Gangsta Grillz

DJ Drama Net Worth 2023: What Is The Legend Worth?

by

With a thriving career spanning over two decades, DJ Drama has made a significant impact in the world of hip-hop. This remarkable figure results from his versatile talents as a DJ, record executive, and music producer. In this article, we will delve into the key aspects of DJ Drama’s career that have contributed to his impressive net worth.

DJ Drama Net Worth

As of 2023, Celebrity Net Worth estimates his net worth to be around $12 million.

Early Beginnings And Mixtape Success

DJ Drama net worth.
(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

DJ Drama, born Tyree Cinque Simmons, started his career in the late 1990s. He gained recognition in the early 2000s with the release of his iconic Gangsta Grillz mixtape series. These mixtapes featured well-known hip-hop artists such as Lil Wayne, T.I., and Young Jeezy. DJ Drama’s mixtapes played a crucial role in promoting these artists’ careers and helped establish his name in the industry.

Record Label

Drama at Revolt Summit.
(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Revolt)

In addition to his success as a mixtape DJ, DJ Drama co-founded Generation Now, a record label, in 2013. The label has signed several prominent artists, including Lil Uzi Vert, Jack Harlow, and Skeme. Through Generation Now, DJ Drama has played a significant role in the success of these artists, contributing to his net worth.

Radio And Television Appearances

DJ Drama at Sirius XM
(Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)

DJ Drama’s work in radio and television has also contributed to his net worth. He has hosted various radio shows, including his own show on SiriusXM’s Shade 45 channel. Furthermore, he has appeared as a guest on popular television shows such as RapFix Live.

Endorsements and Other Ventures

DJ Drama on stage.
(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

DJ Drama’s net worth is further boosted by his brand endorsements and partnerships. He has been associated with top brands such as Beats by Dre. These partnerships have not only helped increase his wealth but also solidified his reputation as a tastemaker in the music industry.

Outside of music, Drama has explored other ventures, including real estate investments. While the details of his property investments remain private, it is assumed that this aspect of his career has contributed to his net worth.

Conclusion/TLDR

DJ Drama’s estimated net worth of $12 million in 2023 is a testament to his hard work, versatility, and business acumen. From mixtapes and music production to record label management and brand endorsements, DJ Drama has consistently made an impact in the music industry. As he continues to grow his brand and explore new ventures, it is anticipated that his net worth will only increase in the years to come.

DJ Drama Puts His Name At The Forefront On “I’m Really Like That”

by

Take a look at the past two years of the rap game. It’s hard not to identify the massive influx of rappers who’ve partnered with DJ Drama for their own Gangsta Grillz mixtape series. Though we could credit Tyler, The Creator’s Grammy-award-winning Call Me If You Get Lost for reminding fans of DJ Drama’s significance, the Philadelphia native partnered with rappers like Jim Jones and up-and-comers like Symba, for the Gangsta Grillz resurgence.

However, with the newfound acclaim, DJ Drama prepared to capitalize on it with his album. It’s been a few years since the release of Quality Street Music 2, and a whole new generation of rappers has emerged since. Drama even launched his label Generation Now to highlight the young stars of today. So, when it came time to deliver his new project, I’m Really Like That, Drama had no shortage of talent to choose from, from the OGs that helped him usher in the Gangsta Grillz era to newcomers like Jack Harlow and Lil Uzi Vert, who he delivered to the masses.

DJ Drama Claims His Stake On “I’m Really Like That”

There’s no denying how much weight DJ Drama’s name carries in hip-hop but he certainly put that on full display with I’m Really Like That. The star-studded tracklist boasts appearances from a wide-range of collaborators who he curates for unexpected records. Tyler, The Creator, who released Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale this morning, opens up the project. Meanwhile, the regular rotating cast of Southern staples, including Lil Wayne, T.I. Jeezy, and more, appear across the tracklist.

The most significant collaboration comes early on with the Nipsey Hussle-assisted, “Raised Different.” The posthumous verse from the late West Coast legend arrives on the anniversary of his death. Drama pairs Nipsey with Jeezy and Blxst for an unexpected banger that celebrates his legacy. However, Drama also ensured that Trouble, who passed away last year, is also celebrated as he appears posthumously with Boosie Badazz and OMB Peezy on “Iron Right”. Drama didn’t disappoint with his latest effort. Press play above and sound off with your thoughts on I’m Really Like That in the comment section below.

DJ Drama Regrets Not Keeping Nicki Minaj On Gucci Mane’s 2008 Gangsta Grillz Mixtape

by

After doing some reflecting, DJ Drama admits to a few regrets. His impact on Hip Hop doesn’t need defending as Drama is one of the most celebrated DJs and producers in the game. His Gangsta Grillz series has lasted for decades, and from one generation to the next, artists are clamoring for an opportunity to add their names to his list of collaborators. While chatting with Bootleg Kev on his podcast, Drama revisited a moment in 2008 when he was working with Gucci Mane on their Gangsta Grillz project, The Movie. The mixtape was supposed to feature a look from Nicki Minaj, but Drama switched things up.

