Dev (singer)
Devin Star Tailes (born July 2, 1989), known professionally as Dev (sometimes stylized as DEV or dEV), is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, model and radio host. She was discovered by the Cataracs and record label Indie-Pop via Myspace after Dev's friend posted a video of her singing. Dev's song "Booty Bounce" was sampled in Far East Movement's hit single "Like a G6", which reached number one in the US and sold over four million downloads in the country.
Dev
- Singer
- songwriter
- rapper
- model
- radio host
2009–present
Jimmy Gorecki (2011–present)
1
- Island
- Universal Republic
- Republic
- Rica Lyfe
- RECORDS
- SONGS
Dev was signed to Universal Republic in October 2010 and released her debut single, "Bass Down Low", on November 16, 2010, which reached the top 10 in the United Kingdom. Her debut album, The Night the Sun Came Up, was released on March 27, 2012. The album's second single, "In the Dark", peaked at number 11 in the US chart, making it her most successful solo single to date. In 2014, Dev released two EPs, Bittersweet July and the second part as a follow-up to part one. She is also a radio host of the popular radio Beats 1 by Apple, founded in 2015.
In mid-2016, Dev started promoting her second album with a lead single called "#1", featuring Nef the Pharaoh, which reached the top 15 on the Billboard Rhythmic Songs chart.[1] Dev's second studio album, I Only See You When I'm Dreamin', was made available for pre-order in July 2017; it includes the singles "All I Wanna Do" and "Come at Me" and is her first full-length project since 2011's The Night the Sun Came Up.
Early life[edit]
Dev was born to Lisa, a real estate agent, and Riki Tailes, a painting contractor.[2][3] She has two younger sisters, Sierra Sol (born September 13, 1994) and Maezee Lua.[2] Dev is of Costa Rican, Portuguese and Mexican descent. She grew up in the city of Manteca.[4] At age 4, she began swimming and was part of the U.S. Olympic development program.[2] She attended Brock Elliott Elementary and graduated from Sierra High School in 2007, where she was a member of band and choir. She attended San Joaquin Delta College, studying English and art history.[2]
Musical style[edit]
Dev's electro style and "sing-talk" vocal style have been compared to fellow pop singer Kesha.[28] Dev responded to this, saying, "I'm confident enough in what I do that people will see me for who I am ... I get why people compare us but once people see me live they won't connect us as much."[9] While comparing her to Kesha, Idolator wrote that "Dev's beats come off a bit more mellow and her songs a little bit more electro than pop."[28] In response to being compared to both Kesha and Uffie, Dev said, "I just feel that I have a lot more to say and the ability to have an eclectic sound, I'm not bashing either artist, but I'm going to be able to give you a little bit more than what you've heard on those records. When my album comes out, hopefully I won't have to hear another reference or comparison."[5] Much of Dev's music is inspired by rap music, as she believes that fans respond to "pop music but with rap roots". She said, "I've always been into hip-hop. Eminem changed my life when I was younger."[9] The Hollywood Reporter compared her "futuristic" and "pulsing" sound to underground electroclash musicians Peaches and Yelle.[9] Dev's musical genres have been cited as electro-crunk[29] and electropop.[9][28]
Personal life[edit]
In September 2011, Dev publicly announced that she was expecting a baby girl due December 24, 2011.[30] Dev gave birth to her daughter Emilia Lovely on December 9, 2011.[31] MTV aired a special about Dev's life as a mom and how she is juggling being a mother and a performer at the same time. The show also shed light on her daughter, who was born with a condition called gastroschisis, and how her daughter overcame it.[32]
Headlining
Opening Act
