Julia Beverly Talks Success, Being A Girl Boss, And Commanding Respect In Hip-Hop
Imagine sitting at your cubicle at work, wondering why you were in a cubicle to begin with when you knew you wanted something different for yourself. Sound familiar?
Well that train of thought was exactly what led Julia Beverly, former Editor-in-Chief of Ozone Magazine, into a dynamic, and successful 10 plus year career in the Hip Hop industry. Julia has been credited with single handedly giving Southern music a voice through Ozone Magazine, which closed shop in 2010 after an outstanding eight year run. In fact, some of America’s biggest Hip Hop acts were featured in Ozone, including Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Jim Jones, T-Pain, T.I., Lil’ Wayne, and David Banner.
In a 2010 Creative Loafing article, Julia was described as, "A 28-year-old white woman in an industry composed largely of black men, she's the unlikeliest of rap moguls, and has seen her name recklessly slandered by people who believe she has no business doing what she does. In the same article, she is given credit for helping to give southern Hip Hop a voice by Scarface, who said he was a big fan of her work. "I really respect what she does," he said. "Ozone has always told our side of the story. There was a whole market down here that was making noise, and you only heard about some of it. Now, thanks to Ozone, you hear about all of it."
Since closing Ozone’s doors, Julia is now dedicated the next leg of her journey that she probably didn’t see happening years ago. After about five years of interviews, preparation, and investigation, Julia is now author of the late Pimp C’s biography, Sweet Jones: Pimp C’s Trill Life Story.
Julia Beverly poses with a fan during a book signing event at the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur, Texas. (Photo: Da Pit Productions)
When I met Julia for an interview during her book signing event at the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur, Texas, the petite beauty seemed content being around the same people she interviewed for the biography. That day, Julia looked like she was around extended family, as Pimp C’s family and friends gave the impression of gratitude to her for taking years of her time to do real investigative journalism work on the biography of one of Port Arthur’s hometown heroes.
During our interview, I got to know how the soft spoken Orlando, Fla. native commanded attention in the Hip Hop world, which can often be unforgiving and misogynistic. Listening to her journey made me have a deeper appreciation for her contribution to Hip Hop music, and how she grew to be a girl boss that any woman could admire.
How were you introduced to Hip Hop music?
In high school, I had a class with a guy that would play Outkast all day--the ATLiens album. I didn’t even know it was hip-hop.
After getting out of high school, how did you start working in Hip Hop music?
I was actually working a day job at an architectural firm. I was doing IT work, and so it’s kind of funny that I ended up with this, but I just transitioned to being more like a photographer, into a [graphic] designer, and then eventually doing a magazine. And I’ve been in the music industry really since I was 19, so I’ve kind of done it all in the music business. I’ve had the opportunity to play all those different roles. And it’s kind of funny now to be the artist, the one being interviewed. Normally I’m the one doing interviews, taking pictures, and all that. It’s been a different experience, but it’s been a lot of fun.
You said you did everything while you were at Ozone?
Well not just at Ozone. I’m a photographer, I’m a graphic designer, I’m a booking agent, you know. Everything A-Z behind the business, I’ve kind of done that at one point or another. That’s why I said now to be the artist actually on promo tour is kind funny to be spearheading the project, so to speak.
How did it feel to be a girl boss at Ozone?
Pimp’s mom told me as I was writing the book with her that Pimp had made a com ment to her, like he
was joking around with her, she didn’t like women that were like real feminine and like frilly... She was kind of hard core, too. And Pimp said, “Oh no, she’s bitchy like you.”
So you know, as a woman, when you’re firm with your pricing, or you try to handle business, people will call you a bitch. That’s fine, you know? That’s cool. I've always felt like you could take it as a positive thing. People will think you’re hard core, you’re about your business.
[Tweet "I think for women, you have to work a lot harder to maintain your reputation..."]... And make sure that people know that you’re serious
Was that one of the reasons why you chose not to sue Mistah F.A.B. for defamation of character?
That was such a minor situation, and I never had any dealings with him at all. If people don’t have anything bad to say about you, and you’re a woman, [they’ll say], “Aww, you’re a whore.” But whatever. Or be a white female [like myself], that’s the only thing they can come up with.
[Editor’s note: Back in 2009, Mistah F.A.B. and Julia got into a Twitter beef, where Mistah F.A.B. accused Julia of sleeping around the industry. After he refused to apologize for the statements that he made about Julia on Twitter, which she says were “defamatory,” she decided to take legal action. Julia later said that she chose not to go through with a lawsuit because she didn’t want to give the issue any more attention.]
