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
I am impressed! A Killer music review
Your website is always entertaining.
Ha-Ha “Crackastic” – you are using my words now? LOL
Just a wonderful look at reality.
This is what the music business is really like…
Dear lord. K-Ci looks jacked up. It can’t be natural to be that skinny. The face tat is stupid. If they don’t make it on a reunion tour, no one is going to hire someone with a tat on their face.
Those photos are so sad…
They are so depressing to look at now. Had the posters and the taped videos… Man, what happened to them??
That face tat looks so ridiculous. Shoot, if he tried to sign up to be a Marine, he wouldn’t even get a foot in the door…
*Proud Girlfriend of a U.S. Marine*
OMG, What happened to Jodeci
This is to sad to be true man!!!!!!
For real what tha sh.. is this??
Man Jodeci was one of my favs. It’s so sad to see them the way that they are…. smh
I don’t think that they look all bad today.
I think the tatoos set them apart from everyone in the industry. And they have gotten older for cryin out loud.
Their music is untouchable and to me that is all that matters.
I DONT CARE WHAT NOBODY SAY JODECI IS STILL SEXY EVEN WIT THE TATS ESPECIALLY WITH DEVANTE SWING’S TATTOO ON HIS FACE
REP THAT MECKLANBURG COUNTY AND UNION, AND ANSON MOST IMPORTANTLY THAT 704. KEPP IT GOIN YALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am really touched by the transformatiom!But my Love for them and there music will never die or change.I have never stopped wishing for their return as I find myself constantly comparing RnB groups of today to them yet always placing their style and music incomparably on top till date.
Jodeci this if for You:”If ‘Take That’ in the U.k after 10yrs can do it so can jodeci” your fans are here to support you.
I would also like to say to Jodeci that they seek help with their drug Addiction and also find their Peace in the Lord.Its never too late to be restored to your full potential.
God put is Jodeci ;soul and that soul you will continue to touch us all with- For that reason was there ever Jodeci on the Planet.
Go boys pick up your pieces in the mercies of the Lord and fan back those gifts and Charm to Life again!
All the best on your Tour.
Much regard,
Jermaine from London
i didnt grow up listening to them but i can say that k-ci needs to fuck off and die i srry but he abused and hit my # 1 fan mary j blige no man needs to put no hands on no one and i mean taht wit all my heart im jus happy my #1 survived and got out of that mans hands if not like she says in lots of her interviews and io agree with her 100% wen she says she wouldve died and she probably would under that devilishly looking mans hands
shout out to all my mary fans but no this im her ulitimate
wat the helllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll they was off the chain wit forever my lady and all the other song they made
Damn damn damn, I love Jodeci..they were and will always be my favorite group of all time!! I pray for their health and hope they can get ot together and have a reunion! I’d pay any amount to see that show! If u hear any song like U &I doesn’t it just take u back to a certain part of your life???? Peace..
Devante and Kci look a mess! Especially Kci, that pose with his foot up is killing me!
I will FOEVER BE JOCEDI’S LADY, DEY STILL FINE 2 ME AINT NOTHIN WRONG WIT DEM….....
JODECI I LOVE U GUYS SOOOOOOO MUCH…....I ALWAYS START MY DAY OFF WIT YALLZ*** AND DA TAT ON DA FACE IZ SEXII
UHHH DEVANTE LOOKS REALLLLL GOOD, I DONY KNOW WHAT YALL TALKIN BOUT!
Its so sad to see what drugs can do to a person. They were so,,,,,,talented. They probably still have the voices but If nobody backs them like p-diddy they won’t make it.
WHAT THE FUCK HAPPEN ?
WHAT THE HELL HAPPEN ?
I really miss jodeci i would love to rear how they would sound now being they have all changed in the looks department!!! so when is the next albm goin to hit stores like have been said in the past years?
JoJo was my hero!!! ooooooooooooooyeah!
I want them to water horse all over me
I was sitting here watching a Martin Marathon and Jodeci was starring, and I was just wondering what ever happened to them. It is so sad to see such a waste of “God’s Gifts”. Thank you for your blog on them.
i really liked devante but now OH I DONT THINK SO!!!!!!!!!ILL THATS NASTY??????????
oh my gosh Devante was so sexy look at him now its so depressing to look at and KC???
