Whether he’s having his studio raided by federal agents with guns borrowed from T.I., fighting lawsuits for supposedly stealing a lesser known DJ’s name, or being insulted by one of the game’s biggest emcees, DJ Drama definitely lives up to his name. AND YET the Philadelphia native is perhaps the most calm and laid back person in rap; his Twitter bio simply reads, “I FEED THESE STREETS,” and over the past 5 years that’s all he’s ever set out to do. Currently prepping the release of his second studio album on Atlantic, Gangsta Grillz The Album: Volume 2, The iPod King is promising one thing: consistently hot music. Going into Volume 2, as opposed to the first Gangsta Grillz album, how has your mentality changed? What have you done differently? I don’t really know if my mentality has changed. The first album was like my whole career brand accumulated into one project. This one was a little more laid back in terms of me putting it together and getting it out. I definitely think it’s another quality project and a solid album. I’m keepin’ it consistent with the music. But this project has a lot of people I didn’t get to work with on the first album, so that was an advantage for me. Who did you get to work with on this album that you didn’t get to work with on the last album? Luda’s on this album, Busta’s on this album, Nas, Scarface, Trick Daddy, Dream, Akon, Snoop, Fabolous, Ray J, Gucci—those were all people I really wanted to work with that [weren’t] on the last album. What track are you most excited about on this project? I don’t really have one; I like it from beginning to end. I think it has a good feel to it, it’s well rounded, pretty much something for the street, but you also got mood music on there. It’s very diverse and the lineup is great. One the first album I remember you saying you 68 // OZONE MAG
had a hard time getting all the clearances from the labels. Did you find that to be a similar challenge on Volume 2? Actually, it wasn’t as difficult this time. I think I learned a lot from the first album so as I was working on the clearances I handled it differently. I really gotta thank all the labels for coming through on the clearances for me, that part wasn’t as difficult this go around. In your honest opinion, which album was a better disc, Gangsta Grillz Volume 1, or 2? Honestly, I like both of them. I mean Volume 1 was banging, Volume 2 is banging. That’s like asking me, “What’s your favorite mixtape?” If you ask me what’s better I’m going to say, ”If you have my first album, you gotta have my second album.” Gangsta Grillz The Album: Volume 1 was released amidst all the controversy with the RIAA raid and whatnot, a year and a half later you’re coming with Volume 2. How have you managed to stay relevant for so long as a DJ? Good music, and just being creative. Me being a DJ, it’s really just about staying on the pulse of the game, staying ahead. After my first album last year I kept my grind up with the mixtapes. I put out a bunch of classics last year, from the Luda to the Gucci, to the Dedication. I stay on the road, I stay doing gigs, and I stay working. Once you get in a good position it’s important to hold on and put in the work. I love what I do, I love being able to represent the culture and being able to represent the music and bringing it to the people. You mentioned Gucci and The Movie mixtape you did with him, which got a lot of acclaim, but caused a lot of controversy because he was the adversary of one of your longtime allies, Jeezy. You’ve always stayed pretty diplomatic in dealing with artists. What made you decide to cross enemy lines and work with Gucci? The streets called for it. At the end of the day, I’m an ambassador to the people, and that’s what they wanted to see. They wanted to see Drama and Gucci work, so we got it in, we did it and we made a classic. Gucci’s on fire. I respect his work, I respect what he’s doing and we got busy. Did you consider your relationship with Jeezy at all, or was that something you weren’t con-
cerned with? I’m about the music. I’m about good music. If Gucci has a banging song I’m gonna play it, and if Jeezy has a banging song I’m gonna play it. At the end of the day that’s really what it comes down to. Outside of the music I really don’t get involved with anything else. What are the disadvantages of being a wellknown, somewhat-celebrity DJ? I don’t know if there really is a disadvantage, but at times I think people feel that I’m not a real DJ, that I can’t get behind two turntables and rock. I always come to show and prove, so if that’s on somebody’s mind I can prove them wrong. But to be honest, there’s not a lot of disadvantages. I’m in a very blessed position, to be recognized in a lot of places that I go, or for my name to be heralded. I’ve been in the game a long time, and I’ve been a student of the game a long time. I don’t know if I consider myself a celebrity DJ, I mean, I’m world renowned, I’m well known, but I just come to do my thing. Recently Don Cannon left The Aphilliates. What was the reason for his departure from the group? It ain’t nothing, Cannon’s my little brother. He’ll always be my little brother. Okay. You seem to have pretty keen insight into what subgenre of Hip Hop is forthcoming. Who do you predict will dominate the third and fourth quarters of ’09? I’m looking forward to everybody doing their thing this year. I’m always excited when artists come out and rock, so there’s a good handful of artists I’m checking for. Any names specifically? I just like the evolution of the game. I’m excited about the direction it’s going in. What direction do you think the game is going to go right now? To me, it seems kind of ambiguous. Naw, I don’t think so. There’s a lot of quality projects coming out. People have still been able to drop hot mixtapes, and create good buzzes and whatnot, but I think Hip Hop is always exciting. There’s always bullshit out, but the bullshit comes and goes. What’s hot and fresh is gonna make its way. //