The Breakfast Club - INTERVIEW: Raheem DeVaugh Talks Healthy Love, Reinvention, New Album 'Quiet Storm Lover Tome Un' + More

Episode Date: February 16, 2026

Today on The Breakfast Club, Raheem DeVaugh Talks Healthy Love, Reinvention, New Album 'Quiet Storm Lover Tome Un'. Listen For More!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastClubPower1051FMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The Breakfast Club. Shalameen, the guy, Jess Hilarious, NB and Lauren are out, but we got a special guest in the building right now. He's got a new album out, Quiet Storm, lover. Tom. Is it Tom Un? Yeah, Tom Un. Yeah, volume one.

That's it, volume one for French. Oh, okay. We learn something new every day. Rahim Devon is here. Yes, yes, what's going on? Good morning. He's still sick. Shut up.

Shut up. Anyway, hi, Rahim. What's up, birthday, girl? Thank you. I know you still celebrating. Yes. Getting it in. How do you feel, my brother?

I feel good, man. You know, I feel vibrant. I feel like I reinvented myself once again. You know, and I'm thankful just to have my name in the conversation after all these years. 20 years of the love experience and being in the music business, we celebrated that last year, you know, 2025,

so I'm actually currently in approaching year 21 of my first album, you know what I mean? And it's great, man, it's great. It's great. And, man, what better place to be in the morning? Breakfast Club. Thank you, brother. I feel like your name is always in the conversation.

We had Jill Scott up here, and Joe Scott was talking about how, like, there's certain artists that it ain't about number one records. It ain't about, you know, going triple platinum or anything like that. But their name is just always relevant and in the mix. And I feel like you're one of them, especially when it comes to R&B. I appreciate that, you know. I think that that's pulse, that's culture.

You know, that's what, you know, that's what I've always strived and aspire to inspire to be. You know, at this point of my career. And, yeah, it's, you know, it's not, we make it look easy as an independent artist. I've been independent for 15 years. You know what I mean? I've been my own trial and error in guinea pig for a lot of different things. You know, even this release, you know, this is an early release. There's two releases that have happened.

You know what I mean? Shout to Even.Biz and Mad Rodriguez for creating a platform that allows us to go direct to consumer, you know, cut out the middle minute third party. It's the second time Jay Coe has used the platform. You know, most recently and being back outside, I actually discovered the platform through La Russell, you know, who's the case study artist. Shout out of LaRussel, yeah. And then we got technology like this, you know, NFCs, you know,

digital real estate where we allow, you know, the fans to get exclusive content, memorabilia. And yeah, man, so it's about being on the cutting edge of it, you know. And I got in early, too, you know, if you know, you know, investment talk. You know what I mean? So it's about not just, it's not just about. utilizing the tool, you know, find a way to have, you know, ownership in the tool, you know what I mean? Partnership in the tool.

Screaming is, like, you've been around long enough to see both sides of the game. Screaming is just a waste of time for artists. Well, I mean, yeah, absolutely. When you see Jimmy Iveen going publicly saying that streaming is on his last leg, I mean, you know, for me, it's just like, you know, as somebody who came out in 2002 with the first record deal with Jive and then the album dropped in 2005. you know, as a curator and the first R&B soul singer to make mixtapes, you know what I mean? And being on the cutting edge of innovation, like, it's safe to say, CDs are back.

Yeah. Physical merch is back, you know, which by the way, you know, you get the album on Even, you get access to CDs, tape cassettes, vinyl that I got coming. For my top tier supporters on Even, you get a second album that's not even out. You know what I mean? Yeah. That's fire. You know what I mean?

So, you know, no shade to any of the DSPs. You know, I still rock with Apple. I still rock with title. You know what I mean? The digital release for the album, you know, where it goes global, will be on March 6, you know. But right now, we're focused on the super fans and giving the super fans an experience that only they can get.

And, you know, I'm excluding Spotify. Like, that's the only place I'm not putting my music right now. I don't, you know, they run out ice ads. Oh, I didn't know that. For sure. Spotify's running ice edge? Yeah, they were running... You know, you can't catch that?

Oh, they would definitely run it on your music. I mean, they'll put it on anything without telling the artists. And then the thing where... And then there's a thing where there's a lot of... If you go down the rabbit hole in terms of moral compass, it's just things I don't agree with. You know what I mean? And then you add the fact that, you know, we get a fraction of a penny as an artist anyway. They've been robbing as blind.

It's a billion-dollar company, and we get a fraction of a penny. So when you utilize a platform, you... like Even where, you know, a couple, my first release on Even was 2013 Valentine's Day, February 13th. That project went on to do somewhere between like 30 and 40K, and only 500 people bought that album before I made it public to the world. You know what I mean? So you do the math, 500 people, you know, 30 or 40K, you know what you have to stream to make 30 or 40K? like you know what I'm saying these days

so so so yes I applaud the fact that you know that CDs are back and vinyl never left and even for the cassette tape lovers out there trying to figure how we can get it how we can get it on a track Charlemagne yeah

yeah I don't know you know it's interesting because I feel so sorry for artists I would be the person that would go to your page and buy your album and download it to my phone you know what I mean I would do that right because when you say a fraction of a You know, a bunch of a fraction of a penny.

