Terius "The Dream" Nash is returning to the music scene as an artist with his sophomore effort, Love vs. Money, set to be released Dec. 16th. Sticking with his hit-making team of Tricky Stewart and Los the Maestro, this is album will have tracks inspired by the 60s, R. Kelly, pop and R&B. There will also be a guest appearance by Mariah Carey on "My Love."

"In the beginning I was just having fun. I didn't want people thinking too hard, I just wanted them to gravitate toward my lyrics," the-Dream tells Billboard.com. "But this time my vocals are different. I've definitely grown in my singing."

An encore to the heartbreak track "Nikki" from the first album will also appear on the set. The Dream says his third project will most likely include a song in the vein of "Nikki" as well, as he hopes to release a full album of the Nikki chronicles at some point. A single has yet to be chosen, but The Dream would love to pull a Beyonce and release 2 singles, one pop and one R&B...

In the meantime, Dream will spend his time working with J. Holiday, Jamie Foxx, Mario and Usher.

Labels: The Dream

Gym Class Heroes teamed up with The Dream for a hot new track from their upcoming release The Quilt called "Cookie Jar." It's fun song and very catchy, the metaphors are pretty funny. I've never been a huge fan of Gym Class Heroes, just haven't listened to much of their work but I am a fan of The Dream and the collaboration works really well.

I've been listening to this one daily!

Labels: Gym Class Heroes, The Dream

My boy The Dream is back with his third single "Luv Your Girl" off the Love/Hate album. It features Young Jeezy [which you know I could do without, I like it better without the rap] but this is probably my favorite track off the album, along with "Ditch That." The video has cameos from J.D. and Chingy which was shot in Atlanta.

Dream has making hits seem easy, with so many hits on the charts right now that he wrote for others like Mariah, Mary J. Blige, Jessie McCartney, and Dear Jayne.

Check out a look behind the scenes on set after the jump...

Labels: The Dream

Loyal reader Kim sent me a full report on the "Heart of the City" Tour after it rolled through Baltimore, so if you are still trying to decide if you want to go (and drop that $150 plus on a ticket) she makes quite a convincing case to go ahead and handle that...

My homegirl & I was on the floor (maybe a good…20 feet away for the stage) good seats. First off The Dream started his thing at 7:30; he did 3 songs and had his little dancers pour baby oil on each other! He was cool, sounded good. When he left the lights came back on and we waited for a good 30 minutes, I think they were waiting for people to get seated cuz there were still a lot of seats empty. Around 8 the lights cut off and they start playing a black & white movie/interview with Mary & Jay talking about why it’s a good idea for them to tour. Anyway they came out posing in their b-boy stance and started singing Can’t Knock The Hustle! It was rocking. Jay left and Mary started to do her thing. She went through a lot of her old songs (Real Love, You Remind Me, etc) She sung like 3 songs off her new album including Just Fine but she didn’t sing Hurt Again which was still cool even thought I was waiting for it. Of course she did No More Drama and rocked it! Oh and I saw Kendu and the kids, I think they gave her good luck hugs and kisses b4 the show. Mel she was so good…then the lights went down again. A movie with just Jay came one and we knew what that meant...the crowd went bananas! He started with I Know (OMG Mel he looked SO good, had his shades on with some baggy jeans and a fly shirt and jacket. I know he’s like almost 40 but I love him in that. And he blinging of course dripping with diamonds around he neck and wrist) he sung, my bad rapped like 2 more songs off of AG, brought Bleek out and did Can I Live(I heard later Freeway was backstage and kinda mad that Bleek went out and not him since he has a new song out but that what I heard plus that’s Bleek, his BFF for life) anyway…he did the Blue Magic with his politics with Barack(you know F-Bush) Melody I was in such awe, I mean I love Mary that’s my girl from wayyyy back, me and her have history but Jay-Z. I was trying to rock out with everyone but I was just paying attention/studying that man. I had so much fun, I’m partly deaf now (might b a good idea to bring some of those soft ear plugs) but it was so dope. We had so much fun. OMG I wish I could turn back time.

