Duwap Kaine

Donald George Ruffin, known professionally as Duwap Kaine, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is known for his projects Underdog and Bad Kid from the 4, as well as his early collaborations with record producer Pi'erre Bourne. Duwap Kaine (born Donald Ruffin on February 21, 2002) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer from Savannah, Georgia. Known for his melodic delivery, atmospheric production, and influential presence in the underground hip hop scene, he emerged during the late 2010s as part of the SoundCloud rap movement. His music blends trap, melodic rap, and alternative hip hop, often featuring themes of relationships, ambition, loyalty, and personal reflection. After independently releasing music online, Duwap Kaine developed a dedicated fanbase through projects and singles that showcased his distinct vocal style and self-produced sound. He has remained largely independent throughout his career, releasing music through various distribution platforms while maintaining creative control over his catalog. In 2026, Duwap Kaine released his album The Godfather, further expanding his discography and continuing his influence within the underground rap community. His catalog has accumulated millions of streams across digital platforms, and his work has been recognized for helping shape the sound of a new generation of independent artists. Outside of music, Duwap Kaine has expressed interest in filmmaking, photography, and creative direction, frequently overseeing the visual presentation of his releases. He is also known for engineering and producing much of his own music, emphasizing artistic independence throughout his career. His music is known for its "melodic, autotune-soaked raps". Pigeons and Planes has described him as a "godfather of internet rap". He has cited Chief Keef, Soulja Boy, and Lil B as influences on his music. As of 2026, Ruffin lives in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He was diagnosed with ADHD as a child. He has a daughter. Smith, Nadine (July 6, 2022). "Duwap Kaine: Faith Like Esther". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 26, 2026. "Duwap Kaine Is the Best Rapper That Won't Show Up in Your Algorithm". Pitchfork. September 23, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2022. "Duwap Kaine – Feel Like Esther". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 9, 2022. "The Next Generation Of SoundCloud Rappers". Complex. Retrieved October 9, 2022. "Information on Duwap Kaine's songs in ASCAP ACE database". ASCAP. Retrieved September 30, 2022. "Song You Need: Duwap Kaine is more than a humble pop star on "ASMR"". The Fader. Retrieved October 9, 2022. "Listen to Duwap Kaine's "Mad 2": The Ones". Pitchfork. June 27, 2022. Retrieved October 9, 2022. Callender, Brandon (July 13, 2019). "Duwap Kaine rules, and here's the proof". The Fader. Retrieved April 26, 2026. Villasan Gendron, Will (April 23, 2026). "Duwap Kaine Speaks". Pigeons and Planes. Retrieved April 26, 2026. Duwap Kaine at AllMusic Portals: Biography Music Georgia United States