State
New South Wales, Australia
Started in Year
2007
Video 1
Description
“Grown up” by his grandparents because his mum couldn’t look after him, DukeBox (Duke Bailey) has kicked stereotypes to the wall, waxing lyrical about being a strong black man of Australia and youth empowerment.
Bouncing onto the domestic hip hop scene as a solo performer late last year, DukeBox has hit the ground runnin’ with his first studio EP, What’s In The Box, released through Gadigal Music with a full studio album scheduled for release in the next six months.
Featuring on triple j unearthed and supporting the likes of Chance Waters, headlining for Gadigal’s Klub Koori nights in Sydney & northern NSW, he has been busy since the album’s release in October 2011.
Featuring Indigenous Hip Hop pioneer Munkimuk, Deadly-Award-Winning Stiff Gins and legendary Blues guitarist Buddy Knox What’s in the Box is a powerful introduction to his solo career.
A proud Birri-Gubba/Tanna Islander man, Dukebox played the main stage of Yabun in Sydney on January 25 this year, sharing the spotlight with Jessica Mauboy, Dan Sultan, Christine Anu, Archie Roach & many more.
He headlined for the Brooke Andrew Travelling Colony event for Sydney Festival in January & performed at the Black Capital Family & Culture Day at Carriageworks.
A conscientious songwriter, the proud Aboriginal/South Sea Islander is currently writing and recording for the new album.
DukeBox has been on the hip hop scene for around seven years, appearing with N-Sayne Entertainment and later forming the Vital Heights duo.
He has organised and taken part in community events & activities ranging from the first-ever Summer Sun Youth Fest, to the Love Bites Domestic Violence program & Kick the Habit smoking campaign as well as many charity events throughout NSW.
During the day, Duke works as a direct care worker and teacher’s aid & has an ongoing relationship with Music Outback Foundation as an ambassador, songwriting workshop facilitator and community capacity building engineer.
What’s in the Box is available from iTunes & select music stores around Australia.
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