The Don releases his first album

He may have just released his first full-length album, but Don Dada is far from being a new kid on the hip-hop block.

Menelik Nesta Gibbons, popularly known as Don Dada, has 17 years of music experience under his belt. His experience ranges from featuring on other artists’ songs to producing behind the scenes.

Don is a Zimbabwean-born artist who has been living in South Africa for the past 25 years. He sports dreadlocks down to his waist, as he has never cut his hair. He said his dreads are more a spiritual connection with God than they are a political statement.

In terms of his music, the artist was 13 years old when he heard his uncle rap and liked what he did with words which subsequently led to his love of music.

Due to being exposed to various kinds of music growing up, his album lends itself to hip-hop, reggae, RnB as well as kwaito.

WATCH HIS MUSIC VIDEO:

Don’s musical and artistic talent runs in his blood. His father and various family members are deeply rooted in the arts, and the Don seems to have passed his talent on to his daughter, Hayze, who already has amazing freestyle rap skills.

His first solo music offering is called Avant Garde. The 13-track album was completed in only three days, Don said.

“Doing mostly freestyle rap battles, sitting down in a studio to record a song started off as a long process. We were only looking for a single and one after the other we recorded each song. At the end of the three days we had an album,” he explained.

While Don’s focus is on making music, he also owns RuFF CuTT Studio where he signs and records other artists.

In one of his songs, V8 Coupe, he likens himself to the Godfather of gangsta rap, Eazy-E, who was part of the famous hip-hop group NWA and founded Ruthless Records.

Don might be well on his way to follow in the legend’s footsteps.

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