Shelley Marshaun Massenburg-Smith (born August 3, 1988), known professionally as DRAM (; an acronym for "does real-ass music", briefly Shelley FKA DRAM), is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. He is best known for his 2016 Diamond certified single, "Broccoli" (featuring Lil Yachty), which peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song preceded his debut studio album Big Baby DRAM (2016), which was released in October of that year by Atlantic Records.
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.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 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.
Career In March 2015, DRAM released his debut EP, #1Epic through Atlantic Records and Empire Distribution. The EP included the single "Cha Cha", which peaked at number one on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart. In October 2015, his debut mixtape, Gahdamn! was released.
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. His debut studio album, Big Baby DRAM, was released on October 21, 2016. 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.
Discography
Studio albums + List of albums, with selected chart positions Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications US US R&B/HH US Rap CAN Big Baby DRAM Released: October 21, 2016 Label: Atlantic, Empire Format: CD, LP, digital download 19 12 10 55 RIAA: Gold RMNZ: Gold Shelley FKA DRAM Released: April 30, 2021 Label: Atlantic, Empire Format: CD, LP, digital download — — — — What Had Happened Was... Released: November 10, 2022 Label: Waver Format: CD, LP, digital download — — — —
Extended plays + List of EPs, showing selected details Title Details Peak chart positions US #1Epic Released: March 3, 2015 Label: Atlantic, Empire Format: Digital download — Google Play: Live at the Milk Jam Room Released: July 15, 2016 Label: Atlantic, Empire Format: Digital download 37 #1HappyHoliday 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 — SHAKE TAPE - EP Released: May 1, 2026 Label: Waver 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! 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 USR&B/HH US Rap CAN NL SWE UK UKR&BPeak chart positions for singles on the R&B Chart in the United Kingdom: "Broccoli": "Cha Cha" 2015 — — — — — — — — #1Epic "Broccoli"(featuring Lil Yachty)2016 5 1 1 23 87 60 93 13 RIAA: Diamond BPI: Gold MC: 3× Platinum IFPI DAN: Gold SNEP: Gold FIMI: Gold RMNZ: 2× Platinum Big Baby DRAM "Cute" — — — — — — — — "Cash Machine" — — — — — — — — RIAA: Gold "Gilligan"(featuring Juicy J and ASAP Rocky)2017 — — — — — — — — "The Uber Song" — — — — — — — — rowspan="2" "Group Thang (Demo)" — — — — — — — — "Ill Nana"(featuring Trippie Redd) — — — — — — — — Big Baby DRAM "Crumbs"(featuring Playboi Carti) — — — — — — — — "The Lay Down"(with H.E.R. and Watt) 2019 — — — — — — — — Shelley FKA DRAM "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
As featured artist + Title Year Album "For the Love Of"(DP featuring D.R.A.M.) 2015 "I Feel Your Pain"(Sbtrkt featuring D.R.A.M. and Mabel) 2016 Save Yourself "Slappin"(E-40 featuring Nef the Pharaoh and D.R.A.M.) The D-Boy Diary (Deluxe Edition) "Smokin' What I'm Smokin' On"(Mod Sun featuring D.R.A.M. and Rich the Kid)Movie "1999"(Max Fullard featuring D.R.A.M.) Nights of the Fourth "Girl At Coachella"(Matoma and Magic! featuring DRAM)2017 "Andromeda"(Gorillaz featuring D.R.A.M.) Humanz "Right Now"(Snakehips featuring ELHAE, D.R.A.M., and H.E.R.) "I'm On 3.0"(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 "Everyday"(The Americanos featuring DRAM and Kyle) "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 "Myself"(Snow Tha Product featuring DRAM) "Suavecito"(Yung Gravy featuring D.R.A.M.) Snow Cougar "Put You On (MJ Cole Remix)"(Amber Mark featuring DRAM and MJ Cole) rowspan=2 "About You"(Valee featuring DRAM) "It Gets Better"(GRiZ featuring D.R.A.M.)2019Ride Waves "New Hawaii"(Injury Reserve featuring DRAM, Tony Velour and Dylan Brady) Injury Reserve "Star (Shelley FKA DRAM Remix)"(Machinedrum featuring Tanerélle, Shelley FKA DRAM, and Mono/Poly) "Aight"(Westside Boogie featuring Shelley FKA DRAM)2022More Black Superheroes "Keen"(Kimbra featuring DRAM)2024Idols & Vices (Vol. 1)
