Forever DeVante
Testimonials! Friends & Fans
Here are testimonials from fans and friends of DeVante Swing. Some are taken from interviews
and our Instagram account.
"His work ethic is just amazing. That is the only way I can describe him. There are just numerous
occasions that spring to mind but I remember when he used to teach us to sing songs not just on
our albums, but even gospel songs, he would arrange them on the piano, and then arrange our
vocals, instruct us how to sing, "Susan, this is how I want you sing your part, Rolita, you should
sing it like this, " and then with Tweet, and it would just be effortless. Everything would just be automatic-it wouldn't take days or even hours for him to arrange something to sound amazing. His arrangements were like no-one else's, and as far as producing songs, everything just comes to him. The music and the lyrics just come to him, just like that. It's just all in his head and he just creates it. And when he's in studio mode, he is IN studio mode! He could be in the studio for 2-3 days, working on music, NOT going to sleep while we're all fallin' asleep. We'd always be thinking how does this man have the energy to stay up like this?! We'd feel bad for fallin' asleep while he was working hard, and try to stay awake and not fall asleep because he wasn't fallin' asleep. I mean it was crazy! Keeping up with DeVante was impossible. He was just that into music. He's a genius- a total genius. I've never seen anybody like that or heard of anybody like that in my life." - Susan Weems (Sugah) from Da Bassment Crew
"Oh man it was just amazing. I mean, once I sat and watched him early morning go get the guitar (I would always spend late nights at the studio just like he did. That’s where I get my vampire-late night shit from!). I remember him buying the guitar and within months, him getting me and saying ‘Eh! Come upstairs real quick.’ Then he got on the pool table and started playing ‘Good Luv’ which went on The Show album. And I’m like there sitting thinking ‘You’re a crazy-ass motherf****r!’ You don’t just buy a guitar and start playing like that. Who can just do that typa s**t?! I mean he was that amazing. I’d just sit and watch him do that type of s**t a lot.
Another time, I’d sat there and watched him work on that Al green song ‘Could this be the love’. I’d sat and watched him do the track, write the song and tell me what to sing within minutes!! And it’s like ‘You are CRAZY!’ I mean who does that typa sh*t?! I even remember when we first moved into his house, I saw him go buy and some equipment in order to prepare for our move to Rochester. He got me & Static (Major) to come check out the new equipment later on– It’s 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning and he’d just start playing shit even though the equipment was practically brand new- coming up with different melodies and sounds in minutes!! CRAZY! All I could think was this cat right here is somethin’ else. As for the writing, those things you hear about how quick he is- the 5 minute thing? That’s no lie. I’ve seen it. That’s why…I mean, there are a lot of tight producers out there, including Tim. A LOT of tight producers out there, but they aint got a motherf****n’ thing on DeVante. And it’s not because I admire him. It’s not because I’ve worked with him. That’s just because of what I’ve seen & heard. I know aint nobody doing s**t like that; they aint moving it like that." - Smoke E. Digglera (Playa) Da Bassment Crew
"....he's [DeVante] a pioneer that not only brought us gr8 music for countless artists & launched the careers of Missy & many others but moreover, he's #Devante from #Jodeci.... Everybody ️'s #Jodeci" - @thisisjoyaofficial (via Instagram)
"He's a great producer,he makes great songs,he's handsome, his eyes *-*,his voice everything about him." - @90sbaby__pq (via Instagram)
"Pure genius!!!! Without Devante, we may have never heard of Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Ginuwine, and the list goes on. Jodeci made being in love great and not raunchy." - @reese_s2s (via Instagram)
"He was my first love! Even though I was young back then when Jodeci was out he was my future husband lol. The way their voices blended together, style of clothes, they sold sex in a great way. Not too raunchy but just enough to tantalize you and make you fantasize being with the one you loved. Plus he is just so damn fine. Those eyes man I could get lost in them." - @royaldiva3 (via Instagram)
