A true multi-disciplinary, South Central native Duckwrth is not only a musician but also graphic designer, photographer, illustrator and film director. Part of the awesome art collective Them Hellas, Duckwrth aka Jared Lee has exhibited in both San Fran and New York, and recently debuted an accessories line called FANGRZ. On display here today on i-D is brand new track Psycho. Teaming up with Fitts of production duo Kick Drums (Kid Cudi, 50 Cent), the song channels vintage era-Outkast and Headphone Masterpiece Cody ChesnuTT. Part of a forthcoming project called NOWHERE, dropping on 21 August, Psycho is a dreamily distorted slice of funk packed with arch observations and pithy punchlines. “The concept is something like traveling on a road called “No Where”. The destination is “Now Here”, but before we are there, we have to destroy something first,” Duckwrth explains. “Here’s the plot twist, NO ONE arrives at “Now Here”; but instead, the destination has to be built. This concept reflects the current state of society; Racism, Social Inequalities, Relationship Failures, Debt and Poverty, Kim Kardashian etc. Our hope is that we all can evolve and advance as Hu(e)mans, but until then, U ARE NOWHERE.”
Who is Duckwrth?
I found my voice after watching the Matrix and moving to San Francisco… I took ‘shrooms and realised that Music and Design are the same. I am a dragon.
Why is Duckwrth?
I do music because I was raised in the church and my whole family is musicians. I also have so many messages to present to this generation, but I fuckin’ hate the government and politicians. So music is the fastest way to spread these messages of social ills and community agendas.
What is Duckwrth?
As far as my approach goes, I am a designer first. To me, musical composition is literally finding what sounds fit well together in efforts to create one big elaborate display of art. Audio design, to say the least.
How is Duckwrth?
Being raised in South Central and moving to San Francisco and then to New York after, gave me a juxtaposed perspective on life. My music reflects the grit and grime of South Central, but with the contemporary aesthetic you would find in a random San Francisco or New York art gallery. My friends also keep me inspired: My bro SLVSTR® (Rare Panther) does crazy abstract pieces of a cat named SLY. Watching him transform from designer to full blown illustrator has definitely challenged me to go bigger with my concepts.
When is Duckwrth?
I just finished up Nowhere out 21 August. Working with The Kickdrums has advanced my vocal skills and musical palette to Super Saiyan. He (they) are like masters of sound, so we inevitably came up with 14 genre bending tracks, ranging from hip hop and alternative, all the way too funk and punk.
Psycho is available to buy from iTunes and Google Play tomorrow
@Duckwrth
@TheKickdrums