A quick sigh of internet sleuthing reveals pictures of a boy known as Duki rapping in a Buenos Aires square, surrounded by kids. It was the mid-2010s, and that young man did not yet bear the tattoos now common on his face. Those early images mark the origin of a performer who, over years, became a touchstone for fans who watched him closely in the freestyling battles that shaped his rise. He earned his urban education in 2016 by winning the legendary rhyming tournament El Quinto Escalón, organized by YSY A.
From the square to national recognition, and then to global reach, Duki, whose full name is Mauro Ezequiel Lombardo, has now arrived in Barcelona by car this weekend. The concerts at Palau Sant Jordi are sold out twice, a testament to his status as one of Argentina’s greatest musical exports. Friday the 3rd and Saturday the 4th mark a moment that adds depth to a figure who means much more than stadium dates. In those same squares where Duki sharpened his craft, a spontaneous movement formed, guiding Argentine youth who previously had few clear musical references. The idea they carried was simple yet powerful: convey a way of life and emotion that resonated with an entire generation. A concert promoter and partner in the movement, Lauría Entertainment founder Fede Lauría, recalls the early days as a time when a community began to take shape through shared music and shared ambitions. The artist’s broader reach is developed through the company Dale Play.
Movement
With 23 million Spotify listeners and a blend of trap, rap, and reggaeton, Duki stands at the center of an urban movement that continues to expand. Teammates and peers like Nicki Nicole, Khea, Cazzu and the producer Bizarrap have joined the wave, creating a collaborative ecosystem born from freestyle roots. The leadership, clear to everyone involved, centers on camaraderie that fuels collaboration and mutual growth.
In early talks, Duki spoke about his ambitions with Lauría, mentioning a dream that paired personal success with lifting the entire circle. The aim was not just singles and tours but a broader impact that would inspire more artists to grow their music alongside him, turning rivalries into opportunities and widening the audience across the country by hands shake after hands shake, with projects and partnerships expanding the scene.
The peak moment for Duki and the Argentine urban movement came last autumn when the rapper packed the Vélez Sarsfield stadium for four days, drawing a total of about 180,000 attendees. The unusually young crowd posed a challenge for organizers, especially on costful grounds, yet the energy proved irresistible. Following Argentina’s World Cup success in Qatar, the release of a celebratory track with Bizarrap marked a new crest for the artist, a collaboration the world heard as a testament to enduring momentum. And the path from underground battle culture to mainstream platforms continued, including a rare interview on a major Spanish program during this visit to Europe.
In Spain, a sprawling run of shows at venues like Wizink and Palau Sant Jordi signals a growing foothold for Duki and his team. Many Argentine artists have performed in Spain over the past year, and Duki has expressed admiration for the Spanish urban movement that has helped shape his career. The ripple effect from the Spanish trap scene—rooted in Argentina years earlier—has become a key chapter in his story. Over time, Duki has collaborated with a host of scene leaders, including Yung Beef, Sticky MA, producer Steve Lean, and more recently Quevedo and Dano. A notable collaboration with Dano appears on the latest album Man Plans, God Laughs, illustrating how the circle continues to expand and evolve.