Yeah...totally make you want to go! I sure will be there!

Labels: Jay Z, Mary J Blige, The Dream

The "Heart of the City" Tour with Jay Z and Mary J. Blige kicked off in Miami at the American Airlines Arena this weekend with a handful of special guests, to the tune of Kanye West, Jeezy, and Timbaland. He also took the time to declare his support of Obama [we can dig it!] after blasting "Fuck Bush!" [Can dig that too.]

My big homie The Dream is opening for the pair and of course you know Mary ripped the stage with her power vocals [so I hear, cause I wasn't there but I will give a full report from the show when I go!]

Check all the tour pics after the jump!

Labels: Jay Z, Mary J Blige, The Dream

I feel like I'm releasing an album...since our in depth interview, The-Dream has been making serious moves in the music industry creating buzz like no other. Seems like we were just chopping it up about everything from marching bands to everything that has gone into this album. The-Dream has become a true friend to the blog, so I'm definitely excited about his Def Jam release LOVE/HATE.

Creating hits for others [Rihanna, J. Holiday, Mary J, Blige, to name a few], is one thing. Creating hits for yourself, could be a daunting task some, for The-Dream it's easy like Sunday morning. The majority of the album, written in just 9 days, is being called an album full of singles. There is one goal in mind for this album, A Grammy!

LOVE/HATE is named #7 Album Of The Year by Blender Magazine...

"His debut is a sublimely skanky gallery of hormonal yarns, love triangles, androgynous falsetto and skittering digital beats. In 2007, freaks ruled the R&B roost, and The-Dream was the freakiest of them all." - BLENDER

Best described as "Prince meets R. Kelly at a T-Pain concert in Atlanta," The-Dream has created a brand new sound dubbed "Electronic R&B." From the Prince inspired "Fast Car" to the the hip-popping "I Love Your Girl" he creates complex melodies and vocal arrangements that go beyond the formulaic norm. The-Dream is anything but cookie-cutter. He is creating his own shape in the music game.



Best of all! Here's your Christmas gift from POP-JUNKIE.com: I have FREE copies for my loyal readers. Three lucky winners will receive a copy of the brand new album LOVE/HATE from The-Dream on Def Jam Recordings.

To enter CLICK HERE and submit your name, age, and address! That easy!

Labels: The Dream, The Leak

As I previously reported, The-Dream and wive Nivea have decide to end their marriage, however the split is amicable. In a statement sent exclusively to POP-JUNKIE.com, Nivea responds to the ending of her marriage to Terius "The-Dream" Nash:

I am also sorry to have to report the news of our separation. It is however a mutual decision for the both of us. We see this as an attempt to try and maintain the friendship we've developed since our marriage and also to allow growth for myself as well as him. Unfortunately I was not prepared for partnership or even real life for that matter. I am completely and truly grateful and thankful to God for sending him into my life and to him for everything that he has done for me and my family and that includes monetarily as well as spiritually and mentally, especially for myself, which was never his responsibility in the first place. None of you are aware of the real me and I plan to make that as clear as possible on this next album. I come from a sad and scary past that I am still in the process of overcoming and growing past, thanks to the man I love and always will. This is truly the only person I've ever known or heard of that is incredibly loving, passionate, wise, psychic, wise, creative, genius, and many more things that I could never put into words. I don't feel it is fair for neither of us, especially him, to continue this never-ending battle of the minds that he and i have continued for long enough. I want nothing more than for him and I to be happy. His happiness is all i want, for I could never repay him for what he has endured by being my friend, partner, and husband.

Terius has said he will issue a statement in due time, but has chosen to focus on his upcoming release.

Labels: Exclusive, Nivea, The Dream

Reports are starting to surface about the pending divorce of the marriage between Terius "The-Dream" Nash and wife Nivea...

