"LL over a Premo beat" only begins to describe the fresh sound of Champagne Duane's "NEED" (Produced by Jonny Cool), an authentic introduction to the artist and pure addition to Hip-Hop. "Just Being Myself" may be one of Dionne Warwick's most soulful pieces of work. "NEED" wastes no time drawing you in with the way Jonny Cool masterfully samples "You Are the Heart of Me" from the 1973 album. The opening line "when it's real, it's real, and it's definitely real" precisely defines the feeling created from the bass line and piano play- it feels right. Duane delivers a straight forward message- no gimmicks, no metaphors, no exaggerations. He takes us on a journey through his wants and needs, helping us understand what's most important to him- from pleasure and experience to success, justice, and family. Through that thought process, we're able to determine Duane's character- someone with the awareness to know what they're looking for. It is often said that an artist can change the game, but all too often it doesn’t happen. In the case of Champagne Duane, people should at least start paying attention. He is the definition of hard work and has brought his solid work ethic to the booth. Creative, witty, edgy, smooth and perceptive may all describe his approach to the game, but one word you should use is, complete. From the up tempo tracks like ‘Miami Heat’ and ‘Drink Up’ to the introspective ballads ‘Need’ and ‘We Love It’, Champagne Duane brings versatility, depth, and a confidence that says, “I have arrived.” And that confidence is well placed in someone who, a product of ’82, is a solid student of the game and has experienced and achieved more than most do in a lifetime. His early influences include Nas, Jay-Z, Biggie, Tupac, Slick Rick, and Talib Kweli.