EXCLUSIVE - The Curator's Touch: How DJ Drewski's Festival Stage Enhances Summer Jam's Legacy

When DJ Drewski's face popped up on our call screen, there was an instant energy, the kind you only get from someone who's lived hip-hop culture from every angle. As we dove into conversation, he took me through his incredible journey from an Elizabeth Jersey kid hustling as a HOT 97 intern to becoming the official curator of the Summer Jam Festival Stage—a position that puts him at the forefront of shaping hip-hop's future. "You gotta understand," he told me, leaning in with that signature Drewski passion, "this station isn't just a job—it's a legacy. And now, I'm helping write the next chapter."

What struck me most was Drewski's humility in the face of his rise. He didn't just skip steps , he earned every opportunity, from producing Angie Martinez show to breaking artists when algorithms weren't on their side. "I was blessed with a good ear," he said, shrugging off the praise, "but I stay in the trenches because that's where the real shit lives." That ethos is why his 2025 Summer Jam Festival Stage lineup feels like a manifesto, a mix of viral stars, street heroes, and OGs, all sharing space under the Summer Jam banner. And let's not forget, this is the same dude who convinced Cardi B to bless the Festival Stage in 2023 when she could've easily headlined the main stage. "That's the standard," he said with a grin. "Now watch me raise it."

As Summer Jam 2025 returns to New Jersey, Drewski's mission is clear: rep his home state while honoring HOT 97's legacy. He's dedicating a full hour to Newark's finest—Chad B, Monique The Star, Rolling Stone P , DJ Taj, Trece7ev and more—alongside Busta Rhymes' Conglomerate Roster and buzzing acts like Zeddy Will, 2Rare and Honey Bxby. "This stage is a graduation," he told me, and he's right. Because for Drewski, it's not just about the music, it's about moments. The kind that make you say, "I was there when..." And trust, when Jersey erupts for their hometown heroes, you'll know exactly whose fingerprints are on it.

NWOSPARROW - You grew up in Jersey with a love for music, but mentorship from legends like Cipha Sounds and Angie Martinez helped shape your career. What was that defining moment when you realized you weren’t just a DJ, you were becoming a culture mover?

Drewski - " Being in their presence taught me how to carry myself in certain rooms, like, important rooms. And how to handle the weight of being a personality from HOT 97… because it’s not just ‘a job.’ When you say you’re from HOT, people study you. They test you. You gotta know the history, the music, the unspoken rules.

HOT 97 is a different cloth, it’s legacy. Think about it , Angie defined hip-hop interviews here. So when you step into that building, you’re not just reppin’ yourself, you’re reppin’ everything that built this culture. I needed to show that through the music I play, and how I move in public. I learned that they’ll respect the station before they respect you, so I have to make sure I'm worth the station's name."

NWOSPARROW - You started producing for Hot 97 nearly a decade ago, grinding behind the scenes before getting your own show. What was the hardest sacrifice you had to make on your rise, and how did it prepare you for where you are now?

Drewski - " I had to learn how to be humble, I had to learn how to play my position behind the scenes and work my way up. And that wasn't easy, the station teaches you patience. I was making mixes at 3AM for other shows, running boards, doing all the grunt work that no one sees. That's where you really earn your stripes , when nobody's watching, when there's no applause.

One thing I learned from funkmaster flex was the term 'Don't Speed'. He dropped that gem on me early, 'Don't Speed' means respect the process.

I carry those words with me throughout my journey because they keep me grounded. Even now with my own show."

NWOSPARROW - You’re known for putting people onto new sounds. But in an era where algorithms dictate hits, how do you stay true to your ear while still pushing the culture forward?

Drewski - " Look, I've been blessed with a good ear , that's just God's gift. But in this game, that's not enough. You gotta have courage too. I don't care if an artist is lit, or have a certain amount of views, I am going to support and play good music. Because at the end of the day, numbers can lie, but quality doesn't. I've seen artists with 10K streams make better music than some with 10 million.