"Don't talk just listen I have to be honest with you baby I love Devante because not only does he write incredible music he actually loved doing it, He is a musical genius the way he stayed focused and will work for days until it's perfect he is just amazing ! I can go on and on but I'm sure no one wants to read a 15 paragraph essay." - @lisa_lopes_forever_ (via Instagram)
"'The dopest producer in the universe ' #cantnobodyfuckwithjodeci #swingmob #4hisdamnself #dswing #genius #legend." - @paulfeenin (via Instagram)
"Because he's authentic nobody could do what he did at such a young age. He never gets as much credit that he deserves when it comes to him being a True Genius! He's brought us Timb, Missy,Tweet,Sugah, Playa, Static, Playa, Ginuwine I mean the list goes on. DeVante saw potential in his artist including Jodeci! That's just natural Talent! He's truly God's Gift to this Earth #ForeverDeVante #devanteswing" - @therealbeautifulbaby (via Instagram)
"Because he is everything. Sometimes I just think to myself "how in the world can someone be this talented??" I mean everything just came to him; it amazes me. God has really blessed this man beyond belief. I'm just glad that DeVante realizes that we are still out here supporting him cus we really love and appreciate him so so much." - @kourtney_e (via Instagram)
"The reason why I love Devante is because he perfected the New Jack Swing sound of music( no disrespect to Keith Sweat or Teddy Riley, they were instrumental in the creation of it) Now you have all of these new comers thinking what they do is real music. Hmmph!!!!!" - @juicyfruit1013 (via Instagram)
"Oh yeah- it's unforgettable what that was like. Being around his presence for so long, we saw DeVante in the studio all the time. To be honest because of how long I've been doing music, where I've been and the extent of what I've seen in my past I don't shoot around terms like "musical genius" loosely- because I know what a "genius" is by definition and I know what a "musical genius" is by definition as well as through my experience of life. And when we talk about musical geniuses, we're talking about Prince, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, Quincy Jones- those are people who are musical geniuses right? And without hesitation or reservation I would add DeVante to that group in a heartbeat. I mean, this dude, I literally watched him go from instrument to instrument- 4 or 5, sometimes even more, one after another. He'd be on the piano, then he'd pick up the bass, put the bass down, pick up the guitar, put the guitar down, go get on the drums, put the drumsticks down, pull out the saxophone-play that- I mean this dude was well versed- just INCREDIBLE. And he wasn't a one-trick pony- he wasn't just a talented musician. He was also an incredible song-writer- he'd hear the music and he'd have the lyrics done instantly- he would write as if he'd had days to think about what to write- except you knew he'd heard the music the first time and he had it done within minutes of hearing it. The way he arranged vocals and laid them on records was just phenomenal too. And when it all came together? When he'd actually produce and he'd put the music, the melody, the beat, the vocals together? It was amazing. The way it all came to him naturally was just mesmerizing to watch. This dude is music at its finest. Every single element of his work was to an incredible standard. And that was signature DeVante - that's the kind of reputation he had in the industry for so long." - Accion from Da Bassment Crew
"@Devante from Jodeci and for those that don't know he is a lot of the reason for my beginning, actually THE reason for my beginning I will always be grateful to this man and appreciative all times weren't the best but I would never change anything thank you D and God Bless you im ready to make magic in that studio again let's get it #bassment #timbaland#missy#tweet #playa # static # boogieman" - Ginuwine @ginuwine (via Instagram)
"Cause if it wasn't for Jodeci, we wouldn't have 2 of our 3 kids. We've got a Forever My Lady and a Show, Afterparty and Hotel baby :-)" - @_kimmiepatrice (via Instagram)
"Good to see him back on the scene I pray that God works everything out for him&he gets back to bizz& everything will work itself out God always has a plan let's not judge, I love this dude we all fall but we get back up welcome home! Stay different my friend that makes you stand out from the rest, the Bible say we are peculiar people&People don't understand peculiar people be blessed." - @mavanddee (via Instagram)
