At the age of two he moved with his mother to Atlanta, Georgia where she raised him until her sudden death at the age of thirty-five. Afterwards, he was taken in by his grandfather, who was an avid music fan. It was through this relationship that he was introduced to many legendary artists that made up his grandfather's record collection. As soon as he heard the soulful sounds of Sam Cooke and Al Green, The-Dream was hooked. In the third grade he began his musical venture by enrolling in introductory trumpet classes at Grove Park Elementary School. He continued playing the trumpet through high school and later learned to play the drums and guitar.
In junior high and high school his musical influences extended toward such artists such as Timbaland , Missy Elliott, Aaliyah and Tupac Shakur. His talents continued to naturally develop and eventually lead The-Dream to begin singing, rapping and song writing.
In addition, he is an accomplished artist and has created many paintings and sculptures, some of which have been shown at various art galleries throughout Atlanta.
In 2001, The-Dream was introduced to Laney Stewart of Redzone Entertainment. Although their first meeting wasn't very successful, things fared better the second time around and Laney pulled him into his camp. The two immediately collaborated to write for the multi-platinum group B2K.
In early 2003, The-Dream was signed by Laney Stewart to a new publishing deal with Morningside Trail through a joint venture with peer music. Since then he has continued writing for other artists including the newest single "Me Against The Music" for Britney Spears. The-Dream recently worked on Jive artist Nivea's forthcoming sophomore effort (April 2005) including the hit single "Okay" featuring Lil' Jon and Youngbloodz.
In 2006, The-Dream was brought in by Tricky Stewart of Redzone to collaborate with various artists including Bayje (Atlantic), Dear Jane & J.Holiday (Capitol), and Brit & Alex (Interscope).
To kick off the New Year, The-Dream began 2007 with major success. With the help of Tricky Stewart, " umbrella" was created and taken to several different labels with artists ranging from Britney Spears at Jive to Mary J. Blige and Akon. Yet, it was the genius of Karen Kwak that got the record into the hands of Def Jam Record's CEO, LA Reid. Def Jam flew The-Dream and Tricky to LA to record with Rihanna, where they also wrote "Breakin' Dishes," a song off Rihanna's latest release, Good Girl Gone Bad.
Despite his current success, The-Dream never stops dreaming. Look out for The-Dream's future collaborations with hot artists such as Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Karina Pasian, Young Joc, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Jazzy Phae, Keke Palmer, Gia, Tricky Stewart, Don Vito, Wynter Gordon, Shontelle, and Lucy Walsh.
Form Of Flattery
The-Dream Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So please keep the hand claps
No need for a compliment
I can pat myself on the back
No dying for an award
You can keep the trophy
I could really care less
Whether any of y’all mother fuckers know me
I don’t mean to steal your shine
Man I’ll be in this sun for so long
Lookin’ my way will just make you blind
All I need is the love
'Cause I can never have enough of that
You don’t have to try to be the man
When you the man
See I’m embedded
And your fifteen minutes are almost up
Socialite
I wish you would roll up
Don’t try me I’m not like him
Not like them
I wish you would roll up
I’m not him I’m not like them
Don’t try me
I’m not better than that
Form of flattery
You say he sound like me
You say they sound like me
I don’t need another whip
A nigga flyin’ now
I see you in the shadow
In motion without a paddle
Stop acting like a girlfriend
Stop acting like a freshman
If you’re surprised you’re here
It means you shouldn’t be here
No heart no glory
No pain no fear
It’s one thing to be hot
But that don’t make it a career
I’m embedded
And your fifteen minutes are almost up
I wish you would roll up
Don’t try me I’m not like him
Not like them
I wish you would roll up
I’m not him I’m not like them
Don’t try me
I’m not better than that
But I appreciate the form of flattery
Tic tok
The-Dream's song Form Of Flattery is a song about the artist's confidence in his abilities and not needing validation or approval from anyone else. He acknowledges that some people may try to imitate him or copy his style, but he does not concern himself with it as he is comfortable in his own skin. The song starts with The-Dream stating that he cannot meet someone's approval, but he is not seeking any compliments or accolades. He is grateful for the love he receives, and that is all that matters to him.
The chorus of the song talks about how some people try to copy others, claiming they sound like them, but The-Dream is not interested and finds it a form of flattery. He emphasizes that having talent is one thing, but it is not enough to sustain a career. The second verse of the song talks about some people trying to undermine him or throw shade his way, but he is not concerned as he has worked hard to be where he is. He tells these people not to try him as he is not like them, and he will not stoop down to their level.
The overall message of the song is that while it is nice to be appreciated and recognized for one's talent, it is not necessary to seek validation or approval from anyone else. The-Dream encourages the listener to have confidence in themselves and their abilities, and not be swayed by what others say or do. It is a powerful message wrapped in a catchy tune and will resonate with anyone who has struggled with self-doubt.
Line by Line Meaning
I’m sorry I can’t meet your approval
I apologize for not being able to satisfy your expectations
So please keep the hand claps
I don't need your applause
No need for a compliment
I don't require your praise
I can pat myself on the back
I am self-sufficient when it comes to recognition
No dying for an award
I'm not desperate for any accolades
You can keep the trophy
I don't want any awards or prizes
I could really care less
Your opinion means very little to me
Whether any of y’all mother fuckers know me
I don't care about your knowledge or recognition of me
Excuse my french pardon me
Sorry for my language
I don’t mean to steal your shine
I'm not trying to steal the spotlight from you
Man I’ll be in this sun for so long
I'll be successful for a long time
Lookin’ my way will just make you blind
Don't be envious of my success
All I need is the love
I only require support and affection
'Cause I can never have enough of that
I appreciate love and support more than anything else
You don’t have to try to be the man
Just be yourself
When you the man
If you already are
See I’m embedded
I'm established in this industry
And your fifteen minutes are almost up
Your fame is ending soon
Socialite
A person who is famous for being famous
I wish you would roll up
Leave me alone
Don’t try me I’m not like him
Don't misunderstand me as someone else
Not like them
I'm different from others
I’m not him I’m not like them
I'm unique and cannot be compared
Don’t try me
Don't test me
I’m not better than that
I'm not superior to anyone
Form of flattery
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
You say he sound like me
You claim that someone sounds like me
You say they sound like me
You suggest that multiple people sound like me
I don’t need another whip
I don't need another car
A nigga flyin’ now
I'm successful now
I see you in the shadow
I'm aware of your attempts to replicate me
In motion without a paddle
You are imitating me without any direction or purpose
Stop acting like a girlfriend
Stop acting needy
Stop acting like a freshman
Stop acting immature
If you’re surprised you’re here
If you didn't expect to be here
It means you shouldn’t be here
You don't belong here
No heart no glory
You need passion to be successful
No pain no fear
Fear and pain should not hold you back from success
It’s one thing to be hot
One can be successful for a period of time
But that don’t make it a career
Continuing success requires more than temporary popularity
But I appreciate the form of flattery
I'm grateful for the imitation
Tic tok
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TERIUS NASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind