DRAM
Biography
Shelley Marshaun Massenburg-Smith, known professionally as DRAM (an acronym for "Does Real-Ass Music"), is an American musician, singer, rapper, and record producer. He was born on August 3, 1988, in Landstuhl, West Germany, to a military mother. Before he was one year old, his family moved to the United States, and he was raised in Hampton, Virginia.
Career Beginnings
DRAM's interest in music began at a young age, singing in the church choir. His career started to take shape in 2014 with the release of his debut mixtape, #1 Epic Summer, which featured the single "Cha Cha". The track gained significant regional attention and exploded nationally in 2015 after Beyoncé shared a video of herself dancing to the song. This co-sign led to the re-release of "Cha Cha" and his #1Epic EP. The single ultimately topped the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart. Following this success, he released another mixtape, "Gahdamn!", in October 2015.
Breakthrough and "Big Baby D.R.A.M."
In April 2016, DRAM released his breakout hit single "Broccoli" featuring Lil Yachty. The song was a massive international success, peaking at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100. This success preceded his debut studio album, "Big Baby D.R.A.M.", which was released on October 21, 2016. The album, which received positive reviews, featured collaborations with artists like Erykah Badu and Young Thug. The album also included the singles "Cute" and "Cash Machine". In 2017, "Broccoli" earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Performance.
Collaborations and Further Success
DRAM has collaborated with a wide range of artists. He was featured on the Gorillaz track "Andromeda" from their 2017 album "Humanz," which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording. He also appeared on tracks with Chance the Rapper, Calvin Harris, and A$AP Rocky.
Name Change and Recent Work
In 2021, DRAM announced that he would be releasing music under his birth name, Shelley, and released the album "Shelley FKA DRAM". He explained that the name change was symbolic of changes in his musical direction and lifestyle. However, he later returned to the DRAM moniker for his 2022 album, "What Had Happened Was…". This project was released on his own label, Waver Records. His most recent album, "DRAM&B," was released in April 2024 and continues to explore his R&B and soulful influences.