Divinity Roxx | |
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Background information | |
Also known as | MC Divinity, D. Walker |
Born | February 5 |
Origin | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
Genres | Rap rock, soul, hip hop, funk, rock, Children's Music |
Occupation(s) | Musician (bass), entertainer, rapper, singer, producer, performer, composer, musical director, author, entrepreneur |
Instrument | Bass Guitar |
Years active | 1993–present |
Labels | iRoxx Entertainment |
Website | www |
Divinity Roxx is a two-time Grammy-nominated American recording artist, producer, composer, and musician. Her work includes elements of rhythm and blues, hip-hop, funk, soul, and rock. As a rapper and bassist, her performances have been reviewed as radical and distinctive because of her unique ability to combine vigorous bass lines with simultaneous tongue-twisting yet authoritative rapping. [1]
She is best known for touring and performing with Beyoncé Knowles (2006–2011) as her bassist and Musical Director for "The Beyoncé Experience" [2] and "I Am... World Tour". [3] On the "I Am...Sasha Fierce" World tour, Divinity also helped compose music alongside Bibi McGill, Brittani Washington and Rie Tsuji. [4] She has appeared in three DVDs with Beyoncé including The Beyoncé Experience Live , [5] I Am... Sasha Fierce , [6] and I Am... Yours . [7] She has also appeared in two videos, "Irreplaceable" and "Green Light". [8] Divinity has performed with Beyonce at The White House for President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama during a State Dinner for the President of Mexico, Felipe Calderon. [9] She also performed with Beyonce during her Glastonbury performance. [10] [11] She has also performed on the Grammy's, The BET Awards, MTV Music Awards, Ellen , The Oprah Winfrey Show , Saturday Night Live , Good Morning America , The Today Show and countless other television shows with Beyonce. [12] In 2014, Divinity played bass on The Arsenio Hall Show and The Queen Latifah Show with Atlanta born rapper, B.o.B. [13] Divinity has also appeared on Big Morning Buzz Live With Nick Lechey [14] [15] and The Wendy Williams Show with singer [K.Michelle]. [16]
In 2021, Divinity released her debut Family Music Album, Ready, Set Go!, turning her attention to the audience she feels matters most. From start to finish, her album, Ready, Set, Go, is about positivity in mind and body. Two of the songs from the album, Happy and Healthy and Me + You were published by Scholastic as fully illustrated picture books. The books were illustrated by NaShanta Fletcher and were part of Scholastic's Family and Community Engagement initiative.
Divinity founded a hip-hop group in high school called DATBU (Divinity and the Breakfast Unit) alongside her friends Corey Peyton (Kornbred), Chad Browning (Clever Love), Kamal Studdard (Cheezy Feets), and Lewis Miller (Pogo). The group eventually morphed into a trio, Divinity, Clever, and Pogo. They released an independent album, FoolProof https://www.discogs.com/release/3116973-Datbu-Fool-Proof DATBU FoolProof 1997, in 1997. Produced by DJ Kemit. [17]
In October 2000, Divinity attended Victor Wooten's Bass Nature Camp at Montgomery Bell State Park near Nashville, Tennessee. There she met Victor Wooten and his brothers Regi, Joseph, Roy, and Rudy. Once the camp was over, Victor asked Divinity to tour with him. [18] She began touring with Wooten's band where she was a featured part of the show from 2000-2005. [19] She is recorded on Wooten's Live in America (2001) [20] and Soul Circus (2005) albums [21] under the names D. Walker [22] and MC Divinity. [23] She also appears on Victor Wooten's album, Words and Tones (2012) [24]
Ain’t No Other Way (2003)
Divinity's first solo album Ain't No Other Way was self-released in 2012 while touring with Victor Wooten. The album featured production from will.i.am, DJ Lethal, and Mike Elizondo.
