MMIM had the delectation to interview Andwele Gardner better known as “Dwele.” This talented artist is an R&B and soul singer, songwriter, and record producer from Detroit, Michigan. Dwele began honing his songwriting at a young age. It was inevitable that growing up in ‘Motown City’ would guide him towards music.
“The Rize,” which was his demo tape, captured the attention of many, and subsequently began his collaboration with such artistry as Slum Village. Dwele then released his debut mainstream album “Subject” in 2003 and thereafter released his sophomore album “Some Kinda” in 2005.
Dwele’s third studio album “Sketches of A Man” was released June 24, 2008 and the first single “I’m Cheatin” was previously featured on MMIM and is currently making a buzz on radio as well as the web.
MMIM: So who is Dwele?
Dwele: I like anything that has to do with creativity and expression.
MMIM: When did you first know that you wanted to sing?
Dwele: I think it was less me knowing that I wanted to sing more when I was about eleven or twelve. I was real young when I found that music comes from what happens in everyday things so that’s what I write as well.
MMIM: Do you have any musical influences?
Dwele: I’m influenced by so many greats, I listen to a lot of Nadia, Stevie, Marvin Gaye, Roy Ayers, I listen to a lot of Roy Ayers.
MMIM: So what was it like growing up in ‘Motown City’ Detroit?
Dwele: It was cool you know, it was cool. My moms and my pops always had get togethers at the house; it’s always a party house. So, that music was always playing, music was in my earlobes growing up, so it was always there. I was always that cat that didn’t want to go to sleep and wanted to sneak downstairs and be underneath the table and try to sip some of the beer suds off of the empty beer cans, you know. That was me, that’s what I was doing so you know I was always around that music.
MMIM: “Sketches of A Man” I, for one, love that project. What influenced you on this current masterpiece you have here?
Dwele: I’m influenced by everything, life situations, I always write from that. You know things that I’ve gone through, things that I see my people going through, that’s what I write about. You know, I try to relate to people. I try to talk about things that people can relate to. That’s what influenced me on this one.
MMIM: What’s in the future for Dwele?
Dwele: Who knows? Who knows, two or three weeks from now I could be an actor. I could be a comedian, you know what I’m saying. I could be a rapper. Who knows, that’s the beautiful thing about this business, you know, it opens up a lot of different doors for you to do whatever it is that you’re feeling. But right now, I enjoy being an artist.
MMIM: Wonderful, we’re enjoying it as well.
MMIM: Well how can your fans reach you?
Dwele: They can check for me at dwele.net. There’s a message board on there. Also myspace.com/dwele. Check out tour schedules, post crazy pictures and crazy videos. You know what I’m saying, have fun on MySpace, so definitely check me there.
September 9, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I like the “Cheating” song…he’s a great artist…took me a while to appeciate his urban boho style,,,first heard him on Slum Village’s “Tainted”…when I first became aware of J-Dilla.