The direction she is heading is captivating and interviewing her only strengthened my intrigue. Dondria Nicole Singer/Songwriter, is challenging herself to new heights, all while letting pure creativity be her guide. This young, talented-fierce beauty, got her self-created start on Youtube. Now as an established artist, with two brand new double singles out Luv-Ya and 2 Good discussing the fruits of her labor exhilarated me. Especially— her key fitness success tip. Check out our chat and keep up with Dondria Nicole as she soars through 2016!
Mm: I just wanted to first of all start with how impressed and amazed I am that you started on YouTube and you have built this amazing platform. Years ago, I too started my media thing on Youtube, so the power of technology today is amazing. When you started your channel on Youtube, was your intention to be signed? Or how did that transpire — was it a hobby? What was your intention when you started you channel?
DN: It was just a hobby. I wanted to get an unbiased opinion, I had like my family, friends you know my teachers and coaches telling me that, I was talented and sounded good. Yet, if its somebody that bias to you, I kind of don’t listen; cause I want to know what the stranger on the street has to say. How do you feel? Thats whose opinion I want to know, so I put myself on YouTube. I had no, no idea that it was going to turn into what it did. It happened so quickly, like after a year of me being on there everything just changed.
Mm: How did you know with it being so new and so fast who to sign with, how to navigate such a fast industry?
DN: I think that when I first started it was fun, so like I automatically responded back to the fans and if they requested me to do a certain video, I would do it. Just because I wanted to please them you know, when they started asking for more and more and more I just gave them more. I just responded to the demand.
Mm: With moving forward now— you have two double singles out which is really dope. What were the inspirations behind both songs Luv Ya & 2 Good?
DN: With me being gone for a while, cause its been like 2 years since I dropped some music. I wanted to be able to like touch more than one area. I know if I put one single out it may have put me in a box and now — you know music is so different that what I grew up appreciating. So, I just wanted to give both. I wanted to give something that spoke to the trendy sound that’s out right now but then, I also wanted something thats more true to me. Allow people to get in their feelings and relate to things that we go through when we’re in a relationship.
Mm: Speaking of being true to yourself, I’m sure there is a lot that you are being told to do how are you keeping your own voice and finding balance within you artistry?
DN: I always try to stay true to myself and what I want. I’ve always been pretty open to try new things. I’m not opposed to trying new sounds, a new hairstyle or a new outfit I may not have thought to wear before however, if I find that I don’t like it or.... I find that it doesn’t work, then that’s when I’ll step in and basically let them know that its business and you can’t get offended or anything its just not for me.
Mm: Yea, there is a lot of trial and error
DN: Yea, exactly!
Mm: What have you learned along the way with being your own boss?
DN: I’ve learned, to educate myself and continue to hone your craft. Learn new crafts you can’t ever get comfortable and think you know just because I’ve been singing all my life and I’ve taken voice lessons since I was in the 6th grade. I went to college and majored in music education and I sang classical music I’ve been exposed to rock and pop all these are great yet now that I am an established artist that doesn’t mean I don’t push down that from door some more. I can pick up an instrument or I can learn a new genre of music whether thats like, I don’t know African and find a way to mix that in. Theres always ways to be innovative and be new and fresh — so always learn stay educated.
Mm: What’s the last thing you did recently to challenge yourself to grow?
DN: Sometimes, I’ll go on maybe like twitter or snapchat. I’ll ask them to give me a topic and I challenge myself to write a poem. Whatever the topic is, just write it even if its something crazy like I don’t know if someone says fruit loops or something.. I have to challenge myself to make this fruit loop poem like the most-bomb-poem ever! It keeps me on my toes and my creative imagination and my creativity on point all the time. Plus it helps me to get better at improvisation.
Mm: That’s a good one, I might borrow that if you don’t mind. Also, what I want to borrow is your fitness secrets. Girl, today I’m out here struggling. I’ll do really, really good... then I drop the ball. I’ve been traveling a lot and I’m falling off. Like I just ate a cookie before our call, I can’t even lie. What are your fitness secrets?
DN: Well, ok! The first thing and its really, really, really simple but— I drink a lot of water. Like all those drinks with all the sugar in it you don’t think that, thats messing with you but that sugar no ma’am.
Mm: It’s sitting in you— just sitting.
DN: Yes!
Mm: Ok, so define a lot of water because everyone says a lot― a lot to someone could be a 16oz or less. What’s a lot to you?
DN: Um no, like a Gallon a day.
Mm: A Gallon a day! Ok, Ok I’m with you.
DN: I know its a lot but it helps so much, it helps me as a singer. It helps with everything. If you workout it helps to hydrate you in general its a good thing to get use to. We all don’t work out, everyone is at different fitness levels and has different goals. I work out three times a week but I think that a gallon of water a day would really help a lot of our problems. Also, like sometimes if you are hungry and you drink water it will actually suppress your appetite.
Mm: My grandmother use to do that before she ate a meal she would have a glass of water. I need to borrow from both of your books.
DN: Umm hmm!
Mm: Haha, I’m on it! We are literally at the half way mark of 2016. What are you second-half of the year goals?
DN: Second-half of the year goals?! I definitely plan to follow up this double single release with another double single release and then my EP “The Day of the Dawn”. I’m also preparing to work on the album. One big goal that I want achieve is to get back on the road and go on tour.
Mm: Nice- Nice! I hope to catch you on that tour in person for a sit-down interview. This is the start of something good!
DN: Yeah it is!
Mm: I truly appreciate your time and wish many-many blessings to you.
DN: Thank you you’re so sweet.
Check out Nicole’s new video for “2 Good” below:
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