Artist Biography by Andy Kellman

Love Behind The Melody - Wikipedia

Raheem DeVaughn has proven that post-millennial R&B artists can be traditional and progressive at once and achieve commercial longevity without concessions to pop radio. The singer, songwriter, and producer paid his dues in Washington, D.C.'s music scene. A few years after he was showcased on DJ Jazzy Jeff's The Magnificent, he debuted on the Billboard R&B/hip-hop chart with 'Guess Who Loves You More' (2005). Parent album The Love Experience, DeVaughn's first, began a streak of artistically adventurous, Top Ten R&B/hip-hop full-lengths with depth far beneath the singles. Among his subsequent achievements are Grammy nominations for the songs 'Woman' (2007) and 'Customer' (2008), both off the number five Billboard 200 hit Love Behind the Melody, as well as a Best R&B Album nomination for LP three, The Love & War MasterPeace (2010). DeVaughn has transitioned out of the major-label system while maintaining his affinity for sprawling, loosely conceptual full-lengths. These releases range from A Place Called Love Land (2013) to What a Time to Be in Love (2020).

Raheem DeVaughn's debut album was 'The Love Experience;' his critically acclaimed follow-up was 'Love Behind The Melody.' DeVaughn's musical story began with his mother's vinyl collection. 'I always loved music so I would sneak into her record collection when she wasn't around and play her stuff.' If you love sensual soulful music, you will enjoy Love Behind The Melody. Raheem Devaughn on his second album takes you on a sexy journey through love, romance and passion. Love Drug is one of the standout songs for me. If you play this for your lover and nothing happens that night, then you are in the wrong relationship.

The son of jazz cellist Abdul Wadud, Raheem DeVaughn was born in Newark, New Jersey and was raised in Maryland, near Washington, D.C. He kicked his career into gear by performing at coffee houses and small clubs in D.C. and by selling CD-R recordings, aided in part by the cash reward from winning a talent contest. DeVaughn gained ground in 2002 with three featured spots on DJ Jazzy Jeff's The Magnificent, as well as contributions to Billy Crawford's Ride and Heather Headley's This Is Who I Am. Signed to the Jive label, DeVaughn issued a promotional single for 'Until' the following year, an Isley Brothers-sampling track that showcased his soul-rooted, socially conscious approach to contemporary R&B. The song was produced by early supporters Cliff Jones and Jerry Vines, the latter of whom also became the artist's long-term manager. DeVaughn's first official single, the Kenny Dope-produced 'Guess Who Loves You More,' entered Billboard's R&B/hip-hop chart in early 2005 and peaked at number 38. Debut album The Love Experience followed that June, reached the Top 50 of the Billboard 200, and began a streak of Top Ten entries on the corresponding R&B/hip-hop chart, aided by second charting single 'You,' another radio favorite.

Love Behind the Melody, DeVaughn's second full-length, arrived in January 2008. Its first single, 'Woman,' was his biggest hit yet -- number 17 R&B/hip-hop, and number one on the adult R&B chart -- and was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. 'Customer,' a number 12 R&B/hip-hop hit, was nominated the next year for Best R&B Song. Led by the late 2009 single 'Bulletproof,' featuring Ludacris, The Love & War MasterPeace debuted in March 2010 at number nine on the Billboard 200 and at number three on R&B/hip-hop. Featuring much more socially conscious material than the average contemporary R&B release -- including 'Nobody Wins a War,' on which DeVaughn was joined by a large ensemble that included cousin Chrisette Michele, Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton, and Bilal -- it received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album. By the end of 2012, DeVaughn's own featured appearances numbered in the dozens. His secondary discography reads like a list of favorites from a rap fanatic with a well-defined, all-region aesthetic. Talib Kweli, UGK, Guru, De La Soul, Ghostface Killah, Big K.R.I.T., E-40, and Rapsody are among the artists who he's collaborated with.

