Forever DeVante
DeVante Swing interview 2009
[Recorder turned on]
[Mid-conversation: DeVante on trying to drop Jodeci’s new record…]
DEVANTE SWING: You know, it’s complicated; it’s not as easy as it was back in the 90s.
You got extra technology. It’s like back in the day when they had the mills and everybody
use to work at the mills and hand-making towers, and then the machine took over, then
all these people got fired. It’s the same thing with the music industry, now there’s new
technology and they don’t want to, you know, put people out like they use to, or promote
people like they use to, so it’s a whole different game.
LINDA: I got you on speakerphone…
ARETHA: Yeah, I agree with that. I think the internet, though, opens up a whole lot for artists these days. But you’re right, things have changed and we have to just go with it. Go with the flow.
DEVANTE SWING: Yeah. You know, the only problem— like, the internet is great for artists, that’s nothing new, it’s just that you need a little bit of money to promote it and let people know. Like, if you went on iTunes and you were a singer Aretha, and you sound like Aretha Franklin and you say, “I’m going to put out an album” you can go on iTunes and put it out, you don’t need a label to do that. But you need to promote it and let people know it’s out and that’s the only thing, you just need money for promotion. So that’s the only thing that kills artists. When they got a little money to promote themselves, of course you don’t have to worry about the business, the labels and everybody. But you still need to let people know you’re out there to [let them know] to go to iTunes and get what you got. Or go to your site, or whatever you have. You know what I’m saying?
ARETHA: Yeah. That’s interesting…
DEVANTE SWING: But it gets better.
ARETHA: It gets better?
DEVANTE SWING: Well yeah, with technology it gets easier for dudes to start promoting their own stuff and doing more of their own thing. You know, technology is for the people so it’ll start getting better.
ARETHA: Yeah, I’m seeing a lot, you know I’m seeing a lot out there when I’m just clicking on different people’s music and people’s websites and stuff like that. But anyway, so where you headed? Your music…
DEVANTE SWING: [Laughs] I’m going online, but I had to get the money up first to be able to do it, like I’m telling you. Like, Jodeci is stuck in a contract with Interscope. Interscope don’t want to release us because they want all these demands around our contract [??]and we not willing to give up, and all this stuff. Cause they not making money just on album sales no more, they understand that people download, [??]. Because they told me straight to my face when I went to meet with them, this the record label: “You know, we don’t care how hot the album is, we want ya’ll touring money, we want this, that, this that” and back in the day they didn’t have ‘artist merchandising or touring money,’ they call this the 360 deal nowadays. So it’s like, okay, you can have all this touring money, you can have that if you give us some more money. [But] we not going to give it to you for free. So we been in this constant battle. So at the end of the day, now that I have my own money, they can have Jodeci right now, [but] I’m getting ready to release some DeVante shit on the side. Excuse my French, but I’m getting ready to release some DeVante stuff on the side. And…you know, if they want to come on up to the party, they can, but other than that, you know, Jodeci is there. We talk everyday. We’re not mad at each other, we fine. So it’s like, you know, they my brothers. It’s two separate brothers, so if two of us is getting along, the other two is. So it’s always been like that. You know Jodeci ain’t got no problem. We’re going to do a show probably a month from now, a big show. So we’ve always been doing shows and going on tours. In London…like last two years, like, this year, actually, we did London. A couple of years ago we did something. So we go on tour together, we just ain’t gone do this business if we ain’t making no money. We might as well work at a regular store.
ARETHA: Right.
DEVANTE SWING: So it’s like…I know fans want to see it, we don’t want to disappoint people that love our music. But it’s like, if we ain’t making a living doing it…you know, it’s hard work. They don’t understand it’s hard work at the same time; it’s not easy to come in with four different attitudes especially when you’re grown now. You got four different personalities. We all get along, it’s no beef, but I’m just saying— people got they thing to do, we do our thing. So it’s hard for us to get up together. Like back when you’re young, you all lived together, it’s all fun, but when you get responsibilities, you know Jojo got his girl, everybody got their own life…it’s hard to get together. So you need to be able to support that. People don’t want to come—label don’t want to support that, so you know…at the end of the day it’s like…[he takes a sip of something] okay, we ain’t gone make no money doing this [??] we need to like try to figure out some other ways. That’s why I’m going to release DeVante’s stuff, they releasing their stuff, and you’ll see Jodeci, trust me. We got an album right now. And when it comes out, you gone love it. I hope you love it-I ain’t gone say that- but I hope you love it. But at the end of the day, it’s gonna come out in a minute so it’s not nothing that’s not being done. It’s there.