And they don't even make pennies no more. Did you know that, right? I mean, hey, that's modern day slavery. But did you know? No, no. I knew. Yeah, I got me some stashed. Yeah, right, right.

I got a 50 roll. So the name of the album, Quiet Storm Lover, Tone him, what's the significance? Well, you know, French, you know, French, I mean, transparently, I don't speak, a lick, a Fritch. Right. Closest it gets us to the title of this album, right? But, you know, French has always been associated. with the love language, you know, you know what I mean? And, you know, I probably, you know, Pepele-A-Pew probably knows more French than I do.

Why, too, Tumu-moon? Let me just say Ballymoremore. Yeah. Why do you just feel like the first chapter or something bigger instead of like a standalone album? You know, I won't give all the game away today, but I will say, you know, having the number one nighttime show and the music and a DMV right now. I've been doing the original Quiet Storm. I'm now doing radio full-time, I did through Friday. And it's been so surreal because I grew up.

listening to H-U-R. I grew up listening to the Quiet Storm, you know, Melvin Lindsay. It's where it started in D.C., you know. Kathy Hughes was the one who came up with the idea, gave it to Melvin. And so now to be in that hot seat,

I'm living out with my, I want to say, like, anything I wanted to do as a child, I'm in that space right now. Like, you know, I wanted to do radio. I always wanted to have a go-go band. I got a go-go band in D.C. called the Crane Crusaders.

Shout to the Crank Crusaders. You know, I'm doing that. And, you know, and I'm doing radio. So this album, I think, was unique about Quiet Storm Love of Volume 1 in particular is that it's a fusion of, it's a fusion of my first love and my newfound love, which is radio and media. And, you know, and when you throw that shit on, you know, it sounds like, you know, it's like, you know, it's a vibe.

You don't have to, just let it play. I like when R&B. It's the laying play zone. I love when R&B love is. do R&B radio shows. Like keep sweat, sweat, hotel.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know what I'm saying? Y'all, God bless the dead. He used to do champagne and bubbles. Yeah, yeah. It's a vibe, you know?

But it all started, it all started with the Quiet Storm, you know, that format, you know what I mean? So to be, you know, they say you want to make God laugh, make your own plans.

To be now doing the original Quiet Storm in D.C. It's just been like, I feel like I'm getting my good karma back for all of love I poured into the city,

you know? Now with this album, are you writing what were you writing about what happened in your love life? Or this is the credit of your love life or just subjectively? Yeah, I mean, more importantly, Jess, you have to test the music out. So you got to make sure, you know, I'm big on customer service. So when you put it together, you got to make sure that it works properly. Yeah, you have to have it. This is be blunt, yeah, you know.

But I mean, yeah, I mean, so what's also unique about? about this album, it's all slow jams. So, you know, I'm going on record and saying like, you know, like, you know, this is the slow jam album of the year. Real R&B. Let's be clear. That's be clear.

This is a slow jam album of the year. You call it. So if you're looking for, you know, I got, you know, I can be, Rahim Devon can be many things, right? But this is slow jam album of the year, you know. I got some more, I got some more treats coming, you know, in the next 12 to 24 months. You know, if you love conscious Rahim,

mixtape, mixed tape, Rahim, you know, But this is like, this is slow jams, man. When you think about the quiet storm, you know, when you think about Keith Sweat Shop, you know what I mean? Like, you think, you know, it's, it don't even require too much talking. It's really about that playlist, aka that laylist and what comes, you know, what's coming on before and after. You know, it's interesting, R&B today, like, it leaned so heavy into, like,

basically sing the sound of like rappers, right? Yeah. So it's like a lot of, I guess, toxicity in a way. Where does healthy love fit in modern? R&B coaching. I think it fits, man. You know, I think that speaks to someone's mental health a lot of time in the space you win.

You know, when you, you know, the older you get, you know, I remember somebody telling me, you know, in my 30s, in my 20s, you know, the 40s would be the best time of your life. You just got to get there. That's right. Yeah, so, you know, by the time you get 40, you know, a half a century, you know, which battles in life to pick, you know what I mean?

You understand the concept of time and that we're all running out of time, you know, from the time we get here. You understand, you know, the gift of decision of free will differently. You understand the gift of one another. I feel like those are the three greatest gifts. And if you utilize those, you know, through your artistry or, you know, as it relates that matters of the heart and intimacy, all the things, you know, life is just a lot easier

and simpler. But, you know, it's a learning experience. And, you know, that toxicity is part of growth, I guess, you know. I love that you had R. Lennox. on the voicemail to start the album. What other significance, other than her being from, you know, D&V as well? That was it, you know what I mean? And just that was it, you know, I feel like, you know, I'm always waving the flag, you know, for home, for the home team.

