8-10 ............................ Future

12 ....................... Kirko Bangz

14 ........................... Yelawolf

16-19 ............ The Memphis 10s

20 ..........................DJ Kojack

22 ......................... Mizta CEO

23 .......................... King JBoi

26-29 .......................... Peppa

Editor: Cory SparksOnline Editor: Daria GreeneSales: Ricardo HunterDistribution: Connell BoylandArt Director: Rex2Publishing Consultant: Bryan Deese

CONCRETE Magazine - Memphis8001 Centerview Pkwy, Suite 205

Cordova, TN 38018901.531.6117

concretememphis@gmail.com© CONCRETE Magazine 2012

We’re back again, putting it down for Memphis the way we always do! This time we got exclusives with some of the hottest up-and-coming rappers in the game. You may already know Future. His “Tony Montana” has been ringing hard for months. Kirko Bangz is that next cat from H-Town. But we’re really proud of our interview with Memphis’ very own serial-entrepreneur and unoffi cial ambassador Peppa.

8

CONCRETE: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?Future: I’m from East Atlanta, Zone 6. Born and raised in Atlanta, GA. Second generation Dungeon Family. Straight out of Street Bands Studio.CONCRETE: Where did you get the name Future?Future: I got the name from the Dungeon Family, that’s my fi rst family. I was down there developing as an artist. I was just going by my regular name at the time. And they was like “You the future of the family.” So I was always the Future at The Dungeon, because I was always the youngest at the time. That’s where I got my name from, being at The Dungeon, being the youngest in the Dungeon Family.CONCRETE: How do you come up with your hooks? Future: I just play off of everything around me. I concentrate on the vibe that’s going on the room. I’ll take something that we are talking about at the time and fl ip it or play off their wordplay or whatever the conversation may be.CONCRETE: For our readers who have never heard your music, explain your sound in fi ve words. Future: Melodic. Trendy. Arrogant. Cocky. Versatile!CONCRETE: If we looked at your ipod right now, what would we see on your recently played list?Future: Right now I’m listening to the new Amy Winehouse. I’ve been listening to that album for a minute. Other than that I’m listening to the radio or just listening to random music in the studio.CONCRETE: You’ve had a meteoric rise. Some artists get really hot quick but then fade quick. How do you plan on staying relevant? Future: I’m going to stay in the studio, stay consistent and making hits. I will continue to put out quality material.CONCRETE: With that being said ... What can we

expect from you in the near and distant Future? Future: Coming up I have the mixtape Free Band Gang,

the movie and the exclusive documentary. The album Pluto is dropping in April.Pluto is dropping in April.Pluto

10

12

CONCRETE: You’ve got a video for your hit “Drank In My Cup”. It’s got a real Houston feel with the cars swagin’. Can you tell us about that song and video?Kirko:“Drank In My Cup” is about me getting a girl. I put drank in my cup about it for Houston. If you think about lean, you think about Houston, if you think about Houston, you think about lean. Incorporating that in the song brings it back to the city, but we brought it with a new sound, a new generation, the younger kids, but with a mix of the old screw stuff. We just put that together and make that work. Then with the video, we want to give people just a glimpse of H-Town lifestyle, just coming down swangin’, shiftin’ and shinin’, girls at the club, the Houston lifestyle, just slow it down a little.CONCRETE: It seems as if Houston’s older generation of rappers are passing the torch of the city to you. Do you feel like it’s your turn to step up for the city and put on for your generation, and what does that mean to you?Kirko: Yeah, I see them kind of trying to tell me that. It means a lot to me, and it’s crazy. The fact that I got these dudes Slim Thug, Bun B and Paul Wall calling me, and I got their numbers and can just call them up anytime. I’m on. It’s crazy to me. The people out here got my back in this city. But it’s a lot of pressure. It’s a challenge. You got the ‘05 where we had UGK, Devin, Scarface, Young Boyz, stuff like that, you got to be on par with that.CONCRETE: We read that you went to Prairie View University. Bone, Party Boys and other rappers went there also. Was there a hip-hop scene there at Prairie View? Were you working with them or aware of each other?Kirko: It’s real weird that all those others, like Bone and Superstar, and the Party Boys, they all did their thing right before I came. And when I came, everybody was gone already. They had already made it, so there wasn’t really anybody left. So that sound was like a Dallas sound, really clubish. Mine was different. We had people that weren’t really familiar with my style and my city, talking about catching on with me. That was the fi rst challenge to me. It’s like if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. It’s training that got me ready to take on the world.