It's not a rumor. A source very close to the situation confirms that divorce papers have been drawn, I was told last week. However, the marriage isn't ending on a sour note. The pair have decided that marriage has run its course and that this is the best thing to do... They also note that the split doesn't have anything to do either's success or lack there of.

They do have a daughter together, Navy Talia, born in 2005.

There are also rumors of a brewing relationship with Kris Jacobs, who is in the "Falsetto" video. When asked, my source laughed off the notion as yet another attempt to drag out more drama as The-Dream album's release is less than a week away.

Sticking to the music...check back for The Leak: LOVE/HATE album!

Labels: Exclusive, The Dream

Labels: The Dream

Check out the "Video Documentary" teaser from the new album LOVE ME ALL SUMMER HATE ME ALL WINTER by The-Dream! His album is getting much critical acclaim...In stores Dec. 11th!

Plus, you can preview some of the heat he's bringing on his album now here.

Labels: The Dream

Ya'll know friend to the blog, The-Dream, is doing big things! The album LOVE HATE drops December 11th, make sure you get yours.

Now, if you think that you are a ten, scoot on over to the "Shawty is a 10" Photo Contest and upload a pic. Two lucky winners, chosen by The-Dream himself, will win a Nikon CoolPix Camera.

Make sure to check out all things The-Dream right here on Pop-Junkie.com!

Labels: The Dream

The-Dream, who describes his sounds as "electronic R&B," is looking forward to sharing his sound on December 11th. He recently debuted tracks from his Def Jam debut LOVE HATE at Room Service in NYC, hosted by radio personality Angie Martinez. The roar of applause that shook the building after each song was played makes the Album a certified HIT!!!

Check out an other exclusive track called "I Luv Your Girl," not to be confused with "She Needs My Love." This one has a slower groove but still has the knock to make you sway your hips. My boy is a conceptual thinker that can do more in one song than some can't do in a whole album...Read our exclusive interview here!



See the official tracklisting after the jump...




Here is the Official Tracklisting:

1. Shawty Is A Ten

2. I Luv Your Girl

3. Fast Car

4. She Needs My Love

5. Falsetto

6. Playin' In Her Hair

7. Purple Kisses

8. Ditch That

9. Nikki

10. Luv Songs

11. Livin' A Lie

12. Mama

Labels: The Dream

The Dream is on a mission to bring something extraordinary with his debut album LOVE/HATE, this is another track called "Shawty Needs My Love." Next to "Falsetto" it's one of my favorites for its heavily musical sound, he's not afraid to experiment with sound. His talent for creating addictive melodies is definitely his driving force. You can look for his debut album due out December 11th...


If you haven't checked out our exclusive interview, read it now!

Labels: Check It, The Dream

Labels: Check It, Exclusive, The Dream

In an exclusive statement to Pop-Junkie.com, The Dream [after speaking with Chris] clarifies his statement to Billboard.com about Chris Brown's interview with Vibe Magazine in regards to J. Holiday's hit "Bed," which was penned.

I'm apologizing for comments directed toward Chris Brown on Billboard.com. I spoke to Chris and I advised him that when he made the statement I was disappointed because he said things that were in my direction and that since I'm the only public figure surrounding the song "Bed," I took it as disrespect as well as the media and respected friends felt the same way.

Chris said the comments were towards another part of the situation surrounding the song and I stand here not to defend my comments but take full responsibility for my classless choice of talking through the media.

I apologize to Chris, Mark Pitts, and Jive Records.

Word on the curb is that J. Holiday's management has been less than easy to work with and I can't say that is what Chris was truly speaking about, but I put a pack of Chicklets and a coupon for a free jalapeño at Church's Chicken on it!

Labels: Chris Brown, Exclusive, The Dream

Here's the low-low, Chris Brown told Vibe that J. Holiday's hit "Bed" was his and that his camp was 'assholes' because though he offered $100,000 for the song, he wasn't given the song [basically because he isn't credible as an 18 year old singing it]. Chris also threw out a comment on 106 & Park but to that, the song's writer and newest Def Jam artist, The-Dream tells Billboard.com:

"The track was considered for Chris Brown -- he thought it was his -- but it was my record and I decided to give it up to J. Holiday," explains The-Dream. "Chris said the record won't be No. 1 unless he's on it. I bet someone $500,000 that it would go to No. 1 and I collected my money just last week."

