The Samoan culture has a rich history of storytelling, utilising methods like Fāgogo to pass on information and knowledge from one generation to the next. While Lower Hutt-raised rapper donell may not be doing this in the traditional sense, his debut EP ‘divine timing’ proves a masterful example of storytelling in its own way.
In the video for single live on donell (aka Just. D) is seen painting on a canvas at various locations while he raps. From school basketball courts to a church entrance way, donell can be seen swishing his brush across the canvas, sometimes with a dramatic flair, sometimes in a more methodical way. But intentionally or not, this act and the backdrop of the church in particular are representative of this song and his six-song EP. The church can be heard through the organ-like sound that carries the beat, and the act of painting can be heard through his impressive ability to paint the listener a picture through his lyricism.
There’s a fascinating combination of different production elements at play here, hip hop and RnB beats, along with at times soulful retro synths and female backing vocals all fuse together to create a smooth yet distinct sound to the album. As the title hints, close your eyes in places and you might even imagine yourself in a church. Importantly, while these elements all shine individually, they also work well together and provide the platform from which donell delivers.
Throughout the EP are subtle hooks and moments that capture the listener right there and then. On the opening track, the odyssey, I heard the summarising lyrics, “Am I who I say I am or am I speaking nonsense?” just a few times before finding myself singing along to them – including the part where they are almost whispered and then rapped normally again in the very next breath. This catchy little moment is the sort you return to play again to make sure you got it right.
If I have a criticism it would be that at times the EP runs a little slow. The richly produced piano-backed don juan triumphant really throws out the anchor mid-album and almost brings things to a halt. This isn’t a criticism of the song itself – rather a desire to have seen donell push things further, and hear the full range of his rapping ability that I have no doubt he possesses.
My personal preference when it comes to rap is the storytellers and those with a smooth delivery. Some rappers have one or the other, and some have neither. Donell is one of the ones who has both. His debut long player ‘divine timing’ is hopefully just a taste – albeit a charmed one – of things to come.
