Music
Every record Frank Dukes touches turns to gold
The Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter has already worked with some of the world’s biggest artists (Taylor Swift, Kanye West and Lorde to name a few) and he is only just getting started.
1 h 6 min
In conversation with Frank Dukes
If you happened to turn on a radio or stream any popular music over the last decade there is a good chance you have heard the work of producer/songwriter Adam Feeney (aka Frank Dukes).
If you happened to turn on a radio or stream any popular music over the last decade there is a good chance you have heard the sweet sounds of Frank Dukes.
Born Adam Feeney in Toronto, Dukes got his start in music taking lessons as a young child and then later learning to DJ as a teenager at St. Robert Catholic High School. Influenced namely by the sounds of early East Coast hip hop, he had some success selling his early beats to representatives for popular New York rap talent like Lloyd Banks, Joell Ortiz and members of Wu-Tang Clan which lead to three placements on Ghostface Killah’s Apollo Kids album and eight more on the official soundtrack to RZA and Quentin Tarantino’s 2012 film, The Man with the Iron Fists.
Dukes is a key force in a new collaborative movement that has effectively changed the way music is produced. He faced sample clearance issues while coming up as a young producer (the sometimes grueling process of getting permission to sample another song) and was inspired to create a collection of original sounds and samples that could be used by producers without the usual issues. Dubbed the “Kingsway Music Library,” Dukes’ releases have gone on to be used and sampled for massively popular artists like Taylor Swift, Kanye West, Lorde, Drake, FrankOcean and Eminem. Dukes has continued to make a name for himself as a producer and songwriter with credits on numerous popular records as well as filling the executive producer role on projects including The Weeknd’s My Dear Melancholy, Camila Cabello’s Camila and BADBADNOTGOOD’s III.
Here are some of the biggest and most important records that Dukes has worked on throughout his career to date. Check out the photo highlights from In Conversation with Frank Dukes at Red Bull Music Festival Toronto at Daniel’s Spectrum in the link below:
Frank Ocean – “Biking” ft. Jay-Z & Tyler, The Creator
Single - 2017
Initially premiered on the third episode of Frank Ocean’s blonded Radio on Beats 1, the bicycle-themed single found the former Odd Future members reconnecting alongside a rare Jay-Z feature over production from Frank Dukes, Jarami and Caleb Laven. “Biking” became an instant classic for Ocean and is often included in his live sets. Dukes and Ocean have also collaborated on his singles “Chanel” and “Lens.”
BADBADNOTGOOD - "Confessions" feat. Leland Whitty
From III album - 2014
This track was a true milestone for BADBADNOTGOOD as it was a standout from III, a project entirely co-produced by Frank Dukes and the band’s first release of original material. Its distinct leading saxophone melodies even inspired a sequel featuring Colin Stetson included on the jazz/hip-hop fusion group’s fourth studio release in 2016. Dukes and BADBADNOTGOOD would collaborate again on their 2015 collaborative effort with Ghostface Killah, Sour Soul.
Drake - "0 to 100 / The Catch Up"
Single - 2013
Arguably one of Drake’s signature releases, this Grammy-nominated single hit was certified platinum after originally appearing on the October’s Very Own SoundCloud page in the summer of 2013 and then being rereleased a year later. The first half features laidback hip hop production from Frank Dukes, Boi-1da and Vinylz while the second half, “The Catch Up,” features smoother R&B production from Nineteen85 and 40.
Travis Scott - "Maria, I'm Drunk" feat. Young Thug and Justin Bieber
From Rodeo album - 2015
This unique collaboration between Travis Scott, Young Thug and Justin Bieber features one of Bieber’s few rare rap verses as well as haunting piano production from Frank Dukes, Allen Ritter, Maneesh and Scott himself. The track is somewhat of a cult favourite of Scott fans as it originally premiered during performances on his Rodeo tour with Young Thug, leaked onto the internet and later appeared on the Rodeo album in 2015 with Bieber. Dukes and Scott have also collaborated on tracks from his 2016 album, Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight.
Rihanna - "Sex With Me"
From Anti (Deluxe Edition) album - 2016
It is hard to believe this staple in Rihanna’s catalogue was just a bonus track from the deluxe version of her 2016 album, Anti. Produced by Frank Dukes, Boi-1da and Vinylz, the empowerment anthem was co-written by PARTYNEXTDOOR, describes in great detail why sex with Rihanna is “so amazing” and has become a fan favourite since its release.
Kanye West - "Real Friends"
From The Life of Pablo album - 2016
Kanye West released three SoundCloud singles leading up to the release of his seventh album, The Life of Pablo, including this Ty Dolla $ign-assisted introspective tune featuring production from Frank Dukes, Boi-1da, Mike Dean, Havoc, Sevn Thomas, Darren King, Noah Goldstein and West himself. Lamenting the disappearance of “real friends” in his star-studded life, West gets in tune with his feelings over a pleasant piano loop and some acoustic drums. The cover of the original release on SoundCloud featured a photograph of a young West playing a small MIDI keyboard.
Camila Cabello - "Havana" feat. Young Thug
From Camila album - 2018
The former Fifth Harmony member’s solo debut, Camila, was executive produced by Frank Dukes and practically defined by this anthem dedicated to her Cuban hometown that became a massive Grammy-nominated single. Dukes’ earworm salsa piano melody lead “Havana” to become the most-streamed song by any female artist in history, breaking Adele’s previous record of 3.36 billion streams.
Drake - "Fake Love"
From More Life playlist - 2017
Originally premiered on Drake’s birthday episode of OVO Sound Radio, this infectious pop/R&B single features production from Frank Dukes and Vinylz and later appeared on the 2017 More Life playlist. The track ends with a sample from Drake’s 2016 American Music Awards acceptance speech where he warns folks to watch how they speak on his name.
Post Malone - "Congratulations" feat. Quavo
From Stoney album - 2016
The massive Diamond-certified collaboration with Quavo of Migos was a standout from Post Malone’s debut studio album, Stoney, and featured production from Frank Dukes, Metro Boomin and Louis Bell. Fans of the Post might remember a special performance of “Congratulations” at SXSW 2017 in Austin, Texas when rapper Rich Brian commissioned a mariachi band to serenade him with the song.
The Weeknd - "Call Out My Name"
From My Dear Melancholy EP - 2018
The lead single from The Weeknd’s Frank Dukes-produced My Dear Melancholy EP, “Call Out My Name” set the tone for the rest of a heart-wrenching project that dove into Abel’s past relationships and other grievances. The song samples Nicholas Jaar’s “Killing Time” from his 2016 album, Sirens. Described as a return to The Weeknd’s older, darker sound, the extended play also featured contributions from French producer Gessafelstein.
Rosalía – “Con Altura” feat. J Balvin and El Guincho
Single released 2019
This enormous collaboration from Rosalía, J Balvin and El Guincho debuted at number one in Spain, set the record for the most-streamed across the country and became the most-watched music video from any female artist in 2019. The bouncy reggaeton hit was produced by Frank Dukes, El Guincho and Rosalía herself and will appear on the Spanish singer’s highly anticipated upcoming third album.
