Young Buck Albums (8)
What The Critics Say
Young Buck's sophomore effort arrived as his crew and label (G-Unit) plus his career savior (50 Cent) had come under scrutiny for their struggling sales (struggling as in they weren't always going platinum). None of this really matters in the long run because drama and talk aren't really part of the final listening experience, but it's worth noting because Buck the World doesn't outright look like a G-Unit release (the artwork isn't as loud as usual and there's no visual references to money) and it doesn't sound like it's from the house of 50 until about halfway through. Whether it's a decided distancing or not, Scarface and early Mobb Deep come to mind as "Push Em Back" kicks open the door. By the time producer Hi-Tek shows up on "I Ain't ******* Wit U" with one of his most singalong, soulful constructions to date, Buck has already hung with 8Ball, MJG, and Bun B and cleaned out his own closet over a "My Hero Is a Gun" loop off the Mahogany soundtrack on the dramatic "Buss Yo' Head." Smart and fresh decisions continue when Lyfe Jennings guests on the soul-searching title track and Chester Bennington lends a hand to "Slow Ya Roll," a lyric-writing triumph for Buck. The pivotal cut opens up the door to familiar territory with 50 and Dr. Dre both contributing to "Hold On." From here on out you can take everything great about the rapper's debut and apply it here. It's that satisfying mix of polish and street with all-stars like Lil Jon, who is back again with a burner ("Money Good"), Jazze Pha, who gives up two ("Kings," "I Know You Want Me"), and Ky-Mani Marley, who joins for a smoking song that would make father Bob smile ("Puff Puff Pass"). Capping off this well-built and surprisingly diverse album is a thrilling mix of new and old as Buck shouts the angst-ridden and completely destructive lyrics of "Lose My Mind" against Eminem's typically tinker-toy melody. The track connects the dots from Buck to G-Unit and onto Slim Shady, making Buck the World a great way to steady the whole, supposedly troubled empire. Even better, when considered as a self-contained effort from Buck, it's the release that makes him more than G-Unit's clean-up man by proving he could survive even if 50 and Shady bankrupted the corporation tomorrow. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
'Straight Outta Ca$hville'
Release Date 7/27/2004
Tracks 14
Label Interscope
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Less than two months after the solo debut of his G-Unit brother Lloyd Banks, Young Buck dropped Straight Outta Cashville, another well crafted but uncompromising premiere that expands 50 Cent and crew's empire below the Mason-Dixon line. Lyrics are often the same-old, same-old G-Unit topics -- weed, the game, Tony Yayo, guns, lots and lots of money talk -- but this crew has yet to present a rapper who doesn't attack these tired subjects with style and flair. Buck has been graced with 50's ability to bring street life to the CD player with that grotesque/flippant delivery. But with none of 50's smirk or Banks' city swagger, Buck is the one to relate to, still struggling, still hungry. The obligatory "how I got here" track, "Look at Me Now," is his best moment lyrically -- vivid and all that -- but you can drop the laser anywhere and hear more brain than boast. If that was all there was, Straight Outta Cashville would be a good record. What makes it great is excellent producer and guest rapper choices, a tight track list with nearly perfect flow, and the fresh G-Unit meets crunk and Lil Jon sound that dominates the album. He's often outrageously loud, but Lil Jon tones down his Southern beats to thug level on the excellent funkster "Shorty Wanna Ride," one of the deepest jams the producer has come up with. Red Spyda is at the helm for the sticky "Welcome to the South" with David Banner while the infectious "Let Me In" is proof frequent G-Unit producer Needlz saved his best for Buck. "Bonafide Huster," "I'm a Soldier," and the Nancy Sinatra-sampling "Bang Bang" are more singalong anthems to add to the G-Unit mixtapes, and nothing on the record out and out fails. If there's anything bad to be said about the album it's that the G-Unit machine is way ahead of Buck when it comes to experience and he keeps his personality from coming through loud and clear at times. Adjusting to the fabulous life of 50 Cent's clique has to be a whirlwind and you can't blame Buck for pulling his punches and coming into his own slowly. There's more to G-Unit's most approachable rapper than Straight Outta Cashville gives up; one listen and you'll feel it. Then again, if his "finding himself" takes 20 more phat-bottomed crowd-pleasers like this to get there, who would mind? ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
'Thuggin' Til the End'
Release Date 8/22/2000
Tracks 14
Label Next Level
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