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The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
The Independent

Drama is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter Jamelia. It was released by Parlophone Records on 26 June 2000. The album peaked at number 39 on the UK Albums Chart and produced four singles, including the lead single "I Do", "Money", and two further singles, "Call Me" and "Boy Next Door". The album was generally met with mixed reviews.

Background

In 1999, Jamelia released her debut single, „So High” under Capitol Records, which she was signed to four years before the single was released. Reception of the single was mixed and it didn’t place on any charts. It wasn’t included on the album, and she left the label afterwards. Later that year, she signed a record deal with Parlophone, and released the lead single off Drama, „I Do” under the label. The single was her first top 40 hit in the UK, peaking at number 36 on the UK Singles Chart. Promotional copies of the song „Thinking 'Bout You” were released near the end of the year. In 2000, the singer released the second single off the album, „Money”, which features Jamaican artist Beenie Man. The single reached the top five of the UK charts and spent eleven weeks there. It received a nomination for Best British Video on the 2001 BRIT Awards. Later on that year, two further singles, „Call Me” and „Boy Next Door” were released from the album. They peaked at #11 and #42 on the UK charts, respectively. Drama was released on the 26th of June that year. A potential release of Drama in the United States was planned for early 2001. However, it never came to fruition.

Critical reception

The Guardian wrote that Drama "proves that the British are capable of making R&B that is soulful, sophisticated and mesmerising."

Track listing

Notes

• "Guilty" is a cover of the 1980 song by Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb.
• "Thinking 'Bout You" features a rap by Don Juan.

Charts