At the time, Minaj was only a few years into her professional career. She was still establishing her relationships, proving her skills, and competing for attention in a Hip Hop boys’ club. She didn’t have much national or global visibility, so DJ Drama decided it was best to take her off the project, all together. In hindsight, he wishes he didn’t make that move. “When he brought it to me, the first song on the tape, the first voice you heard on the tape was Nicki Minaj,” Drama said.

DJ Drama Made Things Right

Drama didn’t want fans to hear the voice of a lesser-known artist from the onset. “Obviously, this is an early Nicki Minaj. And disrespectfully, I felt like we can’t have a Gangsta Grillz with me and Gucci, and the first voice you heard not be Gucci, so I removed her verse from that song. I feel terrible to this day.” However, he did make things right, in his own way, by including Minaj in Lil Wayne’s Dedication 3 project that same year. Minaj made sure her voice was heard.

“‘Dram, please don’t let the tape come out without me on there,’” Drama recalled Nicki telling him. “And I said, ‘I got you.’ So Nicki Minaj is on Dedication 3 directly because I made sure she was on there.” The Queens icon has long discussed the roadblocks she experienced early on in her career—and throughout. Minaj has been open about struggling to earn respect while her male peers have navigated an easier route.

Deb Antney Claims Gucci Didn’t Like Nicki

Meanwhile, music executive Deb Antney previously shed light on the relationship between Gucci Mane and Nicki Minaj. Antney used to manage both artists, but according to her, Gucci “couldn’t stand” Minaj because she refused his sexual advances. It’s unclear if this also contributed to the exclusion on his mixtape years ago, but it certainly has fans talking.

DJ Drama Announces De La Soul “Gangsta Grillz” Mixtape

by

DJ Drama is gearing up to drop off a Gangsta Grillz mixtape with De La Soul. The Drama recently sat down on Rap Radar where he divulged plans for the future of Gangsta Grillz. In the wake of De La Soul’s discography returning to DSPs, he said he discussed plans to create a tape with the group. Though no release date has been set, it appears that we have something to look forward to this.

DJ Drama announced the project as he explained his ability to connect with different generations flawlessly. He said he was “addicted to new shit” and being able to be ahead of the trends. As he explained his love for hip-hop, he slyly slipped in the news of the De La Soul project. “I was a teenager in the 90s, so that’s my era. I love that. That’s why I ride around to, listening to – De La Soul’s coming to streaming. I can’t be more excited,” he said. “And we got a Gangsta Grillz coming. Little sidebar.”

DJ Drama & De La Soul “Gangsta Grillz” Project

As DJ Drama mentioned, De La Soul’s discography finally came to streaming service after battling with Tommy Boy Records. De La Soul and their former label reached an agreement that allowed their discography to hit streaming platforms. 3 Feet High and Rising, De La Soul Is Dead, Buhloone Mindstate, Stakes Is High, Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump, and Bionix finally appeared on streaming services at the top of the month.

Unfortunately, it seems like DJ Drama filmed his interview with Rap Radar earlier this year, prior to the tragic announcement of Trugoy The Dave’s death. Trugoy battled congestive heart failure over the past few years, which he discussed on De La Soul’s “Royaly Capes” in 2016. A week after De La Soul graced the Grammys stage (sans Dave), his rep announced that he passed away. However, there’s yet to be an official cause of death released publicly. Though it’s unclear how this will affect the Gangsta Grillz mixtape, we can only hope that DJ Drama and De La Soul pay tribute to him in some form on the project.

DJ Drama Gears Up For New Album With Lil Baby & A Boogie On “HO4ME”

by

DJ Drama’s gone from one of the most trusted DJs in hip-hop to an extremely successful executive with Generation Now. Still, Drama’s musical output hasn’t necessarily slowed down. During the past two years, there has been a huge influx of Gangsta Grillz tapes, marking an official resurgence of the iconic mixtape series. However, it seems as though Drama isn’t solely looking to host tapes but release his own album in the near future.

DJ Drama has his own projects in the works. In the midst of releasing Gangsta Grillz tapes with Kash Doll and French Montana since the beginning of the year, he’s also hinted at dropping his follow-up to Quality Street Music 2. He hasn’t unveiled much information regarding a release date but it’s apparent that he’s using his resources in the music industry to his full advantage. He’s hinted at collabs alongside Roddy Ricch, and other star artists.

DJ Drama – “HO4ME” Ft. Lil Baby & A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie 

Drama came through with some new heat alongside Lil Baby and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. The Philadelphia native delivered, “HO4ME” this morning. It’s a smooth vibe that pulls from Baby and A Boogie’s strengths. Drama brings Baby and Boogie together over smooth, R&B-centric production handled by AJ Ruined By Record, Fivecrzy, Kookup, and T Kee. Baby and Boogie’s auto-tuned melodies merge well for an anthem that would’ve been quite fitting for Valentine’s Day if it dropped earlier this week.