He goes on to say that this little rift could end with The-Dream refusing to work with the young lad...even offering to give back money already paid for a song.

His debut album, Love Me All Summer, Hate Me All Winter will be released December 11. Until then check out his second single Falsetto and look out for other songs to hit the airwaves that he's written, such as J. Holiday's "Suffocate," Nicole Scherzinger's "Power's Out" and Celine Dion's "Skies of L.A." [which I've heard and is one of the most beautiful songs!]

Labels: The Dream

Check out the second single from Friend to the Blog, songwriter turned artist The-Dream, it's called "Fasletto." It has a Prince laced with a little R. Kelly type feel to the song that will once again get you hooked. Similar to J. Holiday's hit "Bed" [which he wrote], children will definite made to this song, so get your prophylactic game up! His upcoming album, LOVE HATE, due out this October is set to bring even more scorchers to the game...Talking about what we can expect, The-Dream says:

“It’s more of what I’m giving other people. It’s like the 80s, its musical. I’m doing the ‘Umbrella’ routine to this whole album. All of my records are singles. The album is really visual as well, it appeals to all your senses, similar to ‘Thriller’.”

Labels: The Dream

So I posted J. Holiday's next single "Suffocate" last month, but just in case you slept on it, I'll post it again. I actually love this song a bit more than "bed" but you know both are hot songs...and as he said in our first interview:

Everybody say [Bed is] a babymaker song, but that’s not the only one on there [laugh].

He wasn't lying! So check it out and add it to your daily rotation of songs...This was also written by The Dream, who seems to have the magic touch with J. Holiday! Back of My Lac is out Oct. 2nd, make sure you buy it! [And send me a copy for my birthday the next day :)]


PLUS, you can check out his interview on LA's Power 106 with Big Boy HERE.

Labels: J. Holiday, The Dream

The only positive byproduct of an industry asleep at the wheel is a dream. With over a decade of hit-making experience and a certified smash in Rihanna’s #1 single, "Umbrella" Terius "The Dream" Nash is stepping from behind the scenes to center stage with a wake-up call.

His debut CD, Love Hate, is a sonic gauntlet thrown down against complacent, cookie-cutter music. Propelled by the first single "Shawty is a Ten" the mastermind behind the explosive J. Holiday single "Bed" will do nothing short of redefine R&B for 2007 and beyond.

I had a chance to chit chat with the hit songwriter turned artist and actually ended up in a great in-depth conversation. It was like talking to a new found friend, as he was very candid and open about who he was and his music. Full of laughs and truths! If you think this is just a fluke, don't be fooled. Armed with a catalog of major hits for other artists, he's ready to put all of that into his own music! Hand-picked by L.A. Reid, The Dream is a labels dream!

Continue reading to read the exclusive interview...

Melody: How are you Mr. Dream?

The Dream: I am living the dream!

Melody: That is very, very true! You are living the dream so you should just be on cloud nine!

The Dream: I’m just floating right now, I’m trying to get to cloud 18! It’s better up there, a better view!

Melody: I bet it is and I am not mad at you for it. I’d be trying to get to 18 too. Well you’re definitely on 9. Two hot songs and now yours is about to be.

The Dream: Oh yeah, we haven’t even released a visual for that yet and it’s still going up in spins. They don’t even know who I am.

Melody: Nope. They probably think that they know who it is, but no.

The Dream: Exactly.

Melody: Well it’s getting spins in my house and my car!

The Dream: Now don’t let these dudes talk you out of this CD. You don’t want it to be 2 or 3 years from now, and they are back to call you everything in the book.

Melody: No!

