Meet Devine Evans | Multi Award winning Producer, Songwriter, Composer
We had the good fortune of connecting with Devine Evans and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Devine, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The ultimate goal behind launching my own Entertainment and Media company was to create a musically charged environment that would give Artists, Songwriters and Producers an opportunity to grow and develop their gifts.
In my life I have experienced so many tragic moments caused by the affiliation of people rooted in the entertainment industry for the wrong reasons. I wanted to create a safe space for my team and especially a safe space for the women in my life to grow, learn and challenge each other to be great.
As a Husband, as a father to two beautiful daughters and best friend to many incredible Women, I have seen first hand how mistreated women are in this industry. That’s why I started the movement called The Diary of a Songwriter where myself and 124 women stood in solidarity against gender based discrimination.
With a diligent routine rooted in the soils of discipline, consistency, hard work and laser focus, I can proudly say I have now participated in winning 5 GRAMMY Awards, I have earned over 100 plus diamond, platinum and gold albums, and me and my wife are now both NAACP Award winning film Composers.
In my 20 years as a professional, I have been blessed to work with some of the worlds most iconic Artists including Rhianna, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj, Eminem, OutKast and hundreds of others. My career has been a rollercoaster with more highs than lows and I owe it all to Gods favor. Many have tried to take me off my path to success but nothing can derail God’s plan.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a creative artist, I believe the one thing that has made me stand out amongst other music producers, writers and composers is my appetite to study, learn and expand my knowledge of music history, my willingness to train, grow and enhance my God giving abilities and my willingness to embrace the forward motion of musical technology.
When people ask me what I do, the best answer I could give them is I do what I’m best at and I lean on the shoulders of the team i built to do what I am not best at. My production team includes Artist/Songwriter/Vocal Producer Elle E.D., Musician Luke Austin, Producer 11:30, Artist/Songwriter S.L.M. (SheLoveMal), and Artist/Songwriter Josh Moreland. They are my musical Avengers.
I am a firm believer that to be great and not limited to one style or genre it is crucial for all creators to know their history. Spend time recreating songs that are out of the norm for you. Learn the variations in rhythm patterns that make R&B different from Hip Hop, Jazz different from Funk and Funk different from Salsa.
When I write charts for an ensemble, brass band or a full orchestra, the only way I can be successful at satisfying such a wide variety of clientele is because I have spent thousands of hours studying.
The world is bleeding right now and it is my God given purpose in this world to take all I have learned about theory and history and apply pressure. I can never be complacent. It is 100% my job to constantly stay aware of current and trending technology and sounds and use it as the glue to bring my people the healing powers of music.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friends came to La the itinerary would be quite an adventure.
Monday
We would start with breakfast at Catch La so I could introduce them to their cinnamon roll pancakes.
After breakfast we would head down to Long Beach and go on a nice whale watching mission.
Once we return to port we would do lunch at Joes Crab shack and then make our way towards the valley to hit a spa and then end the night at Joeys in Woodland Hills where we would sip on a few Bellinis.
Tuesday
We would head over the canyon and hit up Malibu and eat lunch at Moon Shadows.
Afterwards we would drive up the coast listening to all of the latest release by our favorite artist Elle E.D. her single “Baddie” would be on repeat for most of the drive.
For dinner, and to celebrate Tuesday in L.A., I’d take them to one of me and my Wife’s favorite Mexican restaurants called Anejo, in Sherman Oaks. Then, I would want to end this night with drinks and laughs at the comedy store on Sunset.
Wednesday
We would hit up & Waffles in Woodland Hills for breakfast
Then head to melrose for a streetwear shopping spree.
For lunch we would hit up Sushi Dan and then go and take a walk down at Universal Citi Walk.
For Dinner we would do something simple like yard-house so I could get their Glazed Salmon dish.
Depending on the talent I would want to end this night at my favorite live music venue, Verse or maybe even the Hollywood Bowl. The Peppermint is always a good vibe too.
Thursday
We would do breakfast at Another broken egg in Burbank. Their shrimp and grits is the closest thing to heaven that we can experience on this earth.
Me and my wife both love the Zoo so we would head over to the La zoo and spend the day there.
For dinner we would hit up Tao in Hollywood and then head downtown to hangout at the Two bit Circus to play a ton of VR games.
Friday And Saturday
We would spend the entire day at Disney land
Sunday we would rest at home and just order breakfast from Harold and Lillies in Woodland Hills and get lunch from one of our favorite Italian spots, Fornaio.
For diner we would head to West Hollywood to end our weekend together with an epic dinner at Katana
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this and my entire life to my incredible wife Elle E.D. She has stood beside me through all of the challenges life has brought our way. She is my world and for her I will continue to forever be the light that God created me to be.
Also, I owe everything I am to my fierce Tribe of Women that hold me down. Mariam Frieg, Lalah Delia, Mish’ael Ricks, Maurine Lightner, Cassie Bradley, Salimah Bryant and Monique Walker. Of course, it goes without saying, none of this would be possible without my Mother and Father Ronnie and Kathy Evans and my two daughters Skyler Evans and Jordan Cha Cha for keeping my head up when the world tried to tear me down.
I have been writing songs my whole life and I have never com close to writing a song to describe my love for my Father and all of these incredible Women. Until my dying day, If I tried to write that song that describes my love for them, I will write songs that change the world for the rest of my life.
Musically I would like to thank Tobe N’wigwé and Fat N’wigwé for constantly feeding my soul with the at the crib versions of all of their songs.
Website: https://www.devineevans.com
Instagram: @devineevans
Linkedin: @devineevans
Twitter: @devineevans
Facebook: @devineevans
Youtube: @devineevansmuaicgroup
Image Credits
All images by Kenneth Brayden Matthews and Margaret Byrne
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