You know, whether it's Ari, you know, whether it's Waile, you know, the Crank Crusaders, the backyard band, Red Essence. You know, artists like Neptune 21 who's hanging out with me is just an incredible artist, you know, on a come up. She looked like she got boss. Yes, she looks and she just ready. She's ready to. And shout out to her and her team because, you know, she's, you know, being an artist is being many things. It's being, is knowing when to be the artist.

It's knowing, it's starting, you know, is knowing, being able to do content. You know what I mean? She's been helping, you know, been in charge of content for my rollout. And, you know, that, it gives me an opportunity to, to, to, do what I'll do best and it's just like invest in and what's next. Yeah. You know what I mean? Like because that's, you know, that's something that, you know,

me coming up under the tutelage and the mentorship of like DJ Jazzy Jeff and, you know, Kenny Dope, Louis Vega, you know, DJ Terry Hunter, like a lot of those guys I met and countless artists as well through DJ Jazzy Jeff. You know what I mean? So I'm just trying to pay it forward, you know, with artists and just representing, you know. And I represent for Baltimore, too. You're with it. With the cop and you already know what it do.

Shout to my Baltimore family too. That's right. But sure. You said something interesting. You said that toxicity is part of growth, right? And it's funny because I think about the R&B that I grew up on. The music didn't even reflect maybe the lives those guys were living. Which is crazy.

Like the music was all about love. Yeah, yeah. It was about love making. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, these guys were begging for their women back. Like, why? I don't understand why we don't understand why we don't. don't have that energy now.

It's almost like those lives, those guys were living outside of the music back then, those people are doing now and projecting it in their music. You know, Charlemagne, some will blame the generation before us. Some will say that, you know, it wasn't passed down, you know. You know, and some may argue, you know, we're a product of what we see, you know, you know what I mean?

So, you know, if we want to, if we, if we, If we want to see more of that love vibration, we got to, you know, breathe life into it. I'm, you know, I'm a powerful manifest... I believe in manifestation, you know, power of prayer. And, you know, but it's the art of... I think it's a big difference between believing and knowing. You know what I mean?

And I believe in the art of, you know, I'm in the art of knowing. Yeah, man, you know, I hope that... I think with this reason... I won't even call it a resurgence. I'm glad that Jill is back out. You know what I mean? I'm back outside.

I stay outside, you know what I mean? But I must admit, like, we're turning up on the promo side of things and the marketing side of things, you know what I mean? For far too long, I mean, I've probably been an industry best kept secret, you know, and continue to do the work. It's about consistency, though, you know, and being consistent. What's the most important lesson you learned of the album that you have? You got 20, what is it, 20 lessons of love.

Yeah. Yeah. Now, what's the most important lesson of love that you learned, my bad? There's a lot of else. Love lesson learned. In order to be happy, you know, happiness requires selfishness. Expound on that. Yeah, happiness requires selfishness.

You know what I mean? So, I mean, I think, I think, for one, being able to be just raw, blunt and honest. you know what I mean Dodge the gray areas Gray areas can be Gray areas can be Can feel like a safe space But they can cause confusion

You know what I mean But yeah it's okay to just say It's okay to say no Word Like you know what I mean Happiness requires selfiness It's okay to say no It's okay to

It's okay to want to be alone sometimes You know you know You know what I mean Like you know a lot of times we're so busy we're so busy focusing on making everyone else happy you know family partners whatever the case may be right like and there's nothing left for you so you got to start with you know you know how can you say how can you know love somebody uh adorn somebody if you don't like love and adorn yourself you know like the person that you see when

you look in the mirror be the best version be the best version of yourself you can be for you before you engage with the world and someone else. I literally been telling people with that all day. Literally, they're talking about that all day. Yeah, that's the topic was on. So you'll be hearing these, you know, people, whether it's men are women and they, you know, feel like they don't have nobody or, you know,

they're with somebody and the person's not giving them what they want. Like, yo, your first, last and best love is self-love. Yeah, absolutely. You can't recognize it in yourself. You'll never recognize it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You'll misuse it. You'll abuse it.

You'll be self-sabotaging. to it, you know. Now, you're a tourist right now. I don't know if you're into astrology. May 5th, single, DiMao Tourist. Okay, okay, that's the Chris Browner Faye too. Yeah. Very much.

Oh, you love that. That's a holiday for Mexicans too. Shut up, yo. You love it. Favorite holiday now. Anyway, what type of lover does that make you? If you're into astrology, because you know... I feel like it's two types of lovers.

I mean, you have givers and takers. So me, I'm the type that wants to please my partner. You know what I'm saying? You know, I'm an OD. You know what I mean? In some cases, if that's was necessary, you know? Yeah.

Yeah. But, I mean, I feel like, yeah, you got givers. You got give us and say it's. So you said you're a giver? Yeah, I'm definitely not the two-minute brother. Okay. But not just... Unless you get yours off for 30 seconds.