ARETHA: Yeah. I mean, you have a… Jodeci has a strong fan base that will always be there. They’re going to always be there— I don’t think people are really that concerned about that part of it. I think people just really just kind of want to see something fresh and something new. I mean, I think it’s a great idea that you’re promoting yourself. I mean, as far as I’m concerned I love Jodeci. I mean, I’m a North Carolinian…
DEVANTE SWING: [Laughs] Thank you.
ARETHA: I’ve always loved Jodeci. But here’s the thing: Um, everybody knows where the heartbeat of Jodeci was. And it was in the music, it was in the production. So you’d sell yourself short if you didn’t promote yourself. You know, you have to just go with the times. I mean Jodeci will always have their fan base; people will always love you guys. But at the same time, you’re right, you got to move forward and you have that ability…there’s no reason why you shouldn’t do your own thing. And then you got Linda. She’ll help you push it out there.
DEVANTE SWING: [Laughs]
LINDA: Haha! Whoa, Linda’s name came up! [Laughs]
ARETHA: So yeah [??] got some great ideas about it, and so um, got to keep moving towards the future, you know time doesn’t stop and it doesn’t wait. And you’re not obligated to people. You did what you did back in the day, and… I wouldn’t feel obligated. You know, you did what you did, and you have to do what you gotta do. And I think it’s a wonderful idea that you’re promoting yourself because you’re going to find that the same people—your real fans are still there. And you’ll be surprised; the young people love your music and love your sounds. I know I was talking to my nephew, he’s like 17, and you know everybody who knows me knows who my favorite group is so I was talking about Jodeci and he was like, “Jodeci?!”
DEVANTE SWING: [Laughs]
ARETHA: And I was shocked because I didn’t even think he knew who Jodeci was. And every time your music plays on a station down here, my daughter she text me, “Mommy, they’re playing Jodeci…” You know, so…people will always love Jodeci. But again, you got to keep moving forward. You did what you did back in the day, people always loved that. You’re not obligated to fulfill anybody’s dream of coming up with a new album just because people want you to do that, that’s not what you’re doing, what you’re focusing on. I’m excited to hear some new stuff from you. I’m excited because I just think you’re great at what you do. I mean, you know that, you’re great at what you do…people want to hear it.
DEVANTE SWING: I appreciate it. I appreciate it Aretha. That’s…I appreciate it. You don’t even know how much.
PART TWO:
ARETHA: Have you ever had your heart broken?
DEVANTE SWING: Have I had my heart broken?
ARETHA: Yes.
DEVANTE SWING: Of, course. Linda know…
LINDA: [Laughs]
ARETHA: Okay. That was my first question. And, oh! And here’s my other question…
DEVANTE SWING: [Laughs]
ARETHA: The show you guys did where you asked the ladies to hold your towel?
DEVANTE SWING: Uh-huh.
ARETHA: Remember that?
DEVANTE SWING: Nah, I don’t remember that but I do that often [at shows].
ARETHA: You don’t remember that? Okay.
DEVANTE SWING: But what show was it though, you remember what show it was? I can probably remember…
ARETHA: It was the Valentines show in February.
DEVANTE SWING: This February that just passed?
ARETHA: Yeah.
DEVANTE SWING: Oh man…[Laughs] That’s like a thing I don’t remember…
ARETHA: Okay, well let’s move on then. Your hair…I have a question about your hair.
DEVANTE SWING: Okay.
ARETHA: Why did you perm your fade…
LINDA: [Laughs]
ARETHA: …and get those little rubber bands you put in your hair?
DEVANTE SWING: Uh-huh.
ARETHA: Remember that style?
DEVANTE SWING: Right.
