I guess it’s only human that you never forget your favorite artists. You’re in your youth, they’re in their prime and all the songs get attached to unique moments in your life when all the experiences were fresh and your outlook less jaded. Unfortunately, fame and fortune kills talent in a lot of cases.
One of my favorite groups back in the day had to be Jodeci. These days it’s normal for R&B singers to be thuggin’ with tattoos and lewd lyrics talking about guns but back in the day, that was reserved for rap. R&B singers, whether they were reformed criminals and drug addicts or not, would go get a haircut, buy some fresh clothes and sing songs of innuendo rather than sing raunchy sex lyrics.
Jodeci broke so many molds but they were also very talented. K-ci and JoJo (blood brothers) were the main vocalists while the DeGrate brothers, DeVante Swing and Mr. Dalvin (now Dalvin DeGrate) did the back ups along with song writing and production. K-ci and JoJo released a string of hit albums on their own and that’s probably how most people know about them today, but just to give you a taste of DeVante’s production talent and charisma, witness how he kills it on the piano
Just to give you a taste of the production talent.
The killer version:How do you go from this:
To this?
The official story is that K-ci and JoJo put out an album as a side project and the unexpected success of that put a Jodeci reunion on indefinite hiatus. While that’s mostly true it also steps aside the fact that most of them developed drug problems somewhere in between that period. Now 10 years later Jodeci is on the “Let’s Raise Money for Crack” tour trying to shop a new album.
Just check the evidence, you don’t get like this from just getting old. K-ci seriously looks like Dave Chappelle playing a crackhead. It’s almost scary.
I repeat, this is not a Dave Chappelle skit.
Then DeVante went and got a tattoo on his face. I mean, I could not make this up if I tried.
From flyness:
To Cracktastic:
Say what you want but getting a tattoo on your face is something reserved for drug addicts. Sad, because DeVante and his brother Dalvin were there not only for their musical production talent but to make up for K-ci and Jojo in the looks department as well (notice how prominently they feature in photos and album covers).
The way this seems to happen is that the artists get caught up in a vicious cycle and chewed up by the industry.
- Impoverished youths suddenly shoot to fame at a young age solely on musical talent, looks, and style
- Make more money than they and their whole family would normally see in a couple life times
- Get overworked and relatively underpaid.
- Go on TV
- Go on tour
- Get caught up in drugs and sex while on tour since they have no other life.
- Release another album
- Rinse and repeat from 3 if successful else go to next
- Realise at some point between album and tours that there’s not enough money to go around.
- Get in a squabble with the record company.
- Go on indefinite hiatus.
- Get released from contract once record company realizes you’re a washed up junkie with zero marketability.
- Start a reality TV series or go on a “comeback” tour to raise more money for crack.
- Then disappear for good.
I guess that’s why stars that die at a young age and in their prime have more passionate followers because they don’t have to see talent ruined by chronic drug use or see their favorite sex symbols get fat and bald. Plus these stars are surrounded by hangers on that constantly praise their every move instead of saying, “yo man, you look like a crack head and by the way your new song sucks donkey balls.” I mean if you get a packed club of 100 people screaming your name, it’s easy to ignore reality and pretend like people still want you.
All I can say is that the record companies got it down to a science where they bind young, hot stars to 5-year+ contracts and take away all the best years. It’s rare for stars to last so long like Madonna (who must do a lot of rejuvenating plastic surgery before ramping up an album), Janet Jackson (before the “wardrobe malfunction” and weight problem that never went away), or R. Kelly (I think he’s coming to the end of a good run).
Update 9/24/2010
The brothers are trying to “come clean” with their reality show fighting addiction. Let’s see how that goes!
Jodeci’s K-Ci & Jojo TV One Reality Show Premieres October | Clutch Magazine: The Digital Magazine for the Young, Contemporary Woman of Color
Devante might have a taoo on his face, but he still look good to me. He still look like himself the only difference is the tatoo. I always have considered devante being the sexiest of them all. Everytime I watch their videos from their hits like: “freakin you”, “cry for you”, and the oh! so sexy “feenin” when they showed him talking in the beginning of the video before k-ci started sing. I be like damn! Devante always been sexy then and still is that’s just my opinion. jodeci always been my favorite group eventhogh I love me some Devonte swing.
