Introduction:
Tony! Toni! Toné! was a popular R&B group of the late 80s and early 90s known for their soulful and jazzy sound. The group consisted of three talented musicians, brothers D’wayne Wiggins and Raphael Saadiq, and their cousin Timothy Christian Riley. Often referred to as the “softer side of Oakland,” Tony! Toni! Toné! produced hits such as “Feels Good,” “If I had No Loot,” and “Whatever You Want.”
In this blog post, we will uncover the life of D’wayne Wiggins, one-third of the group who was the lead guitarist, producer, and songwriter. We will explore his background, career, creative process, and achievements, providing insight into the genius behind Tony! Toni! Toné!
Section 1: Childhood and Musical Upbringing
D’wayne Wiggins was born on February 14, 1963, in Oakland, California. His father was a Baptist minister, and music was an integral part of his upbringing. As a child, Wiggins learned to play the guitar, bass, and drums, and he was soon performing in his father’s church choir.
In a 2015 interview, Wiggins recounted his early musical experiences, saying, “My dad taught me the chords, and my mom suggested that I should learn bass and drums, which gave me a full musical vocabulary.” Growing up, he often played with his cousin Timothy Riley, who later became the drummer of Tony! Toni! Toné!
Section 2: Meeting Raphael Saadiq
Wiggins met his future bandmate, Raphael Saadiq, when they were both attending Castlemont High School in East Oakland. The two musicians immediately hit it off, sharing a passion for music and a common goal of starting a band.
In an interview with NPR, Wiggins reminisced about his friendship with Saadiq, saying, “I remember, he would open up his guitar case and say, ‘let’s go,’ and we would just go sit on a street corner and play.”
Section 3: Tony! Toni! Toné!’s Rise to Fame
In 1988, Tony! Toni! Toné! released their debut album, “Who?”, which featured their first hit single “Little Walter.” The album’s success earned the group a spot on the R&B charts and paved the way for their second album, “The Revival,” which spawned the hits “Feels Good” and “It Never Rains (In Southern California).”
Tony! Toni! Toné! continued to tour and release successful albums throughout the late 80s and early 90s, solidifying their place in the R&B genre. Their music was known for its retro sound, jazz-inspired instrumentation, and Wiggins’ soulful guitar riffs.
Section 4: D’wayne Wiggins’ Role in the Group
As the lead guitarist, producer, and songwriter of Tony! Toni! Toné!, D’wayne Wiggins played a significant role in the group’s success. He contributed to the band’s unique blend of jazz, blues, and funk, creating a sound that set them apart from other R&B groups of the time.
In an interview with Music Radar, Wiggins shared his creative process, saying, “I like to find interesting chord movements that aren’t traditional. I’m always looking for that next chord progression that’s gonna be like, ‘Oh, wow, I never heard that before.'”
Section 5: Solo Career and Other Projects
After Tony! Toni! Toné! disbanded in 1997, D’wayne Wiggins pursued a solo career, releasing two albums, “Eyes Never Lie” and “20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection.” He also collaborated with other notable artists, such as Erykah Badu, Too Short, and Alicia Keys.
Wiggins also founded Grass Roots Entertainment, a music production company that focuses on developing young artists and producing innovative music.
Section 6: Tony! Toni! Toné!’s Legacy
Tony! Toni! Toné! had a significant impact on the R&B genre, pioneering a sound that fused classic soul elements with jazz-infused arrangements. Their influence can be heard in the music of many contemporary R&B artists, including Frank Ocean and Anderson .Paak.
In a 2020 interview with The Oakland Post, Wiggins reflected on the group’s legacy, saying, “We were just three guys from Oakland who wanted to make a hit record. To be recognized as one of those bands that left a mark in music history is incredible.”
Section 7: FAQs
1. What inspired D’wayne Wiggins to pursue a career in music?
Wiggins’ upbringing in a musical household, his love for playing instruments, and his friendship with Raphael Saadiq motivated him to pursue a career in music.
2. What made Tony! Toni! Toné!’s music unique?
The group’s sound was a fusion of classic soul elements, jazz-infused arrangements, and Wiggins’ soulful guitar riffs.
3. What were some of Tony! Toni! Toné!’s biggest hits?
The group’s biggest hits include “Feels Good,” “It Never Rains (In Southern California),” and “Whatever You Want.”
4. What is D’wayne Wiggins’ creative process?
Wiggins likes to find interesting chord progressions that aren’t traditional, creating a sound that is unique and innovative.
5. What did D’wayne Wiggins do after Tony! Toni! Toné! disbanded?
Wiggins pursued a solo career, releasing two albums, and founded a music production company called Grass Roots Entertainment.
6. What is Tony! Toni! Toné!’s legacy in the music industry?
The group pioneered a sound that fused classic soul elements with jazz-infused arrangements, influencing many contemporary R&B artists.
7. What is D’wayne Wiggins’ opinion on Tony! Toni! Toné!’s legacy?
In a 2020 interview, Wiggins expressed pride in the group’s legacy, saying that he was honored to be recognized as one of the bands that left a mark in music history.
Conclusion:
D’wayne Wiggins is a soulful genius behind the sound of Tony! Toni! Toné!, fusing classic soul elements with jazz-infused arrangements, creating a sound that left a mark in the music industry. He has had a long and successful career as a musician, producer, and songwriter, inspiring many contemporary R&B artists. Wiggins is a true inspiration, showing that with creativity and passion, anything is possible.
If you’re a fan of Tony! Toni! Toné! or D’wayne Wiggins, share your thoughts below in the comment section. Also, don’t forget to check out D’wayne Wiggins’ solo work and Grass Roots Entertainment.