Dijon Duenas

Duenas was born in Washington^[1] on June 9, 1992, to a Guamanian father and mixed-race mother of black, white, and native descent. His parents met in the United States military after the Gulf War, and their military status resulted in Duenas frequently moving as a child, having lived in Germany, California, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, and Washington.^[2][1] Duenas began making music at sixteen years old, while living in Washington. While a junior high student in Victorville, California, Duenas was discouraged from rapping after losing a rap battle to classmate and future actor LaKeith Stanfield.^[1] He attended University of Maryland in Ellicott City, Maryland, along with future bandmate Abhirath Raju.^[3]

Dijon's music career began as one half of the duo, Abhi//Dijon, which he formed with a high school friend, Abhirath Raju, while he was studying literature at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.^[3][1] Between 2012 and 2016, the duo released two EPs and one compilation. The duo released their last EP, Montana, in 2016.^[2]

Duenas and Raju moved from Maryland to Los Angeles during the summer of 2016, and amicably disbanded shortly afterwards. He became a collaborator of hip-hop group Brockhampton, contributing backing vocals to Saturation II (2017). Later that year, he released his debut solo single, "Stranger".^[4] Also in 2017, Duenas co-wrote Brockhampton member Matt Champion's unreleased mixtape Mink, which leaked online in 2025.^[5] In July 2018, Duenas once again appeared as a backing vocalist on the Brockhampton single "1998 Truman".^[5] In September 2018, he released the single "Nico's Red Truck" alongside an accompanying music video.^[6] "Nico's Red Truck" was named the 35th best song of 2018 by Noisey.^[7] His first EP, Sci Fi 1, was released in 2019 and preceded by the singles "Cannonball" and "Drunk".^[8] Later that year, he released the singles "Good Luck" and "Crybaby".^[9][10]

In May 2020, Duenas' second EP, How Do You Feel About Getting Married?, was released.^[11] The same month, he was credited as a co-producer of "Pink Diamond", from Charli XCX's fourth album How I'm Feeling Now.^[5] In June, Duenas released an experimental project, Mothership Coming, under the pseudonym Lillith. Released exclusively on Bandcamp, proceeds from the project were donated to Black Woman’s Blueprint, The Okra Project, the NAACP, Afrorack and Black Lives Matter LA.^[12] In December, he released the single "The Stranger", featuring John C. Reilly, Tobias Jesso Jr., and Becky and the Birds.^[13]

On September 17, 2021, Duenas released "Many Times", the first single from his upcoming debut album.^[14] The second single, "Rodeo Clown", was released on October 22.^[15] Absolutely, released on November 5, was entirely self-produced by Duenas alongside frequent collaborator Mk.gee. Absolutely was accompanied by a film of the same name, which features Duenas performing six tracks from the album, with backing from Mk.gee, Henry Kwapis, Brad Oberhofer, Ryan Richter, and Gabe Noel.^[16] Duenas made his television debut on The Tonight Show on January 27, 2022, performing "Big Mike's".^[17] On June 26, 2022, "Many Times" was featured on former U.S. president Barack Obama's 2022 summer playlist.^[18]

Duenas opened for indie folk band Bon Iver during two shows on their Spring 2022 tour, in Mesa, Arizona and Austin, Texas.^[19] In August, Duenas appeared as a guest performer on Kenny Beats' debut album Louie. In June 2023, Duenas, along with Clairo and Bartees Strange, supported Boygenius during the inaguaral Re:SET Concert Series.^[20]

In February 2024, Mk.gee released his debut studio album Two Star & the Dream Police, featuring production and songwriting by Duenas.^[21] Later that month, Duenas featured on "Aphid", the debut single by former Brockhampton member and Duenas' frequent collaborator Matt Champion, and the lead single from his first album Mika's Laundry. Duenas contributed heavily to the album, appearing as a songwriter and producer on seven tracks, including the single "Slow Motion", performed by Champion and Blackpink member Jennie.^[5] In October, Duenas contributed production and songwriting to Champion's single "Faye", from his first EP Slint's Favorite.^[22]

In April 2025, Duenas appeared as a featured artist on "Day One", from Bon Iver's fifth album Sable, Fable.^[23] That July, he produced and co-wrote several tracks on Justin Bieber's seventh album Swag, appearing as a performer on "Devotion" and a producer and songwriter on three other tracks, including "Daisies" and "Yukon", which peaked at numbers two and seventeen, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100.^[24][25]

On August 8, Duenas announced his sophomore album, Baby. The album was given a tentative release date one week later, dependent on sample clearance.^[26] Baby was released on schedule on August 15, and received critical acclaim from publications including Clash, NME, Pitchfork, and Rolling Stone.^{[27][28][29][30]} Three days after the albums release, Duenas announced a tour of North America and Europe.^[31]

On September 5, Bieber released his eight studio album Swag II (2025), again featuring production and songwriting from Duenas, including on the lead single "Love Song".^[32] Paul Thomas Anderson's film One Battle After Another, released on September 26, features Duenas' acting debut, appearing alongside fellow musicians Teyana Taylor, Alana Haim and Junglepussy.^[33]

Duenas is married to stylist Joanie Del Santo, who is frequently referenced in his music.^[34][35][36] A photo of their wedding appears on the cover of Baby (2025), named after the couple's son.^[37]

Extended plays

• Abhi//Dijon (2014)
• Stay Up (2015)
• Montana (2016)

Compilation

• 2014 (2015)