|
DeVante Swing
Donald Earle DeGrate Jr. (born September 29, 1969), better known by his stage name DeVanté Swing, is an American record producer, singer, songwriter and rapper. He is best known as the main songwriter and producer of the R&B group Jodeci, which includes his younger brother Dalvin “Mr. Dalvin” DeGrate. DeVante Swing also created Swing Mob, which consisted of various artists he discovered and mentored, such as Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Magoo, Ginuwine, Static Major with Playa, Darryl Pearson, Tweet, Jimmy Douglass, Stevie J, and Chad "Dr. Ceuss" Elliott among others. Career At age 16, DeVanté Swing traveled to Minneapolis, hoping to visit Paisley Park in order to audition for Prince. Swing would later say, "I was up at Paisley Park every day begging for a job, asking people to listen to my tape. The receptionist kept saying she couldn't help me". The rejection motivated Swing to relocate back to North Carolina, and work to improve his songwriting and production skil ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hampton, Virginia
Hampton is an independent city (United States), independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. The population was 137,148 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the List of cities in Virginia, seventh-most populous city in Virginia. Hampton is included in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, the List of United States metropolitan statistical areas by population, 37th-largest in the United States, with a total population of 1,799,674 in 2020. This area, known as "America's First Region", also includes the independent cities of Chesapeake, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Virginia Beach, Newport News, Virginia, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia, Portsmouth, and Suffolk, Virginia, Suffolk, as well as other smaller cities, counties, and towns of Hampton Roads. Hampton traces its history to the city's Old Point Comfort, the home of Fort Monroe, which was named by the 1607 voyagers, led by Capt ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Darryl Pearson
Darryl "Day" Pearson is an American record producer, songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, best known for writing and producing "It's All About Me", a Mya/Sisqó single that peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, "Part Time Lover" (a Top 10 R&B Hit for group H-Town from the 1994 '' Above the Rim'' soundtrack), as well as "Trippin' ", a collaboration between Total and Missy Elliott that climbed to #7 on the Hot 100 in 1998. His 1998 contributions to albums from Total, Mya, and others resulted in a top 10 placement on Billboard's "Hot R&B Producers" 1998 Year-End Chart. Pearson has also produced or written songs for Usher, Beyoncé, and Sam Smith, among others. Career Music beginnings and Swing Mob Motivated to enter the music industry in the early 1990s, Pearson began producing demos for friends sending music to record labels in hopes of securing deals. This practice developed into a writing and production partnership with R&B group Jodeci. He relocated to b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Brett Ratner
Brett Ratner (born March 28, 1969) is an American film director and producer. He directed the Rush Hour (film series), ''Rush Hour'' film series, ''The Family Man'', ''Red Dragon (2002 film), Red Dragon'', ''X-Men: The Last Stand'', ''Tower Heist'', and ''Hercules (2014 film), Hercules''. He is a producer of several films, including the ''Horrible Bosses'' series, as well as executive producer on other projects, including the films ''The Revenant (2015 film), The Revenant'' and ''War Dogs (2016 film), War Dogs'' and the television series ''Prison Break''. Ratner got his start directing with music videos in the 1990s, and directed his first motion picture, ''Money Talks (1997 film), Money Talks'', in 1997. Overall, the films Ratner has directed have earned over $2 billion at the global box office. Ratner is the co-founder of RatPac-Dune Entertainment, RatPac Entertainment, a film production company. Ratner led RatPac's partnership with Dune Entertainment in September 2013 for a co- ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Freek'n You
"Freek'n You" is a song by American R&B group Jodeci recorded for their third album, '' The Show, the After Party, the Hotel'' (1995). It was released as the album's first single in June 1995 by Uptown and MCA Records. The song was both written and produced by DeVante Swing, and peaked at number 14 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Listed by ''Billboard'' magazine as one of the best selling singles of 1995, it was certified gold by the RIAA for sales in excess of 500,000 units. The official remix, produced by Mr. Dalvin, features Raekwon and Ghostface Killah. They performed the remix version live with Jodeci (minus DeVante Swing) during the 200th episode of Showtime at the Apollo in February 1996. It features three models in the video: Veronica Webb, Beverly Peele, and Kara Young. Critical reception Steve Baltin from ''Cash Box'' wrote, "A slow and grinding tune, the first single from Jodeci's forthcoming ''The Show, the After-Party, the Hotel'' is a guaranteed hit, give ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hype Williams
Harold "Hype" Williams (born August 1, 1970) is an American music video and film director, film producer, and screenwriter. Early life Williams was born in Queens. He is of mixed African-American and Honduran descent. He attended Adelphi University. He first displayed his work by tagging local billboards, storefronts, and playgrounds using HYPE as his graffiti tag. His graffiti style was influenced by artists like Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. His big break came when he began working with Classic Concepts Video Productions. Lionel "Vid Kid" Martin and VJ Ralph McDaniels created Williams' first opportunity with the Filmmakers With Attitude moniker (FWA), which was Williams' first video company. Career Music videos Awards Williams has received for his video work include the ''Billboard'' Music Video Award for Best Director of the Year (1996), the Jackson Limo Award for Best Rap Video of the Year (1996) for Busta Rhymes' " Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check", the NAACP Ima ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Feenin'
"Feenin'" is a song by American R&B group Jodeci, recorded for their second album, '' Diary of a Mad Band'' (1993). It was released as the second single from the album in March 1994, by Uptown and MCA Records. It was both written and produced by DeVante Swing, and peaked at number 25 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and number 18 on the UK Singles Chart. Critical reception Andy Beevers from ''Music Week'' gave the song a score of four out of five, naming it a "mellow track". James Hamilton from the ''Record Mirror'' Dance Update called it a "strangely spelt whining slow US urban lurcher" in his weekly dance column. Music video The accompanying music video for "Feenin'", filmed in a mental asylum, was directed by American director Hype Williams and featured cameo appearances by Williams himself, Snoop Doggy Dogg and Treach from Naughty by Nature. Track listing * US promo Vinyl and 12" #"Feenin'" (Radio Version) - 4:14 #"Feenin'" (E Double Gets Bizzy Mix) - 4:59 #"Feenin'" (E ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Timbaland & Magoo
