Both sets of brothers met through their girlfriends in a place called Hidden Valley. Both sets of brothers would hear their songs played on the local gospel radio stations. Being 15 & 16 years old. Hormones were raging, wanting to be independent, and rebelling from the church was becoming a daily thing.
Wanting to stray away from gospel. The boys started recording songs at a local mall studio.Kind of like the one that was in the mall on The Fresh Prince when Vivian was recording for fun. DeVante became more focused on making this music thing a career.
So one day DeVante said "I'm out, i have to get out of North Carolina". Sure enough, that's what he did. De headed out to Minneapolis to get signed by Prince. Nothing really panned out like he wanted. De got to twist a few knobs on the studio console from time to time. But he realized that Prince was the only artist making any kind of real money. Being hungry an not wanting to give up on his career, DeVante headed back to North Carolina.
Returning from Minneapolis, De Dalvin K-Ci and JoJo worked on some R&B material. They recorded over 30 songs for a demo. At that time Uptown Records recording artist Guy was an inspiration to these young boys. One night, the fellas were brainstorming to come up with a group name. DeVante came up with the name JoDeCi (JoJo DeGrate K-Ci).
With nothing to lose. The boys gathered up $300 and headed up to NYC to get a record deal by a major label. They didn't care how long it was going to take. Going back to Charlotte wasn't an option. Jodeci's first stop was Uptown Records on Clinton St. in Brooklyn. Not sure how the events went down in that office. First, i heard Heavy D played their tape and Andre Harrell wasn't hearing it. Second , i heard that Andre and Jeff Redd were arguing downstairs and they heard Jodeci singing upstairs. When Andre went upstairs, he told them to sing again. It doesn't matter what the story was, Jodeci got signed that day.
Getting signed to Uptown was like being signed to Motown in the 60's. Andre sent Jodeci to his apartment in the Bronx to stay, toughen them up, and get them some street swag. Coming from the backwoods of North Carolina , the boys were nervous staying in the Bronx. Once they were given equipment to record, the boys became more comfortable and things started to flow.
The first album Jodeci recorded was Forever My Lady. Some song on the 30 song demo they came to Uptown with were redone , and polished. They recorded new songs that weren't from the demo. Jodeci's song "Gotta Love " was their first single [ That song was originally written for Dave Hollister (K-Ci & JoJo's cousin)]. That single did well on the charts. It wasn't until their second single "Forever My Lady" that Jodeci started getting noticed. It hit #1 on the Billboard charts. Three other singles were released "Stay", "Come & Talk To Me" and "I'm Still Waiting"(Which was also supposed to be for Dave Hollister). With all these singles and a Puff Daddy (he was like the 5th member of Jodeci) remix charting high. Forever My Lady was certified 3x Platinum.
Jodeci started to become known as the bad boys of r&b. Puff Daddy even said "They remind me of regular street guys who would sing to your lady up in Harlem". Wardrobe stylist Sybil Pennix also gave them that street edge swag with the long baggy clothes, starter caps, and Timbs.
On their second album Diary Of A Mad Band they showed how mad they really were. DeVante went in a different direction in production on this album. He stayed away from solo instrumentation used on the first album by adding a collective of musicians. De knew what the listener was craving. In 1992-93 Dr Dre's The Chronic & Snoop Doggy Dogg's Doggystyle were popular in the streets and on the airwaves. DeVante grabbed Prince Alexander (flute), Timbaland (DJ scratches and samples), and other musicians Darryl Pearson, Jamie Hawkins, Lamar Mitchell, and Regi Moore. A new type of Hip Hop/Soul was born with a mix of G-Funk,Soul, Funk, and East Coast Hip Hop.
DeVante was also signing new artists off the street like Playa, Missy Elliot, Timbaland &Magoo, Dante Hawkins ect... This collective was first known as the 45-4 Q Click, Swing Mob, and Da Bassment Crew (which was the last collective name used).
