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{{short description|American record producer, singer, and rapper}}
{{short description|American record producer, singer, and rapper (born 1969)}}
⚫
{{Infobox person

⚫
| name = DeVanté Swing
⚫
{{Infobox musical artist
| image =
⚫
| name = DeVanté Swing
| caption =
| image = Jodeci artwork.png
⚫
| birth_name = Donald Earle DeGrate Jr.
| alt =
⚫
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|9|29}}
| caption = DeVante Swing (center right) as part of "Da Bassment Cru"
| spouse =
⚫
| birth_name = Donald Earle DeGrate Jr.
| alias =
| alias =
| education =
⚫
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|09|29}}
| birth_place = [[Hampton, Virginia]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Hampton, Virginia]], U.S.
| relatives = [[Dalvin DeGrate]] (brother)
⚫
| origin = [[Charlotte]], [[North Carolina]], U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Record producer|singer|songwriter|rapper}}
| death_date =
| works =
| genre = {{flatlist|
⚫
| years_active = 1987–present
* [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
| instruments = keyboards, piano, guitar
* [[Hip hop music|hip hop]]
| children = 2
* [[Soul music|soul]]
| awards =
* [[new jack swing]]
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
}}
| embed = yes
| occupation = {{flatlist|
⚫
| website =
* Record producer
⚫
| origin = [[Charlotte, North Carolina]], U.S.
* singer
| genre = {{hlist|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]|[[Hip hop music|hip hop]]|[[Soul music|soul]]|[[new jack swing]]}}
* rapper
| label = {{hlist|[[Uptown Records|Uptown]]|[[MCA Records|MCA]]}}
* songwriter
| past_member_of = {{hlist|[[Jodeci]]|[[Swing Mob]]}}
}}
⚫
| years_active = 1987–present
| current_member_of = {{flatlist|
* [[Jodeci]]
* [[Swing Mob]]
}}
}}
⚫
| website =
}}
}}
'''Donald Earle DeGrate Jr.''' (born September 29, 1969), better known by his stage name '''DeVanté Swing''', is an American record producer, singer, songwriter and rapper. He is best known as the main songwriter and producer of the [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] group [[Jodeci]], which includes his younger brother [[Dalvin DeGrate|Dalvin “Mr. Dalvin” DeGrate]].<ref name="AMGS">{{cite book |last1=Bogdanov |first1=Vladimir |title=All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o552g5xRRiwC&dq=DeVante+Swing&pg=PA368 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |access-date=November 15, 2022 |page=368 |language=en |date=2003|isbn=9780879307448 }}</ref> DeVante Swing also created [[Swing Mob]], which consisted of various artists he discovered and mentored, such as [[Missy Elliott]], [[Timbaland]], [[Magoo (rapper)|Magoo]], [[Ginuwine]], [[Static Major]] with [[Playa (band)|Playa]], [[Darryl Pearson]], [[Tweet (singer)|Tweet]], [[Jimmy Douglass]], [[Stevie J]], and [[Chad Elliott|Chad "Dr. Ceuss" Elliott]] among others.
'''Donald Earle DeGrate Jr.''' (born September 29, 1969), better known by his stage name '''DeVanté Swing''', is an American record producer, singer, rapper and songwriter.
He is the older brother of fellow [[Jodeci]] member [[Dalvin DeGrate]].<ref name="AMGS">{{cite book |last1=Bogdanov |first1=Vladimir |title=All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o552g5xRRiwC&dq=DeVante+Swing&pg=PA368 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |access-date=November 15, 2022 |page=368 |language=en |date=2003|isbn=9780879307448 }}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
At age 16, DeVanté Swing traveled to [[Minneapolis]], hoping to visit [[Paisley Park]] in order to audition for [[Prince (musician)|Prince]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Bogdanov|first1=Val|title=All Music Guide to Soul|date=2003|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|page=368|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o552g5xRRiwC&q=DeVante+ran+away|access-date=March 2, 2015|isbn=978-0-87930-744-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=About jodeci|url=http://www.mtv.com/artists/jodeci/biography/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304134454/http://www.mtv.com/artists/jodeci/biography/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2015|website=mtv.com|access-date=March 2, 2015}}</ref> Swing would later say, "I was up at Paisley Park every day begging for a job, asking people to listen to my tape. The receptionist kept saying she couldn't help me".<ref>{{cite web|last1=S|first1=Danyel|title=Tuff love|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YCwEAAAAMBAJ&q=Little+Cedric+and+the+Hailey+Singers&pg=PA67|via=Google Books|work=Vibe magazine|access-date=March 2, 2015|date=August 1, 1995|quote=I was up at Paisly Park...}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The rejection motivated Swing to relocate back to North Carolina, and work to improve his songwriting and production skills.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=D.|title=Tuff love|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YCwEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22prince%22+%22jodeci%22&pg=PA67|website=books.google.com/|publisher=Vibe Media Group|access-date=March 2, 2015|date=Aug 1995|quote="...So I took my ass..."}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


