Select Page

Watch the Duck

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]

History

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

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

EPs

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

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

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

References

  1. ^ Gibson, Yolanda (October 2, 2012). "Underground Hype: Watch The Duck". The Examiner.
  2. ^ "Watch The Duck Dominate This Week's Freshman". mtvU. October 26, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  3. ^ "Premiere: Watch The Duck's 'There You Are' Video Is The Jazz, Soul, R&B Uplifting 2018 Needed". Bet.com. February 9, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  4. ^ Legrand, Emmanuel (December 10, 2015). "Reservoir acquires Allan Felder's catalogue | News". Music Week. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  5. ^ "Rapper Pharrell co-signs Alabama musical group - WSFA.com Montgomery Alabama news". www.wsfa.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  6. ^ Herr, Lindsay (November 20, 2012). "Watch The Duck – Poppin Off". EarMilk. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  7. ^ "Watch The Duck". Red Zone Entertainment. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  8. ^ "Making Luv to the Beat (Feat. T.I & DJ E-Feezy) - Single by WatchTheDuck on iTunes". iTunes. Archived from the original on November 29, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Hustle Gang – G.D.O.D. II // Free Mixtape". DatPiff. Idle Media Inc. September 19, 2014. Retrieved September 21, 2014.