That is a real shame they were so good. But thanks for the laugh you are hillarious.
I may be the only person that feels really sorry for them.. I was their BIGGEST fan back in da day. They really need some help if they havent already done so. God bless them and i hope they are healthy. They should pray and ask God to help them with whatever it is that they are having trouble with.
So so very sad I had there poster all over my room I wordship them I still listen to there music now that’s what made me want to know what and how they are doing dam how sad and I will pray for u guys if ur still breating its not to late…....................lord bless them and help them find there faith in u again
To sad! Great article! Makes you wonder!
Showtime Touring still suck and so does Jodeci.
2 years on the anger still rages. Fuck any idiot that sticks up for these clowns. You are all sheep and followers.
It all comes full circle. I remember seeing aging stars from the disco era and before and wondering “who the hell ever bought this raggedy motherf**ka’s album?!?” Now teen-agers will say that about these raggedy motherf**ka’s.
Honestly, I don’t know what’s sadder; the abuse of opportunity and youth by Jodeci, or the abuse of the English language by the people leaving comments. I know we didn’t all graduate from, go to, (and by the looks of these replies) even PASS BY a college or university, but my people…... “We gotta do better y’all- for real.”
I think that Jodeci was a great group.I group up inthe 1990’s so they were the r&b group of my time but to be honestly truthful K-Ci was always the sexy one to me!
I am a Jodeci fan for life. Every one makes mistakes. The only thing that is important is you learn from those mistakes and don’t make the same mistake twice. I wonder how we would feel if all our faults were made public and put out there for everyone to see…”Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”.
First of all who cares about how a person look? If you have enough money you can look how ever you wish. So, focusing on that is straight up STUPID. If it were not for K-CI and JO JO there would not have been a Jodeci. They are the talent and this is why they were able to do so well. Stop judging people look at your self and self judge. Why are you spending time to speak down on two brothers that may have falling on hard times. Why not encourage them to get up so that we may have music again that we want to listen to 10 years from now. Because trust me there isn’t much being made. I don’t know what K Ci and Jo JO do on there time but I do know of some real crack heads in my own back yard that I can focus on rather than focusing on K Ci and Jo Jo. Don’t try to put them down let’s lift them up. Also, many many people in the industry abuse drugs one way or another. So, don’t discriminate drug abuse is DRUG ABUSE.
K-Ci and Jo Jo both bring something great to the stage and I can’t wait to see them. But what I want to get across to those of you who have judged these guys is that they are moving forward and as they do we need to support them.
They made several mistakes. Learn from them. I pray that they will have much success. God is loving and forgiving. Keep in moving!
Prayer, a lot of prayer. They are good singers, and most important they are HUMAN and they are people. The only different is they are in the view of our eyes. It’s not about riden on them, or being a follower it is about the music that was given to us by good artist. We want to see good in everyone or just that person, but remember they are HUMAN, just as the man upstairs who gave u breath, who had given you eyes to see, and a heart to feel, is the the same man who made mistake as well. So stop judging and give them prayers, becuz one day that could be you, or a family member or a friend or even someone from your past. Stop taking away from these musician as if they are not entitle to make mistake. Can you look in the mirror and say you have not done a thing that was wrong, or was addicted to something or someone that you just did not know how to get out of it. Lets be real about what we see,that is out there in the world. We help build Jodice, we help pay for the career and where they are today, so your going to take that away from them, and not give them a word of PRAYER. I continue to hope to pray to see all of them strive to beat their demons and become a better man, a better father, a better friend, a better brother, a better husband, and last butnot least THE MAN THAT THEY ARE TO BE TODAY, not yesterday. Wheter it be Jodeci or K-Ci and JoJo, or Silk or Boyz to Men or wheter it be Lil Wayne, and Drake, they are people, good people> I’m no follower, I’m a person who loves music, and to know that it hurts to see when you have good musician who is hurting, and dealing with their demons, it show that they are human, and they are going need our support the same way we support them when they were singing, it would be the same as if they were not singing. Stay intune to what you give out in the music world, the same way you put into the music world.
