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 Jodeci ( ) is an American R&B quartet consisting of members DeVanté Swing, Mr. Dalvin, K-Ci, and JoJo. Formed in 1989 in Charlotte, North Carolina, Jodeci's members began their musical careers as two duos of brothers and, after years of lim ...

member Dalvin DeGrate.

Career

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 R&B group

, one of the most notable R&B acts of all time. 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 Timothy Zachery Mosley (born March 10, 1972), known professionally as Timbaland, is an American record producer, rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. He has received widespread acclaim for his innovative production work and distinc ...

Missy Elliott Melissa Arnette Elliott (born July 1, 1971), better known as Missy Elliott or Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She embarked on her music career with R&B girl group Sista in the earl ...

, 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 Harold Williams (born August 1, 1970) is an American music video director, film director, film producer, and screenwriter. Early life Williams was born in Queens, New York. He is of mixed African-American and Honduran descent. He attended Ade ...

and " Freek'n You" with Brett Ratner. Swing also mentored

Flo Rida Tramar Lacel Dillard (born September 16, 1979), better known by his stage name Flo Rida (, ), is an American rapper and singer. His 2007 breakout single "Low" was number one for 10 weeks in the United States and broke the record for digital down ...

in the early stages of his career.

Discography

*'' Forever My Lady'' (1991) *'' Diary of a Mad Band'' (1993) *''

The Show, the After Party, the Hotel ''The Show, the After-Party, the Hotel'' is the third studio album from American Contemporary R&B, R&B group Jodeci, released July 18, 1995, on Uptown Records and distributed through MCA Records. The album was recorded at Dajhelon Studios in Roches ...

'' (1995) *'' The Past, the Present, the Future'' (2015)

References

External links

Devante Swing Interview with Sterlen Roberts
*James T. Jones IV (March 10, 1992)

''

USA Today ''USA Today'' (stylized in all uppercase) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth on September 15, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headquarters in Tysons, Virg ...

'', p. 4D * Record producers from Virginia American soul singers Jodeci members Living people Place of birth missing (living people) American hip hop singers Singer-songwriters from Virginia Musicians from Hampton, Virginia 1969 births African-American male songwriters 21st-century African-American male singers 20th-century African-American male singers {{US-hiphop-bio-stub