1961
Born February 14, 1961, in Oakland, California, Dwayne Patrice Wiggins – known as D’Wayne to many – was the sixth of Charlie Wiggins and Mary Wiggins-Shaw’s seven children. Throughout his upbringing in West Oakland – across the street from De Fremery Park, where Sly Stone played and Black Panthers organized – Dwayne demonstrated a curiosity that ultimately led him to music after he heard his father playing the guitar.
1973
Dwayne was gifted his first guitar at the age of 12 and soon after, he and his garage band mates were getting rides from Dwayne’s mom who took them to hear and play music all across the Bay Area and as far as San Jose and Sacramento.
1979
While a student at Castlemont High, he was recruited into the jazz band and also a member of the famed choir the Castleers, under the direction of Phillip Reeder.
Soon after graduating from Castlemont in 1979, Dwayne formed his first band, Third Creation, and then Alpha Omega.
1986
In 1986, Dwayne, Raphael, and cousin Timothy Christian Riley formed the legendary and world famous Tony! Toni! Toné!
1988
Tony! Toni! Toné! released their first album in 1988.
1993
Their third album, Sons of Soul, released in 1993 to widespread success. They were one of the key players in the New Jack Swing movement in music, and had five singles top the Billboard R&B and Hip Hop chart. 40 years after their forming, the band’s popularity and influence continues to resonate, and they’re credited with being a major precursor to the neo-soul sound.
1996
While Tony! Toni! Toné! disbanded in 1996, Dwayne went on to build a strong solo career, as a musician, performer, and producer. He worked on Alicia Keys’ Grammy-nominated album, The Diary of Alicia Keys, and was bandleader on D.L. Hughley’s Comedy Central series. One of the many ways he created impact in the music industry was with his record label, Grass Roots Entertainment. From his West Oakland studio, House of Music, he helped to bring several artists into the spotlight, including Destiny's Child, india.arie, and Keyshia Cole.
1999
Dwayne opened Jahva House, a beloved Lake Merritt-area cafe, with his then wife.
2009
Dwayne established the PopLyfe Band and brand name. A teen pop band from Oakland, California, that was a contestant on season 6 of America's Got Talent. He shared that they were the next generation of gifted artist from the Oakland Bay area. During this period, Dwayne worked with Kehlani, H.E.R. and Zendaya to name a few.
2012
Dwayne co-founded Youth Aid, a nonprofit committed to exposing, engaging, and inspiring youth from underserved communities through the creation, production, and business of music.
2013
Dwayne created Tony’s School of Music (TSM), a free summer program that supported young Oakland musicians with artist development and much more.
2017-2018
Dwayne hosted city wide festival, Taste of Oakland at Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate and Jack London Square. Taste of Oakland festival included music, technology, food and communities from all across the Bay Area. The Jack London Square festival was a summer series lasting multiple weeks.
2025
Dwayne offered so much to so many, his love and support of his family never wavered, as he consistently showed up as a loving son, brother, father, uncle, nephew, husband, grandfather, cousin, and dear friend.
After a private and valiant battle with cancer, Dwayne took his last breath on March 7, 2025. Even in his final days when his health was seriously compromised, he continued to share his love and gift for music. We’re committed to keeping his spirit and legacy alive through the work of the Dwayne P. Wiggins Foundation.
2026
The Dwayne P. Wiggins Trust donated a major gift to the Dwayne P. Wiggins Foundation to help support the first round of scholarships and grants, empowering youth and future musicians.
