OJ Da Juiceman

XXL Reveals 2010 Freshmen Top 10

01 Mar 2010 12:59:00 EST

Publication has chosen a wide mix of MCs from all over the U.S., including Nipsey Hussle, O.J. Da Juiceman, J. Cole and more.
By Shaheem Reid

The wait is finally over: XXL magazine has revealed its "10 Freshmen for 2010," for which the publication has chosen a motley crew of MCs from across the U.S.

Representing the West Coast you have Nipsey Hussle, Jay Rock and Fashawn. O.J. Da Juiceman, Pill and Donnis are holding it down for Atlanta. North Carolina native J. Cole also made the cut, as did Pittsburgh's Wiz Khalifah. The Midwest's own Big Sean (Detroit) and Freddie Gibbs (Gary, Indiana) round out the roster.

"It's always interesting to assemble the guys, because you don't know what kind of vibe you're gonna get," XXL Editor in Chief Vanessa Satten told MTV News about the photo shoot a few weeks ago. "The first [class in 2008], they were kinda brooding. They were kind of boring on the actual shoot. The second one, they were exciting. This year, we didn't know what to expect from them, because the first two [classes] were so opposite of each other. You never know what you can expect when you get those 10 rappers together. It could be pretty much anything.

"You're not dealing with divas like you normally do with a bigger cover," she added. "But at the same time, you're dealing with people who've got these insecurities, who are not used to the situation and not as recognizable. You gotta get them to be a bit more animated and be a little bit more interesting so the photos could be spectacular. It's a little different when you put a bigger star on the cover.

"Last year, in general, the class was more Internet-driven," she said. "It was kind of a different class. The office would make fun — it was more of a nerdy class. The rappers involved might get offended by that, but it was definitely to the direction of the Internet audience, the Internet rappers. This [new] class is a mix of that and a little bit more street. And more of hodgepodge."

XXL's Freshmen 10 issue of XXL will be on newsstands March 16.

What do you think? Did XXL get it right? Did they make any glaring omissions? If you had to the keys to the XXL kingdom, what would your list be? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Mixtape Daily Year End Celebration

17 Dec 2009 07:50:00 EST

Starting next week we'll name our Mixtape of The Year, Mixtape DJ of The Year and Mixtape Artist of the Year.
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OJ Da Juiceman Reveals Mixtape With Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka Flame

10 Nov 2009 06:50:00 EST

'Waka, he's crunk,' OJ tells Mixtape Daily of the new Brick Squad member.
By Shaheem Reid

The O.D.: A Mixtape Daily Exclusive

OJ Da Juiceman smiles with a gold-tooth grin when asked who has more mixtapes: him or his brother in arms, Gucci Mane.

"I'm at 25 or 26 mixtapes, but Gucci Mane is well over 30," OJ said.

He plans to increase his catalog very shortly, with a tape called Six Rings: The Michael Jordan Edition dropping soon. Then he and DJ Drama are hooking up for a Gangsta Grillz simply called Orange. After all that, OJ said he and Gucci have plans to put out a street project with Waka Flocka Flame, a new member of the Brick Squad crew.

"We actually working on a me, Gucci, Waka mixtape," the Juice said. "[That's] half of the Brick Squad. I think me and Waka gonna do a mixtape first, then me, Gucci and Waka gonna do a mixtape together. Waka is up next. He has a song on the radio with the 'O Let's Do It.' He's real down to earth when you meet him. Waka, he's crunk. If you go to the store and buy a bobblehead, that's how he's gonna have you in the club.

"The Brick Squad is me, Waka, Gucci, Frenchie, Woo [Da Kid] — that's it," OJ explained of the clique. "The 1017 Boys is all them same people except me. 1017 is Gucci's crew."

In the beginning of 2007, OJ is putting out his official LP, The Otis Williams Jr. Story. He just finished a track with the New Boyz, and Busta Rhymes, Mistah F.A.B. and Verse Simmonds are onboard. The Juice appears on R. Kelly's upcoming Untitled LP via "Superman High" and laid down a verse for the remix of Mariah Carey's "H.A.T.E.U."

"That was a blessing. I was like, 'Are you serious? Who?!' " OJ said of getting the phone call from Jermaine Dupri about getting on Mariah's song along with Big Boi and Gucci Mane. "I hurried up and did it. Knocked that guy out in 10 minutes. It surprised me."

