Hip-hop star DJ DRAMA has defended the mixtape racketeering affair that nearly landed him in jail, insisting the compilations are crucial to today's music industry.
The star was arrested for selling mix CDs that weren't labelled with a publisher's address in January (07). His recording studio was raided for investigation while CDs inside were confiscated.
But T.I.'s official DJ - real name TYREE CINQUE SIMMONS - insists his hoard of tapes was justified.
He says, "People need to realise how important mixtapes are to hip-hop and the music business. Just look at the careers of people like 50 CENT, YOUNG JEEZY, DJ CLUE and JAY-Z. There are people in very powerful industry positions that owe a lot to mixtapes." Simmons was released after posting bail and is currently preparing his legal defence.