Not just the same, though. I mean, just a giver. Rahim, I mean, just a giver in the relationship, period. But I mean, yeah, I mean, yeah, for sure, for sure. Have you ever been a giver to a fault, though? Like, has that ever... I think we all have. You know what I mean?

Like, you know what I think? I think when I learned when I learned to not I'm kind of giving this away as far as I mean the bigger comes so much you know free game you know a book I'm working on right now but like as well but like when I when I

learn not to treat the person I'm dating like the girlfriend and not to treat the girlfriend like a wife because it's me and what that means is that boundaries are you know what I mean but these are things you learn through therapy, you know, through healing, to trial and error, you know, and yeah, so yeah, I mean, yeah,

so every, so, so, so do it, do it to be intentional, but do it with boundaries. Yeah. Boundaries are necessary. Yeah. You know what I mean? What's Zodiac sign would you tell people to stay away from? Um, what's your sign?

I'm gonna cry. Yeah, see, I gotta stay away. Now I'm just, my. Damn. I think you're right, right. Oh man. Um. Well, not tell people, but just for you.

For you as a tourist. Because you know it's always a battle with that. You know what? You know what? I want, I used to, I wouldn't. I wouldn't. I wouldn't, I wouldn't, I would, because you can't hold people just accountable to the, to the, to the, to the, to the, into the sign.

Now you'll be jammed up. I'm talking about people will be going down a rabbit hole. Yeah, like, you can't. Amber Cuns is not. Yeah, you got to. I think at the end of the day, it's about, you know, it's energy, it's energy, you know, and energy is a frequency, right? And, and it's reading the room.

Like, you know, it's compatibility, its growth, you know, any, no matter what the scenario is, you have to compromise is going to be evolved. Yeah. Because none of us are perfect and we're all growing in real time, hopefully. You know, good friend of mine says evolve or repeat. You know what I mean? And to add to that, the only time you should be repeating the steps is in the process of evolution. Yeah. You know?

No, look, this cover is hard. You like that? Yes. So this was your idea? Yeah, I mean. Where you at? I can't take all the credit. You know what I mean?

Shout out to, shout out to Neptune and her team. I know, that's right. This is fire. What were we? But where was you at? When we shot that? You said where we at? We were in Pennsylvania.

You could say what was? Okay, in Pennsylvania. Okay. Who's great where we at? Yeah, shout to it. Yeah, so one of the air. twins, you know what I mean? And Yenka, you know, gave us the opportunity to, you know, she has a, she has a beautiful

home and scenery. So, so that's where we, that's where we shot. That's where we shot for the, for the album and, you know, the new look. I did, I did a few dope looks. You follow me on Instagram. You can see the rollout. Yeah, man. Thank you.

Yeah, style is always impeccable. You know, I'm going to place in my life in the artistry, too. You got to trust other people. Like, you can't be so. So, you know, stand dollfish and just, like, you got to be open to ideas and trusting people with your art, you know? Yeah, shout out to Neptune. This is definitely fire.

You know, when it comes to trusting people with your art, do you think, like, Quiet Storm music disappeared or did, like, the industry just stopped prioritizing? I think that, I think for a period that the industry stopped prioritizing, and I think that they saw firsthand what happens to the game and to the music game when you stop prioritizing and when you, you know,

where you chase the numbers instead of chasing the feeling. You know what I mean? Like I say it all the time, good, better, and different, people remember how you made them feel. That's right. And Charlemagne, I'm just trying to make them feel good with this music. I'm trying to make them feel good when we touch these stages. You know, when I'm on the air at night and we play in that laylist,

I want to make them feel good, you know, and represent for the culture of what we do. And, you know, and as a result of that, you know, now history is repeating itself. You know what I mean? and when you stay. Canadian women are looking for more. More out of themselves, their businesses, their elected leaders, and the world are out of them. And that's why we're thrilled to introduce the Honest Talk podcast.

I'm Jennifer Stewart. And I'm Catherine Clark. And in this podcast, we interview Canada's most inspiring women. Entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, politicians, and newsmakers, all at different stages of their journey. So if you're looking to connect, then we hope you'll join us. Listen to the Honest Talk podcast on IHeart Radio or wherever you listen to your podcast. Welcome to the A building. I'm Hans Charles.

I'm Inalick Lamouba. It's 1969. Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. had both been assassinated. And Black America was out of breaking point. Writing and protests broke out on an unprecedented scale. In Atlanta, Georgia, at Martin's Al-Mermata, Morehouse College, the students had their own protest.

It featured two prominent figures in black history, Martin Luther King, Sr., and a young student, Samuel L. Jackson. To be in what we really thought was a revolution. I mean, people would die. In 1968, the murder of Dr. King, which traumatized everyone. The FBI had a role in the murder of a Black Panther leader in Chicago. This story is about protest. It echoes in today's world far more than it should, and it will blow your mind. Listen to the A-building on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you. you get your podcast. In the middle of the night,

Saskia awoke in a haze. Her husband, Mike, was on his laptop. What was on his screen would change Saskia's life forever. I said, I need you to tell me exactly what you're doing. And immediately, the mask came off.

