DeP (musician) Informations

Donald Paige, known professionally as DeP (pronounced Deep), is an American singer, actor and model based in Los Angeles, California and a member of the Beta Beta chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He released his debut single For Me in 2005. Donald "DeP" Paige specializes in skills that range from in front of the camera talents and behind the scenes business, this triple threat has been making waves for years. DeP's music is influenced by artists such as Donny Hathaway, Missy Elliott, Yolanda Adams, and Tank amongst several others. DeP has shared the stage and opened up for prominent music artists including Beyonce, Kanye West, Chance The Rapper, Alicia Keys, Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Andra Day, and Ne-Yo. He has also performed at 2016 TV Land Awards, 2016 ESPY Awards and 57th Annual Grammy Awards. Think DeP

DeP was born and raised in Houston, Texas, into a musical family with extensive roots in gospel music. Many of his family members are charter members of the Southeast Inspirational Choir, which propelled the careers of gospel artists such as Yolanda Adams, Brenda Waters, Shirley Joiner, Carl Preacher, Rise Joiner-Peters, Angela Bennet and Greg CurtisBeing raised in the Outreach Missionary Baptist church, he began first singing gospel music at the age of 6. DeP would experience his first acting opportunity when he landed roles in a Six Flags commercial. He attended performing arts schools starting in elementary up until high school High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston as a double focus in vocal and piano with other great talents such as Robert Glasper. He also was a part of the young performers at The Ensemble Theatre with fellow members Solange Knowles, Miss Mykie and more. He also studied piano at A All About Music. After performing secular music in High School, he transferred to Westbury High School during his Sophomore year, he knew that he wanted to become a professional performing artist. Shortly after enrolling in college at Texas College, where he joined the Beta Beta Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in Spring 2001, DeP was offered a record deal with Versatile Records in Washington DC. While growing as a credited singer, songwriter and performer, his coordinating and business skills were developed working under Rep. Al Edwards, Rob Turner of Able Ten Inc, The PHD Conference and several Non Profit Organizations.

During his time at Texas College in Tyler TX. DeP was signed to Versatile Records in Washington D.C. where he first began releasing his own music, which resulted in his first national release, his EP entitled "For Me". After parting ways with Versatile Records, DeP joined New York City based male RandB group, Diehard in the mid 2000s. Diehard changed their name to Signature shortly after he joined. The group was signed to Blackball Records and then bought out by Elite Records who got them their debut breakout performance of their single Get It In on BET's popular video countdown show, 106 and Park. After a few years, DeP parted ways with the group and took a break from entertainment to flex his business goals and complete his degree in Education. During this time, he started a program called Operation Clicks, a computer literacy course for senior citizens, with the Greater Houston Area Health Education Center.

Once again rejuvenated to continue his singing, acting and modeling career, DeP relocated to Los Angeles. Since then his performance career has flourished appearing in several commercials for companies including Beats by Dre and Dos Equis.

DeP released his first EP, For Me in 2005.

In 2008, he released his debut single titled Something More which was a slow groove RandB ballad, the single was coproduced by Lejuan Samuels.

In 2008 DeP released his second EP, The Truth, with MMG Record Label which included the popular hit, "Something More.

In 2010 DeP launched a full scale marketing company, Think DeP Entertainment, which specializes in artist development, vocal coaching, EPK creation, literary services, social media optimization, web presence building and more. His second EP, The Truth was also released same year on MMG.

He collaborated with Don Benjamin and released his second single Sugar Rush in 2012. DēP's third single was Contract which was also released in 2012.

The year was 2013 and DeP was featured as a Doo Wap singer, in the popular commercial series featuring "The most interesting man in the world" by Dos Equis. The commercial ran for 2 years to become DeP's first major commercial as a lead. The commercial was produced by Radical Media and directed by Steve Miller.

In 2013, he released his fourth single Celebrate which was produced by Davion Botts. ThinkDeP

By 2015, DeP had joined the ranks of many of the in demand performing artist in the Los Angeles area, resulting in opportunities to sing background and record with several megastars. Most notably performing with Beyonce at the Grammy Awards of 2015, Grammy Salutes: Stevie Wonder.

In 2015 DeP was hired by producer, Bill Brummel, to voice the role of Lawerence Huggins for the Documentary, Selma: The Bridge To The Ballot. The documentary that tells the story of a courageous group of students and teachers who, along with other activists, fought a nonviolent battle to win voting rights for African Americans in the South, would be DeP's first voice over role. It has since become a tool for middle school and high school classrooms across the US.

DeP also landed a placement of an original song produced by Theo Gearring, "1st Sight", in the 2015 Romantic Comedy, My Favorite Five.

It wasn't until 2016 that DeP released his first LP, Think DēP Reloaded. The LP included all of his previously released singles and some new songs including the popular single, Red Light. The single Red Light Pt. II was the breakout single from this project.

During this time, DeP would be seen everywhere touring and with performances at the 2016 TV Land Awards, 2016 ESPYS and 2016 White Hot Holiday. DēP has also appeared in several music videos including Matrimony by Wale and Usher, Bang Bang (Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj song), and So in Love (Jill Scott and Anthony Hamilton song). DeP also appeared in several publications including Vibe, Rolling Stone, Sheen Magazine and Baller Alert. He also became the Los Angeles brand ambassador for Upscale Men's Jewellery and Grooming Line for Teddy Winston Brand. He was published over 30 times in various magazines, books and blogs during this stint.

Throughout 2018 DeP worked with several aspiring artist across the US, successfully releasing EP's and Singles for some of them which featured him as a writer, co-producer, AandR and performer including his features on Latin Pop artist Bianca Acosta's Christmas single "Ode To Mary" and Hip Hop artist Jai G's, "Edna Jean".

In 2018, DeP began to see success in acting. He landed his first lead role for a short film called This Side Up, a true story about Henry Brown's infamous escape from slavery by mailing himself to freedom and has had cameos in several TV shows including "Will and Grace" and "The Rookie".

DeP was named one of 2019 Top 50 Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs of Texas awarded by D Mars Magazine and recognized by the US Congress for his work in helping develop young talent and entrepreneurship.

The Tom Joyner Foundation launched a podcast in 2019, HBCUbiquity, that spotlights HBCU's and the lifestyle around them. Calling upon DeP to write and perform the podcast opening song, he delivered a song that brought the necessary energy to bring life to the opening of the podcast.

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