00:00When I got in the music business, everything was about love, you know, my songwriting,
00:06all my stories are about things that I've been through throughout my life.
00:10And, you know, love is not going anywhere. It's the foundation of life.
00:16Hi, Essence fam. This is Dominique Fluker, Contributing Lifestyle Editor here,
00:20and I'm speaking with the legendary Donnell Jones. How are you today?
00:23Hey, how you doing?
00:24Good. So can you talk to us about how Black love really kind of informs and guides your artistry?
00:32Oh, Black love is throughout my music. You know, when I got in the music business, everything was about love.
00:41You know, my songwriting, all my stories are about things that I've been through throughout my life.
00:47And, you know, love is not going anywhere. It's the foundation of life.
00:51You have some classics. What's your favorite song in your massive catalog and why?
00:58Oh, my favorite song. I have many, but I would have to say a song on my first album called I Want You To Know.
01:06And the reason why it's just when that song came to me, I was just in a place where, you know,
01:13I was really down and and I just started getting these melodies, you know, because it's me personally.
01:19I feel like nothing really comes from me. I'm like, I'm just like an antenna and I just get the signal.
01:24And so that song came to me and it just it really not only did it make me write something special,
01:29but it but it also uplifted my spirit and put me in a different place.
01:33And I was able to, you know, get over my writer's block and some other things I was going through at the time.
01:39And how do you practice self-care in between performances?
01:42Oh, man, I go to the spa, go to the gym, meditate.
01:50I just do everything just to help the body and to help the mind.
01:56Now, Donnell, you know, Essence Fest is coming up.
02:00We're so excited about it.
02:01There's going to be a lot of musical performances and and just just a great celebration.
02:06So what are you looking forward to the most when it comes to Essence Fest this year?
02:11You know, I can't wait to get on stage with the nice man and just rip the stage.
02:14You know, I want to see Big Boy.
02:16You know, I definitely want to see TGT.
02:19It's going to be an amazing.
02:20It's my first time performing this.
02:22So I'm excited.
02:23You know, I don't know what to expect, but I'm just happy about the whole process.
02:27Definitely.
02:28Can you give us a little sneak peek exclusive to what you're going to be singing on the stage?
02:33Well, my show is kind of short because, you know, again, I'm on the nice set, but I'm
02:38definitely going to hit you with, you know, do you know what's up and where I want to be?
02:44I think I'm only doing two songs.
02:45So that's that's that'll probably be the two that we choose.
02:48You know, what's up is my jam.
02:50OK, like I'm a 90s baby and I just love it so much.
02:54So I'm so excited to hear you rip the stage with the nice one word to hopefully describe
03:01your performance for Essence Fest this year.
03:04It's going to be all love, all love.
03:07Yes.
03:08Thank you so much.
03:10I appreciate you.
03:11Thanks for having me.
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