Raheem DeVaughn's debut album was "The Love Experience;" his critically acc… Read Full Bio ↴Raheem DeVaughn's debut album was "The Love Experience;" his critically acclaimed follow-up was "Love Behind The Melody."

DeVaughn's musical story began with his mother's vinyl collection. "I always loved music so I would sneak into her record collection when she wasn't around and play her stuff." DeVaughn's father, noted jazz musician Abdul Wadud was also an influence. DeVaughn knew at an early age that he would become an entertainer.

DeVaughn graduated from High Point High School in Beltsville, Maryland; then headed to nearby Coppin State. It was the first day of college that changed the course of his life. "I saw a group of guys standing outside singing, Boyz II Men style," remembers DeVaughn. "I just went up there and started harmonizing with them. Before I knew what was going on, I was in a group, cutting class to write lyrics and record." After winning $2,000.00 in a talent show at Bar None, a Washington D.C. nightclub, DeVaughn decided to go for broke and invested all of his winnings into a CD burner. Several independent releases led to a showcase with Jive Records, and the career was on it's way.

Who )
Raheem DeVaughn Lyrics

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I hope you don't mind, if the illest words you ever heard, flow through me right about now. Now that you're here. Glad you tuned in. Please turn to God. Listen, I got a vision.

[Verse 1:]
Ain't it about time that we start livin this life by leadin as examples. (yeah) Before this world that exists ends up rottin to the core by one bad apple.(umm) From my block to Bancock, it's a mighty big world much further than the eye can see.(yeah) That's no excuse for you and I to think what if things still don't afect you and me. The things we don't see. I think we need to recognize.

[Chorus:]
Who (who) who (oh yea) who who (who you) who who (if you don't recognize). Who (who) who (oh oh) who who (who) who who.

[Verse 2:]
Yeah you got the crib of ya dreams and you rollin on dubs. But tell me where's the love. (where) You betta rememba, for every picket fence in the suburbs, down the street there's a growin ghetto, on the other side. (yea) And how along the way where did we how did we forget about the children. (oh oh) Maybe that's why we're playin catchup tryna make up for ones we lost over time. (oh failin to realize) (oh yea, oh yea)

[Chorus:]
Who (oh oh) who (who cares) who who (who's gonna lead us) who who (is anybody listening out there) who (it's so who) who (who yea) who who (oh) who who (you gotta understand).

[Verse 3:]
??, if a bombshell falls (falls). Then the children, and the laughter, the green pastures would come to an end.See the choice (choices we make) we make seals our faith (ooh Lord yea). So glad you tuned in. Hello, is anybody listening out there (oh)... Need some time to breathe (yea). We all need time to breathe, get our thoughts together (yea).

[Chorus:]
Who (who) who (who) who who (who's gonna care) who who (oh who Lord) who (who) who (who) who who (who) who who (who).

[Bridge:]
Who's gonna really care, who's gonna take us there, who's gonna change there ways, who's gonna pay the price, who's gonna change their life, who's gonna takes us there, who's gonna find the path, who's gonna live ??, who's gonna live for us, who's gonna live for love, or the name, or the music ??

Overall Meaning

In Raheem DeVaughn's "Who," the singer laments on the state of the world and the lack of care and responsibility taken by individuals. The song urges listeners to take action, recognize the issues around them, and be leaders in making positive change. The lyrics question who is going to stand up and make a difference, who is going to care for the less fortunate, and who is going to prioritize love and compassion over material possessions. DeVaughn emphasizes the importance of recognizing the impact our choices have on the world, and how we can work towards a better future for ourselves and generations to come.

The chorus repeats the word "who," emphasizing the need for individuals to step up and take responsibility for creating positive change. The song reminds us that we all have a responsibility towards each other and the planet, and that we should not wait for others to take action before we do something ourselves. It is a call for action and a reminder that we have the ability to make a difference.

Line by Line Meaning

I hope you don't mind, if the illest words you ever heard, flow through me right about now. Now that you're here. Glad you tuned in. Please turn to God. Listen, I got a vision.
The artist hopes the listener is ready to hear powerful words. By tuning in, they should recognize the importance of their relationship with God. The artist has a vision and wants the listener to be attentive.

Ain't it about time that we start livin this life by leadin as examples. (yeah) Before this world that exists ends up rottin to the core by one bad apple.(umm) From my block to Bancock, it's a mighty big world much further than the eye can see.(yeah) That's no excuse for you and I to think what if things still don't afect you and me. The things we don't see. I think we need to recognize.
It's time to lead by example to prevent the world from falling apart due to one bad person. Although the world is big and diverse, we cannot use that as an excuse to ignore others' issues. We need to recognize the things we aren't noticing.

Yeah you got the crib of ya dreams and you rollin on dubs. But tell me where's the love. (where) You betta rememba, for every picket fence in the suburbs, down the street there's a growin ghetto, on the other side. (yea) And how along the way where did we how did we forget about the children. (oh oh) Maybe that's why we're playin catchup tryna make up for ones we lost over time. (oh failin to realize) (oh yea, oh yea)
Having material possessions isn't everything if love is missing. Even in wealthy suburbs, there may be poverty just around the corner. We have neglected the children in society, and now we are playing catchup. We need to realize our mistakes.

??, if a bombshell falls (falls). Then the children, and the laughter, the green pastures would come to an end.See the choice (choices we make) we make seals our faith (ooh Lord yea). So glad you tuned in. Hello, is anybody listening out there (oh)... Need some time to breathe (yea). We all need time to breathe, get our thoughts together (yea).
If a bombshell were to fall, all the beauty in the world, including laughter and green pastures, would be destroyed. Our choices determine our fate. We need to take a moment to breathe and gather our thoughts in this world of chaos.

Who's gonna really care, who's gonna take us there, who's gonna change there ways, who's gonna pay the price, who's gonna change their life, who's gonna takes us there, who's gonna find the path, who's gonna live ??, who's gonna live for us, who's gonna live for love, or the name, or the music ??
These repeated questions express the artist's concern for who will care enough to make a difference and take action. Who will be willing to make sacrifices and change themselves to find the path to a better world? Who will live for others and for love rather than personal gain and success?

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RAHEEM DE VAUGHN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

LadyLuckDC

15y↑3

This is awesome!!!!! Wow I had a moment watching this video......this is one of my favorite songs OF ALL TIME!!!! The video concept is excellent.....GREAT JOB!