WATCH: This Black-Mexican Singer Wowed ‘America’s Got Talent’ Judges with Original Song
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- "Auditions" Episode 2004 -- Pictured: Mama Duke -- (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)
A Black and Mexican musician stole the show during Tuesday’s (June 17) auditions on America’s Got Talent. Mama Duke charmed the judges and the audience with her performance of her song called “Feels So Good To Be You.”
Mama Duke hails from Austin, TX and is a two-time Austin Hip-Hop winner and Austin Music Award nominee. She identifies as queer with Black and Mexican roots. And her bio notes her as “a versatile songwriter and genre-blending powerhouse, she’s known for crafting everything from hard-hitting rap verses to catchy pop hooks.”
While her dream has always been to be a music star, Mama Duke revealed during her audition that she has worked as a barista, a photographer, and at the YMCA.
“I’m a late bloomer ’cause I said my whole life that I want this and somehow I am here,” she said before her audition. “I am here to prove to myself that it’s time. So, for me, this is it, and I want it more than anything.”
Mama Duke noted that she is a singer-songwriter, but she shifted gears into rap for “Feels So Good to Be You.” During her feel-good performance, Mama Duke worked in references to judges Simon Cowell and Mel B into her lyrics. The crowd rose to their feet to dance along with her and Sofía Vergara was moving in her seat.
After the performance, Mel B told Mama Duke, “My God! That’s already a hit. Let me tell you that right now. Your confidence, your swagger, I just love you!” She received four resounding yeses from the judges panel to move onto the next round.
Another Latine that won over the judges during the auditions round was rapper Micah Palace. The auditions will continue with a new episode of America’s Got Talent on June 24. The show is currently airing its 20th season on NBC.
America’s Got Talent airs on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.