Few voices have shaped the architecture of American pop and soul quite like Dionne Warwick. In a career spanning more than six decades, Warwick is a six-time Grammy winner, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and Kennedy Center Honoree. Now, at 85, the music icon is better than ever and preparing to close one of the most storied chapters in entertainment history.
With her highly anticipated collaborative album, “DWuets” (which Warwick has confirmed will be her last) and her poignant “Over and Out” farewell tour currently spanning the globe, the songstress is treating her final curtain call not as an ending, but as a celebratory victory lap.
The Root spoke with the “Walk On By” singer about the magic of passing the torch to a new generation, the emotional reality of saying goodbye to the road, and what it truly means to step into her next act on her own terms.
Along with her legendary singing prowess, Warwick has earned a massive, multi-generational following on social media as the internet’s favorite honorary auntie. She is known for her hilariously candid take-no-prisoners “twotes,” sharp wit, and absolute refusal to tolerate any foolishness in her replies to the Black Twitter community. She shared how she came to use the app and loves how the platform has embraced her.
“When I first got on Twitter, I kind of let them know that there was now a grown-up in the room because most of the kids who were on Twitter are youngsters,” Warwick explained. “I kind of let them know that what they were doing on Twitter was not really that nice.”
Warwick, who has always been known for her grace, says she believes her presence has made things a little more civil.
“There was another way to say things to each other and get their point across. My thing was to always end your Richwoods tweets with a smile, and they did,” she continued. “It was wonderful how Twitter all of a sudden made a turn for the better.”
Warwick’s upcoming studio album, DWuets, is a star-studded farewell project as she gracefully bows out of the recording industry. Produced by her son, Damon Elliot, each song is written by the acclaimed songwriter Diane Warren. The project pairs the icon with some of today’s top singers, including Cynthia Erivo, Kehlani, John Legend, Mya, Saweetie and Teyana Taylor. Warwick shared how the album came together.
“Well, Diane and I have been friends for so many years,” said Warwick. “In fact, we’ve always said more years than we want to admit [Laughs]. Because we never refer to each other by our given names, we always refer to each other as DW.
The singer added that it was her son who suggested she incorporate the initials into the album title.
“I said that’s fine with me, and Diana also agreed, and that’s what DWS means,” she said.
Warwick also credited her son with being a visionary behind the album’s sound, selecting the singers she sang with.
“Damon decided after hearing the songs that Diana wrote for me to do. These were the people that he kind of put together with the song, and felt that they would be best suited to sing with me,” Warwick shared. “I have a wonderful album coming to you.”
While Warwick has established herself as a legend in the industry, she went on to speak about her experiences of recording with the guests, praising the next generation of talents, including Erivo.
“First of all, standing across from Cynthia was like, Whoa. She’s the most elegant singer and very, very talented. Her vocals are just amazing,” she said. “I met Cynthia when she was starring in The Color Purple on Broadway many years ago, and she was brilliant. She blew me away.”
She adds that since working together, she and Erivo have become friends.
“I absolutely adore her voice,” Warwick said.
Another standout single on DWuets is “Where Is Your Heart’ featuring John Legend, who is a lifelong fan of Warwick’s music.
“Mr. Legend told me that he started hearing my music at a very young age and started singing one of my songs when he was 12 years old. I met him at Oprah Winfrey’s ‘Legends’ Ball,’ and he sang ‘Ordinary People’ for us. We all loved him, of course,” Warwick recalled. “He’s such a sweet young man. I was thrilled that he decided to be on the album.”
As she promotes her new project, Warwick is currently performing on her “Over and Out” tour, which makes stops in the United Kingdom and Germany. Her farewell concert is scheduled for September 17 at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater in Peekskill, NY.
After all her success, Warwick is still humbled that her fans come out to see her and sell out her shows across the globe.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to know that my music has touched so many people worldwide, and they still want to see me, and they still want to hear me,” she said. “So, there I go.”
Of all the accomplishments in her storied career, her highly anticipated biopic will rank among the most significant. The feature film, which is currently in development, stars singer and actress Teyana Taylor, whom Warwick described as her “alter ego.”
“I immediately fell in love with her. She’s really done her homework regarding who I am, what I am, and how I am. As a matter of fact, I refer to her as my alter ego,” Warwick said.
“She is so much like me. It’s scary sometimes. I look at her and say, “My God, do we look that much alike? Yes, we do. She is, above all else, ultra-talented…I mean, completely on point.”
DWuets is set for release in August.
