D R A M NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Bobby Carter February 1 2017 We all love a good redemption story We're front and center to watch our heroes get knocked down and then we cheer for them to triumphantly rebound What we're witnessing with Shelly Massenburg-Smith a k a D R A M is the culmination of a story marked by resilience and stubborn strength Making a hit record in the music industry is extremely difficult and in 2015 D R A M 's debut single Cha Cha was on the brink of exploding It was getting played in clubs across the country and bubbling on the charts the Beyhive even got a hold of it Then Drake's Hotline Bling happened The reports are conflicting as to the inspiration for the record but there are glaring similarities in the sound of each Hotline Bling was even originally billed as the Cha Cha remix by Beats 1 where the song made its debut Needless to say Hotline Bling practically swallowed Cha Cha but D R A M didn't whine about it He addressed it and went back to the drawing board crafting another smash Broccoli became one of 2016's biggest hits while setting up the release of his debut album Big Baby D R A M We recently invited D R A M to NPR to lend us his jovial spirit and brighten our workday after all his primary aim is to spread love through music He was jarred by the Tiny Desk setting for a moment before the cameras started rolling He's accustomed to touching every corner of the stage but like a pro he walked to the desk activated his signature smile and bounced through various highlights from his catalog D R A M whose name stands for Does Real Ass Music wrote his first selection Cash Machine right after he'd received his first big music check Don't you know that I got that bag And best believe my mama straight I sent some bands to Tatiana And if I brought you out I'll pay your way What twentysomething doesn't feel this way once they step into some money The crowd beamed more with each performance leading up to a climactic rendition of Broccoli The energy is all fun and games but his talent is no joke Broccoli is nominated for a Grammy this year right alongside Hotline Bling A victory would provide a fitting end to this chapter of D R A M 's career but regardless of the outcome he's already victorious Far removed from the Hotline Bling shadow he's already creating bigger songs and more memorable moments like this one at the Tiny Desk Big Baby D R A M is available now iTunes a https 3A 2F 2Fitunes apple com 2Fus 2Falbum 2Fbig-baby-d r a m 2Fid1162247737 a Amazon a https 3A 2F 2Fwww amazon com 2FBig-Baby-D-R-M-Explicit 2Fdp 2FB01MEEVB2F a SET LIST Cash Machine Cute Sweet VA Breeze Special Broccoli MUSICIANS D R A M vocals Rog t Chahayed keys Taylor Dexter drums Wesley Singerman guitar CREDITS Producers Bobby Carter Niki Walker Audio Engineer Josh Rogosin Videographers Niki Walker Colin Marshall Production Assistant Jenny Gathright Photo Claire Harbage NPR For more Tiny Desk concerts subscribe to our podcast a http 3A 2F 2Fwww npr org 2Fpodcasts 2F510292 2Ftiny-desk-concerts-video a

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