MIAMI NATIVE YOUNG DUCE IS DETERMINED TO SLIDE OR DIE. WITH FRIEND & MANAGER TERRY ELLIOTT JR. AND THE YMCMB FAMILY IN HIS CORNER, HE’s ON THE RIGHT PATH. How would you describe your music? I’d say I’m kinda different. I have a lot of beatmakers that I work with, and I just add myself as the extra instrument on the beat. So you decided to start your own label, and are working with Terry Elliott Jr.? Me and Terry have been friends for a very long time. We had a car club years back. So when my music started getting real serious, hot in the streets and everybody started to like it, Terry took me on. We already have a bond, so it was more of a comfortable feeling than to be working with somebody I don’t even know. So from there, it’s just about staying focused. Everything is full-time music: music, music, music, that’s all I really have right now. So we came out with my label Slide or Die. Slide or Die is actually a marketing company, but we have a music group in the marketing company along with it. Slide or Die means, go all out for everything you’ve put your mind to. You’re either going to go full throttle with it or don’t do it at all. I live by it on everything I do. If I’m going to go full throttle with this music, I go overtime, just straight working, you know. Do you feel like strip clubs are the best place to break your records? The clubs are always going to be a good place, you know. I consider the strip clubs to be like a tester. It’s a teaser to see if it can pop off fast. I call it a make-it-or-break-it test, you know? When you play it in the club you’re going to get the crowd reaction, you’re going to get the dancer’s reaction. If it’s a hot song, they’ll call you for bookings or anything. You’ll know [the reaction] within a week. Somebody’s going to say something about the song. Before we try to take a song to the radio stations, online, and XM radio, we take it to the strip clubs. That’s just the first level. What are the biggest records you’ve had? I would have to say “Tear The Club Down,” “Like A Drummer,” and “Surf Boy Swag.” I have a lot of songs down here in the South and in Miami. I just came from Portland, Oregon; I’ve been up there playing a couple of songs. They really
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like “Tear The Club Down.” It’s really the most played, the most energizing song. And you’re involved with Young Money too? Yeah, I’m affiliated with them. We’re just going through a pre-trial thing. They’re just watching and keeping me on standby, trying to see how much we’re really going to do by ourselves. I really don’t know the business side because Terry handles that. I just stay focused and stay working. Do you have any big records coming in the near future that you want people to be looking out for? We’ve been shooting music videos for all the records, trying to push them out like singles. It’s going to be a really good album. Iced Out Human was my first mixtape, and right now I’m working on Iced Out Human 2. I’m thinking about dropping it around Christmas or maybe New Year’s. Everybody’s waiting for some new, new music. Are you releasing an album independently? If I come across any major labels, we’ll see what’s good. It depends on what’s more beneficial. But we’re still working on the Young Money thing. I feel like I’m in football right now. It’s like when you’re in college and about to go to the pro’s and they’re scouting you. I’m just trying to be prepared so there won’t be any artist development needed. I’m just focused. Slide or Die! Are you doing any events in Orlando during the Florida Classic weekend? I’ll be there. OZONE came from Orlando, right? It’s only right to do it big, so I’ll be there. You’ll probably see me at the games on the sidelines, out there vibing with my manager and the whole team, passing out promotions and CDs and everything. Club-wise, you know, we might fall through and “Tear The Club Down.” Is there anything else you want to plug? Iced Out Human 2, the mixtape. Be on the look out for it. Swisher Gang Clothing coming soon. Rise to Millions DVD coming soon. Reality show coming in 2012. I mean, we’re working. We’re trying to get on every [magazine] cover until they notice what time it is. Just going to stay working. Everybody that’s reading this issue, hit me up on Twitter. I like to stay in touch with my fans and get advice. Web: YoungDuceMillions.com Twitter: @YoungDuce305