Other Heat This Week

» Audio Push - The Soundcheck Mixtape

» Sha Stimuli - My Soul to Keep

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

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OJ Da Juiceman Goes 'Below Zero' On Alaska In Atlanta Tape

28 Sep 2009 06:53:00 EDT

DJ Holiday 'turned the thermostat down' for his and OJ's ode to bling, in Mixtape Daily.
By Shaheem Reid

Every week is huge on this Web site, but this week in particular, we're going in. Mixtape Daily is going to keep rolling strong, and we got that Hottest MCs project finally being released from the cage. It's a beast. Check for numbers 10 through 6 all this week right here on MTVNews.com, and on Sunday, we're going to reveal the rest of the list on "P. Diddy's Starmaker."

Not to neglect the current business at hand, OJ Da Juiceman and DJ Holiday just put a new mixtape out to the streets and, yeah, judging from the title, you know it has everything to do with them diamonds. On a totally unrelated note, much love to DJ Infamous.

This Week's Main Pick

Street Kings: OJ Da Juiceman and DJ Holiday

Holding It Down For: Atlanta and, apparently, Juneau

Mixtape: Alaska in Atlanta

Real Spit: "The concept came from me chillin'," the flamboyant OJ explained about his mixtape title. "Having all this jewelry over my way. ... We call jewelry cold. Alaska in Atlanta, it was only right to get Holiday. He was the best person for that thang. We back, me and Holiday. Everything is cold. Everything is below zero. We freezing. Three chains on. We swangin', you feel me? It gets rained on like a basketball player. Time for another round. We swagged up. MTV, you already know."

"We got a big, big movie going on right now," Holiday said. "I kept it hot for the summer, I keep the streets on fire, so I had to turn the thermostat down and bring my big homie OJ Da Juiceman out."

The tape has all new production from M-16, Drumma Boy, Fat Boy, Khao and up-and-coming youngster Lex Luger (not to be mistaken for former WCW World Heavyweight Champion "The Total Package" Lex Luger). Holiday has new mixtapes with Young Dro, Yung L.A., Webbie, Zero, Rocco, Nicki Minaj, Slim Thug and Gucci Mane and Mr. LaFlare's "little brother" Flocka Flame coming up.

Joints To Check For

» "Time Clock." "That's Fat Boy's [beat]," OJ said. "Big up to Fat Boy. That's like a full-course meal. We eating, man. Our plates are never empty."

» "Vegetarian." "Lex Luger, I see you," OJ said. "We swagged up. That was produced by my little homie Lex Luger outta VA. Everybody look out for that. We swagged up. Everything is below zero right now. I should have had blue on to be like 'Sub Zero.' We rocking like cutoff stockings."

» "Burr Beer." "That's basically an intro to the mixtape," Holiday said. "It's a new sound. We switching the swag up. We got a new guy named Lex Luger. His sound is just crazy. For OJ, on this mixtape, he matured a lot on his delivery and his sound. He's not just talking about the same thing. He's still celebrating for somebody from East Atlanta to make it out the 'hood and see the world, tour arenas, it feels good."

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OJ Da Juiceman

Cam'ron Still Listens To Jay-Z, Nas, Despite Past Grudges

03 Jun 2009 07:01:00 EDT

Also in Mixtape Daily, OJ Da Juiceman gets love from Jadakiss, Saigon, Busta Rhymes and more.
By Shaheem Reid

Celebrity Favorites

Cam'ron is getting to the money and apparently has no time for holding grudges. When Killa is cruising, he's not having flashbacks of old beefs. Despite past musical feuds with Nas and Jay-Z, the Harlem Diplomat says that he keeps their music in rotation. A classic is a classic.

"To be honest, I've been listening to a variety of stuff," Cam told us a few weeks ago, when asked whose music he enjoys these days. "The last album I bought was Plies' album. I like Plies a lot. Basically, being in Florida, you feel him even more when you're in that atmosphere. [Lil] Wayne is my man. I got stuff like Jay-Z's first album, Reasonable Doubt, [Nas'] infamous Illmatic, stuff that makes me think. [A lot of] new albums are like, 'Eh, whatever.' But I got a lot of '97, '98 stuff in my car, '96. Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. ... I always listen to DeBarge. DeBarge is always in the loop. John Legend. Beyoncé's new CD is in there. I do a lot of mixtape R&B stuff. I even got the Force M.D.s."

The Streets Is Talking: News & Notes From The Underground

From the South to the North and everywhere in between, OJ Da Juiceman is getting love from his fellow hip-hop dignitaries. Jadakiss has him featured on "Who's Real," R. Kelly has him on the underground record "Superman High," and there are plenty more collaborations in the works.

