Raheem's Debut

'Marathon' Live @ SOBs
From the upcoming album "Love Behind the Melody" In Stores January 15, 2008

by:SDM

Jive Recording artist Raheem DeVaughn debuted his sophomore release "Love Behind the Melody" to a sold out audience at NYC's SOB's last night. Aside from displaying new album cuts, DeVaughn also sported a fresh new low haircut, a far stretch from the cornrows and wooly fro/twists he has sported since his 2005 debut album "The Love Experience". The self-proclaimed R&B Hippie was all over fresh-to-death when he took the stage wearing a slick 3-piece suit and a crisp white collar, rapping and singing "Friday" a snazzy tune set to the Temptations "My Girl". Raheem officially introduced the new album with "Try Again" what he called his 'miss U song'.
The beginning of the show was a medley of familiar tunes like his debut title track, and 'Sweet Tooth' mixed in with new tracks like "Energy" which started out as new lyrics stretched out over James Brown's 'Higher' and turned into an excited crowd pleaser. DeVaughn used this track to raise the energy and temperature in the building drawing the crowd into his new vibe, which is still very sensual. He achieved his goal as the crowd's excitement flourished, and he dove into the audience to serenad a few lucky ladies. Apparently, Raheem was feeling the warmth as he appeared back on stage missing his nice suit jacket and shirt, having shed his clothes down to a comfortable wife-beater and a satisfied smile. Another stand out seducer on the new project was 'Marathon', a sexy narration of love making that was cleverly introduced by the ballad killer. He stated that there were 2 types of love making a "quickie" and a "marathon"; each has it's place and time, but you can guess which is his favorite.
DeVaughn, who is forever conscious, full of love, and spiritual, 'Passed the Love Along" with a touch to a crowd member who was asked to keep the Love moving by doing the same. By the end of this song, DeVaughn was draped in his customary "King's Crown" and purple cloak which I have seen him do before. This gimmick is not necessarily, necessary, or too cool, but I'll let him do his thing because I am still feeling him overall.
"Woman" the first single from "Love Behind the Melody" left no fear of the "Sophomore Blues" as he began the wind-down of the night with it's pulsating praise of our strength and beauty. His drummer 'Big Biscuit' tore up the end of it with an electrifying solo. I am sure DeVaughn would say that he is way beyond the , being he releases his own mix tapes before, during, and in between his major releases, and tours regularly. The few new cuts he performed fit in well with his premier favorite's "Believe In Me" Guess Who Loves You More" and "You" which closed out the show. Love Behind the Melody is set for a january 15, 2008 release date, which happens to be "Black Love Day", looks like the picked a good one for phase two of Raheem DeVaughn- The R&B Hip-Hop RockStar!