D'Wayne Wiggins (born 1961) is an American musician, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He is best known as a founding member of the R&B group Tony! Toni! Ton é!, which achieved commercial success in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Early life and education
- Born in Oakland, California.
- Developed an interest in music during his youth, learning guitar and pursuing vocal training.
Career
Tony! Toni! Ton é!
- Formed the group in the early 1980s with his brother Raphael Wiggins (a.k.a. Raphael Saadiq) and singer/saxophonist Timothy Christian Riley.
- The trio blended soul, funk, new jack swing, and hip‑hop influences.
- Notable albums include Who? (1988), The Revival (1990), and Sons of Soul (1993).
- Hit singles such as “Little Walter,” “Feels Good,” “It’s a Dream,” and “If I Had No Loot” reached high positions on Billboard charts and earned the group multiple Grammy nominations.
Production and songwriting
- After Tony! Toni! Ton é! went on hiatus, Wiggins continued as a producer and songwriter for a variety of artists across R&B, gospel, and pop genres.
- He contributed to projects for artists such as Beyoncé, Toni Braxton, and Mary Mary, often providing guitar tracks and arrangement input.
Solo work and collaborations
- Released solo material, including the album The Adventures of D'Wayne Wiggins (2004).
- Has performed as a session guitarist on recordings for major labels and toured with other acts as a supporting musician.
Awards and recognition
- Grammy nominations with Tony! Toni! Ton é! for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (1991) and Best R&B Album (1994).
- Recognized for his contributions to the revitalization of classic Motown‑style soul in contemporary R&B.
Personal life
- Maintains a low public profile; details about his personal life are limited in publicly available sources.
Legacy
D'Wayne Wiggins is credited with helping shape the sound of late‑20th‑century R&B through both his performance work with Tony! Toni! Ton é! and his later production and songwriting contributions. His guitar style and musical direction have influenced subsequent generations of soul and R&B artists.
