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Talent: Rosters
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Donna Blakely
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Donna
Blakely was born and raised in Gary, Indiana, which has been the start to
many other music luminaries, including the Jackson Family. Like many other
great singers her roots are in the church choir, where she started singing
at the age of 7. Gospel music is a passion that continues for her to the
present day. In high school, Donna won 32 Bold medals in vocal competitions.
After High School, she went on to Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana,
where she majored in Vocal Music.
In 1987, she started singing in the world-renowned Rev. Milton Brunson’s
Thompson Community Choir, which amongst their many achievements include a
1995 Grammy Award for best gospel recording. Ms. Blakely has appeared around
the world with the choir, including dates in London, Italy and the Bahamas.
In the early 90's, Ms. Blakely appeared in the television program "Show
Time" at the Apollo, then hosted by Sinbad. She went on to go undefeated 3
weeks in a row. There, she met Patti LaBelle, who pulled her aside after a
performance, and said “Girl, You Are Blessed”. Anyone who has heard Donna
sing will agree. Her vocals are powerful, unforced and spiritual,
reminiscent of Divas like Jennifer Holliday, and Patti LaBelle herself
In the mid 90's, while Donna was recording her first single with DJ/Producer
Bad Boy Bill "Can’t Nobody Do Me", she met Chicago DJ/Producer Ralphy
Rosario. The meeting proved a perfect marriage of great vocalist with the
legendary DJ, who was then starting to write and produce tracks on his own.
Their first collaboration was the single, "Got A New Love Thing". The song
fared well on the dance charts, but it was just a sample of what was to
come. In the summer of 1998, their second collaboration struck gold. The
single, "'Take Me Up" became an anthem that summer on dance floors around
the world. 'The magic of Ralphi's powerful beats coupled with Donna’s
amazing raise-the-roof vocals proved intoxicating to lovers of dance music.
It received major airplay around the world, and hung on to the #1 spot on
dance and DJ charts worldwide. Armed with the success “Take Me Up” Donna
marched out to do club dates around tile country, where fans continue to he
astounded that she sound as powerful, if not more live. The follow-up to
''Take Me Up", is "Happy" on UC Music, being released domestically in
October 1898. Comparisons to other divas aside, make way. A new Goddess is
taking her seat on the throne of Dance music – Donna Blakely. The best is
yet to come.
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