“Happiness Naturally” is a song written by Donald Walker. Recorded under the name Donny, it is one of those rare hip hop songs that is void of profanity. It also has a more laid back groove, rather than the usual up in your face sound that is normally associated with today’s rap genre. Happiness Naturally is also the title of a book written by Donald Walker. The song reflects the basic theme of his book, focusing on his belief that true happiness can only come from within.
The song depicts Donald advising his younger self about living a life strictly as it relates to outer experiences. In his mind, this way of thinking will only produce uncertainty. Although it may bring success for a moment, more than likely, it will not satisfy the actual long-term happiness that everyone seeks.
“Happiness Naturally” can be heard on most streaming platforms. It can also be found on Donald’s YouTube channel under Scorio Stingo. It can be purchased, together with any of his previous songs, on his website donaldwalker.net. I’m sure once you hear it, you will certainly add it to your favorites’ list.
Hip-hop (also known as rap music or simply rap) is a genre of popular music that emerged in the early 1970s alongside an associated subculture in the African-American and Caribbean immigrants communities of New York City. The musical style is characterized by the synthesis of a wide range of techniques, but rapping is frequent enough that it has become a defining characteristic. Other key markers of the genre are the disc jockey (DJ), turntablism, scratching, beatboxing, and instrumental tracks. Cultural interchange has always been central to the hip-hop genre; it simultaneously borrows from its social environment while commenting on it.
The hip-hop genre and culture emerged from block parties in ethnic minority neighborhoods of New York City, particularly the Bronx. DJs began expanding the instrumental breaks of popular records when they noticed how excited it would make the crowds. The extended breaks provided a platform for break dancers and rappers. These breakbeats enabled the subsequent evolution of the hip-hop style. Many of the records used were disco due to its popularity at the time. This disco-inflected music was originally known as disco rap and later described as “old-school hip-hop“.
