“When I was 12 years old my parents’ vinyl collection was everything. It spanned an entire wall, floor to ceiling, a collection of LPs and 45s that acted as the soundtrack to my existence. When you opened the front door to our home, the vinyl collection took center stage. In fact, their collection did more than solely affect me on a sonic level, it captivated as visual art.”
“This wall told a story of discipline and creatively because building it took time and determination. The diversity of the collection was a catalyst for me and is why I’m always seeking to harmonize seemingly disparate parts or opposing musical ideas.
That vinyl wall made our small row home in West Philadelphia feel grand. It represented timelessness and history to me. Sarah Vaughan sitting next to David Bowie, Frank Sinatra stacked right beside Nina Simone, The Ohio Players there with Led Zeppelin, Miles next to The Beatles, they were all in harmony on that wall. There were no categories. That vinyl wall was the great unify-er in my little world. So today, it’s no wonder I come up with albums like my debut Kaleidoscopic and my newly released Flight of The Donn T. It’s second nature.
Of course, I own a ton of CDs right now but, vinyl is home. Plus, there is nothing like the sleeve and the credits which give you a window into the making of the album. One of my favorite ways to spend a weekend morning is to get up early and grab a bowl of granola (all nuts and oats, no raisins) with a splash of almond milk. I usually top this off with warm yerba mate. Then at the same time, open a new sleeve and put on the record. As the music plays, I eat and read the credits occasionally glancing at the record spinning. Talk about chill.
I love vinyl. And here’s a fun fact. Folks may know, I’m a singer songwriter, producer, a new indie label owner of D-tone Victorious, a newlywed, a new bonus mom (to an incredible tween girl). Well, if you didn’t know you do now.
But, here’s the fun fact. If that doesn’t keep my world in motion enough, I am also librarian to my brother Ahmir’s (Questlove) Record library in Philadelphia. A library which at last count was easily 40,000 records strong. (Wait for it.) I’ve physically handled and placed every record on the shelf (a combination of our parents now defunct catalog and vinyl he’s accrued over the years while DJing).
By the way, my next music video off of Flight Of The Donn T will feature said record room and will arrive late August. The rest is hush for now but, it’ll be very special.”
—Donn T
Donn T’s Flight of the Donn T is in stores now—on vinyl.
Enter to win a vinyl copy of Flight of the Donn T by citing in the comments below a record from your personal collection that just happens to be…family—and briefly why. (We needn’t explain.)
One familial entrant with a North American mailing address will be chosen a week from today, June 26, 2015. Our winner will be notified directly via email.
