{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Deva Mahal | image = Deva Mahal 3.jpg | caption = Mahal in 2018 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|1|1|mf=y}} | birth_place = Hawaii | genre = Soul, R&B | occupation = Singer | years_active = 2017–present }}
'''Deva Salote Mahal'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/893469965 |title=CAN'T CALL IT LOVE |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=August 1, 2024}}</ref> (pronounced 'diva') is a soul and R&B singer. Mahal is the daughter of American blues musician Taj Mahal.
Deva joined father Taj Mahal in Michael Dorf's tribute to Aretha Franklin at Carnegie Hall in New York City on March 6, 2017.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/concerts/7717028/aretha-franklin-tribute-carnegie-hall-recap|title=The Queen of Soul Receives a Multi-Artist Tribute at Carnegie Hall With 'The Music of Aretha Franklin' |magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref> They performed "Chain of Fools". Other artists that performed included Todd Rundgren and Sarah Dash.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/07/arts/music/aretha-franklin-tribute-concert-set-for-carnegie-hall.html|title=Aretha Franklin Tribute Concert Set for Carnegie Hall |last=Coscarelli |first=Joe |date=December 7, 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 3, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> One year later, Mahal returned to Carnegie Hall for Dorf's next tribute night, "The Music of Led Zeppelin". She was joined by Dap-Kings guitarist Binky Griptite on "Your Time Is Gonna Come".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jambase.com/article/the-music-of-led-zeppelin-carnegie-hall-setlist-review|title=All-Star Lineup Comes Together To Honor The Music Of Led Zeppelin At Carnegie Hall|date=March 8, 2018|work=JamBase|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref>
== Early life == Deva Mahal was born in Hawaii to parents Taj Mahal and Inshirah Mahal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/deva_mahal-deva_mahal|title=Deva Mahal Deva Mahal|website=exclaim.ca|language=en|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref> When she was 17, they moved to New Zealand before settling in New York City.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://reformthefunk.com/2018/03/15/a-humble-diva-in-conversation-with-soul-singer-deva-mahal/|title=In Conversation with Soul Songstress: Deva Mahal|date=March 1, 2018|work=reformthefunk|access-date=April 3, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=April 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404073031/https://reformthefunk.com/2018/03/15/a-humble-diva-in-conversation-with-soul-singer-deva-mahal/|url-status=dead}}</ref> She played with various artists around New York before pursuing a career as a solo artist.
== Career ==
=== Pre-2017: Early work === Mahal began writing and performing music as a child, gigging from age 5.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/deva_mahal-deva_mahal|title=Deva Mahal Deva Mahal|website=exclaim.ca|language=en|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref> She has worked with artists including TV on the Radio, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and Fat Freddy's Drop.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.relix.com/blogs/detail/listen_to_deva_mahals_debut_ep_and_enter_pre_save_contest#1|title=Listen to Deva Mahal's Debut EP (and Enter Pre-Save Contest)|work=Relix|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref> Mahal provided backing vocals on Hollie Smith's ''Long Player'' and Fat Freddy's Drop's album ''Based on a True Story'', track "Wandering Eye". She also collaborated with keyboardist Steph Brown in the band "Fredericks Brown" The duo toured and put out a pair of EPs together with guitarist Michael Taylor.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jazz & Milk – Fredericks Brown |url=https://jazzandmilk.com/fredericks-brown |website=Jazz & Milk – Fredericks Brown |accessdate=August 19, 2019 |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819205554/https://jazzandmilk.com/fredericks-brown |url-status=dead }}</ref>
=== 2017: ''Deva Mahal'' EP === Mahal launched her solo career by initially releasing three songs as a self-titled extended play, ''Deva Mahal'', in October 2017.<ref>{{Citation|title=Deva Mahal: EP|url=https://noisetrade.com/devamahal/ep|accessdate=April 3, 2018}}</ref>
