Although Dwele has had somewhat of a short career as a commercially avaliable artist, he has a vast catalogue of material currently unreleased that die-hard fans revere as some of his best work, considerably superior to his material released as a signed artist that showcases the true depth of his artistic and diverse talent, displayed without constraint.
Gardner was raised on the west side of Detroit in a musical family. He played piano from the age of six, later taking up trumpet, bass and guitar. He was deeply affected by the fatal shooting of his father outside his home when he was age ten, later stating "I learned to put my emotions into music; it was my therapy."
He cites Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Roy Ayers, Miles Davis, and Freddie Hubbard as favorite artists, and took inspiration from hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest, becoming an MC, and working with Slum Village. Gardner recorded a demo in his bedroom, called, The Rize, and sold it out of the trunk of his car. He had about 100 copies, which sold out within a week. He caught the ears of local heroes Slum Village and more specifically their world-renowned producer J Dilla. Slum Village invited Dwele to sing the hook of the song "Tainted" for their album Trinity (Past, Present and Future). It became an instant classic and led to more high profile work with female rapper Bahamadia, the all-star group Lucy Pearl and London's New Sector Movement. Dwele signed to Virgin Records in 2003, who released his debut album, Subject, which mixed neo soul and hip hop. In a 2005 review in The Independent, his style was summed up: "Dwele's rooted in vintage soul but isn't stuck in the past, overly reverential or an exercise in pastiche - there's a major hip-hop edge which betrays his original incarnation as a rapper." A second album, Some Kinda..., followed in 2005. He then later signed with RT Music Group and KOCH records in March, 2008. He is coming out with his fourth album titled, W.W.W. (W.ants. W.orld. W.omen) coming out June 29, 2010. Dwele was recently featured on the first single off of Kanye West's fifth studio album, Good Ass Job. The song was entitled "Power" and was leaked on May 28, 2010.
A Pimp's Dream
Dwele Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is This Is A Dream?
Is My Car This Mean?
Am I Imagining Things?
Diamond In The Back
Of My Cadillac
If This ain't A Fact (Oh No)
Don't Wait On Me (Oh No)
And Who's This Girl?
Together Like Plural (Oh No, Oh No)
Say You Wanna Ride With This Super Fly
How Can I Decline I Can't (No Way)
If This Is Dreaming I Don't Want To Be
In Reality, No I Don't
I Must Be High On Someone's On Supply
'cause My Mind Is Tripping
Or Am I Pimping
La La La La La La La
Goes My System In My Car
If My Name Is Only You
I Don't Want Your Daily Love
This Is Pimping Living
[Singing With Horns]
[Verse 2:]
These Diamond Rings
And Platinum Things,
I Can't Complain, Can I?
Where's My Armani Suit?
And, Where's My Gator Boots?
My Girls Used To Call Me Cute
But, Where's My Girlfriend (Don't Know)
It Was Just A Dream, And,
I ain't Got A Thing
And My Chain Don't Swing (No It Don't)
I ain't Got No Girl
My Fade Don't Blend, I
I Got 50 Cents
With No Residence
But I'm Still Pimping
[Dwele:] Ooooh Look At That Line
[Guy 1:] Damn, Man I ain't Bout To Stand In This Dude
[Guy 2:] It's Too Long Anyway
[Dwele:] For Real
[Guy 1:] Aye Man, That Look Like The Girl From Yesterday, Dude
...Ya That's Her
[Security:] You! You!...Not You
[Guy 2:] Lil Jamie How You Doing..You Alright, Woody?
[Guy 3:] I'll See You At The Club, We'll Be Getting Some After This
[Guy 4:] I'm Trying To Party Dawg, Man There's Too Many Girls Going Up In The Club, That's What's Up
[Dwele:] Sup Right Here Man, We Good, Yo What's Up Man You Straight
The lyrics to Dwele's "A Pimp's Dream" depict the singer being lost in a dream where he possesses a luxurious vehicle with a diamond in the back, diamond rings, platinum things, and plenty of women attracted to him. He is questioning whether it is a dream, and if it is, he doesn't want to be in reality. He is enjoying the attention, including that of a specific girl, and is living a pimping lifestyle. The second verse, however, takes a more somber tone as he awakens from the dream to realize that he doesn't have any of those things in reality. As he stands in a line, he realizes that the girl from his dream was actually there, but he is still unable to achieve that lifestyle in real life. Despite this, he still has a sense of confidence and pride in his identity as a pimp.
