We speak to London’s emerging musician Donalee on her latest release, ‘Voicemail / +1’, alongside ZekeUltra, her admiration for the city’s eclectic and thriving music scene and what she has in store for later this year.

What was the inspiration for your latest release, ‘Voicemail/+1’?
‘Voicemail’, was inspired by an unexpected case of heartbreak. I didn't ever plan on feeling how I did and it was super overwhelming so I just swallowed my feelings, ended things and wrote this song. It was therapy for me.

‘+1’, had similar vibes but I was way further in my feelings when I wrote that verse.

What was your creative process for the two tracks and how was working with ZekeUltra on,‘+1’?
I just let the words come to me when I have too many feelings to think straight. The first line of ‘Voicemail’ came to me on the tube and I became obsessed with it pretty much right away, so writing the rest of it was fun because I was proud of it. It was definitely hard to admit those feelings though cause I'm a super prideful woman.

I was obsessed with the Zeke track before I put my verse on it so I was constantly listening to it but just out of enjoyment, then one night I woke up randomly and wrote my verse. There isn't much of a process to what I do these days, it's mostly whim.

Working with Zeke was an honour, he's crazy talented and we both came with a similar energy so it wasn't any hard work at all. Hopefully, for the next collaboration, we'll be in the same time zone. 

How do you feel your sound has grown since your first releases?
It's becoming more refined as I continue to create. I won't ever put myself in a box but it's nice carving my sound out as I make new things. I don't like to put too much pressure on myself, I just wanna continue to explore my sound and hopefully people continue to resonate with my sound.

Which artists inspired you to start making music and which artists are inspiring your sound today?
When I was young it was bands like Panic! At the Disco, Fall Out Boy, Semisonic, Blink 182, Jamiroquai, Bowling for Soup, Paramore, System of a Down, Metallica. Also artists like Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Vybz Kartel, Diana King, Sister Nancy, Usher, Beyonce, Erykah Badu, Aaliyah, Andre 3000 / Outkast and Common.

 Artists inspiring me now ...

Don Tolliver, James Blake, Travis Scott, Young Thug, Rosalia, Lil Peep, Rihanna, Tinashe, The 1975 and Dani-Leigh.

How was working alongside Leo Bhanji for ‘Heart of Gold’ and what was the main theme of the track?
I didn't have any equipment at that time so Leo brought all his stuff to mine so I could record my verse and then when he got to mine I had writer's block, so I recycled this phrase I wrote a while back and it fit perfectly. I'm addressing typical aspects of human nature and how the image of perfection has us in a loop.

What was the main inspiration for your track, ‘Can’t Help It’?
It's an ode to being made too weak by a person to resist what you KNOW isn't good for you - I know we've all been there!

How was collaborating with artists such as Virgil Hawkins and Orae Khalil?
Working with Virgil was cool because we bounced off of one another so the whole process was fun. He always comes with great energy. 

Orae is somebody I have worked with since the early stages of my career. His studio is where I recorded my first real attempts at songs, so he and I have a really special bond and that is always evident when we collaborate. He taught me a lot and continues to inspire me with his work ethic. He's on his own superrrrr wave and I don't know anybody who puts in more hours than him. 

How does the music scene in London inspire you creatively?
The versatility is something to be admired. There are a lot of us doing a lot of different things and I appreciate the variety and the tenacity. When I was younger, as much as I loved listening to indie/rock bands, they were the only musicians that got massive representation and were given platforms and spaces, so it's a beautiful shift.

Which artists from the city would you recommend?
Bakar, Miraa May, Orae Khalil, Mono X, Daries Street-Soul, Dave, Octavian, Coltrane, Master Peace, Murkage Dave, MFK, Kadiata, DBE, BANKS and Bel Cobain.

Five other artists that you would recommend to your listeners?
Frank Ocean, Orae Khalil, Tame Impala, Andre 3000 and SZA.

What’s coming up for the rest of 2020?
My EP ‘Cerebrum Deluxe’ is coming! The first track drops April 8th. Also, lots of visuals when lockdown is over - I'm gonna make a movie.