D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape

the take

When Dreamville surprised dropped "D-Day", I remember being amazed at how the opening track (STICK!) sets the tone... but then fell off soon afterward. At least, that was my opinion back in 2022. In my mind, it wasn't terrible, but it's no "Revenge of the Dreamers 3". And technically, it still isn't, but that doesn't mean this mixtape, hosted by one of the GOAT mixtape DJs, DJ Drama, isn't good in its own right. With "D-Day", you have the entire Dreamville roster showing us their respective strengths and putting it on display for us to listen to. Yes, "Stick" is hard to best, as I'm willing to give it the title of "favorite project opener of all-time". Tracks like "Ghetto Gods Freestyle", "Heaven's EP", "Barry from Simpson" and "Freedom of Speech" are my highlights. But while the artists' performances are usually above average, the production on here isn't as interesting and unique as the songs on "ROTD3", which is kind of unfortunate. Maybe because this was put together kind of last minute before Dreamville Fest that year. I'm kind of disappointed at how "D-Day" isn't all that cohesive, even with DJ Drama hollering all over the tape, but this is still a solid project. Dreamville roster killed it, the features killed their respective appearances (still salty that Young Nudy only provided spoken interludes and not a verse), the production is great: everything that makes a mixtape a certified hood classic. Even if it's "put together" in a few days.