His was never a story of numerous talents shows and performing in school plays, but by the time he was in his mid teens he had already attracted a management outfit, and released a single Falling’. During his teens Donae’o (which means ‘Gift from God’) would release and re-release a few singles, most notably Falling and Bounce under various management outfits. Both singles made an impact on the underground, with Bounce winning an award for Best Live P.A at the People’ Choice Awards in 2003. All of this set the foundations for Donae’o’s future success. ‘Both of these songs kick-started my career,’ says the now 25-year-old. In his late teens and early 20’s he released a few more underground singles, but was mainly out of the spotlight as he focused on working on a plan to orchestrate the next stage of his career.
The plan? To take control of his career himself, minus any management. He had penned a tune called Devil In A Blue Dress, and this was the one he felt could really turn things around, and he was right.
“I started promoted Devil In A Blue Dress last year November and I released it on a white label this February,’ he recalls, adding: ‘Doing things myself worked better for me in the sense that I was able to choose what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it. Sometimes going with your gut instinct, rather than over-discussing things with a bunch of different people, can work a lot better for you, that’s the freedom I like.’
From that moment on he would personally promote the single to anyone and everyone, from fellow artists, radio djs, club djs and pirates, collecting email addresses and contact details and delivering music and information. It was about three months before things really started to take off. By February 2008 the single was in record shops and by March it was the hottest tune on the streets. Donae’o found himself in hot demand performing live P.As across the country and in Aiya Napa as well as a coveted spot at 2008’s Glastonbury festival.
Despite enjoying the advantages of pushing his career by himself, the talented singer is smart enough to acknowledge the benefits of having a strong team on board, as long as it is the right team. Step forward bourgeoning profile and brand building company ‘My-ish inc’, who have more than added to the project, tailoring it to ensure maximum success from the underground to mainstream.
When asked to describe what he brings to the table as an artist, Donae’o says: ‘I bring the energy, and that’s what’s make me appealing. It also means that whatever kind of music a person is into they are usually moved by my songs. I have seen it with my own eyes. I don’t say that to be big-headed, I say that so appreciative that I have been blessed with this gift.’
Donae’o is currently working on his debut album, which is set to be released next year. For the moment he is happy doing funky house saying: ‘I’ve been singing and MCing from time, but I don’t think I found myself musically until house was introduced to me.’ However his diverse talent and skills means he is not one to be limited, so expect the unexpected from the singer, and also expect whatever he comes with to blow you away.
My Circle
Donae'o Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Donae'o, Donae'o
Cadet, Cadet
Wiley
Ghetts
Real niggas inna my circle
Real women inna my circle
No snakes inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
Real niggas inna my circle
Real women inna my circle
Only family inna my circle
No snakes inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
I've always been an outcast
Never found it easy to make friends
So if I make friends then I make friends
They lied to me and a brother gave them
That's why man ah loner
Tough love made man a soldier
I've never been afraid of the hard work
That's why man ah have money, man ah own up
But right now, man ah on a piff piff
Everyting allowed on a piff piff
I'm so high in the sky that
The clouds are my pillows and it's Christmas
You better know in my circle
Us man ah make dough in my circle
Dem man over dere ah move snakey
So the grass is cut real low in my circle
Uh, Cadet, Cadet
Uh, real niggas inna man's circle, ayy
Lots changed from Pokémon days
Blastoise at a man really tryna Squirtle
Girls can't try angles in my circle
Nigers, I've got some squares in my circle
Uh, yeah, it's all fun and games
Till my circle come and circle your circle
Every time you see me, I go on like it was curfew
Hit us with the love or the war, we ah never serve you
Your girl told me you can't get it up
Pattern up your semicircle
Everybody talking 'bout shelling but never shelled
But when you hear Cadet, he's rapping out your ting
Tryna party hard with the devils in the blue dress
Baby, don't worry, I'll be gone up in the morning
Real niggas inna my circle
Real women inna my circle
Only family inna my circle
No snakes inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
Real niggas inna my circle
Real women inna my circle
Only family inna my circle
No snakes inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
Wait, wait, my circle's small though
Gotta pick me up if I ever fall though
Gonna answer the phone if I call though
Gotta have my dons on auto
I be in the corner with the realest
And my T-shirt is the greenest
Gang gang but I'm the leanest
I be on the A-list, B-list, C-list
Yo, I can't admit when I'm busy
Think I can do everything, I chase lizzy
I chase gyal dem around cuh man are road darg
But I'm still a donny like Mozart
Early twenties, I was raving to Fly By
When I wasn't hungry for Wi-Fi
Playing CDs from my hi-fi
I love an action movie and a sci-fi, yo
Real niggas in my circle
