Argentine rapper Duki is living life his own way, and his new album reflects his ascension to the helm of Latin music. The 28-year-old singer is on top of the world, defining the sound of Argentina with an unparalleled flow.
Duki hasn’t had an easy journey, starting as a youngster in his local “El Quinto Escalón” trap battles. His thoughtful lyrics and dynamic rhythm led him to record his first single, “No Vendo Trap,” in 2016, after winning the music championship in his homeland. Social Media supported his flow, and he reached the Top 10 on the Argentine charts with “She Don’t Give a FO” the following year.
With almost ten years of experience in music, Duki has defined his own sound in Argentina, releasing his new album, AMERI, in October. His fourth studio album made noise worldwide thanks to its unique style, thoughtful narratives, and collaborations with top-tier artists. AMERI is full of hits, featuring bold tracks with Headie One, Bizarrap, Wiz Khalifa, and more.
Duki will be traveling the world in 2025, announcing the biggest tour of his career with over 20 live shows. From Mexico to Colombia and Spain, Duki is ready to take over the world. We spoke with the young Argentine about his humble beginnings in trap, the creative process behind his new album, his greatest achievements, and more.
Hypebeast: How did your career in Argentina begin and how has it evolved over the past decade?
Duki: “I started out in Argentina doing rap battles and freestyle, in a competition called “El Quinto Escalon,” which is a rap competition that went viral and is very well known on social media. I won my first chance to record in a studio in that competition. I recorded my first song and within two weeks I had about a million listens on YouTube. That’s when I decided to leave rap battles and focus on music, on trap more than anything. From there we grew fast, especially in Latin countries and we are continuing to place our flag in different parts of the world.”
How has your exploration of trap changed from then until now?
“I started out as a big fan of North American trap and I thought it was very far away to have the possibility of rapping with those flows and techniques at that level. I tried to do what was culturally distant for my country, so that my country could adopt it as its own. I wanted to explore what they were doing in North America, but to Argentinize it with our touch and our sound. Today I have the ability and I had the opportunity to collaborate with Wiz Khalifa and other artists that I listened to from a very young age. I have tried to reach that level that I wanted to achieve.”
What was the creation process like behind your new album, AMERI?
“AMERI was, until now, the album that took me the longest to make. It was a process of almost two or three years, in which I wanted to show a little more of my versatility, my different facets. I really like music in all its aspects and in all its genres, and I felt that it was my opportunity to show the world these different ways of making music. We got on a musical boat (so to speak) and spent several years exploring and looking for the songs that best coexisted with each other and creating an experience for people to listen and live.”
What kind of themes did you want to explore within the album?
“Above all, more songs that don’t focus so much on rap and that have a different theme. I’m very much into storytelling, talking about my experiences and how I live everyday. There are some mixes of drum & bass or dancehall, there is music that is a little softer and further away from traditional rap and trap. I wanted to demonstrate my ability to compose and make different music that different types of people would like, not just my core fanbase.”
What has been your greatest personal or career achievement?
“I think my greatest achievement was creating a family of listeners who, beyond everything, gave me the opportunity to live this dream that I live every day. I go out on the street and receive a message of love, people who not only share my music, but also my values and my idea of life. The most beautiful thing I take with me is that relationship and that sense of belonging that I have with my fans and that my fans have with me.”
You have become a voice for young Latin artists looking to change the game. What advice would you give to young people who want to make music in Argentina?
“I like how the industry has branched out, but I think it’s also something that generates a lot of anxiety wanting to be at the top all the time. I recommend that they be honest and think about what they want to do. There are a lot of people today who want to be famous, but if you want to be a real musician, for me the key is not to lie to yourself, to be real, to make the music that you like and that fulfills you, and not to make music hoping that others will like it – to do whatever comes naturally to you.”
