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 Quality Control Music, 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 QC's Top Five album Control the Streets, Vol. 2. He entered a joint deal with Motown 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 Migos' Offset, which led to a deal with Quality Control Music. Duke Deuce's first QC mixtape, Memphis Massacre, was out by the end of 2018 and featured "Whole Lotta," in addition to guest appearances from Offset and Memphis legend Project Pat. The rapper's climb continued in 2019 with several lead and supporting spots on QC'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 Project Pat and Lil Jon present on a new version of "Crunk Ain't Dead." After signing a Motown deal, Duke returned in February 2021 with Duke Nukem. Highlighted by the Offset collaboration "Gangsta Party" among other cuts featuring the likes of Latto and A$AP Ferg, 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 GloRilla-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/Motown offering. Duke wasted no time continuing as an independent artist, conducting business as usual in 2023 with "GTD" and "Wassup." ~ Andy Kellman