D.R.A.M. - Big Baby D.R.A.M.

D.R.A.M.
Big Baby D.R.A.M.
2016
Spotify

Look at that album cover, have you ever seem someone as happy as D.R.A.M. holding a puppy? Doubtful. The Virginia based rapper/singer has put out a few off the wall EPs as of late, however Big Baby D.R.A.M. is the first full length record in which we see his style. D.R.A.M. moves between R&B and Rap on the album which a times is quite nice but at other times can come across as clunky. "In the Minute/In House" has the first all out rap on and it is not some of his best work. D.R.A.M. seems more comfortable and more himself when He is singing rather than when He is rapping though both seem to be used evenly throughout Big Baby D.R.A.M.. The first few tracks seem to be missing that fun element that is so essential to D.R.A.M. but once "Cash Machine" comes around you start to remember who this man is. It is followed by the single "Broccoli" which features Lil Yachty which is so god damned fun you can't help but boop around to it. It is light, silly yet still has a beat you can get in to. You would never find someone who would describe these songs a poignant or deep but what you find the more you listen to D.R.A.M.'s music is just how incredibly lovable He is. Even when he bring sin more serious artists are features they can't help but buy in to his happiness and go along for the ride.

You would expect this sweetness to wear thin as the album, or time for that matter, goes on but D.R.A.M. somehow manages to keep it up. This record is also very much of it's time including references to the internet and even has a song called "Change My #". This makes it feel very fresh, but may cause some problems down the line as the record ages. There are also times when D.R.A.M. seems to get bogged down in his own music and lets things go on for way to long. The songs that peak over five minutes are simply overkill and never fully quite come together despite how long they run. "Monticello Ave." however shows a different side of D.R.A.M., one that could potentially be his next act as the window of opportunity closes on this version of D.R.A.M.. What is most clearly evident on Big Baby D.R.A.M. is that D.R.A.M. is not going to do the expected and that we have yet to see everything that this artist can do. Big Baby D.R.A.M. is diverse, fun and unexpected and a first step on a career of which it is anyone's guess where it goes next.

7.9 out of 10