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DRAM

DRAM is a singer, rapper and songwriter from Hampton, Virginia, known for “Cha Cha,” “Broccoli” and a catalog that moves through soul, R&B and hip-hop.

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DRAM’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus their backstory and Starbook, where fans write.

Known for

Overview

From
Hampton, Virginia
Also known as
Shelley FKA DRAM; D.R.A.M.
Makes
R&B, soul and hip-hop
First project
#1EpicSummer (2014)
Breakout
“Cha Cha,” followed by “Broccoli” with Lil Yachty
Name meaning
Does Real Ass Music

Mini bio

How it started.

DRAM grew up singing in church choirs and at family reunions in Hampton, Virginia. In a NYLON interview, DRAM traced the decision to take music seriously to local showcases at the end of 2010. Working with producer Gabe Niles in early 2014 helped shape the sound that listeners would hear on “Cha Cha.”

Finding an audience.

The first project, #1EpicSummer, arrived in 2014 and was reissued as #1Epic the following year. “Cha Cha” introduced listeners to DRAM’s playful mix of singing and rap. The Lil Yachty collaboration “Broccoli” followed in 2016, alongside the debut album Big Baby DRAM, and earned a 2017 Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Performance.

More sides of Shelley.

For the 2021 album Shelley FKA DRAM, DRAM used the name Shelley to make room for more personal writing and the sensual R&B songs that had always been part of the catalog. In an interview with Audiomack, republished by DJBooth, DRAM explained wanting listeners to hear beyond the biggest singles.

Making room for joy.

Back under the DRAM name, DRAM&B arrived in April 2024. Speaking to BET, DRAM described recording the project at home in Atlanta and wanting to make music that felt good again after losing their mother in 2020. The next chapter brought LEORPIO with Ellis Quinn in May 2025 and SHAKE TAPE in May 2026.

Creditschronological, newest first

Awards

Quotes

I wanted to bring back the way a song used to feel.DRAM, Audiomack interview republished by DJBooth, May 3, 2021

Discussing the songwriting on Shelley FKA DRAM. Source: https://djbooth.net/features/2021-05-03-shelley-fka-dram-interview-audiomack/

Trivia

  1. The name DRAM stands for Does Real Ass Music, a personal reminder to make music that feels true.
  2. DRAM named André 3000 and El DeBarge as important influences on writing and lyrics in a NYLON interview.
  3. The dog on the Big Baby DRAM cover is Idnit.
  4. DRAM told BET that their mother was the all-time top listener on their SoundCloud analytics.
  5. DRAM&B was recorded entirely at DRAM’s Atlanta home.

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