Dwele

Andwele Gardner, known professionally as Dwele, is an American R&B and neo-soul singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer from Detroit, Michigan. Gardner's music integrates elements of classic soul, jazz, and hip-hop, creating a distinctive sound within the contemporary R&B and neo-soul genres. He began his musical development as a child, learning piano at age six and later mastering trumpet, guitar, and bass. Early influences included hip-hop groups such as A Tribe Called Quest, as well as artists like Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, and Miles Davis, whose music was a staple in his family home.

Gardner's professional career started with a self-recorded demo, "The Rize," which he distributed independently. The project garnered attention and led to a collaboration with Slum Village on the track "Tainted" from the album "Trinity: Past, Present and Future." This exposure facilitated further collaborations with artists including Bahamadia, Lucy Pearl, and New Sector Movement. Gardner signed with Virgin Records and released "Subject," which achieved commercial success, entering the Top 20 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart. His follow-up album, "Some Kinda…," reached Number 10 on the same chart and expanded his audience, particularly in Europe through airplay on Gilles Peterson's Radio 1 program.

Throughout his career, Gardner has released five albums: "Subject," "Some Kinda," "Sketches of a Man," "W.ants W.orld W.omen," and "Greater Than One." He is recognized for his guest appearance on Kanye West's single "Flashing Lights" and his contribution to West's "Power," both of which charted in the top 30 of the Billboard Hot 100. Gardner is a multiple Grammy Award nominee and shares a Grammy win with West for "Flashing Lights" on the album "Graduation."

Gardner is known for his songwriting, production, and live performances, often playing guitar, trumpet, and electric piano on stage. He has appeared on programs including Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, MTV Base, and BBC Studios Live. Gardner's work in neo-soul and R&B continues to influence the genre, marked by his consistent blending of jazz, soul, and hip-hop influences and his dedication to musical craftsmanship.