I very much agree with you. In doing research about you, I felt it was kind of the same with [Waka Flocka's mom] Deb Antney.
That’s a totally different situation. If you’re going to stand for something, you’re going to make some enemies at some point, you know? Deb was just mad because I had done an article about them [her company] taking all of this money from promoters up front for a tour that never happened. I had talked with all of these promoters that had lost $40,000 to $50,000, and never got what they paid for. So I did an article about that. But that was more Johnnie Cabbell, Johnnie [who was the booking agent for Nicki Minaj and a few other rap acts at the time] was taking all of this money, and he had to change the name of his company after that, because he had so many lawsuits.
I just got to the point that whatever someone has to say about me, I really don’t care. They can say whatever they want.
Has there been any experiences where you had to overcome being treated like an object as a woman in a male dominated industry?
That’s like every day, every show. Usually the artist have their little entourage hanging out, and try to meet girls. You walk into certain situations [like a tour bus], or backstage in a dressing room, or a hotel, they’re going to say something to you. Like, “Hey girl what’s up?” Or comment on your booty. Me personally, I say, “Here’s my magazine,” or “Here’s my book, check it out.” I’m a smart ass anyway. Say something smart to me, I’m gonna say something smart back. More than likely, we’re just going to end up becoming friends.
It’s funny because like, Necole is a friend of mine, and I’m friends with a lot of other women in the industry [like] Angela Yee. People like that that are respected, but [someone] will always have something to say. Like, “Oh, she slept with such and such." A majority of the time, that’s not even true. Most of that is like, you’re just the homie. Most of the women that I know who are successful in the business have mastered being friends with guys, and it not be a sexual thing.
You’ve got to be “the homie” and not the girl that they’re talking about [on wax].
[Tweet "That’s part of success, is making people see you as a person..."]...and not someone trying to get backstage with a rapper
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
It’s hard to make a living doing any kind of media. Now everything is so accessible. Photography used to be my main source of income, but now everybody has smartphone, DSLR cameras--it’s hard to make money off of that. I think you should diversify, and not just do one thing. Once you’ve mastered something, maybe experiment with some other things. So that’s how I’ve been able to maintain, by wearing a lot of different hats.
Even as a writer, it’s hard to make money, even if you get a salaried position at a newspaper or a magazine, because the truth is they’re not really making money. You may have to freelance for different blogs, start your own blog. You know, have a different hustle on the side. Like me, I’m a booking agent by day, writer by night. Just kind of balancing different hustles. Writing is kind of like my creative outlet.
Is [print magazine being a dying format] the reason why you gave up Ozone?
The main reason was kind of being bored. We did Ozone monthly for eight years, and I kind of felt like I was doing the same interview over and over again. All the artists now have similar stories, and it was getting repetitive.
To put out a monthly magazine, that’s a good 2-3 weeks out of your month where your schedule is filled up. But I got the opportunity to travel. I was filming with Flo-Rida, so when I got opportunities to go overseas for a couple weeks at a time, that’s when I realized how much I was missing out on by not doing other things.
Why a book about Pimp C?
Now that I’ve been in the industry for more than a decade, you know Pimp C was one of the most
interesting [people] that I met during that time frame. I felt like a lot could be learned from his story, like a lot of up and coming artists, I felt like they should read what he went through as far as the music business. He had bad managers, bad record deals, there was a lot of trials and tribulations that he went through, and there’s a lot that they could learn from his experience.
Who are you looking at now musically? You were in charge of emerging the most notable and iconic Southern artists, so is there any new artists who interest you?
I don’t really take credit for it. You know, I can’t make somebody a star, but I can kind of expose someone who already is a star, or already has it [a movement] going. But I’m kind of out of that line of work. I’ve been listening to Pimp C’s stuff as I’ve been researching [for] the book. So I’m not really up on [current music]. I don’t have any great predictions for the future.
What are you going to do as soon as this book tour is done?
I would like to do some [more] traveling next year for sure. We’re going to continue this [book tour] for another month or two. I’m going to keep doing the booking agency thing. I went to Alaska with Brian McKnight and Slim Thug. Went to Hong Kong with Ray J, and being a booking agent has allowed me to travel. I literally went to China, ran the great wall, flew to Macau, China, went to a show with Ray J. It was fun.
