Ones To Watch: Devon Gilfillian

Genre: Soul, R&B, Blues
For Fans Of: Leon Bridges, Earl St. Clair, Jon Batiste.
Release: Let The Water Flow (Single), out now.
Signed: Fantasy Records/Concord
Hometown: Nashville, TN (via Morton, PA)

Devon Gilfillian is a singer-songwriter based in Nashville, TN, known for his soulful and funky sound. He was raised in Philadelphia and influenced by his father’s musical background as a singer and percussionist for R&B outfit Cafe Ole. Gilfillian takes inspiration from the greats like Jimi Hendrix, Ray Charles, and 70s-era Nigerian funk and Afro-rock to create music that evokes strong emotions and expresses his life experience.

Gilfillian released his self-titled debut EP in 2016 and gained recognition with his 2018 single “Troublemaker.” The single caught the attention of Capitol Records and launched his career into orbit, leading to touring opportunities with artists like Keith Urban, Anderson East, Gladys Knight, and The Fray.

In 2021, Gilfillian released his debut album, Black Hole Rainbow. The record was produced by Shawn Everett (Alabama Shakes, The War on Drugs) & Ivan Wayman (Kacey Musgraves, Alvvays) and mastered by Bob Ludwig (Beck, Daft Punk). The album was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.

In 2022, Gilfillian released his single “Brown Sugar Queen,” a tribute to Black and Brown women. The song was produced by Jeremy Lutito (Colony House, Needtobreathe) and has a percussive feel with reggaeton and cumbia elements. The music video features dancers performing against a backdrop of vibrant colors. Gilfillian’s intention with the song was to celebrate Black and Brown women in a classy way, while combining nostalgic and new grooves.

Watch Devon Gilfillian’s “Brown Sugar Queen (Feat. Janice)” below

As a follow up to “Brown Sugar Queen,” Gilfillian released a new track “Let The Water Flow,” ahead of the mid-term elections, calling for voting rights and democratic justice. The song was written by Gilfillian, Ran Jackson (Cory Asbury, Phil Wickham), and Henry Brill (Jack Garratt, Rhys Lewis) and is inspired by the political transformation in Georgia and the need for election integrity in America. The song’s proceeds will be donated to voting rights organizations, Fair Fight in Georgia and The Equity Alliance in Nashville. Similar to “Brown Sugar Queen”, the track was produced by Jeremy Lutitio.

Listen to Devon Gilfillian’s “Let The Water Flow” below

Devon Gilfillian is an artist to watch, with a unique and soulful sound that speaks to his life experience and musical influences. He is dedicated to celebrating and empowering humanity through his music and his recent singles are a testament to that. Whether you’re a fan of Afrobeat, soul, or R&B, Gilfillian’s music is sure to leave a lasting impression.

You can find out more about Devon Gilfillian, order your copy of his album Black Hole Rainbow, or see his upcoming tour dates by visiting his website here.