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.
Keep On
Dwele Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't bend these pimping rules
No more than I been flexing them
Buddy love, Spandexing and if you ain't know
I play by rules an I'm ma keep on
At least that the plan but if you keep on
I might be forced to leave game alone
It hurts to the touch
You burning pimp my game
(I'm avoiding)
Long talks on the phone
'Cause you might have me gone
My lady, if you keep on
(On, on, on, on)
Moving your hips right, my lover, keep on
Smacking your lips right, my lover, keep on
Calling me papi, my lover, keep on
Thinking 'bout me, my lover, keep on
Rocking Prada, my lover, keep on
Working it out ma, my lover, keep on
Doing your damn thing, my lover, keep on
Making me sing this song about you
No captain save her, my moor dawdle goings
The genie in a bottle, lucky sevens that hit the solid coins
That's all I was, tipping my frame, had a different dip or a dame
Trip over game till they fall in love, had pretty women kiss the ring
Pecking the kicks, bet I'm convinced
I'm everything they wished and dreamed
You was more than just a fish on string
Earned a crown that was fit for queens, you a fix for feens
Know what I mean? Got a dude sick to spleen
Type a girl that could pose for king
(Listen, listen)
You got a body let me pick your brain
Get with dude, get this fame
Ditch your man, shake that lame
Come and take exotic trips
And exclusive whips with the premium bang
Hitting the autobahn, got us shifting lanes
Swear to God, just keep doing your thing
Just
(My lover, keep on)
Keep on
Got me in love with you, I'm telling me
All the things you can do for me
To bring my change when you buy my money
I cop the range and now you ride with me
You doing things that make me wanna keep the range
Parked outside when the sun's high
And I love the range but I can't lie
(You've got me higher)
Than I've ever been with any other woman
(I'm resigning)
Form this pimp game
Might see this pimping change if you keep on
(On, on, on, on)
Moving your hips right, my lover, keep on
Smacking your lips right, my lover, keep on
Calling me papi, my lover, keep on
Thinking 'bout me, my lover, keep on
Rocking Prada, my lover, keep on
Working it out ma, my lover, keep on
Doing your damn thing, my lover, keep on
Making me sing this song about you
You got me from them things you do
Baby, when you do what you do, when you put it on me
You've got me finding myself going crazy
I'm on my way to leaving this game alone if you keep on
Moving your hips right, smacking your lips right
Calling me papi, thinking 'bout me
Rocking prada working it out, ma
Doing your damn thing making me sing this song about you
The lyrics to Dwele & Slum Village's song Keep On speak of a man who finds himself deeply in love with someone who is capable of making him leave his pimping game behind. He refers to his lover as his lady and speaks of the things she does that make him want to keep on loving her. However, he also acknowledges that with the way he has always operated in the past, he cannot bend the pimping rules for anyone. He claims that if his lover keeps on with her seductive ways, he might be forced to give up his game and be with her entirely. He also mentions that he loves the material possessions that come with this lifestyle, like his car, but that he loves his lover more.
The lyrics speak of the internal struggle the man is experiencing, as he is torn between his love for his material possessions and his newfound love for his lady. He is impressed by the things she does that make him want to leave the game and wonders if he is resigned from it all. He acknowledges that his lover might push him to his limits with her enticing ways, but he still loves and appreciates her.
Line by Line Meaning
I, I'm stuck in love with you
I am deeply in love with you and cannot leave.
I can't bend these pimping rules
I cannot break my own rules for the sake of love.
No more than I been flexing them
I have been following these rules all along and will continue to do so.
Buddy love, Spandexing and if you ain't know
I am a pimp and will always be one.
I play by rules an I'm ma keep on
I follow the rules of the game and plan to continue.
At least that the plan but if you keep on
This is my plan for now, but it could change if you continue to push me.
I might be forced to leave game alone
If you push me too far, I may have to leave the pimp game behind and change my life completely.
(You hot like fire)
You are very attractive.
It hurts to the touch
I am deeply affected by your beauty and charm.
You burning pimp my game
Your attractiveness is affecting my ability to be a pimp and maintain the rules of the game.
