{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = IV Play | type = studio | artist = The-Dream | cover = The-dream-iv-play-standard.jpg | alt = | released = May 28, 2013 | recorded = | venue = | studio = | genre = R&B | length = 58:51 | label = {{flatlist| *Radio Killa *Def Jam }} | producer = The-Dream, Carlos McKinney | prev_title = 1977 | prev_year = 2011 | next_title = Ménage à Trois: Sextape Vol. 1, 2, 3 | next_year = 2018 | misc = {{Singles | name = IV Play | type = studio | single1 = Slow It Down | single1date = March 5, 2013 | single2 = IV Play | single2date = April 9, 2013 | single3 = High Art | single3date = May 15, 2013 }} }}
'''''IV Play''''' is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter The-Dream. The album was released on May 28, 2013, by Radio Killa Records and Def Jam Recordings.<ref name="Release date"/> It features guest appearances from Jay-Z, Big Sean, Beyoncé, Pusha T, 2 Chainz, Kelly Rowland, Gary Clark Jr. and Fabolous. ''IV Play'' is an R&B album with overtly sexual themes.<ref>{{cite web|author=Birkut|url=http://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/the-dream-iv-play|title=The-Dream - IV Play|publisher=Tiny Mix Tapes|access-date=June 12, 2013}}</ref>
==Background== Prior to the release of his 2010 album ''Love King'', The-Dream announced in interviews that it would be his final solo album. When the album was released, the song "Sex Intelligent (Remix)" featured a line in which the artist sang that he would release another album, titled ''Love Affair'', on June 7, 2011. However, multiple delays pushed back the album's release for nearly two years and several different album titles were reported.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.vibe.com/article/new-tracklist-dream-love-iv |title=New Tracklist: The-Dream "The Love IV" |magazine=Vibe |date=2012-12-17 |access-date=2013-04-18}}</ref>
On the album's original release date, June 7, 2011, he released a promotional single free on the Internet, a medley of two new tracks titled "Body Work / Fuck My Brains Out."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/42766-listen-two-new-songs-from-the-dream/ |title=Listen: Two New Songs from The-Dream |publisher=Pitchfork Media |date=2011-06-07 |access-date=2013-05-14}}</ref> On August 31, he released the album ''1977'' for free online. The album was later retitled ''Terius Nash: 1977'' and released commercially with a modified track list by Def Jam Recordings on December 18, 2012.
While backstage at the 2013 Grammy Awards, The-Dream revealed the final title to ''Billboard''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rapradar.com/2013/02/11/the-dream-announces-next-album-title/ |title=The-Dream Announces Next Album Title |publisher=Rap Radar |date=2013-02-11 |access-date=2013-04-18}}</ref> In an interview on ''106 & Park'' on April 2, 2013, The-Dream announced that Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, Big Sean, and Jay-Z would appear on the album.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.vibe.com/article/dream-says-beyonce-jay-z-will-appear-iv-play |title=The-Dream Says Beyonce, Jay-Z Will Appear On 'IV Play' |magazine=Vibe |date=2013-04-03 |access-date=2013-04-18}}</ref> On May 13, 2013 the track listing was revealed, including guest appearances by Pusha T, Gary Clark Jr. and 2 Chainz.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://illroots.com/2013/05/13/the-dream-iv-play-tracklist/ |title=The-Dream – IV Play (Tracklist) |publisher=Illroots |date=2013-05-13 |access-date=2013-05-14 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
==Marketing and sales== In June 2011, The-Dream released a double promotional single titled "Body Work / Fuck My Brains Out." In 2012, he released "Roc" (initially reported to be the album's lead single,<ref name='Pitchfork track review: "ROC"'>{{cite web|title=The-Dream: "ROC"|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12932-roc/|publisher=Pitchfork Media|access-date=20 May 2013}}</ref> although the first single that appeared on the final version of the album was "Slow It Down", released as a digital download on March 5, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Slow-It-Down-Explicit/dp/B00BJW74HA|title=Slow It Down [Explicit]: The-Dream: Official Music|publisher=Amazon.com|access-date=April 18, 2013}}</ref> On April 2, the official music video was released.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/04/02/video-the-dream-f-fabolous-slow-it-down/ |title=Video: The-Dream f/ Fabolous – 'Slow It Down' |publisher=Rap Radar |date=2013-04-02 |access-date=2013-04-18}}</ref> The album's title track was released as the second single on April 9,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/iv-play-single/634199946|title=IV Play – Single by The-Dream|publisher=iTunes Store (United States). Apple|access-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref> and its music video was released on May 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/05/16/video-the-dream-iv-play/ |title=Video: The-Dream – 'IV Play' |publisher=Rap-Up.com |date=2013-05-16 |access-date=2013-05-29}}</ref> A music video for "Too Early", featuring Gary Clark Jr., was released on August 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/08/16/video-the-dream-f-gary-clark-jr-too-early/ |title=Video: The-Dream f/ Gary Clark, Jr. – 'Too Early' |publisher=Rap-Up.com |date=2013-08-16 |access-date=2013-09-12}}</ref> On May 15, the third single "High Art" was released.