Ducko Mcfli

Nashville's own Ducko Mcfli is "turning up" the hip-hop scene, but the best way you'll see how is in his new video for "Cruising"—premiering right here on VIBE.com.

Presented by P.U.S.H. Productions & Fifty50Films, Ducko's self-directed/edited new video comes off his new project, Ratchet Life Sophisticated Dreams. - Vibe

BEST HIP-HOP ALBUM: DUCKO McFLI, RETURN OF THE REAL
Recorded in the wake of McFli's whirlwind adventure as a photographer on Drake's mega-huge Club Paradise Tour, Return finds one of the city's most prodigious producer-MCs creating his finest work to date — one of the best documents yet of Nashville's nascent hip-hop scene. —SEAN L. MALONEY - Nashville Scene

From a strictly quantitative view, Starlito owned Nashville hip-hop this year. Five mixtapes, an epic video album and a slew of singles — nobody was working harder than the artist formerly known as All Star Cashville Prince. But if you flip it around and look at the scene from a qualitative standpoint, then ... well, 'Lito still wins — we're still trying to wrap our heads around the emotional and narrative complexity of this May's Mental WARfare mixtape and probably will be for years. Hands down, bar none, Starlito is the best rapper in the city. There are few rappers who can hold our attention for more than a couple of songs, but we find ourselves hanging on every syllable that 'Lito spits. And this year, the dude has spit a lot of syllables.
Gummy Soul ruled the remix roost this year. Their Bizarre Tribe: A Quest to the Pharcyde made a big splash on the national scene, garnering co-signs from heavyweight hip-hop communities and pubs like Okayplayer and Ego Trip. Ducko McFli rolled out of town with Drake's Club Paradise Tour and came back to create Return of the Real, one of the rapper-producer's best works yet. Dee Goodz kicked the year off with the stellar The Introduction of Donald G full-length and made a surprise Bonnaroo appearance with EDM giant MiMOSA. Fyutch — formerly Future the Artist — changed his name and dropped Mr. Flattop, a serious banger of an album. Rio released Good Morning, Dreamer — a sublime piece of modern pop — while the Bohemian Hype Cult and Day Old Records crew kept things weird, pushing the possibilities of local hip-hop into hithertofore unknown realms.
n clubland, The Boom Bap gang brought some serious legends to town — DJ Premier, Rob Swift, Rich Medina — while the Recognize crew kept the old school alive and jumping every Tuesday night, and The Ayevee Show became the spot to catch a great local live performance. Kendrick Lamar popped War Memorial's rap cherry with one of the best performances we've seen in years, and sorta-semi-sometimes-local Yelawolf positively destroyed Bonnaroo before packing out Cannery in November. Arena-rap at the Enormodome became the norm (finally!) with blowout appearances at Bridgestone from Drake, Wiz Khalifa and Rick Ross. Basically, the local hip-hop scene's social calendar has been packed to the gills since the get-go, and we don't see 2013 being any different.

Top 10 Local Hip-Hop Albums of 2012:
10. Kaby, Seasonal Flavors

9. Petty 615, Petty Presley

8. Classic Williams, re(FLEX)tions

7. Fyutch, Mr. Flattop

6. Macro x Treekeeper, Welcome to Bohemia

5. Rio, Good Morning, Dreamer

4. Jota Ese, Who's Pimpin' Who, Jota Ese?

3. Ducko McFli, Return of the Real

2. Gummy Soul, Bizarre Tribe: A Quest to The Pharcyde

1. Starlito, Mental WARfare - Nashville Scene

"I kinda freaked out, started calling my girlfriend, started calling my work," says local rapper/producer/photographer Ducko McFli via phone. He's explaining his sudden and extended disappearance from the Nashville hip-hop scene a couple of months back, when he was contacted about working behind the scenes on hip-hop superstar Drake's tour. "Can't get a hold of my girlfriend. Can't get a hold of my job. I don't know what to do. Realistically, I knew what to do. The regular, you know, 'Charles' was like, 'I don't know if I can do this.' But Ducko, Ducko was like, 'Let's go, let's do it!' The rational, job-having, girlfriend-having me was like, 'Look guys, it's a month-and-a-half.' "