With the sophomore album jinx looming over Jodeci's head. The Mad Band created a memorable sophomore masterpiece. The first single "Cry For You" (which sounded like a left over track that was passed on the first album) climbed the charts to #15 on the Billboard chart. Two other released singles "Feenin" and "What About Us" charted well. Diary Of A Mad Band went 2x Platinum.
Jodeci seemed to be on a roll stamping their grooves on the red light district with their freaky deekey bad boy persona. Their third album was appropriately titled The Show, The After Party, The Hotel. They were all the places you would find baby mama's, groupies, church girls, and sex fiends looking for that Jodecidal fix. The album opened up the freak in all of us. It wore down mattresses down to the box spring, created more O's than a box of Cheerios, and birthed half of the children in the modern world.
The first single off this album is Freek N U", a straight forward seductive groove to get your panties soaked or dropped. Other singles released were "Love U 4 Life" (a prelude to K-Ci & JoJo's "All My Life") and "Get On Up" . The album peaked at #2 on the Top 200 Billboard albums. The album went platinum ( I personally thought this album should have went diamond)
Jodeci is back with a new single "Nobody Wins" (their first single since 1995).
A new Jodeci album is ready for a February date..
Derek DeGrate & Digital Black of Playa blend interview ....
TB: Was there production by DeVante on the Playa album that didn't make the cut?
Black of Playa: Actually, we did a duet with K-Ci & JoJo we called it "Count On You". Me, Static and DeVante wrote it. DeVante produced it...
TB: Do you have it in the crates somewhere?
Black of Playa: I heard it at Def Jam but it never surfaced
TB: I bet u wish you could get that track?
Black of Playa: Definitely...Well on my new album , i talked to K-Ci about doing a new track. Jodeci is on tour right now. Still look forward to doing a collab with him.
TB: Who are your influences musically?
Derek DeGrate: My influences of course is my father the Rev. Don Degrate, Dalvin, and DeVante. Also i would have to say Marvin Winans who is a fan of my Dad's. Outside of gospel would be Stevie Wonder, Prince,LL Cool J and Michael Jackson.
TB: Who are you currently working with on your album or other projects?
Derek DeGrate: A girl named Anessa Vee, a local kid who sang in The Lion King, and Justin DeGrate.
TB: You did some production on the Jodeci song "Fun 2 Nite"
Derek Degrate: I wrote the part, but somebody played it on the album
TB: Are you going to put out a family gospel album with your brothers?
Derek DeGrate: Yeah, we are working on some tracks for an album
TB: When is the Jodeci coming out with a new album
Dereke DeGrate: I know they finished up the album. It should be out real soon. They're touring too.
(Me and Derek recorded a track called "Suite 20" in Gastonia,NC . We also conversed about the Jodeci history , 2pac, Madonna while we ate Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Charlotte..
Comments ,quotes, and questions about Jodeci.....
Diggy Darlin aka ThatsJustDarlin: Ah DeVante.. I would say this was maybe 2009 I was in the parking lot of a gas station pumping gas when I said "hm.. I want some chips" so the gas clicked which snapped me back into reality I quickly went to pay for my gas and buy a bag of lays potato chips.. Why not buy something to drink to wash it off lol So I head to the back and I see this man talking on the phone.. His head was down and he had a cap on not a baseball cap but you know the caps he wears lol I'm like he looks familiar but I can't- then he turns and I see the tattoo on his face at that moment I'm like either this guy is DeVante or I'm tripping lol so I try not to stare and keep my face in the freezer because I'm shy lol he walks beside me opens the freezer and says "Hey How you doing" say that in his voice.. I was so nervous I was like hey I'm- doing good De- DeVante right? Lol and he grabbed his drink and with a smirk and little laugh he said "yeah lol" I kept my cool I'm like "ok cool" but In my mind I'm like don't say nothing stupid lol So we converse as we head to the counter I tell him how I admire his music he says he likes my shoes lol! and he picks up something else I almost forgot to ask for a picture but I was too scared so I finally asked lol and he says "come on" now he was smelling good! But that's another story we snapped some pictures thanks to the cashier who was confused I don't think she knew who he was lol but I made sure I was close lol and I'm still in shock that I met DeVante lol I told him it was nice to meet him and he said "same to you baby" lol I wanted to cry of joy. Lol
TB: I want that Jodeci ring
Reyonce: I tried to keep it, but Dalvin and Justin were like nah..lol
TB: Would you work with DeVante
Dre of Code 3: I would love to work with him
(DeVante sampled "Humpin N Bumpin by Code 3)
Here is "Freek N U 2" by Dre of Code 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nUzLLT1Mi0
TB: Did you and DeVante produce "Bad Boy Killaz" by 2pac
Kurt Kobane: Yessir
Bad Boy Killaz- 2pac
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm9Hjow9y1g
"I'm working on reconnecting with DeVante right now. I feel me and De can re-energize R&B"- quote Kurt Kobane (from another internet source)
TB: DeVante gotta stop sittin on them beats for a Jodeci album
Maddi Madd: I know, i'm worried about'em
TB: Is De alright confidence wise?
