DeVaughn had an epiphany early in his college career at Coppin State University in Baltimore City, when he saw a group of street corner singers and began harmonizing with them. He graduated from High Point High School in Beltsville, Maryland, an unincorporated section of Prince George's County. With his father, DeVaughn attended gigs and experienced his first taste of the life of a working musician. DeVaughn visited his father during the summer, mainly in New Jersey. One of his favorite artists was Babyface, and Smith recalls that her son once begged her to visit the Waxie Maxie's record store in the District to buy a promotional picture of the singer. DeVaughn's love for music solidified during his early teens, when he began to envision his career path. His mother states that her son first expressed an affinity towards music in preschool, recalling how whenever the class had musical events, he would conduct them. He is a cousin of singer Chrisette Michele. and Maryland ( Montgomery and Prince George's counties) by his mother, Imani Smith, a now retired federal worker. DeVaughn was born in Newark, New Jersey on May 5, 1975, the son of jazz cellist Abdul Wadud.
