Drama – Gangsta Grillz: The Album vol. 2 (5-19-2009)

Posted on Jun 15 in Reviewsby adminPrint

Just two short years ago DJ Drama, now known simply as Drama, was the focal point of a federal investigation by the one of those authority groups concerning his alleged illegal bootlegging. As we all know these allegations against Drama have done absolutely nothing to restore CD sales over that period of time. As we enter into another decade sales seem to be declining at an even faster pace than they were on January 16th 2007. Nonetheless Drama is proving his resilience by dropping his second official retail joint Gangsta Grillz: The Album vol. 2.

TI, Young Dro, Sean P (from the Youngbloodz), and Lonnie Mac give a warm welcome to all unknowing outsiders to the greatest city in the south on the opening “A-Town.” V12 The Hitman drops a dime piece of a sound bed on “We Must Be Heard” as Ludacris, Willie The Kid, and Busta Rhymes drop powerful bars. Seven of the games biggest heavyweights show up on another precise production courtesy of V12 The Hitman on the straight to the point “Love For Money” Though its apparent that they didn’t record the aforementioned track together it is however very apparent that Trey Songz, Willie The Kid, Gucci Mane, LA The Darkman, Yung Joc, Bun B, and Flo Rida all had the same thing in mind.

“I’m Fresh” would have been much better served if Mike Jones would have been left out of the equation but Rick Ross and Trick Daddy do more than enough to make up for the track’s annoying low point. The album’s lead single, “Day Dreaming,” completely throws off the entire vibe set by the previous offerings. No matter how annoyed you are with the combination of Gucci Mane, OJ Da Juiceman, and Yo Gotti you must admit that they can make some pretty damn entertaining music. This is definitely the case when the three invite Lonnie Mac along for the ride on the Zaytoven produced “Ridiculous.”

DJ Khalil laces a breathing backdrop for Scarface, Nas, Willie The Kid, and Marsha Ambrosius to spit some high class hood shit over on “Yacht Music.” The album manages to fall off course again as The Dream is invited to ride along the likes LA The Darkman and Too Shot on the otherwise acceptable “Stripper Love.” Gucci Mane continues to stake his claim as the hottest rapper in the game as evidenced by his appearance on the Willie The Kid and Lonnie Mac assisted standout “Smoke.” BG and Juvenile team up aside a posthumous verse from Soulja Slim on the album’s closing gem “Gotta Get It.”

Gangsta Grillz: The Album vol. 2 turns out to be a much better outing than its predecessor. Boasting a more Gangsta Grillz friendly roster and a less scattered beat selection this time around Drama will be sure to please his core fan base. Multiple appearances from the likes of Gucci Mane, TI, Willie The Kid, and Lonnie Mac give the collection a much more cohesive feel than most other seemingly slapped together DJ retail albums. As long as the feds don’t try to pop Drama again we should be able to look forward to more gritty Gangsta Grillz selections for years to come.

VERDICT – 15 / 20
LYRICS: 3
PRODUCTION: 4
DELIVERY: 4
CONSISTENCY: 4