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Well Entertainment Macco finally caught up with Donae'o, who we found out is a talented songwriter, performer and producer based in the
It just goes to show... It is never a bad thing to macco!
Donae’o: “Donae'o is a Producer/Artist/Songwriter”
Entertainment Macco: I heard you are a London based hip hop producer NOW artiste…how did your music end up in Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival?
Donae’o: “To be honest I don't know why my music is moving so far out of the Uk in Dec 2009 I was in Ghana, a few weeks ago I was in Nigeria and next month I'm in New York, Ghana again and Boston and it is still crazy to me. Also I'm a Dance producer the music I make is electronic music. One thing I will say is that London has so many different cultures in it and my music is popping of over here and I think that people are coming over and hearing their friends playing the tracks then they take the tracks back home. I think if a song is good it will do well anywhere and as my music is made for the clubs and the club scene is universal some tracks are going to spill over into other territories and my tracks are lucky enough to be apart of that.”
Entertainment Macco: The minute I heard “Party Hard” I had to find out who sang it and where this individual was from…..when that was done I realised the song was not a new release…..are you aware of the tremendous favourable response it received during Trinbago’s Carnival season 2k10?
Donae’o: “I'm only finding out now to be honest, we where pushing Party Hard since Nov 2008 and it blow in the
Entertainment Macco: How do you feel about this?
Donae’o: “Since I was 6 years old I wanted to make music my career and as an adult I've always wanted to create music with integrity, I wanted people to always take something from my music whether its helping you get through a situation or just makes you want to get up and dance I just wanted to give value to the people that listen to my music.”
Entertainment Macco: How did the collaboration with Problem Child come about?
Donae’o: “I didn't collaborate with Problem Child. I only found out about the bootleg the other day I didn't authorise that mix he found the instrumental and recorded his own version without my permission.”
Entertainment Macco: Why did you not come to
Donae’o: “I would have loved to come to Trinidad but I wasn't invited unfortunately lol The
Entertainment Macco: Do you have any intentions of performing the song with Problem Child?
Donae’o: "NO !!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Entertainment Macco: **Jaw Drops* Oh boy......
Entertainment Macco: Did Problem Child make any effort to contact you before the song was released?
Donae’o: “No he did not…he contacted me after the song had blew up and asked for authorization…”
Entertainment Macco: Did you say yes?
Donae’o: “Offcourse at that point I am not going to say yes…I said NO but the fact remains that the song was huge already..I fee and felt disrespected and exploited…both me and my music were exploited”
Entertainment Macco: Would you have agreed to a collaboration if he contacted you before he released the Remix?
Donae’o: “It is not a question of me saying yes or no it would have been a question of how it would benefit us both…I would have liked to listen to it to hear what he wanted to do with the song and would have organized it better”
Entertainment Macco: Are there any plans to pursue with legal recourse?
Donae’o: “That is something that we would have to discuss with him…only time will tell…But I can tell you it is something I am not going to authorize….!” (the song that is)
Entertainment Macco: I am aware that “Party Hard” is an old song…How old is it?
Donae’o: “A year and a bit old”
Entertainment Macco: Are you familiar with Soca Music?
Donae’o: “Yes I am”
Entertainment Macco: Any particular artiste you like?
Donae’o: “I am not familiar with the names but I know the music pretty well…”
Donae’o: “If I like a track ill make it its not a problem for me to be honest there is a lot a similarities with dance and soca music I think I would enjoy experimenting with that. There are a lot of different genres of music within Dance music and I have made a lot of different styles of music within the Genre. The Uk has always for some reason created different styles of dance music, first it was Acid, then it was Jungle after that Garage came then when that died Grim was created alongside Dub Step, Bassline and Funky House and those all came from Garage. Then there is Trance, Drum and Bass, Indie Music, Hip Hop and RnB the list is endless. So I'm already used to making different styles of music.”
Entertainment Macco: Do you have any Caribbean roots?
Donae’o: “My dad is from
Entertainment Macco: Ahhhhh you do have
Entertainment Macco: Birthday/sign
Donae’o: “03rd February(the same day as my mom)....Aquarius”
Entertainment Macco: Are you single/in a relationship/married?
Donae’o: “No Comment lol”
Entertainment Macco: Come onnnnnn why you want to hold out on a sister?
Entertainment Macco: Do you have any children or plans of having any?
Donae’o: “I don't have any Kids and I'm not ready for that step yet but it is in my future plans but I have to get married first.”
Entertainment Macco: How long have you been a part of the music/entertainment fraternity?
Donae’o: “Since I was 6 years old”
Entertainment Macco: Of all the sobriquets you could choose why Donae’o? What is the significance behind the name?
