The versatility within Hip Hop is worth stopping to marvel at, and Duckwrth is a shining example. As an artist, his sound has fluidity that allows him to shift in and out of the construct of genre, but if you listen to him spit it will be clear that a foundational love for lyricism is ingrained heavily in the South Central-bred artist.
One project, in particular, from the legendary Nas gave the “Start A Riot” artist a particular appreciation for the visceral value of storytelling in music.
“I think the third album I ever bought was ‘Stillmatic.’ Ludacris’ album first, Busta Rhymes and then I think Stillmatic was the third one, Duckwrth told HipHopDX in an exclusive conversation during soundcheck of his Los Angeles show, which was being held at the famed Sunset Strip venue The Roxy. “Nas at that time was one of the illest lyricists that we had. Him and, JAY-Z just off the strength, but Nas just had more substance and more layers and he meant more than just surface level, have a good time [type music],” he added.
Photo: @angelasophotography
It was a now-classic album cut (remember those?) that also expanded Duckwrth’s understanding of what was possible within the parameters of Hip Hop.
“Listening to the way he put his stories together, like the song ‘Rewind.’ He spit a whole story backwards. I’m just like, ‘what the fuck?’ Duckwrth remembered. “Who’s doing that?’ Also ‘One Mic,’ was incredible. it was just an immaculate project, and it’s crazy because, there was Illmatic and then everything was in its own place and Stillmatic was another strong one. Illmatic to Stillmatic: Those two are his strongest albums to me. It really did it for me.”
The revered “Rewind” track was inspired by the Christopher Nolan-directed film Momento — which had been released earlier that year. Similar to his legendary inspiration, Duckwrth became more in tune with the social tumult and a political climate inducing fear. He also enjoyed a healthy bubble up, which included a nice look from the Space Jam: A New Legacy soundtrack, which saw him reconnecting with his former tourmate Cordae on “Settle The Score.” All just in time for the September release of his new project SG8. According to him, the lockdown was a time of personal growth and understanding.
“[Quarantine time allowed me to] slow down, really appreciate sleep, and time to myself, quiet time, knowing that that’s gonna rejuvenate me,” noted Duckwrth It also helped me understand stimulation and dopamine that’s released from being online. When you’re inside they’re pushing you online and happy to keep you distracted. Now that we’re out I still find myself addicted to being online, but now I understand the value of quiet and getting away from technology,” he added.
From a creative standpoint, Duckwrth set out to tell a more personal story without compromising the universality of his sound.
“I was writing very surface-level subject matter and I was challenged to dive deeper into myself and my feelings and what’s happening, while also writing it in a sense that it’s still fun,” said Duckwrth. “It’s masked with muthafuckas functioning, but if you really listen to the song I’m talking about my anxiety that I have the whole time I’m in this function. It’s like shorty throwin’ it on me and the whole time I’m just like, ‘she got Covid?’ It’s trying to illustrate the duality of those feelings.”
Hit New Music Friday to check out the full Space Jam: A New Legacy Soundtrack and stay tuned for part two of our exclusive conversation with Duckwrth.
“The revered “Rewind” track was inspired by the Christopher Nolan-directed film Momento — which had been released earlier that year. ”….i remember when stillmatic came out the source gave it five mics, and later Nas was asked in an interview with either the source or XXL if Rewind was something he thought of after watching momento….Nas said no, he had no idea about the movie but was aware of it when people started telling him the song reminded them of the film…either way, classic album, one mic, ether, got urself a gun, rewind, destroy and rebuilt etc etc….and then next year he dropped God’s son…back to back monsters in their own ways
Was the “with One Mic and Rewind” really necessary in the headline?
Listen to Illmatic then listen to today’s top rapper’s album to see the shift in quality and originality.
Nas is overrated. Good, but overrated. 50 percent of his beats are wack, moreover he always jumps on the bandwagon. The first three albums are classics, the rest are a rollercoaster of quality hiphop and lame pop rap. Duckwrth tries too hard. He’s a below average underground rapper with a wanna be pop rapper attitude.
Cap. Stillmatic and God’s Son are classics
Duckwrth definitely on point. Nasir The God Son be the King.
It really depends on what you like and where you come from. But both are great lyricists with completely different subject matters. I rate Nas above Jay, specially because of the street knowledge tracks. Jay has some but overall it lacks any real street knowledge. My top 10, that I like to hear:
1-Nas: best lyrics, stories and consistency.
2-Kool G Rap: best stories and narratives.
3-Pharoahe Monch: best flow and skills
4-Sean Price: lyrical beast and great skills.
5-Common: storytelling and deep rhymes
5-Method Man-skills and flow. Not a great album maker.
6-Jay-z: flow, street smart and grown man rhymes
7-PAC- street smart, political and gangsta
8-Krs One: in his pryme a problem
9-Ras Kass: lyrical, controversial
10-M.O.P: a group but as street as it gets.
This is what I like to hear in my car. Not necessarily the best sellers or famous bu these guys get busy in the mic. Or they use to get busy, anyways.