In his early career, Swing served as a mix engineer, while simultaneously producing for other acts. He mix-engineered Hi-Five’s "I Just Can't Handle It" as well as producing several remixes for the track. Swing rose to prominence in the 1990s as the founding member of the [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] group [[Jodeci]], one of the most notable R&B acts of all time.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hill |first1=Tanaja |title=Will There Be A Jodeci Biopic? |url=https://thesource.com/2016/07/03/will-there-be-a-jodeci-biopic/ |website=The Source |access-date=November 16, 2022 |date=July 3, 2016}}</ref> Swing served as the main songwriter, producer and leader of the group. Jodeci also featured his younger brother [[Dalvin DeGrate]]. Swing is also credited for discovering several groundbreaking acts such as [[Timbaland]], [[Missy Elliott]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bezdecheck |first1=Bethany |title=Missy Elliott |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cTGDDwAAQBAJ |publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc |access-date=November 15, 2022 |page=14 |language=en |date=15 January 2009|isbn=9781435857131 }}</ref> [[Ginuwine]], [[Stevie J]] and [[Static Major]]. He is also credited as a video director for Jodeci, co-directing the videos for "[[Feenin']]" with the legendary [[Hype Williams]] and "[[Freek'n You]]" with [[Brett Ratner]].
In his early career, Swing served as a mix engineer, while simultaneously producing for other acts. He mixed and engineered Hi-Five's 1990 single "I Just Can't Handle It", along with its accompanying remixes. Swing rose to prominence in the 1990s as the founding member of the [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] group [[Jodeci]], which he formed with his younger brother [[Dalvin DeGrate]], and singers [[K-Ci & JoJo|Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey]], and [[K-Ci & JoJo|Joel "JoJo" Hailey]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hill |first1=Tanaja |title=Will There Be A Jodeci Biopic? |url=https://thesource.com/2016/07/03/will-there-be-a-jodeci-biopic/ |website=The Source |access-date=November 16, 2022 |date=July 3, 2016}}</ref> Swing served as the group's leader, and primary songwriter and producer.


Swing also mentored [[Flo Rida]]<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine|last1=Concepcion|first1=Mariel|title=Flo Rida|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1047198/flo-rida|magazine=Billboard|access-date=25 April 2016}}</ref> in the early stages of his career.
Swing founded the musical collective [[Swing Mob]] in 1991, which was joined by then-unknown regional acts including [[Timbaland & Magoo]], [[Tweet (singer)|Tweet]], [[Missy Elliott]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bezdecheck |first1=Bethany |title=Missy Elliott |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cTGDDwAAQBAJ |publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc |access-date=November 15, 2022 |page=14 |language=en |date=15 January 2009|isbn=9781435857131 }}</ref> [[Ginuwine]], [[Stevie J]] and [[Static Major]]. He is also credited as a video director for Jodeci, co-directing the videos for "[[Feenin']]" with [[Hype Williams]] and "[[Freek'n You]]" with [[Brett Ratner]]. Swing has also mentored Florida-based rapper [[Flo Rida]]<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine|last1=Concepcion|first1=Mariel|title=Flo Rida|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1047198/flo-rida|magazine=Billboard|access-date=25 April 2016}}</ref> in the early stages of his career.


