Dukes of DaVille

Audio: Dukes Of DaVille, "Cry Baby" (Produced by Organized Noize)

When Sean Kingston and JR Rotem graverobbed Ben E King's "Stand By Me" last year for the ringtone garbation of "Beautiful Girls," this entire office held out hope that one day someone would come along to do new school doo-wop the right way. Fortunately for the 13th floor (also: Earth!) ATL dandies Dukes of DaVille and our beloved ONP came through in the clutch with a bittersweet sock-hop anthem right on time for Summer '08. Somebody Google us a drive-in in the tri-state area thats still open so we can cruise over on Saturday afternoon and bump the shit out of this. We'll settle for a halfway decent Stewart's.
- Fader Magazine

Dukes of DaVille Cedric Lindsey (Ric) and James Small, unknowingly crossed paths many times as young kids. Both were sons of military families, who often moved to the same country or city without ever meeting. In 6th grade fate finally fell upon them on a baseball field at a military base in Hinesville, GA. In the outfield two kindred spirits realized each other was daydreaming about something that had nothing to do with baseball. From that moment on they became best friends determined to make music together. Now in their early twenties, this Atlanta based duo, RicJames, collectively known as Dukes of Da Ville, have skillfully intertwined hip hop lyricism with the soulful harmonies of R&B. Musically, their infectious hooks make instant fans, while their lyrical delivery gains them the respect of the most skilled writers. Their sound is distinctively fresh, with its southern influenced slang and syncopated lyrical delivery. Crossing age, gender, and cultural barriers, their music has universal appeal, displaying their superior vocal abilities and soulful interpretation. - Blog TalkRadio

In addition to our expansive slate of Middle Tennessee artists, NBN is extremely proud to welcome so many amazing regional and national artists to this year's event. If you haven't checked them out already, we're making it easy for you. Damn, this is some good stuff. Try to stop listening to Dukes of Daville's "Steady Baby." Good luck.


Dukes of Daville (ATL hip hop duo, recently signed to Capitol)
SONG: "Steady Baby"(Streaming Only)
"Now in their early twenties, this Atlanta based duo, collectively known as Dukes of Da Ville, have skillfully intertwined hip hop lyricism with the soulful harmonies of R&B. Musically, their infectious hooks make instant fans, while their lyrical delivery gains them the respect of the most skilled writers." - Next Big Nashville Magazine

By the letters, the Dukes of DaVille comprises James Smalls and Cedric Lindsey, two army brats who first crossed paths on a dusty baseball diamond in Fort Stewart, Georgia. But conjoining James¡¯ first name with that of his proclaimed ¡°brother from another mother,¡± the two conjured up the delightful moniker RicJames. Influenced by the great Outkast, the Dukes have collaborated with Rico Wade and Organized Noize. ¡°It was a pleasure to work with Rico Wade because he¡¯s worked with some of the people we admire most, namely OutKast and the Dungeon Family,¡± states Ric. ¡°Those guys influenced me. It¡¯s kind of a way of passing the baton; OutKast doing what they did, but it¡¯s time for something new and fresh and ideally they¡¯d agree. I just hope that we are able to represent in their eyes.¡±

Comparisons with the ATLiens are inevitable: both are funky duos with eclectic musical palates and uncannily irrepressible, organic sounds. And the Dukes¡¯ smash ¡°Steady¡± smacks of OutKast¡¯s ¨¹ber-hit ¡°Hey Ya.¡± But ¡°Steady¡± was composed long before ¡°Hey Ya¡± impacted. ¡°We performed ¡®Steady¡¯ for Brian Reid ¨DL.A.¡¯s brother¨D and Rico Wade years ago and they were jumping up and down,¡± recalls Rick. ¡°¡®Steady¡¯ is a timeless hit since it¡¯s still relevant today. It¡¯s gotten into several movies [Ashton Kutcher¡¯s What Happens in Vegas and Halle Berry¡¯s Perfect Stranger] and that¡¯s just the tip of the iceberg. If we could put all of our songs into one, that¡¯s what we¡¯d get: rapping, singing, the harmonies and gospel elements of a big choir, with a feel-good vibe.¡± While ¡°Steady¡± pays homage to musics past, ¡°Beggin¡¯¡± is a direct tribute. A remake of the classic by Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, ¡°Beggin¡¯¡± retains the original¡¯s soulful essence and adds driving, contemporary percussion and intermittent rapping. ¡°Cry Baby¡± is a dawdling, tongue-in-cheek tearjerker laid over trademark Organized Noize 808. Take a listen and discover the Dukes of DaVille for yourself!
- Word on The Streets Magazine

Dukes of DaVille interview in Issue #83 of Ozone Magazine in 08. - Ozone Magazine

Don't forget to pick up the movie PERFECT STRANGER starring (Halle Berry & Bruce Willis )@ your local store. In features our single "Steady Baby"...We doing big thangs!

At your local Walmart, K-mart, etc.


http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/perfectstranger - Sony Pictures

Ashton Kutcher & Dukes of DaVille - MAY 9th, 2008
Current mood: accomplished
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

Check out our single "Steady Baby" in the new film "What Happens in Vegas" starring Ashton Kutcher, Cameron Diaz, and Queen Latifah! We got big thangs poppin.....

In Theaters May 9th, 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJGAsbcfuRs
- Ashton Kutcher, Cameron Diaz

You tube link to song placement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZbmIUmKeMY - ABC's "Private Practice" Television Show 08

http://www.ozonemag.com/?p=11845&cpage=1#comment-40358 - OZONE MAGAZINE

http://admin.allhiphop.com/stories/multimedia__music/archive/2009/07/13/21785106.aspx
- allhiphop.com