Don Bartholomew, known professionally as Don B., is the son of the legendary Dave Bartholomew—a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Blues Hall of Fame member, and pioneering figure in rhythm and blues.
Inspired by his father’s legacy, Don developed a passion for music at an early age. He began playing drums and reading music in the third grade, and by high school, he had become deeply immersed in hip-hop while also drawing influence from R&B and pop music.
Don formed his first group, a boy band called Friends 9, with three friends and his younger brother, Ron Bartholomew. After finding success on the local New Orleans music scene, he shifted his focus to music production, where he quickly earned the respect of many of the city’s hip-hop pioneers, including Mia X, Soulja Slim, and Lil Wayne.
His studio, Hitts Studio, became a grassroots hub for New Orleans’ rap, R&B, and pop artists, as well as influential record labels including Cash Money Records and No Limit Records.
Largely self-taught, Don built his reputation through dedication, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to his craft. As an engineer, producer, and mentor, he continues to inspire artists, producers, and musicians to pursue excellence.
Today, Don serves as CEO of BangnWorld, the umbrella company for Bangn Recordings and Bartholomew Boyz Productions, which he operates alongside his producer sons, Supa Dezzy and Trakkabeats. Through his work, Don continues to honor his family’s musical legacy while helping shape the next generation of New Orleans music.