XXL Magazine Top 10 Freshmen Winner Donnis Performs at LIV, June 30

Donnis is definitely a member of the Class of Kid Cudi, Drake, and company, a performer who's neither commercial "rapper" nor obscure lyricism-obsessed "MC." And still, thanks to a shrewd, intelligent-pop sensibility, the Atlanta resident appeals to both urban hipsters and girls who just wanna shake it at the club...

By Arielle Castillo

June 18, 2010

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Donnis is definitely a member of the Class of Kid Cudi, Drake, and company, a performer who's neither commercial "rapper" nor obscure lyricism-obsessed "MC." And still, thanks to a shrewd, intelligent-pop sensibility, the Atlanta resident appeals to both urban hipsters and girls who just wanna shake it at the club.

While his rhymes pick up on the staccato cadence and repetition of his native Dirty South, it's Donnis' selection of beats that launches the songs into outer space. Built on robotic, tinny synths and warp-speed samples, it's got more in common with next-level club music than your typical boom-bap. It makes sense, then, that up to now he's released music through the forward-thinking Brooklyn label Fool's Gold.

Still, his ambitions are more widespread, and an airwave takeover seems imminent. This past February, Donnis signed a major-label deal with Atlantic. The coronation continued when he was named one of XXL magazine's annual Top 10 Freshmen, a who's-who of the next big names in the rap game.

Donnis. 11 p.m. Wednesday, June 30 LIV, 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Sge 21 and up; 305-674-4680; livnighctlub.com

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