Instrument: Vocals, Sax

In the early years while attending Duke Ellington School of Arts, Donnell performed at the Kennedy Center with Lena Horne, the Lisner Auditorium with Dizzy Gillespie and was a member of the National Honors Band conducted by the famed William Ravelli.

Donnell has a distinctive melodic style of rapping is the pioneer of the second mic on the go-go stage, first making his mark with Rare Essence in 1983, While with Rare Essence, Donnell performed on records with legendary rappers Doug E. Fresh and Redman. He also performed live on stage with George Clinton, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Scarface and Chuck D just to name a few.

Donnell produced as well as acted as lead vocal on over 90% of Rare Essence records from 1990 to 2000. A few of his favorites include GoGo classics “Lock It” and “Work the Walls”. In 2001, Donnell set out to start a new group that is now known as Familiar Faces. and then moving forward to his own venture, 911 Entertainment.

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Induction Year: 2008