There is a fresh young voice in urban Christian music. Incredible, powerful and anointed, this voice belongs to The Starmakers' newest recording artist, Danni! At only 18 years old, Danni is bursting onto the music scene with her debut release, Storytellin'. Danni says: "This album is for my people, my generation. This is what we go through, and this is how we do it."
Danni teams up with the platinum production team, Starmakers Productions (R.E.A.L., Raheem Devaughn, Ginuwine) to deliver 12 powerfully handcrafted songs. Big Bob, who along with Capt'n Curt, Chris "Symfonikz" Lewis and Jerry "Juke" Vines (of 1228 Management) makes up the Starmakers team explains, "When we were putting this project together, we wanted to find a young lady that could really get this MESSAGE across. As soon as I saw and heard Danni, I knew that God had placed the person we needed right in front of us. She has the talent to do it all: Gospel, Pop, Rock, Hip-Hop and R&B."
Danni recalls, "I feel like I was put on this earth to sing, and it was confirmed when this opportunity came and found me. I was scared to...life!" she laughs. When she was christened, it was prophesied that her voice would touch many lives. However, she never viewed that as pressure. Instead, she quotes her favorite scripture:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not to your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in everything you do, and He will direct your path.
-- Proverbs 3:5-6
Born in Capitol Heights, Maryland, she grew up in a musical family. A woman of many facets, Danni is also trained in ballet, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and is now majoring in Music at Bowie State University. "Yes, I am a black belt, so y'all better not mess with me," she jokingly warns. "Seriously though...I've been blessed to be involved in a lot of different things, so I've been through a lot. I've always felt that God gave me the strength to overcome so that I could encourage somebody else one day. So...here I am!"
Encouraging is the perfect word to describe this collection of classic stories set to music. With their infectious hooks and relevant messages, "Higher" and "For You" highlight this upbeat set along with "Young World," a fresh take on the Slick Rick classic and a new anthem for today's generation. "Desperation" and "Addiction," taken from true life stories, pave the way for powerful worship ballads and songs dealing with many of the issues that young people all over the world deal with.
"I want my album to touch all that hear it," Danni says. "I pray that it encourages my generation and lets them know that they can overcome and accomplish anything. And when you do overcome, tell your story! It may help somebody else. Embrace your uniqueness; God made you that way."
You can catch glimpses of some of Danni's influences (Brandy, Kim Burrell, Yolanda Adams and Beyonce, just to name a few) in her music. Yet, she more than solidifies her own spot in the music world, and strives to follow closely behind those who paved the way for her. "I just want to be pleasing to God. Wherever He places me, that's where I'll be!"
Introducing to the world...DANNI!