:(:(:( i wouldnt even want to see photos of the other 2
alot of talent gone to waste i was looking forward to a huge tour with some of thier greatest hits in the future but even if they did it would be done pretty poorly
its just so sad
i still love thier songs though
/kC’s voice is still sorta there though isnt it???
even though my comment above is a little mean im still down for jodeci and i always will be
Hey Y’all.. I wasn’t brought up on Jodeci at all but I have always known about them! I really understand and appreciate the influence they have had on music in the past. I love and appreciate music with all my heart, and around 4 weeks ago while in a HMV store, I came across Jodeci’s albums and realised that I don’t have any material on these guys.. So I bought all 3 albums! I love them all.. DeVante’s production skills are amazing! Feenin’ is my song at the moment!
I know Timbaland and Missy ‘2 of my favorite musicians’, worked with DeVante back when he had the Swing Mob imprint, so I decided to look up some info on him and see what he’s up to these days.. When I came across this blog I was so dissapointed to see such a talented person so messed up! I’ve been watching Jodeci video’s on Youtube and looking back then, it’s hard to believe they are the same people in that second picture above.. They look HORRID!
DeVante looks such a mess.. What the hell happend to this man? In the video above where he’s playing the piano, he looks like an accomplished musician on top of his game.. All the girls screamin’his name and everything! Then you see the recent photo and he looks like a frail zombie! And KC.. He looks like a Scarecrow in bedsheets!! His video to Mary is a piss take!
DeVante is the one I’m sad about though.. He’s a musical Genius! LORD PLEASE SAVE THESE GUYS!
We need real R&B back!
Regards,
RYAN.
It’s too bad that such a talented group has this problem. I know from being somewhat close to that situation that this can be fixed. It might take a minute but you have to hit the bottom before you can rise to the top again.
I love them and wish them the best of luck. God Bless them
tickets havejust been released for the jodeci reunion tour in Sydney, Australia on the 23.08.08!!! is this for real or do i have to get my money back now??? these boys are most talented and their albums and hit songs were the soundtrack to my best high school years. can anyone confirm that this will actaullt happen??? btw, johnny gill is the support artist for this tour mymymym…
They are all middle aged, still look like how they used to look and if were on drugs as everyone is saying and especially crack, should all be dead. It looks like alcohilsm abuse to me and drug use by fellows who fell back trying to work so hard to get passed the crooked music industry and purposely degraded to get out of their contracts like many artists and even come out in public to be recognized in this state. There is a method to all of this madness, and with some shiut eye, new clothes and grooming, help for mental disorders prevalent with young music artists who grow very quickly but can’t really handle all they could make a comeback with just the songs they have. To me, there music was brilliant and the finerst of there era. I couldn’t help notice some recent media hype and had to do my research while listening to this song and writing another novel. It all keeps me going, but I do hope these fellows are back on track. I agree with Ryan, Lord help save these talented guys.
It’s so easy to judge people when you aren’t in their shoes! Whether or not they are are on drugs doesn’t negate the fact that they are legendary!! Jermaine from London, i agree The Lord almighty can and will restore all those who ask to even more than before. I do pray for their souls everytime i look at the “now” pictures, because there doesn’t seem to be “life” in their eyes! It is NEVER to late to turn to the Lord, He is always waiting with open arms! No matter what you have done in your life. Let’s pray for their betterment , not bring them down by judging and speaking things we don’t know first hand. Life is hard enough battling yourself.. these people have to battle all their “fans” as well.
God bless your souls!!
and restoration for all who need it!
DB
Jodeci is back any questions hit my email gloryfilms@yahoo.com
I cannot believe it..it pains me to see whats become of them! They’re music/ styles has had an everlasting impression and always will ‘stay’ its heartbreaking. They are coming to NZ next month and I have just bought my tickets, I am worried I may be disappointed, but I cant miss this opportunity!!! Long live Jodeci – Forever your lady.
it’s really sad that they turned out to be turned out drugs. Out of all the hangers on family, friends etc.. no one is every willing to help.. they see when someone is strung out but they say maybe i can squeeze a little bit more money out of them. then when it’s all over they are washed up or die everybody wants their 15 minutes by selling their stories. Look at the tragedy of tony thompson of the group hi five he had the looks the voice and ended up dying behind a building somewhere. what a shame when it’s our people but they make heath ledger an icon when he was an addict.
