DoNormaal, also known as Christianne Karefa-Johnson, is an American rapper and actress. She emerged on the Seattle music scene in the early 2010s, known for her experimental style and thought-provoking lyrics.
DoNormaal | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Christianne Karefa-Johnson |
| Born | Southern California, United States |
| Origin | Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, actress |
| Years active | 2010s–present |
| Labels | Crane City Music, Not On Label |
Career
editDoNormaal began her music career in the early 2010s, performing at local venues in Seattle. She gained recognition for her unique style, blending introspective lyrics with experimental beats.[1][2][3][4][5]
In 2015, she released her debut album, Jump or Die, which garnered positive reviews from critics.[6][7][8] The album showcased her versatility as an artist and established her as a rising star in the hip-hop scene.[5][9]
In 2017, she followed up with her sophomore album, Third Daughter, which further solidified her reputation as an innovative and boundary-pushing artist.[10] The album received critical acclaim for its bold experimentation and thought-provoking themes.[5][11]
Her participation in the Roland-sponsored "Desert Days" event in 2018 led to a reinvention of her musical style, garnering praise from critics for her willingness to explore new sonic territories. The event inspired her to experiment with different sounds and techniques, resulting in a new level of creativity and innovation in her music.[12]
In 2021 DoNormaal released the single "Baby May" along with an accompanying music video.[13]
According to The Seattle Times, DoNormaal's creative mix of harmony and dissonance has captivated listeners with her vibrant and intense studio work, as well as her compelling live performances.[5]
NPR highlighted DoNormaal as one of the key figures in the Seattle music scene, describing her as a visionary artist pushing the boundaries of hip-hop. The article praised her sophomore LP for being a fearless explorer of sound and lauded her ability to push the boundaries of hip-hop while maintaining authenticity and integrity.[14]
DoNormaal also ventured into acting, appearing as a supporting actress in the 2023 film Fantasy A Gets a Mattress.
Discography
edit| Year | Album | Record label |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Jump or Die | Not On Label |
| 2017 | Third Daughter | Crane City Music |
| 2024 | PALMSPRINGA (with Welp Disney) | Not On Label |
Critical reception
editDoNormaal's music has been praised for its innovative approach to hip hop.[15] In a review for Respect My Region, her music video for "Ego Slave," directed by Noah Zoltan Sofian, was described as "a work of art that perfectly complements the intensity of the track".[16] American Songwriter included DoNormaal in their "Five to Discover" feature, noting her as an artist on the rise.[17] Additionally, What's Up! Magazine praised DoNormaal's versatility and described her music as "a little bit of everything", highlighting her ability to blend various styles and influences.[18]
References
edit- ^ Dervin, Peter (March 3, 2017). "Adia Victoria at The Sunset, Seattle". No Depression. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Zwickel, Jonathan (December 23, 2015). "Album of the Month: 'Jump or Die' by DoNormaal". City Arts Magazine. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Dusty Henry (June 27, 2018). "DoNormaal Fights Zombies, Splits Into Multiple Forms, and Embraces Self-Esteem in "Ego Slave" Music Video (KEXP Premiere)". KEXP. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Elliott, Gwendolyn (January 25, 2017). "Band of the Week: DoNormaal". Seattle Magazine. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Uitti, Jake (August 10, 2016). "DoNormaal's creative mix of harmony and dissonance". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on March 6, 2024.
- ^ Chevalier, Gui Jean-Paul (September 21, 2016). "Raven Matthews and DoNormaal Do What Music Supposed to Do". Real Change News. Archived from the original on May 4, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Sam Chapman (February 17, 2016). "DoNormaal. She Will Explode". Queer Space Magazine. Archived from the original on May 4, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ Hughes, Emer (November 11, 2015). "Listen To DoNormaal Put It All On The Line With "Jump Or Die"". The Fader. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Sears, Kelton (December 21, 2016). "Blackout Dates Be Damned—DoNormaal Dominated 2016 By Doing What She Wants". Seattle Weekly. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Mudede, Charles (June 5, 2019). "DoNormaal's Not-So-Normal Hip-Hop". The Stranger. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Davis, M. Anthony (July 19, 2017). "DoNormaal's Sophomore LP Is a Sprawling 19-Track Epic Written in Her Own Image". Seattle Weekly. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ Uitti, Jake (August 10, 2016). "DoNormaal Desert Days, Rapping, and Reinvention". Roland. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024.
- ^ Peters, Alexa (November 21, 2021). "DoNormaal Quietly Releases Video for Brand-New Track "Baby May"". Audiofemme. Archived from the original on May 4, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Boilen, Bob; Cole, Kevin (June 25, 2019). "Why the Seattle Music Scene is a Glimpse at the Future". NPR. Archived from the original on June 25, 2019.
- ^ Schwab, Julia (March 15, 2018). "If You Don't Know Her, You Should: A Conversation with Seattle Artist DoNormaal". KXSU. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ Pfeifer, Mitch (July 13, 2018). "DoNormaal's 'Ego Slave' is a Work of Art". Respect My Region. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024.
- ^ Uitti, Jacob (2020). "Chong the Nomad, McCall, Loyal Lobos, Trishes, DoNormaal: Five to Discover". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024.
- ^ Ketzner, Keenan (June 2019). "DoNormaal: A Little Bit of Everything". What's Up! Magazine. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024.