AllRespect.com // Atlanta's DJ Drama Brings 'A Different Flavor' On <i>Gangsta Grillz II</i>

Posted on 2009-03-28 03:00:11
Artist/band(s): Ludacris [FB], Nas [FB], T.I. [FB]

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1607991/20090327/dj_drama.jhtml

Spinner nabs Ludacris, Nas, T.I., Scarface and more hip-hop heavyweights for his second LP.By Shaheem Reid

DJ DramaPhoto: MTV News

ATLANTA — No stress from anybody trying to sue over his name. No cops shutting down his studio. DJ Drama said making his new album, Gangsta Grillz: The Album II, was way more peaceful than the first time around.

"This one got put together a lot more faster," Dram said, sitting in his brand-new home. "We didn't have to worry about anybody knocking the door down. That was a plus. But we learned a lot from the first album, and we banged it out song-wise. It ain't rocket science. It's quality music. What I'm known for."

ATL's biggest DJ said for part two in his album series, he kept around team members like T.I. and his artists La Da Darkman and Willie the Kid but focused on wrangling some new MCs.

It's Atlanta Week on MTVNews.com! Stay locked here for all we have to offer from the city's heavyweights. »Young Jeezy Boosts His Homies: Mixtape Monday»DJ Infamous Is Taking Over Atlanta»T.I. Says It's A 'Great Pleasure' To Help New Atlanta Artists»Shawty Lo Sets Up Shop In ATL For New LP»Ludacris On 'Battle Of The Sexes' Album»Gucci Mane: Atlanta's Next Mainstream Star? »Shawty Lo Recalls Fast-Paced Youth»Atlanta's B.o.B Seeks 'The New Thing' In His Music »Young Jeezy, T.I. Among Atlanta Hawks' ATL Favorites

"That was one of the most exciting things for me, was working with the people I didn't get a chance to work with on the last album," the Philly native said. "Ludacris is on this album. He's home team, he's Atlanta, so it's only right for him to be on the Gangsta Grillz album — if not the first one, then the second one. Scarface is on this album. He's somebody I really wanted on the first album. Nas is on this album. To work with him in itself is special. Busta [Rhymes] is on this album. As big as the original version of 'Cannon' was, it didn't make my first album. I got The-Dream, Fabolous, Gucci Mane is on, like, three times doing what he does. He wasn't on the last album, so I told him to go into overdrive for this album.

"One of the things about this album was to bring a different flavor. Show my fanbase something different," Dram added.

Gangsta Grillz II's first single is "Day Dreaming," featuring Akon, Tip and Snoop Dogg. We'll get a couple of more songs before the LP drops May 19.

"I got two records I'm pushing out," Drama explained. "I got this Dream record with La and Too Short on it [called 'Tipper Love'] that's gonna smash the club and the radio. Dream is on fire right now. I had to go get the O.G. Too Short for this. La is doing his thing in the streets, so that's gonna smash.

"Then I got this one that's ridiculous with Gucci, OJ Da Juiceman and Lonnie Mack that's produced by Zaytoven," he said of "Ridiculous," which also features Yo Gotti. "That's gonna tear the streets up. So I'm gonna do a double drop and hit 'em in the head two times."

Drumma Boy, DJ Khalil, Lil' C and Tricky Stewart are among the producers. Drama is hitting the road to promote his LP and told us he loves that his release date is packed with so many other LPs, such as Fat Joe's Jealous Ones Still Envy 2, Busta Rhymes' Back on My B.S. and Eminem's Relapse.

"Hey, they'll be in the stores, let's do it," he said. "Me and Bus was talking about that the other day. Eminem is the homie. I work for him over at Shade 45 [Radio]. Him and [Em's manager] Paul [Rosenberg] have always shown me a lot of love. I'm glad he's back in the game. I'm used to coming out on legendary days. Last time I came out with Scarface and Ghostface. I'm excited."

As always, expect Drama to continue with his Gangsta Grillz mixtapes as well. The next one is top-secret for now, but he did say that it is with an artist the fans have been asking him to make a tape with.

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