<—–d.o.n. Biography—–>

—-While the majority of hip hop these days narrows it’s focus on money, gangster posturing, and precieved arrogance, there are artists that are dedicated to the traditional, and more beloved forms of hip hop music, while maintaining content, subject matter and credibility without compromising what the listener would consider good music. d.o.n. brings this to the table and more.

—Born Donald C. Purvis Jr. in September at Kileen AFB near San Antonio Texas, d.o.n. is the only child of a military family. This fact, while seemingly meaningless, is a key element in his style, and vast subject matter as an emcee. After living in such cities as Savannah. GA and Weisburg Germany, d.o.n.’s family moved to New Orleans LA, where he has resided ever since. Growing up around various forms of music, he enjoyed everything from James Brown, Otis Redding and Rick James. It was only when his father purchased the first rap record to memory, The Fat Boys Are Back! that d.o.n. got to experience rap music on a more consistent basis. This, along with the inception of MTV, BET [the early years] and summer trips to South Carolina to visit his cousin – who seemed to have more cassette tapes than anybody he knew – made d.o.n. be a certifiable hip hop head.

—In 1994, a year before graduating high school, d.o.n. experimented with writing his first rhyme. He decided to throw it away, as it portrayed him in a light that wasn’t his own. He didn’t write another rhyme until 1996.  d.o.n. is not afraid to rhyme about his spiritual beliefs either. “When I first started writing, I wanted to be the dopest Gospel rapper that anyone had ever heard, but I ended up using a great deal of profanity in the process. Having recommitted my life to The Lord Jesus Christ, in 2004, this was a conflict of interest. I view it as a part of my growth as an rapper.”

—d.o.n. would continue to hone his craft while attending Delgado Community College pursuing a degree in dentistry, which later changed to business. He eventually quit to focus on his music. After years of dedicated and fervent writing, d.o.n was fortunate to build relationships with some very talented artists from whom he learned more about his craft and the industry. Ace Lo, whom he met at Delgado, was also a local rapper in New Orleans, and was the first person to put d.o.n. behind the microphone.

—In 2001 d.o.n. enlisted the help of friend and fellow artist Rami Sharkey – professionally known as Ballzack – to record his first demo. Creating beats on a Roland 909 Groovebox, they produced a strong 5 track demo. Unfortunately, it failed to make any real noise outside of friends and family.  d.o.n. revamped the tunes, having learned to better utilize the Groovebox. With the addition of 5 new songs, 2002′s The Prologue was born. Despite initial attention from  Priority Records for the song “Night Life,”  d.o.n. was forced to return to the proverbial drawing board and start again.

—In 2004, d.o.n. began working, saving, borrowing and legally hustling to purchase a MPC2000XL. He continued to grow as an artist in content, flow and style. In 2006 after Hurricane Katrina, d.o.n was able to gather equipment for a home studio, by way of financial blessings in light of losses incurred by the highly publicized and deadly storm. He produced, mixed and mastered the album The Basics, which was reviewed by critics. John Book of Music For America, writer for Okayplayer Magazine, and Left Hip Magazine, a Canadian publication, reviewed d.o.n.’s album with favorable reviews. He began to do more shows in and around the New Orleans area.

—d.o.n has worked and shared stages with some of the most talented artists in the New Orleans underground hip hop scene such as Ace-Lo, Ballzack, DJ Skratchmo, Guerilla Publishing Company, with whom thanks to the gritty production of Prospek, he has made some of his best work to date, Impulss, SWAT Team, Caligula and Nomad the Butcher of Cult Flick, Private Pile, Dubla and Juskwam of the Twen Bumbs, Majesty Sozey, ATM, Soapbox, Able Chris, Tony Skratchere, MC Paul Barman and Crucial. He hopes to spread his work further through more collaborative efforts like the new EP entitled Commercial Free Broadcast with producer Dubla, who has produced work by such artists as Twen Bumbs, Juskwam, BlacKring and Your Cuzn It.

—Despite setbacks and the struggles of everyday life, d.o.n. will continue to push forward in his walk with Christ. He doesn’t want to bring back “real hip hop” or “change the game.”  d.o.n., by God’s grace, just wants to be heard…. and buy a diamond encrusted flying saucer with the spoiler on the back like the Vietnamese dudes be havin… and rims… 47 inch rims you know how weeee do!… Holla at ya later on in the game!!!

<—–d.o.n. Biography—–>

d.o.n. on Myspace

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