Donte J

Donte J
Junior’s Cave online magazine presents an interview with Hip-Hop/R&B entertainer Donte J who reveals why he is passionate about making music for the masses. This is his amazing story that details his journey into the music scene with high hopes of allowing others to enjoy what he has to offer.

Isaac: Thank you for being a part of our weekly music interview spotlights. Let’s get started. The Indie Music Industry is an amazing beast. Many music critics have stated that Indie Music is on the rise with many new performers being discovered each day. Do you believe that indie music artists can rise to the same level of stardom as their major music studio counterparts?

Donte J: Is the industry at an even level fame wise…? I still say no. Media is still on the major releases’ side but it is as close as it has been since the entertainment boom of the 50′s & 60′s. Indie artists are at a much better economic level as far as money opportunities than they have been in the past 20 years.

Isaac: What do you feel thus far in your career has been your biggest contribution to the Indie Music Industry?

Donte J: Good well rounded music. I feel a big misconception of the indie scene is that we all make almost mainstream sounding songs which is untrue seeing as a lot of artists bend the music to sound like what’s popular, major, or indie. I have done my best to stay true and give an original product but at the same time give the people something they are comfortable with and that they like.

Isaac: If you could go back and change anything about your own musical career, what would it be and why?

Donte J: That’s a good question. I mean we’ve all released a verse, chorus or even song only to later realize that it was not ready or even that good. However, no matter how dumb or how many missed opportunities I’ve had and it has been a few these experiences have also shaped the artist that I am today. Furthermore, I like who I am & also who I am becoming. I think the fans will appreciate that also.

Isaac: Do you feel that the music industry as a whole is surrounded by an endless pool of undiscovered talent or overcrowded with mediocre performers.


Donte J: In any industry whether its entertainment, sports, or even the business community there will be areas with deep pools of talent and areas of shallow talent. I feel that whether an artist is exceptional or mediocre depends on one’s work ethic which sadly some of us have and some of us don’t. It all boils down to the talented and/or hard working artists’ ability to excel or succeed or for the lazy and/or not so talented artists to fail and weed themselves out.

Isaac: Are you currently signed with any of the Indie Music Labels? If not, what are you looking for in any music label that you hope will complement your music?

Donte J: As of right now, I’m a self-released indie artist under the management of Jason Roth and Gorrila Music with no label. However, the type of label that I’m looking for is one that will provide me with some kind of musical freedom or flexibility. I’m not naive; I know that the label will have the final say-so which is only right because they invest the money. But to give you true input and let you do your thing so you can grow and find out who you really are as an artist is priceless and that’s what I’m looking for in a label. I need a label that can give me freedom or flexibility plus a chance to use my talents to make a true & fair living for myself.

Isaac: What do you feel has been one of the biggest challenges for you to bring your music to the masses?

Donte J: It has been convincing everyone to give me a fair shake. I’ve found that it is easy for people to like or even love your music after hearing it. Unfortunately, it’s getting those people to listen to you who are not the type of music heads feeling or constantly searching for new artists. Because while there are numerous affordable promotional tools out there it’s still very expensive or incredibly hard to get song placements on TV/movies which is where new major artists really build their name & fans discover the songs they on average listen to.

Isaac: One of the best attributes for any performer to possess is tenacity. What is your professional and/or personal drive that has allowed you to continue to make great music over the years?

Donte J: Honestly, it’s a couple of things: one being the drive to be number 1; you know the drive to win & as you know to be number 1 you have to win & that’s something that drives me. Other factors such as my level of life; I’ve been from poor to working class to middle class to poor. Even at such a young age I’ve put in a lot of long hours just to live, survive and be able to provide for my family and a big motivator for me is to even further pursue their dreams.

Isaac: How has living in your current city affected the way you look at the music industry?

Donte J: Honestly, I can’t say that it hasn’t affected me because it has greatly influenced me but since it’s the same region that I’ve lived in most of my life it was a bit easier for me to transition into the world. But being from where I’m from, I know that I don’t make the most popular form of music which makes it harder for me to get & win over fans but I love the challenge. I’ve been to New York & have seen their scene & conversed with many other artists from the major city market and small town market & true they’re all different but at the same time it is the same. The one goal in music no matter where you’re from has always been to create a product that everyone will listen to and love & continue to listen to for years to come. While we may be different as far as looks go, we are all still on the same grind.

Isaac: We would love to see a music video from you! Do you currently have one that you can let our readers know about?

Donte J: Yes my debut video “Front Page News” is available on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU1bh0P2GMo&feature=youtube_gdata_player) and other outlets; it is directed by Andres Garcia & stars Silvia Accevedo. My second video “Distortion” premiers late august 2012 and brings back the usual suspects for a prequel to my 1st video.

Isaac: At the end of the day, if you never musically reach a certain level of fame and fortune, would you be happy that you made music on your own terms?

Donte J: Honestly, if you had asked me this a year ago I would’ve flat out said no & had felt as if I had failed. But honestly, I feel I will have given the fans my best effort as a true indie artist after I release my next 2 projects “The Transition” (EP) & “No Evil”(LP). And if it those efforts weren’t good enough and I had to stop making music then I would understand and have peace knowing that I did the best that I could and that I put in maximum time and effort.

Isaac: For those who want to learn more about you and your music, where can fans find you online?

