Duke Deuce
Duke Deuce is an American rapper and songwriter from Memphis, Tennessee, celebrated for revitalizing crunk music with his high-energy, bass-heavy tracks that blend aggressive flows, infectious ad-libs, and dance-inducing rhythms rooted in Southern hip-hop traditions.[1] Born Patavious Lashun Isom (May 1, 1992) to rapper and producer Duke Nitty, who founded MaddHouz Entertainment and collaborated with Memphis legends like Gangsta Blac, Duke Deuce was immersed in music from childhood, often frequenting studios and developing his skills alongside his father's career.[2] His breakthrough came in 2017 with the single "Whole Lotta," a viral hit that caught the eye of Migos member Offset and led to his signing with Quality Control Music, marking his entry into mainstream hip-hop circles.[2][3] Duke Deuce's discography showcases his commitment to crunk's legacy, featuring mixtapes like Memphis Massacre (2018) and Memphis Massacre 2 (2020), which included the remix of "Crunk Ain’t Dead" with Lil Jon, Juicy J, and Project Pat, amassing millions of streams.[2] Subsequent albums such as Duke Nukem (2021), Crunkstar (2022), and Memphis Massacre 3 (2022) solidified his reputation, with the latter earning praise for its raw Memphis sound.[1] In 2024, he contributed to the Made Men Mafia collective album Tribe alongside Dubba G and Turnt LilThadd, expanding his collaborative reach.[4] His 2025 solo release REBIRTH, his first in nearly three years, delivers 11 tracks of thumping production and features artists like Go! Ricky Go! and Made Men Mafia, reaffirming his status as a driving force in contemporary crunk.[4] Self-dubbed the "King of Crunk," Duke Deuce has received endorsements from figures like Cardi B and Offset, and his performances emphasize signature dance moves like the jook, bridging old-school Memphis rap with new audiences.[3][2]Background
Early life
Patavious Lashun Isom, known professionally as Duke Deuce, was born on May 1, 1992, in Memphis, Tennessee.[5][6] Isom grew up in a musical household, with his father, Duke Nitty, serving as an independent rapper and producer in the Memphis scene. Nitty's work included collaborations with local artists such as Gangsta Blac, Nasty Nardo, and Dem Thugs, exposing young Isom to the production process from an early age; the two even shared a room, where Isom often slept in his father's home studio while absorbing the sounds of Memphis hip-hop.[7][8][9] Raised in the Whitehaven neighborhood—locally known as Blackhaven—Isom experienced a predominantly Black community plagued by governmental neglect, high unemployment rates, and prevalent gang activity during the 1990s and 2000s. This environment immersed him in Memphis's vibrant yet challenging hip-hop culture, where he studied influential local acts like Three 6 Mafia and Project Pat, laying the groundwork for his deep ties to the city's raw, energetic rap traditions.[7]Musical beginnings
Duke Deuce, born Patavious Lashun Isom on May 1, 1992, in Memphis, Tennessee, first encountered music production and rapping during his teenage years in the city's vibrant hip-hop environment, heavily influenced by his father, the local rapper and producer Duke Nitty.[2] Growing up in the Whitehaven neighborhood, known as Blackhaven, Isom spent much of his youth in his father's home studio, absorbing the sounds of Memphis rap legends like Three 6 Mafia and Project Pat, as well as Atlanta's crunk pioneers such as Lil Jon.[7] This early immersion, beginning around age five with playful experimentation on a beat pad, evolved into a deeper engagement with rapping by his teens, where he honed his skills amid the gritty, gang-influenced streets that shaped his energetic style.[2][9] Adopting the stage name Duke Deuce as a nod to his father's moniker, Duke Nitty, Isom began channeling the high-energy, crunk-inspired vibe that would define his sound, blending aggressive bass-heavy beats with raw, street-oriented lyrics reflective of Memphis's underground ethos.[7] By the mid-2010s, he was actively participating in the local scene, performing at informal gatherings and building a grassroots following through freestyles and music snippets shared on social media platforms like Facebook, which garnered thousands of views and established his presence in the city's rap circuit.[8] His involvement in Memphis's underground rap community, part of the late 1990s and early 2000s hothouse atmosphere dominated by groups like Three 6 Mafia and 8Ball & MJG, included dance crew affiliations such as the Blackhaven Gangsta Walkers, where he fused rhythmic footwork with emerging rap performances.