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CSG52QQ?pc_redir=1406524888&robot_redir=1|title=High Art [feat. JAY Z] [Explicit]: The-Dream: MP3 Downloads|publisher=Amazon.com|access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref>
In support of the album, he co-headlined the "Lights Out" tour<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/05/02/kelly-rowland-and-the-dream-announce-lights-out-tour-dates/ |title=Kelly Rowland and The-Dream Announce 'Lights Out' Tour Dates |magazine=Rap-Up |date=2013-05-02 |access-date=2013-05-10}}</ref> with Kelly Rowland, though most of the tour dates were canceled after Rowland was hired as a judge on ''The X Factor''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pelly|first=Jenn|title=The-Dream and Kelly Rowland Cancel Most of Tour|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/50867-the-dream-and-kelly-rowland-cancel-most-of-tour/|publisher=Pitchfork Media|access-date=12 June 2013}}</ref> On May 20, 2013, The-Dream performed the song "Where Have You Been" with Rowland on ''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/05/20/new-music-the-dream-f-kelly-rowland-where-have-you-been/ |title=New Music: The-Dream f/ Kelly Rowland – 'Where Have You Been' |publisher=RapUp.com |date=2013-05-20 |access-date=2013-05-21}}</ref> The following day, the album became available for streaming via The-Dream's VEVO channel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2013/05/21/the-dream-iv-play-album-stream/ |title=The-Dream – IV Play (Album Stream) |publisher=2dopeboyz |date=2013-05-21 |access-date=2013-05-21}}</ref>
''IV Play'' sold 23,000 copies in its first week of release, debuting at number 16 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart on June 5, 2013.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24198/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-6-2-2013|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 6/2/2013|magazine=HipHopDX|access-date=June 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608122559/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24198/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-6-2-2013|archive-date=June 8, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> By the end of the month, it had sold 42,000 in the US.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24460/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-6-23-2013|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 6/23/2013|magazine=HipHopDX|access-date=June 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629221941/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24460/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-6-23-2013|archive-date=June 29, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In June 2015, it reached 68,000 copies sold there.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150617165737/http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |archive-date= June 17, 2015 |url=http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |title=Upcoming Releases |website=Hits Daily Double |publisher=HITS Digital Ventures }}</ref>
==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="AM">{{cite web|last=Kellman |first=Andy |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/iv-play-mw0002327985 |title=IV Play - The-Dream : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=AllMusic |date=2011-06-06 |access-date=2013-05-29}}</ref> | rev2 = ''The A.V. Club'' | rev2score = B+<ref name="Avclub">{{cite news|last=Rytlewski |first=Evan |url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/thedream-iv-play,98186/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608053745/http://www.avclub.com/articles/thedream-iv-play%2C98186/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 8, 2013 |title=The-Dream: IV Play |newspaper=The A.V. Club |access-date=2013-05-29}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Consequence of Sound'' | rev3score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="cos">{{cite magazine|url=https://consequence.net/2013/05/album-review-the-dream-iv-play/ |title=Album Review: The-Dream – IV Play |magazine=Consequence of Sound |access-date=2013-05-29}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Entertainment Weekly'' | rev4Score = B+<ref name="EW">{{cite journal|title=Review: IV Play|journal=Entertainment Weekly|location=New York|page=136|date=May 31, 2013}}</ref> | rev5 = ''Fact'' | rev5score = 3.5/5<ref