10-12 ............................Plies

14 .. What’s Your Issue w/ Big Sue

18 ........................ DJ Houston

20 ........................... Mac Goo

22 ..................... DVD Reviews

24-26 ...................Memphis 10

28 .......................... DJ Charts

Published by: Concrete MagazineEditor In Chief: “Corporate” Cory SparksSales Manager: Ricardo HunterAd Sales: Shabrea HunterDistribution Manager: Phil JonesArt Director: Audie AdamsPublishing Consultant: Bryan Deese

CONCRETE Magazine - Memphis8001 Centerview Pkwy, Suite 205

Cordova, TN 38018901.531.6117

concretememphis@gmail.com© CONCRETE Magazine 2008

2009, we here baby! New goals ... this year is dedicated to No Excuses. Stop giving yourself a way out. You are justifying your actions or inaction and making it seem OK...It’s not! Always remember that if you have a goal and are chasing after that dream; keep chasing!! Keep going hard! And I’ll see you in the streets! – C. Sparks

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Hate on him all you want, but the self-acclaimed, “Certifi ed Goon” Plies keeps the heat coming. With his latest album Da REAList which hit the streets in Da REAList which hit the streets in Da REAListDecember 2008 just Six Months after his previous release, “Defi nition of a Real”. Currently holding it down

as the #1 Rap Album as well as a Top 5 single on the Billboard charts, this album he returns and sticks to the theme of being real. “It’s not like I woke up one morning and said let me name my album Da REAList, Da REAList, Da REAListhe states. “I think that was a title that was given to me from the streets.” It’s because of his street appeal and his strong female base that has allowed him to remain relevant in this ever-changing music industry. Releasing his debut album The Real Testamentin 2007, Plies quickly rose to the charts on with the Hit Single “Shawty” and followed up behind that with “Hypnotized.” Selling over a half a million records, The Real Testament was certifi ed gold by the RIAA. Ten months later he released his second album “Defi nition Of Real” in June 2008. It debuted at #2 and went on to sell over 200,000 in its fi rst week and also garnered another gold plaque. As the hottest tracks of the summer, “Bust It Baby Pt. 2”, “Please Excuse My Hands”

and “Who Hotter Than Me” could be heard almost everywhere. Before we had time

to let that album sink in, he hit us with another one. “I’ve been blessed to come back with three albums in 16 months,” he humbly says.

continued on pg 12

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“Now you see everybody coming right back out. I’m not saying I’m the reason for that, but n*gg*s wasn’t doing it before I started doing it.” With so many rappers out and so many one-hit wonders, Plies seems to have proven himself as one of the few true rappers out here. Because of the love he has received from the streets and his strong female fan base, Plies has solidifi ed his career and allowed him to become one of the biggest forces in the rap industry. “I think you can falsify selling dope. I think you can falsify being a killer, but you can’t falsify being real because it ‘s too many principles that come with that term,” he says. With fi ve videos out, a chart banger in “Put It On Ya” featuring Memphis’ own and Big Gates recording artist Chris J, “Da REAList” was considered one of the most anticipated albums of 2008. Other noteworthy tracks are the second single “Want It, Need It,” featuring Ashanti, the hood-laced “Me & My Goons”, “All Black”, and “Family Straight” in which we hear Plies pour out his heart about his family problems. “God before you take me, let me get my family straight,” he prays throughout the song. And if he hasn’t done enough, he’s dropping his next album May 2009. Not a bad hustle for a Goon!

