EXPLORING THE BIGGER PICTURE
Dwele - *ON LOCATION
*Detroit, Michigan
With one Grammy Award in his pocket and multiple Grammy nominations in his acclaimed career, Dwele has been a Detroit legend and R&B artist for nearly two decades. He started making waves in the Detroit music scene in the late 90’s while hustling his own cassette tapes. He quickly found himself tapped to sing some hooks on “Tainted” for Slum Village in 2002. The timing was perfect and the attention he received pushed his record label to get behind his first major label album.
In 2007, Kanye West called on Dwele to contribute to the song “Flashing Lights” from his epic album “Graduation.” It became a global smash hit and a Grammy Winner. In subsequent years, high profile collaborations with Drake, Common and Big Sean catapulted Dwele to an even higher orbit.
After five successful solo albums of his own, Dwele consistently tours around the globe with sell-out crowds in his wake. His fans are eagerly anticipating what his next move will be…but just don’t comment on his Instagram feed and ask when the new album is coming out. Dwele’s not saying.
I first got to know Dwele in 2013 when I photographed him for my “Detroit Portraits” project. This portrait project was probably the most influential series of images I’ve ever made. I say that because nearly all of the people I photographed in Detroit are still very much in my life today in one way or another.
I think you’ll enjoy this conversation about Dwele’s music, bonsai trees, golf and the impact the death of his father at the age of ten had on his music. Dig in!
This *ON LOCATION episode is exclusively sponsored by:
Metro Health | University of Michigan Health and Dr. Peter Hahn
VIDEO EXCERPTS OF BRIAN AND DWELE
