The toxicity of up to date male R&B has been a speaking level for practically a decade, and Texas-bred R&B crooner Dende is able to take motion and produce “craving” again to the forefront.
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“I don’t really feel like loads of folks yearn anymore,” he tells Billboard days after releasing his I Am, As a result of You Are… EP. “There’s a specific amount of emotion that R&B requires.”
In different phrases, Dende is over the period of nonchalance. Born in Austin and raised in Katy, Texas, Dende has been a musician his whole life. From church choir stints to makeshift bed room studios in school, the soulful multihyphenate has spent years honing his sound into its present amalgamation of passionate ad-libs, gospel chords, pop inclinations, and hip-hop cadences.
Earlier this 12 months (Feb. 12), Dende (born Jeremi Lewings) signed with Def Jam, marking an finish to his time as an impartial artist – an period that led him to shut studio collaborator Billy Blunt and his CXR administration group. Dende’s transition into the main label system got here shortly after a viral reside efficiency video of “Nightmares,” a monitor from his acclaimed 2023 ’95 Civic EP. Along with his face lined in bloody make-up to intensify his notably theatrical rendition of the music, that reside efficiency video encapsulates the whole lot Dende seeks to carry to modern R&B: From his quotidian vogue to his stage present, Dende is wholly unafraid to really feel the complete extent and breadth of his feelings in entrance of an viewers — he isn’t too cool to be damage or hopelessly in love.
With a smattering of singles and a handful of EPs courting again to 2018, Dende has slowly made a reputation for himself in R&B circles along with his spunky, introspective tunes. His new I Am EP transports him to visible artwork, taking notes from Picasso and Basquiat in how they allowed their muses to talk by way of them and their work. That includes collaborations with Luciia, Roy Woods and Kiilynn, Dende’s newest venture is his strongest stab at world-building but – from the scene-setting “The Louvre” – to the heart-melting “Dance With Me.”
Billboard spoke with April’s R&B Rookie of the Month in regards to the evolution of his sound, the origins of his stage identify, his all-time favourite ad-libs and his relationship with vogue.
What are your earliest music reminiscences?
I used to be actually younger after I began singing in church. My dad was a pastor, so I used to be within the choir. At one level, it was actually simply me and my sister doing solos within the choir. I additionally performed the drums for the church.
I used to be additionally actually into American Idol, which we used to look at as a household. In elementary faculty, we had a expertise present and I sang “Flying With out Wings” as a result of Ruben Studdard sang it. And my instructor cried. [Laughs.]
Do you hear the music that you just grew up with within the music that you just make immediately?
In unconventional methods, sure. Clearly, I don’t make gospel music, however on my final venture, I had a extra gospel-leaning music with a choir. And the truth that we use reside instrumentation; my producer, Billy Blunt, is a heavy church child too. That’s the place he will get all his chords and progressions from.
What’s the primary music you keep in mind being caught in your head?
“No one’s Alleged to Be Right here” by Deborah Cox. I used to scream that music within the automobile.
Do you keep in mind while you wrote your first music? What was it?
The primary actual music that I wrote was in all probability in my freshman 12 months; I wrote it in a follow room. My cousin had given me an previous microphone, and I put a sock over it, performed the piano and recorded it on my laptop computer speaker. I don’t keep in mind precisely what the music was known as, however I do know it sucked! [Laughs.] I made very unhealthy music for a really very long time. I used to be first rate sufficient on devices to place stuff collectively, however the songs themselves have been unhealthy.
What have been you writing about again then?
Being a tragic boy, as I are likely to do. I nonetheless try this to this present day.
When did you resolve that you just wished to pursue music professionally?
Most likely my sophomore 12 months of school after I was at Clark [Atlanta University]. That was my first 12 months residing off campus. I had an house with my sister, and folks would come over to document. Individuals have been paying me for studio time [and] I didn’t know what I used to be doing! Round then, I ended going to class [because] I simply wished to do music. I used to be coming into totally different contests in Atlanta [like Mic Check]; despite the fact that it was largely rappers, I’d go up there and sneak some singing in.
Why did you resolve to make use of a stage identify and the way did you land on Dende?
I’ve all the time had nicknames. Once I was youthful, folks known as me “Jerm” and that [ended up being] my first artist identify. I didn’t actually like that, and nobody actually calls me by my precise identify, so I bought the identify Dende as a result of I’m a heavy anime nerd. For those that don’t know, Dende is from Dragon Ball Z, and I’ve him tatted on my forearm. [In the show], Dende can not battle, however with out him, the dragon balls don’t exist, so with out him, lots of people don’t get their needs. I preferred that as a result of he’s a aspect character, however he’s actually essential to the plot.
How would you describe the Dende sound? How has it developed over time?
Poppy R&B with a bit little bit of hip-hop and gospel chords. At first, it was simply straight-up piano and horrible drums, then it grew to become straight up digital drums and beats and rapping – I wasn’t singing in any respect. [After that], I transitioned into doing half-singing and half-rapping, then I moved extra into the R&B house.
What’s your favourite a part of the music making course of? Is there any half that you just discover extra annoying or draining than others?
I really like writing. Put up-production might be my favourite half, as a result of we will add cool stuff. A variety of my songs translate effectively to reside units, as a result of there’s plenty of hits and reside devices. We get to be a bit bit extra inventive with how we construction the music – outdoors of lyrics – at that time. I don’t discover mixing enjoyable. I used to combine all my stuff, however I don’t try this anymore. It’s annoying as a result of it’s a tedious course of.
