Shelley FKA DRAM: The Soulful Evolution of a Hip-Hop Storyteller

Shelley, formerly known as DRAM, is an American singer and rapper from Hampton, Virginia, who first captured global attention with his viral 2016 hit "Broccoli." His major label debut album, Big Baby DRAM, charted on the Billboard 200 and was certified Gold, cementing his place in the modern hip-hop and R&B landscape.

Early career

Born Shelley Marshaun Massenburg-Smith in 1988, the artist began crafting his musical identity in Virginia. His early independent releases, like the 2014 mixtape #1EpicEP, showcased a blend of soulful singing and charismatic rapping under the name DRAM, an acronym for "Does Real Ass Music."

Breakthrough

DRAM's career exploded in 2016 with the release of the sunny, Lil Yachty-assisted single "Broccoli." The track, released on Atlantic Records, peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, earned a 4x Platinum certification from the RIAA, and won a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Performance.

Key tracks

Broccoli — This Platinum-certified smash was his commercial breakthrough, defining the playful "Happy Rap" era and earning a Grammy nod.

Cute — The Bryson Tiller-featuring single from his debut album demonstrated his smooth R&B capabilities and mainstream appeal.

Cash Machine — An earlier viral hit that established his energetic, quirky style and helped secure his record deal.

Cha Cha — The original 2015 viral sensation that laid the groundwork for his signature sound and online buzz.

The Lay Down — A 2019 collaboration with H.E.R. and Watt that highlighted his maturing, velvety vocal tone ahead of his rebrand.

Following his initial success, DRAM continued to collaborate widely, working with artists like Gorillaz on "Andromeda" and Young Thug. In a significant artistic shift, he officially shed the DRAM moniker in 2021 to perform under his given first name, Shelley, signaling a move toward more introspective and classic soul-inspired music. His 2022 album as Shelley, Shelley FKA DRAM, received critical praise for its mature musicality and vulnerability.

Fans of Shelley's soulful blend of hip-hop and R&B might also enjoy the work of Anderson .Paak for his similar fusion of live instrumentation and rap. Steve Lacy shares a knack for modern, genre-bending R&B production. The playful melodic rap of Lil Yachty connects to Shelley's earlier hits, while the vocal richness of H.E.R. mirrors the depth of his later work.

Shelley's music, from his DRAM hits to his newer soul explorations, maintains a strong rotation on modern R&B and hip-hop radio stations across our network. His tracks are staples on channels dedicated to contemporary hits, viral sounds, and soulful alternative R&B streams.

You can discover the evolving sound of Shelley FKA DRAM by tuning into the hip-hop and R&B radio stations featured right here on onairium.com, where his journey from viral rapper to soul artist is regularly broadcast.