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.
Slow It Down
The-Dream Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the white girls still gon' ride it like a rodeo
And I'ma stay ridin' this beat like a rodeo
And keep throwin' money til shorty gon' touch her toes
I'ma keep it real with you baby you bad
Kinda like Michael Jackson you bad
If you was my girl and left me I be sad
And for that let me see that ass
I'm here to see that thing pop
I'm here to see that thing rock
I'm here to see you pick it up and let it drop
She backin' it up on me, DJ you know you wrong
Enough with the mothafuckin' dance songs
You gotta slow it down
Down down down
Down down down
So she can take her time and work it on me babe
DJ you gotta slow it down
Down down down
Down down down
Whisper in her ear while she on me babe
You gotta slow it down
Down down down
Down down down
Just swing it left, swing it right
DJ you gotta slow it down
Down down down
Down down down
Uh huh that's what she likes (DJ you gotta slow it)
Now she rollin' that and whippin' her hair
Slow motion with it while everyone stares
You can see her ass from a satellite
Back and forth, forth and back
Show me what they do this that
Always with ya baby Ill never sell out
Them other niggas had to do a dance record
Or the label wouldn't put 'em out
I'll never put a million records before you
Just keep on doing that thing you do
I'm here to see that thing pop
I'm here to see that thing rock
I'm here to see you pick it up and let it drop
She backin' it up on me, DJ you know you wrong
Enough with the mothafuckin' dance songs
You gotta slow it down
Down down down
Down down down
So she can take her time and work it on me babe
DJ you gotta slow it down
Down down down
Down down down
Whisper in her ear while she on me babe
You gotta slow it down
Down down down
Down down down
Just swing it left, swing it right
DJ you gotta slow it down
Down down down
Down down down
Uh huh that's what she likes
Erybody know slow money, way better than no money
Except for those who don't know shit
Don't know women and don't own money
It starts out I'm so cool
We hangin' out and I'm so funny
All of a sudden I'm Winnie the Pooh
All up in your honey
Pants on her slim fit
Lights in the room dim lit
And I'm feelin' on your booty on some R Kelly and Lil Kim shit
Pants on her slim fit
Lights in the room dim lit
And I'm feelin' on your booty on some R Kelly and Lil Kim shit
Slow it down
Down down down (Hey Mr. DJ)
Down down down
So she can take her time and work it on me babe
DJ you gotta slow it down
Down down down (I'm just tryin' to dance with my baby)
Down down down
Whisper in her ear while she on me babe
You gotta slow it down
Down down down (I said please Mr. DJ)
Down down down
Just swing it left, swing it right
DJ you gotta slow it down (Man I'm just tryin' to)
Down down down (Man I'm just tryin' to)
Down down down (Man I'm just tryin' to dance with my baby)
That's what she likes (Down)
I'ma keep it real with you baby you bad
Kinda like Michael Jackson you bad
If you was my girl and you left me I be sad
And for that let me see that ass (drop)
In the song "Slow It Down" by The-Dream, the lyrics are focused on a man's desire to see a particular girl move in a certain way. He acknowledges that the song may not receive airplay on top-40 radio, but it's sure to be played in clubs where he anticipates the girls - both black and white - grinding to the beat like they're at a rodeo. Throughout the lyrics, he encourages the DJ to slow the music down so that he can enjoy the girl's dance moves slowly. He also compliments the girl on her beauty and compares her to Michael Jackson, saying that if she were to leave him, he'd be sad. The overall message of the song is a man's desire to enjoy a slow, romantic dance with a special girl.
Line by Line Meaning
I know they ain't gon play this on top 40 radio
This song is not mainstream enough to be played on the popular radio stations.
But the white girls still gon' ride it like a rodeo
Even though it won't be on the radio, white girls will still dance to it like they are in a rodeo.
And I'ma stay ridin' this beat like a rodeo
The artist will keep performing on this beat as long as there are fans who will dance to it like they are at a rodeo.
