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 official DJ for Atlanta-based rapper T.I. and would continue to gain prominence hosting mixtapes, namely his trademark Gangsta Grillz series. The branding has since been utilized by artists of whom released projects compiled by Drama, including Lil Wayne, Tyler the Creator, Snoop Dogg, Yo Gotti, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Fabolous, Jeezy, Meek Mill, and Gucci Mane, among others. He is also a co-founder of the record label Generation Now, an imprint of Atlantic Records which signed artists including Lil Uzi Vert and Jack Harlow.
Dedication 2 is the fifth mixtape by Lil Wayne, hosted by DJ Drama. It is a sequel to Lil Wayne's previous mixtape, The Dedication, and is second in DJ Drama's Gangsta Grillz series with Lil Wayne. It is one of the few mixtapes in the hip hop genre to be both financially successful and critically acclaimed. Despite its illegal use of unlicensed instrumentals and samples, it was sold through iTunes and retail stores such as Best Buy and FYE, was widely reviewed in the mainstream media, and peaked at #69 on Billboard's "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums” chart. The cover shows Lil Wayne with "Fear God" tattooed on his eyelids. Much of the mixtape showcases Lil Wayne's free associating rhymes and "liquid non-sequiturs."
Karim Kharbouch, better known by his stage name French Montana, is a Moroccan-American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born and raised in Morocco, he immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of 13. He embarked on a musical career in 2002, releasing a slew of underground material until signing a joint-venture record deal with Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Records and Rick Ross's Maybach Music Group in 2012.
1,000 Grams, Vol. 1 is a mix-tape by the rap artist Jeezy hosted by DJ Scream. It was released on August 12, 2010.
Astronaut Status is the ninth mixtape by American rapper Future. It was released on January 12, 2012. The album features guest appearances from rappers Gucci Mane, Young Jeezy, Ludacris and Rocko. Future previously stated Streetz Calling would be his last mixtape, before his debut full-length album Pluto, but instead released Astronaut Status in 2012, making it his last official mixtape. "Itchin'" peaked at #2 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Since the release of Astronaut Status, it has been downloaded over 250k times on DatPiff, certifying it platinum. Astronaut Status also charted at #50 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.
Dedication 4 is a mixtape by Lil Wayne, hosted by DJ Drama. The mixtape was originally supposed to be released on August 15, 2012, but got delayed several times and was released on September 3, 2012. It is the fourth installment of Lil Wayne's Dedication series, following its predecessors The Dedication, Dedication 2 and Dedication 3. It's also the fourth installment of Lil Wayne's "Gangsta Grillz" series.
The Burrprint is a mixtape by American rapper Gucci Mane and hosted by DJ Drama. It was released on October 9, 2009. It is the third and final installment in his "The Movie" series, and the first installment in his "Burrprint" series of mixtapes. The album features notable artists Bun B, Rocko, OJ da Juiceman, Waka Flocka Flame, Shawty Redd and Kandi Burruss. Burrrprint: 3D peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Top Rap Album chart and number 36 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart. According to an interview with MTV News, DJ Drama stated that the mixtape originated from the desire to produce an improved version of Gucci Mane's previous mixtape, "The Movie: Part 2", which according to him "didn't do what we felt it should've done".
Drill is a subgenre of hip hop music that originated in Chicago in the early 2010s. It is sonically similar to the trap music subgenre and lyrically similar to the gangsta rap subgenre. Early drill artists are noted for their explicit, confrontational style of lyricism and association with crime in Chicago, especially the Black Disciples and Gangster Disciples. The genre progressed into the American mainstream in 2012 following the success of pioneering rappers like Chief Keef, Lil Reese, Lil Durk, Fredo Santana, G Herbo, Lil Bibby and King Louie, who had many local fans and a significant internet presence alongside producer Young Chop. Other rappers, such as Edai, L’A Capone, RondoNumbaNine, SD, FBG Duck, Lil Jojo and producer Leekeleek also contributed to the early drill scene. As the audience grew, media attention and the signing of drill musicians to major labels followed. After the initial momentum of the subgenre subsided, Chicago drill saw a resurgence in the late 2010s and early 2020s with trailblazing artists such as King Von, Polo G, Calboy and a renewed Lil Durk.
Life Ain't No Joke is a mixtape by American rapper Lil Durk; hosted by DJ Moondawg and DJ Victoriouz. It was released on October 19, 2012, by his independently record label OTF. The mixtape features guest appearances from French Montana, Soulja Boy and Yo Gotti. As of October 31st, 2022, the mixtape has been downloaded over 259,000 times on DatPiff and is certified platinum.