Maddi Madd: Yeah, he's good...Musically he's a genius
"K-Ci & JoJo will tell you [We don't sing anything without DeVante because he arranges all of our stuff on our albums]"- quote from DeVante (from another internet source)
It goes to show right there, that K-Ci & JoJo albums is a Jodeci effort, and i am sure Dalvin has input too.
JODECI: WE ARE BACK (unreleased songs courtesy of ASCAP)
1. Bullet Through The Backseat*
2. Do It Like This
3. U Got That Thang- Feat. Trick Daddy
4. Every Moment
5. Slip-N-Fall (released on K-Ci & JoJo's X album)*
6. A-Yo
7. Call Me
8. Activate- Feat. Aaron Hall*
9. Candy Girl
10. Gold Digga *
11. Control
12. Bout It *
13. Dream U
14. If I Had The Chance
15. Fire *
16. In My Hair
17. Keep Telling Me
18. Ladies & Ghettoman -feat. Petey Pablo
19. Let Me Know
20. Peep My Flo
21. Pink Negligee- Feat. Mya
22. Rescue Me
23. Royal Tones- Feat. Stevie J & Mariah Carey
24. Secret Getaway *
25. Jodeci Bounce (new song heard in London at a Jodeci concert)
26. Come Home
27. Just For Love
28. G Sh*t - feat The Dogg Pound
29 BG-O?
30. Sweat It
31. Jennifer
32. Jump On It(Jodeci remix)- Trina (heard on Baka Boyz)
As you can see Jodeci is sitting on a vault of tracks unreleased....
Songs that have a * next to it are songs that were on Jodeci's 4th album when K-Ci & JoJo released the X DVD. Someone overseas had the 4th Jodeci album on Region II of the DVD released. But according to the label it got taken off shelves. Same thing happened to Jodeci's Greatest Hits album . "U Got That Thang" w/ Trick Daddy got taken off due to label disputes.