[9][7] Deuce's initial forays into releasing music came independently in the 2010s, starting with his debut single "Standbye" in 2015, which introduced his booming, crunk-infused delivery and quickly circulated in local circles.[7] This was followed by his first full project, the mixtape Deuce Live Music, released on August 16, 2016, via platforms like Spinrilla and featuring tracks that captured his raw energy and ties to Memphis's trap-crunk hybrid sound.[10][11] These early efforts, including unreleased freestyles and limited-distribution tracks from 2016 to 2017, solidified his development before broader recognition, emphasizing high-octane production and themes of street resilience without venturing into major industry channels.[12]Career
2019–2020: Breakthrough
In 2019, Duke Deuce released the single "Yeh," produced by Ayoza, which quickly gained viral traction through its accompanying music video and the associated #StylenChallenge dance craze on social media platforms, including early TikTok usage that amplified its reach among younger audiences.[9][13] The track's energetic Memphis-style delivery and infectious hook contributed to over a million YouTube views within its first month, marking Deuce's initial breakout beyond local scenes.[13] As a Quality Control Music artist since 2017, Deuce's debut under the label came via the compilation album Control the Streets, Volume 2, released on August 16, 2019, where he contributed tracks like "Grab A..." featuring Tay Keith, showcasing his raw, bass-heavy sound alongside established QC roster members.[14][2] The project debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling nearly 63,000 equivalent units in its first week and underscoring Deuce's timely entry into mainstream hip-hop circles.[15] Building on this momentum, Deuce released "Crunk Ain't Dead" in late 2019, a high-energy track that paid homage to Memphis crunk roots with booming 808s and chant-like ad-libs, positioning him as a torchbearer for the genre's revival.[16] In February 2020, a remix featuring crunk pioneers Lil Jon, Juicy J, and Project Pat elevated its profile further, blending Deuce's modern flair with the Southern rap legends' iconic style and reigniting interest in crunk's party-centric ethos.[16][17] During this period, Deuce also forged early high-profile collaborations, including his 2018 track "Unload" with Offset from the Memphis Massacre era, which carried over as a foundational link to broader trap influences amid his rising visibility.[18]2021–2022: Major releases
In 2021, Duke Deuce released his debut studio album Duke Nukem on February 26 via Quality Control Music, Motown Records, and Made Men Music Group.[19] The project, produced by contributors including Hitkidd, Pyrex, and Trauma Tone, emphasized Deuce's crunk roots with hard-hitting, bass-heavy beats and aggressive delivery, positioning it as a bold statement on Memphis rap's enduring energy.[20] Critics praised its revival of crunk aesthetics, with Pitchfork noting Deuce as Quality Control's "secret weapon" who adheres to the genre's high-energy traditions while exploring broader trap influences.[21] Stereogum highlighted the album's "hard-stomping" sound as a fresh take on crunk revival, blending rowdy Southern rap vibes with Deuce's charismatic presence.[22] The album's lead singles included "Spin," featuring Foogiano and produced by Hitkidd, which dropped on February 22 and captured Deuce's signature chaotic energy through booming 808s and chant-like hooks.[23] Later that year, Deuce appeared on Isaiah Rashad's "Lay Wit Ya," released May 7 as the lead single from Rashad's album The House Is Burning, where Deuce's gritty verse complemented the track's Three 6 Mafia-inspired flip, showcasing his rising cross-label appeal.[24] Building on this momentum, Deuce issued his second studio album Crunkstar on June 17, 2022, via the same labels, expanding his sound with rock-infused crunk elements and a 20-track runtime that underscored themes of Memphis pride and cultural resilience.[25] The project drew from classic Memphis rap's dark, sinister undertones while injecting post-millennial flair, as Deuce aimed to honor the city's legacy through unyielding, party-ready anthems.[26] HipHopDX commended its Memphis-centered production, noting Deuce's confident evolution in blending local beats with broader hip-hop experimentation.