■
platinum selling producer,
DJ Drama is well known
within the hip hop community.
The Grammy winner is cofounder
of the Generation now record
label and has worked with many
of the top music artists. Today
DJ Drama is releasing new album.
We're going to hear all about it because
he's here in studio with us now.
DJ Drama, so good to have you.
Thanks for having me.
It's pleasure to be here.
Ohh. So new music.
Yeah, what can we it's called.
I'm really like that as
the new album. Really
like that as the title. I
like that title. Thank you. What is it? Yeah.
You know, it's kind of basicall,
you know, description of what I've done
for the hip hop community, you ,
the years I've put in the classic mix tapes.
I've put out the legacy that
I have behind me, you know,
like and it's just like a
a positive reinforcement.
I'm really like that.
Y'all are really like that.
We're all really like that, you know,
so it's just to feel good about yourself.
Awesome. Well, how do you
even start putting this togethe?
I mean, because of all the
artists that you bring together
from one of your mix tapes,
that's got to be like many
phone calls, a lot of work.
I have a great Rolodex and it's like,
I kind of like start with a blank canvas
and like paint a picture, you k,
it's almost like doing what you would
do as a hobby and like have fun.
Like if you sit around, like,
you know, it would sound reallyl
if you put this artist with this
artist and this person on the h.
And you know, I I actually put
it together and make it happen.
So, you know, it's a fun
time. That's a lot of work, but
it's definitely worth it. I'm.
I'm. I'm living out my dreams.
I'm doing what I love to do.
Something that you had said andu
basically were like any artist t
people listen to from generation now,
any event you're headlining,
you want people to leave with
positive memories because that's
what you got from I think we all have
certain songs in our lives, rig?
Or certain soundtracks, soundtr.
How important is that for you as you're
thinking about putting all this together,
leaving those memories?
It's everything. I mean, you kn,
I know how much hip hop has been
inspiration to me when I was young and
I know the position I'm in now e
inspiring to those who look at me and and
want to be in the business and what have you.
So, you know, anytime it comes
to the generation now, you know,
little Uzi Vert is one of my artists,
Jack Harlow is one of my artist.
You know, me putting these projects out,
I want to like.
It's the wild factor, you know?
So I want people to really
come out of it with like.
Thinking like ohh,
I just heard something amazing or I just
had the best experience and you know,
have those memories for life.
All the feels. Part of it is alo
putting together music videos to
along with your musical creatios
forever as one of those, right?
That goes along with this album.
How did that one come together
with forever? Was a song my my
partner Don Cannon produced.
I got fabulous Jim Jones
and Benny the butcher,
so I really gave it a New York theme.
There's a legendary mixtape DJ d
K Sleigh and I dedicated it to .
He passed away last year.
And, you know, I just wanted to
give a certain like, vibe back.
And that's actually where the title of
the album came from because Jim Jones,
his last bar on his verse
is I'm really like that.
And I and I ran with it.
I was like, yeah, that's,
that's that sounds like a fitting title.
Yeah. I love this fact.
You were born the same year that
hip hop was basically born, rig.
1970. Kind of close. Yeah. I'm
78, so I'm. I'll be 45 this yea.
Hip hop is turning 50. So
I love it. Yeah. What was it
about hip hop that drew you?
Ah man, I remember just being a kid when
run DMC came out and made a song called
My Adidas and going to my parents and
saying please can I get some Ad.
And at the time you know,
Adidas had the three stripes and I don't
think I got they got me the right ones but.
But ever since I've been in love with
hip-hop and, you know, it was m,
my goal when I became a DJ was literally
just to get my name on a flyer.
And you know, I I just want
my first Grammy last year.
So it's been an amazing journey.
Yeah, thank you.
Not only that, you're also hip hop DJ
of the year at the BET Awards, right?
I was. And that's like many year, right?
Yeah. I mean, I've been every
year since they've had that
category since the hip hop awar.
I've gotten nominated and I've
won a couple times, but recent.
Winning recently was
pretty dope because again,
I've been in the game like 2 decades plus.
So to be in this position and t,
you know, being a like almost
like a new gear is, is,
is pretty dope feeling everybody
doesn't get that opportunity
after 20 years in the game.
Yeah, you're still going up. I'm still
going. I'm still going.
Well, I think that's one of the
things we fail to remember sometimes.
I remember when Lizzo kind of
busted out in the scene or but
it's like an overnight sensatio.
Like, no, she's been working at
this show over a decade for sur.
Same thing for you.
I mean, you've been working and you're
blessed that you get to still do this.
But now kind of getting the
accolades that came with it.
Like, you're not overnight.
You've been working hard.
Yeah, definitely been working h.
And I continue to work hard andt
definitely feels good to, you k,
receive your flowers, you know,
and get the accolades and everything.
But, you know, for me it's likem
the type of person that is always like,
alright, what am I going to do ?
So every time I check off
something off the bucket list,
it's like, OK, how can I top th?
So, you know, I like to challene
myself and I I think it's what s
me thriving and what keeps me g.
I have a flower for you from my husband.
I told him you were coming on t.
He said Quality Street music.
There's a song on there with Meek Mill.
Best running song ever. Moves.
He's talking about my moment,
my moment. My moment
is a very motivational song and
people tell me all the time,
like, yeah, it's one of their
gym favorites on their playlist.
You gonna have to add that to my ohh,
yeah, absolutely. Yeah.
It'll keep you going. It'll
keep. And I want people real quk
to know you've got a tour comin.
Yeah. In Virginia Beach you're
gonna be around with Snoop
and Snoop and Wiz Khalifa.
That'll be fun.
High school reunion tours.
So if you're in the area, pleas.
Make sure you come see us.
It's gonna be a great job.
I mean, your life, like there's
a documentary about it, right?
So you can see what you're doing every day.
You know, they say if you,
if you pick a career that you l,
you never work a day in your life. J drama,
thanks so much and
Congrats on the new music.
Everything exciting to have you here.
Yes. Check out the album.
I'm really like that.
It drops next Friday on the 31s.
So we're excited to
hear all of that. Absolutely.
Thank you for being here.
Enjoy your time in DC
appreciate it. Thank you. Checkt
the cherry blossoms. Alright. Y.
Make it a great day for everybo.