On July 23, 1993, at around 10:30 PM, DeVante Swing—the musical mastermind behind Jodeci—experienced a life-altering home invasion that left him permanently scarred.
A Terrifying Ordeal
As DeVante slept, two armed intruders slipped into his home through an open garage door. They blindfolded him, tied his hands behind his back, and pistol-whipped him four times, fracturing his skull. The situation grew even more chilling when they forced a gun into his mouth while holding another to the back of his head, threatening to kill him.
The assailants ultimately stole $20,000 worth of jewelry before fleeing the scene. Despite the violent attack, the thieves were never caught.
The Aftermath & Jodeci’s Response
Jodeci members were in the studio that night, working on their sophomore album, Diary of a Mad Band. Mr. Dalvin, DeVante's brother and fellow group member, recalled the night in a 2017 VLAD TV interview. He noted that DeVante’s absence raised concerns, leading them to check on him—where they discovered the horrific aftermath.
DeVante, despite his injuries, fought back, even managing to bite off one of the intruder’s fingers in his struggle for survival.
How It Changed DeVante Swing
The trauma of the event deeply affected DeVante. Two years later, he told Vibe Magazine, “Shit made me want to fuck up a nigga. I’m in trouble for guns, but you won’t catch me not packing.”
According to Mr. Dalvin, the two assailants were cousins, and karma eventually caught up with them—one killed the other, and the surviving attacker is currently serving time for murder.
A Legacy Marked by Pain & Resilience
Though DeVante Swing never fully recovered from the incident, he remains an R&B legend whose impact on music is undeniable. His genius production, songwriting, and influence on artists like Timbaland and Missy Elliott continue to shape the sound of R&B and hip-hop today.
Kommentare