Rich Gang: Tha Tour Pt. 1 is a mixtape by Birdman, Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan, as the group Rich Gang. It was released on September 29, 2014, by Cash Money Records. The mixtape features the productions from London on da Track, Issac Flame and Goose, among others and it features guest appearances from Nipsey Hussle, PeeWee Longway, Jacquees, Yung Ralph, Bloody Jay, MPA Duke and MPA Wicced. The mixtape was supported by seven promotional singles; including "Tell Em (Lies)", "Imma Ride", "Freestyle", "Soldier", "Milk Marie", "Flava" and "Givenchy".
Remember My Name is the debut studio album by American rapper Lil Durk. It was released on June 2, 2015, by Only the Family and Def Jam Recordings. The album's production was handled by C-Sick, DJ L, FKi, London on da Track, Metro Boomin, Vinylz, Young Chop and more, with fellow Def Jam label-mates Jeremih and Logic were the featured artists. The album garnered a positive reception but critics were mixed on the gangsta rap content and Auto-Tune delivery of them. Remember My Name debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200 and only released one single: "Like Me". The album features guest appearances from Jeremih and Logic. The deluxe edition adds appearances from Hypno Carlito and King Popo.
"Like Me" is a song by the American rapper Lil Durk featuring the American singer Jeremih. It was released in the US on March 31, 2015, as the first single from the former's first studio album, Remember My Name (2015). The song was produced by Vinylz, Boi-1da and Allen Ritter and had a positive response from some critics. "Like Me" peaked at number 43 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. A music video directed by Eif Rivera was created for the single and released in April 2015.
Durk Derrick Banks, known professionally as Lil Durk, is an American rapper and singer from Chicago, Illinois. He first garnered a regional following with the release of his Signed to the Streets mixtape series (2013–2014), which led to his signing of a recording contract from Def Jam Recordings. The label released his debut studio album, Remember My Name (2015) and its follow up, Lil Durk 2X (2016) to moderate commercial success before parting ways with the artist in 2018.
Bankroll Mafia is an American hip hop collective from Atlanta, Georgia. The collective was formed in 2015, after southern rappers T.I., Young Thug and Shad da God began frequently working together. Other Atlanta-based rappers also joined the collective, including Label No Genre’s London Jae, and Young Thug's close affiliates Peewee Roscoe and Lil Duke. In an interview with Billboard, T.I. described the group's dynamic as "a collective that includes a lot of personal and professional constituents throughout the industry, in and out of our elements." The collective released their self-titled debut album in April 2016.
Dayvon Daquan Bennett, known professionally as King Von, was an American drill rapper from Chicago, Illinois. He is largely considered one of the most influential figures who represent the drill genre.
"Woah" is a single by American rapper Lil Baby from his second studio album My Turn (2020). The song was released through Quality Control Music and Universal Music Group on November 8, 2019. "Woah" became Lil Baby's third number one on the Billboard Streaming Songs chart, following 2018's "Yes Indeed" and "Drip Too Hard". It also debuted at number one on the Rolling Stone 100.
Isaiah Jaylaun Dukes, known professionally as Lil Zay Osama, is an American rapper. His music, which he describes as "pain music", reflects his violent upbringing on the South Side of Chicago and explores subjects including grief, trauma and survival.
Shiesty Season is the debut mixtape by American rapper Pooh Shiesty. It was released on February 5, 2021, through Atlantic Records and 1017 Records. The mixtape features guest appearances from Lil Durk, Gucci Mane, Big30, 21 Savage, Veeze, Foogiano, Lil Hank, Choppa Wop, and Tay Keith. The "Spring Deluxe" edition of the mixtape was released on May 21, 2021. It features additional guest appearances from G Herbo, No More Heroes, and Lil Baby. A "Certified" edition of the mixtape was released on April 29, 2022. It features guest appearances from Gunna, Lil Durk, Moneybagg Yo, EST Gee, Big Scarr, 42 Dugg, Baby K, Lil Uzi Vert, Gucci Mane, Big30, Fat Wizza, and Jack Harlow.
"Every Chance I Get" is a song by American record producer DJ Khaled featuring American rappers Lil Baby and Lil Durk. It was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio as the third single off the former's twelfth studio album, Khaled Khaled, on May 11, 2021. The song received mostly positive responses from critics, with some deeming it a highlight off the album. Lyrically, it sees the rappers boasting about their successes.
