Donny Björn Stefan Ellerström[1] (born 5 August 1994), known by the stage name Donnie and pseudonym Donald Scloszkie,[2][3] is a Dutch rapper, singer and songwriter. He is best known for his songs "Snelle planga", "Frans Duits", "Bon gepakt", "Bieber van de kroeg" and "Schultenbräu".
Early life and education
Donny Ellerström was born on 5 August 1994 in Amsterdam to a Dutch mother and a Swedish father. He was raised by his mother and grandmother, and grew up with two elder brothers and a younger sister.[4] He has had little contact with his father, who served a prison sentence for most of Ellerström's childhood and currently lives in Sweden.[2][4] After completing his pre-vocational secondary education, Ellerström attended a culinary college in Amsterdam and worked as a cook at a local restaurant for some time.[4]
Career
While in culinary college, Ellerström became acquainted with Dutch rapper Frans Frederiks (Lange Frans) when he won a risotto cooking competition Frederiks had organised.[2][4] He subsequently featured on Frederiks's 2011 track "Brawler", alongside Faberyayo, and joined him on his concert tour in 2012, using the stage name "Young Kermit".[2] In 2014, he was signed to the record label Magnetron Music [nl] owned by De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig producer Bas Bron.[2]
Soon after, Ellerström released the mixtapeLeipie van het plein, followed by his debut studio album Mannelogie in 2015.[4] He gained prominence in 2018 when he popularised the usage of the slang phrase snelle planga ('flashy sunglasses') through videos on social media and the release of his single "Snelle planga".[2][4] In 2019, he released the single "Barry Hayze" – a play on the name of singer Barry Hay and the cannabis strain Haze Berry – which certified gold in the Netherlands.[5]