name="fact">{{cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2013/05/28/iv-play/ |title=IV Play |publisher=Factmag.com |access-date=2013-05-29}}</ref> | rev6 = ''The Guardian'' | rev6Score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="Macpherson"/> | rev7 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev7score = 6.9/10<ref name="pf">{{cite web|last=Ryce|first=Andrew|title=The-Dream: IV Play|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18053-the-dream-fourplay/|publisher=Pitchfork Media|access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref> | rev8 = ''Rolling Stone'' | rev8score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="rs">{{cite magazine|author=Jon Dolan |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/iv-play-20130516 |title=The-Dream, 'IV Play' |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=2013-05-29}}</ref> | rev9 = ''Slant Magazine'' | rev9score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="sm">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/the-dream-iv-play#When:14:51:25Z |title=The-Dream: IV Play |magazine=Slant Magazine |access-date=2013-05-29}}</ref> | rev10 = ''Spin'' | rev10score = 7/10<ref name="spin">{{cite web|last=Sargent |first=Jordan |url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/the-dream-iv-play-def-jam/ |title=The-Dream, 'IV Play' Review |publisher=Spin.com |access-date=2013-09-12}}</ref> }} ''IV Play'' was met with a lukewarm response from critics. According to ''Treble'' journalist Connor Brown, it was "without a doubt the worst reception that any of The-Dream’s records have received".<ref>{{cite magazine|date=June 7, 2013|url=https://www.treblezine.com/the-dream-iv-play/|title=The-Dream : IV Play|magazine=Treble|access-date=February 1, 2020}}</ref> At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean rating out of 100 to reviews from professional critics, the album received an average score of 62 — indicating "generally favorable reviews" based on 19 reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/iv-play/the-dream |title=IV Play Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=2013-05-29}}</ref>
Reviewing in May 2013, ''Spin'' magazine's Jordan Sargent said ''IV Play'' is "a very good album" and also one that lacks the level of experimentation featured on The-Dream's previous records, observing "too many songs here propped up on one simplistic notion".<ref name="spin"/> Jesse Cataldo of ''Slant Magazine'' applauded the second half of songs as "densely layered, immaculately produced, and frequently luminous", although he found the guest-heavy first half to be uneven.<ref name="sm"/> ''Pitchfork'' reviewer Andrew Ryce also criticized the "string of clunkers" early in the album, but felt that its highlights show that "the brilliant auteur we fell in love with is still in here somewhere."<ref name="pf"/> Alex Macpherson of ''The Guardian'' was more critical, saying it lacks the "panache" and "commitment" of The-Dream's past work while calling him "a grotesquely diminished figure promising bad sex in return for retreads of old ideas".<ref name="Macpherson">{{cite news|last=Macpherson|first=Alex|date=June 6, 2013|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/jun/06/the-dream-iv-play-review|title=The-Dream: IV Play – review|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|access-date=June 12, 2013}}</ref> AllMusic's Andy Kellman found the plentiful guest appearances "trivial", as well as the album itself.<ref name="AM"/>
== Track listing == {{track listing | total_length = 58:51 | extra_column = Producer(s) | title1 = High Art | writer1 = Terius Nash, Shawn Carter | extra1 = The-Dream | note1 = featuring Jay-Z | length1 = 4:29 | title2 = IV Play | writer2 = Nash | extra2 = The-Dream | length2 = 5:38 | title3 = Equestrian | writer3 = Nash | extra3 = Carlos McKinney, The-Dream | length3 = 4:23 | title4 = Pussy | writer4 = Nash, Sean Anderson, Terrence Thornton | extra4 = The-Dream | note4 = featuring Big Sean & Pusha T | length4 = 3:58 | title5 = Turnt | writer5 = Nash, Beyoncé Knowles, Tauheed Epps | extra5 = The-Dream | note5 = featuring Beyoncé & 2 Chainz | length5 = 3:46 | title6 = Where Have You Been | writer6 = Nash, Kelly Rowland | extra6 = The-Dream, Da Internz, Miykal Snoddy | note6 = featuring Kelly Rowland | length6 = 3:51 | title7 = Too Early | writer7 = Nash | extra7 = The-Dream, Bart Schoudel | note7 = featuring Gary Clark Jr. | length7 = 5:36 | title8 = Michael | writer8 = Nash | extra8 = The-Dream | length8 = 4:54 | title9 = Loving You / Crazy | writer9 = Nash | extra9 = The-Dream | length9 = 6:52 | title10 = New Orleans | writer10 = Nash | extra10 = The-Dream | length10 = 4:07 | title11 = Self-Conscious | writer11 = Nash | extra11 = Carlos McKinney, The-Dream | length11 = 3:07 | title12 = Holy Love | writer12 = Nash | extra12 = Carlos McKinney, The-Dream | length12 = 3:37 | title13 = Outro | writer13 = Nash | extra13 = The-Dream | length13 = 0:23 | title14 = Slow It Down | writer14 = Nash, John Jackson | extra14 = The-Dream | note14 = featuring Fabolous | length14 = 4:10 }} {{track listing | extra_column = Producer(s) | headline = Deluxe edition bonus tracks<ref name="US iTunes IV Play (Deluxe Version)">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/high-art-feat-jay-z/647394291?i=647394536 |title=iTunes – Music – IV Play (Deluxe Version) by The-Dream |publisher=iTunes.apple.com (US) |date=May 28, 2013 |access-date=May 14, 2013}}</ref> | title15 = Divine | writer15 = Nash | extra15 = The-Dream | length15 = 4:25 | title16 = Y'all | writer16 = Nash | extra16 = The-Dream | length16 = 5:31 | title17 = Tron | writer17 = Nash | extra17 = The-Dream | length17 = 3:38 | title18 = Psycho | writer18 = Nash | extra18 = The-Dream | length18 = 4:17 }}
{{track listing | extra_column = Producer(s) | headline = ''Climax'' bonus EP<ref>{{cite web|title=The-Dream Drops 'Climax' EP|url=http://www.vibe.com/article/listen-dream-drops-climax-ep|publisher=Vibe|access-date=4 June 2013|archive-date=23 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223150224/http://www.vibe.com/article/listen-dream-drops-climax-ep|url-status=dead}}</ref> | title1 = Com'On | writer1 = Nash | extra1 = The-Dream | length1 = 4:17 | title2 = Roc | writer2 = Nash | extra2 = The-Dream | length2 = 5:30 | title3 = Dope Bitch | writer3 = Nash, Terrence Thornton | extra3 = The-Dream | note3 = featuring Pusha T | length3 = 4:35 | title4 = Thirsty Whore | writer4 = Nash | extra4 = The-Dream | length4 = 4:03 }}
== Personnel == Credits for ''IV Play'' are adapted from Allmusic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/iv-play-mw0002327985/credits|title=IV Play - The-Dream : Credits|website=Allmusic|access-date=June 12, 2013}}</ref>
{{col-begin}} {{col-2}} * 2 Chainz – featured artist * Kory Aaron – assistant engineer * Eric Altenburger – art producer, photo production * Zack Atkinson – art producer, photo production * Chris Atlas – marketing * Alton Bates – vocal engineer * Beyoncé – featured artist * Big Sean – featured artist * Bernice Burgos – hair stylist, make-up * Gary Clark, Jr. – featured artist * Rob Cohen – assistant engineer * Carol Corless – package production * Da Internz – producer * Los DaMystro – producer * Demacio "Demo" Castellon – engineer * The-Dream – creative director, executive producer, piano, producer, vocals * Fabolous – featured artist * Glass John – programming * Trehy Harris – mixing assistant * Hit-Boy – drum programming * Sam Holland – assistant engineer * Jaycen Joshua – mixing * Jay-Z – featured artist * Marcus Johnson – assistant engineer * Terese Joseph – A&R {{col-2}} * Sean Kryston – set design * Dave Kutch – mastering * Karen Kwak – A&R * Jason Patterson – assistant engineer * Sara Pickett – hair stylist, make-up * Chaka Pilgrim – executive producer * Pusha T – featured artist * Ramon Rivas – assistant engineer * Jesus Rodriguez – assistant engineer * Dave Rowland – assistant engineer * Kelly Rowland – featured artist * Todd Russell – art direction, creative director, design * Lenny S. – A&R * Bart Schoudel – additional production, bass, engineer, vocal producer * Miykal Snoddy – producer * Rob Suchecki – assistant engineer * Brian "B-Luv" Thomas – engineer * Pat Thrall – engineer, production engineer * Meredith Truax – art producer, photo production * Finis "KY" White – vocal engineer, vocal mixing * Stuart White – vocal engineer * Eric Wong – marketing * Kristen Yiengst – art direction * Andrew Zeah – photography * Joe Zeff – illustrations {{col-end}}
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- !scope="col"|Chart (2013) !scope="col"|Peak<br>position |- {{album chart|Billboard200|16|artist=The-Dream|rowheader=true|accessdate=July 24, 2020}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|2|artist=The-Dream|rowheader=true|accessdate=July 24, 2020}} |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- !scope="col"|Chart (2013) !scope="col"|Position |- !scope="row"|US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2013|work=Billboard|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> |79 |} {{col-end}}
==Release history== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| Edition(s) |- ! scope="row" | United States<ref name="Release date">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/IV-Play-Deluxe-Explicit-The-Dream/dp/B00CABLXJO/|title=IV Play (Deluxe Explicit): The-Dream: Music|publisher=Amazon.com|access-date=April 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/IV-Play-Edited-The-Dream/dp/B00CC50REA/|title=IV Play (Edited): The-Dream: Music|publisher=Amazon.com|access-date=April 18, 2013}}</ref> | May 28, 2013 | CD, digital download | Def Jam Recordings | Standard, deluxe |}
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
{{The-Dream}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2013 albums Category:The-Dream albums Category:Albums produced by Da Internz Category:Albums produced by The-Dream Category:Def Jam Recordings albums