Reggae/HipHop Artist Menelik Nesta Gibbons aka DON DADA continuously pushing boundaries, changing the norm, quickly moving beyond static thinking by reinventing the game. He is fast becoming an industry thought leader by breaking tradition and creating ground-breaking possibilities for growth for himself and others in the music business.Don Dada in the entertainment industry has achieved a great deal as a Reggae/Hip-Hop artist and social influencer since he made his debut on the 2016 Mandela Day Concert stage.
His Radio segment HipHop4Life #DADAFriday on the 1912OnlineRadio recently celebrated its 1st anniversary. The Facebook LIVE broadcast has become so popular, it currently enjoys a weekly average of 30k views and attracted the attention of Canada, New York and Jamaica.
From watching HipHop4Life #DADAFriday LIVE on Facebook Don Dada received and accepted an interview on a Montreal Canada radio – WadadliVybz that broadcasts in New York. Jamaica was listening in and that lead to an invite and inclusion of Don Dada and his artist Somalia Mejane aka Seed_Under on a very successful 3 city Kenya concert tour with legendary Award winning Jamaican Artist Everton Blender and the Reggae PowerHouse Band.
Looking to engage with fresh perspectives Don Dada looked for ways to stretch beyond his inbuilt set of experiences, orthodoxies, historical practices, “blind spots”, technology capabilities, and business boundaries. He understood that looking at the world differently is the only way to dramatically increase his ability to identify truly new opportunities to drive breakthrough growth and that gave birth to his current project that he named RuFF CuTT Studio TV available on the Tuluntulu App.
Don Dada is quick to mention how thankful his is that he has a dedicated hardworking team that consists of his parents, an artist he mentors-Seed_Underand TemoheloMohaleaka Tempo Rippah coupled with opportunities provided by the likes of Sipho Zak Masingo, MC Cool-I (Canada) and Leeroy Scarlet (Jamaica)
Don Dada highest accolades:
- His original VIVA Mandela song reachingMulti-Platinumwithin a short 4 months of release 19th July 2017 – 31st December 2017!!
- Only artist with 3 official Mandela tracks [From the Mandela tracks Don dada donates 10% of digital sales and 10% of royalties to The Nelson Mandela Foundation] :
- [Original] VIVA Mandela track released 19th July 2017
- VIVA Mandela remixftMahotella Queensreleased on the Mandela100 2018 Launch stage in Constitutional Hill
- Long Live MAMA Winnie Mandela – the tribute he wrote and performed live on the Black Doek memorial stage in Newtownwatch the SABC Video [1:32:52 hrs] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1MqAUtEiLY
- First African Artist to sign a deal with Bob MarleysTuFF Gong International Distribution http://tuffgong.com/about/
- Only Artist with a Radio segment broadcasting from his own studio1/9/2017 https://northcliffmelvilletimes.co.za/259124/don-of-the-airwaves
- On the 10th of December 2018 he completed his first full reggae EP – produced and completed in 24Hours he named this project 24Hours…it is commercially available digitally. Critical African issue he touches on is Slave Trade. This track features his dad and business partner Moses M Gibbons aka RasMoe
- Attracted international attention:
- Watch: LeeRoy Scarlett discusses MenelikNesta Gibbons aka Don Dada on Entertainment Plus TV Jamaciahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvfDYJvAMPs&feature=youtu.be [Listen from 00:06:09]
- Watch: Montreal Canada Radio Host MC Cool-I talks MenelikNesta Gibbons aka DON Dada https://youtu.be/VgES4v7fj_U
- Invite from Reggae PowerHouse Band to perform on the prestige 2019 Bob Marley Tribute Concert
NOTE:The Multi-Platinum sales is an achievement that must not be undermined as there is speculation that it isa possible ‘industry first’ as it is unheard of for an indie artist to achieve Multi-platinum within four [4] months of releasing a track.
BREATHING LIFE THROUGH MUSIC
Over the years Don Dada has added quite a list of notable accolades to his professional portfolio, his is a story of dedication, commitment and hard work that is worth telling:
After decades of unofficial songs and working on others productions, in April 2016 Don Dada decided to step into his next phase and released his first registered singles WANT THAT and Pheshe Phaya which he performed on the 2016 Mandala Day Tribute Concert. From the Mandela Concert stage Dada went straight into his studio and completed the full AVANT GARDE Album is less than 3 days (the album is available on digital platforms worldwide).
In 2017 he pushed the boundaries further by promoting his album in Zimbabwe and Botswana. It was during this tour that he received an offer through Content Connect Africa to do the 2017 Mandela song. This fuelled the birth of his VIVA Mandela song supported by CCA, MTNSA and has the relevant Nelson Mandela Foundation permissions.
Don Dada feels that he was destined to link with the 1912Radio where he spent 2017 Mandela day on air chatting about his track and together with the 1912Radio spending the 60minutes cleaning the streets and serving snacks to the public this forming a strong bond and decision to join the 1912Radio starting his own weekly Hip-Hop segment called HipHop4Life #DadaFriday in September 2017.
