Watch the Duck (WTD, stylized as WATCH THE DUCK) is an American musical duo from Montgomery, Alabama, United States. Their 2012 song, "Poppin’ Off" was added to mtvU's regular rotation.[2] The group signed with Pharrell's i am OTHER, an imprint of Interscope Records in 2017.[3][4] Their 2018 single, "There You Are" was 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
OriginMontgomery, Alabama, United States[1]
GenresAlternative R&B
Years active2012–present
LabelsInterscope Records, I Am Other
MembersJesse Rankins
Eddie Smith III
Oscar White III (production partner)

History edit

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 edit

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 edit

EPs edit

List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Album details
Anatidaephobia EP
  • Released: April 1, 2013
  • Label: Epic Records
  • Format: Digital download
The Trojan Horse EP
  • Released: November 20, 2015
  • Label: Epic Records
  • Format: Digital download
Delayed Adulthood (debut album)

Singles edit

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 edit

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
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 edit

References edit

  1. ^ Gibson, Yolanda (2 October 2012). "Underground Hype: Watch The Duck". The Examiner.
  2. ^ "Watch The Duck Dominate This Week's Freshman". mtvU. 26 October 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ Legrand, Emmanuel (2015-12-10). "Reservoir acquires Allan Felder's catalogue | News". Music Week. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ Herr, Lindsay (20 November 2012). "Watch The Duck – Poppin Off". EarMilk. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  7. ^ "Watch The Duck". Red Zone Entertainment. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ a b "Hustle Gang – G.D.O.D. II // Free Mixtape". DatPiff. Idle Media Inc. 2014-09-19. Retrieved 2014-09-21.

External links edit