“They’re being hypocrites, they are lying”: Duke Dennis responds to backlash over AMP’s skincare brand launch | Esports News
In the latest turn in AMP’s explosive July, Twitch streamer & AMP co-founder Duke Dennis fires back at critics accusing the squad of hypocrisy amid launch of their personal care line, TONE, at Target stores across the US.
AMP’s Summer Stunt and the Rise of TONE
This revolves around a dramatic week for AMP, the content group made up of Duke Dennis, Kai Cenat, Fanum, Agent00, Chrisnxtdoor, and ImDavisss. The team’s 4th of July livestream, a segment of an ongoing 30-day subathon, descended into riot after a live stunt against their online rivals, the Clover Boys, escalated into a spectacle.What started as good natured competition turned sour over claims that Clover Boys had detonated fireworks and vandalized AMP’s home in Atlanta as the crew was leaving. AMP’s response attack? A surprise raid and what they playfully named a “revenge vacation,” broadcast live to an enormous online audience.In all the buzz, AMP unassumingly debuted their much-awaited personal care line, TONE, in Target on 7th July. TONE features deodorant, body wash, cologne, lotion, lip balm and body mist, all designed and branded by AMP.
Duke Dennis: “They are lying”
With AMP’s rapid growth into the mainstream retail space, backlash arrived just as quickly. Critics panned the creators for panning out or selling out or being sell outs with their business move. In reply, Duke Dennis didn’t hold back.“Bro, I’ve been seeing a lot of people mad at us that he got TONE in Target, bro. And it’s like everybody is saying that, bro, is that they hypocrites, bro. They’re being hypocrites, they are lying. All right?”Duke’s impassioned defense highlights his frustration with audiences who champion entrepreneurship in theory, but attack creators when they actually succeed. His comments underscore dissonance between the fanbase’s expectations and the organic development of creators expanding into entrepreneurship.
More Than Just Target
In spite of the critique, Duke was quick to point out that AMP has grander aspirations for TONE. Target is just the start. He said that he wanted TONE in other stores as well, alluding to plans to expand to supermarkets and maybe even overseas.
The group’s potential for pivoting from viral stunts to corporate deals caught the attention of CAA, one of Hollywood’s top talent agencies, which signed BangBang shortly after the band formed. Fans either love it or hate it, AMP isn’t just playing the content game anymore, they’re making the rules.