=== 2018: ''Run Deep'' === Mahal released her debut album 'Run Deep' March 23, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/mar/25/deva-mahal-run-deep-review|title=Deva Mahal: Run Deep review – gentle sepia R&B debut|last=Empire|first=Kitty|date=March 2, 2018|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=March 30, 2018}}</ref> The album was produced by Scott Jacoby.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://parade.com/646372/laurawhitmore/exclusive-song-premiere-deva-mahal-tells-it-like-it-is-with-cant-call-it-love/|title=Exclusive Song Premiere: Deva Mahal Tells it Like it is With 'Can't Call It Love'|last=Whitmore|first=Laura B.|work=Parade|access-date=April 3, 2018|language=en}}</ref> GRAMMY.com revealed she was their No. 1 'Best New Bands' from South by Southwest 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/mallrat-pronoun-deva-mahal-7-best-new-bands-sxsw-2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190919211641/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/mallrat-pronoun-deva-mahal-7-best-new-bands-sxsw-2018|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 19, 2019|title=SXSW 2018: 7 New Bands To Check Out This Year|date=March 1, 2018|work=GRAMMY.com|access-date=March 30, 2018|language=en}}</ref>
=== 2019: "Goddamn" and "Your Only One" === Mahal released two singles, "Goddamn" and "Your Only One", following her debut album ''Run Deep''. The singles were co-produced by Mahal and Son Little.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://afropunk.com/2019/05/exclusive-deva-mahal-and-son-little-will-seduce-your-ears-with-their-new-single-goddamn/|title=EXCLUSIVE: DEVA MAHAL AND SON LITTLE WILL SEDUCE YOUR EARS WITH THEIR NEW SINGLE "GODDAMN"|last=Leigh|first=Nathan|work=Afropunk|access-date=May 15, 2019|language=en}}</ref>
=== Musical style === Mahal's musical style ranges from Soul, Funk, R&B and Blues and she cites Tracy Chapman, Nina Simone and Lauryn Hill as some of her influences.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://echoesmagazine.co.uk/2018/03/16/february-2018-issue/|title=Echoes Magazine {{!}} FEBRUARY 2018 ISSUE|website=echoesmagazine.co.uk|language=en-US|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref> Her soulful vocal style has been compared to Amy Winehouse.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/music/review-deva-mahal-will-melt-your-heart-with-new-album-run-deep/article/518314|title=Review: Deva Mahal will melt your heart with new album 'Run Deep' (Includes first-hand account)|date=March 2, 2018|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref>
== Personal life == In 2020, Mahal was featured on the second season of Netflix's dating reality show ''Dating Around'' where she identified as being attracted to both men and women.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/dating-around-netflix-deva-mahal-sexist-date-true/|title=Deva Mahal Shuts Down Sexist Date on Dating Around Season 2|website=Screen Rant |date=June 1, 2020|access-date=June 14, 2020}}</ref> In the third episode, titled "Deva", she states she's been living in New Orleans since December 2019.
== Discography == === Albums === {| class="wikitable" |- !Title !Album details |- !''Run Deep'' | * Released: March 23, 2018 * Label: Motéma Music * Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, vinyl |} {| class="wikitable" |+List of albums (Appears on) !Title !Album details |- !''Maestro'' | * Released: 2008 * Label: Motéma Music * Format: Digital download, streaming, CD |}
=== Extended plays === {| class="wikitable" |+List of extended plays !Title !Extended play details |- !''Deva Mahal'' | * Released: October 27, 2017 * Label: Motéma Music * Format: Digital download, streaming |}
=== ''Run Deep'' track listing === # "Can't Call It Love" # "Snakes" # "Fire" # "Dream" # "Shards" # "Run Deep" (featuring Coco Peila) # "Turnt Up" (featuring Allen Stone) # "Superman" (Interlude) # "Optimist" # "Wicked" # "It's Down to You" # "Take a Giant Step"
==References== {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mahal, Deva}} Category:Singers from New York City Category:Living people Category:Motéma Music artists Category:Bisexual women musicians Category:American bisexual women Category:LGBTQ people from Hawaii Category:1982 births Category:American soul singers Category:American rhythm and blues singers Category:21st-century African-American women singers Category:American bisexual singers Category:American LGBTQ women singers