Debut singles and internet fame Finding musical theater to be creatively limiting as an actor, and following encouragement from
Perez Hilton while working together in a different production in
Toronto, Duff spoke extensively about the desire to challenge criticisms of embracing femininity, especially as a gay artist, ones that he had received both before and throughout his career. The song and its accompanying video provide "commentary on pop culture's love-hate obsession with the rich and famous." Duff released several more singles through the following year, including "Hokie Pokie" in September 2020. The single, described as "straddling the line between hip hop and
house" and "scorchingly provocative", is about
cunnilingus, and Duff's writing received positive reviews from various outlets, who also interpreted it as a song about
anilingus. Duff's next single was "Give a Fuck", which was also produced in collaboration with Delicata. Following the release of "Give a Fuck", Duff indicated that he was set to release an EP in 2021. He continued to release singles in early 2021, including "Do It", "I Hate LA", and "100% Baby".
Homo•Sapien EP (2021) - present Duff released his debut EP
Homo•Sapien in June 2021, produced by Koil PreAmple. Duff described the EP as "a collection of songs that I wrote without consideration of rules", writing them about "everything [he] was told he shouldn't do in life." A portion of the EP's sales also contributed to The Future Perfect Project, an organization dedicated to promoting performances of original work by queer youth. The EP's debut single was "High Heels", a track that included vocals from Tony Award-winning Broadway singer
Lillias White. Duff also co-wrote two of
Kylie Sonique Love's singles: "Complete Me" and "Do It Like Dolly", while also providing creative direction for the latter's accompanying music video. In 2023, Duff released four independent singles: "Cruise Control", "House on Fire", "Somebody's Daughter", and "Gravity". "House on Fire", released in June, was written about feelings Duff had upon going on a first date with someone who he believed was "the one". Its accompanying music video explored the dark side of obsession and social media. The track was described as a "nostalgic and groovy" "breezy throwback". Duff wrote the track with
Eren Cannata, with additional collaboration with Delicata and
Luke Moellman. Xavier Hamel directed the video, with creative direction by
Adrian Gilliland and Duff. The nude scenes with Duff and video co-star Nellie Salisbury—who debuted in Duff's video for "House on Fire"—came about after the video's costumer disappeared during shooting, leaving them in a lurch. Duff then shopped at various stripper costuming stores to fit the scenes and they opted instead to shoot some scenes in the nude, something the crew was unaware of until they walked onto set. In reference to the misogynistic lyrical content of the song and double standards in the industry, Duff said, "I've been told over and over that the themes of my music aren't 'for everyone,' so I wrote a super misogynistic song that now 'everyone' can enjoy." In a PRIDE interview, Duff reflected, "I had been making songs that were explicitly gay and they were to my detriment, which is really hard to take when you're watching every other mainstream artist pretend to be gay." Duff released his fourth new single, "Gravity" in November 2023. == Personal life ==