Donnie Klang
Encyclopedia
Donald Joseph Klang, better known as Donnie Klang, is an American singer, songwriter, producer and model. He won Making the Band 4 and was awarded his own solo contract by Diddy
. He released his debut album, Just a Rolling Stone
in late 2008.
, New York
. He began modeling as a baby and doing television and film work from a young age, getting minor roles on NYPD Blue
to The Nanny
. He was in jazz band and band in middle school, later attending chorus in high school. He was part of pop groups in St. Dominic High School
and Island Trees High School
, namely Playa Deception and INT. The latter which released an independent record called Hip-Pop. He attended Hofstra University
briefly on a scholarship studying music management and business and minoring in music. Klang decided to take a semester off of college to pursue a music career with his group.
Klang had been in INT for nine years before it broke up because their parents wanted them to go back to school as the band was going nowhere. He auditioned for American Idol
twice but never got past the first round. These events led to him being apprehensive of pursuing music further. Not long after returning to Hofstra and working at a warehouse, the chance came for Making the Band 4 and he again took time off from college in 2007. A friend had entered his MySpace
account into an audition which he later attended at the encouragement of his family and friends. He was awarded his own solo contract by Diddy instead of a spot in the group. Klang released his debut album, Just a Rolling Stone, in late 2008 which peaked at number nineteen on the Billboard 200
. He later opened for Janet Jackson
in the fall.
Klang split with Bad Boy Records
in mid-2010, signing with independent label Eight72 Entertainment. He began working on his second album at the same time.
On December 6, 2010, Klang released his first single after spliting with Bad Boy, titled "X-MISS". On May 31, 2011, a second single was released on iTunes titled "Fallin For You".
, Dru Hill
, *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys
, Usher
, The Fray
, One Republic, Justin Timberlake
, Brian McKnight
, Michael Jackson
and James Brown
as musical influences. He co-wrote most of Just a Rolling Stone.
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
. He released his debut album, Just a Rolling Stone
Just a Rolling Stone
-Chart performance:The album peaked at number 19 on the Billboard 200 and dropped off after three weeks. It fared better on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, where it debuted at number five and stayed on the chart for seven weeks.- Production:...
in late 2008.
Life and career
Klang was born in BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He began modeling as a baby and doing television and film work from a young age, getting minor roles on NYPD Blue
NYPD Blue
NYPD Blue is an American television police drama set in New York City, exploring the internal and external struggles of the fictional 15th precinct of Manhattan...
to The Nanny
The Nanny
Nanny may refer to:* Nanny, a child's caregiver* A grandmother * A Cajun word for godmother * A female goat* Nanny , a 1981–83 British drama series starring Wendy Craig* Nanny of the Maroons...
. He was in jazz band and band in middle school, later attending chorus in high school. He was part of pop groups in St. Dominic High School
St. Dominic High School (Oyster Bay, New York)
St. Dominic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Oyster Bay, New York. It is located within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre.-Background:St. Dominic was established in 1928...
and Island Trees High School
Island Trees High School
The Island Trees High School is a coeducational 9-12 high school located at 59 Straight Lane, Levittown, New York, 11756 on Long Island. It is a part of the Island Trees Union Free School District, 31.0 miles east of Manhattan. The school offers various clubs, electives, and AP courses.The Island...
, namely Playa Deception and INT. The latter which released an independent record called Hip-Pop. He attended Hofstra University
Hofstra University
Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car...
briefly on a scholarship studying music management and business and minoring in music. Klang decided to take a semester off of college to pursue a music career with his group.
Klang had been in INT for nine years before it broke up because their parents wanted them to go back to school as the band was going nowhere. He auditioned for American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
twice but never got past the first round. These events led to him being apprehensive of pursuing music further. Not long after returning to Hofstra and working at a warehouse, the chance came for Making the Band 4 and he again took time off from college in 2007. A friend had entered his MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
account into an audition which he later attended at the encouragement of his family and friends. He was awarded his own solo contract by Diddy instead of a spot in the group. Klang released his debut album, Just a Rolling Stone, in late 2008 which peaked at number nineteen on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
. He later opened for Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
in the fall.
Klang split with Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records is a record label founded in 1993 by producer/rapper/entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records.-Beginnings:...
in mid-2010, signing with independent label Eight72 Entertainment. He began working on his second album at the same time.
On December 6, 2010, Klang released his first single after spliting with Bad Boy, titled "X-MISS". On May 31, 2011, a second single was released on iTunes titled "Fallin For You".
Artistry
Klang has listed Boyz II MenBoyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
, Dru Hill
Dru Hill
Dru Hill is an American singing group, most popular during the late 1990s, whose repertoire included R&B, soul, and gospel music. Founded in Baltimore, Maryland, and active since 1992, Dru Hill recorded seven Top 40 hits, and is best known for the R&B #1 hits "In My Bed", "Never Make a Promise", ...
, *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys
Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993. The band originally consisted of A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson. They rose to fame with their debut international album, Backstreet Boys...
, Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
, The Fray
The Fray
-Literature:*Fray, a phenomenon in Terry Pratchett's The Carpet People*Fray , a comic book series by Joss Whedon**Melaka Fray, titular character of the comic book series-Music:*"Fray", a song from the album 14 Shades of Grey by Staind...
, One Republic, Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
, Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
, Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
and James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
as musical influences. He co-wrote most of Just a Rolling Stone.
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
||
| 2008 | Just a Rolling Stone Just a Rolling Stone -Chart performance:The album peaked at number 19 on the Billboard 200 and dropped off after three weeks. It fared better on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, where it debuted at number five and stayed on the chart for seven weeks.- Production:...
|
19 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "Take You There" (featuring Diddy Sean Combs Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally... ) |
Just a Rolling Stone |
Music videos
| Year | Song | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "Take You There" | Ray Kay Ray Kay Ray Kay is a Norwegian director and photographer, based in Los Angeles.He is one of the most sought-after music video & commercial directors in the world now, and has directed the most watched video on YouTube, Justin Bieber's "Baby" . All in all, his videos have been viewed more than 1 billion... |
| 2009 | "Prisoner Of Love" | Littles |