Then again, if you get the call to join up with arguably the hottest tour on the planet — Drake's Club Paradise Tour in this instance — rational thought and adult concerns shouldn't be at the top of your to-do list. Getting your ass into that bus should be your No. 1. In the words of Fear of a Black Hat's resident philosopher Tone Def, "When you take the bus, you get there." For a young artist, the path to success doesn't include punching the clock or staying close to home. So Ducko made the only rational choice a person in his position could: He hopped on rapper French Montana's bus for a month-and-a-half — he served as Montana's photographer and videographer — to work behind the scenes at arena rap's hottest ticket.

This Saturday marks McFli's formal return to the local hip-hop fold with the release of his latest album, The Return of the Real. Originally slated for a May release, recording and mixing were put on hold while McFli jaunted across the continent. New material was added and old material reworked in an eight-day whirlwind last month. Frankly, we'd be worried if his creative engines weren't humming on overdrive after six weeks hanging out with hip-hop's elite. Ducko's the sort of dude who processes experiences and turns them into songs at a breakneck pace — if you follow "Party & Bullsh*t," the local hip-hop column on Scene music blog Nashville Cream, you've seen his name almost weekly since its beginning — and he's constantly pushing himself and those around him to try new things and make new sounds.

But on the flip side, Ducko has never been much on self-promotion, content more to work in the studio or on the stage than big-up himself on the Internet. He's been humble and driven to the point that many folks — the ones who aren't paying hyper-nerdy-journalist level attention — may have missed stellar albums like last year's King Duck and Molotov, his explosive collaboration with fellow local Openmic. But six weeks with one of the biggest publicity-generating enterprises on the road and he's ready to rectify that with The Return of the Real. McFli's one of the most productive members of a hyper-productive scene, but talking to him now you can tell that his hustle has barely gotten going.

"The actual experience of it," says Ducko, "being able to be around the power circle — this wasn't just a tour with regular people, these are the elite. Rick Ross is around, Drake is around, Meek Mills — you know what I'm saying? Getting to listen and learn and watch them as they go through the process of putting out records, watching how they did a new single and watching how they did the tour videos and how they did shows, the stuff that I learned just sitting back and listening and opening my eyes — that to me was the best part of the tour."

If anything though, it seems that McFli's road trip with hip-hop's cream of the crop has him more pumped than ever about the quantity and quality of his hometown artists. While he probably could have gotten a feature or three from hot national acts for The Return of the Real, McFli's priority was getting in the booth with his Music City crew. Expect new verses from Openmic, Evan Blocker, Sofa Brown and more of your favorite local MCs. Even though he's seen the top of the hip-hop mountain, Ducko doesn't see himself getting there by leaving his hometown in the dust.

"We've got a full roster of great arists in Nashville," says McFli. "I know more people in Nashville that make music well than you'll find in the Top 100 at this very moment." - Nashville Scene

BEST INSTRUMENTAL HIP-HOP ALBUM: DUCKO McFLI, RETURN OF THE SOUL

The sleeper jam of the summer. Initially an invite-only affair, Return of the Soul isn't so much a mixtape, or an edit tape, or even an album as much as a collection of psych and soul samples gently coaxed in front of tasty minimalist drum programming — a Being John Malkovich-like look into the mind of Ducko McFli, producer, N.O.B.O.T. and American Pickers super-fan, if you will, and an unexpected treat for fans of Pete Rock and wire-jaw-era Kanye West. SEAN L. MALONEY - Nashville Scene

"A lot of people work so that one day they can stop...all i want to do is continue working."

