Donae’o, also known as Ian Greenidge, is a UK singer, songwriter and rapper from north west London. His work spans grime, UK funky, UK garage, hip-hop, funky house, afro house, afroswing, amapiano, bassline, club and dance music.

Background

He grows up in a musical home, with his mother singing in the house and performing outside it. As a child, he regularly accompanies her to performances and says that this is where he feels most at home.

Early career

He does not follow the route of school performances or talent shows. Instead, by his mid-teens he already attracts management and releases a single called Falling. During his teenage years he releases and re-releases several singles, including Falling and Bounce, under different management arrangements.

Bounce wins Best Live P.A. at the People’s Choice Awards in 2003. These early records establish the foundation for his later career.

Independent breakthrough

In his late teens and early twenties, he releases more underground singles, then steps back from the spotlight while planning the next stage of his career. He chooses to manage himself and promotes his music directly to artists, radio DJs, club DJs and pirates, collecting contact details and distributing music and information himself.

During this period he writes Devil In A Blue Dress, which he believes can change his career. He begins promoting it independently and releases it on white label before it later reaches record shops. The track becomes widely played on the street and brings him greater demand for live P.A. performances.

Live work and recognition

As his profile grows, he performs live P.A.s across the UK and in Ayia Napa. He also appears at Glastonbury in 2008. He works with the profile and brand-building company My-ish Inc, which helps shape the project for movement from underground to mainstream audiences.

Style

He describes himself as an energetic performer whose music connects with different kinds of listeners. He says he has sung and MCed for a long time, but feels he finds himself musically when house music is introduced to him.