In trying to further the public's conciousness in regards to new music, rock the dub brings you this dialouge with one of the 'Net's illest MCs, Donny Goines. He's represented for All Hip-Hop's Breeding Grounds showcases, is a featured blogger over at Baller Status, collaborated with his now-deceased friend, producer Disco D, and has been featured on many-a Hip-Hop blog, killing the game with an intricate flow and a few critically-acclaimed mixtapes. He is currently working on an album with producer Dame Grease, as well as a forthcoming EP project for HipHopDX. We caught up with him a minute ago, and are finally unearthing this interview to the masses...
khal: First off, you’ve been doing your thing on the low, and 2007 seemed like the year where many heads got an idea of who you were, and what you were trying to do. Can you give those who might not know who you are a brief rundown of where you’re from, who you’re reppin’, and how you got to where you are right now?
Donny Goines: I'll give you the short version. I'm from New York City and that's what Im repping (although I've lived in Philly for years on and off). 2007 was the year that I really came into my own, mainly because I started to discover myself as an artist and the public did as well. I started alone in the beginning of 2006 but since have branched out and worked with many others. Now, I have a good team in place and along with them I hustle hard to get things poppin'. Last year I was just getting warmed up, this year - it's a problem.
khal: Now, you’ve say spent your time between Philly, the Bronx and Harlem. That’s a good chunk of the cold world of the Northeast. How has your time in each city helped mold the man you are today?
Donny Goines: Well, Philly was cool, and besides Philly
I've also lived in North Carolina for two years and Illinois for a year and a half, but I'm a New Yorker by blood. Growing up in the Bronx, I learned all the typical street shit. Drugs, robbery, fighting, so on and so forth. While in the Bronx I would travel summers back and forth to Philly. I learned a lot of shit out there as well. I smoked my first blunt there. Learned alot about women, the importance of employment, etc., and by the time I got to Harlem, I was a mess (haha). It took years for me to calm down and reach the state I'm in now, but the one thing I picked up in Harlem, I could say, was the swagger. I was always fly but Harlem just got a different vibe to it (or should I say had) and that helped to complete the cypher so to speak.
khal: Without dwelling to deep into your past, you’ve grown up experiencing some real life issues, i.e. drug abuse and incarcerated family members right in your household, yet you’ve seemed to not have that side of life overshadow your lyrics. Was that a conscious effort (keeping your rhymes truthful and positive)?
Donny Goines: Yes, mainly for two reasons: one is I hate to talk about things I can't do anything about. All it does is bring negative energy towards you, and I don't really want that. The second reason is because there is a time and place for everything and I don't have the proper platform to convey my messages right now to the full effect. The first official album I will speak on several topics in depth and really let the skeletons out of the closet.
khal: What inspires you, both within and outside of the Hip-Hop game?
Donny Goines: The people. Overall I think the people out there inspire me. Money is cool, so is fame but those things really don't appeal to my that much. When someone tells me that my music helps to inspire them, or that it helps to get them through certain situations, that's priceless to me. I've always had material things, cars, jewelry, money, etc. but nothing really would make me happy except this. So, at the end of the day, that's what inspires me to continue on.
khal: One thing you expressed through a recent performance at the Stand Up! showcase was your friendship with Disco D. How close were the 2 of you? Do you have any tracks that you were working on with him that will be seeing the light of day?
Donny Goines: Well, me and him were close in a lot of ways. For one, I was his personal assistant (many people don't know that) and that's how we ended up becoming friends through that relationship. I practically lived at his house for months in late '06 and we really just clicked. You know how you meet certain people in life and ya'll just automatically hit it off? That's how it was with me and him. He was a real good person and he believed in me and my music and I will never forget that. In the future you can expect to hear some things in regards to him, me and music. Count on it.
khal: If you do a search for your name on Google, you’d find a hell of a lot of sites picking up on your name, whether it’s an MP3 or an interview. How has the Internet helped push your career, and broaden the scope of potential listeners? Do you think you’d be where you are today without such a large Internet following?
Donny Goines: I owe the Internet EVERYTHING. If it wasn't for the websites, podcasts and blogs such as yours, I wouldn't be nowhere near where I'm at today. Many people underestimate the power of the Internet but you have to be smart. Today, humans are a species of convenience. We don't have to hunt for food, there are supermarkets. We don't have to build shelters, constructions companies do and we DAMN sure don't have to search for music. All you have to do is turn on the computer and the world is at your fingertips. I hope other aspiring artists out there really utilize the power of net. I'm grateful for all the love and support that I get from everyone.
khal: You’re also blogging for Baller Status, right? Do you try to do anything different in your blogging than you do with your rhymes?
