DeP (musician)

Donald Paige, known professionally as DeP (pronounced Deep), is an American singer, actor and model based in Los Angeles, California, and a member of the Beta Beta chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He released his debut single "For Me" in 2005. Donald "DeP" Paige specializes in skills that range from in front of the camera talents and behind the scenes business, this triple threat has been making waves for years. DeP's music is influenced by artists such as Donny Hathaway, Missy Elliott, Yolanda Adams, and Tank amongst several others. DeP has shared the stage and opened up for prominent music artists including Beyonce, Kanye West, John Legend, Chance The Rapper, Alicia Keys, Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Andra Day, and Ne-Yo. He has also performed at 2016 TV Land Awards, 2016 ESPY Awards and 57th Annual Grammy Awards.

DeP
Background information
Birth nameDonald Paige
BornHouston, Texas, U.S.
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresR&B, Pop
Occupation(s)Singer, actor, model
Years active2005–present
LabelsMMG, Elite Records, Versatile
Associated actsBeyonce, Kanye West, Chance The Rapper, Alicia Keys, Andra Day, Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Ne-Yo, Sunday Service Choir, ThinkDeP
Websitewww.thinkdep.com

Early life

DeP was born and raised in Houston, Texas, into a musical family with extensive roots in gospel music. Many of his family members are charter members of the Southeast Inspirational Choir, which propelled the careers of gospel artists such as Yolanda Adams, Brenda Waters, Shirley Joiner, Carl Preacher, Rise Joiner-Peters, Angela Bennet and Greg Curtis[1] Being raised in the Outreach Missionary Baptist church, he began first singing gospel music at the age of 6. DeP would experience his first acting opportunity when he landed roles in a Six Flags commercial. He attended performing arts schools starting in elementary up until high school High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston as a double focus in vocal and piano with other great talents such as Robert Glasper. He also was a part of the young performers at The Ensemble Theatre with fellow members Solange Knowles, Miss Mykie and more.[2] He also studied piano at A All About Music. After performing secular music in High School, he transferred to Westbury High School during his Second year, he knew that he wanted to become a professional performing artist. Shortly after enrolling in college at Texas College, where he joined the Beta Beta Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in Spring 2001,[3] DeP was offered a record deal with Versatile Records in Washington DC. While growing as a credited singer, songwriter and performer, his coordinating and business skills were developed working under Rep. Al Edwards, Rob Turner of Able Ten Inc, The PHD Conference and several non profit Organizations.

Early career

During his time at Texas College in Tyler TX. DeP was signed to Versatile Records in Washington D.C. where he first began releasing his own music, which resulted in his first national release, his EP entitled "For Me".[4] After parting ways with Versatile Records, DeP joined New York City based male R&B group, Diehard in the mid 2000s. Diehard changed their name to Signature shortly after he joined. The group was signed to Blackball Records and then bought out by Elite Records who got them their debut breakout performance of their single "Get It In" on BET's popular video countdown show, 106 & Park. After a few years, DeP parted ways with the group and took a break from entertainment to flex his business goals and complete his degree in Education. During this time, he started a program called Operation Clicks, a computer literacy course for senior citizens, with the Greater Houston Area Health Education Center.

Once again rejuvenated to continue his singing, acting and modeling career, DeP relocated to Los Angeles. Since then his performance career has flourished appearing in several commercials for companies including Beats by Dre and Dos Equis.

2005–2013

DeP released his first EP, For Me in 2005.[5]

In 2008, he released his debut single titled "Something More" which was a slow groove R&B ballad, the single was co-produced by Lejuan Samuels.[6]

In 2008 DeP released his second EP, The Truth, with MMG Record Label which included the popular hit, "Something More.[7]

In 2010 DeP launched a full scale marketing company, Think DeP Entertainment, which specializes in artist development, vocal coaching, EPK creation, literary services, social media optimization, web presence building and more. His second EP, The Truth was also released same year on MMG.

He collaborated with Don Benjamin and released his second single "Sugar Rush" in 2012. DēP's third single was "Contract" which was also released in 2012.

In 2013, DeP was featured as a doo-wop singer, in the commercial series featuring Dos Equis. The commercial ran for two years to become DeP's first major commercial as a lead. The commercial was produced by Radical Media and directed by Steve Miller.[8]

In 2013, he released his fourth single "Celebrate" which was produced by Davion Botts.

