With the release of two mixtapes within a month and positive feedback regarding both, his biggest challenge isn’t making good music about his home it’s about being supported there. The Atlanta Brave has yet to be accepted, let alone seen by the city of Atlanta. He dances, reps a Southside city where the dope boys re-up, and gets down with Cyhi Da Prynce, so what’s the hold up? Who knows. As for now, forget about ever superman-ing that ho, he’s going Britney Spears on ya’ll motherfuckers.
Miss Solow Dolow: Where you at?
Donnis: I’m in New York City. I just got back from Vancouver, Canada. I did a show there. It was my favorite show I’ve done to date.
MSD: What was growing up in Atlanta like for you?
D: I’m a Jonesboro kid and Atlanta was all I knew. My pastimes in Atlanta are like everyone else’s. I’m a Waffle House, Cracker Barrel, Gladys Knight eating dude. Jonesboro isn’t what it used to be though. My neighborhood went from the ‘burbs to police raiding. The southside is like dope boy haven right about now. It’s crazy out there.
MSD: So you were a good kid?
D: I was cool. I never skipped school. I really loved girls and music which reflected in the bad ass grades that I made. Growing up in Georgia made me who I am. :cues Cee-Lo’s “Georgia”: I didn’t get mean ‘til I got to New York.
MSD: So are you confirming the stereotype that New York people are mean?
D: I think I am. I was too nice up here and now I can’t be nice to people because they are trying to screw you over. You can’t trust nobody up here from the cab drivers to asking for directions. They’ll fuck you up. But back home it ain’t a problem unless you make a problem in the A so I can bring it back down.
MSD: What artists in Atlanta are you feeling?
D: You know who I fuck with extra heavy? I fuck with Cyhi the Prynce. That nigga is dope and he is my fam. Of course I fuck with Hollyweerd cause they put on. These labels need to wake up and give them a chance. Other than rap, I’m not really aware of what’s going on in the city, but I’d love to be.
MSD: What is the difference between your fanbases up north and down south?
D: It depends on where in south really, but I feel like with Atlanta I still have to break through. There is a culture here in NY that is not looming in Atlanta with a whole bunch of rappers talking about something other than selling drugs. In Atlanta they are still popping with the dances and the one hit thing. I’m out here screaming for attention in my own city by dropping these mixtapes that sound like albums and I’m waiting on everybody to get it right.
MSD: So you don’t dance?
D: Oh I dance! I’m not hating on these rappers that make these dance songs cause I rock with them but how many more dance songs and simple lyric songs can they make?! Atlanta radio has to embrace all forms of music out there and they’re only embracing two types.
MSD: What does your growth look like in 5 years?
D: In five years I’m gonna be so fucking famous that I won’t know what to do with my gotdamn self. I’m gonna go Britney Spears on these muthafuckas!
MSD: How exactly do you go Britney Spears on someone?
D: By getting so famous you go crazy. Shoutout to that. Famous and Richness. So rich and so famous I’m gonna make a song. :cues Outkast’s “So Fresh So Clean”: Ain’t nobody rich as me I’m just so famous!
MSD: What are your plans for the rest of the year?
D: Lots of touring and we’re gonna continue to shoot videos for songs and getting this music out there. Just shot the campaign for T.I.’s Akoo label. We just shot the video for “Tonight” in Tokyo and that’ll be out soon.
MSD: What do you think you can really do to get Atlanta to fuck with you?
D: It’s something that is yet to be seen. The more everywhere else starts to embrace it the more Atlanta will come in and start fucking with it. It’s gonna take time. Atlanta on Gucci mane right now. I have a song with Gucci Mane and OJ da Juice but it takes more than that for the city to be like “Donnis is incredible.” It’s a challenge but I got DJ Infamous, DJ Champion, and DJ Holiday. They know what time it is. It’s gonna be something that eventually happens and when it does it’ll be dope.
MSD: Any last words?
D: I’m a sensation. I’m getting stopped in these NY streets cause I’m famous up here. Atlanta needs to wake up.
Download Donnis recent releases dolow:
The Invitation and Fashionably Late