JODECI: 2014 AD (Inet 6 New Years Eve radio show- mixed by Trevor Banks .[FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY]
1. Nobody Wins Domestic Violence PSA
2. Still Waiting (prod. by DeVante)
3. New York,New York (unreleased)- Heavy D [This song was recorded with Jodeci before Forever My Lady]
4. U Got That Thang Interlude- Feat. Trick Daddy
5. What Am I Gonna Do (prod. by Darryl Pearson)
6. Body- Maddi Madd/Jodeci
7. Get Back
8. Slip N Fall
9. Holla Back (DJ Quik remix)- Maddi Madd/Jodeci
10. Quik's Groove 7- DJ Quik /Jodeci
11. Dangerous (background vocals: Smoke E Digglera of Playa)
12. You'll Know (unreleased)- Jodeci/Mary J Blige/ Stevie Wonder
13. Wildside (rare B-Side remix)- Feat. LL Cool J
14. Come Up To My Room- Feat. The Dogg Pound
15. You Bring Me Up (Mr Dalvin Remix)- feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg
https://www.hulkshare.com/inet6thestar/jodecinyrsmix
4 Tha Love Of Jodeci Radio Show - Mixed by Trevor Banks w/guest DJ Butter [FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY]
1. How About Now- Drake
2. DJ Butter drop/ Real- Trae/Slim Thug / Plies
3. Leather So Soft- Lil Wayne/ Birdman
4. Neighborhood Hoe (rare original track)- Three Six Mafia
5. Leave Drank Alone- Z-Ro/Lil O
6. You're Everything- Bun B/ 8 Ball & MJG/David Banner/ Rick Ross
7. Right Here For You- 112
8. Lonely- Tank/ Chris Brown
9. Bedroom Music- Ace Hood
10. Party Ain't A Party- Keyshia Cole
11. Make It Last All Night- Mariah Carey
12. Infatuated- Static Major
13. Juicy- Pretty Ricky
14. Believe- David Banner/ Big K.R.I.T.
(all these songs sampled Jodeci. DeVante gets royalties from these songs. Remember DE made 2 Pac's "No More Pain" which the album went diamond, you do the math on royalties for Jodeci. As the saying goes NOBODY CAN F*CK WIT JODECI...
https://www.hulkshare.com/inet6thestar/4thaloveofjodecimix
OTHER JODECI RELATED ITEMS
1. Inet 6 Da Bassment Crew Pinterest
http://www.pinterest.com/trevstar6/da-bassment-crew/
2. DeVin Hailey - Home Invasion (Mixtape) [K-Ci's son]
http://www.datpiff.com/Devin-Hailey-Home-Invasion-mixtape.371453.html
3. Stevie J (of Da Bassment Interview)
http://inet6thestar.blogspot.com/2012/09/inet6-news.html
4. Da Bassment Interview Pt1 & 2
http://inet6thestar.blogspot.com/2014/11/jp-lime-skippy-blancos-misc.html
http://inet6thestar.blogspot.com/2014/10/da-bassment-20-year-anniversary.html
5. Ricco Barrino Mixtape
http://www.datpiff.com/Ricco-Barrino-Rb-Sensation-Vol-39-mixtape.512686.html
Shoutouts to Aaliyah Archives, Fuzzy Beard Show, Cassandra Mills, Abbey Road, and Promise (Magoo's son), Demetrius Mosley, Lebrado, Ape Gang, Quincy, CJ Wallace and anyone i forgot we'll catch you next time...MUCH LOVE TO ALL MY JODECI FANS
Derek DeGrate & Digital Black of Playa blend interview ....
TB: Was there production by DeVante on the Playa album that didn't make the cut?
Black of Playa: Actually, we did a duet with K-Ci & JoJo we called it "Count On You". Me, Static and DeVante wrote it. DeVante produced it...
TB: Do you have it in the crates somewhere?
Black of Playa: I heard it at Def Jam but it never surfaced
TB: I bet u wish you could get that track?
Black of Playa: Definitely...Well on my new album , i talked to K-Ci about doing a new track. Jodeci is on tour right now. Still look forward to doing a collab with him.
TB: Who are your influences musically?
Derek DeGrate: My influences of course is my father the Rev. Don Degrate, Dalvin, and DeVante. Also i would have to say Marvin Winans who is a fan of my Dad's. Outside of gospel would be Stevie Wonder, Prince,LL Cool J and Michael Jackson.
TB: Who are you currently working with on your album or other projects?
Derek DeGrate: A girl named Anessa Vee, a local kid who sang in The Lion King, and Justin DeGrate.
TB: You did some production on the Jodeci song "Fun 2 Nite"
Derek Degrate: I wrote the part, but somebody played it on the album
TB: Are you going to put out a family gospel album with your brothers?
Derek DeGrate: Yeah, we are working on some tracks for an album
TB: When is the Jodeci coming out with a new album
Dereke DeGrate: I know they finished up the album. It should be out real soon. They're touring too.
