When you give it some thought, most realize that the artist is sort of an enigma. Over the years the artist has been dissected and examined in many ways. You hear many speak about the mind of the artist. After some examination we tend to understand that the artist has a complex way of thinking and reasoning. Not that how an artist thinks is wrong, just different. Sometimes we speak about the soul of the artist. Songwriters and performers alike work to express feelings from deep inside, which the listening or viewing audience is able to comprehend. However, today I want to write about the heart of the artist. What does that mean? The motivating factors that might move a particular way of expression, through art and also life.
I’ve been looking forward to this week because it gives me the chance to feature an artist who on surface appears interesting. Several months ago he was on my editorial calendar, but I was forced to make an adjustment. Nevertheless, the time has come for what should be a compelling post. Today, Weekly Music Commentary will feature rapper, singer, songwriter and actor DRAM.
Now for the readers out there who have never heard of DRAM, I once again say you may be familiar with his music. His rise in the music industry has been quick but decisive with huge hit music peppering the airwaves. My hope is that this post serves as more than an introduction. Hopefully, when finished you will learn more about the person, and artist known as DRAM.
First let’s start with the name. Of course no one is named four letters D.R.A.M. It is an acronym for Does Real Ass Music. Shelley Marshaun Massenburg-Smith was born on August 3, 1988 in Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Rhineland-Palatinate, West Germany. Before the age of one, he moved to the United States and was raised in Hampton, Virginia. Yes, his mother was in the military.
After years of working on his music and trying to perfect his craft, the big break came in the year 2015. In March 2015, DRAM released his debut EP, #1Epic through Atlantic Records and Empire Distribution. There is an interesting story about the hit single “Cha Cha”. He was first placed in the spotlight in 2015 when Beyoncé shared a video of her own rendition of his hit song, “Cha Cha”, a single on his “#1 Epic Summer” mixtape. The single peaked at number one on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart. In October 2015, his debut mixtape, Gahdamn! was released.
If 2015 was a breakout year for DRAM, 2016 provided a real statement that the rapper was on the scene to stay. In April 2016, DRAM released his hit single “Broccoli” featuring rapper Lil Yachty. The song gained international success and peaked at number five on the US 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.
In my research for this post, I went back to a 2017 episode of a show on Viceland called “The Therapist”. Dr. Siri Sat Nam Singh sits down with artists and speaks with them about what lies behind their personas, and DRAM was a great subject. “The Therapist” is a show that really is very close to some of the things I try to do. The difference is that Dr. Singh asks questions about things that affect more than the music the artist creates, but about how they are affected overall.
Dr. Singh did not approach the interview like the typical therapist. He asked questions that allowed DRAM to scale how he felt on a scale of 1 to 10. Interestingly, he started by asking where he felt he was mentally. Of course the very confident artist stated he was doing great. He spoke of his creative efforts, stating that he was as sharp as ever. The next questions were about his physical health, and sexuality. DRAM checked all the boxes and assured Dr. Singh everything was great. There was more to come.
Next DRAM was asked about relationships. The doctor wanted to know how happy he was in that area. That’s when the interview changed. He explained that he wanted a relationship, however under his own terms. Of course, the doctor reminded him that the woman would not accept that, and DRAM understood. As I listened to this portion of the interview I thought about the fact that DRAM was 28 years old at the time, (he is now 31 years old) Still somewhat young but seeking the serenity of the relationship in a crazy entertainment industry. Yes, there was yet more.
Dr. Singh was able to move the conversation along and finally DRAM would talk about his father. He admitted that he did not have a relationship with his father, and did not meet him until later in life. DRAM explained that he now wanted nothing from his father. Therein lies a cautionary tale for all estranged fathers of the world. Be careful not to squander the opportunity to build a relationship with your children while they are young. Like DRAM, once that opportunity is gone you might never get the chance for any relationship with your children.
Up to that point of the interview, I learned a lot about DRAM. His personality really pushed through and showed me a person like most. A person who experienced some tough times but persevered despite the pain.
Like most weeks I spent some time listening to DRAM’s music and really enjoying what he has created throughout recent years. He is an artist on the rise and worthy of the attention he is receiving. In the interview DRAM said he was very surprised by the success of the hit song “Broccoli.” He said that the hit “came out of nowhere and went five times platinum”. It still is a regular play on hip hop radio stations and more. I think it shows that there is more music within him that might be just as popular as Broccoli. Only time will tell.
As you listen to DRAM’s music, you will hear one of the truly underrated hip hop artists of our time. If you like what you hear, you will be part of a growing fan base that the rising star has reached with his music. More than that, you will be hearing the heart of an artist.