The B-Life got to know a little more about Bad Boy's answer to blue-eyed soul - Donnie Klang. On this season of MTVs Making the Band, Donnie has to prove himself to be a vital asset to the Bad Boy family by showing he's hungry enough to make it in the music business. Can't stop, won't stop...? Donnie has it all - the voice, the moves, and the exposure. The questions is - how does he get to the next level?
Q: Reality star or musician? A: I definitely am a musician. Reality TV just happens to be how I got my big break... but i've been doing this for long before Making The Band. I used to sing in groups and we had label deals and management deals on the table for the past 10 years... but it never worked out- we just got our hearts broken over and over. This was almost like my last chance at it.
Q: Diddy says you’re fighting for your dream. What/who do you feel is your biggest obstacle to knock down? A: It's really a catch 22 coming from a reality show. It is a great way for fans to get to know you and see you developing yourself as an entertainer, but in my case i'm a solo artist and I stay out of the drama- basically because i'm not in a group fighting with my group members. So a lot of the reality show ratings come from drama- it is what keeps viewers viewing. So it hurts my airtime and I don't get the same exposure as the groups. On top of that... coming from a reality show it is almost like we aren't taken seriously. Especially now that Danity Kane has broken up... I think being able to overcome the reality show hurdle is my biggest obstacle. It's about show and prove. I have to prove myself to the world.
Q: Tell the truth – are you better off as a solo artist or would you have rather of been a part of Day 26? A: I definitely think i'm much better off solo. The group thing has its ups and downs... as does being a solo artist... but now that i'm starting to find myself as a singer and entertainer I know this is right for me.
Q: Who is your biggest influence? A: Aside from my parents... Will Smith. He has had such a well-rounded career and he has always stayed in the media in a positive light. I like how he balanced his music with TV and film. On top of all that he has always been a great role model.
Q: What have you learned being on the road? A: I learned you need to keep your head on your shoulders. Don't get into drugs. Also I learned what style of music I get the best crowd response out of. I'm going to really lock in on this style for my next album. I think fans want something real from me. I've been through a lot and I know a lot about music and theory and production and writing-- I'm going to put it all into this next album and come up with a story.
Q: Who would be your dream line up on the Donnie Klang Tour? A: Well I opened for the Backstreet Boys, which was really incredible. I would say my dream line up would be myself opening for BoyzIIMen, 112, N'sync, Usher, MJ, Prince- maybe some kind of Evolution of POP / R&B type of tour.
Q: If you could “b" anything, what/where would you be right now at this very moment? A: Honestly it would be doing exactly what i'm doing except I wish I had some hits on the radio (Because there are a number of hits on my album). But i'm glad it wasn't all handed to me on a silver platter. My biggest obstacle is getting the world to take me seriously... and now here not doing so well right of the gate gives me an opportunity to turn things around and prove myself.
Catch MTV's Making the Band on Thursdays at 9PM ET!
What: 37th Annual H. Naylor Fitzhugh Conference
"I think it's good that I have to watch how I act and what I say. I think it's a part of growing up." ~ Sean "Diddy" Combs
Just play a little hardball and use phrases like "I'm thinking of closing this card" or "What's the lowest interest rate you're currently offering?"
The easiest way is to start backwards when creating a budget. If I make X amount per month, and I want to save X amount per month...how much can I spend? Work it out!
Tried and tested - this has a 100% success rate! Swiping your debit card all day long is gonna put you in a bad place. Take out exactly what you're allowed to spend in cash on Sunday afternoon for the upcoming week. When you only have $40 left and it's Friday morning, you're gonna think twice about that $5 latte.
Remember when you first moved to the city and you accepted every industry invitation and there were open bars for days? No shame in your game. Get your swagger back on someone else's dime.
Want a new flat screen or the latest Balenciaga bag? Don't deny yourself completely, but do employ old school tactics and stash a little cash each week for your splurge. Patience, my friend.
Eating out usually costs $30 per person at minimum. Don't neglect your friends just because you're trying to save Start a rotating dinner club where each member takes a turn hosting. For less that $100 you can easily feed 5 people.
Obviously.
When leaving the party with friends you can split the tab! Otherwise, use that unlimited MTA card. That's why you bought it!
Peruse the weekly "happenings" section of your local newspaper for free events. You'd be surprised at how active your social life will be once you incorporate a few art gallery openings, movie screenings, and the list goes on...!
You have to find a minimum of 2 streams of income. Period.
The Great Jones Spa
For $50 (or free with any spa service over $100), you and your boo can enjoy 3 hours in the 4-part water lounge: the River Rock Sauna, the Chakra-Light Steam Room, the Thermal Hot Tub, and the Cold Plunge.
Hey Jen,
It's with some shame, and complete candidness, that I review yet another reality show "For the Love of Ray J." On one hand you have to thank the stars that Flavor class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Flav's coon show has come to an end, but on the other hand, are we really happy that Brandy's little brother has continued his legacy. Admittedly, (and don't you tell a soul), yes.
What: Sol Village
Do you want to promote your business?
Do you want to share pics from a past event?
Do you need advice on a particular topic?
Do you want to share info about a hot spot (in NYC or anywhere in the world)?
Do you want to share an article/post that you wrote?
Are you hosting an event?
Are you looking for volunteers for a community effort?
Are you hiring?
Are you mad as hell about something?
Are you in love with a product or service?
