D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape

Last updated

D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape
Dreamville D-Day.jpeg
Compilation album by
ReleasedMarch 31, 2022
Length47:18
Label
Producer
Dreamville chronology
Revenge of the Dreamers III
(2019)
D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape
(2022)
Singles from D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape
  1. "Heaven's EP"
    Released: September 21, 2021

D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape is the fourth compilation album by American record label Dreamville. It was released on March 31, 2022, by Dreamville and Interscope as a Gangsta Grillz mixtape hosted by DJ Drama. [1]

Contents

D-Day includes contributions from Dreamville artists, J. Cole, Bas, Cozz, Omen, Lute, Ari Lennox, JID, and EarthGang. The mixtape features guest appearances from 2 Chainz, ASAP Ferg, Kenny Mason, Sheck Wes, G Perico, Reason, and Young Nudy.

Background

The mixtape is the fourth compilation by Dreamville, following Revenge of the Dreamers III (2019). It is also the second Dreamville release to be hosted by DJ Drama, following JID's album DiCaprio 2 (2018). [2] [3]

Recording and production

Ibrahim Hamad revealed that the idea of this compilation album came from Barry Hefner in nine days, and was turned in and cleared by Interscope the day before it released. [4] "Jozi Flows" was first recorded in 2019 during the Revenge of the Dreamers III sessions in Atlanta, and was finished in 2022 in Johannesburg and named after the city. [5]

Singles and promotion

On September 21, 2021, J. Cole released a freestyle titled "Heaven's EP", remixing the beat of "Pipe Down" from Drake's Certified Lover Boy . [6] [7]

On September 27, the label announced the second annual Dreamville Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina. [8] The festival took place from April 2-3, including performances from all of Dreamville's artists as well as DJ Drama, Lil Wayne, Jeezy, T.I., Lil Baby, T-Pain, WizKid, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Kehlani, Moneybagg Yo, Wiz Khalifa, Wale, Morray, Fivio Foreign, Blxst, among others. [9] [10]

On March 30, 2022, the mixtape was announced via social media, to be released ahead of the Dreamville Festival. [11]

Critical reception

Writing for Vibe , Preezy Brown said the mixtape "captures Dreamville in the midst of their free-wheeling flow of creativity, which has accounted for some of the best compilations from a label or collective in recent memory. While not as explosive as previous offerings like Revenge of the Dreamers III, D-Day is a quality mix of selections that may not place Cole and company on the Gangsta Grillz Mt. Rushmore but is indicative of their stature as one of the most formidable, self-contained crews in music today." [12]

Track listing

D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Stick" (with JID and J. Cole featuring Kenny Mason and Sheck Wes)5:09
2."Ghetto Gods Freestyle" (with EarthGang featuring 2 Chainz)
  • Natra Average
  • Tane Runo
2:53
3."Lifestyle" (with Bas featuring ASAP Ferg) J. Cole 2:46
4."Starting 5" (with Lute, Cozz, and Omen) Wyldfyer 4:30
5."Coming Down" (with Ari Lennox)
  • DZL
  • J. Cole
  • Wu10
2:36
6."Hair Salon" (with Cozz featuring G Perico and Reason)
Chuck Inglish 3:13
7."Freedom of Speech" (with J. Cole)2:11
8."Blackberry Sap" (with Ari Lennox)
J. White Did It 2:29
9."Like Wine" (with Lute)
  • Nicholson
  • Cedric Brown
Ced Breeze2:35
10."Jozi Flows" (with Bas and EarthGang)
  • Hamad
  • Fann
  • Holmes
  • DZL
2:55
11."Barry From Simpson" (with JID featuring 2 Chainz and Young Nudy)
3:17
12."Everybody Ain't Shit" (with EarthGang)
  • Fann
  • Parker
  • Gibbs
Natra Average3:23
13."Ballin in Newport" (with Omen)
  • D. Coleman
  • W. Coleman
3:32
14."Big Trouble Freestyle" (with Cozz) 2:43
15."Heaven's EP" (with J. Cole)
  • Thomas
  • FaxOnly
  • Jean Bleu
  • Walters
2:58
Total length:47:18

Sample credits

Charts

Chart performance for D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape
Chart (2022)Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [13] 182
Canadian Albums ( Billboard ) [14] 27
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [15] 36
UK Albums (OCC) [16] 94
US Billboard 200 [17] 11

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Drama</span> American DJ and record executive

Tyree Cinque Simmons, 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. He is known for his trademark Gangsta Grillz series, a branding used on projects of which were compiled by Drama, utilized by collaborators including Lil Wayne, Tyler the Creator, Snoop Dogg, Yo Gotti, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Fabolous, Jeezy, Meek Mill, and Gucci Mane, among others. With 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. Cole</span> American rapper and record producer (born 1985)

Jermaine Lamarr Cole is an American rapper and record producer. Born on a military base in Germany and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Cole initially gained attention as a rapper following the release of his debut mixtape, The Come Up, in early 2007. Intent on further pursuing a musical career, he signed with Jay-Z's Roc Nation in 2009 and released two additional mixtapes: The Warm Up (2009) and Friday Night Lights (2010) to further critical acclaim as he garnered a wider following.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreamville Records</span> American record label

Dreamville Records is an American record label founded by American rapper J. Cole and his manager Ibrahim Hamad. The label is currently distributed through Interscope Records, a unit of Universal Music Group. The roster includes Bas, Ari Lennox, Cozz, Omen, Lute, JID, EarthGang, and Cole himself. Dreamville also houses American record producers Elite, Ron Gilmore, and Cedric Brown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bas (rapper)</span> American rapper from New York

Abbas Hamad, known professionally as Bas, is a French-born American rapper. He signed with J. Cole's Dreamville Records, an imprint of Interscope Records to release his debut studio album, Last Winter (2014). It was met with positive critical reception and entered the Billboard 200, along with his second and third albums, Too High to Riot (2016) and Milky Way (2018). His fourth album, We Only Talk About Real Shit When We're Fucked Up (2023) was met with continued praise despite failing to chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cozz</span> American rapper

Cody Rashad Osagie, better known by his stage name Cozz, is an American rapper. He is signed to J. Cole's label Dreamville Records and Interscope Records. His debut studio album Cozz & Effect, was released in October 2014. He has since released other projects, such as his 2016 project Nothin' Personal and in 2018 he released Effected his second Studio Album. He also released his Fortunate EP in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omen (musician)</span> American rapper

Damon Coleman, better known by his stage name Omen, is an American rapper and record producer from Chicago, Illinois. He is signed to J. Cole's Dreamville Records and Interscope Records. His debut studio album Elephant Eyes, was released on July 21, 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EarthGang</span> American hip hop duo

EarthGang is an American hip hop duo from Atlanta, Georgia, composed of Olu and WowGr8. They are co-founders of the musical collective Spillage Village, with JID, Hollywood JB, JordxnBryant, 6lack, Mereba, and Benji.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ari Lennox</span> American R&B singer (born 1991)

Courtney Shanade Salter, known professionally as Ari Lennox, is an American R&B singer from Washington, D.C. She is the first female artist to be signed to J. Cole's record label, Dreamville Records. She began gaining recognition after the release of her first EP Pho (2016) on the label. That same year, she made an uncredited guest appearance on J. Cole's song "Change". Lennox's debut studio album Shea Butter Baby followed in 2019.

Luther Nicholson, better known by his stage name Lute, is an American rapper. He is signed to J. Cole's Dreamville Records. He released his first mixtape, West1996, on February 22, 2012. His debut album, West1996 pt. 2, was released on September 29, 2017. His second album, Gold Mouf, was released on October 4, 2021.

<i>Revenge of the Dreamers II</i> 2015 compilation album by Dreamville Records

Revenge of the Dreamers II is the second compilation album by American record label Dreamville Records and was released on December 8, 2015. The album includes contributions by Dreamville artists, J. Cole, Bas, Cozz, Omen, Lute, and Ari Lennox. Producers on this album include, J. Cole, Cedric Brown, K-Quick, Soundwave, Meez, Elite, Ron Gilmore Jr., DJ Grumble, and J Dilla.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JID</span> American rapper (born 1990)

Destin Choice Route, known professionally as JID, is an American rapper and singer. Born and raised in Atlanta, he signed with J. Cole's Dreamville Records, an imprint of Interscope Records in 2017. He formed the musical collective Spillage Village with EarthGang in 2010, and later formed the hip hop group, Zoink Gang with Smino, Buddy, and Guapdad 4000. His fluent rapping style and usage of wordplay has been highly acclaimed by several music critics.

