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Two of DC’s brightest rising stars, REDWOOD & Ekep Nkwelle, join forces to drop a blazing hot single for summer, ‘Dub’

Posted on June 29th, 2021No Comments

WASHINGTON – When they were accepted into the internationally renowned Duke Ellington School of the Arts, REDWOOD and Ekep Nkwelle were Vocal Music majors. By the time they left, REDWOOD had switched to Instrumental Music and earned a full ride to Michigan State University as a promising pianist, while Nkwelle had become a mesmerizing vocalist headed to Howard University.

But the dynamic duo formed a personal and musical connection at Ellington, a bond that lasted through graduation in 2017 and the last four years, even 600 miles apart.

Their connection is easy to detect on “Dub,” the new single that drops on JULY 18. It’s a great tune for summer, an eclectic, electronic beat with a spacey-type vibe. The song highlights Nkwelle’s soulful, smoky vocals and REDWOOD’s unique production and writing skills.

“We believe this care-free message reflects our generation’s attitude,” REDWOOD says. “But it’s also something that older folks can get into.”

Nkwelle says introverts like herself might really enjoy it. “We’ll just be chilling and people will think we’re not having a good time cause we’re not out and about,” she says. “But I’ve found that I have a really good time, maybe even a better time, all by myself!”

This isn’t the pair’s first collaboration. Nkwelle was featured on “From the Start,” a track on REDWOOD’s debut EP, “Sempervirens.” And no one will be surprised if future joint projects materialize. Fresh off their May commencement ceremonies, the two artists are headed to New York City together – on full rides – to earn graduate degrees, REDWOOD at Manhattan School of Music and Nkwelle at The Juilliard School. 

Relocating to the Big Apple will allow them to expand their sound and respective bases. REDWOOD has become an in-demand pianist in the Detroit metro area, playing with the likes of Rodney Whitaker and Dee Dee Bridgewater; Nkwelle has made a name for herself in the DMV metro area, emerging as a star with The Soul Sistas and Howard’s famed ensemble, Afro Blue.

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Contact Deron Snyder to arrange an interview with REDWOOD and Nkwelle.Follow @redwoodsounds and @ekepnkwelle / @KapSoNaptural on social media.

NESSA’S NOTIONS: No half stepping … and no step skipping

Posted on June 21st, 2021No Comments

By VANESSA W. SNYDER

A few weeks ago, a colleague took a small tumble down some outside stairs. Thankfully, she’s fine.

When I asked how it happened, she explained that she was trying to do two things at once (maybe three things, knowing her). She was in a hurry and anxious to get everything done.

Man, can I relate.

She missed the last three steps. That got me thinking about the steps to success. If you skip a few, you end up having to start over or at the very least slow down.

Think about it. Everything you’ve ever achieved in life – from learning to walk or learning to read and write – happened in steps. The same is true even as we navigate and reach for goals in our adult lives.

We take steps. And each step counts as a success.

When you write that book, finishing one chapter is success. As you lose weight, that first pound is a success. Getting that degree or dream job? It takes steps. Remember the “how-to-eat-an-elephant” approach.

One bite at a time.

On the doctoral journey, each paragraph, page, and chapter is progression toward success. And each incremental gain is worth celebrating. I’m learning so much about myself on along the way, including my desire to sometimes skip steps.

But I’ve learned that skipping just slows you down or hurts your progress.

So. I’m celebrating my steps. I recently took an important one forward on the path to doctorate. And even though I can see down the road a bit, I will not bypass the steps right in front of me.

I’ve worked too hard and too long to take a tumble now. And so have you.

So get to steppin!  Your success awaits.

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A former journalist currently working on her doctorate in Social Emotional Learning, Vanessa is a dedicated and passionate educator in the DC Public Schools system. She loves learning, leadership, innovation, collaboration, and discovering new ways to drive student gains and support staff members.