14

CONCRETE: You seem real laid back when you’re not performing. On stage and in the booth you have a lot of energy. Do you have any rituals or anything you do to get ready?Yelawolf: People have asked me, ‘Man what’s wrong with you.’ And I’m like, ‘Nothing. Just chillin.’ I’m not performing right now. I’m just chillin.’ I guess because the way I see a performance, It’s a performance! Some artists would rather take the energy that they have day to day on stage. I like to transform and become a part of the record and really just rock out with the fans and to make a connection. That just comes from being inspired by it. Performers like Axel Rose, or Redman or Mystical, Triple-6-Mafi a shows, Jim Morrison. I watch a lot of festival footage like Rage Against the Machine, Primus. I just try and capture that energy and make sure the shows is fun to be at and something they’ll never forget. CONCRETE: In the song “Hard White” there’s a lyric “Rest in peace Wayne Bush”, and we saw you send him a birthday wish on Twitter. Who is Wayne Bush?Yelawolf: Wayne Bush was one of my best friends. I tweeted that on his birthday (Sept 26). He died in a motorcycle accident a few years back. Basically he was a young dude off the streets. He was a single parent of two daughters that would wake up every morning and take them school and pick them up out of school. He sold weed for a living and was really, really good at it. He made a lot of money. But he was one of the best people in the world. He would come and help me to survive really when I was at the bottom. He put money into a studio. He would carry me to shows. He just supported me fully. He put a studio in my house on a street called South 11th Street. He would have all his boys come over and help me make money by charging them for studio time. He was just one of the best dudes. He was so involved with me musically that I know if he was alive today he would be on the bus right now. That’s who Wayne Bush is.CONCRETE: Can you break down what the Slumerican Movement is all about and who is affi liated?Yelawolf: Slumerican is a cultural brand. It’s a family of like-minded people. Me, myself I’m the President, Mr. President. Lower Managment, Jon Newport. The original Tyler the Creator, Tyler is the creative director. He did the album art for RadioActive. He’s doing the artwork for Slumerican. Basically, things we’ve always wanted to see shirts. People that we want to associate ourselves with based on their genius. It could be a skateboarder. It could be a photographer. It could be a rapper. It could be a singer, guitar player. It could be a professional beer drinker. Just rad people that came from the bottom and are proud of the American culture. Because, it’s obviously a play on words, but it’s patriotic. It just represents the underbelly of it all. The people that make our world go round, the 9-to-5ers. So we just started associating the name with people we were backing. Rittz from Gwinett County (Georgia), obviously Newport as a skateboarder, Tyler is also our photographer, an ill-ass photographer. So I actually rocked the fi rst shirt that we put up, on the front it says ‘The Losers Win Again’ and I’m wearing it on 106 today. That’s the fi rst shirt that we’ve made. Some more gear coming out of the brand.It’s slum patriotic.

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19

20

CONCRETE: For those who do not know you, can you introduce yourself and your show?

Kojack: My name is DJ Kojack. Most remember me from my time at Hot 107.1, but I am a professional studio engineer, show promoter and music producer. However my heart belongs to DJing, hence the reason for starting my own radio station, North Memphis Radio 95.5 FM (Live Broadcast). Since its beginning, it has developed into more than just an 11pm - 3am show.CONCRETE: I am very interested as to how your pirate radio show came about?Kojack: Every year I DJ in South Beach Miami and my homie White Boy Pee put me on to pirate radio and even sold me the gear I needed. At fi rst I wanted to just buck the system and play, say and do what I wanted to after 5 years of being limited. After I started getting feedback and phone calls from my listeners, it changed my vision. Non-Profi ts used me to broadcast neighborhood meeting and block parties, new businesses used me to broadcast their store and new artists wanted to put their music on.CONCRETE: Now is your radio show unregulated? And if so what are the penalties and how are you dealing with that?Kojack: No, the show is not regulated but I am registered with FCC. I have made all the adjustments and measurements to comply with part 15 of the FCC rules. POW to the haters!CONCRETE: Have you been approached about making your radio show regulated? Is that something that you’re against?Kojack: No, at this time I’m not interested in going that route. My sh-t is for the people and I wouldn’t want to be in the position where I have to ask for permission to do anything. And to answer your next question, I respect the Hot’s and 97’s but this ain’t that and that ain’t this.CONCRETE: What is the main purpose/focus of your radio show and how is it enlightening your listeners?Kojack: The scary thing about a radio station is, it talks and feeds you but the people really can’t talk back or doesn’t have any say in what’s being said. You’re being programmed by the programmer who does not always have the people’s best interests at heart. It’s real sh-t going on in the hoods that needs to be addressed. There is music that needs to be heard. North Memphis Radio is for the people.