Fuck what this nigga talking bout jodeci was the shit!!i hate judgemental mutha f**`s those usually the ones that got skeletons in there closet and far as the industry goes if you got talent you will always have talent the industry is just some band wagon jumping muthaf**“s they wanna roll with whats hot and fresh there”s no loyality that why i got so much respect fo the nigga”s in the rap game cause they runnin shit
I have to agree with the writer of the article above, Whatever Happened to Jodeci? This is so sad but true. Yes we do not want to judge celebrities and the media does follow them everywhere they go; however age does not have you looking that sad and tired. The evidence is right there in front of our faces. I really liked Jodeci growing up, especially Devante. But looking at the photo of him today along with the YouTube video of him drunk at the subway is just terrible. He was a pin up on my wall at 12 years old, one of those heartthrobs that you look at and want to marry some day. And now this is what his life has come to? SAD. Not all celebrities become drug addicts but when they do, and with as much talent as this group has, real fans need to let them know; “Look, you guys are sooo freakin talented, but you look like Shit!!” Pleease get it together so you can take over the world again and bless us with great music!
Work. Hard. To stay clean.and soon enough. You guys will have a sold out concert.you all are still a great team.do not let anyone.get to you guys. DOWN EVERYONE DESERVES A SECO CHANCE.
Work. Hard. To stay clean.and soon enough. You guys will have a sold out concert.you all are still a great team.do not let anyone.get to you guys. DOWN EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE.
I must say that this is a classic story of the rise and fall of an artist(S). I think that the story has been written but can have a different ending if they all can find the strength to fight their addictions and win the battle. I am rooting for them to come through this storm. They were one of my favorite groups back in the 90’s listening to their music brings back great memories of that time period. I wish them all the best.
I agree with Secrets. Also, I applaud these young men because they’re a lot of people who don’t acknowledge their downfalls and don’t want help. They acknowledge their demons and working on getting better. I’m in their corner and pray that they will succeed again.
They have done what they’ve done, I give them so much respect for at least asking and getting the help they so very much needed. But very proud that they are owning it and dealing with their problem.. which is a very good thing!! So much love and happiness to know you guys are back !! keep the FAITH LOVE !!
I”m proud of anyone that’s able to first recognize that they have a problem ( what ever the problem) , and then make the necessary steps to fix the problem. Life can change in a second, I’m just so thankful that God is in the second, and third chance business. Proud of K-Ci & JoJo for getting up and not staying in the darkness, God continue to bless them
I think who ever wrote this article needs to go examine his own self and leave them alone. We all have problems and who didn’t use drugs before. Another thing, the pics were 20 years old as they came out when they were teenagers and they are now like 40 years old. And I watched the show and guess what…..they still can blow so watch ya mouth talkin bout my favorite group of all time….They are truly the KINGS OF R&B!!!! In the words of K-Ci….Don’t kick a man when he’s down unless you helpin him back up!!!
OH YEA JOEDCI KCI AN JOJO IS THE BEST MALE GROUP THAT EVERY CAME OUT TOO ME…PLEASE PLEASE PUT OUT ANOTHER CD
love you guys.
I agree with all of you we shouldn’t judge them, just because they have fallen on hard times. I also agree with the author, they were an amazing group. I may be young, but like so many others, I grew up listening to Jodeci. I was and still am a huge fan of their music. In fact I’m listening to ‘love you for life’ right now. I want so much to see a Jodeci reunion. I watched Kci&Jojo come clean. I think they can make it being sober and come out with great music. I pray for them, that they are able to recover from their addictions. But this article basically is right, especially about the music business. So many artist go into the music business with high hopes and everything goes well for awhile. But how many stories have you heard of an artist who had an amazing career and probably still does but they have a drug problem. In my opinion the music business is not always a clean business. I love Jodeci and always will. I will keep them in my prayers. And by the way I think they are all sexy…...but I have to agree with Classy, I love me some Devante Swing.
