S: What is the process of your collaborations?
D: I am neurotic and they really help get the best out of me. I write from a woman’s point of view and then they riff off of that. It is very organic. There’s never any pressure in the studio. We really vibe off each other! Sometimes our manager says, “Stop messing around!” because we’re such good friends and always want to kick it with each other.
S: Do you really write best between 4-6am?
D: (laughs) Yes, because I was a swimmer all my life and getting up for practice at that hour became routine for me.
S: I love the sing-talk voice style that you treat us to. Where’d you pick that up?
D: I have a very soft voice, and starting out I was shy and that’s what people thought was unique about my voice. I was encouraged to develop it and I naturally gravitate towards that tone.
S: When “Bass Down Low” popped off last year, you were only 21. Was it mind blowing to have so much success at that age?
D: Yeah! It was weird, but great though. It felt awesome to hear myself on the radio! All I could do was celebrate, because I’ve been working my ass off!
S: You were born in Costa Rica and had an opportunity to return to your roots and record some of your first album down there. Pretty damn cool!
D: It was amazing! It was everything I could have ever imagined. It was me, The Cataracs, and our manager. We were like 12 bros! We would record all day and head to the ocean at night! It was beautiful… I was in heaven!
S: You decided to go there to get away from all the stress and distractions of daily life?
D: Exactly!
S: Over 32 million YouTube hits for your mega hit, “Dancing in the Dark”!!!
D: Scrappy, I’m still just trying to process all of this. Three years ago, I was a freshman in college not even thinking about this stuff. I’m just really fortunate to have mentors like The Cataracs because they have kept me grounded. I have everything in perspective. But I’m also very confident in my skills.
S: I am digging your hair color in the video. A little blonde over here… black streaks over there…
D: (laughs)
S: Also in the video, when there are at least twenty hands simultaneously caressing your body – did you enjoy it? D: (laughs)
S: Dev, now that you’re a star, have a few tracks out, and everyone knows who you are, do you have a lot of male groupies?
D: I’m lucky enough to have both female and male fans, but I don’t play into groupies. I can’t, that’s gross… (laughs) C’mon Scrappy!! (laughs)
S: No, for real… you’re on stage and doing a big tour, like the OMG tour you recently did with Usher a few months back. You don’t pick out a couple guys and have your bodyguards fetch them for you?
D: (hysterically laughing) No way… that’s funny!
ABOUT THE WRITER: Scrappy, Southwest Florida’s highest
rated radio DJ, can be heard every afternoon from 3-6pm on 105-5 The Beat.
Official Website:
www.devishot.com
S: What do you like to do in your spare time?
D: I don’t get a lot of downtime, but when I do, I watch a lot of Sports Center. I try to shop sometimes, and I like to read.
S: You’re becoming the queen of features. Anyone else you’re hooking up with in the upcoming months?
D: Actually, yes. I am featured on David Guetta’s album and I also did a track with Timbaland. S: Timbaland? No way? What was it like producing music with him?
D: It was in Miami and I was nervous. But he could tell that I am not a pretentious chick trying to take over his studio; that I was there to learn from him. It was really cool. He’s nuts! The way he makes music is very dope. Also, it was cool for me to see a different way because I am so used to working alone with The Cataracs. It was definitely an amazing experience!
S: Is your phone ringing with people like, “Yo! We need a Latino girl on our track, spitting some Spanglish!”?
D: (laughs) No, but hopefully it will. That’s what I’m trying to do. I want to branch out. I’m trying to get my Pitbull on. He’s amazing in the way he has a foot in both North and South America. He can rock a pop track, but also bust out Reggaeton with the best of them. To be the female version of him would be an honor.
S: That would be huge. Given your ethnicity, do you know Portuguese as well?
D: A little. I try to use some Portuguese words in my songs. I think I’m pulling it off.
S: You were a world class swimmer in high school? I swam in high school, too.
D: That is so dope! I did the 200 breast stroke for varsity all four years. It was gnarly. I swam every morning and every afternoon.
S: Sean Paul was a world class swimmer and attributes being on the swim team to the development of his singing skills. And you?
D: I don’t know, but I can see that with the deep breathing and such.
S: Finally, how do you stay so grounded and unpretentious at age 22 when everyone is kissing your feet these days? D: I don’t define myself based on what I do, but rather who I am.
S: Dev, I appreciate you. I’m a fan and I’m looking forward to hearing your second album. D: Thank you so much, Scrappy, it was great talking to you!
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