The Dream: I’m going to be like, well I tried to call and stick up for you, while I was thinking about you, but noooooo! Ya’ll didn’t get my album. Ya’ll only got the ones with the “Bitches” and the “Hoes” on it.

Melody: No, I’m loving it! We definitely need a break from the “bitches” and the “hoes” and the “shake that ass!”

The Dream: That’s what I said, I said they need a break, been beating up on them too much. I told somebody that the other day. Ya’ll done beat them down so much, ya’ll can’t just do that. Ya’ll tripping, where ya’ll mama at? I think some of these guys just come from two men together, making babies.

Melody: Must be! They must not have a good woman in their life, they don’t know!

The Dream: [Laughs] They must don’t, they don’t know. I love my mama, I don’t know what wrong with these niggas.

Melody: Well that’s good, at least you are making good music, we can appreciate that!
Now, let’s talk about you for a minute, or the people who don’t know The Dream is, why don’t you tell them about yourself.

The Dream: I am a Georgia boy, of course from the ATL, I was raised by my grandfather. I may sound like I’m 60, but I’m only 27, I’m just going to tell everybody else I’m 21. I am very vocal when it comes to things I am passionate about. Very political, maybe more political than people would think as a Black, urban artist. Just real no nonsense, I got a lot of whippings when I was little. No nonsense, get your ass in a lot of trouble, do shit that makes sense, use the principles that were beat in you. So that’s me man, I’m just cool.

Melody: That’s wonderful. Well I know that you play one instrument, that we have in common, and that’s the trumpet.

The Dream: Oh really?

Melody: Yeah, well I don’t play anymore, but I started the same time that you did in elementary school.

The Dream: Yup.

Melody: …and I picked it up again in high school and was in the marching band.

The Dream: Me too! I was the drum major!

Melody: Wow, really? Okay, well I know you don’t just play the trumpet, you play a couple of other instruments.

The Dream: Well I play all those brass instruments, I can play the piano by ear, I went through a period from about 5th to 8th grade where I played all the drums in the band, so pretty well rounded.

Melody: So when did music become your focus in life?

The Dream: It wasn’t until I was like 17 or 18, it’s funny because it didn’t come into fruition until about 2000. It’s like my granddaddy’s ragging me, ‘yeah well, you’re not going to make any money in music.’ He’s old school, he didn’t mean any harm by it. He just wanted you to go out and get you a real career. Go to school, do what you needed to do. Kind of like, ‘okay, I’m going to show you.’ It put that chip on my shoulder, so I was going to ride out forever. But it really didn’t start until late, I was in band and all of those things, but when I got out of high school it was like ‘okay, well…’ I was getting into other things like cars, going to work, putting rims on my car, but after a while I just said ‘you know what, if they are riding in that car for doing that. I’ve been doing that since I was in the third grade. That’s easy as hell, let me do that.’ I didn’t know nothing about the writing process, as far as like lyrics, of course you know being in the band, you learn so many songs, you’re taught so many songs. It’s there, you just don’t know how to use it, as far as what it means in the business place in the music business. We wasn’t educated on that, it’s more so, go pick up that basketball, go pick up that football. No one told us where music could end up. Now they are taking music out of school, which is so dumb. But it happened real late for me, my first record was on B2K, the “Everything” record, so that’s 2002 or 2003. That hasn’t been that long for anybody else to get to this point. In my second year I wrote a song for Britney and Madonna. I already got off to a start that doesn’t start off like that. I was still learning what I was supposed to be doing, but that’s how it went down. Nobody had opened that part of my Pandora’s Box…

Melody: Well I am glad it made its way out!

The Dream: Oh yeah, it’s out now!

Melody: With two hit songs out right now, “Umbrella” which is Rihanna’s hit song and J. Holiday’s “Bed” which has become the new baby making song, they both have this addictive sound. It’s one of those things where you have the ability to make the songs that get stuck in your head. You can’t get them out, your just singing them and you don’t even realize you are singing them. Was that planned, did you know that would be your signature touch?