"Devante swing!! The most talented producer of ALL time!! It's sad how Jodeci and Devante never get their just praise for the innovative style and talent they brought to RnB." - @yasminah1995 (via Instagram)
"I still love me some Jodeci!!! I didn't take my poster off my room wall in my parents house until I graduated college!! My father (RIP) would walk pass the room and say when are you taking those pictures down they been up since you were in junior high school!!" - @candii4u (via Instagram)
"I remember being in junior high like I had your picture posted all over my room walls I tore them out of magazines I was like God just one day and then at a store in north Hollywood I was with some friends in a car aN they was like there go devante I was like that isn't him then one of the homies called you to the car aN I was like wow seriously speechless aN I finally got to meet you an shake your hand aN that smile was so memorable I still got my crush on u lol." - @shebaluv (via Instagram)
"I'm so serious right now when I say this. Y'all are my all time favorite group. People not only listen to y'alls music but other groups look up to y'all as a group. Y'all please get it together and this time KEEP IT TOGETHER. I wish the best for yall straight up. Much love and respect bruh." - @reglong (via Instagram)
"He has crossed my mind all this time though. It’s not an out of sight out of mind thing. Y’know if I knew how to get hold of him I would because I’d love to be in touch with him again and know he’s doing good. I still have a lot of love and respect for that guy and nothing has changed there." - Accion from Da Bassment Crew
"wha babylove you still look banging the lips kissable like the first time I kissed them 22 years ago when you first came to London England Hippodrome your first ever UK gig ️️️you still have my heart your lovely and I'm still a Devante Swing woman lol." - @hpnotiq_black (via Instagram)
"If you are a TRUE music LOVER, you can't help but love him. He is a musical genius, arranger and producer. Not to mention how INSANE he is on that piano and guitar, how he stays so slim and trim, that mega watt smile, the tattoos, that baritone voice... Chile, lemme stop and go change my panties. Lmaooo!!!" - @kissmybeauty_320 (via Instagram)
"I love you I love jodeci always loved your music I was 7 when I heard I'm still waiting I listen to it every day when I get married I'm walking down the aisle to love you for life I've bought the best of jodeci and diary of a mad band three times cause I can't go without listening to cry for you for too long I clean the house to your music and you were part of the BEST rnb group ever in my opinion u defined an era of sexy rugged men we will never see again!!! I am a major jodeci fan can u tell lol I love your music." - @_lindseysoswett (via Instagram)
"I had the biggest crush on you as a teen. I was heartbroken when I never received a response to a letter I sent to your fan club
:( It's ok. I'm grown now & still a big fan." - @mrs_shanikasealy (via Instagram)
"big brah can't and ain't nobody messin with y'all. But y'all new music. Y'all are number 1 bet that pimp yesterday n today y'all are still in y'all on lane brah. ️️😇💷 Jodecii is highly favored. G talks about y'all all the time. Setting in Ginuwine room we still looks at y'all shows. N laugh and say that's real music. One day we all will be back on tour together. Jodecii. Ginuwine. Tank. All on same stage." - @toniod70 (Via Instagram)
"I will forever love devante swing. Mr dalvin. Kci and jojo. I grew up on their music...and they hold a special place in my heart. I cant wait for a behing the music. A biopic. A album. And another tour. So people can know the truth...and understand why after 20 years they are still missed...and relevant to music...they changed the face of music. And people love and respect their honesty. ..I love you Jodeci." - @eye_cee_unique (via Instagram)
"#100Tunes100Days. The songs that shaped me into the woman I am today.
I remember when this song came out. I remember how this group and this premiere song changed the face of R&B. I remember seeing them perform @ City Park with my friends. Jodeci is legendary and classic, especially if you were a teen when they hit the scene. They were the bad boys of R&B and all the girls loved them. I played that first tape so much it popped. I have since purchased the cd at least twice. This is the quintessential Jodeci track. Brings back so many great childhood memories." - @katchkendra (via tumblr)
