Buckshot a.k.a. The BDI Thug

Known as one of the most formidable emcees and hardest working men in hip-hop, Buckshot a.k.a. The BDI Thug, is the very definition of the term, “grinding.” His trademark facial expressions and laid back rhymes depict a swagger that few possess. Standing at 5’ 6”, and dubbed the five-star General of the Boot Camp Clik, Buckshot is one of the strongest and most lyrically mellifluous voices in the crew. 
Co-founding the legendary independent record label, Duck Down Enteprizes with business partner DruHa, the New York native has tagged his mark on the walls of hip-hop music. 


Raised in Brownsville, New York, Buckshot a.k.a. Buckshot Shorty, got his first taste of rapping in neighborhood rhyming ciphers. In high school, he befriended 5th, DJ Evil Dee, and Mr. Walt, who would evolve into the super production team, Da’ Beatminerz. 

In 1992, Buckshot, 5th and DJ Evil Dee, formed the legendary, Black Moon. The trio released the smash single, “Who Got Tha’ Props,” in 1993. The track ranked #86 on the Billboard Top 100 charts, landing them to a recording deal with Nervous Records, but more notably became a hip-hop classic. 
Later that year, Black Moon released their first full-length album, Enta’ Da’ Stage. Buckshot’s life-like lyrics and unique deliveries, meshed well with Da’ Beatminerz’s smooth baselines, droned intros and overall dark atmospheric production. 


The album featured appearances by Havoc of Mob Deep, as well as future Boot Camp Clik members, Tek N' Stele of Smif N’ Wessun. The singles, “Who Got Tha’ Props?” and “I Got Cha’ Chompin,” gained wide popularity. 


During the golden era’ of hip-hop known to fans as, “Da’ Shinin,” coined by Smif N’ Wessun’s debut, Enta Da’ Stage, became the sound of the streets. While selling 350,000 copies, it has been hailed as one of the most pivotal and influential hip-hop albums of the mid-90’s.


In conjunction with the phrase, “always be grinding,” 1994 was a busy year for Buckshot. Along side of friend DruHa, the two left Nervous Records and formed Duck Down Management. That same year, Buckshot signed and over saw the creation of Smif N’ Wessun’s debut, Da’Shinin, as well as adding Heltah Skeltah (Ruck and Rock) and O.G.C.: Originoo Gunn Clappa (Starang Wondah, Top Dog, and Louieville Sluggah) to Duck Down’s roster. 
During the summer, Buckshot took part in the collaboration, the Crooklyn Dodgers (Buckshot, Master Ace, Special Ed, and Q-Tip), releasing a single by the same name, on the soundtrack of Spike Lee’s, Crooklyn. 


Officially titled, Duck Down Enterpirsez in 1996, Buckshot, DruHa, and Smif N’ Wessun began work with 2 Pac on the unreleased album, One Nation. During this time Buckshot was dubbed, “The BDI Thug” by 2 Pac. 
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"There was a Native Indian tribe, Thugla, who were wiped out with the Native Americans,” said Buck. “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.”
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