I’d like to thank everyone who came out to the 1st Annual Mississippi Hip-Hop Conference (held in Columbus, Mississippi) back in June. Those who attended have called and emailed with nothing but positive comments. Everyone seems to feel that it was needed. Ain’t nothin’ like getting a bunch of people in one room, trying to get to the same place, and showing nothing but respect for the others in attendance. If u missed it, don’t worry, we’ll be doing it again next year.

A special thanx goes out to all of our panelist for their participation. J Dogg (Select-O-Hits Distribution), DJ Xmas(dj, producer, ceo - Scandalous Records), Jeff Lee (program director - Clear Channel’s WESE 92.5), Bryant Cook(pd-design.com), E.R.I.C. (artist and manager - Be Bop Records), Trea Davenport (Treaday Marketing & Promotions), Dub G. (misvisiongraphics.com) and Kamikaze (artist and CEO - Our Glass Entertainment). I’d also like to thank all of the sponsors and performers at the event, as well as co-presenters, Effect Mode Entertainment. Don’t miss these upcoming conferences: GTP Fam’s Bay Area Conference (St. Petersburg, FL) August 6, 2005 (gtpfam.com), and the SEA Awards (Grand Casino/ Tunica, MS) January 19 - 22, 2006 (southernentawards.com).

Some performers just have a God-given talent for entertaining, and some have learned how to perform thru years of trial and error. This conference was about the 3rd or 4th time I’d seen Kamikaze perform. Yall know Kamikaze.... Right ? He hails from Jackson, Mississippi and use to be one half of the group, Crooked Lettaz (with David Banner). Well, if u don’t know him, u soon will. This kat has taken command of the crowd everytime I’ve seen him perform. If you’re not on your feet, he’ll make u. If you’re not in his face around the stage, he’ll make u. I was just looking around the room at the young kats gettin’ in the game, or wanting in, and they all had their mouths open (as if they were in awe) or were bobbin’ their heads. Major labels, what are yall waiting on? This kat should have gotten his label deal along time ago. Why ? Cause he’s out there grindin’, selling, and has a FANbase.

Now, I’d like to talk about something entirely different. I’d like to holla at all you artists, producers, and label owners. Please, please, please stop hiring your brothers, sisters, cousins, and homeboys to work in, and run, your business (unless they’re totally committed to what you’re doing).

U wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve had to deal with lazy-ass people (at independent labels and promotion companies) not wanting to get up off their ass and do their job. Most people working on a job are just there to get a check. They’re not gonna do any more than they have to to receive that check. I think most of us already know this. I really believe a lot of you don’t even know how bad a job these people are doing for you.

When you’re doing everything right, and it seems like your career and business should be moving forward, but for some strange reason it’s not - Take a good look at those around u. See what it is they’re doing and have actually done. Don’t be afraid to clean house and revamp with a new crew. It’s not like the old staff had gotten u where u needed and wanted to be. So whatcha got to lose ? The only direction u can go now, is up. A.C.

“RESPECT THE PAPER ! WE WILL BE HEARD.”