The Trash Gentlemen List - Vol. 3 - Duos
When we came up with the prompt for this playlist, there were no parameters apart from “duos.” That was it. So when the Trash Gentlemen sat down for our playlist build session we quickly realized that we had approached the content build completely differently with one culling tracks from one-off collaborations between artists and the other selecting from established, official duos. It doesn't really matter how or why artists get together, just that they are together. Mutual creation is one of the great joys of human existence. Honestly, so is mutual curation, hence the existence of the Trash Gentleman Playlist. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy or maybe something to remember while you're sitting back listening to this one. Or driving your car listening to this one. Or riding the bus listening to this one. Or battling the police in a standoff listening to this one.
The Trash Gentlemen List - Vol.3 - Duos on Apple Music
Hot Plate
Boldy James & Rome Streetz – Manhunt
This song was a late addition for me, mostly because it only released on 27 February 2026. However, this album hit me so hard that one of the tracks needed to find a place on this duos list. Boldy James, Detroit’s wordsmith, joining forces with New York’s Rome Streetz, feels like something we don’t deserve but we are very happy to receive. This isn’t the first time the two have worked together, especially since the two have very strong ties to the Griselda Records universe, but a full project from the two was unheard of until now. The project is incredible and it also includes a solo song from each of them. Hot Plate, one of the first official tracks on the project, stands out. Running at just over 2 minutes, Boldy and Rome go bar for bar throughout this very Griselda influenced beat. The two are lyrical geniuses, so you already know there is absolute heat when it comes to the picture these two paint on this song. Now I’m not greedy, but after this project, I need more. The chemistry from these two is on a whole other level and hopefully a tour of some sort comes from this.
I’m Finding It Harder To Be A Gentleman
The White Stripes – White Blood Cells
I can’t believe White Blood Cells turns 25 this year. I remember someone leaving this album for me in my auto-downloads on Audiogalaxy (IYKYK) and being enraptured pretty quickly. On an album that’s basically no-skips, I can’t tell you exactly why “I’m Find It Harder To Be A Gentleman” was the first song that came to mind when I sat down with the DUOS prompt. I even gave the album a full re-listen before I put my selection in stone, just to make sure. But there it was, standing tall, at the end of my first full run-through of White Blood Cells in approximately a decade. Lyrically, the song definitely hasn’t aged entirely well. It’s rotten with woe-is-me views of relationships held by many a loser. Lousy with the infantile notion of CHIVALRY. But in the end it’s a just a helluva blues rock song written by a young guy who seems to have aged pretty well in the intervening years. I actually find it easier to be a gentlemen every day as I age, so maybe this song just makes me nostalgic for a time of the unearned selfishness youth.
Also, I really hope Meg White is having a good day, wherever she is.
PASSION
Kapok & Kaya Ko – Single
Personally, I believe some of the best duos come together after they have already established themselves in a solo aspect. Kapok & Kaya Ko fit this narrative perfectly. My first experience with Kapok was when he opened for Billy Woods at The Pearl in Vancouver. Kapok made a statement with that performance, and he’s been on my radar ever since. My first encounter with Kaya Ko is a bit different. During a trip to Vancouver in 2023, I connected with producer/engineer and long-time friend, Coldtvrky at Legacy Creative House. During this visit, he wanted to share with me some new clients he was working with. He played a lot of music for me that day, but one track stood out and it was a Drum & Bass track by Kaya Ko called “iNTROVeRT SHiT”. That track still finds it’s way onto my playlists over time. Fast forward to 2025, Kapok is performing at Phillips Backyard Music Festival on the MusicBC stage, and he would bring up Kaya to perform “PASSION”. Think of some of your favourite duets and the chemistry there is between both artists. This song is no different. How these two blend behind a chill beat is nothing short of a blessing. Kapok’s verses matched with Kaya’s versatility, two aspects that both artists had prior to joining together, make them a perfect duo.
Back At Your Door
Orville Peck & Debbii Dawson – Stampede
In 2024, country superstar Orville Peck put together an album of duets entitled Stampede. Prior to this album, I didn’t know what to expect from Orville being joined by others. Orville has such a distinct voice and because of this, it’s tough to imagine hearing another voice blend with him. However, when this album dropped, all that went out the window because Orville can easily connect with artists who fit his sound. One example is Debbii Dawson when two joined together for “Back At Your Door”. Right off the rip, the two merge into this call and response style vocals, which then leads to a crescendo where the two of them sing in unison. Country duets can be some of the loveliest pieces of work, and this song is no different. The subject matter of the song also feels perfect for a duet; a plead to a lover to return to them. Overall, I feel like this project from Orville needs more attention because you never really get a chance to hear a strong voice like his fit so well with many different artists. To perfectly encapsulate this project: If they say it can’t be done, prove them wrong.
2.P.I.G.
Larry June & Curren$y – Spiral Staircases
Another last-minute addition to the list, but when Larry June and Curren$y come together for a project, produced by The Alchemist, you can’t just leave it off. San Fransico meets New Orleans with this match up, which on paper seems strange but really, it’s not. The two artists have always had a laidback approach to rapping and with strong production, it highlights why these two should work together more. I’ve been a fan of Larry June since Spaceships on The Blade released in 2022. That album also has a Curren$y feature, but I remember hearing Larry and thinking, “this is what I want to hear from the west coast”. 2.P.I.G. is an extension of that initial thought for me. This song has it all, from a smooth beat to some insane wordplay. If more music from the west coast can sound like this, I would not complain one bit. Spiral Staircases as a whole should definitely find its way onto your playlist, because fundamentally, it’s a very strong album.