You're supposed to be safe. That's your home. That's your home. husband. So keep this secret for so many years, he's like a seasoned pro. This is a story about the end of a marriage, but it's also the story of one woman who was done living in the dark. You're a dangerous person who prays unvulnerable and trusting people.

Your creditor might go up and good. Listen to Betrayal Season 5 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your What do you do in the headlines don't explain what's happening inside of you? I'm Ben Higgins, and if you can hear me, is where culture meets the soul, a place for real conversation. Each episode, I sit down with people from all walks of life, celebrities, thinkers, and everyday folks, and we go deeper than the polished story. We talk about what drives us, what shapes us, and what gives us hope. We get honest about the big stuff, identity, when you don't recognize your,

yourself anymore, loss that changes you, purpose when success isn't enough, peace when your mind won't slow down, faith when it's complicated. Some guests have answers. Most are still figuring it out. If you've ever felt like there has to be more to the story, this show is for you. Listen to if you can hear me on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. When you stay true to the art form of what you do and it comes back around, you know,

the music gets the response that is getting right now. You know, it's why Rahim Devon can be who he is, why you can be who you are, why you can be who you are, why Jill Scott is who she is, you know what I mean? And so it's great. It's a lot of great music out right now, man. It's going to be a lot of great, it's a lot of touring happening right now.

You know, shout out of Floatry. Yes, man, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You were singing Say-Y up this morning. Yeah, I'm going to be joining them on the Say Yes, along with the Incomparable Tidra Moses. You know what I mean? Tickets, you know, are on sale now for all. all major cities and more dates are being added.

Yeah, the Newark Day is the first show. Owee, you know, so it's going to be, a time is going to be had, man, you know. And, you know, that's what, it's culture. It's, you know, one thing about it, you know, whether, whether, you know, the ups and downs of it, the highs and lows, you know, is nothing moves about that music. That's right. Nothing moves without that music.

And, you know, for us as artists, who put so much into it, you know, from paying for the studio time and trying to figure out how to, you know, organically go viral and all these other components. You know, man, none is, my first album came on in 2005. So to still be in the conversation,

I did my first record deal 2002 with job records. You know what I mean? So to be able to be still here and had that conversation, you know, It's not, it's not, it's, I make it look easy. It's not easy, though. Yeah. You know, it's interesting because the Quiet Storm music has like always synod vulnerability, right?

Absolutely. How is your definition of masculinity evolved as you've continued to make this Quiet Storm music? Men are supposed to cry. You know what I mean? Men are supposed to be able to have a safe space, you know, and their woman and their partner to be able to to say what's going on you know a few projects back I put out this record called

Love the Pain Away and you know I was speaking from a very vulnerable space had just lost my dad you know who's been who's past you know been gone for about three and some change now and yeah so so so you know that for me that was the groundbreaking moment that that where I had to go where I said oh I need I need a therapist.

I need therapy. Before that, I was that guy who felt like, oh, maybe it's for you and not for me. And just like, you know, and once you get in there, you start getting the tools and doing the homework, and then you realize,

and then something happens because things will happen, life be lifeing. But now you got these tools that allow you to be able to be proud about your vulnerability and be able to identify your triggers and the things

because, you know, who won't be walking around? mad, dysfunctional, heartbroken, bitter, you know, assuming the worst. That's right. All the things that create, you know, a toxic experience, you know what I mean? Not just for you, but somebody who's trying to possibly love on you. Yeah. And a lot of times people don't even realize that they're stressed or they depressed or that they

need therapy and so they get in there and they start doing the working. You know what I'm saying? Absolutely. A lot of people don't even feel like it's nothing wrong with them. You know, so for me, you know, part of doing the work is being on stage, but also offstage, you know, 2012, I started my own foundation, the Love Life Foundation. You know, our focal points have been fighting domestic violence and being able to identify what it is amongst adults and teens, you know, feeding those that are displaced. You know, shout out to Gilead, Sciences, who I've had a three-year partnership with, you know, on HIV awareness. know, prevention, you know, treatment, conversations about prep and, you know, talking to your

primary care doctor, knowing if it's for you and what prep is. I saw that. What made you want to do that partnership? Oh, man, you know, I mean, I care about community, man, you know, so I won't get into, I won't get into the numbers, but I'm sure that, I'm sure that, you know, I'll say this, you know, get tested, know your status, you know, and know that there's light at the end of the tunnel, should you test positive? You know what I mean? That's what, you know, treatment and, you know, prevention.

But more importantly, let's make sexual health conversations the new norm. You know what I mean, along with everything else. And then, you know, for more information on what I'm doing, you know, with Gilead Sciences, you can log on to, you know, gilead.com. You know, but mental health has also been at the forefront of our initiatives, you know, going down to Congress and lobbying. You know, I've been very open and transparent about the fact that I was my father's caregiver, you know, for in the latter part of the years of his life,

you know, how he struggled with schizophrenia for most of his life and mental health. And so, you know, you got to be able to identify the crisis when you see it and know not to call 911 and know what number to call. We still not having enough conversations about schizophrenia. Like, you know, I think that we're just starting to, you know, of course we dealt with our anxiety and bouts of depression and even bipolar, but schizophrenia is something that I feel we're still a stigma. Yeah, it's the elephant in the room.

