Duckwrth: Hip-Hop’s Unlikely Rock Star [INTERVIEW]
Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Ca. in the ’90s, rapper Duckwrth has developed an authentic, distinctive style and sound that transcends genres. His Rockstar grunge style compliments the unique and expressive mashup of familiar sounds from Funk, Gospel, and Punk with a futuristic interpretation of Hip-Hop in his music. He’s certainly not your average rapper, and he doesn’t want to be.
Influenced by Southern rap pioneers Outkast– a group Duckwrth describes as “leaving space for a weird black boy,” inspired him to remain an independent thinker, and sidestep the stereotypes and pitfalls of the environment he grew up in. Duckwrth has found confidence in his ability to stand out. A gift that has helped him to set himself apart from and craft a superstar career in only five years that forecasts a lasting legacy in entertainment for years to come.
With two mixtapes, an EP, and an album under his belt, his music has reached millions around the world with international headling performances, opening for acts like Billie Eilish and Anderson.Paak. Duckworth’s music has also been featured in ad campaigns for brands like Microsoft, Levis, and Cadillac and television and film projects including HBO’s Insecure and 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack, making him a soon-to-be household name– if he’s not already. Last month (Aug. 21) Duckwrth made his Republic Records debut with the 15-track album “SuperGood”.
Our editor, Bobby Pen, had the opportunity to attend the Zoom press conference hosted by Universal Music Group and 1824 where Duckwrth offered a peek into his creative process. Here are some key takeaways as quotes from the hour-long discussion.
Duckwrth on releasing his album during COVID-19
When asked how he was doing, he said he feels relief now that “SuperGood” is out. “The title is an affirmation,” he said. “When you press play it’s supposed to make you feel ‘Super Good,’ and I feel like it came at a perfect time when people need to feel the best they can at this moment.” He describes the album as “audio medicine.”
Hollywood starlet Issa Rae has been showing love to the album with Instagram Reels showcasing the title track and “Super Bounce” which features Hip-Hop group EARTHGANG. “I want people to dance to groove to bop to move. I want it to be a lifestyle project,” he said. It looks like he’s succeeding.
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What the ’70s Influence on “SuperGood” Represents
As the world raises its global consciousness to social justice awareness, Duckwrth harkens back the ’70s. “It was a time of celebration, he said. “We were just coming out of [the] Civil Rights [Movement] and black people were starting to gain certain freedoms and it was a celebration.”
In reference to the modern-day Black Lives Matter Movement, Duckwrth anticipates a resurgence: “When black people start going back into their essence, a bit of magic happens. That’s why I wanted to tap into that. I feel like we’re coming into that same energy.”
Which track on “SuperGood” is his favorite?
“New Love Song” is his top pick on the LP due to a personal connection to his formative years. “In the sample of the song is the Clark Sisters ‘Jesus is a Love Song,'” he said. “I wanted to give a nod to Gospel music because that’s some of the early music that I remember from my childhood.”
Growing up in LA influences his creativity and music
The duality of Los Angeles in the ’90s and early 2000s made a lasting impression on the young artist. Duckwrth recalls a tale of two cities in one: “It was beautiful. Always sunny. The beaches were always cracking. Poolsides were a common thing out here. It’s like it’s own little utopia in a sense,” he reflected positively. “But at the same time, there was a lot of violence. There was a lot of gang activity so I spent my youth learning how to survive. Whether that be like ducking bullets from drivebys or going to Inglewood high school and there are Blood members and it’s affiliation season.” Duckwrth learned quickly to adapt and think two steps ahead. This instinct is reflected in his progressive career.
How would you describe the Duckwrth sound?
“I’m a smoothie. In the best sense.” Duckwrth’s diverse background afforded him the advantage of an eclectic ear. His one-of-a-kind sound makes him the self-proclaimed “go-between” for Soul music and Rock.
“The music that inspires me most in the studio is Soul / Jazz / Gospel. Certain chord progressions really resonate in my soul and you can find them in Soul / Jazz / Gospel,” he said.
“And then the genre that inspires me when I perform is strictly Punk. Thrasher– hardcore– that’s my shit. That’s the shit that I want to tap into because they perform with such a conviction and it riles people up. It gets the fire started.
One of my favorite bands is bad brains. The lead singer is HR, and the way he performs– he’s a beast. He channels into straight fire and savagery and that’s the place I choose to perform.”
How has the creative and songwriting process changed for you since the pandemic?
While some artists have been pushing along full-steam ahead during COVID-19 social distancing, others have been feeling the gravity of the experience in one way or another. “I have a crazy amount of writer’s block so I have not been able to write much at all,” Duckwrth said. “I know what sound I want to go into the next album, but out of the many songs I’ve made this year after the album [completed in January,] a lot of them are just beats. And of the ones that do have words to them, only two of them are worth putting out.”
In a moment of transparency, he shared: “It’s actually been really hard. It’s been a crazy year and I don’t think my artistry needed me as much as my human did. This year became a year of survival and a lot of what’s lacking in my human it’s been placed in my face and I had to look at it for face value so I think that’s where my energy is at right now. 2020 is a mirror year. It’s a year of reflection.”
To see more of our interviews with talented creatives, click here.
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