In the early years of living in VA, Nzo performed in Virginia Beach catching the attention of two talent scouts from Ruff Ryders. They later brought him to the studio to record and set up a meeting with an A&R. On the tour bus, while listening to his music, the A&R said "You've got the lyrics but you've gotta write hooks" "You're very talented but you just rap, we need songs to sell". 
A decision was made to sign Nzo to Ruff Ryders placing him in a group where he would be the primary writer. The offer was declined and the business relationship deteriorated and the contact was lost. 
After a chance meeting in Chesapeake VA, Nzo began creating music at Future Records with Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter/producer Teddy Riley. Taking a cue from his mentor's former protege, Pharrel Williams, Nzo decided to continue his musical journey with his childhood friend and former partner J. Braye DBA JB Eazy. 
In 2010, J. Braye produced the Jive/Sony release "I Look Good" by Chalie Boy. The song contained vocal samples of Nzo Ferrari's "Gettin' Money" from The Redline EP released summer 2012. In the summer of 2010 Nzo attended Hot 97's Summer Jam at the New Meadowlands stadium in New Jersey. After learning of the event only hours prior, he dropped everything spending almost every dollar he had on travel costs and floor seats knowing there was a reason that he needed to be there. While awaiting Usher's arrival, the legendary Funkmaster Flex began setting up to spin. Only minutes into the mix, the importance of Nzo's presence became clear. The Energy of fifty five thousand people dancing to music he helped create, was electrifying. 
He returned to Virginia with a new drive...to be the spokesperson for people without a voice. Although The Redline Project became an instant local classic, it never reached its full potential. Only four hundred hard copies of the EP and one music video were ever released. 
Within a week of its release, Nzo received a call from Brandon "Shaggy" Stokes, music director and co-host of the morning show at WNVZ-Z104. He asked Nzo to do an interview where they played two of his records one time each. Within two days of the interview, he was called back to the station. Upon his arrival he was greeted by an excited staff eager to congratulate him. 
At the station the music director informed Nzo that 2x Grammy award winning producer Timbaland was listening to his songs on Z104 over the internet and wanted to fly him out to Miami to work together and sign him immediately. The Redline project was put on hold under the direction of a management team that had hopes of signing Nzo. the management team received numerous emails from A&Rs at record labels including: RCA, Sony, and Maybach Music Group interested in seeing more. 
After hearing his music, former Blackstreet member Levi Little reached out to Nzo about working together and building a show in the states and overseas. 
In the summer of 2012 Levi and Nzo shot his first music video, "Slang It." 
Since then, he has been paid to perform on multiple occasions at numerous sold out venues including: Shaka's Nightclub, Retro Cafe, Sandbar, Chemistry Tapas and Tonics, Seaside Raw Bar, and the legendary Norva, ranked 16 on Rolling Stone's "Best Big Rooms in America" list and ranked number one by their readers for best live music venue. 

Now with JGManagement and Bookings For all Inquiries JGBookingAgent@gmail.com

In Virginia Beach, I find out that the name "Louie Santana" brings both good and bad opinions. After going solo in 2011, Louie embarked on a mission to build his name up. And that he did, having released two mixtapes, a video for the single "Paper" (off of "Late Nights/Early Mornings" mixtape), and multiple collaborations with various artists, DJs and bands throughout Hampton Roads, Virginia. 

Never satisfied with the usual 'local rapper' portfolio, Louie disregards appearances on every local newspaper and radio station, or opening up for the likes of Nas, Collie Buddz & Damian Marley as 'minor steps towards a bigger picture.'  When asked about his goals with music he responds, "I'm just trying to live and make a name for myself. I don't expect riches."   On his 1st mixtape "LONG LIVE THE KING VOL. 1", Louie was known at that time as King Louie. The mixtape served up several hot collaborations and singles showcasing Louie's style of rapping Patois - thus fusing U.S. hiphop with island dancehall. Louie abandoned that outlet altogether for a more forward approach to radio: "I still can sing my ass off doing my reggae, I just choose not to. I wanted to switch it up and be more true to myself as far as my lyrics. So I left that alone and focused on refining my hooks and wordplay, which brought about 'Late Nights/Early Mornings.'"  

On #LNEM, Louie delivered an all-around project with pop, reggae, dub step, dancehall, rap/hiphop and R&B. The sampling was amazing with the production being incredible!  In conclusion, Louie doesn't come off as your typical local-rapper.  There's definitely potential with his style of music: it just needs some minor tweaking from the upper echelon within a very overly crowded arena of unsigned artists. He's definitely a low-key guy & when he's in his natural environment in Virginia Beach's oceanfront, the man is definitely a local celebrity but takes it with a humbled approach.  I expected to meet an arrogant nobody, but I was proven wrong. I had the chance to hear some cuts off his upcoming mixtape called "CRYSTAL CASTLES" (the title could change, he tells me) and I must say, this oddball shows true evolution with each project. When I press him to give me a release date, he shrugs in his usual demeanor saying, "I don't know when I'll release it. Maybe this Summer or maybe next Spring. It all depends on my mood. I just overthink too much. And time has always been an issue for me."
Sad really, for someone with great potential to simply just wade through a pool of nobodies he could easily out swim. 
-Justin Maclin, Off the Radar contributing writer August 2013

Tiny Uno is following