Duckwrth

Rapper/songwriter/producer/visual artist Duckwrth brings his vibrant, curious personality to songs that blur genre lines. His production approach ranges from smooth, organic R&B to futuristic hip-hop instrumentals to infectious pop hooks, and he explored all of this and more on his 2020 debut studio album SuperGood and the singles that followed, like “Birthday Suit” and “Make U Go.” He returned in 2022 with the dancefloor-ready EP, Chrome Bull. Duckwrth was born Jared Lee in Los Angeles in 1989. His childhood was sheltered, and he spent much of his time inside, watching cartoons and drawing. He channeled some of his artistic spirit while enrolled in art school in San Francisco, but he ultimately dropped out and made his way back to Los Angeles. In the mid-2010s, he began releasing his own songs online under the Duckwrth moniker and expanded his audience when he did some work with producer Kickdrums. Following their collaborative 2014 single “Supersoaker” and the album Nowhere that followed the next year, Duckwrth released his first entirely solo collection, 2016′s I’M UUGLY. The album delved into various styles, taking inspiration from both hip-hop sounds Lee enjoyed in his early twenties and the more caustic punk influences that filled his teenage days. With I’M UUGLY establishing Duckwrth’s unique style and free-spirited creativity, he kept the momentum going with the release of 2017’s An XTRA UUGLY Mixtape. The following year, in addition to his own solo output, he secured a spot on the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack, teaming with Shaboozey on “Start a Riot.” In 2019, he was joined by guests such as Rico Nasty, Kiana Lede, Medasin, and others for his EP The Falling Man. A proper studio album materialized in 2020 with SuperGood, a showcase of the rapper’s diverse skills that included guest performances from EarthGang, Jean Deaux, Kyle Dion, and others. The next year Duckwrth released several new songs such as “Make U Go,” and also collaborated with like-minded artist TeaMarrr on her single “Specific.” 2022 saw the release of the EP Chrome Bull, which infused his forward-thinking R&B/hip-hop sound with elements of funk, house, and U.K. garage. ~ Fred Thomas