Today we’d like to introduce you to Dwayne Henderson.
Hi Dwayne, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Raised in Kingston by a single mother as an only child, music wasn’t always the plan for this independent artist. Early on, basketball was the main passion while music entered his life through family talent shows and karaoke performances with cousins. What started casually soon became a growing passion throughout his teenage years, eventually leading him into recording music in New York before relocating to California after high school to pursue basketball opportunities.
Life took an unexpected turn in California when a next-door neighbor — a producer connected to ATL — recognized his talent and introduced him to the music industry on a deeper level. From there, the grind became nonstop: recording, promoting, networking, and performing throughout the Bay Area. His dedication and stage presence quickly opened doors across Northern California’s independent music scene.
After a brief return to New York, he was called back to California to join Frontline Music Production in San Jose. During that chapter of his career, he shared stages with respected artists including Proof of D12, KRS-One, and Bay Area legend Andre Nickatina. Though the experience provided major exposure, it also revealed the darker side of the industry, leading him to walk away before becoming caught in serious criminal activity surrounding the label.
His journey next led him to Merced, where he signed with MI Records and expanded his presence even further. Through the label, he connected with major artists such as Pitbull, Keyshia Cole, and Twista while also hosting the television show “MI Fame” out of Fresno, California. During this period, he even auditioned for the very first season of America’s Got Talent. However, legal troubles stemming from false accusations interrupted the momentum and ultimately ended his run with the label.
Refusing to let setbacks define him, he relocated to Philadelphia, where he rebuilt independently from the ground up. Over seven years, he developed a loyal fan base through performances, music videos, and grassroots promotion while reconnecting with longtime collaborators from New York through the Fresh Club movement, performing throughout NYC and continuing to sharpen his craft.
Eventually, searching for a fresh start brought him to Miami with little more than determination and faith. While music became less of a career pursuit and more of a personal passion, he focused on earning his bachelor’s degree, mentoring youth, coaching basketball, and building stability outside the entertainment industry. Even while working full-time jobs and moving throughout Florida, music remained a constant form of therapy and self-expression.
Today, as an independent artist with distribution through DistroKid, he continues creating and releasing music on his own terms. Recording from home and connecting directly through social media, his focus is no longer fame — it’s authenticity, passion, and love for the art itself. His latest release, a collaborative dual project with his cousin, reflects that mindset completely: genuine music made from real life experiences, without pressure or expectations, simply for the love of the craft.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. My journey has been full of ups, downs, setbacks, and constant rebuilding. Growing up as an only child raised mostly by a single mother taught me resilience early, but the music industry brought its own challenges. I moved from New York to California originally chasing basketball dreams, but once music opportunities started opening up, I went all in and learned quickly how difficult and unpredictable the industry can be.
One of the biggest struggles was navigating situations within labels and the people around them. At one point I was signed to a label in California that eventually became surrounded by criminal activity. Thankfully, my producer looked out for me and made sure I got away from that environment before things became worse. Later on, while signed to another label and building momentum, I faced false accusations that led to jail time and ultimately disrupted my career at a critical point when things were really starting to move forward.
Beyond the industry struggles, I’ve also had to constantly adapt to major life changes and relocations. From New York to California, then Philadelphia, and eventually Miami, every move meant starting over, rebuilding connections, rebuilding fan bases, and finding stability all over again. There were also periods where I had to put music on the back burner to focus on real life responsibilities, working full-time jobs, coaching youth basketball, and figuring out my purpose outside of music.
Mentally, one of the hardest parts was shifting from chasing success in the music industry to realizing I needed peace, stability, and fulfillment in my personal life too. Over time, music stopped being just about trying to “make it” and became more therapeutic for me. Today I create because I genuinely love it. The struggles taught me perseverance, humility, and how to continue evolving no matter what obstacles come my way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an independent recording artist, songwriter, performer, and youth mentor whose journey through music has spanned multiple cities, stages, and phases of life. My foundation comes from real life experience — growing up in Kingston, New York, relocating across the country, navigating the independent music scene, and continuing to create through every setback and transition. Over the years I’ve performed throughout New York, California, and Philadelphia while building connections and opportunities completely from the ground up.
