Antoine Dunn

The timing couldn’t be better for a multi-talented artist like Antoine Dunn to arrive on the music scene. While the industry is continually changing, fans still desire music expressed from the heart, something they can feel. R&B music is especially in need of a jolt of freshness and excitement. An incredible vocalist, accomplished songwriter and producer, and self-taught musician, Dunn delivers an easy and timeless style accompanied by a remarkable ability to translate truth and passion in each… Show more story he shares.
But as a newer face on the scene, you may find yourself asking, Who is Antoine Dunn? “Well, I would say I’m a passionate individual – a loving person,” he says reflectively. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, 24-year-old Dunn is a creative spirit who includes Donny Hathaway, John Legend, Alicia Keys, John Mayer and James Morrison as some of his musical influences. Music is the one thing throughout his life that has brought his creativity to the surface.
In preparation for the October 16, 2012, release of his debut album, TRUTH OF THE MATTER, executive-produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Edwin “Tony” Nicholas (Gerald Levert, Patti LaBelle), Dunn made a major impact with his debut single and video, “Can’t Forget.” The emotional track, which speaks of the struggles of a past relationship, vaulted into the Top 20 on the Urban AC radio charts, while the video was showcased on BET, MTVU, VH1 Soul and other outlets.
Dunn’s new single, the powerful ballad “Miss My Love,” is about “being in a position where you have to choose between love and your career,” the artist explains. “I had to make the tough decision that music had to be first in my life.” The song is already making its upward push on the radio airplay charts and the video has just debuted on AOL’s Boombox.
Dunn is a product of Cleveland’s impressive music legacy. Soul legend Bobby Womack and hip-hop veterans Bone Thugs N Harmony hail from Cleveland, as well as the huge R&B tradition created by the Leverts – legendary lead singer Eddie Levert and his hit-making group The O’Jays; Levert, the successful R&B trio that included two of Eddie’s sons, Gerald and Sean; and the later emergence of Gerald Levert as a solo superstar.

As a child growing up in a Baptist household, Dunn was captivated by the music he heard in church, but also by his mother’s extensive collection of classic and modern R&B. Having other musical artists in the family helped as well: his aunt, Veronica Dunn, is a professional gospel singer, while his brother, Adrian Dunn, is a professional opera singer.

“I first saw writing [music] as a means to express myself,” Dunn said in a recent interview. As he continued to emerge as an accomplished singer and musician, he was able to take his songwriting to the next level. He also received vocal production credits on the debut album from LaKisha Jones, a 2007 finalist on “American Idol.” After touring in Thailand and the U.S. – with artists such as Musiq Soulchild and Avant – Dunn signed with independent record label Elite Music Group, Inc.

Dunn continues to work hard, pushing forward to make his dreams come true. After touring late last year with his musical mentor and soul veteran Anthony Hamilton, new dates have just been announced for Fall 2012 with Hamilton, Dunn and British soul sister Estelle.

Show less