By Chris Richburg
Less than six months after being at the center of the scrutiny surrounding the mixtape industry, DJ Drama has reemerged with the release of his latest mixtape, Gangsta Grillz 16.
The new project, titled The Streets Been Waitin,’ features exclusive new releases and unreleased tracks from a variety of artists, including Young Jeezy, Lil’ Boosie, Gucci Mane, Big Kuntry and the Aphilliates Music Group’s own Willie The Kid.
Unlike previous Gangsta Grillz mixtapes, the latest installment of the series will be hosted by DJ Drama instead of a celebrity.
The Streets Been Waitin’ is Drama’s first official Gangsta Grillz mixtape since his arrest in January.
"All these artists and DJs who have benefitted off the mixtape game and found success need to step up and take charge," Drama told AllHipHop.com. "The mixtape game is too important for us to let it go to the wayside."
DJ Drama and Aphiliates co-founder DJ Don Cannon were taken into custody following a Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)-sanctioned raid on their Atlanta offices.
The pair were held on racketeering charges while nearly 50,000 CDs were seized by authorities.
The turmoil surrounding the incident sent shockwaves through the hip-hop community as DJs faced intense scrutiny from outside forces.
Despite the legal pressure, mixtape supporters stood behind Drama through the ordeal.
DJ Drama still maintains his position as rapper T.I.’s official tour DJ, in addition to hosting the Streetz in Watchin’ and Gangsta Grillz Radio shows with fellow Aphilliate cofounders DJ Don Cannon and DJ Sense.
The turntablist, who pledged to feed the streets for the rest of his life, feels more needs to be done to protect the important resource mixtapes have become.
With the arrest behind him, Drama is moving forward to re-establish himself as he works on the next Gangsta Grillz installments.
Fans can look forward to collaborations between Drama and Fabolous, Gucci Mane, Gorilla Zoe and Willie The Kid over the next few months.
Although Drama is putting the finishing touches on his Atlantic Records project Gangsta Grillz the Album, there is currently no release date set for the release by the label.