Butane (Champion’s Anthem)
Killer Mike feat. El-P – R.A.P. Music
Sometimes it’s hard to remember a time in my musical life without Run The Jewels. Both El-P and Killer Mike have been in my life for so long, as the head of Def Jux (and the man who made Fantastic Damage) and my favourite member of the Dungeon Family that wasn’t named Andre or Big Boi, respectively. 2012 saw both guys releasing absolutely phenomenal records. El-P put out Cancer 4 Cure and Killer Mike put out the monster R.A.P. Music, entirely produced by man himself, El-P. Not only was this the genesis of what would become Run The Jewels, each album featured a track with both men rapping together. “Tougher Colder Killer” was the one from Cancer 4 Cure and R.A.P Music had this, “Butane (Champion’s Anthem).” While the former sounds like it was lifted right from the sessions that birthed the first record (I dunno, it probably was?), “Butane” sounds like it came from the group’s future RTJ2, with it’s unreasonably heavy, throbbing bassline. It moves straight and fast, with Mike and El-P showing how both of them can kill bars as well as anyone. Proto-Run The Jewels that belongs up there with the greatest songs in their mostly untouchable catalogue.
N.O.V.A.
Nova Twins – Parasites & Butterflies
You know those artists you find that make you think right away, “Fuck. These are stars!”? Nova Twins were absolutely one of those bands for me. From the moment I heard “Bassline Bitch” approx a decade ago, I've been waiting for everyone around me to get to knowing the UK power-duo. While I'm still waiting for the west coast to get on board, Nova Twins' name is seemingly catching fire on this side of the Pacific, ever closer to my home area – with their NPR Tiny Desk last fall and an upcoming opening spot touring with Evanescence on their North American tour this summer. Grimy, thumping, and powerful as fuck, there's no one doing it like Nova Twins. Their thunderously heavy, bass-led nu-metal party funk doesn't sound like anything else out there in the ether today. Last year they released the wonderfully hard Parasites & Butterflies, which featured “N.O.V.A.”. It's almost a posse-cut tune, a statement track for the group with a sing-along chorus that digs itself deep into the brain.
5 Million Ways to Kill a C.E.O.
The Coup – Party Music
The Coup has taken a few forms over the years, but The Coup in my heart will always be Boots Riley & Pam the Funkstress (RIP). Party Music came out and hit my face like a plane to a tower. (A reference I’m making here for absolutely no reason at all.) I was in my senior year of high school and devouring up any art felt remotely political (ie. leftist) to me, so getting Party Music into my ears was like eating a feast. The relentless funk of the beats and Boots’ piercingly quick, devastatingly sharp rhymes changed the wiring in my brain. I think since then all that I really want, when I look deep down inside myself, is something that makes me bob and shake while having something to say. The further I move through life, the more it seems that’s all anyone really wants – at least the people I’m normally around anyways. Evidenced by the number of people I’ve made Coup-curious with just this song. A hilarious and violent party banger with a message that we here at Trash Gentlemen fully endorse. Put your dancing shoes on and sharpen up the blade on guillotine. We comin’.
Smile
Tony Bennett & Barbra Streisand – Duets: An American Classic
There are quite a few centennials happening for the jazz genre this year. 100 years of Miles Davis, 100 years of John Coltrane, the list goes on. There is one centennial happening this year that I think isn’t getting enough attention, and it’s for Tony Bennett. Tony is a staple when it comes to jazz vocalists, but this didn’t prevent him from working with artists that were unconventional. Tony loved duets and aside from releasing three specific duet albums with various artists on each project, he would also continue to do release full duet projects with the likes of Diana Krall, K.D Lang, and Lady Gaga. For this pick, I wanted to revisit the first various duets album Tony released. Joined by Barbra Streisand, who is also a true expert in their craft, the two would go on to sing, “Smile”, a classic song that has stood the test of time. A beautiful string arrangement opens the song and immediately moves towards a lonesome piano, which is accompanied by Tony’s paced vocals. From there, it moves to Barbra and her range of vocals with a return of the strings. These two might give different feelings with their sound, but the outcome is so beautiful. Tony Bennett passed away in 2023, but his legacy lives on through his music. Take a moment to celebrate his centennial this year. The jazz genre would not be the same without him.
Don’t Drink the Water
Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds – Live At Radio City
In my decades of being a serious music nerd, there is no artist I have eaten more shit from friends and foe alike for being a fan of than Dave Matthews. (Shout out to the 8 foot tall poster of sweaty Dave Matthews that hung in the living room of my first place. Long live Giant Dave.) I have been pleased to see some of that tide turning recently with Matthews' very public support for Palestine, even if the tide isn't turning because of his music. If you've been paying attention though, this turn isn't really that new. The most endearing evidence of Matthews' (a pacifist Quaker who left South Africa rather than doing military service) humanitarian political views is “Don't Drink the Water.” There is no subtlety here. This is anti-colonial screed from the point of the view of the colonizer. And here with Tim Reynolds, stripped away from the grandiosity of the full band sound, Matthews' sinisterly dismissive lyrics, delivered with his unique timbre and power, get the proper space to breathe and wrap around. Dave Matthews said in an interview with GQ in 2023 that he thinks “Don't Drink the Water” is the best song he's ever written, and it's really hard to argue with, especially hearing it like this, stripped down to the bones and exposed to the elements.