You know, shout out to all the churches, you know, whatever your faith is, but some things you can't pray away. You know what I mean? Like, you know, some things require, you know, therapy is going to be required. You know, a doctor needs to intervene and medication is going to be necessary, you know? So, you know, just as we break down the stigmas, you know, about HIV, you know, you know, there's a plethora of stigmas that need to be broken down

as it relates to mental health and making that cool and having those conversations and just being in the transparency. So, you know, I'm going to continue to do the work with the foundation. I know, I know that's something

that's important to you as well. Very much. And if, you know, if there's opportunities for us to work together, I'm going on a record to say that we can absolutely do that. You love to have you

at the mental welfare. Yeah, I would love to. Yeah, I would love to. Yeah, I would love to. Because one of the things that people also don't talk about usually is the people that have to take care of, you know, the people that have schizophrenic and, you know, man, listen, like, you know, my dad's last crisis, you know,

and that's when they, when they're off the meds for too long, you know, the longer you're off the meds, the more damage it causes, you know, and, and you risk the fact of going completely, like, insane, right? So, the last, the last, the last crisis in particular, like, I'm in the middle of like tour so I'm so I'm like you know and then that's and and it's something that it's it's his personal business at the time and and and and so I'm like touring and flying in to Ohio just jumping off of a plane um tired like yeah tired it wears a you you know I'm I'm literally in a psych ward you know what I mean like it's it's and for whatever reason I was the only I was the only one to kind of always get him back on track right you know what I mean

that he trusted you know when he was in that paranoid state or having an episode so um yeah man it's a it weighs a lot on on on on on on on the family member or members um you know and the ones who have to you know see it through but that's what we do you know that i you know i would hope that if i was in that position that's what family would do for me my child would do for me you know what i mean have you found the way to express that through your art um yeah i feel i feel like i feel like i feel like i feel like i feel like i feel like i feel like i have and I'm still exploring that in terms of the artistry. But aside from that, I've found a way to do that to express that where it matters most.

Because on stage is cool, but the doperest thing is the random acts of kindness that people don't see. Yeah. Or the things that aren't spoken on. You know what I mean? So I pride myself and just, you know, when I'm home and I'm in the city and just doing to work because I can't you know I can't get that time back with my dad you know I can you know I can pat myself on the on the back and say you know great job you know but at the end of the day I did what I was supposed to do that's my parent you

know you're supposed to that's what you're supposed to do you know for for for for family you know you think men are are finally allowed to be like emotionally fluent in their art or are we still kind of like unlearning emotional silence I think we, I think that, I think we are, absolutely. I think we are, we are, and have been for some time in the age of like, you can be who you want to be. You can be who you are. Love who you love.

You know, have no shame. You know, as it relates to artistry for our men and for our women in particular, who, you know, I can't imagine what's like to be a woman. But I know, I know coming out in the 2000s, what the stereotypes were. You know what I mean? Like, so, you know, I never thought it should matter what you look like, what the artists look like,

or what they weigh, or, you know what what their preference is. Yeah, it only matters with the women. Yeah, yeah, you know what I mean? About all the cosmetically challenged R&B guys out there. Yeah. That was a thing. Hey, handsome. Yeah, they made jokes about how

cosmetically challenged R&B singers were. Really? But the music was fine. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, but, but, but it's, again, it's, it's, it's, it's amazing to see how, how, and to see how everything is, like, coming back full circle.

If you look out like the rollout there, like, you know, Jay Cole's doing right now, for example, you know what I mean, along with, along with the digital real estate, like being outside physically, um, with the merch and, you know, the success that, uh, I've always followed in the footsteps of, the hip-hop artists. I mean, I started doing mixtapes in. jacking beats because of 50 cent in the G unit tapes. Wow. I started, you know, I gave out the next tail, blowout phone number because of Mike

Jones on the mixtapes. You know what I mean? So I always watched to see, you know, and moving around, you know, being, you know, when you, when you're independent, you're your own promo. So you've got to be outside, you know, Philly, New York, L.A., and moving around. So, you know, you naturally see what's happening, you know, and what has the pulse on the streets and you know and so it's always been to my advantage to I feel like to to you know as an r&BC singer to kind of you know tap into that space I was I'm glad you brought up J Cole

but I was thinking about when you talked about the partnership with a with July July science oh gillet gillette yeah did you hear j Cole's record safety yeah and how he addressed his yeah yeah yeah that was that yeah that was one of the most introspective type I've ever heard oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah I always be wanting him to be more introspective yeah yeah It was a very different approach. That record, that record in particular, it takes me to Nause New York State in mind. No, no, no, one love. Excuse me.

