Duke Deuce

Duke Deuce is a multifaceted rapper adept at fronting trap-styled productions and upholding the legacy of crunk. The Memphis native got his start independently and was soon added to the roster of <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Quality+Control+Music%22">Quality Control Music</a>, making his label debut with Memphis Massacre (2018), his second mixtape, followed by its likewise horror-themed sequel Memphis Massacre 2 (2020). Between those two recordings, Duke was showcased throughout <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22QC%22">QC</a>'s Top Five album Control the Streets, Vol. 2. He entered a joint deal with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Motown%22">Motown</a> for his first solo album, the charting Duke Nukem (2021), and made further commercial strides with additional full-lengths Crunkstar and Memphis Massacre III (both 2022). Independent again, he has since issued typically in-your-face tracks such as "GTD" and "Wassup" (both 2023).

The son of producer/rapper and MaddHouz Ent. CEO Duke Nitty, Duke Deuce (born Patavious Isom) grew up around music, and even slept in a room that doubled as a recording studio. He made a name for himself in his twenties with "Whole Lotta." When Atlanta-based dancer SheLovesMeechie used the track in one of her videos, it consequently reached <a href="spotify:artist:6oMuImdp5ZcFhWP0ESe6mG">Migos</a>' <a href="spotify:artist:4DdkRBBYG6Yk9Ka8tdJ9BW">Offset</a>, which led to a deal with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Quality+Control+Music%22">Quality Control Music</a>. Duke Deuce's first <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22QC%22">QC</a> mixtape, Memphis Massacre, was out by the end of 2018 and featured "Whole Lotta," in addition to guest appearances from <a href="spotify:artist:4DdkRBBYG6Yk9Ka8tdJ9BW">Offset</a> and Memphis legend <a href="spotify:artist:08Ld63UgKrJ0nZnCkzHtzc">Project Pat</a>. The rapper's climb continued in 2019 with several lead and supporting spots on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22QC%22">QC</a>'s number three Billboard 200 entry Control the Streets, Vol. 2 compilation and the solo single "Crunk Ain't Dead." Memphis Massacre 2 arrived in February 2020 with <a href="spotify:artist:08Ld63UgKrJ0nZnCkzHtzc">Project Pat</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:7sfl4Xt5KmfyDs2T3SVSMK">Lil Jon</a> present on a new version of "Crunk Ain't Dead." After signing a <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Motown%22">Motown</a> deal, Duke returned in February 2021 with Duke Nukem. Highlighted by the <a href="spotify:artist:4DdkRBBYG6Yk9Ka8tdJ9BW">Offset</a> collaboration "Gangsta Party" among other cuts featuring the likes of <a href="spotify:artist:3MdXrJWsbVzdn6fe5JYkSQ">Latto</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:5dHt1vcEm9qb8fCyLcB3HL">A$AP Ferg</a>, the full-length set registered on Billboard's Heatseekers chart at number three. Two more albums arrived the next year. Crunkstar appeared in June with the <a href="spotify:artist:2qoQgPAilErOKCwE2Y8wOG">GloRilla</a>-assisted "Just Say That" one of several tracks that quickly amassed seven-digit streaming figures before the timely October landing of Memphis Massacre III, his final Quality Control/<a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Motown%22">Motown</a> offering. Duke wasted no time continuing as an independent artist, conducting business as usual in 2023 with "GTD" and "Wassup." ~ Andy Kellman