05/06/2025
Highly thought of in roots-reggae circles, Doniki never quite fulfilled expectations at the time of his death in 2016, at age 49. The singer left a cache of songs, some of which will be released in February by Wildfire Records out of Philadelphia.
According to that company’s president, Earl Messam, the songs represent the Trench Town-born artist at his best.
“If Doniki never passed away, him woulda run di place right now. Him was definitely one of di best,” he said.
The songs include Don’t Say You Love Me and Give Your Love to Me. Two years ago, he released several tracks by Doniki on two compilation albums — The Best of Reggae Classics and Ready fi di World Volume 2.
Most of those songs are covers, including reggae takes on William Bell’s soul classic I Forgot to be Your Lover, and For The Good Times, made popular among Jamaicans by Al Green.
Messam said he first met Doniki in 1985 at Tuff Gong studios in Kingston and became quick friends. Hard Working People and a cover of Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers’ Just The Two of Us were their initial collaborations.
When Messam migrated to the United States in the late 1980s, they lost touch but got re-acquainted through a mutual friend. They resumed working together just over 10 years ago.
When Donald “Doniki” Willis died on June 5, 2016, at age 49, his wife said he suffered from hypertension for many years. Although born in Trench Town, most of his life was spent in Waterhouse, another Jamaican community with a rich music heritage.
Several of his songs, including Don’t Mix With The Devil and Trod On, were done with deejay Steady Ranks. https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2024/07/23/roland-burrell-remakes-johnny-dollar/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKJLp1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEybklLOHlaTkM2blZ0cmlNAR6D9qiNPubSG_K3xPgkteMIOpv2TV7PmnORgBAWvDdq7NJ5hy4GFX4h54Jbog_aem_DAUDbE6-uhXa6G036ZEUfQ
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