(Me and Derek recorded a track called "Suite 20" in Gastonia,NC . We also conversed about the Jodeci history , 2pac, Madonna while we ate Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Charlotte..
Comments ,quotes, and questions about Jodeci.....
Diggy Darlin aka ThatsJustDarlin: Ah DeVante.. I would say this was maybe 2009 I was in the parking lot of a gas station pumping gas when I said "hm.. I want some chips" so the gas clicked which snapped me back into reality I quickly went to pay for my gas and buy a bag of lays potato chips.. Why not buy something to drink to wash it off lol So I head to the back and I see this man talking on the phone.. His head was down and he had a cap on not a baseball cap but you know the caps he wears lol I'm like he looks familiar but I can't- then he turns and I see the tattoo on his face at that moment I'm like either this guy is DeVante or I'm tripping lol so I try not to stare and keep my face in the freezer because I'm shy lol he walks beside me opens the freezer and says "Hey How you doing" say that in his voice.. I was so nervous I was like hey I'm- doing good De- DeVante right? Lol and he grabbed his drink and with a smirk and little laugh he said "yeah lol" I kept my cool I'm like "ok cool" but In my mind I'm like don't say nothing stupid lol So we converse as we head to the counter I tell him how I admire his music he says he likes my shoes lol! and he picks up something else I almost forgot to ask for a picture but I was too scared so I finally asked lol and he says "come on" now he was smelling good! But that's another story we snapped some pictures thanks to the cashier who was confused I don't think she knew who he was lol but I made sure I was close lol and I'm still in shock that I met DeVante lol I told him it was nice to meet him and he said "same to you baby" lol I wanted to cry of joy. Lol
TB: I want that Jodeci ring
Reyonce: I tried to keep it, but Dalvin and Justin were like nah..lol
TB: Would you work with DeVante
Dre of Code 3: I would love to work with him
(DeVante sampled "Humpin N Bumpin by Code 3)
Here is "Freek N U 2" by Dre of Code 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nUzLLT1Mi0
TB: Did you and DeVante produce "Bad Boy Killaz" by 2pac
Kurt Kobane: Yessir
Bad Boy Killaz- 2pac
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm9Hjow9y1g
"I'm working on reconnecting with DeVante right now. I feel me and De can re-energize R&B"- quote Kurt Kobane (from another internet source)
TB: DeVante gotta stop sittin on them beats for a Jodeci album
Maddi Madd: I know, i'm worried about'em
TB: Is De alright confidence wise?
Maddi Madd: Yeah, he's good...Musically he's a genius
"K-Ci & JoJo will tell you [We don't sing anything without DeVante because he arranges all of our stuff on our albums]"- quote from DeVante (from another internet source)
It goes to show right there, that K-Ci & JoJo albums is a Jodeci effort, and i am sure Dalvin has input too.
JODECI: WE ARE BACK (unreleased songs courtesy of ASCAP)
1. Bullet Through The Backseat*
2. Do It Like This
3. U Got That Thang- Feat. Trick Daddy
4. Every Moment
5. Slip-N-Fall (released on K-Ci & JoJo's X album)*
6. A-Yo
7. Call Me
8. Activate- Feat. Aaron Hall*
9. Candy Girl
10. Gold Digga *
11. Control
12. Bout It *
13. Dream U
14. If I Had The Chance
15. Fire *
16. In My Hair
17. Keep Telling Me
18. Ladies & Ghettoman -feat. Petey Pablo
19. Let Me Know
20. Peep My Flo
21. Pink Negligee- Feat. Mya
22. Rescue Me
23. Royal Tones- Feat. Stevie J & Mariah Carey
24. Secret Getaway *
25. Jodeci Bounce (new song heard in London at a Jodeci concert)
26. Come Home
27. Just For Love
28. G Sh*t - feat The Dogg Pound
29 BG-O?
30. Sweat It
31. Jennifer
32. Jump On It(Jodeci remix)- Trina (heard on Baka Boyz)
As you can see Jodeci is sitting on a vault of tracks unreleased....