22

CONCRETE: Where are you from?Mizta CEO: I was born in Texas but raised in

Memphis, Tenn. I’m from all around but my stomping ground is North Memphis. I grew up around OGs that gave me the game early.CONCRETE: What songs do you have out here that the people are really feeling?Mizta CEO: I have a song, “Reallly” which is the ad lib I use in every song I’ve ever done and the streets love it too. Another song, “All Day” is an undeniable hit and I have a song for the ladies called “I Be Starin” a straight banger in the clubs.CONCRETE: If you were to describe the formula for your rap fl ow, what would be the ingredients?Mizta CEO: My struggle and my life; A lot of people don’t realize what I went through as a child. I mean we all have a story to tell but I lost my dad at an early age he used to beat on my moms and in the end, my moms shot him. When that happened a lot of people turned their backs on us so it was just me and my moms for a long time. We had to live in a car from time to time and times got rough. I basically had to fi ght every day of my life because at one point I was the man of the house. I have 2 younger sisters that I had to protect so I went to the streets and took what was mine. I remember being so stressed out at times I was suicidal and with all the bull shit I had went through my moms used to tell me to just write it down and once I put my struggle down in words it was like a form of art.CONCRETE: What projects do you have in the works?Mizta CEO: My mix tape just debuted this week which is titled Realllyy. I’m working on my next single for the radio and I have an Realllyy. I’m working on my next single for the radio and I have an Realllyyalbum getting ready 2 drop towards the fourth quarter. 1-30-12 of this year I almost died so I feel like Pac, every second every minute every hour I’m working on something because tomorrow is never promised. Realllyy.Realllyy.RealllyyCONCRETE: Are there any local and national artists that you are working with?Mizta CEO: I just fi nished a song with Gorilla Zoe, shout out to Zoe as well as O.G. Boo Dirty and the hardest R&B singer in the southern region Memphis’ own Tone Yates. I’m trying to get 2chains on a song. I’m a big fan of the homie’s music and movement as well as Young Jeezy. .CONCRETE: Where can people fi nd you on the web?Mizta CEO: They can visit my website, miztaceo.com and while they’re there, download the new mix tape for the free which features Gorilla Zoe, OG Boo dirty, Tone Yates and more ... Realllyy.Realllyy.Realllyy

CONCRETE: For all the people who may not be familiar, can you give us a little background on how far you’ve come in the game?JBoi: I am King JBoi, a 23 year old artist/CEO coming out of Memphis, Tenn. I’ve been making music since I was a kid, and decided to take it to a serious level as I got older. A few years back I started an independent entertainment company called L.i.E Entertainment, which is a company designed for other artists, promoters, DJs, dancers, etc. to come together under one umbrella working together with one common goal of success. At this point, we’re currently working on a lot of different (entertainment) things, and as well as pushing my music across the Southern region of the country, and soon the entire world.CONCRETE: You’ve been putting out a lot music and videos in the past year. What’s your goal for the upcoming year?JBoi: My ultimate goal for this upcoming year is to expand my audience further out. We have a lot of dates set for more videos, mixtape releases, club appearances and touring to campaign throughout different states. To be more specifi c about a few things, RRR Vol. 5 is scheduled to be released online within the next month, RRR Vol. 5 is scheduled to be released online within the next month, RRR Vol. 5the mixtape Thirsty is scheduled to drop this spring (2012), and Thirsty is scheduled to drop this spring (2012), and Thirstythen the EP, K.o.S Pt. 2 followed by K.o.S Pt. 2 followed by K.o.S Pt. 2 Street Music Volume 2: ‘The Inauguration’ will come out this Summer (2012). There has even Inauguration’ will come out this Summer (2012). There has even Inauguration’been talk about an L.i.E Entertainment mixtape by all the artists within the company this year sometime. CONCRETE: Who do you consider your ears? Who do you go to for input on your new records?JBoi: A lot of my music is catered around my own personal life, growing up in the street life of a young black male. My music is fi lled with those related issues, but at the same time my stories and words are about struggle and life period in most cases. This opens up my audience. In other words, anybody should be able to listen to my music and relate. But as far as whom do I go to for input on my music, I normally let my team and family take a listen to my music. Ultimately, I take heed to all feedback from fans, supporters or just listeners in general. Most of the time my own personal team and my family are my biggest fans and love all my music, so to get critical input I release my music and watch the feedback. This tells me what I need to work on, elevate and do more of.CONCRETE: Anything else you have for our readers?JBoi: Everyone stay tuned in, I am defi nitely up next! You will be seeing a lot of me and my team, L.i.E! Oh yeah, don’t forget the mixtpe Thirsty. It will be released this spring 2012. L.i.E Entertainment, the Thirsty. It will be released this spring 2012. L.i.E Entertainment, the Thirstymovement is moving! 23

