Shelley Marshaun Massenburg-Smith (born August 3, 1988), known professionally as DRAM (/ˈdrɑːm/; an acronym for "does real-ass music", briefly Shelley FKA DRAM),[a][4][5] is an American rapper, singer, and record producer from Hampton, Virginia. He is best known for his 2016 single, "Broccoli" (featuring Lil Yachty), which peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100.[6][7] The song preceded his debut studio album Big Baby DRAM (2016), which was released in October of that year by Atlantic Records.
DRAM | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Shelley Marshaun Massenburg-Smith[1] |
Also known as |
|
Born | Landstuhl, West Germany | August 3, 1988
Origin | Hampton, Virginia, U.S. |
Genres | Hip hop[2] |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2009–present |
Labels | |
Website | shelleyfkadram |
Early life
editMassenburg-Smith was born in Landstuhl, West Germany. Before the age of one, he moved to the United States and was raised in Hampton, Virginia. His mother was in the military.[4] As a teenager, Massenburg-Smith was an ardent fan of the singer Bilal and recalls discovering his unreleased second album Love for Sale when it leaked online in 2006, later citing the song "White Turns to Grey" as his favorite "hidden gem" in music.[8]
Career
editIn March 2015, DRAM released his debut EP, #1Epic through Atlantic Records and Empire Distribution.[9] The EP included the single "Cha Cha", which peaked at number one on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[10] In October 2015, his debut mixtape, Gahdamn! was released.[11]
In April 2016, DRAM released his hit single "Broccoli" featuring Lil Yachty. The song gained international success and peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his first top five song in the country. In October 2016, he appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing "Blessings (Reprise)" with Chance the Rapper, Ty Dolla $ign, Anthony Hamilton, and Raury.[12] His debut studio album, Big Baby DRAM, was released on October 21, 2016.[13] The album received many positive reviews.
DRAM was featured on the single "Andromeda" from British virtual band Gorillaz for their fifth album, Humanz. He also provided uncredited guest vocals on the track "We Got the Power" from the same album.
Other ventures
editHe voiced Wallace in the Adult Swim animated series, Lazor Wulf (2019–2021).
Discography
editStudio albums
editTitle | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [14] |
US R&B/HH [15] |
US Rap [16] |
CAN [17] | |||
Big Baby DRAM |
|
19 | 12 | 10 | 55 | |
Shelley FKA DRAM[19] |
|
— | — | — | — | |
What Had Happened Was...[20] |
|
— | — | — | — |
Extended plays
editTitle | Details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
US [14] | ||
#1Epic[9] |
|
— |
Google Play: Live at the Milk Jam Room[21] |
|
37 |
#1HappyHoliday[22] |
|
— |
That's a Girls Name |
|
— |
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Mixtapes
editTitle | Details |
---|---|
Gahdamn![11] |
|
Singles
editAs lead artist
editTitle | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [23] |
US R&B/ HH [24] |
US Rap [25] |
CAN [26] |
NL [27] |
SWE [28] |
UK [29] |
UK R&B [30] | ||||
"Cha Cha" | 2015 | — | —[A] | — | — | — | — | — | — | #1Epic | |
"Broccoli" (featuring Lil Yachty) |
2016 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 87 | 60 | 93 | 13 | Big Baby DRAM | |
"Cute" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Cash Machine" | — | —[B] | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ||
"Gilligan" (featuring Juicy J and ASAP Rocky) |
2017 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"The Uber Song"[34] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
"Group Thang (Demo)"[35] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Ill Nana" (featuring Trippie Redd) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Big Baby DRAM | ||
