“Before 2006, I had never heard of YouTube,” says the Texas native, who was introduced to the site by a friend. “I went up there to watch a fight that had happened at my school. I didn’t know people were singing on it.”
On a whim, Dondria bought a webcam and decided to upload a singing video of her own. Her choice: an a cappella version of Musiq Soulchild’s “Love.” Within two weeks, the video earned over 1,000 views and garnered tons of encouragement from visitors. Inspired, Dondria began searching for instrumentals that she could videotape herself singing along to. At the request of her rapidly growing online fan base, she posted various clips of herself covering songs from “Diary” by Alicia Keys to Rihanna’s “Unfaithful.”
However, it was her stirring rendition of Ciara’s “Promise” – which received over a million views – that took the budding singer from homebound diva to a complete Internet sensation.
“I thought to myself, ‘Wow, I really have something here,’” remembers Dondria of the overwhelming response to the video. “I didn’t get on YouTube to get a record deal. I was just having fun. But when I saw the feedback I was getting, I realized that a lot of people really liked my voice.”
One of those people happened to be So So Def CEO Jermaine Dupri, who tried for several weeks to connect with Dondria on both YouTube and MySpace. Thinking Dupri’s messages were from an impostor, Dondria initially ignored them. “I would get emails all the time from people claiming to be this or that. Most of the time, when I’d blow them off, they’d never hit back. But Jermaine persisted, so I called him up one day and the rest is history.”
Dupri flew the singer and her mom to Atlanta for what Dondria thought was a session with Jagged Edge to make a YouTube video. However, Dupri surprised the young artist by offering her a contract.
“JD was so extra cool,” she recalls. “He just walked over to me, and asked if I was ready. My answer was, ‘I was born ready.’” Officially signing with So So Def in 2007, Dondria, then 20 years old, had a record deal.
And to think, merely a year prior, the Southern songbird was just another small town girl from Sachse, Texas who got her start in music at the age of four by singing in church. “My entire family sang, but I didn’t get passionate about singing until middle school when my choir teacher suggested I take voice lessons.” Dondria took voice lessons, competed in talent shows and over the years studied the likes of Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Etta James. She even spent a year at Tarleton State University as a music education major.
All of these experiences prepared Dondria for her long-awaited debut album Dondria vs. Phatfffat. Channeling her natural talent and years of training, Dondria pours her heart and soul into her first single, “You’re the One.” Written and produced by Dupri and veteran songwriter/producer Bryan Michael Cox, “You’re the One” is a timeless throwback to classic R&B and the perfect track to showcase Dondria’s range and vocal maturity.
“Dondria is like a young Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey or Alicia Keys,” says Dupri. “There is nothing that the girl can’t sing.”
Longtime Dupri collaborator and singer/songwriter Johnta Austin also sings her praises. “Dondria has a soulfulness that is just crazy,” says Austin, who recorded a duet with Dondria entitled “Crazy About Your Love.” “There hasn’t been a voice like hers since SWV. When we were working together, I was impressed by how natural she was.”
Her debut album released August 17th, 2010, Dondria vs Phatfffat – (“Phatfffat” is a nickname she picked up in college as a contrast between her skinny physique and ravenous appetite for food) – features a diverse mix of soulful ballads, real R&B and straight up dance records.
“I’m so in love with this album,” Dondria gushes. “You can play it from start to finish without stopping. I love the feedback I’ve been getting from my fans.”
If you haven’t purchased your copy of the album yet, you are missing a treat. Dondria updates a number of online pages daily with content – from a cappellas to covers to silly behind-the-scenes moments – and really leverages the power of the Internet to maintain her relevance and grow her million-plus fan base.
Subsequently, Dondria’s keen understanding of social networking coupled with her raw talent and charisma set her apart in the music industry and is a sure sign that this rising star will be around for a long time.
“As an artist, you need to utilize every aspect of putting yourself out there,” says Dondria. “YouTube made it so easy. It allowed me to show the world the ‘real me’ – my real voice, pitch and presence. Now, with So So Def, I have the opportunity to become a real R&B artist and live a dream. And I’m loving every minute of it.”