2014–2017

By 2015, DeP performed with Beyonce at the Grammy Awards of 2015, 'Grammy Salutes: Stevie Wonder'.[9] DeP was hired by producer, Bill Brummel, to voice the role of Lawerence Huggins for the documentary, Selma: The Bridge To The Ballot.[10] The documentary that tells the story of a courageous group of students and teachers who, along with other activists, fought a nonviolent battle to win voting rights for African-Americans in the South, would be DeP's first voice over role.[11] It has since become a tool for middle school and high school classrooms across the US.[12]

DeP also landed a placement of an original song produced by Theo Gearring, "1st Sight", in the 2015 romantic comedy, My Favorite Five.[13]

In 2016 DeP released his first album, Think DēP Reloaded. The LP included all of his previously released singles and some new songs including the popular single, "Red Light".[14] The single "Red Light Pt. II",[15] was the breakout single from this project.

During this time, DeP would be seen everywhere touring and with performances at the 2016 TV Land Awards, 2016 ESPYS and 2016 White Hot Holiday. DēP has also appeared in several music videos including "Matrimony" by Wale and Usher, "Bang Bang", and "So in Love (Jill Scott & Anthony Hamilton song)". DeP also appeared in several publications including Vibe, Rolling Stone, Sheen Magazine and Baller Alert and the 17th issue of The Grynd Report.[16] He also became the Los Angeles brand ambassador for 'Upscale Men's Jewelery and Grooming Line' for Teddy Winston Brand.[17]

2018–present

Throughout 2018 DeP worked with several aspiring artists across the US, successfully releasing EPs and singles for some of them which featured him as a writer, co-producer, A&R and performer, including his features on Bianca Acosta's Christmas single "Ode To Mary" and Jai G's, "Edna Jean".

In 2018, DeP began to see success in acting. He landed his first lead role for a short film called This Side Up, a true story about Henry Brown's infamous escape from slavery by mailing himself to freedom and has had cameos in several TV shows including Will & Grace and The Rookie.

DeP was named one of 2019 Top 50 Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs of Texas awarded by D Mars Magazine, and recognized by the US Congress for his work in helping develop young talent and entrepreneurship.

The Tom Joyner Foundation launched a podcast in 2019, HBCUbiquity, that spotlights HBCU's and the lifestyle around them.[18] Calling upon DeP to write and perform the podcast opening song, he delivered a song that brought the necessary energy to bring life to the opening of the podcast.[19]

In 2019, DeP joined the viral singing group powered by Kanye West, The Samples, gaining notoriety for their performances and unique remixes at Kanye West's Sunday Service.[20] On Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, their performance at the 2019 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival was the first spiritual/religious focus act to ever appear and stream on the stage.[21] That performance catapulted the Samples and Sunday Service into being one of the most in demand experiences of the year. DeP helped produce two shows in his hometown of Houston for the Houston Correctional Facility, which featured Kanye West and The Sunday Service Collective. Those two shows were the first shows of its kind by the group. The Houston run was completed with a performance at Joel Osteen Lakewood Church[22] In June 2019, Kanye West and the Sunday Service collective, along with the Samples, were featured in GQ Italia. That month's addition released two covers featuring Keanu Reeves and Kanye West. DeP is featured on page 180 of the magazine.[23] The Sunday Service Choir and Kanye West released "Jesus is King" and "Jesus is Born" in 2019, both dominating Billboard charts to land the number 1 and 2 spots, respectively.

An original song entitled "Spirit" performed by Beyonce featured DeP and a few others singing background.[24] "Spirit" was nominated for a Golden Globe and 2 Grammy Awards.

His current project, Edibles and Elevation,[25] which he says "I’m talking about something that's a very sexy conversation, but the elevation part is elevating your mindset." The project came at a time when the entertainer was seeming to be falling out of love with music. "I was falling out love with music because I wasn't creating music that I loved, but I brought it back with Edibles and Elevation." The project came after having a 420 session where the artist says "I loved the conversations that my peers and I were having." “I loved the outlook that I had, and for the first time, I could stop the business approach to my creativity."[26]