I hear more about you in Atlanta than Nashville (laughs), is this like your second home?
I love Atlanta. Nashville is my home, but I feel like there is a lot of growing still needed in the city, and a lot of opportunities aren't readily available back home. I still do get mad love back home. I was just recently awarded best hiphop album, and best hiphop crew also via the Nashville Scene. I love the response and footprint I have been able to lay down in my city. My connections and reach in Atlanta happened naturally, and it just ended up being my favorite place to be besides home. I get a lot of love in Atlanta, and I'm trying to get to a place where I can show it a lot of love too.



What is the message you wanted to get out with your recent project "The Return Of The Real" ?
TROTR is just real music...not the realest, not the most real just real music from me. I always hear people talking about how they are the trillest, coolest, flyest, dopest, etc. For me I just want to make the music that is real to me. That's what I did on #TROTR. I just made the music that was real to me, and it worked.



Your track "Stay Up" with Forte is really doing numbers. How was it to link with him for that record, and the others on "The Return Of The Real"?
Forte is my brother no music shit involved. That's like the homie for real. 9/10 if i'm in Atlanta i'm with him. We have been linked up for a minute, but TROTR was the first time we actually got to do music together. Dude is a genius, and any time I can link up and do music with people who I not only respect as a person, but look up to as an artist it's always a plus for me.

What do you believe goes into making a good project?
That's a good question, I mean its ever-changing…what might be good for me isn't good for you. I just think that as long as you are making music that's true to you that you stand behind then it's a good project. I might not be into every artist I hear, but I respect anybody who does what they believe in, and puts their all into it.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Hopefully touring, putting out music, and continuing to grow as a brand. A lot of people work so that one day they can stop, all I want to do is continue working. I love music. I love making it, being apart of it...everything. I have been blessed with some great opportunities and connections, and all I can do is continue to work them to the best of my ability and put out good products. Hopefully in 5 years I can still do that, but to a much larger market (laughs).

Do you have any musical inspirations? If so who are they?
Of course I have musical inspirations, but its a little different. I'm inspired by the people around me who make music, art, movies, etc. Not the actual product itself. I used to DJ and my music collections reflect that from dub step, minimalistic electro, trap rap, punk rock, emo...all across the board. I'm a fan of a good song. The origin is rarely important.

I've noticed the music scene in Nashville is growing more and more. Besides yourself who are some people to look out for?
Nashville is amazing. There is a strong wave of artists coming out, from my artists on P.U.S.H. productions (Sofa Brown, Evan Blocker, P.a. Lit, Rikki Blu, and Karl Marx) to guys across the city like Petty, Gee Slab, S.T.A.N. , Openmic etc. One thing I tried to do with TROTR is showcase the city's talent, and a lot of the guys I mentioned are on my project. There are wayyy to many guys to list, but check out some of our local blogs like Breakonacloud or 2lsonacloud and you can catch a lot of them on there putting out quality music.

"The Real" is a very deep record, and one of my favorites on "The Return Of The Real". What went into recording that?
That record is special for me. I went through a lot of stuff last year...from the collapse of my personal life to my business team abandoning me. That record was my response to everybody. I have never been the crowd favorite. I've grown a lot in the last 2 years, and in doing so made my situation better with those around me. This song was me letting the world know that I was ready to step into my own, and be responsible for my own life.

Have you had any memorable set backs (positive or negative) with your music?
What a lot of people don't know is I don't have a team behind me. I have been blessed to have some really solid people to call on in times of need, but for the most part everything you see behind my brand is me. I do all my own covers, banners, graphics, recording, directing, and even editing some of my videos. I do the networking, and I do the music. But I never look at it as a set back, me having to do all aspects of my career has made me smarter, and more knowledgeable then most artists I run into. I know how to put together a song from the first note of making the beat to the last letter - AtlJunkie

