Donny Cash — heart, hunger, and honor.

Some stories don’t start with a big moment or a dramatic scene—they start at home. For this Kentucky-born rapper, the journey begins in a Winburn duplex, surrounded by family, love, and the kind of real life you can’t fake in your music. He’s an artist who’s still growing, still sharpening his craft, and still figuring out how far his gift can take him. But one thing is clear: nothing about his path has been accidental.

Below, he talks about where he comes from, how rap found him, and why every song he releases carries a piece of his faith, his loss, and his hunger for greatness.

Where were you born and raised?

I was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, on the northside of Winburn. It was my grandmother, my mother, both of my aunts, and my Uncle, as well as myself, who all lived together until I was about 6 or 7 in a 3-bedroom duplex. 

What first drew you to rap and made you realize this was something you wanted to do seriously?

I grew up like most kids at the time. Watching 106th and Park after school every day, as well as the Bet Awards, Spring Bling, and MTV Jams. Music has always been a part of my life. Before I wrote rap, I used to write poetry. I just loved painting pictures and feelings with words. I enjoyed it, and I was naturally good at it — A true wordsmith. I used to ride around in the car listening to 107.9 The Beat, and they’d sneak and play like one or two sounds, and I could instantly guess the song, with about a 90% efficiency rating. I learned about mixtapes from riding around the city with my uncle. He always used to play Jeezy, Ti, and Gucci Mane. But when I first heard Lil Wayne, I knew I wanted to rap. When I wrote my first rap, it was actually a Wayne verse from a mixtape that I thought nobody had heard. But after that, I began to understand writing in rap form. I used that same cadence for a few raps and songs and eventually learned my style. I was about 14 at this time. 

How would you describe your evolution as an artist since you first started making music?

My evolution feels a lot like Kevin Durant’s game—consistent, versatile, and always high quality. I’m gonna give you solid raps every time. You can hear the growth, but the standard for me has never changed: real taste, real craft, real intention. Everybody around me—my mentors, my friends—they hold me to that, so it’s just who I am at this point.

I study music like a student. I love figuring out sounds, textures, details. I’m still learning every day, still excited to create. Honestly, I’m just a vessel. Everything I put out is the blood, sweat, time, and tears God put in me. Not holding myself to a high standard and operating in extreme confidence would be disrespectful to the gift. 

Were there any key moments or challenges that shaped your growth as a rapper?

Losing my best friend—my brother—when I was a freshman changed me forever. Everyone who was there knows what that loss did. He was from Louisville, and he was the one I told every idea to first. He believed in me before I knew I had something. I don’t say “was,” because he’s still here. I feel him every day. I owe it to him to push this as far as I can.

Another moment was almost dying. My life literally flashed in front of me—like someone hit rewind and fast-forward at the same time. And the last image I saw was a crowd going crazy at a show. I should’ve died more than once, but God is real. The feeling I get when I create? That’s Him. It’s not gospel music, but it’s my gospel. It’s what I’m supposed to give the world.

Who were some of your biggest musical influences?

Kanye, Wayne, Hov—Hov’s the Jordan standard. Pharrell, Clipse, Dipset, Nas, Jadakiss. A lot of New York, a lot of Atlanta. André 3000, T.I.—I’m bar heavy, a rapper’s rapper, but I love the South’s swag too. Being from Kentucky, I soaked up everything that felt good.

And it wasn’t just rap. Rock, alternative, R&B—if it moved me, it influenced me.

Does your upbringing play a role in your sound and storytelling?

For sure. I grew up in the hood, but my mom gave me freedom to explore. I learned a lot from where I’m from, and the stories I have are endless. Even the people close to me ask me to tell their stories, so sometimes I step out of my own shoes and speak for them. That’s an honor.

Tell us about the inspiration behind “Shaolin.”

“Shaolin” came right after I watched a Wu-Tang documentary. They’re the blueprint for a rapper’s rapper, and they shaped a lot of who I am. The beat sounded like two samurais about to duel—calm before the storm type energy. Once it dropped, I just went. Couldn’t stop. I was in my garage, like always, and after the first two lines I knew exactly where I was taking it. I don’t force anything; I let the beat tell me what to do. That’s why the track moves how it does—up, down, all emotion.

For the visuals, I didn’t want to act or look cool. I wanted people to see me—raw emotion, nothing else.

What story are you telling through “Shaolin”?

“Shaolin” isn’t one story. It’s a bunch of real moments packed into a few minutes. I talk about being vulnerable, wearing my heart out loud, struggling, fighting through fire, and still keeping my honor as a man.

If there’s one message, it’s this: be free. Be yourself. Be exactly who you need to be to overcome what’s in front of you.

How hands-on were you in creating the visuals?

Very. I picked the first location, and my brother Dot—a creative genius—handled the angles and color grading. He picked the second spot. We trust each other completely, so the process is easy, fun, and open.

And the styling? That’s always me. I’ve never even thought about using a stylist—not because I don’t trust stylists, but because I love being involved in every detail.

What does your creative process look like in the studio?

I got two modes. One is pure feeling—freestyling, punching in, catching cadences naturally. The other is the writer in me—I like coming in with everything memorized, knocking verses out in one or two takes. I don’t read off my phone often. I like being over-prepared. Everything with me is about feeling. I don’t like big crowds in my sessions either—just the engineer and maybe one close friend. Most times it’s just me and the engineer.

Describe your fashion style in three words.

Free. Chic street. Artsy–sporty.

I know that’s more than three, but that’s me.

Is fashion part of your artistic identity?

I am fashion. It’s literally in my DNA. I care about it in a real way. Fashion is how I express whatever I’m feeling that day. It’s another lane of art for me.

Where do you pull style inspiration from?

Everything. The whole world. Food, music, sports, cars, my friends, strangers, animals—anything can spark something. Pharrell said there’s like an invisible library of ideas, and that’s how I feel. I just pull a book off the shelf and try something. I’m comfortable being uncomfortable. Trends don’t matter—personal style is who you are.

What do you want people to take away from your music and visuals?

I want people to know that whatever you see in your mind, you can make real. You don’t need perfect conditions or a big budget. Use what you have and try. 

And I want people to recognize that I’m one of those ones. I can rap with anybody—industry, underground, local, whoever. My sword is sharp, and I know how to use it.

How do you stay grounded in an industry that’s always changing?

God. Family. Meditation. Staying present keeps me grounded. I don’t live in the past or the future. I focus on what I can control.

The game is more performative now. Where I’m from, if you couldn’t rap, you couldn’t call yourself a rapper. These days anybody can. But I can’t control that. I just control my art. And I’m gonna rap faces off on any beat, any style. I stay in my own universe and let everything else move around me.

What’s next for you?

A lot. I’m focused on dropping singles with visuals. If you want a project, go listen to Vessel—I dropped it on my birthday, April 10. I probably won’t drop another project until around that time again, but you’ll be fed with the singles and visuals in between.

I’ve also got collaborations coming with Elz Bentley, Ja The King, xkhours, Tony Wavy, and more. And “Shaolin” drops on all platforms this month. Just know—you’re getting something special from me every month.

What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?

I want to inspire people for generations. I want folks to believe in themselves heavy. Vulnerability is freedom. Being who you really are is freedom. If God gave you a gift, use it with purpose.

And I’m chasing greatness—for real. I want to be remembered as one of the ones. Best rapper, best dressed, best dad. I’m not scared to live in that truth.

For Donny Cash, music is more than putting pen to paper. It's honor to his family, it's homage to his best friend, it's hunger for evolution. Propelled by his life changing experiences, he's paving the way for himself, his family, and his community.