DRAM (musician)

Shelley Marshaun Massenburg-Smith (born August 3, 1988), formerly known by his stage name DRAM (/ˈdrɑːm/; an acronym for Does Real Ass Music),[lower-alpha 1][2][3] is a German-born American musician, singer, rapper and actor from Hampton, Virginia. He is signed to Atlantic Records and Empire Distribution.[4] 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.[5] In October 2016, he released his debut studio album, Big Baby DRAM.

Shelley
Massenburg-Smith performing in 2016
Background information
Birth name	Shelley Marshaun Massenburg-Smith[1]
Also known as	D.R.A.M. Big Baby D.R.A.M. Only 1 D.R.A.M. Drama J Shelley FKA DRAM
Born	August 3, 1988 Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Origin	Hampton, Virginia, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop R&B neo soul soul mumble rap funk
Occupation(s)	Musician singer rapper actor
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2009–present
Labels	Atlantic Empire Love Renaissance
Associated acts	Chance the Rapper Chromeo Gorillaz Lil Yachty
Website	bigbabydram.com

Early life

Shelley Marshaun Massenburg-Smith was born in Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Before the age of one, he moved to the United States and was raised in Hampton, Virginia. His mother was in the military.[2] 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.[6]

Career

In March 2015, DRAM released his debut EP, #1Epic through Atlantic Records and Empire Distribution.[7] The EP included the single "Cha Cha", which peaked at number one on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[8] In October 2015, his debut mixtape, Gahdamn! was released.[9]

In April 2016, DRAM released his hit single "Broccoli" featuring rapper Lil Yachty. The song gained international success and peaked at number five on the US 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.[10] His debut studio album, Big Baby DRAM, was released on October 21, 2016.[11] The album received many positive reviews.

DRAM was featured on the single "Andromeda" from British 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 is the voice of Wallace from Lazor Wulf.

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions				Certifications
		US [12]	US R&B/HH [13]	US Rap [14]	CAN [15]
Big Baby DRAM	Released: October 21, 2016 Label: Atlantic, Empire Format: LP, digital download	19	12	10	55	RIAA: Gold[16]

EPs

List of EPs, showing selected details

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
		US [12]
#1Epic[7]	Released: March 3, 2015 Label: Atlantic, Empire Format: Digital download	—
Google Play: Live at the Milk Jam Room[17]	Released: July 15, 2016 Label: Atlantic, Empire Format: Digital download	37
#1HappyHoliday[18]	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![9]	Released: October 23, 2015 Label: Atlantic, Empire Format: Digital download

As lead artist

List of singles, with showing year released, peak chart positions and album name

Title	Year	Peak chart positions								Certifications	Album
		US [19]	US R&B/ HH [20]	US Rap [21]	CAN [22]	NL [23]	SWE [24]	UK [25]	UK R&B [26]
"Cha Cha"	2015	—	—[upper-alpha 1]	—	—	—	—	—	—		#1Epic
"Broccoli" (featuring Lil Yachty)	2016	5	1	1	23	87	60	93	13	RIAA: 7× Platinum[16] MC: 3× Platinum[28]	Big Baby D.R.A.M.
"Cute"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Cash Machine"		—	—[upper-alpha 2]	—	—	—	—	—	—	RIAA: Gold[16]
"Gilligan" (featuring Juicy J and A$AP Rocky)	2017	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"The Uber Song"[29]		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Non-album singles
"Group Thang (Demo)"[30]		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Ill Nana" (featuring Trippie Redd)		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Big Baby D.R.A.M.
"Crumbs" (featuring Playboi Carti)		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"The Lay Down" (with H.E.R. and Watt)[31]	2019	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Non-album single
"—" 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.[27]
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.[27]

As featured artist

Year	Title	Album
2015	"For the Love Of"[32] (DP featuring D.R.A.M.)	Non-album single
2016	"I Feel Your Pain"[33] (SBTRKT featuring DRAM and Mabel)	Save Yourself
	"Slappin"[34] (E-40 featuring Nef the Pharaoh and D.R.A.M.)	The D-Boy Diary (Deluxe Edition)
	"Smokin' What I'm Smokin' On"[35] (Mod Sun featuring D.R.A.M. and Rich the Kid)	Non-album single
	"1999"[36] (Max Fullard featuring D.R.A.M.)	Nights of the Fourth
2017	"Andromeda" (Gorillaz featuring D.R.A.M.)	Humanz
	"I'm On 3.0"[37] (Trae tha Truth featuring T.I., Dave East, Tee Grizzley, Royce da 5'9", Curren$y, 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
2018	"Must've Been" (Chromeo featuring D.R.A.M.)	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

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

External links

• D.R.A.M. on SoundCloud
• D.R.A.M. on YouTube