Published: May 10, 2008 9:0 AM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
Rahmier aka BUCK50
You can’t get any more real than this next cat. BUCK50 is planning on taking the music industry by storm with his approach to storytelling. His rhymes are some of the freshest that I have heard in a long time and feel that BUCK50 is destined for greatness.
Isaac: Briefly describe how you entered into the music industry.
BUCK50: I have always been into music since a kid. After getting my financial aid rejected for college, I decided to find a studio and start recording my demo. I found RMP studios in Casselberry, Florida and went to work on Feb 17th, 2008. That's how I entered the music industry.
Isaac: One of the reasons why I was drawn to you because of your style. Briefly elaborate on your background
BUCK50: My background comes from the streets. I lost my parents at a young age and grew up in the urban ghetto of Newark, NJ. I grew up young. Rap was a way for me to express myself and relieve the tension. I wrote poetry and rhymes that later went to freestyle battles at schools and block parties.
Isaac: What is the most rewarding aspect to making music currently for you?
BUCK50: The most rewarding aspect to making music is the aspect of being heard. I finally get to tell my side and everyone listens. The judges and cops never listened to my side of the story. Now it makes me feel good to be able to give a message to the masses.
Isaac: What has discouraged you the most about making music?
BUCK50: The only thing that has discouraged me the most about making music is the cost! Studio time, purchasing tracks, production, marketing, promotion, distribution, and engineers cost a grip. If you have bills and a child to care for, you have to find an alternate way to get funding for these things. Banks don’t give you a loan because you wanna invest in becoming a big time Rap Starr!
Isaac: What does being a Hip-Hop entertainer mean to you?
BUCK50: Being a hip-hop entertainer means a lot to me. It’s the only job you can get without a background check. That's why I put one hundred twenty percent into my shows and music. If this doesn't work for me, it’s back to the streets with a bunch of child support adding up. Entertainment is me and I am entertainment.
Isaac: Do you have a personal philosophy about music? If so, what is it?
BUCK50: My personal philosophy about music is this. If music is in your heart, follow your heart. If music is your dream, accomplish it. I never had anyone support me in my musical endeavors but it was always my dream. Now I am going after it and the sky is the limit. If a good song can change your focus on life, listen to it. Earth Wind and Fire has songs that influenced me to staying positive and a good Mary J Blige song can change my mood on the worst day. I want people to feel the same way after listening to "Take My Breath Away" or "Tryin Real Hard."
Isaac: When you are performing live in front of an audience, what are the thoughts that are running through you head?
BUCK50: When I'm performing on stage, two things are going through my mind. The first is "are they feeling my lyrics or is this just a hot track?" The second is "you better not trip on stage while you’re on camera in front of all these people"
Isaac: Why is being an independent musician important to you?
BUCK50: Being an independent artist is important to me because self is the best person to rely on. Groups break up all the time because of someone else's faults and everyone else has to suffer the consequences. I know that I am responsible, and I have been independent my whole life anyway.
Isaac: Do you think the Internet has altered the path of music as an industry? If so, how?
BUCK50: The Internet has definitely altered the music industry in many ways. It has made it convenient for people to sit at home and purchase music online. It has become one of the best marketing tools for artists and not to mention boosted artists record sells. Some artists make more money online than anywhere else. DJ's don't even spin records anymore. They make an online play list and use digital programs like Cerratto. If it wasn't for the net, we would all be listening to those old 8 tracks.
Isaac: Any advice for other musicians out there when it comes to using the Internet as a medium for getting their music heard to the masses?
BUCK50: My advice for other artists and musicians is to put your music on as many free websites as possible. There are thousand of them that can get you free exposure by just building a simple profile. Free marketing is the best marketing. Use the net to your advantage. Let people download your singles and your albums will blow when they drop! You can have fans in places you never heard of before.
Isaac: What kind of recording software do you use?
BUCK50: I have DJ equipment at home and I play around with a ZOOM HD8 sometimes, but I leave all that technical stuff to the engineers that I pay bout $40 per hour. I stick to the writing and performing.
Isaac: I know that everybody has his or her idea of a dream artist, someone who for whatever reasons that person would just love to listen to and admire. As an entertainer yourself, if you could play with one of your "dream" musicians, anyone at all, who would it be and why?
BUCK50: My dream artist to work with would be Tupac Shakur. I admired his music since a young buck. His style and lyrics are untouchable. When I blow up, I’m gonna go to Cuba and check him out on that island. When he comes out of witness protection, maybe the Feds will let us Collabo. That should be right around the time he’s dropping his next album.
Isaac: What are you hoping to gain from your experience of being a musician and making music?
BUCK50: I'm hoping to gain a successful, rich wife and a whole lotta cheese, cake, dough, dinero, cheddar, and paper! Really the only thing I wish to gain is success in my career and the ability to keep my daughter wanting for nothing. A few Grammies and Double platinum records wouldn't hurt either. I would like to be President of my own label one day and give back to my community too.
Isaac: What are you hopes for your music in the year 2008/2009?
BUK50: In 08, I plan on dropping my first single and rap video for "ALL I DO." In 09, I plan on dropping my album "POLITICAL Pain" and taking my career to the next level. I also plan to be signed by a major record label with the proper distribution and management team behind me.
Isaac: This is our Shout Out time. Please give props to anyone and everyone that matters the most to you.
BUCK50: I would like to give shout outs to my daughter Che-che, Orlando Media Studios, DJ Candee, DJ Prostyle, DJ Nyce, DJ Scotty B, DJ Spank, 106.7XL,RMP Studios, BRICK CITY, All my fans in da O, Kim Miller, Club Screamers, Club Chillers, Club Roxy, A&R Select, all my Myspace Friends, R.I.P to King K. O. and everyone else who made this possible for me, even da haters cause ya’ll push me harder to the next level of success!
Isaac: This is Shameless Plug time: Give us some updates on new releases and other projects in the works.
BUCK50: Can’t you see all the tears that I cried, nobody knows how I’m feeling inside, why everybody keep losing they life, I think I’m losin my mind but I’m TRYIN REAL HARD!
Isaac: Final Thoughts:
BUCK50: I wonder where my family went. I’m drinkin this liquor and it’s gettin me bent, through all da pain and da hustling and da struggling. I keep TRYIN REAL HARD! And as Pac would say, "Through every dark night, there's a bright day after that, so keep yo head up, yo chest out and handle it". It’s me against the World! Political Pain, comin to a hood near you! BUCK50 4 President, I'm a real American! Brick City Stand up! O town hold it down!