Donny Goines: Not really, to me writing is writing.
Blame my efficiency on schooling lol (I was always a nerd and very book smart) but I look at that as any other writing. You need a concept, and a beginning middle and end and its has to capture your attention. The only thing I don't have is a hook (lol).
khal: Now, you’ve dropped two albums already: The Prologue and About The Author, and I read on your MySpace blog that Dame Grease is going to executive producing your forthcoming official album. How did that connection come about? And how do you think this project will differ from the previous two albums?
Donny Goines: Well, long story short: Grease has been following my progress over the past year and decided to step in and help take me to the next level. He sees the potential and is investing alot in me so we are just going to work. This project won't come out on anything less then a major distributor or record label and it's going to be a problem!!!! I've already got a couple in now and I'll just say this about it: you labels are gonna have to cut some large checks lol.
khal: Where do you see your career going in 2008? Do you have any goals set for this year?
Donny Goines: Plenty, but my main goal is to complete my album, find the right situation and drop it before the year's out. That's my main focus as of right now.
khal: If you weren’t creating music, what do you think you’d be doing with your life right now?
Donny Goines: Drinking every night, working a bullshit 9 to 5 and just going through the motions. That's what I did for the past 10 years of my life before rap. Yeah, I went to the Navy and I went to College, had careers etc., but ask anyone who was around me, I never took any of the shit seriously. My heart just wasn't into those things. It's into music. So I would be just like many others out there, drinking and getting high, just passing time. Getting into bullshit.
khal: Are you going to be going on tour in the near future, or do you have any shows lined up for people to check you out at?
Donny Goines: I'm any and everywhere. My mixtape release party is coming up on the 24th and Negril Village. I just performed the other night with Grease and his team on Saturday in Harlem, there's no telling where I might pop up at. Just keep ya ears to the street and hit up my myspace.
khal: Do you have any shout-outs or final thoughts before we wrap this up?
Donny Goines: Thanks for the love. Make sure to hit up my myspace page (myspace.com/donnygoines) and download that new mixtape Off The Books, hosted by DJ Bedtyme 357. It's free and got nothing but rhymes and beats on it. Look out for my album dropping sometime this year, executive produced by Dame Grease and help spread the word. Thanks for allowing your readers to hear what I have to say, khal. Much love.
related:
[video] Donny Goines, Hired Gun & Cause: Da Cypher
On That Leak: Donny Goines "Alarm Clock"
On That Leak: Donny Goines & Mickey Factz
For more info on Donny Goines, hit the following sites:
www.myspace.com/donnygoines
HHNLive.com feature
Bonus Beats: "Do It For Hip-Hop"
khal: First off, you’ve been doing your thing on the low, and 2007 seemed like the year where many heads got an idea of who you were, and what you were trying to do. Can you give those who might not know who you are a brief rundown of where you’re from, who you’re reppin’, and how you got to where you are right now?
Donny Goines: I'll give you the short version. I'm from New York City and that's what Im repping (although I've lived in Philly for years on and off). 2007 was the year that I really came into my own, mainly because I started to discover myself as an artist and the public did as well. I started alone in the beginning of 2006 but since have branched out and worked with many others. Now, I have a good team in place and along with them I hustle hard to get things poppin'. Last year I was just getting warmed up, this year - it's a problem.
khal: Now, you’ve say spent your time between Philly, the Bronx and Harlem. That’s a good chunk of the cold world of the Northeast. How has your time in each city helped mold the man you are today?
Donny Goines: Well, Philly was cool, and besides Philly
I've also lived in North Carolina for two years and Illinois for a year and a half, but I'm a New Yorker by blood. Growing up in the Bronx, I learned all the typical street shit. Drugs, robbery, fighting, so on and so forth. While in the Bronx I would travel summers back and forth to Philly. I learned a lot of shit out there as well. I smoked my first blunt there. Learned alot about women, the importance of employment, etc., and by the time I got to Harlem, I was a mess (haha). It took years for me to calm down and reach the state I'm in now, but the one thing I picked up in Harlem, I could say, was the swagger. I was always fly but Harlem just got a different vibe to it (or should I say had) and that helped to complete the cypher so to speak.khal: Without dwelling to deep into your past, you’ve grown up experiencing some real life issues, i.e. drug abuse and incarcerated family members right in your household, yet you’ve seemed to not have that side of life overshadow your lyrics. Was that a conscious effort (keeping your rhymes truthful and positive)?
Donny Goines: Yes, mainly for two reasons: one is I hate to talk about things I can't do anything about. All it does is bring negative energy towards you, and I don't really want that. The second reason is because there is a time and place for everything and I don't have the proper platform to convey my messages right now to the full effect. The first official album I will speak on several topics in depth and really let the skeletons out of the closet.
khal: What inspires you, both within and outside of the Hip-Hop game?
