Living in a post-neo-soul world of the urban music industry there have been several prolific singer/songwriters who have released critically acclaimed work like Donnie, Dwele and Pru. However, in the sticky and musically tainted land of R&B-pop, these artists get very little airplay and often times go completely unnoticed. Most artists who release an album over a year ago and receive virtually no media attention tend to fade away – not Raheem DeVaughn.
Through touring, promotion and an undeniable spirit that refuses to succumb to conformity, DeVaughn finally garnered an R&B hit with the scathing break-up song “You,” which charted on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop singles.
In addition, his album The Love Experience, an eclectic mix of rock and soul with socially conscious lyrics and feel good music, peaked at number nine on the R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart and has been on the charts for 45 weeks. Not bad for an artist who looked as if he might vanish into R&B obscurity. In a one-on-one interview with Clay Cane, Raheem DeVaughn gives us insight into his slow grind of success.
R.C.: The Love Experience came out in June of 2005 - why do you think it’s getting the momentum that it didn’t get earlier?
Raheem DeVaughn: It’s a whole album; it’s not one or two songs. It takes a little longer because I created my own lane. You create your own lane, like construction — in terms of the roads gotta be built, gotta put the lights up, gotta put the paint down for the different lanes - the slow grind is the best grind. I’m not complaining at the end of the day.
R.C.: Why should people go out and buy The Love Experience?
R.D.: It’s timeless; it’s dope - something new and fresh. There’s like a crazy buzz about it on the streets, and you can definitely see what the hype is about. You can listen to this album because it’s a complete body of work; it’s not like one or two joints.
R.C.: When you are a new artist you are always being compared to other artists. Who are you being compared to?
R.D.: Marvin Gaye, Prince - I hear it all, man. I think people ultimately compare you to their favorite artist.
R.C.: Is there one that you are really honored by?
R.D.: At the end of the day I’m honored by any of them really. Anybody that’s sold more records than me, and my name is in the same sentence as theirs, that’s cool.
R.C.: You are a singer/songwriter and have a very musical sound about you - how do you feel about other artists who don’t write, produce or sing that well, but they are selling millions and called R&B artists?
R.D.: I think twenty years later when I’m still selling records and still doing what I do, you’ll wonder where they are and then you got your answer. (laughs)
R.C.: Considering the roots of R&B, do you think it’s appropiate to be called an R&B when the artist is not writing or even singing that well?
R.D.: I don’t care because people call me stuff that I’m not. I really don’t like to get into the whole genre, name calling thing because at the end of day if you make a record in the studio you should be able to perform a well as you did in the studio, if not better. If you can’t do it in an entertaining fashion then you are in the wrong business. Also, it’s about the standards that are set, we set standards on television saying this is what makes a complete artist. It’s easy to fool people most of the time.
R.C.: What was your big break?
R.D.: I don’t know; my hustling got me to this point. I’m still on the grind, nothing has happened over night. What’s happening with my record is the work I’ve put into it - I also have a team around me. Before the album came out I’ve been performing for the last seven years, putting out my own music and just working.
R.C.: Do you play an instrument?
R.D.: No, I mess around on the keyboard. I’m thinking about picking that up actually.
R.C.: A lot of your songs are about relationships - are you currently in a relationship right now?
R.D.: No …
R.C.: Who is the most interesting person in your cell phone?
R.D.: Jazzy Jeff - that I can just call at the drop of a dime and ask for insight.
R.C.: Who is in your Ipod or CD player?
R.D.: The Neptunes, Curtis Mayfield, Tribe Called Quest and Robin Thicke.
R.C.: What artist would you like to work with?
R.D.: Whoever man, I’m open. I would have loved to work with Marvin and Bob Marley.
R.C.: What were your parents’ dreams for you?
R.D.: I don’t know that’s something they could probably answer better than I could. I know they are happy as a mug now (laughs). Whatever it was, they are proud.
R.C.: What is something people would be shocked to know about you?
R.D.: That I’m an exhibitionist.
R.C.: In what way?
R.D.: In everyway possible - you never know what to expect.
R.C.: Tell me the first thing that comes to mind when I say these words.
Star Jones -
R.D.: Nothing, really.
R.C.: Neo-Soul -
R.D.: A box
R.C.: Hurricane Katrina -
R.D.: Revelations in The Bible.
R.C.: Oprah -
R.D.: Controversy
R.C.: Three Six Mafia -
R.D.: Why the hell do they call themselves that?
R.C.: Is there anything else you want to add about the album?
R.D.: Pick up the album, The Love Experience, hit me up on myspace.com/devaughnenterprises; my official underground web site is www.urbanave31.com. All of my music is available on there. Call me up — let me know what songs you like, if you’re a promoter trying to get me to your city feel free to hit me up, and I’ll put you in contact with my manager. If you’re a fan and you just want to say, I like track number seven, that’s peace too. Hit me up at 240-455-2434!
Related: Raheem Devaughn’s Official Site
Tags: Clay Cane, Interviews
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