It seems like I always see Ducko McFli’s name when I’m taking a look at who’s doing something in the Nashville Hip Hop scene. I felt like I could learn a lot from him to help me get my work done and to hustle. Then I realized that we could all learn something. So I asked him a few questions. I’m so glad he had some time to spare. Here’s the result.
QE: I first heard of you because of your project with Chancellor Warhol called N.O.B.O.T.S ? How has collaboration helped your career as an artist?
Ducko McFli: Collaborations have played a huge part in my career. From the project that kinda put me out in the open with Chance & The Nobots, to My project with Openmic, to doing production/songs with artist ranging from Dee Goodz, Young Buck, Ofishal, Rio, and more.. More than just a tool for promotion all the stuff I have learned from watching how these artist work has def played a greater role in the way I have been trying to structure my own project.

QE: You were heavily involved with dropping 4 albums last year. How were you able to get that much work done?
DM: I am a hermit, its really that simple. I never leave the house unless its something i really want to see or some where where i want to show support. Other than that i spend 90% of my time on my computer, mixing,writing, producing, sending emails, networking, editing video/pictures. I always tell everybody I speak to that I might not be the best but I def will be known as one of the hardest working. That and this is what I love to do. Its easy to just buckle down and get projects done when you have as much fun as I do making them.

QE: What tools are the most useful for you to stay organized?
DM: Man I live and die by my 17” Macbook Pro and Ableton Live. That’s really all I use. I have recently got a couple upgrades that im excited about but ultimately I always end up back on the OG set up.
QE: You often tell everyone that they can find you duckomcfli at everything. How important is it for you to be everywhere and why?
DM: Its not so much about being everywhere for me but being where i need to be when somebody interested in my product wants to find it. I know that there is a strong cast of artist/producers coming up in the ville right now and I have always had a great appreciation for anybody who rocks with me. I know that there is plenty other things you could be doing with your time so if you take the time to check me out I want to make it as easy as possible for you.


QE: Tell me about your latest release?
DM: KINGDUCK was my latest release, my 1st official release as a rapper. I love the project it was a great start for me as far as letting people know I rap and what I actually stand for as person. Its an E.P. I tried to keep it short and sweet its only 10 songs. Produced entirely by the homie Chris King (www.twitter.com/lifelovekicks)
What a lot of people don’t know is that the entire project was wrote/recorded in 1 day. It really was crazy how it kinda happened. I sat down to write and didn’t get up till I had wrote all the songs, They all sounded good so I ran with it. Recorded it up at the big homie Matic Lee‘s spot in 2 hours and then he mixed it and we put it out. Its different, I don’t feel like there is anybody else really making music like I do, its got a different feel. I don’t do swag rap, I don’t do cool kid stuff.. The motto here is The Return of The Real and thats what I try and bring out.


QE: What are you currently working on?
DM: I am currently working on the next E.P. “The Return Of The Real” I have gotten together some new material that I am currently finishing up for the new project. We are really excited about it. I was reached out to by a couple producers after I dropped the KINGDUCK project and I have been blessed to have some crazy records and features from some super talented people. I am currently in the progress of shooting videos and about to start recording the last batch of songs for it and we are hoping for a May Release right in time for summer..

QE: Tell me about any other project you’re a part of.
DM: The other projects I am really on right now is the rest of the P.U.S.H. crew I have put together a strong cast of rappers and we are about to start putting out music really soon that is gonna get a good response we hope. Sofa Brown is in the final stages of finishing his tape “The Wonders” which is crazy, he is sending me songs as he gets them wrapped up and everyone is better than the last. We are about to start shooting his promo material here in the next week or so. There are also new projects being put together by Evan Blocker, and Karl Marx as well.
QE: If another artist wanted to collaborate with you, what would they need to do first? what do you look for when you want to work with someone?
DM: I really just wanna know that you are working. I love good music, as long as you make good music and your business is on the up and up then lets work. I am not any better than anybody. I wor - Quiet Entertainer