The-Dream

The pen behind some of the late-2000s catchiest R&B jams (including Rihanna's "Umbrella" and Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)"), The-Dream parlayed that behind-the-scenes fame, easing into a soulful solo singing career by the decade's end. The ascent of The-Dream (born Terius Youngdell Nash) recalls a true Horatio Alger rags-to-riches story: a music fan as a child, he learned multiple instruments and honed his skill, and gained a reputation in the business selling song lyrics. The-Dream found a niche as the auto-tuner fad faded and the market boomed for old-fashioned urbane vocal craft a la Michael Jackson.

• r&b/soul