Shelley FKA DRAM – Shelley FKA DRAM (Album Review)

Shelley FKA DRAM drops a project that his mom was very proud of (Bless her soul).

STREAM

TOP 5

5. SOMETHING ABOUT US

“Something About Us” is such an old-school R&B jam.

“Something About Us” features one of those feel-good instrumentals that will make everybody at a black barbecue form in a horizontal line and do some easy-ass dance that you can learn on the spot. As for DRAM, he focuses on soulfulness and being a sucker for love in the song, hurling out lyrics about loving on his partner fearlessly and blessing us with a vocal performance that will make your heart melt.

4. ’93 ACURA VIGOR

I’m jealous that DRAM got a chance to work with Erykah Badu in “’93 Acura Vigor” for several reasons.

Erykah Badu doesn’t work with anyone. No, she hasn’t worked with your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper.
Erykah Badu has a voice that can carry a song like a muthaf**ka.
If they worked together in a studio, he got a chance to stare at her legendary booty!

So, what were DRAM and Erykah Badu able to create with “’93 Acura Vigor?” A quirky love song that features an unorthodox tempo, hypnotizing vocal performances, and some of the pettiest/realest lyrics you would ever hear on a slow jam.

3. THE LAY DOWN

DRAM goes toe to toe with H.E.R. in “The Lay Down.”

To be honest with you, I think that “The Lay Down” is weird. What you will hear when you press play on the song is a really old-school/smooth instrumental and verses from both H.E.R. and DRAM that revolve around sexing in a dusty-ass room. While a good chunk of the song sounds like some serious s**t, I can honestly say that I didn’t take it completely seriously until H.E.R. started singing. Nonetheless, I believe the vibes the song gives off are infectious, romantic, and sexy as hell!

Y’all think that I will be able to add this song to my bedroom playlist?

2. ALL PRIDE ASIDE

It looks like DRAM traded in his broccoli for some incense.

So many babies will be made to “All Pride Aside” by both DRAM and Summer Walker. The song features one of the smoothest instrumentals that I’ve ever heard, overly passionate vocal performances, succulent melodies, and lyrics that will make you want to rip the clothes off your lover. Matter of fact, I’m wearing nothing but whipped cream and a small-ass robe right now (I’m hot and ready)!

1. EXPOSURE

The writing that you get on “Exposure” is absolutely fantastic.

What I think makes “Exposure” special is that it tackles love in a nurturing, old school, soothing, innocent, adorable, and sly way. What’s also special about the song is that you actually get a bunch of different notes and decibel levels from Shelley FKA DRAM in it. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every second of the song.

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. ALL PRIDE ASIDE (4/5)

2. EXPOSURE (5/5)

3. SOMETHING ABOUT US (4/5)

4. BEAUTIFUL (4/5)

5. THE LAY DOWN (4/5)

6. ’93 ACURA VIGOR WITH ERYKAH BADU (4/5)

7. MARRIED WOMAN (3/5)

8. COOKING WITH GREASE (4/5)

9. REMEDIES (3/5)

10. RICH & FAMOUS (4/5)

RGM RATING

(B)

I am giving Shelley FKA DRAM a standing ovation right now. The level of talent, fearlessness, smoothness, and romanticism that he shows in this album is flat-out stunning. In his SoundCloud description, he says that he “Does.Real.A$$.Music”… I don’t see a single lie in that statement. Today, even true R&B artists aren’t making the kind of R&B music that DRAM is making. Today, even Love Doctors aren’t giving advice on love that is as noble as the advice that DRAM gave us in this album. While I want “Broccoli” and “Cha Cha” from DRAM just like you do, as a certified music reviewer (Yes, I am calling myself that these days), I think it’s important to note that this guy was born to make high-quality music (Despite sounding like Dave Chappelle)!