Man came to your block
I was with real niggas when I circled
Feds put chains on my dogs
That's why I know killers in dispersal
Rate me or not
Just know I'm in the whip when I get the bird call
Stains on my top, where the Persil? Burn that
Bare gun talk from these bruddas
That ain't dropped nuttin', you niggas infertile, oi
I'm up to something, it's nuttin' personal, oi
Gloves and a thermal
If the locals are hating
I tell a boy suck your mudda, I'm universal, oi
My life's been nuttin' but hurdles
So when I spin an MC
It's gonna feel like he's just been spun like a whirpool
Nuttin' don't last these days
I need something eternal
My girl said she can read me just like a book
I said call me Justin the journal
Oi, I'm loving it
That's a Justin commercial
I'm back on the underground
Like I've just been commercial
MILFs calling me baby
What made mumzy maternal
She seen GH on a tea break
And smelt the cup full of herbal
Real niggas inna my circle
Real women inna my circle
Only family inna my circle
No snakes inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
Real niggas inna my circle
Real women inna my circle
Only family inna my circle
No snakes inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
No, never inna my circle
Donae'o's song My Circle speaks of the people the artist surrounds himself with. He highlights the importance of having genuine, trustworthy people around him rather than those who might betray him. Donae'o speaks of the difficulty he has had in making friends and the lack of trust he has in people he doesn't know. However, the people who are worthy of his trust, including his family and those who share his values, are allowed in his inner circle. The song also features the voices of other artists such as Cadet, Wiley, and Ghetts, who add their own perspectives on the theme of loyalty and authenticity in friendships.
Donae'o starts by stating that he keeps only real people in his circle, which includes women and family. He then claims that there are no snakes in his circle, meaning he does not allow people who might deceive or betray him. Cadet similarly discusses the people in his own circle and how they have his back. He mentions that others might try to undermine their strength or freeze them out, but his circle always circles back around to support him. Throughout the song, the artists emphasize the importance of loyalty and mutual values in friendships and relationships.
Overall, My Circle is a tribute to the value of genuine connections and the importance of surrounding oneself with honest and trustworthy people, rather than those who might betray the trust or use their influence for negative purposes.
Line by Line Meaning
Real niggas inna my circle
There are genuine people in my inner circle.
Real women inna my circle
I have authentic women in my close circle.
Only family inna my circle
My family members are the only ones in my circle.
No snakes inna my circle
My circle is free of deceitful and conniving individuals.
No, never inna my circle
Never have such people been part of my circle.
I've always been an outcast
I've never fit into a usual group.
Never found it easy to make friends
It has never been easy for me to make friends and connect with people.
So if I make friends then I make friends
Whenever I manage to make friends, I choose them wisely.
They lied to me and a brother gave them
People have deceived me by lying to me, including those I considered brothers.
That's why man ah loner
Because of the disappointing experiences, I prefer solitude.
Tough love made man a soldier
My experiences have taught me to be independent and tough.
I've never been afraid of the hard work
I'm not afraid of hard work.
That's why man ah have money, man ah own up
My hard work is why I have money and also take responsibility.
But right now, man ah on a piff piff
Currently, I'm under the influence of weed.
Everyting allowed on a piff piff
While under the influence, nothing is off-limits.
I'm so high in the sky that
I'm so high that
The clouds are my pillows and it's Christmas
My state is such that I see clouds as pillows, and everyday feels like Christmas.
Us man ah make dough in my circle
Within my circle, we make a lot of money.
Dem man over dere ah move snakey
People on the outside move sneakily.
So the grass is cut real low in my circle
Thus, we keep the grass cut lower within my circle.
Girls can't try angles in my circle
Women cannot initiate plans or calculate the angles in my circle.
Nigers, I've got some squares in my circle
I have some old, conservative people in my circle.
Yeah, it's all fun and games
Everything seems to be going smoothly, but.
Till my circle come and circle your circle
Until my group surrounds and outshines your group.
Hit us with the love or the war, we ah never serve you
Whether with love or battle, we never turn away.
Your girl told me you can't get it up
Your girlfriend revealed your erectile dysfunction to me.
Pattern up your semicircle
Concentrate on the lower half of your circle.
Everybody talking 'bout shelling but never shelled
Many people talk about violence but have never fired a gun.
When you hear Cadet, he's rapping out your ting
When you hear Cadet's music, he's speaking about your things.
Tryna party hard with the devils in the blue dress
Trying to live an exciting life with dark forces.
Baby, don't worry, I'll be gone up in the morning
Don't worry, I'm leaving in the morning.
My circle's small though
The number of people in my circle is limited.
Gotta pick me up if I ever fall though
They need to help me get up if I ever fall.
Gonna answer the phone if I call though
They will pick up if I call.
