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DJ Drama

Not to be confused with Drama (rapper).

Tyree Cinque Simmons (born April 22, 1978),[1][2] known professionally as DJ Drama, is an American disc jockey (DJ), record executive and music promoter. He initially gained recognition as the DJ for Atlanta-based rapper T.I., and continued to gain prominence hosting mixtapes for other hip hop artists. His trademark Gangsta Grillz series is present on releases of which he has compiled; it has been popularized by artists including Lil Wayne, Tyler the Creator, Snoop Dogg, Yo Gotti, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Fabolous, Jeezy, Meek Mill, and Gucci Mane, among others. Alongside record producer and fellow Philadelphia native Don Cannon, he co-founded the record label Generation Now in 2015, an imprint of Atlantic Records which has signed artists including Lil Uzi Vert and Jack Harlow.

DJ Drama
DJ Drama performing in 2016
DJ Drama performing in 2016
Background information
Birth nameTyree Cinque Simmons
Born (1978-04-22) April 22, 1978 (age 46)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
EducationClark Atlanta University (BS)
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • Disc jockey
  • record executive
  • music promoter
DiscographyDJ Drama discography
Years active1999–present
Labels
Websitethegenerationnow.com

A non-performing hip hop artist, Drama's extensive network in the industry enables his albums to enlist both underground and high-profile artists to perform lyrics or production. His six studio albums, Gangsta Grillz: The Album (2007) and Vol. 2 (2009), Third Power (2011), Quality Street Music (2012), Quality Street Music 2 (2016), and I'm Really Like That (2023) were each met with moderate critical and commercial reception. Drama has been named "DJ of the Year" at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards, and won Best Rap Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards for his work on Tyler, the Creator's album, Call Me If You Get Lost (2021).[3]

Early life and education

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Tyree Simmons was born in Philadelphia and raised largely in Germantown, Philadelphia. His father is black, his mother is white.[4] At age 13, his sister took him to New York City where he purchased his first mixtape. He began making his own tapes soon after, including one titled Illadelph which featured artists like Black Thought, Dice Raw, Malik B., and others. He also started experimenting with turntables. Simmons attended Central High School in Philadelphia and graduated in 1996.[5][6]

After high school, he moved to Atlanta to attend Clark Atlanta University (CAU) where he studied mass communication.[5][7] While there, he met two other Philadelphia-raised DJs: DJ Sense and Don Cannon. The three would eventually form the Aphilliates DJ and artist collective. During his studies, Simmons began making and releasing mixtapes under the moniker, DJ Drama.[5] One of his first series (called Electric Relaxation) included a variety of R&B tracks.[6] In 1998, he released his first mixtape (Jim Crow Laws) composed exclusively of Southern hip hop acts like Outkast, Three 6 Mafia, and Mystikal. The success of that tape led DJ Drama to start the mixtape series, Gangsta Grillz.[5][7] He would go on to graduate from CAU in 2000.[8]

Career

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2003–2010: Career beginnings and Gangsta Grillz: The Album series

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DJ Drama in 2008

DJ Drama, alongside Don Cannon and DJ Sense, officially founded the Aphilliates Music Group (AMG) in 2003.[7][9] The group distributed DJ Drama's Gangsta Grillz mixtape series, which saw early successes with T.I.'s Down With the King (2004) and Jeezy's Trap or Die (2005).[6] By 2005, Drama and his AMG cohorts were hosting radio shows on Atlanta's Hot 107.9 and on Eminem's Shade 45 channel on Sirius Satellite Radio.[5][7] In late 2005, Drama produced and hosted Lil Wayne's The Dedication mixtape, which would spawn a long series of Dedication tapes. Dedication 2, released in May 2006, appeared on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and was labeled by The New York Times as "one of the 10 best recordings of 2006."[7][10]

AMG signed a joint venture deal with Asylum Records in September 2006. The first artist signed was American rapper Willie the Kid.[7][9] In January 2007, AMG's Atlanta studios were raided by Fulton County police officers, who seized over 80,000 mixtapes, 4 vehicles, and some recording equipment. Both DJ Drama and Don Cannon were taken into custody on RICO charges.[7][11][12] Hard drives containing tracks from Drama's first "official" album, Gangsta Grillz: The Album, were also seized despite the fact that the album was due to be released "above-board" by Grand Hustle Records via Atlantic Records. No further legal action was ever taken against Drama or Cannon in relation to the raid.[7][13]