The Dream: It just comes, whatever I do I just let it come out. However I’m feeling, I was just talking about this, you let the feeling bleed through you and come out and let it be what it’s going to be, no matter what the song is about or the accent you put in it or whatever it is. Just let it come out, the melodic part that’s just something that I understood that there’s something that has to be catchy in the song for people to hone into what you’re talking about. That’s kind of the hook, it hooks you into it, then I just have to pull you in. Then when you start to realize the words lyrically and have content. Then it’s like ‘wow, I really mess with this song now.’ It’s kind of like a jab and a hook. I don’t know, I can’t explain it. I’m just blessed, how about that? [laughs]

Melody: So tell me about your writing process, do you write it down?

The Dream: Nope! I go straight into the booth. Just like my predecessor, Jay Z says he goes straight into the booth, your boy does the same thing.

Melody: Just go in and lay it out…

The Dream: Lay it on out, just come out, right on out.

Melody: Not everybody has that ability, which means you are truly blessed.

The Dream: I think I am more blessed just to be working in a business that I am great at. I am great that this and I am actually in the business I am doing it. A lot of people are probably working at a job they shouldn’t working at or maybe their parents told them they should be doing this. They are talented but they are more useful at a different job. And I think that’s where it comes from, even though I am blessed to do this, I am more blessed or the same at just the opportunity to do it. Because I could very well be the best garbage man, like right now, I know I would be. ‘Mr. Nash, he sure does come here and he takes my trash, he empties it out, he puts the garbage can right back where it needs to go.’ That would be me, so I’m just glad I am in the business where I can take advantage of my ability.

Melody: Tell me about your name, The Dream.

The Dream: Actually one uncle of mine, I didn’t pick it up until later on, I guess like 18 or 19, but earlier when I was 10 or 11 my uncle Edward, I don’t know if he was just babbling or just talking but he would be like, ‘we need you to be the dream now, we need you to have goals for higher things for yourself aside from the thing we have for you.’ He was talking more about school and being a doctor, because I grew up in Westside Atlanta, Bankhead. So I had a lot of friends that I don’t have around anymore, it’s not like I’m a suburban kid, I’m from the hood. But at the end of the day, you see a lot of things happen to a lot of people, I think he just didn’t want me to get caught into that. So I just kind of picked it back up, like ‘yeah I’m the dream!’ That’s exactly what I am going to turn everything into. If you ask me any question, it’s probably going to be the biggest answer you’re going to get. You can say ‘what artist are you going to put on your record?’ Look for me to say the biggest artist that’s out. I just dream big all the time now, just because of that statement from him.

Melody: That’s good that you had someone in your life to instill that in you.

The Dream: I think my grandfather instilled it, my uncle just said it. He was probably just stopping by to get some money from him. [laughs]

Melody: You’ve written some really big chart toppers. When you wrote them did you think automatically that it was a hit?

The Dream: Yeah, well I think it goes a lot further than just writing a record. Some of them are not always undeniable because you have to understand, you’re adding as a songwriter, things into it visually that hasn’t happened. Kind of like, Michael Jackson had to be marketed as a video artist, nobody really knows it, they don’t get it now. They think they think it was the music from the beginning but it wasn’t. You got the feeling because you saw him move so you were like, ‘oh my God, this is crazy! This is how you move to this. Okay we didn’t know.’ That usually comes with a lot of the things we do today. Everything isn’t just a radio hit so when I have an idea about a song, like there’s a song Nicole [Scherzinger] has with Sting called “Power’s Out” it’s about whenever your powers out, as a friend, not like when your bill ain’t paid, more like when a tornado comes through, something like you’ll always have a home when your power’s out, but used as a metaphor. Anything you need you can call me and I’ll succeed you. So at the end of the day that needs to be displayed on video for it to have the impact it need to have with people. So sometimes you need artist to actually be artist and to go to TV land and deliver the record for you.

Melody: Now that you’re an artist, have you ever written a song and wanted to keep it for yourself?

