Watch the Duck
Watch the Duck (WTD, stylized as WATCH THE DUCK) is an American musical duo from Montgomery, Alabama, United States. They are part of the alternative R&B movement. In 2012, the group dominated the freshman music poll on mtvU and their song "Poppin’ Off" was added to their regular rotation.[2] The group is currently signed to i am OTHER (Pharrell Williams' record label) and Interscope Records music label.[3] Since 2015, the publishing interest of Watch the Duck's catalog has been represented by Reservoir Media Management.[4] For their first 2018 single, the producer-vocalist pair released a song titled "There You Are". The sound of the new single is described as "a more intimate and personal sound starring Jesse's R&B vocal" and a "feel-good record that encourages listeners to stay in the moment, and move with whatever feelings come from being in the present."[5]
WATCH THE DUCK | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Montgomery, Alabama, United States[1] |
| Genres | Alternative R&B |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Labels | Interscope Records |
| Members | Jesse Rankins Eddie Smith III Oscar White III (production partner) |
History
Watch the Duck was formed by friends Eddie Smith III, Jesse Rankins, and former member Jonathan Wells.[6] All three were DJs, producers, and musicians originally from Montgomery, Alabama but moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 2010. The name of the group comes from a phrase that they use to describe society's obsession with keeping up appearances. Smith has been quoted as saying, "Everyone sees a duck floating smoothly on top of the water, but one rarely pays attention to how hard it kicks underneath to get where it's going."[7]
Band members
- Current members
- Jesse Rankins – Lead vocalist (2012–present)
- Eddie Smith III – DJ and percussion (2012–present)
- Oscar White III – Guitarist (2015–present)
- Past members
- Jonathan Wells – Keyboards (2012–2015)
Discography
EPs
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Anatidaephobia EP |
|
| The Trojan Horse EP |
|
| Delayed Adulthood (debut album) |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Poppin' Off" | 2012 | Anatidaephobia EP |
| "Making Luv to the Beat"[8] (featuring T.I. and DJ E-Feezy) |
2015 | The Trojan Horse EP |
| "There You Are" | 2018 | Delayed Adulthood (forthcoming debut album) |
Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "100" | 2014 | Iggy Azalea | The New Classic |
| "By Any Means (God Damnt)"[9] | T.I., Shad da God, Spodde | G.D.O.D. II | |
| "Troubled"[9] | B.o.B, T.I. | ||
| "G Shit" | T.I., Jeezy | Paperwork | |
| "Light 'Em Up (RIP Doe B)" | T.I., Pharrell | ||
| "Tell A Chic" | 2013 | Tiffany Evans | 143 (EP) |
| "Big Ol Drip" | 2018 | T.I. | Dime Trap |
See also
References
- Gibson, Yolanda (2 October 2012). "Underground Hype: Watch The Duck". The Examiner.
- "Watch The Duck Dominate This Week's Freshman". mtvU. 26 October 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- "Premiere: Watch The Duck's 'There You Are' Video Is The Jazz, Soul, R&B Uplifting 2018 Needed". Bet.com. 2018-02-09. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
- Legrand, Emmanuel (2015-12-10). "Reservoir acquires Allan Felder's catalogue | News". Music Week. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
- "Rapper Pharrell co-signs Alabama musical group - WSFA.com Montgomery Alabama news". www.wsfa.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- Herr, Lindsay (20 November 2012). "Watch The Duck – Poppin Off". EarMilk. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- "Watch The Duck". Red Zone Entertainment. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- "Making Luv to the Beat (Feat. T.I & DJ E-Feezy) - Single by WatchTheDuck on iTunes". itunes.apple.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- "Hustle Gang – G.D.O.D. II // Free Mixtape". DatPiff. Idle Media Inc. 2014-09-19. Retrieved 2014-09-21.