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Source: Dreamville / Dreamville Records
I normally don’t write posts on Hip-Hop Wired in my own voice because, well, who cares about what I have to say nine times out of 10, right? However, I want to be honest and say that I’m just eight songs on DJ Drama & Dreamville Presents D-DAY: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape and it’s definitely going to blow some minds due to its high quality and variety.
The genius of J. Cole’s squad releasing this project on the eve of the revived Dreamville Festival this weekend can’t be understated and every member of the roster came to show the absolute best of their abilities.
Without laboring through each track, we’ll just say that J.I.D., EarthGang, Ari Lennox, Lute, Cozz, Bas, Omen, and J. Cole show and prove across the 15 tracks much as they did during the excellent Revenge Of The Dreamers III compilation. In a similar vein heard on Tyler, The Creator’s CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, DJ Drama’s presence is undeniable and most necessary. We should also note that the Dreamville crew worked on this album recently as this week due to a Chris Rock Oscars reference.
There might be something for everyone and what we’re most excited about is the powerhouse vocals of the beautiful Ari Lennox and getting to hear more of Lute, Omen, and Cozz. That said, there isn’t one second of filler on the project, and it all gets bolstered by smart features such as 2 Chainz, Sheck Wes, Young Nudy, G Perico, REASON, A$AP Ferg, and Kenny Mason.
Although Cole largely stays out of the way and lets his soldiers shine, it wouldn’t be right if the head of the outfit didn’t get off on a couple of tracks of his own. The Fayetteville, N.C. native goes in on the tracks “Freedom of Speech” and the project closer, “Heaven’s EP.”
On Twitter, folks are slowly catching on and we’re sure this mixtape will be on everyone’s mind before the weekend is over considering the power-packed material within.
Check out the reactions below and access the project at your preferred DSP below.
D-Day out now!!! @dreamville https://t.co/SVkyUsscrs
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) March 31, 2022
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Photo: Dreamville
1.
Ready to talk about EarthGang now? Matter of fact…The WHOLE Dreamville …They ready for the Zombie Apocalypse out this bitch.. Cole as an Executive separates him from that 3 headed monster convo y’all been having for the last 10 yrs… Put some respek on my brother’s name.. 🫡
— Nickle (@Royceda59) April 1, 2022
2.
The new @dreamville D-Day Gangsta Grillz Mix Tape is out now! Produced “Coming Down (@arilennox) “ along with my boys @realcoleworld and @dzl.6 . Always grateful
https://t.co/NDvBZcOIFN
— Wu10 (@woodaworx) April 1, 2022
3.
Now listening: DJ Drama & Dreamville- D Day: Gangsta Grillz Mixtape pic.twitter.com/WVJ8kO2dCi
— Ruben || Check the Rhyme (@checktherhyme1_) April 1, 2022
4.
It’s the vocals, the sample, the fact that it’s gangsta grillz
I love this for you and I’m excited for your album
@AriLennox I hear you hazelnut! pic.twitter.com/TOY2XuDXq8
— She be painting
(@R___Ford) April 1, 2022
5.
Dreamville came through with the quality! With DJ Drama hosting, they all gave great chemistry, flows, and especially quotables. Solidifies their status as a strong label. pic.twitter.com/2vk4ZuV30X
— Griselda Daily (@GriseldaDaily_) April 1, 2022
6.
Lute is the most underrated member of dreamville pic.twitter.com/tR3CB82RYA
— silva (@siilvacfc) April 1, 2022
7.
Ibrahim H. (Co-Founder/President of Dreamville): "Ever since the beginning, a big part of the label was the dream of being able to get all these artists in one place that have different sounds and different vibes but feels like a family and seeing what comes out of there." pic.twitter.com/cOihiLM9gx
— NFR Podcast (@nfr_podcast) March 31, 2022
8.
Dreamville on a Gangsta Grillz tape
Just what i needed
— Snackpak (@__codyt) March 31, 2022
9.
Dreamville doing everything we wanted that California based label that shall not be named to do
— The Truest (@dre___843) March 31, 2022
No need to compare.
10.
Dreamville dropped a Gangsta Grillz mixtape
Dreamville dropped a Gangsta Grillz mixtape
Dreamville dropped a Gangsta Grillz mixtape
Dreamville dropped a Gangsta Grillz mixtapepic.twitter.com/cP2uSnOj5i
— Miss.Pancakes
(@Avy_Coleman) April 1, 2022
11.
That new Dreamville pic.twitter.com/RE8Vdj1G8Y
— mothboy✪ (@baxxtonee) April 1, 2022
12.
Been saying Kenny Mason is top tier. Can’t believe Dreamville started with New Stick.
— Mason
(@xSpiderTwo) March 31, 2022
13.
“Heard I got work, Word what you serve oh verse by verse. My verb like perc I slow it down my verse like syrup”
@JIDsv @Dreamville #Dday pic.twitter.com/vH4gPDVk8X
— da black hippy (@JalenIam) April 1, 2022
14.
Ari Lennox really came in like “I’m the only Lady here, still the realest nigga in the room” on the mixtape. Like how did some of y’all rappers let an R&B singer come harder than you??? #AGangstaGrillzMixtape #AriLennox #dreamville #comingdown #blackberrysap #DDay pic.twitter.com/4j3nmAGdyf
— All things Ari Lennox (@king1kirow) April 1, 2022
15.
This might be the greatest Gangsta Grillz mixtape of all time
pic.twitter.com/6Hv4wytsWS
— Team DREAMVILLE (@TeamDreamville) April 1, 2022