The Dream: Yeah, “Bed!”

Melody: I don’t blame you!

The Dream: Hmm mmm, I wanted to keep that one, but I wasn’t even thinking about being an artist back then. It’s just funny because it was like between two weeks of me deciding to want to be an artist. I wrote that record and I was like, I probably shouldn’t have sold that shit. But I sold the record and then was like, oh yeah well okay, then L.A.[Reid] was like okay and then I had to go make “Shawty is a 10.” He was like okay, cool!

Melody: I’ll take both, both are hot!

The Dream: It one of those things also, where like “Bed” is going to be phenomenal on the radio and it’s going to do what it needs to do no matter what you do on it on a television screen. “Shawty is a Ten” is going to do what it has to do because it’s talking about all the right things and it has all the melodies in it, but it really comes across when you see it performed or you see the video for it, it’s like okay I get this guy so now I get the song. “Bed” is more straight on, straight forward, this is what the song is talking about…

Melody: You don’t have to figure that one out…

The Dream: Right. “Shawty is a 10” is more like an event, it’s like okay what is these guys doing? The same impact can happen both ways.

Melody: Now it was a really short time between you deciding to be an artist and you were pretty much handpicked by L.A. Reid which not many people can say that’s happened to, so tell me about becoming an artist and going with Def Jam.

The Dream: You know what it was, it was basically what were just talking about. You do records for other artists and it’s never really their fault, sometimes the art that you put forth doesn’t always get the right look. Whether it’s video or it’s radio, sometimes the demographic was wrong for the record, or whatever it is. Somebody is cutting a record because they have enough money so they buy the record from you and they are going to put it out. What I was trying to do was to take control of what comes out, what type of records come out, when they come out. To change the sound with different seasons throughout the year. Having that type of a thing is great for me and for people that I am in business with. Not only that, it’s just easier for me to give people whatever it is they are trying to get, quickly. Basically I’m grateful for that part of it but it was really more here than on the business side of it, I can’t lie about that. Just to be in control of that, instead of having another artist in control of when they are going to hear the next “Umbrella.” Then you have to leave that up to some president somewhere. That’s what happened to “Umbrella” the first time, some president didn’t like it. So what would have happened if some president didn’t like, it would have ended up in my iTunes with all the other “Umbrellas.”

Melody: Well that first president lost out on some money! [laughs]

The Dream: [laughs] Surely they know that!

Melody: You describe your sound as “Prince meets R.Kelly at a T-Pain concert in ATL.” So explain that for those that might not get the references.

The Dream: The T-Pain element is more so that there is a certain rugged part about me, there are certain words that I am going to say that where you say ‘what beautiful melodies,’ and I’ll say ‘shit!’ And it’s like ‘where the fuck did that come from?’ So that’s the T-Pain part of it and I only say T-Pain because people know exactly what he’s doing right now. He’s like a hybrid of a lot of other things which is like the R. Kelly. R. Kelly, which is as far as the content, he’s not afraid to talk about a certain thing and normal R&B artist can’t talk about that or go there and just moving on to the Prince thing, it’s just musical. Very harmony based type of stuff, a lot of eighties vibes. So that really explains a lot about me as far as what I do.

Melody: Now let’s talk about your album, which you put together is a month!?

The Dream: Yeah, actually because it was mixed and everything, but I wrote that album in nine days.

Melody: Wow!

The Dream: I think if we boiled it all down to actual literal time that I spent doing certain things it’s probably less than that but in nine days we had it. I just did a new song though, actually the writing part was really quick and it was recorded in less than three hours about 2 days ago and we are going to stick that one on the album. It’s called “I Love Your Girl,” it’s crazy.

Melody: It sounds crazy, but it sounds interesting…

The Dream: Other than that after nine days it was done, it was gone, finished. I knew exactly what I wanted to, I was tapped in.

Melody: How was it coming in from being a songwriter, where before you were selling your songs, now you are writing them for yourself to sing?

