FEATURING REMIXES BY CRAZE AND NOSAJ THING, BBGUN DIRECTED VIDEO COMING IN FEBRUARY
In an era where emerging MCs are immediately boxed up and tagged as “street” this and “hipster” that, it’s refreshing to hear an new artist like Donnis defy such quick categorizations simply through good, honest music.
Having spent 2009 rising through the blog ranks with copious freestyles, live performance videos, and the smash mixtape “Diary Of An ATL Brave” (presented by beloved clothing label 10.Deep), Donnis is ready to take the next step in his career by releasing his debut single “Gone” on Fool’s Gold Records, the Brooklyn powerhouse founded by A-Trak and Nick Catchdubs, praised by Billboard as an “indie innovator” and a “tastemaker label” by the New York Times.
“Gone” is a perfect introduction to the stylistic diversity Donnis has in store. Produced by Needlz (Lupe Fiasco, G-Unit, Ludacris), the soaring, dreamy cut is as much a look into the future of Atlanta hip-hop as it is a classic A-Town ride-out in the vein of early TI and Outkast. It’s already receiving radio love from everyone from Khaled to Hot 97’s DJ Enuff, who named it a “Heavy Hitter Pick Of The Week”, and a video is due out in February from directors BBGun. The single is rounded out by an up-tempo dance remix from Craze (Kanye West DJ, three-time world DMC champion) and a spacey take by critically acclaimed producer Nosaj Thing.
Donnis’ relationship with Fool’s Gold Records has been long in the making, from sharing stages with Fool’s Gold’s DJs to guest spots on records by A-Trak and Bag Raiders. “I’ve known A-Trak and Nick for a couple years. We’ve wanted to work together for a while now, but timing is everything – and the timing is finally right. I respect what they do and I’m excited to work with the Fool’s Gold team on this record,” says Donnis.
The feeling is mutual, explains A-Trak: “Donnis has always been dope, but he’s grown by leaps and bounds over the past year from a skilled party rapper into an extremely charismatic, well-rounded artist. Nick and I are thrilled to have ‘Gone’ bring him into the Fool’s Gold family.”
The track is available now at iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/gone-ep/id350007310
QUOTES ON DONNIS:
“Knocks one out of the park on his first at bat.” – XXL
“If the career trajectory of the other popular newcomers in the game is any indication, we’ll be hearing a lot more from this ATL Brave in the future.” – COMPLEX
“With this influx of dudes dropping 77 mixtapes digitally every week, it’s getting hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. Donnis is one dude who is clearly shining through.” – OKAYPLAYER
“If I’m not affiliating myself with the Donnises of the industry that’s on the come up, if I’m not in tune with the streets before they blow, then I couldn’t really call myself an Underground King” – BUN B
www.myspace.com/donnismusic
www.foolsgoldrecs.com/