Born Andwele (which, translated from Swahili, means ?God has brought me?), he?s an offspring of the hip-hop generation, one who pays homage to and can recite the musical traditions of years, decades, past. A self-professed devotee of jazz and R&B, he?s been known to keep his ears pressed against speakers blaring the sounds of Miles, Marvin, Donnie, Stevie and on the next beat, he acknowledges the efforts of his contemporaries ? think Faith, Tweet, Bobby Valentino and even Mike Jones? rumbling from deep down in the dirty South. He understands that in music, as in life, change remains an inevitable force. ?I like the fact that music constantly evolves,? he notes, ?because that?s what keeps the game exciting. It?s like one day we?re rapping and the next day, we?re whispering.?

While music has certainly transformed in the two years since 27-year-old Dwele stepped up to the plate with his debut, ?Subject,? he?s made slight adjustment to his surroundings. Cornrows aligned, symmetric, and Midwest cool in full effect, there?s no denying that Dwele stays repping for the (313) ? he?s just moved to downtown Detroit where he watches as the sun rises, and sets, over Lake Eerie. ?Changing scenery offers you a different mood and energy for creating,? he admits. ?If the sun is up and it?s hot in the loft, I?m coming with a hype song. But once the sun starts to go down, it?s a beautiful time to make music ? baby-making music.?