Rap-Up.com || The-Dream Explains Why He Can’t Write for Ciara, Praises R. Kelly

The-Dream’s conversation with Tim Westwood continues. In the second installment of his BBC Radio 1Xtra interview, Terius reveals why he won’t be working on Ciara’s new album, sings “My Cherie Amour” and “Umbrella” acapella, discusses R. Kelly’s influence on R&B, and explains why he clicks so well with Rihanna.

On why he can’t work with Ciara: “I have a contract under Def Jam so it’s only certain people I work with. [The executives] were real smart by putting that in there, I made them pay for it.”

On R. Kelly’s influence: “He held it down. I don’t think this generation of R&B would be at this particular stage without that. R. Kelly was doing it in a hip-hop-dominated culture,” he says, adding, “But we all gotta go down.”

On his success as a recording artist: “I don’t really care about the million album sales. I don’t really care about the number ones because I do those things writing for everybody else, so I can just stay in this spot and I’m comfortable selling 500k and under. Everybody wants to go pop, I don’t.”

On why Rated R is one of Rihanna’s best albums: “That was right after Good Girl Gone Bad. She could of went up and went more pop, but she regressed and went down back into it.”

Posted in Ciara, R. Kelly, The-Dream | Permalink

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69 Comments

x
January 4th, 2012 at 7:15 am
aw what a shame… NOT.
as long as he pens some hits for bey and rih i dont really care.

[Reply]
nichelle Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 9:31 am
@x, lol i agree

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Trina Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
He’s full of s… I don’t believe him. He just did not want to write for her. Stop playing. They would song nice together. What’s wrong with you dream? She has a very nice voice and been in the industry for many years. Well she will have to find somebody else.

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Trina Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
You have a very beautiful voice but would never take the crown. R Kelly will always be number one. He will be remembered forever. Just maintain your career. Be yourself and try to make the best of it in this new year. Your doing a wonderful job,but you have to give recognition to the artist that paved the way for the young generation. Ciara is on of the best. The left her out because of personal reasons. There were two more people who were listed. You probably didn’t want to sing with her or she refused you assistance.

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Mitchell S Jackson
January 4th, 2012 at 7:20 am
He sexy but I ain’t feeling how he did my girl C.Milian!!! Ya might win some but u just lost one… In a falsetto bitch

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Stre3t Danc@
January 4th, 2012 at 8:15 am
Ciara didn’t make their list?? Sorry but, what?
This girl deserves so much more. I’m not feeling it why she’s so underrated, but some “talented singers” like Rihanna are more appreciated. Let’s be honest, Rihanna can’t entertain people, can’t dance, not to mention sing live.
CiCi’s got so much potential.. it’s a shame huge record labels don’t see it that way.
But I guess you gotta please the D so you get something in return nowadays #justsayin

[Reply]
Thestylisto Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 8:55 am
@Stre3t Danc@, i agree 100%

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Prettiedove Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 9:03 am
Rihanna is THAT GIRL, accept it or die trying. Oh Rihanna >>>>>>> Ciara. #SitOnIt. @Stre3t Danc@,

[Reply]
destiny Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 9:33 am
@Stre3t Danc@, instead of bashing another artist that has achieved more through hard work and a powerful fanbase how about you support your favorite and demand the radio stations and labels to play/release her music…it worked for lupe fiasco and countless other artists so there is no need for Ciara to be in the state she is in…

[Reply]
Dave Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
@destiny, I don’t think it’s bashing. They clearly wen’t bashing more. They were stating how they feel, which honestly is the truth. & who’se to say Rihanna has worked more than Ciara? Just because you have more success doesn’t mean you’re a harder worker. For all you know it could be her “team” doing the work, not really her. Which honestly is pretty much obvious. Ciara has vocal lessons, watches her voice, doesn’t smoke (like Rihanna said she would to get a raspier voice, when anyone knows as a serious singer/vocalist, that’s a big no no), has 16 hour dance rehearsals, is always in the studio, co-writes, models. So, how do you say more successful artist work harder than lesser successful artist?

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Stre3t Danc@ Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:02 am
@destiny, I actually do dumba$$, no need to tell me that. I know how to appreciate my fave & promote his work. This is just real talk.. ‘s all.
Besides, they already mentioned Rihanna so.. yeah. I see yall are mad, it’s my opinion lol idgaf what yall say. It’s not like things are gonna change if u disagree with me :D
Thanks for being pressed & wasting 5 mins of writing a reply <3

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NEUTRON Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:05 am
@Stre3t Danc@, Why would Ciara make the list when she’s not signed to DefJam?

