“If you don’t know my name, I’m not working hard enough” — Donny Goines.

Donny Goines said this to me shortly after I met him for the first time. I’d been given the opportunity to hang with him when he was opening for Talib Kweli’s group Idle Warship, who all were allegedly too busy to come upstairs and hang out with the common folk. Goines, who obviously had access to move about the club at will, never abandoned the guests whom he had brought to the show to go pop his collar with the headliners. Instead, he was gregarious and always willing to talk, taking the time to introduce me to several of his industry peers and ensuring I had all my needs taken care of.

That scene really speaks to the type of person that Goines is. “I’m a man first, artist second” he said at one point during in our interview. Meet him and you’ll never experience a moment where you doubt that. He never drinks or smokes, he never seems to get angry or impatient. His motivation and his artistic hustle are pure and honest. Combine all of those personality traits with his ever-growing talent, and you have one of the most admirable budding artists out there- a man and an artist that are both easy to root for.

A big thanks goes to Donny for his time. He’s always working, so do him a favor and remember his name. I don’t think it’s possible for him to work any harder.

TSS: So how’s everything Donny?

Donny Goines: Everything is good, I’m feeling blessed.

TSS: First and foremost, congratulations on your release of The Breakfast Club. You just had your release party, how did that go?

Donny Goines: Oh it was great man; it was cool vibes and good times, and that’s all I really care about at the end of the day. Everybody that came out had a good time, we ate a bunch of cereal and rocked out.

TSS: Yeah, I saw the pictures of the cereal, that was a nice touch. That was another reason why I was disappointed I missed it because I was hoping to get some Frosted Flakes.

Donny Goines: Yeah, we was missing the Crunch Berries though, but next time.

TSS: That’s your favorite, the Crunch Berries?

Donny Goines: Yeah man, I been eating a box of those for the past three days. I been surviving on Crunch Berries and fat-free milk (Laughs). But yeah, the listening party was a great time. It was the first time I’d performed any of the material off the new album and everybody there seemed real receptive, they were having a good time. Like I said, at the end of the day, all I really care about is good vibes. It was also nice because a lot of the artists that were on the album were able to come out and perform with me so it was a lot of fun.

TSS: Nice. Now, I know you got that quote, “if you don’t know my name I’m not working hard enough.” How did you come about that quote and why do you feel like it fits you so well?

Donny Goines: Funny you asked that because nobody ever asked me that question. I honestly don’t know when or why that quote came to me but I guess one day it just happened to pop up in my head. I don’t really remember why. But I was just like, “You know something? I’m gonna use this as my motto.” and that’s just a motto I’ve been living by ever since. I really feel as if artists always want to blame others for their lack of buzz, or whatever the case may be. It’s always the labels fault or whoever. But, as far as my music goes, if people don’t know my name, then I’m doing something wrong. It’s my fault, it ain’t nobody else’s fault. I really hold myself accountable as far as my promotions and things like that, that’s why I’m very hands on with everything I do. At the same time, I’m one of those kind of people, who I feel like people should be aware of. So, I make sure that every day I wake up, somebody new knows my name.

TSS: I think one of the things that I appreciate most about hearing that is that it’s just a refreshing take on the business. Like you said, a lot of artists do find other factors to blame their failures on. How did you gain that perspective? Is that just you? Have you always been like that? Read the rest of this entry »

Words by Landon A.

Music began as a vehicle for voicing your struggle. From the blues and beyond, artists have creatively released their pain via your speakers. Hip-Hop has been especially good at this, speaking to the generation directly about social problems, race relations, etc. But that was back in the day. Now the formula to a “conscious Hip-Hop” album is a lot of political commentary, a few shots at O’Reilly, a pinch of self admitted over indulgence, sprinkle a club banger or two over it, heat to industry standards and serve in visually unpleasing packaging.

Take Donny Goines for example. Goines is a native New Yorker with plenty on his mind using Hip-Hop as his means of expressing it. Minute After Midnight puts the spotlight on Goines alone, boasting very few cameo’s leaving just you and the man of the hour. Read the rest of this entry »

Donny Goines makes it a trifecta for Minute After Midnight video coverage. Read the rest of this entry »

Donny Goines “Ricky’s Story” Dir: Mills Miller from MillsMillerMedia on Vimeo.

Video directed by Mills Miller Media and produced by Statik Selektah. From the album, Minute After Midnight, on sale now.

Found in the inbox from Donny “On The Grind”… Read the rest of this entry »

Donny drops a video for his second single from Minute After Midnight. Henceforth, the brother’s name shall be Donny On The Grind. I swear this dude churns out another piece for portfolio every time I turn around.

Donny Goines – Can’t Fit In My Shoes