Raheem DeVaughn Interview
April 2010

Raheem DeVaughn is no stranger to the music industry. From his debut with, The Love Experience, to his brand new album, The Love & War Masterpeace, he has continued to contribute timeless music and remain relevant.
His message is simple: Love, empowerment, encouragement and strength. Raheem has used his music to instill all of this in everyone that takes the time to listen. His collection of music is filled with a conscious vibe.

The Love & War Masterpeace is definitely a masterpiece. He’s brought light to some of the greatest social and political issues facing our world today. Whether it’s his view on war in, “Nobody Wins A War,” or his view on various world issues in “Bulletproof,” Raheem has found a clever way to speak on it.

With a line up of artists including, Ludacris, Jill Scott, Chrisette Michele, Anthony Hamilton and philosopher, Cornel West, he’s combined different genres of music to tell his story of Love, War and Peace.

What some may say is missing from new music Raheem has found it. He’s made “feel good” music. Following in the footsteps of some of his influences, Marvin Gaye and Barry White, Raheem delivers beautifully. The Love & War Masterpeace debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200, selling over 90,000 copies. Now in the fifth week of his album release, he spoke with MVRemix briefly about its reception.

MVRemix: You’ve done a lot of interviews before your album, The Love & War Masterpeace was released, now that’s it’s been out for over a month, how do you feel about its reception?

Raheem DeVaughn: I think it’s great. I think that I could still extend a lot of people to the music; but overall, the feedback has been great. Being in the fifth week and all, you never know how people will take or the music and the album circulating and everything, but it’s going very well.

MVRemix: You’ve received some international success as well, like with the video “I don’t care.”

Raheem DeVaughn: Yea, it’s picking up. In the UK, it seems to be doing very well. That’s growth for me, I haven’t really had a record over there to really pop, but I’m hearing that they’re really into that record over there.

MVRemix: How would you describe your growth from your first album to this album?

Raheem DeVaughn: First of all, this is my third album in five years. What’s unique about this album is definitely the demo CD factor, it’s hard for people to sell music and I think that was definitely a risk worth taking. i think this album shows my growth as a vocalist [and] my growth as a songwriter. It also shows my depth as a writer. You know, just to not have a bunch of shallow songs that aren’t talking about anything in particular.

MVRemix: You mentioned you’re a singer and a songwriter; you’re also an actor. What do you enjoy doing the most?

Raheem DeVaughn: Hmm man, I think it kind of all intertwines, you know what I mean? Being an artist, you gotta know how to turn it on and turn it off. I don’t know what I enjoy doing more. I think ultimately like performing, being able to perform a record, especially when you know you got a hit record in your hands. Definitely to connect with your audience and perform; I think that’s the best part of it for me

MVRemix: On this album, you have a good mixture of artist, from hip-hop, R&B, soul. Why was that important for you to do?

Raheem DeVaughn: I feel like it matters putting out albums now. It’s like the extra tentions have been set so high. People expect you to put out an album and I haven’t had one in one or two years

MVRemix: Watching you in interviews and listening to you music, I’m always impressed by your positivity. Where does that attitude come from?

Raheem DeVaughn: I think that’s just how I look at life. I just try to have a positive outfit and try give off that energy, throughout the people that’s connecting with my music. You have to be able to define the type of artist you are. If you don’t, then people will assume you are this type of artist that you may not be.

MVRemix: Do you feel any pressure at all as a black man in the industry? I know you have a song with Wale on your album and he was recently criticized for not having enough dark skinned women in his video, is there any pressure on you to please your audience?

Raheem DeVaughn: I mean, you got different types of artists. I can’t really speak for Wale, I can only speak for myself; but some artists are not as hands on with their situation as I may be. You have several artists who don’t care about their image is, they don’t care about none of that. I’m pretty hands-on with what goes on, with that in particular [selection of females], the “I don’t care” video, I was very adamant having chocolate. I feel like all the women are beautiful. We try to spread it out; spread the love. I mean, I don’t feel like every video should have a dark skinned girl or every video should have a light skinned woman, I feel like variety is important.

MVRemix: If you had to choose just one song off the new album, to listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Raheem DeVaughn: [laughs] Awe man. That’s crazy, that’s kind of hard. Of course the Dr. West interlude, awe man, I would definitely have to choose Bulletproof, and then Garden of Love, maybe.

MVRemix: What’s most important message you hope someone gets from your album?

Raheem DeVaughn: The message is this: as artists and producers, you have to define 2010, you know, with the climate the way it is, the earthquakes, volcanoes, you know everything. Having to tackle unemployment. Music is going to a place where we want it to go, it’s going to become more real and more blunt. As artists you have to define what your message is going to be and mine is definitely a message of love, empowerment and encouragement, you know, and strength. All I wanna do is really just like help more people rise to a higher level of consciousness.

MVRemix: You mentioned Bob Marley as one of your mentors, what have you taken from him and incorporated into your own music?

Raheem DeVaughn: One thing from Bob, a lot of people don’t know the history of Bob Marley. Bob Marley started out as a top 40 artists, which means he sells top 40 songs. Then he started a transition and he became more socially conscious by the end of his career. What I got from that is that conscious music, it never gets old.

MVRemix: What inspires you to pick up a pen and pad and start writing?

Raheem DeVaughn: I don’t sit down and write the songs. My process is that, I guess you could say, that I’m a freestyle writer. I’ve been like that for at least ten years. I don’t really sit down with a pen or a pad. I go to the studio, if it’s a beat that I like I just need to go in and spit it real quick, and I have a recorder that I use. Pretty much, couple hours later we have some songs. On a good day, I may do two, three songs a day.

