Duwap Kaine

Duwap Kaine
Duwap Kaine in July 2019
Duwap Kaine in July 2019
Background information
Born
Donald George Ruffin

2001 or 2002 (age 24–25)[1]
Genres[2][3][4]
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • singer
  • record producer
Years active2011–present
LabelTAF

Donald George Ruffin[5], known professionally as Duwap Kaine, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is known for his projects Underdog and Bad Kid from the 4,[6][7] as well as his early collaborations with record producer Pi'erre Bourne.

Career

Ruffin began making chopped and screwed remixes of songs at age 6.[8] He started producing music using Mixcraft.[8] He released "Elmo freestyle", which later became a viral hit, at age 9.[8] As a teenager, he began releasing music under the alias "Dolphin God".[8] He released his debut mixtape Diffrent [sic] in 2013 under the DolphinGod alias.

One of his first singles to gain attention was the song "A Stove Is a Stove", which he released in 2016, with the song since reaching over a million plays.[2] In 2017, he released the Pi'erre Bourne-produced song "Santa".[8] In September 2017, he was co-signed by American rapper Lil Yachty as one of his favorite rappers.[4] Ruffin has worked with artists including Trippie Redd, K$upreme, Lil Wop, and Lil Tracy. He released two mixtapes that year, Friends Till The End & Forever Kaine.

In 2018, he released the notable mixtape Underdog. Most of the tape's instrumentals were made by Duwap's frequent collaborator Nine9.[8] Ruffin released the single "Playin Wit Da Autotune" on August 11, 2021. Ruffin released his album Faith Like Esther on June 26, 2022.[9] In December 2024, he released A Kid From Savannah, a short autobiography.[8] He released his mixtape The Godfather in March 2026.[10]

Musical style

His music is known for its "melodic, autotune-soaked raps".[11] Pigeons and Planes has described him as a "godfather of internet rap".[8] He has cited Chief Keef, Soulja Boy, and Lil B as influences on his music.[8]

Personal life

As of 2026, Ruffin lives in Lawrenceville, Georgia.[8] He was diagnosed with ADHD as a child.[8] He has a daughter.[8]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details
What a Time to Be Wild
  • Released: October 9, 2015
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Bad Kid from the 4
  • Released: February 21, 2020
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Underdog 2
  • Released: June 10, 2020
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Thank You Kaine
  • Released: September 1, 2020
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
After the Storm
  • Released: 2015
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
A Dogg's Influence
  • Released: March 7, 2022
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Family Guy
  • Released: September 16, 2022
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Duwap So Based
  • Released: May 21, 2023
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Darkest Days
  • Released: July 17, 2023
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
You Influenced Me
  • Released: August 16, 2023
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
On The Way
  • Released: September 27, 2023
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Bully
  • Released: November 9, 2023
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Thank You Kaine II
  • Released: December 3, 2023
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Goldmine
  • Released: March 26, 2024
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Thank You Kaine 3
  • Released: June 21, 2024
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Double YL (You Live You Learn)
  • Released: August 28, 2024
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
I Am Not A Human Being
  • Released: October 23, 2024
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Nobody Is Coming To Save You
  • Released: January 1, 2025
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Deluxe albums

Title Deluxe details
After the Storm (Deluxe Version)
  • Released: June 17, 2021
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Mixtapes

Title Mixtape details
Trappin Fever
  • Released: November 29, 2015
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Trappin Fever 2
  • Released: December 27, 2015
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Kaine's Collection
  • Released: January 26, 2015
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Fourteen
  • Released: February 21, 2016
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Kaine's Mansion 5
  • Released: April 15, 2016
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Citgo Stories
  • Released: May 11, 2016
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
88 Kaine
  • Released: July 2, 2016
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Candy Kaine
  • Released: September 10, 2016
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Friends Till the End
  • Released: February 1, 2017
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Forever Kaine
  • Released: August 19, 2017
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Underdog
  • Released: July 4, 2018
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Heardhead
  • Released: October 13, 2021
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Faith Like Esther
  • Released: June 26, 2022
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Kaine's Diary
  • Released: August 26, 2022
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Underdog 3
  • Released: October 25, 2022
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Warning B4 Destruction
  • Released: December 16, 2022
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Remember Who Started the Wave
  • Released: January 6, 2023
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Feels Like Summer
  • Released: June 3, 2023
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Southside's Most Wanted
  • Released: May 18, 2024
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Lost Files, Vol. 1
  • Released: September 30, 2024
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Down South Down 2 Earth
  • Released: November 10, 2024
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Extended plays

Title Extended play details
Mr. 4
  • Released: November 22, 2019
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
FreeLilEBG
  • Released: March 3, 2022
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Mistreated
  • Released: April 1, 2024
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Kaine's Laboratory
  • Released: July 25, 2024
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

References

  1. ↑ Smith, Nadine (July 6, 2022). "Duwap Kaine: Faith Like Esther". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Duwap Kaine Is the Best Rapper That Won't Show Up in Your Algorithm". Pitchfork. September 23, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Duwap Kaine – Feel Like Esther". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  4. 1 2 "The Next Generation Of SoundCloud Rappers". Complex. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Information on Duwap Kaine's songs in ASCAP ACE database". ASCAP. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Song You Need: Duwap Kaine is more than a humble pop star on "ASMR"". The Fader. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Listen to Duwap Kaine's "Mad 2": The Ones". Pitchfork. June 27, 2022. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Villasan Gendron, Will (April 23, 2026). "Duwap Kaine Speaks". Pigeons and Planes. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  9. ↑ Brake, David Aaron (June 30, 2022). "New Music Friday - New Albums From Duwap Kaine, G Perico, French Montana + More". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on July 1, 2022. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  10. ↑ Horvath, Zachary (March 13, 2026). "Tha Godfather - Album by Duwap Kaine". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  11. ↑ Callender, Brandon (July 13, 2019). "Duwap Kaine rules, and here's the proof". The Fader. Retrieved April 26, 2026.