For those moments where you need a song to get you hyped up for the night, Don EE should be high on your playlist. From the summer anthem ‘You Alright Yh’ and ‘Heard a Man Say’, he’s back with AfroPop genius Davido in his latest single ‘Love Coming Down’.
This track will also be included in his debut EP, which will feature K-Trap, Kojo Funds and more! We took it upon ourselves to find more about the man behind the mask and unveil other secrets about this young talent…
For those who may not have heard your songs before, how would
you describe your music?
I would just say that they are fun, they are full of vibes, full of good energy and makes you want to dance and move.
When did you realise that this was your chosen career path – and when did you realise you could make your mark in such a competitive industry?
You know what? It’s when I first made ‘You Alright Yh’ and the reception it was getting in the clubs, and when all the DJs started spinning it. Just the vision I was getting through from my Instagram of everyone saying they loved it, that’s when I thought, ‘This could actually be something for me. This could actually start something like a new career path for me.’
In a previous interview, you mentioned that you’re from Congo. Does this influence the music you create? If so, how?
As you know, a lot of Congolese people are a bit vibrant – they love dancing and they are just happy people. When I listen to my cultural music, Congolese music, I try to bring the vibes, the instruments and the sounds to the UK. I try to get that type of sound, a mixture of both different worlds together and make a hit.
Your recent single ‘Love Coming Down’ featuring Davido is incredibly catchy. How did this collaboration come about?
I was working on ‘Love Coming Down’ by myself and I happened to make it up in the car on the way to the studio. So we thought we could get someone on this… we were spending time thinking of an artist, but one of the colleagues that work for our team said she’s in contact with Davido’s team. You know when some people say they are in contact with someone, you think, ‘Yeah, is it – really?’ But she got in contact with him, and they said that Davido is going to be in London, and if it would be possible if he come to the studio? I’m thinking, ‘Seriously?’ But I had the show at the same time and when he came down, my friend sent me a video of him laying down his stuff… I couldn’t believe that he actually did it.
You’ve already had Beyoncé play your track (‘You Alright, Yh’) on her Instagram post; is there any other artist whose attention you want to gain?
Well I just think right now, you don’t get bigger than Beyoncé, or unless it’s Drake… he’s someone who’s smashing it right now. I just don’t think it gets bigger than Beyoncé unless Drake mentions something about you or mention you. It would be nice if someone in the calibre of Drake gives me a shoutout or something.
The white mask has become your signature look; from single covers to your videos. So clearly you don’t want to show your identity?
I like the fame when I’ve got the mask on, but when I don’t have the mask on, I like to be lowkey. Those are times where I’m walking around and just enjoy myself without people going ‘Ahh, that’s Don EE, that’s Don EE’. Behind the music, I’m more of a quiet person.
Don EE – Check The Swag Music Video, 2018
I’m sure you know of viral sensations like ‘Man’s Not Hot’, and ‘My Yè is Different to Your Yè’. Does it make you want to make a comedy track?
I’m not really that bothered. But you know how the Internet and Instagram are set up, anything you do can just go viral. I could just be chilling in my room right now, to me it might not be funny but to other people, it would be funny. It would just blow up and next thing you know people are making tunes or getting deals from labels. I just say to people: be yourself, be unique and do what you have to do because you never know what will happen. For example, Michael Dappah and the guy that does ‘My Yè Is Different To Your Yè’ [Osh], they didn’t know it was going to blow up like that. I just think that now, Instagram is another place where views can get you started and views can lead on to something else bigger.
What is something you want for your career in 2019?
The one thing we are looking to do, me and the team, is looking to chart more. Its all good making music for when we love the music. But we want to start carting and we have a lot of tracks that can possibly touch the charts.
Are you talking about the Billboard? Or just the UK?
UK. But who knows? You know the situation when Drake jumped on Dave’s track [‘Wanna Know’]. You never know who is watching or listening to your tracks.
Where would be your dream place to perform and your dream collaboration?
My dream collaboration would obviously be with either Drake or Kanye.
Kanye? Controversial!
[Laughs] I just think that part from him being apart of the controversy, I think that his work and him as a person, the work he’s created is unbelievable. I think he’s a genius at what he does when it comes to music. With Drake, he’s just the person that’s popping right now. The place I want to perform is the O2 arena or Wembley Arena.
I’m pretty sure you’ll make it one day…
In the name of Jesus Christ –
Amen!
Amen [Laughs].
Keep up with Don EE on Instagram, and look out for his EP dropping soon.