Man i was just visiting a good friend in Houston and we ran across that old Jodeci and it was still the bomb. i mean these guys really made an impact on my life back in the day. Picture this, Florida, the Navy,Fresh on the scene, the ladies everywhere(All the beaches for spring break), and Jodeci. Those guys were the best….......Sorry it turned out this way, but everybody has to live there own life i guess. God Bless them.
Your voices were beautiful, and a genuine gift from God. Your voices were true SUGAR…not just “Sweeet N’ Lo”...but you lost sight of the Lord…May you find him again! God bless!!!
I dont care whats going on with them now because I will forever kick back and listen to their music. I must admit that I was in love with DeVante! At the same time I was realistic with myself I wasnt ever going to see him. I just listen to their music and think about the good times!
i love jodeci forever
its a shame people who comment and write stories about artists dont have a clue how to sing and write like those artists
jodeci, please focus and get back together
the cure to stop this embarrassement is for music artist to do their best to get into movies, or become at least a class B actor or actress. For artist that are already in the movie or big screen business and are getting washed up, (Mr. Sheen comes to mind) they should go into preaching, become a reverend or some type of priest or just do their best like Robert Downey Jr. did. It works. It has for that Marky Mark and the funky bunch guy, Rev. Run from Run-D-MC and who knows who else. Jodeci got too many of their songs linked to some shorty that I met somewhere in the 40 something States that I’ve been to. It’s a shame for them to have ended like this.
WOW PEOPLE LOVE TO TALK SHIT ABOUT OTHERS…ONE WORD HATERS. JODECI IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE THE BEST. SO ALL THROUGHT THE 90S THEY GAVE US GOOD MUSIC AND THIS IS HOW U REPAY THEM. WHO ARE U TO PASS JUDGEMENT ON THEM.
What a bullshit article. I bet the writer took no time to research into Jodeci’s state in any way. I bet all the writer has done here is go on wikipedia and the first couple of links on google.
Let me tell this clown that just speculating is not going to help anything. The amount of people that are gonna come on this and think you know what you talkin about is ridiculous. Let me tell you people that this stuff is very speculative and in a biassed way against Kci. Jo-Jo and Devante.
The truth is that they have and still are trying to fix things so why the fuck have you gone and put this article up, it ain’t gonna help anything, just shun a few fans off because they will think you bs is true.
The looks thing is just stupid, you’re a clown. I don’t care how they look, have you not heard the song they featured on in 2009 for H-Town’s new album??
H-Town – Knockin Da Boots. Featuring Jodeci and Pretty Ricky
Check it out because let me tell you K-Ci is brilliant on the track and who gives a fuck if he may look different.. he has aged nearly 20 years since Jodecis first album dropped.
I’m not going to defend Jodeci through and through, I love their shit and what they do is there business, but I ain’t gonna stand for some clown criticising them when he hasn’t given any time of day to find more about them.
Criticise them if they bring an album out, at least then you have something to criticise rather then the fact that they had some drinking problems, fell on hard times with their label and have aged.
And I meant Knockin Da Heels with Jodeci, not Knockin Da Boots, that shit came out way back, good song though.
I love Jodeci….and i like your blog….i read it ever so often. question? Did KC and JOJO really “come clean’? and why did the show only focus on alcohol when its obvious they were on harder drugs?
well i think that they could come clean i give them all my support ya no but tel this day davonte is still my babydaddy no matter what people say ok he was on drugs but he got his life together and still take care of his kids so thats all that matters to me kci and jojo duein they on thing and dalvin he got it he duein what he got to do, so just lay off they got it…..one
i just think this shit crazy as hell to me why in the fuck they put this shit up they dnt wont no body to no all the shit thats going on in there lives ya know Devante swing that cutie right there! thats my baby 4 life sexc as can be old or not i will still get that number and be on it baby mamas crazy as hell cuz i would of stayed wit his ass not 4 da money for him shit but anyways i hope the best for him…..one