John Duff

John Duff (born March 3, 1988) is an American singer and songwriter. Duff came to prominence on social media and rose to greater prominence following the release of several viral hit singles, including "Girly", "Rich", and "Hokie Pokie".

Early life Duff was born and raised in Howard County, Maryland. He is the youngest of four siblings, with two sisters and a brother. During his childhood, Duff recalls being musically influenced by his older sisters' music choices, including artists like Mariah Carey. He was also a fan of Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, and Michael Jackson. Duff states that he was bullied as early as age 8 for being perceived as gay. Landing a job in a stage musical adaptation of Saved by the Bell (Bayside! The Musical!, an unauthorized parody of the show) helped rebuild his confidence afterward, After working in the musical for three years, in 2016, he directed the off-Broadway production of Katdashians! Break the Musical!, an unauthorized parody of both Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Cats. The musical extended its initial run, but was later forced to close following litigation from Andrew Lloyd Webber. Duff spoke extensively about the desire to challenge criticisms of embracing femininity, especially as a gay artist, ones that he had received both before and throughout his career. The song and its accompanying video provide "commentary on pop culture's love-hate obsession with the rich and famous."

Duff released several more singles through the following year, including "Hokie Pokie" in September 2020. The single, described as "straddling the line between hip hop and house" and "scorchingly provocative", is about cunnilingus, and Duff's writing received positive reviews from various outlets, who also interpreted it as a song about anilingus.

Duff's next single was "Give a Fuck", which was also produced in collaboration with Delicata. Following the release of "Give a Fuck", Duff indicated that he was set to release an EP in 2021. He continued to release singles in early 2021, including "Do It", "I Hate LA", and "100% Baby".

Homo•Sapien EP (2021) - present Duff released his debut EP Homo•Sapien in June 2021, produced by Koil PreAmple. Duff described the EP as "a collection of songs that I wrote without consideration of rules", writing them about "everything [he] was told he shouldn't do in life." A portion of the EP's sales also contributed to The Future Perfect Project, an organization dedicated to promoting performances of original work by queer youth.

The EP's debut single was "High Heels", a track that included vocals from Tony Award-winning Broadway singer Lillias White.

Duff also co-wrote two of Kylie Sonique Love's singles: "Complete Me" and "Do It Like Dolly", while also providing creative direction for the latter's accompanying music video.

In 2023, Duff released four independent singles: "Cruise Control", "House on Fire", "Somebody's Daughter", and "Gravity". "House on Fire", released in June, was written about feelings Duff had upon going on a first date with someone who he believed was "the one". Its accompanying music video explored the dark side of obsession and social media. The track was described as a "nostalgic and groovy" "breezy throwback". Duff wrote the track with Eren Cannata, with additional collaboration with Delicata and Luke Moellman. Xavier Hamel directed the video, with creative direction by Adrian Gilliland and Duff. The nude scenes with Duff and video co-star Nellie Salisbury—who debuted in Duff's video for "House on Fire"—came about after the video's costumer disappeared during shooting, leaving them in a lurch. Duff then shopped at various stripper costuming stores to fit the scenes and they opted instead to shoot some scenes in the nude, something the crew was unaware of until they walked onto set. In reference to the misogynistic lyrical content of the song and double standards in the industry, Duff said, "I've been told over and over that the themes of my music aren't 'for everyone,' so I wrote a super misogynistic song that now 'everyone' can enjoy." In a PRIDE interview, Duff reflected, "I had been making songs that were explicitly gay and they were to my detriment, which is really hard to take when you're watching every other mainstream artist pretend to be gay." He stated being open to attraction to women as well, something he felt he had rejected after internalizing being called gay by antagonizers since his childhood.

Duff has publicly shared about his journey to sobriety, describing his 20s as a period of struggle with his mental health and addiction, which he worked through, including abstaining from alcohol consumption. He had attempted sobriety several times, but as of 2023, has been over 3 years sober.

Discography

Singles

Remixes + List of singles, with details Title Date Details Rich (Ryan Skyy Remix)December 21, 2019 Stop the Show (Anske Remix) "Stop the Show (Anske Extended Remix)May 29, 2020Collaboration with DJ Jovani High Heels (Disco Fries Remix) High Heels (Qubiko Radio Edit) High Heels (Qubiko Remix)July 30, 2021High Heels (Remixed) EP Is It A Sin (Eric Kupper Club Edit) Is It A Sin (Eric Kupper Radio Edit)May 27, 2022 Is It A Sin (Block & Crown and Nick Fiorucci Remix Edit) Is It A Sin (Block & Crown and Nick Fiorucci Remix)June 10, 2022 Is It A Sin (MIDIMACK Groovy Vocal Remix) Is It A Sin (MIDIMACK Funky Club Dub Remix)June 17, 2022 Is It A Sin (Chris Cox Radio Mix) Is It A Sin (Chris Cox Club Mix)June 24, 2022 Cruise Control (Niko the Kid Remix)May 5, 2023 House On Fire (Eric Kupper Remix) House On Fire (Eric Kupper Extended Remix)June 23, 2023 House On Fire (KOIL REMIX)August 18, 2023 Somebody's Daughter (XXX Mix)October 6, 2023 Gravity (Remix)January 5, 2024

EPs + List of extended plays, with details Title Details Homo•Sapien Released: June 25, 2021 Label: Independent Format: Streamed audio High Heels (Remixed) Released: July 30, 2021 Label: Independent Format: Streamed audio