Music
Dwele
born 1978 · singer, rapper, songwriter, producer
West-side Detroit neo-soul singer discovered by Slum Village and J Dilla, known for his vocals on Kanye West's "Flashing Lights" and "Power".
- Born
Detroit, Michigan
age 48- Birth name
- Andwele Gardner
- Detroit years
- 1978–
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Dwele grew up in a musical family on Detroit's west side, playing piano from six and later trumpet, bass and guitar. The death of his father, shot outside the family home when Dwele was ten, pushed him to put his feelings into music. He began as an MC inspired by A Tribe Called Quest, then recorded a bedroom demo, The Rize, and sold copies from his car trunk. It reached the Detroit hip-hop group Slum Village and their producer J Dilla, who had him sing the hook of "Tainted" on Trinity. Signed by Virgin in 2001, he released Subject (2003), led by "Find a Way", and Some Kinda... (2005), blending vintage soul with a hip-hop edge. He sang on Kanye West's "Flashing Lights" (2007) and "Power" (2010) and continued releasing albums, including W.ants W.orld W.omen (2010) and Greater Than One (2012).
Highlights
- Sang the hook on Slum Village's "Tainted" (2002)
- Debut album Subject (2003)
- Vocals on Kanye West's "Flashing Lights" and "Power"
- Album Greater Than One (2012)