On this episode of Cook’N Up 215 with Smooth, CEO Big Duke took listeners on a journey through his early days hustling in Southwest Philadelphia to becoming a respected entrepreneur and community leader. Duke, who started hustling by selling Gatorade and water near the Philadelphia Zoo at just 9 years old, credits his early grind to the influence of his entrepreneurial family. His grandmother reportedly made over $100,000 annually, while other relatives ventured into construction and various businesses.
By the age of 11, Duke was already juggling two jobs at local barbershops, skillfully earning cash from both before being found out. However, his introduction to street life came around 8th or 9th grade, and by 17, he found himself caught up in a robbery charge despite not being directly involved. After spending 7 months in county jail and a year at Glen Mills School, he left with more than just life lessons—he left with the drive to change his narrative.
Though he briefly attended college with hopes of becoming a lawyer, Duke soon pivoted to real estate, seeing it as a better fit for his skillset. He later dipped his toes into the music industry, working under the label “Airtite” alongside King Jaffy. While they built street credibility, Duke admits they lacked the business acumen to turn that momentum into long-term success.
His next big move was in party promotions, where he partnered with DJ Buu to host major events and book top artists like Jeezy. Through it all, Duke remained connected to his Southwest Philly roots, proving that success could be earned without staying tied to street life.
Duke reminisced about the height of Philly’s party scene, where he and his team dominated alongside South Philly promoter Kim. He vividly recalled their record-breaking night, popping 200 bottles at a single event—an unmatched feat in the city’s nightlife history. He also credited DJ Buo for teaching him valuable lessons in business, even if they often came with struggles. One standout memory was when AR-AB helped set up an exclusive meeting with Meek Mill at Onyx, emphasizing the level of connections they had during that era.
When the pandemic shut down events, Duke was forced to reconsider his reliance on party promotion as his primary income source. Inspired by 50 Cent’s diversified business approach, he began exploring new ventures in real estate, car sales, and marketing. For Duke, the key takeaway from this challenging period was the importance of adaptability and long-term thinking. He now prioritizes ownership and sustainability over short-lived wins, a mindset he hopes to pass on to the next generation.
As the conversation wound down, the atmosphere lightened with the introduction of guest chef Mrs. B, who laid out an impressive spread of soul food—mac and cheese, barbecue wings, cornbread, and seasoned greens. Smooth and Duke delighted in the “Thanksgiving-style feast,” praising the homemade flavors and high-quality ingredients.
During the meal, Smooth took a moment to reflect on his past events, such as the Rise of the New Wave series, which spotlighted emerging talent from Southwest Philly. He spoke about his ongoing efforts to uplift local artists like Lay Banks and Donnie, emphasizing his long-term vision of nurturing new talent, keeping Philly’s creative culture thriving and much more.
