Devante Swing and The Swing Mob (aka Da Bassment) | The Sad Ending 

I hope Devante know how much of a inspiration he is to people. Come back soon Devante you are truly missed!!!

Devante Swing don't get the credit he deserves! Shout out to Devante Swing

Devante is one of the greatest producers in modern history

It’s crazy how Devante built Jodeci and then Static Major built Pretty Ricky.. both game changers.

Rest in peace to Static Major.

Davante was like the second up to prince he knows how to play any instrument dude was gangsta and knew how to sing and write Davante Swing was badass and knew who had talent

Hurt people, hurt people. Devante, needed the right support around him to balance out his workload. He took on a lot of responsibility for jodeci and his basement crew at a very young age. On top of that he did have a big ego & was arrogant. He is still a great producer but he needed guidance and therapy....

If Devante just kept his shit together, he could have been waaaay bigger and got the credit he deserves. Love Devante swing.

I met Devante once in an LA studio many years ago. My son spent a week there recording music with him. He was very cool, very nice guy. I wish him the best.

DeVante will always be the G.O.A.T He paved the way for a lot of artists and he really hasn't gotten credit that deserves

My favorite all time group & producer Jodeci & Devante Swing! We need that biopic ASAP!! Dude has always been underrated

I was so in love with Devante Swing had all his posters

static major. The pen behind some of Aaliyah’s biggest hits

Devante is very underrated for his work

This man has had a greater impact on African American culture than we can imagine 💯Simply consider the music, the artists , and all the African American Boys named after him...I LOVE telling little black boys how great their name sake is...and they just SMILE..May the Most High God Bless you wherever you are❤💋

DeVante is/was a genius! 4ever a fan of JODeci!🔥🔥🔥🔥

This woman's voice, accent and diction is IMPECCABLE!

I have nothing to say about the man’s personal life but to me he’s the greatest rnb producer of all time - it would be great if he would do an album full of songs like the jazz version of im still waiting or whatever other amazing shh he has in his vault. Big ups on the video, was nicely put together

Sometimes being in the leadership position is everything but fun, its stressful, its draining, and its taxing. Hearing this man would stay in the studio for weeks at a time and not tour, is to show you how serious he took his work. Im honestly thankful that this man didn't lose his life from that robbery gone bad. That was God's grace. Im so glad we don't have to put that in this video. Give this man his Hall of fame and Grammys and Star on the boulevard while he's here.

Devante is so underrated!! He could have been much bigger than he was!!

I admire his drive to acquire and nurture talent. That's a wonderful gift to be able to unlock potential. Not everyone would make it big but definitely some gratitude sounds fitting. Exceptional people are usually exceptionally difficult in some way unfortunately. My favourite songs were produced by Devante and I didn't even know it then. A true legend. 👍

DeVanté Is The Goat. I might name my son after him in the future

My favorite member from the group Devante ❤️

9:04 that picture of Devante gets me every time 😍

This dude might be the most influential individual in TODAY'S music if you talking about the actual sound and evolution..He just happened to be hard to work with or to even get a long with..He will become more popular cause kids haven't really started to sample 90s music heavily yet..

De'Vante. should be very proud of what he brought together some of the greatest talent in the game of music, as a father to music teach your talent to how you want them to grow then let them go out into the world, this is what every good parent does with thier children teach them at home to prepare them for the world, and let them go but always know in your heart you did a great good, he did a great job with the talent he brought together to him at the time he felt betrayed, but they needed more than he could give them at the time, so they made thier way never forgetting what he did for each one of them, I hope he comes back soon the world needs more great men like De'Vante .

Devante put the mad in genius. You can’t treat people like that and expect them to stay. Rightfully so, his mentees surpassed him.

Yeah Devante WAS REALLY THE BLUE PRINT HE REALLY WAS SO COOL AND DOPE A MUSICAL GENIUS

I dont think he realize the depth of his reach. He was a genius. He help nurture Missy, Timberland & Static… 3 of THE GREATEST PRODUCERS IN THE WORLD. Now thats a Goat. He needs his flowers. Ginuwine - Tank was a back up singer for him. - Luke James was a background for Tank… shit is crazyyyyyyy

I think it's because he was beat up and robbed in his own home and that it traumatized him

This is so crazy. I’ve been obsessed with Aaliyah for as long as I can remember, it was always the sound with her and Timbaland a MissyElliot now to discover static major, and how he produced so many songs for people like Lil Wayne and Pretty Ricky and dig even further I discover Devante swing , I finally got to the root of this sound that I’ve been searching for and it all boils down to “Da basement , Swing Mob Virgina sound! I’m writing at 90s Album and I appreciate all the documentation on this sound s/o to timberland, Rip Aaliyah, Static 🕊️

Wooooow!! And u thought I knew all bout Devante's history! Another great vid, Queen. Jodeci and Devante, I believe, don't get the credit that they deserve. Mos def paved the way for R&B groups after them. He truly was/is a musical genius. Could you imagine if the Basement stayed together had Devante not acted up. I understand why everyone jumped ship but at least they all became successful. Have you noticed that the music geniuses were a lil, well I don't wanna say strange, but look at Michael Jackson, Kanye, even (I'm sorry to say) R. Kelly. There has to be a biopic on this tho!!

