Young Dro's Hard Work Paying Off

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Atlanta-based rapper Young Dro will release his debut album, Best Thang Smokin', on August 29th. The lead single from the album, "Shoulder Lean," has been bubbling on the underground for over a year, but now the song is making a run at the Top Ten. "Shoulder Lean" was Number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart last week.

Dro told MTV.com of the single's chart position, "It's a relief. Finally. It's a nice experience."

The rapper is signed to T.I.'s Grand Hustle label and the two have been friends since their early teens. Young Dro explained, "I knew him since I was 13. He respected my flow, I respect his. He tried to get me a record deal before he got his."

As for his debut project, Dro said, "The project is wonderful. You got Jazze Pha on there, Nitty, the Runners. It features T.I., Slim Thug -- there ain't too many people on there because I can pretty much hold it down myself. You gonna buy my sh** 'cause I'm on there."

The rapper added, "The one with me and Slim Thug, it's some real playa stuff going on in there. The one with me and Tip is called 'My Girl Got a Girlfriend.'We collaborated on things that go on behind closed doors. It's a freaky-ass song."