"Crumbs" (featuring Playboi Carti) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"The Lay Down" (with H.E.R. and Watt)[36] |
2019 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Shelley FKA DRAM | |
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
- ^ "Cha Cha" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number one on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[31]
- ^ "Cash Machine" did not enter the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number six on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[31]
As featured artist
editTitle | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"For the Love Of"[37] (DP featuring D.R.A.M.) |
2015 | Non-album single |
"I Feel Your Pain"[38] (Sbtrkt featuring D.R.A.M. and Mabel) |
2016 | Save Yourself |
"Slappin"[39] (E-40 featuring Nef the Pharaoh and D.R.A.M.) |
The D-Boy Diary (Deluxe Edition) | |
"Smokin' What I'm Smokin' On"[40] (Mod Sun featuring D.R.A.M. and Rich the Kid) |
Non-album single | |
"1999"[41] (Max Fullard featuring D.R.A.M.) |
Nights of the Fourth | |
"Andromeda" (Gorillaz featuring D.R.A.M.) |
2017 | Humanz |
"I'm On 3.0"[42] (Trae tha Truth featuring T.I., Dave East, Tee Grizzley, Royce da 5'9", Currensy, D.R.A.M., Snoop Dogg, Fabolous, Rick Ross, Chamillionaire, G-Eazy, Styles P, E-40, Mark Morrison, and Gary Clark Jr.) |
Tha Truth, Pt. 3 | |
"Count Up" (Smokepurpp featuring D.R.A.M.) |
Deadstar | |
"All of Mine" (Young Dolph featuring D.R.A.M.) |
Thinking Out Loud | |
"Must've Been" (Chromeo featuring D.R.A.M.) |
2018 | Head over Heels |
"Suavecito" (Yung Gravy featuring D.R.A.M.) |
Snow Cougar | |
"It Gets Better" (GRiZ featuring D.R.A.M.) |
Non-album single | |
"New Hawaii" (Injury Reserve featuring DRAM, Tony Velour and Dylan Brady) |
2019 | Injury Reserve |
Other charted songs
editTitle | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Dance/ Elec. [43] |
CAN [44] |
IRE [45] |
NZ Heat. [46] | |||
"Cash Out" (Calvin Harris featuring Schoolboy Q, PartyNextDoor, and D.R.A.M.) |
2017 | 20 | 94 | 67 | 1 | Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 |
Guest appearances
editTitle | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Caretaker" | 2015 | Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment | Surf |
"the function." | Remy Banks, World's Fair | higher. | |
"D.R.A.M. Sings Special" | 2016 | Chance the Rapper, Elle Varner | Coloring Book |
"Chill Bill (Remix)" | Rob Stone, Denzel Curry, Cousin Stizz | I'm Almost Ready | |
"People Want to Hear About Love" | Neil Young, Promise of the Real | Earth | |
"The Come Up" | 2018 | Smoke DZA | Not for Sale |
"Gucci Plug" | Nick Grant | Dreaming Out Loud | |
"Communication" | Arin Ray | Platinum Fire | |
"I Like You" | Childish Major, 6lack | WOO$AH |
Awards and nominations
editYear | Awards | Category | Nominated work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | Grammy Awards[47] | Best Rap/Sung Performance | "Broccoli" (with Lil Yachty) | Nominated |
iHeartRadio Music Awards[48] | Best New Hip-Hop Artist | D.R.A.M. | Nominated | |
Billboard Music Awards[49] | Top Streaming Song (Audio) | "Broccoli" (with Lil Yachty) | Nominated | |
Top Rap Song | Nominated | |||
Top Rap Collaboration | Nominated | |||
MTV Video Music Awards | Best Collaboration | Nominated | ||
Best Hip Hop Video | Nominated | |||
2018 | Grammy Awards | Best Dance Recording | "Andromeda" (with Gorillaz) | Nominated |
Notes
edit- ^ Formerly stylized as D.R.A.M.; previously DRAMA J
References
edit- ^ "Meet D.R.A.M., the Virginia Artist Who Stopped Following the Rules of Rap and Had One Epic Summer". Vice. October 8, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
- ^ "How hip-hop's D.R.A.M. Went from working at Best Buy to performing at Coachella". Los Angeles Times. April 6, 2017.
