Rising Stars: Meet Donny Apollo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Donny Apollo

Hi Donny, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey in music has been shaped by a life of constant movement and the diverse experiences that come with it. Growing up in a military family, I rarely spent more than a year or two in one place. It wasn’t until 2013 that I found my true home in Nashville, a city that profoundly influenced who I am today. While I bounced between LA and Nashville, it was Nashville that molded me the most, embedding a deep connection to music within me.

I started as a metal and pop-punk guitarist, but hip-hop had always been my true passion. Moving around so much made it hard to keep close friendships, so I poured myself into mastering the guitar and immersing myself in music. By 2015, I decided to take a leap as a solo artist, releasing my first tracks, ‘La La La La,’ ‘Lotus,’ and ‘Roxy.’ These songs were just the beginning, but it was ‘Trendy’ that really set things in motion. That track caught people’s attention and made me realize that I could carve out a unique space in the music industry. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m excited to see where it leads next.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has definitely been anything but smooth, and there have been moments that were incredibly frustrating. But I’m grateful for the journey, even with the challenges. I’ve had to face some serious struggles, including battling addiction—a battle I’m proud to say I’ve overcome. There was also a time when I was homeless, living in the back of my 2007 Black Jeep in the 100 Oaks parking lot for about six months. It was a scary and humbling experience, and I promised myself I’d never let that happen again.

I’ve always been an extroverted people person and a bit of a ‘yes man,’ which sometimes led to overcommitting. I owe a lot to my manager, Nesto, and my producer, Ice Kold Donnie, because in recent years, I’ve had personal issues and new trust challenges that slowed down our progress. But now, I’m excited about what’s ahead and ready to give the green light for the next chapter for all of us. Those struggles have shaped who I am today, and I’m eager to see how they fuel and react to what’s to come.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a music artist based out of Nashville, TN, known for my unique ability to blend various genres with hip-hop at the core. My sound draws from a wide range of influences—pop, punk, EDM, rock alt, and, of course, hip-hop. A few years ago, my team and I had a lock-in at Blackbird Studios, where we created some incredible tracks, many of which haven’t even been released yet. The experience of working so closely as a unit gave me a newfound confidence that has really fueled my creativity.

What sets me apart from others is the variety and range in my music. I’m proud that my tracks don’t all sound the same; I believe that keeps my sound fresh and engaging. I love the challenge of stepping outside the box and surprising my listeners with something new and unexpected. Since IKD and I started handling most of the production in-house, the creative process has become even more interesting, and I’m excited to see how my audience reacts to these upcoming releases.

I try not to focus on comparisons because I believe that comparison is the thief of joy. It’s not about being arrogant, but the reality is no one else sounds like me in the circles I’m in. I don’t see my peers as competition—we’re all in our own lanes. Nashville is home to a wealth of talent and it’s not just country, with artists like Brian Brown, Daisha McBride, Vibeout. , NoBigDyl, Notelle, FuStan, SixOneTribe, New Found Honey, Tim Gent, J Doughblay, Roger Songbird, Noah West, Sean Stemaly and many others who inspire and challenge me both directly and indirectly. I respect and learn from all of them, but what sets me apart is that my sound is truly unique, and I owe a lot of that to the incredible team I work with.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was a kid who struggled with confidence, and honestly, the only place I really found it was through playing guitar. I talked a lot and had ADHD to the max—it got to the point where medication became necessary. I was also kind of a nerd, in the best way possible. I loved video games like most kids, but I was especially obsessed with Dragon Ball, One Piece and anything Marvel-related. Spider-Man, Wolverine, and the Hulk were my favorites.

When my dad was deployed, he would send me packages filled with comic books and Marvel merch from overseas, and when he got home, he’d want me to fill him in on everything that was happening in the Marvel universe and what movies were coming up. That was our thing. I was also really into skateboarding for a long time. If I hadn’t learned how health insurance works, I might’ve pursued it as a career!

By the time high school rolled around, I didn’t leave the house much unless I was playing shows or had band practice. Outside of that, I’d be inside watching music videos and studying albums. I can still remember the first four CDs I bought as a kid—‘Speakerboxxx/The Love Below’ by OutKast, ‘Late Registration’ by Kanye West, ‘Justified’ by Justin Timberlake, and ‘The Trinity’ by Sean Paul. Those albums shaped a lot of my sound to this day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/donnyapollo
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnyapollo?igsh=NWFodmk1c3lqcXhk
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/FsgWoYcFL8AJFiA8/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Twitter: https://x.com/donnyapollo?s=21
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@donnyapollotvofficial
• Other: https://linktr.ee/donnyapollo