The Dream: It’s so much easier but I feel grateful when someone sings my songs. It’s two different feelings, it’s easier because it’s you being able to do it. Like Usher has this record from me called “Moving Mountains” and I am grateful that he’s singing it because it’s a great song and nobody would accept that type of a song from me right now. But he’s further along in his career where he can sing that song. I’m just grateful that I can write for him and he can sing it for this whole other crowd. They’ll be like ‘oh wow, he went to a whole other level.’ And people will say ‘why didn’t you keep that song?’ Because it’s more than just a song sounding good, it’s about knowing what your limitations should be. I don’t care how gifted you are, you have to give people small doses, a little bit at a time. So yeah, I’m feeling real good about this writing thing.

Melody: I can understand that there are two different feelings, I think that when you sing songs that you’ve written, the record is so much more authentic.

The Dream: Yeah, it more authentic and that’s one thing I can say about Usher, he got it. Every artist doesn’t always get it. Rihanna got it on the “Umbrella” record, she really did. No matter what nobody says about her, she got it. She nailed that song and we were able to define her style and break her off that record. She has a definitive style now and I can go back and write her those types of records until I fall out.

Melody: You’re right, she’s found her niche.

The Dream: Right, she found her niche and two of the best record from the album we did together that one and “Breaking Dishes.” Both of those songs, she got her swag on. But I know that every one of my song, I am directly connected to it and I am able to deliver it a certain way so definitely understand what you are talking about. That’s the part I meant by it being easy, because I don’t have to coerce myself into believing what I’m singing about.

Melody: Right, it just comes out naturally and if you can get the artist to understand it, then that come out too.

The Dream: That thing about big artists, if they get it, like the Mary J’s, they get it. They’re big for a reason. They are able to take your song, make it theirs and still mean it like you meant it as a songwriter. Like a movie writer, you write a movie and you hope Russell Crow does his thing. You thinking about Gladiator, you’re thinking this guy better go get his swerve on. And when he does, he wins a Golden Globe for it.

Melody: So who all did you work with on this album?

The Dream: It’s Fab[olous] and Rihanna on it right now. Jay [Z] is going to get on one of these records, we don’t know which one he’s going to get on. Someone else maybe getting on it, I don’t really want to say [coughs] Andre 3000. We just trying to take it easy.

Melody: Well that’s going to be hot! So when is it going to be available?

The Dream: October 16th

Melody: October is going to be big! This is going to be a big time for you!

The Dream: Just wait until next year comes! This is the fun time.

Melody: I smell another hit with J. Holiday’s “Suffocate” which you also wrote.

The Dream: Oh Yeah, that’s an old one too. This is when the fun stuff comes out, this is when the catalog starts to come out. People get to say ‘oh my God, I love it’ and it’s like yeah you do? I wrote that two years ago. That record is incredible!

Melody: That is a very incredible record.

The Dream: Did you hear it?

Melody: Yes, I heard it!

The Dream: [sings a verse]

Melody: Whoo! I love that song. That is crazy! You are all over the place, you can’t turn on the TV, the radio, the internet, without finding something that you’ve touched.

The Dream: Young Joc’s new record is out now ”Coffee Shop,” I wrote that one too.

Melody: Goodness, what are you trying to do!?

The Dream: Hey, I’m trying to sew it up!

Melody: I am not mad at you, you have a serious hustle going on and I am not mad at it!

The Dream: I also have that new Eve single coming soon.

Melody: Wow. I am just amazed, I am really impresses. I am glad I had a chance to talk to you, because you are a force to be reckoned with!

The Dream: Ah, you making me blush!

Melody: [laugh] Aww, and with your album coming out, it’s just the icing on the cake. So everything that you’ve given to everybody else you can take and give to the world to enjoy. I know they will. You are officially a friend to the blog and so you will get special treatment!

The Dream: See, I’m a friend!



All photos are exclusive to pop-junkie.com taken by Mikelle Moore, shot in Miami's Aqualina Hotel.

Labels: The Dream