Today we’d like to introduce you to Donkor ‘Condo, The Ambassador of Turn Up’ Al-Amin.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Donkor ‘Condo. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey started in elementary school. I knew from an early age that I loved people and I wanted to entertain. Anytime there was a play or an opportunity to speak in front of a crowd I jumped at the chance to do so. I also had a very profound love for music, so I joined the orchestra and played the violin. I kept playing all the up to my 7th-grade year. However, I put the violin down because I felt like I was too cool for school and wanted to move in a different direction. Man, if I knew how much music would play a role in my adult life, I would’ve never given it up. I then joined the drama club which was a great way for me to express myself and have the opportunity to perform on the stage. Being on the stage was a rush for me and I couldn’t get enough of that feeling. It just simply felt like this was what I was supposed to be doing.
Once I got to high school, I played football, baseball, and I wrestled. However, I still had the itch to perform so I continued with the drama club. You can definitely say I had a full schedule, but indulging in these things taught me the importance of discipline, teamwork, and focus. These principles still hold true for me to this day. I’d ended up earning a football scholarship to Morehouse College where I studied Sociology. It was not soon after my sophomore year in 2003 that I linked up with my fellow brothers and sisters at Clark Atlanta University and Spelman College and started acting in stage plays. My sophomore was a game changer for me in more way than one. My blood brother Ayinde Sings and his bandmate Chris Howard were also across the street at CAU. We were having a conversation one day while on the yard, and we felt the need to bring live music to the Atlanta University Center and do it our way. Out of that convo, we formed our production company Duality Productions. We began facilitating live musical events which also gave the young artist an opportunity to showcase their talents. My brothers produced all the music and I served as the event host. It was here that I started to hone my skill set as an event host.
After hosting our first event which we called “Sounds of The Season,” I realized that hosting was natural for me. I became driven by the fact that I could captivate people and move them with my voice. This was something that I had to keep doing. We continued to put on successful events for the next few years.
Fast forward to 2009, I began working out of a newly formed dance, performance, and music studio owned by Jai McClendon Jones, Rob Jones, and Ruben Royster called AREA (Atlanta’s Resource for Entertainment and Arts). Working here is where I got my first big opportunity to do something in the industry. Here I got the chance to work in artist development and stage management. My first major event was stage managing the Soul Train Music Awards Gifting Suite. I was green and nervous as hell but the team had faith in me to do a great job. I was able to work with artists such as Truth Hurts, Chico Debarge, D. Woods, Nicci Gilbert, and the SOS Band just to name a few. It was a lot of hard work, but the event was a huge success. Shifting gears to the artist development side of things and one of my most notable memories was working with a young Chloe and Halle Bailey. It’s amazing to see their growth today. We were definitely making noise as a business and we worked hard to create our own lane.
Studio sessions at AREA ran long hours of the morning alongside producers Reuben Royster and Ayinde Sings. When sessions were over or we took a break, we’d always strike up meaningful dialogue amongst ourselves and with whoever was in the studio at the time. Me being who I am I’d always have an off the wall topic of a way of looking at things. Not that I think about it, I really was trying to be funny I was being real and it came across funny. During a session, one night, we were having another one of these conversations and Reuben says to me” Condo you’re pretty good at this, we should cut the camera on and record it” I was like let’s do it! “Him saying that birthed the beginning of my internet TV show “Condo TV.” Condo TV became a weekly late-night show and once people started to tune in, I started to take it seriously. The show featured my brother Ayinde Sings and I was able to add a beautiful young lady Breonna Oliphant to be the voice of the ladies. The show really began to pick up in viewership over the next few years and we thought to ourselves we can be successful in doing this internet media thing. A year into doing the show, we had to find a new place to record and at the time, I honestly didn’t have one. So, I started to record my show in the living room of my two bedroom apartment on a small mac book that my co-host and I had to crown around. Lol, we had big fun every time we cut the camera on. This went on until 2013 when we had the opportunity to expand the brand and production value of the show. We took our talents to Atlanta’s on Freddy O’s studio and started recording out of there. After a few shows there, we eventually went back to AREA at their brand new location.
