AMERI

AMERI

Album ∙ Latin ∙ 2024

Duki

“If you stand in front of your achievement and use it as a mirror, you will see yourself facing immensity,” Duki tells Apple Music. “Those moments force you to look inward. That is where one finds the greatness to overcome obstacles.” During almost a decade-long career, Mauro Ezequiel Lombardo has adopted this mantra to make immensity his ambition, and he is no longer the same Duki he used to be. He certainly outgrew the Duki of the El Quinto Escalón rap battles and Auto-Tune anthems. Even if he still maintains that essence, he has matured and aims at something else. “After a long time of rapping and getting to know myself, now there is a newfound security,” he says. “For example, in the past, I didn’t like to record without the Auto-Tune. Now, I’ve made the habit of not resorting to it and took on singing lessons.”

This is how he lands on AMERI, his fourth studio album. The intro traces the melodic leitmotif of what comes next: 15 tracks where the Argentinian inhabits diverse soundworlds. “Once again, I am falling in love with making music, wanting to take over the world, but I am also trying to apply all the knowledge that I have acquired so far,” he says. “I wanted to take some time.” Through dreamed collabs and new rhythmical adventures, Duki talks about a few highlights of this project.

“Nueva Era”

“[An] old track that dates back to 2021, if I’m not mistaken. We created the verse, and we kept it there until the right ending came. Then came Myke Towers, who sent us the verse and murdered the entire song. It was lacking a chorus, so I went to the studio, and Emilia happened to be there. She immediately came up with a fabulous melody, so I saved it for the chorus. The result was amazing, and it was a great kick-start for the album. This is an extremely potent song, as well as a long-awaited collab, so it fitted perfectly in the puzzle. Simply fantastic.”

“Buscarte Lejos”
“We created this tune alongside Gonza [Bizarrap]. Its rhythm evokes native Argentinian sounds and folklore, especially in the triplets. Oftentimes in rap, we are keen on showing our skills, throwing bars, and being competitively technical. So, what makes this song different is that I didn’t mean to do any of that. I just focused on making a beautiful song. It is also a little autobiographical, because it tells the story of how I met the woman I currently love. It has also got what Biza simply masters: the art of mixing the organic—or analog—and the digital. My initial intention was to create a chacarera [an Argentinian folk dance]. However, I wouldn’t be able to accurately describe what it really is, although we somewhat picked the genre up, particularly as far as tempo goes, which—by the way—is incredible.”

“Cine”
“This is a very Argentinian-like Detroit, although its entire structure is much more cynical and includes more laughter and flow instead of harsh and direct bars. However, the sound remains full Detroit. Its production is also quite futuristic. This is a more laidback tune that shows something different than what I am used to making, which is rather positive and gives the album a touch of freshness.”

“Vida De Rock”
“I composed this track with Asan in 2018 and it leaked on the internet inadvertently. Not the song as such, but the sounds someone recorded in the room with their cell phone. This leaked melody was one the audience constantly requested, until Milo j told me he wanted to make it. I said yes and we took it out of the treasure chest. He added his part, and we then included analog details, like some amazing drums by Andy [Vilanova], my drummer at the live shows. The title is perfect, because we went from trap to rock and gave it a heavy rock wrap-up. The production was full of magic, thanks to Asan & Yesan 雪山. Milo j got involved, too, and this is what is great about him—that he produces, raps, sings. He simply does it all.”

“Barro”
“This is the oldest song on the album, made in 2021. It consists of a drumless track resulting from a sample of ‘Barro Tal Vez’ by Luis Alberto Spinetta, one of the best composers in Argentina, both musically and lyrically. ‘Barro’ is quite autobiographical and beautiful. This is the first time I worked without a drum set. The track has got its own sound, life, and mysticism, as well as a lovely narrative that builds up. As for the sample, I am lucky enough to be close to Spinetta’s family. I have collaborated with their son Dante, and they have been absolutely fantastic. They were very proud of how we made use of it. The song has a spectacular power and vitality, even with the crickets that he recorded in the forest, and that we sampled too.”

“Wake Up & Bake Up”
“I believe that the dream of every teahead is to meet Wiz Khalifa and smoke with him. The same holds true for Arcángel. I am his biggest fan since his first ‘Feliz Navidad.’ I have always meant to collaborate with him, and this is my second chance. In addition to this track, we were able to record the video next to these two legends. It was a gift to my 13- or 14-year-old Mauro, to be standing next to them. It was priceless.”