THE DREAM COME TRUE

Terius “The-Dream” Nash is working hard to ensure people recognize his name. Prior to releasing his own album, “Love Hate,” Nash was already an established and respected writer within the music industry, having co-written Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Mariah Carey’s “Touch My Body” and most of Mary J. Blige’s “Growing Pains” album. For most, the opportunity to work with such queens of pop would be a dream in itself, but Nash aspires for much more: He wants to write, produce and perform his music, and avoid being pigeonholed as just another “ring-tone artist.”
For those unfamiliar with Nash’s music, think of a lighter version of T-Pain: just a touch of synth, but barely enough to still be able to hear his real voice over slow-driven beats. His debut album, Love Hate, featuring his hit single, “Shawty is a 10,” sold 59,000 in its first week after dropping and eventually went gold. And with the release of his sophomore album, Love vs. Money, which is out March 10, Nash hopes for the same amount of success, if not more. The lyrics to “Rockin’ That Thang,” his first single off the album, came to him in a matter of minutes. “I went to the studio at 4 a.m., wrote it in 20 minutes and it was a wrap,” he says. “The song is about feeling the moment. When you’re dancing with a girl, the music is playing, your eyes are closed and she is just rocking — you’re feeling really good.” While some songs come to him in a matter of minutes, others require some retail therapy When The-Dream needs to get into a hit-making mood, he goes on a shopping spree. “Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana — as long as I get a good $20,000 worth, that is all the high that I need,” he says. “Those bags that I bring back to the studio set the mood.”
Nash’s dreams don’t end with just music. He is currently working on his clothing line, Millionaire Love Affair, as well as a reality show on MTV in which he searches for new and talented artists. And what dream doesn’t include late-night parties? “I drink so much Patron, they almost have to wheel me home.” He works hard. He plays hard. Yep, he is living The-Dream.

Album: Love Hate (2007)
Singles: Shawty is a 10, Falsetto
Hit List:
Rihanna (Umbrella)
Mary J. Blige (Just Fine)
J. Holiday (Bed, Suffocate)
B2K (Everything)
Britney Spears/Madonna (Me Against the Music)
Highlights: Grammy nominated for song of the year (Umbrella) Both Umbrella and Bed were No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 2007. His debut album was No.35 in Billboard after eight weeks.
On writing: “I don’t even try to put myself in the picture when I’m writing, After I finish a song, I try to figure out whether or not I could do it. Even if I’m going to give it to Usher or Chris Brown or someone else, I still try to see if it’s a song that I could sing, just in case one of those guys don’t want it.”