4

From his impeccably decorated 2,000 square foot offi ce overlooking Downtown Memphis, it may be hard to imagine that Artemis “Peppa” Williams was once that skinny kid pushing Three Six Mafi a mixtapes out of the back of a blue KIA Sephia. “I was in mortuary school in Atlanta at the time, and DJ Paul was a childhood friend. Whenever Three Six would come in town I’d show them around, introduce them to everyone, take them to the hottest spots,” explains Peppa. “One day DJ Paul asked me if I’d be their manager. I remember saying, ‘What’s that?’” Peppa quickly learned. He dropped out of school and started managing Three Six Mafi a, at that time a little known up and coming rap group. He saw an opportunity that he couldn’t pass up, and though as he explains he didn’t know the entire scope of a manager he “had to learn. I just did it. I was determined to put them at the top. No matter what.” It was that hustler’s mindset, dare we say Memphis mindset, that enabled him to jump from the manager for Three Six Mafi a securing them a multi-million dollar deal, to the Vice President of Def Jam South where he was instrumental in developing the Southern division of this worldwide company, to being the driving force behind another one of Memphis’ own rap superstars, Yo Gotti. With an astute understanding of the music industry and the market, Peppa saw the opportunity to take this homegrown rapper from local celebrity to global phenomenon and as his vision for Yo Gotti’s music expanded, their relationship transitioned as well from one of manager and artist to business partners. “As manager to an artist the role is limited for both parties,” explains Peppa. “As business partners we really get to make BIG MOVES that make BIG MONEY and take everything to another level.” With that in mind the business partners have a nationwide tour kicking off early summer but instead of selling the rights to some other promoters

to profi t off of, the two will be presenting the 26 city “I AM” tour themselves. In addition to continuing to promote and expand the music side, Peppa also has other diverse business ventures in the works for Yo Gotti. How Peppa is championing his artist’s expansion is parallel to his wide-ranging vision for himself. The successful management and creation of several big name national recording artists and

the pioneering of Def Jam South would continued on next page

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be enough for some but his never ceasing energy and enterprising attitude make Peppa unable to be complacent no matter his previous accomplishments. Combine those attributes with his uncanny ability to discern lucrative opportunities, infectious personality, and fearless risk taking, and you have the recipe for lifelong success. “I never want to limit myself,” says Peppa. “Yeah I’m known for being THE go-to guy for music. People know if you need to get it done, you need to go through me. But I want to be that guy for business outside of the music industry, too.” Following the advice of advertising and marketing genius Steve Stoute on the importance of diversifi cation especially for African-Americans, Peppa actively seeks new business arenas to lend his street smarts and experience. One of his most recent undertakings was a multi-million dollar government contract with Assurance Wireless, the government sponsored program that provides free cell phones and minutes for people who may not otherwise be able to afford it, where he was responsible for its implementation in several southern states. In addition to securing other government contracts, Peppa’s business endeavors include real estate investments, a booking agency, business consulting, philanthropy, and a touring company which is currently producing New Edition tour dates in large metropolitan cities such as D.C., Houston and Chicago to name a few. But the business venture that he’s most enthusiastic about and one that’s pushing him into new territory is his purchase of the Crumpy’s on Wheels franchise, food trucks that will sell the signature Crumpy’s hot wings as well as other fare.

“These trucks are the next big thing!” says Peppa excitement punctuating his points. “They’ve been big in New York for years but now it’s time for them to take over the rest of the country. And I want to be the one to do it.” His understanding of urban consumer culture is what led him to buy the franchise. There are currently three Crumpy’s on Wheels food trucks in Memphis, and he’s in the process of introducing trucks in smaller markets nearby, like Nashville and Jackson, Miss, with a goal of at least fi ve trucks in all major U.S. cities. If you think his foray into the restaurant on wheels business is simply about food sales fast then you’ve missed the mark. Peppa understands that today’s consumer wants more than just a transaction, they want authentic interaction. So while customers will be able to rely on Crumpy’s on Wheels’ superior product and professionalism, overwhelmingly it’s about an experience. “Time is a vital aspect of it,” explains Peppa. “but so is quality – the quality of the food and the face-to-face interaction.” Peppa’s ability to quickly create a personalized connection is one aspect of what maintains his continued success. He remains very much connected to industry execs across the country as well as people he grew up with in his hometown, Memphis, TN. His undeniable gift of gab earned him the nickname “Mouth of the South” and speaks to his ability to successfully be a spokesman for artists and companies seeking the right kind of exposure with the right kind of people. Ask him why he’s been able to remain so successful though and his answer has little to do with his business acumen, experience, or even his way with words. “A lot of times I refl ect on my success. Why I’ve been able to accomplish all that I’ve had and at such a young age,” says Peppa. “I know exactly where my blessings come from, and I never downplay God’s role in my life. Nothing happens by luck. It’s been God blessing me, putting me in these positions.” Whether it’s been his success with music artists, cell phones

or his upcoming endeavor into food trucks, one thing is for sure. “If the Mouth of the South ain’t talking about it,” Peppa unapologetically states. “It ain’t worth talking about.”

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