Soul stylist Dwele has no problem with the “baby-making music” he’s been giving people since he started releasing albums nationally in 2003. Dwele (real name Andwele Gardner) primarily makes feel good music for the ladies.
A native of Detroit’s west side, his 1998 demo tape, The Rize, made waves around the Motor City, and he spent time collaborating with the city’s hip-hop group Slum Village and Philadelphia rapper Bahamadia. Signed to Virgin on the strength of his songwriting and performance skills, the adult contemporary R&B singer, songwriter and producer released Subject in mid-2003. He also cemented his appeal with European audiences with a tour that summer.
“I feel like, as soul artists, we need to capture the climate the way Donny Hathaway and Marvin Gaye did back in their day,” Dwele was quoted as saying.
Dwele, who’s cameoed with Kanye West, Common, Roy Ayers, Lucy Pearl and others, is still very much in high demand. His second album, Some Kinda, in 2005, reached the Top 10 of the R&B charts. A couple of years later, he provided the hook on West’s hit single ‘Flashing Lights’ and signed to eOne to release Sketches of a Man and W.ants W.orld W.omen. Both albums maintained the singer’s streak of Top Ten R&B albums. Greater Than One, in 2012, featured some of his breeziest, most pleasing grooves.
Dwele has stretched into other directions as well. He and Conya Doss lent their heavenly voices to the McDonald’s McCafe coffee campaign. The duo were the first African American singers to serve as the voice for the caffeine-themed jingles. That ad campaign provided another creative outlet and great exposure for the one time rapper.
Dwele plays two shows at City Winery this upcoming Friday. It¹s guaranteed to be a treat. Pull up and enjoy if you aim to witness style at it finest.
Click HERE to purchase tickets.
