Raheem DeVaughn Biography

The American songwriter and singer Raheem DeVaughn was born in 1975 in Newark, New Jersey, but grew up in Maryland. Raheem became enamored with music when he was still in elementary school, and by the time he was in high school he’d begun studying music and participating in music-related events on campus.

After graduation, DeVaughn first attended Coppin State University, but left his studies to pursue a career as a performer. Raheem began playing around the Washington D.C. area, performing with a number of groups and writing his own material. Eventually, his talents caught the attention of his now manager, Jerry Vines, who introduced DeVaughn to DJ Jazzy Jeff. The meetings led to Raheem DeVaughn’s first record deal with Jive Records in 2002.

Raheem DeVaughn released his debut album, The Love Experience, in 2005. The album rose into the top forty on the mainstream chart and spawned the singles “You” and “Guess Who Loves You More.” But DeVaughn’s biggest breakthrough came with his sophomore effort, Love Behind the Melody, which earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, for the song “Woman.” The album also earned him a BET J Virtual Award for Male Artist of the Year, and the BETJ Award. 

Since that time, Raheem DeVaughn has given audiences the albums The Love & War MasterPeace (2010) and A Place Called Love Land (2013.) The albums have spawned the additional R&B hits “Customer,” “Bulletproof,” and “I Don’t Care,” to name a few. In addition, Raheem DeVaughn has also appeared on songs for a number of other artists, including: DJ Jazzy Jeff (on “My Peoples,” “Love Saviour,” “My Soul Ain’t for Sale,” and “In Time”); Wale (on “Spectacular”); Kenn Starr (on “Another Day”); Talib Kweli (on “Country Cousins” and “Real Women”); Game (on “Touchdown”); De La Soul (on “Mornin’ Rise”); Pastor Troy (on “Backroads”); Logic (on “Take It Slow); and most recently on the Roots’s singles “The Unraveling” and “Tomorrow.”

Raheem DeVaughn continues to perform, record, and collaborate with other artists. He most recently announced the release of his next studio album, Love Sex & Passion, scheduled for the winter of 2015.