There are few extremely talented singer-songwriters in world of house music, and Diviniti is certainly one of them. A true lady of Detroit house, Diviniti is part of a scene that developed following Detroit’s re-birth as an innovator for electronic music in the 1980s. She writes uplifting songs and has a distinctive vocal style, which incorporates eloquent wordplay and an angelic grace. As far as influences are concerned, Diviniti cites numerous songwriters and vocalists in classic rock, jazz, R&B, and soul music circles. Diviniti made her name for herself alongside close collaborators Pirahnahead and DJ Minx and she has gone from strength to strength since her early releases.
Growing up on the West Side of Detroit, Diviniti was the youngest of six children. She was born into a family of talented musicians and she developed a passion for music at an early age. She studied classical violin and was a member of a gospel choir at high school. While in high school, Diviniti began to write songs and discovered a love of house music. During this period she gained her first studio experience, which included a recording session with famous local producer Terrence Parker. Although the material they recorded was never released, this work provided a glimpse into her future.
In February 2003, Diviniti met Pirahnahead and the pair started a fruitful partnership, which has seen them create a number of dancefloor staples. Pirahnahead introduced Diviniti to DJ Minx, who chose to release a number of these collaborations, namely Find A Way, Love Will Stay, Live For The Night and Can’t Explain on her renowned Women on Wax label. The Live For The Night 12” included a remix by DJ Spinna. DJ Minx and Diviniti worked together under the name A Taste Of Honeys on The Essential EP, which was also released on Women on Wax.
Diviniti’s music has been released on a number of other record labels. Find A Way was licensed to the NY based King Street Sounds imprint, where it was re-released with an edit from Disco don Danny Krivit. Poem for a Lost One saw the light of day on Mike Grant’s Moods and Grooves imprint, as remixed by Mr. G and Black Music aka Solid Gold Playaz. Cult Detroit house figurehead Moodymann edited and then released Love on his Mahogani Music imprint.
In 2006, Diviniti participated in Shuya Okino of Kyoto Jazz Massive’s United Legends project, which brought together a number of celebrated producers and vocalists. She wrote a song for United Legends called Shine, which was produced by DJ Kawasaki. Shine proved to be one of the most successful tracks of the project and it spent several weeks at the top of the Itunes Japan jazz, dance, and J-pop charts. Shine was subsequently remixed by Pirahnahead and ‘replayed’ by Japanese Jazz dons Sleep Walker for further 12” releases on Especial Distribution.
Diviniti’s music has been selected for compilations put together by renowned DJs such as Joe Claussell, Moodymann, Rainer Trüby, Phil Asher, Joey Negro, Blaze, Yashudi Ide and Louie Vega. Her music has been licensed to labels such as Defected and suSU in the UK, King Street Sounds and Mahogani Music in the USA, Especial and Grand Gallery in Japan and Sheer House and CCP Record Company in South Africa. This highlights the worldwide appeal of her music and the esteem in which she is held by respected DJs.
Diviniti has made a name for herself with her studio recordings, but she has also made in-roads as a songwriter for other artists. She has songwriting credits for Carolyn Victorian’s Sunshine and Pirahnahead’s Music, both released on Pirahnahead’s own Whasdat Music imprint. Diviniti also co-wrote Pirahnahead feat. Yaminah Brock’s I Do Love U, a track that appeared on Detroit Beatdown EP Vol. 2 on Third Ear Records. There are other songwriting projects in the pipeline from this talented individual.
On stage, Diviniti is an excellent live performer. She performed live at Detroit’s Movement Festival in 2005 with a 10-piece band and in 2006 alongside DJ Minx. She has also performed at the Winter Music Conference in Miami, FL, and at various clubs in Detroit and New York. Her international appeal has been reinforced by her live performances as well as record releases. She has performed in Calabria in Italy, Lucerne in Switzerland, and in the Japanese capital Tokyo, at the 2006 and 2007 Tokyo Crossover Jazz Festivals.
Diviniti is an established songwriter and vocalist with an impressive back catalogue. She is set to build on the successes that she has already achieved in house music and other circles in the future. Her first solo album, entitled Divine Intervention, will be released by Women on Wax. The release of the LP will mark the dawn of another chapter in her career.
Bio written by Jon Freer-standoutfromtherest@googlemail.com
Check out Diviniti LIVE @ Tokyo Crossover Jazz Festival~November 2007
Get Your Own! | View Slideshow
Click here to watch the video for "SHINE" ~ Shuya Okino with production by DJ Kawasaki and vocals by DIVINITI
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