One look at Donni Rai and immediately, you know a star is in your midst. She effortlessly demands attention when she enters a room with her beautiful smile, sexy curves and a personality that celebrates her independence while embracing her womanhood. The surprise is Donni Rai has the look of a sultry r&b songstress, but what comes out of her mouth is a raspy voice spitting lyrics that are edgy, confident and at times shocking.This East St. Ill. native has always known, her drive and determination to pursue a career in entertainment would one day take her outside of her small mid-west town. It didnt take long for Donni to pack her bags and move to Los Angeles with little money and no family or friends to greet her.Moving to LA was a struggle, but I took chances, used all the games people played broken promises and lies as lyrics for my songs, thats why people identify with me, said Donni Rai.Donnis in-your-face attitude caught the attention of Oaklands own rap icon Too Short, who saw something special in Donni Rai, and encouraged her to start writing. She released her first cd in 2002, Makin em Pay, on her independent label, Eshalon Ent. This personal triumph introduced people to her skills as a writer, rapper and producer.My first offering Makin em Pay, was a learning tool, it allowed me to gain insight into the various aspects of packaging, and marketing a record, which prepared me to work on my current project The Seduction, with a clear vision and the skills to make it happen, Donni explained.The rapid-fire delivery of Donni Rais vocals is undeniable, she possesses a style and sound that is distinctly hers. Donni wraps her racy lyrics around big bass sounds and hard hitting beats, with subjects that exemplify pay back time to the often-celebrated male rappers, many of whom disrespect women. The unmistakable message in Donni Rais music is, the hunter has become the hunted, and the pimp is now the pimped. Listening to Donni Rai takes you to the very heart of her persona, an E. Saint native on a mission.Donni Rai comes at you from all directions. Like a religious experience, you are never the same again.
