Derek DeGrate

Derek DeGrate began writing songs, performing (including singing, playing bass guitar, drums and keyboards ) at age 7. Derek has one son. Derek was born into a musical family. His father; Donald DeGrate Sr. is a gospel artist and his brothers are two members of the multi platinum group-Jodeci, "DeVante Swing" (Donald DeGrate Jr.) and "Mr. Dalvin" (Dalvin DeGrate) and are multi talented musicians, producers and writers as well.

Discography and musical accomplishments

1991: Derek DeGrate wrote and performed Bass guitar melody for the movie soundtrack Strictly Business. Starring Halle Berry The bass guitar melody was featured on the song "Let's fly" which was performed by Jodeci. Derek DeGrate also was credited on JODECI's "Diary of a mad band" album, which a Bass Guitar melody was written by Derek DeGrate and featured on the song "fun 2 nite", recorded by Jodeci

1992-1993: Derek DeGrate wrote a song for the major record label Homeland Records/Word Records(now a part of Epic Records) the song is titled "paid when he died". It was recorded by Don DeGrate and Strong tower, which Derek DeGrate was also a member of the trio. The group was nominated for the "horizon music award", which is one of Gospel's largest ceremonies (taken place at the national quartet convention) the group was featured on a few of the Bill Gaither homecoming series" videos. The most popular video is "revival" of the Bill and Gloria Gaither video series, which the group performed "sold out", which Derek DeGrate is featured. The performance aired worldwide and continues to air on TBN (Trinity broadcasting network)

1993-1994: Derek DeGrate wrote four songs for the Homeland/Word Records label and signed a publishing deal with Centergy music group of Nashville Tennessee. The songs were recorded by Don DeGrate and Strong Tower and entered into the top 20 national charts of the "Singing News magazine" and the "U.S. Gospel News Magazine". This year the group was again invited to perform at Bill Gaither's Homecoming series video recording. The group performed "I Just Wanna Testify". Derek DeGrate and the group performed live in Indianapolis, Indiana, at "Praise Gathering", an event produced and hosted by Bill Gaither. The event had a live audience of more than 20,000 people and was seen on television by more than 30 million people.

1995: Derek DeGrate signed another publishing Deal with Zion music group and wrote three songs for Don DeGrate and Strong Tower which were recorded on the "Transformed" album. The song "Wait on an Answer" became a Top 20 hit and gained worldwide recognition.

2002: Derek DeGrate released his first solo album "The Other Brother" which was released by his own label; DuffStuff Records. The album landed an exclusive interview and review by Gospelflava.com and by Linda Hobbs of Vibe magazine

2009: Derek DeGrate released a follow-up album "The Other Brother Part Two", which was released by his own label, Duffstuff Records. The album is featured in USA Today and Singersroom

2016: Derek DeGrate released his third solo album "Moving Forward", which is released by his own label, DuffStuff Records.