Other charted and certified songs + List of songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positionsCerifications Album USDance/Elec. CAN IRE NZHeat. "Cash Out"(Calvin Harris featuring ScHoolboy Q, PartyNextDoor, and D.R.A.M.) 2017 20 94 67 1 MC: Gold 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. "I Ain't Gotta Lie"Marvel Alexander, Louie PDon't Die Yet "Don't Talk About It"Michael ChristmasWhat a Weird Day "Renovate"2016Allan KingdomNorthern Lights "Powerful (DRAM Remix)"Major Lazer, Ellie Goulding, Tarrus RileyPeace Is the Mission: Remixes "D.R.A.M. Sings Special" 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, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Donnie Trumpet Earth "One More Chance"SaluteMy Heart "Bury Me"The SkinsStill Sleep "Cash Out"2017Calvin Harris, ScHoolboy Q, PartyNextDoorFunk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 "Fallin Down"Trae tha TruthTha Truth, Pt. 3 "Campfire"Neil YoungBright: The Album "I Like You" Childish Major, 6lack WOO$AH "I Miss You (DRAM Remix)"2018Clean Bandit, Julia MichaelsI Miss You (Remixes) "Look Back"DiploCalifornia "The Come Up" Smoke DZA Not for Sale "Gucci Plug" Nick Grant Dreaming Out Loud "Last December"Sunny & GabePeace of Cake "Communication" Arin Ray Platinum Fire "New Hawaii"2019Injury Reserve, Tony Velour, Dylan BradyInjury Reserve "Demon Hearts"Cruel SantinoMandy & the Jungle "Swang Remix"PistolaLost Tapes "Fryman's Trail"Theo MartinsCereal Sounds, Vol. 1 "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"2020 At home with the kids "Litmas"Atlantic HolidayStill Home For The Holidays "Feliz Navidad"Love Renaissance, 6lack, Summer Walker, Young RogHome for the Holidays "DO YOU GOT MOXIE?"2021Young Roc, NassanFunction "Feliz Navidad"2022Love Renaissance, 6lack, Summer Walker, Young RogHome for the Holidays, Vol. 2 "ungrateful you"2023Deem SpenceradultSW!M "Royal"Deante' Hitchcock, The Riverdale Love ChoirOnce Upon a Time "BONUS FANTASY"ATTNWH0REfrkdout RADIO LP "Jus Weed"Smoke DZA, The Smokers ClubWorldwide Smoke Session, Vol. 2 "I WANT YOU BUT YOU'LL NEVER KNOW..."Rory, Alex IsleyI Thought It'd Be Different "Deposit"A$AP TyY1840 LEX "Bete Sauvage"Big Shot ManceeniBon Appetite "Summer Nights"Will HillLooking At The Moon Through The Sunroof "Ragtop Riches"Jay Worthy, Kamaiyah, Harry FraudTHE AM3RICAN DREAM "Overstand"Robb Bank$, Tony ShhnowI Can't Feel My Face Too "NO GAMES"NnenaA WOMAN'S MIND "Westside"2024Jay Worthy, DāM-FunKMagic Hour "Rich Showers"Smoke DZA, DJ Relly Rell, Steven YoungYou're All Welcome "Dram @ Drama"$amaadArchie's Comic "Uppy"Ellis Quinn, Matt OxWho's Counting Anyway? and 3 "COTTON CANDY"24hrsRNB HRS "Problem"2025Joelle BarzilayDear Diary, Vol. 1 "Full Speed"Terrace Martin, A$AP FergAlbion Files "Why Should I"6ix, Juicy J, Guapdad 4000, Clint.Homebody "293"6ix, Guapdad 4000, Travis Stacey "All Season Long"Currensy, Harry Fraud, Jay WorthyNever Catch Us "Hills Have Eyes"JD Cliffemisfit. "Top That"Valee, Harry FraudEGONOMICS "FWM"Aryee The GemLove Tap (Vol. 1) "Wassup"Key!So Emotional 2 "Is It Possible That The Honorable Elijah Muhammad Is Still Physically Alive????"Jay ElectronicaA Written Testimony: Leaflets "honey (DRAM's Quaalude)"Sol ChYldReBirth.Theory "FOR CRASHING OUT"Twelve'lenSolace In the Night "Road Rage"2026Tony Shhnow, YoDoggFlood
Awards and nominations Year Awards Category Nominated work Result2017 Grammy Awards Best Rap/Sung Performance "Broccoli" (with Lil Yachty) iHeartRadio Music Awards Best New Hip-Hop Artist D.R.A.M. Billboard Music Awards Top Streaming Song (Audio)"Broccoli" (with Lil Yachty) Top Rap Song Top Rap Collaboration MTV Video Music Awards Best Collaboration Best Hip Hop Video 2018 Grammy Awards Best Dance Recording "Andromeda" (with Gorillaz)
Notes
References
External links DRAM on SoundCloud DRAM on YouTube