Raheem DeVaughn

Raheem DeVaughn (born 5 May 1975), Newark, New Jersey. Specialising as a singer, songwriter, and producer, he is often characterised by his synthesis of neo-soul, R&B, and jazz influences, occasionally performing under the aliases Chronkite or Rahiem.

Early Life

DeVaughn was born into a musical family, the son of the jazz cellist Abdul Wadud and Imani Smith, a federal worker. Raised primarily in Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland, he exhibited an affinity for music in preschool and solidified his career ambitions during his early teens. His childhood influences included artists such as Babyface, and he gained early exposure to the lifestyle of a working musician while visiting his father in New Jersey. After graduating from High Point High School in Beltsville, Maryland, he attended Coppin State University. During his early college career, an encounter with street-corner singers in Baltimore led him to focus on music professionally, frequently recording and writing lyrics in lieu of attending formal classes.

Career

While employed at Tower Records, DeVaughn became a fixture of the Washington, D.C. music circuit, performing with the group Urbanave31 and at venues such as Bar Nun. After winning a local talent show, he was introduced to managers Cliff Jones and Jerry Vines, eventually signing with Jive Records in 2002. His debut album, The Love Experience (2005), peaked at number 46 on the US Billboard 200 and featured the singles "Guess Who Loves You More" and "You". His 2008 follow-up, Love Behind the Melody, earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for the single "Woman". His second nomination followed in 2009 for Best R&B Song for "Customer", and he received a third nomination in 2011 for Best R&B Album for The Love & War MasterPeace. Throughout his career, he has remained highly involved in his own marketing, utilising street-team tactics and aliases to build his brand.

Personal Life

DeVaughn is a cousin of the singer Chrisette Michele, a familial bond that has translated into a significant professional and philanthropic partnership. The pair frequently leverage their shared platform for collaborative community work, with Michele often headlining DeVaughn’s annual holiday charity concerts to benefit his LoveLife Foundation. This non-profit organisation is dedicated to social development, education, and health awareness, including domestic violence prevention and HIV/AIDS advocacy. DeVaughn’s professional legacy is defined by this commitment to activism alongside his self-described "R&B hippie neo-soul rock star" persona. He remains an active presence in the D.C. metropolitan area, where he first established his musical and humanitarian foundations.

Current Activities

The artist is currently engaged in an extensive 2026 touring itinerary, including several high-profile theatre dates and festival appearances across North America. He continues to manage his independent imprint, DeVaughn Multimedia Group, which focuses on the distribution of new soul music and collaborative projects. His current schedule includes various live engagements such as performances at the Cancún Jazz Festival and multiple theatre dates in the United States. Managed by his own production and representation teams, Raheem DeVaughn is currently engaged in several high-profile projects, including the continued expansion of his foundation's regional outreach and the development of new recorded material.