In 2014 I was able to land an opportunity to do internet radio due to the success of my online TV show, and “Condo Radio” was born. Just like all the other endeavors that I’d embarked on up until this point, I knew the first time I sat down in front of the mic in the studio that this was something that I was supposed to be doing! Condo Radio ran strong for 2 years, and because of this I had the opportunity to fine tune my skill set as a radio personality and I’m very grateful for the opportunity. Major shout out to Orange Room Radio for giving me a platform to share my gifts and talents with the world. Currently, I’m in the process of rebooting my radio show and I this is something that I am uber excited about. Stay tuned!
So, at this point in my career, I’ve hosted countless live events, had my own internet TV and radio shows, but there was another level that I wanted to take it to. Being from Atlanta we’re known as one of the party capitals of the world, and our culture influences all cultures across the board. I’m from “Old Atlanta” where people actually danced and clubs and lounges had dance floors. I’m an 80’s baby, and when I was coming up dancing and having a great time was the thing to do. I mean, you were lame if you weren’t dancing actually. Dances like the Bankhead Bounce, Tickin, the Rag Top, Atl Booty Bass Twerkin for the ladies, and Yeekin with your dance group were all dance crazes that influenced the way we partied down here. My crew and I would always partake in doing these dances while DJs spun in parties and clubs around the city, and basically, we would set the dance out and turn the clubs up on our own. It was just what we did, so my brother Ayinde Sings and I had a conversation about getting back to the essence of Atlanta partying and ensuring that people have a great time. We wanted to get back to the dance!
So, in 2012, we started our company “DJ Sings and Condo.” My brother taught himself how to DJ and I already had the voice and the hosting experience, so it made for a perfect combination. We took off and set to bring great music and most importantly high energy to facilitating a magical experience to people’s events. During our conception I felt like turning up was something that was essential at all cost while doing this, however it wasn’t enough for me. My energy level is always on 10 when I host anything and to me “turn up” needed a prime facilitator at the helm. Thus, I became Condo “The Ambassador of Turn Up” at your service. Together with our company, DJ Sings and Condo “The Ambassador of Turn Up” has been rocking for the last seven years. We owe a lot of credit to our 1st major residencies in Atlanta at the Atlanta Food Truck Park and Churchills which is located in Buckhead Bar District back in 2013. Rocking in these establishments really allowed for us to appreciate how to move crowds of different demographics. It taught us that music and partying really have no shape, size, color, or creed and that when people come together for one goal to have a great time when can create magical moments. We’ve had a lot of success in doing events in the city of Atlanta and now I can honestly say that we are one of the most sought after sources for musical entertainment in the city and beyond. We work in every sector from private to corporate and public. It has truly been a blessing to continue to work in this industry and receive that amount of love that we receive on a daily basis. I have to give all the credit to God for giving me the persistence, will, passion and drive to never give up.
Internet media, hosting events, and acting are what I do, and I don’t take these gifts lightly. I feel that it’s my obligation to share these things with the world no matter what and I will continue to do so until I can’t anymore!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Has this journey been smooth? Not at the slightest! My life has been on a roller coaster since I started pursuing endeavors in the entertainment industry. I’ve gone from feeling unappreciated, to unseen and unheard. I’ve felt like no one took me seriously and even dealt with push back on the pursuit of my dreams from my own family. Nothing about where I am today came easy, many times throughout this journey I had to be my own cheerleader, counselor, bodyguard, teacher, set designer, social media expert, marketer, supporter and so much more. Trying to pursue a career as a TV/Radio personality, Professional Host and Actor is also not the easiest thing to do when you spend 40 plus hours a week working for somebody else’s dream. I’ve walked away from daytime jobs multiple times because I wasn’t happy and felt unfulfilled. Went through what we call depression, weight gain and ultimately feeling sorry for myself because I wasn’t where I thought I should be in my career. It took a toll on me and even had me doubting my God-given talents.
