For rising Compton emcee Buddy, as it is most Compton artists, failure is not an option. With coming out of Compton, there also comes a few stereotypes; drive-by's on the daily, dealing drugs, guns, partying, and the every day struggle of simply trying to survive. Does this mindset give Compton citizens more of a will to live than those of a, oh I don't know, say... Dover, Delaware? I can't vouch for the hardships of Dover, Delaware because I don't live there, but if there's one thing that can commonly be said about Compton, it's that it's history is VERY well documented. And though it's documentation is almost a priority for the city's shining young artists, Buddy finds a way to make it all sound new and refreshing, like watching a re-make of a childhood favorite movie (we'll see if LeBron or whoever butchers the follow up to Space Jam if it's ACTUALLY being made, but that's beside the point). Buddy takes us on a short, yet fulfilling trip down Magnolia, and it's a bittersweet ride; not because the project does not live up, but because the trip is just too short. Here are some key observations from Compton artist (who has received co-signs from both Pharrell and Kendrick Lamar) Buddy's Magnolia.
Effortless Instrumental Riding
Buddy's take on approaching a beat is one used with care and ambition. He cares just as much about the melody as he does making the listener jump with excitement to the instrumental, and that's evident on the absolutely flaming and flamboyant jam 'Type Of Shit" featuring Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa. Buddy uses his vocal range as a tool in a singing jingle on the hook, as well as a confident boast when he raps his 2 verses before Wiz comes in and smokes the instrumental out. If there's any song that could launch Buddy to stardom, my pick would easily be "Type Of Shit". On the intro track "4 The Record" featuring fellow Compton artist Boogie (how about that for a duo? Boogie & Buddy? Buddy & Boogie?), Buddy enunciates his flow a little bit slower, in a much smoother tone that almost makes you feel out the song differently than you would if Buddy were to be rapping faster on the track. Magnolia is entirely produced by duo Mike & Keys, and Buddy is using his platform to promote the talented duo. Buddy said in an interview; "I really want the listeners to get familiar with Mike & Keys. We have over a hundred songs over the course of 3 years and we picked 5 to put out to the world. Their production is completely different from Kaytranada (with whom Buddy has previously worked with on a joint project called Oceans & Montana). I also want to further demonstrate my versatility as an artist." It sounds like Buddy is dedicated to his craft, and what's better to hear from an up and coming artist than one who cares about the music?
Despite The Short Track List, There's a Song For Everybody On Magnolia
(*I do not own these songs, or the rights to them*)
From colorful bangers, to slow jams for the ladies, all the way to sobering songs discussing living the Compton lifestyle, Magnolia is a ride that is too quick to process in it's mere 17 minute run time. In Buddy's ode to the ladies (or maybe, specifically, one lady) "Last Time" featuring Swainsboro, CA artist Kent Jamz (who sounds like an eerie mix of Andersen .Paak and Chris Brown), Buddy gives Kent the spotlight to display his uniquely high, yet chameleon-like vocals to mold and transform flows and voices over a smooth, slow jam with a boom bap kick and cracking open hi-hat. On another track, "That Much", Buddy uses the "successful artist who everybody wants to eat off of" approach to discuss why he doesn't do much besides kick back and lay down tracks; "niggas actin like they know somethin, niggas asking can they hold somethin', niggas acting like I owe somethin, niggas always want somethin'."
If Buddy's Magnolia is any indication of what else is to come from the Compton artist, then I will absolutely be eagerly awaiting his next move. Buddy's swift and sneaky fusion of relatable content and hit making potential is something we haven't seen in quite awhile; a pure musician who makes music from the heart just by telling his side of a story. With giants in the game already backing him (especially artists held to such a high regard such as Pharrell and Kendrick), Buddy is most definitely going to be making waves in the game soon enough. And in my humble opinion (and I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks so), 5 tracks just isn't enough! Buddy clearly has an idea of a marketing strategy already planned out, and hopefully that strategy includes a full fledged LP on the horizon, and much sooner rather than later.
