Dontae Peeps

Real rythmn and blues is more than just music, it’s the translation of a feeling…an experience. The crooners of yesteryear understood the music at its very core and worked overtime to give the art form the respect it deserved. Sam Cook did it. Marvin Gaye did it. Luther Vandross did it, and years later a barely legal man-child named Usher Raymond captured it for the new millennium. Singer/songwriter Dontae Peeps hopes to pick up the torch for R&B, heading into 2010.

Unlike others who watch their mentors from afar, but have no actual concept, Dontae has been able to touch the stars in his world. “I look up to artists like Usher, because with him it’s more than just "sanging”. It’s an experience that comes off as explosive and sexy, endearing and inspiring. Usher puts you in the mindset of all those great artists from the past,“ Dontae says of his mentor. He’s had the opportunity to work with Mr. Confessions himself, writing records for him along with other R&B A-listers such as Chris Brown, Jagged Edge, Keith Sweat,ruben studdard,keke wyatt,jasmin sulivan to name a few.

A professional songwriter since his early teens, Dontae admits music comes more natural to him than other things. Music was ingrained in him as a child, as his family tree spanned wide with musical roots, including R&B group SILK and gospel singer Dottie Peoples. Music was the one place, as a youngster, Dontae excelled beyond his peers, it became a place of comfort, something he drew confidence from. Music was like a girlfriend that was sweet on him and Dontae returned her affections. “I looked up to Quincy Jones because you can’t predict where he will go. His style is so eclectic. I studied the amazing songwriting ability of Stevie Wonder, watched Luther’s ability to bare his heart with the tone of his voice. They inspired me to make music that their audiences could receive,” he says. Dontae quickly developed a reputation as one of the hottest young songwriters in Atlanta.. While producers praised his creative lyrics, Dontae was simply doing what had come natural., interpreting music. “When I was younger I heard music in my head all the time, but I would only be able to write when I was experiencing extreme emotions like anger or sadness. It took me to get older and a little more seasoned to be able to ignite that creativity at will,” he says.

In 2009, Dontae decided to come out from behind the safety of the studio and interpret an R&B album in his own words. Listening to Dontae’s heart-wrenching vocals weaving a sensual melody around hip hop laced tracks, is evident he’s more than just a typical R&B artist. The music has blatant sexual overtones, but is coupled with just enough substance to keep the older generation connected, while infusing hip hop to appease the teenage crowd.

While working on his project, Dontae’s music industry ties again proved valuable, as he reached out to several producers he felt embodied the sound he wanted to capture. His R&B flavored with various genres such as rock, pop and alternative, may sound new, but the vibe behind the tracks is as familiar as the Temptations at Christmastime. Thus far he has music from Polo’s camp, Eric Hudson, Rich Harrison, Chucky Thompson and Stargate and aspires to be able to introduce hot new talent as well.

Following his dreams of being an artist called for Dontae to do much more than just write songs and recruit great production. Thankfully the young songwriter had a team ready and willing to push him to reach the goals he set for himself. “I wanted to push myself to that edge. I can admit this is scary for me, but I have two of the greatest mentors in the music industry Jan Smith, world renown vocal trainer and Cliff Boyce, know for helping to sculpt some of the most talked about abs on the planet. They’ve inspired me to go at this 150%,” Dontae says. Under Jan’s tutelage, he has improved on his stage presence and just his overall character. Determined to prove he was not wasting their time, Dontae lost thirty four pounds in one month. “I feel like when you’re consistent with something you have no choice but to rise to the top.”

Dontae is determined to tackle the goal of bringing his artistry to the public, full throttle. Signed to Rockstar/Sony ATV and his own Publishing company Worldwide Media Group, he serves dual roles as both artist and executive, but at this time has given his role as an artist precedence. Today his-priority is completing his album and releasing a single in the summer of 2009.

“I don’t like where R&B is. Music is just going off who has the right single. Music has become boring, there’s little creativity. It needs to go back to the old root and soul for it to be good again,” he explains. Dontae is hopeful that a change is coming and hopes to be apart of the class bringing the “good” music back. “Keyshia Cole just did a record called Make me Over. That record screams Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross.

If you listen, today you hear more songs with a twist of the pure old school,“ Dontae forecasts. If Dontae’s predictions ring true, then music is in the process of coming around, full circle. Just as he’s always been, Dontae plans to be ahead of the curve, carrying the great ghosts of R&B’s past with him in every lyric he writes, every melody he creates, every song he sings.