We were lucky to catch up with Wilhelm Duke recently and have shared our conversation below.
Wilhelm , appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
When I started in 2012 I was far from the best emcee rhythmically or lyrically. I spent years locked in a bedroom writing raps and freestyling over YouTube beats. A lot of my growth came from trial and error, making mistakes, and learning the hard way that the early records I was releasing were no good and not reflective of me or what I could be as an artist. Proud to say much of my talent and skill as a rapper is something I’ve had to work on and earn. Eventually I delved into speed rapping which is ironic because growing up I didn’t like the style as much as some buddies of mine. I started chopping in 2016 and by 2022 I had the awesome privilege of working as a personal assistant to Twista (who I consider the pioneering father of the fast rap style if not possibly the inventor) where I learned amazing tricks and tips with the craft of recording and how to rap in the booth. That knowledge was tantamount to me blowing up on Facebook Reels that same year.
The obstacles that stood in my way especially in the early days were that the Chicago media outlets didn’t want to mess with any rappers like myself so being shut out of the mainstream spheres was suffocating but limitations breed genius and greatness and so now I have my own budding platform and will probably never need any blog or mainstream publication in Chicago, ever. I don’t think there would have been anything that could have speed up my process other than somehow working for my one of my idols, Twista, earlier in life. I honestly believe I’m right where I’m supposed to be, and I’m right on time.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Swedish American Rapper! World class speed rapper, trained by Twista, inspired by the greats like Tech N9ne, Busta Rhymes, Rittz, Twisted Insane, Bone Thugs, Snow Tha Product and many more. Outside of making music I coach rappers for Artist Development as well I’ve been a music journalist, music business mogul in the making for years. I love and enjoy helping rappers get to the next level in their careers, it’s just hard for me to not give back. My fans and followers are all part of the Regal Nobility so I call everyone who rocks with me a Duke or a Duchess.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Pay us more for everything at any juncture. And SHARE MUSIC. I just had an old friend comment on my content just to disagree with me then hop in my inbox saying he’s supported me from afar and is rooting for me yet he’s never publicly posted or shared a song.
Artists need their peers and friends sharing their music on socials. Stop letting your community get away with only sharing famous music. It’s a horrible ecosystem we’ve allowed to appear.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The ambition to the on the greatest, quickest, and most technically skilled rappers of all time.
Like Gary Vee’s goal of buying the Jets, if it never happens oh well it’s the pursuit that DRIVES me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wilhelmduke.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilhelmduke/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18LWvBibvo/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wilhelmduke?si=-6Jon5Xsq712rUPX
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/wilhelmduke
Image Credits
First photo is credited to @itskonsworld on IG.