Deva Mahal
Background information
Born (1982-01-01) January 1, 1982 (age 42)
Hawaii
GenresSoul, R&B
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active2017–present

Deva Mahal (pronounced 'diva') is a soul and R&B singer. Mahal is the daughter of US-American blues musician Taj Mahal.

Deva joined father Taj Mahal in Michael Dorf's tribute to Aretha Franklin at Carnegie Hall in New York City on March 6, 2017.[1] They performed "Chain of Fools". Other artists that performed included Todd Rundgren and Sarah Dash.[2] One year later, Mahal returned to Carnegie Hall for Dorf's next tribute night, "The Music of Led Zeppelin". She was joined by Dap-Kings guitarist Binky Griptite on "Your Time Is Gonna Come".[3]

Early life

Deva Mahal was born in Hawaii to parents Taj Mahal and Inshirah Mahal.[4] When she was 17, they moved to New Zealand before settling in New York City.[5] She played with various artists around New York before pursuing a career as a solo artist.

Career

Pre-2017: Early work

Mahal began writing and performing music as a child, gigging from age 5.[6] She has worked with artists including TV on the Radio, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and Fat Freddy's Drop.[7] Mahal provided backing vocals on Hollie Smith's Long Player and Fat Freddy's Drop's album Based on a True Story, track "Wandering Eye". She also collaborated with keyboardist Steph Brown in the band "Fredericks Brown" The duo toured and put out a pair of EPs together with guitarist Michael Taylor.[8]

2017: Deva Mahal EP

Mahal launched her solo career by initially releasing three songs as a self-titled extended play, Deva Mahal, in October 2017.[9]

2018: Run Deep

Mahal released her debut album 'Run Deep' March 23, 2018.[10] The album was produced by Scott Jacoby.[11] GRAMMY.com revealed she was their No. 1 'Best New Bands' from South by Southwest 2018.[12]

2019: 'Goddamn' and 'Your Only One'

Mahal released 2 singles, 'Goddamn' and 'Your Only One' following her debut album 'Run Deep'. The singles were co-produced by Mahal and Son Little.[13]

Musical style

Mahal's musical style ranges from Soul, Funk, R&B and Blues and she cites Tracy Chapman, Nina Simone and Lauryn Hill as some of her influences.[14] Her soulful vocal style has been compared to Amy Winehouse.[15]

Personal life

In 2020, Mahal was featured on the second season of Netflix's dating reality show Dating Around where she identified as being attracted to both men and women.[16] In the third episode, titled "Deva", she states she's been living in New Orleans since December 2019.

Discography

Albums

Title Album details
Run Deep
  • Released: March 23, 2018
  • Label: Motéma Music
  • Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, vinyl
List of albums (Appears on)
Title Album details
Maestro
  • Released: 2008
  • Label: Motéma Music
  • Format: Digital download, streaming, CD

Extended plays

List of extended plays
Title Extended play details
Deva Mahal
  • Released: October 27, 2017
  • Label: Motéma Music
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Run Deep track listing

  1. "Can't Call It Love"
  2. "Snakes"
  3. "Fire"
  4. "Dream"
  5. "Shards"
  6. "Run Deep" (featuring Coco Peila)
  7. "Turnt Up" (featuring Allen Stone)
  8. "Superman" (Interlude)
  9. "Optimist"
  10. "Wicked"
  11. "It's Down to You"
  12. "Take a Giant Step"

References

  1. ^ "The Queen of Soul Receives a Multi-Artist Tribute at Carnegie Hall With 'The Music of Aretha Franklin'". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  2. ^ Coscarelli, Joe (December 7, 2016). "Aretha Franklin Tribute Concert Set for Carnegie Hall". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  3. ^ "All-Star Lineup Comes Together To Honor The Music Of Led Zeppelin At Carnegie Hall". JamBase. March 8, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  4. ^ "Deva Mahal Deva Mahal". exclaim.ca. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  5. ^ "In Conversation with Soul Songstress: Deva Mahal". reformthefunk. March 1, 2018. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  6. ^ "Deva Mahal Deva Mahal". exclaim.ca. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  7. ^ "Listen to Deva Mahal's Debut EP (and Enter Pre-Save Contest)". Relix. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  8. ^ "Jazz & Milk – Fredericks Brown". Jazz & Milk – Fredericks Brown. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  9. ^ Deva Mahal: EP, retrieved April 3, 2018
  10. ^ Empire, Kitty (March 2, 2018). "Deva Mahal: Run Deep review – gentle sepia R&B debut". the Guardian. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  11. ^ Whitmore, Laura B. "Exclusive Song Premiere: Deva Mahal Tells it Like it is With 'Can't Call It Love'". Parade. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  12. ^ "SXSW 2018: 7 New Bands To Check Out This Year". GRAMMY.com. March 1, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  13. ^ Leigh, Nathan. "EXCLUSIVE: DEVA MAHAL AND SON LITTLE WILL SEDUCE YOUR EARS WITH THEIR NEW SINGLE "GODDAMN"". Afropunk. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  14. ^ "Echoes Magazine | FEBRUARY 2018 ISSUE". echoesmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  15. ^ "Review: Deva Mahal will melt your heart with new album 'Run Deep' (Includes first-hand account)". March 2, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  16. ^ "Deva Mahal Shuts Down Sexist Date on Dating Around Season 2". Screen Rant. June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
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