Donna Makeda is definitely a musical force to be reckoned with. She has been working tirelessly since her first single “Gun Bust”. To date, Donna has racked up 28 reggae music awards. Whilst in Jamaica on a trip in early 2016, she recorded a hot new dancehall single entitled “NO SAH” featuring the artiste Shadrock, which was released worldwide on iTunes, CD Baby and all online music stores in June 2016. NO SAH has already reached the #1 spot in Connecticut, USA on One Love Radio and is currently on the Reggae Music Charts in London, England. The video for NO SAH is scheduled to start production by mid 2017. Late 2015, Donna released the hot single “Shake Dem Off” on the Happy Hour Riddim courtesy of Chimney Records, which went #1 on the Real Muzic’s “Empress Tashai’s New Music Top 10 chart in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA on One Love Radio 106.5fm. The song also entered the Rebel Vibez Top 10 chart on VIBE105FM in Toronto, Canada. The video for “Shake dem Off” is available for viewing on You Tube HERE. Also released in 2016 is “No Sell Out” which was recorded for Indie Rootz Records out of Montreal, Quebec. November 2014, Donna performed at Shan Shy Beach in Portland, Jamaica alongside artists such as Turbulence, Chuck Fenda, General Trees, and Mighty Diamonds, she also shot scenes for her music video ‘Natty Congo’ which was released on Vevo and You Tube early 2015. Natty Congo is available for viewing HERE.
Staying fresh and up to the time, Donna has been doing work with Indie Rootz Records our of Montreal on a few of their compilation CDs, To date, Donna has recorded “Natty Congo” on the Natty Congo Riddim, “Jah is my Guide” on the Confucious Riddim; “Stick Together” on the Ladylike Riddim, and just recently “No Sell Out” on the Royalty Dub Riddim. Also released in 2014 on the Long Shot Label is the CD entitled “Then & Now” making it Donna’s 4th full length CD to date. Donna released a single entitled “No Love” featuring Roger B in 2013. Already on You Tube, the song has been getting rave reviews. 2012 has been a really busy year for Donna, with the highlight being her performance with her Xclusive Dancers in Jamaica for Rastafest, which was staged for the very first time in Jamaica. Donna’s stage act created a lot of excitement amongst the patrons and she was called back to perform even after her act had ended. Donna has also been working with CG Records based in Portmore, Jamaica. . Having worked with CG Records on the Mad Kick Riddim, Donna went on to record another song for CG Records entitled “Badmind” featuring King Ujah on the Controversy Riddim. The “Controversy Riddim Driven” CD was released in 2012 and featured the likes of Rich Kid, Macka Diamond, Kip Rich, Mr. Lexus and a host of other top artists. Previously, in early 2012, Donna’s 3rd album entitled “Almighty Bless Me” was released on ITunes by Street Digital Records, a label which Donna was a part of for about 2 years. The first single released off the album, the title track “Almighty Bless Me” received rave reviews from the general public and radio and entered the Rebel Vibez Top 10 Reggae Chart in Toronto, Canada. Other singles off the Almighty Bless Me album like “Life is not a Game” can be viewed on You Tube HERE and “Have Mercy Fi Dem” HERE. Donna went to Jamaica in December 2010 and did the Mad Kick Riddim Driven Tour with CG Records alongside Beenie Man, Lady Saw, TOK and Macka Diamond among other stars. In 2009, she went on tour to Guyana, South America and did five shows with a slew of other International Guyanese Reggae Recording Artists the likes of Kapa Shanti, Yonnette Hooper, Zebulun De Counseller and Redemption to name a few. Donna was well received by thousands of fans hailing from all parts of the country and was in high demand by the Guyanese Media in general (Guyana Chronicle News, Stabroek News, Sharma TV and GBC radio). She received an Award at the Guyana Artistic Music Awards held December 2008 for “Top Culture Reggae Queen (Music Ambassador for Guyana)”.
Other singles released are “Don’t you break my Heart” done on the Old Fashion Love Riddim courtesy of Cancer Music and Ras Vibes Records, “Need Some Money” produced by Prince Everald with rhythm courtesy of African Star, this song enjoyed rotation on local radio programs and Galaxie Reggae. Donna also remixed “Need Some Money” with Toronto rappers L-Profit and Pyro and released it on You Tube. She released a single in 2007 entitled “Hold On” which was mixed in Kingston Jamaica by the legendary Dr. Marshall of Anchor Studio, rhythm courtesy of Roger B. She also picked up an award from the Toronto International Reggae Music Awards for “Roots & Culture” Album of the Year for her album “Jah Ah De Rulah”. Quite a few of the tracks on this album was produced by Roger B. Greene with songs written by Donna Makeda herself. She performed at the Calgary International Reggae Festival and created quite am impact with the 6000-strong audience with her dynamic and impressive stage show. With the very talented back up dancers ‘The Caribbean Dance Theatre’, she created quite a stir and together they had the audience mesmerized with their stage act. Her performance was referred to as “a storybook’ and “dreamlike” by the viewers, who said that it was the most memorable performance they had ever seen. Donna received the very prestigious Consul General’s Award at the Guyana Awards held in Toronto, Canada in appreciation for her steadfast commitment and service to the Guyanese community; she also walked away with the Female Dancehall DJ of The Year Award at the 20th and final Canadian Reggae Music Awards.