[25] That October, Deuce curated the compilation Memphis Massacre III, released on the 28th, featuring an all-local roster of Memphis artists like Big Moochie Grape, Lil Thad, and Glockianna to spotlight the scene's raw talent and collective grit.[27] The 13-track effort leaned into horrorcore-tinged trap, reinforcing Deuce's role as a hub for the city's sound.[28] During this period, Deuce's collaborations extended beyond "Lay Wit Ya," including features with Offset and ASAP Ferg on Duke Nukem, and Juicy J, Lil Yachty, and Babyface Ray on Crunkstar, which amplified his connections within Southern and mainstream rap circles.[29][1] Deuce's live performances gained traction, with high-energy sets at Rolling Loud Los Angeles in December 2021 and Rolling Loud Miami in July 2022, where his crowd-hyping ad-libs and mosh-pit-inducing tracks embodied crunk's livewire spirit.[30][31] Media coverage intensified, including a July 2022 Rolling Stone profile that hailed Deuce as "Memphis rap's truest apostle," crediting him with spearheading the genre's revival through infectious, street-rooted anthems.[32]2023–2024: Departure and hiatus
In September 2023, Duke Deuce announced his departure from Quality Control Music during an interview on Say Cheese TV, citing a desire for greater independence following the label's buyout and unresolved internal issues that hindered his progress. He emphasized that there was no animosity toward label executives Pierre "P" Thomas and Kevin "Coach K" Lee, stating, "I’m no longer QC. And it ain’t no bad blood. I love P and Coach. Them my guys type shit," while expressing confidence in his evolution as a multifaceted artist beyond rap. This move came after Offset, a key QC affiliate, had initially signed him to the label in 2017 based on a viral freestyle video.[33][34][35] The exit notably slowed Duke Deuce's career momentum in the wake of his 2022 album Crunkstar and the subsequent Memphis Massacre III, which had built on his rising profile through high-energy crunk revival tracks and collaborations. Without the promotional backing of a major label, his output shifted toward self-directed projects, leading to a period of reduced visibility in mainstream hip-hop circles as he navigated the challenges of independence. This transition marked a deliberate pause to reassess his artistic direction amid frustrations with industry dynamics, including perceived lack of support during key moments like his 2023 hospitalization after being struck by a truck.[33][34][36] From late 2022 through 2025, Duke Deuce entered a three-year hiatus from solo albums, using the time for personal growth, including spiritual reflection and family priorities, while grappling with industry frustrations such as label politics and the demands of going independent. In interviews, he described this break as essential for recharging creatively, noting that experiences like nearly quitting music during early independent efforts reinforced his resilience and heritage of perseverance. The period allowed him to explore production and collaborations on his terms, though it stemmed partly from dissatisfaction with how prior label affiliations limited his autonomy.[34][33][35] In 2024, Duke Deuce maintained a subdued presence with select features and a collaborative project, including appearances on tracks like "Money Disease" and "Nothing Else," as well as the group album Tribe with Made Men Mafia, which highlighted his ongoing ties to Memphis rap without a full solo push. This output was solid in maintaining his crunk sound but reflected a quieter year focused on groundwork rather than high-profile releases. Regarding former QC affiliates, he reflected positively on Offset's role in his breakthrough, crediting him for the initial signing while affirming mutual respect despite the separation; similarly, his association with Glockiana, a fellow Memphis artist on the label, remained collaborative in spirit, though distanced by his independent shift.[18][37][35]2025–present: Rebirth