Despite the setback, DJ Drama's Gangsta Grillz: The Album was released in December 2007 on the Grand Hustle label.[14] The album's first buzz single, "Takin' Pictures", was released in March 2007 and featured Jeezy, Willie the Kid, Jim Jones, Rick Ross, Young Buck and T.I.[15] The album's lead single—"5000 Ones" featuring Nelly, T.I., Yung Joc, Willie the Kid, Jeezy, and Twista—debuted on BET.[16] The second single, "The Art of Storytellin' Part 4", was released in 2008 and featured Outkast and Marsha Ambrosius.[17] The album peaked at number 26 on the Billboard 200.[18]

In May 2009, DJ Drama released his second album entitled Gangsta Grillz: The Album (Vol. 2), with the singles "Day Dreaming" (featuring Akon, Snoop Dogg and T.I.)[19] and "Ridiculous" (featuring Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti, Lonnie Mac and OJ da Juiceman).[20] In addition to his own studio albums, DJ Drama also continued working on mixtapes, including those for Gucci Mane (Mr. Zone 6),[21] Chris Brown (In My Zone 2),[22] Dead Prez (Revolutionary but Gangsta Grillz),[23] and Wyclef Jean (From the Hut, to the Projects, to the Mansion), among others.[24] In March 2010, Drama appeared on T-Pain's musical television special Freaknik: The Musical, in a voice role as a radio announcer named Mr. Thanksgiving.[25]

2011–present: Third Power and Quality Street Music series, Generation Now record label

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Drama released his third album, Third Power in October 2011.[26] It featured the single, "Oh My" (featuring Fabolous, Wiz Khalifa, and Roscoe Dash),[27] and reached number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100.[28] He followed that with the release of his fourth album, Quality Street Music, in late 2012. The album was preceded by the singles "We in This Bitch" and "My Moment".[6][29] The album peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200, which is the highest a DJ Drama album has gotten on the chart to date.[18]

In August 2013, Drama co-founded The Academy, a DJ incubator and art collective, with Don Cannon and DJ Sense.[30] The Academy announced its first roster of 23 DJs in September of that year.[31] In January 2014, it was announced that DJ Drama would join the A&R at Atlantic Records.[32] Within his first year, he had signed several artists to the label, including Kap G, Spenzo, and Que.[33] Throughout this time, he continued hosting and producing mixtapes for artists like 50 Cent (The Lost Tape),[34] Nipsey Hussle (Crenshaw),[35] Snoop Dogg (That's My Work Volume 3),[36] and Big K.R.I.T. (It's Better This Way).[37]

In 2015, DJ Drama and Don Cannon founded the Atlantic Records imprint, Generation Now. One of their first signees was Lil Uzi Vert, and Drama served as an executive producer on Uzi's 2015 debut commercial mixtape, Luv Is Rage.[1][38] Generation Now also signed Skeme to the label that year.[39] In July 2016, Drama released his fifth studio album, Quality Street Music 2,[40] with the single "Wishing" featuring Chris Brown, Skeme, and Lyquin.[41]

Generation Now had its first number one record on the Billboard 200 with Lil Uzi Vert's August 2017 debut studio album, Luv Is Rage 2. DJ Drama served as executive producer on the album.[42] Other acts signed to Generation Now by Drama include Skeme, Lyquin,[43] Jack Harlow,[44] Lil James,[45] and Killumantii.[46]

In 2021, Drama narrated Tyler, the Creator's album Call Me If You Get Lost, and was credited as a feature on the first track Sir Baudelaire. The album's "intros" and sound was partly inspired by Drama's "Gangsta Grillz" series, and is often credited as a nod to that "mixtape" sound.

A further instalment of the Gangsta Grillz series, D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape, was released on March 31, 2022, in collaboration with Dreamville and J. Cole.

 
In 2024, Kid Cudi (pictured) released his album Insano and Drama narrated half of the album for his famed Gangsta Grillz series.

Discography

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Main article: DJ Drama discography

Generation Now

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Generation Now
Parent companyWarner Music Group
Founded2015; 9 years ago (2015)
Founder
Distributor(s)
Genre
Country of originUnited States
LocationAtlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Official websitethegenerationnow.com

Generation Now is an American record label imprint founded in 2015 by DJ Drama and Don Cannon. The name of the label derives from a 2004 mixtape Drama and Cannon curated.[66]

Recognition and awards

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2008 Justo Mixtape Awards Best Dirty South DJ DJ Drama Won [67]
Justo Mixtape Awards Best Mixtape Team The Aphilliates Won [67]
Justo Mixtape Awards Best Mixtape Series Gangsta Grillz Won [67]
2013 BET Hip Hop Awards DJ of the Year DJ Drama Won [68]
2018 Global Spin Awards DJ Record Label of the Year Don Cannon and DJ Drama (Generation Now) Won [69]
2022 Grammy Awards Best Rap Album Call Me If You Get Lost Won