ARETHA: Okay. That’s my next question, why did you perm your fade and put those little rubber bands in your hair?
DEVANTE SWING: Um…because I grew up on Michael Jackson and Prince and they all got perms so I like my hair, like, looking, you know…
ARETHA: [Laughs]
DEVANTE SWING: …I like my hair luxurious like the homeboys’ hair. So, yeah I like my shit looking luxurious [Laughs].
ARETHA: You know I kind of liked it. You know, I thought it was a cool style.
DEVANTE SWING: Thank you.
ARETHA: But now, I know you’re probably getting grief about this one. You probably already know what I’m getting ready to say, right?
DEVANTE SWING: Uh-uh… [Laughs]
ARETHA: The tat on your face.
DEVANTE SWING: The tattoo on my face?
ARETHA: The tat on your face.
DEVANTE SWING: Well you see how many people did it. Mike Tyson came to my house and stayed with me for three days, spent the night, and then he went and got a tattoo on his face. This girl [??], everybody biting that now. And I told Mike…I went out with the singer Pink, that girl, and I took her to the Bev— well, I didn’t take her, she met me, we went to the Beverly Center and she brought her dog and she was like, “I love that tat on your face!” And this is when I first had got it years ago and I said, “Don’t bite it on your next album…” cause she was coming out with Misunderstood. And I was like, “Don’t bite it on your next album.” And then Mike came by my house like a week after that and he went and got a tattoo. And then me and him didn’t speak for a while cause I was like, “Why you go and do the same shit I did, *****?” That’s my *****. Mike Tyson’s my *****.
ARETHA: I thought he had a tat on his face, like a long time ago.
DEVANTE SWING: He’ll tell you where he got it from, if you ever meet him. I’d put him on the phone with you one day, next time, come see me, he’ll tell you where he got it from. He’ll be like, “I came to spend the night at DeVante’s house and [??].” He’ll tell you.
Note f/ Linda: At this moment, I accidentally spilled some of my green tea on my bed...please ignore my French in the background…LOL
ARETHA: Okay, I thought he had it years ago.
DEVANTE SWING: Not before me…He did have it years ago, but I had this years ago. I had my tattoo on my face after ’98, probably ’98 on. So it’s like 2010, that’s like twelve years. So I had mine on for a minute.
ARETHA: Okay. So anyway, let me think…Okay, so you talk. You just…tell me anything…
LINDA: [Laughs] Oh my God…
PART THREE [De was probably on blunt number two at this point…LOL…just kidding]:
ARETHA: Like Linda and I, we haven’t even known each other that long, we just kind of chatted back and forth. So it’s been fun getting to know her, I think she’s a cool person.
DEVANTE SWING: Oh, Linda’s great. She’s great, that’s the only reason why I can talk to her, I don’t really talk to nobody. And I really don’t even talk to reporters, but I only talk to Linda because she’s like a down-home real girl.
ARETHA: Oh yeah, she’s real. Yeah, I like real people, I don’t like phony people.
DEVANTE SWING: Yeah, exactly.
ARETHA: But she’s real.
DEVANTE SWING: She’ll tell me when she don’t like my shit. Like, I fuck with Linda, I fucks with her.
ARETHA: Yeah. But you know, you need people like that. We all do. We all need people that’s going to be real with us and tell us the truth, and you know, that loves us but love us enough to be honest with us, you know?
DEVANTE SWING: Uh-huh.
ARETHA: Yup, so…if I go out and tell somebody that I talked to DeVante Swing, they’re not going to believe me…
DEVANTE SWING: [Laughs] Yeah they will…
ARETHA: They’re not going to believe it.
DEVANTE SWING: [Laughs]
ARETHA: Because you’re so untouchable and so mysterious, you know?
DEVANTE SWING: Linda wants me to kill that though. She don’t like that.
ARETHA: She don’t like what?
DEVANTE SWING: She don’t like me being like that, in the corner, in the cut. She don’t like that.
ARETHA: Oh, being quiet?
DEVANTE SWING: Uh-huh…
ARETHA: I mean, you gotta be yourself.
DEVANTE SWING: Thank you Aretha.
LINDA: [Cuts off DeVante’s sob story…Lol].
