Donna Makeda

DONNA MAKEDA
International Culture Reggae Queen
Donna Makeda is definitely a musical force to be reckoned with. She recently signed on with Street Digital Label and is working constantly in the studio to release her first album with Street Digital but her third album to date. The first single released with Street Digital entitled "Almighty Bless Me" is tearing up the airwaves everywhere and also entered the Rebel Vibez Top 10 Reggae chart in Toronto, Canada. Donna recently received two Awards at the Community Appreciation Awards held in April 2011. She received the Top Single Award for her song Almighty Bless Me and the Top Reggae Magazine Award for her magazine ReggaeXclusive Entertainment News making it her 19th Award to date. Street Digital also received the Top Producer Award for the song Almighty Bless Me that same night. Donna recorded a single entitled "Gwhenazi", this was a collaboration done with Dancehall DJ Chatta in early 2010 for CG Records on the Mad Kick Riddim. Other artists on the soon to be released CD include Beenie Man, Lady Saw, Macka Diamond, TOK, Rich Kid and Ghost to name a few. After the release of the song Gwehnazi, Donna was asked by the CEO of CG Records (based in Jamaica) to record another song on the same Mad Kick Riddim. So Donna went into the studio again and along with her producer Keron Williams, came up with another hit song entitled "Things Ain't Always What It Seems", which was an instant hit with the members of CG Records. The Mad Kick Riddim Driven Album is soon to be released on the CG Record Label.
Donna toured Guyana in May - June of 2009 and whilst there, received an award for "Top Culture Reggae DJ (Female)". She was well received by thousands of fans hailing from all parts of the country and did five shows whilst there. She was in high demand by media and did interviews for the Guyana Chronicle Newspapers, the Stabroek News, GBC Radio and Sharma TV in Guyana.
Donna Makeda's single entitled "Don't you break my Heart" released in 2010 was done on the Old Fashion Love rhythm and produced by Cancer Music and Ras Vibes Records, this single received high rotation on community radio. Donna released yet another single in 2010 entitled "Need Some Money" which was also on high rotation on some community radio programs and was also charted on Galaxie Top 10 Canadian Reggae Spins. This rhythm was courtesy of African Star out of Jamaica and the single was produced by Prince Everald of Selassie I Muzik. Donna recently remixed Need Some Money with upcoming Toronto rappers L-Profit and Pyro and is set to release this remix to the radio stations soon.
In 2007, Donna Makeda released a single entitled "Hold On" which was mixed in Kingston Jamaica by the legendary Dr. Marshall of Anchor Studio, rhythm courtesy of Roger B. Donna performed at the Calgary International Reggae Festival – August 2004, and created quite am impact on the 6000-strong audience with her dynamic and impressive stage show. With her very talented back up dancers 'The Caribbean Dance Theatre', she created quite a stir and together they had the audience mesmerized with their stage act. Her performance was referred to as "a storybook' and "dreamlike" by the viewers, who said that it was the most memorable performance they had seen from a Canadian Reggae Artist.
Donna also received the very prestigious Consul General's Award (Musical Ambassador) at the Guyana Awards held late May 2004 in appreciation for her steadfast commitment and service to the Guyanese community; she also walked away with the Female Dancehall DJ of The Year Award at the 20th and final Canadian Reggae Music Awards held in Toronto.
Donna's other awards include: "Top Reggae Newcomer" in 1993, "Top Reggae Dancehall DJ (female) in 1995, 1996 and 1999 and 2003 and "Top Reggae Music Video (for her video "Jah Great Woman") in 1995 from the Canadian Reggae Music Awards, "Artistic Award of Excellence" from the Inter-City Multicultural School of Excellence Reading Club in 2001, "Top Culture Reggae DJ (Female) Award in 2008 and 2009 from the Guyanese Canadian Artistic Music Awards and Top Dancehall DJ 2009 & 2010 from the Bashment Appreciation Awards
Donna released her second album entitled "Jah Ah De Rulah" IN 2006. This 12-track CD includes songs like "Come Into My Life" featuring Prince Everald, "Make Love, Not War" featuring Roger B, "In My House" featuring Negus Morris of the Heptones, the ever popular "Folk Song Medley" and 'Sweet Victory' (groundation dub). Performing on stage alongside many top artists including Beenie Man, TOK, Luciano, Warrior King, Capleton, Cocoa Tea, Marcia Griffiths, Sister Carol, Culture, Beres Hammond, Buju Banton, Michael Rose, Lady Saw, Macka Diamond, Cutty Ranks, Yami Bolo, Anthony B, George Nooks and Louie Culture to name a few, Donna has certainly made a name for herself. She has worked on shows such as Jamaica Day, Marcus Garvey Day, The Canadian Reggae Music Awards, The Toronto Street Festival, Irie Music Festival, Afrikadey in Calgary, To Africa With Love in Barbados,Toronto Street Festival, Beaches Jazz Festival and Caribana on Olympic Island to name a few. Donna has performed extensively across Canada and also internationally in Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and some parts of the USA.
