Devo Springsteen
DeVon “Devo” Harris (born December 9, 1977 in Columbus, GA), also known as Devo Springsteen, is an entrepreneur and Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter.[1] Harris launched the career of EGOT winner John Legend by signing him to Kanye West’s GOOD Music in 2003. Harris produced and co-wrote many songs from Legend's first albums as well as songs for Nas, Britney Spears, Aretha Franklin, Ol' Dirty Bastard, The Last Poets and more in addition to DJing around the world. Devo won the Best Rap Song Grammy in 2006 for his production of "Diamonds (from Sierra Leone)" with Kanye West and Jay-Z. After earning his MBA from Columbia Business School in 2011, Devo turned to technology where he became an award-winning media entrepreneur and inventor.
Devo Harris | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | DeVon Harris |
| Born | December 9, 1977 |
| Origin | Columbus, Georgia, United States |
| Genres | R&B, rap, pop |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Producer, Songwriter |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Labels | Astor Place Music / GOOD Music / Geffen Records |
| Website | https://www.instagram.com/springsteezy/ Instagram |
Biography
Devo Harris grew up across the U.S. and Germany because both of his parents were in the U.S. Army. He graduated high school from The Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City, Missouri and then attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. At Penn, he wrestled, played football, and DJed at local radio stations WPPR and WQHS FM. After graduating with degrees in Economics and Strategic Management, he moved to New York City in 2000 with college roommate John Stephens (John Legend). While working in venture capital, he began working part-time assisting and serving as A&R at Kanye West's production company G.O.O.D. Music (then called Konman Productions). Devo eventually signed his roommate to the label in 2003 and managed Legend's project. Devo then earned an MBA degree from Columbia Business School.
Music
Devo's influences include Stevie Wonder, The Doors, Michael Jackson, Rick Rubin, Timbaland, Dr. Dre, and Kanye West. Harris has appeared on MTV Base, BET Style, and VH1 and was a featured guest DJ on BET's Rap City.
Harris also co-wrote the tracks "Lullaby" and "Let's Go" with Britney Spears and Tom Craskey. The song appeared on the demo version of Britney's album Blackout.
In 2008, Harris collaborated with John Legend on "If You're Out There" which appears in John Legend's third studio album Evolver. The song was also used Barack Obama's campaign theme song and was performed at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
Technology
After graduation from Columbia Business School in 2011, Devo started his career in technology by teaching himself to code and eventually working his way up to become a Senior Product Manager at Vimeo. Devo specializes in next generation technology with a focus on radical simplification and integration with 3rd party applications and services.
Discography
Singles
| Year | Title (Album) | Artist/Project | Label Released |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "If You're Out There" | John Legend | Sony/Columbia |
| 2008 | "Association" | Nas | The N Mixtape |
| 2008 | "The Promise" | Deborah Cox | Deco Recording Group |
| 2008 | "You Know Where My Heart Is" | Deborah Cox | Deco Recording Group |
| 2007 | "What Y'all Came To Do" | Aretha Franklin | J Records |
| 2007 | "Misunderstood" (Finding Forever) | Common | GOOD Music |
| 2007 | "Always Lovin' You" | Kreesha Turner | Virgin |
| 2007 | "Celebrate" | Cassidy | J Records |
| 2007 | "Let Go"[2] | Britney Spears | Jive Records |
| 2007 | "Sweeter" | Estelle | Homeschool/Atlantic |
| 2007 | "Come Together" | Estelle | Homeschool/Atlantic |
| 2007 | "Blowin' My Phone Up" | Consequence | Sony/Columbia |
| 2006 | "Let There Be Light" (Hip Hop Is Dead) | Nas | IDJ/Sony/Def Jam |
| 2006 | "Stereo" (Once Again) | John Legend | Sony/Columbia |
| 2006 | "My Love, My Life" | GLC | GOOD Music |
| 2006 | "When I Was..." | Rhymefest | J Records |
| 2006 | "Back In The Day" | The Last Poets | Jambetta |
| 2005 | "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" (Late Registration) | Kanye West | Roc-a-fella/IDJ |
| 2004 | "Refuge (When It's Cold Outside)" (Get Lifted) | John Legend | Sony/Columbia |
| 2004 | "So High" (Get Lifted) | John Legend | Sony/Columbia |
| 2004 | "Live It Up" (Get Lifted) | John Legend | Sony/Columbia |
| 2004 | "Sunkist Sunlab Radio" | Dr Pepper/Sunkist Soda | Radio Spot |
| 2004 | "And You Say" | Consequence | SureShot Records |
| 2003 | "Summer Beach House Direct Effect Theme" | MTV | TV Spot |
Mixtapes
- 2006, "Bacardi Big Apple & Devo Springsteen Present: The Good Life"
Grammy Award history
| Year | Category | Song/Album | Artist | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Best Rap Song | "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" | Kanye West | Won |
| 2006 | Best Rap Album | Late Registration | Kanye West | Won |
| 2006 | Best R&B Album | Get Lifted | John Legend | Won |
| 2006 | Best Album | Late Registration | Kanye West | Nominated |
References
- "Interactive Video". Ochre. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
- BMI Repertoire @ BMIRepertoire
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