DeWayne Woods Talks About Working with Mint Condition, Moroon 5's PJ Morton & His New Album "Life Lessons"

The award-winning urban inspirational vocalist DeWayne Woods is back in the spotlight with his first album in four years. "Life Lessons" (Soul Therapy) hits stores February 3rd. The uplifting ten-song set features contributions by Urban AC radio A-Listers such as Grammy® Award winner Anthony Hamilton, Avery* Sunshine, Dave Hollister, P.J. Morton and Larry Waddell & Stokely Williams of the legendary band Mint Condition.  

We are honored to catch up with DeWayne for this exclusive Hallels' interview.

Hallels: Congratulations on the release of "Life Lessons." This is your first album in four years, what took so long?

Thank you so much for the congrats! For me, It's difficult to just jump right into putting out music as an inspirational/gospel music.The message is the most important thing to me and I love to sing from life experiences. I believe that's what touches people the most. There were a lot of transitions I've made during the last four years,including stepping away from my previous label, starting my own label with my business partner/Manager, Soul Therapy Music Group, being a single dad and seeing my daughter through to graduation, as well as alot of emotional things I struggled with. I believe these last for years was the training period I needed to be prepared for what Ibelieve is going to be a new and amazing journey with this new record,Life Lessons. Everything speaks about what I've learned over this course of time.

Hallels: You have such an impressive career with hits such as "Let Go" and "Living on the Top" to working with Celine Dion and AtlanticStarr, what would you say is your biggest career highlight?

Of course I would say my biggest highlight would be winning the Stellar Awards in 2008. Of course you produce music in hopes that people will appreciate the gift you have, but when the industry validates that appreciation, it changes everything. I felt like thelabor was not in vain.

Hallels: On this album you got to work with Moroon 5's P J Morton whoalso wrote and produced your big hit "Let Go," what was it likeworking with him again?

I will never do a record without PJ Morton. There's a special chemistry there with us. He knows my style, but most importantly, heknows my voice and what I like to say to the people. There's neverbeen a song that he's submitted that I didn't immediately fall in lovewith it. Working with him in the studio is always a great experiencebecause he's so laid back and easy going. He's able to communicatewhat he wants me to sing and I'm able interpret it immediately on themicrophone because our styles are so similar.

Hallels: Also, you worked with 90s R&B group Mint Condition on this album, how did you get to work with them?

It was a dream of mine to have Mint Condition on the album. We found a connection through a mutual friend and was able to schedule a call with them immediately. They were already familiar with Let Go, so as we talked about collaborating, everyone agreed that it just made sense. I wanted them to do what they are used to doing as writers,musicians, and producers and when I traveled to Minneapolis, the chemistry was so immediate, it was like we had worked together before.Definitely one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

Hallels: For some of our readers who may not have heard your latest single "Friend of Mine," can you tell us what is the song about?

Friend of Mine talks about understanding that no matter what happensin life, good or bad, rain or shine, Jesus is that friend that will always be there. One who will never leave you, nor forsake you. So carry all of your burden and pain to Him in prayer, because you are no longer servants, but you are His friend.

Hallels: What are some "life lessons" you hope listeners will grasp after listening to this album?

I want listeners to grasp that life is full of ups and downs, but just know that God has EVERYTHING under control. Each song carries it's own distinct lesson, such as "Worrying never helped nobody and it won'thelp you." That's for people who, like me, have issues with stress and anxiety. People who may have had ill things spoken about you and yourfuture, "They Said" tells us the no one but God has the final word. I want this record to become the soundtrack to people's lives.

Hallels: For our readers who would like to purchase "Life Lessons"or/and find out more about you, where can they go?

Life Lessons is currently available for pre-order on all digital networks, ie.: Itunes, Google Play, Amazon Mp3 and will be availablein stores on February 3, 2015.

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