Until I had an awakening back in January of 2013. I was at my lowest point mentally and physically. I gained 80 pounds and was completely at a loss for what to do next. I even contemplated giving up what I started. Then, I heard God speak to me very clearly. He told me to “Get Up, I have a divine purpose for your life and it’s going to happen on my time, not yours!” That was all that I needed to keep pushing. I started my journey to a better life mentally, spiritually, and physically. I got a gym membership and went as hard as possible. Lost 90 pounds in total! In doing this I gained the motivation to focus on my mental capacity by meditating and taking the time I needed for myself to focus and listen to God on a daily basis. Not only did I build my physical muscle but also my spiritual and mental muscle. I regained my confidence and let’s just say I was totally renewed.
My take away from all of this is that there is no straight path to success in life. The measure of true happiness is knowing that all things happen in time, with focus, preparation, and most importantly hard work. Today, when I wake up, I tell myself that “I am enough, and I can make it through whatever comes my way.”
Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
My company is called “DJ Sings and Condo” which alongside my brother Ayinde Sings we started back in 2012. We specialize in providing full DJ and Emcee services for public, private, and corporate events. The things we are known for most is our energy when it comes to facilitating a complete musical and party experience for our clients. We approach every event with a high level of positively infections energy and we give it all to the people and the response is always immense.
The thing that I am most proud of our company is our resilience and growth. When we started this we’d literally be performing for ourselves. We’d be doing events and nobody would show up. We’ve rocked in the rain, heat, and even in the snow but we kept going! We had to put on our track shoes and hit the streets trying to get people to give us a chance. We called venues and showed up to talk to managers and owners. We would do the bulk of our early events for free just to be heard. It was literally a non-stop process of consistent grinding. We endured a lot of no’s and yes’s on this journey but each one made us into who we are today.
The things that set us apart from everybody else in the industry is our ability to make everyone feel like they’re VIP. We make sure we touch every single person in the room and we are very intentional about that. We aim to make everybody and I mean everybody become apart of the party! It’s personal for us. Our goal is to grab you with a song, or I’ll go and literally grab you and help bring that Turn Up out of your soul. It’s the reason why they call me “The Ambassador of Turn Up”. With DJ Sings providing the soundtrack and myself bringing the energy we are a powerful combination that can rock any crowd of people.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
The first two people that deserve the credit for where and who I am are my parents Tauheedah and Kuzuri Al-Amin. They’ve supported me in everything I’ve done from day one. They are the reasons I go so hard. I could never repay them for all the things they’ve done for me so I’m working hard now so that they don’t have to anymore. I have to also give a shout out to Jai McClendon Jones, Rob Jones, and Reuben Royster. These three individuals were instrumental in my journey. They trusted me with the opportunity to work on my first major project in the industry and it was their studio where the birth of my show Condo TV began. I have to give a major shout out to Tan Bowers owner of the Atlanta Food Truck Park for believing in me and giving me my first major hosting residency in the city of Atlanta. I want to also thank a good brother by the name of Skylar who gave me my first hosting residency in Buckhead. Another pivotal person that I want to thank his brother John Beal, owner of Orange Room Radio for allowing me to take my talents to radio for the first time. Huge shout out to my brother and business partner Ayinde Sings for taking this journey with me. It’s been a long road, but we still have so much work today. Lastly, I want to thank each and every person who has ever booked me to host an event, listened or watched my shows, shared our information along to others, and just for your prayers and encouraging words. It truly means a lot and it’s one of the reasons why I won’t stop until I reach all of my dreams.
Contact Info:
- Email: DJSingsAndCondo@gmail.com
- Instagram: @Condoishim
- Facebook: Facebook.com/DJSingsAndCondo
- Twitter: @Condoishim
Image Credit:
Natey Nukez, Caye Captures
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