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Raheem DeVaughn - Love Prolific
Interview By: Nikki Drag
 Raheem DeVaughn is doing something right. His sophomore album, Love Behind the Melody dropped last week and he also is nominated for a Grammy for best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his hit, “Woman.” Besides the normal media blitz that goes along with an album release, DeVaughn prides himself on live performances. He welcomes you to shows and wants you to love his music and much as he does.
He started his music career by cutting classes at Coppin State University in Baltimore City, MD. He saw a group of street corner singers, started harmonizing and never went back. DeVaughn maneuvered his time on the DC metro music circuit and eventually win a talent show. The notoriety gained the attention of veteran producers, DJ Jazzy Jeff and former Roc-A-Fella A&R, Kenny Burns. He later met up with Jive record execs and signed a contract on the spot.
DeVaughn or Cronkite, his pseudo stage name, exudes passion. He distinguishes his music as, “R&B Hippie Neo-Soul Rock Star.” The closest comparison could be an Anthony Hamilton sexed up with the yearning of R. Kelly and crooning of Prince sprinkled with the DC vibe of black love.
To fully understand DeVaughn you have to understand love. He describes love as getting on stage and appreciating the affection he gets from the fans. DeVaughn explains, “They can put a price tag on the ticket, but that’s a priceless feeling that you leave with.” You might also hear him shout out between songs, “If nobody told you they love you today, that’s okay, because I do.”
As a multifaceted performer, DeVaughn, is accompanied on stage by his childhood friend and artist, Demont Peekaso, (pronounced Picasso). Peekaso creates a more enticing visual aspect to the show by seasoning it with the transition of a blank canvas to a completed piece of artwork.
Raheem DeVaughn is working overtime. The game has just begun and he looks to build a brand, to become a household name. His playbook consists of him becoming iconic 20 years from now, and more importantly staying in the game and hoping you’ll enjoy experience.
 [ Nobodysmiling.com : A lot of your songs reflect the upmost respect for women. Tell me about the strong female influences in your life and how does it relate to your hit single, “ Woman.”
Raheem DeVaughn : My grandmother and my mother. Those are primarily the main two. I think the song is self-explanatory; it talks about independent and strong women. Some women have a strong, stubbornness, yea, all of that.
Nobodysmiling.com : I have seen a few of your performances; you sometimes wear a crown on your head. What’s the meaning behind it?
Raheem DeVaughn : I can’t tell you too much, but the crown is a part of my show. I like to leave room for people to check the show. The best way to describe it that I give every woman an opportunity to crown themselves as queens. I like to pay acknowledgement to all the queens in the house.
Nobodysmiling.com : You say music is therapy. Can you give an example of where it has counseled one of your listeners?
Raheem DeVaughn : It’s therapeutic, you know for a broken heart. People have said that the music has helped them rekindle an intimate moment. I’ve had people tell me they were contemplating suicide and lost their children, all types of situations. People have told me they have fallen in and out of love to my music.
Nobodysmiling.com : You talk about your music being timeless. Tell me about other artists that you think fall into that category.
Raheem DeVaughn : Prince, any Curtis Mayfield records, Bob Marley, James Blunt, Dave Matthews Band, and the Beatles. Whatever genre or era music transcends time. Certain Jay Z songs you hear, you’ll hear 20 years from now and so forth. Certain stuff you wont hear. Some artists may be a name for the moment, not necessarily for a lifetime.
Nobodysmiling.com : ”Guess Who Loves You More,” was your first mainstream hit. Why do you think that was released as your first single?
Raheem DeVaughn : We had a lot of songs to choose from, but I think it sounded new and fresh. Nobody was doing anything like that and it’s not easy being different. I had a lot of fun I am glad that they picked that song.
Nobodysmiling.com : What is your affiliation with Jill Scott? Are you touring together?
Raheem DeVaughn : We have a 34-city tour lined up. I am Jill Scott’s opening act; you are getting the early invitation. You need to come more than one night. You can come and see what the hype is all about. After the show, I will be in the lobby, signing and autographing CD’s talking to the fans and taking pictures until they through on stage.
Nobodysmiling.com : Have you done any collaboration with her?
Raheem DeVaughn : I took the liberty of doing my own collabs with her. On some of my old albums, I put a spin and remixed some of her songs.
Nobodysmiling.com : Is Demont Peekaso still a part of your show? Why is his art important to your show?
Raheem DeVaughn : I just wanted to add color and art. I appreciate art. On EBAY, I have a series of 10 paintings from my personal collection that will be available for purchase. I will be signing them and whoever wins the painting; they also get an autographed DVD signed by me. We have a series of over 400 paintings from touring. A portion of the proceeds will go to charities in those areas. We got our work cut out for us.
Nobodysmiling.com : The late Marvin Gaye said, “I hope to refine music, study it, try to find some area that I can unlock. I don’t quite know how to explain it but it’s there. These can’t be the only notes in the world, there’s got to be other note some place, in some dimension, between the cracks on the piano keys.” What is your interpretation on that statement?
Raheem DeVaughn : My interpretation is that it’s not how you sing or rap to the music or beat its how you sing and rap in between it or around it. Conventionally to unconventially is what makes it the finest art. It can be Jay Z who is the most talented, he approaches the beat and flows to the beat, and I don’t write things down. It builds up emotion. I don’t put too much down on paper. I start out with a melody and attack and work with the beat.
Nobodysmiling.com : Who is your favorite female vocalist in the game?
Raheem DeVaughn : It’s a two-way tie. No it’s a four-way (Actually a five-way) tie. I would have to say, Beyonce, Chrisette Michele, Erykah Badu, Alicia Keys and Jill Scott. I love them all for different reasons. I love what Jill brings to the game. She wears it on her sleeve. She transitioned when she was married to being single. She painted the picture with her best album to date. Erykah is very message conscious, very consistent. She always raises the bar. Her show is liable to last from 45 minutes to 4 hours.
Chrisette Michele is new and fresh, she reminds me of myself, a passion for music. She is a great writer; prolific. I can’t wait to see what she is doing in the future. I have a new respect for Beyonce. From her first tour to today, it’s day and night. You can tell that this is her dream. I can connect with that. You can tell how passionate it is about her things. Alicia is a kindred spirit. I can’t wait to hear what she is doing 10 years from now. She has evolved. She is passionate. I love hearing Alicia Keys doing a record than stripping it down. It’s crazy, the orchestration, the drums; it’s raw passion and talent. It’s very classical and hood at the same time.
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