[Reply]
AalexisR Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
@NEUTRON,

Ciara would make the list if she were a Mega-Star like Beyoncé who he can still work with if he wants to. Like the man said, if Ciara called him and he wanted to work with her he could. He has a short list of stars he can work with outside of Def Jam.

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Damn ! Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 11:58 am
Ciara and Nicole Scherzinger have so much talent they should both have a Rihanna career !

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Chiare Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 5:31 pm
@Stre3t Danc@, I totally agree with that, Ciara is so underrated. Dats some bull he did.

[Reply]
Boy Wonder
January 4th, 2012 at 8:27 am
Hes a very talented songwriter. I respect him because he makes hits and doesnt act like hes Gods gift to music (i.e. Neyo, Keri Hilson)

Also, Isn’t it weird that HE’s responsible for songs like “1+1″ “Umbrella” “Single Ladies” etc etc all songs that have…”ILLUMINATed” undertones???

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HeavyHeavy Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 9:03 am
@Boy Wonder, The Dream is very full of himself although he is very talented he is also very hit and miss.

[Reply]
frank Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 9:35 am
@Boy Wonder, yes songs about love, friendship, and power are connected to the “illuminati” yes you hit the nail on its head…

………….idiot smh

[Reply]
Mb92 Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 7:20 pm
@Boy Wonder, you probably don’t know what the illuminati really WAS. Get out of here with that devil worshiper RUMOR

[Reply]
The_LoveCult
January 4th, 2012 at 8:36 am
Follow The-Dream ( @MrTeriusNash ) The Single 4 the New Album Coming This Week #TheLoveIV Dropping early 2012 #RadioKillaRecords TheLoveCult!!! Be Ready for the Takeover!!!

[Reply]
wonderLand19
January 4th, 2012 at 8:49 am
I super happy he’s not working with Ciara. she deserves better.

[Reply]
nunya Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 9:22 am
@wonderLand19, Co-sign

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NEUTRON Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:06 am
@wonderLand19, some of Ciara’s best songs came from the Dream. You sound so misinformed.

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hih8er Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:56 am
@NEUTRON, name a song that topped the charts and got heavy radio play that the-dream wrote?
Ride was an ok (underrated) track.
She needs someone other than the-dream to write music for her.

[Reply]
Dave Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
@NEUTRON, He wrote some good songs from her, I won’t deny that. But most of his stuff is average & very lazy. Hence: “Basic Instinct” as a whole. If you compare, he gives other artist better material than Ciara when he worked with her, & I’m not basing that on charting, I’m basing that on pure quality alone.

[Reply]
A Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:36 am
@wonderLand19, I think I agree

[Reply]
hih8er Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:53 am
@wonderLand19, I agree think the only hits they made together are:
Like a Surgeon
Speechless
You Can Get It
Ride
and all of those were kind of misses he hasn’t wrote her a hit so i’m glad he’s not working for her and all his songs are starting to sound a like.

[Reply]
RACKSONRACKS Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 7:14 pm
@hih8er, OH YESSSS I SO AGREE. THE DREAM ISNT FOR CIARA HE JUST AINT, ONCE HE FAILED ON FANTASY RIDE SHE SHOULD HAVE JUST MOVED ON…..EXAMPLE: “CIARA:THE EVOLUTION” WAS AMAZING YET HER BEST ALBUM & DID HE WRITE ON THAT NO!!!!! SO HE DONT NEED TOO CAUSE HIS MUSIC IS ONLY MEANT FOR RIHANNA OR BEYONCE, CIARA IN HER ON LANE WHICH MEANS SHE NEEDS HER OWN WRITTERS & SHE NEEDS TO WRITE MORE OF HER OWN MUSIC POINT! BLANK___ PERIOD.

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Lauryn
January 4th, 2012 at 8:52 am
I Respect This Dude, His Real! & As Much As I Think Rihanna Isn’t a Real Artist… Rated R Is Her Best Album! Plus I Hate The Way Pop Is Going, It’s All About Sales & Sh*t. Pop doesn’t respect music genius!!!

[Reply]
HeavyHeavy
January 4th, 2012 at 9:00 am
Its weird how Ciara isn’t on the list considering he worked with her just last year or so for Basic Instinct. And i aint heard about him signing a new def jam contract so it sounds like crap to me.

