Donwill is a rapper, DJ, podcaster and radio host who has always sought to carve out more space for independent Hip-Hop. Best known as part of the acclaimed rap group Tanya Morgan, he has built a career that spans music, stand-up comedy and cultural commentary.
His show ‘Too Much Rap’ on East Village Radio continues that mission, spotlighting new Hip-Hop releases while blending underground gems, sample sources, and even comedy routines into a wide-ranging listening experience. For Donwill, radio isn’t just about playing tracks. It’s about contextualizing the music he and his peers make, leveling the playing field for underrepresented artists and sharing his unique taste in a way no algorithm ever could.
We spoke to Donwill to dig into the depths of his creative mind and his radio show.
Tell us about why you wanted to become a radio host?
Donwill: My pathway to radio was through my career as a rapper. I ultimately wanted to contextualize the music that me and my peers make to give us space among our contemporaries.
How did you get your radio show over at East Village Radio?
When I saw that East Village Radio was relaunching I reached out to Brian Turner, the station manager, to inquire about relaunching my show ‘Too Much Rap’ on their platform. It’s a show that I had stopped doing due to the pandemic and with the station coming back, it felt like the perfect place to bring the show back.
What was it about radio that really attracted you to it?
I love being able to share my taste with other people. Algorithms can only do so much because they lack the discernment that the human touch has. Playlists don’t give you any sort of background information on the music they contain. So I designed my show as an audio journal of sorts to give backstory to go along with the selections.
What are some of the principles that guide your show?
My show mainly focuses on new Hip-Hop releases and I try to program the show so that underrepresented artists are played alongside more well known acts. It’s my small way of trying to level the playing field for Hip-Hop. Other than that the music just has to be something that I think is interesting. Most of the music I play would be considered underground or alternative but at times I break away from playing Rap and go into sample sources, bits of an audiobook, stand-up comedy routines. It’s a pretty wide range of things because I like to keep the program varied.
How do you get ready for your show?
Sometimes I get sent songs by artists directly and other times I just skim albums for the track that I think I’ll enjoy and play it on air live. There are times where I’m experiencing the music in real time with the audience so it’s like we’re both getting a new experience.
What is one radio show from your archive that defines you?
There is an episode called ‘Jokes and Jams’ where I played a bunch of Instrumental Hip-Hop and stand-up comedy. It was a fun experiment that felt a bit like live production on the fly. I work in the world of stand-up comedy as well so I got to shine the light on a few of my friends’ stand-up work.
“I love being able to share my taste with other people.”
If you had some golden tips for presenting and putting together a radio show, what would they be?
It has to be fun. Even if it’s a bit messy the joy of it all will shine through. If it’s not fun that will translate as well. Even if it’s clean and well done it won’t evoke joy in the listener.
What do you think you’ve learned about yourself through your radio show?
I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is just how much new music is out. I’m never at a loss for records to play. But it also forces me to dig deeper than the lead single or just regurgitating the Rap Caviar playlist because I’m trying to push for equal representation in Hip-Hop.
Follow Donwill on Mixcloud.