42 songs, 2 hours and 30 minutes. That’s what Mauro Ezequiel Lombardo needed to be crowned the greatest reference in urban music in Spanish today. On his European tour, the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid was the big expected event. More than 65,000 people filled the stadium with dancing, singing and crying. Very strong feelings in what was a consecration of a style and of a boy who was previously marginal, now mainstream. Duki is the great godfather of the Argentine scene and the Real Madrid stadium served him to celebrate with the artists of his country. Most of them started in 2013 releasing raps freestyle in the squares of Buenos Aires for the El Quinto Escalón competition. From those streets they have gone on to fill football stadiums.
The expectation was maximum. The surroundings of the Real Madrid stadium were full of Duki fans. T-shirts from the Argentine team with his name on the back, merchandising sweatshirts and even people with their face tattoos as a sticker. They filled the long lines that surrounded the stadium before entering. Although in the press conference a few days ago prior to the concert Duki preferred to put herself one step below Taylor Swift, she had nothing to envy of the American. His fan base is more of a movement than idolatry. Duki represents the success of a musical style that is often infantilized, marginalized and stigmatized. Already in the stadium, the hype It was maximum once in the stadium. The chanting of the name ‘Duko’ and the desire to enjoy were constant.
Duki left school to start working at a very young age. In his house the money was needed and it was time to collaborate. As a pharmacy clerk, delivery person or as an agent for a call center They were his first jobs. The Argentine is the example of a precarious youth, with unstable and constantly changing jobs. Music is what served as a refuge and relief for the Buenos Aires man, as it helps so many other young people to identify themselves today. This complicity is what the artist himself referred to during several points of the concert. Duki is that hero who transcends adversity. An exceptional success story in which he came out of difficulties to conquer the altar of music.
Urban music and trap are the new rock. With impeccable punctuality, Duki could not begin his concert with any other song than Rockstar. That’s what she has become. ‘Duko’ came out with a stage set up in the shape of a spaceship in reference to what will be their new album; America, a planet that, according to him, is a state of mind that involves a journey that “is made with your head in the sky but your feet on the ground.” Duki came out dressed in black with a vest and accompanied by a band made up of guitar, bass and drums. With the help of autotune, the one from Buenos Aires raps each of his phrases. Although it pains the oldest fan of 80s music to admit it, Duki and urban music have surpassed many of those rock legends. Not everyone fills a Bernabéu. In that rage and evasion in the trap lyrics that he writes, is the key that hooks an entire generation.
The vindication of urban music
After laying down and Another Level Rei came out on stage. The first of the ten artists who accompanied Duki during the show. With Pininfarina Remix and Pintao The pogos and jumps began at the concert. The emotion and effusiveness of the moment sometimes overcomes the fans and at that moment the Argentine did not take long to stop his concert because one of the attendees fainted in the middle of the track. The same situation happened up to four times during the entire concert and Duki was always quick to stop his songs. The two artists started the song again from the beginning once security was established.
The But room, the Riviera, the WiZink and the Bernabéu. Duki was not the first time he was in Madrid or Spain and his rise has been progressive. He has made a progression of dream rooms. For him, our country is his second home and he soon brought out the flags of Argentina and Spain to thank the entire audience for his attendance. He continued with Think of me either Let’s talk tomorrow. Although many were expectant, Bad Bunny did not accompany Duki on the date. Yes, one of the people who loves him the most did it: his girlfriend, Emilia Mernes. The stadium almost literally fell when they performed As if it didn’t matter and those present took out the flashes of their cell phones. They both melted into a kiss and a hug at the end of the song. This caused many, men and women, to cry excitedly when they saw the couple of artists.
Neither did the Spaniards Quevedo or Sticky MA come out to accompany Duki. But to the surprise of many, Nicki Nicole appeared. Duki was one of those who promoted the career of this other Argentine superstar when no one knew her. Today they are the two greatest references of urban music in their country. Both were rappers in the battles of El Quinto Escalón. The shots that were seen on the huge screens focusing from behind, giving the artist’s point of view and seeing the entire audience, gained more strength when thinking that they are two kids who managed to rise from the streets to musical success. A party as a vindication for a style and artists that are often infantilized and detailed for the simple fact of being new.
In January 1 Lucho RK accompanied Duki. He took the turn of the first Spaniard, West Dubai. Styled by Martín Aldao with a black hat that covered his entire head and a outfit sport deep dark blue and black that many artists replicate, they interpreted Against me in what the pogos continued. Nobody expected it, but soon Jhayco came out to celebrate with Duki in Rockstar 2.0. Nobody expected the star appearance of the artist with 30 million listeners on Spotify and everyone went crazy.
The concert went through the musical phases that Duki has gone through: trap, reggaeton or rap are the styles that he repeats the most. With Cro he played Sons of the night either Harakiri. After that he was able to connect more intimately with the public. Duki was able to become more intimate with his audience in Lost tape. Sitting and cappella he left the Bernabéu amazed. Duki is an endearing guy. He knows how to recognize talent and who has supported him in the past. Dano, although he grew up in Spain, is another of those Argentine artists who has boosted an entire scene. He was not the best-known face of the night, but Duki took the opportunity to give him his mass bath in Holy Grail who is considered one of the fathers of the wave of urban music born more than ten years ago.
“The reality is that I am small. We all want to change the world. I try to do it with music and all this is incredible. I don’t know if I achieve it as I would like, but I try to do it.” Duki gave this speech after Hello Cotto and ended by thanking his entire team, family and friends for all the help he receives every day. “Without you nothing would make sense,” she exclaimed.
Real recognizes real and Ysy A and Neo Pistea had to be on stage. The three artists organized El Quinto Escalón and formed the group Modo Diablo. Playing songs from 2016, they once again put the stadium at their feet with songs like That’s it, Quavo, Trap n Sport either Return to the Moon.
Duki took a break to go out dressed differently and interpret Acoustic ticket and Don “t cry. He did. Duki is one of those artists who highlights the importance of mental health and claims the need to cry if he feels that way. His tattoos on his face or his appearance as a neighborhood kid do not take away the possibility of being moved by this example of a new artist, but also of new masculinity. Duki has recently gone through depression and is not shy about talking about it. He assured that the Bernabéu night was one of the best nights of his life, “if not the best.”
A great star was missing and he was none other than the other side of the promoter of the urban scene in Spanish worldwide. Bizarrap came out with his classic glasses, cap and jacket. The Argentine super product began making remixes of the battles recorded in The Fifth Step. “I arrived in the city and they received me as if I were the “boss.” Duki sings in his collaboration Malbec. Both have grown independently and on the same label, Dale Play Records. A company of friends that today competes with the big multinational music companies face to face. Bizarrap came down to the stage and the two friends continued with Givenchy, Bizarrap session #50 and She Don’t Give a Fo, one of the songs that has built what is now the legend of Duki. A finishing touch to an unforgettable night for those present.
“I know we have a special connection that unites us in each of my songs,” Duki said before leaving. He continues to be that kid from the streets of Almagro with a smile that does not diminish his humility. Although he is now a successful person and has achieved what few others have, his story is that of a changing and precarious youth. Some young people who identify with a face that has lived what they live. In that identification is the greatest thing about music. Nobody knows what will become of Duki in the future, but urban music will continue to dominate festival and concert posters.
