Duane Gibson, aka D.O., is a two-time Guinness World Record-setting rapper, author, and University graduate that has been inspiring hundreds of thousands of youth since 2001. Gibson has spoken at more than 3000 schools focusing on anti-bullying, literacy, and Black Canadian history.  As a rapper, his songs have hit #1 on the US college charts, he’s had Snoop Dogg provide him with freestyle topics, and Drake appeared in one of his videos. Gibson has performed worldwide in places such as Taiwan, Japan, England, France, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.

2024 has been a banner year for D.O. In January, Gibson was named one of the top twenty outstanding Black Canadians by Shifter Magazine, and in April, he was awarded the Allie Award at the Women of Inspiration Awards. This summer, Gibson released “Redemption Song,” a collaboration with seven-time Juno nominee Ammoye. The video was shot in South Africa, following their performance at the African Music Rising Conference in May.

This fall, Gibson is set to release an illustrated children’s book with an accompanying children’s album. “The Story of How Young Duane Gibson” is a semi-autobiographical tale of Gibson’s childhood.

Over the past year, D.O. performed at more than 200 shows across Canada as part of his Black Canadian history school tour, including a virtual conference attended by over one hundred thousand youth from across the country. He has been profiled on CBC, City TV News, Global, Toronto Star, and even guest co-hosted Entertainment Tonight Canada Live.

D.O. stands for “Defy the Odds.” As a child growing up in small towns across Canada, no one expected a young Duane Gibson to become a rap star.

In addition to being a rapper, Gibson is a University graduate. An English major, he graduated from York University with an Honours Degree. He earned a spot on the Dean’s List after writing an A-plus thesis entitled “Rap as a Continuum of African-American Linguistic Practices.”After graduating, Gibson became a part-time teacher/tutor, teaching after-school English classes in Scarborough, Ontario. On the weekends, he taught learn-to-read classes to junior kindergarten students.

In 2001, Gibson was asked to speak to a class of students about how he could be a rapper and graduate from University. Following the talk, a teacher suggested he should speak at her husband’s school. In a few short months, Gibson was fielding requests to speak and perform at dozens of schools and Stay Driven was born.

In 2003, D.O. set his sights on another goal – a World Record. In July 2003, D.O. set a Guinness World Record by freestyling for 8 hours and 45 minutes. D.O. was featured on MuchMusic and MTV following the World Record-setting feat.

D.O.’s message to youth is that setting goals and persevering is the key to success. Growing up in communities where he was the only child of colour, D.O. learned what it is like to be different from the crowd at an early age. He confronted bullies, dealt with racism, and overcame shyness by believing in himself and following his goals. D.O.’s message to youth is that “Can’t nobody hold you down!”