All those familiar with hip-hop know Buckshot - the lead MC from Black Moon, the frontman for Boot Camp Click, and the entrepreneur behind the successful Duck Down enterprise. Buckshot's personal growth and lyrical skills have paved the way for his solo career as the BDI Thug, a personality that showcases his confidence and attitude.
The BDI Thug derives from an era when Buckshot worked closely with Tupac on an album entitled "One Nation," which has never been released. During that time, Buckshot explored the definition and history of the term "thug."
"There was a Native Indian tribe, Thugla, who were wiped out with the Native Americans. They were the most rebellious tribe, and from that point on any slave who would rebel against the masses was considered a thug. A lot of people are stuck on their present because they don't know about their past. They're yelling thug but don't know about it."
Applying this definition to self, the BDI Thug does not conform to the system. Instead of trying to define what hip-hop is, the BDI Thug wants to dance, drink, and express himself through the power of music. Instead of concentrating on what the public focuses on, such as Soundsan, fashion, and dough, the BDI Thug adapted the Makaveli theory of just doing music.
"Everyone thinks they know what hip-hop is. The public is turned on to the economics of an individual, focused on the numbers. This doesn't reflect the view of the public. You buy into the hype of a person, and then get disappointed from the album."
Returning to the foundation of what hip-hop represents, the BDI Thug kicks off his introduction to the world with the simple formula of working on tracks, rhyming to them, and dropping them. While Buckshot was about taking money and taking clothes, BDI Thug is about getting it because he doesn't have to take it.
Working with producers such as Beatminerz, Lord Jamar (Brand Nubians), Baby Paul, DJ Akshon, Special Ed, and Master Beats, the BDI Thug has created a versatile album with tracks that cater to thugs, to clubs, and to females. The exceptional production and Buckshot's potent lyrical content will inevitably impress those who may have underestimated him and excite dedicated listeners. Cameos from Crow Hill, Half A Mill, Swan, Top Dog (OGC), Tone Capone, and Sweet Mellodye add to the hypnotic thrill of finally possessing a classic album that is worth listening to repeatedly.
The BDI Thug makes it clear that this album is not a reflection of a careful marketing plan devised by label representatives. This album is about growth and focus of Buckshot.
"Niggas love to stomp on your feet when you're going down the ladder, but when they see ice on you they want to pull you up - only for your ice and not for you."
Buckshot further expands on this belief on the dark and haunting, slow violinic Master Beats track "Follow With Pride."
Let me tell y'all mutha fu$#as what money brings Niggas schemin' on your watch, schemin' on your rings Target every night just follow the red beam It's a mission and the mission is to stay alive The streets don't want me to survive but I gotta strive.
On the track "Trapped," produced by DJ Akshon, BDI Thug rhymes about being trapped in a world of commercial rap:
You can come near me, don't fear me but spare me The bullshit you talk to everybody else Because it's irrelevant to those who have knowledge of self.
On the other hand, the BDI Thug can take it to the party with "My Bitches and My Niggas" and "Boom Bye Bye," or he can mellow out with laidback tracks like "Glide With Me," "Take Your Time," and "I'll Be Damned." In every case, BDI Thug has something to say based on his life experiences and not based around dollar signs. Regardless to what Soundscan numbers are, the BDI Thug will tell you " Just give me my spot on the block and let me be."