Discuss to me about your indie journey. Why did you find yourself signing to Def Jam?
Once I was impartial, I used to be doing the whole lot on my own – mixing, mastering, recording, producing. Then I bought [in touch with] Billy Blunt [in 2021] and he began producing for me. CXR, my administration group, got here [into the picture] proper after the pandemic. CXR is my administration, however we perform as a label. So going from that to the indie label house and the signing with Def Jam [in early 2025] wasn’t that loopy of a transition for us as a result of we had been working collectively as a label and group for such a very long time. I don’t suppose a lot is totally different apart from having different folks round us that may assist guarantee our imaginative and prescient involves life.
Why did you resolve to go together with CXR on the administration aspect?
To maintain up with the momentum that I had gained nearly alone in the course of the pandemic, I used to be on the lookout for administration. It was between [CXR] and [another person] that’s in Houston. I went with [CXR] as a result of they match me extra. With them, I get an entire group. We’ve advertising and marketing, A&R, day-to-day managers, social media managers – it’s an entire machine. I don’t even suppose I used to be prepared for that but, but it surely undoubtedly helped propel me to a different degree.
What impressed the brand new EP? When did you begin and end recording?
[I was inspired by] issues that I used to be feeling whereas going by way of life, which is just about what all my music is about. This [EP] is about falling in love and discovering any person that you just really feel matches you completely whereas additionally perhaps not being probably the most financially sound [option at the time]. The aim of this venture is a ravenous artist falling in love and attempting to navigate that. We began making this one earlier than we even put out [‘95 Civic]. The final music we did was “The Louvre” with Luciia, which I reduce final January.
Was the plan all the time to make the track-list half solo songs and half duets?
No, I used to be gonna do all of it on my own, but it surely simply ended up being that means. It grew to become a extra collaborative effort. I felt that a few of the songs wanted any person else to strengthen them, so we did that. What I’m on the lookout for [in a potential collaborator] is: Are you going to make the music higher? My group can also be on the lookout for what’s helpful in regards to the function outdoors of the music – I in all probability ought to care extra about that, however I have a tendency to not. I simply need to make the most effective music doable. That’s why I’ve a group!
Who’re a few of your favourite visible artists?
I like Basquiat loads. He was an insane human being, and I actually resonate with that. I’m not practically as insane, however I like people who find themselves doing what they need to do in the best way they love to do it – as a result of that wasn’t the norm.
I additionally actually like Dita Montana, an artist in Houston who truly did the duvet artwork for my EP. I’ve been a fan of her for years. I actually had work that she painted in my home that I bought 5 – 6 years in the past.
Why did “Want U Like” and “The Louvre” really feel like the fitting songs to introduce this venture?
“The Louvre” matches the aesthetic of the venture probably the most on the entire EP. This venture is about bodily artwork, and this music is saying that you just need to be hung up on the wall on the most prestigious place on the planet [for art] to reside.
“Want U Like,” will not be solely a tough music, but it surely additionally showcases my character and the way I method relationships. I’m telling this person who I’m keen to do the unimaginable to make us occur.
Do you propose to rap extra on future initiatives?
Perhaps just a bit bit. I get pleasure from singing greater than rapping, I similar to writing in the best way {that a} rapper would. I wrote “Want U Like” as if I used to be rapping, after which I simply sang it.
What do you suppose you’re bringing to modern male R&B that’s distinctive?
I wouldn’t say it’s distinctive to me, as a result of it was in existence at one level, however I don’t suppose it exists as a lot anymore: craving. I don’t really feel like lots of people yearn anymore. Once I carry out “Higher Than Him” [from 2023’s Before We Crash EP], I actually will drop down on my knees.
Any plans to tour this EP? Is there any specific artist that you just’d prefer to open for?
We’re planning to tour the venture. We did a number of listening events, and I do know I’m about to do a Houston present for the EP on Might 2. After that, we’re gearing up for the subsequent venture.
[Opening for] Tyler, the Creator is clearly the dream. I like Kenyon Dixon an entire lot; I’d like to go on tour with him. Clearly, Fortunate Daye, however I don’t know if he’s occurring tour anytime quickly. And Bieber!
How do you incorporate vogue into your music and general model?
I prefer to look good, and I prefer to make an announcement with what I’m sporting. Once I do reside exhibits, I match the aesthetic of the venture with what I’m sporting. On the final venture, I used to be the man that exhibits as much as your window with a boombox, so I’m sporting denims, a fitted cap and a letterman jacket. Midway by way of the set, I swap garments and swap over to a [different project], and that dude appears like he bought stood up on the altar.
You’re in a second of loads of momentum proper now. Does it ever get scary realizing what’s on the horizon for you?
I wouldn’t say it will get scary. I believe I get overwhelmed with what number of issues I have to do, however I’m probably not scared. I preserve God first, so no matter is for me is for me.
When you might decide one producer to lock in with for a complete venture, who would it not be?
D’Mile.
What music has your favourite advert libs of all time? Decide certainly one of your songs after which decide another person’s music.
For me, let’s say “Block Me.” For another person, we’re going to go together with Charlie Wilson’s “There Goes My Child.”
