Duke Charelle Defies the Norm with Nostalgic, Gritty New Single "Tangerine Sky"

“Tangerine Sky”, the latest single by emerging artist Duke Charelle, sounds worn and gritty, deliberately so, evoking the kind of intentional noise popularized by The Beatles, which gives the song a distinct nostalgic feel.

His decision to move away from current trends and push his vocals into the background, overshadowed by a bold, spotlight-stealing guitar, makes perfect sense. It reads as a declaration from someone unconcerned with fitting into pre-made molds, driven instead by a deep desire to be and create art.

The track, which channels the golden era of rock & roll, marks a return to Charelle’s indie funk roots. He joined Greg “G-Rock” Sanders on bass and Dean Ragland (P-Funk All-Star) on drums. While the influences of Jimi Hendrix and Prince are clear and at times reminiscent of artists like George Benson or even Creedence Clearwater Revival, Tangerine Sky breaks free from easy comparisons with a surprising twist: a standout rap verse by Chavis Chandler. It's an unexpected move that becomes the centerpiece of the track.

Duke Charelle, whose real name is Deondre Charelle, began his musical journey in a school choir and has since trained in multiple instruments and genres, ranging from jazz to psychedelic funk. His career has taken him to stages like SXSW and the Muskegon Music Festival, and into collaborations with funk legends. His single Liquid Galaxies not only reached #20 on Billboard’s compilation charts but also peaked at #6 on iTunes in the funk category.

Now, with Tangerine Sky, the artist reasserts himself as an independent artist with a distinctive sound. Meanwhile, AMGCorp’s newest signee, OKTaeler, is already flipping pieces of Charelle’s “Liquid Galaxies” into something glitchy and future-leaning. A clear sign that Duke Charelle’s legacy is only just beginning to unfold.

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