Interview Time: DJ Drama

DJ Drama

Font size:

Share

As a DJ with a background in pushing mixtapes, DJ Drama has come a long way since those early days. Although he’s still heavily involved in the mixtape scene in the South, building up an empire with his ‘Gangsta Grillz’ mixtape series, in 2005 the Philly native also signed a long-term deal with T.I.’s Grand Hustle Entertainment and Atlantic Records, allowing him to reach more audiences worldwide with the major label signing.

Last year alone, Drama released 16 new editions of his ‘Gangsta Grillz’ series, working with the likes of Lil’ Wayne, Lil’ Scrappy, David Banner, Paul Wall and Slim Thug, and now he is putting the finishing touches to ‘Gangsta Grillz: The Album’, which is set to drop later this year.

For the award-winning DJ, juggling his hectic work schedule with his family life is all part and parcel of the game…

You've worked with so many rappers and put out several mixtapes in the last couple of years - which one did you enjoy putting together the most, for whatever reason?

They are all very important to me. It’s like children; each one represents a different and important moment in my career, so it’s hard for me to just choose one.

You're T.I.'s official DJ - how significant is it to you as a DJ to have a title like this?

It’s great! Me and Tip came up together and both of our careers helped each other to get to the next level. I always knew he would be who he's become, and I'm sure he saw my potential as well. We have a great working relationship and a great friendship. Plus I've gotten to work the record industry, touring, etc next to him which was like training for my future endeavours.

How has T.I. changed personality-wise and as an artist since you first started working with him?

He's grown of course. He's the same dude; he's just playing on a larger scale now. He's a boss so he doesn't just have his career to think about, but everyone on Grand Hustle.

Would you ever work with any of T.I. or Young Jeezy's adversaries, as you are their official DJ? Is there an unwritten law, as such?

In any business or personal life, loyalty is important. And we all know the game is very sensitive, so it’s very important for me as a business man to make smart and wise decisions. Of course, if there are individuals that I have very close business with, it will make it difficult to work with people that they have serious issues with. Luckily it hasn't been a problem and Jeezy and Tip pretty much f*ck with everybody.

How do you juggle the family life with fame? What's the most difficult part of being away from home so much?

It’s hard. I'm gone a lot, and I have to make a lot of sacrifices, but a lot of blessings come with what I do, most importantly the money to provide for a lot of people in my life.

You're a native of Philadelphia and you rep the South in a lot of the artists you work with - why do you think the New York mixtape scene has always been considered superior to the rest?

Because that's where hip hop started, plain and simple. Sh*t, the first two, or maybe even three generations of mixtape DJs were from New York, so that's where everybody else learned the game. Regardless of what anybody says, NY is still the ‘Mecca’ of all media, including hip hop.

Who, in your opinion, is the most underrated rapper at present?

I don't know about underrated, but the next to blow is Willie The Kid, The Crown Prince.

You are very different from your average DJ, especially as you're a writer and lecturer too. Tell me a bit about this side of DJ Drama.

I'm a renaissance man! Nah, but you know, I grew up in hip hop so I love the culture. However, if I can leave a legacy, I will do. It’s very important to step outside the box to ensure a long-lasting career.

You've built up somewhat of an empire with your 'Gangsta Grillz' series - what made you start this venture in the first place and where do you see the business going next?

I never knew it would become such a phenomenon! I was just having fun and doing something I enjoyed doing. You know, that's how most things in hip hop go. Later on I realised I was onto something and I set out to create a brand. My goal now is to get it as big as I can, then move on to something else; that's the nature of business. It’s important to maintain your integrity with the music but never forget that it is the "business of music".

As an award-winning DJ, how do you keep yourself grounded?

I have very good people around me that don't just tell me "yes". I'm also around a lot of people with 100 to 1000 times the accomplishments I have, which keeps me hungry and not getting beside myself. Plus, I never forget the grind and what it took me to get here. I wouldn't trade my career and my come up for the world!

You're part of The Aphilliates and are said to work best as a team - what do each of you bring to the table?

Man, we like voltron! Everybody plays their part. The movement includes about 25-30 people now. Not just all DJs; we got artists, staff, etc. As far as me, Sense, and Cannon, we like to say, I'm the legs ‘cos I move the movement forward. Cannon is the heart, ‘cos he keeps it pumping, and Sense is the brains, ‘cos he has a lot of the ideas and the organisation.

You host your own radio show on Shade 45 and ATL's 107.9. How have you found this experience compares to being a mixtape DJ? What are the main differences in the practice of radio DJing?

A lot different. I'm the host of the shows, so in a way it’s more of my personality shining on the radio than on the mixtapes. I learned a lot from mixtapes that I took to the radio, but in general, radio is a much broader forum that reaches people that don't even know about the mixtape world...

What have you got planned for the rest of 2006?

‘Gangsta Grillz’ album, coming VERY VERY SOON. Pay attention!!