Outsider

Description

Tiwayo, a soul singer and songwriter born in Paris, returns with Outsider, a powerful new album produced by Grammy Award winner Adrián Quesada (Black Pumas). Outsider marks the triumphant return of this bohemian spirit artist who has traveled the world, drawing inspiration from blues, soul, and gospel. Acclaimed by musical luminaries such as Norah Jones, Marcus Miller, Tony Visconti, and Don Was, Tiwayo has built a solid reputation by opening for Sting, Seal, and Marcus Miller. After the success of his debut album, The Gypsy Soul of Tiwayo, released on the legendary Blue Note Records label, Tiwayo had nearly disappeared from the radar until Adrian Quesada listened to his demos and brought him back to the forefront. Their paths crossed at the Les Eurockéennes festival in France, leading Tiwayo to leave Paris for Austin, to Adrian Quesada's Electric Deluxe studio. It was there that they shaped a raw and innovative soul sound, with contributions from members of the Black Pumas and other iconic figures from the retro-soul scene. Doyle Bramhall II, a longtime collaborator of Eric Clapton, plays guitar on three tracks, including "Daddy Was Born with the Blues," a tribute from Tiwayo to his late father, enriched by the strings of Sly5thAve. Kendra Morris (Colemine Records) joins him on "Unchained Lovers," a soft duet steeped in the Southern tradition of the Hi Records label. While many modern retro soul artists draw inspiration from the Motown style, Tiwayo's sound remains raw, uncompromising, and deeply rooted in Southern soul traditions – a heritage he closely encountered during his meeting with Reverend Al Green in Memphis. On Outsider, Tiwayo explores the artist's condition ("I've Got to Travel Alone"), offers a subtle groove on "Up for Soul," celebrates the beauty of everyday life ("Sunshine Lady," "My House Is Your Home"), and finds the strength to overcome grief ("Dark Skies"). With punchy rhythms and striking narratives, the album is both intimate and collective, deeply human and marked by unwavering honesty. Tiwayo does not conform to genre rules. He is unique: a Frenchman in Texas, a soul singer with the heart of a bluesman, a traveler who never truly feels at home anywhere. In a world of polished covers, Tiwayo fully embraces his status as an outsider, an anti-hero of soul who proves that the rawest authenticity gives music profound power.