"I did a song with Saigon; it's called 'What Would You Do for Pu---," he said. "I'mma have this record with Cassidy. I got in the 'Hustler's Anthem' remix with Busta Rhymes and T-Pain. I got in touch with Grafh — he said he wants to do something. [Tony] Yayo got on the remix to 'Make the Trap Say Aye'; it's a bunch of people. I'm working with everybody that extended their hand out. Me and Ron Browz about to do something. I did song with D-Block that's a real record."

And in addition to all that, Da Juice is currently working on a follow-up to the project he released earlier this year The Otha Side of the Trap.

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OJ Da Juiceman Hits NYC For Jadakiss' Biker-Heavy 'Who's Real' Video

01 Jun 2009 13:29:00 EDT

Atlanta rapper also planning more work with Swizz Beatz.
By Shaheem Reid

OJ Da Juiceman has only been to New York a handful of times, but the last time was the best time. One of the hottest dudes coming out of Atlanta right now, Juice recently headed up top to the Big Apple to connect with the Ruff Ryder family. During the visit, he also worked with Jadakiss and Swizz Beatz on a video for "Who's Real," the current single from Jada's The Last Kiss.

"That was lovely," Juice told MTV News via phone from ATL. "That was my sixth time in New York, my first time in the 'hood. I like the scenario and the whole surroundings and everything.

"They brought the bikes out," Juice added, talking about the chaos on the video set. "All the Ruff Ryder dudes came out. This guy was poppin' a wheelie, [driving] in a small circle and walking on and off the motorcycle. That ni--- killed me with that one dog."

But Juice said don't look for him pulling off motor stunts.

"Nah, man," he said about whether he got on one of the motorcycles for a trick or two. "Them things dangerous."

Another thing that may have come out of OJ's cameo is more work with Swizz Beatz, who produced "Who's Real."

"It was beautiful, big up to Swizz," he said. "He's a real down-to-earth person. He's gonna shoot me a couple of tracks."

The Juiceman is currently recording a new album that should be out in a few months. "[The Otha Side of the Trap] was a prequel, warming up for the one I'm working on now," he explained. "This one, I want to go straight me to show people I got this. This is really what I can do."

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Lil Wayne Introduces Nicki Minaj

04 May 2009 06:51:00 EDT

Mixtape Daily premieres today!
By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Rahman Dukes

It's official, people. Mixtape Daily is here. That's right, daily. Mixtape Monday had a phenomenal run. For over six years, the weekly segment became an institution. Every week, it was your one-stop shop for everything related to the streets. But we promised you bigger and better things in 2009, and we're men of our word. We're going to keep bringing you all the exclusives and insight you've come to expect. We're just expanding and refocusing.

Enough with the talk, here is this week's main pick, the new hip-hop bad chick.

This Week's Main Pick

Street Queen: Nicki Minaj

Holding It Down For: Jamaica, Queens, and Young Money

Mixtape: Beam Me Up Scotty

Real Spit: Yeah, you are going to hear a bunch of more-than-just-friendly shout-outs to the ladies — Nicki says she loves the girls and has no problem surrounding herself with "bad bitches."

"A bad bitch is an exclusive, smart girlie-girl who holds her own," she explained. Minaj is from the same Southside Queens neighborhood as Mixtape Daily co-founder and host Shaheem Reid.

"Seeing a lot of crackheads — a lot of drug dealers," she said, describing the neighborhood when she was growing up. "I was on crack. I went to rehab. ... No, I spit that crack. That's what I meant."

Minaj attended LaGuardia High School -- the performing arts school on which the movie "Fame" was based — where she studied not music, but acting. She got into rapping after hanging around all her dudes who rhymed.

"I used to make stuff up and spit it and eventually just started getting dope — I think people just started taking me serious," she said. Nicki was discovered by Lil Wayne a couple of years after the New Orleans MC saw her on the street DVD "On the Come Up." "I was OK, but I wasn't focusing on the music. I was doing pictures and stuff like that, so people knew me more for pictures than my music," she continued. "But with the Beam Me Up Scotty mixtape, they have to take me seriously as an artist. So, I would say maybe a year ago, I started sharpening my skills. Recently, I've been singing more. Now it's official — it's going down like 'Town Julie Brown."

Nicki — or "Lewinsky," as she calls herself — says that touring with Weezy, Drake and the rest of the "Young Moolah" crew had a serious impact on her and the mixtape.

"It made me hungry. That's what inspired me and the music for the Beam Me Up Scotty tape — the 'I Am Music' tour."

"It's a good opportunity to always find that new chick in the game," Atlanta's DJ Holiday said. "She's gonna have a good, successful career. It's hard to find that somebody who has that niche, that star power. She can rap, she can sing. She connected with everybody in the streets."