I would of believed it if he said he can only work with certain record label’s artists like Dr. Luke is doing. He didn’t do Ciara much good anyway, especially after he slagged her off.

[Reply]
Prettiedove
January 4th, 2012 at 9:09 am
QUEEN Rihanna. #ThatRihannaReignWontLetUp.

[Reply]
Jayrican18 Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:08 am
@Prettiedove, #RihannaNavy

[Reply]
Prettiedove Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Yassssss. #RihannaNavy all up in this motha! @Jayrican18,

[Reply]
Speechless Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:33 am
@Prettiedove, is Talk That Talk gold in the US based on ACTUAL sales? I’ll wait.

[Reply]
Prettiedove Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
@Speechless, I see u’re terrible at Algebruh, come’on son the weekly ACTUAL sales are being posted every week on @chartnews and @billboard,you can go there & add up all the weekly sales,its simple Algerbruh. Haaa!

[Reply]
Lauryn Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
@Prettiedove, #byerihanna. #PuppetRih In This Bi*ch

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ballin like a bxtch
January 4th, 2012 at 9:37 am
LMFAO why ciara stans so PRESSED…sheesh just focus on her and not what every other artist is doing, maybe if yall did give ciara the attention that you give to artists who you dislike/are better (bey, ri, etc) maybe she’d actually be worth being on the list

[Reply]
Speechless Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:35 am
@ballin like a bxtch, Who ever said somebody was pressed. Its 2012 now you need to retire that word, plus ciara is not on the same label as beyonce you dipshit.

[Reply]
Eric
January 4th, 2012 at 9:45 am
OMG what he said about R&B and pop and how if it makes number 1 its not R&B its pop is literally genius because its SOOOOO true…i never realized that until he said it and it makes perfect sense…WOOOOOOOW

[Reply]
Che
January 4th, 2012 at 10:02 am
Well tbqfh I was hoping the Dream had no part in crafting Ciara’s upcoming album. His’ and Tricky’s lackluster production made B.I somewhat forgettable.

[Reply]
Jayrican18
January 4th, 2012 at 10:07 am
Ciara done passed up a good one smh, i actually liked her..

[Reply]
Bran Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:56 am
@Jayrican18, what are u talking about she passed up a good one? It wasn’t Ciara’s choice that they aren’t able to work together.

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tues part 2 Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 12:20 pm
@Jayrican18, u ARE out of yr dang mind for saying Dat and it wasn’t Ciara’s Choice

[Reply]
@blowthewhistle_
January 4th, 2012 at 11:24 am
Honestly, I think it’s a good idea he isn’t working with Ciara, cause when he started working with her is when her albums were not as successful.

[Reply]
Audrey Hepburn
January 4th, 2012 at 11:30 am
Although he is talented and successful, I lost a lot of respect for him during the whole Christina Millian situation.

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Speechless
January 4th, 2012 at 11:32 am
Thank God because his work for Ciara was very sub par. Then he has the nerve to talk mess about her behind her back about work that HE produced. Now she’s working with better producers.

[Reply]
Ray - What The True Tea Is
January 4th, 2012 at 11:38 am
Rihanna, the girl from Barbados, came to America and earned her spot in the Music Industy by gaining fans, unlike some Artist, she knew what she wanted, she was focused and determined, most artist took 3 years just to find their sound, but she didn’t worry about that she just cared about MUSIC, and that’s what has gained her a huge fanebse, MUSIC, not r&b, not po,p not reggae, but MUSIC so talented or not she PAID!

[Reply]
me
January 4th, 2012 at 11:40 am
kelz bitchees my nigga still got it all of it

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tues part 2
January 4th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
would love to hear/see Ciara write her own song as well proudce it too same thing 4 Riri

[Reply]
Tavi
January 4th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
@tues part 2

Ciara ALWAYS writes her music lol & she lends a hand in production as well. Been doing it since Goodies.

[Reply]
A Realist
January 4th, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Good. His songs with Ciara kept flopping anyway.

[Reply]
Dave
January 4th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
As he said, her fans (including me, Ciara fan) are happy about that. We really don’t need his mediocre material. She can do better, with better. He won’t be missed.