Lord boy the good ones always get beat down by these industry people smh Devonte have always been the best and this generation will never know smh something certainly happened to him but with the way how this industry is set up we will never know his hard work will never ne praised or recongnized by many.

I think it may be coming back for a short period of time. Swing is currently working with a few of them right now to do an EP. Sugah, He may do something with Sisqo new group with black and smoke, he has some new artists to make an appearance , I’m hearing he may work with Ginuwine etc. DeVante is definitely needed back in the industry and I hope that rnb sound comes back. I wonder if he can help get some unreleased tracks from Static debut album too. Here’s the thing, ppl have to look at it from his POV. He had those artist before he got robbed and had all that pressure on him to make things happen for Jodeci and other since he was a teenager. He was too gifted to not be discovered. After the robbery everything changed. He was more guarded and did not heal completely. So the slightest feeling of a set up is gonna tick him off. That’s PTSD. Too much for anyone to handle when you’ve been very close to death. He had the wrong ppl around him. You live and you learn. I’m glad he cut suge off. It could’ve ended differently and horribly. For those artists to still rock with him after what happened and give him that credit , shows how great he was. Most of them still talk to him to this day. You can’t take away the man’s influence on rnb. You can’t even mention rnb without mentioning his group. His whole style is unmatched to this day. He definitely deserves that credit. Alot of producers took that from him. I’m glad he never gave up and decided it’s time to come back. I’m ready for it. I learned a lot from him and even learned how to play piano just by listening to him. I would mimic his method. He needs and deserves to come back and do what he does best. 🤷🏽‍♀️

As long as he doesn't bring back his struggle tail, Devante is a helluva producer and needs to bring R&B back.

I understand it from both ends. I also feel like since Devanté was very young himself, it may have been a challenge for him to do what he had to do for all those young people under him. I think he didn’t have much guidance which is most likely why he turned to Suge. It was probably some sort of relief for him when Suge came in. But it seemed like it was almost a “right message, wrong person” type of thing in my opinion. Although Suge handled his artists very poorly, he knew the business. So Devanté probably looked at him as someone to kind of look up to, which was a big mistake. Right idea, but wrong person. He may have ended up using Suge’s influence on the members, thinking that it was going to change the dynamic of things. It would be nice to see Devanté try this whole thing over again with younger talent/people who wanna learn from him now that he’s older and wiser, and has most likely learned from everything that has happened. We definitely need it. I’ve heard in interviews they had some great ideas back in the day. In Big Shann’s interview he says that Devanté was planning on getting swing mob involved in film production. Would’ve been really cool to see them in movies! I’d really like to see him give everything a second shot. Thanks for this great video!❤️

This was great Devante swing will forever be a musical genius love his work & everything he’s done

HE FLOATED THE WHOLE R & B INDUSTRY AT THAT TIME, SO MANY ARTISTS AND RECORD LABELS JUMP ON HIS WAVE AND HAD SUCCESS! AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE POLITICS OF THE MUSIC BUSINESS ALWAYS CAN GET TO THEM!

I have always loved DeVante's writing and production musicality and always will!💖💯 #Thanks@Renie Nostalgic!!👍💕😘💋🙌

I remember always running into Devante and his Brother in Cali. I was always trying to get them to go to Church with my crew. I used to talk with them on the phone for a minute. They had said they started in church. When they Linked with Death Row they distanced them selves from speaking with me. I pray they will have the opportunity to grasp on to GOD once again. If you read this my man im that bald young gangster looking Mexican from Da S.S.M.O.B.

Big ups to Timbaland for being a real one for giving credit where credit is due 👍👍

A GUY LIKE davante JUST wants his tributes at the end of the day! He was the person that some of these successful artists WAS coordinated in the universe to Meet!

I would love for Devante to meet my youngest son. He can play everything like Devante.

