Forever DeVante
Da Bassment Crew Profiles
Name: Bazaar Royale (Da Boogie Man)
Bazaar Royale is a rock star, a larger than life personality waiting for the mainstream
to catch on. The creator of the “Ghetto Metal” movement, Royale has built a new sound
that is full of rock optimism, spiked with a gritty dose of reality—the hard times millions
of people are going through around the world.
Name: Susan Weems (Susie)
Susan Weems is formerly of R&B vocal group Sugah. Sugah were famously discovered and signed by DeVante Swingof Jodeci to DeVante's own label, Swing Mob Records. Composed of Susan Weems, best known as Susie. Through affiliation with Swing Mob, Susie was also one of the key members of Da Bassment- the one and only collective DeVante put together in 1991, and the very same outfit that was responsible for launching many talented artists and producers, some of whom are still heavy hitters in the industry today. Sugah made a cameo appearance alongside most of the other artists from Da Bassment in DeVante's remix video of his single "Gin and Juice," from the 'Dangerous Minds Soundtrack.' Despite the fact the trio recorded a lot of songs in their time with DeVante, they never managed to have any material released. Susie and her group remained with DeVante until 2000, before eventually parting ways from each other and him.
Name: Jawann Peacock (Smoke E. Digglera)
Smoke E. Digglera is an American singer, songwriter, producer and label owner. His music blends traditional Rhythm & Blues with elements of pop, hip-hop, jazz and the Motown. He rose to fame
as lead singer of the R&B group Playa, whose hit single Cheers 2 U reached #3 on Billboard’s R&B
/Hip Hop Chart. Their album, of the same name, is still viewed as a classic. After the group
disbanded, Smoke E. Digglera formed his own record label, Bittersweet LLC., on which he
released several solo projects and projects with artists he has signed to the label.
Name: Benjamin Bush (Digital Black)
Digital Black had begun to make a name for himself when he wrote Ginuwine’s number one hit, “So Anxious” and he has also worked with the late Aaliyah, Missy Elliot, Timbaland, Al Green, David Hollister, Tweet, Nicole Ray, Tank, Gerald Levert, Jodeci, Jo Jo, Toni Braxton and a host of producers such as Dr. Dre, Jazzy Pha, Kanye West, Seven, Scott Storch and Stevie J. ” I think he brings a spiritual soul back to R&B that has been missing for the past decade or so. It’s rare to see a solo artist that is as vocally solid and talented as Digital Black,” said the late Aaliyah. Digital Black’s musical roots were born deep in Kentucky soil and nurtured under the steeples of the black church. He was influenced by the solid harmonies and strong performance skills of quartet gospel. “My styles are also influenced by older people,” says Digital Black. “Donnie Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Smokey Robinson, Charlie Wilson”
Name: Stephen Ellis Garrett (Static/Major)
Stephen Ellis Garrett was born and raised in Louisville in a family of musicians. Growing up, he
sang in the choir at his church, where his sister played piano, his mother was the musical director,
and his father was the pastor. As a member of Playa, Static began his musical career under the
tutelage of Jodeci’s DeVante Swing, and formed kinships with fellow members of DeVante’s Swing
Mob such as Missy Elliott, Timbaland, and Ginuwine. After the Swing Mob members parted
company with DeVante, Static and the rest of Playa worked extensively as songwriters, co-producers,
and background singers for their colleagues.Static was one of Ginuwine’s main songwriters, penning
the lyrics to Timbaland-produced Ginuwine hits such as “Pony”, “What’s So Different”, and
“So Anxious”.
Static also wrote much of Playa’s material when the group signed with Def Jam Records in the mid-1990s, including Playa’s 1998 hit single “Cheers 2 U” from the album of the same name. Also in 1998, Static wrote the lyrics for Aaliyah’s hit single “Are You That Somebody”. Following the success of “Are You That Somebody”, Static became Aaliyah’s main lyricist, and wrote many singles and album tracks for the singer. Static’s writing credits for Aaliyah include “Come Back in One Piece”, “We Need a Resolution”, “Rock the Boat”, “More Than a Woman”, and the number-one single “Try Again” from the 2000 film Romeo Must Die. During this period, Static also wrote for Nicole Wray (“Eyes Better Not Wander”) and Destiny’s Child (“Say My Name (Timbaland’s Remix)”) as well.
