The-Dream | |
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.jpg) The-Dream performing in 2008 | |
| Born | Terius Youngdell Nash (1977-09-20)September 20, 1977 (age 47) |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1995–present |
| Works | |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 9 |
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Labels | |
| Website | radiokillarecords |
Musical artist | |
Terius Adamu Ya Gesteelde-Diamant[2][3] (néYoungdell Nash; born September 20, 1977), known professionally asThe-Dream, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer.[4][5] He is known for having written or co-produced songs for artists inR&B andhip hop, often in tandem with production partnerTricky Stewart. Beginning withI Am... Sasha Fierce (2008), he has been credited on each of American singerBeyoncé's subsequent albums.[6]
His co-writing credits include "Me Against the Music" (2003) forBritney Spears, "Ride" (2010) forCiara, "Umbrella" (2007) forRihanna, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (2008), "Cuff It" (2022), "Break My Soul" (2022) and "Partition" (2013) for Beyoncé, "Touch My Body" (2008) forMariah Carey, "16 @ War" forKarina Pasian (2008), "Baby" (2010) forJustin Bieber, "All of the Lights" (2010) forKanye West, "No Church in the Wild" (2013) forJay-Z andKanye West and "Savage (Remix)" (2020) forMegan Thee Stallion. His work has earned him eightGrammy Awards from 21 nominations—including an inaugural nomination forSongwriter of the Year at the65th Annual Grammy Awards.[7][8]
Following the success of "Umbrella", he signed withDef Jam Recordings as a recording artist to release five studio albums:Love/Hate (2007),Love vs. Money (2009),Love King (2010),1977 (2011) andIV Play (2013). The former two albums yielded theBillboard Hot 100-top 20 singles "Shawty Is a 10" (featuringFabolous) and "Rockin' That Shit", respectively. Through his own label,Radio Killa Records, he released thetriple albumMénage à Trois: Sextape Vol. 1, 2, 3 (2018) andSextape 4 (2020).
Terius Nash was born inRockingham, North Carolina. He moved with his mother toAtlanta,Georgia, when he was two years old. After learning to play trumpet in elementary school, Nash learned how to play the drums and guitar.[9] His mother died in 1992 when Nash was fifteen years old, an event which would inspire him to write songs.[10] He states that the death of his mother gave him a "soft spot" for women, to which he credits his desire to write songs about female empowerment such as Rihanna's "Umbrella".[10] He moved in with his grandfather, aconcrete mason who instilled a strong work ethic in Nash. Of his grandfather, Nash recalls "He came out of a bad time for blacks in the South, but even though we lived in the hood, we had a boat, some cars and a house that was paid for. So I've always had a different outlook on life. There's nothing I can't do."[11]
Nash met R&B producerLaney Stewart in 2001 who helped him get a publishing deal after Nash wrote "Everything" forB2K's albumPandemonium!.[9] Under the pen name The-Dream, Nash began writing lyrics for popular artists. He co-wroteBritney Spears' song "Me Against the Music" from her albumIn the Zone. He spent two years working onNivea's second albumComplicated, which he executive produced, and continued to write and produce withChristopher "Tricky" Stewart, Laney's brother, which led toRihanna's 2007 hit "Umbrella". "Umbrella" was nominated forSong of the Year at the2008 Grammy Awards.[12]
In 2007, Nash signed a record contract withDef Jam Recordings and began working on his debut studio albumLove/Hate.[12] The album was produced by The-Dream, his production partnerTricky Stewart, andLos Da Mystro, and featuredFabolous andRihanna.[13] The album was written and recorded in eight days with twelve tracks making the final cut. Released December 11, 2007, on The-Dream'sDef Jam imprintRadio Killa Records,[14] the album featured the singles "Shawty Is a 10", "Falsetto" and "I Luv Your Girl" and received generally positive reviews from critics, asRolling Stone called it "one of the most likable R&B records of the year" and UrbanMusicReviews.com said that the singer had "hit a home run".[15] In June 2008, The-Dream was named Best New Artist at theBET Awards.
Nash wrote and produced Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", which was included on her third studio albumI Am... Sasha Fierce and released in 2008. The song went on to win the Grammy Award for Song of the Year and Best R&B Song, becoming the first career wins at the Grammys for The-Dream.[citation needed]
On March 10, 2009, The-Dream released his second albumLove vs. Money.[16] He re-teamed with Tricky Stewart, who produced most of the tracks on the album, and Los Da Mystro.[17] The album featuredMariah Carey,Kanye West, andLil Jon and featured the singles "Rockin' That Shit", "Walkin' on the Moon" and "Sweat It Out".[18] Upon its release, the album received general acclaim from most music critics, based on an aggregate score of 83/100 fromMetacritic and it was more commercially successful than its predecessor, debuting at number two on theBillboard 200.[19]
During the making ofLove King, he recorded a song withT-Pain and expressed that he would like to make a collaborative album withKanye West in the future.[20] In January 2010, The-Dream stated he was finished recording the album and he called it the best of his three albums.[21] The album was released on June 29, 2010.[22] Before the album's release, The-Dream announced thatLove King will be his last solo album.[23][24] Once again produced by The-Dream, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, and Los Da Mystro, the album spawned the singles "Love King" and "Make Up Bag". Despite positive reviews from critics, the album was less commercially successful thanLove vs. Money, and debuted at number four on theBillboard 200.
