Devyne

Devyne Stephens is a prominent figure in the music industry, known as the Berry Gordy of this generation. He made his mark in the early 90s as a choreographer and imaging expert for LaFace Records, where he worked closely with renowned artists such as Pebbles, Toni Braxton, Pink, TLC, Usher, and Boyz II Men. Stephens' talent for artist development led him to become the first artist signed to LA Reid and Babyface's record label, LaFace Records.

In 2005, Stephens founded Upfront Megatainment and embarked on a path of discovering and nurturing exceptional talent. He discovered and signed Senegalese R&B singer Akon, propelling him to international fame. Alongside securing a distribution deal with SRC/Universal, Stephens established Upfront/Konvict, which partnered with Bu Vision and brought on board rapper, singer, super producer, and songwriter T-Pain. Moreover, Stephens played a key role in brokering the Konlive distribution deal with Jimmy Iovine of Interscope Records, which resulted in the successful releases of artists like Lady Gaga, Rock City, Kardinal, Brick and Lace.

Beyond his achievements in the music industry, Devyne Stephens is also the CEO and Founder of multiple companies and organizations. He is on the verge of launching the Devyne Stephens Academy, a private performing arts school designed to provide children with education through the arts. Additionally, Stephens is deeply committed to giving back to the community through his non-profit organization, Devyne Intervention. The organization's mission is to support and empower underprivileged children, troubled youth, those in broken family households, and individuals at risk of engaging in violence through creative arts and entertainment.

Recognizing the alarming impact of gun violence, especially on low-income communities and communities of color, Stephens has implemented a community-based violence intervention program through Devyne Intervention. By collaborating with local hospital-based violence intervention programs and employing a public health perspective, Devyne Intervention aims to interrupt the transmission of retaliatory violence, facilitate behavior change in high-risk individuals, and promote a non-violent culture through community engagement and support.

In addition to his philanthropic endeavors, Stephens continues to shape the music landscape through Upfront Megatainment. The artist development firm, based in Atlanta, Georgia, is dedicated to helping artists, touring professionals, and artist managers evolve into sustainable businesses. With a comprehensive range of services, including songwriting, music production, studio recording, image consulting, media training, branding, and digital distribution, Upfront Megatainment offers artists everything they need under one roof.

Devyne Stephens' passion for artistry, artist development, and community empowerment has solidified his status as a trailblazer in the music industry and a catalyst for positive change. His dedication to nurturing talent, giving back to the community, and fostering a non-violent culture has garnered respect and admiration from both industry insiders and the communities he serves.