Andre Rockwell III: The Soulful Architect of Modern Funk

Andre Rockwell III is an American singer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer known for revitalizing classic funk and soul with a contemporary edge. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, he achieved mainstream recognition with his 2018 debut album "The Resurgence," which charted on the Billboard 200 and spawned a platinum-certified single.

Early career

Born in 1990, Andre Rockwell III grew up immersed in Atlanta's rich musical tapestry, playing in church bands and studying jazz bass at the city's performing arts high school. His first professional steps came through session work, leading to a self-released EP, "Analog Heart," in 2015, which caught the attention of indie label Groove Theory Records.

Breakthrough

Rockwell's major breakthrough arrived in 2018 with the release of his debut LP, "The Resurgence," on Groove Theory Records. The album's lead single, "Get Up (Before the Sun)," became a viral streaming hit, eventually earning a platinum certification from the RIAA and propelling the album to number 42 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Key tracks

Get Up (Before the Sun) — This platinum-selling single defined his modern funk sound and broke him into mainstream radio rotation.

Midnight Drive — A collaboration with saxophonist Kamasi Washington, this track showcased his jazz fusion influences and instrumental prowess.

Resilient Heart — The emotionally charged ballad demonstrated his vocal depth and expanded his audience beyond the dance floor.

Atlanta Skyline — This ode to his hometown became a live set staple and a fan favorite for its nostalgic groove.

Future Funk — Featuring bass legend Bootsy Collins, this 2021 single connected his sound directly to its foundational pioneers.

Following the success of his debut, Andre Rockwell III solidified his status with 2021's "Circuit Breaker," an album that incorporated more synthesizers and electronic elements. His collaborative network expanded, including production credits for artists like Janelle Monáe and a featured performance on the 2023 Thundercat track "Liquid Sunshine."

Artists exploring similar terrain in modern soul and funk include Thundercat, who shares a love for virtuosic bass and genre fusion. Tom Misch parallels Rockwell's approach to blending live instrumentation with smooth, accessible production. The rhythmic innovation of Vulfpeck resonates with Rockwell's groove-centric philosophy. For the soulful vocal style, listeners often reference Raphael Saadiq, a clear influence on Rockwell's classicist approach.

Andre Rockwell III's music maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on specialty shows across classic soul FM stations, modern alternative R&B radio stations, and dedicated online funk streams. His hits are staples on independent music radio stations that champion artist-driven soul and groove.

The music of Andre Rockwell III can be heard regularly on the radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover his catalog of modern funk and soul through the various radio stations available on onairium.com.