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Nov. 16, 2022

DJ Drama Pt. 1

DJ Drama meets up with Questlove Supreme in Atlanta to revisit his Philly roots. The Gangsta Grillz creator recalls growing up in Philly, making pivotal Hip-Hop mixtapes as a B-Boy, and taking his talents to Atlanta to pursue a dream and an education. In Part 1, he reveals how that journey led him to Lil Jon, T.I., and Jeezy. This was taped on location in T.I.'s Super Sound Studios.

0:00 - Rollcall and Questlove's DJ Drama intro 5:20 - DJ Drama recalls his Philadelphia mixtape roots 9:15 - DJ Drama's first musical memory, and sneaker blunders 11:30 - The beginnings of DJ Drama's infatuation with turntablism and its intersection with skateboarding 16:10 - DJ Drama talks about his family and their influence on him, and falling in love with Hip-Hop 21:00 - DJ Drama recalls meeting Questlove at The Roots' "Pass The Popcorn" music video 24:30 - DJ Drama discusses by his first mixtape, DJ S&S - Old School Part 2, while in New York City. He credits its influence, as says why the mixtape DJ was always larger than life 25:30 - Questlove and DJ Drama remember a crucial Philly Hip-Hop landmark, The Layup 27:00 - Questlove and DJ Drama celebrate Philly DJ and radio pioneers including Cosmic Kev, DJ Ran, Jay Ski, Colby Colb, and one of his mentors, DJ Ghetto 30:00 - DJ Drama's earliest gigs, and the way he approaches his job as far as taking requests and playing bold records; he recalls playing Dr. Octagon and Boot Camp Clike deep cuts at Philly parties 34:30 - How attending Clark Atlanta University made DJ Drama a DJ for the people, transcending region, genre, and generation 40:30 - DJ Drama recalls making crucial connects at Clark Atlanta University and within the Atlanta University Center (AUC) 41:50 - DJ Drama describes his Atlanta influences, including DJ Nabs and DJ Mars 42:50 - How DJ Drama positioned himself to meet his inspirations, including Questlove — who taught him about J Dilla 43:50 - How Atlanta built a musical identity, before Trap and the impact of OutKast's ATLiens 47:15 - DJ Drama recalls meeting DJ Sense, Don Cannon, and forming The Aphilliates 50:20 - DJ Drama explains why he changed his name to DJ Dramatic for a time 51:20 - DJ Drama discusses the origins of his Gangsta Grillz mixtape series in 2000 and beyond 52:30 - DJ Drama explains working with Lil Jon, T.I., Young Jeezy, and others 56:45 - DJ Drama describes why he gives his number out and stays open to possibility 57:45 - DJ Drama reveals that he missed an early opportunity with Drake 58:30 - DJ Drama recalls leveling up with T.I., Bun B, David Banner and Bonecrusher, and others. He remembers building chemistry with Jeezy for Streets Is Watching for $1,000 1:03:00 - DJ Drama learns of how impactful his Gangsta Grillz mixtapes have become, and securing distribution in New York City 1:04:30 - Lil Wayne and DJ Drama will soon take each other to the next level with Dedication