The song's lyrics provide an ironic contrast between the singer's dreams and his reality, revealing the allure of a lavish lifestyle versus the struggle of a pimp's life. The chorus of the song is an upbeat and catchy melody, contrasting the more somber tone of the verses. The lyrics are accompanied by a funky and jazzy instrumental track, including horn solos and a groovy guitar riff.
Line by Line Meaning
Is This Is A Dream?
Questioning the reality of his current situation
Is My Car This Mean?
Expressing disbelief at the opulence of his car
Am I Imagining Things?
Wondering if everything he is experiencing is a figment of his imagination
Diamond In The Back
Referring to the luxurious diamond-studded upholstery of his car
Of My Cadillac
Specifying the make of his extravagant vehicle
If This ain't A Fact (Oh No)
Expressing disbelief at the reality of his current situation
Don't Wait On Me (Oh No)
Implying that he is not responsible for any problems that may arise from his lifestyle
Who's This Girl?
Casually referring to a new woman in his life
And Who's This Girl?
Referring to another unknown woman in his life
Together Like Plural (Oh No, Oh No)
Implying that he is dealing with multiple women at the same time
Say You Wanna Ride With This Super Fly
Recalling someone expressing interest in his luxurious lifestyle
How Can I Decline I Can't (No Way)
Admitting that he cannot refuse such an offer
If This Is Dreaming I Don't Want To Be
Preferring to live in a dream-like state rather than returning to reality
In Reality, No I Don't
Explicitly stating his desire to avoid reality
I Must Be High On Someone's On Supply
Speculating that he is under the influence of a substance
'cause My Mind Is Tripping
Acknowledging that his thoughts are distorted and illogical
Or Am I Pimping
Asking himself whether he is a pimp or not
La La La La La La La
The sound of his car's sound system
Goes My System In My Car
Describing the high-quality sound system in his car
If My Name Is Only You
Acknowledging that he only cares about himself
I Don't Want Your Daily Love
Expressing that he does not want a long-term relationship
This Is Pimping Living
Defining his lifestyle as that of a pimp
[Singing With Horns]
Referring to the jazz-inspired instrumental section of the song
These Diamond Rings
Referring to the extravagant jewelry he wears
And Platinum Things,
Referring to his other luxurious possessions
I Can't Complain, Can I?
Acknowledging that he has no reason to complain with his lavish lifestyle
Where's My Armani Suit?
Desiring a high-end designer clothing item
And, Where's My Gator Boots?
Desiring a pair of alligator skin boots
My Girls Used To Call Me Cute
Referencing the women he used to be with
But, Where's My Girlfriend (Don't Know)
Wondering where his current girlfriend is, if he even has one
It Was Just A Dream,
Realizing that his lavish lifestyle may not be real
And, I ain't Got A Thing
Admitting that he owns nothing of value
And My Chain Don't Swing (No It Don't)
Acknowledging that he does not have a chain to wear
I ain't Got No Girl
Acknowledging that he is single
My Fade Don't Blend, I
Referring to his hair style
I Got 50 Cents
Admitting to being nearly broke
With No Residence
Admitting to not having a permanent home
But I'm Still Pimping
Reiterating that he identifies as a pimp
[Dwele:] Ooooh Look At That Line
Commenting on something he sees in public
[Guy 1:] Damn, Man I ain't Bout To Stand In This Dude
Another person in the public scene voicing his disapproval
[Guy 2:] It's Too Long Anyway
Another person in the public scene commenting on the length of the line
[Dwele:] For Real
Agreeing with the comments of the other people in the scene
[Guy 1:] Aye Man, That Look Like The Girl From Yesterday, Dude
Another person in the scene pointing out a familiar face
...Ya That's Her
Confirming the identity of the woman in question
[Security:] You! You!...Not You
Security personnel addressing an individual in public
[Guy 2:] Lil Jamie How You Doing..You Alright, Woody?
Another person in the scene checking in with two others
[Guy 3:] I'll See You At The Club, We'll Be Getting Some After This
Another person in the scene making plans for later in the evening
[Guy 4:] I'm Trying To Party Dawg, Man There's Too Many Girls Going Up In The Club, That's What's Up
Another person in the scene talking about his goal for the evening
[Dwele:] Sup Right Here Man, We Good, Yo What's Up Man You Straight
Dwele attempting to find a spot in the crowded scene and asking another person if they are okay
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