DJ Kay Slay

DJ Kay Slay, aka the Drama King, (b. Kenneth Gleason) is the ringmaster of the new hip hop rivalries, played out on his mixtapes[?]. The New York Times calls him "Hip-Hop's One-Man Ministry of Insults," and his street cred is unchallenged.

Originally from East Harlem, Kenneth started out with graffiti art, using his tag DEZ. He was featured in the classic hip hop documentaries Wild Style[?] and Style Wars[?]. When the New York City Transit Police cracked down on graffiti in the late 80's Kay Slay took up turntables. He made his way spinning records and releasing mixtapes, all the while trying to get a contract and get some money.

In 2001 when Jay-Z and Nas's rivalry erupted on Kay Slay tapes, everything changed for him. Now everyone in the commercial mainstream sends their disses to the Drama King, and up and coming artists try to get played so they can explode like 50 Cent. His Thursday night show on Hot 97 in Manhattan and his constant stream of mixtapes are now watched closely by record execs wanting to sign the next big thing.