DJ Drama | |
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![]() DJ Drama performing in 2016 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Tyree Cinque Simmons |
Born | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | April 22, 1978
Education | Clark Atlanta University (BS) |
Genres | Hip hop |
Occupation(s) |
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Discography | DJ Drama discography |
Years active | 1999–present |
Labels |
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Website | thegenerationnow |
Tyree Cinque Simmons (born April 22, 1978),[1][2] 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. His trademark Gangsta Grillz series is present on releases of which he has compiled; it has been popularized by artists including Lil Wayne, Tyler the Creator, Snoop Dogg, Yo Gotti, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Fabolous, Jeezy, Meek Mill, and Gucci Mane, among others. Alongside 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.
A non-performing hip hop artist, Drama's extensive network in the industry enables his albums to enlist both underground and high-profile artists to perform lyrics or production. His six studio albums, Gangsta Grillz: The Album (2007) and Vol. 2 (2009), Third Power (2011), Quality Street Music (2012), Quality Street Music 2 (2016), and I'm Really Like That (2023) were each met with moderate critical and commercial reception. Drama has been named "DJ of the Year" at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards, and won Best Rap Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards for his work on Tyler, the Creator's album, Call Me If You Get Lost (2021).[3]