Donny Goines: The people. Overall I think the people out there inspire me. Money is cool, so is fame but those things really don't appeal to my that much. When someone tells me that my music helps to inspire them, or that it helps to get them through certain situations, that's priceless to me. I've always had material things, cars, jewelry, money, etc. but nothing really would make me happy except this. So, at the end of the day, that's what inspires me to continue on.khal: One thing you expressed through a recent performance at the Stand Up! showcase was your friendship with Disco D. How close were the 2 of you? Do you have any tracks that you were working on with him that will be seeing the light of day?
Donny Goines: Well, me and him were close in a lot of ways. For one, I was his personal assistant (many people don't know that) and that's how we ended up becoming friends through that relationship. I practically lived at his house for months in late '06 and we really just clicked. You know how you meet certain people in life and ya'll just automatically hit it off? That's how it was with me and him. He was a real good person and he believed in me and my music and I will never forget that. In the future you can expect to hear some things in regards to him, me and music. Count on it.
khal: If you do a search for your name on Google, you’d find a hell of a lot of sites picking up on your name, whether it’s an MP3 or an interview. How has the Internet helped push your career, and broaden the scope of potential listeners? Do you think you’d be where you are today without such a large Internet following?
Donny Goines: I owe the Internet EVERYTHING. If it wasn't for the websites, podcasts and blogs such as yours, I wouldn't be nowhere near where I'm at today. Many people underestimate the power of the Internet but you have to be smart. Today, humans are a species of convenience. We don't have to hunt for food, there are supermarkets. We don't have to build shelters, constructions companies do and we DAMN sure don't have to search for music. All you have to do is turn on the computer and the world is at your fingertips. I hope other aspiring artists out there really utilize the power of net. I'm grateful for all the love and support that I get from everyone.
khal: You’re also blogging for Baller Status, right? Do you try to do anything different in your blogging than you do with your rhymes?
Donny Goines: Not really, to me writing is writing.
Blame my efficiency on schooling lol (I was always a nerd and very book smart) but I look at that as any other writing. You need a concept, and a beginning middle and end and its has to capture your attention. The only thing I don't have is a hook (lol).khal: Now, you’ve dropped two albums already: The Prologue and About The Author, and I read on your MySpace blog that Dame Grease is going to executive producing your forthcoming official album. How did that connection come about? And how do you think this project will differ from the previous two albums?
Donny Goines: Well, long story short: Grease has been following my progress over the past year and decided to step in and help take me to the next level. He sees the potential and is investing alot in me so we are just going to work. This project won't come out on anything less then a major distributor or record label and it's going to be a problem!!!! I've already got a couple in now and I'll just say this about it: you labels are gonna have to cut some large checks lol.
khal: Where do you see your career going in 2008? Do you have any goals set for this year?
Donny Goines: Plenty, but my main goal is to complete my album, find the right situation and drop it before the year's out. That's my main focus as of right now.
khal: If you weren’t creating music, what do you think you’d be doing with your life right now?
Donny Goines: Drinking every night, working a bullshit 9 to 5 and just going through the motions. That's what I did for the past 10 years of my life before rap. Yeah, I went to the Navy and I went to College, had careers etc., but ask anyone who was around me, I never took any of the shit seriously. My heart just wasn't into those things. It's into music. So I would be just like many others out there, drinking and getting high, just passing time. Getting into bullshit.khal: Are you going to be going on tour in the near future, or do you have any shows lined up for people to check you out at?
Donny Goines: I'm any and everywhere. My mixtape release party is coming up on the 24th and Negril Village. I just performed the other night with Grease and his team on Saturday in Harlem, there's no telling where I might pop up at. Just keep ya ears to the street and hit up my myspace.
khal: Do you have any shout-outs or final thoughts before we wrap this up?
Donny Goines: Thanks for the love. Make sure to hit up my myspace page (myspace.com/donnygoines) and download that new mixtape Off The Books, hosted by DJ Bedtyme 357. It's free and got nothing but rhymes and beats on it. Look out for my album dropping sometime this year, executive produced by Dame Grease and help spread the word. Thanks for allowing your readers to hear what I have to say, khal. Much love.
related:
[video] Donny Goines, Hired Gun & Cause: Da Cypher
On That Leak: Donny Goines "Alarm Clock"
On That Leak: Donny Goines & Mickey Factz
For more info on Donny Goines, hit the following sites:
www.myspace.com/donnygoines
HHNLive.com feature
Bonus Beats: "Do It For Hip-Hop"
1 comment:
Great interview, Khal. Doin' it big time.
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