[3] Despite his tumultuous childhood he was able to develop his artistic talents with poems and freestyle raps, which eventually led him to his professional career.

[9] He found his first national success that year in the viral online video series BARS, featuring freestyle rap.

[13] In 2009, he released the album The Breakfast Club, which featured collaborations with artists including Kwamé, Statik Selektah, and Planet Asia.

[7] In a two-part interview with the television outlet, Goines opined on his reasons for remaining in the underground hip-hop scene instead of altering his music to obtain a major record deal.

[16] In 2011, he released the album Success Served Cold, which MTV reviewed, labelling Goines an "independent powerhouse".

[19] On November 7, 2012, Donny Goines was filmed breaking the world record for longest freestyle rap, lasting twelve hours and twenty minutes.