Multi-hyphenate recording artist Duckwrth(real name Jared Lee) transitioned from a graphic designer to one of contemporary music's most unique musical voices. The Los Angeles native broke into tastemaker consciousness when he teamed up with producer The Kickdrums in 2015 for a split project, Nowhere. 

The following year pushed him further into stardom through his solo debut album, I’m Uugly, featuring early bangers like “Look At The Time” featuring Hodgy and the Georgia Ann Muldrow-assisted “Get Uugly.” Eventually catching the attention of Republic Records, Duckwrth would eventually release several projects under the label, from 2017’s An Xtra Uugly Mixtape to SuperGood in 2020. Reflecting on his time with Republic Records, Duckwrth acknowledges that his experience was not entirely negative. 

“I feel like actually my label experience wasn’t terrible,” explained Duckwrth to BET.com. “It was good but my manager was also my A&R so there’s that. She fought tooth and nail so I can get the best. I built relationships. I was able to get into certain rooms. I was able to get into Spiderman: Into The Spiderverse soundtrack on the “Start a Riot” track with Shaboozey and “Settle The Score” joint with Cordae on the Space Jam: A New Legacy album because of the licensing sync team that's there”

Branching out as an indie artist, Duckwrth took a bold leap by founding SuperGood Creative, his creative outlet. This newfound freedom catalyzed some of his most exceptional work, including the genre-defying SG8 in 2021 and the dance-infused Chrome Bull the following year. For Duckwrth, this journey isn't just about making music—it's about breaking boundaries and exploring new musical landscapes that resonate deeply with his soul. The freedom to create on his terms has opened up a world of possibilities, allowing him to push his artistry to new heights, and it’s an experience that holds immense significance for him.

“Honestly, it’s allowed me to create freely,” Duckwrth said. “We fund these projects from our pockets and it feels good; especially as a Black man and Black creative. That model is so important.” 

That doesn’t mean Duckwrth was without personal issues as he spoke about his decision to pursue therapy, which stemmed from recurring issues in his relationships. One cause of his consistent pattern of hurting people that he loved was his struggle with alcohol, which came to a head when found himself throwing up at the Beverly Hills Hotel. He admits that his body had been rejecting alcohol since college, causing severe headaches and dizziness. Despite this, he continued to drink, thinking he could manage with just a little wine. Eventually, he realized that his drinking was out of control, leading him to make another important lifestyle change.

“It’s just like you run into these same bumps in a relationship,” said Duckwrth. “It’s always the same s**t. It’s like alright, this is something that’s internal. Then a lot of my homies in my circle, especially mainly the women, they take therapy very seriously.”

2024 seems like a fresh start for Duckwrth, and it also includes some of the most ambitious music he’s put out so far. Beyond standout features with Chicago-based producer Nascent, A-Track, and Joyce Wrice, among others, he’s started exploring alternative rock through his solo single “Gray Scale,” produced by BLK ODYSSY. This shift began in October 2022, just before a performance, when he realized that the music he was listening to wasn't the music he was performing. 

That revelation inspired him to create what he describes as an "alternative Black Rock album," which is not limited to any single genre but amalgamates elements of R&B, hip-hop, and funk.  This includes his most recent single, “Had Enough,” which also sees Duckwrth confronting his past use of alcohol through funk production with a surreal video that ends with him throwing up in a toilet. 

Duckwrth is also spending this year reconnecting with his roots in graphic design through a collaboration with German jewelry brand Vitaly, who sought him out for his distinct creative vision. Before music became his main focus, graphic design was Duckwrth’s first creative outlet as a student at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco before dropping out. The collaboration with Vitaly is more than just a project—it’s a return to the foundation of his artistry, where his visual creativity seamlessly blends with his musical expression. It’s a testament to how his design background continues to influence and enhance his work, enabling him to communicate his vision more effectively in his music and creative partnerships.

“It’s nice to have that control graphically,”  Duckwrth said, who mentioned designing the HornStar chain in around 30 minutes. “They allowed me to really design a piece. Not just how, I’m not going to say the name, but certain shoe companies, they’ll just give you an established model just to play with the colors. They allowed me to make something from scratch.” 

With newfound mental clarity and creative freedom, Duckwrth sees this moment as the most honest and vulnerable period of his life.

“This is the best chapter of my book,” said Duckwrth. “Maybe it gets better after this but as far as what I’ve released, this will be the best chapter yet.”