The-Dream Says New Album May Be His Last

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Is he or isn't he?

The-Dream has been threatening to stop making albums after his next release, Love King, but the hitmaking songwriter admitted his declaration comes with a catch.

"It's the last album, period," he told MTV News on Monday (March 8). "I really would like it to be the last one if I could — in a perfect world."



The Atlanta native already has two critically acclaimed albums under his belt, 2007's Love Hate and 2008's Love vs. Money. And he's scored a number of chart-topping tracks as the pen behind "Umbrella" and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)." His dedication to his craft as a hired songwriter is in part why he would like to finish his run of personal projects after the forthcoming Love King.

However, he said, what he wants versus what may actually happen could very likely be two different things.

"In the back of my mind, I'm thinking a fighter fights," he explained. "You don't retire on top. [Michael] Jordan didn't retire on top. I'm not saying I'm the best [like him], but I'm the best at what I can do. And I can stop now and say, 'This album is pretty good.' "

For Love King, The-Dream said he plans to evolve as a performer. Because of his hectic schedule working with others, he previously didn't have the chance to polish his skill set like he wanted. He joked about his weight, saying he works better for others when he's eating red velvet cupcakes — but that diet clashes with his desire to be a slimmed-down performer.

"Doing those things [for everyone else] prohibited me from being a certain individual or shedding 10 pounds when I wanted to," he offered.

At the end of last year, the singer hinted at impending retirement when he spoke about his next project.

"The first two albums came out and it really was just about music," he said. "This album, it has to be a lot more — whether that's marketing, all of the things that the big guys get. We have to turn and put those things on me as an artist also. ... Now we have to treat it like it means something to the building. I think everybody is there. We have an incredible staff at Def Jam, of course. Now we gotta buckle up for me and put them dollars up."