- ^ "DRAM drops new album What Happened Was…". The Fader. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ a b Lawrence Burney, Meet D.R.A.M., the Virginia Artist Who Stopped Following the Rules of Rap and Had One Epic Summer Vice Media, October 8, 2014
- ^ "DRAM". iTunes. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ "D.R.A.M Signs to Atlantic Records – Fashionably-Early". July 10, 2015.
- ^ "'Broccoli' [ft. Lil Yachty] by D.R.A.M. Review – and his album titled 'Big Baby D.R.A.M.' is set to be released on the 21st Of October 2016 Pitchfork". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
- ^ Anon (April 8, 2016). "Standard Sounds Goes Searching for Hidden Gems". The Standard Hotels. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
- ^ a b "#1Epic EP by D.R.A.M." iTunes. March 3, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ "D.R.A.M.: Chart History for Cha Cha". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
- ^ a b "Gahdamn! by D.R.A.M." iTunes. October 23, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ "Watch Chance the Rapper Send Epic 'Blessings (Reprise)' on 'Fallon'". Rolling Stone. October 4, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- ^ Lilah, Rose (October 5, 2016). "D.R.A.M. announces his first album". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
- ^ a b "D.R.A.M. – Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
- ^ "D.R.A.M. – Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- ^ "D.R.A.M. – Chart History (Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- ^ "D.R.A.M. – Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- ^ a b c "American album certifications – D.R.A.M." Recording Industry Association of America". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- ^ "Shelley FKA DRAM - Shelley FKA DRAM". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ "DRAM - What Had Happened Was..." Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
- ^ "D.R.A.M.: Google Play: Live At The Milk Jam Room - Music on Google Play". Google Play. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
- ^ ""#1HappyHoliday - Single" by DRAM on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). November 24, 2017. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
- ^ "DRAM Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- ^ "DRAM Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- ^ "DRAM Chart History: Hot Rap Songs". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- ^ "DRAM Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- ^ "Discography D.R.A.M." dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Switzerland. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
- ^ "Discography D.R.A.M." swedishcharts.com. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
- ^ "DRAM FT LIL YACHTY | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
- ^ Peak chart positions for singles on the R&B Chart in the United Kingdom:
- "Broccoli": "2016 Top 40 R&B Singles Archive: 30th September 2016". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
- ^ a b "Chart Search for D.R.A.M. (Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles) | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
- ^ "British single certifications – Dram Ft Lil Yachty – Broccoli". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – DRAM – Broccoli". Music Canada. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- ^ "The Uber Song - Single by DRAM". Apple Music. June 9, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
- ^ "Group Thang (Demo) - Single by DRAM". Apple Music. June 9, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
- ^ @BIGBABYDRAM (August 5, 2019). "We really took this to the next level. The Lay Down coming at you this Wednesday with @HERMusicx and @thisiswatt ✨" (Tweet). Retrieved August 6, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ "For the Love Of (feat. D.R.A.M) - Single by DP". iTunes. November 20, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ "SBTRKT Recruits D.R.A.M. and Mabel for Lounge-Worthy 'I Feel Your Pain' - SPIN". SPIN. March 23, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ "Slappin (feat. Nef The Pharaoh & D.R.A.M.) - Single by E-40". iTunes. February 12, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ "Smokin' What I'm Smokin' On (feat. D.R.A.M. & Rich The Kid) - Single by MOD SUN". iTunes. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
- ^ "1999 (feat. D.R.A.M) - Single by Max Fullard". iTunes. August 8, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
- ^ "I'm On 3.0" – via Amazon.
- ^ "Calvin Harris Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "Calvin Harris – Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
- ^ "Discography Calvin Harris". irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
- ^ "NZ Heatseeker Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 10, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
- ^ "Here Is the Complete List of Nominees for the 2017 Grammys". Billboard. December 6, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
- ^ "Drake Leads 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards Nominations". Rap-Up. January 4, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- ^ "Drake, The Chainsmokers Lead Nominees for the 2017 Billboard Music Awards". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
External links
edit- DRAM on SoundCloud
- DRAM on YouTube