From R&B Cuts to Club Tempos DRAM Takes Over The Blue Note LA
- Mars
- Jul 14
- 2 min read
The Blue Note LA has hosted an elite run of headlining acts since its Grand Opening in 2025. That streak continued last week when DRAM delivered his back to back sets. The artist currently goes by Shelley but for the sake of this review we are going to call him DRAM. He has cycled through as many names as genres over the years. Walking into the venue carried a bit of unexpectedness regarding how he would navigate his hour long set.
Many attendees expected him to stick to his R&B cuts throughout the performance. For the most part he stayed in that lane while delivering the vocals fans recognize. He also threw in some unreleased soulful but fun jams that supporters have grown to love about his music. The crowd responded well to the familiar grooves as the evening steadily progressed.
The atmosphere shifted when he moved into a few records off his latest project titled SHAKE TAPE. The new release is essentially a mix of house techno rap and R&B. Every track on this project plays at a strict dance party tempo. When he transitioned to the SHAKE TAPE records women at the bar came out of their seats to dance. People situated at the table seating area also had trouble staying seated during this segment of the show. The change in pace successfully elevated the mood of the entire room.
People that have followed the career of DRAM know his accolades. He has a documented history of working with artists like Erykah Badu and Young Thug. His catalog also includes collaborations with Playboi Carti Juicy J and more. Building on that foundation he is having a notably productive run in 2026.
The first half of the year brought several major live appearances for the vocalist. Erykah Badu recently brought him out as a guest at her show in LA. He also performed at a PartyInMyLivingRoom activation during the recent BET Weekend festivities. These appearances kept his name circulating among audiences prior to his recent headline dates. The steady presence on stage highlights his consistent schedule throughout the current calendar year.
Closing out the top half of the year at The Blue Note served as a capstone to his recent activity. The hour long set provided a clear look at his current musical direction. It proved to be a fitting addition to his run and release strategy for 2026. The mix of unreleased cuts and tempo driven tracks reflects his shifting artistic focus. He managed to navigate multiple genres without alienating the audience. He left the stage having delivered exactly what the venue advertised.
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