Born Donald Earle DeGrate Jr., DeVante Swing is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. He’s best known as the leader and main producer of Jodeci, the 1990s R&B group behind hits like “Forever My Lady,” “Stay” and “Feenin’.” He also ran the Swing Mob collective, where future stars like Timbaland, Missy Elliott and Ginuwine got their start.
| Date of Birth | September 29, 1969 |
|---|---|
| Age | 57 years |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Occupation | Rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer |
| Father | Donald Earle DeGrate |
| Mother | Mary DeGrate |
| Sibling | Dalvin DeGrate |
| Spouse | Miranda Santana |
| Children | Justin DeGrate (son), Dyana DeGrate (daughter) |
| Height | 6'1" (1.85m) |
| Weight | 154 lbs (70kg) |
| Place of birth | Hampton, Virginia, U.S. |
Carter EfeMore than three decades after Jodeci’s debut, DeVante is still active with the group. In 2026, Jodeci announced the Forever My Lady 35th Anniversary Tour, a 36-city run that starts in San Francisco on October 24 and ends in Charlotte, North Carolina, on December 19.
DeVante Swing Biography
DeVante Swing was born on September 29, 1969, in Hampton, Virginia, USA. He turned 57 in September 2026. His parents are Donald DeGrate and Mary DeGrate.
His younger brother is Dalvin DeGrate, better known as Mr. Dalvin, who later joined him in Jodeci as a rapper and producer. Although DeVante was born in Hampton, he grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the brothers sang in church. Details about his schooling have never been made public.
Gospel music shaped him early. In an old interview clip shared on YouTube, DeVante said all of Jodeci’s vocal arrangements come from gospel “because we were just raised up around it every day.” He added that the group started out by writing songs for girls in their neighborhood.
DeVante Swing Career
DeVante chased a music career from his teens. In 1985, at about 16, he traveled to Minneapolis hoping to audition for Prince at Paisley Park Studios. He reportedly showed up there day after day, asking people to listen to his tape, but the break never came.
Back in North Carolina, he worked on his songwriting and production. He also did early studio work, including remixes of Hi-Five’s 1990 hit “I Just Can’t Handle It.” In the same interview clip, he said he moved in with K-Ci and lived with him for about a year before suggesting they start a group together.
Forming Jodeci
Jodeci formed in Charlotte in the late 1980s. The group was made up of two sets of brothers: DeVante and Dalvin DeGrate, and Cedric “K-Ci” Hailey and Joel “JoJo” Hailey. The name mixes parts of their names: “Jo” from JoJo, “De” from DeGrate and “Ci” from K-Ci.
DeVante was the group’s main songwriter and producer, and he co-directed some of its music videos. After signing with Uptown Records, Jodeci released “Forever My Lady” in 1991. The album went triple Platinum and topped the US R&B chart.
Two more hit albums followed. “Diary of a Mad Band” (1993) went double Platinum, and “The Show, the After Party, the Hotel” (1995) went Platinum. Songs like “Stay,” “Come and Talk to Me,” “Cry for You” and “Feenin'” made Jodeci one of the biggest R&B acts of the decade.
Swing Mob and Producing for Others
Outside Jodeci, DeVante built Swing Mob, a label and crew of young writers and producers. Its members included Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Ginuwine, Static Major and Stevie J. Many of them went on to shape the sound of late-1990s R&B and hip-hop.
He also produced for other artists. He wrote and produced “Can U Get wit It,” the first single from Usher’s 1994 debut album. Swing Mob broke up in the mid-1990s, around the time Jodeci went on a long break.
Reunions and Recent Tours
Jodeci never fully went away. When NJS4E caught up with DeVante in Amsterdam in 2009, he promised fans “a new improved better” Jodeci, adding, “it’s coming, trust me.” The group returned with the album “The Past, the Present, the Future” in 2015, its first studio record in 20 years.
Since then, Jodeci has kept touring. The group played the Summer Block Party tour alongside SWV and Dru Hill. In 2026, it announced the Forever My Lady 35th Anniversary Tour with all four original members, including DeVante.
Personal Life
DeVante keeps his private life quiet. He has two known children: a son, Justin DeGrate, who works as a record producer and composer, and a daughter, Dyana DeGrate. Some reports say he is married to Miranda Santana, but he has not spoken about it publicly.
In January 2025, DeVante was dropped from a lawsuit that had named him alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs over an alleged 1990 incident. The woman who filed the case voluntarily dismissed her claims against him.
DeVante Swing Net Worth
DeVante Swing’s net worth is estimated at $5 million. Most of it comes from his songwriting and production work on Jodeci’s catalog, which still earns royalties from streaming, radio and samples.
Touring adds to that. Jodeci’s three 1990s albums sold millions of copies, and the group still fills theaters, including on its 2026 anniversary tour. His earlier work with Swing Mob and outside artists also brought in writing and production credits.
He once owned a home in Lloyd Harbor, New York, but he no longer lives there.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is DeVante Swing?
DeVante Swing was born on September 29, 1969, so he is 57 years old.
What is DeVante Swing’s real name?
His real name is Donald Earle DeGrate Jr.
Is DeVante Swing still in Jodeci?
Yes. He is part of Jodeci’s Forever My Lady 35th Anniversary Tour, which runs from October to December 2026.
Are DeVante Swing and Mr. Dalvin brothers?
Yes. Mr. Dalvin, born Dalvin DeGrate, is DeVante’s younger brother and fellow Jodeci member.
Which stars did DeVante Swing help discover?
Through his Swing Mob crew, he helped launch Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Ginuwine, Static Major and Stevie J.
What is DeVante Swing’s net worth?
DeVante Swing’s net worth is estimated at $5 million, mainly from Jodeci royalties, production credits and touring.
