The Evolution of a Music Maestro: Raheem DeVaughn Talks Career, State of Male R&B & Business Journey at #EssenceFest

Since his mainstream debut in 2005, Raheem DeVaughn has consistently delivered bops, reigned as a staple in R&B and has grown as an artist and businessman, all while becoming a DMV icon.

During Essence Fest Weekend, DeVaughn shared insights into his creative process over the years while touching on themes of love and social justice. Given his time in the industry, he remains as dedicated as ever.

“I’m still the same workhorse,” DeVaughn said, “I’m still the studio rat that I was 20, 30 years ago,” he said. The key difference now is his mastery, having put in his 10,000 hours. “I’ve grown. I’ve developed as a vocalist, as a songwriter, as an idealist, a creative and as a businessman. These are things that allow me to be able to work smarter, not harder. 

As his own CEO, DeVaughn said he’s always looking for new talent to support and collaborate with, offering guidance on navigating the industry.

An example of that is not only him working with newer artists, but actually backing them, like the project “Raheem DeVaughn Presents Raquel Ra Brown: There’s No Place Like Knowing.”

Starting in 2023, DeVaughn has released multiple projects: “Summer of Love,” “Fall in Love,” “Winter in Love,” “The Love King Quarantine Sessions,” and “Raheem DeVaughn Presents Raquel Ra Brown: There’s No Place Like Knowing.”

A few of the projects were released exclusively on even.biz, “a space where artists can share their work directly, providing fans with unique experiences while receiving better compensation for their creativity.”

His current single, “Let’s Fall in Love,” is currently top 10 on R&B radio and has been top 10 for eight weeks, and on the charts for over 20 weeks.

He also expressed optimism about the current state of men in R&B.

“I think it’s great,” DeVaughn said. “There’s a lot of great music out there. It’s just about what your purpose is and how you find it. It’s about how far you go down the rabbit hole. How do you outsource your music? How do you find it?”

As we continue into 2024, his focus remains on leveraging his experience to uplift others in the music world, ensuring that the legacy of R&B continues to thrive.