ArtistInfo

Andru Donalds

voc, *1974 JM, Kingston, Jamaica
Singer / Songwriter of Electronic
A.k.a. Andrew Donalds

Andru Donalds was born in Kingston (Jamaica) 16 November 1974. His musical style ranges from Pop, Rock ’n’ Roll to Reggae and Ballads. His influences are Prince, The Beatles, Queen, Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, & Black Uhuru. Solo career (1994-present): Upon leaving school at the age of 18 Andru travelled to England, the Netherlands and New York, in order to develop his musical abilities as singer and songwriter. He met the producer and songwriter Eric Foster White, who had hits with stars such as Frank Sinatra, Britney Spears, Whitney Houston, Jessica Simpson, Julio Iglesias, Backstreet Boys, Regina Belle, Hi-Five and Boyzone. Together they produced the debut album “Andru Donalds” in 1994, having Pop & Rock’ n’ Roll styles. The two platinum singles from this - "Mishale" and "Save Me Now" - became successful worldwide. His 2nd album "Damned If I Don’t" was published three years later in 1997. It had more Reggae feel mixed with Rock ‘n’ Roll. The song "Somebody’s Baby" was taken from the album for the soundtrack of the Oscar-winning movie "Good Will Hunting" written & acted by Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and acted by Robin Williams. The album included cover-versions for Jackson Browne, Led Zeppelin songs. The “Limited Edition” got Sinéad O'Connor’s “Thank you”. In April 1998 Andru Donalds received a call from producer and songwriter Michael Cretu. While on vacation in Greece Cretu was relaxing on the beach, listening to radio. When he suddenly heard Andru’s Mishale, that moment he realized that he wanted to engage the singer for his Enigma project. The outcome was that they collaborated not only on Enigma albums but also on two solo albums. Andru’s 3rd album "Snowin’ Under My Skin", released in 1999, it has got real Enigmatic feel mixed in Pop & Rock styles. Produced by Michael Cretu & Jens Gad. It included two hit singles: "All Out of Love" (Air Supply cover) which achieved international platinum status and single "Simple Obsession" which became golden. "Let’s Talk About It", his 4th album was released in 2001, it got more Reggae grooves yet Enigmatic in comparison to the previous album with Michael Cretu & Jens Gad. It featured the single "(I'm Not Your) One Night Lover". Five years after since the last solo album, in 2006 Andru released a "Best Of" album compilation. It included 5 new songs, of which "Dreamer" and "Let The Stars Fall Down" were released as singles. Andru’s 5th solo album “Trouble In Paradise” took a long road to be born. 9 years since the last solo album was a huge gap in Andru’s career. The album was originally released in 2010, produced by Markus Born & Andru Donalds. Later it featured smash single “Falling Down” & was re-released in 2011. Enigma (1999-2008) Since 1999 Andru Donalds has been one of the lead singers in Enigma, Michael Cretu’s music project which has sold over 50 million records worldwide, received more than 100 platinum and gold awards and took over 50 #1 chart positions. He has performed in Enigma songs such as: "Modern Crusaders" in duet with Michael Cretu, "The Screen Behind The Mirror" in duet with Sandra, "Boum-Boum" in duet with Ruth Ann Boyle, "In The Shadow, In The Light", "Hello And Welcome" soundtrack for German boxer Felix Sturm appearance, "Seven Lives" was the theme for the Olympic Games 2008 in Beijing on German TV, “The Same Parents” the duet with Cretu’s children. Andru also co-wrote and performed in "Distorted Love" and "Je t’aime Till My Dying Day". Over the years Andru Donalds sang many forms for certain Enigma songs. As well as we can hear his voice throughout whole album Enigma 7: “Seven Lives Many Faces”. Other collaborations (2005-2015) In 2005 Andru Donalds collaborated with Dirk Reichardt. where Andru co-produced and performed "And I Feel" , the soundtrack for the German blockbuster Barefoot / Barfuß, starring and directed by Til Schweiger. He co-operated with the singer in Ukraine Eugenia Vlasova. Their singles "Limbo" and "Wind Of Hope" gained popularity mostly on Slavic radio stations. At that time “Limbo” became #1 on Ukrainian TV’s. In 2007 Andru Donalds wrote a song for Sandra: "The Way I Am", the lead single from her "The Art of Love" album. Andru teamed up with 4 greatest European musicians to write & produce the acoustic EP “AD07”, the songs which were later featured to his album “Trouble In Paradise” in 2010. In 2012 two legends from Jamaica Sly & Robbie arranged & produced the R’n’B, Reggae single “Serenade”, written by Andru Donalds. The previously collaborated on such Andru’s tracks as “Stop The Pain” feat. Jamaican Reggae DJ Tony Rebel & remix version of “Falling Down”. In 2014 Andru Donalds had been quietly searching for new avenues to share his god given talent. He met Tim Schult & Jaxon Bellina of 6000 Media, who together with Andru have done some interesting things together. Together with Jaxon Bellina Andru wrote & produced 2 songs for Frank Rosin’s (German celebrity chef) album compilation, called “Soul Seeds”, on the Star Watch label in Germany. The songs “Officially” & “Lately”. In 2015 Andru’s tour manager introduced Andru to the magnificent producer & songwriter by the name of Maxim Fadeev. Andru was immediately turned on by Maxim’s sound, being very Enigmatic. From there Andru ‘s management contacted Maxim Fadeev Producing Center & they both met in Moscow in August 2015. Both of them got along very well instantly. Maxim has always been a fan of Andru’s hits as solo artist and also his work with Enigma. So the marriage felt so good, they worked on a ballad track “I Believe” for Maxim’s movie “Savva (The Heart Of The Warrior)”, which has been a major success. Karma Free (2014-present) One of Andru Donalds’ new & exciting projects is the fusion sounds & band Karma Free. While in holiday, in Rio, Brazil Andru met some wonderful musicians in Lapa & from there some great union has evolved into something special with magical music to be released on the world, produced by Andru Donalds & Karma Free & Andru’s friend & mentor, the legendary Sly Dunbar out of Jamaica. Karma Free consists of Andru Donalds on vocals & 4 musicians from Brazil: Daniel Tot / drums, Pedro Mamede / bass, Junior Ramos / vocals, Renato Machado / guitar. The music of Karma Free is a Dub Afro fusion of Rock, Reggae, Samba, Afoxé, Côco, Carimbó, creating something fresh and different, yet with a Pop sense. Mixing English and Portuguese languages with African percussion, influenced by Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sly & Robbie, Bob Marley, Black Alien, etc...

Instruments

• Vocals
• Backing Vocals

Genres

• Electronic
• Pop
• Dance
• Reggae
• Rock

Plays With