We caught up with British singer Don E to chat about his new track Bandoe, career highlights, fashion and more.
How did you first get into music?
I have been doing music since I was sixteen, it was through mutual friends, I am friends with a couple of producers and Kojo Funds and Yxng Bane. I used to record after they did their sessions so I just used to record my own music after and they were like you should release a song and that’s how I got into it really, through mutual friends, like Kojo Funds and Yxng Bane.
When did you first realise you could make a career in music?
When the first tune (You Alright Yeah) that I proper put out there went viral and it got a couple retweets from Stormzy and it got put on Beyoncé’s Instagram, that’s when I thought I could really do something in the music game.
Name three artists you had on your playlist when you were younger?
Yellow by Coldplay, Story to Tell by Biggie Smalls and Rear View- Tupac.
Where and when was your first ever live performance?
It was at Kojo Funds’s headline show in Birmingham, he brought me out that was my first show that I had ever done. The experience was crazy because that was one of my first tunes that I had ever done and within a space of two or three months everyone was singing along to it so it was crazy that people were knowing the song because I haven’t been in the position before to stand in front couple of hundred people and perform live like that but it was a great experience. When the crowd is singing the song it’s a crazy experience.
What’s the best part of being an artist?
It’s the love you get, it’s not just from people from the UK, you get random dm’s and messages from people in Canada, people in Switzerland. People from all different countries listening to the music and you think my music is really reaching these countries, that’s the fun of it.
You’ve released your latest track Bandoe, how happy are you with the track?
I am so happy with the track because Elton John was talking about it a couple of months ago and you know Elton John is a big icon in the music game. I really like the track because it’s an upbeat tempo that makes you want to dance when you hear the beat.
How long did it take from start to finish?
I heard Donae’o making the beat through his Instagram and I messaged him and he said ‘why don’t you just come to the studio’. I went to the studio and it took us literally twenty minutes to create it.
What goes into the process of writing a track?
Vibes then I put it on paper.
If you could collaborate with one other artist, past or present, who would it be?
Michael Jackson, Drake and Kanye West.
What song have you got on repeat at the moment?
It has to be Drake- Look Alive. It’s the beat and the way he just raps on it and the way he flows on the beat, it’s something I’d like to jump on.
What names do you suggest we have on our radar?
Kojo Funds, Yxng Bane, Not3s, Wizkid and Skepta.
What was your 2017 highlight?
I’d say it was performing at Wireless with Kojo Funds, the vibe was crazy it was electric. The fans and the people that were at Wireless they knew all the words. It was crazy when everyone was just singing ‘You Alright Yeah’. I didn’t have to sing anymore, just let the fans and people just sing it, that was one of the best highlights of 2017.
What has been your career highlight so far?
I would say that performing at Wireless.
Where and when was your most memorable performance and why?
I actually did a gig for over 13,000 kids at Wembley Arena and the kids were going crazy, 13,000 kids singing ‘You Alright Yeah’ that was one of the most memorable times.
Where, when & who gave your most memorable performance and why?
That’s a tough one, I’d say Drake when I went to watch him at the O2 just for the sake of how he filled up the O2 and how he got everyone singing along to every single song, it made me think this is the highest you can reach if you stick at it, over 17,000 people just screaming and shouting your songs. That was one most memorable performances and memorable shows that I had been to.
How do you spend your down time?
I spend my downtime playing Fifa with friends and just chilling watching movies.
If I wasn’t an artist I’d be…
A tennis player.
Favourite film & TV series?
My favourite TV series was The Wire, my favourite show is probably Eastenders and film has to be Man On Fire with Denzel Washington.
Drink of choice on a night out?
It has to be Vodka (Ciroc) and Cranberry Juice.
If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It has to be Nandos, half a chicken, sweet potato mash and rice.
Describe your style/fashion?
I am very saucy when it comes to fashion, that’s how I’d describe it.
Who’s your biggest style inspiration?
It’s out of Travis Scott and Kayne West.
What would you wear on a night out?
It depends, I normally go for a t-shirt, nice jeans and nice pair of designer trainers.
What are you looking forward to most in 2018?
Just more music and I am looking forward to dropping my EP in late September.
Where can we see you playing live next?
I’ll be at a couple of shows but it hasn’t been announced yet but the next show I’ll be in Manchester.
Finally, describe yourself in three words…
Funny, enthusiastic and laid-back.
Check out Bandoe below:
