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Viewing Posts Tagged "Donny Goines"   View All

Donny Goines: Real Talk


August 14, 2007 | Tags: Donny Goines, Donald Goines, Disco D



Donny Goines, not to be confused with Donald Goines, wants to get his message out and to be heard however possible. A New York City-bred rapper who has been featured on allhiphop.com, sohh.com and other publications, he spares no one when it comes to speaking his mind.

No stranger to struggle, unlike some, his was real. Growing up with parents in and out of prison and losing his close friend and mentor Disco D, have taken a toll on him but still he rises. Steering away from the typical hood life scenario and other negative happenstances that can happen very easily, he continues to remain positive and pursue his dream of music. I caught up with him in an instant messenger interview and found out more about this talented young artist.


Starr: It’s funny you mentioned New York is going through a renaissance period.  What exactly do you mean?
 
Donny Goines: I think that with the lack of quality music these days...a lot of people are really looking for great music and with hip-hop — I noticed that things are changing  — not so much anything brand new, but more of a of resurgence of what has already past, just with a new generation; Sorta of like the Harlem Renaissance. They’re not really tearing Harlem down, just improving on what’s already there.

S: You know…I've heard a lot of NYC rappers saying that the key to improvement is unity. Remember back in the 90s when everyone had a crew? But then things fell off and everyone went for self. However, some other artists I've talked to said that they're seeing a change in that more artists are working together again (which they feel is better for the music). What's your take on this?

DG: I’ll give you an example of this...Remember that Sickamore party I mentioned from last year? I met an artist there named Skyzoo. At first I thought he was one of these cocky NY artists with a chip one his shoulder and got the wrong vibe, but then I recently saw his blogs on Hiphopgame and started to read them. I realized that he was a humble dude with the same kind of ideology that I had, and you just mentioned [so] I reached out and kept it 100 with him. I told him I made an error in judgment and I think he’s a talented artist. I went too support him at his mixtape release party and plan on doing something with him in the future now. It’s all about unit at this point. We all need to help each other and be more open to collabo’ing and working together. No one man can be king I think, but we can all be a part in the court and build a kingdom.
 
S: Speaking of building, you had a friendship/mentorship with Disco D. How did that connection happen?

DG: Via myspace (what doesn’t happen on myspace lol). You want the long version or the short?

S: Long.

DG: Okay, back in the summer of ’06 I was hustling hard but needed money to continue
so I had posted a notice on a popular forum board looking for employment in the music field. The very next day a person named Disco D had replied via myspace (I didn’t know who he was at the time) and asked if I would be interested in working as a part time runner (errands, etc.). I said “Sure,” and he invited me to his loft. The very first day, I impressed him so much he hired me on the spot, paid me, and gave me the house keys (he was just that kind of dude). My first day, I worked for 18 hours straight and the rest, as they say, became history.
 
S: How did that open up doors for you musically?

DG: Musically, in many ways...the funny thing is I never once actually sat down and worked with D on a track. We were all too busy. As time went on, I became his personal assistant so I was doing my career, helping with his, and managing a staff of interns. But one of the perks was unlimited studio time in his loft. Whenever he went to Brazil, Cali, etc., I was doing the bulk of my first recordings (which most have never been released). It was great because it’s still, to this day, the best studio I’ve ever been in and I had free reign of it — I learned a lot in that aspect as far as engineering, studio editing music etc. Another benefit came from attending meetings and sitting in on his sessions so I got the chance to actually watch high power deals being made — great artists crafting great music and a lot of things in between. He also helped to guide my career. A lot of people don’t know thins, but I actually turned down a deal from D.

S: Wow. Why?

DG: I’m just the kind of person that feels like if you can’t give me your all, I don’t want a part in it. He was being pulled in too many directions and I didn’t think it was a good idea for either of us.

S: Oh, ok. What helps you deal with his death?

DG: Music. Thats it…I just wrote something last night, as a matter of fact, and I said something to the effect of when I want to quit I know he’s looking from above and saying "Hustle Hareder," sorta like his mantra. I just let the pen bleed. That’s how I deal with all my personal problems; I let the music speak. That’s why I think a lot of people are attracted to it. It’s real and they can relate.

S: That's very true! I'm supposed to keep my opinion out of this but you
are dope.

DG: Thank you. That really means a lot to me. My last effort was kinda of a mixed pot. With this one, I’m going to really make people understand where my head is at. I might not get rich but that was never my goal to begin with.

S: When is it coming out?

DG: In a month or two. It’s very hip-hop influenced. I don’t wanna let the cat out of the bag just yet but I’m basically 80% done at this point. You’ll be one of the first to hear it though.
 
S: As an artist, you clearly and unapologetically speak your mind with songs like “I Am not a Rockstar” and “Niggas, Bitches, Hoes.” What goes on in your mind when you write and spit?

DG: Honestly, I’m all over the place mentally. The main thing that’s on my mind though, is the voices who can’t speak and feel the exact same way I do or very similar. I have always been an advocate for others (careers like healthcare, etc.), and I feel like if I don’t speak on certain things that I’m not doing my job. You see, not everybody uses the word "Bicth" to disrespect women; not everyone wants to be a rcokstar. Some people are content just being who they are, and that’s what I represent or at least try to. I don’t know any other way.
 
S: Let's talk about your name. Donald Goines was a very influential writer. How did you discover him and what inspired you so much that you decided to run with the name as a rapper?
 
DG: First off I’m an avid reader. Not just of him (actually James Patterson is my favorite author, sounds crazy right lol) but many others as well — it kind of ties into many things for me. For one, like I described earlier, I’m content with being myself my legal name is Donny, exact spelling, so I wanted to incorporate that into my stage name. Also, I’m as great of a wirter as I am an MC — that’s probably my best skill. I don’t like nicknames so I’m trying to figure out a stage name. One day my boy just blurts out "Donny Goines” and I’m like I don’t know about that one, those are big shoes to fill, but after a couple of days, I thought it was a great fit. I’m not trying to be like him, I just think it’s a great description of me as an artist so I stuck with it. His son gave me the blessing and it’s cool. I like it

S: How did growing up without your parents as they were incarcerated mold the person you are today?

DG: It affected me in several ways. To this day, my father is still in and out of jail (doing 8 years upstate now) and when I was younger, the person who I thought was my father wasn’t. I met my real father at age ten. Growing up, I had to learn things as a man on my own because even when he was around he was high or drunk most of the time. I made a lot of mistakes and I don’t care what no woman says, a boy needs his father. In some ways it made me very strong, but inside I was hurting for a long time. It comes out in the music sometimes.

S: Back to music, where's your place in hip-hop right now considering the state of the culture and the music industry?
 
DG: My place is where I make it. I could easily craft “hit” songs and follow trends, but my progression as an artist from this point to now has pulled me in a different direction.Now, I carry myself in music, as I would in life. I speak with candor, and from the heart, and I think this will lead me into the position that I am supposed to be in, wherever that takes me.

S: Aside from your album, are you working on any other projects?
 
DG: I’m all over the place right now. I’m doing whatever, whenever, however, as long as the music is good. I have many people coming at me with many different things but I’m very selective as to what I associate myself with, so everything is up in the air.

S: Who are some of your influences?

DG: Inspiration 2007. You heard it hear first.

S: That's the most non-cliché answer I've ever heard to that question.

DG: The song is even more against the grain.

S: Ok, my last question is cliché but I ask every up-and-comer this...what's your 5-year plan?
 
DG: Five years…I hope to be alive. I hope to have a larger support system (I think calling people who dig your music "fans" is corny), and I hope to have a situation where I can create great music and take care of my loved ones and myself. If I can do that in 5 years, I can consider my self a success.
 
S: Cool.  That was my last question but do you have any last words?

DG: Thank you to you for conducting this interview. Thank you to all my supporters, and please help me to do what’s in my heart. Word of mouth is the best form of promotion. God Bless.
 
Myspace.com/donnygoines
 


The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the writer and not necessarily those of HipHopDX.com or Cheri Media Group.

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