DeVante Swing

DeVante Swing (born Donald DeGrate, Jr. on September 24, 1969) is an African-American record producer, songwriter, and singer. One-quarter of the R&B chart-topping group Jodeci, Devante Swing served as the group's leader, and main songwriter and producer. He is the older brother of Jodeci member Dalvin DeGrate.

Related Topics:
September 24 - 1969 - African-American - Record producer - Songwriter - Singer - Jodeci - Dalvin DeGrate

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At the age of 16, Devante went to Minneapolis to join Prince's organization but was turned down. He went back to Charlotte to work on his production skills. Meanwhile, he cut some songs with K-Ci and JoJo. They ended up with 29 demo tapes, and shopped them around to different labels. Soon one of the tapes landed in the hands of Heavy D and Uptown Records CEO Andre Harrell. They both loved it, and signed Jodeci immediately.

Related Topics:
Minneapolis - Prince - Charlotte - Heavy D - Uptown Records

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Devante Swing produced nearly all of the tracks on all three Jodeci albums, and also did outside production work for artists such as Tupac Shakur. In 1992, DeVante founded the Swing Mob, a collective of touring musicians and upcoming musicians who were signed to his Swing Mob imprint with Elektra Records. Among its members were future stars Ginuwine, Magoo, Tweet, Playa, and Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, many of whom did work on various Jodeci recordings. Another Swing Mob member, Elliott's friend Tim "Timbaland" Mosley, was trained by DeVante as a production apprentice. After Swing Mob folded, Elliott and Mosley would become the most influential songwriting/production team of the late 1990s.

Related Topics:
Tupac Shakur - 1992 - Swing Mob - Elektra Records - Ginuwine - Magoo - Tweet - Playa - Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott - Tim "Timbaland" Mosley - 1990s

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In 1993, DeVante and bandmate K-Ci Hailey were accused of sexually abusing a young fan. The following year, Devante's home was robbed of $160,000 worth of jewelry and clothes, while the robbers held guns to his head.

Related Topics:
1993 - K-Ci Hailey - Gun

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