In 2025, Duke Deuce marked his return to solo music with the independent release of his album Rebirth on August 29, through Made Men Movement in partnership with Hitmaker Music Group and Hitmaker Distro.[38][4] This project arrived as his first full-length solo effort in nearly three years, following a hiatus that allowed him to refocus on personal and artistic growth.[39] The 11-track album embodies a resurgence of his high-energy style, blending crunk revivalism with introspective elements drawn from his experiences.[40] Standout tracks like "Stand on Business" featuring Chief Awasaan, "Run Up a Check," and "Rest in Piss" capture the album's raw intensity and themes of renewal, unyielding hustle, and Memphis-rooted defiance.[41] In discussions surrounding the release, Deuce emphasized Rebirth as a reflection of post-hiatus vitality, incorporating spiritual awakening and cultural pride in tracks that pulse with aggressive beats and streetwise narratives.[42] Reception highlighted its authentic energy, with critics noting how it reignites Deuce's signature sound while exploring deeper personal renewal amid Memphis's rap heritage.[43] Throughout late 2025, Deuce promoted Rebirth via social media, including Instagram announcements and behind-the-scenes glimpses that amplified fan engagement.[44] He appeared on platforms like The Progress Report for in-depth interviews and performed tracks such as "No Half Steppin'" during live sessions on In Studio Session, showcasing renewed stage presence.[42][45] YouTube content, including official videos for singles like "Run Up a Check" and full album streams, further built momentum.[46] Operating independently after parting ways with prior label affiliations, Deuce expressed optimism for future endeavors, citing early buzz around Rebirth as a foundation for sustained creative control and touring possibilities.[47][39]Musical style
Influences
Duke Deuce's artistic development is profoundly shaped by the Memphis rap scene, where he draws heavily from the pioneering collective Three 6 Mafia. As a native of Memphis, he has frequently cited the group's innovative lo-fi and haunting underground aesthetic from the 1990s as a core influence, particularly their seminal 1995 album Mystic Stylez, which informed his dark, aggressive lyrical approach and production style. In interviews, Deuce has emphasized that growing up immersed in this environment made Three 6 Mafia an inevitable and foundational inspiration, stating, "Me being from Memphis, you know I fuck with Three 6 Mafia of course—all of the legendary artists."[48][49] His sound is equally indebted to crunk pioneers, including Lil Jon, whose explosive Atlanta-based energy from the early 2000s contributed to Deuce's high-octane delivery and club-ready anthems. Deuce positions Memphis as the true originator of crunk dating back to the 1980s, predating its mainstream association with Atlanta, and incorporates influences from related acts like Crime Mob and Pastor Troy to amplify the genre's rowdy, dance-floor intensity. This foundation in crunk's raw vitality underscores his mission to revive the style, as he notes that Memphis "definitely brought crunk to the industry."[50][51] Local Memphis icons like Project Pat and Juicy J—both key members of the Three 6 Mafia extended circle—have directly impacted Deuce through early collaborations and shared regional heritage. He grew up idolizing their gritty narratives and trap-infused flows, which echoed in his own work, including the remix of "Crunk Ain’t Dead" featuring both artists alongside Lil Jon. Deuce has highlighted listening to them as a child, alongside other hometown legends like 8Ball & MJG, as pivotal to honing his authentic Southern edge.[50][49][51] The 1990s Southern hip-hop movement broadly informs Deuce's high-energy delivery and party-centric anthems, with its blend of gangsta rap, trap precursors, and regional bravado shaping his rhythmic intensity and thematic focus on street life and celebration. This era's underground tapes from Memphis and beyond provided a blueprint for his unpolished, visceral sound. Additionally, broader inspirations include rock elements integrated into his rap, drawn from bands like Linkin Park, System of a Down, and Korn, which lend a hardcore aggression to tracks with guitar elements; Deuce attributes this fusion partly to his father's influence, describing crunk itself as a mix of "gangsta and trap and rock ‘n’ roll."[48][32][51]Characteristics
