DORROUGH - Ozone Magazine

23-year-old songstress Dondria
is exploding on the scene with her
R&B song “You’re the One.” After
amassing a YouTube audience comparable
to some major artists,
The Dallas native was discovered
by Jermaine Dupri and signed to
So So Def. Now that her album is
nearly complete, Dondria talks
about how she got her start, and
publicly singing the National
Anthem for the first time.
Tell us how you got serious with your singing
career.
In ’06 I put my first video up on YouTube where
I was singing “Love” by Musiq Soulchild acapella.
I wanted to see the opinions of people
other than my family and friends. I knew
they’d be straight honest: either I sucked or I
was good. I wasn’t trying to get a deal. A year
later I had put up 25 videos. I reached a million
views on the video I did for Ciara’s “Promise.”
My name was getting popular and people
were requesting videos. People were trying to
collaborate on records and even trying to sign
me to underground labels.
How did Jermaine Dupri hear about you
Someone told him, “Go look at this girl on
YouTube singing other people’s songs. She’s really
dope.” It took him a while. I guess at first he
was thinking, why would he watch someone
singing other people’s songs Eventually he
went and looked. In addition to the numbers,
he saw the talent. I think he was impressed
because he hit me up and wanted to work
with me. I signed with him about 6 months
after that.
You have a song on the radio called “You’re
the One.” When did that come out
It was released in November so we’re workin’
that. I’m actually about to start a promo tour
to work the record in surrounding cities like
Chattanooga, Augusta, Macon, Charlotte,
places like that.
Have you been working with other writers or
do you write music as well
I’ve been working with people like Johnta Austin.
Bryan Cox wrote a song, and some others.
I wrote some things on the mixtape I put out.
I’m getting the album together; it’s supposed
to come out in March.
have 20 songs, so we’ll see if it makes the cut.
It’s intended to be for the album.
Do you have a title yet
Yeah, it’s gonna be entitled Dondria Vs. Phatfffat.
Phatfffat was my username on YouTube.
My college roommate gave me the nickname
because of how much I eat and I’m so little.
The deeper meaning of the title is, Dondria is
the artist coming out, and everybody is about
to see that she’s more than the Phatfffat on
YouTube singing other people’s songs.
Did you have any formal music training
when you were growing up
I’ve been singing in church since I was like 3.
My mom put me in the youth choir. Once I
got into middle school, I started recognizing
the talent and figured out that this is what I
wanted to do. That’s when I started taking formal
voice lessons. I did that in middle school,
all through high school, and even into college.
For those who haven’t heard your music yet,
do you have more of an R&B sound or it is
like pop/crossover
I’m taking the R&B route.
You’ve been working a lot in Atlanta. Did
you move to Atlanta
You could say I moved to Atlanta. I’m out here
6 to 8 months out of the year. You could really
say I live in Atlanta and Dallas.
Are you going to be home in Dallas for All
Star Weekend
Yes I am, actually. I’m really excited because
I’m gonna be singing the National Anthem at
one of the games. I’m excited, but nervous.
What else do you want to let people know
about
Stay on the lookout for the single “You’re the
One.” It’s spreading pretty quickly – it’s on
iTunes and it’s on the Billboard charts. That
makes me very happy because I’m not even
really out yet. My mixtape Dondria Duets is
available for free. It gives people a feel for me
‘cause they’re still trying to figure out who I
am. It’s a small introduction. You can find that
on Global14.com – that’s J.D.’s website. And
you can see my videos on YouTube.com/Phatfffat.
I also have Myspace.com/DondriaNicoleMusic
and on Twitter it’s @Dondria. //
What about collaborations for the album
I have one with Johnta Austin and Bow Wow
that might be on the album. At this point we
OZONE MAG // 27