Purchase Julia Beverly’s book, Sweet Jones: Pimp C’s Trill Life Storyon Amazon and iTunes and follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @juliabeverly.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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We all love that Beyoncé's recent foray into country music has turned the world's attention back to the impact of Black legends and icons who were foremothers of the genre. All of the buzz around the superstar's take on country music (along with the fab TikToks of Black women getting their country glam on to prep for a possible country music tour), brings to the forefront stories of the amazing impact of women like Sister Rosetta Thorpe, Elizabeth Cotton, and Linda Martell. These women laid the groundwork for folk, country, and rock music way before any of us reached our mother's wombs.
I've loved country music since childhood and would rock, sway, and sing along to songs by The Neville Brothers, Patsy Cline, and Elvis. (Yep, I loved me some Elvis, honey. It was an admiration I inherited from my mom.). Back in the day, my friends and I would all enjoy the country music songs played at a popular hangout spot, the local skating rink. The DJ would go from 69 Boys, Brandy, and Usher to Billy Ray Cyrus ("Achy Breaky Heart), Dolly Parton ("9-to-5" and "I Will Always Love You,") and Shania Twain ("Man! I Feel Like A Woman.") Country music has always been part of my life's soundtrack.
Since it's Women's History Month, what a perfect time to highlight some of the other Black women who have been standing it the gap for years, doing this country music thing, and doing it well. Here are a few to add to your playlists this month and beyond.
The Boykin Sisters AKA The BoykinZ
Sisters Nylan, Nytere, Anale, and Alona took the country music world by storm on TikTok, drawing more than 480,000 followers and 10 million likes for their soulful country music swag. They've performed with Shania Twain on the Country Music Awards, appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, and have recorded with legendary country music producer Nathan Chapman. Each brings their own unique flavor to the group, from style to music abilities.
Rissi Palmer
She released her self-titled debut album with hit singles, “Country Girl,” “Hold On To Me,” and “No Air,” and has since performed at The White House, New York's Lincoln Center, and the Grand Ole Opry. She’s also shared stages with country and pop music heavy-hitters including The Eagles, Charley Crockett, and Taylor Swift. Taking things to the advocacy level, she launched her own radio show Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer on Apple Music Country and created the Color Me Country Artist Grant Fund to support newbie country artists of color to reach their entertainment industry dreams.
C Brandon / Contributor/Getty Images
Yola
A U.K.-bred country music artist, this singer and actress was nominated for multiple Grammys for her 2019 debut album, Walk Through Fire, including Best Americana Album. Her 2021 album, Stand For Myself, mixes country and soul with intriguing and relatable visuals. She also magnificently starred as Rosetta Thorpe in the 2023 Elvis biopic, a film whose soundtrack was an American Music Award winner.
Mickey Guyton
A modern-day pioneer in her own right, Mickey Guyton was the first Black woman to be nominated in the Best Country Solo Performance category at the Grammy Awards in 2021, and, that same year, she became the first Black woman to co-host the Academy of Country Music Awards. Her song, “Black Like Me,” released in the wake of the George Floyd protests and the Black Lives Matter movement, added more to her legacy of being a leader and advocate in country music.
Brittney Spencer
This newbie artist in the game has given us strong previews of her talent, releasing two EPs and receiving Country Music Awards and Country Music Television award nominations. Elektra signed her to a deal in 2022, and this year, she released her debut album, My Stupid Life, which has been described by one Rolling Stone reviewer as “one of the most convincing country statements in a while.”
Reyna Roberts
The self-proclaimed "Princess of Outlaw Country," is serving soul, sass, and style with her music, with a debut album titled, Bad Girl Bible, Volume 1, sparking intrigue and fan support. Her more than 300,000 followers on IG rally behind her, as she campaigns for big-ticket performances that we are sure, will be in her future.
Chapel Heart
Sisters Danica and Devynn Hart have joined musical forces with cousin Trea Swindle as a country music trio, and found early viral success performing on “America’s Got Talent.” In 2021 the group was inducted into Country Music Television’s “Next Women of Country,” and they’ve been honored as “International Group of the Year” as well as “International Song of the Year” for the single “You Can Have Him Jolene” in Scotland. They have been nominated for several British CMAs including “Group of the Year” and “Album of the Year” for their second album release The Girls Are Back In Town.
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Featured image by Emma McIntyre / Staff/Getty Images