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Question #1: I just found out that my boyfriend of three years has cheated on me. AGAIN. He has been lying to me for months about where he has been, and recently I found out from the woman he was cheating with. I’m very embarrassed that I allowed him to do this to me again, but I still love him. He tells me it’s my fault that he cheated, and says that I’m a snob and that I’m just not there for him. He is still living in my home, and some days he acts like nothing has happened. When he acts this way, I kind of wish we could go back to being together, but I also feel lost. What should I do?Big Sue: You ever give a bum a dollar? He’s full of “God bless you’s, thank you’s” and all that. Well this bum is in your home, so of course he acts like everything is good-he needs a place to stay! Then to add insult to injury, he gets to blame you for his infi delity-and you’re embarrassed? You should be pissed! Throw love out the window along with his s***!!! And keep it moving, you deserve better.Question #2: I have been dating this great guy for about 6 months. He is always there for me and goes above and beyond. We spend a great deal of time together. He takes me places I have never been before. He has no emotional baggage. He has never been married and has no children. In the past I have had a couple of bad relationships. Dealing with men who just lie and cheat for no reason. The problem that I am having is that I am not all that attracted to him. However I think with all I have experienced in the past, I am looking for fault in him. As far as his fi nances, he has a vision and is a very hard worker. He wants to live a good life and this is something we defi nitely have in common. He comes from a very good family and is at a point in his career where he is ready to settle down. However as far as the looks are concerned, do you think I am settling if he is not exactly what I am attracted to?Big Sue: Oprah once said, “You can have it all, just not all at once.” While I understand your want for a mate who is aesthetically pleasing, you’re overlooking his other qualities. This is probably because you’re so used to troubleshooting relationships with fi ne ass sociopaths, that when because you’re so used to troubleshooting relationships with fi ne ass sociopaths, that when presented with a stress free situation, you don’t know how to respond. Therefore, you create an issue. Keep sleeping with him, he’ll start looking better ... or give me his number, I know plenty of women who will love his ugly ass.

Got a question for Sue? Email her at concretesue@gmail with the subject line “I Got Issues” and she’ll offer the best/worst advice known to man.

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Question 1: If you were stranded on a desert island with turntables, what 5 essential records would you need to have with you?Houston: Gucci Mane - Shirt Off... Probably because there would be no need for me to wear a shirt. 2. Bobby Womack - Nobody Wants You When You’re Down And Out... Cause it’s the truth. 3. Frankie Beverly & Maze - Before I Let Go... You have a good dance record even though I’ll be dancing by myself. 4. Tupac - Against All Odds...

That’s my theme song anyway. 5. Beyonce - Single Ladies... I’ll just play the record and think about the video. You know what

I’m talking about.Question 2: What’s your 5 year plan?Houston: Get money! If I told you my 5 year plan then I would get folks trying to copy me. Just know that djing isn’t the only thing I want to do and hopefully I’ll move on to bigger and better things. Question 3: What has the music game changed for you (from a DJ’s perspective)?Houston: It has changed the way I hustle. Just like artists

out there trying to get on, us dj’s are also out there trying to get on and fi nd that next good paying gig. Also, my grind

and will to make it is a lot stronger especially since the economy is kind of tough now. Question 4: What’s your advice for the young bucks trying to get into the DJ Profession?Houston: Know your history. Don’t think just because you got 2000 songs downloaded into your ITunes music library that you can become a DJ. Get you some turntables/cdj’s, learn how to mix and scratch. Then come holla at me.

Also know your music and be versatile. Lastly, learn how to market yourself. That’s very important to make

it happen for yourself; don’t wait on anybody to give you a handout.Question 5: What’s your info (web, email, etc) and

when and where can we fi nd you? Houston: Hit me at djhouston20@yahoo.com

and myspace.com/djhouston.You can catch me every other Friday Night at Silver Spoon

and every Saturday Night at Plush Club.

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Artist: Mac Goo Reppin: Jackson, TNCONCRETE: How long have you been on the music scene?MacGoo: I have been on the scene offi cially for about 10 years plus depending on who you ask. Jackson, Tennessee, a city between cities ... New Jack City! West Tennessee knows about Mac Goo from Flat Line Records. My fi rst joint venture to Small Town Muzik is my newest enterprise.CONCRETE: Where did you get your start?MacGoo: The streets in West Tennessee. I bought a Willie Hutch CD, got in my zone with that pen and pad, and put my struggle, pain, ups, and downs to music. Then I put it out here so people could know my story. It’s too real at the end of the day. I’m self made. Mac Goo put me on!CONCRETE: You have a mix tape that’s already out in the streets. Tell me about that.MacGoo: 28 Grams with Don Cannon, and I just dropped 28 Grams with Don Cannon, and I just dropped 28 Grams Interstate Muzik: The Pimp Edition last Interstate Muzik: The Pimp Edition last Interstate Muzik: The Pimp Editionweek. We did 10,000 out the gate. 28 Grams I’m at 22,000 give or take a few but we ordered 30k.28 Grams I’m at 22,000 give or take a few but we ordered 30k.28 GramsCONCRETE: Do you have an upcoming album?

MacGoo: Fa sho, It’s perfectly titled Ghetto Gospel. I recorded 35 songs and we Ghetto Gospel. I recorded 35 songs and we Ghetto Gospelare still trying to narrow it down to 16. On top of that I recorded a new one

last night with Young Mexico called “Mr. Gwop”. I aint holding nuthin back. If we got it, the streets gonna get it!

