rapper, Pimp C, OZONE will dedicate a new category, the “PIMP C AWARD (TRILLEST ARTIST)”, to a list of nominees who have expressed personal views and been outspoken about controversial topics in and outside of music. Nominees included Kanye West, David Banner, Killer Mike, Lil Wayne, Trae and Trick Daddy.

 

“We wanted to dedicate a category this year for the Trillest Artist Award,” explains OZONE Founder and producer of the OZONE Awards, Julia Beverly. “Since Pimp C was one of the most vocal members of our community we felt it was appropriate to name the award after him. While we are guests in Houston, we hope to do as much as we can to represent the city’s unique culture, which includes remembering Pimp C and other Texas legends who have passed, like DJ Screw, Big Hawk, Fat Pat and Big Moe.”

 

A complete list of nominees across more than 25 categories including “Best Rap Album”; “Breakthrough Artist”; “Best Rap Group”; Best Video”; and “DJ of The Year” are in the attached release.

To vote for this year’s nominees please log onto www.ozonemag.com/toa_voting/

 

 

About OZONE Magazine

Founded by Julia Beverly in 2002, OZONE Magazine represents the best in Southern rap music and is now internationally distributed at many major retail outlets and newsstands. The OZONE Awards are OZONE Magazine’s annual star studded award ceremony honoring the biggest names in Southern Hip Hop. The event honors Southern artists in over 20 different categories. Past participants include Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, UGK, Pitbull, David Banner, Trina, DJ Khaled, and DJ Drama. For more information, please visit www.ozonemag.com

 

 

About TJ’s DJ’s Tastemakers Only Music Conference

TJ’s DJ’s was established in 1994 as an opportunity for thirsty DJs in North Florida and Southern Georgia to receive the best music first while providing powerful feedback that fuels the crucial decisions made by labels.  Over the years, TJ’s DJ’s has evolved to an organization that builds bridges with the quarterly Tastemakers Only/DJ Music Conferences including the annual partnership with OZONE Magazine’s OZONE Awards, takes advantage of technology by being the first urban pool to service CDs, incorporating mp3s to break music, utilizing the music traders on the message boards at http://www.TJsDJs.com to generate over 20 million hits per month, and provide first class promotions and consulting on how to navigate the dangerous waters of the music industry. For more information, please visit www.tjsdjs.com

“Q” SIGNED AS FIRST ARTIST ON TAG RECORDS

Putting an end to months of speculation about who would be the premiere artist signed to Tag Records, the New York-based venture led by hip-hop entrepreneur Jermaine Dupri, Island Def Jam Music Group and global giant Procter & Gamble (P&G), it was announced today that Brooklyn’s own “Q” will be the first young rapper to be launched on the new label.

To the legions of hardcore fans who have logged over 50,000 profile views on Q’s MySpace website (http://www.myspace.com/qdakid19) over the past 12 months, he is ready to take over the mantle of BK supremacy established more than a decade ago by Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z. Check out wordmaster Q’s freestyle chops on the four tracks posted at his website: “Hero Freestyle,” “Soulful Music,” and “How I Wish.”In conjunction with P&G’s leverage of TAG Records as part of its re-introduction of TAG this summer, Q will be on the receiving end of one of the biggest promotional campaigns ever devised, including television, print, radio, digital and event marketing. This unprecedented launch is a cornerstone of TAG’s initiative to cultivate relationships with the urban community through development of programs that provide opportunities for aspiring hip-hop talent. P&G will showcase Q and Dupri across TAG’s various advertising and marketing initiatives throughout 2008.

Q (aka Kareem Savage) was a former member of Da Franchise with fellow Brooklynites Red Café and Gravy. Q started his solo career as a contributor to mix-tapes by DJ Clue, Kay Slay, DJ Khaled and others. Relocating to Atlanta, it was inevitable that he’d cross paths with Dupri – who quickly recognized Q’s talent and put him in the studio.

Q landed his first major feature on Da Brat’s “World Premiere” and the Drumline hit movie soundtrack. Ever since signing to JD’s So So Def/Virgin imprint in the summer 2006, Q has been heard on a string of top-charted remixes including “Make Me Better” by Fabolous featuring Ne-Yo, “No One” by Alicia Keys, “Fine” by Mary J. Blige, “Can’t Help But Wait” by Trey Songz, and more. At the same time, Q’s humanitarian side and dedication to youth culture comes out via the Glenn Toby Organization and the Book Bank Foundation.

Rick Ross Charities, Inc in association with the City of Miami Gardens and The Children’s Trust present the 2nd Annual Rick Ross Be Out Day

To date, Rick Ross Be Out Day is Rick Ross Charities, Inc. Signature Event which assist parents with preparing for the back to school experience by distributing backpacks and school supplies while providing an entertaining day at the park with complimentary food, drinks, health screenings and entertainment. The presentation of the annual Rick Ross Charities, Inc Scholarship Award is presented at Be Out Day as well. In 2007, Miami Carol City Senior High School Graduate Juanita Williams was the scholarship recipient and the event was attended by over 2500 children and families. Recording Artist Flo Rida, Yung Joc, Brisco, Gorilla Zoe, DJ Khaled and a host of others assisted Rick Ross with entertaining the many children and families attending Be Out Day. The 2^nd Annual Rick Ross Be Out Day will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 from 12noon – 5pm at Miami Carol City Park. The goal of Rick Ross Be Out Day is to promote education advocacy and social responsibility. Rick Ross Be Out Day is sponsored in part by the City of Miami Gardens, The Children Trust and MediumFour.

 

ABOUT RICK ROSS CHARITIES, INC

Rick Ross Charities, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c) (3), founded by Rick Ross in 2006. Rick Ross Charities, Inc. mission is to strengthen the lives of today’s at-risk youth from all backgrounds and create diversity by providing solid resources through education advocacy, mentoring programs and financial resources to deserving students. Rick Ross is committed to having Rick Ross Charities, Inc. serve as a catalyst to inspire positive change by creating and supporting programs that uplift the well being of today’s youth. Rick Ross Charities, Inc. provides community support through various programs and projects such as the annual Rick Ross Be Out Day, Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaways, Holiday Gift Giveaways, College Scholarship Fund, Financial Seminars and a host of others.

 

ABOUT RICK ROSS

“Rick Ross place in the hip-hop universe was solidified in 2006 when his single “Hustlin” became the first master tone ever certified platinum by the RIAA for sales of 1 million copies before the associated album had even been released. The debut album “Port of Miami” was certified Gold with over 800,000 copies sold. Now Slip N’ Slide/Def Jam recording artist Rick Ross joins the exclusive VIP club reserved for MCs whose first two consecutive major label album releases have entered the Soundscan chart at #1, as TRILLA (in stores March 11th) debuted at #1 on first week sales of over 198,000 units. TRILLA follows the success of Port Of Miami, the Slip N Slide/Def Jam debut album (released August 2006) which entered at #1 with first week sales of 187,000 units.” Rick Ross plans are now to open the door of opportunity for other aspiring artist with the launch of his Maybach Music Group Label.

 

2^ND ANNUAL RICK ROSS BE OUT DAY

Who:               Rick Ross Charities, Inc in association with the City of Miami Gardens & The Children’s Trust

What:              2^nd Annual Rick Ross Be Out Day

Where:            Miami Carol City Park

                        3201 NW 185^th Street, Miami Gardens, FL 33056

When:             Wednesday, August 6, 2008

                        12noon – 6pm

More Info:      www.rickrosscharitiesinc.org

                        305-851-5699