BIO
EARLY LIFE
DeVante Eugene Jones (born August 25, 1992), known professionally as Von Tae (stylized as VON TAE), is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and all-around musical force. He first gained widespread attention in 2019 when his powerful and controversial single “Contagious” went viral under a tweet by J. Cole. The moment became a flashpoint in his rise, earning coverage from major media outlets like *Jet Magazine* and drawing praise from industry veterans including Roc Nation A&R executive Earl Johnson, comedy legend Luenell, and singer-songwriter Kandi Burruss of the iconic '90s R&B group Xscape.
Born in Calvert County, Maryland, Von Tae is one of six children and the son of Gladys Lake and Scottwyn Plater. His mother, a tobacco farm worker at Lewis Farm in Owings, Maryland, held various jobs to support the family, while his father worked as a local architect. In July 2001, due to unforeseen family circumstances, Von Tae and three of his younger siblings—April Jones, Darnell Long, and Elaine Long—were placed in foster care. They were raised by Sylvia and Charles Booth, where gospel music and church became foundational influences in his early life and faith.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Von Tae attended Sunderland Elementary School, where his foster mother encouraged him to join the school band. He learned to play several instruments, including the recorder, clarinet, saxophone, and flute. During visits with his biological family, he was introduced to R&B, Soul, and Hip-Hop, falling in love with artists like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Usher, Missy Elliott, and Luther Vandross—voices that still echo in his sound today.
In 2007, alongside his sister April, Von Tae formed the dance group K-Crew, managed by their cousin Patrice and named after their family’s childhood street, Kent Road. The duo became known for lighting up talent shows and local events. Later, Von Tae joined a nonprofit dance team called Dance Empowerment, founded in Fresno, California, by Wayne Hurley, a former backup dancer for Kevin Federline.
After graduating from Great Mills High School in 2011, Von Tae’s passion for writing and recording music ignited. With help from a classmate, he began crafting his first songs. That same year, *The County Times* featured him as a promising new artist with a distinctive voice and vision.
---
CAREER
​
2012–2017: Early Mixtapes and Recordings
In January 2012, Von Tae independently released his first project, *Broken Boundaries of Existence*—a raw and emotional mix of love and heartbreak, co-written and recorded with a friend named Terri, who also gifted him his first recording setup. The project spawned early tracks like “We Gonna Party,” “Top of the World,” and “Yeah We Chillin.”
In 2014, he followed up with *My Own Religion*, a darker, more experimental project that explored rock elements. Songs like “Natural Born Sinner” showcased his rebellion against societal expectations and criticism of his personal lifestyle and artistic choices.
In July 2015, Von Tae shifted gears, taking a break from singing to spotlight his rap skills. His debut mixtape, *#VONTAETAKEOVER (Volume 1)*, featured remixes of popular hits including Chris Brown’s “Loyal,” Missy Elliott’s “She’s A Bitch,” and Rae Sremmurd and Nicki Minaj’s “Throw Some Mo.” *Respect Magazine* spotlighted the mixtape and premiered the visual for “Hunnit Bandz,” which became the lead single for his 2017 EP *Young Man Ambition*.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
2019–2021: "Note to Self" Era
In 2019, Von Tae quit his job to pursue music full-time. He auditioned for *American Idol* and MTV’s reboot of *Making The Band*, making it past auditions before the pandemic shut down production. Seeking a fresh start, he moved to Atlanta, and then to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he began filming content, releasing new music, and building a dedicated fanbase. His creative covers began circulating online, catching the attention of artists like Keyshia Cole, Tank, and comedian Jess Hilarious—who named him the winner of her Instagram singing contest.
Inspired by the murder of George Floyd, Von Tae penned the protest anthem “Contagious,” which quickly went viral and became the most streamed song in his catalog. That same year, he performed for Roc Nation’s Earl Johnson and previewed new music from his upcoming album.
In 2020, Von Tae independently released his first full-length album, *Note to Self*, under his label, 6820 Entertainment. The album, praised for its lyrical depth and soul-bearing honesty, included fan favorites like “Love Games,” “On God,” and “Beauty.”
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​
​
​
​
​
​​
​
​
2024–Present: "Got Love", New Projects & Beyond
In 2024, Von Tae released his sensual EP "Got Love", which featured streaming hits like “Where Did The Love Go?” and the title track “Got Love.”
2025 is shaping up to be Von Tae’s biggest year yet. He has shared the stage with Tamar Braxton and is scheduled to perform at the world-famous Apollo Theater in New York on June 6th, 2025. His new singles “Emergency” and “Mr. Durag & Dirty Socks” are already fan favorites, showing off his range and signature blend of sultry, raw storytelling.
Von Tae is also gearing up for multiple major projects, including a summer album titled "Is You Alright?" (led by the single “Can’t Stop”) and his first Halloween-themed album, "Death by a Thousand Lies."
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​
The R&B Room (2025)
In addition to his music and acting career, Von Tae is the visionary creator behind The R&B Room—a multi-platform brand dedicated to celebrating the richness, emotion, and cultural legacy of R&B music. Designed as both a sanctuary and a spotlight, The R&B Room is Von Tae’s answer to a void in modern music spaces: a lack of platforms that truly honor the genre's past, present, and future.
​
With a deep reverence for R&B’s emotional depth and storytelling power, Von Tae created The R&B Room to foster connection, creativity, and community. The platform will serve as a space to highlight artists, engage fans, and open up important conversations surrounding music, love, and Black artistry.
​
Through curated content, exclusive interviews, and immersive experiences, The R&B Room will offer something for every lover of the genre—whether nostalgic for the classics or discovering new voices. It’s more than a project—it’s a movement built from passion, legacy, and the soul of R&B.
---
ACTING & FILM ROLES
Von Tae made his screen debut with small roles in Tyler Perry’s "The Haves and the Have Nots" (2019) and Seth Rogen’s "An American Pickle" (2020). By 2023, he had taken on leading roles in academic video series and, in 2024, joined the cast of Crystal L. Bass’s upcoming film *Fortuitous*, slated for release in 2025–2026.
---
PERSONAL LIFE
Spiritually grounded and fiercely compassionate, Von Tae is known for his deep commitment to family, friends, and community. He’s outspoken about social justice issues, particularly the Black Lives Matter movement, and often channels his convictions into his music. In the coming years, Von Tae plans to increase his philanthropic efforts—supporting causes related to homelessness and foster youth by launching his own foundation and contributing to local charities through volunteerism.
​
