She hasn’t been in the music industry long but Dondria has built a sizeable fanbase even before she got a record deal. The American R&B singer/songwriter is highly marketed online and it has helped her continually be recognized in today’s music industry.
Born as Dondria Nicole Fields in Oklahoma and raised in Texas, Dondria began singing in church choirs. In 2006, she created a YouTube channel called Phatfffat which she wanted to showcase her singing talents. Dondria built a fanbase of 27,000 subscribers and over 1.3 million views, making her one of the ten most popular artists on YouTube at that time.
Founder of So So Def Recordings, Jermaine Dupri contacted Dondria from her YouTube channel and flew her to Atlanta to offer her a recording contract with So So Def/ Island Def Jam.
In 2008, Dondria made her first recording single debut, “Can’t Stop,” which was produced by Dupri and co-written by label mate Chrisette Michelle. Her latest single, “You’re The One,” was on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts at # 100 and peaked at # 29. The single was also on the Christian Songs chart at # 21.
Dondria debuts her first album entitled “Dondria vs. Phatfffat,” which is an ode to her fans on YouTube .“It’s actually a nickname from the love of eating,” explained Dondria from the meaning of her screen name. Her album will be released this year on June 22.
Written by Francesca Cange
