Deva Mahal
Deva Mahal (pronounced 'diva') is a soul and R&B singer. Mahal is the daughter of US-American blues musician Taj Mahal.
Deva Mahal | |
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Background information | |
Born | [1] Hawaii | January 1, 1982
Genres | Soul, R&B |
Occupation(s) | Singer |
Years active | 2017–present |
Deva joined father Taj Mahal in Michael Dorf's tribute to Aretha Franklin at Carnegie Hall in New York City on March 6, 2017.[2] They performed "Chain of Fools". Other artists that performed included Todd Rundgren and Sarah Dash.[3] One year later, Mahal returned to Carnegie Hall for Dorf's next tribute night, "The Music of Led Zeppelin". She was joined by Dap-Kings guitarist Binky Griptite on "Your Time Is Gonna Come".[4]
Early life
Deva Mahal was born in Hawaii to parents Taj Mahal and Inshirah Mahal.[5] When she was 17, they moved to New Zealand before settling in New York City.[6] She played with various artists around New York before pursuing a career as a solo artist.
Career
Pre-2017: Early work
Mahal began writing and performing music as a child, gigging from age 5.[7] She has worked with artists including TV on the Radio, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and Fat Freddy's Drop.[8] Mahal provided backing vocals on Hollie Smith's Long Player and Fat Freddy's Drop's album Based on a True Story, track "Wandering Eye". She also collaborated with keyboardist Steph Brown in the band "Fredericks Brown" The duo toured and put out a pair of EPs together with guitarist Michael Taylor.[9]
2017: Deva Mahal EP
Mahal launched her solo career by initially releasing three songs as a self-titled extended play, Deva Mahal, in October 2017.[10]
2018: Run Deep
Mahal released her debut album 'Run Deep' March 23, 2018.[11] The album was produced by Scott Jacoby.[12] GRAMMY.com revealed she was their No. 1 'Best New Bands' from South by Southwest 2018.[13]
2019: 'Goddamn' and 'Your Only One'
Mahal released 2 singles, 'Goddamn' and 'Your Only One' following her debut album 'Run Deep'. The singles were co-produced by Mahal and Son Little.[14]
Musical style
Mahal's musical style ranges from Soul, Funk, R&B and Blues and she cites Tracy Chapman, Nina Simone and Lauryn Hill as some of her influences.[15] Her soulful vocal style has been compared to Amy Winehouse.[16]
Personal life
In 2020, Mahal was featured on the second season of Netflix's dating reality show Dating Around where she identified as being attracted to both men and women.[17] In the third episode, titled 'Deva', she states she's been living in New Orleans since December 2019.
Discography
Albums
Title | Album details |
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Run Deep |
Title | Album details |
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Maestro |
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Extended plays
Title | Extended play details |
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Deva Mahal |
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Run Deep track listing
- "Can't Call It Love"
- "Snakes"
- "Fire"
- "Dream"
- "Shards"
- "Run Deep" (featuring Coco Peila)
- "Turnt Up" (featuring Allen Stone)
- "Superman" (Interlude)
- "Optimist"
- "Wicked"
- "It's Down to You"
- "Take a Giant Step"
References
- "Who Is Deva Mahal? Here Is All You Need To Know About The Dating Around Cast Member". Billboard. June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
- "The Queen of Soul Receives a Multi-Artist Tribute at Carnegie Hall With 'The Music of Aretha Franklin'". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- Coscarelli, Joe (December 7, 2016). "Aretha Franklin Tribute Concert Set for Carnegie Hall". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- "All-Star Lineup Comes Together To Honor The Music Of Led Zeppelin At Carnegie Hall". JamBase. March 8, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- "Deva Mahal Deva Mahal". exclaim.ca. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- "In Conversation with Soul Songstress: Deva Mahal". reformthefunk. March 1, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- "Deva Mahal Deva Mahal". exclaim.ca. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- "Listen to Deva Mahal's Debut EP (and Enter Pre-Save Contest)". Relix. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- "Jazz & Milk – Fredericks Brown". Jazz & Milk – Fredericks Brown. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
- Deva Mahal: EP, retrieved April 3, 2018
- Empire, Kitty (March 2, 2018). "Deva Mahal: Run Deep review – gentle sepia R&B debut". the Guardian. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
- Whitmore, Laura B. "Exclusive Song Premiere: Deva Mahal Tells it Like it is With 'Can't Call It Love'". Parade. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- "SXSW 2018: 7 New Bands To Check Out This Year". GRAMMY.com. March 1, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
- Leigh, Nathan. "EXCLUSIVE: DEVA MAHAL AND SON LITTLE WILL SEDUCE YOUR EARS WITH THEIR NEW SINGLE "GODDAMN"". Afropunk. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
- "Echoes Magazine | FEBRUARY 2018 ISSUE". echoesmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- "Review: Deva Mahal will melt your heart with new album 'Run Deep' (Includes first-hand account)". March 2, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- "Deva Mahal Shuts Down Sexist Date on Dating Around Season 2". June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2020.