DJ Drama On The Gangsta Grillz Legacy, “I Helped Make [Lil Wayne’s] Dedication & [Young Jeezy’s] ‘Trap Or Die'”

Written By S. Samuel

With DJ Drama clocking in work alongside rap star 50 Cent for his first-ever Gangsta Grillz release, SOHH recently chopped it up with Barack O'Drama to get his take on the brand's legacy.

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While claiming he is most focused on moving forward from the mixtape series, Drama admitted he often looks back at the lane Gangsta Grillz has paved.

“At times I do [look at the Gangsta Grillz legacy], me being a fan and a student of the game, I can’t front like it doesn’t amaze me with some of the things and the brand and what the brand and I have been able to accomplish in the game,” Drama told SOHH. “I’m very humble and I really came up loving, studying and watching the mixtape game and deejays and just hip-hop culture in general. I’ve been a part of so many mixtapes that have meant so much to so many people and so many careers. It actually pushes me to keep accomplishing more. Me and Don Trip sat down in the studio and talked about how his [Guerilla] was like an album before the album drops to him, speaking of the Gangsta Grillz.” (SOHH)

He also reflected on teaming up with platinum-selling rappers Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy while on the brink of their massive mainstream explosion.

“I see these people and how they react to becoming a part of that brand, the intros and outros just get treated like an album,” Drama added. “It just shows how far you can go when you put your mind to it. So I do realize [the legacy] and there are times when I sit back and have to think, I helped make ‘Dedication’ and ‘Trap or Die’ and it’s crazy.” (SOHH)

Recently, Drama spoke about what fans could expect from Fif’s upcoming The Lost Tape.

“It’s just about the right timing and making it happen,” Drama shares. “I was a fan of 50 and an employee of Shade 45; we were definitely in the family but I guess now is the time.” The news is official and Drama says they’re aiming for a late April to May release for the project, titled The Lost Tape. “For me, it’s a lot on the line,” Drama states. “I think because it’s a Gangsta Grillz [mixtape], because it’s 50’s first, because of what 50 means to mixtapes and because of what I mean to mixtapes. There’s a lot… of ears. A lot of opinions. So I like the challenge, I’m excited for it, and I’m glad it’s getting the attention it’s getting because I’d like to be in the space where n—-s ride to this 50, how they’re supposed to ride to 50.” (The Boom Box)

Late last month, 50 broke the news of his upcoming Gangsta Grillz mixtape.

“I’m dropping another mix tape called the lost tape with DJ drama My first gangsta grillz mix tape.,” Fif tweeted out March 28th.

“Lets get it drama RT @DJDRAMA: Arguably the two most important brands in the mixtape game in the last 10 years. 50 Cent & Gangsta Grillz.” (50 Cent’s Twitter)

Check out a recent DJ Drama interview below:

14 Comments

Written by S. Samuel

Steven Samuel is the co-founder of SOHH.com.

14 Comments

  1. Nobody besides YMCMB and MMG gives a serious fuck about Khaled beats.

    That’s why other rappers don’t work with him. Just not worth him t have him screaming on the record and appearing in music videos.

    Dude is a fraud PERIOD!

    • Ti, Scarface, Big Krit, J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Nas,Beanie siegel, Game, Jada Kis, Bun B, just to name a few have all been on khaled albums and guess what, neither of them are YMCMB or MMG.

      I guess your point is moot…..

    • They been on Khaled albums yes. But do they ask Khaled to help them produce their albums? NO! Never heard a Khaled production outside of his own shit.

    • Ludacris, Big boi, chris brown, future, young jeezy, lil boosie, trick daddy, pitbull, plies, shawty lo. Damn the list goes on when you think about it.

  2. Phuk Khalid* Same niggaz on ery album* guess it really iz no new friends* LoutL*

  3. The track sound hard, I can only comment on the music I’m not joining in the homosexual circle jerk with these lonely attention whore fags going off topic about some weirdo shit.

  4. Production today in hiphop is different from back in the day,
    This guy does not create the music, somebody sends a beat in and he says hey rick rozay you come with a 16 You to cam, and you to drake and and I’ll talk on part of the hook. Technically it’s producing but he still ain’t doing shit, especially if another artist just mailed his verse in. I swear to much credit is given these days for lil shit yell

  5. Scarface from a “technical” point is right about what a producer is but not usually in hip hop

  6. why do they never show him makin the beat? oh ya probably cuz he doesn’t. he’s not a producer, but more of an A&R

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