We recently had the pleasure of speaking with rap artist Duece Uno about his latest album, “XXI”, and the inspiration behind its creation. Check out the full interview below and be sure to follow Jukebox Culture on Instagram.
1. How did your personal experiences influence your new album?
In a major way. All of the personal stuff i went through in life these past two years I put into the album. A lot of pain and pressure, ups and downs , ins and outs , now the streets talking saying I’m 14/14 like curry
y’all go stream that XXI Album out now !!
2. What inspired your new album and what was the creative process like?
My sis and mom’s passing away was a major factor.
When I lost them it pushed and inspired me to go harder. I wasn’t planning on dropping an album, only mixtapes. Death always seems to change you though . My creative process was sleepless nights in the stu tryna cook up the perfect records, with the perfect sound. I took a different approach for this XXI album .
3. Who did you collaborate with on your new album?
I have the game on the “wild asf” record , G6 Reddot on “On Me” , stunna 4 Vegas, M1 hound and zae litty is also featured on the XXI project .
4. How is your new album different from your previous work?
The album is an album, it’s the growth process of all songs of the work and dedication I’ve put in. My sound has gotten better , album wise. My previous work was Dope also but those were just mixtapes. XXI is different sides of me, different genres, I really wanted to give my supporters a glance into my life threw the music , a piece of me
A different side of music to listen too, a more creative side.
5. What is your favorite track on the new album and what makes it stand out to you?
My fav track is picture me .. it stands out because it’s a real life record people tend to wait until you blow, than they try to support you . It’s like they never picture you to be bigger than they already know you,
Like they never pictured me like this …I’m speaking on what’s happening now and what’s to come on this record .
Broken is another stand out record for me . It’s real , raw , uncut , real life Ā filled with pain, annd emanations, it tells a story . A lot Ā of people can Ā relate to this record.Ā
6. What are your hopes for the impact of your new album on fans and the music industry?
I want people to hear me , my story , my work , my art , my style , my music , what I’m capable of. When you listen to XXI I want you to be know that’s everything I’d gonna be alright when you hear this album, even if it’s only one record . I know someone , somewhere can relate . As far as the industry goes , I’m kicking the door down creating a new lane, new sound and new avenue of music.
7. How did you come up with the overall theme and title for your new album?
I just used my original rap name which was 21 (Duece Uno) turned it into Roman numerals XXI which stands for 21. Anybody who’ really knows me knows my original rap name growing up use to be 21.
8. What challenges did you face while creating your new album and how did you overcome them?
Song selection was the biggest challenge, having more than 100-150 records in the vault to chose from definitely made it the biggest challenge, summing it all up into 13-14 songs. Challenging and Plus I’m my biggest critic , so indecisiveness played it’s part. Ya feel me?
9. How has your music evolved since your last album?
My sound , delivery, breathing, flow, creativity, thought process, recording , everything has gotten better and better. I really found my
sound and lane this time around, XXI is the sound I’m running with.
10. What message do you hope fans take away from your new album?
I’d like my fans to take this album , listen and understand that I’ve been there …threw the ups and downs , the struggle, the ins, the outs. No matter what you may be going threw at this very moment don’t give up , keep going , keep pushing , until you make it out . It’s a lot of Pain In this album , so understand when your doing bad, there’s someone somewhere going threw worst.
So Don’t throw in the towel keep ya head up and stay strong no matter what .