Timbaland & Magoo were an American hip hop duo, composed of Virginia natives Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley (born March 10, 1972) and Melvin "Magoo" Barcliff (July 12, 1973 – August 13, 2023). Formed in 1989, the duo signed with Blackground Records, an imprint of Atlantic Records to release three studio albums: '' Welcome to Our World'' (1997), '' Indecent Proposal'' (2001), and '' Under Construction, Part II'' (2003). Magoo died of a heart attack in 2023. Background In August 2021, Blackground Records signed a distribution deal with Empire Distribution to re-release Timbaland & Magoo's catalog on CD, cassette and vinyl, onto digital download sites and, for the first time ever, streaming services. As a result, Timbaland's 1998 LP '' Tim's Bio: Life from da Bassment'' and Timbaland & Magoo albums '' Welcome to Our World'', '' Indecent Proposal'' and '' Under Construction, Part II'' were re-released August 27, 2021. Magoo died on August 13, 2023, at the age of 50, and his deat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
K-Ci & JoJo
K-Ci & JoJo is an American R&B duo, consisting of brothers Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey (born September 2, 1969) and Joel "JoJo" Hailey (born June 10, 1971). Natives of Charlotte, North Carolina, they are also the lead singers of the chart-topping R&B group Jodeci with the DeGrate brothers—Donald (better known as DeVante Swing) and Mr. Dalvin. They are best known for their 1998 single " All My Life" which peaked atop the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for three weeks and received three Grammy Award nominations. They also guest appeared on the well-known Tupac Shakur 1996 again no.1 multi-platinum song " How Do U Want It", which was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1997. K-Ci & JoJo also achieved mainstream success with the 1999 hit " Tell Me It's Real", which peaked at number two on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Their 2001 song, " Crazy", was included on the '' Save the Last Dance'' soundtrack and peaked at number 11 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. K-Ci & JoJo have rele ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958April 21, 2016) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation, Prince was known for his flamboyant, androgynous persona, wide vocal range, which included a far-reaching falsetto and high-pitched screams, as well as his skill as a multi-instrumentalist, often preferring to play all or most of the instruments on his recordings. His music incorporated a wide variety of styles, including funk, disco, Rhythm and blues, R&B, Rock music, rock, New wave music, new wave, soul music, soul, synth-pop, Pop music, pop, jazz, blues, and hip hop music, hip hop. Prince produced his albums himself, pioneering the Minneapolis sound. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Prince signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records at the age of 18, soon releasing the studio albums ''For You (Prince album), For You'' (1978) and ''Prince (album), Prince'' (1979). He went on to achieve critical succe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Paisley Park
Paisley Park is a 65,000 square foot estate in Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States, once owned by American musician Prince. It was opened to the public as a museum in October 2016. History Construction of the $10 million complex began in January 1986, and officially opened on September 11, 1987. Designed by architecture firm BOTO Design Inc., of Santa Monica, California, the main designers were architect Bret Thoeny and acoustician Marshall Long. The complex shares its name with Prince's 1985 single, " Paisley Park". The Paisley Park studio complex totalled 55,000 square feet by the early 1990s, and includes four recording studios, a 12,500 square-foot sound stage, a video editing suite, rehearsal room, offices, tenant space, and an underground parking garage. Other amenities include an outdoor basketball court, and living quarters. Paisley Park's four recording studios are designated A, B, C, and D. Studio A is a 1,500 square-foot space and originally utilized a 48-chann ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Minneapolis
Minneapolis is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, and its county seat. With a population of 429,954 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the state's List of cities in Minnesota, most populous city. Located in the state's center near the eastern border, it occupies both banks of the Upper Mississippi River and adjoins Saint Paul, Minnesota, Saint Paul, the state capital of Minnesota. Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and the surrounding area are collectively known as the Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Twin Cities, a metropolitan area with 3.69 million residents. Minneapolis is built on an artesian aquifer on flat terrain and is known for cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. Nicknamed the "City of Lakes", Minneapolis is abundant in water, with list of lakes in Minneapolis, thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks, and waterfalls. The city's public park system is connected by the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. Dakota people orig ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chad Elliott
Chad James Elliott, also known by his stage name Dr. Ceuss, is an American songwriter, record producer, and audio engineer. He is best known for co-writing and co-producing Destiny's Child's 2000 single "Jumpin', Jumpin'", as well as Salt-N-Pepa's " Gitty Up", Marc Nelson's "15 Minutes", and 702's " Steelo", among others. Career Early career In 1988, while on a promotional tour for rapper Jaz-O, Elliott met fellow record producer Irv Gotti. Elliott later introduced Gotti to DMX and the founders of Ruff Ryders Entertainment, the Dean brothers. In 1989, Gotti and Elliott produced the beat ''Born Loser'' for rapper DMX, which was one of DMX's earliest demos. Elliott became a member of Swing Mob, a prolific collective of artists, songwriters, instrumentalists, and producers that converged in Teaneck, New Jersey and Rochester, New York during the mid-1990s, and was reportedly an early mentor of producer Jermaine Dupri. Elliott became a producer and instrumentalist for American ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
