DRAM
DRAM performing in 2016
DRAM performing in 2016
Background information
Birth nameShelley Marshaun Massenburg-Smith[1]
Also known as
  • D.R.A.M.
  • Big Baby D.R.A.M.
  • Only 1 D.R.A.M.
  • Shelley FKA DRAM
Born (1988-08-03) August 3, 1988 (age 35)
Landstuhl, West Germany
OriginHampton, Virginia, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2009–present
Labels
Websiteshelleyfkadram.com

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 signed to Atlantic Records and Empire Distribution.[6] His debut single was "Cha Cha", followed by his breakout single "Broccoli" (featuring Lil Yachty), which peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100.[7] In October 2016, he released his debut studio album Big Baby DRAM.

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.[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

In 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.

He voices Wallace in Lazor Wulf.

Discography

Studio albums

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 19 12 10 55
Shelley FKA DRAM[19]
  • Released: April 30, 2021
  • Label: Atlantic, Empire
  • Format: LP, digital download
 — — — —
What Had Happened Was...[20]
  • Released: November 10, 2022
  • Label: Waver
  • Format: LP, digital download
 — — — —

Extended plays

List of EPs, showing selected details
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[14]
#1Epic[9]
  • 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.

Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, showing selected details
Title Details
Gahdamn![11]
  • Released: October 23, 2015
  • Label: Atlantic, Empire
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

As lead artist

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 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.
  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]

As featured artist

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

Other charted songs

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 20 94 67 1 Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1

Guest appearances

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

Awards and nominations

Year 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

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

References

  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ "How hip-hop's D.R.A.M. Went from working at Best Buy to performing at Coachella". Los Angeles Times. April 6, 2017.
  3. ^ "DRAM drops new album What Happened Was…". The Fader. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  4. ^ 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
  5. ^ "DRAM". iTunes. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  6. ^ "D.R.A.M Signs to Atlantic Records – Fashionably-Early". July 10, 2015.
  7. ^ "'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.
  8. ^ Anon (April 8, 2016). "Standard Sounds Goes Searching for Hidden Gems". The Standard Hotels. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "#1Epic EP by D.R.A.M." iTunes. March 3, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  10. ^ "D.R.A.M.: Chart History for Cha Cha". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Gahdamn! by D.R.A.M." iTunes. October 23, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  12. ^ "Watch Chance the Rapper Send Epic 'Blessings (Reprise)' on 'Fallon'". Rolling Stone. October 4, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  13. ^ Lilah, Rose (October 5, 2016). "D.R.A.M. announces his first album". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  14. ^ a b "D.R.A.M. – Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  15. ^ "D.R.A.M. – Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  16. ^ "D.R.A.M. – Chart History (Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  17. ^ "D.R.A.M. – Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  18. ^ a b c "American album certifications – D.R.A.M." Recording Industry Association of America". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  19. ^ "Shelley FKA DRAM - Shelley FKA DRAM". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  20. ^ "DRAM - What Had Happened Was..." Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  21. ^ "D.R.A.M.: Google Play: Live At The Milk Jam Room - Music on Google Play". Google Play. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  22. ^ ""#1HappyHoliday - Single" by DRAM on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). November 24, 2017. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  23. ^ "DRAM Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  24. ^ "DRAM Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  25. ^ "DRAM Chart History: Hot Rap Songs". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  26. ^ "DRAM Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  27. ^ "Discography D.R.A.M." dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Switzerland. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
  28. ^ "Discography D.R.A.M." swedishcharts.com. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
  29. ^ "DRAM FT LIL YACHTY | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  30. ^ Peak chart positions for singles on the R&B Chart in the United Kingdom:
  31. ^ a b "Chart Search for D.R.A.M. (Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles) | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  32. ^ "British single certifications – Dram Ft Lil Yachty – Broccoli". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  33. ^ "Canadian single certifications – DRAM – Broccoli". Music Canada. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  34. ^ "The Uber Song - Single by DRAM". Apple Music. June 9, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  35. ^ "Group Thang (Demo) - Single by DRAM". Apple Music. June 9, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  36. ^ @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.
  37. ^ "For the Love Of (feat. D.R.A.M) - Single by DP". iTunes. November 20, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  38. ^ "SBTRKT Recruits D.R.A.M. and Mabel for Lounge-Worthy 'I Feel Your Pain' - SPIN". SPIN. March 23, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  39. ^ "Slappin (feat. Nef The Pharaoh & D.R.A.M.) - Single by E-40". iTunes. February 12, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  40. ^ "Smokin' What I'm Smokin' On (feat. D.R.A.M. & Rich The Kid) - Single by MOD SUN". iTunes. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  41. ^ "1999 (feat. D.R.A.M) - Single by Max Fullard". iTunes. August 8, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  42. ^ "I'm On 3.0" – via Amazon.
  43. ^ "Calvin Harris Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  44. ^ "Calvin Harris – Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  45. ^ "Discography Calvin Harris". irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  46. ^ "NZ Heatseeker Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 10, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  47. ^ "Here Is the Complete List of Nominees for the 2017 Grammys". Billboard. December 6, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  48. ^ "Drake Leads 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards Nominations". Rap-Up. January 4, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  49. ^ "Drake, The Chainsmokers Lead Nominees for the 2017 Billboard Music Awards". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2017.

External links

DRAM
Authority control databases
Categories