AGGI DUKES - DRINK & SKANK Video

Two-dimensional one-hit wonders come and go on the UK scene; a catchy hook sells ringtones for a couple of weeks but a lack of long-term strategy or variety means that many careers go no further. Seeing this same pattern over and over the Producer and Rapper Aggi Dukes has taken a different route. Dukes mentality to music is that he wants to treat it like a Gap year and do what the hell I want... and he does this by using his music as a diary to his life. Ever since featuring on pirate radio shows he has consciously been laying solid foundations to ensure that when his time came he would have the body of music, the experience, the support and the industry knowledge to endure. This is brought home when you ask yourself the question, how many unsigned artists have had a track featured on a top-selling Sony Playstation game FIFA Street 2 as well as being featured in The Times as an example of a young entrepreneur? Dukes ambitions extend far beyond these appearances however. He has cultivated a reputation for his live performances- most recently his performance at one of Europes biggest hip hop festivals Hip Hop Kemp, in the Czech Republic, and accompanying Killa Kela and Frank Muzik on his UK Tour. These live shows are just the most recent additions to a large body of live work which has included appearances at Camdens Jazz Cafe, 10 Rooms and Cafe de Paris as well as in front of a crowd of thousands at the Excel Centre. His mainstream profile has been further enhanced by appearances on TV programmes such as Breakfast with Alistair Stewart and a Channel 4 documentary, while his reputation at street-level has been boosted through his hosting of radio shows on renowned London pirate stations such as Rinse FM and Mystique FM. This broad range of experiences is mirrored in the diversity of the musicians that Dukes collaborated with during his early career. With a list including legendary jazz musician Courtney Pine, the students favourites Riot Jazz Band, drum and bass top boys Chase n Status, the pioneer of the Grime scene Wiley not to mention legendary UK rappers Fallacy and Mercury Award nominee TY. It is hard to pigeonhole Dukes; Rather than tie himself to one genre Dukes looks to take the best aspects from each and throw them into a melting pot. The upcoming- as-yet untitled- debut album will showcase his eclectic approach including styles that range through indie, hip-hop, grime, dance/funky house and Dubstep. The first mixtape, Horrible Scary vol.1, which he promoted and distributed with his then-group, Flatline Team, sold over 1000 units and helped confirm that listeners were ready for this mixture of musical flavours. Aggi Dukes music career has always been his driving force and has given him focus in a difficult upbringing in East London- the only things that have diverted his attention has been the pursuit of Higher Education and working to fund his recordings. Moving from London to Manchester to attend university gave Dukes a chance to gain a different perspective on life and his music. This richer experience allowed him to develop his musical creativity, business plans and fan base to ensure that he was ready for the release and, more importantly, the impact of his first full album. The album is almost upon the public and Dukes is more than ready for the next part of his journey. Drink & Skank is the first single from the album. ENJOY !!