Donald Goines
Encyclopedia
Donald Goines (December 15, 1936 – October 21, 1974) was an African American
writer of urban fiction
. His novels were deeply influenced by the work of Iceberg Slim
.
on December 15, 1936, to a middle-class black family. He was addicted to heroin at various points in his life. Goines accomplished an amazing feat by writing 16 books in five years. He began his writing career while serving time at Michigan's Jackson Penitentiary, where he was influenced by the work of Iceberg Slim
. In his vivid depictions of ghetto and prison life, Goines employed both standard English and dialectal forms to great effect.
Some of Goines's novels have become films, such as Never Die Alone
, which starred DMX
, and Crime Partners, which starred Ice-T
, Snoop Dogg
, and Ja Rule
. A minor independent movie made of his life was released in 2003
. Goines's better known works include Black Gangster, the semi-autobiographical Whoreson, Dopefiend, Street Players, Eldorado Red, Daddy Cool (which was made into a graphic novel) and White Man's Justice, Black Man's Grief. Inner City Hoodlum, which Goines had finished before his death, was published posthumously in 1975. The story, set in Los Angeles
, was about "smack", money and murder.
:
Grand Puba
Common:
East Flatbush Project
RZA
AZ
:
2Pac:
E-40
:
Nas:
Cappadonna
Ghostface Killah
:
Memphis Bleek
:
Ludacris
:
Andre Nickatina
Jadakiss
:
MF Grimm:
Vado
Canibus
Also, there is a rapper with the moniker Donny Goines, which was derived from Donald Goines. One of the members from rap group Pitch Black goes by the name of D.G. which was inspired by Donald Goines. D.G. also mentioned Donald Goines in the song "R U Ready 4 This (feat. Busta Rhymes)" from Pitch Black's album "Pitch Black Law".
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
writer of urban fiction
Urban fiction
Urban fiction, also known as Street lit, is a literary genre set, as the name implies, in a city landscape; however, the genre is as much defined by the race and culture of its characters as the urban setting. The tone for urban fiction is usually dark, focusing on the underside...
. His novels were deeply influenced by the work of Iceberg Slim
Iceberg Slim
Iceberg Slim aka Robert Beck was a reformed pimp and American author of urban fiction.-Early life:Born Robert Lee Maupin, in Chicago on August 4, 1918, he spent his childhood in Milwaukee and Rockford, Illinois until he returned to Chicago...
.
Life
He was born in Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
on December 15, 1936, to a middle-class black family. He was addicted to heroin at various points in his life. Goines accomplished an amazing feat by writing 16 books in five years. He began his writing career while serving time at Michigan's Jackson Penitentiary, where he was influenced by the work of Iceberg Slim
Iceberg Slim
Iceberg Slim aka Robert Beck was a reformed pimp and American author of urban fiction.-Early life:Born Robert Lee Maupin, in Chicago on August 4, 1918, he spent his childhood in Milwaukee and Rockford, Illinois until he returned to Chicago...
. In his vivid depictions of ghetto and prison life, Goines employed both standard English and dialectal forms to great effect.
Some of Goines's novels have become films, such as Never Die Alone
Never Die Alone
Never Die Alone is a 2004 crime thriller film directed by Ernest R. Dickerson. It is an adaptation of the novel of the same name, written by Donald Goines.-Plot:...
, which starred DMX
DMX (rapper)
Earl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's...
, and Crime Partners, which starred Ice-T
ICE-T
* Ice-T, an American rapper and actor* ICE T , a tilting model of the German InterCityExpress series of high-speed trains...
, Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
, and Ja Rule
Ja Rule
Jeffrey Atkins , better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper, singer, and actor.Born in Hollis, Queens, he began his career in the group Cash Money Click and debuted in 1999 with Venni Vetti Vecci and its single "Holla Holla"...
. A minor independent movie made of his life was released in 2003
2003 in film
The year 2003 in film involved some significant events. Releases of sequels took place with movies like The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, Pokémon Heroes, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,...
. Goines's better known works include Black Gangster, the semi-autobiographical Whoreson, Dopefiend, Street Players, Eldorado Red, Daddy Cool (which was made into a graphic novel) and White Man's Justice, Black Man's Grief. Inner City Hoodlum, which Goines had finished before his death, was published posthumously in 1975. The story, set in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, was about "smack", money and murder.
Death
Goines and his common-law wife were shot to death in Detroit on the night of October 21, 1974. According to some sources, Goines was gunned down over a failed drug deal. But it is popularly believed that he was murdered by neighborhood criminals who objected to characters and storylines that they thought were based on themselves and thus clues to their identities and crimes. The identity of the killer or killers remains unknown.Novels
- Dopefiend (1971)
- Whoreson (1972)
- Black Gangster (1972)
- Street Players (1973)
- White Man's Justice, Black Man's Grief (1973)
- Black Girl Lost (1974)
- Eldorado Red (1974)
- Swamp Man (1974)
- Never Die Alone (1974)
- Crime Partners (1974) [as Al C. Clark]
- Death List (1974) [as Al C. Clark]
- Cry Revenge (1974) [as Al C. Clark]
- Kenyatta's Escape (1974) [as Al C. Clark]
- Daddy Cool (1974)
- Kenyatta's Last Hit (1975) [as Al C. Clark]
- Inner City Hoodlum (1975)
Influence
Reference is made to Donald Goines by the following rappersRapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
:
Grand Puba
Grand Puba
Maxwell Dixon is an emcee best known as a member of the group Brand Nubian.-Biography:He made his debut with the group Masters of Ceremony. Its album Dynamite was hailed by critics, but probably due to lack of sales, the group soon disbanded, and Puba emerged as the lead emcee of Brand Nubian...
