Mausberg (1979 – 2000),His real name was name Johnny Burns, a rapper from Compton, California who was discovered by hometown legend Dj Quik. He was known as an affiliate of the Campanella Park Blood gang, located in Compton. He appeared on some of Quik's earlier work, many remember him for his appearance on the single "Down, Down, Down" from the album Rythm-al-ism in 1998. He teamed up with Dj Quick, Suga Free and many other West Coast artists to record a compilation called The Konnectid Project in 1999. He made several guest appearances, most notably on Snoop Dogg's No Limit Top Dogg album on the track "Don't Tell" produced by DJ Quik also featuring Warren G and Nate Dogg. On July 4, 2000, Mausberg was robbed and shot to death in his hometown. He was only 21 years old. His album, Non Fiction, was released later on through Mad Science Recordings.
Mausberg has always been on his own agenda, even back when he was a youngsta making his way through Compton's convoluted school system. "I was always a big boned Muthafucka, always the biggest Nigga in the class. I had a gang of Niggas that wanted to be down with me because I don't take no shit. and it's still like that." indeed; when Mausberg speaks, everyone within earshot listens. He is one of the last cowboys - he calls it exactly how he sees it, and doesn't give an inch. "Whatever I do, I do it to the fullest. I don't half step on shit," he deadpans. "I used to take tha Homies in the Hood (Tha Nellaz) for they money in a dice game, and I'd go to the studio with it. I used to have my raps written with no Beat. I would just tell the Nigga at the studio what kind of sound I liked. Used to do like three songs in eight hours. I had a whole album on CD. When I came to them I came with masters, I owned everything. They were looking at me like 'this Nigga is seventeen years old! He got his shit together.'"
Quik promptly threw Mausberg into his production loop, kicking off his career off with "Down, Down, Down," which served as an introduction to Mausberg's rugged, low key style. His mainstream notoriety compounded thanks to songs with the likes of Snoop Dogg, R Kelly, and the Konnectid Project that was an album showcasing most of the Sheppard Lane roster. "Shut Up" was one of the singles featured. As with everything else he does, the inspiration is realism. "I'm a Gangsta that kicks reality. Being a Gangsta is in the heart. It ain't the cloths you wear. It ain't in the lingo you say. A Gangsta isn't necessarily a Gangbanger. A Gangsta is a real Muthafucka that will handle his business at the drop of a dime. I rap about party shit, shit I been through with my Mama, drugs, losing my Homies. I rap about black steel toes and Polo T-Shirts. I hold grudges " he booms starring at me flatly, letting that statement hang in the air with the smoke before continuing.
Wildly enough, few contest such camparisons that when made with almost any other rapper, would almost certainly get shot out of the sky. Sheppard Lane and most anyone who hears him understands the huge potential this mere 21-year old weilds. Just don't expect Mausberg to step out of character when he steps into the big leagues. "I still live in Compton," he says proudly. "There's a mansion in my Hood that I'm gonna buy, that a doctor fucked off. I don't have to go nowhere else to buy a Mansion. A lot of Niggas ain't never had no respect (In they own Hood). They get repect because of the music business. I was respected in tha Hood (tha Nellaz) before this shit. I'm comfortable in my city. I got hit songs, and I'm still there." For the first time in our conversation, he trails off, staring at the hills that separate the valley suburbs that seem to small to support him from the Compton streets that raised him. "I'm just out here living my life, being happy".
