Derek DeGrate

Derek is the other brother of DeVante and Dalvin (of the multi-platinum R&B group, JODECI.. Derek DeGrate
< Derek is the other brother of DeVante and Dalvin (of the multi-platinum R&B group, JODECI). Like his older brother (DeVante) and baby brother (Dalvin) he has been involved in music ever since he was a child actually singing solos (in church) at age 5, and performing with his brothers "Don jr. and the jr.flips" the three brothers also possess multiple talents: Don jr. - keyboards, guitars, saxophone, singing, songwriting, composing and producing. Derek - singing, bass guitar, lead guitar, keyboards, drums, songwriting, producing and composing. Dalvin - drums, singing, keyboards, songwriting, producing and composing. Derek has written several songs including 3 top 20 national charted songs in the gospel market! He has also written or performed bass guitar lines for several projects(including JODECI) and major movie soundtracks (including "strictly business" starring halle berry and Tommy Davidson. Derek's musical family includes his father, Rev. Don DeGrate a renowned gospel music artist who was the very first black gospel artist to host his very own syndicated television show (a part of CBN)in the early 1970's called "right on" (under the supervision of pat robertson) his program gave most of the big names in black gospel today their start. He was the first gospel artist to top the billboard dance charts with the "Disco flavored" gospel hit - "I wanna be ready". He was signed to word records in the 1980's before moving to a.i.r. records. In recent years Don DeGrate performed with his gospel group "Don DeGrate and strong tower" consisting of his close friend-steve moody, and his son Derek DeGrate, working with major acts such as: Bill gaither, jesse dixon, the winans, John p. kee. Derek's brothers are 1/2 of the multi-platinum group "JODECI" the group has won such accolades as multi-platinum records, LPs, BILLBOARD awards (and ..1 hits) "Album of the year awards" soultrain, grammy and american music awards and guests. All three brothers are mega producers and writers with such clients as MICHAEL JACKSON, JODECI, K-CI and JOJO, PUFF DADDY, QUINCY JONES, MARIAH CAREY, AREOSMITH, TUPAC, USHER,GINUWINE,TIMBALAND,MISSY ELLIOT,TWEET, TEVIN CAMPELL, MARY J BLIGE, AARON HALL, AL GREEN, AL B SURE, BOBBY BROWN, CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS, MONTELL JORDAN and more... Derek has just completed his solo debut CD titled "The other brother", which he previously recorded a pre-release of the unofficial project. Now the album has been added and replaced with new songs that are HOT AND SLAMMIN!!!(with tracks featuring DeVante and Dalvin!) Derek's debut CD is a style with smooth grooves, hip beats all with lyrics that are dedicated to GOD! "It's real cool to be feelin a beat like you hear on your favorite R&B or pop radio station and at the same time express your love for GOD for waking you up in the morning!" says Derek. Derek is also involved in producing and writing music which he does alot on his newly formed label, which he serves as CEO. He also produces for another one of his companies which is currently contemplating negotiation with universal records distribution. One of Derek's latest discoveries is a young guy by the name of Evan Saucedo. Evan is the voice of simba (singing "the morning report") on the disney DVD; THE LION KING. Evan Saucedo is also the voice inside the "Simba" plush toy by hasbro toys!