Drag-On
 |
Drag-On | |
|---|---|
| Born | Melvin Jason Smalls January 4, 1980 New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, songwriter, actor |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels | |
Melvin Jason Smalls (born January 4, 1980),[2] known professionally as Drag-On, is an American rapper. He is best known for his time on Ruff Ryders, through whom he released his debut album, Opposite of H2O (2000). The album was successful, debuting at number five on the US Billboard 200 chart and eventually sold over 500,000 copies and earning a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Drag-On released his second album Hell and Back, in 2004.
Drag-On has appeared in the 2001 film Exit Wounds and the 2003 Cradle 2 the Grave, both of which stars his then-Ruff Ryders label-mate DMX.
Early life
[edit]Drag-On was born Melvin Jason Smalls, was raised in The Bronx, New York City, New York. He was raised in the Bronxdale Houses. Smalls developed an interest in rapping at the age of nine, influenced by artists such as Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, and Slick Rick, and found early creative expression through music. Smalls has had a stutter since childhood.
His father left shortly after his birth, and his mother struggled with drug addiction, leading to frequent absences. As a result, Smalls was often locked out of his apartment and spent periods sleeping in hallways, on trains, and rooftops. In 1995, at age 15, he was involved in a violent altercation that left him with a permanent scar from his left temple to his cheekbone.
He eventually went to live with his grandmother, whom he credited with providing stability and support that allowed him to continue pursuing music.[3]
Musical career
[edit]Around 1997, at age 17, Smalls was discovered selling bootleg clothes and music by Darrin "Dee" Dean, the co-founder of Ruff Ryders Entertainment. After performing for Dean at Ruff Ryders studio, Smalls was signed to Ruff Ryders. Drag-On was mentored by DMX, with whom he developed a close friendship. He subsequently signed with B.A.R. Management, the management company owned by DMX’s uncle, Ray Copeland, which also represented DMX. Smalls's original stage name was "Sabretooth Dragon" but was shortened to Drag-On, reflecting his skill at delivering powerful and high-quality lyrics, a quality often described in hip-hop as ‘spitting fire.’[3]
At age 17, Drag-On recorded his first commercial track, appearing on DMX’s May 1998 debut studio album, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, on the song "For My Dogs".[3] That year, Ruff Ryders signed a joint-venture deal with Interscope Records, which placed Drag-On under the Interscope umbrella. He subsequently appeared on DMX's second studio album as well, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood, released in December 1998.
Drag-On appeared prominently on Ruff Ryders' debut compilation album, Ryde or Die Vol.1, released in April 1999. He appeared on three songs: "Ryde or Die", "The Hood", and "Down Bottom", the latter being released as the fourth single from the album. Drag-On also made a guest appearance on DMX's December 1999 third studio album, ...And Then There Was X, appearing on the song "D-X-L (Hard White)".
Drag-On's debut album, Opposite of H2O, was released on March 28, 2000 through Interscope and Ruff Ryders. Featuring the single Spit These Bars, the album debuted and peaked in the top 5 on the Billboard 200. Selling over 150, 000 copies in its first week, the album was ultimately certified gold by the RIAA for sales of over 500,000 copies, making it Drag-On's bestselling album.[4] Critical reception to the album was mixed to average. In July, Drag-On appeared on Ruff Ryders' second compilation album, Ryde or Die Vol.2, appearing on the songs "Twisted Heat" and "Weed, Hoes, Dough".
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | |||
| Opposite of H2O |
|
5 | 2 | |
| Hell and Back |
|
47 | 5 | |
| Hood Environment |
|
– | — | |
Singles
[edit]As lead artist
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US R&B | US Rap | |||
| "Down Bottom" (featuring Juvenile) |
1999 | 43 | 5 | Ryde or Die |
| "Spit These Bars" (featuring Swizz Beatz) |
80 | – | Opposite of H2O | |
| "Niggaz Die 4 Me" (with DMX) |
2000 | — | — | Opposite of H2O |
Guest appearances
[edit]| Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "For My Dogs" | 1998 | DMX, Big Stan, Loose, Kasino | It's Dark and Hell Is Hot |