The heavy hitters are a global network of DJ's and I get music from them as well. We're all in constant communication, trading good music that might not be bubbling on the surface yet. But here's the difference , I am also in the trenches, I be in the trenches where the new artists are developing and coming up. Club nights in Brooklyn basements, studio sessions in the Bronx, underground spots in Jersey , that's where you really hear what's next before the algorithms catch on."

At the end of the day, the one question I ask myself is 'is the music good ?.' Not 'is it trending,' not 'will this get me clicks' , just, is it genuinely dope? Because when I play something, I'm putting my name on it. My listeners trust me to only bring them heat, and I can't break that trust for no algorithm. That's how you push culture forward , by being that bridge between the underground and the mainstream, by giving real talent the platform they deserve."

NWOSPARROW- Becoming the official curator of the Summer Jam Festival stage is a major look. When did you first get the call for this role, and what was your immediate reaction? Was this something you saw coming, or did it hit you out of nowhere?

Drewski - " Summer Jam is coming back to New Jersey , this is my state. That right there hit different. I grew up in Jersey, came up through Jersey's music scene, so this ain't just another gig , it's purposeful. How do I represent Jersey while keeping the same flair of a HOT97 festival stage? That's the balance I'm focused on. We bringing that legendary HOT97 energy, but with that unmistakable Jersey flavor. I was blessed with having the opportunity to be given the task of curating the festival stage and being solely responsible for how the stage is produced. That trust means everything.

I wanted to not only make Summer Jam look good in Jersey, I wanted to make Jersey talent look good in Jersey during this major event. So you already know I'm putting on our local stars right alongside the national acts. From the Brick City to Newark, Paterson to Jersey City , this our moment to show the culture what Jersey really brings to hip-hop. That's part of the vision right there."

NWOSPARROW - This year’s stage is yours to shape. What’s the biggest statement you want to make with your lineup? Are you focusing on breaking new artists, celebrating legends, or blending both for a historic moment?

Drewski - "This year's stage is about unity and elevation. I had coordinated Hot 97 with the mayor from New York, Ras Baraka - that partnership is crucial because it's bigger than just music. The partnership is in conjunction with the mayor's initiatives of 24/7 of Peace concert. We're using hip-hop as a force for positive change in our communities while giving Newark its flowers.

We have invited Newark artists to represent the city for one whole hour on the festival stage. That's unprecedented , a full hour dedicated to Jersey's raw talent on one of the biggest stages in the tri-state. That lineup includes Chad B, Rolling Stone P, DJ Taj, Trece7ev, Monique The Star, Zaraye, and Unicorn. These are artists who've been putting in work in the trenches, and now they get to shine on hip-hop's biggest platform.

The Summer Jam festival stage is a graduation of the Hot 97 Who's Next - stage, it's where underground becomes mainstream. That lineup includes Holli TV, Busta Rhymes and his new roster of artists, Diany Dior, Molly, Dee Billz, Zeddy Will, 2Rare, Sturdy Youngin, Mizzy, Honey Bxby, Albee Al, Chad Lee, Dyce Payso.

This is the perfect blend. The stage is a mix of viral artists, emerging street artists, and buzzworthy talent... and legends. We're honoring the culture's past while building its future. You'll see TikTok stars sharing space with underground kings, next to OGs who paved the way. That's how you move the culture forward - by creating moments where everyone feels represented.

From the mayor's peace initiative to showcasing Newark's finest to giving Hot 97's Who's Next alumni their big break , this stage is about legacy building. When people look back at Summer Jam 2025, they'll remember this as the year Jersey stood tall and hip-hop's future stars were here ."

What you might not know is many of this year’s Festival Stage breakthrough acts like Zeddy Will, Honey Bxby, Albee Al and Dyce Payso are represented by Legions Media Group, one of the premier public relations agencies today. In a powerful industry connection, Drewski himself is also a client of their elite PR machine. "That’s the beauty of this ecosystem," he explained, highlighting the professional synergy. "Legions moves different—they don’t just promote artists, they architect careers. Having that same team behind me while I’m curating this stage? That’s next-level alignment." This isn’t just a client roster, it’s a masterclass in strategic positioning, with Drewski leveraging his dual perspective as both a curator and DJ to elevate the entire culture.

NWOSPARROW - Summer Jam is one of hip-hop’s most iconic events, and now your fingerprints are all over it. How do you handle the pressure of living up to its history while still making sure your stamp is undeniable?

Drewski -"Pressure? Nah, I see it as purpose. When you're touching something as legendary as Summer Jam, you can't just think about today - you gotta honor 30 years of hip-hop history while pushing the culture forward. The Summer Jam festival stage is a graduation of the Hot 97 Who's Next - it's literally our platform to show the world what's next in the game.

That lineup includes Holli TV, Busta Rhymes and his new roster of artists, Diany Dior, Molly, Dee Billz, Zeddy Will, 2Rare, Sturdy Youngin, Mizzy, Honey Bxby, Albee Al, Chad Lee, Dyce Payso. These aren't just names on a flyer - each one represents a different lane in hip-hop right now. You got your viral stars who blew up on Tik-Tok, your street artists who built fanbases block by block, and your OGs who keep the foundation strong.

The stage is a mix of viral artists, emerging street artists, and buzzworthy talent... and legends. That's the sweet spot right there. I'm curating moments where you might see a Tik-Tok star sharing the stage with a borough legend, or a new artist performing right before a hip-hop veteran. That collision of generations? That's how you make history.

My stamp comes from understanding that Summer Jam ain't just a concert - it's a cultural moment. Every artist placement, every transition, every surprise guest is calculated to create those 'I was there' memories. When Busta brings out his new wave alongside his classic hits, or when a Jersey newcomer gets their first Summer Jam roar? That's the magic right there.

My job isn't to reinvent Summer Jam , it's to respect its legacy while making sure 2025 goes down as the year we introduced hip-hop to its future stars. And trust, when the show starts that Jersey crowd going crazy for their hometown heroes? That's when you'll feel my fingerprint most."

DJ Drewski’s journey from HOT 97 intern to Summer Jam Festival Stage curator reads like a masterclass in hip-hop hustle, but for him, this is just the beginning. As our conversation wound down, he made it clear: "This stage ain’t just a booking list, it’s a blueprint." His vision , mixing Jersey’s raw talent with viral stars and OGs isn’t just about one night; it’s about proving that culture thrives when gatekeepers prioritize ear over algorithm. The Cardi B co-sign, the Legions Media Group synergy, the hometown heroes hour every detail is a calculated step toward redefining what a "side stage" can mean.

What’s striking is how Drewski wears his growth without ego. Ten years ago, he was the intern absorbing game from Angie Martinez and Cipha Sounds , now, he’s the mentor passing that knowledge to Newark’s next wave. "Flex taught me ‘Don’t Speed,’ but now I’m the one slowing young bulls down," he laughed. That balance between respecting hip-hop’s roots and pushing its future is why his curation feels revolutionary. The Festival Stage isn’t a consolation prize under his watch; it’s the proving ground where tomorrow’s headliners are born today.

So what’s next? Drewski real focus is legacy. "I want Summer Jam 2025 to be the year people say, ‘Damn, that’s when everything shifted,’" he shared. With rumors of surprise collabs and stage takeovers already bubbling, don’t bet against him. He has done it before.

As our Zoom cut out, one thing was crystal clear: DJ Drewski isn’t just curating stages, he’s building ecosystems. From Jersey basements to HOT 97 airwaves to now shaping Summer Jam’s DNA, his rise mirrors hip-hop’s own relentless evolution. And if history’s any indicator, when Drewski talks about "what’s next," the culture would be wise to listen. The kid from Jersey didn’t just get a seat at the table—he’s redesigning it.

Summer Jam 2025 will be June 20th at Prudential Center | Here's the FULL LINEUP

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