When it comes
to this mixtape game there is a name that has been making major noise.
Hailing from the streets of Philly and migrating to the streets of
Atlanta, the Aphilliates own DJ Drama has changed the mixtape game
for the South and Southeast regions with the best mixtape series
we have seen in a while. Drama is one of the first DJs to widen the
focus of the mixtape game to the Dirty South. Coming up in the game
for Drama was a lot of grinding and hard work that eventually paid
off, starting what we know as the Gangsta Grillz Series. The series
which is twenty tapes deep, sixteen being released in 2005 alone
has helped gained Drama international recognition, allowing him to
travel and perform at venues, major events and universities across
the world.
Aside from winning numerous awards, such as: Best Mixtape DJ by
Hot 107.9; Justo’s Mixtape Awards Best South DJ in 2004 and
2005; and 2005s Mixtape DJ of the Year at the MixShow Power Summit,
Drama’s Gangsta Grillz series was named Vibe Magazine’s
Mixtape Series of the Year in 2005. Trap or Die was given XXL’s
2005 Official Bootleg of the Year award, and the series itself has
had a major impact in bringing artists such as Young Jeezy and T.I.
to national attention through his mixtapes.
In 2003 the Aphilliates were formed and when Drama was asked about
the Aphilliates situation he replied, “it’s a movement”.
The Aphilliates consist of eight DJs (Drama, fellow former Philadelphia
DJ Don Cannon, DJ Sense, DJ Ox Banga, DJ Jamad, DJ Jaycee, DJ Lil’ Larry
and DJ Infamous) that everyone has heard banging on a radio station
you have listened to, a club you have a wilded out at, or a mixtape
you have bumped through your speakers. With the Aphilliates blessing
the hip-hop game, making some major noise throughout the industry
and Drama leading the way, it wasn’t long before Asylum Records
came knocking giving the Aphilliates a label deal. The first artist
off the label is Detroit’s prince, Willie The Kid.
With the official Gangsta Grillz album headed for a release DJ Drama
was asked whom can we expect on it “talent” he said. “You
can expect talent”. With the dawn of a New Year coming in don’t
think Drama is just going to sit back and kick up his feet because
this guy likes to work. He gives 100%. He’s the definition
of human crack in the flesh. So sit back and get to know the king
of the Gangsta Grillz just a little better because his work speaks
for itself. He is what the mixtape game has been searching for. He
has changed the game, so get your grillz on.
Q. How did the Gangsta Grillz series come about?
A. You know just me being creative, being the brain, doing what I
was doing best.
Q. What’s are your thoughts on the mixtape game now?
A. I mean I love the mixtape game it has gotten me to where I am
at now.
Q. The mixtape awards are coming up how you feeling about that?
A. I’m looking forward to it. It’s been a minute since
they had the awards but I’m sure it should be good. Glad to
see it coming back.
Q. Spread some knowledge on the Gangsta Grillz album. What label
is releasing the record? And whom can we expect on that?
A. Atlantic records is the label backing that and everybody going
to be on that…(pauses) Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled, Juvenile, Willie
The Kid, G-Unit, Beanie Sigel, Cassidy, DJ Don Cannon, Just Blaze
I mean there’s a lot on there.
Q. What else can the people expect from Drama?
A. Willie the Kid’s album and I’m going to keep dropping
heat for the street.
The success of his mixtape series kicked DJ Dramas entrepreneurial
spirit into overdrive. In addition to being distributed in 31 markets
nationally, in Germany, and through countless internet sites, Grangsta
Grillz has now become a brand. Drama is currently preparing for the
release of the Gangsta Grillz DVD Documentary entitled Respect The
Game, produced by Gorrilla Flix; and recently inked a deal with Atlantic
Records to release Gangsta Grillz The Album. And each and every Saturday
night, the Aphilliates take over Radio-Ones WHAT Hot 107.9 in Atlanta
with Gangsta Grillz Radio, which takes a new approach to the traditional
radio format. This is the Aphilliates second radio show, joining
their Sirius Satellite Radio program, Streetz Iz Watchin, which airs
on Shade 45 on Friday nights.
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