Dalvin Ertimus DeGrate (born July 23, 1971), better known by his

stage name A stage name or professional name is a pseudonym used by performers, authors, and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. The equivalent concept among writers is called a ''nom de plume'' (pen name). Some performers ...

Mr. Dalvin, is an American R&B and

soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, immaterial aspect or essence of a Outline of life forms, living being. It is typically believed to be Immortality, immortal and to exist apart from the material world. The three main theories that ...

singer, songwriter, record producer, and

rapper Rapping (also rhyming, flowing, spitting, emceeing, or MCing) is an artistic form of vocal delivery and emotive expression that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and ommonlystreet vernacular". It is usually performed over a backing ...

. He is one-quarter of the R&B group

Jodeci Jodeci ( ) is an American Contemporary R&B, R&B quartet consisting of members DeVanté Swing, Dalvin DeGrate, Mr. Dalvin, K-Ci, and K-Ci & JoJo, JoJo. Formed in 1988 in Charlotte, North Carolina, Jodeci began as a duo of DeVanté Swing and JoJo ...

, and the younger brother of Jodeci member

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, whic ...

Career

The rapper for the group, DeGrate rarely sang lead on Jodeci tracks, although he has production and songwriting credits on ''

Diary of A Mad Band ''Diary of a Mad Band'' is the second studio album from American R&B group Jodeci, released December 21, 1993, on Uptown Records and distributed through MCA Records. The album also featured the first-ever album appearances from Timbaland & Mag ...

'' and ''

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

''. He occasionally played drums onstage. He released his first solo album, ''Met.A.Mor.Phic'', on April 18, 2000, with the single "Why Can't We". He moved to

Def Jam Recordings Def Jam Recordings (also simply known as Def Jam) is an American multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It is based in Manhattan, New York City, specializing predominantly in hip hop, contemporary R&B, soul and pop. The l ...

, and recorded his second album, ''Met.A.Mor.Phic 2: The Rivalry of a Singer and A Rapper'', with appearances by

Method Man Clifford Smith, Jr. (born March 2, 1971), known professionally as Method Man, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. He is a member of the East Coast hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan, and is half of the hip hop duo Method Man & R ...

, Redman,

Ludacris Christopher Brian Bridges (born September 11, 1977), known professionally as Ludacris (, spoken as "ludicrous" in American English), is an American rapper and songwriter. Born in Champaign, Illinois, Ludacris moved to Atlanta, Georgia, at age ...

. The album was due to be released in 2010, but he decided to leave Def Jam and form his own label, DeGrate Productions, after a dispute. In 2012 he announced he was working on an album called "Egomaniac", but it was shelved (and later released). In 2014 DeGrate set up a new record label with music executive Cassandra Mills, called Christo Chrome Music. In 2017 he released a single called "Vindication (Get Money) feat GOODZ", he also made a video for this single. In 2020 Mr. Dalvin released his first single in 3 years with "GoodTimez feat. Tali". In 2021 he released a string of singles, including a remix to "GOODTIMEZ" that featured rapper GOODZ, and the songs "She Bad feat. GOODZ and Ms. Toi", "AND I", INSEPERABLE", and "LOVE U DOWN". On his 52nd birthday on July 23, 2023, DeGrate released an EP called FAMOUS. Mr. Dalvin wrote, produced, performed lead and background vocals, and was the studio engineer for the release. His nephew Justin Burton provided additional production. Of the release, Mr. Dalvin wrote the following: "'FAMOUS' is a project I made to have the nostalgia of 90's harmonies, production and lyrical story telling. Also, paying homage to some of my favorite MC's grouping up such as LL COOL J, RAKIM and Big Daddy Kane." In early 2024 he released a compilation album called FAMOUS The Collection, which included many of the 2020 & 2021 singles, songs from the FAMOUS EP, and a new single he released in December 2023 called She Needs Me. In 2024 he released his final solo album (as of now) "Egomaniac", an album which had previously been shelved.

Family

DeGrate has a brother,

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, whic ...

, born Donald DeGrate, Jr. They toured as Gospel singers before they joined with JoJo Hailey and K-Ci Hailey (born Cedric Hailey), forming

, and a younger brother Derek DeGrate.

Discography

with Jodeci * '' Forever My Lady'' (1991) * ''

Diary of a Mad Band ''Diary of a Mad Band'' is the second studio album from American R&B group Jodeci, released December 21, 1993, on Uptown Records and distributed through MCA Records. The album also featured the first-ever album appearances from Timbaland & Mag ...

'' (1993) * ''

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

'' (1995) * '' The Past, The Present, The Future'' (2015) Solo albums/EPs * ''Met.A.Mor.Phic'' (2000) * ''Famous'' (2023) * ''Egomaniac'' (2024)

References

External links

* Record producers from North Carolina American soul singers Jodeci members Living people Singer-songwriters from Virginia 1971 births Musicians from Hampton, Virginia African-American male songwriters 21st-century African-American male singers 21st-century American male singers musicians from Virginia rappers from Virginia {{music-producer-stub