Avg Rating: 
4.3 ( 9 total votes )
We all know I write the best reviews on the planet (plus I’m humble), but as much work is put into giving you a uniquely pleasurable reading experience, I read other reviews to. Some are terrible, some are decent, some are incredible, and some even manage to be all three depending on the sentence. So for today’s review, an eminently solid effort from up-and-coming crooner Raheem DeVaughn titled Love Behind the Melody, I thought I’d take a little tour round the web to see what my fellow critics are saying about Mr. DeVaughn. Won’t you … ...Read the full album review
DJBooth Album Review
We all know I write the best reviews on the planet (plus I’m humble), but as much work is put into giving you a uniquely pleasurable reading experience, I read other reviews to. Some are terrible, some are decent, some are incredible, and some even manage to be all three depending on the sentence. So for today’s review, an eminently solid effort from up-and-coming crooner Raheem DeVaughn titled Love Behind the Melody, I thought I’d take a little tour round the web to see what my fellow critics are saying about Mr. DeVaughn. Won’t you join me?
Well, Mariel did write “arguably.” I wish I could agree or disagree, but unfortunately there’s nothing quite so vague as calling someone the “most underrated.” What does that even mean? Couldn’t a successful artist who doesn’t get the respect they deserve be underrated? Ludacris has so far been unjustly left off the greatest rappers alive list, does that make him underrated? And doesn’t an artist stop being underrated the moment Billboard calls him underrated? I have so many questions for Mariel, but let’s stick to the topic at hand, starting with Raheem’s breakout single Woman. Music’s power to uplift has been drowned out in the age of diamond covered booties, and Woman is a much needed reminder of the transforming power of a simple piano melody and heartfelt vocals. Raheem showcases his dynamic voice, sliding between a head-turning falsetto and earthy notes. There’s nothing quite like the love of a good woman, and I’ve got nothing but love for Woman, but it ultimately lacks that “make you want to cry out” element all great soul songs have. Most underrated R&B artist? What about John Legend, Chrisette Michele, Goapele? I’m sure we could all name at least ten more. Who’s the most underrated? Honestly I’m not sure, but for all his talent I don’t think it’s Raheem Devaughn.
You bring up a great point T; if can I call you T. Love Behind the Melody impressively spans the gap between the golden age of R&B and it’s predominately club-focused present, and never more clearly then on Friday (Shut the Club Down). Raheem impressively takes the classic soul-sample from My Girl and spins it with T-Pain references, some head-nodding percussion, and the promise to “party like a rockstar.” In fact the whole album sounds like it’s been put through the time-traveling ringer, from the 70’s Gerald Levert-inspired croonings of Love Drug to the R. Kelly-influenced sexual metaphors of Customer. Raheem’s clearly done his musical homework, though I think T and I can both agree that calling him “the hip-hop Marvin Gaye” is overly ambitious at best, and absolutely ridiculous at worst. You with me T?
First of all props to Sam for using the words “ostensibly” and “maudlin” in the same sentence, someone scored high on his SATs. Second, I can always count on Sam to cut to the chase, good looks. Love Behind the Melody certainly has no shortage of quality music, if all goes according to plan I’ll be getting down to the stellar Floetry assisted slow-jam Marathon later tonight, but there are enough forgettable moments over the course of seventeen tracks to drag down the average. I highly recommend Raheem stays away from the spoken-word experimentation the future, Woman I Desire featuring Malik Yusef could have used some serious editorial help, and the piano-heavy ballad Can We Try Again squeezes nearly every lyrical cliché in the book into one track. Throughout Love Behind the Melody it’s clear Raheem is on the verge of something great, he’s just not quite there yet. As Sam said this is a noticeable improvement from his debut, so with that kind of trajectory Raheem’s next album is due to be something truly memorable. And when he does drop that classic album a whole army of writers will be there to chronicle and analyze every musical step. God bless ‘us, every one. Lord knows we could use the help.
Listen to More: Raheem DeVaughn Written by Nathan S.
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Member Reviews and Ratings
Average Member Rating: Total Ratings: 9
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 476 |
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 I gotta say Nathan that this is a great review. I gotta thank you the most though for that Ludacris line. Luda is undoubtably one of the best rappers alive and he's getting overshadowed by this Wayne crap. Don't get me wrong though, Wayne is good but he is NOT, I repeat NOT persistent, he'll have one amazing song and follow it up with garbage (see "Crank Dat Weezy Wee" and his Ludacris-abolished verse in the I'm So Hood Remix)
My point is that I'm glad someones finally realizing. I mean, when has Luda not been persistent? Every album, every single, and ESPECIALLY every guest feature has been complete fire and no one can deny that. He has more Top 40, Top 25, Top 10, and Top 5 singles than any other rapper in history and he does it without dumbing down his lyrics, making it all the more impressive. Somebody give the man his crown. T.I.'s overrated ass has had it long enough. |
| Posted on Jan 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Crew |
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^^^ I thought this review was about Raheem DeVaughn? Raheem's popularity still hasn't been able to expand itself because he never had a strong radio single. Unlike hip-hop, R&B hasn't yet been water downed by low quality one-hit-wonders, and Raheem is probably one of the most talented R&B artists out there today who is struggling for exposer. This album is displays a strong performance and I hope he's get hungrier for more on his third album.
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| Posted on Jan 18, 2008 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 476 |
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^^^^^Yeah, sorry about my last comment, I was just trying to make a statement. Anyways, about the album, it is great. I wouldn't consider him one of the best R&B artists out now, he's no John Legend, but if he keeps dropping albums as consistent as this one than I expect good things for him in the future. Solid album.
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| Posted on Jan 18, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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raheem has really grown. he is way too underrated, and needs so much more exposure. too many younguns out there. he is grown and mature, and has alot to say. this cd is a classic!!
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| Posted on Jan 19, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
i do not like that at all
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| Posted on Feb 22, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Good review. I think Raheem is really good and needs much more exposure. As compared to his previous works i think he has really added to his fun base.Those of us in the music promotion business, radio and the like need to do much more for him. He deserve it. Great Job Raheem.
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| Posted on Mar 23, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 484 |
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This dude is sweet, I'm just now gettin' in to Neo Soul and this right here is definitely hot
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| Posted on Apr 11, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 161 |
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I LOOOOVVEEE this CD man ! that poem on there before "Desire" is hot ! Raheem Devaughn is so underated.."Love Druq" & "Mo Better"=best sonqs
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| Posted on Jul 16, 2008 |
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| Posted on May 29, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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why'd you say john legend and chrissete michelle were underrated. they're both chart topping grammy winning artists. thats not very underrated
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| Posted on Dec 12, 2010 |
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