|
… A white boy from Mount Uniacke Nova Scotia – population 3,500 – combines elements of hip-hop, blues, roots, rock, country and folk music to become one of the most enduring artists on the international hip-hop scene. Buck 65’s ‘career in a nutshell’ doesn’t exactly read like the how-to handbook for elementary hip-hop artists. Not surprising, really, given that for the last 20 years he has built a reputation on breaking the mold.
Throughout his career, this small-town Canadian emcee and turntablist has pushed all sorts of boundaries on his way to create a sound that is truly…well….Buck 65. While many of his cotemporaries faded away, Buck 65’s avant-garde approach kept him at the edge of the music scene, and won him countless dedicated fans around the world. “He's still coming up with music from disparate sources and turning it into some of the best hip-hop around when it comes to balancing forward-looking ideas with mass appeal.” (Sputnik)
His unique approach to recording and live performance has drawn its fair share of criticism, with some struggling to place his radical style on a traditional musical spectrum. But as Buck 65 admits himself, market appeal is not the main aim of his music. ‘What I'm saying is that I make music for myself. But if other people like it, that's wonderful.’
Like it? Signs would say they bucking love it! Buck 65’s 20-year career alone is testament to how much appeal his music has. Throw in 3 Juno award wins and 5 nominations, and live collaborations with artists like PJ Harvey and Moby, and you’ve got the portrait of an artist who is clearly as respected by his contemporaries as he is loved by his audiences.
For his latest collection of songs - ‘20 Odd Years’, to be released in a series of digital mini albums this winter and spring, Buck 65 went back to the formula that worked for him on Talkin' Honky Blues. ‘I returned to Halifax (CA) to build some songs - from the ground up - with my friends Charles Austin and Graeme Campbell. We also called in a bunch of friends to contribute vocals. Plus, I recorded a song with my old pal Jo Run, who I've worked with since the early days.’
But just because he’s looking back, don’t make the mistake of thinking that Buck 65’s slouching off. ‘Twenty years seems like a long time but the thought of slowing down or 'hanging it up' has not even crossed my mind. Will I still be at it when I'm 50 years old? I guarantee you that I will.’
Buck 65 is playing as part of the Brisbane Festival and the Sydney Fringe Festival as well as doing a solo Melbourne show.
|