We recently connected with De’Vante The King and have shared our conversation below.

Hi De’Vante, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I started my creative journey at the age of 12, exploring music and poetry. However, it wasn’t until I turned 15 that I really discovered my passion for being an artist. My brother, who is a photographer/videographer (@HourVoyses), introduced me to Dame Drummer. Dame had an inspiring vision for a docu-musical called “Black Daddy: The Movie,” aiming to showcase the life of a black father actively involved in their child’s life. I had the unique opportunity to be the only young person interviewed for this film.

Upon learning about my aspirations as an artist, Dame Drummer asked me to craft a song about my relationship with my father. This moment marked not only the recording of my first song, “Dear Pops,” but also ignited a fire within me to pursue being an artist further. That song, titled “Dear Pops,” began a journey of 36 released songs, multiple projects, interviews, and a growing fanbase.

De’Vante, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m De’Vante L Ray, professionally known as De’Vante The King (aka DTK). I grew up in Hayward, California, and I’m not just a rapper, singer, songwriter, and music producer—I’m a storyteller who’s been immersed in music since my early years. According to my mom, I was singing and dancing as soon as I could walk and talk.

In high school, I studied Spanish and discovered that my name echoes the Spanish phrase ‘El Rey,’ translating to ‘The King’ in English. This connection inspired me to infuse Spanish elements into many of my songs, creating a distinctive Latin Hip-Hop vibe. With broad musical interests across various genres, my creativity is versatile, allowing me to craft music that resonates with diverse audiences.

I’ve always enjoyed dancing, and it led to being featured in the music video for Bay Area artists Budda Mack and Philthy Rich’s hit single “Get Ya Mind Right.” The video has over 1 million views, earning me an online buzz.

In October 2020, I released my debut single, “Dear Pops,” which received considerable attention. Since then, I’ve gone on to launch two albums, “NOTES” and “L3V!TATE,” two EPs, “King Koncepts” and “New Beginnings,” and four singles, including “C9,” “FL4SH,” “GearShift,” and “I’m Up.”

In 2021, I relocated to Austin, Texas, the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Performing live at events like the San Francisco Juneteenth Festival in 2022 and the SXSW Conference in 2023 has been instrumental in propelling my music career forward.

What sets me apart is my skill as a lyricist. I have a unique ability to craft thought-provoking verses, diving into emotions, storytelling, and connecting with listeners through my words. Each line I write resonates with authenticity and sincerity, painting vivid pictures that linger in the minds of my audience.

Inspired by personal experiences and artists like Kendrick Lamar, J-Cole, J.I.D., Smino, and Tyler the Creator, I weave melodies and lyrics to create powerful compositions.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The biggest reward I get from being an artist, for me, is the connection I establish with people through my music. Beyond the surface level, my creative expression allows me to reach into the hearts and minds of my audience.

I possess the ability to resonate with individuals during moments of struggle, desire, love, pain, and various facets of life. Through my songs, I dive into themes of self-discovery, social issues, and personal growth, providing a platform for listeners to engage on a emotional level.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Be honest. I feel better about constructive criticism rather than sugar coated fandom. If I play a song for you, and you say it’s a good song when you feel otherwise, that doesn’t help me grow as an artist. False feedback will lead to me producing bad music rather than tweaking the song to make improvements.

Share the music. It costs nothing but a little time to like, comment and share a post to your friends and family. If you’re hanging with people, play a song or two. Be a recruiter for the artist and help build the fanbase.

Checkout my new single “I’m Up” available on all platforms! Music video coming soon…

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.devantetheking.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devantetheking
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devantetheking
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/devantetheking
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@devantetheking
• Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@devantetheking

Image Credits
Kash Koncepts Photography Brittney Jones Photography