On theLove King track "Sex Intelligent (Remix)", The-Dream sang that he would release a follow-up album titledLove Affair on June 7, 2011.[25] On that intended release date, The-Dream released a medley of two new songs titled "Body Work / Fuck My Brains Out" as a free download[26] followed by an album titled1977 on August 31, 2011, also as a free download.Def Jam Recordings released1977 commercially on December 18, 2012, with a modified track list.[27]Love Affair was delayed repeatedly and the name was changed toThe Love, IV,[25]Love IV: Diary of a Madman,[28]Love IV MMXII, and finallyIV Play. In the nearly three years betweenLove King andIV Play, The-Dream released the singles "Roc" and "Dope Bitch", which were not included on the final track list forIV Play.
IV Play was released on May 28, 2013. The album features guest appearances fromJay-Z,Big Sean,Pusha T,Beyoncé,2 Chainz,Kelly Rowland,Gary Clark Jr. andFabolous and the singles "Slow It Down"[29] and "IV Play".[30] On January 8, 2014, he revealed that he had left Def Jam Recordings and was independent.[31] However, as of 2014, he was listed as being on the artist roster of major labelCapitol Records.
In the summer of 2014, The-Dream released his first free mixtape calledRoyalty: The Prequel (EP).[32] The mixtape consisted of seven songs total, with hit songs "Pimp C Lives" and "Outkast". He followed with "Fruition" and "That's My Shit" to further introduce his new style of music and his upcoming album,Crown Jewel.[33] Because of complications the album was split into two EPs.Crown was released May 3, 2015.Jewel will be released in the future after the transition to new management.[34] In May 2016, The-Dream uploaded a video to Instagram, and in the description of the video he told he will continue "The Love" series, and his next project will be called "Love Affair" as he said at 2010 in the lyrics of the song "Sex Intelligent (Remix)".[35] On December 9, he released "Love You to Death EP". On Instagram, The-Dream commented to fans that "Love Affair" will be released in March 2017. On February 28, The-Dream featured on a track released by Kanye West on his SoundCloud, entitled "Bed Yeezy Season 5 (ft. The-Dream)".[36]
The-Dream released an album titledMénage à Trois: Sextape Vol. 1, 2, 3 in December 2018, and another album titledSextape 4 in April 2020.
In addition to his work with Nivea and Rihanna, Nash has written and produced songs for many other R&B, hip hop, and pop artists, includingJ. Holiday,Usher,Yung Joc,Jesse McCartney,Mariah Carey,Karina Pasian,Ciara,Brandy,Diddy,Mary J. Blige,B2K,Beyoncé,Kylie Minogue,Janet Jackson, andTulisa Contostavlos. In 2009, The-Dream and Tricky Stewart co-wrote and produced the albumHow to Be a Lady: Volume 1 by the R&Bgirl groupElectrik Red.
The-Dream has been a featured artist on singles by artists such asPlies,LL Cool J,Dear Jayne,Gym Class Heroes,Sterling Simms,Rick Ross,Fabolous,Jamie Foxx, andSnoop Dogg.
In early 2009, The-Dream began working withChristina Milian on her fourth studio albumElope,[37] which led to her signing a joint-deal withRadio Killa Records.[38] The-Dream said that when he was building his label, he went looking for Milian because he believed she was a talented singer.[39] The singer confirmed that her second single would be a duet with The-Dream called "Supersonic".[40]Elope was never released and the material she recorded with The-Dream was scrapped after her marriage to Nash ended.[41]
In 2010, The-Dream was criticized for his cover ofAaliyah's song "One in a Million". Upon the release of the song, fans of Aaliyah voiced distaste for The-Dream's rendition on radio shows and blog sites.[42]
John Calvert ofThe Quietus writes that The-Dream's "stadium-R&B reinvented the genre as a mythological epic", citing it as an influence onFrank Ocean's 2012 song "Pyramids".[43]AllMusic editor Andy Kellman writes that, with Carlos McKinney and Tricky Stewart, The-Dream "seized possession of [...] the belt for the electronic pop-R&B division, once held by innovatorsLeon Sylvers III,Kashif and Morrie Brown,Prince,Jam & Lewis,Teddy Riley,Timbaland andMissy Elliott, andthe Neptunes".[44]
The-Dream has nine children by four different women. After dating for six months, Nash married his girlfriend,Nivea in December 2004.[45] Their daughter Navy Talia Nash was born on May 10, 2005,[46] and their twin sons London Nash and Christian Nash on April 19, 2006.[47] The-Dream filed for legal separation on December 10, 2007. Nash said that although he was in love with Nivea, his lack of experience in a family growing up meant he was "not taught how much more than love [it takes] to run a relationship. Like, 'cause love isn't just where it's gonna end. It can't start and stop with love. There has to be a certain amount of knowledge and patience that's acquired in order to keep it going and keep it straight, and I found out the hard way."[48] On June 15, 2008, their divorce was finalized. Nash stated in an interview, "I decided to end it because I didn't want to take this person [Nivea] and treat them a certain way based on what I was changing into, based on being bitter." Nivea confirmed The-Dream wanted the divorce, not she: "It's not [mutual]. We're supposed to say that, but it's not true. It wasn't no mutual agreement, he wanted to do it, I didn't, but it's done. I'm dealing with it."[47]
