Raheem Devaughn Love Behind The Melody Rar
'The R&B Hippie Neo-Soul Rock Star' - wait, isn't that? Regardless, that's what is calling himself, and it's likely a catch phrase intended to gain some more of the attention the singer deserves. Despite reaching the Top Ten of the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, 2005's didn't crack the Top 40 of the Billboard 200, and none of its excellent singles (including 'Guess Who Loves You More' and 'You') came near the Top 30 of any chart. By word of mouth and persistent rotation on 'grown folks'-type R&B video programs, gradually developed enough of a following - including vocal admirer - to make his follow-up a rather anticipated release. 's new nickname is just one part of a subtly aggressive attempt at attaining further commercial appeal: Scott Storch, and are all brought onboard to give more of a mainstream R&B radio sound without making it seem like a blind stab at sales.
Even 'Customer,' with its gently twisting, lullaby-like resemblance to 's 'Bed,' and the anthemic 'Woman' (an extension of 'You's proud pro-woman theme, nominated for a Grammy prior to the album's release), are not likely to dismay those who are opposed to modern pop/R&B. What's more, both songs are convincingly 'honor and do for you' in a selfless way, a major aspect that separates from nearly all of his contemporaries on the radio. In fact, as a whole, the album is much more 'You're great' than 'I'm great.' Even the tracks that act more as mood pieces, such as 'Desire' ('It feels so damn good to be used') and 'Marathon' ('You make all my daydreams come true'), are full of gratitude, and they are destined to be slotted into many modern quiet storm playlists, leaving immediate and lasting impressions. This is a significant improvement over in every respect - somehow displaying an increase in both modesty and ambition, as well as offering a more refined yet bolder set of material. Whether or not goes gold, you can bank on at least a couple major R&B artists going into the studio throughout the remainder of 2008 wanting to come out with something as hot and imaginative as this.
Who is Raheem DeVaughn? The B side music world knows hims as an American and. His debut album, (2005), reached No. 46 on the album chart. It featured the singles 'Guess Who Loves You More' Raheem Videos are also featured on KT's Videos. His sophomore album was released in January 2008.
It features the singles 'Woman', and 'Customer'. DeVaughn was nominated for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the for the single 'Woman'. BiographyDeVaughn, the son of jazz cellist was born in and raised in ( and counties) by his mother, Imani Smith, a now retired federal worker.
His mother states that her son first expressed an affinity towards music in preschool, recalling how whenever the class had musical events, he would conduct them. DeVaughn's love for music solidified during his early teens, when he began to envision his career path. One of his favorite artists was, and Smith recalls that her son once begged her to visit the Waxie Maxie's record store in the District to buy a promotional picture of the singer. DeVaughn visited his father during the summer, mainly in New Jersey. With his father, DeVaughn attended gigs and experienced his first taste of the life of a working musician. He graduated from in, an unincorporated section of Prince George's County. DeVaughn had an epiphany early in his college career at in, when he saw a group of street corner singers and began harmonizing with them.
DeVaughn said his focus became music: 'Before I knew what was going on, I was. Cutting class to write lyrics and record'. His focus turned to becoming a professional singer. Personal lifeHe is a cousin of singer. He has two sons. CareerDeVaughn took up a job at, where while putting price tags on CDs, he began working the D.C.
Music circuit—performing with various groups, the most prominent of which being Urbanave31, and at venues such as the State of the Union and Bar Nun on, all while having CDs of his songs ready at hand. Locally in the he attained relatively quick success, winning local awards and successfully releasing some independent work over the next few years. He won $2,000 from the Washington DC nightclub Bar Nun talent show. Jerry Vines, now the singer's longtime manager, met DeVaughn while managing the Baltimore-based quartet and asked him to write a song for the group. DeVaughn ultimately gained the attention of veteran producers (as Rahiem) and Kenny Burns (known as former A&R for ) and with the help of Vines signed a recording contract with in 2002.
DeVaughn's first solo single released on a major label was the song entitled 'Guess Who Loves You More', his second single was 'You'. DeVaughn's first Jive Records release ', was acclaimed, selling around 250,000 units. While promoting the album, DeVaughn took to wearing a crown and cape at shows, a ploy to make himself stand out, calling himself the 'Underground King.' Around this time, DeVaughn also began making appearances at different shows in D.C. With artists such as W. Ellington Felton and Asheru of, hiding his face behind a hooded sweatshirt performing under the alias Chronkite. Felton comments that that alter ego was engendered for complicated reasons: 'Chronkite represents that part of every artist who started what they're doing singing in front of a mirror as a child with a brush in their hand.
At that time, it was based love, the initial attraction that draws you to music. In his business, unfortunately, your passion, your love, your individuality as an artist, can be stripped away the further you get into it.' DeVaughn has been compared to, and. DeVaughn has described himself as a 'R&B hippie neo-soul rock star,' a take on the difficulty media types have classifying him. Although Jive has been thrown considerable weight behind his recent album, DeVaughn doesn't leave promotion duties entirely to his label: 'I'm my best marketing tool. I'm building the brand Raheem DeVaughn.
Raheem Devaughn Woman
I have to do it.' He worked on the street to spread the word around, sold mixtapes of unreleased material to build hype, and provided impromptu shows at local venues. In another act of self-promotion, DeVaughn made an appearance on in late January, wearing a shirt that read 'Grammy Nominated on the front' and 'Love Behind the Melody- In Stores Now' on the back. He also appeared on the late-night talk show, performing 'Woman' on January 18, 2008. 1123 His song 'Woman' was featured as iTune's single of the week the week of January 27, 2008 and received a nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for the. In 2008, he was featured on 's song; Reality Show from the album. The song also featured Jay Lyriq and.
Awards and nominations. 2008, Best Male R&B Artist (Nominated). 2008, BETJ Award (Won). 2010, Best Male R&B Artist (Nominated). BET J Virtual Awards.
2008, Album of the Year: Love Behind the Melody (Won). 2008, Song of the Year: 'Woman' (Nominated). 2008, Live Performer of the Year (Nominated). 2008, Male Artist of the Year (Won). 2008, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance 'Woman' (Nominated). 2009, Best R&B Song: 'Customer' (Nominated) Discography Albums Album information.
Released: June 28, 2005. U.S.
Sales: 250,000+.: #46.: #9. Released: January 15, 2008. U.S. Sales: 293,962+.: #5.: #1. Released: March 2, 2010. U.S. Sales: 98,342+.: #9.: #3 Singles Year Single Chart positions Album 2005 'Guess Who Loves You More' — 38 — 'Believe' — 118 — 2006 'You' — 'My Soul's Not 4 Sale' ( featuring Raheem DeVaughn) — 107 35 'Woman' 96 17 1 2008 ' 76 12 24 'Text Messages' — — — 2009 ' (featuring ) — 46 — 2010 'I Dont Care' — 36 — To see more of Who Is.