Albums from hip-hop DJs -- like not a rapper, not a producer, not a turntablist, but a hip-hop DJ -- aren't considered highly anticipated unless you're
Tony Touch,
Red Alert, or
DJ Drama. The man behind the
Gangsta Grillz mixtapes and the man literally behind
T.I. and his Grand Hustle crew continues to do the improbable on his 2012 release
Quality Street Music, a mistitled set that goes a little pop when
Wale,
Tyga, and
Roscoe Dash team for "So Many Girls," but the "Quality" part is right on, and the guest list is the best kind of ridiculous for rap fans.
T-Pain, Cee Lo,
2 Chainz,
Young Jeezy, and
T.I. all appear before a great
Kevin Hart skit splits the album in two.
Waka Flocka Flame and
Tyler, the Creator kick off the second half with the strange but satisfying "I'ma Hata" before names like
Kendrick Lamar,
ScHoolboy Q, and even
Childish Gambino fill the album's second half with worthy rhymes. Still, it's a comp, and one that hangs together loosely, but
Drama's Rolodex should be at FAO Schwarz because that thing is expensive and seriously stuffed. ~ David Jeffries