Patiently Waiting to Blow
DAMINTED
In 1997, two 18-year-old boys left home to enter the “big world” of college.
Four years later, after receiving their BA degrees from Florida A&M University,
Fre and $have found themselves wanting more than just a nine-to-five. So, in
1999, the two collaborated to form DaMinted. “We just trying to put the funk
back in the music,” says $have. “Ooh U Shouldna” hit big in Tallahassee, where
it won the 2003 Def Jam Rep Ya City Tour. After the long 10-week battle, the
decision was made and DaMinted was crowned. They will be featured on the “Rep Ya
City” compilation, coming in 2004. The group is also getting ready for the
release of their debut album, “DaMinted Arisen,” due March 30th on So Phatt
Records. “We linked up with [So Phatt CEO] Shampoo at Club V12, and we been
ridin’ ever since.” They’ve literally been ridin’, all over Florida and Georgia,
doing live shows. DaMinted has stayed on the grind, and they ripped both FSU and
FAMU’s 2003 homecoming shows. “We have so many hot songs it’s hard to choose the
single,” says their manager, Ron Mathews. So far, the album includes
collaborations with Thrill da Playa and Total Kaos. DaMinted’s style is
lyrically diverse. “We not some rappers, we’re lyricists,” they say. Songs like
“Bounce Wit It” and “Gank Me” are strictly for the streets. “Misunderstanding,”
which features Thrill da Playa, speaks to the hearts in love. To top it off,
DaMinted’s “Life So Sick” is lyrically incredible, with off-the-hook production.
The up-tempo Dirty South beats come courtesy of in-house producers MG and Reggie
“The Hitman” Litman. DaMinted is a combination of early Goodie Mob, twisted with
some Dirty and influenced by ‘Pac and Biggie (RIP). “The Southern sound is
revolutionizing music,” says $have. For more info, visit www.sophattrecords.com.
– Felisha Foxx, felishafoxx@yahoo.com
JADE FOXX
With the combination of her soulful singing abilities and rugged lyrical skills,
Jade Foxx’s talents are a force to be reckoned with. She can sing and rap along
with the best of them, and her content is deeper than many of today’s popular
artists. Focusing on topics such as politics, love, life, and struggles, Jade
strives to share a message through her music. “When I spit or sing, I want
people to hear me out, realize what I’m saying, and ask themselves why I’m
saying it.” Jade not only writes her own lyrics and arranges her own music, but
she also produces and engineers her own tracks. Constantly writing, she works
hard to share her skills with as many people as possible. With a history of
performances at numerous venues and talent shows, she’s down to rock stages
whenever and wherever. She’s gained a solid reputation by doing freestyles and
drops for DJs across the country for mix CDs and radio shows. “When I did my
first mixtape, a DJ Jesse Jazz mixtape, I never had any idea I would be in such
demand for a mixtape market. I don’t have to get at DJs anymore, they get at
me,” she says. She’s blessed the likes of DJ Ron G, DJ Spinbad, DJ Mosaken, DJ
Mesta, DJ Dr. Doom, DJ Yoshi, DJ Quest, DJ Synystr, DJ Ezdusit, the legendary DJ
Showtime, and many others. She’s received many opportunities through these DJs,
and is grateful for their help and collaborations, mentioning that the
Tech.Nitions and all the other DJs who have supported her are responsible for
the recognition she’s now getting. She recently did a remix to R Kelly’s “Snake”
and “Thoia Thoing,” which found their way onto vinyl somehow in Germany. Jade is
firm about one condition before she considers signing a deal: she must have
creative control. “I’ve been loving music all my life, and I have a strong team
behind me,” she says confidently. - Mayson Drake,
maysondrake@hotmail.com
ZAY
Meet Zay. Oh, wait, you probably already have. “It began when I started dancing
for Uncle Al, and that opened the doors to other areas. Then I began dancing for
Luke and J-Shin. I used to always sit around and rap over beats with No Good
back in the days, but it wasn’t really until I went out on the road as Trick
Daddy’s hype man that I really wanted to pursue rapping,” says Zay. Trick Daddy
may have opened a door for the Southern affiliate, but according to Zay, the
door was soon slammed right back in his face. Zay feels that the Slip-N-Slide
vet could have supported him and his career more. But, is there any real beef
between Zay and Trick Daddy? “There is no rivalry between me and Trick, I don’t
see him,” says Zay confidently. In any case, Zay’s solo debut, “Who Dat Is,”
features other Southern artists like Lil’ Jon, Crooked Lettaz’ Kamikaze, and
Grandaddy Souf. His single, “Fire,” received several hundred mainstream radio
spins in Florida alone. Due to the unfortunate death of his label’s CEO, Xela
Entertainment’s Alex Thomas, several deals Zay had on the table this past year
never materialized. However, he was nominated for Best New Artist at the first
annual Miami Music Awards in 2003. Zay recently performed in three shows with
superstar rapper 50 Cent, impressing massive crowds in Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm
Beach, and Tampa. He wasn’t intimidated by the pressure, says Zay, “Intimidated?
Never that. Once I hit that stage, the love that was shown gave me an extra
boost of confidence, and I was like, ‘Shit, I got this.’” - Latoya Burgess for
On Point Entertainment & Marketing, toya_305@hotmail.com