Nick is also down with the same management team behind Gucci Mane and OJ Da Juiceman, thus all the collaborations with that crew.

"Gucci is real fast," she said of the difference between him and Wayne. "He'll force me, like, 'No, no, no. You're taking too long.' Wayne, we'll have more of a laid-back situation. He'll give me time to tweak a little more. But they both teach me a lot — they both a have a crazy work ethic. Wayne is my sensei. That's what I call him. He calls me his ninja. 'Ninja Nicki.' "

Joints To Check For:

» "I Get Crazy" (featuring Lil Wayne). "A real dope record," she said. "I did it and I let Wayne hear it. He played his guitar on it and put his whole rock sound on it. I switched up my verses after he did that, I have to admit. That's kinda taboo in hip-hop to switch up your verses after [they are laid down], but he kinda bodied me and he stepped the energy up on it — so I stepped my energy up on it. The new version of 'I Get Crazy' is like a rock feel, 'cause we're just all rocked out. Being a lunatic and not caring."

» "Kill the DJ." "A dope, fun record that all my girls like," Nicki said. "It's saying that if the DJ doesn't spin my record again, I'm gonna kill him. But DJs like being killed by me — they like being straddled and choked, you know."

» "Envy." " 'Envy' is a song that I wrote, like, a year ago. Being a female and trying to get into hip-hop, you're damned if you do/ [damned] if you don't type of thing. Other girls don't wanna see you shine. I said on the record, 'Still I rise.' These girls are like crabs in a bucket — I feel if you allow one girl to get in the door, she's gonna hold the door open so everybody else can come in. I look at it like it's about us. Female rappers are dead. Where are we? 'Envy' is a very personal record for me because it's real."

The Streets Is Talking: News & Notes From The Underground

Happy birthday to Lloyd Banks! The onetime "Boy Wonder" just hit 27 on April 30 and celebrated by giving a double CD to the streets — his fourth since September.

"I'm still younger than the average rapper," he laughed when called on his actual birthday.

As young as Banks is, he's still a vet. For the mixtape, he spread it out some and reached people from New York and beyond.

"I got a track called 'My Way or Nothing' with Uncle Murda," Banks explained. "You know what it is? I'm a fan of a lot of these MCs. A lot of people got egos. I've been doing this for seven years now. I feel like a veteran. It gets to a point where, c'mon now, we gotta stop all this. If you like somebody's record, you won't say it because of your ego? I appreciate what Uncle Murda brings to the table.

"Uncle Murda did what I expected him to do and more," he added. "I reached out to Nipsey Hussle too. I appreciated what he brought to the game. It just feels like something new. He's from the West Coast, he brings the whole culture back into hip-hop from his side. I respect that. I got a track called 'Real Recognize Real' with Jay Rock. It's the opening track and it's my favorite track on the album. I sent it to him and he sent it to me in a half-hour. That made me realize I gotta keep grinding, because you got artists out there like Jay Rock that's hungry. It makes me go harder. I'm just trying to spread it out."

Banks says he's going to be working with a lot of new artists as well as seasoned cats, like as Gucci Mane, Red Cafe (look for another "Hottest in the Hood" remix with Banks, Busta and Juelz) and a few other names you know.

"I'm just trying to get in there and mix magic and work with a lot of these artists I've appreciated over the years. I got a record in the works now with me, Juelz, Fabolous and Jadakiss called 'Welcome to New York.' I'm waiting to get the final touches on that. I'm a grown man now. Everybody gotta get their grown man on and get in to the studio and make magic."

Banks also cleared up the rumor that he was dropped from Interscope Records. He hasn't been signed to the label since 2007, when he fulfilled his contractual requirements. He hasn't decided what label his next album will be on, but 50 Cent will definitely have it under his umbrella. He'll continue to drop mixtapes in the meantime — it's like practice.

"On the second CD, I got the 'Officer Down,' the Gillie Da Kid remix I put together for Get Down," he said. "There's another record on there called 'My Girl,' 'cause a lot of females are in tune with the mixtapes too. They don't all wanna hear 'shoot 'em up, bang bang.' They wanna hear records like 'Life Goes On,' where I'm speaking about personal experience. 'My Girl,' I got the Rich Girl remix on there. The second CD is more like a party CD. Whoo Kid recorded it with a live feel.

"I went back to a record called 'Money Moves the World,' " he continued. "The second CD is a mixture of new records and records that come in between the mixtapes. I would leak scattered records between mixtapes, so if you're never on the Internet, you might not have heard it. So, I wanted to grab all of those favorites and put them back on the CD — now you got a double CD. The double CD is pushing the bar now."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Monday, check out Mixtape Mondays Headlines.

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