Dontae Peeps is known for his influential yet supple voice as he heats up the airwaves with his style of seductive R&B.
His talent has been well recognized in Dontae's storied hometown, where he's worked with some of the heaviest hitters in the recording industry: Usher, Birdman, Raheem Devaughn, Jaheim, and many others. He's established a reputation as a go-to guy for an irresistible hook, a brilliant arrangement, or a vocal performance that lifts a mix to the stratosphere.
Dabbling into the classic realm of R&B as he expresses his contemporary wave of musicality, "Ordinary Love" is the latest masterpiece to hit our speakers and screens.
The collaboration with Clear Motion Productions brings us a visual component that's about as hypnotic in its concept as it is to stare at your phone for hours. Immersing listeners in vibrant colors and scenes reminiscent of traditional R&B footage, Dontae Peeps offers a grand performance as the apple of his eye surrounds him, and the drama unravels.
Although in person, the illuminated screens take precedence and topple over the in-person energy present. From big city skylines to the studio, there isn't a single place that Dontae Peeps' doesn't bless with his luxe timbres.
Mimicking the golden era of heartfelt, passion-fueled R&B, "Ordinary Love" is a timeless piece that pays homage to the classics while spinning into its own glorious lane. As Dontae Peeps' cruises in a fresh Mercedes, rocking a fabulous gallant red tracksuit and mysterious shades, he later comes home to his girlfriend, and the message that sometimes all it takes is a little time apart to rebalance the energy is written in bold.
We could all be reminded to put down our phones and pay attention to the ones we love a little bit more. Get caught up in the motions with Dontae Peeps and unwind with his smooth vibes in "Ordinary Love."
Welcome to BuzzMusic, Dontae Peeps, and congratulations on releasing the music video for "Ordinary Love." We love how timeless the approach you took toward this record is. What inspired the concept for the music video?
The inspiration to make "Ordinary Love” was love itself- that emotion, that feeling that you can't get enough of, being vulnerable to express joy and hurt at the same time and experience. We all have something we’re passionate about, so why sing and write about it!!
What was it like working with the team that you did to bring this vision to life? How long did it take to film, and are there any memorable moments from the set that you care to share?
Working with Motion Pictures was great. They understood the concept of building Donell Jones' “Where I Wanna Be,” Usher's "Confessions,” etc. vibe. It just felt the ‘90s - I was excited about all the cool editing ideas we came up with, for example, the driver mirror scene - I loved it - and the knock on the door and look thru the peephole scene was epic; it reminds me of Janet Jackson’s "Any Time." It just seemed like a classic - I knew it would be amazing, and it is! Lol.
What's your mission statement as an artist? How does "Ordinary Love" tie into this?
My goal and statement for creating are to be remembered. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years. I’ve been blessed to work with some of the greats. I'm still learning daily about my music and life; you could say I’m a human sponge! I want to create music that is relatable and feels good at the same time; I’m humbled to have come this far and excited to see where my maturity and experience are about to take me. “Ordinary Love” ties into this because I’ve been there. I love hard – I’m a Libra, and we are a solid foundation when it comes to love, and when I tell you that I'm pouring every drop of love into my project, I mean that. This is ‘90s music all over again!!
You carry such classic and modern sounds through your work. Regarding non-musical influences, who or what do you turn to for inspiration?
My inspiration comes from music all over. When I was a kid, my mom made me listen to Stephanie Mills, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Prince, Freddie Jackson, Bobby Brown, and Baby Face - and the list grew. As I got older, I started idolizing jazz artists: Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, BB King, etc. Then there were the groups like Boyz II Men, Silk, and Mint Conditions - I could name so many, but we would be talking for years and decades, lol! We are thrilled to hear that you're working on a full-length project. So what can you tell us about your upcoming album, '1990?'
I wanted to name the album 1990 because I love the groove from groups like Guy, Color Me Bad, Bobby Brown, and Keith Sweat - when hip-hop stood for something. I took time to learn what I wanted to sing and write about. I think today’s artists don't take the time to write clever melodies or songs. I wanted it to be more about the music: the percussion, chords, and arrangements, the concept of the story that drives it to be more heartfelt. A song that reminds me of everything from when "New Jack" first started to when R&B was incredibly unreliable. I called this style “gumbo” cause this is a style to keep going, lol! I can say that this project will be something to remember for a while. I’m blessed to say we're just getting started, so get ready!! We’re here to stay, baby!!