| "Ruff Ryders' Anthem" (Remix) | DMX, Eve, Jadakiss, Styles P | The Professional | |
| "No Love 4 Me" | DMX, Swizz Beatz | Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood | |
| "100 Shiesty's" | 1999 | Harlem World | The Movement |
| "Ryde or Die" | The Lox, DMX, Eve | Ryde or Die Vol. 1 | |
| "Down Bottom" | Juvenile | ||
| "The Hood" | Swizz Beatz, Beanie Sigel, Infa-Red, NuChild, Mysonne | ||
| "We Got That" | Warren G, Eve, Shadow | I Want It All | |
| "I Want It All" (Remix) | Warren G, Memphis Bleek, Tikki Diamond | ||
| "Pay Per View" | Jadakiss, Eve, Styles P | WCW Mayhem: The Music | |
| "D-X-L (Hard White)" | DMX, The Lox | ... And Then There Was X | |
| "Move Right Now" | 2000 | Swizz Beatz, Eve | Music from the Motion Picture Any Given Sunday |
| "If You Know" | The Lox, Eve, Swizz Beatz | We Are the Streets | |
| "You Was Wrong" | Big Pun, Fat Joe, Remy Ma | Yeeeah Baby | |
| "Weed, Hoes, Dough" | — | Ryde or Die Vol. 2 | |
| "Twisted Heat" | Swizz Beatz, Twista | ||
| "Call Me Drag-On" | — | 60 Minutes of Funk, Volume IV: The Mixtape | |
| "Got What You Need" | 2001 | Eve, Swizz Beatz | Scorpion |
| "Thug in the Street" | Eve, The Lox | ||
| "It's Time I See You" | The Lox, Eve, Infa-Red, Cross | Kiss tha Game Goodbye | |
| "It Was Written" | Damian Marley, Stephen Marley, Capleton | Halfway Tree | |
| "Dirrty" | Petey Pablo | Ryde or Die Vol. 3: In the "R" We Trust | |
| "We Don't Give a Fuck" | Fiend | ||
| "Street Team" | Infa-Red, Cross | ||
| "Untouchable" | 2003 | DMX, Syleena Johnson, Cross, Infa-Red, Sheek Louch | Grand Champ |
| "Move Back" | 2005 | Ol' Dirty Bastard, The Lenox Ave. Boys, Jae Millz, Cardan, Terra Blacks | Osirus |
| "BMW (Bronx Most Wanted)" | Lord Tariq | The Barcode | |
| "Knock Knock" | Chocolate Ty | Vol. 4: The Redemption | |
| "Throw It Up" | — | ||
| "Bust Ya Gunz" | 2007 | Swizz Beatz | One Man Band Man |
| "Cook It Up" | Big Sha, Iveta | Хляб И Амфети | |
| "World's Greatest" | 2011 | Mook, DMX, The Lox, Swizz Beatz | Ruff Ryders: Past, Present, Future |
| "Hip Hop" | Swizz Beatz | ||
| "Say Word" | 2015 | Sy Ari da Kid, K Camp, DC Young Fly, Snootie Wild, OG Maco, Kap G, Tha Joker, Jarren Benton, Zach Farlow, Nyemiah Supreme, Scotty ATL, Mike Fresh, Zuse, Royce Rizzy, Wave Chapelle, Katie Got Bandz, Rich the Kid, A1 the Supergroup, Yowda, Bandit Gang Marco, Translee, Zip K, Fat Bax, D Chamberz, Math Hoffa | S.O.O.N (Somethin Out of Nothin) |
| "Rolling 110 Deep" | 2021 | DJ Kay Slay, Sheek Louch, Styles P, Dave East, Crooked I, Black Thought, Conway the Machine, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Papoose, Loaded Lux, AZ, Bun B, Fred the Godson, Jim Jones, Ransom, Rah Digga, M.O.P., Trae tha Truth, Joell Ortiz, Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz, Cory Gunz, Shaquille O'Neal, Roy Jones Jr., Kool DJ Red Alert, Redman, Young Buck, MC Serch, Big Daddy Kane, MC Shan, KRS-One, Jon Connor, Twista, Chris Rivers, Nino Man, Locksmith, 3D Na'Tee, Trick Trick, Tragedy Khadafi, E-A-Ski, Cassidy, Freddie Foxxx, Gillie da King, Ice-T, Treach, Kool G Rap, Lil' Cease, RJ Payne, J.R. Writer, Shoota 93, Ms. Hustle, Vado, Mysonne, Mistah F.A.B., Saigon, Melle Mel, Grandmaster Caz, Havoc, Tracey Lee, E.D.I. Mean, Young Noble, McGruff, Stan Spit, Sickflo, Onyx, Ras Kass, Termanology, DJ Doo Wop, Junior Reid, Oun P, Merkules, Wais P, Maino, Uncle Murda, PT Capone Mobstyle, Mike Cee, Royal Flush, Super Lover Cee, Page Kennedy, Rockness, Gunplay, Brand Nubian, Sonja Blade, Coke La Rock, Nice & Smooth, Consequence, Millyz, OT the Real, Ron Artest, Kaflow, Tone Trump, Hocus 45th, Omar Epps, Bodega Bamz, Bynoe, PTKNY, Aobie, Sporty Thievz, Tony Moxberg, Styleon, Chuck D, Sauce Money | Accolades |
| "Bae-Cation" | 2020 | James Artissen | Kaleidoscopes |
References
[edit]- ^ "Drag-On Signs with Swizz Beatz's Full Surface- XXL". October 25, 2007.
- ^ "DRAG-ON ARRESTED ON ASSAULT CHARGES". MTV. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020.
- ^ a b c "A Drag-On to scorch charts—Sales should flow for 'H2O' as Ruff Ryders introduces a new, well-connected rapper". New York Daily News. March 28, 2000. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
- ^ a b "RIAA – Searchable Database: Drag-On". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
External links
[edit]| International | |
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| National | |
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