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.
Whoomp
Dwele Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell Me How To Do
Feel Things That You Want Me To Do
Hit Me To The Plan
Amnesia To Ya Man
We'll Do Things He Can't Comprehend
You Know I Want You're Whoomp
Feel Things That You Want Me To Do
Hit Me To The Plan
Amnesia To Ya Man
We'll Do Things He Don't Understand
We'll Do Thing He Can't Comprehend
The lyrics to Dwele's "Whoomp" suggest a desire for a secret and forbidden affair behind the back of the woman's man. The title of the song, "Whoomp," is a slang term for sexual activity, which is referenced throughout the lyrics. The first line, "You know I want you're whoomp," acknowledges the attraction and desire for this woman's sexual prowess. The following lines, "Tell me how to do, feel things that you want me to do," suggest an eagerness to please this woman and fulfill her sexual desires.
The lyrics then take a darker turn, as the lines "Hit me to the plan, amnesia to ya man" suggest a planned, secretive affair behind the back of the woman's partner. The final lines "We'll do things he can't comprehend...We'll do things he don't understand" further emphasize the taboo nature of this proposed affair and the singer's excitement at the prospect of breaking societal and personal boundaries.
Overall, the lyrics to "Whoomp" portray a clandestine, sultry affair filled with sexual tension and secrecy.
Line by Line Meaning
You Know I Want You're Whoomp
I am attracted to you and desire intimacy with you.
Tell Me How To Do
Please instruct me on how to fulfill your desires.
Feel Things That You Want Me To Do
I want to experience the emotions and sensations that you desire from me.
Hit Me To The Plan
Direct me to the course of action you have in mind.
Amnesia To Ya Man
Let us keep this between us and forget about your significant other.
We'll Do Things He Can't Comprehend
Our actions will be beyond the understanding of your partner.
Writer(s): Andwele Gardner
Contributed by Ellie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.