Mr. Dalvin was always my favorite.❤

Thank you for creating this. This world is positively starved for what DeVante has and can produce! He is brilliant, and I do not use that word loosely. His songwriting, producing, and overall essence are one huge part of the soundtrack to my life. This video is informative and so appreciated! ♥️

I was up late one night going down the RU-vid rabbit hole and I found your channel, watched a few vids and am now a subscriber. I grew up listening to all the artists you cover and to find out all this new information is fascinating. I love your channel.

Okay, thank you for another video 👏🏽👏🏽. Since this is a longer one, I gotta sit and watch this one 😃😃💕.

DeVante f’d up. Once he realized it, it was too late. He had always been in control, until he connected w/ Suge. He thought Suge was gonna get him outta his contract w/ Andre Harrel @ Uptown/MCA. He wanted total control. He wanted complete power. Wat he DIDNT kno was, Suge’s ways. And that who DeVante wanted to b, Suge already was in real life! N just a much more shrewd and evil version of that. He didn’t kno he literally handed Suge an opportunity to take over not just Jodeci’s management contracts, but Mary J. Blige’s and others that were on Uptown. Death Row did an ad campaign which was a two page list of their artists on the label on one side, and artists they managed on the other. Jodeci/MJB we’re definitely on that list. The robbery/kidnapping was public info back then. The other things rumored to b goin on was the presence of Suge’s associates who were known to b guys from jail that Suge had around for disciplinary purposes. Some said to b violent in action and even as far as sexually related forms of discipline as well. Not just Devante, but KCi/JoJo were said to b changing as well. Devante’s appearance even changed as it became a more feminine edge to it. K&JJ were seen constantly drinkn & smoking to an extent that people would b disappointed to c them in person off stage. U never heard much about Dalvin other than it was said to b his bday when the robbery happened. But never really any bad reports. They said DeVante would return to his “basement” crew and act more n more “Suge-like”. It was said he smacked either Stevie J or Tim right in front of everyone. But wat was consistent in the stories told was how once Suge came into the picture...DeVante couldn’t shake him. As if he was a prisoner of some sort. Industry insiders said DeVante was violated, and was gonna try n get away, n then the robbery happened. He wasn’t supposed to make it out of that situation. If u look at the timeline, it’s almost like he just disappeared off the scene completely. KC/JJ eventually went solo, n fell victim to their poor choices. With the control Suge had in the industry I think DeVante felt helpless but more so just knew he made some decisions that costd him everything he had worked for/towards his entire life. The change was too abrupt & sudden to just think DeVante’s demise was from “drug use”. If drugs played a part, it was definitely AFTER the decisions had been made that shifted his life into a downward spiral. Probably thee saddest story in the industry to date. Literally the next Prince. Robbed on so many levels of his creations. Truly b4 his time & actually a living legend at the exact same time. And everyone else got to take the credit for wat truly was...HIS. Damn...

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Brilliant exposé, absolutely brilliant! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾✊🏾

Facts 💯 FACTS. The best artist usually don't get the credit they DESERVES!!!

Timbaland got love for Devante and gave him his props and flowers. All good. And Devante said Timbaland is family in an interview about the new Jodeci album that came out in 2015.

I love it!! Feel bad for him actually, he is GOAT, love his talent, thanks.

Wow I didn’t know he laser or that he had a powerful position in the music industry wow! I have a whole new Level of respect for him.

Wow he did a lot of production on classic albums and was gifted in finding talent aswell as being a musician him self👏🏾

OMG I couldn't believe that Sugah was still in the mix of Da Basement Crew like they didn't witness the success of Missy timberland Ginuwine and playa (Static Major) to follow their steps WOW. But I do remember Missy's First Episode of Mtv Cribs she introduced viewers to Tweet and she was playing the Guitar

Definitely one of the greatest.

Much love to Devante, one of the greatest R&B producers of all times l.

When my friends yell out DeVante sing when they see me 😒

EXCELLENT WORK!

Can we woman all agree that davonte was the finest man around??? A little violent but fine as hell!!!

They could make a movie off this info alone. It would be a very sad ending though. I think De just dragged his feet too long with the crew and they just felt that moving on to record deals with so much more to offer and getting them on the radio I'm sure was very tempting. That's what they all were reaching for.

Successful plans have arrived and in full effect pure pressure greatness all love

I think he had immense pressure on his shoulders. Yes I think after hooking up with Suge he felt he needed to be more tougher and harder on the artists as is the way in the industry and especially in that mid 90s period that death row was demonstrating. I also think drugs and alcohol affected him during the end of that bassment era and the betrayal he must have felt fueled that need to make those bad choices.. Cut throat industry. When you have all that talent vultures gonna be hanging around wanting a piece.