Name: Melvin Barcliff (Magoo/Maganoo)
Melvin Barcliff (born July 12, 1973), better known by his stage name Magoo is an American rapper who
is best known as one-half of the pop rap duo Timbaland Magoo with record producer Tim "Timbaland" Mosley. Like Timbaland, Magoo got his start in the music industry as a member of DeVante Swing's Swing Mob when mutual friend Missy Elliott got DeVante to sign the both of them when he signed Elliott's group Sista.
Name: Charlene Keys (Tweet)
Charlene Keys was born on January 21, 1972 in Rochester, New York and is an R&B and soul singer/
songwriter who is known by her stage name, Tweet. Tweet was exposure to music from the moment
she was born and grew up singing at her local church with her parents and four siblings. Being born
into a musical family also included music lessons with various instruments. The five Keys children
mastered the piano, guitar, bass guitar, and drums, to name but a few. Musically, Tweet was inspired
by artists such as Janet Jackson, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston. Tweet was serious
about music from the very beginning and enrolled herself in Rochester's School of the Arts.
In her early twenties, Tweet joined the female group, Sugah, which was composed of Tweet, Susan
Weems, and Rolita White. As Tweet traveled around the states with the all-girl group she met and
worked with Timbaland, Magoo, Missy Elliott, Playa, Ginuwine, and Renee Anderson. In particular,
Tweet formed a strong friendship with Elliott. Years later after the breakup of Sugah, while Tweet was
down on her luck, Elliott called her old friend with an offer to contribute background vocals on her
album, “Miss E…So Addictive.” In 2000, Tweet set to work on Elliott's album. The result led to work
on Timbaland and Magoo's next albums. The success of working with her old friends again and the confidence she gained from the success of the songs she worked on pushed Tweet to pursue a solo career of her own. In 2002, Tweet released her debut single, “Oops (Oh My),” which was a hit and peaked at #1 on Billboard's R&B and Hip-Hop Singles charts, and #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart.
Name: Timothy Z. Mosley (Timbaland)
Born Timothy Z. Mosley in Norfolk, Virginia on March 10, 1972, Timbaland, so named by Jodeci
member Devante Swing after the Timberland boot, has had many reincarnations--from disc jockey
DJ Tiny Tim to half of the hip hop group Timbaland & Magoo; from membership in Devante
Swing’s Swing Mob crew known as Da Bassment to S.B.I. (Surrounded By Idiots), a production
ensemble including Pharrell Williams, to being CEO of his own label, Mosley Music Group.
Ginuwine’s hit single “Pony” and debut LP Ginuwine…the Bachelor, produced by Timbaland,
introduced a unique rhythmic style that defined the new wave of music in the ‘90s--R&B and hip
hop mixed with an eclectic smorgasbord of effects held together by complex syncopated snare beats.
At the same time, his partnership with high school friend Missy Elliott blossomed into a pairing that
delivered Aaliyah’s double platinum One In A Million and they became one of music’s most successful
production/songwriting teams. Naturally, Elliott looked to Timbaland to also define her as an artist and their work together, tracks such as “The Rain,” propelled Elliott to major stardom and critical acclaim.
Name: La'Shawn Shellman
La'Shawn Shellman is singer,songwriter, and is most famously known from begin a part of DeVante Swing Swing Mob also known
as Da Bassment Crew group Sista.
