First Listen: Donnie returns after long absence to talk to America

(May 23, 2020) I’ve always heard a lot of Stevie Wonder influence in the music of Donnie. I had that feeling when I heard his debut album The Colored Section back in 2002.  That album featured socially aware tracks such as “Beautiful Me” and “Cloud 9” and breezy mid-tempo love songs like “Do You Know” that were definitely influenced by Wonder. Then, there is Donnie’s vocals. I’m not saying that he sounds like Stevie, but he operates in a similar range vocally.

Still, having a musical influence is not implying that Donnie is trying to copy. Rather, the comparison is my attempt to place this talented artist in some artistic context.

Donnie has returned with a new single titled “America (Do You Wanna Go Higher?) that is both an anthem and call to action. The upbeat track can be viewed as a response to those who believe that we must look to the past to retrieve the country’s greatness. The lyrics make it clear that while the virtues of a good or great society are ancient in many respect, the country and its citizens must look to the future if America is to ever achieve its highest potential.

Donnie says: “'America (Do You Wanna Go Higher?)' is an anthem of testimony; a testimony of how far you’ve come. It is a theme song; a sing-along about going to another level and being a better person and a better citizen." Check out “America (Do You Wanna Go Higher?)” here.

By Howard Dukes

Donnie - “America (Do You Wanna Go Higher?)”