The-Dream brings 'Too Early' to 'Late Night' - Los Angeles Times
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The-Dream brings ‘Too Early’ to ‘Late Night’

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During a recent interview with Pop & Hiss about his new album “IV Play,†The-Dream seemed most excited by far about “Too Early,†a mournful electro-blues cut the influential R&B star recorded with Gary Clark Jr. on guitar.

So perhaps it’s no surprise that for his gig Friday on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,†The-Dream chose to play “Too Early†over the album’s title-track single.

Whatever his reasoning, we’re glad he did: Expertly backed by Clark and Fallon’s house band, the Roots, The-Dream brought a unique mixture of swagger and vulnerability to his performance; the moment near the end when his voice cracks is heartbreaking in all the right ways.

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Despite typically strong material like “Too Early†and “Turnt,†a stark club jam featuring Beyonce, “IV Play†debuted rather weakly at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 this week.

But don’t cry for The-Dream: According to Billboard, he’s due to appear on upcoming albums by Beyonce, Jay-Z and Kanye West.

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Watch “Too Early†below.

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Follow me on Twitter: @mikaelwood

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