Duke Deuce's music is defined by its signature crunk style, characterized by aggressive, bass-heavy beats, chant-like hooks, and an infectious danceable energy that evokes high-octane club environments and live performances.[52][53] This approach draws from the uptempo Southern rap tradition, emphasizing rhythmic intensity and crowd-hyping elements that prioritize movement over subdued introspection.[54] Tracks like "Crunk Ain't Dead" exemplify this vibe, blending pounding percussion with repetitive, anthemic refrains that capture the raw, celebratory essence of Memphis party culture.[32] His vocal delivery further distinguishes him, featuring booming, hype-man shouts and ear-shattering ad-libs that convey explosive passion and command attention, setting him apart from the more melodic or trap-influenced flows of contemporary rappers.[8] This style amplifies the music's live-wire feel, often resembling a performer rallying a crowd rather than a studio confessional.[32] Lyrically, Duke Deuce explores themes of Memphis pride, street life struggles, personal resilience, and unapologetic party energy, focusing on ambition and self-expression while steering clear of excessive violence glorification in favor of motivational grit.[55] His content often reflects a balance of harsh realities and exuberant defiance, as seen in verses that highlight perseverance amid adversity without delving into graphic excess.[56] Duke Deuce incorporates rap-rock fusion elements, particularly through guitar riffs that add a gritty, metallic edge to his tracks, as in "Running Out of Love," where live guitar accompaniment enhances the hip-hop foundation with rockstar flair.[57][32] This integration, reminiscent of influences like Three 6 Mafia's hypnotic production, infuses his crunk sound with broader sonic textures.[54] Over time, his music has evolved from the raw, unpolished energy of early mixtapes to more refined albums with greater production variety, incorporating diverse beats and hybrid elements post-2021 to maintain crunk's core while expanding its appeal. His 2025 album REBIRTH continues this trajectory, delivering thumping bass-heavy production with an added emphasis on consciousness and personal growth.[32] This progression allows for a maturation in sound that retains hype-driven accessibility but introduces subtle layers for deeper listening.[58][4][43]Discography
Studio albums
Duke Deuce's studio albums represent his evolution within the crunk rap genre, emphasizing high-energy Memphis-style production and themes of resilience and party culture. His discography includes three full-length projects, each building on his signature sound while exploring personal and thematic growth. Duke Nukem, released on February 26, 2021, via Quality Control Music and Motown Records, marked Deuce's major-label debut and consists of 14 tracks. The album draws inspiration from the video game character Duke Nukem, adopting a military motif with tracks like "Soldiers Steppin" that evoke an "army" of crunk enthusiasts, blending nostalgic Southern rap elements with experimental beats.[21] It peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart.[59] Critically, it received praise for revitalizing crunk traditions, earning a 7.7 rating from Pitchfork for its innovative fusion of club energy and Memphis heritage.[21] Crunkstar, Deuce's sophomore effort, arrived on June 17, 2022, also through Quality Control Music and Motown Records, featuring 20 tracks over 52 minutes.[60] The project expands on crunk's party ethos, positioning Deuce as the "King of Crunk" with rowdy, bass-heavy anthems that reflect his Memphis upbringing and label support.[1] It did not achieve notable mainstream chart success but was highlighted in Billboard's list of the 20 best hip-hop albums of 2022 for its vibrant, genre-reviving appeal.[61] Rebirth, released independently on August 29, 2025, via Made Men Movement and Hitmaker Music Group, comprises 11 tracks and signifies Deuce's return after a three-year solo hiatus.[40] The album embodies a personal renaissance, incorporating themes of spiritual awakening and unfiltered energy through thumping production largely self-produced by Deuce.[4] Early reception has noted its rowdy, empowering vibes as a return to form, though some critiques point to a lack of fresh innovation amid the fun.[62]Compilation albums
Duke Deuce has been featured on notable compilation albums that showcase collaborative efforts in hip-hop, particularly those tied to his affiliation with Quality Control Music. Control the Streets, Volume 2 is a 36-track compilation released on August 16, 2019, by Quality Control Music in association with Motown and Capitol Records. The project debuted at number 3 on the US Billboard 200 chart, earning 63,000 album-equivalent units in its first week and highlighting the label's roster of emerging and established artists.[15] Duke Deuce contributed to two tracks: "Yeh," a high-energy cut where he provides a commanding verse emphasizing street bravado, and "Grab A..." featuring producer Tay Keith, which captures his signature Memphis crunk bounce and received a music video release to promote the album.