Our very own Tha Duce from Southern California makes a brazen claim with his newest single, "Gen 5," yet again affirming to everyone that he does not simply carry the label of artist. He is, in fact, an entertainer, producer, and music engineer all in one. Raised on the Eastside of Los Angeles, Tha Duce taps into his roots with a sound that's undeniably West Coast, mixing original vibes with an unmistakable sense of realness.
"Gen 5" grabs you from the opening beat. It has a hip-hop feel in its production, blending smooth and complex elements, while Tha Duce himself provides a rugged, storytelling cut on the lyrical side. Each verse is like a page of his life, with sketches of pursuit, hardships, and victory. Most impressively, though, is how effortlessly he's able to juggle lyrics with production polish. This two-in-one combo injects the track from a regular single into a full-bodied experience.
Listeners are sucked into the soundscape Tha Duce creates. The layered harmonies are laced with crisp drum patterns, resulting in a polished, dynamic feel that doesn't sacrifice the mentality of street-hop. The chorus lands like a punch, which then echoes for some time after the song wraps up.
The Duce imposes his vision of a West Coast legacy with a modern and individualistic twist to hip-hop. Fans, too, will be drawn in, bopping to a beat and taking in the tale of a man who does what he wants without any but his own thoughts as restraints.
Follow Tha Duce on Instagram