“Without a doubt, her voice is her wealth; her intellect a cultural strength, and her stage presence is an expression of royal heritage.”
Some of Donna Makeda’s earlier awards include: “Top Reggae Newcomer”, “Top Reggae Dancehall DJ (female), and “Top Reggae Music Video (for her video “Jah Great Woman”) from the Canadian Reggae Music Awards. An “Arts & Entertainment Award” for her contribution to the Arts from her home country Guyana, and an “Artistic Award of Excellence” from the Inter-City Multicultural School of Excellence Reading Club. At the Bashment Community Appreciation Awards she received an award for “Top Single” for her single “Almighty Bless Me”. She also received the “Unsung Hero” Award. Donna has done collaborations with various artists including Shadrock, Prince Everald, Roger B, Negus Morris of the Heptones, Chatta, King Ujah, Keron Williams and Fyah Lion. Performing on stage alongside many top artists including Beenie Man, Luciano, Marcia Griffiths, Lutan Fyah, Capleton, Sizzla, Cocoa Tea, Sister Carol, Culture, Beres Hammond, Buju Banton, Michael Rose, Lady Saw, Macka Diamond, Cutty Ranks, Yami Bolo, Anthony B, George Nooks and Louie Culture to name a few, Donna has certainly made a name for herself. She has worked on shows/festivals such as Ajax Caribbean Day, Reggae Muskoka, Hamilton Sunfest, Jamaica Day, Rasta Fest, Marcus Garvey Day, The Canadian Reggae Music Awards, The Bashment Community Appreciation Awards, The Toronto Street Festival, Irie Music Festival, Afrikadey in Calgary, To Africa With Love in Barbados, Toronto Street Festival, Beaches Jazz Festival and Caribana on Olympic Island to name a few. Donna has performed extensively in Canada in places like Toronto, Brantford, Hamilton, Ottawa, Montreal and Calgary, also internationally in Barbados, Guyana, New York. Manhattan and Jamaica.
Donna Makeda’s first CD entitled “Who Can Endure” was released in 1998. The song off of that album entitled “Sweet Victory” was #1 on the reggae charts in Miami for eight weeks while “South Africa” was following closely at #2. “Jah Great Woman” also enjoyed much airplay and was on the #1 spot on the Miami Reggae Radio Charts for six weeks. The “Jah Great Woman” music video, which was done with the help of Videofact and Anansi Productions, was on high rotation on Much Music and aired in countries like Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados and New York on selected programs and can be viewed on You Tube HERE. Donna signed a licensing deal with Amiata Records in Italy for her song “Life Story – the Remix”, the song was included on the Reggae Compilation CD with names like Rita Marley, Peter Tosh, Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers and Bunny Wailer to name a few. She was also involved in many stage plays where she performed as an actress, dancer and singer. Donna starred in a Documentary film called “Roots Daughters” alongside Judy Mowatt, that film is constantly being aired on television throughout the world.
This multi-talented, multi-award winning and indefatigable artist has released 4 full length CD’s entitled “Almighty Bless Me”, Who Can Endure”, “Jah Ah De Rulah” and “Almighty Bless Me”, two vinyl-singles (Sweet Victory & Jah Ah De Rulah & Wonder Weed), one vinyl-album (for Who Can Endure), two compilation CDs with Canadian Music Week and four CD singles (Just Hurry, Money Crazy, Make Love Not War and Family Medley – Part 1). Donna has appeared live numerous times on City TV’s Breakfast Television, Entertainment News, Clip Trip, The Scene, Lunch Television, Rogers Cable 10, Soul in the City and Da Mix (Canada). This Guyanese born dreadlocked singjay is also a graduate of Trebas Institute where she received her diploma in Recorded Music Production and Multimedia and also is the proud owner of a quarterly reggae music magazine called “ReggaeXclusive Entertainment News” which already received six awards for “Top Reggae Magazine” in Canada and is now in its 14th year of publishing. Donna’s foundation in music came from the church. From a very young age, she attended Ballet School and was trained as a dancer. She learned many dance styles including Afro-Caribbean, Modern, Folk, Kathak and Classical Ballet. After she graduated from Dance Academy, she opened her own dance & aerobics school called “Burning Flame International” Dance Troupe. By the time Donna got to Canada, she had already been performing extensively throughout Guyana with her dance troupe. Whilst taking her Dancing career seriously, Donna was just having fun singing and practicing on sound systems, she sang at various stage shows and won many competitions. Upon migrating to Canada, she did her first international stage show in Toronto and was consequently ‘scooped’ up by Jones & Jones Productions who managed her musical career for a period of time. After that contract ended, Donna continued to shine and is still recording and performing constantly. Without a doubt, her voice is her wealth; her intellect a cultural strength, and her stage presence is an expression of royal heritage. For bookings call: 647-668-3989 or email: donnamakeda@hotmail.com / reggaexclusive@hotmail.com. Check out Donna on: Facebook, Instagram, Reverbnation, You Tube, Vevo, My Space, LinkenIn, or follow Donna Makeda on Twitter. You can just ‘google’ Donna Makeda to read or see more of this artist. For bookings contact Ajang Music at: ajangp@hotmail.com or donnamakeda@hotmail.com or call: 1-876-941-1193 or 1-647-668-3989. Or refer to Contact page.