Congratulations to Hampton, VA's own 2017 Grammy nominee, D.R.A.M.!!
Shelley Marshaun Massenburg-Smith aka D.R.A.M. (an acronym for Does. Real. Ass. Music.), is a American rapper, singer and songwriter born in Germany but raised in Hampton, Virginia. Massenburg-Smith is signed to Atlantic Records and Empire Distribution. D.R.A.M.'s first release was his debut single "Cha Cha", with later releasing his breakout single, "Broccoli", featuring Lil Yachty, which peaked at number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
D.R.A.M Calls 2017 Grammy Nomination A 'Privilege'
At the center of a monstrous year for music was D.R.A.M, the buoyant hip-hop upstart whose smash hit "Broccoli" featuring Lil Yachty soared to the top spot on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs before earning one of the biggest accolades of his career: a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Performance.
“It’s just a blessing man, I feel great,” D.R.A.M gushed to Billboard
over the phone about his nod after a studio session. The Virginia-bred
rhymer -- who also celebrated "Broccoli" going double platinum just a
few months ago -- says that although the news of his nomination is still
"building up inside of me," he’s overwhelmed with joy reflecting on the
past year.
Pharrell Williams is a hugely successful recording artist, drummer, keyboardist, producer, and fashion designer whose group, The Neptunes, was signed by the King of New Jack Swing, Teddy Riley, while Pharrell was attending Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, VA.
Born April 5, 1973 in Virginia Beach, Pharrell was a talented and driven keyboard player and drummer who went on to become a hit making machine with his partner Chad Hugo, a Portsmouth, VA born saxophone player, guitarist, pianist, who also grew up in Virginia Beach and attended Kempsville high school, where he joined up with The Neptunes, along with another Portsmouth born member, Sheldon "Shay" Haley--the three of them now make up the band, N-E-R-D.
In 2002, both the Source Awards and Billboard named The Neptunes, Producers of the Year.
Between them, they have produced or worked with artists like N.O.R.E., Mystikal, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Wrecks-N-Effect, SWV, Blackstreet, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Nelly, Gwen Stefani, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Madonna, Shakira, Beyoncé, Shakira, Alicia Keys, Ashlee Simpson, Bishop Lamont, Daniel Merriweather, Marsha Ambrosius, and Kenna.
On June 29, 2013, Pharrell became the 12th artist in the chart's history
to simultaneously hold the number one and two positions with "Blurred
Lines" and "Get Lucky" respectively.
Nicole Wray
Nicole Monique Wray was raised in Portsmouth where she was introduced to the ultra-talented Missy Elliott. Wray became the first artist on Elliott’s newly formed label, Goldmind.
Nicole Wray was hot right out of the box with her hit record, “Make It Hot.”
Wray later signed with Roc-A-Fella Records and eventually was placed with the Dame Dash Music Group.
Nichole Wray has appeared on at least two movie soundtracks, “Why Do Fools Fall In Love,” and, “Love Don’t Cost A Thing.”
Nicole added background vocals on The Black Keys' 7th studio LP, Brothers, released May 2010. She also she appeared on Kid Cudi's second album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager
He has produced for some of the biggest names in hip hop, including Busta Rhymes, Cassidy, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, The Game, Notorious B.I.G., Scarface, J Dilla, and G-Unit.
He is from Norfolk, VA. His name is Dominick Lamb and he goes by NOTTZ, and Nottz Raw. He has a group, D.M.P., "Durte Muzik Prahdukshun."
On July 1, 1971 in Portsmouth, VA, Melissa Arnette Elliott was born . She went on to become the world renown artist, Miss Elliott, selling over seven million albums in the United States alone. She also has six certified platinum albums, including one double platinum album, according to the RIAA.
Missy Elliott has worked with a virtual "Who's Who" list of other musical talents, icons, and legends as a writer and a producer, including Aaliyah, Ginuwine, SWV, Coko, Tweet, Ciara, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Keshia Chanté, Monica, Keyshia Cole, Raven-Symone, Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Mýa, Trina, Danity Kane, Nicole Wray, Fantasia, Christina Aguilera, Nelly Furtado, Pussycat Dolls, Melanie Brown, Lil' Mo, and Jazmine Sullivan.
This uniquely creative visionary has garnered a list of awards and nominations while constantly raising the talent bar in the music world.
Timothy Zachery Mosley entered this world in Norfolk, VA on March 10, 1971. He transformed himself into a Grammy award winning producer and artist known all over the world as Timbaland. He has worked extensively with other local grown music stars like Magoo, Missy Elliott, and Pharrell, as well as some of the other hottest artist in the business, like Jay Z, Ludacris, Aaliyah, Petey Pablo, Lil Kim, LL Cool J, Jennifer Lopez, Nelly Furtado, Pussycat Dolls, and Madonna.
You may know him as the co-host of the WAVY News 10 "Today" TV show, or else you may see him broadcast the news at noon on TV. Or you may catch him Sunday mornings on the BOTTOM LINE. He is definitely a busy man.
This long-time, Newport News resident is also an author. One of his books, "Rap to Live By" is published by Hampton Roads Publishing and it can be ordered by calling (800)-766-8009.
In the early days of Rap/Hip-Hop, Don Roberts worked for the popular radio station, WRAP. He also used to be seen around town, performing his Rap song, ala, Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince style, “Kids Just Don’t Understand.”
MC Don. Multitalented. Multitasking.
"Those bell-bottom pants will be hitting any day now."
TSOV CREW--MIXED
Clayton Savage
When a new form of music was exploding on to the world’s scene in the form of Rap and Hip Hop, Clayton Savage was in the mix. Born in Norfolk and raised in Chesapeake and Sussex County, VA, Clayton has been forming bands and performing since his early teens while singing and playing multiple instruments, starting with the group Nitro.
After touring locally, Savage headed for the music hot bed of New York and landed a deal with the soon to be historic, Sugar Hill Records, where he transformed into being a house musician/producer and working with the numerous artists on that label, like Melle Mel & The Furious Five. Clayton programmed the beats and performed the O'Jays part on the the record, "Step Off."
Eventually he moved over to Capitol/Manhatan Records as an artist. When a fledgling but groundbreaking cable network, BET, launched a revolutionary show, Video Soul, Clayton Savage’s song, “Palm of Her Hand” became the theme song You could also find Savage posed on the cover of Aretha Franklin’s album cover, “Who’s Zoomin Who?”
Clayton has toured all over the United States, Germany, the UK, and Singapore. He is currently writing, producing, and recording for his own label, Red K.
CALVIN PERKINS,CLARENCE CLEMONS,DANNY GOLD,BARBARA STANT,GENERAL NORMAN JOHNSON,GORDON BANKS,HOPE ASKEY,LENIS GUESS,LINA BROWN,MASTER STORYTELLER,FRANK HALISON,POSITIVE SOUNDS,SALENA JONES,SWAMP DOGG,WOOTEN BROTHERS, Nicole Wray, Nottz Raw, Missy Elliott, The Neptunes/N*E*R*D, Timbaland, Don Roberts, Clayton Savage
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