Donald Tells Fans: ‘Allow Me to Cook’ as He Evolves Beyond ‘I Deserve’ Era
For many South Africans, the early 2010s were defined by Donald’s soulful R&B anthems, like “I Deserve” and “Over the Moon”. Those songs weren’t just hits—they were soundtracks to our summers, long drives in the Picanto, and late-night heart-to-hearts with friends. Every beat carried heartbreak, hope, and the kind of love we felt we deserved but didn’t always get.
Recently, Donald teased a new single, and fans couldn’t help but get nostalgic for that old magic. One X user put it perfectly: “We miss the old Donald wa sekgowa, the love I know I deserve, that’s the Donald we want.”
A Gentle Reminder from the Artist
But Donald had a clear response. In his words:
“I’m an artist and can’t be boxed. I make music with all kinds of sounds and languages. Enjoy what you enjoy, but don’t try to choose what I must make… allow me to cook, you just eat what you like.”
He wasn’t just defending his creative freedom—he was making a larger statement about artistic growth. Fans may long for nostalgia, but artists need space to explore new sounds, languages, and stories, reflecting the journeys they’ve lived since those early hits.
Why Fans Struggle with Change
It’s human nature to cling to nostalgia. That era of Donald’s music captured the intensity of young love, heartbreak, and the uncertainty of early adulthood. Songs like “Train of Love” and “I Deserve” were intimate, relatable, and deeply local, blending classic R&B vibes with South African flavour.
But as fans, we’ve grown. We’ve lived, loved, lost, and healed. And Donald’s music has evolved right alongside us. Switching languages, experimenting with new sounds—these aren’t rejections of his past—they’re expansions of his artistry.
Social media reactions were split. While some fans longed for the early 2010s magic, others celebrated Donald’s refusal to be boxed in: a reminder that true artistry isn’t about repeating the past—it’s about growth and authenticity.
The Art of Evolution
Donald’s message is clear: you can love the old, but embrace the new. As he experiments with Setwana, Zulu, Sesotho, and fresh R&B production, he’s not leaving anyone behind. He’s inviting fans to join him on the next chapter of his musical journey.
The lesson? When the nostalgia hits, don’t mourn the past—celebrate the evolution. Play his new single, let it sink in, and appreciate that the Donald you loved isn’t gone; he’s just cooking something even more exciting.
Source: IOL
Featured Image: News24