Photo taken by Bailey Cunningham

On Tuesday, January 17^th, D.R.A.M. kicked off the DMV leg of his Big Baby D.R.A.M. tour with a show at U Street Music Hall. He collaborated with openers River Tiber and Ari Lennox, whose hazy sounds set the mood for the night. Lennox in particular shone, with a powerful R&B voice and an unapologetic sexuality that deserved (and will no doubt get) their own headliner.

D.R.A.M. lives up to his name (an acronym that stands for “Does Real Ass Music). He is undeniably a performer, with a soulful voice that at times felt too big for the stage. Many people forget that he is a singer as much as he is a rapper, and his diverse sound and lyrics speaks to his dedication to his craft. He fluctuates between sensual slow-jams (“Caretaker‰Û), classic soul (“Sweet VA Breeze‰Û), and happy-go-lucky bangers (the ever-popular “Broccoli‰Û). His combination of childlike giddiness and old-school hip-hop make for an addictive sound.

D.R.A.M. also has an undeniable sweetness and charm that sets him apart from his contemporaries. Dressed in a fuzzy white sweater and pink billed hat, with an infectious smile, he represents a very anti-masculine figure in a music genre that usually prizes masculinity above all else. In his hit song “Cute,‰” he sings about a flirtatious girl-meets-boy story that hearkens back to innocent high school days, with a memorable line being “I choose you like a Pokemon.‰” At several points throughout the show, he yelled “make some noise if you love your mama!‰” It has become part of his Big Baby D.R.A.M. brand, and his tenderness calls out to the softboy in everyone. Although a fantastic song, D.R.A.M. is much more than “Broccoli‰Û—he is a mix of old-school and new-age that makes for one intoxicating show.