Donny Goines has been killing the internet since the release of his debut mixtape “Minute After Midnight” in December of 2008. The Harlem Representer comes from more than just the street perspective and his goal is to show you just that with his latest release “The Breakfast Club”.
Caesar: How’d you get your start?
Donny Goines: In all honesty i was working at a store and i saw the movie Fade 2 black, the Jay-Z documentary. It was all the emotion and passion that Jay put forth in the movie that made me truly pursue my rap career.
C: How did you get the name Donny Goines?
DG: Well, I wanted to incorporate my real name which is, Donny, into my stage name. The name Donny by itself seemed semi lame or as if I was trying to be too cool. So after much thought i decided to go with Donny Goines and when I picked this name I knew I had a lot to live up to. Donnie Goines and the author and myself have a lot in common. We both did our stints in the military, we both grew up with a different outlook on the black community and we are both great writers in our own right.
C: So, did your time in the military affect your outlook on music any?
DG: No, not at all. I was in the navy for 3 years and though I would never say I enjoyed my time in the navy, i did learn discipline. Those days of waking up early and having everything in line is the same mentality I take when i enter the booth. I keep the goal ahead of me as I chase my dream.
C: What are the biggest difference between “Minute After Midnight” and “The Breakfast Club” ?
DG: Minute After Midnight has no guest appearances. I gave my audience a lot of who i was. Though the record was very dark and introspective at times I showed my versatility lyrically. With ” The Breakfast Club” I am bringing my fans the 2nd part to this trilogy. If you remember in the movie The Breakfast Club, it showed alot of different types of students. The nerd, the jock, the thug, the diva, etc. With this record i have over 20 features and I show my ability to not be boxed in. Alot of times in hip hop the media or critics try to say that an artist can only do this, or he can only do that. I’m proving Donny goines can do it all.
C: As we all have seen XXL Magazine recently had a cover with the next top 10 “Freshman” class of rappers how did you feel not making the list?
DG: Well, of course I was disappointed but at the same time it may just not have been my time. Me not making the cover only added fuel to the fire as I progressed into The Breakfast Club. i know some people felt like the cover was rigged or it was an example of payola. I can honestly say that i know some of those artist personally and a lot of them weren’t signed. to buy a cover from a magazine like XXL, costs alot more money than these artists have to offer. For example Mickey Factz. Mickey is a personal friend of mine and that dude has an intense work ethic. He deserved to be on that cover.
C: Is Donny Goines lookin for a major label release any time soon?
DG: yes and No. I have done so much independently. I have been featured in XXL show and prove section, I have had my video played on MTV, and I got the internet on lock. I would have to be given a great deal because the main question I would have for a label is, what are you going to do for me that I haven’t done yet? but if the right deal is given then yes, but until then I will remain independent.
C: What joints off The Breakfast Club should we look out for?
DG: Well if i had to pick 3 joints the full describe me I would have to say ” These Times” , “What You expected Remix” produced by Statik Selectah and “Bring it Forward”. Overall though the people will enjoy this album but look out for the next one it’s going to be crazy, I promise.
