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Up & Coming

New Single “DON’T GO” Showcases the Real, Raw, And Rare Music of Virginia Singer and Rapper THEDONRRRM

By Ryan Bazinet, Publicist
Posted on
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For Virginia singer and rapper THEDONRRRM, it’s all about the three Rs: real, raw, and rare.

As his name suggests, the music of THEDONRRRM keeps it real, with lyrics that tell stories from his life. His songs are raw: he doesn’t pull punches or hide from the ugly side of life. And his sound is rare, from the contrast between his singsong melodies and gruff rap vocals, to rhythmic experiments from hip hop/R&B to Brazilian funk.

All these elements can be heard on the new single, “DON’T GO.”

Over the catchy Latin bounce of the Brazilian funk beat, the hook showcases THEDONRRRM’s melodic singing. The lyrics, based on the real pain of a fading relationship, paint a picture of two hearts drifting apart.

She said please don’t go
You can’t leave me laying here alone
Keep telling me that she been hurt before
She feel like I don’t love her no more

The melodies are soft and catchy, and seem to fit the youthful image of THEDONRRRM. But soon, his alter ego appears, represented by deep baritone rap lyrics explaining that he can’t be home because he’s “chasing the cheese.”

I know it hurt when I’m out on the road
I’m missing your love but I’m stuck in that mode
She running to me when I walk in the door

“DON’T GO” is the sixth track off of the album, Call Me After You Hear This. While THEDONRRRM has been releasing music since 2016, this record marks his first full-length release. It may have been a long time coming, but something real is worth the wait.

Born and raised in Richmond, VA as Donovan Bennett, THEDONRRRM was introduced to music by his father, a DJ who helped him build his first home studio in middle school. By high school, he was recording, mixing, and mastering records for himself and others.

Building on that experience, THEDONRRRM is now a sought-after mixing and mastering engineer. With credits including the 4x platinum single “Party Girl” by StaySolidRocky, THEDONRRRM runs his music production business out of his personal studio, 3R’s Studios in Richmond.

But despite his talent at making other artists sound good, his current focus is primarily on his own career as a genre-bending artist. With upcoming appearances on the east coast (including New York City) and music videos in the works, the message is clear: THEDONRRRM is busy making honest, well-produced, and unique music that is well-worth repeated listening. Real. Raw. And rare.

“DON’T GO” and is out now with promotional support from Starlight PR. Listen everywhere, and follow THEDONRRRM at the links below.

Spotify | YouTube | Instagram | Apple Music | TikTok | Tidal | Amazon Music

 
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Up & Coming

Exclusive Interview with McKell

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By Paper Planes Staff
Posted on
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Artist Spotlight: McKell

Taking influence from The Notorious B.I.G.’s storytelling and Foxy Brown’s cadence, to Jodeci’s style with Nicki Minaj’s epic flows and deliveries, McKell tries hone his craft by creating catchy hooks and melodies, writing a song from start to finish, and finding a way to have all elements exist within a song harmoniously.

Our conversation with McKell takes us inside the mind of a creative powerhouse — and what continues to inspire them.
 
PapersPlanes: How do you typically move from an initial idea to a finished piece of work?

McKell: An idea can come from anywhere—hearing a beat, a conversation, or even random lyrics that get stuck in my head. My process really depends on that starting point. If I hear a beat that inspires me, I’ll get it and start writing right away. If it begins with lyrics I can’t shake, I’ll record them first and then connect with a producer to build a beat around my vocals. From there, I keep shaping the track until it feels complete.

PapersPlanes: What part of the creative process do you find most challenging?

McKell: One of the most challenging parts of my creative process is that it’s never the same thing every time. Sometimes it’s finding a beat that really speaks to me. Other times, it’s taking longer than I’d like to write lyrics I’m fully satisfied with. There are also moments when finding the right feature for a track can be difficult. It really varies from project to project—there’s no single challenge that defines the process for me.

PapersPlanes: Have there been any recent shifts in the way you think about your sound or style?

McKell: Not in any forced or deliberate way—it’s more of an organic evolution. I don’t overthink my sound or try to shape it too intentionally. It naturally develops through inspiration, life experiences, and staying open-minded. As I grow, the music grows with me.

PapersPlanes: What influences your decisions when experimenting with new musical ideas?

McKell: My decisions when experimenting with new ideas are driven by whatever sparks something in the moment. It can be as simple as a word I like the sound of, a flow or melody from an older song, or even a random social media video where someone says something witty that sticks with me. Inspiration can come from the most unexpected places, and I try to stay open to all of it.

PapersPlanes: What skills have become more important to you as your career has progressed?

McKell: Patience has become one of the most important skills for me as my career has progressed. Things don’t always move as quickly as I’d like. Creating a strong body of work is one challenge, but getting it in front of the right audience is another. There are times when you’re ready to perform but don’t have many opportunities locally, or you’re waiting for momentum to build before the right people take notice. It’s taught me to stay consistent, trust the process, and keep pushing forward regardless of timing.   

PapersPlanes: How do you evaluate which opportunities are worth pursuing?

McKell: I try to be intentional about the opportunities I pursue. Sometimes it’s obvious when something isn’t genuine—like when a proposal leans more on flattery than real value. In those cases, I take a step back. Other times, I’ll run it by people I trust, do my research, and see what kind of track record is there. And beyond all that, I trust my instincts—if something doesn’t feel right, I don’t force it.

PapersPlanes: What aspects of your latest project feel most representative of where you are now?

McKell: This project feels like a true reflection of where I am right now—it’s upbeat, witty, and full of positive energy, while still expressing my thoughts and emotions with clarity. That balance really represents who I am as a person, and it’s the same mindset I try to hold onto, even on days when things feel off.

PapersPlanes: Were there any unexpected challenges that shaped the final outcome?

McKell: There weren’t any major or unexpected challenges behind the scenes. The only real change was with a feature—I initially had a different artist lined up for one of the tracks, but their vocals never came through, so I ended up bringing someone else onto the record. Aside from that, the process was pretty smooth overall.
 
PapersPlanes: How do you maintain a connection with listeners as your work evolves?

McKell: I’d say I’m still in the process of building that connection as more people discover my music. My goal is for listeners to hear something they genuinely connect with and want to keep coming back to. I touch on a wide range of topics and try to offer a bit of everything, so different people can find something that resonates with them.

PapersPlanes: What role do listeners play in motivating you to continue creating?

McKell: It’s always a great feeling when someone tells me they enjoy my music, recites lyrics back to me, or shares how much they relate to it. That kind of connection is a big motivator for me. I love the idea of putting a smile on someone’s face or having them nodding along, windows down, listening while they drive. Moments like that remind me why I create in the first place.
 

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