“I broke the spell dog from living in jail walls to getting them millions and billions off in my mailbox. Coulda kept hustling but I’m through wih trying to sell rocks. I’d rather stick with this publishing cause it never stops.” – “Thank God” – Buck$
Passion is one word to describe Atlanta’s newest lyricist Buck$ as he spits engaging stories of a harsh life of a 26-year old with dreams and determinations to reach farther beyond the trap with his official debut Buck Wild.
Sharing real life stories of losing his parents as a youth, being homeless, his entanglements in the streets and a purpose to inspire are all facets of his lyrical portrait. His story goes even deeper as he was one of the most highly sought after MCs in The A when labels came snatching up trappers like T.I., Jeezy, Shawty Lo and Gucci Mane.
However things never go as planned. His group Trap Squad were running through Atlanta radio but signed a bad contract which he refused to do which left him as a solo artist by default like Ice Cube.
Producing Dem Franchize Boyz hit “Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It” was also a blessing and a curse as his keen business savvy and knowledge of the publishing game showed he wasn’t gonna be the next victim of a major label who went on and signed less knowledgeable rappers.
That may have stalled the tenacious MC but that genius will finally be released in September with the release of Buck Wild on K.M.G. Records. Detailing tragedies of people really caught in the struggle, inspires hope with tracks like “Pot Of Gold” and “Been Down B4” and doesn’t hesitate to shed light on the negativity that drives Hip-Hop as many rappers brag on hardships they never endured. Speaking on his official debut, Buck$ says, “Buck Wild is me. People say Buck is wild and tells it like it is and says what’s on his mind and they can say Buck wild because he spitting knowledge. Telling the truth about stuff these other rappers really hide and really scared to talk about like issues that go on. Nobody’s selling drugs because they want to and live in the hood because they want to be there. That’s what I’m addressing. People say they are for their people but they really ain’t so it’s gonna be on that type of wildness. Wildness as far as different styles. I’m something they haven’t seen in a minute. Something with rage and a lil amp to it.”
Showing vast versatility, Buck$ proves he’s a winner with the ladies as well with the dance track “Bounce” featuring Trina where he still manages to drop jewels and the unapologetic “Tired Of My Shit” aBuck$s he gives the breakdown of a relationship headed out the door.
Buck$ even enlists the help of Bobby V on “Been A Long Time” while Lil’ Mo handles the vocals on the his autobiographical “Thank God” where he also talks about his near fatal death after being set up and shot.
Keeping in touch with his roots, he also fires away with some sure fire street and club anthems like “Tick Tock” and “Network.” While he may have produced “Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It,” he refuses to take the cheap route although he’s seen how lucrative it can be. Explaining his decision, Buck$ adds, “I done been through too much in my life to take the cheap route and go that way. I can’t give you A, B and C. I got to give you A-Z. So my album gets extreme and delves into deeper situations. Even when I hit the club I ain’t never been the type that could come up with some party type stuff. When my music crosses over and hits radio, they crossed over to me and not the other way around.”
Buck Wild also sets a precedent as Buck$ drops a complete album. In a day and time where mixtapes have replaced complete conceptualized projects, he asserts, “ It’s gone show other rappers that you need to come with albums first of all. Mixtapes are O.K. but you got these folks thinking mixtapes are really where the money is. They release half quality projects and that seems to be the trend. The music industry could get back on track if labels started investing in complete projects and not looking for 2 singles and that’s it. They got to get away from the cookie cutter format and bring back real music with lyrics and beats. The people will support if you give them something worth supporting and that’s how I went in the booth and recorded my album. Labels got away from that in the 2000’s but now it’s time to bring the 90’s back.”
After listening to Buck Wild, you’ll realize that not many MCs paint real pictures of life in their rhymes and sometimes you have to take a break from fantasy. Determined to make a change with his debut, Buck$ declares,
“I want people to be able to draw a message from my music. I got songs for each position you in. Whether you’re pissed off , sad, riding, smoking blunt or having a good time because everything wasn’t all bad. I know I’m tired of hearing bullshit music so I created something that myself and others could feel.”