Musically, I specialize in authentic storytelling and relatable music that reflects real experiences, growth, struggle, perseverance, and self-reflection. My sound and writing come from lived experience rather than trends, which is why creating music has always felt therapeutic for me. I’ve had opportunities to open for respected artists such as Proof, KRS-One, and Andre Nickatina, while also networking with artists like Pitbull, Keyshia Cole, and Twista throughout my career. I also hosted a television show called “MI Fame” in Fresno, California and auditioned for the very first season of America’s Got Talent.
Outside of music, I’ve always been passionate about mentoring and working with youth. Basketball was my first love, and over the years I’ve coached youth basketball while balancing work, education, and music. That ability to connect with people both on and off the stage is something I take pride in.
What I’m most proud of is my resilience and ability to keep evolving no matter what life threw at me. I’ve experienced setbacks, false accusations, industry disappointments, relocation after relocation, and moments where I had to completely rebuild my life from scratch. Through all of it, I never stopped creating. Even when music stopped being my main career focus, I continued making music simply because it’s part of who I am.
What sets me apart from others is authenticity. I’m not creating a character or chasing an image — my music and story are real. I’ve lived through different environments, cultures, struggles, and opportunities, and that perspective naturally comes through in my work. Today I approach music with a different mindset: not for validation or fame, but for passion, healing, and genuine expression. That freedom allows me to create from a real place, and I think people connect with that honesty.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I think risk-taking has played a major role in my life, even during times when I didn’t fully realize I was taking risks. Looking back, some of the biggest decisions I made required a lot of faith, adaptability, and belief in myself. I moved from New York to California right after high school mainly to pursue basketball, leaving behind everything familiar to chase opportunity. That decision alone changed the entire direction of my life because it ultimately opened the door for my music career.
Throughout my journey, I’ve taken risks by constantly stepping into unfamiliar situations and betting on myself. Joining music labels, performing in new cities, relocating multiple times, and building myself from the ground up in places where I barely knew anyone all came with uncertainty. One of the biggest risks I took was moving to Miami with no real plan. I literally got off the plane, checked into a hotel, rented a car, and figured things out day by day. At that point in my life I wasn’t even focused on music anymore — I just knew I needed a fresh start and trusted myself enough to create one.
At the same time, I’ve learned that not every risk is worth taking. Some experiences in the music industry exposed me to environments involving criminal activity and people with the wrong intentions. Those situations taught me the importance of protecting your peace, knowing when to walk away, and understanding that success means nothing if it costs your safety or integrity. I’ve also experienced setbacks that came from circumstances outside of my control, including false accusations that interrupted major momentum in my career. Those moments forced me to rebuild mentally, emotionally, and professionally.
My perspective on risk today is more balanced than it was when I was younger. I no longer view risk as simply chasing opportunities at any cost. I think real risk-taking is having the courage to evolve, start over, and continue believing in yourself after disappointment or failure. Sometimes the biggest risk is choosing authenticity over trying to impress people or forcing yourself into situations that no longer align with who you are.
I’m proud of the fact that I’ve continued to adapt through every chapter of my life. Whether it was rebuilding in Philadelphia, transitioning into mentoring youth and coaching basketball, or continuing to make music independently simply because I love it, I’ve learned that calculated risks combined with resilience can lead to growth, even if the outcome isn’t always what you originally expected.
Pricing:
- 1.99
- 2.99
- 3.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://open.spotify.com/user/22jyjhidchefyhvpwetoexpyy?si=ERqdehjYR2y1FwITuuU8ZQ
- Instagram: Iamdymez
- Facebook: Dwayne Dymez Henderson
- Youtube: Therealdymezofny
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/2DrqTyraMnlarqzEmU