I have been and will always be a JODECI fan…..No one is perfect and no one besides CHRIST himself can hold that title. I myself don’t look the same as I did 10 years ago…..Who does? Of course the used drugs, alcohol and had women at their disposal…..Shit after living a life of the infamous “THE SHOW/THE PARTY & THE HOTEL” who wouldn’t look beat up from that. All I have to say is that….all these fake ass and pretend to be talented r&b artist out here are computer engineered whacks. Jodeci was one of the fewest and 1st real bands and all of them are multi-talented when it comes to the instruments. You don’t get that anywhere. As far as I’m concern….any negative shit about my dudes….FUCK YOU and YO MOMMA. Because the devil loves to bring a talent and an inspiration down. Do you know how many people still talk about what JODECI’s music did for them? Whether it was helping them to understand and make love or whether it was getting that women to feel like she was that special girl after some nigga dogged the shit out of her….So, like i’m saying JODECI FOR LIFE…..KEEP THE DEVIL OFF YOUR BACK PEACE AND MUCH RESPECT!!
I have been and will always be a JODECI fan…..No one is perfect and no one besides CHRIST himself can hold that title. I myself don’t look the same as I did 10 years ago…..Who does? Of course the used drugs, alcohol and had women at their disposal…..Shit after living a life of the infamous “THE SHOW/THE PARTY & THE HOTEL” who wouldn’t look beat up from that. All I have to say is that….all these fake ass and pretend to be talented r&b artist out here are computer engineered whacks. Jodeci was one of the fewest and 1st real bands and all of them are multi-talented when it comes to the instruments. You don’t get that anywhere. As far as I’m concern….any negative shit about my dudes….F#CK YOU and YO MOMMA. Because the devil loves to bring a talent and an inspiration down. Do you know how many people still talk about what JODECI’s music did for them? Whether it was helping them to understand and make love or whether it was getting that women to feel like she was that special girl after some ni@@a dogged the shit out of her….JODECI FOR LIFE…..KEEP THE DEVIL OFF YOUR BACK PEACE AND MUCH RESPECT!!
Wow…That is so sad.You are so right about the process of what happens when artist startout at a young age.I amdefinately praying for them,since, they all started out at church.I wanna see more recent pics of Dalvin.
I am still a fan.I really understand what they went through.
This is what the Australian Jodeci fans had to say about what was originally advertised as the Jodeci Reunion Tour Australia & New Zealand 2008:
Aug 23, 2008 JODECI (well, KC & JoJo) CONCERT UPDATE- Chat room comments:
“Lucky everyone got a refund…. Jo jo forgot the words, walked off stage then kci walked off then Jo Jo colapsed on stage!!!! they cannot even fckn sing anymore… was very sad to witness that tonight!!!! We ended up getting a refund…. THATS HOW BAD IT WAS!!!!!!”
“i hear ya. they were both clearly off their faces although my boyfriend thought it was hilarious…esp how they staged jojo to faint on stage.
worst concert ever! glad we got a refund though HAHAHAHAHHAHA”
“their website (www.showtimetouring.com.au) said no refunds after the show so we got ours during lol so the timeline of the “reunion tour” goes something like this:
jodeci with johnny gill> jo..ci with johnny gill> jo..ci> ....ci LOL”
“The Sydney concert:
1. Johnny Gill didn’t turn up
2. Only KC & Jojo out of Jodeci turned up
3. Jojo passes out twice, collapsing on stage the second time
4. There was no proper ending to the concert
Now there’s a concert that I will never forget.”
“what a joke. I got a refund make sure you all get yours and never go to an event by these clowns called show time events (www.showtimetouring.com.au) ...”
I went to the apparent jodeci reunion tour in Sydney. It was one of the most saddest performances I have ever seen. But i give credit to k-ci for being a sport & going ahead with the show, when jojo had obviously taken more drugs than he canhandle. I think they had to call a ambulance for him after the show. Having love jodeci it was distressing to see such talented people get so messed up with drugs. I hope they all get there stuff together. Last night plently of loyal jodeci fans were disappointed. Never trust showtime touring!!!!
