antiMusic.com: Young Buck - Buck The World Review

Young Buck - Buck The World Review

by Patrick Muldowney

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Where's the next Rakim? Does any current MC have the ability or intellect of Chuck D? Why are there so many one-hit wonders, and why do many artists with a hit use that to get as far away from the music side of the rap game as possible? When Russell Simmons met with other execs to discuss the current state of rap music weeks ago, these questions needed to be asked. Rap music has filled many pockets, but generally the artist gets the smallest piece, so any smart businessman is going to follow the money trail and become a music exec. and/or actor. For that reason, hip hop is becoming a stepping stone that lacks giant acts (like rock) who tour religiously, and a wading pool of supposedly budding stars that no one bothers to listen to unless inclined to pull of a shoulder brush or an imaginary motorcycle rev. Proof of this: The much-hyped release of Young Buck's Buck The World, a product that imitates, at its best, Tupac at his worst, and at its worst is dim-witted 50 Cent without a hook.

Although Lil' Jon isn't featured on any single track, the only thing challenging mentally about Buck The World is trying to find a moment not dripping with Crunk Juice. Young Buck repeatedly tries to cash in on the adrenaline of young and stupid wannabe tough guys with tracks like "Buss Yo Head" and "Say It To My Face". Tupac had many similar tracks during his career, but Young Buck lacks the style, delivery, and the moments lyrically which convince the listener that no one else could do it quite the same. More than anything, Young Buck lacks the smile (charisma) that made fans want to gravitate toward Tupac even though they knew it would be best to stay away. Therefore, out of all the gangster raps, "Push Em Back" is one of the few to achieve its intent. Being more of an intro than a single, this track lacks the pretense of featured artists and hooks. Ironically, without these formulaic qualities, "Push Em Back" is much more believable and understandable than "Buss Yo Head". The track also leads to a post-chorus, beginning with, "Get out my way", and ending with, "I can't take it with me anyway", which is approached and delivered uniquely.

"Slow Ya Roll" is the track, much like the ballad on a hair band album, which shows Young Buck is a deeply reflective thug, and, much like those ballads from the late eighties, this track is a guilty pleasure. As a listener, you know these songs are forced hogwash intended to pull in a sap such as yourself, but you still fall for it. Trust me though, this track is no "They Reminisce Over You", and featuring Chester Bennington (of Linkin Park) nearly ruins the entire appeal. It's annoying that Young Buck (and/or 50 Cent) couldn't come up with an original idea, and felt the need to mimic the success of the Linkin Park/Jay-Z marriage. Note to rap artists everywhere: Chester Bennington can't sing (listen to him live), and anyone in their right mind would bet against him in a fight with Justin Timberlake. Please exile Linkin Park permanently from anything considered legitimate hip-hop.

Keeping with the previous theme, legitimacy is the major issue with Buck The World. Its rhymes, beats, and samples are, for the most part, as plastic as its title. Until rap can get legitimate artists with legitimate messages to dedicate themselves to the game, the industry will be a lineup of flavors of the month (like Young Buck) easily erased with the brush of a shoulder.

Tracks added to iPod: Push Em Back, Get Buck, Slow Ya Roll, Hold On

CD Info and Links

Young Buck - Buck The World
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