Some artists make songs.
Some artists make moments.
And then there are rare artists who change the culture forever.
Jodeci was that moment.
When DeVanté Swing, Mr. Dalvin, K-Ci, and JoJo introduced the world to Forever My Lady in 1991, R&B entered a new era. They didn’t just bring incredible voices—they brought a movement. A combination of gospel-rooted harmonies, hip-hop attitude, street-inspired style, and emotional honesty that reshaped what an R&B group could be.
They were different.
They looked different.
They sounded different.
And the world took notice.
Jodeci broke the boundaries between R&B and hip-hop, between vulnerability and strength, between tradition and rebellion. They gave men permission to express emotions without losing their edge. They made love, heartbreak, passion, and pain feel authentic because every note carried conviction.
Forever My Lady wasn’t simply an album—it was a cultural landmark. The songs became memories. The melodies became personal soundtracks. The group became a blueprint that generations of singers, producers, and performers would study, follow, and build upon.
But behind every legendary moment is a story that goes deeper than the spotlight.
The journey of Jodeci is a story of brotherhood, creativity, ambition, pressure, triumph, challenges, and the chemistry that happens when four unique talents create something bigger than themselves.
That chemistry produced timeless records, unforgettable performances, and an influence that still echoes throughout R&B and hip-hop today.
Because trends fade.
Movements change.
But true impact survives.
Thirty-five years later, Jodeci’s fingerprints remain everywhere—from the artists inspired by their sound to the fans who continue discovering the magic that made them special in the first place.
This is more than a celebration of an album.
This is a celebration of a legacy.
A legacy built on originality.
A legacy built on emotion.
A legacy built by a group that didn’t just represent an era—they helped define it.
As Mr. Dalvin reflects on the journey behind Forever My Lady, he takes us beyond the hits and into the heart of Jodeci—the music, the memories, the lessons, and the story behind one of the most influential groups in R&B history.
Because some groups have success.
Some groups have classics.
But only a few become immortal.
Forever My Lady. Forever Jodeci.
Mr. Dalvin: I don’t think history has fully understood the chemistry between us, the members of Jodeci—the unique dynamic that created the magic people hear in our music. People often see the trick without understanding the magician. When you understand the minds, personalities, and creative process behind the music, you gain a much deeper appreciation for the artistry.Even after 35 years, I don’t believe the world has truly discovered the people behind the music of Jodeci. That’s the missing piece of our legacy and what we are looking forward to sharing more with our fans in the future.
Mr. Dalvin: At the time, we knew we were doing something different from the R&B groups that came before us, but we didn’t know what the outcome would be. We were simply creating music and expressing ourselves in a way that felt authentic.When you’re doing something outside the box, you can’t predict how people will respond until you put it out into the world. We weren’t trying to redefine the culture—we were just being ourselves.
Looking back, I think our sound and style surprised people because we were so young yet sounded so mature. That originality helped us carve out our own lane and opened the door for many artists and groups who came after us.
Mr. Dalvin: I believe my biggest contribution was bringing the edge to Jodeci. DeVanté, K-Ci, and JoJo represented a more traditional R&B foundation, while I brought influences from street culture and hip-hop.That perspective helped shape our image—from the way we dressed to the attitude and style we projected. DeVanté was the group’s leader and visionary who created Jodeci, but I believe I helped define the edge that made us stand out.
Together, those elements worked hand in hand to create a look and identity that set us apart from every other R&B group.
Mr. Dalvin: Jodeci’s influence is everywhere in today’s R&B music. Many newer artists sample our songs, often through producers who recognize our catalog, even if the artists themselves don’t realize where those sounds originated.A lot of younger fans know these newer versions first and are surprised to find out that some of their favorite songs or melodies originally came from Jodeci. Once they make that connection, they start to see just how much our music has influenced the artists they listen to today.
Artists like Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, Bryson Tiller, and others have sampled our work, showing how our music continues to inspire new generations. Just as James Brown became one of the most sampled artists in history, I believe Jodeci’s music has become part of the foundation of modern R&B and hip-hop.
What’s especially rewarding is seeing younger fans discover us through their parents and grandparents. Our music has endured because it’s rooted in love, emotion, and timeless storytelling, and I believe Jodeci’s blueprint will remain a permanent part of music history.
Parlé Mag: You’ve worn a lot of hats throughout your career: artist, producer, songwriter, creative director, drummer, talent scout, and executive. Which role has brought you the most fulfillment and why?
