Getting to Know Dondria

Written by Empress Magazine /// Find in Interviews

R&B singer Dondria a.k.a. Phatfffat may be a newcomer to the business but she already has almost 25,000 followers on twitter and her YouTube channel has had over 5 million views. With her raw talent and huge voice, she was able to capture thousands of fans and the interest of super producer Jermaine Dupri who eventually signed her to So So Def. Empress had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Dondria, to learn a little bit more about her future plans for R&B domination.

Empress: How has your life changed since you have been signed to So So DEF?

Dondria: Its definitely more busy. I’m always traveling, performing at different places and of course the love, I’ve always had (fan) love but it was always over the internet, now I’m meeting and seeing these fans that have been following me, so that’s the biggest difference. Other than that, the change has showed me how to stay on my grind.

Empress: How did you and Jermaine meet? Did he just happen to see a video of yours?

Dondria: Someone told him to go check me out, so he did. He saw me singing and then he saw the numbers- the subscribers and the views. He reached out to me via YouTube and Myspace.

Empress: Your first album was scheduled to be released last year but wasn’t. Why was the album’s release date pushed back?

Dondria: When I started, I was with Island Def Jam, we left them and now were independent. I think everything happens for a reason, it turned out I started working on more songs. We were going in a different direction at first but now the direction is bringing that classic 80’s and 90’s R&B real soul back.

So I’m happy that the album didn’t get released last year because I enjoy the music I am making a lot more now.

Empress: Do you have creative control, did u write any songs?

Dondria: I wrote a little bit but I definitely do have creative control.

*Dondria & Jermaine Dupri

Empress: What’s your favorite song on the album?

Dondria: I think its "Born", it was written by Chris Styles and it talks about being born in a man's arms because the way he has you- speechless & breathless.

Empress: Who would you love to do a duet with?

Dondria: That would definitely be Tank. I love him and I love his music too..lol

Empress: Who are some R&B singers out now that you like?

Dondria: I’m digging Monica because I also feel like she is bringing that real soul back into music. Melonie Fiona because she is also doing the same thing. That’s about it.

Empress: Who did you grow up listening to?

Dondria: I grew up listening to Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Eta James and Destiny’s Child. When Destiny’s Child first came out, that’s when I was really like “oh I want to be a singer, lol”

Empress: What made you decide to start a YouTube channel?

Dondria: I found out about YouTube through someone telling me to go look at a fight , lol, but when I saw people singing, I was like “oh wow I can do that”. I wanted to see what people would say outside of my family and friends who didn’t know me because I knew that they would be brutally honest and they wouldn’t hold anything back.

Empress: How did you get so many subscribers and viewers?

Dondria: I’m not really sure, lol. In the keywords of the videos, I would put a popular song title and artist that I knew people would search for. I would do songs that were hot at that moment because I knew people would be looking for it. Also, it was just word of mouth.

Empress: Do you still do the YouTube videos or are you more focused on recording?

Dondria: A little bit of both. I don’t really do new songs as much any more because I want to set the tone for Dondria, the artist. I really only sing older songs or gospel songs on YouTube now instead of covering songs of people who are now my fellow artists.

Empress: Do you have any advice for singers who want to get discovered?

Dondria: Defintely put yourself out there, everywhere in any platform that you can because you never know whose watching. In my case, I definitely didn’t think that I was going to get signed off of YouTube. My fans tell me that I inspire them and I help them to know that dreams can come true.

Do everything on Myspace Facebook & Twitter. Go to karaoke bars, do anything to put yourself out there

Empress: Do you have time to date now that your career is taking off?

Dondria: Well I’ve been in a relationship for 3 years he’s one of my biggest fans and we make sure that we spend time together.

Empress: What do you think will set you apart from the other R&B artist out now?

Dondria: The first thing would be that I bought my own fan base and they are loyal. When I was on YouTube I didn’t hold anything back. I was my complete self, so my fans feel like they know me and they are genuinely proud of me. So I believe what sets me a part is the genuine following before I even put an album out. I am going to continue to stay humble and the way I was before I got signed, so that will bring more love to me

Empress: Where do you see your career in 5 years?

Dondria: I definitely want to be successful , so in 5 years I want to be on my 3rd or 4^th album , I want to win some awards and I want to be touring. My new album comes out June 22^nd and its Dondia vs. Phatfffat.

Empress: Why the name Phatfffat?

Dondria: Phatfffat comes from me eating a lot , I’m very small but I have a big appetite.

Keep up with Dondria on her twitter and YouTube site.

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Check out Dondria's video for her first singe "You're the One