Donae’o: “When I was 15 I asked God for a name I wanted a name like Dinero but unless you're Robert Dinero you can't roll with that name. So there was a group called Donaeo and I was like that is the name but I couldn't take it so I joined the group (if you can't be them join them) so after the group broke up I asked all the members for the name and they where like keep it then one of the members said that the name means 'A Gift From God' so I always thought that I asked for a name and God gave me the name Donaeo.”
Entertainment Macco: What is your real/given name?
Donae’o: “Ian Michael Greenidge”
Entertainment Macco: Hi Ian **blushes**
Entertainment Macco: This new genre of music which can categorize “Party Hard” is referred to as UK Funky…What is it really? I understand it is a blend…but of what?
Donae’o: “Its house really but its a mix of a music called Grime, Garage and house music mixed with a bit of soul music and Dance with a touch of soca. If that makes sense.”
Entertainment Macco: So
Donae’o what influenced your decision to produce and eventually sing?
Donae’o: “I always wanted to sing since I was 6 I think it was Gods plan for me to make music as I had no choice but to do music really. It messed up my school I even missed a bit of my childhood to pursue my music career. I had to stop for a while to actually live a normal life because my music blow up in the Uk since I was 17 with a song called Bounce I felt I blow up to early I had to take time out to look around and see what else was out there for me before I got back into making music again.”
Entertainment Macco: Why do you think there are generally more successful men in the music industry than women?
Donae’o: “I don't know why do you think there are more successful men in the music industry than women?”
Entertainment Macco: Hiiiiiii you cannot flip the question on me……NO FAIR!!!!
Entertainment Macco: This is just for the ladies who wish they could get piece of Donae’o…what is your biggest turn on in the opposite sex?
Donae’o: “Her f
ace is the first thing I look at but she has got to make me laugh if she can make me laugh s
he is almost there.”
Entertainment Macco: When you are/were looking for a mate did u look for someone in your industry or out & why?
Donae’o: “That would be telling you've a lot out of me on that subject lol”
Entertainment Macco: Can you really blame me for wanting to know wassup?
Entertainment Macco: Tell me about the types of music you create….
Donae’o: “I
have to love the music I create if I don't get that feeling like yo this tune is messy then I just scrap the track and start again. I don't know how I start I've always thought that God has a tube from him to my head and he drops down ideas and just have to grab them a put the in the write place's ya dig. I will NEVER put out something that I don't like, I will always give you my best so that you can make a true decision on whether you like the track or not.”
you deal with harsh critique?
Donae’o: “Well its like everything some like some don't like I always put out two singles and let people choose. But at the moment I have released a track out every 6 month or so since Nov 2006 and every since months people have liked at least one of the tracks so I guess I've been received quite positively.”
Donae’o: “I hate it when people can't do buisness properly is extremely annoying. Its as simple as a conversation but some people can't even so that then it just lead into something complicated and if someone can't do buisness right the first time with me then I will never do buisness with them in the future its not worth the headache.”
Entertainment Macco: How do you want to be remembered when you die?
Donae’o: “I just want the music to be remembered I want people to love the music that I create that's all I have ever wanted.”
Entertainment Macco: One place you plan on visiting before you die and why…..
Donae’o: “
Entertainment Macco: It sure is…make sure when you get here you hit me up because Trini’s know how to “Party Hard” No PUN intended…
Entertainment Macco: Donae’o I have to school you a little on Trinibagonian dialect….A Macco (pronounced Mah-ko) is someone who is nosy…now that you know this you would understand that I have a problem…I just need too… must know peoples’ business (Entertainment wise that is)
Now that is out of the way….this is my question to you…
I know it have real life maccos out there…how do you keep your personal life and business life separate and away from the maccos?
Donae’o: “By not talking about it lol Si Mi Now…”
Entertainment Macco: Right!!! I understand....haha ure funny huh?
familiar with his name and it became almost synonymous with the referral of Patrice Roberts because of their collaboration; “Nah Leaving” …..Yes Ricardo Short, Cute and very talented fella who kept popping up during the Carnival SeasonEntertainment Macco: Who is Ricardo Drue?
Ricardo Drue: “A son of the Caribbean with a message to be delivered and a mission to accomplish; to take my culture to a global level.”
Entertainment Macco: Birthday / Sign?
Ricardo Drue: “July 31st 1985/ Leo”
Entertainment Macco: Are you single/in a relationship or married?
Ricardo Drue: “Off the market lol”
Entertainment Macco: Right Ladies!! You all heard it….don’t be sad…lol
Entertainment Macco: What is your biggest turn on in the opposite sex?
Ricardo Drue: “Intelligence…must be able to hold a decent convo.. Nice body wouldn't hurt either lol”
Entertainment Macco: Do you have any children or plans of having any?
