DJ Drama filmed the video for the first single “5000 Ones” from his major label debut album Gangsta Grillz: The Album, at Atlanta’s Compound nightclub during the BET Hip-Hop Awards over the weekend.
“This is just the beginning of my movement,” DJ Drama told AllHipHop.com. “Willie Da Kid is on six or seven songs, and we basically felt as though we were giving a set up inspired by Chronic and Doggystyle. I look forward to a lot of big things off this album.”
DJ Drama, who’s T.I.’s official DJ as well as an artist on the rapper’s Grand Hustle label, proceeded with the shoot along with Atlantic Records on Sunday, in order to get the guest appearances.
“The video has been crazy,” Drama told AllHipHop.com. “Under the circumstances, we’re holding strong for TIP [since] he wasn’t able to make it.”
The previous afternoon, T.I., born Clifford Harris Jr., was arrested after he was caught trying to buy machine guns during an 11-day, undercover investigation.
T.I., 27, will be charged with possession of unregistered machine guns and possession of firearms by a convicted felon and ordered held without bail.
“We’ve had a lot of release dates [for the album],” DJ Drama said. “My sh*t done been pushed back like hairlines. December 4th is the actual date,” DJ Drama revealed.
While T.I. missed DJ Drama’s video shoot because of his incarceration, dozens of artists flooded the set of the video shoot for cameos appearances .
Rappers like Freeway, E-40, Twista, Young Dro, Big Kuntry King, Jackie-O, Princess of Crime Mobb, Jody Breeze, Gorilla Zoe, Jeezy, DJ Khaled, Fabolous, David Banner, Nelly, Jazze Pha, Lil Webbie, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, Freekey Zekey, Swizz Beatz, The Runners and others showed up to the video shoot.
Even T.I.’s girlfriend, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle visited the set briefly as well.
“5000 Ones” is the first single from Gangsta Grillz: The Album and was produced by Jazze PHA, and features T.I., Nelly, Diddy, Yung Joc, Twista, Jeezy and Willie Da Kid.
“At the end of the day, as a whole, I represent DJ’s,” DJ Drama said. “I’m proud to be in a position to put an album out and do my thing. I’m just trying to be the greatest.”
Other guest appearances on the album include Outkast, Lloyd, Pharrell, The Clipse, Jadakiss, Lil Jon and Katt Williams.