Gotta have my dons on auto
My trusted friends will always be available.
I be in the corner with the realest
I spend time with the small circle of my most genuine friends.
And my T-shirt is the greenest
I have the purest intentions.
Gang gang but I'm the leanest
I'm thin, but still part of the crew.
I be on the A-list, B-list, C-list
I'm present in the top, middle, and low tiers of groups of influential people.
Yo, I can't admit when I'm busy
I find it hard to accept being busy.
Think I can do everything, I chase lizzy
I assume I can accomplish everything and chase after women.
I chase gyal dem around cuh man are road darg
I go after women because I'm streetwise and adventurous.
But I'm still a donny like Mozart
I maintain street credibility despite it all.
Early twenties, I was raving to Fly By
When I was in my early twenties, I would listen to Fly By while partying.
When I wasn't hungry for Wi-Fi
During that time, I was not as dependent on the internet as I am now.
Playing CDs from my hi-fi
I played CDs on my high-fidelity sound system.
I love an action movie and a sci-fi, yo
I enjoy watching action and science fiction movies.
Man came to your block
I came to your neighborhood.
I was with real niggas when I circled
I was with genuine people when I came around.
Feds put chains on my dogs
The police have arrested some of my associates.
That's why I know killers in dispersal
Because of that, I know some killers who are on the run.
Rate me or not
Whether you like me or not.
Just know I'm in the whip when I get the bird call
Know that I'm on the ready.
Stains on my top, where the Persil? Burn that
My top is dirty, and I'm going to burn it instead of cleaning it.
Bare gun talk from these bruddas
These brothers talk a lot about guns.
That ain't dropped nuttin', you niggas infertile, oi
They haven't shot anyone, so they're useless.
I'm up to something, it's nuttin' personal, oi
I'm planning something, and it isn't meant as a personal attack.
Gloves and a thermal
I'm fully prepared for whatever's coming my way.
If the locals are hating
If the locals are envious of me.
I tell a boy suck your mudda, I'm universal, oi
I speak broadly without specificity to the situation at hand.
My life's been nuttin' but hurdles
All I've ever experienced are tough challenges to overcome.
So when I spin an MC
Because of this, when I put down my rhymes,
It's gonna feel like he's just been spun like a whirpool
The listener will feel disoriented following the experience.
Nuttin' don't last these days
Whatever it is, it doesn't last nowadays.
I need something eternal
Therefore, I need something that never fades away.
My girl said she can read me just like a book
My girl says that she can easily interpret my actions and thoughts.
I said call me Justin the journal
I answered, 'You could call me Justin because I'm all written down.'
I'm loving it
I'm really liking it.
That's a Justin commercial
It's like a commercial for me.
I'm back on the underground
Now I'm back under the radar.
Like I've just been commercial
After just becoming well-known.
MILFs calling me baby
Older women with children are calling me 'baby.'
What made mumzy maternal
What was it that made these women maternal?
She seen GH on a tea break
She witnessed me taking a break with my friends in Greenwich, London.
And smelt the cup full of herbal
And she smelled the cup full of weed.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NomadiqGentz
Can't believe I'm writing these words but... RIP Cadet.
@dopegrime1729
Ghetts will always be the best in grime, this is a standard verse for him and he kills anything or anyone he touches🔥🔥
@dopegrime1729
Btw the remix with Cadet, Wiley & Ghetts is on my channel.
@no.5015
💯💯 trueeeee
@chrisprior3955
love this! ghetts is a don!
@JM-et9kp
ghetts is so underrated it's annoying ive said it for years, ghetts is probably one of the best if not the best grime mc
@kadeaims2676
underrated? are you mad he is regarded by fans as one of the best MCs overall. Its not underatted because they guy hurt his own career by constantly starting beef and throwing out bars about shooting and killing people.
@ABCGrimsby91
+kieron andrews ghetts makes tunes for himself!!! Ultimately if he likes it he'll make it! He could chart consistently easily if he really wanted but he's got principles! He's got real grime fans, He doesn't want to sell out! Either way he's sick as fuck imo
@kadeaims2676
Dale W I didnt say he wasnt sick as fuck he's in my top 3 any day of the week. However its not like he's underrated because people overlook him he can only blame himself. He killed his chance to get major label support alongside Wretch adn Devlin because of his personal history and lyrics coupled with his history of getting heated in clashes.
@kagelevelofficial
+Marlon Henry I like ghetts but agree. Musically speaking, scrufizzer delivered, killed it next level after getting called out for nothing. Ghetts barely gets any views in comparison to others, legend or not. He's not above scrufizzer and could do with the publicity tbh. Scrufizzer also has more vibesy tracks etc and could duppy an mc flow wise.