I also attended the concert last night and was very disappointed. I have been to K-Ci and JoJo concerts before and this was nothing like I’ve ever experienced. Being a Jodeci fan since their 1st album it was sad to see that talent go to waste to drugs. It was obvious they were on something. JoJo looked wasted since he got on, not himself…words were a blur. We all waited patiently after finding out that Johnny Gill didn’t appear, and watched some randoms…who no1 had any interest in. Listened longer to the dj play rather than the whole concert put together. When I saw A4 paper with red texta listing all the songs they were going to sing…taped to the stage floor, I knew something was up. I mean who wouldn’t learn the songs before a concert and in what order.
Also getting refund after concert today. Thats how sad it was.
I think this will be last show they will do in Sydney.
I also went 2 the concert lastnight yeah it was disappointing, but they did
there best. Im yet 2 get a refund i dont really care if i dont.
It was amazing wat they did they held the weight of the whole show on there
sholders n u ungreatful pigs had the hide 2 boo them n throw bottles at them
u all should b ashamed of urselfs.
i dont care wat reasons jojo was ill from drugs or wateva they didnt deserve that.
imagine if that was ur brother u would have done the same thing.
i`d be surprised if they ever come back 2 australia again and i dont blame them.
i went 2 the jodeci concert in sydney last night 2.
i was not really dissapointed that johnny gill didnt come.i was there really to see k-ci and jojo.yea the opening acts were crap but when k-ci and jojo came on i was going crazy.yea we heard that jojo was on something so fukin wat who cares its hes choice.jojo passed out on stage and hit hes head so hard we heard 2 big bangs 1st was hes head then hes mic.i went with 5 friends who have been jodeci fans since we were kids.it was so upsetting 2 c them like that but thats the music scene.jojo fainted then k-ci helped him up and they both walked off waving.2 all the ungrateful dogs who booed them and thew shit at the stage uz are nufin but fuknuts.at least k-ci and jojo turned up.k-ci tryed 2 hold it all on hes own and kept sayin 2 jojo ‘its ok brother stop singing il sing’if that was my lil sister i would run off stage 2.im jus so lucky that i got 2 c them.
yea they on the drugs but they still a fukin ledgend so get off there cases.
from the biggest jojo fan
packed club of 100?
ORLY
I love jodeci!!! Love Kci and jojo evenmore now, as they actually turned up for the jodeci concert. It was dissapointing, as the supporting acts went on for a long time & lack of information of the whole event . But although the show did not meet the hype advertised, Kci still belted out the songs..love him. I give K-ci a great deal of credit for doing what he had to do, to go on with the show. Also, looking out for his brother. I think it was hard for them to please a already annoyed/ disappointed crowd, but thank you Kci & Jojo for actually TURNING UP, and got to see you at least , greatly honoured. I hope they come back to sydney and show everyone what they are all about again. I will pay to see them again, they are legends!!! Stuff happens sometimes and I hope people get over it & not be so harsh on the best RnB singers is history.
Please come back guys…there are still so many adoring fans in Sydney!!!
Hi guys,
I am really pissed off about the concert. I LOVE Jodeci and paid $230 for 2 tix then drove 6 hours to attend the concert. I didn’t find out that it would be KC and Jojo until the MC on stage mentioned it. Slack by Ticketek, and Showtime touring as they would have known well in advance that the other 2 couldn’t get into the country. I wouldn’t have paid a cent for the show on Saturday, and now Ticketek is refusing to refund my money.
Has anyone gotten a refund and if so how?
hi soph, i was lucky enough to get a refund as i got the email on time on friday. otherwise i’d be on the same boat as you. i would definitely be fighting ticketek and showtime touring for a refund. involve the ACC if you have to.
came across this interview with Kci on a new york radio station about what happened @ the Sydney concert. Whatever may have caused the collapse i hope Jojo is feeling so much better. I am still a loyal Jodeci fan.
here’s the link http://www.celebully.com/k-ci-jojo-crack-junkies-p1083.html
ok i listened 2 the interview it says there still here and they have another concert 2day does any1 know about it
does any1 no if k-ci and jojo are still her
it says in the interview there still here and they have another 2day does any1 no about it