References

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  1. ^ a b J., Miranda (April 22, 2018). "Happy Birthday DJ Drama!". XXL. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  2. ^ Jeffries, David. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  3. ^ "What Exactly Does DJ Drama Do?".
  4. ^ Twitter https://twitter.com/DJDRAMA/status/1387931769. Retrieved February 21, 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ^ a b c d e Kilpatrick, Kate (December 21, 2005). ""I'm About to Come Home and Smash It"". Philadelphia Weekly. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d Graham, Nadine (October 15, 2012). "DJ Drama: Inside the DJ Booth". The Boombox. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Shapiro, Samantha M. (February 18, 2007). "Hip-Hop Outlaw (Industry Version)". The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  8. ^ Landrum, Jonathan Jr. (April 10, 2007). "DJ arrested for alleged piracy over mix tapes vows to continue". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  9. ^ a b Zisook, Brian (November 11, 2006). "Asylum Records Announces Partnership With Aphilliates Music Group". DJ Booth. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  10. ^ Philson, Mike (November 3, 2014). "Top 30 DJs In Hip-Hop Right Now". HotNewHipHop.com. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  11. ^ Crosley, Hillary (January 17, 2007). "DJ Drama Arrested In Mixtape Raid". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  12. ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (January 18, 2007). "With Arrest of DJ Drama, the Law Takes Aim at Mixtapes". The New York Times. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  13. ^ Seabrook III, Robby (January 16, 2018). "DJ Drama Arrested in Atlanta Mixtape Raid – Today in Hip-Hop". XXL. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  14. ^ Mcgarvey, Evan (January 11, 2008). "Gangsta Grillz: The Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  15. ^ "DJ Drama ft. Young Jeezy, WTK, Jim Jones, Rick Ross, Young Buck, & T.I. - Takin' Pictures". DJ Booth. March 16, 2007. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  16. ^ "DJ Drama ft. Jazze Pha, Nelly, T.I., Yung Joc, Willie the Kid, Young Jeezy & Twista – 5000 Ones". DJ Booth. October 16, 2007. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  17. ^ Zisook, Brian (August 24, 2017). "OutKast Made "The Art of Storytellin' Part 4" After Cancelling Their Gangsta Grillz Mixtape". DJ Booth. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  18. ^ a b "DJ Drama – Chart History – Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  19. ^ Reid, Shaheem (February 26, 2009). "T.I., Akon Reveal How They Ended Up 'Day Dreaming' With DJ Drama". MTV. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  20. ^ "DJ Drama ft. Gucci Mane, OJ Da Juiceman, Yo Gotti & Lonnie Mac – Ridiculous". DJ Booth. April 26, 2009. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  21. ^ Hockley-Smith, Sam (June 21, 2010). "Gucci Mane, Mr Zone 6 Mixtape". The FADER. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  22. ^ "New Music: Chris Brown – 'In My Zone 2'". Rap-Up. November 26, 2010. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  23. ^ Reid, Shaheem (June 21, 2010). "Dead Prez 'Go In' On New Gangsta Grillz Tape, DJ Drama Says". MTV. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  24. ^ Prince, David J. (October 12, 2009). "Wyclef Returns To Hip Hop With DJ Drama Mixtape". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  25. ^ Pearce, Sheldon (September 14, 2017). "9 of Rap's Most Memorable Animated Moments". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  26. ^ Ahmed, Insanul (October 11, 2011). "DJ Drama's 25 Favorite Mixtapes". Complex. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  27. ^ "Video: DJ Drama f/ Fabolous, Wiz Khalifa, & Roscoe Dash – 'Oh My'". Rap-Up. May 26, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  28. ^ "DJ Drama – Chart History – Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  29. ^ Alexis, Nadeska (May 11, 2012). "Drake Drops 'Monster Verse' On DJ Drama's 'We In This Bitch 1.5'". MTV. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  30. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: DJ Drama, Don Cannon and DJ Sense Form "The Academy"". AllHipHop. August 26, 2013. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  31. ^ "It's Official! The Academy Announces 1st Wave of DJs". AllHipHop. September 6, 2013. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  32. ^ Mitchell, Gail (January 8, 2014). "DJ Drama Joins Atlantic A&R Team". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  33. ^ Garvey, Meaghan (December 5, 2014). "10 A&Rs Behind Your Favorite Artists of 2014". Complex. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  34. ^ "Mixtape Cover: 50 Cent x DJ Drama – 'The Lost Tape'". Rap-Up. May 15, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  35. ^ Smith, Bruce (October 15, 2013). "Nipsey Hussle & DJ Drama – Crenshaw (Mixtape Review)". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  36. ^ Harris, Gregory (February 28, 2014). "New Music: Snoop Dogg & DJ Drama 'That's My Work Vol. 3' Mixtape". Vibe. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  37. ^ Hunte, Justin (October 14, 2015). "Big K.R.I.T. & DJ Drama Release Surprise Mixtape "It's Better This Way"". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  38. ^ G, Nicky (October 14, 2015). "DJ Drama and Don Cannon Share Details on their New Company "Generation Now" with Skeme and Lil Uzi Vert". Sway's Universe. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  39. ^ Harris, Michael (August 8, 2017). "Inglewood's Finest Skeme Drops New Mixtape '1st Notice,' Part One of Mixtape Trilogy Series (Listen)". GRIP. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  40. ^ Hernandez, Victoria (July 21, 2016). "DJ Drama Creates "Quality Street Music 2" On New Album". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  41. ^ Mench, Chris (May 10, 2016). "Listen to DJ Drama's New Single "Wishing" f/ Chris Brown, Skeme, and Lyquin". Complex. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  42. ^ Shaw, A.R. (August 29, 2017). "DJ Drama on Generation Now and the rise of Lil Uzi Vert". RollingOut.com. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  43. ^ Ortiz, Edwin (December 8, 2016). "Premiere: Lyquin Gets Caught Up in a Love Triangle in "Ungrateful" Video". Complex. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  44. ^ Saponara, Michael (August 3, 2018). "Jack Harlow Signs With Generation Now & Atlantic Records, Premieres Frenetic 'SUNDOWN' Video: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  45. ^ Nav, Josh (August 13, 2018). "New Generation Now Artist Lil James Releases Debut Project '21 Years Later'". HipHopnMore.com. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  46. ^ P., Milca (November 11, 2018). "Killumantii Drops Off Debut "Yellow Tape" Album". HotNewHipHop.com. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  47. ^ "DJ Drama & Fabolous – There Is No Competition". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. February 13, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  48. ^ "The City Is in Good Hands – Snoop Dogg > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  49. ^ "French Montana - Cocaine Konvicts". livemixtapes.com. September 25, 2009.
  50. ^ "DJ Drama & Fabolous – There Is No Competition 2: The Funeral Service". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. March 5, 2010. Archived from the original on March 4, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  51. ^ "New Music: Fabolous – 'There Is No Competition III: Death Comes in 3s' [Mixtape]". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. December 25, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  52. ^ "It's tha World by DJ Drama on Apple Music". May 24, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2023 – via Apple Music.
  53. ^ "Fat Joe Connects With DJ Drama for 'Gangsta Grillz' Tape 'What Would Big Do 2021'". Complex Networks. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  54. ^ "Jim Jones & DJ Drama – Gangsta Grillz: We Set the Trends". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  55. ^ "OMB Peezy & DJ Drama - Pilot Talk IV". Apple Music. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  56. ^ "Symba & DJ Drama - Results Take Time". Apple Music. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  57. ^ "Snoop Dogg & DJ Drama - Gangsta Grillz: I Still Got It". Apple Music. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  58. ^ "Jeezy & DJ Drama - SNOFALL". Apple Music. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  59. ^ "David Sabastian & DJ Drama - God Save the Rave". Apple Music. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  60. ^ "Dave East, Buda & Grandz & DJ Drama - Book of David". Apple Music. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  61. ^ "Icewear Vezzo [feat. DJ Drama] - Paint the City". Apple Music. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  62. ^ "Ayilla & DJ Drama - Kill Us Both: Gangsta Grillz". Apple Music. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  63. ^ "J. Stone & DJ Drama - Rollin Stone". Apple Music. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  64. ^ "French Montana & DJ Drama - Coke Boys 6". Apple Music. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  65. ^ "Kash Doll & DJ Drama - Bang on Dexter: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape". Apple Music. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  66. ^ "How Three College Pals Created Standout Hip-Hop Label Generation Now". Billboard.
  67. ^ a b c "Crooked I, The Aphilliates Win Big At Mixtape Awards". HipHopDX. May 1, 2008. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  68. ^ Lilah, Rose (October 16, 2013). "2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards Complete List Of Winners". HotNewHipHop.com. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  69. ^ Caslin, Yvette (February 17, 2018). "Revolt's 6th annual Global Spin Awards honors hip-hop heavyweights". RollingOut.com. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
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