No one has worked more closely and delivered more heat with T.I. than DJ DRAMA. Together they’ve worked on seven mixtapes, and Drama, who will release his second album, Gangsta Grillz: The Album Vol. 2 (Aphilliates/Grand Hustle/Atlantic), this spring, has served as touring DJ for Tip’s Grand Hustle since 2005. For the exclusive VIBE edition of Gangsta Grillz, Barack O’Drama chooses the 17 greatest cuts—from chart-topping bangers to hidden obscurities. Then at the end of the list, you can hear all his selections yourself. This is the past, present, and future, you bastards!
"Dope Boyz" from I'm Serious (Arista, 2001)
Quintessential. That's just a very important song to Tip's career. In Atlanta it was an anthem - it wasn't a single. For Atlanta, this is where trap music got its face. If you were a DJ, you had to play that. But Arista didn't understand who T.I. was - what made Tip who he was.
“What You Know” from King (Grand Hustle/Atlantic, 2006)
[The first time I heard it] I was on the tour bus; he was on the road. And I knew. I told him, “You got one. You definitely got one.” That was good work right there.
“99 Problemz (But Lil’ Flip Ain’t One) from DJ Drama’s Down with the King (mixtape, 2004)
That’s the knockout. The whole [tape] in itself is the knockout blow, but I think that song is the best representation of the whole beef...That was a fun tape.
“Live In The Sky (Original Version)” from DJ Drama’s Gangsta Grillz: The Leak (mixtape, 2006)
Tip sang on this version. He can’t sing as good as Jamie Foxx—he’s working on it, though. [Laughs] It’s dedicated to Philant and all of those who passed away; it’s a heartfelt song. Certain people in hip hop, like the Jay-Zs, Eminems, and T.I.s, really bring you into their lives with their words. Sometimes people are afraid of getting really personal.
“Rap City Freestyle” from DJ Drama’s Gangsta Grillz:Meets T.I. & P$C In da Streets (mixtape, 2003
I gotta give Jason Geter credit for that. He came to me after Gangsta Grillz 8. He was like, “I wanna do a whole tape of Grand Hustle.” And I was like, “Cool, I’m wit it. I’ll make it a special edition.” I never realized at the time it would be what it is. If you listen to the end of the tape, I do my little funny sucker laugh, and I’m like, “This is only the beginning.”
“Never Scared” Bone Crusher feat. Killer Mike and T.I. from AttenCHUN! (So So Def/Arista, 2003)
That was a huge song, a huge national hit that got T.I. a lot of exposure.
“I Still Luv U” from Trap Muzik (Grand Hustle/Atlantic, 2003)
That’s rare. It’s T.I. dealing with his life and his music, very introspective, lyrically superb. You know how in hip hop when you feel like you have a favorite artist but the rest of the world hasn’t discovered him yet and you’re kinda selfish? Before they go mainstream? I think Trap Muzik is that album.
“Cannon (Remix)” DJ Drama feat. Lil Wayne, Willie the Kid, Freeway, and T.I., from Gangsta Grillz: The Album (Grand Hustle/Atlantic, 2007)
Definitely, that’s off my album. If it’s my shit, I put my shit on there. It’s essential; it’s a serious Drama song. The beat is what I like to call a “classic street banga.” Everybody and their moms done rhymed on that beat from Luda to Jeezy to Snoop. Shit, Bow Wow rhymed on it the other day.
“Front Back” feat. UGK from King
Just for him to work with the guys he looked up to coming up was a big deal for T.I. He idolized UGK.
“24’s” from Trap Muzik
Huge record. Heavy in the streets, this is when T.I. became a monster. It originated on mixtapes, too. I knew that was going to happen, it was only right [that Jeezy and T.I. collaborated].
“Bang” Young Jeezy feat. T.I. and Lil Scrappy from Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101 (Def Jam, 2005)
I knew that was going to happen, it was only right [that Jeezy and T.I. collaborated].
“Bring Em Out” from Urban Legend (Grand Hustle/Atlantic, 2004)
The album was almost done—that was a last-minute one. I remember Jason Geter saying, ”I think he gave us the first single.” From my standpoint, when we were performing it, it was always a fun song.
“Ain’t I (Remix)” Yung L.A. feat Young Dro and T.I. from the forthcoming Futuristic Island (Grand Hustle/Interscope 2009)
One of the great verses of [2008]. That shit is serious!
“Soldier” Destiny’s Child feat. Lil Wayne and T.I. fromDestiny Fulfilled (Sony Urban/Columbia, 2004)
You definitely have to pay homage to the soldier. That was a little foreshadowing, the two biggest MCs in the game. But who’s one and who’s two?
“I’m Illy” from Paper Trail (Grand Hustle/Atlantic, 2008)
I went crazy when I first heard it! We were at community service, and I was outside listening to that buggin’.
*“Jackin Fo Beats 2001” from T.I. & P$C In da Streetz Vol. 1 (mixtape, 2001)
That became part of a trend for him. He’s done it four times now.
“Stomp (Original Version)” Young Buck feat. T.I. and Ludacris from mixtapes (2004)
The verse with all three of them, with two dudes [T.I. and Ludacris] on one record going at each other. That was historic.
Click below to listen to DJ Drama's entire playlist
* Apparently, "Jackin Fo Beats 2001" from T.I. & P$C's In Da Streetz Vol. 1 is nearly impossible to find on the Internet. But when we find it, it'll definitely be on the playlist
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