DeVaughn went independent with A Place Called Love Land. Released in September 2013 on the Mass Appeal label, it nonetheless went Top Ten R&B, like his three preceding LPs, with a high dose of intimate slow jams. After he made a pair of crucial contributions to the Roots' ..And Then You Shoot Your Cousin, DeVaughn completed his fifth album, Love Sex Passion, with assistance from the likes of Chucky Thompson, Dre King, and the Colleagues. It arrived on eOne in February 2015 and spawned the singles 'Queen' and 'Temperature's Rising,' both of which hit the adult R&B chart. Shortly thereafter, DeVaughn and actor/poet/rapper Wes Felton reactivated the CrossRhodes, a long-dormant side project, with the socio-political-minded Footprints on the Moon, their first official album as a duo. DeVaughn resumed solo work with Decade of a Love King, issued in October 2018. Like the CrossRhodes set, it was self-released with support from BMG Rights Management. Within the next two years, the singer issued The Love Reunion and What a Time to Be in Love through SoNo Recording Group. The Colleagues received co-billing on the latter album.

With the country at war, it's no coincidence that so many recording artists are producing albums with a consistent theme of love. Raheem DeVaughn is no exception. Love Behind the Melody is the follow-up to his major label debut The Love Experience, which garnered him a considerable amount of recognition from neo-soul fans.

Born and raised in Maryland, Raheem signed to Jive Records in 2002 after establishing a mighty following in and around the Washington, D.C. area. The Love Experience came to fruition in 2005 and suffered from a lack of label support. The self-proclaimed 'R&B-hippie-neosoul-rockstar' didn't give up on his dream. Now, with a Grammy nomination for the lead single 'Woman' off his sophomore album Love Behind the Melody, the underground soul community has given birth to yet another potential legend-in-the-making.

With the country at war, it's no coincidence that so many recording artists are producing albums with a consistent theme of love. Raheem DeVaughn is no exception. Love Behind the Melody is the follow-up to his major label debut The Love Experience, which garnered him a considerable amount of recognition from neo-soul fans.

Born and raised in Maryland, Raheem signed to Jive Records in 2002 after establishing a mighty following in and around the Washington, D.C. area. The Love Experience came to fruition in 2005 and suffered from a lack of label support. The self-proclaimed 'R&B-hippie-neosoul-rockstar' didn't give up on his dream. Now, with a Grammy nomination for the lead single 'Woman' off his sophomore album Love Behind the Melody, the underground soul community has given birth to yet another potential legend-in-the-making.

Love Behind the Melody would be more aptly titled as 'love in front of the melody' since there's nothing subtle or hidden about this theme. Raheem's persona is equally boastful on the album's introduction 'Hello Love,' which declares his return to the music scene. He cements his musical contribution by stating 'some people make music for a moment - I make music for a lifetime.'

This boastful form of romantic love best satisfies on the intoxicating 'Love Drug' and the heartfelt 'Butterflies.' 'Love Drug' documents Raheem's addiction to a revered female lover. His tone is irresistible and comforting. Then, on 'Butterflies,' Raheem convinces the listener that this particular brand of loving is full of jitters. The fear of starting a new romance takes its toll on the nervous system.

There's an avalanche of adoration for the opposite sex on Love Behind the Melody. About 90-percent of the album falls in line accordingly.

Love Behind The Melody - Raheem DeVaughn | Songs, Reviews ..

On the flipside, Love Behind the Melody suffers from a lack variety and originality. 'Energy' is a mediocre scaled-down imitation of Gnarls Barkley's infectious super-hit 'Crazy.' 'Friday (Shut the Club Down),' produced by Kwame, borrows part of its natural groove from the classic Temptations' cut 'My Girl.' However, it's void of the passion initially evoked by the legendary sample. Raheem takes his greatest risks on 'Energy' (featuring OutKast's very own Big Boi) and 'Friday (Shut the Club Down),' and, not surprisingly, that's where he provides the most satisfaction.

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Raheem DeVaughn is one of the most talented R&B singer-songwriters around today, but his complacency as an 'R&B-hippie-neosoul-rockstar' seems to at times stifle his creativity. Fortunately, it doesn't block his blessings in their entirety. Love Behind the Melody is just part of a journey by this modern-day Marvin Gaye. Raheem's trials and tribulations will soon offer up more variety in his sound. Love has opened the door of stimulating opportunity on his sophomore effort Love Behind the Melody. Let's hope the third time is a charm.

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