Devantier Rain
“MELATONIN” is Devantier Rain’s most vulnerable and genre-blending body of work to date, weaving alternative hip-hop and R&B into a cinematic journey
Devantier Rain releases debut album MELATONIN, an 8-track offering with grit, soul, and swagger all rolled into one.
An exploration of vulnerability, confidence, and self-discovery, thris striking debut blurs the boundaries between alternative hip-hop and R&B, as Rain crafts a sound that’s as raw as it is refined.
From the diary-like intimacy of MONSTER to the cinematic grit of CONSERVATIVE INC. and the soulful, heritage-infused PHANTOM OF THE DRAMA, MELATONIN is both personal and universal - capturing the duality of strength and softness, resilience and reflection.
Featuring production from celest* and guest appearances by
Tamaerebi and kiana, the project positions Devantier Rain as a fresh, fearless voice at the intersection of honesty and artistry.
STATS
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“ PARALYZE ”, by Devantier Rain , operates as a sensory experience of suspension. The German-Cameroonian artist, emerging from the intersections between fashion and music, translates into sound the same aesthetic precision of his visual creations.” - ROADIE MUISC (Paralyze)
“Devantier’s soft, intimate vocal delivery pairs beautifully with the track’s reflective production, offering a hypnotic listening experience that lingers long after it ends.” - RATING GAME MUSIC (U.A.N.)
“MELATONIN‘S latest single “CONSERVATIVE INC,” a collaboration with kiana is a vibey, swaggering and hooky mix of hip-hop, neo-soul and R&B.” - THE JOY OF VOILENT MOVEMENT (CONSERVATIVE INC)
“With Melatonin , Rain isn't playing at being a chemist; he's playing at truth, at vulnerability that bites a little, at confidences that exude lived experience” - DJOLO
“Devantier floats over the production with his silky smooth, emotive vocals” - CAPE CREATIVE COLLECTIVE (MONSTER)
“The track explores the emotional tug-of-war between chasing dreams and holding onto love.” - EARMILK (U.A.N.)
THE STORY SO FAR
Devantier Rain is a Berlin-based German-Cameroonian musician and multi-instrumentalist whose artistry blurs the lines between R&B, hip-hop, and Afro-inspired sounds. With soulful melodies, intricate jazzy drums, and a cutting-edge approach to production, he’s become a standout in Berlin's vibrant music scene, gracing stages at events like Poetry Meets alongside luminaries such as Tan Brown, bat zoo, Monica Mussungo, and Dimi Rompos.
In 2024, Devantier dropped a trio of striking singles —each brimming with his signature flair and teasing the arrival of his highly anticipated full-length project.
Beyond music, Devantier thrives in fashion as both a model and stylist. Formerly signed to VIVAMODELS, he’s collaborated with brands including Adidas, Puma, and BMW, and walked for Kitschy Couture and Afrobodega at Berlin Fashion Week 2024, where he also serves as an in-house model.
“MONSTER”
MONSTER is one of the most laid-back songs on the project, it builds an intimate atmosphere from the bare bones of its instrumental. I described this vision to celest*, and he brought it to life in a way that felt even better than I imagined.
Lyrically, Monster explores the feeling of watching someone you once knew intimately become unfamiliar. It’s deeply personal, almost like a diary entry—written as a message to the other person.
The song was produced in celest*'s home studio, where I also recorded my vocals. A few months after production, I traveled to London to visit my old friend Tamaerebi. When I played Monster for him, he immediately connected with it. I realized the track needed a shift in tone, so I asked him to feature, adding another layer to its intimacy.
Phantom of the Drama is inspired by my roots and my experiences in the Western world, blending both into one sound.
As a German-Cameroonian who spent my teenage years in the U.S., I wanted to create a bridge between these influences. The track opens with a Cameroonian choir—a tribute to my mother and my religious upbringing. On the other hand, the song’s R&B foundation reflects my Western musical influences. Fusing these elements was essential to me. Vocally, I drew inspiration from some of my favorite artists, including Smino, SiR, and Isaiah Rashad.
This song is about choosing someone fully, accepting their flaws and challenges without hesitation. It emphasizes unconditional love and commitment, even when things aren’t easy. At its core, it highlights the importance of family and meaningful connections over material wealth, reminding us that true value lies in the people we love, not what we own.
“PHANTOM OF THE DRAMA”
“PARALYZE”
PARALYZE is an alternative R&B track infused with hip-hop-inspired vocals and a raw emotional core. The song explores the struggle of using substances as a coping mechanism, portraying a personal battle against inner adversity. With a freeform and fast vocal flow, the verses reflect a sense of urgency and vulnerability, while the hook—marked by haunting high-pitched vocals and a heavy sub-bass—draws the listener into a dark, immersive soundscape. At its heart, PARALYZE is a confession of weakness and resilience, a message to someone close that while the fight is hard, giving up isn't an option.
U.A.N. is a deeply personal track by Devantier Rain, offering a slower, more intimate moment on his project. In the verse, he lays bare the sacrifices he's willing to make for love, even though he knows it could pull him away from his goals. It’s about that push-and-pull feeling of being torn between ambition and love, but ultimately choosing the latter.
The hook shifts the perspective, with the partner’s response—calling him unstable and unacceptable, dismissing his attempts to prove himself. This creates a raw, emotional conversation between two people with contrasting views, adding depth to the song’s narrative.
“U.A.N.”
MELATONIN is the title track of the EP. The song was heavily inspired by Smino, specifically his track SPINZ. I had sent the reference to celest* and asked if that was a direction we could explore for the instrumental. While celest* worked on the beat separately, the lyrics came to me naturally when I finally stepped into the studio.
MELATONIN is a personal song about trying to prove your love to someone who doesn’t believe you. It’s about showing love through actions — but even with that proof, your efforts aren’t taken seriously. It’s about wanting the other person to finally acknowledge the real issue, understanding that the lack isn’t within you.
Even though the theme is personal, I didn’t want the song to dwell too much on the heaviness. I wanted to keep a fun, playful aspect to balance out the smooth groove of the bass. The overall vibe is laid-back — that feeling of being at peace, knowing you did what you could, and you’re ready to accept whatever comes next.
“MELATONIN”
CONSERVATIVE INC. is the most hip-hop-leaning track on the album, driven by eerie ambient synths and a loose, atmospheric feel. The song asserts self-worth in the face of being underestimated, with each verse line delivering vivid, situational imagery. The hook reflects on gratitude betrayed and lessons shared, highlighting emotional depth.
Kiana opens her verse with sharp energy, echoing the theme of standing firm without remorse after being wronged. The track blends moody production with strong lyrical presence, making it both raw and cinematic.
“CONSERVATIVE INC.”
Straight from the Source is a heartfelt breakup interlude told as an open letter. It begins with a spoken word apology to a past partner, reflecting on the pain of ending things abruptly. The artist takes accountability, expressing that the decision to walk away was driven by the need to choose personal well-being over staying in a relationship that no longer felt right. As the track evolves, it shifts from somber reflection to a jazzy, uplifting tone—symbolizing growth, clarity, and emotional release. Shot by Bodi Samba, with talent Zaidi Bangz, this interlude blends vulnerability with soulful progression, offering listeners a moment of raw honesty and healing.