- The skills go back to the days of flippin' coins
- Pass time readin' books by my man Donald Goines
- -from 'Who Can Get Busy Like This Man...' One for All [1990]
Common:
- I'm the act to follow, housing kids like Ronald
- Mac like Donald Goines, flows I change like coins
- -from 'Orange Pineapple Juice' "ResurrectionResurrectionResurrection refers to the literal coming back to life of the biologically dead. It is used both with respect to particular individuals or the belief in a General Resurrection of the dead at the end of the world. The General Resurrection is featured prominently in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim...
" [1994]
East Flatbush Project
East Flatbush Project
East Flatbush Project is the alias of Brooklyn producer Spencer Bellamy aka Spencer 4 Hire. He has released six singles to date, the most famous of which is Tried By 12. Each single was released on his record label, 10/30 Uproar Records. The East Flatbush Project has released an EP in July 2008...
- Write like Donald Goines from Flatbush to (sic) Saint Des Moines
- -from "Can't Hold It Back" [1994]
RZA
RZA
Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, better known by his stage name RZA , is an American Grammy-winning music producer, multi-instrumentalist, author, emcee, and occasional actor, director, and screenwriter. A prominent figure in Hip Hop, RZA is the de facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. He has produced almost...
- feeling like a Dopefiend character from Donald Goines.
- -from 'Trippin' GravediggazGravediggazGravediggaz is an American hip hop group from New York City, well known for its dark sense of humor and abrasive, menacing soundscapes. The group was formed in 1994 and was effectively a supergroup, bringing together Prince Paul , Frukwan , Too Poetic and RZA...
- 6 feet Deep6 Feet Deep6 Feet Deep is the debut album of the horrorcore supergroup Gravediggaz. It was released August 9, 1994, by Gee Street Records. The album was re-issued in 1997.- Album information :...
[1994]
AZ
AZ (rapper)
Anthony Cruz , better known as AZ is a Grammy-nominated American rapper of Dominican & African American descent. He is known for being a long time and frequent rhyme partner of Nas, and also a member of hip-hop group The Firm alongside Nas, Foxy Brown, Cormega and Nature.In a countdown of the 10...
:
- Too hard to follow, you took a bite but couldn't swallow.
- Your mind's boggled, but I'm as deep as Donald Goines novels
- –from 'Rather Unique' Doe or Die [1995]
2Pac:
- Criminal ties for centuries, a legend in my own rhymes,
- So niggaz whisper when they mention,
- Machiavelli was my tutor, Donald Goines my father figure,
- Moms sent me to go play with the drug dealers.
- -from 'Tradin' War Stories' All Eyez On MeAll Eyez on MeAll Eyez on Me is the fourth studio album by American rapper 2Pac, released February 13, 1996 on Death Row Records and Interscope Records....
[1996]
E-40
E-40
Earl Stevens , better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and investor from Vallejo, California. He is also part of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. His solo debut album, Federal, was released in November 1992, after The Click's debut...
:
- Spend about a half a hundred thousand
- boost up my coins
- proceed to spit mo supafly
- than Donald Goines
- from 'Record Haters', Tha Hall of GameTha Hall of GameTha Hall of Game is the third studio album by American rapper E-40, released October 29, 1996 on Jive and Sick Wid It Records. The album features production by Ant Banks, Mike Mosley, Rick Rock, Studio Ton and Tone Capone. It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number...
[1996]
Nas:
- With so much drama in QBC,
- Kinda hard being EscobaroPablo EscobarPablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria was a Colombian drug lord. He was an elusive cocaine trafficker and rich and successful criminal. He owned numerous luxury residences, automobiles, and even airplanes...
, - Eldorado Red, sippin DomDom Pérignon (wine)Dom Pérignon is a brand of vintage Champagne produced by the Champagne house Moët & Chandon and serves as that house's prestige champagne. It is named after Dom Pérignon, a Benedictine monk who was an important quality pioneer for Champagne wine but who, contrary to popular myths, did not discover...
out the bottle, - my life is like a Donald Goines novel.
- –from 'Escobar '97 Men in Black Soundtrack [1997]
Cappadonna
Cappadonna
Darryl Hill best known by his stage name Cappadonna, is an American rapper and oftentimes member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He is also a member of rap duo Wu South, along with Ratchet Rush.-Biography:...
- Read it like a novel, DonnaCappa Goines,
- Strivin' my duns need dollars and coins.
