It's the middle of the second quarter when the–Dream struts into Philadelphia's Wachovia Center, where the 76ers are beating the Orlando Magic by six. His seats, at the end of the Sixers' bench, put him thigh to thigh with sweaty, six–foot–11–inch starting center Sam Dalembert, who gives Dream five. Sixers franchise star Andre Iguodala glances over and nearly sings "Radio killa!" — Dream's nickname — then says, "'Preciate your music, man." Coolly, Dream thanks him, as if midgame props from NBA players are an everyday thing. Meanwhile, two teenage girls with furrowed brows are struggling to figure out who he is. Such is the world of the–Dream, a superstar as an R&B songwriter and producer who is still hoping to break big as an artist. "I'm definitely more famous with anybody in football, basketball, baseball, the industry, movies," he says, eyes hidden behind Magoo–ish Crooks & Castles sunglasses. "All those people know me."

When Dwight Howard checks into the game, Dream looks at his beautiful stylist and points to Howard's black Adidas. "Them shits is crazy!" he says. She takes note, thinking of how to work them into his look, which combines country–club–ready preppy tailoring with flashy European–designer pieces and oversize baseball caps that hide half of his slightly doughy face. With two minutes to go in the game, Dream heads out to a waiting limo that will take him back to the Ritz–Carlton to prepare for a late–night club gig. "The game's not decided," he says. "But what is decided is there's gonna be traffic outside."