DRAM (musician)

American singer (born 1988) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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][3][4] is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. He is best known for his 2016 single, "Broccoli" (featuring Lil Yachty), which peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100.[5][6] The song preceded his debut studio album Big Baby DRAM (2016), which was released in October of that year by Atlantic Records.

Also known as
  • D.R.A.M.
  • Big Baby D.R.A.M.
  • Only 1 D.R.A.M.
  • Shelley FKA DRAM
Born
Shelley Marshaun Massenburg-Smith[1]

(1988-08-03) August 3, 1988 (age 37)
Landstuhl, West Germany
OriginHampton, Virginia, U.S.
Genres
Quick facts Background information, Also known as ...
DRAM
DRAM performing in 2016
DRAM performing in 2016
Background information
Also known as
  • D.R.A.M.
  • Big Baby D.R.A.M.
  • Only 1 D.R.A.M.
  • Shelley FKA DRAM
Born
Shelley Marshaun Massenburg-Smith[1]

(1988-08-03) August 3, 1988 (age 37)
Landstuhl, West Germany
OriginHampton, Virginia, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2009–present
Labels
Websiteshelleyfkadram.com
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Early life

Massenburg-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.[3] 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.[7]

Career

In March 2015, DRAM released his debut EP, #1Epic through Atlantic Records and Empire Distribution.[8] The EP included the single "Cha Cha", which peaked at number one on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[9] In October 2015, his debut mixtape, Gahdamn! was released.[10]

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 Sign, Anthony Hamilton, and Raury.[11] His debut studio album, Big Baby DRAM, was released on October 21, 2016.[12] 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

He voiced Wallace in the Adult Swim animated series, Lazor Wulf (2019–2021), which was also his voice acting debut.

Personal life

Massenburg-Smith supported Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock in the 2020 United States Senate elections, performing at a rally for both in 2020.[13]

Discography

Studio albums

More information Title, Album details ...
List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[14]
US R&B/HH
[15]
US Rap
[16]
CAN
[17]
Big Baby DRAM 19121055
Shelley FKA DRAM[19]
  • Released: April 30, 2021
  • Label: Atlantic, Empire
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
What Had Happened Was...[20]
  • Released: November 10, 2022
  • Label: Waver
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
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Extended plays

More information Title, Details ...
List of EPs, showing selected details
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[14]
#1Epic[8]
  • Released: March 3, 2015
  • Label: Atlantic, Empire
  • Format: Digital download
Google Play: Live at the Milk Jam Room[21]
  • Released: July 15, 2016
  • Label: Atlantic, Empire
  • Format: Digital download
37
#1HappyHoliday[22]
  • Released: November 24, 2017
  • Label: Atlantic, Empire
  • Format: Digital download
That's a Girls Name
  • Released: July 18, 2018
  • Label: Atlantic, Empire
  • Format: Digital download
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
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Mixtapes

More information Title, Details ...
List of mixtapes, showing selected details
Title Details
Gahdamn![10]
  • Released: October 23, 2015
  • Label: Atlantic, Empire
  • Format: Digital download
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Singles

As lead artist

More information Title, Year ...
List of singles, with showing year released, peak chart positions and album name
Title 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 5112387609313 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.
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  1. "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]
  2. "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]
More information Title, Year ...
Title 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
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Other charted songs

More information Title, Year ...
List of songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title 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 2094671 Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1
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Guest appearances

More information Title, Year ...
List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title 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
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Awards and nominations

More information Year, Awards ...
YearAwardsCategoryNominated workResult
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
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Notes

  1. Formerly stylized as D.R.A.M.; previously DRAMA J

References

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