State
New South Wales, Australia
New South Wales, Australia
2007
“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.