Buckyard Boyz. Hip Hop from Legazpi City, Albay

by Gerry D
September 11th, 2008 7 Comments

POSITIVE HIP HOP FROM THE SOUTH: THE BUCKYARD BOYZ OF BIKOL
It’s no great mystery why hip hop became a worldwide musical phenomenon and of course, it goes without saying, a multi-million dollar industry.

The music came from the streets sort of a neo-urban blues tempered from the crucible of poverty-stricken black ghettos of America.

Whether hip hop artists rap about big breasted bitches or the cold reality of living in the savage streets, third world hotspots like the Philippines easily caught on with the phat grooves. Francis Magalona, nailing machinegun rhymes since the early 80s is our very own Grandmaster Flash/Afrika Bambaataa all rolled into one in terms of pioneering the then strange sound.

BUCKYARD BOYZ delivers hip hop Pinoy crunk style

Hiphop has launched a thousand manic B-Boys - from the dingy streets of Manila to the posh subdivisions of Quezon City. And of course in Bikol we have the Buckyard Boyz.

“Kung ihahalintulad namin ang pamumuhay nila doon[US] siguro na-witness din namin yung crime”, says Nick, speaking in semi-baritone over a hot afternoon at Pili in Camarines Sur. The rest of the crew were chilling-out after a tedious a photo shoot for Rebolusyon Rekords’ MusikMax Bicol compilation CD.

“Yung paghihirap na dinaraanan nila nararanasan rin dito, kaya ganun na-inspire kaming magsulat”, the bald almond-eyed MC continued.

Listen to audio clips of Buckyard Boyz tracks in MusikMAX BICOL:

But well, the big difference here is, instead of rapping about stereotypical hip hop motifs primarily sex and street violence, the crew opted to explore more positive themes. “

Gusto naming baguhin ang tingin sa hip hop”, explained Christian. “Kasi pag sinabing hip hop usually ang pumapasok agad sa isip nila violence.”

Perhaps this outlook is best exemplified by, as of press time, a still untitled song. Over a flurry of harmonic rhymes the song conjures images of hope and redemption for Albay, amid the grim condition that natural disasters like the Mayon had wrought to the province. Christian can’t be more profound on this:

“Parang pinapakita naming through this song yung kagandahan ng Bikol, ano’ng meron at kung gaano kasaya pag naandito ka.”

“Def Squad”, another original - a tour de force piece showcasing the boys’ syncopated and infectious lyricism sprinkled on a backdrop of wicked samples and pumping beat.

Weaned on the Dirty South school of rap with Ludacris as its finest luminary, August O. Edar, Nick Belmes and Christian Juaneza, all still on their 20s, managed to create a unique brew that evokes the rural-meets-urban dichotomy of Bikol.

They set aside the fierce NWA/Public Enemy tradition for a cheerier sound. ”Ang ginagawa naming usually clubbin’. Masaya. Mga positive”, affirmed August, a Tupac Shakur deadringer who handles the more intricate aspect of their music.

Known as E5 and later Def Squad (hence their song) back in highschool, they changed their name to Buckyard Boyz after two of their original five-member crew left.

In 2007 they started to make a buzz in the embryonic Legaspi hip hop community by brilliantly snagging the champion slot on a regional rap competition. The Rebolusyon Rekords backed project is the fulfillment of their collective dream and as they put it: “Matagal na naming pinapangarap ‘to”.

Although they are wary about the crippling effects of music piracy, (“Yung pinaghirapan ng artist nauuwi saw wala”), the crew is optimistic about the doors that will be opened by this venture. Needless to say, this wicked crew is in for a delightful aural gangbang. In these trying times, when mediocrity and run-on-the mill pseudo-artists reign the charts, nothing can be more refreshing than getting down with the Buckyard Boyz’ brand of positive hip hop. The question now is, are you ready for the delightful aural gang bang?

Link: Buckyard Boyz profile on Rebolusyon Rekords

About Gerry D: .

1. pauline mae 09.23.08 / 2pm

   wow….astig toh!!!! galing niyo!!! go buckyard boyz! go nic bee!! woooh!! love ko po yung project baby nyo..hmmmmm mishu nicnic….=)
2. "jheaxia" 09.24.08 / 12am

   hai..
3. jimaly barroso 09.26.08 / 3am

   christian,kumusta kana?miss kana daw ni robz.heheehhehhhe!
4. pau mae 09.28.08 / 5pm

   nic…hanap ka ni ate..haha sabi ko my blog kyo, di naniwala.. nakita nya…ayun…tuwang tuwa yung gaga.. astig daw yung crush nea oh…haha yuy…
   miss you kalbo.. wag na kay ate donna.. mas maganda ako…wahahaha! ngatz lagi…=]xoxo
5. pau mae 09.28.08 / 5pm

   nic…hanap ka ni ate..haha sabi ko my blog kyo, di naniwala.. nakita nya…ayun…tuwang tuwa yung gaga.. astig daw yung crush nea yuy…hehe ngatz lagi…=]xoxo
6. pau mae 09.28.08 / 5pm

   nic…hanap ka ni ate..haha sabi ko my blog kyo, di naniwala.. nakita nya…ayun…tuwang tuwa yung gaga..haha nakita nea daw crush nea…hehe ngats lagi…xoxo =]
7. joy labini 09.29.08 / 1pm

   ang ga2ling ng mga brkada ng kuyay q,.hahaha.im so proud senyong tatlo..kuya nick bee..kuya christian and kuya august…break a ;eg po..ingatz olwayz…stay d same…