Raheem DeVaughn To Headline Flavored Food & Wine Festival

Increase your glasses and prepare to groove. On Sept. 20, Raheem DeVaughn will take the stage at this 12 months’s Flavored Meals & Wine Pageant in New York Metropolis, the place reside melodies meet wonderful wine and flavorful bites for an unforgettable expertise. Recent off his summer season tour, the Grammy award profitable singer-songwriter—aka The Love King—sat down with MadameNoire as he counts all the way down to the extremely anticipated occasion.

The festivities, hosted by the Pearls & Ivy Basis of Queens, are anticipated to attract over 1,500 foodies coming collectively to savor a feast for the senses. Following a profitable inaugural occasion final 12 months, this 12 months’s pageant is poised to be much more spectacular, with proceeds benefiting the Alpha Kappa Alpha-led basis’s faculty scholarship fund and youth programming.

Company can sit up for superstar chef demos, curated conversations, and a vibrant array of tastings—from wonderful wines and spirits to dishes from a few of New York Metropolis’s most celebrated cooks and eating places. Immersed in a flavorful showcase of meals, music, and group, with DeVaughn’s soulful catalog lighting up the pageant stage, this occasion guarantees to be one to recollect.

This 12 months, the artist celebrated a significant milestone—the twentieth anniversary of his debut album, The Love Expertise. With a wealthy discography and constant following spanning 20 years, the DMV native stays a powerhouse on stage and within the studio—persevering with to create, carry out, and uplift fellow artists via Raheem DeVaughn Presents, a platform that has spotlighted singer-songwriter Grenique, multi-hyphenate rapper Phil Adé, saxophonist Vandell Andrew, and extra.

Calling from Atlanta whereas on The Quiet Storm Summer season Collection 2025 Tour, DeVaughn spoke with MadameNoire about his journey, reflecting on 20 years in music, and what he’s wanting ahead to at this 12 months’s Flavored Meals & Wine Pageant.

You’re at present on the street, wrapping up your summer season collection. How’s touring been?

It’s cool. I’m a repeatedly touring artist, so I’m continually working, touching new followers, and connecting with my flock of supporters which were supporting for over 20 years. We simply celebrated the 20-year anniversary of my first album, The Love Expertise, by taking that album, curating it, and turning it right into a mixtape. In some unspecified time in the future, I’m wanting ahead to doing The Love Expertise tour, tentatively in 2026-2027. There’s a tour announcement coming for this fall and winter as effectively.

Congrats on the twentieth anniversary of The Love Expertise! Twenty years in, what’s it prefer to mirror in your enduring music profession since that launch?

Oh man, it’s loads to mirror on, . One, simply being grateful for all times and to have the ability to say I’m nonetheless right here doing this in sound thoughts, physique, and spirit. I hope that the followers hear the expansion and see the expansion—my progress as a vocalist, as a songwriter, my maturity as a performer. After which my growth, simply by way of showmanship and work ethic. I’ve all the time been a hustler, all the time been a tough employee.

How has your method to music developed because you debuted The Love Expertise?

Primarily it’s my ears—the way in which I hear issues. Being open differently, sonically—listening for each element, each nuance. I believe I’ve change into extra of a perfectionist over the 20-year span. On the finish of the day, I simply pray for extra time and to remain as wholesome as attainable to have the ability to proceed to convey and write and produce and carry out the catalog, in addition to create new reminiscences for folks via the music aspect of it.

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As an artist, what conjures up you to maintain creating new work, new experiences?

I really like connecting with new followers, the music lovers. I satisfaction myself in making music that has a message. I really feel just like the present is highly effective in what we do—it’s alchemy. So I’m very conscientious and put quite a lot of thought into what I do and the way I need it to be acquired. Chasing perfection is one thing that I truly take pleasure in doing. It’s in all probability essentially the most insane factor you are able to do, is stepping out on religion to pursue a dream or to see a objective throughout. Insane however courageous, on the similar time.

You’ll be hitting the stage on the 2025 Flavored Meals & Wine Pageant this September. Are you a foodie? As a DMV native, the place’s a go-to spot that you simply’d advocate?

Union Market in D.C. is a superb spot. They’ve loads in there that I prefer to take pleasure in. I’ll cease and seize a smoothie, one thing like that for the palate, particularly throughout the summertime. I prefer to go there for vegan ramen, which is a favourite of mine as effectively. 

Will you be making the rounds, sampling the meals and drinks on the Flavored Meals & Wine Pageant?

Positively! If there’s something that I really feel like my palate is interested in, I will probably be indulging. I’m undoubtedly gonna see what’s on the market. I’m enthusiastic about performing for the music lovers. And the truth that they’re taking music—which is a part of the tradition—and meals and beverage, and mixing the 2, it’s an honor to be a part of that have. I’m totally wanting ahead to it.