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DJ Drama spent 2005 grinding, hard. The Situation spoke to the Philly native about life as T.I. and Young Jeezy’s official DJ, finding out about his other hustles in the process.
Official
spinner to T.I. and Young
Jeezy and creator of the infamous 20-volume ‘Gangsta
Grillz’ mix tape series, DJ Drama
is soon to drop ‘Gangsta Grillz: The Album’. Having just won
two more accolades to add to his collection, as well as a new Asylum deal
with his group The Aphilliates,
this is only the beginning for the hard grafter.
Last year alone, he released 16 volumes of ‘Gangsta Grillz’, in between going on tour with Nelly and Jay-Z, spinning at parties for the likes of P. Diddy and Lil’ Jon, making a documentary, writing a column for XXL and hosting Gangsta Grillz Radio, Atlanta’s most popular station. As he readily asserts, life is one big hustle for the still hungry 26-year-old DJ. “I’m a grinder, I’m on it 24/7, all day everyday. Whatever needs to get done, I’m doing it. It’s all I know, all I do. I live and breathe this”.
Growing up in Philly, the young Drama began Djing in 1992 aged just 12 years, after watching the movie ‘Juice’. He relocated to Atlanta at the age of 18, to attend college and check out the ATL music scene. It was here that he came across rising rappers T.I and Young Jeezy, who he attributes his closeness to as a result of “coming up together”. “I’ve known T.I since 2000; we met each other early on in our careers and just stayed in touch, same with Jeezy. They’re the same dudes now that I’ve known for years. Money changes a lot of people but they’ve stayed the same”. Speaking at his home in Atlanta, I ask him what it is about ATL that spurns so much amazing talent. “It’s just a real vibrant city, you know, they call it the Mecca of the South. It has that Southern hospitality vibe but it’s still ghetto. It’s very black; you’ve got a lot of young black people here with money.”
The DJ’s now legendary series of mix tapes once served as a powerful platform for breaking new talent, something that he continues to stay true to, despite his links with hip hop superstars. “I keep my ears to the streets, all day every day. The DJ has the power to do that, and to break new artists is the biggest blessing for a DJ.”
Drama has collected a host of prestigious awards over the years, including a Source Award and most recently two Ozone Awards, for Best Mix Tape DJ as well as Best Hustler. “It feels good but I ain’t getting caught up in it. It’s nice to be recognised by your peers and fans, but I’ve worked a long time to get where I’m at. I don’t take it for granted. I look beyond the face value of being famous; with success comes responsibility. I’ve been shown a lot of love but I’m working for tomorrow, I never dwell on yesterday, it’s all about moving forward and working toward the future.”
This work ethic recently earned him praise from another hard grafter, P. Diddy. “I was at the after party for the BET Awards, we were just kicking and he was like ‘I’ve been meaning to tell you, from one hustler to another, you’re onto something.’ That meant a lot coming from a man like P. Diddy; he’s like the ultimate hustler.”
Unlike PD however, Drama isn’t a regular at celebrity parties, admitting that “if there’s a reason for me to be there then I go, but if it’s just a party, then I’ma stay in the studio and work.” He is also keen to burst the bubble of fame. “It’s not all glamour and glitz. It’s very vicious if you don’t know what you’re doing. People in the industry work their asses off to get where they’re at, it’s not all what you think it is from the videos.” Asked if he has any advice for up and coming DJs, his words are clear: “Just study the culture, read up on the history and know your craft in and out. Dedicate your life to it and know that there are a lot of sacrifices you have to make in life, but if it’s what you’re here to do then you gotta do it.”
‘Gangsta Grillz: The Album’ is due for release
in December 2006 on Atlantic Records.
