DRAM

When it comes to life, Shelley FKA DRAM is focused on one thing: providing positive energy. Born Shelley Marshaun Massenburg-Smith in Germany in 1988 and raised in Virginia, the artist became invested in music early on after seeing the wide-reaching success of local musicians like N.E.R.D., Timbaland, Missy Elliott and Clipse. Thoroughly inspired to pave a path of his own, Shelley threw himself into singing, songwriting, rapping and producing. Those multifaceted talents culminated in the release of his debut mixtape, 2014’s #1EpicSummer, which featured “Cha Cha”, a quirky, bouncy hit that R&B/pop queen Beyoncé danced to in a viral video and whose beat Drake jacked for “Hotline Bling”. In 2015, Shelley dropped the Gahdamn! EP, highlighted by “Caretaker”, an impassioned duet with the ethereal vocalist SZA. Shelley released his follow-up, the full-length album Big Baby DRAM, in 2016, led by the Lil Yachty-assisted, playful party-starter “Broccoli”. In 2017, Shelley would feature on the Gorillaz’ deep groove “Andromeda”, as well as on Calvin Harris’ vibrant jam “Cash Out”, alongside gruff L.A. MC ScHoolboy Q and Canadian crooner PARTYNEXTDOOR. No matter the circumstances, Shelley allows good vibes to take him on a joyride. We’re lucky to tag along with him.