(I'm avoiding)
I am trying to resist my feelings for you.
Long talks on the phone
Our conversations make me feel more deeply for you.
'Cause you might have me gone
I am worried that I am falling too deeply in love with you and it might affect my life as a pimp.
My lady, if you keep on
If you continue to pursue me, I may lose my focus on my life as a pimp and become too deeply involved with you.
(On, on, on, on)
Keep going, keep doing what you are doing.
Moving your hips right, my lover, keep on
Keep dancing and moving in a way that arouses my desire for you.
Smacking your lips right, my lover, keep on
Keep seducing me with your kisses and the way you move your lips.
Calling me papi, my lover, keep on
Keep calling me 'papi' and speaking to me in a way that makes me feel desired and special.
Thinking 'bout me, my lover, keep on
Keep thinking about me and making me feel like the center of your world.
Rocking Prada, my lover, keep on
Keep wearing expensive, fashionable clothes that show off your beauty and charm.
Working it out ma, my lover, keep on
Keep working hard and taking care of yourself, because it makes me more attracted to you.
Doing your damn thing, my lover, keep on
Keep doing whatever it is that makes you happy and confident, because it makes me love you more.
Making me sing this song about you
Your influence on me is so strong that it inspired me to write this song about you.
No captain save her, my moor dawdle goings
I am not your savior and can't be relied upon.
The genie in a bottle, lucky sevens that hit the solid coins
I am just a lucky guy who happens to be with you.
That's all I was, tipping my frame, had a different dip or a dame
I was just playing around with different women before I met you.
Trip over game till they fall in love, had pretty women kiss the ring
I have played games with other women, but with you, I am afraid that I may fall in love.
Pecking the kicks, bet I'm convinced
I am attracted to you even down to your shoes.
I'm everything they wished and dreamed
I am everything that other women wished and dreamed for in a man.
You was more than just a fish on string
You are more than just another woman to me.
Earned a crown that was fit for queens, you a fix for feens
You deserve to be treated like a queen and are irresistible to those who desire you.
Know what I mean? Got a dude sick to spleen
Do you understand me? I am so in love with you that it makes me physically ill.
Type a girl that could pose for king
You are the type of woman who could be a model and be admired by royalty.
(Listen, listen)
Please pay attention to what I am saying.
You got a body let me pick your brain
Your beauty and sensuality make me want to know more about you.
Get with dude, get this fame
Be with me and become a part of the world of fame and glory.
Ditch your man, shake that lame
Leave your current partner and be with me, because I am the better choice.
Come and take exotic trips
Travel the world with me and experience new things.
And exclusive whips with the premium bang
Ride in luxury cars and live an extravagant life with me.
Hitting the autobahn, got us shifting lanes
Drive fast and dangerously with me on the autobahn, taking risks together.
Swear to God, just keep doing your thing
I promise to love you as long as you keep being yourself and doing what you love.
You doing things that make me wanna keep the range
You are doing things that make me want to keep my luxury car and not leave the life of a pimp.
Parked outside when the sun's high
I want to show off my car and our lifestyle in the daytime.
And I love the range but I can't lie
I love my car, but I can't deny that I am deeply in love with you.
(You've got me higher)
You make me feel like I am on top of the world.
Than I've ever been with any other woman
I have never felt this way about any other woman before.
(I'm resigning)
I am considering leaving the pimp game because of my feelings for you.
Might see this pimping change if you keep on
My feelings for you may make me change my life and quit the life of a pimp if you continue to pursue me.
You got me from them things you do
You have won my heart with the things you do and the way you make me feel.
Baby, when you do what you do, when you put it on me
You make me feel loved and desired when you do what you do to me.
You've got me finding myself going crazy
You have made me so deeply in love with you that it is driving me crazy.
I'm on my way to leaving this game alone if you keep on
My love for you may make me leave the life of a pimp behind and focus only on you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDWELE GARDNER, JAMES DEWITT YANCEY, JASON POWERS, LONNIE RASHID LYNN, R.L. ALTMAN III
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind