Biography
Guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer Dwayne Wiggins launched his first solo project, Eyes Never Lie, through Motown Records on May 2, 2000. His established role in the playful yet soul-rooted ensemble Tony! Toni! Toné! positioned him as an ideal fit for the historic imprint, which was redefining itself at the dawn of the new millennium as a destination for contemporary soul sounds.
Wiggins’ longstanding ties to the Oakland, CA trio—alongside his brother Raphael Saadiq and cousin Timothy Christian—encompass 14 Billboard-charting R&B singles, five of them reaching the top spot, three top-10 Pop entries, one gold album, two platinum albums, and one double-platinum album. The group also appeared in the film House Party 2, where Wiggins upheld the band’s signature blend of innovation, old-school reverence, and humor.
A confrontation with law enforcement ignited Wiggins’ artistic impulse, resulting in the lead single “What’s Really Going On (Strange Fruit),” which incorporates excerpts from Billie Holiday’s classic “Strange Fruit.” Saxophonist Najee appears on the album’s jazz-inflected remix of the track. Wiggins’ commanding instrumental command and wide-ranging musical palette echo the earlier work of the Brothers Johnson, the Isley Brothers, Prince, and Narada Michael Walden. To realize this vision, he recruited several veteran figures from the “ol’ skool.” Larry Graham joined Wiggins in co-writing the horn-driven “Music Is Power,” which features guest vocals from Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish and draws a sample from Earth, Wind And Fire’s “Shining Star,” arranged by Claire Fischer. The song “Pushin’ On” likewise employs a sample from Bootsy Collins’ “Munches for Your Love.” Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana co-wrote “Move With Me.”
Wiggins displays his accomplished guitar technique on the solo instrumental “Tribecca.” Eyes Don’t Lie stands apart among later-era releases because it can be experienced straight through as a cohesive album rather than a collection of individual tracks, allowing listeners to grasp the artist’s distinct persona beyond his Tony! Toni! Toné! tenure. ~ Ed Hogan
Wiggins’ longstanding ties to the Oakland, CA trio—alongside his brother Raphael Saadiq and cousin Timothy Christian—encompass 14 Billboard-charting R&B singles, five of them reaching the top spot, three top-10 Pop entries, one gold album, two platinum albums, and one double-platinum album. The group also appeared in the film House Party 2, where Wiggins upheld the band’s signature blend of innovation, old-school reverence, and humor.
A confrontation with law enforcement ignited Wiggins’ artistic impulse, resulting in the lead single “What’s Really Going On (Strange Fruit),” which incorporates excerpts from Billie Holiday’s classic “Strange Fruit.” Saxophonist Najee appears on the album’s jazz-inflected remix of the track. Wiggins’ commanding instrumental command and wide-ranging musical palette echo the earlier work of the Brothers Johnson, the Isley Brothers, Prince, and Narada Michael Walden. To realize this vision, he recruited several veteran figures from the “ol’ skool.” Larry Graham joined Wiggins in co-writing the horn-driven “Music Is Power,” which features guest vocals from Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish and draws a sample from Earth, Wind And Fire’s “Shining Star,” arranged by Claire Fischer. The song “Pushin’ On” likewise employs a sample from Bootsy Collins’ “Munches for Your Love.” Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana co-wrote “Move With Me.”
Wiggins displays his accomplished guitar technique on the solo instrumental “Tribecca.” Eyes Don’t Lie stands apart among later-era releases because it can be experienced straight through as a cohesive album rather than a collection of individual tracks, allowing listeners to grasp the artist’s distinct persona beyond his Tony! Toni! Toné! tenure. ~ Ed Hogan
Albums