Virginia Isn’t the South… But I’m Okay With That (Kinda)

With the new Clipse album dropping, I’ve been thrown head-first down a musical memory lane—straight back to cookouts, mixtape CDs, and 106 & Park countdowns. It also got me thinking about something real: if it weren’t for Virginia, we wouldn’t have a lot of the music that shaped the culture. Period.

Truth is, VA doesn’t get enough credit for the blueprint. So let me break it down the only way I know how—through my very own Musical Virginia Family Tree.

It All Starts With Devante Swing Founded: JODECI

• K-Ci

• JoJo

• Mr. Dalvin

• Devante Swing (Hampton, VA)

Jodeci changed R&B forever. But behind the scenes? Devante was curating talent like it was the NBA draft.

Then Came: Swing Mob / Da Bassment

Devante pulled together a squad of hungry creatives. This wasn't just a crew—it was a whole movement.

➤ Missy Elliott (Portsmouth, VA)

• Brought in: Tweet, Nicole Wray

➤ Timbaland (Norfolk, VA)

• Brought in: Ginuwine, Magoo, Playa (Static Major)

➤ Static Major (Louisville, KY)

• Connected through Playa, one of the smoothest pens in R&B history.
  

🚀 Post-Swing Mob Takeover

Once the crew left the nest, they blew up—individually and collaboratively.

➤ Missy Elliott

• Launched: Tweet, Nicole Wray

• Wrote/Produced for: Aaliyah, Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé

• Literally invented futuristic R&B visuals and sound.
  

➤ Timbaland

• Launched: Ginuwine (Pony still goes hard in 2025)

• Produced for: Aaliyah, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Ludacris

• Mentored: Danja, Keri Hilson, Tink
  

Influenced & Paralleled By:

➤ Pharrell Williams & Chad Hugo – The Neptunes (Virginia Beach)

• Discovered: Clipse (Pusha T & Malice)

• Produced for: Jay-Z, Britney Spears, Nelly, Snoop Dogg

• Put VA on the map as the sound of both the streets and the charts.

New Generation from VA:

• Chris Brown (Tappahannock, VA)

• D.R.A.M. / Shelley (Hampton, VA)

• Young Crazy (Norfolk, VA)

• Skillz (Richmond, VA)
  

🎵 The Playlist That Started It All…

This playlist was made with lovers of Virginia artists in mind—because as you can see, much of what we listen to and love… came straight outta the 757, 804, and beyond.

However…

I stand on business when I say this:Virginia ain't the South. FIGHT ME. 😤

Enjoy the vibes. Hit play. And salute the state that changed the sound of music.