Dwele Gives You His “World” in New Album

Dwele: It’s more club, it’s some laid back, it’s more about the subject matter and the way I’m making the songs. It’s the way I’m making these songs.

And then you have the “World” section of the album which is a bit more political. I’ve been sitting on a few political driven songs for a minute, because I didn’t actually have that platform to do before…because it’s hard to do a political song in the middle of baby-making music. I think by making this contrast with the “World” section of the album it’s giving me a chance to get those songs out. I also talk a bit more about the state of the economy right now. And that’s a bit more soulful, more live instrumentation. I actually did my very first live band and I really enjoyed that.

And then you have the “Women” section is more of the baby-making music for the women. It’s very much for the women, uplifting them. And that’s where the single came from—“What’s Not to Love.”

MN: You said all your political tracks you wanted to do before. Are they all new or have you been holding onto any of them for a while?

Dwele: Two of them were previously recorded. One, I made last year. And there’s two I made specifically for the World section.

MN: Were you able to play instruments?

Dwele: Usually, all of my past albums, if you heard anything live it was probably me playing it. In the “World” section I wanted to feature other musicians. I haven’t really done that before, that section was all about that. I still produce the songs. I come up with a concept and they played it in the studio together. I like the way it came out. Even though I can play the instrument like the base guitar, the base is not my main craft. So if I send it to another base guitarist he can bring another element that I can’t and I think that was the case with all the musicians that I brought on. I think it’s dope.

MN: Creatively have you been able to expand with the live band?

Dwele: I think with the live band the song comes out a little bit more dynamic. If we’re thinking of just me producing the song, I have more control over everything. As oppose to dealing with the live band – I can’t tell a drummer to hit a stab here and hit a stab there. With a live band it’s more unplanned and organic.

MN: Any collabos?

Dwele: This time we collaborated with DJ Quik from the West. David Banner from the South. My home girl Monica Blaire, she’s ridiculous and out of Detroit. Slum Village again and Raheem Devaughn repping the East. So we’re covering all the bases with this one.

MN: How’s the track with Raheem?

Dwele: The Raheem song is a two-part track and the first part of it is actually gonna throw people. [Laugh] Because I’m doing something different. Also on the baby-making section of that song, I actually did pick up a talk box, you know the instrument that Zapp & Roger used to play back in the day. It’s not auto tune—it’s completely different from auto tune. You actually have to play the keyboard and mouth the notes. We got it in on that joint.. Rah definitely blessed the album.

MN: Other projects this year?

Dwele: The album is my main focus. I have a few things here and there I’m working on, but can’t speak on them prematurely. Just promoting the album, touring and we’re heading to South Africa soon. In early September.

Dwele: Um…black women and dating. I heard a lot about the Slim Thug comment, but I haven’t seen it. I think as a guy, if you find a woman that you’re really feeling, you’ll do what you have to do, to keep her. I wouldn’t say it’s harder for black women. I love black women! [Laugh] I wouldn’t say it’s harder for black women. I’d say it’s harder for some women than others. I wouldn’t necessarily call out a whole race. I think some women have chips on their shoulders that makes it hard for them to find a good man or keep a good man. But I wouldn’t say that the whole black race as a whole have chips on their shoulders.

MN: How has dating been for you? Is it hard to find someone genuine?

Dwele: Yea, it’s kind of weird because part of me just wants to go with the flow. I don’t know what your intentions are, but I’m just gonna have fun right now. Part of me wants to say that and part of me wants to know who’s genuine and who’s not. It’s so crazy nowadays, because everybody is an actress. And it’s easy for them to go and find out exactly what you like and become that–Just to get you in. Know what I’m saying. All that kind of comes into play. All that runs through your mind. When you’re actually looking for somebody. But right now, I’m really into my music and I take it day-by-day. I need to figure out a full-proof way what’s real and what’s not.

MN: You’re on “Power” with Kanye. Are there any other tracks you’re doing for his album?

Dwele: We cut a few songs while I was out there working with him. Not sure what’s gonna make the album or what’s not gonna make the album. You’re guess is as good as mine. But I think the “Power” track was ridiculous. I’m glad he called for me to be on that joint. That’s the feel good joint.

MN: You both work so well together. How did you guys meet?

Dwele: I worked with Ye’ on my first album. He did a remix to my song “Hold On”. From there we kind of worked again, via Slum Village. I was around for that process for “Selfish”. Then we worked again on “Flashing Lights” and then again on via Common on “The People”. So this is our fifth time. Ye in the studio is crazy.

Usually when you go in he pretty much knows what he wants to hear and he’s good at explaining exactly what he wants to hear and is trying to get across with the song. It’s just a matter of me bringing my instrument and doing my thing. This time I put a couple things there a couple stabs with harmonies, but for the most part it’s Ye’s baby. He comes up with the concept and I give the delivery.

MN: Any last words about your new album?

Dwele: This album is all purpose music. Whatever the situation calls for musically I think you can find it on this album. I’ve really been getting into videos and editing. I got the equipment to actually put the videos together. I’m trying to shoot a video for everyone on the album. That’s only if my touring allows me to do that. I’ve already done three commercials to promote this one. I did a commercial for each section of the album. I work up and was like ‘Imma shot a commercial today.’ Called some friends and made it happen. It’s on www.dwele.com or my Youtube.com/dwele24 to see all the videos.