In 2020, DeP was asked to be a part of several performance with John Legend including the BET Awards performance and the two day performance at the first virtual Democratic National Convention. DeP was provided background vocals for Beyonce to honor the loss of Kobe Bryant. DeP stage managed the 50th anniversary for the Southeast Inspirational Choir. The concert featured the choir, Yolanda Adams, of which he directed her hit song "You Made The Difference", Donald Lawrence, Kim Burell, Kathy Taylor and The Walls Group. On September 4, to commemorate his 38th birthday, DeP partnered with Nathaniel Kemp of Digital Frog Photography, and released a fully authenticated limited edition photo collection, 'X-pression 38'. The collection has 38 limited edition photos from a two year shoot that the duo collaborated on to be a part of a special 2022 project entitled Rebirth.[27]

Discography

Singles
  • "For Me" (2005)
  • "Something More" (2008)
  • "Contract" (2012)
  • "Celebrate" (2013)
  • "Red Light" (2016)
  • "Red Light Pt. II" (2016)
  • "Ode To Mary" Bianca Acosta Ft. DeP (2018)
  • "Fallback" (2019)

Albums
  • For Me EP (2005)
  • The Truth (2008)
  • Think DeP Reloaded (2016)
  • The Gift: Lion King "SPIRIT" (2019)
  • Jesus is King (2019)
  • Jesus is Born (2019)
  • Edibles and Elevation (2020)

Filmography
YearFilmRoleNotes
2020Black Is KingFeatured Film
2020Will & GraceTouristSupporting Cast
2019Lion KingSinger "Spirit"Featured Film
2019Jesus Is KingSELFShort
2019This Side Up: The True Story of Henry BrownHenry BrownShort
2018The Choir DirectorChoir Member Male LeadSupporting Cast
2017KingsRioterSupporting Cast
2017The Preacher's SonChoir Member Male LeadSupporting Cast
2015Straight Outta ComptonDJ Hype ManSupporting Cast
2015My Favorite FiveSinger "1st Sight"Music Department
2015Selma: The Bridge To The BallotLawrence Huggins (Voice)Short
2014RakeParty GuestTV Series – Serial Killer episode[28]
2011GracelandParty BoyShort
2011We The People With Gloria AllredJack JacobsonTV Series – Baby Swab/Flowers From Hell episode[29]
2011Black GoldMilitant LeaderSupporting Cast

References
  1. DeP Soul Tacks Artist Spotlight Retrieved July 18, 2019
  2. The path to stardom started amidst the church walls in Houston, TX Retrieved December 20, 2016
  3. Famous members of Kappa Alpha Psi Retrieved July 24, 2019
  4. Meet DeP Voyage LA Retrieved November 9, 2020
  5. Me by DeP at Allmusic.com Retrieved December 20, 2016
  6. More was released in 2008 Retrieved December 2016
  7. Donald Paige Discography Retrieved December 25, 2016
  8. "Recoll DooWop". Vimeo.com. May 14, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  10. Selma: The Bridge To The Ballot, IDMb.com, Retrieved July 2019
  11. "Selma | The Bridge to the Ballot". Learningforjustice.org. June 29, 2017. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  12. "Selma: The Bridge to the Ballot". Zinnedproject.org. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  13. My Favorite Fiv, IMDb.com, Retrieved July 24, 2019
  15. "Dep (3) – Red Light Pt. II". Discogs.com. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  16. "OUT NOW THE GRYND REPORT ISSUE 17 WARCHYLD EDITION @WARCHYLD_ENT". Tampamystic.com. October 4, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  18. "The Tom Joyner Foundation Launches New Hbcu Podcast Featuring Recording Artist DeP On The Title Song". PRLog.org. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  19. "HBCUbiquity podcast song features LA based recording artist DeP". Tomjoynerfoundation.org. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  20. Blistein, Jon (May 28, 2019). "Kanye West Talks #MeToo Fear, Bullied Trump Supporters, Mental Health With Letterman". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  21. "Houston Natives Shine at Coachella #SundayService". Myhoustongospel.com. April 28, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  22. "Kanye West's Sunday Service covers Stevie Wonder, Destiny's Child at Lakewood". Preview.houstonchronicle.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  23. "Kanye West vuol farci mettere abiti religiosi". Gqitalia.it. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  24. Spirit from Disney's Lion King Retrieved July 24, 2019
  26. "Artist DeP Discusses Entertainment and Elevation". Plastiqmag.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  27. "X-Pression 38 - Digital Frog Photography". Digitalfrogphotography.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  28. Rake "TV Series" Retrieved July 12, 2019
  29. We The People With Gloria Allred "TV Series" Retrieved July 12, 2019
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