By the 2nd week of the show in his true Dada #GameChanger style, Dada convinced the 1912Radio to transform RuFF CuTT Studio to include broadcasting and now claims the title ‘First Artist with Active In-house Broadcasting Capability’ You should catch his HipHop4Life #DadaFriday 18h00 – 20h00, this show currently boosts an average of 30k views per session. Interviewing an average of 5 artists per week, giving opportunity to unknown artist to showcase their talent
“My names, Menelik Nesta Gibbons aka Don Dada are a true reflection that I am destined for greatness. The name Menelik is derived from King Menelik of Ethiopia direct descended of King Solomon and Queen Sheba.
The name Nesta came from Bob Nesta Marley, Don means the Boss of bosses while Dada is a Jamaican [Patwa] version of DON” said MenelikNesta Gibbons aka Don Dada.
Don Dada aims to change the statuesque for himself and others by defeating limitations such a lack of finances through driving education, empowerment and entrepreneurship. Having had the opportunity and blessing to ‘breath life to others through music’ Don Dada continues to strive for success and give a helping hand to those who struggle to sustain themselves in the industry.
Menelik Nesta Gibbons, also known as Don Dada in the entertainment industry has a lot of energy, enthusiasm and positivity, and with this boldness and unwavering passion for his work, he has not only achieved a great deal as a Reggae/Hip-Hop artist and social influencer but also as someone who wants to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Don Dada’s vision is simply to encourage the youth to step into their destiny without fear and continue shining the light through education.
Don Dada has grown his Reggae / Hip-Hop career; established himself as a social entrepreneur, motivational speaker, Radio Host and an events MC, who realised early in his life that he wanted to pursue a purpose driven life. With his vision to encourage the youth to step into their destiny without fear and continue shining the light through education, Don Dada continues to ‘breath life through music’.
To support Zimbabwe Don Dada released Zimbabwe KubatanaftSeed_Under
https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2017/11/28/artistes-sing-for-new-zimbabwe
This track has been officially recognised as one of four songs released in support of a new era, while other articles hailed him as the recipients of the torch from Bob Marley to advance the Zimbabwe revolution, either way Don Dada once again contributes to a major historical event
https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/gibbons-assumes-torch-from-bob-marley-to-advance-zim-revolution/ar-AAzNJwf
Don Dada has recently released a track featuring Afripella titled ‘Long Live Mama Winnie Mandela’ celebrating the life of a remarkable woman. This track was produced, released and Don Dada was approved to perform in a line-up of only established artists on theNewtown memorial service stage as his tribute for Mama Winnie Mandela: https://youtu.be/0weX3DdLGHc
A few days later he released the remix of his platinum ‘VIVA Mandela’ft the legendary Mahotella Queens. He debuts this remix on the prestige Mandela Day 2018 launch stage held in Constitutional Hill.
This is Don Dada’s thoughts on making VIVA Mandela and working with the Queens
VIVA Mandela Don Dada thoughts: https://youtu.be/KYUggyk9uhs
Humbled: https://youtu.be/xFsgW77BVmI
Don Dada has an amazing and inspiring narrative with achievements that are a rarity and are extraordinary for an independent artist, it gives hope and encourages commitment, dedication and perseverance.
Don Dada interacts with schools and communities and is putting all efforts into becoming a self-made success as his #ActionAgainstPoverty making him an opportune candidate to inspire the youth target market. Don Dada this is a narrative of tolerance, generations working together and that talks to Tata Nelson Mandela ideals and legacy.
The ‘VIVA Mandela’ remix choice of featuring the legendary Mahotella Queens is the symbol of:
- Generations can work together to achieve the same goal
- Like Tata Nelson Mandela our Mahotella Queens are South Africans yet global icons
- A song that will appeal to multiple generations
The track ‘Long Live Mama Winnie Mandela’ featuring Afripella is a tribute to a fierce legendry freedom fighter and Mother of our nation. Mama Winnie is our history, I really wanted to be a part of that history and like Mama – I wanted to expand that opportunity to others by taking them along on that journey, I wanted people to experience the journey while I break the notion of ‘each man for his own’ in this industry. The selection of a big choir very talented choir fulfilled this desire, Afripella are young committed, dedicated, hardworking musicians that deserve to be heard. I am really thankful that we shared my sentiments and realised that dream. Thank you Mama, your work continues.
His music is available on all digital platforms globally. Find him on social media @dondadamusic
FOLLOW Menelik Nesta Gibbons aka Don Dada:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dondadamusic/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dondadamusic/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dondadamusic/
Website: www.dondadamusic.com
Bookings
Artiste Contact: Layla Gibbons +27832126426
RuFF CuTT Studio CC – Johannesburg, South Africa
Email: laylagibbons@gmail.com
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