[63][64] Memphis Massacre III, released on October 28, 2022, via Quality Control Music, serves as a collaborative project drawing from Memphis rap talent with Duke Deuce as the central figure. Spanning 13 tracks, it features various artists including Opera Memphis on "DEUCIFER" and King Memphis on "WHAT YOU REP," where Duke Deuce leads with aggressive flows and thematic nods to his hometown's gritty sound.[65] The release underscores his role in curating and dominating the project, earning acclaim for its intense production and raw lyricism representative of crunk revival.[66]Mixtapes
Duke Deuce entered the Memphis underground rap scene in the mid-2010s with his debut mixtape, Deuce Live Music, released on August 16, 2016, through UnderGround Railroad Entertainment Group. Distributed primarily via digital platforms such as Spinrilla and SoundCloud, the project consisted of 14 tracks that highlighted his aggressive, high-energy crunk delivery over booming bass-heavy beats, establishing his roots in the city's raw, party-driven hip-hop tradition. Songs like "6 Trillion" and "Stand By" exemplified the mixtape's thematic focus on street resilience and unfiltered bravado, drawing from Memphis's legacy of crunk pioneers while introducing Deuce's commanding presence.[10] Memphis Massacre, released on September 7, 2018, independently, consisted of 15 tracks that amplified Duke Deuce's crunk style with gritty Memphis production, featuring collaborations like Project Pat on "Hits" and emphasizing themes of local pride and confrontation. The mixtape built on his underground buzz, showcasing booming beats and aggressive lyricism central to his emerging sound.[67][68] Memphis Massacre 2, released on February 19, 2020, via Quality Control Music, featured 12 tracks continuing the series' high-energy Memphis rap with tracks like the remix of "Crunk Ain't Dead" featuring Lil Jon, Juicy J, and Project Pat. It highlighted Duke Deuce's growing label support while maintaining raw, bass-driven production and themes of street life and crunk revival.[69][70] This independent release served as a foundational promotional effort, circulating within local circles and online hip-hop communities before Deuce's major label breakthrough, with no additional documented underground mixtapes from the early 2010s surfacing in his discography. During his 2023–2024 hiatus following his departure from Quality Control Music, Deuce did not issue any free or promotional mixtapes or EPs, focusing instead on personal development and group collaborations outside solo projects.[39]Singles as lead artist
Duke Deuce released his debut single "Yeh" on June 24, 2019, through Quality Control Music.[71] The track, produced by Ayoza, marked his introduction to a wider audience via the compilation album Control the Streets, Volume 2. It did not chart on major Billboard lists but amassed over 5 million Spotify streams by 2025. "Crunk Ain't Dead," released as a single on December 8, 2019, also via Quality Control Music, served as the lead track from his mixtape Memphis Massacre 2. The song, produced by DY Krazy, celebrates Memphis crunk heritage and peaked without entering the Billboard Hot 100, though it garnered over 47 million Spotify streams.[72] A remix featuring Lil Jon, Juicy J, and Project Pat followed on February 5, 2020, enhancing its regional buzz.[73] In 2021, Duke Deuce issued "Spin" featuring Foogiano on February 26, under Quality Control Music, as promotion for his debut studio album Duke Nukem.[74] Produced by Hitkidd, the trap-infused track did not achieve Billboard chart placement but contributed to the album's number three debut on the Heatseekers Albums chart.[75] From his 2025 album Rebirth, "Stand on Business" featuring Chief Awasaan was released on August 29 via Hitmaker Distro and Made Men Movement.[76] Self-produced by Duke Deuce, the single has not yet charted on Billboard as of November 2025 but aligns with his renewed independent output.[77] No certifications apply.| Title | Release Date | Label | Peak Chart Position | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Yeh" | June 24, 2019 | Quality Control Music | — | — |
| "Crunk Ain't Dead" | December 8, 2019 | Quality Control Music | — | — |
| "Spin" (feat. Foogiano) | February 26, 2021 | Quality Control Music | — | — |
| "Stand on Business" (feat. Chief Awasaan) | August 29, 2025 | Hitmaker Distro / Made Men Movement | — | — |