Crunk music was never dead, but Memphis rapper Duke Deuce has taken it upon himself to inspire a new generation to tear the club up. With inexhaustible energy and a booming voice, he’s reclaiming the ecstatic subgenre for his hometown, making music as grim as it is gleeful, and turning up all the while. Rapping about harrowing realities and detailing the benefits of his hard-won success, Duke has reached millions of fans who dig his music’s intensity as much as they do the playful dancing (a.k.a. gangsta walking) he does in his videos. With each release, Duke makes the case that crunk is more than music. It’s a way of life. He often bellows his signature ad-lib “WHAT THE FUCK?!” with the force of a wrecking ball—or rather, the force of his own breakout single, “Crunk Ain’t Dead,” a high-octane anthem that earned a remix featuring a few legends of the genre: Lil Jon, Juicy J, and Project Pat. Since signing with Quality Control Music, Duke hasn’t let his foot off the gas, releasing Memphis Massacre [2018], Memphis Massacre 2 [2020], and Duke Nukem [2021]. His highly anticipated forthcoming album, Crunkstar, releases June 17, 2022 via Quality Control Music/Motown Records/Made Men Movement. The project, which highlights Duke’s unique ‘crunk-rock’ sound, boasts hard-hitting singles “Falling Off” [feat. Rico Nasty], “WTF!”, “I Ain’t Worried Bout It”, “Running Out of Love” and “Crunkstarz.” This is crushing crunk music to ring in the next phase of Duke’s worldwide massacre.

TrapNHardo, Wilkinsburgh, PA #TrapIllustrated 
T.R.A.P "Tryna Rise Above Poverty" 
BUY #Trapnati https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/trapnati/id986202350 

While a great artist's music can tell most of their story, there are always details that take time to work their way into the fabric of songs and become synonymous with the personas that capture fans.

Devin Miles' musical journey has just begun, but he's already figuring out how to tap into his particular perspective to bring elements other rappers might not imagine. Devin lives for creation. 

Whether sitting at the piano–the instrument his played since an early age, turning the heads of friends and family who inspired him to pursue music–or studying Renaissance art, Devin's days are full of unexpected creative forces. While some rappers might dream of hopping on stage with their chart-topping idols, Devin would rather the impossible chance to bring out Ray Charles and jam on the keys. 

His music serves up the crossroads of influences, reflecting the current landscape while allowing Devin's smooth flow, particular musicality, casual cool, and still-developing story to shine through.

This imagination and eclectic perspective–born in a household where music of all types was a constant factor–are the fuel that feed Devin's artistic growth. 

Though his hometown Pittsburgh doesn't possess the storied hip-hop history of some of America's other big metropolises, its recent string of successes in building stars through the independent grind has prepared the 22-year-old for the work necessary to rise from internet buzz to real world notoriety.

He might not be able to resurrect Ray, but Devin is well on his way to leaving a mark on independent hip-hop and climbing to heights beyond the confines of any one genre.

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