From the tiny twin island Caribbean paradise of St. Kitts & Nevis emerges a very youthful soul singer/songwriter whose passion and creative vision for music is undeniable. Andrew Dean Williams was born on the 1st November 1984 on the island of St. Kitts to a Jamaican father and a Nevisian mother, giving him a unique West Indian heritage. From very young, in fact under 1yr old Drew began an itinerant lifestyle. At the tender age of 3 he began showing musical sparks and began singing in church at the age of 4. For many years he would perform in church and was a part of the children and youth choirs in all of the countries where he resided.
In 1999 after having lived in the Netherlands Antilles, Montserrat & Dominica, Drew returned to his birth nation St. Kitts & Nevis and really began developing his craft. He immersed himself in the arts by performing at various community shows and events around the country singing mostly r&b, reggae, gospel & soul. In 2003 Drew was honoured by the Nevis Cultural Department by receiving a Palm (Music) Award for the "Best Male Contemporary Artist". He also received a nomination at the same ceremony for "Best Gospel Performance".
The following year Drew was introduced to Addison "Ras Addie" Harvey, an up & coming producer also from St. Kitts. The two quickly became friends and began brainstorming to see if there would be any musical cohesion. After a few sessions it was clear that they were on the same page especially in the R&B/Hip-Hop/Soul genre. Shortly after, they wrote and recorded their first track "Diamond In The Ruff" a track which was recently re-mastered and re-released online. The two continued to develop material which was geared towards a debut album as a duo called "FBI" an acronym meaning "Full Blooded Innovators". The album was never completed as once again in 2006, Drew had to relocate, this time to the island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.
A few months after arriving in Tortola, Drew witnessed a performance from an established group called the "Acappella Fellas" and was so inspired that it motivated him to join the group (with whom he still performs). The fellas blend traditional, contemporary, jazz, gospel, negro spiritual, fungi, and calypso styles.
In 2007, on his relentless pursuit to push his music career up a notch, Drew applied to the Prestigious Berklee College Of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and in February of that year traveled to Barbados to audition for faculty from the institution. Two months later he gained acceptance as well as a fellowship from the school to pursue full-time musical studies. He began his studies at Berklee in the summer of 2008.
In 2009 after two semesters at Berklee, Drew withdrew from the institution due to increasing financial constraints and his personal desire to become a full-time recording artist. Drew has now begun a major promotional scheme as the independent solo artist “DREW DEAN”. He feels that he is now ready to make his mark in the music industry. He has rekindled the musical relationship with Ras Addie and has networked with many other producers. Drew sites some of his major influences as Bob Marley, Buju Banton, The Fugees (Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill & Pras), Marvin Gaye, R. Kelly, 2Pac & Luther Vandross amongst a host of other artistes. As an artist Drew Dean is very eclectic but defines himself as R&B/REGGAE/SOUL. He is now writing and compiling material for his Debut Album. Drew is also seeking the appropriate recording contract which he thinks would help to propel his music to the next level. Either way, Drew believes that with God on his side and the support of family & friends he will no doubt leave a lasting impression on the global music scene with his definitive style and character.
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Influences
The Marleys, Lucky Dube, R. Kelly, Buju Banton, Morgan Heritage, Tarrus Riley, The Fugees, Nas, Tupac, LL Cool J, Luther Vandross, Aerosmith, Michael Bolton, David Rudder, John Mayer, Marvin Gaye, Dru Hill, Boyz II Men, Outkast, TLC, Barrington Levy, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, Herbie Hancock, Israel Houghton, Journey, Phil Collins, Ella Fitzgerald, Kurt Carr, Seal, Jill Scott, Sade, Lupe Fiasco, Lenny Kravitz, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Michael Buble', Richard Smallwood, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, B.B. King, Michael Jackson... So Many More!
