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"When you step to this Goddess, make sure you step correctly. . ." The words flow smoothly and evocatively from her, Devynity, this 4 foot somethin' female MC. But don't be tricked by her height or her beauty for that matter. This sista spits fire each time she touches a microphone, from mc-ing, to spoken word, to giving the gift of poetry in the classroom.Inspired by other hip-hop artists, Devynity's main goal is to express her individuality lyrically and defy the conventions of the female mc. From South Jamaica, Queens her poetry and strong influence of hip-hop proves that her talent deserves to be heard. With an array of metaphors and conceptual lyrics condensed into melodic form, Devynity is fulfilling her mission.Devynity, born Devyn Wray, began writing poetry in the 6th grade. It is from here that her talent was encouraged and forced to flourish. She first hit the stage at age 14 after her mentor, Barbara Bethea, introduced her to performance poetry. She was introduced to the full vitality of hip-hop culture through the albums of the Fugees and The Notorious B.I.G. While attending the prestigious LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, Devynity began performing at small local venues. Later, she began to write verses & songs. Devynity won best young poet at The Hottest Poets venue in 1998. This "4' 11' lyrical assassin" has performed at the Baggot Inn, the National Black Theater, The Brooklyn Tea Party, the African Poetry Theater, the Nuyorican Poet's Cafe, and the Langston Hughes Library. She has also appeared on the hip-hop radio show "Off the Top" 1240 WGBB, appeared twice on the QPTV/BCAT television program "Caribbean Classroom," and has featured on the PBS show, "Souls of New York."Her performance resume is quite extensive. Her most recent accomplishments include recording with Steele of the Cocoa Brovaz, Dead Prez, singer/songwriter Stori James and the Lyricist Lounge. She has opened for N'dea Davenport and performed with Malik Yoba. She was also a 2002 Grand Slam Finalist and a 2002 Nuyorican Slam team member, which ranked third in the nation amongst 53 other teams.The completion of her first solo poetic effort, Devynity: Tha Spoken Word Joynt is the beginning to a promising future in spoken word and hip-hop music. Devynity, other than excelling in the realm of spoken word, is also a dope mc. She has flexed her skills at the Pyramid's Sunday cipher, End of the Weak and competed against 1000 other emcees in MTV's first MC Battle. Besides her performance skills, she is also making a strong impact in the world of education, imparting her knowledge of hip-hop and spoken word on students of all ages. She has given workshops at schools such as Tito Puente's School of the Gifted in East Harlem and Bronx Prep Charter School.In a world where female emcees have to sell flesh and empty promises, Devynity is the embodiment of lyrics, talent, and beauty, making her declaration all the more real, when you step that Goddess you have to step correctly.
