For some success comes early, but for others it can come a bit later in life.

Dwayne Burrows aka Mr. Duke is one of those late bloomers and now at the age of 46 he has just released his first single 'Thief in the Vineyard'.

When the love of his life and the mother of his child Robin Govia passed away after suffering an aneurism when his son was aged nine, he didn't shirk his responsibility; he took on the role of single father, putting his dreams of being on the world stage on the back burner to ensure his son's success.

"My son was nine years old when his mother passed and people have said, 'oh, it took you 20 years to release your CD!' But I said, 'let me show you something, I raised my son first, because I didn't want to come back to no fool'.

"Now my son works two jobs, he's responsible and is now taking care of his son, (Caden). I am so proud of him. It is something when the generations move on."

At 25, his son Keilo Govia, told him that he needed to return to his original path.

With his son's encouragement, Mr. Duke or Dukee, produced his first single in New York's Xanadu Studios and is looking forward to the release of his album in the coming months.

He produced the single out of his own pocket and is currently raising funds for his album.

He initially got into music with now-defunct 80s acts Ital Foundation and Third N' Fourth Generation.

"It was about truth and light and based on honesty," he said. "It was me, Pieza and Culture. We grew up in Friswells Hill.

"We would sit around and talk about Godliness and righteousness and then we'd play the guitar and it would then become a song.

"We wrote it and we stood on it. Pieza (Kevin Samuels) was my best friend and he has passed away."

Regarding the inspiration behind his single, Mr. Duke explained: "I don't want people to shoot the messenger, people think it is about robbing, killing and shooting, but I am not promoting violence, I am only stating what is really going on."

He'd describe his music as being reality and God-based music.

"Sometimes I'll wake up and have a song in my head and just get up and write it down. It can be inspired by doing something good, for instance on a day when I helped somebody else out.

"But I find, the best thing is when you write a song about something that someone else is going through, because I can write a song that can make someone's day.

"You never know what you do for people just by doing your thing and expressing yourself. So even if one takes heed to what I am saying – my job is done.

"I felt like this was a calling, rather than doing negative stuff."

His son won the Pamela Gordon Essay Competition and the essay was based on his father.

"I used to do a lot of negative stuff, but I had to change my life to make sure that he was on the right track.

"I always said to him, 'it's not what you say, it's what you do.' So you leave the negative and do the positive, this is about doing the right thing. It is nice when you teach your children, but it is better when they can turn around and teach you."

Going to New York to have his single produced was like having all his dreams come true. Every aspect fell into place from the gypsy cab ride to meeting the production team when they were leaving the studio for the day.

He worked with Meditations, which is an international reggae group.

"They did my backing vocals,'" he said, still amazed. "It is like my dreams came to reality, because these same guys Meditations, we used imitate them.

"And Knocking On Heaven's Door's Ed Robertson, is doing my music. "He is a big artist and he played drums for Bob Marley and he comes out of Flatbush, Queens. He wants to promote my CD and he wants me to produce all my music there.

"Sister Nancy asked me what was my name (moniker), and when I told her they call me Duke, she said, 'Call him Mr. Duke.' That is how my name got changed."

At the time of production, Mr. Duke could only do 'Thief in the Vineyard', but he will be leaving the Island by or before September to complete his first album.

"I just humbled myself and did what I had to do. And Meditations said they great thing about you, is that you know your music."

He'd like to complete his first two solo albums and then help other artists into the business.

"The Lord gave me my blessings and it is nice to help others."

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