Donna's single "Sweet Victory", released in the Summer of 1997, was #1 on the reggae radio charts in Miami for eight weeks while another single entitled "South Africa" followed closely at the #2 spot. These songs were included on Donna's first album "Who Can Endure" released in1998. This album also included the songs "Life Story" featuring Toronto rapper Serenity (this song was later licensed by Amiata Records in Italy for their reggae Compilation CD featuring the likes of Rita Marley, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers and Peter Tosh to name a few) and "Jah Great Woman" which is still hailed as an anthem for strong women worldwide. "Jah Great Woman" music video, which was done with the help of Videofact, was on high rotation on Master T'S Extendamix and Clip Trip on Much Music and played in countries like Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados and New York on selected TV programs.
Donna was involved in many stage plays where she performed as an actress, dancer and singer. She also starred in a Documentary film called "Roots Daughters" alongside Judy Mowatt and that film is constantly being aired on television throughout the world. She also released two other music videos "Who Can Endure" and "Make Love Not War".
Since 1993, this multi-talented, multi-award winning and indefatigable artist has released two full length CD's entitled "Who Can Endure" and "Jah Ah De Rulah", two cassette-albums (Who Can Endure & Sweet Victory), two vinyl-singles (Sweet Victory & Jah Ah De Rulah & Wonder Weed), one vinyl-album (for Who Can Endure), two compilation CDs with Canadian Music Week and numerous CD singles (Just Hurry, Money Crazy, Make Love Not War, Family Medley – Part 1, Hold On, Need Some Money, Don't You Break My Heart and Almighty Bless Me to name a few). Donna has appeared live numerous times on City TV's Breakfast Television, Entertainment News, Clip Trip, The Scene, Lunch Television, Rogers Cable 10, Soul In The City and Da Mix (Canada). This Guyanese born dreadlocked singjay is also a graduate of Trebas Institute where she received her diploma in Recorded Music Production and Multimedia and is also the the CEO/Publisher of her own quarterly reggae magazine called "REGGAEXCLUSIVE Entertainment News" which recently won two awards for "Top Reggae Magazine".
Donna's foundation in music came from the church, which she attended when she was a little girl. She loved to dance and was sent to Ballet School at an early age by her parents; she was trained in various dance forms like Afro-Caribbean Dance, Modern Dance, Folk Dance, Kathak and Classical Ballet. At an early age, she opened her own dance & aerobics school called "Burning Flame International" Dance Troupe. She also loved music and sang and performed for her parents and anyone who would care to listen. She practiced her songs on the sound systems and did a lot of freestyle deejaying at that time. Donna also love to write and penned her own songs and kept them in a file just in case they came in handy one day. By the time Donna migrated to Canada, she had already been performing extensively throughout Guyana with her dance troupe and singing on various shows and music competitions throughout her home country, Guyana. Donna did her first international stage show in Toronto, Canada in April 1990 and captivated her audience to the point where Denise Jones of Jones & Jones Productions decided to manage Donna's musical career. From there on in, it was just upward movements for Donna. Although that contract dissolved within one year, Donna kept on promoting herself and releasing her music.
Without a doubt, her voice is her wealth; her intellect a cultural strength, and her stage presence is an expression of royal heritage. For more information or to book this artist email Carrie Mullings at: rebelvibez@live.com. Contact Donna at: donnamakeda@hotmail.com. Check out Donna on Youtube; Facebook.com/DonnaMakeda; myspace.com/donnamakeda; reverbnation.com/donnamakeda
twitter.com/donnamakeda. You can also visit canadianreggaeworld.com to read or see more of this artist.