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Lil Duke

Lil Duke
Birth nameArnold Martinez
Born (1985-03-29) March 29, 1985 (age 39)
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2012-present
Labels

Arnold Martinez (born March 29, 1985), professionally known as Lil Duke, is an American recording artist and rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. Duke is a member of Young Thug's "Young Stoner Life Records". He started out as Yung Duke in the late 2000's before joining PeeWee Longway's music group label MPA BandCamp. In 2015 after MPA disbanded, after that he stuck with YSL as Lil Duke, which is the moniker under which he has released all of his music. However he is often credited on his features simply as Duke, his official stage name goes back and forth.[1]

Duke has made appearances on songs for artists such as Trippie Redd, Chris Brown, Machine Gun Kelly, and NAV along with the projects of his label mates such as Lil Keed and Gunna. Duke is most known for the verses he’s contributed to on Young Thug’s projects including Barter 6, I’m Up, Slime Season 3, Slime Language, and most notably So Much Fun.[2]

Duke has made 19 singles, 10 mixtapes, and one studio album.

Career

On August 16 2015, Martinez released a self titled mixtape "Lil Duke" in which Young Thug, PeeWee Longway, Travis Scott, Offset and others appeared.[3] Notable song, "On My Vibe", featuring Travis Scott was leaked earlier in the summer and Martinez managed to officially claim it.[4]

On April 14 2016, Martinez was announced to be in a group member of Bankroll Mafia for their debut album releasing on April 22.[5]

On April 22 2016, Martinez was part of Atlanta-based hip-hop supergroup, Bankroll Mafia and released their debut studio album which was self titled "Bankroll Mafia".[6][7] The group was composed of Lil Duke himself, TI, Young Thug, PeeWee Roscoe, Shad Da God, and London Jae.[8] The group was short lived and didn't release another album.

On May 1 2016, Martinez released a solo mixtape called "Uber", the mixtape features artists including Young Thug, Lil Yachty, Lil Durk, 21 Savage and Anthony Hamilton.[9]

On November 16 2016, Martinez became the first member to be part of Young Thugs YSL Records. Young Thug signed a label deal with 300 Entertainment for his own YSL Records imprint.[10] Young Thug made a promise with Duke to sign him to the record label.[11]

On April 20 2017, Martinez released his debut project, "Life in the Hills", under YSL Records. The mixtape features collaborations with artists such as Gunna, Young Thug, Don Q, Dave East, and Wiz Khalifa.[12]

On June 5 2017, Martinez joined Young Thug, Quavo, and Rich The Kid on the single "WTF You Doin"[13][14]

On July 23, 2021, Martinez released his debut studio album, "Duke Hefner", the 20-track project features collaborations with Young Thug, Gunna, Davido, Lil Keed, Unfoonk, Yak Gotti, and Stunna4Vegas.[15]

Musical style

Lil Duke's musical style is characterized by a blend of melodic rap and trap influences, reflecting his Atlanta roots. Duke's work often features atmospheric beats layered with heavy 808s, complementing his dynamic vocal delivery.[2] AllMusic said, Lil Duke is known for his laid-back trap style. his discography includes projects like Blue Devil 2 and Duke Hefner, which showcase his melodic rap and trap influences.[16]

Discography

Studio Albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
US US R&B/HH US Rap
Duke Hefner[17] - - -

Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, with selected chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
US US R&B/HH US Rap
Lil Duke[18] - - -
Uber[20] - - -
Blue Devil[21] - - -
Life in the Hills[23] - - -
Uberman 2[24] - - -
Reality Checc[25] - - -
Child's Play 1[26] - - -
Blue Devil 2[27] - - -
Child's Play 2[28] - - -
Child's Play 3[29] - - -

Group Albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US US
R&B
US
Rap
Bankroll Mafia (with T.I., Young Thug, PeeWee Roscoe, Shad Da God, and London Jae.)
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

References

  1. ^ "Lil Duke". Genius. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  2. ^ a b "Young Stoner Life Records". youngstonerliferecords.com. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  3. ^ Beamon, Willie (2015-08-17). "MPA Duke – Lil Duke (Mixtape)". 1stDayFresh.com. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  4. ^ "MPA Duke & Travi$ Scott - On My Vibe (Produced By Travi$ Scott)". Hypebeast. 2015-08-16. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  5. ^ Ivey, Justin IveyJustin (2016-04-15). "Bankroll Mafia Announce Release Date for Mixtape - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  6. ^ "T.I.'s Bankroll Mafia Drop Self-Titled Debut Project". Hypebeast. 2016-04-22. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  7. ^ "Listen To Bankroll Mafia's Debut Album". The FADER. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  8. ^ Diep, Eric (2016-04-26). "Meet Bankroll Mafia, Atlanta's New Rap Supergroup Including T.I., Young Thug & More". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  9. ^ a b Ivey, Justin IveyJustin (2016-05-02). "Lil Duke Drops 'Uber' Mixtape - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  10. ^ Madden, Sidney MaddenSidney (2016-11-16). "Young Thug Launches YSL Records - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  11. ^ "Young Thug Launches His Own Record Label, But What Does the Future Hold?". DJBooth. 2016-11-17. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  12. ^ Lilah, Rose (2017-04-20). "Life In The Hills". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  13. ^ Berry, Peter A. BerryPeter A. (2017-06-05). "Young Thug, Quavo and Rich The Kid Get Together for 'WTF You Doin' - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  14. ^ "Young Thug, Quavo, Duke, & Rich The Kid Team Up For New Single "WTF You Doin"". Genius. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  15. ^ "YSL Artist Lil Duke Releases Explosive Mixtape "Duke Hefner" • WithGuitars". www.withguitars.com. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
  16. ^ "Lil Duke Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More | ..." AllMusic. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  17. ^ Duke Hefner by Lil Duke & Young Stoner Life on Apple Music, 2021-07-23, retrieved 2025-01-28
  18. ^ Lil Duke by Lil Duke on Apple Music, 2017-10-03, retrieved 2025-01-28
  19. ^ "Release group "Lil Duke" by Lil Duke - MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  20. ^ Uber by Lil Duke on Apple Music, 2017-10-03, retrieved 2025-01-28
  21. ^ Blue Devil by Lil Duke on Apple Music, 2017-10-03, retrieved 2025-01-28
  22. ^ "Blue Devil by Lil Duke". Genius. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  23. ^ Life in the Hills by Lil Duke on Apple Music, 2017-04-20, retrieved 2025-01-28
  24. ^ Uberman 2 by Lil Duke on Apple Music, 2017-11-28, retrieved 2025-01-28
  25. ^ Reality Checc by Lil Duke on Apple Music, 2018-04-10, retrieved 2025-01-28
  26. ^ Child's Play 1 by Lil Duke on Apple Music, 2019-02-15, retrieved 2025-01-28
  27. ^ Blue Devil 2 by Lil Duke on Apple Music, 2019-07-12, retrieved 2025-01-28
  28. ^ Child's Play 2 by Lil Duke on Apple Music, 2020-03-17, retrieved 2025-01-28
  29. ^ Child's Play 3 by Lil Duke on Apple Music, 2021-12-26, retrieved 2025-01-28
  30. ^ Bankroll Mafia by Bankroll Mafia on Apple Music, 2016-04-22, retrieved 2025-01-28