DRAM (musician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids DRAM
DRAM performing in 2016
Background information
Birth name	Shelley Marshaun Massenburg-Smith
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 37) Landstuhl, West Germany
Origin	Hampton, Virginia, U.S.
Genres	R&B hip-hop
Occupations	Singer rapper songwriter record producer
Years active	2009–present
Labels	Waver Atlantic Empire Love Renaissance

Shelley Marshaun Massenburg-Smith (born August 3, 1988), who is known by his stage name DRAM, is an American singer, rapper, and music producer. His name is an acronym that stands for "Does Real ... Music." For a short time, he was also known as Shelley FKA DRAM.

DRAM is most famous for his 2016 hit single, "Broccoli", which featured rapper Lil Yachty. The song was a huge success, reaching number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 music chart. Later that year, he released his first studio album, Big Baby DRAM, with Atlantic Records.

Early Life and Inspirations

DRAM was born in Landstuhl, West Germany, because his mother was serving in the U.S. military there. When he was a baby, his family moved to the United States, and he grew up in Hampton, Virginia.

As a teenager, DRAM was a big fan of the singer Bilal. In 2006, he discovered Bilal's unreleased album Love for Sale after it was leaked online. A music leak is when an album is shared on the internet before its official release date. DRAM has said that one of his favorite "hidden gem" songs is "White Turns to Grey" from that album.

Music Career

Getting Started

In March 2015, DRAM released his first EP, called #1Epic. An EP, or extended play, is a short album. It included the song "Cha Cha," which became popular and reached the top of the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart. This chart lists songs that are close to making the main music charts. Later that year, in October, he released his first mixtape, Gahdamn!.

Breakthrough Success

In April 2016, DRAM released the single "Broccoli" with Lil Yachty. The song became a worldwide hit and was his first song to make it into the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.

Because of his success, he was invited to perform on the TV show The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in October 2016. He performed the song "Blessings (Reprise)" with other famous artists like Chance the Rapper and Ty Dolla Sign.

His first full album, Big Baby DRAM, came out on October 21, 2016. Music critics gave the album very positive reviews.

Collaborations and Later Work

DRAM has worked with many other famous artists. He was a featured singer on the song "Andromeda" by the British virtual band Gorillaz. The song was on their 2017 album Humanz. He also sang on another track from the same album called "We Got the Power".

In 2021, he released his second album, Shelley FKA DRAM. His third album, What Had Happened Was..., was released in 2022.

Other Projects

Besides music, DRAM has also done voice acting. He was the voice of a character named Wallace in the animated TV show Lazor Wulf, which was on the Adult Swim channel from 2019 to 2021.

Personal Life

DRAM has also been involved in his community. In 2020, he supported politicians Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock during the U.S. Senate elections in Georgia. He performed at a rally to encourage people to vote for them.

Major Works

Here is a list of DRAM's main albums and some of his most popular songs.

Studio Albums

• Big Baby DRAM (2016)
• Shelley FKA DRAM (2021)
• What Had Happened Was... (2022)

Popular Singles

• "Cha Cha" (2015)
• "Broccoli" (featuring Lil Yachty, 2016)
• "Cute" (2016)
• "Cash Machine" (2016)
• "Gilligan" (featuring Juicy J and ASAP Rocky, 2017)
• "Andromeda" (with Gorillaz, 2017)

Awards and Nominations

DRAM has been nominated for several major music awards for his work.