The Roxx Boxx Experience (2012)
Divinity's second EP, The Roxx Boxx Experience, was released in October 2012. [25] The album featured Divinity Roxx (bass, lead vocals), Matt McMoots (guitar, backing vocals, backing bass), Omar Gusmao (guitar, backing vocals), and Carlos McSwain (drums, backing vocals). The album was mixed by Eric Racy and Mastered by Chris Gehringer for Sterling Sound [26]
ImPossible (2016)
Divinity released ImPossible (album) April 19, 2016. This is album features elements of funk, soul, rock, hip-hop and jazz. [27]
Ready Set Go!
Divinity released Ready Set Go! November 5, 2021. This was her first Children's music album that featured elements of hip-hop, and positivity. [28]
Ready Set Go! was nominated for a 65th Grammy® Award for Best Children's Music Album. [29]
World Wide Playdate (2024)
Divinty released World Wide Playdate August 9th, 2024. The album was the follow-up to her debut Children's Music album, solidifying her place in the genre. The album features production by Wayne Gerard (Dr. Fink, Don Was) and hit songwriter Mary Brown (songwriter) who co-wrote, vocal produced, and sang background vocals on the album. The album also features Divinity's long-time mentor and friend Victor Wooten, Malcom Jamal Warner, MuMu Fresh, Tank 'Tarrionna" Ball, Teemanay, The Genesis Innovation Academy Cheer Squad, as well as her niece and goddaughter. [30]
World Wide Playdate was nominated for a 67th Grammy® Award for Best Children's Music Album. [31]
Divinity composed, performed, and co-produced the theme song for the PBS Kids show Lyla in the Loop [32] which premiered on PBS Kids Television on February 5, 2024. The show was created by Dave Peth.
Divinity and long-time friend and collaborator Eugene Russell IV co-wrote the music for the of The Boy Who Kissed the Sky book by Idris Goodwin. The show was a co-production between The Alliance Theatre (Atlanta) and The Seattle Children's Theater. [33]
Divinity appeared on the television show The Soul Man alongside the musical guest B.o.B. [36] while playing bass on his Promo Tour for the album Underground Luxury.
Divinity has been the bass player in the house band for the BET-produced television show Black Girls Rock! (2014-2016), backing such artists as Erykah Badu, Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight, Brandy, Monica, Jazmine Sullivan and more.
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is an American singer, songwriter and businesswoman. Nicknamed "Queen Bey", she is regarded as one of the most influential cultural figures of the 21st century. Throughout her career, Beyoncé has been recognized for her expert vocal ability, executive media producing, and grandness of live performances. Rolling Stone named her the world's greatest living entertainer, and one of the greatest vocalists of all time.
Destiny's Child was an American girl group whose final lineup comprised Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. The group began their musical career as Girl's Tyme, formed in 1990 in Houston, Texas. After years of limited success, the original quartet comprising Knowles, Rowland, LaTavia Roberson, and LeToya Luckett were signed in 1997 to Columbia Records as Destiny's Child. The group was launched into mainstream recognition following the release of the song "No, No, No" and their best-selling second album, The Writing's on the Wall (1999), which contained the number-one singles "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Say My Name", alongside successful singles "Bug a Boo" and "Jumpin', Jumpin'". Despite critical and commercial success, the group was plagued by internal conflict and legal turmoil, as Roberson and Luckett attempted to split from the group's manager Mathew Knowles due to favoritism of Knowles and Rowland.
William Henry Marcus Miller Jr. is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He has worked with trumpeter Miles Davis, pianist Herbie Hancock, singer Luther Vandross, and saxophonists Wayne Shorter and David Sanborn, among others. He was the main songwriter and producer on three of Davis' albums: Tutu (1986), Music from Siesta (1987), and Amandla (1989). His collaboration with Vandross was especially close; he co-produced and served as the arranger for most of Vandross' albums, and he and Vandross co-wrote many of Vandross' songs, including the hits "I Really Didn't Mean It", "Any Love", "Power of Love/Love Power" and "Don't Want to Be a Fool". He also co-wrote the 1988 single "Da Butt" for Experience Unlimited.
Soul Circus is the fifth album by Victor Wooten, released in 2005. Wooten claims he took inspiration from what played in radio stations in the 1970s, so most songs have lyrics to them.
