When this statement came out of Dj Drama’s mouth on this recent The Breakfast Club interview, man I was in shock (boy talking about going to the other team and your views change…). To even infer that street mixtapes are in any form irrelevant is crazy. #FRFR, nothing breaks in today’s market in the streets without the street mixtapes creating the buzz.
The buzz isn’t created by SoundCloud or industry promotions specialist (Or Professional Stans), it’s created by the streets saying this is hot and this is alright. Believe me if Dj Drama would have had ‘WISHING’ or ‘ONYX’ on a Gangsta Grillz mix, then the reception of those songs would have been different the (‘WISHING’ is currently 300+ area on the iTunes chart and ‘ONYX’ is not even charting yet). Both of these songs are good competitive songs but the Industry Professional STANS really don’t dictate consumer choice (or interest).
Don’t get me wrong, I realize that Dj Drama at Atlantic has a different script but the question really is “why is Dj Drama at Atlantic Records as opposed to GANSTA GRILLZ being its own label imprint? It’s clear that GANSTA GRILLZ knew how to market and sell music better than the labels at times. There’s nothing wrong with getting a check but Drama knows that his strength and loyalty came from people that trusted his word on the music, now they may feel like his word is influenced by the check or budget and it’s at that point the kids will tune out and Dj Drama as a influencer will become a yesterday’s conversation. Dj Drama knows that (#frfr)
Look the street mixtape will always be the first line of battle in this music thing ( I really think Dj Drama meant street albums and not mixtapes which somehow became confused by mixtape brands like who? GANSTA GRILLZ #LSMH). A real street dj mix is (and will always be) a sample of the newest and hottest music based on a certain djs market. He’s like a chef and he feeds his fans the new music they are hungrey for, that’s how it works. Without street mixes then the young audience will just go to other avenues to find what’s hot( Vine, snapchat or youtube…). The starter for those conversations and validator for fan interest will and will be for some time, streetmixtapes. I can’t wait for the GANGSTA GRILLZ label to come. Its probably gonna put out some great music.
I’m ReggieRedd and there’s nothing wrong with the music business that a good record can’t cure…
#ItsAboutTheMusic
#GetAtMe