The Detroit native, Dwele has been quite busy with his upcoming album “Wants.World.Women.” which is scheduled to be released later this month. He has released a music video for his first single “What’s Not to Love” and is preparing to go on tour to promote his upcoming project. MMIM had the pleasure of catching up with one of our favorite artists for a brief conversation.
MMIM: What have you been up to?
Dwele: Well, we just wrapped up the album and starting the promo tour so, I’m running around a little bit. Doing a lot of interviews and just trying to prepare for the new album.
MMIM: Ok, and that’s scheduled to come out on the 29th of this month right?
Dwele: Right, the 29th.
MMIM: Well, we’re all excited for you! So, what’s the name of the new album?
Dwele: The name of the new album is called “Wants.World.Women.”
MMIM: Can you tell us a little about this project?
Dwele: The album is actually broken up into 3 different sections. The “Wants.” section is what I call my alter ego. Musically, I get to do things that I otherwise wouldn’t do. So I’m really having fun on that side of the album. That section of the album is for me. That’s where I get to have fun. The “World.” section of the album is actually like my audio time capsule of things that have been going on in the past couple of years. I’ve been sitting on a few songs that were a little bit more political than not, and I’ve had those songs for a couple of years but really had no avenue or I didn’t have the correct platform to put those songs out. So, I felt like creating this section. The “World.” section, it kinda gave me that platform. So, I took advantage of it; there are a few songs on there that are a little bit more political. They speak on that state and it’s just that ‘feel good’ music, it’s really warm and there’s a lot of instrumentation on that section of the album. Then you have the “Women.” section and that’s ‘baby-making’ music, that’s the ‘feel good’ music for the ladies. That’s the ride out with the top down, ya know, it covers all those things in the “Women.” section.
MMIM: I was able to see your video for “What’s Not to Love” and it’s really laid back and smooth. Does this pretty much set the tone for the album overall?
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Dwele: That sets the tone mainly for the “Women.” section of the album.
MMIM: As far as collaborations are concerned, I heard the song by Kanye West called “Power”. When I first heard it, I was saying to myself that I’m really digging the harmony in this song, who is that. When I learned it was you, I fell in love with it. You guys worked well together. No pun intended, but it was a powerful collabo! Is there anyone else that you are looking forward to working with in the near future?
Dwele: Oh definitely, there’s a lot of artists that I would love to work with. This time around, actually on my album, I have a lot of collabos on this album, considering that I usually don’t do collabos outside of Slum Village. I really don’t have people on the album, but it’s my fourth effort, people understand who I am musically so I can actually bring people on. So, this time around, of course, you know I worked with Slum Village again. I worked with another artist from Detroit City. Her name is Monica Blaire, a great vocalist. And, I also worked with David Banner, he represents the South. With DJ Quick, he representing the West, and for the East coast, you know I got my man Raheem DeVaughn on the joint, so it’s gonna be good. I’m touching all aspects of the U.S. right here on this album.
MMIM: Are you looking for any new acts to take under your wing at this time?
Dwele: Not right now. I know it takes a lot to actually mold an artist and to get the buzz up. I’m still working with myself right now, I’m being stingy. Yeah, like right now I wouldn’t have the time to put into bringing up another artist, but maybe one day soon. That’s something I’m looking forward to getting into.
MMIM: Are there any other aspects of the business you may be looking to get into?
Dwele: I’ve been really into directing videos, shooting videos and editing. And that’s something I really want to touch on this album. I have plans to shoot a video for every song on the album. That’s my plan. I don’t know how it’s going to happen with me touring all the time, but I’m going to get as many done as I can. Figured, you know, last album, I took a couple of years touring, so I feel like I got a couple of years to make a video to every song so it might be possible. I might be able to pull it off.
MMIM: Overall is there anything else in your future? You going to do some movies, photo shoots for magazines, anything?
Dwele: Well, you know I would love to shoot a movie. That’s ultimately what I would want to do, but time never allows me to do that. So, I stick to doing videos, but maybe someday in the future, I’ll be able to get to shoot a movie or star in one. I’m really looking to making these videos into like short stories, so that’s really what I want to do with them. So maybe I’ll be able to put on a stellar performance and catch some attention of some directors and we can make this happen.
MMIM: In what ways can your fans get in touch with you?
Dwele: There’s a fan page in Facebook, under “Dwele”. I’m on Twitter at ‘therealdwele’. YouTube, you can go to youtube.com/dwele24. That’s where you can go to see some videos and see all the different things. It’s like another extension of creativity. You know, another way to touch the fans and get out there and spread the music. And Dwele.com, it’s in the works. It’s up right now, on Dwele.com, you can see the commercials for the album and we’re still building that website though.
MMIM: Speaking of commercials, are you doing anymore commercials for the McCafe for McDonald’s?
Dwele: I haven’t done anymore, we were slated for two. I don’t know, if they need me on a few more, we can make that happen.
