The Best with Buck 65

Genre crossing emcee and renowned raconteur Buck 65 is touring around the globe in the not too distant future including a stint in Album of the Week stomping ground, Australia. We recently caught up with the Nova Scotia native to talk about the best things in life with Buck who provided us with highly entertaining responses full of his trademark naughty charm…

AoTW: What’s the best thing about being Canadian?
B65: I thought about it long and hard and for me, what I like best about
being Canadian is that I like being an underdog. I've never been
comfortable with chanting, "we're number one! we're number one!".
There's a lot that's a drag about being from/in Canada and most of the
benefits aren't unique to this country. So I'd feel like a boob if I
said something like "health care!".

AoTW: What’s the best thing about being handsome?
B65: I wish I was handsome. Life is easier for good looking people. But
being extraordinarily good looking would probably also be a bit of a
nightmare - especially if it didn't matter to you (there's nothing
worse than a good-looking person who knows it and lets it be the
driving force of their life).

AoTW: What’s the best compliment you’ve been given?
B65: Once I was playing a show in France and I was trying my best to
speak to the audience in French. I felt like I was doing terribly, but
then a girl in the audience shouted, "so sex-EE!!" That made me feel
good.

AoTW: What’s the best way for fans to prep before a Buck 65 show?
B65: The best way to prep before coming out to a Buck 65 show would
probably be to watch "Salo" by Pasolini. Just joking. Don't do that.

AoTW: What’s the best Buck 65 song if you want to introduce the music of Buck 65 to people who have never heard of him?
B65: Hmm. Buck 65 gateway drug... Maybe Heather Nights or Days On End
from the Dirtywork EP. Or Paper Airplane (that's a new one). Blood Of
A Young Wolf?

AoTW: What has been your best pseudonym?
B65: Years ago I recorded a few songs under the name Uncle Climax.
That's a good one. It still makes me laugh. It's so gross.

AoTW: What’s the best song for love making?
B65: I once got slippery while "Screwdriver" by the White Stripes was
playing and I felt quite enhanced.

AoTW: Best song for dancing?
B65: I always go completely spastic when I hear "Digital" by Joy Division.

AoTW: Best song to get prepped for a fight?
B65: How about "Sundown" by Gordon Lightfoot. I always feel like a bit
of a badass when I listen to that one.
AoTW: What’s the best rap lyric you can think of (that isn’t your own)?
B65: It's hard to choose a favorite rap lyric. B-Luv from JVC FORCE
said so many bonkers things. And then there's Kool Keith. How do you
pick just one? But I'll go with his lead verse from the song "Ain't It
Good To You" from the first Ultramagnetic MC's album, especially the
line where he says, "watch the movie, your brain will be the star..."
Kool Keith is the greatest of all-time.

AoTW: Who’s the best turntablist out there right now?
B65: There are a lot of amazing turntablists in France right now, but I
still think D-Styles is the shit. He's on a whole other level.

AoTW: Who’s the best muppet on Sesame Street – and why?
B65: Best muppet? I always related to Mr. Johnson. Remember him? Is he
still around?

AoTW: What’s the best thing that’s happened to you since you’ve been kind of famous?
B65: Easy. I made a song where I mentioned Hala Gorani, who is an
anchor on CNN International. She heard it and now we're friends. I
pretty much freaked out when I first heard from her.

AoTW: What’s your best physical feature?
B65: My best physical feature? Maybe my hands. But that's probably a
better question for someone else to answer. Ladies?

AoTW: What’s your best achievement outside of music?
B65: Getting married is the best thing I've managed to do with my life.

AoTW: Who’s the best emcee of all time?
B65: As I mentioned earlier, Kool Keith is my all-time favorite. You
know who I think is incredible though? Edan. He doesn't get the credit
he deserves.

AoTW: What’s the best thing about winning a Juno award?
B65: I think winning a Juno - or any kind of music award - gives a
little boost to your record sales. But mostly I'm uncomfortable with
the mix of art and trophies.

AoTW: What’s the best thing about beefing with Sage Francis?
B65: Sage Francis is the last person in the world you ever want mad at you.
AoTW: Which is the best country to perform in?
B65: I really like performing in France. Not so much because of the
fans or the shows. It's just that the venues are all subsidized by the
government, so they're all really, really nice. Playing in deluxe
venues makes a bum like me feel like a hot shot.

AoTW: Who is the best 40 year old you know (since – let’s face it – you’re not far off yourself)?
B65: Best 40 year old... Here's a few: Jennifer Connelly, Sarah
Silverman, Claudia Schiffer, Beck, Pete Rock, Naomi Campbell, Tina
Fey, Uma Thurman, Q Tip and Heather Graham. They're all pretty hot.

AoTW: What are your thoughts on vegans?
B65: I don't have much of a problem with vegans, but I have a hard time
hearing people complain about the food not catering to their needs,
especially when in countries where veganism (for example) isn't a
common thing. That's a bit annoying.


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