“HO4ME” is set to appear on Drama’s upcoming album, I’m Really Like That. Hopefully, we see a release date for the project soon. People have been particularly excited about the effort after he hinted at the features that will appear on the album. For now, we’ll just have to keep “HO4ME” on rotation. Check the single out above and sound off with your comments about the new single. 

Quotable Lyrics
I was in the ‘burban, tinted out, that n***a was pitch black
You movin’ white, n***a fuck around, and push yo shit back
Don’t you go and get your shit snatched
My n***as been thirsty lately, I had to tell them to relax

DJ Drama Says Pusha T’s “Gangsta Grillz” Will Be The Next Grammy Award-Winning Mixtape

by

DJ Drama has high hopes for Pusha T’s Gangsta Grillz project that’s yet to cement a release date. The legendary DJ caught up with Complex on the Grammys red carpet and shared some info on the upcoming project with Pusha T. In fact, he believes that it will be the next mixtape to win a Grammy.

“The Pusha T Gangsta Grillz is definitely going to be spicy. You know, I feel like it could potentially be the next mixtape to win a Grammy,” he said, chuckling. “Shout out to Push. We on the way.”

The two artists confirmed a Gangsta Grillz tape was in the works following the success of It’s Almost Dry. Drama announced the news during a conversation on Twitter Spaces. Pusha  T later confirmed that the two were working together on a new project. 

“I just feel like to me, the Gangsta Grillz and the whole mixtape culture and scene is what I’m about. That’s the purest form of Hip Hop to me,” Push said. “The fact that Drama is having so much success, the fact that that’s what I love in Hip Hop, I want to merge those worlds and see what happens.”

Of course, Pusha T would be among the latest to work alongside DJ Drama in the past two years. Following Tyler, The Creator’s 2021 album, Drama collaborated alongside Jim Jones, Symba, and more for their own Gangsta Grillz. Still, Pusha T gave Tyler, The Creator credit for inspiring his upcoming project under the iconic mixtape banner, especially after seeing the project win a Grammy.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 05: Pusha T attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

“I’m going to be honest with you, seeing Drama’s mixtape with Tyler and how they won a Grammy, I was like, ‘Man, mixtapes really won a Grammy.’ So I’m trying to be a part of that culture as well,” he added.

Pusha T, unfortunately, didn’t win a Grammy this year. The Virginia rapper was nominated in the Best Rap Album category for It’s Almost Dry, where he was up against DJ Khaled’s God Did, Jack Harlow’s Come Home The Kids Miss You, Future’s I Never Liked You, and Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, which took home the award. 

T.I. Shares DJ Drama’s Reaction To Calling Himself “King Of The South”

by

T.I. just shared what DJ Drama’s reaction was when the “Whatever You Like” rapper called himself the “King of the South.” While it’s a bold claim to make, his career longevity, influence, and reach make it a pretty solid affirmation. Furthermore, the Atlanta icon opened up to Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay about their first encounter.

LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 31: Rapper T.I. (L) and DJ Drama appear at “Ditch Saturdays” at the Palms Pool & Bungalows at The Palms Casino Resort on August 31, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/WireImage)

“DJ Drama made a big return in 2022,” Sharpe stated. “He’s obviously one of the greatest DJs. How did you meet DJ Drama and how did this thing go so well between you two?”

“Mmm,” T.I. exclaimed. “I believe Jason introduced me to Drama, I don’t recall exactly how they met. I know Dram’ spent a lot of time at the AU. He went to Clark… anyway, so he spent a lot of time at AU. Him and DJ Cannon and Sense and them, they were putting a crew together and they started just DJing and doing mixtapes. He called me in to freestyle on a mixtape.”

“Had that ever happened before?” Sharpe asked the trap innovator.

“Yeah, here and there,” he replied. “Mostly in New York, though. That was one of the first times it happened in Atlanta. So I came in, I freestyled, and I said ‘King of the South’ in the freestyle. He kind of raised his head, like ‘Woah, what? What’s that? What you say?’ I said, ‘You heard what I said.’” Both T.I. and the NBA personality laughed at the exchange.

“We just had a conversation about that, and he gave me like, ‘Okay,’” he continued, widening his eyes and moving his head to make an expression. “You know, one of them. I think that became the first Gangsta Grillz, if I’m not mistaken.”

Meanwhile, the 42-year-old recently compared his style to a fusion of Jay-Z, Tupac, Diddy, and Snoop Dogg. While influences in the rap game run deep, T.I. clearly has his own style to work with.

Still, what did you think of T.I.’s recent comments about DJ Drama’s reaction to his self-proclaimed “King of the South” status? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest curious stories from the hip-hop game’s best.