[Reply]
no talent
January 4th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
Rihanna can’t dance can’t sing can’t entertain. 90 million from her last concert. Well the world must really love un talented bytch. The bytch keep making de chedda. Ok let my go go pump up my stereo WFL is on the 100th time today. Dis bytch right ere got no talent kep it coming Ri Ri.

[Reply]
Kyle
January 4th, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Him and Ciara worked enough together anyways I think. It’s time Ciara moves on and finds other people to work with. And I agree with him, “Rated R” is Rihanna’s best album for sure!!!

[Reply]
Mekababy
January 4th, 2012 at 5:47 pm
I have been reading between his words lately and his body language when he talks about Ciara.I don’t know if he tried to get with her and she turned him down or if her fans rubbed him the wrong way.Their relationship is definitely not what it used to be.He sounds upset about something.

[Reply]
Chiare Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
@Mekababy, Oh damn, I didn’t think about it like dat.

[Reply]
BRAVE: Do You Think Ciara’s Album Will Be A Success Without The Dream’s Production? (Video/Photos/Poll) | BRAVE
January 4th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
[...] singer who was recently paid out by LA Reid, also spoke on the issue in regards to why he was unable to appear on Ciara‘s upcoming album [...]
Crazi
January 4th, 2012 at 7:01 pm
Dream is VERRRRY SUccessful Writer and PRODUCER. I respect his artistry. LOVE IT!

[Reply]
nicegirl
January 4th, 2012 at 8:57 pm
I kept getting distracted by the cute guy looking bored behind him LOL.

Anyway, it doesn’t really matter if The Dream doesn’t work with Ciara. She needs to experiment with different producers anyway. But The Dream has no clue about relationships.

[Reply]
Cici
January 5th, 2012 at 3:06 am
Now im a BIG Ciara fan but im not gonna go bashing Rihanna becuz of that….I like Rih i think she is a entertainer but not a performer…..she make great songs cuz she puts that rih quality on even if she didnt write it….now Im def happy that this (The Dream-whos own solo career flopped) is not writing for GREAT..people forget before CIARA got signed that she Was a songwriter…..she wrote a song for Fantasia first album (she has said it before) But i think Ciara just need to really work hard on her work and dnt worry bout watelse is in the industry cuz she is not like anyone else in this industry PERIOD #ORIGINALITY! (Other than some artist #Cough)

[Reply]
Chiare Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
@Cici, Exactly. That’s it. Lol.

[Reply]
European
January 5th, 2012 at 3:07 am
I’M SO HAPPY HE WON’T WORK WITH CIARA! He destroyed BASIC INSTINCT!

[Reply]
Chiare Reply:
January 9th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
@European, Wtf, r u talking bout, watz wrong wit u?

[Reply]
Cici
January 5th, 2012 at 3:09 am
Now all my Ciara fans can we plz move on from talking bout the dream lame ass and rihanna and beyonce and all these other people yall think about putting up and focus on our Girl CIARA and not worry about them…….

[Reply]
The-Dream Explains Why He Can’t Write For Ciara, R. Kelly’s Influence, Rihanna’s Best Album | BlogsToDieFor
January 5th, 2012 at 6:18 am
[...] props RU [...]
ewww
January 5th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
he is a hot ass mess! i used to like him too! but i really dont like him!

[Reply]
JoJo
January 5th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
thank god he cant write for ciara because basic instinct was luke-warm and flooped real bad he needs to stick to writting for the Queen Rih .

*sits & plays Rihanna- Do ya thang*

[Reply]
Antonio
January 26th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
After Dream wrote Umbrella and Single Ladies, Jive thought they’d have him come in and write a quick hit like those 2 for Ciara and it didn’t work. Why do you think Bey said IASF is her worst album, because Dream gave her some basic shit, and once she no longer worked with him, she poured her heart/body/soul/mind/energy/time into her next album and gave us her masterpiece with 4. Ciara just got comfortable with Dream writing some basic Urban/Pop songs for her, yeah she helped co write some of them, but they were still basic AF. I’m pretty sure Ciara is working on some brand new material as we speak. She is good songwriter herself, she was the primary writer on Goodies and The Evolution, as well as a producer on The Evolution. The Dream is just another music industry money grubber, if the artist is hot, he’ll write a hot song, if they’re not, well look at Ciara.

[Reply]
click here
May 22nd, 2012 at 11:34 pm
click here…

[...]Rap-Up.com || The-Dream Explains Why He Can’t Write for Ciara, Praises R. Kelly[...]…