DJ Drama has been a relentless force in the mixtape scene for nearly a decade now, with his success in executing full-lengths landing somewhere around commendable. It’s clear that he realizes there’s a stark contrast between delivering a front-to-back solid project and feeding listeners’ mixtape after mixtape for sheer relevancy, and that role plays out appropriately on Quality Street Music.
With literally every artist under the sun at his disposal, DJ Drama does an impressive job with his collaborative pairings. Over a minimal yet effective Hit-Boy beat for “My Way,” Common and Kendrick Lamar leave a trail of lyrical relics while Lloyd brings the record home through his booming vocals. Then on “Never Die,” Jadakiss, Nipsey Hussle and Young Jeezy vividly depict a reality in the streets that is all too familiar for them (“I’m down the block from the shootin’, it started to sound like recruitin’ / Seein’ niggas I grew up with sleep to funeral music”).
“Clouds” is another match made to excellence. With lavish production courtesy of V12: The Hitman and crooner Miguel setting a luxurious scene, Rick Ross, Pusha T and Curren$y let their female counterparts revel in the fruits of their labor. Even the perpetual middle finger of “Ima Hata” succeeds as Waka Flocka Flame and Tyler, The Creator ratchet up the intensity. One of the failed pairings though is “Same Ol Story,” which passes by without a notable performance from any of the four features.
Themes present on “My Audemars” and “Real Niggas In The Building” will likely never disappear as a perpetual posse cut, and for that reason Quality Street Music is unable to transcend beyond its own execution. On the former track, Gucci Mane and Birdman lazily approach the topic of stuntin’ while the latter finds Travis Porter and Kirko Bangz unceremoniously steering into cringe-worthy territory, though that’s nothing new for them. The only track with a single featured artist, “Monique’s Room” feels out of place as the topic of love lost ends with mixed results (“I was the man who planned to cuff it up / But you had dicks on the ceiling, you fucked it up”).
For the most part, Quality Street Music lives up to its name, with DJ Drama furthering his prominence as a tastemaker in Hip Hop. His involvement in the actual song-making process may be limited, but his ear for the finished product shouldn’t be understated.
Look, it’s not bad. But just…why?
> DJ albums
Some may say that DJs like Drama are not “DJs” at all. Seeing that they aren’t steady flipping faders, critics feel it’s fair game to strip them of their titles. With the club experience in, mind let us make it more expansive – a DJ is someone who takes an array of sounds and combines them creatively to produce an eclectic audio experience. Thus, like Khaled and others there is no question that Drama is a DJ. The query now: is he a good one?
The initial aspects to consider are the collaborations; namely, the artists whose sixteens combine to make his tracks. Now to have rappers familiar with each other is easy, but because they’ve worked together previously originality is almost obliterated. Luckily Drama doesn’t have such dependencies. For the most part the spells he concocts are unique. Off the bat there’s Clouds, starring Rick Ross, Miguel, Pusha T and Curren$y. Theres no question that these ingredients have never before been mixed, and suffice it to say, the recipe makes sonically memorable magic.
Concerning this idea of feature based originality Ima Hata is an additional example. Waka’s aggression and Tylers audacity weave one hell of a tapestry. However collaborations dont only perk the eardrums, theyre also around to titillate. For those senses aerating from the fairer sex, Drama offers up So Many Girls and Real Niggas in the Building. In no way are these ballads set to swoon, instead they proclaim the misogyny hip hop is so unapologetically proud of. The first includes the dynamic duo, Wale and Tyga whom women will forgive, and the latter Travis Porter and Kirko Bangz who are no in need of absolution. After all this is Quality Street Music, and there is plenty of it.
The three songs especially exemplary of the albums title are: Goin’ Down, Never Die,and My Way. All three tracks have deep acoustics, credible features and penetrating concepts. Songs about leadership, loss, and struggle filled with outstanding verses from the likes of Fabolous, Jeezy and Common. Aside from this stand out set, another pair of songs must be mentioned: Pledge of Allegiance and Same Ol Story, both comprised of rising talents. New age tastemakers such as Wiz and ScHoolboy Q are afforded an outlet herein to appease the streets, and they do so well. Again, this is Quality Street Music, and the evidence is ample that Drama is not only a DJ creating music, but a good one. Once more the platform builder has constructed a solid stage for rap stars to stand on.
Thank you for that response. Honestly, that was a refreshing read.
This album would have had at least 4 X’s if it didn’t have Ima Hata and Real Niggaz in the Building
Better than Khaled’s bullshit.
“Hip Hop” and “They Ready” > Quality Street music
agreed, they ready is better than any song on the album
This is wayy better than dj khaled
this album was much better than I expected
This album definitely gets 4x’s!! Drama was able to accomplish what so many have tried and failed miserably at. He was able to gather some of the hottest artist in the game right now and have them all compliment each other on each track. This indeed is Quality Street Music!!
@HHNH you need to teach me some more of that english literature. I prefer your review over HipHopDx’s. Sorry DX you need step it up. No Disrepect, homeboy HHNH did GOOD.
That My Moment song is lyrical torture.
HHHAAAAATTTER!!!!
Ur a hater!!
He ain’t hating, he’s speaking the truth.
Yall are haters
Better than dj khaled
Great album. Classic!
NOT EVEN BRO!
Not a bad album tbh. Drops off though in 2nd half
Has a little bit for everyone, but doesn’t do anything great.
This album is tight sh*t. Every track,,dope!
swag
amazing
way Better than dj khaled
dope track well put togther cd
DJ Khaled needs to go crawl in a hole cuz he ain’t releasin nothin like this right her!!
DONT KNOW WHAT THEY TALKIN ABOUT DJ KHALED DONT PUT OUT MUSIC LIKE THIS DJ DRAMA SHIT IS COLD BUT KHALED SHIT IS WAY BETTER HIS COLABOS WEREE WAY BETTER
1. Bad Meets Evil & Nas (Produced by Dr. Dre, co. Mel-Man)
2. Skyzoo, Ghostface Killah, Masta Ace & Rakim (Produced by Lord Finesse)
3. Fashawn, Blu & Aloe Blacc (Produced by Exile)
4. Black Hippy & Slaughterhouse (Produced by Focus…)
5. Reks, Killer Mike, Saigon & Jon Connor (Produced by DJ Premier)
6. T.I., B.o.B & Big Boi (Produced by Mike Dean)
7. Big K.R.I.T., Yelawolf & CyHi the Prynce (Produced by Big K.R.I.T.)
8. Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco, Common & Mos Def (Produced by Hi-Tek)
9. Black Thought & John Legend (Produced by ?uestlove, co. Jeremy Grenhart, co. Dice Raw)
10. Black Milk, Danny Brown, eLZhi & Dwele (Produced by Black Milk)
11. Pharoahe Monch, Wale & Jill Scott (Produced by Pete Rock)
12. J. Cole, Jay Electronica & Santigold (Produced by J. Cole)
13. Pusha T, Pharrell & Raekwon (Produced by The Neptunes)
14. Drake & Phonte (Produced by 9th Wonder)
15. Jay-Z, Kanye West & Marsha Ambrosius (Produced by Kanye West)
Dream List… I would love to see this….
i don’t undergstand the title. quality? street? music? which belongs to dj drama?