# DeP (musician)

Donald Paige, known professionally as DeP (pronounced Deep), is an American R&B singer. He released his debut single "For Me" in 2005.

## Early life

DeP was born and raised in Houston, Texas, into a musical family with roots in gospel music. Growing up within the confines of the Outreach Missionary Baptist church, he started singing gospel music at the age of six. DeP's first acting opportunity consisted of roles in a Six Flags commercial. He attended performing arts schools starting from elementary through High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, focusing in vocal and piano. He also was a part of the young performers at The Ensemble Theatre with fellow members Solange Knowles, Miss Mykie, and others. He also studied piano at A All About Music. After performing secular music in High School, he transferred to Westbury High School during his second year, desiring to become a professional performing artist. Shortly after enrolling 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 D.C.

## Career
### Early career

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 leaving Versatile Records, DeP joined New York City based male R&B 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 performance of their single "Get It In" on BET's video countdown show, 106 & Park. After a few years, DeP left the group and took a break from entertainment to complete his degree in education.
DeP relocated to Los Angeles, and has appeared in commercials for companies including Beats by Dre and Dos Equis.

### 2005–2013

DeP released his first EP, For Me in 2005.
In 2008, he released his debut single titled "Something More" which was a slow groove R&B ballad, the single was co-produced by Lejuan Samuels.
In 2008 DeP released his second EP, The Truth, with MMG Record Label which included the hit, "Something More.
In 2010 DeP launched a marketing company, Think DeP Entertainment. 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.
In 2013, DeP was featured as a doo-wop singer, in the commercial series featuring Dos Equis. 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.

### 2014–2017

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.
In 2016 DeP released his first album, Think DēP Reloaded. The LP included all of his previously released singles and some new songs including the single "Red Light".

### 2018–2019

Throughout 2018, DeP worked with several aspiring artists, releasing EPs and singles for some of them which featured him as a writer, co-producer, A&R and performer, including his features on Bianca Acosta's Christmas single "Ode To Mary" and Jai G's, "Edna Jean".
In 2018, DeP 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 . He has also appeared in cameos in several TV shows including Will & Grace and The Rookie.
DeP was named one of 2019 Top 50 Black Professionals & 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 for the opening of the podcast.

### 2020–present

In 2020, DeP was asked to be a part of performances with John Legend, including the BET Awards performance and the two day performance at the first virtual Democratic National Convention. DeP has provided background vocals for Beyonce to honor the loss of Los Angeles basketball player, Kobe Bryant. He also stage managed the 50th anniversary for the Southeast Inspirational Choir. The concert featured the choir, Yolanda Adams, of which he directed her hit song with the choir "You Made The Difference", Donald Lawrence, Kim Burell, Kathy Taylor and The Walls Group. On September 4, to commemorate his 38th birthday, DeP partnered with Nathaniel Kemp of Digital Frog Photography, and released a limited edition photo collection, 'X-pression 38'. The collection has 38 limited edition photos from a two-year shoot that the duo collaborated on to be a part of a 2022 project entitled Rebirth.
In 2021, DeP became more present with his company Think DeP Entertainment in working as creative director with several "Next Up" artist including TeaMarrr, the first artist signed to Issa Rae record label Raedio and other newcomers.
His upcoming LP, Edibles and Elevation, is slated for release in 2024.

## Discography
### Singles

* "For Me" (2005)
* "Something More" (2008)
* "Contract" (2012)
* "Celebrate" (2013)
* "Red Light" (2016)
* "Red Light Pt. II" (2016)
* "Ode To Mary" Bianca Acosta Ft. DeP (2018)
* "Fallback" (2019)
* "Bi In" (2023)
* "Same Difference" (2023)
* "Hoods Off" (2024)
* "Boxes" (2024)
* "No Black Dummies" (2024)
* "Movin & Shakin" (2024)

### Albums

* For Me EP (2005)
* The Truth (2008)
* Think DeP Reloaded (2016)
* The Gift: Lion King "SPIRIT" (2019)
* Jesus is King (2019)
* Jesus is Born (2019)
* This Shit Can't Wait Mixtape (2023)
* Edibles and Elevation (pending)

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2023 | Bora | Music Dept "Same Difference" | Featured Film |
| 2020 | Black Is King | Choir | Featured Film |
| 2020 | Will & Grace | Tourist | Supporting Cast |
| 2019 | Lion King | Singer "Spirit" | Featured Film |
| 2019 | Jesus Is King | SELF | Short |
| 2019 | This Side Up: The True Story of Henry Brown | Henry Brown | Short |
| 2018 | The Choir Director | Choir Member Male Lead | Supporting Cast |
| 2017 | Kings | Rioter | Supporting Cast |
| 2017 | The Preacher's Son | Choir Member Male Lead | Supporting Cast |
| 2015 | Straight Outta Compton | DJ Hype Man | Supporting Cast |
| 2015 | My Favorite Five | Singer "1st Sight" | Music Department |
| 2015 | Selma: The Bridge To The Ballot | Lawrence Huggins (Voice) | Short |
| 2014 | Rake | Party Guest | TV series – Serial Killer episode |
| 2011 | Graceland | Party Boy | Short |
| 2011 | We The People With Gloria Allred | Jack Jacobson | TV series – Baby Swab/Flowers From Hell episode |
| 2011 | Black Gold | Militant Leader | Supporting Cast |