Songs that have a * next to it are songs that were on Jodeci's 4th album when K-Ci & JoJo released the X DVD. Someone overseas had the 4th Jodeci album on Region II of the DVD released. But according to the label it got taken off shelves. Same thing happened to Jodeci's Greatest Hits album . "U Got That Thang" w/ Trick Daddy got taken off due to label disputes.
JODECI: 2014 AD (Inet 6 New Years Eve radio show- mixed by Trevor Banks .[FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY]
2. Still Waiting (prod. by DeVante)
3. New York,New York (unreleased)- Heavy D [This song was recorded with Jodeci before Forever My Lady]
4. U Got That Thang Interlude- Feat. Trick Daddy
5. What Am I Gonna Do (prod. by Darryl Pearson)
6. Body- Maddi Madd/Jodeci
7. Get Back
8. Slip N Fall
9. Holla Back (DJ Quik remix)- Maddi Madd/Jodeci
10. Quik's Groove 7- DJ Quik /Jodeci
11. Dangerous (background vocals: Smoke E Digglera of Playa)
12. You'll Know (unreleased)- Jodeci/Mary J Blige/ Stevie Wonder
13. Wildside (rare B-Side remix)- Feat. LL Cool J
14. Come Up To My Room- Feat. The Dogg Pound
15. You Bring Me Up (Mr Dalvin Remix)- feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg
https://www.hulkshare.com/inet6thestar/jodecinyrsmix
4 Tha Love Of Jodeci Radio Show - Mixed by Trevor Banks w/guest DJ Butter [FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY]
1. How About Now- Drake
2. DJ Butter drop/ Real- Trae/Slim Thug / Plies
3. Leather So Soft- Lil Wayne/ Birdman
4. Neighborhood Hoe (rare original track)- Three Six Mafia
5. Leave Drank Alone- Z-Ro/Lil O
6. You're Everything- Bun B/ 8 Ball & MJG/David Banner/ Rick Ross
7. Right Here For You- 112
8. Lonely- Tank/ Chris Brown
9. Bedroom Music- Ace Hood
10. Party Ain't A Party- Keyshia Cole
11. Make It Last All Night- Mariah Carey
12. Infatuated- Static Major
13. Juicy- Pretty Ricky
14. Believe- David Banner/ Big K.R.I.T.
(all these songs sampled Jodeci. DeVante gets royalties from these songs. Remember DE made 2 Pac's "No More Pain" which the album went diamond, you do the math on royalties for Jodeci. As the saying goes NOBODY CAN F*CK WIT JODECI...
https://www.hulkshare.com/inet6thestar/4thaloveofjodecimix
OTHER JODECI RELATED ITEMS
1. Inet 6 Da Bassment Crew Pinterest
http://www.pinterest.com/trevstar6/da-bassment-crew/
2. DeVin Hailey - Home Invasion (Mixtape) [K-Ci's son]
http://www.datpiff.com/Devin-Hailey-Home-Invasion-mixtape.371453.html
3. Stevie J (of Da Bassment Interview)
http://inet6thestar.blogspot.com/2012/09/inet6-news.html
4. Da Bassment Interview Pt1 & 2
http://inet6thestar.blogspot.com/2014/11/jp-lime-skippy-blancos-misc.html
http://inet6thestar.blogspot.com/2014/10/da-bassment-20-year-anniversary.html
5. Ricco Barrino Mixtape
http://www.datpiff.com/Ricco-Barrino-Rb-Sensation-Vol-39-mixtape.512686.html
Shoutouts to Aaliyah Archives, Fuzzy Beard Show, Cassandra Mills, Abbey Road, and Promise (Magoo's son), Demetrius Mosley, Lebrado, Ape Gang, Quincy, CJ Wallace and anyone i forgot we'll catch you next time...MUCH LOVE TO ALL MY JODECI FANS
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