DeVante Swing facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
DeVanté Swing
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| Born |
Donald Earle DeGrate Jr.
September 29, 1969 Hampton, Virginia, U.S.
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| Years active | 1987–present |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Dalvin DeGrate (brother) |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. |
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Donald Earle DeGrate Jr. (born September 29, 1969) is a talented American music producer, singer, songwriter, and rapper. He is famously known by his stage name, DeVanté Swing. He is most recognized for being the main songwriter and producer for the popular R&B group Jodeci. His younger brother, Dalvin “Mr. Dalvin” DeGrate, is also a member of Jodeci. DeVanté Swing also started a music group called Swing Mob. This group included many artists he discovered and helped, such as Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Ginuwine, and Tweet.
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Music Career Highlights
Early Steps in Music
When DeVanté Swing was 16, he traveled to Minneapolis. He hoped to visit Paisley Park, a famous music studio. He wanted to audition for the legendary musician Prince. Swing later shared that he went to Paisley Park every day. He kept asking for a job and wanted people to listen to his music. The receptionist told him she could not help.
This experience made Swing even more determined. He moved back to North Carolina. There, he worked hard to improve his skills. He focused on writing songs and producing music.
Rising to Fame with Jodeci
In his early career, Swing worked as a mix engineer. This means he helped balance and improve the sound of songs. He also produced music for other artists. For example, he worked on Hi-Five's 1990 song "I Just Can't Handle It."
DeVanté Swing became very well-known in the 1990s. He was a founding member of the R&B group Jodeci. He formed the group with his younger brother Dalvin DeGrate. The group also included singers Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey and Joel "JoJo" Hailey. Swing was the leader of Jodeci. He was also the main songwriter and producer for all their music.
Creating Swing Mob
In 1991, Swing started a music collective called Swing Mob. This was a group of artists who worked together. Many artists who later became famous joined Swing Mob. These included Timbaland & Magoo, Tweet, Missy Elliott, and Ginuwine.
DeVanté Swing also directed music videos for Jodeci. He helped direct the videos for "Feenin'" and "Freek'n You." He also helped mentor the rapper Flo Rida early in his career.
DeVanté Swing's Music
DeVanté Swing has been a part of many successful albums with Jodeci:
- Forever My Lady (1991)
- Diary of a Mad Band (1993)
- The Show, the After Party, the Hotel (1995)
- The Past, the Present, the Future (2015)