Mr. Dalvin: Being an artist has brought me the greatest fulfillment. Although I’ve enjoyed growing as a producer and love working in the studio, nothing compares to performing on stage.The stage is where I find peace and can completely lose myself in the music. It’s my escape from everyday life—a place where I feel most connected to myself and to the audience.
Outside of my faith and personal relationship with God, performing has been the most rewarding experience of my life. There’s simply no feeling like sharing music that people genuinely love and connecting with them through a live performance. 
Mr. Dalvin: I look for artists who aren’t afraid to take risks and be unapologetically themselves. It’s easy to find people who sound like everyone else or follow whatever is trending, but those artists rarely leave a lasting impact.I focus on talent first because image and style can always be developed, but genuine talent and originality can’t be manufactured. Artists like Missy Elliott are great examples—she succeeded because she embraced who she was instead of fitting a traditional mold.
The artists who stand out are the ones who believe in their vision, regardless of whether it’s considered commercially safe. That’s the kind of authenticity that creates longevity.
Mr. Dalvin: The biggest lesson we’ve learned is the importance of honesty and accountability. In any group, especially one made up of four very different personalities, disagreements are inevitable.Success can make it even more challenging because everyone develops their own perspective on what contributed to that success. The key is to be honest with one another without being overly judgmental, hold each other accountable, and stay true to the formula that brought the group together in the first place.
Managing talent, egos, and success isn’t easy, but maintaining mutual respect and a shared purpose is what helps keep the group intact.
Parlé Mag: The 35th Anniversary Tour brings all four original members back together on stage. What emotions hit you when you look across the stage today compared to the first time you performed those songs as a young man?
Mr. Dalvin: Surprisingly, it feels almost the same as it did in the beginning. Every time I look across the stage and see my three brothers, I still get excited.It feels like we’re teenagers again, doing what we love most. The biggest difference is seeing how the music continues to connect with audiences after all these years.
Watching fans embrace these songs is both nostalgic and rewarding. Sometimes it feels like an out-of-body experience, as if I’m enjoying the show right alongside the audience.
I cherish every moment of it.
Mr. Dalvin: I believe it comes down to the lyrics. We didn’t just make great beats—we created songs built around real, relatable stories and emotions. Our music reflected authentic experiences that people could see themselves in, whether it was love, heartbreak, commitment, or relationships. Songs like “Come and Talk to Me” gave people the confidence and words to express their feelings, while “Cry for You” showed that men could be emotionally vulnerable.
In many ways, our music became a guide for love and relationships, giving listeners a soundtrack for their own lives.
That’s why people still tell us our songs were part of some of the biggest moments in their lives. I believe those honest, timeless lyrics are the reason Jodeci’s music continues to connect across generations.
Mr. Dalvin: As a solo artist, I have the opportunity to express myself in ways that are different from Jodeci. Jodeci’s music represents the chemistry of all four members, but my solo work reflects my personal perspective and creativity. On this new album, I’m exploring a wider range of themes, including love, faith, and messages of encouragement. There are many ways to express love and connect with people through music, and I want this project to offer something fresh and meaningful.
I’m excited for listeners to hear this new side of me when the album is released in fall 2026.
Mr. Dalvin: The biggest surprise would be that, 35 years later, we’re still talking about Forever My Lady as if it were released yesterday. When we made that album as teenagers, we weren’t thinking about creating a classic or building a legacy—we were simply focused on making the best music we could. You can never predict which songs will stand the test of time, no matter how much heart and soul you put into them.
At just 16 years old, I hadn’t experienced many of the emotions we were writing about firsthand. Much of our inspiration came from observing the lives of our parents, friends, and the people around us.
As I’ve grown older and experienced love, heartbreak, disappointment, and joy myself, those songs have taken on even deeper meaning. Today, I can appreciate the emotional impact of our music in a way I couldn’t when we first recorded it.
Looking back, it’s inspiring to see that our songs have connected with people all over the world and become part of their lives across generations.
Mr. Dalvin: More than anything, I hope people remember that there will never be another Jodeci. Every truly iconic artist creates something that can’t be duplicated. It’s just like a piece of clay: you can wet it and try to remold it, but you’ll never get the same result as the first time.
Just as there will never be another Michael Jackson, Prince, or Bobby Brown, I believe Jodeci established a unique identity that broke the mold. Every legendary act has its own signature.
My hope is that future generations recognize Jodeci as one of those rare groups whose sound, style, and impact are impossible to recreate.
