Originating from Corona Queens NY, Damon, Artist/C.E.O of Donned Out Entertainment, was introduced to Hip Hop music at an early age by his cousin, DJ Hurricane. Hurricane was the DJ for the Afros, Run DMC, and The Beastie Boys. Damon was introduced to Kwame personally and lived right around the corner from Play (from Kid & Play). Other local artists who gave him personal advice from the neighborhood were rap legends Kool G Rap and Rakim.
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It wasn't until Damon met Von Murray, the originator of the School of Hard Knocks that he decided to start his own record label. Von's success inspired Damon to take his music to the next level. In 1989 Damon decided to start his own label and called it Donned Out Entertainment aka D.O.E. Damon wrote his own music and worked with local producers. He was a mentor to his younger brother Shawn Shanks. Damon decided to add him to D.O.E as an artist and an A&R for the label. He recorded on his own for several years with his younger brother by his side.
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In late 1997 Damon moved to Jamaica Queens where he continued to record his music and learn from the well known artists in the neighborhood such as Freaky Tah (RIP!), Mr. Cheeks, and Onyx. In 1998 he discovered a very talented local artist from the streets of Jamaica named Warbuckz and quickly signed him to D.O.E. Not long after recording tracks with Shawn Shanks and Warbuckz, Damon was introduced to another talented local artist from Jamaica named GStackz. Damon also signed him to D.O.E.
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In early 2000, Damon did a colabo with Big Daddy Kane's cousin Vincent (aka Vinnie) called "Sick With It". They rapped over the "I Dream Of Genie" music from the 1960's TV show. Speaking of TV, Damon was on the first episode of MTV's "The Shop" with Tony Yayo. He knows the owner and employees at The Shop and still goes there to get his hair cut.
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Damon recently added a street team to his label to help promote his music and now has been able to spend more time in the studio recording with his artists and a few well known local producers. The producers working with D.O.E have also created tracks for big named artists and rappers such as Destiny's Child, Ja Rule, 50 Cent and several others.
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D.O.E has performed at many local events such as the Ruff Ryders Bike Week BBQs in Queens, open mic events, freestyle battles, and unsigned artist showcases. Their energetic stage performances along with bangin' beats and ill lyrics is a guaranteed crowd pleaser at every performance!!! Damon has put in many years of dedication & hard work starting D.O.E and promoting their music on the streets of Queens to get the buzz they need.
Now it's time for them to be known WORLD WIDE!!..