"Me, Myself and I" is a song by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé from her debut solo studio album Dangerously in Love (2003). It was written by Beyoncé, Scott Storch and Robert Waller and produced by Storch with guitar played by musician Aaron Fishbein. Beyoncé decided that she wanted a deeper and more personal song as the third single; the song was sent by Columbia Records and Music World Entertainment to contemporary hit radio in the United States on October 19, 2003. "Me, Myself and I" is an R&B song about dealing with a philandering partner and learning from the consequences.
"At Last" is a song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the musical film Sun Valley Serenade (1941). Glenn Miller and his orchestra recorded the tune several times, with a 1942 version reaching number two on the US Billboard pop music chart.
Live in America is an album by Victor Wooten, released in 2001. The double disc contains highlights of the Yin-Yang tour.
"Ring the Alarm" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé for her second studio album, B'Day (2006). It was written by Knowles, Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean, and Sean Garrett. Columbia Records released "Ring the Alarm" as the second single from B'Day in the United States on October 17, 2006, while "Irreplaceable" (2006) was serviced as the album's second international and third US single. The song's development was motivated by Knowles' role in the Broadway musical adaptation Dreamgirls (2006). The cover art of "Ring the Alarm" proved controversial because Knowles used alligators during the photography session. PETA declared that Knowles' posing with a baby alligator was arguably abusive to an animal.
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The Beyoncé Experience Live is the third live and fourth video album by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé. It was released through Columbia Records and Music World Entertainment on November 16, 2007. It was filmed at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on September 2, 2007 during her world tour The Beyoncé Experience. It features guest appearances from rapper Jay-Z on "Upgrade U" and former Destiny's Child bandmates Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland on "Survivor". The show featured on the album was broadcast on different channels; for one night only on November 19, 2007, the film was shown in ninety-six theaters across the United States, while Black Entertainment Television (BET) aired an edited version of the concert on Thanksgiving Day, with AEG Network and 3sat also airing the concert.
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"Ego" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé for the deluxe edition of her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). The song was composed by Elvis Williams, Harold Lilly, and Beyoncé. "Ego" was officially remixed with additional vocals from hip hop artist, Kanye West. Initially planned to be released in January 2009 as the second urban single in the US along with the fourth US and third international single "Halo", the release of "Ego" was canceled and replaced by "Diva". "Ego" was later issued as the third urban single, and fifth overall single in the US on May 19, 2009, alongside the sixth US and fourth international single "Sweet Dreams".
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I Am... Yours was the first concert residency by American singer Beyoncé. It was held four consecutive nights in July and August 2009 in support of her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). The residency was held at the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada. Beyoncé performed over thirty songs backed by an orchestra and her all-female band, the Suga Mamas, to an audience of 1,500. The residency was deemed "an intimate encounter" as Beyoncé portrayed a more raw and uninhibited show versus her previous concert performances. The concept of the shows revolves around Beyoncé's recording career.
I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas is the third live and fourth video album by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé. It was released on November 23, 2009 through Music World Entertainment and Columbia Records. The album was recorded at the Encore Theater in Paradise, Nevada, being filmed by Ed Burke, on August 2, 2009, during a stint of Beyoncé's I Am... World Tour (2009–2010). It features performances of over thirty songs, including her solo material, her recordings with the girl group Destiny's Child as well as behind-the-scenes footage. The film was directed by Nick Wickham and produced by Emer Patten.
I Am... World Tour is the fourth live album and the fifth video by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé. It was released on November 26, 2010 by Parkwood Entertainment, Music World Entertainment and Columbia Records.
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Suga Mama was an American all-female live performance band formed by Beyoncé Knowles in 2006. Named after Knowles' song from her 2006 album B'Day, and ranging from nine to twelve members at various times, the band contained percussionists, guitarists, saxophonists, keyboardists, and The Mamas: a trio of background vocalists. Various members of the band have appeared in music videos for "Irreplaceable", "Blow", "Countdown", and "Green Light", as well as multiple live performance DVD releases, award show performances, various TV Specials/appearances, and the Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show. Several band-members continue to work alongside Knowles.