Nash began datingChristina Milian in early 2009 and she became pregnant. They were engaged in June 2009[49] and married on September 4, 2009, at the Little White Chapel inLas Vegas.[50] Nash said in an interview that Nivea was still a good friend of his, and that she was also friends with Milian.[51] Five months after their wedding, Nash filed divorce papers in Georgia on February 17, 2010.[52][53] Their daughter, Violet Madison Nash, was born on February 26, 2010. On July 12, 2010, the couple announced their separation,[54] after photos surfaced of Nash being intimate with his assistant.[55] Their divorce was finalized on October 23, 2011.[56]
In 2012, Nash briefly dated Lydia Nam, who gave birth to their son in 2013.[57]
Nash began dating LaLonne Martinez in early 2014,[58] they became engaged in May 2014 and married on July 3, 2014, atSan Francisco City Hall.[59] Together they have four children:[60] sons Heir Wolf Nash (May 8, 2015) and Lord Nash (August 2016); and daughters Maverick (August 2017) and Élysées Nash (May 6, 2019).
Nash was arrested on May 7, 2014, on charges of felonyassault and strangulation,reckless endangerment andchild endangerment against his then-pregnant girlfriend Lydia Nam for his alleged actions on April 4, 2013, while they were staying at thePlaza Hotel in New York.[61][62][63] Prosecutors dismissed charges at a brief appearance inManhattan Criminal Court.[64]“After a thorough investigation, we have determined that we cannot prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt,” Prosecutor Jacqueline Cornell said.[65]
On June 4, 2024, Nash was accused ofrape,sexual battery, andsex trafficking by his former protégée, Chanaaz Mangroe, through a lawsuit filed in theUnited States District Court for the Central District of California.[66] Nash denied her accusations in a statement toThe New York Times, describing them as "untrue anddefamatory."[67]
| Year | Title | Type | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Signed | Television | Himself | Season 1 |
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Mobo Awards | Best Songwriter | "Bed" (songwriter) | Nominated |
| 2008 | American Music Awards | T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist | The-Dream | Nominated |
| BET Awards | Best New Artist | Won | ||
| Ozone Awards | Best R&B Artist | The-Dream | Nominated | |
| 2009 | BET Awards | Best Male R&B Artist | Nominated | |
| BET Hip-Hop Awards | Viewer's Choice | "Throw It in the Bag" withFabolous | Won | |
| 2022 | Billboard Awards | Songwriter of the year | The-Dream | Won |
| 2023 | iHeart Radio Music Awards | Songwriter of the year | For his work on releases byBeyoncé,Brent Faiyaz andPusha T | Won |
The-Dream has been nominated twenty-one times for the Grammy Awards, winning eight of these nominations.[68]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "Umbrella"(as songwriter) | Song of the Year | Nominated |
| 2010 | "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)"(as songwriter)[69] | Won | |
| Best R&B Song | Won | ||
| I Am... Sasha Fierce(as producer) | Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2012 | "All of the Lights"(as songwriter)[69] | Song of the Year | Nominated |
| Best Rap Song | Won | ||
| 2013 | "No Church in the Wild"(withJay-Z andKanye West &Frank Ocean) | Best Rap/Sung Collaboration | Won |
| Best Short Form Music Video | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | "Holy Grail"(as songwriter) | Best Rap Song | Nominated |
| 2015 | Beyoncé(as producer) | Album of the Year | Nominated |
| 2017 | "Ultralight Beam"(with Kanye West,Chance The Rapper,Kelly Price &Kirk Franklin) | Best Rap/Sung Performance | Nominated |
| Best Rap Song | Nominated | ||
| 2021 | "Savage"(as songwriter) | Won | |
| 2023 | Renaissance(As producer) | Best Dance/Electronic Album | Won |
| Renaissance(As producer/songwriter) | Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| "Break My Soul"(As producer/songwriter) | Record of the Year | Nominated | |
| Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Best Dance/Electronic Recording | Won | ||
| "Cuff It"(as producer/songwriter) | Best R&B Song | Won | |
| "Virgo's Groove"(as producer/songwriter) | Best R&B Performance | Nominated | |
| Himself | Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical | Nominated | |
| 2025 | "Cowboy Carter"(As producer/songwriter) | Album of the Year | Won |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)| International | |
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