Donnie’s first studio release in over four years, The Daily News, is the culmination of a thoroughly reappraised Donnie. Donnie’s “ripped from the headlines” approach to songwriting on The Daily News sees him using poignant lyrics to tackle a diverse range of society’s woes – unemployment, racism, sexism, homophobia, suicide and child molestation – being just a few of the subjects. In less capable hands these topics could become overly dark and brooding, but on The Daily News Donnie finds himself at his funkiest. Full of righteous indignation without being preachy, he brings us with him, all the while allowing his truth to shine through. As Donnie explains it, “I just thought it would be wonderful if we could sing along to songs that speak of our daily lives. Of course, not everything I sing about on this record is pretty but that’s how life is, a little sunshine and a little rain.” Donnie’s trademark political consciousness is a key element of The Daily News but it’s not the only exceptional thing about the record. The Daily News heralds Donnie’s foray into a new musical philosophy that mixes soul, funk, rock, hip-hop and the blues into a combustible combination that musically fuels his material. This is a record full of up-beat sounds that reflect both the urgency of the song’s messages as well as Donnie’s unique “never to be denied” energy. SoulThought Entertainment President Craig Bowers comments, “We are only interested in working with career artists. Donnie’s ability to create the timeless album that is The Daily News is the embodiment of our strategy”. “If I were You”, the first single from The Daily News, has enjoyed strong support on Urban AC Radio and its accompanying music is in rotation on VH1-Soul and BET J. The video can also be found online at YouTube and Myspace Videos. Donnie’s debut release, The Colored Section, on Giant Step/Motown introduced the world to his critical and uplifting voice and contained his urban, radio hit “Cloud 9.” Comparisons to Donny Hathaway & Stevie Wonder were immediately forthcoming, but Donnie injected his unique vocal stylings and personal politics into his music. In between albums he has grown both musically and personally in a bold and brave way. However, The Daily News reveals a Donnie much more closely aligned with the sociopolitical context of records like “What’s Going On?” made by his cousin, the late Marvin Gaye. Like Gaye before him, Donnie’s themes are timeless and universal. He deconstructs the world around him and encapsulates those insights into songs that show us just how far America still has to go. He’s more than a soul singer. He’s a voice we need right now in the world. Up-to-the-minute information on Donnie can be found at his website, http://www.donniemusic.com
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