from Rod 2.0
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There is a substantial buzz around Donnie, the velvet-voiced R&B singer/songwriter formerly signed to Motown and now going the independent route. Much of the talk is around his newly-released sophomore album, The Daily News, whose messaging is evocative of Donny Hathaway or Marvin Gaye in the late 1960s or early 1970s.

Even more people are responding to Donnie's refreshingly honest discussions of his sexuality and social perceptions around black gay men. Jasmyne Cannick and John Polly at New Now Next just scored fabulous interviews where an emotional Donnie opens up on many topics—including being out in the industry, black gay men, and, the black church. He has substantial experience in the latter department—being a pastor's son and growing up in Pentecostal.

On being out in the industry:

I think it’s helped my career tremendously. I am not trying to be seen on tv just to sell millions and get Grammy’s. That’s not my goal...I’ve never been this vocal about about my sexuality. It’s liberating. People can’t handle us. I know men that call me a faggot but are attracted to me. Calling me a sissy and wanting to go home with me after the show.

On the black church and homophobia:

[T]hey do not think homosexuality is right. I don’t think it’s real with a lot of my people. Most of the church choirs you see on TV, the tenor section is a bunch of queens. And it’s the truth! And in the alto section and the soprano section, it’s a bunch of dykes. You have some straight women, but in certain choirs, the whole choir is gay. But you’re sitting up singing, "Oh Jesus!" to people who hate your very existence—and you hate your very existence.

And on the "down-low":

I had a friend, I went to his funeral because...He was a married man who would get these little thug boys, you get what I mean? He’s married but he would get these thug boys and get with them. And he was murdered...he picked up a little thug boy [who] had a gun, and they probably fought. People aren’t saying a bunch of stuff, but I know what happened. It’s like you have to do that, instead of being you, and it gets you killed.

As you can see, Donnie is most outspoken and refuses to be quiet about his sexuality and problems within the black community. At times during his rather emotional interview with John Polly, he touched upon issues surrounding abuse, mental illness and low self-esteem. The conversation probably became much more revealing than expected he abruptly ended the Q&A.

The Daily News: Donnie on Life After Motown [J Cannick]
Soulful Singer Donnie Interview [New Now Next]
Donnie [MySpace]
The Daily News [Amazon]

Posted by Rod at 10:30 in California,

wow....

heavy

bboy87 said:

True, but funny. Somebody recommended him a few weeks back, and I liked the new album. I didn't research a thing about him, so I knew nothing about his personal life before hearing his music.


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[Edited 7/30/07 14:24pm]

funkpill said:

Co-sign. This cat didn't hold nothing back.

Good for him, telling it like it is.

Here's the link

http://www.newnownext.com...st-10.html

I worked in the ghetto and my biggest fear was getting shot. What the shocker was that about 40% of the black guys down there were Gay/Down Lows... and most of the black guys that went to church down their were gay.

Not really on the subject, but saw the topic title.

Great interviews (yeah I read the one on the Logo website too)! Donnie's one of the rare Brothers that speak his mind and isn't afraid to say it. Being black, gay and proud of it, no problem with that.

bboy87 said:

What is the implication here? Gay men are attracted to performing or a higher percentage of tenors are gay than baritones\bass'? I can't see how being born with a deep voice would make you less likely to be attracted to men.

...yeah silly I know but as a straight tenor this caught my eye.

I am soooo happy for him being able to be comfortable with publically embracing his truth...he really brought it home for me when he said "instead of being you...it gets you killed"

interesting interview. never heard his music but he could be an important voice, i identify with his burden to help black ppl deal with the affects of being in a culture/world that constantly denigrates them. his is a double whammy with the gayness. big ups to him for wanting to expose the hypocrisy in the black church. i'm not gay but i am a christian and the hypocrisy needs to be dealt with

:morning:


Miss Money / Kissing U

IF PRIDE COULD STAND A THOUSAND TRIALS
THE STRONG WOULD NEVER FALL
BUT WATCHING STARS WITHOUT YOU
MY SOUL CRIES.

Touch me deep and true
Give to me, forever.

...
[Edited 8/4/07 7:46am]

Another artist who has been doing the damn thing for some time is Miss Money.

THE #1 Gospel Artist on Soundclick for three years[!!!]


http://www.missmoney.net/index2.html

Please check out her music. She has a great underground album called Hookah: Confessions of an R&B Hook Writer that came out in 2005. It's easy to get your hands on if you contact her.

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[Edited 7/31/07 7:09am]

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[Edited 8/4/07 7:55am]

Mara said:

Yep. I knew who Tori was but didn't listen to his music until a few years ago when you (I believe) made the suggestion. I like him. Protegee I only listened to once; I'll have to give her a go again. Johnny Dangerous I only know by name, and haven't heard of BNR Crew. I'll look into 'em!

www.homorevolution.com
www.kin4life.com
www.pickupthemic.com
www.nhojj.com
www.oliversuttinrecords.com
www.myspace.com/aggracyst
www.myspace.com/shortyrocdamic
www.myspace.com/djdoodirty

enjoy!!!

The married man was nothing more than a closet queen. The thug boys are the ones that are the "down low" boys, in other words "trade". Think about it, if the thugs didn't fool around, then why would the married man continuously go after them? Because they are the main ones fooling around.

The thug boy hurting, robbing, or murdering someone is typical of trade trash. These queens better wake up and leave trade trash in the gutter where they belong. If I'm going to be killed by trade, you better believe it's going to be for busting them out of the closet....not from getting some dick from them and getting killed afterwards.

^ Lawd...

I LOVE DONNIE a talented black man and outspoken.....I appreciate his honesty.....he is so RIGHT about the blk church scene.....but back to his music a BREATH of fresh air.....Peace

Great interview!

IF PRIDE COULD STAND A THOUSAND TRIALS
THE STRONG WOULD NEVER FALL
BUT WATCHING STARS WITHOUT YOU
MY SOUL CRIES.

Miss Money / Kissing U

Give to me, forever.

You have to love the way gay people want everyone else to be gay.
Some of his views are some what over the top.