Since setting sails on the independent route, The-Dream is revving up the release of his first project with a new label behind him. Alongside his long-time music partner Tricky Stewart, the singer-songwriter will launch Contra Paris – a “design and culture” label.

The first offering from the camp will be The-Dream’s Royalty: The Prequel EP, hitting the net today July 7th at 7p.m. In a series of Instagram posts, the IV Play crooner revealed the cover and tracklisting for the EP as well as information on his new label venture.

Unlike many artists, The-Dream isn’t looking to build a traditional record label, instead his focus is maintaining and creating culture. With a picture of what may be the new label’s logo he captioned an explanation of what Contra Paris will offer.

“Welcome to the Designer and Culture Label….. CONTRA-PARIS… Thank you to all who have made this possible. Before I have mentioned my adoration for Paris and also how our culture has impacted everything from Fashion to Jazz and now Modern Music. I have no wishes to build a Record Label, or pursue the old idea of what a record label is this Venture is all about Culture and everything that surrounds Music. Me and my Partner Tricky Stewart will do our best at showing you the world through the eyes Of the Young Black Dreamers. Love and Sophistication are two ideal parts of wanting to live “Fancy”. I feel if we can show it to you as it has been a blessing for us to have seen it with our eyes and heard it with our ears then we all may want for More of what life has to offer. We want to change how you feel about Life through music and Culture and also change what we see in Each other! Love.”

Check out the tracklisting on the following page and download Royalty: The Prequel here at 7p.m.