- -from 'Slang Editorial' The PillageThe PillageThe Pillage is the debut album of close affiliate and quasi-member of the Wu-Tang Clan, Cappadonna. It was released on March 24, 1998 by Razor Sharp/Epic Street on Compact disc, vinyl and tape cassette.-Track listing:-See also:...
[1997]
Ghostface Killah
Ghostface Killah
Dennis Coles , better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper and prominent member of the Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of Enter the Wu-Tang , the members went on to pursue solo careers to varying levels of success...
:
- Lines from DolemiteDolemiteDolemite is a 1975 blaxploitation feature film, and is also the name of its principal character, played by Rudy Ray Moore, who co-wrote the film and its soundtrack...
, - A few tips from Goines,
- Birthday,
- Gave her 2 fifty-cent coins.
- -from 'Child's Play' "Supreme ClienteleSupreme ClienteleSupreme Clientele is the second studio album of American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released January 25, 2000 on Epic Records. The album was recorded at several studios in New York and Florida, with the sessions taking place in 1999...
" [1998]
Memphis Bleek
Memphis Bleek
Malik Thuston Patrick Cox , better known by his rap persona of Memphis Bleek or "Bleek", is a New York rapper mainly known for his tenure with Roc-a-Fella Records and CEO of his own label Get Low Records...
:
- That credit you dead it, I know heads gettin' annoyed,
- And knew all about a dope fiend before reading Donald Goines
- -from 'Can I Live II' Reasonable DoubtReasonable DoubtReasonable Doubt is the debut album of American rapper Jay-Z, released June 25, 1996 on Roc-A-Fella Records in the United States and on Northwestside Records in the United Kingdom. The album features production by DJ Premier, Ski, Knobody and Clark Kent, and guest appearances from Memphis Bleek,...
(Jay-ZJay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
) [1999]
Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
:
- So I picked up a couple books by Donald Goines,
- About the business of this shit, how to flip a few coins.
- -from 'Eyebrows Down' Chicken & Beer [2003]
Andre Nickatina
Andre Nickatina
Andre L. Adams , better known by his stage name Andre Nickatina, is an American rapper from San Francisco, California. He previously performed under the stage name Dre Dog.-Musical career:...
- You Know The Way I keep It Flowin'
- is Like The Life Of Donald Goines,
- My Homies Like That Pimpin, Hoeing
- Cop It, Drop It, Cop It, Blowin
- -from "CottonCandyLand" "Horns And Halos 2"[2005]
Jadakiss
Jadakiss
Jason Phillips , better known as Jadakiss, is an American rapper. He is a member of the group The LOX. Jadakiss is one of the three owners of the imprint known as D-Block. In early 2007, Jadakiss signed to Roc-a-Fella Records / Def Jam Records.-Early life:By the age of 16, Jadakiss was a freestyle...
:
- The revolver or matty’s cool,
- Knife game like Daddy Cool, since Bally shoes.
- -from 'Mighty D-Block' "Walk Witt Me" (Sheek LouchSheek LouchSean Divine Jacobs, better known as Sheek Louch , is an African American rapper and member of The LOX , along with Styles P and Jadakiss.-Personal life and career:...
) [2005]
MF Grimm:
- If Donald Goines wrote my life my name would be Kenyatta
- I don't choose to kill a brother but to stay alive right now I gotta
- -from 'Take Em To War' "Scars and MemoriesScars and MemoriesScars & Memories is the fourth full-length album by Manhattan, New York rapper MF Grimm, released in 2005 via his own Day by Day Entertainment label. While most of the tracks were written during the early 1990s, the original song reels were stolen, forcing Grimm to re-record many, if not all of...
" [2005]
Vado
Vado
Teeyon Winfree, or best known as Vado, born on March 13, 1985, is an American rapper from Harlem, New York City. Vado is of Jamaican, St.Vincent and African American descent.-Career:...
- Like Donald Goines you write a hell of a story
- -from 'Fetti' "Boss of All Bosses" [2009]
Canibus
Canibus
Germaine Williams , better known by his stage name Canibus, is a Jamaican-born American rapper. He is a part of supergroup The HRSMN. Canibus rose to fame in the mid-nineties...
- Mountain man axe to your loins
- Self-employed like Donald Goines, cash cows on steroids
- I don't fall for deceptions or decoys
- -from 'Lyrical Noir' Lyrical LawLyrical LawLyrical Law is the eleventh studio album by Canibus released on June 24, 2011 over Itunes. Physical copies were shipped Independently from his website, , starting July 5, 2011. Buyers of the album had a choice of the LP in a sleeve, jewel case, or as an LP Deluxe Package. The Lyrical Law Package...
[2011]
Also, there is a rapper with the moniker Donny Goines, which was derived from Donald Goines. One of the members from rap group Pitch Black goes by the name of D.G. which was inspired by Donald Goines. D.G. also mentioned Donald Goines in the song "R U Ready 4 This (feat. Busta Rhymes)" from Pitch Black's album "Pitch Black Law".