’06 has been a busy few months for our favorite Aphilliate, DJ Drama (sorry Cannon, you were second in voting). In the last week alone, Trendsetta has dropped CDs from Bumpy J, Saigon, TI (which we mused on a short while ago) and Trick Trick, maintained his presence on the Aphilliates’s various radio gigs, readied his Grand Hustle/Atlantic debut, took his aunt to the grocery store, watched the Hawks play the Nets, and DJ’d Ari Rubenstein’s bar mitvah. Mazeltov! But in the midst of all this, he put together two mixes essential to anyone who calls themselves “a fan of all kinds of music.” Check the Cliff’s Notes…

First off, Drama re-ups with the Damon to his Affleck, the DeNiro to his Pesci – reunited and it feels so good! – Young Jeezy is back. These two collaborated for the seminal Trap Or Die many moons ago, a tape that kickstarted Jeezy’s career on a national level, the first flurries of the blizzard, if you will. Can’t Ban The Snowman finds Jeezy following exploring some heretofore uncharted lyrical territory for hip-hop: vitriolic hatred of haters and biters. We kid because we love. This mix is gnarly. Snow rhymes over “We Major” and “PSA” (that shit is an earthquake) and, in what has become a seeming prerequisite these days, his own take on Yayo’s “I Know You Don’t Love Me.” Only downside really is the overwhelming presence of Slick Pulla (quickly becoming the Memphis Bleek of the South) and other assorted members of Jeez’s USDA clique. Obligatory Gene Shalit-style pull quote: DOESN’T LOOK LIKE THIS SNOWSTORM IS LETTING UP ANYTIME SOON.

Drama’s other contribution to American culture this week was Case Dismissed! from G-Unit’s lionhearted Young Buck. As you may have heard, the Tenn-a-Key native recently got some good legal news. But we wouldn’t call this mix celebratory. Firs of all, when Buck shouts, “GANGSTER GRILLZ!” it sounds like he’s practicing scream therapy. Take it down a thousand, Brah! Despite his recent waltz with the justice system, Buck is still living on the edge, putting people on blast in his charming, unhinged way. The best moments on the tape come from the newly formed trinity of Buck, BG and Lil Scrappy, who make up G-Unit South. The three amigos go together like coffee, cigarettes and an everything bagel with cream cheese and tomato. Which is to say PERFECTION. Please note: we are now on the bandwagon.