One love. One love. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, you know what I mean? Like, that's Jay Cole's, like, one love moment. You know what I mean? His approach, man, on that verse is crazy.

Yeah, for sure. I mean, when you talked about how he had regret because, you know, his friend, in sexuality, but also what really hit him was when his friend passed away of eight. Yeah, yeah. Did that, you know, I don't know. Yeah, yeah, I mean, it made me think, yeah, it made, you know, it makes you think, like, you know what I think, you know, I think, but that's what music is, you know, it's, you know, it's transparency, you know, for Quiet Storm lover for me in particular, like, you know,

it's all slow jams, it's love songs, there's no, there's no heartbreak records on there, you know what I feel like we got enough for that, like, you know, you know what I mean? But to be able to, you know, to make that, to make that, to make that, to make a body of work like that and then, and then be able to be, you know, be able to do the work that I'm doing with Gilead, I think it's, you know, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, if you go to, if you, if you, if you're going to, you know, push the, push the, push the, push, push, you know, you know, you know, you know, in the club, you're going to do, you do the liquor endorsement. Don't, don't, don't put the car keys in the hand. You know, you know, you know, call the, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know We're living for Uber, you know what I mean? Yeah. Like, yeah, so that's what's up. How do you measure success at this stage of your journey? I measure success being able to sleep at night, like a baby.

You know what I mean? I have to put in that hard work, you know what I mean? Knowing that I haven't compromised, you know, what's important to me, my spirituality, my moral compasses, you know, that I don't feel like my soul has been chipped away at, you know what I mean? knowing that, knowing that, you know, I'm the boss. It's only, it's only one higher source of power, you know, than me, you know what I mean? And knowing that, knowing, knowing to listen to that intuition, those butterflies that, that, that, that, that spidey sense, you know, that's the voice of God, you know what I'm saying?

It's intuition. And, yeah, man, like, you know, it's the art of reinventing. reinventing myself, you know, and just, and, and, and, and, consistency. A lot of times we just, we, we chase, sometimes we're trying to supersede the expectation of what we did 10 years ago or 20 years ago, but, you know, that's where that practice comes in, you know, you know, and those, those late nights from just being in the studio and just being a creature of habit and just generally, and genuinely still being in love with it. You know what I mean?

Like, if I didn't, if I didn't still love it, I wouldn't be doing it. Word. Yeah. Let's get into a record, man, because, you know, just need to blow her nose because she over there with her mouth open. Shut up. I mean, that was so crazy just now. She was just staring at you.

Right. That was so crazy. That was crazy just now. Let's see. What song you want to get into, Rahim? Oh, man. Look, let's get it to. 20 lessons of love, let your head.

Let's get it. You know what? Let's get it. Let's get into the one that's killing the charts right now. So, you know, 20 years ago, I created this anthem. You. You, which is, which is, which is, which is, which is, which is, the crazy resurgence of it going viral right now, you know,

shout to all the up and come an artist right now. Joining, joining, you know, the verse challenge, the open verse challenge, right? And, you know, I remade the record. I remade my own song. Oh, wow. You know, it wasn't just, it just wasn't, it wasn't strictly just like, you know, stroking my own ego. This wasn't an ego stroke move or narcissistic move.

This was also a business move because it becomes a new master. You know what I mean? That, you know, that I can control when it comes to, like, the licensing and not having to check in, you know. And, you know, last year I had big plans for the 20th anniversary album until I realized that, okay, the rights haven't reverted back to me yet. And for the things that I want to do with my baby with these songs that I created many moons ago.

God bless you. If you do it again, you're just seeking attention. You're not saying bless you the third time. We would not do it. Don't say it. Don't say it. Don't say it no more. Yeah, so, so I realized, man, you got throwing off my train.

You're talking about you, 20th anniversary. What's the last thing I said, Shalabang? You're talking about you to 20th anniversary. I chew. Just for ego. You didn't do it just as gross ego. Yeah, I should. Thank you for giving me back on trial.

A chew. All right. Yeah, I just, so it was for business. It was, you know, it was, it was, it's business. This time is business, but it's also personal. You know what I mean? Like, I feel like the record didn't get to, get the, get to shine and deserve. You know what I mean?

So, you know, I got my bag up. I got my focus. I got my team. You know what I mean? And we just, we just cracked top 30. What's like, 26 today? Yeah, shout to Lauren. You know what I mean?

Product manager, guru. We know each other a long time. Brought me to, brought me the first brother bring me to Detroit. Oh, that's nice. What up, Doug. You know what I mean? Shout to Detroit. Yeah, strong market out there.

Yeah, so I remade the record and it's going crazy. Got live strings, new vocals, new production. Still me. Still the vibe. And you still look the same. Thank you. Like, Ryan, you definitely drinking from the fountain. See, sneeze your compliments upon me.

No, you do really still look good. I'm like, damn, you know, they say black and crack, but like, no, like you, you You really still look good. I mean, I might take one drink a year if that. You know what I mean? So I don't drink. You know, I haven't smoked weed probably since, what, 2020, COVID. Oh, wow.

