Daily Inspiration: Meet Donterell McDuffie

Today we’d like to introduce you to Donterell McDuffie

Hi Donterell, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Pianist, producer, singer, songwriter, author and all-around artist, Donterell McDuffie was raised in the quaint town of Boardman North Carolina (population 198) on a farm. I was introduced to music at an early age, using it as a means of escape, and have been pursuing it passionately since childhood. After playing organ, piano, and drums all across the country, my endeavors led me to move to Philadelphia PA where I was afforded the opportunity to work and produce with GRAMMY award winning music producer Carvin Haggins (Musiq Soulchild, Justin Timberlake, Tupac, Jill Scott, Will Smith), legendary songwriter and vocalist Bunny Sigler (Let the Good Times Roll), GRAMMY award winning singer/songwriter Joe Stonestreet (original lead singer of Black Street), and even tour with the legendary Chubby Checker (The Twist). I have been featured in Mackie Gears blog and podcast as an artist and producer. During my time in Philly I was an active part of the young adult community. I taught music at Chester Community Charter School, and in my early years in Philly, volunteered at the Urban Crisis Response Center, an organization which aims to stop gun violence in the city of Philadelphia. I have been featured on 6 ABC, Showtime, HBO, News Channel 10 and many more for my activism. I was also a composer in the sold out world premier of The Factotum presented by the Chicago Lyric opera house and have been a composer in several independent films including Cobwebs The Trinity Arises(2022). I am now signed to the multi-grammy award winning production company Triangle Park as a producer and have worked with the likes of Major Myjah, Bollywood superstar Norah Fatehi, Cedric the Entertainer, and labels like Roc Nation, Atlantic Records, Empire, and have had the pleasure of working directly with the legendary LA Reid. I recently finished writing my first fantasy novel (which should begin publication in 2025) and have been acting in background roles on The NBA finals commercial, and Carl Webber’s The Family Business NOLA (BET).

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been challenging. I decided last year, June 19, to leave Philly and drive across the country to LA. I had no idea where I would stay or who I would work with. I just knew I needed to be in LA. It has been rewarding beyond my wildest dreams. Even when you get what you dreamed about though, it doesn’t always manifest the way you picture it in your mind. My days are long, often exceeding 12 hours. And that’s nearly seven days a week. Often not getting a break for weeks at a time, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Also, there is an onus on me to always be creative. I don’t get the luxury of not knowing. Which is a challenging thing. But when people see the gift in you, it drives you to become the best version of yourself. The old you has to die, so the knew you can be born.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a music producer (primarily). I specialize in piano/keys as a producer. Most notably currently is the song I have with Major Myjah (signed to Roc Nation) entitled “Exes”. Major is a new artist and secondly would be Ray Vaughn’s “Problems” ft Pusha T. I am most proud of my journey in LA and how it has shaped me as a professional producer. The thing that sets me apart is my ambition and drive. I aspire to do anything I set my mind to at the highest level. So producing for me means doing it at the highest level, but the same goes for acting and writing. Writing a novel is no small feat and I am incredibly proud of seeing that through to the very end. It is a body of work I cannot wait to share with the world.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
This is an interesting question because I had this conversation with LA Reid. I asked him, what role luck plays in success. He and I both agree that luck is about 20% of all success, which is a huge percentage. Meaning, it’s about 40% preparation 40% talent, and 20% luck. Everyone gets lucky, but are you prepared when luck finds you? I believe that I have been tremendously lucky in my journey. I also believe that I was prepared when luck showed up. The preparation comes from putting in the reps when opportunity ISN’T knocking. I was doing free work for friends, or simply staying up late practicing. I was volunteering to help people with their projects because I KNEW luck would eventually come knocking. Luck is like a door-to-door salesman; it always comes to every home. You just have to be ready. I’m grateful that I had the foresight to prepare.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/don_terell/