Ladies love Raheem DeVaughn, and it’s not hard to see why. The self-proclaimed “Love King,” lives up to the title, delivering sensual tracks with his velvety smooth vocals. The D.C. raised crooner blessed the the Windy City on October 15, along with veteran songbird Leela James and rising superstar V. Bozeman from Empire fame for his 30-city Love N’ Soul Experience tour.
The Grammy nominated singer wooed the packed Portage Theater, vocally seducing screeching female fans with his signature, mellow smooth stage presence.
But behind his cucumber cool demeanor and incredibly charming smile, DeVaughn is more than an artist. A dedicated philanthropic leader, the Jersey native prides himself on his LoveLife Foundation, dedicated to youth education, HIV/AIDS research and domestic violence prevention. Throughout the tour, DeVaughn and his organization host a “Queen for a Day” campaign; a day of majestic pampering.
We caught up with the “Queen” singer during his Chicago stop as he talked on what fans can expect from the tour, new music, and what he looks for in a woman. – Angela Wilson (@SheisAngela)
The Source: What can fans expect from your Love N’ Soul Experience tour?
Raheem DeVaughn: A lot of energy, ironically some compare me to a rapper with the energy on stage. It’s theatrical at times, and a lot of music- I’ve been performing for a decade now so that’s a blessing.
Out of your five albums, which is your favorite?
I think my new one [Love Sex Passion, 2015] is one of my favorites, probably neck and neck with The Love and War Masterpiece (2010). I feel like The Love and War Masterpiece was one of my best albums until this [last] album come out. The first one always has sentimental value, but now I listen to that one like, ‘Aww man, I could have sang this different.’ I sounded way different as a vocalist.
What can fans expect from you the rest of this year?
I got two projects I’ve been working on. One is a hip hop soul group called Crossroads; myself and my partner Wes Felton. It’s like a male version of Floetry, meets The Last Poets meet Dead Prez. In that project we got poetry, spoken word, soulful singing, hot 16, hot 24 rhymes and real dope organic production.
I got a sixth album recorded. I’m constantly recording for myself. I don’t have a title for the album yet. But I’m working on songwriting- I can’t say for who, don’t want to jinx myself, but it’s for a very well known R&B female singer. Keeping my fingers crossed on that project. Last project I wrote on was Jamie Foxx and Usher and I was apart of The Roots last album, had two features, as well as one of the writers on there.
V. Bozeman and I been talking about working on something together, she’s really dope.
They don’t have her name on the marquee, and I hate they do the opening acts like that. It’s apart of paying your dues as a new act, but just know we have nothing to do with that as the main act. She’s on the entire tour, and people have been showing up on time. It’s great exposure for her on her first major tour.
And Leela’s a vet- it’s an all around great show.
As you look back over your career, do you have any regrets?
I would’ve signed Wale! [laughs] I would’ve bet the bank on him. It’s a couple of them, but I would’ve signed him and made sure I was involved in that more. It’s funny now, but real talk him and myself are actually partnering doing some business together and developing different artists. One being Phil Ade, my hip hop artist, who’s doing extremely well right now. Shout out to Phil, who’s one hell of a song writer, artist and MC. He’s been on hiatus, but he’s been doing wonderful things.
I have another wonderful new artist that’s doing extremely well, Chaz French. Chaz already has one project out now, Struggles That Made Us, with a new project coming soon; Sound Cloud jumping with over a million views.
Another regret is I would’ve became embedded in the music scene earlier. I support everybody and we put on for the city, [but] had I been a rapper it would’ve been through the roof, but I let the rappers do what they do and I do what I do. It’s all a reflection of where we come from.
I think I’ve would been more aggressive in the early stages of social media as well. I think I’ve done a great job with keeping my brand alive, but in the beginning stages, I was a late bloomer. It’s the wave now- a great way of being hands on with fans.
What do you look for in a woman?
I used to say I don’t have a type, but I actually do have a type; we have to have a spiritual connection. A woman that doesn’t require a lot of makeup, who knows she’s beautiful with or without makeup on. Hygiene is always a must- pretty white smile and I’ll take some dimples. For me personally, I like meat on my bones- a woman definitely in shape and take care of herself physically and mentally.
I used to value different things, but now I value great conversations. I feel like if your kickin’ it with somebody you need to think about some long term goals; they need to feel like your best friend.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done for love?
Craziest thing I’ve done for love is write a song.
Tell us about your foundation, LoveLife.
The LoveLife Foundation takes a stance against domestic violence, against women in particular. In 10 cities on this tour, we’re doing “Queen for a Day” spa takeovers. In each city we partner with the domestic violence shelters and pamper 20-25 women that have made a stance to change their life and tell their story on film, allowing us to upload it to social media. And that’s not just for the month, but for the entire year amongst other things, [such as] education, health and wellness.
We gave away four scholarships this year, paying for kids first year of college, books and supplies for the entire year. Hopefully we’ll be able to cover the entire tuition- one of my personal goals following the footsteps of Tom Joyner and all the wonderful people he’s put through college and HBCUs. I wish I could’ve done [things like this] earlier in my career, but everything is about timing. You can’t help others until you help yourself, and now I’m in a position to help others.
How can fans get involved?
The fans are involved! Believe it or not, they finance everything. How we raise the majority of the money for the tours and do scholarships and the money we put back into the community comes from the fans.
I give them an opportunity to take pictures with me after the shows for donations, which is a tax write off. And we take the money and put it back into the community, starting of course at home then expanding nationally. We’re feeding the homeless, [providing] education and hitting the ground running!
Check below for the remaining Love N’ Soul Experience tour dates.
October 21, 2015 – Boston, MA – Wilbur Theatre
October 22, 2015 – Philadelphia, PA – TLA
October 23, 2015 – New York, NY – Apollo Theater
October 24, 2015 – Washington, DC – Warner Theater
October 25, 2015 – Baltimore, MD – Ram’s Head Live
October 27, 2015 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
October 29, 2015 – Norfolk, VA -The Norva
October 30, 2015 – Winston Salem, NC – Lawrence Joel Vet. Memorial Coliseum
November 1, 2015 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore
November 4, 2015 – Baton Rouge, LA – Varsity Theatre
November 5, 2015 – New Orleans, LA – House Of Blues
November 6, 2015 – Houston, TX – House Of Blues
November 7, 2015 – Dallas, TX – House Of Blues
November 12, 2015 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
November 13, 2015 – Los Angeles, CA – Club Nokia
To purchase your tickets, click here!
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