[3] The-Dream signed a deal with Def Jam Recordings in 2007, following the success of Rihanna's 2007 hit "Umbrella", which he wrote and produced with production partner Christopher "Tricky" Stewart.
[5] The-Dream and Stewart then became the group's executive producers for their debut album How to Be a Lady: Volume 1, which was released on May 26, 2009.
[6] In an arrangement with chairman and CEO of Interscope Records, Jimmy Iovine, The-Dream was allowed to choose several artists to work with from the label's roster.
[7] The-Dream chose to work with Christina Milian on her fourth studio album Elope,[8] among others.
[9] The-Dream said that when he was building his label, he chose to work with Milian because he believed she was a talented singer.