And keep throwin' money til shorty gon' touch her toes
The artist will continue to make it rain (throwing money) until the girl he likes starts to twerk and touch her toes.
I'ma keep it real with you baby you bad
The artist is being honest and telling the girl he is interested in that she is attractive.
Kinda like Michael Jackson you bad
The girl he is interested in is as attractive as the late pop star Michael Jackson.
If you was my girl and left me I be sad
The artist would be upset if the girl he is interested in were to leave him.
And for that let me see that ass
The artist wants to see the girl he likes twerk and show off her backside.
I'm here to see that thing pop
The artist is present to see the girl he likes twerk and make her backside move.
I'm here to see that thing rock
The artist is there to see the girl he likes dance and move her body to the music.
I'm here to see you pick it up and let it drop
The artist wants the girl he likes to pick up the pace and drop it low while dancing.
She backin' it up on me, DJ you know you wrong
The girl the artist likes is grinding up against him and he is implying that the DJ chose the wrong song to play for them to dance to.
Enough with the mothafuckin' dance songs
The artist is ready for a change in music style and wants to slow things down.
You gotta slow it down so she can take her time and work it on me babe
The artist wants the DJ to play a slower song to give the girl he likes a chance to dance close to him and take her time while doing so.
Whisper in her ear while she on me babe
The artist wants to talk to the girl he likes closely while they dance and be intimate.
Just swing it left, swing it right
The artist is telling the girl he likes to move her hips in a swaying motion from side to side.
Uh huh that's what she likes (DJ you gotta slow it)
The artist knows what the girl he likes enjoys and wants the DJ to slow the music down to accommodate her.
Erybody know slow money, way better than no money
Slow money is better than no money; something that everyone is aware of.
Except for those who don't know shit
This is a joke implying that people who don't understand that slow money is better than nothing don't know anything.
Don't know women and don't own money
Those who don't understand that slow money is better than nothing are most likely single and have no money.
It starts out I'm so cool
The artist begins by saying he is cool and confident.
We hangin' out and I'm so funny
The artist is hanging out with someone and he thinks he is hysterical.
All of a sudden I'm Winnie the Pooh
The artist loses his coolness and becomes nervous or embarrassed like the Winnie the Pooh character.
All up in your honey
The artist is getting close and personal with the girl he likes.
Pants on her slim fit
The girl he likes has slim fitting pants on.
Lights in the room dim lit
The lights in the room are dark and dimly lit.
And I'm feelin' on your booty on some R Kelly and Lil Kim shit
The artist is touching and grabbing the girl he likes' backside in a manner that is similar to what R Kelly and Lil Kim have done in their music videos.
I said please Mr. DJ
The artist is politely asking the DJ to play a slower song so he can slow dance with the girl he likes.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TERIUS NASH, JOHN JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PersuasionBlasian
The dream and Fabolous always make the best collabs; the perfect duo.
@PeterGriffin-if6ok
the dream will forever be my favorite artist, love every song he releases
@enmissuenoz
This song never gets old.
@07damoney
The-Dream is so underrated. Love his stuff and this song is dope!
@kyaraholmes5796
Dream is just a pure genius when it comes to songwriting and production.. know his work before you say he's trash..
@Jubileo
Most underappreciated Jam of 2013.
@moshdasuperman123
this song is amazing. i love it
@nkhumishe6939
The Dream is RadioKillin' it. For those who understand music you can't miss the subtext in this song. Love it!
@TheoTheCreole
This dude has really been killing it with his writing game.. A lot of you would be shocked at some of the credits under his belt. This is why I always get so confused when I hear one of his songs especially lately. I don't understand. There's nothing about it that makes me want to listen again. I guess this is done purposely because he obviously knows the ingredients for a hit. But this ain't it for me.
@55VA
i love the dream sooooo much i wish he would get more recognition for his music he's a genus !!!