Dames Brown - Introducing Dames Brown

Defected Records proudly welcomes Detroit powerhouse vocal trio Dames Brown with the release of their long-awaited debut album Take Me As I Am, a vibrant, soulful celebration of the Motor City’s musical heartbeat and a tribute to their late mentor and producer, Amp Fiddler. Rooted deeply in Detroit’s rich musical lineage, Dames Brown aka Athena Johnson, Teresa Marbury, and LaRae Starr embody the spirit of Motown, the groove of Parliament Funkadelic and the fire of Aretha Franklin, weaving the influences of their hometown into a sound that’s timeless yet strikingly fresh. From their beginnings as backup singers for a local jazz instrumentalist to becoming one of the city’s most exciting vocal collectives, their journey has been one of authenticity. It was the late Amp Fiddler who first saw their potential. Crafted primarily at Amp’s home studio, Take Me As I Am is steeped in the essence of Detroit. His unmistakable touch runs through the project, from the lush instrumentation to the unfiltered energy captured in every vocal take. The result is a record that feels alive: spontaneous, deeply emotional and full of personality. Each track is a nod to Detroit’s evolving sound, connecting the dots between the city’s gospel roots and modern house heritage. Collaborations with Detroit luminaries Andrés, Eddie Fowlkes, and Waajeed tie the record firmly to its home soil, while standouts like ‘You’re The One For Me’, ‘Glory’ and ‘What Would You Do’ showcase the trio’s stunning range and charisma. With upcoming shows in their hometown Detroit and an Australia tour, plus recent appearances at Paris Fashion Week alongside Louie Vega, Defected Croatia and Glitterbox at Hï Ibiza, the trio continue to carry their message to audiences around the world; Take Me As I Am marks the start of this new chapter for Dames Brown and a continuation of Detroit’s proud legacy within the Defected family, bold, soulful and unapologetically real.