According to  multi-platinum singer, songwriter and producer Akon, he would not be where he is today without Devyne Stephens:

“Devyne taught me how the (music) game actually works.” – Akon

So who is Devyne Stephens?

And what exactly does he do?

Devyne Stephens is an Industry Renaissance-Man.

He negotiates record deals, choreographs dance routines, handles A&R and runs 2 record labels!

“Michael Jackson is the best dancer I’ve ever seen and Devyne is my second favorite in the world” – T-Boz

Whether you’re a entertainment newbie or a deep-in-the-game vet…Devyne is the Mogul you need to know.

In almost twenty years, Stephens has done everything from grooming Usher when he was 12, to working dance routines for Diddy and Ciara, to helping Mary J. Blige upgrade image from street to chic.

“I would just be around Devyne, watch him and that’s how I developed…I got in because of Devyne.” – Akon

What does Devyne Stephens have to say for himself?

“It’s all about seeing the process of change and making ideas come into fruition.” – Devyne Stephens

Devyne owns and runs The Complex, a “one-stop shop” where artists endure 30-to-60 day intensive training bootcamps that includes voice, dance, media and even fitness training to prepare them for a record deal.

Stephens also owns Dreamland – a 18,000-square-foot mansion in the ATL ‘burbs where exclusive industry events are held.

So how did Devyne Stephens get started?

Devyne was once an artist himself…signed to LaFace Records in the early 90s with his own group, “Devyne featuring 90 Miles Per Hour”. Though the group broke up, Devyne sticked with the label working A&R.

With LaFace, Stephens trained artists like TLC and Pebbles as a choreographer.

“So many like Ciara, Diddy, Mariah Carey all want something from him. He pulled stuff out of me I didn’t even know I had inside me.” - T-Boz

Through training artists Deyvne learned record deal negotiation and image management. He retired from choreography five years ago to concentrate more on The Complex and to guide Akon, who was a “starving artist” when they first met ten years ago.

It was Stephens who gave Akon the idea of singing about his convict experience as opposed to rapping about it!

After years of negotiating record deals, Stephens was able to pull off a sweet situation with Akon’s deal with SRC Records.

“This guy has a vision like no else out there…he really sees something from someone who has the possibility of being great. He can execute his vision. He’ll produce.” – Steve Rifkind, founder of SRC Records.

What’s Devyne Stephens doing now?

Today, Devyne has an artist stable with heavy hitters like Akon to T-Pain and up-and-comers like Rock City. Devyne encourages artist to whether the recession by becoming multiple threats.

“You have to be very versatile in this climax of music,” says Devyne, “I’m always trying to find something different in the market place. To be a writer and/or producer is an extra extension of talent.”

Devyne is in the process of franchising The Complex in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and even overseas (The U.K)!

He also co-owns UpFront Megatainment and Konvict Music with Akon and is the executive vice president of Akon’s KonLive, the record label with Lady Gaga.

“It never stops,” says Devyne, “Hip-hop is growing so much overseas, so the U.K. is where we definitely need to be. It’s all about reinventing yourself. You always have to look to repackage yourself. I call it ‘repackage, resell.’”

Source – Forbes

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