La'Shawn Shellman was born in Williamsburg Virginia . Lashawn started out singing in church at an early age. Lashawn discovered her love for music at age 15.Lashawn was discovered by Timbaland, when she was a solo artist at a concert that featured Mary J. Blige ,TLC,Bobby Brown Shabba Ranks Hampton Virginia at Hampton Coliseum
During the show La'Shawn thought show was delayed but she was right on time. During
The Concert they were looking for people who could really singing and delivered La'Shawn
friends eventually pushed her on stage and she perfomed and got an standing ovation.After
the Show La'Shawn was at McDonalds her and Timbaland cross paths He explain to her
that he was working with a Girl Group by the name of Fayze consists of existing members
Radiah Scott,Chonita Coleman,and Missy Elliott who was already signed to Devante Swing
Label Swing Mob aka Da Bassement Crew through Elektra Records so La'Shawn jumped
on abored and traveled with Timbaland to meet the group and Devante Swing asked her to
sing so La'Shawn covered Mariah Carey Vision of Love and became a member of Fayze.
DeVante Swing eventually changed the name from Fayze to Sista. They were groomed to
be the female Jodeci. He moved them out to New York While in New York they performed for the Governor of New York and also at the Apollo Theater with other famous acts .
Her first Album for Sista was Entitled 4 All the Sistas Around da World The first Single was titled Brand New and the album was set to release on September 24,1994 but was shelved due to problems with the label. Lashawn had contributed so much to the Sista album, she offered her skills as a songwriter and Lead vocals with Band mate Missy Elliott She even wrote the most talked about song on the Album “Feel Of Your Lips” it was meant for her a love instrest at the but during the process it became a feautre on the Sista album depsite the album not begin released Eventually Sista collaborated with one of Bad Boy Records hottest artist at the time Craig Mack on Dangers Minds soundtrack the song entitled It’s All Right the movie featured Michelle Pfeifferand Coolio. Eventually the group slipt in 1995.
Name: Melissa Arnette Elliot (Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot)
Born in Portsmouth, VA, in 1971 as Melissa Elliott, Missy's professional music career began when Jodeci member/producer Devante Swing signed her and her group, Sista, to his Swing Mob record label. Unfortunately, Swing Mob Records fell through and along with it the plans for Sista's debut album. Determined to move forward, Missy turned to longtime
acquaintanceTimbaland, who happened to be producing some tracks for Aaliyah's One in a
Million (1996) album. It proved to be a key move for Missy, as the album racked up enormous
sales. Soon record execs were knocking on her door.Missy began working with a number of
artists as either a songwriter or a vocalist/rapper before finally signing herself a deal with Elektra
in 1996. A year later, Supa Dupa Fly hit the streets and soon after went platinum thanks to
"The Rain." Besides the sales numbers, the album also proved critically successful, impressing
nearly everyone who heard it. It had not only radio-ready singles ("Sock It 2 Me," "Beep Me
911," "Hit 'Em Wit da Hee") but also an astounding array of album tracks that showcases just
how multi-talented Missy indeed was, singing on some, rapping on others.
In 1999, she returned with her much-awaited follow-up album, Da Real World, an even more ambitious album that featured two mammoth hits -- "She's a Bitch" and "Hot Boyz" -- along with an array of often daring collaborations with such unlikely candidates as Eminem. Around this same time, she began appearing in TV ads for the Gap and Sprite, proving that not only was she a musical talent but also an important icon for the era. The cycle repeated itself in 2001 when she released Miss E...So Addictive, again powered by two huge hits: "Get Ur Freak On" and "One Minute Man." Her remarkable popularity continued a year later with her next album, Under Construction, and its hit singles, "Work It" and "Gossip Folks." Missy's music machine continued pummeling the charts, with Timbaland & Magoo's follow-up Under Construction, Pt. II appearing in mid-November and the new Elliott LP This Is Not a Test! released a week later. Ciara, Slick Rick, Mary J. Blige, and American Idol winner Fantasia were some of the guests on Missy's 2005 album The Cookbook.