Simmie Sims III, known professionally as Buddy, is an American rapper, singer, and dancer. Previously on the I Am Other label, he is now signed to Cool Lil Company and RCA Records. He is also a member of the hip-hop supergroup Zoink Gang, with JID, Smino and Guapdad 4000.

Robert Lee Gill Jr., better known by his stage name Reason, is an American rapper and songwriter. He is signed to hip hop record label Top Dawg Entertainment, where he started to gain recognition. His TDE debut, There You Have It, was released on September 28, 2018, a re-release of an album from 2017. His major label debut album New Beginnings was released on October 9, 2020.

<i>Revenge of the Dreamers III</i> 2019 compilation album by Dreamville

Revenge of the Dreamers III is the third compilation album by American record label Dreamville, released on July 5, 2019, by Dreamville and Interscope Records.

Spillage Village is an American musical collective from Atlanta, Georgia. The group is composed of rappers, singers and producers, and was founded by the members of EarthGang. Spillage Village was primarily made up of five initial members with a split-base in both Atlanta and Baltimore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JID discography</span>

American rapper JID has released three studio albums, three compilation albums, two extended plays (EP), four mixtapes and fifteen singles.

Deante' Van Hitchcock, is an American rapper from Riverdale, Georgia. He initially gained recognition as a rapper following the releases of three mixtapes: 19 Summers (2012), Wishful Thinking (2015) and Good (2016). He received widespread attention on the internet in 2016 after a weekly series of freestyles called New Atlanta Tuesday's. In 2017, he signed to ByStorm and RCA Records. His debut album Better was released on May 13, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ari Lennox discography</span>

American singer Ari Lennox has released two studio albums, four extended plays (EPs), one mixtape, and 11 singles. She released her debut studio album titled Shea Butter Baby in May 2019. Then she released her sophomore album Age/Sex/Location in September 2022. Both studio albums were produced through Dreamville Records and Interscope Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Down Bad</span> 2019 single by Dreamville

"Down Bad" is a song by American record label Dreamville featuring performances by American rappers J. Cole, JID, Bas, Johnny Venus of EarthGang, and Young Nudy, released on June 12, 2019 alongside "Got Me" as the dual second single from the label's 2019 compilation album, Revenge of the Dreamers III.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Got Me (song)</span> 2019 single by Dreamville with Ari Lennox and Omen featuring Ty Dolla Sign and Dreezy

"Got Me" is a song released by American record label Dreamville, performed by American musicians Ari Lennox and Omen featuring fellow American musicians Ty Dolla $ign and Dreezy. It was released on June 12, 2019 alongside "Down Bad" as the second singles from the label's third compilation album, Revenge of the Dreamers III (2019).

References

  1. "Dreamville Announces Their 'D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape' With DJ Drama And Shares Its Release Date". Uproxx.
  2. "Dreamville Announces "D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape" With DJ Drama". HotNewHipHop .
  3. "J. Cole & Dreamville Announce 'Gangsta Grillz' Mixtape With DJ Drama". HipHopDX .
  4. "Dreamville, J. Cole Enlist DJ Drama for 'D-Day' Mixtape". Boardroom.
  5. "Bas Talks 'Spilled Milk' EP Series & Explains Why Dreamville Is Like Netflix". Billboard.
  6. Legaspi, Althea (September 22, 2021). "J. Cole Hits Vegas Strip in Video for 'Heaven's EP'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  7. "J. Cole Returns With New Track "Heaven's EP" That Builds on Drake's "Pipe Down"". Hypebeast. September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  8. "J. Cole Announces Expanded Two-Day Dreamville Festival 2022". Billboard.
  9. "Lil Baby, Kehlani, More to Perform at J. Cole's Dreamville Fest". Rolling Stone.
  10. "J. Cole Reveals Dreamville Festival 2022 Lineup: Lil Baby, J.I.D, Rico Nasty, and More". Pitchfork.
  11. "J. Cole's Dreamville Announces New Mixtape With DJ Drama". Hypebeast.
  12. Brown, Preezy. "J. Cole And Dreamville's 'D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape' Review". Vibe.
  13. "Ultratop.be – Dreamville & J. Cole – D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  14. "Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of April 16, 2022". FYIMusicNews. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  15. "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  16. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  17. @billboardcharts (April 11, 2022). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200:..." (Tweet). Retrieved April 12, 2022 via Twitter.