Terius Nash

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Terius Nash, known as The-Dream, is an American singer, songwriter and producer, born in 1977 in Rockingham, North Carolina, and raised in Atlanta. He learned trumpet, drums and guitar. When his mother died in 1992, he began writing songs, and that gave him a soft spot for women from which songs about female strength later emerged. In 2001 he met the producer Laney Stewart, who helped him to a publishing deal after his song Everything for B2K. With Laney's brother Tricky Stewart he wrote Me Against the Music for Britney Spears and in 2007 Umbrella for Rihanna, which was nominated for Song of the Year.

Music and breakthrough

After that success he signed with Def Jam for albums of his own: Love/Hate (2007), Love vs. Money (2009), Love King (2010), 1977 (2011) and IV Play (2013). He co-wrote Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) and Partition by Beyoncé, Touch My Body by Mariah Carey, Baby by Justin Bieber, All of the Lights by Kanye West and Savage (Remix) by Megan Thee Stallion. Since I Am... Sasha Fierce he has been credited on every subsequent Beyoncé album. He won eight Grammys.

Influence

The-Dream's music is R&B with hip hop beats, driving rhythms and high, flowing vocals. As a writer behind the scenes he gave the pop music of the 2000s and 2010s much of its shape, with choruses that stick immediately.

Listening