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Description:
Just 21 years of age this young Samoan Polynesian gives hope and inspiration to others just like
him and staying grounded by his family, heritage and let’s not forget his religion, Stunna is lyrical
genius.
It was Donald’s music-loving Dad who encouraged him to audition for X-factor with his
group “RANDOM”. The aspiring vocalist was initially unsure he could pull it off. I wouldn't put my
hand up," Donald reveals. Ironically, X-Factor gave him a confidence boost.
Former member of top charting R&B group “Random” who won 2005 Australia’s talent search on
TV show “X factor”, Donald Tauvao aka Stunna a young at the time has now gone solo, and having
the experience and exposure under his belt with tours with world wide r&b sensations Boys to Men,
Next, Joe, kc and jojo, 112 and many more. Earning his group a 5 album contract with Sony Bmg,
Donald decided to leave the group and the label in 2008 to pursue a solo career to write for other
artists and to work on his own assignments.
Being exposed to the music industry at a young age really made him aware and ready for the
present trials which you face as an independent artist.
Call it R&B with a hip-hop urgency. “We just call it R&B with a hip-hop urgency. “We’re just
making sure that I’m felt in the streets as much as I’m felt on the soulful level,” says 21-year-old
now solo recording artist songwriter Donald Tauvao aka “Stunna”
The Brisbane, Australia phenom didn’t always have a musical career in mind. As a child, there
was no rigorous voice or piano lessons. In fact, all through high school, Stunna was doing what
most kids his age were doing: playing rugby, throwing parties, and getting dragged to church by
his devout grandmother, who sang in a gospel choir. “I wasn’t even paying attention to R&B at
the time,” says Stunner. “I was listening to straight rap, like Biggie, Jay-Z, and Nas.” The only
R&B artist who caught his attention was R. Kelly. “When it comes to R&B, he kills it. He gives you
every part of the soul he can think of, from the gangster to the gentleman,” says Stunner.
Most importantly, Stunna has been busy perfecting his own soulful premiere. “Speechless” a
diary about a young man and his fascinating dreams, loves, and hustles – a work of street and
sweet sensibility produced mostly by Khaled Rohaim “the formula, Xy latu of Beat Kamp Records
and other collaborations featuring new Zealand artists Dei Hamo, tyree and possibly more future
collabs.
Following his dreams solo now, Stunna is busy writing, recording and exposing his music to other
lovers of the game. 2010 is big year for this young rising star and we are surely going to hear the
best of his music in the next years to come.
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