Donte J: My always updated Press kit: sonicbids.com/dontebesuave, my Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/neweraterror or my management profile on gorrila music: http://www.gorillamusicmanagement.com/?page_id=2

Isaac: Finish this sentence for us: “Your music is something that will…”

Donte J: “…leave fans singing” man, man I knew I’d spaz can’t let it go” lol #Suave”. - by Isaac Davis juniorscave.com

“First let me say I like the 8 songs from Donte J. The hooks are catchy and the songs are well structured and Donte has a unique way with hip-hop love songs. "Just a Crush" the 3rd song in shows Donte's sensitive romantic side. It's the best thing on here as far as performance goes. Donte has too much of the same tone when he voices his raps and they all tend to fall into a predictable rythmic pattern. The production is a bit dated as well. "Cocky as I wanna be" track 1 would have been helped greatly by sharper production values. "Your Intimate touch" and "Lovers Lane" get the party started and the mood right but they both run out of steam on the production end. Still I enjoyed listening to The Prelude but as is it's still a bit too much like a demo. I give it 3 stars out of 5” - - Carl Bourelly, The Wave Magazine (May 06, 2009)

“Hip Hop: Donte J, a new hip hop artist hailing from Houston, will be releasing his debut LP, The Prelude, in January 13. This new work presents a fresh look of hip hop, combining electronica with rhymes that are not self-indulgent as much of young hip hop often settles into. Donte J rhymes about romance and love, and not about his desire to be the best hip hop artist out there. It’s new and different and promises to offer audiences something more.

http://skopemag.com/2008/12/30/janfeb-2009-sonicbids-"artists-2-watch" - Jane Franz, Skope Magazine (Dec 30, 2008)

“Urb.com Next top 1000 Reviewed by Amorn Bholsangngam Texan MC Donte J may only be turning 22 in 2009, but the Houston resident already rhymes like a seasoned veteran. Having started honing his craft in freestyle sessions during his junior year in high school, the rapper is now set to conquer the rap world beyond the hallways of his alma mater. His debut LP, The Prelude, is only a precursor to the greatness Donte J has the potential to achieve, the tip of a musical iceberg that could bring the game to its knees. “It’s Not Sex in the City,” with its clever, pseudo-romantic lyrics, chopped and screwed vocal effects, and winding violin samples, is a fine display of Donte J’s undeniable charm and charisma behind the mic.” - - Amorn Bholsangngam, URB Magazine (Mar 10, 2009)

Who’s Donte J?

Cordarius Donte Johnson lol naw I’m artist first and foremost in every sense but basically I’m a kid with a humble east texas beginning working his way threw not just the industry but also life



How you got started in the music scene?

I first realized I wanted to rap in high school when I used to participate in school ciphers & used to write rhymes in class sometimes instead of doing class work but I didn’t record my 1st song till after I graduated tho recording all my songs in my best friends mom’s living room on their PC using a mixcraft program & a $10 mic not to extravagant but its something ill never forget night in night out working on music ill always appreciate them for that



What are your music influences?

I mostly write bout personal stuff so my life is the biggest but musically I came up listening to a lot of music from hip hop, new jack swing, R&B, Rock & even country but artist that influenced me most are outkast, Red Hot Chili Peppers, kanye, Kid Cudi, Panic @ the Disco & so much more



What’s your method at the time of writing a song?

My writing is a bit unconventional cuz I don’t ever sit down w/ the intent of writing, my music usually comes to me in everyday moments but if I’m writing a song for another artist I just sit down & apply the subject they want to my own personal experiences & let the magic happen



So tell us more about your upcoming new album, Transistion. Can you give us some insight? Any official release date yet?

My next release will be an EP titled “The Transition” its basically gonna b a 8-9 track album split between songs off of my previous LP “The Sessions” & my next LP “No Evil” most importantly giving my fans good music & also show the growth & improvement to give them something to enjoy & look forward to till the full release. I’m lookin to release the “The Transition” EP in November 2012



What has been the funniest moment you have been or took part while touring?

I would have to say the funniest actually would also be the most embarrassing & motivating back in 09 I was performing in houston @ the jet lounge & started my set strong but by the 3rd song 2bars in I forgot the lyrics & kinda froze a lil lol I swear the longest 30 seconds of my life but I finished strong & it taught me we all mess up & to better prepare



Are there any more plans for the future we should be aware of?

Yes, my management team @ gorilla music & I are putting together a tour starting in january, my 1st Video “Front Page News” is out now on youtube w/ my follow up “Distortion” debuting late august



Where can we found more about your music?
U can can go to EPK & many other sites Sonicbids – sonicbids.com/dontej2

Facebook fanpage – www.facebook.com/neweraterror

Twitter – www.twitter.com/donte_J

Front Page News Video – http://m.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&hl=en&client=mv-google&v=mU1bh0P2GMo

Itunes – http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/donte-j/id296097720



Do you feel you are moving on the right direction?

Yes I do w/ every year & every project I improve & w/ age & life I gain the much needed experience to survive in this business



AUTHOR
RJ FROMETA
Head Honcho, Editor in Chief and writer here on VENTS. I don't like walking on the beach, play guitar, music geek, movie maniac and 6 hours sleeper.

- See more at: http://ventsmagazine.com/donte-j/#sthash.FKeyXDxg.dpuf - Vents Magazine (Jul 24, 2012)

“JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012 SONICBIDS “ARTISTS 2 WATCH” June 26, 2012 Skope: How does it feel to be an A2W artist @ Skopemag.com? It feels good. Its good when others acknowledge & appreciate your talents. Also its good when there’s alternate outlets to promote your music and artistry Skope: Besides fortune & fame what draws you to music and being an artist? Donte J: A couple of things but just the feel of creating something that’s yours & no one else’s & to give it to people to enjoy & vibe to. Also the feeling I get on stage when live its a freeing experience. for more go to http://www.skopemag.com/2012/06/26/july-september-2012-sonicbids-artists-2-watch”” - - Jane Franz,, Skope Magazine (Jun 26, 2012)