You're The One
Dondria Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I don't believe, there's anyone out there, that can love me better
I don't believe, that you know how much I miss seeing your pretty
Smile
Of course we had our ups and downs, but I gotta have you around
Me because
I feel it all over my body (feel it all over my body)
You're the one for me, you're the one
You're the one for me you're the one
All the signs say that ever since the day that we laid eyes on each
Other baby you're the one for me you're the one you're the one for
Me (hey)
I don't believe, that you know how much I melt every time I smell your
Scent boy and I dont believe (i don't believe), I got myself in this
Predicament I'm sorry ( I'm so sorry), for everything I ever did wrong
I'm sorry (i'm so sorry)
And I'm begging you begging you baby oh baby oh baby please
Come back home
I feel it all over my body
I dream about you when I sleep (yeah)
You're the one for me, you're the one
You're the one for me you're the one
All the signs say that ever since the day that we laid eyes on each
Other baby you're the one for me you're the one you're the one for
Me (hey)
When I lay in my bed at night
I'm hoping and pray that you feel the same way I do deep down
Inside inside and that feeling you just can't control it makes you
Wanna just call me and tell me how much you really miss me it
Makes you wanna call me and say that you can't wait to hold and
Kiss kiss me me all over
I feel it all over my body (hey)
I dream about you when I sleep (dreeeam, you're the one)
You're the one for me, you're the one
You're the one for me you're the one
All the signs say that ever since the day that we laid eyes on each
Other baby you're the one for me you're the one you're the one for
Me (hey)
In the song "You're the One" by Dondria, the lyrics express a feeling of deep love for someone and a strong desire to be with them. The singer believes that they were meant to be together and nobody else could love them better. Despite past disagreements and apologies for any wrongdoing, the singer knows they need this person in their life because they feel love "all over their body". They dream about the person at night and believe all the signs point to them being the one for each other.
The song showcases a level of vulnerability and desperation for the other person to come back to them. The singer hopes that the person feels the same way they do and is unable to control the feeling of missing them. Overall, the lyrics of "You're the One" echo a deep love for someone and a desire to be together that is difficult to ignore.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't believe, we were put together not to be together
I believe that we were meant to be with each other
And I don't believe, there's anyone out there, that can love me better
I believe that you are the best person for me and no one else can love me better
I don't believe, that you know how much I miss seeing your pretty
Smile
I believe that you don't know the extent of how much I miss seeing your beautiful smile
Of course we had our ups and downs, but I gotta have you around
Me because
Even though we had tough times, I still need you in my life
I feel it all over my body (feel it all over my body)
I dream about you when I sleep (yeah)
I can feel your love all over me and even dream of you when I'm asleep
You're the one for me, you're the one
You're the one for me you're the one
You are the only one for me
All the signs say that ever since the day that we laid eyes on each
Other baby you're the one for me you're the one you're the one for
Me (hey)
I feel that from the moment we met, we were destined for each other
I don't believe, that you know how much I melt every time I smell your
Scent boy and I dont believe (i don't believe), I got myself in this
Predicament I'm sorry ( I'm so sorry), for everything I ever did wrong
I'm sorry (i'm so sorry)
You don't know how much your scent affects me, and I'm sorry for any wrong I've done
And I'm begging you begging you baby oh baby oh baby please
Come back home
I am pleading with you to come back to me
When I lay in my bed at night
I'm hoping and pray that you feel the same way I do deep down
Inside inside and that feeling you just can't control it makes you
Wanna just call me and tell me how much you really miss me it
Makes you wanna call me and say that you can't wait to hold and
Kiss kiss me me all over
I hope you feel the same way I do, and that you can't resist wanting to reach out and tell me how much you miss me and want to be with me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM EARL COLLINS, GARY LEE COOPER, GEORGE CLINTON, MICHAEL PAUL COX BRYAN, JERMAINE DUPRI MAULDIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bootyjudy6733
Nene Leaks brought me here, sharing beautiful moments with her & Gregg Such a beautiful and amazing song I pray that the Lord comfort her in this time of need🙏🏾🕊 Rest Peacefully Gregg❤️
@arlethaburton
Me too I cried fr fr
@deandrapierre2378
I feel so bad for her I lived me some Greg
@keonnamitchell4284
Same
@tynifac
We love you nene😘🌹 Sleep In Peace Gregg 💔
@marquesjohnson1189
Definitely brought me here too 😭😭❤️
@fleebee4115
I was in middle school when this song came out. I was wishing and praying I’d find someone I’d feel this way for
Skip to 11 years later and I actually found my one 💕 3 years together and we’re growing stronger than ever.
@tracywishom9999
Yeah for you two 👐👐👐❤️❤️
@aimbot7481
So happy for you ❤
@naimgray9194
❤️❤️❤️