ONE OF THE BEST WHO EVER DID IT ! SALUTE TO DAVANTE was just So GOD GIFTED 💪🏾💯🙏🏾

Channel going crazyyyy, keep up good the work ✌🏿🤙🏿

pharrell williams IS IN THAT CAMP...AND TEDDY RILEY WAS PART OF THAT VA MOVEMENT TOO.

Thought I most definitely understand why they left , @DevanteSwing is most definitely a genius and I was so unaware of what he has done until this video.. big ups to that man.

But give this man his flowers ❤️❤️❤️

Watch how you treat (or mistreat) people................. in the late 90s when it was THEIR TURN... I've neeeeeeeeeeever heard them even give him a shoutout...

He was wrong for treating his groups like that, he didn’t feed them

Great video...

I've actually met dalvin in passing in a party. He's very polite.

Heavy. Ps Much Gratitude for sharing. Pps Peace to SMK (Southern Memphis Kings)

(thanks for using one of my pics in here lol.) great video! i really hope we can see or at least hear from him again. 🖤

Joe Jackson and Devante Swing Knew How to Groom their Talents aka Protégé. I just seen the Summer Block party Tour w/ Jodeci and SWV. DEVANTE'S Light is Def Dim..Not the Same Energy as he had Back in the Day Performing. I PRAY that the Swing Mob coordinate some sort of Public Acknowledgment for DeVante. I do believe that can/will Breathe Life Back Into this Handsome, Brilliant and TALENTED BROTHER. Love you DeVante Swing and THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO R&B.. BTW, the concert was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥K-Ci, JOJO, & MR. DALVIN STILL GOT IT GOING ON..Sending Love & Light to D Swing 🩶🖤🩶🖤🩶🖤🩶🖤

Most members of the da basement went on to become The Super Friends Timbaland, Missy, Playa, Ginwine. Rumour has it that Devante and Missy would race on songwriting,who could right the fastest. They were all talented and egos can become a hinderance. But make no mistake Devante laid the foundation for all of them and applied pressure because he knew they were diamonds in the rough

Very good video. personally I think the robbery was the main reason for the change in Devante. Yeah Suge could have had a negative effect but the robbery and people leaving him and his own issues had more effect on him.

This should be a movie.

When I first heard Pony, I SWORE Devante did it. I didn't know of Timbaland besides rapping on the Jodeci records

I want to see a movie of this

SOOOO UNDERRATED AND UNDER APPRECIATED IS DEVANTE! HE NEEDED A GUY LIKE THE RZA DID WITH WU TANG! YOU HAVE ALL THAT TALENT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN TO PUT THEM OUT! HE COULD HAVE MADE WAY MORE MONEY AND TOP TIER HITS IF HIS BUSINESS MIND WAS CORRECT!

wasn’t Ginuwine called Tornado 🌪 at first ... 😂

Loved your video! You did a great job with facts and not just including hearsay. I thought of only two things that were left out or time wise incorrect. The robbery actually happened when they were recording the second album. Mr. Dalvin talked about it in an interview I saw on RU-vid. It was his birthday and the group was recording the single "Alone", which is featured on "Diary of a Mad Band." Also, I briefly read through some of Timberland's book a few years ago, and he said that he was going to get some food for DeVante one night, and he took the DeVante's girlfriend with him for the ride, and they ended up in a car crash. He was hurt, but she was killed..I'm thinking that may have also contributed to DeVante's mental state of mind during that time and perhaps a part to his changing behavior towards the people around him, including Timberland. Once again great informative video.

I was looking at your content u must be a big pac fan I love me so Tupac. Rip.

My little brother was named after him. 1993 🙂

My guy could have a record label that could rival ROC if he was more business-minded.

I didn’t know any of this! Just that Missy and Timbaland were from Va… Wow!!!

If you really think about it devante did the original making the band

They need a movie

Rochester is about 6 and half hours away from nyc

Wow! Really good job :)

I knew he was talented but I had no idea. I also had no idea there was so much controversy behind him. Thank you for posting this :-)

Wow you just don't hear about how many artist Devonte help develop. Ginuwine is from my hometown and I thought Missy and Timbaland found him.

Its gonna sound silly but its countless kids named after him. Every Devante you know was born after 1991. Thats really cultural impact.

DEVAAANTAAAY SWAAAAAAAAAANNNNGGG! OOOOWEEEE!

Rip to my love aaliyah

Snoop an Kurupt always show love to Suge even tho it was conflict but I heard Devante put hands on them so maybe that's why they don't big him up like that💯

That drink champs with timbaland made me wanna slap him 😂 like come on bruh 😒

I still love devante. His body of work speaks for itself. Doesn't hurt that he's fine as an expensive body of 🍷. 😜

Static Major wrote lollipop for lil wayne