CONCRETE: What’s next for Mac Goo?MacGoo: I’m gonna let the Hood call it. We putting this Small Town Muzik tour together as we speak and we ‘bout to campaign like Obama. It’s real over here. I’m the boss of my label, but the streets boss my company. My movement is

solid, it’s a new year, we sucka free, money is the motivation, loyalty

is the key.

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Hell Up In East HarlemJim Jones and his record label took their name from the legendary, 1980s Harlem crew Purple City Crack Gang. The name came from the purple tops on the crack viles they sold. The crew was also known for sporting purple clothes, jewels and purple neon under their cars. The documentary uses actual participants of the ‘80s crack trade, to speak on the rise of the crack trade. It’s a play by play of an era complete with the names, places and dates. If you got google maps and earth game, you can see exactly where it was happening. Places like the corner of East 122nd Street and 2nd Avenue in Harlem, the actual block called Purple City. Or the Wagnor Projects, that has produced actual block called Purple City. Or the Wagnor Projects, that has produced one king pin after another. They talk to former crack heads who were abused in Purple City’s “cheese line” while waiting to get their fi x. This video should be a warning for youngsters. Because for all the talk about the money they made, most of these so-called “ballers” have no teeth. Obviously, they weren’t getting long money. Really it’s a sad tale about the destruction of a neighborhood as told by some guys reliving their glory days when they did the damage.

The Son of PreacherThis is a gripping look into a Harlem organization that specialized in murder, kidnapping and extortion, The Preacher Crew. It is a one on one interview with a man named Shaka who is the son of the man that called the shots, Preacher. This crew kidnapped and killed the little brother of Harlem drug kingpin Richard Porter (Paid in Full, movie). They were cold blooded and meticulous planners Paid in Full, movie). They were cold blooded and meticulous planners Paid in Fullin their crimes. The movie uses jacked footage from TV documentaries on the same subject, along with their interview footage to paint a clear picture of the syndicate’s business. Interviews with FBI agents and prosecutors add validity to each topic. Many plots are discussed in gory detail of the planning and the crime itself. Shaka is a smart, soft-spoken person. He gives you a sense of what his father may have been like. The stories he tells are chilling. At one point a former associate says people like the Preacher Crew are part of the game, “It’s a package deal. You can’t have one without the other.” These guys were psychopathic killers.

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DJ Pat - myspace.com/djpat12001 Project Pat - Keep It Hood2 D Town - Stanky Leg3 Three Six Mafi a - That’s Right4 Slim - So Fly5 Beyonce - Single Ladies6 Ace Hood - Ride7 Soulja Boy - Birdwalk8 Playaz Circle - Look What I Got9 9 YYoung Jeezyoung Jeezy - - MMy Presidenty President10 DJ Unk - Show Out

DJ Houston - myspace.com/djhouston1 Yo Gotti - Sold Out2 Juney Boomdata - Wassup Wit Dem Cookies3 Ron Browz - Pop Champagne4 Mims - Move5 Soulja Boy - Turn My Swag On6 M.I.A. - Paper Planes7 OJ The Juiceman - Make The Trap Say Aye8 Jamie Foxx - Blame it9 9 Gucci Mane & Yo GottiGucci Mane & Yo Gotti - - Lots of CashLots of Cash10 Lil Wil - Buss It Open

DJ K-Smooth - myspace.com/kaysmoove1 John Legend - Ready Go2 DJ Unk - Show Out3 Jim Jones & Ron Browz - Pop Champagne4 Busta Rhymes - Arab Money5 Beyonce - Diva6 Ace Hood - Ride7 Kronic f/Tre ‘V - Put It In Her Life8 Yo Gotti - Sold Out9 Kinfolk Kia Shine - Checking My Fresh10 Beyonce - Single Ladies

DJ Q - myspace.com/northstarrdjqhot10711 F.L.Y. - Swag Surfi n’2 Drop Squad - Shoe Game3 Novakane - Jumpin’4 Gorilla Zoe - What It Is5 Big Kuntry King - The Baddest6 Yung LA - 36-O7 Regal Records - Rent Money8 Trai D - Gutta Chick9 Mississppi 10 - Watch Me Dance10 Novakane - Shawty Said (remix)