You can't be smoking the blunts in the cipher anymore. Yeah. I want to ask you right. It's a lot ago, you know. Before we get into you, the remake of you, are records really like babies? Like, do you watch them grow up and you look at them? I mean, for me, yeah.

Yeah, yeah. I think that's a great way to kind of like look at it. You know, at some point, you have this beautiful child. that you pour into, you put all this work into. You have a lot of fun creating it. And then the baby pop out. You know what I mean? Then you'd be like, sit your ass down.

I love you. You know what I mean? And you, and then you, and then you, and then you like, reminds me and me. Or you know, you're like, you remind you acting like your daddy right now. You look like your daddy. And then and then they become of age and everything we've invested into them.

Now it goes out into the world. You know what I mean? And, you know, at some point, hopefully you become a grandparent. Oh, yeah. Right? In the offspring. And, you know, I mean, I think about on a serious note, like, how many, how many, how many babies been conceived to a good slow jam of mine, you know,

or to those songs that we love and hear, you know, in the quiet storm. So, yeah, so, so absolutely, you know what I mean? So, but it wasn't easy remaking my own song, I tell you that. What was thought about it? I mean, I think it was, you know, one, I've grown as a vocalist. Yeah. So you're in there trying to capture, you're in there trying to capture this feeling. That's interesting.

That you create it, that you can't recreate it because it's a magical moment. You know, it's literally, if you know, you know, it's a download. Can you all grow your own sound? Can you all grow your own talent? Ooh. Wow. Only, only if you're growing in a positive way, absolutely. I'm not the vocalist I was 20 years ago

I can humbly say that I've gotten better in the studio my mind is sharper I'm more of a perfectionist now I can I can hear things in the album that were like where a track wasn't clinked up all the way my ears are better

you know what I mean I'm more I'm more intuitive you know what I mean and I'm more I care more like not that I didn't care then but I care more, you know, so it's never going to be perfect, right? But, you know, my approach to music is that if I can't feel it, you know, if I can't step outside of myself as a creator that made it

and feel it, then somebody else is, you know, then it's not going to, if it's not moving me, then it's not going to move you, you know what I'm saying? I think for, I think for sure that, like, we got, there's some things that we won't get into the names and the genres and things, but like, you hear it and you be like, come on, man, I know you didn't feel this. Somebody put you into me, somebody made some A&R told you needed to do it.

Like, you know what I mean? Like, and, you know, so you just got to, you know, as an artist, you got to know, you better know who you are getting into this. That was one of the things that I, that I understood coming into it before I signed, you know, the contract in 2002. You know what I mean?

Which I got out of. I got myself out of in, you know, in 2010. You know, I mean, independent every six. So, yeah, it's, it's, you know, that's it. You better know who you better, you better know. Do you like the first you better, the original you better than the remit? Because you got to think about it. Tank did the same thing on R&B money.

Yeah. Like he remade like three of his old tracks, right? Yeah. And it's, it's debatable to me. I like the newer ones. You know what? I ain't going to hold you. What you think?

I absolutely love the new version better. Like, like I walked away with like, like, Once it was mastered, it got the live strings on it and just like, I walked away from it and being like, I'm about to remake everything. By the time they listen to that, by the time they listen to the first thing, it's going to feel like a, it's going to feel like a demo. You know what I mean?

And again, why not? If you can do it, why not? Because, you know, it's about ownership. You know, being able to own that master and not having to be able to go and not having to check in with somebody about your baby. Having a check in a book with somebody about your baby, oh, man, there's no feeling worse than that.

Something that you put the hard work into, the blood, sweat, tears into somebody tell, oh, no, you can't put that out. Unless I say you can. Yeah. Man, come on. It's always a way to figure it out. And that's why you got to get your NFC car for me.

And I got the first NFC car, number one. Yeah, we got to sign one for Shaolin, and leave one for envy. But, yeah, that's, you know, that, you know, that, you know, the digital real estate and all the things do not matter if you ain't

if you don't have that ownership or you got you are you locked into that 360 deal where you got to check in people still sign a 360 deal yeah yeah you would think they're not but niggas still not reading you know

really they not I am oh okay I'm not them I just asking I didn't say I was asking you know what he'd be coming at us yo me and you reign I got to do this I got Steve.

No, because we're a part of the DMV. No, this ain't got nothing to do with the DMV. Oh, I see what you did. I see what you did. Then you paired us together. This ain't got nothing to do with the DMV. Okay. Rahim Devon, man.

Thank you, love of volume one. Tumoon. Yeah, thank y'all. Thank y'all so much for having me. Appreciate you, man. Let's get into you right now. Introduce the record, brother. Yeah, you know what it is.

You know who I am. You know what I do is to love King of Soin R&B. Radio Rahim Devon, aka Mr. Quiet Storm. And check it out. This is a world permit. We're taking it all the way, number one. You, the 20-year anniversary edition, right here on the Breakfast Club. Jadig.

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