urbansteez.com

With such artists as Ginuwine, Tank, Mya, Amerie, and now J. Holliday and Raugheem Devaughn; the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area has somewhat tarnished the image that D.C. will never develop quality mainstream talent, but even though hip-hop artists are plentiful, few such as Nonchalant, Questionmark Asylum, and now Wahle; have truly scratched the surface of good fortune, breached the threshold of the mainstream market, and received due respect for themselves and their hometown. Donnie Brasco, a.k.a. “DB:Z”, hopes to be the next to bring the eyes and ears of the world to the DMV corridor.

Donnie Brasco (born Donavin Campbell), a Prince George’s County native who still lives in his hometown, learned how to appreciate and admire music through his father, Percy Campbell. Percy, a Philadelphia native, played electric bass for such groups as Donald Bird and the Blackbirds, and Crown Heights Affair, while attending Howard University in the 70’s. "One of the most valuable things my father taught me was to have a great appreciation for music because music is universal, and can defy all race and culture barriers to give everyone a common medium by which we can all laugh, cry, or sing." Donnie was encouraged to develop his musical gifts meanwhile playing and listening to classic artists such as Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Earth Wind and Fire, Hall and Oates, Rolling Stones, and Pattie Labelle, who later influenced his creative direction.  

Donnie has been through quite a bit of adversity, but he feels that he has been through equally enough uplifting and positive situations that help him and others around him. When he does reach the success by which he feels he deserves, one could look back at his past and empathize with his feelings as well. “Through all my years, I’ve strived to be just who I am, because I feel that I’m important enough to me to be me. I never tried to be something I’m not. Hopefully, people can see a little bit of themselves in me, and see how I pulled through my struggles, and it will inspire them to do great things”, Donnie says with sincerity. 

Donnie Brasco

Location: Clinton, Maryland

Contact: myspace.com/brascosback08 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 1 (800) 861-1305 (Brasco's Hotline)

Urbansteez.com interview with Donnie brasco

Urbansteez.com: Tell us your name, and what area do you represent?

Donnie B. :Donnie Brasco and I'm reppin' the DMV (DC, MD, VA)!

Urbansteez.com: How long have you been pursuing a career in the music industry?

Donnie B. :Been in music since I was 4 or 5, but pursuing it as a career, it's been about 14 years now.

Urbansteez.com: What were you into before music?

Donnie B. :Video games and art.

Urbansteez.com: As an artist how would you describe your style and why?

Donnie B. :Well for starters, I would definitely say I'm commercial and not an underground or a battle rapper. Not disrespecting those styles of rap, it just doesn't fit me. When I do music, I like to appeal to everyone because I thrive on empathy and want everyone to feel what I'm saying and feel my direction. In addition, I need to be able to eat as well, so I have to keep the masses (or as much of them as possible) happy without being untrue to myself. Funny though, I've been doing it so long that I just feel it and don't even really think about it anymore.

Urbansteez.com: If you had your pick which label to be signed to, which label would it be and why?

Donnie B. :Not to be arrogant, I just feel that I'm good enough to be on any label and pull my own weight. I'd entertain offers from anyone as long as it's an ideal long term business move.

Uransteez.com: Who in your future would you want to collaborate with and why?

Donnie B. : I would love to bring folks back like George Clinton, Eric Clapton, Herbie Handcock; Go overseas and work with Beth Gibbons and Portishead, M.I.A., Jamiroqui; and also work with anyone at home in the states that's talented, that can feel what I'm doin, and can feel me as a person.

Urbansteez.com: I can see that, you will definately feed that ear with those artist! What are you working on now, and when can we expect to hear more of you?

Donnie B. :My debut album entitled "December 19th" will be released on, well, December 19th 2008 on Mid East Records. I'm also in the works of planning a compilation CD called "Tha Projects" where I'm recording collaborations with many other artists. That satisfies my hunger as a producer.

Urbansteez.com: Thats wassup!!! Who are your influences?

Donnie B. : All music influences me. I don't want to discredit any inspiration that I receive. I really just pull my inspiration from many things so it's hard to narrow it down.

Urbansteez.com: What do you think of the hip hop / music world right now?

Donnie B. : Honestly, I love the creativity and I think it's evolving again massively where the artists are now their own producers and DJ's as well. Of course, being a producer myself, I think it's DEFINITELY beneficial for me. The one cloud we do have is the economy and the financial instability that the industry is encountering because of it.

Urbansteez.com: What will you do with your first royalty check?

Donnie B. :Pay some bills. LOL DEFINITELY, pay some bills.

Urbansteez.com: I feel that, bills is why we do what we do....  So, when you make it big, what car will you first purchase?

Donnie B. : Not sure. I'd love a Mercedes, but I'm diggin the Maserati and the A. Martin

Urbansteez.com: What's in your sound system right now?

Donnie B. :Ol' school music. EWF, The Meters, Platters, Nina Simone, etc...

Urbansteez.com:  Soul Brotha, I can dig that!! So, which female in the game would you pursue first and why?

Donnie B. :All of 'em!!! LOL No, ummm, I  guess it would be Lauren London or Mya. They both have style and a good heads on her shoulders. Not to mention that they are gorgeous!!!

Urbansteez.com: Lauren London, Yes!! Imma have to stall Mya out tho even tho she hot... How can fans contact you in the future (myspace, email, PO box, etc.)??

Donnie B. :myspace.com/brascosback08 (myspace), This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (email),  1 (800) 861-1305 (Brasco's Hotline)

Urbansteez.com: ANY SHOT OUTS???

Donnie B. :Yeah, most definitely my Mid East Family Nicholas Baker, Feel Mason, ProVerb, J. Steele, and Drea; L's up Ent. Family, My up and comers in B-wood, My protoge Mike Bless, My good homie Rin, Beba Productions, Flip Nyce, O, all my HU Pirates everywhere, all of the DMV artists, My extended family across the globe, My real family at home, and of course Urban Steez. LOL Did I leave anyone out?

Check out Donnie Brasco hot hit, " The Whips Get the Girls" at myspace.com/brascosback08 its CRAZY!!! 

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