Name: Elgin Baylor Lumpkin (Ginuwine)
Ginuwine was born in Washington, D.C., on October 15, 1975, with the unlikely name of Elgin Baylor Lumpkin (after D.C.-born Basketball Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor). As a youngster, Lumpkin's interest in music was ignited by Princeand Michael Jackson, especially the latter's legendary moonwalking performance on the Motown 25th anniversary special. At the mere age of 12, he began performing at parties and bars with the local hip-hop group the Finesse Five. He later worked as a Michael Jackson impressionist and sang with another local outfit, Physical Wonder; in the meantime, he earned a paralegal degree from a local community college, in case music didn't work out. In 1996, he adopted the name Ginuwine and was discovered by Jodeci. In New York, he met up with young producer Timbalandand cut the track "Pony," whose slow, halting groove and impassioned vocals helped Ginuwine land a deal with Sony's 550 Music imprint.
With the strikingly inventive Timbaland behind the boards, Ginuwine cut his debut
album, Ginuwine...The Bachelor, and released it later in 1996. "Pony" became a
number one R&B smash, also reaching number six on the pop charts, and the album
became an eventual double-platinum hit. It spun off several more R&B hits over the
next year, including "Tell Me Do U Wanna," "I'll Do Anything/I'm Sorry," "Holler,"
and "Only When Ur Lonely"; it also featured an homage to one of Ginuwine's main
influences in the cover of Prince's "When Doves Cry." In the wake of the album's
success, demand forTimbaland's production services exploded, and Ginuwine became a bona fide sex symbol. He toured heavily in support of The Bachelor, and kept his name in the public eye in 1998 with his hit "Same Ol' G," which was featured on the soundtrack to Eddie Murphy's Dr. Doolittle. Late that year, he also made his acting debut on an episode of the CBS series Martial Law.
Ginuwine returned with his second album, 100% Ginuwine, in early 1999. Again produced by Timbaland, it entered the pop charts at number five, gave rise to another significant crossover hit in "So Anxious," and went platinum. "What's So Different?" and "None of Ur Friends Business" were also successful on R&B radio, and there was another cover of a Ginuwine hero, this time Michael Jackson's "She's Out of My Life." He followed it in the spring of 2001 with The Life, despite having to endure the deaths of his father (who committed suicide) and mother (a victim of cancer) within the same year. It was his first album helmed by producers not named Timbaland. Nonetheless, it was another success, debuting at number three on the charts and once again going platinum. Moreover, the ballad "Differences" -- the second single released from the album, after "There It Is" -- became Ginuwine's biggest pop hit yet, climbing to number four later that year.
Name: Dante Hawkins
From his early childhood, Dante was surrounded by the energy, passion and love of music that his grandmother Louise Hawkins proudly infused in his creative development. He released his soulful unique voice by singing in
the church. Dante was requested to sing at music festivals and became very well known in the
Rochester city and the New York Tri-State area.
Through singing in church, Dante met multi-platinum artist Devante “Swing” of Jodeci who
introduced him to the game of R&B and took him under his wing. Devante added Dante to his
group called the “Basement Crew” which included multi-platinum artist Missy Elliot,
Multi-platinum producer Timberland, Multi-platinum Steven “Static” Major. And that's
where Real R&B began.
Dante worked with Gerald Levert as he launched his record label “Global Soul Records”.
From there Dante went to Seattle Washington to work with Jimmy Hendrix Family record
label called “Hendrix Records”. After returning to New York, Dante completed his first underground R&B album titled “Real R&B” and did many shows opening for acts such as Dru Hill, Erykah Badu, Tyrese, legendary recording artist The Temptations, The OJ's, and Frankie Beverly & Maze. At this time, Dante had started an underground roar. His name and unique voice had grabbed the attention of many people, artists as well as many major record labels.
Working with various artists such as hip hop legend Heavy D, Jay Z, Akon, John Legend, Melissa Morgan, Tyrese, Missy Elliot, Mario Winans, Dr. Dre, Jadakiss, Juelz Santana, as well as many others, Dante has proved his talent in the music industry.
Currently he is working with, the legendary DJ Lazy K on a new R&B project. Dante's song with Jay Z and Lil Wayne called Pimp “Stroll” debuted on DJ Green Lanterns “Serious Radio” Mixtape. His collaboration with new Def Jam recording artist Uncle Murda called “Stop Snitching” has really grabbed the attention of the streets and many other Mixtape DJ's.