MVRemix: What can we expect from you next?

Raheem DeVaughn: Well I’m shooting the “Hopeless Romantic” April 25, that video is going to be animated. Also coming soon is my video for “Bedroom.” I actually want to shoot a video for every single song on the album.

project from KELOW entitled “Colored Pencils.” As always, KELOW goes full throttle at creating her own lane, with fellow “electric-hop” tastemakers A.I. Love You extending a major hand in executive production. In an industry made of dull followers & posers, the colorfulKELOW is anything but average, unafraid to push the envelope further and further, song after song. Although still in the making, KELOW decided to release three songs from the  upcoming project to give listeners an idea of just what she has in store in the near future. Whether your getting ready to go out for the night or just in need of goodmusic to listen to, KELOW will make a perfect addition to your ipod. Take a listen and let me know what u think. Her project will be totally free, so you’ve got nothing to lose – and everything to gain. Hope all is well. Enjoii. ^_^

Colored Pencils Sample Download

http://www.divshare.com/download/10870703-ded

Chrisette Michele cuts out all the chemicals to go natural. Maybe this will spark a new trend! Everyone took well to shaving a side of their head after Cassie, is it time to take it all off?

Washington D.C.’s DURKL introduces first piece of the Capital Collection series.

The Capital Collection is a series of collaborations between DURKL and brands from other capital cities around the globe.  The collection seeks to incorporate the individuality of each city while staying true to the street culture we all love.  Joining forces with London’s Second Son, together they produced the Capital Collection sherlock cap; a 5-panel hunting cap featuring traditional tan houndstooth fabric and interior diamond quilting.  Designed in London and produced in America, the package comes complete with a traditional English tobacco pipe.   The limited edition Sherlock package is available Friday 4/2/2010 on http://durkl.com and http://second-son.com

VIDEO: http://vimeo.com/10593249

Erykah Badu’s striptease in broad daylight is just the latest example of how we are losing our way in America. My #1 problem is that she committed this at in front of children in broad day light. The fact that she wasn’t fined and no one complained to an officer shows that we have just accepted these lewd practices. Whether it’s Adam Lambert, Janet Jackson, Madonna, etc., we continually give people a pass because they’re famous. I’ve seen a few crazy naked people walking down the street in my day and I didn’t find it artistic or liberating. We have laws for a reason. We call prostitutes and strippers heathens and say they need to be saved but at least they are doing what they do in front of adults. To allow this to happen in addition to all the celebrity sex tapes, etc. is to show our kids that we really live in a society with no rules, and more importantly, no respect for the children. It’s truly a sad state of affairs.—CNN iReport

As we all know, Golf is a game of amazing skill and focus… Will Tiger be able to concentrate as the WORLD watches his comeback in the 2010 Masters?

Golf is going to have a HUGE variety of new watchers as Tiger Woods makes his questionable come back in the 2010 Masters. After his recent public confession of adultery and apparent Sex Rehabilitation check in, many thought Tiger would ride the M.I.A. wave for a while to regroup and hopefully win back a disappointed fan base.

Too soon?

Tiger has taken home the Master’s title 4 times.

If he wins this championship on his first time back, it would finally knock his sex scandal out of the headlines. Only by winning majors and approaching Jack Nicklaus’s record can he balance out the horrific damage to his reputation. It is the best place for Woods to come back – but only if he succeeds. —Associated Press

Below is a breakdown of physical and digital “The Love & War MasterPeace” release dates for ex-US.

Physical Album:

March 1st
UK
France
Finland
Denmark
Czech Republic
Hong Kong
Korea
Japan – date tba.
Argentina

March 2nd
Canada

March 3rd
Sweden

February 26th
Austria
Germany
Switzerland
Belgium

Digital Release set up for the following markets:
All March 1 releases unless otherwise indicated

Argentina
Austria – Feb 26th
Belgium – Feb 26th
Brazil
Canada – March 2nd
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany – Feb 26th
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Ireland – Feb 26th
Italy – Feb 26th
Malaysia
Mexico – March 2nd
Holland – Feb 26th
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Korea
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
Spain – March 2nd
Sweden
Switzerland – Feb. 26th
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey – Feb. 26th

BUURR!!

….No, not Gucci Mane…THE WEATHER MAN!!

The 368 area is expecting to get blanketed by 20-30 inches of snow… Not to good at math?  Thats anywhere between 2 – 2 1/2 ft. …..Thats quite a lot if you ask me. Now multiply that by 20-35mph winds and a few hundred thousand panicked Washingtonians flooding every Safeway & Blockbuster in their neighborhood and I say we got a classic Blizzard of  ’96 on our hands! *Memories*

Well, here are the updates! https://textalert.ema.dc.gov/latest.php

National Weather Service has upgraded the Winter Storm Warning to a Blizzard Warning, beginning at 10PM tonight, and continuing until 10PM tomorrow. The Winter Storm Warning will remain in effect until 10PM. A Blizzard Warning means wind gusts will exceed 35 mph, snow is likely to be extremely heavy, and visibility will be reduced below 1/4 mile. Please make sure to secure all loose objects on your property. This extremely dangerous storm is expected to produce record snowfall for the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Travel conditions tonight will be extremely hazardous and life-threatening, and all citizens are urged to remain indoors. — ALERT DC

Please lay down salt! No one likes to fall in the snow, it’s only courteous!

Tiger has been caught red handed!! This is the voicemail he left for his mistress in which he asked her to remove her name from her voicemail in fear that his WIFE might call her!!

SMH…oh Tiger. You might just be the worst cheater EVER!