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Nov. 23, 2022

DJ Drama Pt. 2

In part 2 of DJ Drama's Questlove Supreme interview, the Grammy Award-winning DJ and executive opens up about the 2007 FBI Raid that was intended to end his mixtape operation. Instead, Drama adapted. He speaks about building Generation Now and ushering Lil Uzi Vert and Jack Harlow to stardom. Drama also tells Questlove how much The Roots have meant to his journey.

0:00 - DJ Drama talks about his career exploding and signing with T.I.’s Grand Hustle Records
4:10 - DJ Drama recalls making Dedication with Lil Wayne and taking Gangsta Grillz to the next level
6:30 - What was DJ Drama’s plan after finding this success?
8:00 - DJ Drama talks about linking with Little Brother for the Separate But Equal Gangsta Grillz mixtape
9:50 - Lil Wayne chose to rap over beats by The Roots and Little Brother
11:40 - Phonte tells DJ Drama what Separate But Equal meant to Little Brother; they debate about the “Drama Free” version of the mixtape
17:00 - DJ Drama discusses the cause and impact of the 2007 FBI Raid of The Aphilliates 23:30 - How did DJ Drama feel about the industry after the raid?
25:30 - DJ Drama recalls returning to making mixtapes after the raid, and making his debut album at Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records
26:50 - DJ Drama opens up about if he financially prepared to suffer; he describes what the Feds confiscated
28:30 - The music piracy PSA that DJ Drama and Don Cannon made that the public never got to see
30:00 - DJ Drama recalls linking with OutKast for “Da Art Of Storytelling 4” and what he would do differently today
34:10 - DJ Drama on transitioning from a top DJ to a top music executive and studio owner
38:00 - DJ Drama originally wanted to sign Migos, O.T. Genasis, Tory Lanez, and other artists before signing Lil Uzi Vert
40:00 - DJ Drama brought Lil Baby to a Roots Picnic and the crowd was new to the music 41:10 - Generation Now was a mixtape title before it was a hit label
42:00 - DJ Drama nearly lost his position at Atlantic Records; Lil Uzi Vert’s “Love Is Rage” changes everything
43:00 - DJ Drama talks about signing Jack Harlow after hearing “Dark Knight”
47:00 - DJ Drama tells Questlove how much he and The Roots mean to his career and development
53:00 - DJ Drama on his tireless pursuit to discover new music and talent
56:30 - Questlove recalls an awkward moment with U-God
57:15 - What Questlove has learned from interviewing DJ Drama, even though both artists have put on some great artists