Ricardo Drue: “Yes I do I have 2 boys...”
Entertainment Macco: Really? But you look like a boy yourself….lol *joking*
Entertainment Macco: Tell the maccos what was your motivating factor to sing?
Ricardo Drue: "Music and singing was actually something that was instilled in me ever since I was young, it is all I know.”
Entertainment Macco: What do you get complimented about the most?
Ricardo Drue: “Being humble…”
Entertainment Macco: Well…..my dear humility is very important in life and if you possess that attribute then you are well on your way!
Entertainment Macco: What is your sexiest feature?
Ricardo Drue: “Dimples”
Entertainment Macco: I feel that is the reason why you keep licking your lips all the time…to emphasize the fact that you have dimples.. I’m just saying!
Entertainment Macco: You know you are kinda short…people might miss you on the stage when you are performing (joking!!) …Do people usually “pong” you about your height?
Ricardo Drue: “All the time. Its been like that from wayyyy back when….I stopped growing at 6 lol”
Entertainment Macco: You poor poor thing……**faints**
Entertainment Macco: At what age did you recognize your ability to sing/perform?
Ricardo Drue: “At the age of 5 yrs”
Entertainment Macco: Ok ok cool….right before you stopped growing? *Whistles*
Entertainment Macco: You are fairly young….both in age and in the industry, is the pursuance of music your career plan or there is a plan B or is option A?
Ricardo Drue: “Music is and has always been my plan A... I have my education though.”
Entertainment Macco: How difficult was it for you to get into the industry and what were some of the challenges you faced?
Ricardo Drue: “It has been a difficult road to where I am currently and its only the beginning..some of the challenges are not being respected and being over looked but as they say you have to pay your dues.”
Entertainment Macco: Dues? Wah is that? If you are talented then it would show regardless of dues… hmphh!
Entertainment Macco: You are very trendy and you have that sex appeal working for you…how do the ladies respond to this (I am pretty sure you are a favourite!)
Ricardo Drue: “Welll ...lol..I would say I'm accepted fairly well.. Thanks for the compliments though.”
Entertainment Macco: Many people may not know that you are part of the group called “Crossovah”…share a little about the crew and what you all are into.
Ricardo Drue: “Crossovah: we are four sons of the Caribbean, Trinidad, Jamaica, Barbados and Antigua, united cultures through song and dance... We are the swagger of hip hop, the energy of soca, the sensuality of R&B and the uplifting vibes of reggae.”
Entertainment Macco: How does the crew feel about you and you solo career…I see you did collaboration with Patrice Roberts…
Ricardo Drue: “The crew has been very supportive we are a family, they are my brothers, and yes I did a collab with Patrice Roberts.”
Entertainment Macco: Well as Patrice was mentioned let me ask you this… there is a rumour floating around that you and Patrice are sweethearts…is there any truth to that rumour?
Ricardo Drue: “Rumours huh...lol Patrice and I have a great personal and business relationship...she is a great person...my best friend…”
Entertainment Macco: What are some of the constraints you face being based overseas and trying to get your music heard in Trinidad and other parts of the world?
Ricardo Drue: “Well being based in the states works against me at times because no matter what I do here, in tnt I'm always considered and outsider, so as far as my music is concerned it usually hard to get it in rotation, but this year was a little different...”
Entertainment Macco: I guess that could show a little acceptance huh?
Entertainment Macco: Where do you see yourself in the not too distant future?
Ricardo Drue: “Taking my culture of TNT to the world.”
Entertainment Macco: In your industry what is your biggest pet peeve, that one thing that does really stress yuh out?
Ricardo Drue: “People who do this and do not take it seriously..”
Entertainment Macco: When u were/are looking for a mate did u look for someone in the industry or out of the industry and why?
Ricardo Drue: “I do not have a preference. I just go with the flow.”
Entertainment Macco: Why do you think there are more successful men in our music industry than women?
Ricardo Drue: “I'm not sure to be honest..the time will come where the tables will turn.. It always does..”
Entertainment Macco: You got that right…WOMEN gonna rule…. **sorry had a woman empowerment session there for a minute**
Entertainment Macco: One thing that you would like maccos (readers) to know about you? Ricardo Drue the Individual….
Ricardo Drue: “I'm not unapproachable or cocky...”
Entertainment Macco: One place you would like to visit before you die and why?
Ricardo Drue: “Italy for the experience.”
Entertainment Macco: I know it have real life maccos out there…how do you keep or plan to keep your personal life and business life away from the maccos?
Ricardo Drue: “As artists we have to be very discreet in some of the things we do...I just tend to be as discreet as possible..and always portray positivity….”