==Discography==
==Discography==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.dubcnn.com/interviews/sterlenroberts/ Devante Swing Interview with Sterlen Roberts]
*[http://www.dubcnn.com/interviews/sterlenroberts/ Devante Swing Interview with Sterlen Roberts]
*James T. Jones IV (March 10, 1992). [https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/56192845.html?dids=56192845:56192845&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+10%2C+1992&author=James+T.+Jones+IV&pub=USA+TODAY+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Jodeci+throws+its+voice+into+the+doo-wop+battle&pqatl=google "Jodeci throws its voice into the doo-wop"]. ''[[USA Today]]'', p.&nbsp;4D
*James T. Jones IV (March 10, 1992). [https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/56192845.html?dids=56192845:56192845&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+10%2C+1992&author=James+T.+Jones+IV&pub=USA+TODAY+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Jodeci+throws+its+voice+into+the+doo-wop+battle&pqatl=google "Jodeci throws its voice into the doo-wop"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106121335/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/56192845.html?dids=56192845:56192845&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+10,+1992&author=James+T.+Jones+IV&pub=USA+TODAY+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Jodeci+throws+its+voice+into+the+doo-wop+battle&pqatl=google |date=2012-11-06 }}. ''[[USA Today]]'', p.&nbsp;4D
*{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p129974|label=DeVante Swing biography}}
*{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p129974|label=DeVante Swing biography}}


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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:American hip hop singers]]
[[Category:American hip-hop singers]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from Virginia]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from Virginia]]
[[Category:Musicians from Hampton, Virginia]]
[[Category:Musicians from Hampton, Virginia]]
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[[Category:African-American male songwriters]]
[[Category:African-American male songwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]




Latest revision as of 10:33, 13 December 2024

DeVanté Swing
Born
Donald Earle DeGrate Jr.

(1969-09-29) September 29, 1969 (age 55)
Hampton, Virginia, U.S.
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • rapper
Years active1987–present
Children2
RelativesDalvin DeGrate (brother)
Musical career
OriginCharlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Genres
Labels
Formerly of

Donald Earle DeGrate Jr. (born September 29, 1969), better known by his stage name DeVanté Swing, is an American record producer, singer, songwriter and rapper. He is best known as the main songwriter and producer of the R&B group Jodeci, which includes his younger brother Dalvin “Mr. Dalvin” DeGrate.[1] DeVante Swing also created Swing Mob, which consisted of various artists he discovered and mentored, such as Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Magoo, Ginuwine, Static Major with Playa, Darryl Pearson, Tweet, Jimmy Douglass, Stevie J, and Chad "Dr. Ceuss" Elliott among others.

Career

[edit]

At age 16, DeVanté Swing traveled to Minneapolis, hoping to visit Paisley Park in order to audition for Prince.[2][3] Swing would later say, "I was up at Paisley Park every day begging for a job, asking people to listen to my tape. The receptionist kept saying she couldn't help me".[4] The rejection motivated Swing to relocate back to North Carolina, and work to improve his songwriting and production skills.[5]

In his early career, Swing served as a mix engineer, while simultaneously producing for other acts. He mixed and engineered Hi-Five's 1990 single "I Just Can't Handle It", along with its accompanying remixes. Swing rose to prominence in the 1990s as the founding member of the R&B group Jodeci, which he formed with his younger brother Dalvin DeGrate, and singers Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey, and Joel "JoJo" Hailey.[6] Swing served as the group's leader, and primary songwriter and producer.

Swing founded the musical collective Swing Mob in 1991, which was joined by then-unknown regional acts including Timbaland & Magoo, Tweet, Missy Elliott,[7] Ginuwine, Stevie J and Static Major. He is also credited as a video director for Jodeci, co-directing the videos for "Feenin'" with Hype Williams and "Freek'n You" with Brett Ratner. Swing has also mentored Florida-based rapper Flo Rida[8] in the early stages of his career.

Discography

[edit]
Main article: DeVante Swing production discography
Main article: Jodeci discography

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Bogdanov, Vladimir (2003). All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 368. ISBN 9780879307448. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  2. ^ Bogdanov, Val (2003). All Music Guide to Soul. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 368. ISBN 978-0-87930-744-8. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  3. ^ "About jodeci". mtv.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  4. ^ S, Danyel (August 1, 1995). "Tuff love". Vibe magazine. Retrieved March 2, 2015 – via Google Books. I was up at Paisly Park...[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ Smith, D. (Aug 1995). "Tuff love". books.google.com/. Vibe Media Group. Retrieved March 2, 2015. ...So I took my ass...[permanent dead link‍]
  6. ^ Hill, Tanaja (July 3, 2016). "Will There Be A Jodeci Biopic?". The Source. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  7. ^ Bezdecheck, Bethany (15 January 2009). Missy Elliott. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. p. 14. ISBN 9781435857131. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  8. ^ Concepcion, Mariel. "Flo Rida". Billboard. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
[edit]


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