The Escapist Mindset
Duckwrth’s Bold, Genre-Bending Sound Shattering All the Rules
Duckwrth is more than an artist—he’s a movement. With his genre-blurring fusion of Hip-Hop, R&B, and Rock, Duckwrth crafts a sound that shatters categorisation. Inspired by trailblazers like Outkast and N.E.R.D., he’s built a style rooted in fearless creativity and magnetic performance. Fearlessly authentic and endlessly inspiring, Duckwrth proves he’s a force to be reckoned with. With his upcoming third album, All American F*ckBoy, Duckwrth continues to break boundaries, blending introspection with bold creativity.
Blending Genres - Duckwrth’s latest single “Had Enough” blends alt-rock with his signature sound, offering a glittery, funky anthem that tackles the darker sides of indulgence. Exploring themes of substance abuse and escapism, the track is paired with a striking music video directed by Alex “Grizz” Loucas, where choreography reflects the internal struggle between temptation and self-control.
Your music always defies genres, and ‘Had Enough’ is no exception. What sparked this direction?
Rock has always been part of my identity, but I hadn’t reflected that in my music recently. On tour, I felt this brash, radical side of me screaming to come out. For the past two years, I’ve been creating a space where that part of me can thrive.
A lyric that stood out to me was, ‘She’s got a tight grip on my conscious.’ It seems to explore indulgence versus self-awareness. How does that duality influence your music?
It’s something I’m still navigating. Becoming self-aware makes you critical—even about things like sugar intake. In your 30s, you feel the consequences more deeply. I want to make choices that help me wake up energised and ready to create.
Your music video for ‘Had Enough’ from your upcoming album felt like a beautiful crash—raw, chaotic, yet captivating. The song explores heavy themes like substance abuse and toxic escapism. Was it inspired by personal experiences?
Definitely personal. As a musician, alcohol is always around, and it’s easy for that access to turn into abuse. Many artists have emotional or spiritual struggles—add alcohol to the mix, and it’s a bad combination. For me, I loved the high, but it led to bad decisions. Eventually, I had to stop drinking entirely.
How did you navigate giving up alcohol?
I just stopped. I wanted to feel good—physically and mentally—when I woke up and moved through my day. Hangovers and bad choices just weren’t worth it anymore.
Beyond the Music - Duckwrth’s artistic reach extends to film, TV, and fashion, with collaborations for brands like Adidas and Loewe. His style is as distinctive as his sound, embodying individuality and expression.
Your fashion presence is undeniable. How does it influence your identity and music?
Fashion is a visual extension of how I feel. Right now, I’m toggling between a goth phase and hyper-functional sportswear. As an artist, style helps convey who you are—whether it’s bold pieces like Bowie and Prince or effortless simplicity. For this project, I’ve been working with costume designers to create one-of-a-kind pieces.
If you could design for any brand, who would it be?
Vivienne Westwood. Her punk aesthetic, from bondage to plaid, ties into my identity. I’d love to do something modern while honouring her legacy.
I can see you're a boot guy. You've got all types of boots—boots I've never even seen before.
I am very much a boot man. It's ridiculous—or at least I used to think it was ridiculous. But now, not so much, because I'm diving into boot design and manufacturing next year. So I can say that the 100 or so boots I own are now just inspiration... for making a book.
It's tax deductible.
Exactly. Tax deductible.
A Deeply Personal Journey - Duckwrth’s forthcoming third studio LP is his most introspective yet, exploring themes of infidelity, self-identity, childhood trauma, and resilience. This chapter highlights his growth as a storyteller and his ability to resonate deeply with listeners.
Can you share more about your creative process for the album?
It’s a full narrative with five chapters, featuring a prominent actor as the narrator. The music blends heavy subject matter with rich melodies. This is the best music I’ve ever made.
How do you maintain mental health while navigating the industry’s pressures?
I focus on being Jared, not Duckwrth, whenever I can. I love biking, movies—especially at New Beverly Cinema—and spending time in nature. Escaping the screen and reconnecting with the world grounds me.
What are you most excited for listeners to experience with your new album, and what do you hope they take away from it?
"This album is a full narrative with five chapters, narrated by a prominent actor, and even features callbacks to horror scores. The mix of storytelling, tongue-in-cheek themes. It’s the best I’ve ever made. I’m so excited for listeners to experience it all.
If you could collaborate with any animal for a music video, what would it be?
Yeah. I love this question. What a wonderful question. Hmm, really good question… Cheetahs are adorable—they meow like cats. But if we’re dreaming big, why not a dragon? Let’s bring that to life."
If you could redesign the human body, what would you add?
Wings for vanity, gills for practicality. Water holds an untapped world we’ve barely explored… I love these questions! (laughs)
If your music could have its own food pairing, like a fine wine with a meal, what would your tracks be paired with?
Probably the burgers, it's American. So, you know, it's giving burgers and fries
Duckwrth is not just redefining music—he’s shaping an entirely new cultural narrative, where authenticity, creativity, and vulnerability collide in every beat. His new album; "All American F*ckBoy" is set to be released very soon, with "Toxic Romantic" as the next single release, keep up to date with newness from Duckwrth here.
Words by contributing editor Reem Elnour / colour photos by Jack Mckain, styled by Kate Housh / black & white photos by Mancy Gant / editor in Chief Simone Taylor / thank you to Jared & Sam.
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