Terfry is also a host at CBC Radio 3, with hosting a program on the CBC Radio 3 website's web radio station during weekdays. In addition, he will be the host of the weekday 3-6pm CBC Radio 2 show beginning in the fall of 2008.
Early career and influences
Terfry was born in 1972 and raised in Mount Uniacke, a rural community outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was first exposed to rap music in the mid-1980s while listening to CBC Radio's late night show Brave New Waves, and then by listening to Halifax campus community radio station CKDU. CKDU then broadcast at only 33 watts, and he had to climb a tree in his yard to hear the station's hip hop show on his cheap transistor radio. Fascinated by hip hop, the young Terfry taught himself how to rap, DJ, and, later, to produce records. His musical influences include MC Shan, David Lynch, Gitche Manitou, and Kool Keith.
Using the moniker DJ Critical, he later hosted a hip-hop show on CKDU called "The Bassment" (later renamed "The Treatment Program", when he assumed the stage name Jesus Murphy), which aired for several years. This period overlapped with many of his non-major-label releases.
Stage Names
Buck 65 has also used a number of other stage names including Johnny Rockwell, Stinkin' Rich, Haslam, and Uncle Climax. These pseudonyms typically represent different characters in his raps (as in Uncle Climax, Johnny Rockwell and Stinkin' Rich) or different aspects of Buck's creativity (as noted above, DJ Critical was his DJ name on CKDU.) Rumours abound that Buck 65's alias comes from his childhood nickname of Buck and his weight of 165 pounds; possibly the pseudonym comes from the weight of the first buck he shot or the $1.65 standard bus fare for Halifax Regional Municipality riders. He has been known to say on stage, "They call me Buck 65... I don't know why." Buck 65's website mentioned previously that he was named after his uncle's 1965 Buick automobile ("'65 Buick" is a track on the Synesthesia album); he performed a show under that name but the promoter mistakenly wrote the name as it is now spelled.
Recently Buck 65 has recorded an EP under the name of Dirk Thornton alongside Irishman DJ Flip, it was scheduled for release early 2007 but the date was not set.
The first release under Dirk Thornton will be a 7" single with the tracks "Yesterday's News" and "Catwalk".
He is also involved in an online collaboration with "Greetings From Tuskan" auteur Joëlle Phuong Minh Lê, as Bike For Three, though a release is yet unforthcoming.
Early releases
In 1993, he released his first cassette of rap tunes while performing under the alias Stinkin' Rich on the Halifax label No Records. The five song cassette was titled Chin Music, which was a reference to his past interest in baseball. The release brought Stinkin' Rich to the attention of members of Halifax alternative rock band Sloan. Sloan signed him to their independent record label Murderecords and released a 7" single and a full length cassette called Game Tight, again featuring a reference to baseball. (Terfry has often stated in interviews that in his teens he had been scouted to play for the New York Yankees but that the death of the talent scout coupled with an injury had caused the deal to fall through)
After a brief break, Terfry returned reconstituted as Buck 65, releasing Language Arts on cassette and the 12" single Wildlife Trilogy, followed by Vertex, which included his popular song "The Centaur." He recorded Sebutonedef (released in 1996 by Funtrip Records) as a collaboration with fellow Halifax artist Sixtoo. Other releases by the duo, known as the Sebutones, are Psoriasis and 50/50 Where It Counts. While still far from mainstream success, he received several odd jobs in Canada's entertainment industry, including making soundtrack music and providing narration for a TV commercial for NBA apparel, and song lyrics for the popular children's program Sesame Street. During a live performance Buck 65 told a story in which he attributed why he was chosen for Sesame Street to three things; his upstanding lifestyle of not drinking, smoking, or doing drugs, his intelligence that wasn't too intelligent for the kids, and Sesame Street's assumption that he was a virgin.
Man Overboard, originally released on the anticon. label, was a significant turning point in his career. The record, and the entire anticon. collective (of which Sixtoo was also a part), were considered hallmarks of a new avant-garde movement in underground hip hop. It was at this time that Buck met Cincinnati DJ Mr. Dibbs who inducted him into the 1200 Hobos, a loosely-knit hip-hop collective named for their proficiency in manipulating the Technics 1200 turntable.
Critical Acclaim
Many of his early projects attracted attention after they were re-released, first on the independent Metaforensics label and subsequently by Warner Music Canada. While Buck 65 has gained critical acclaim and worldwide exposure through his major label deal, commercial success has escaped him. Although Warner's worldwide affiliates distribute his records, Warner USA does not. After a deal was signed with V2 USA, This Right Here Is Buck 65 was released in the States, a sort of "Best of" that was marketed as an introduction to his work. However after V2 chose not to release his next effort, Secret House Against the World, the deal was amicably dissolved. Since then Buck 65 was signed onto Strange Famous Records where he's planning on taking over hip-hop with Sage Francis. His latest release is titled "Situation".
Buck's most recent albums have gradually moved away from his original 'pure' hip-hop sound into territory influenced by folk, blues and electronica, with some even comparing elements of his sound to Tom Waits. Some of Buck 65's music is used on the Canadian show Trailer Park Boys, frequently in the character Julian's car. He gained additional recognition in 2006 when he appeared at the national Juno Awards with Pamela Anderson.
Kerrang! “Controversy”
In August 2004, he sparked controversy in the underground hip-hop world over comments he made to an interviewer in Kerrang! magazine. Buck was quoted as saying:
“I now hate hip hop, the more I’ve educated myself about music, the more I’ve grown to hate it. I don’t use that word lightly, either.”
In response, former anticon. label-mate Sage Francis (in a post on his website) stated that
"Buck has had his head up his arse for many years now."
Buck later wrote in a letter to Exclaim!:
“I’m apologizing for all that. I lost my cool on tape which is never good. The journalist was provoking me, calling me a sell-out and a whore. I was trying to make a point by playing devil’s advocate, but I went way overboard. No hint of irony or role-playing or intelligence came across in the story. Now I just look like an idiot. I take it back. I don’t really believe any of that. I don’t think being able to read music is a concern. Most of my favourite music was made by non-educated musicians. It doesn’t matter. I still have heavy criticisms of most hip hop, but I really didn’t make them well on this particular day. I put my foot in my mouth and I’m apologizing for that."
Dirty Work
Buck 65 released a 5 song digital EP called "Dirty Work". It was released over a month long campaign, adding one song per week for free download via his MySpace page. All five tracks are still available for download on his official website. The EP comes with artwork drawn by Buck himself, and the tracks are all b-sides from the full length record 'Situation'.
Situation to present
Buck 65 released the album Situation on October 30th, 2007, on Strange Famous Records in the US and Warner Music worldwide. The album is a concept album based around the year 1957, and is a return to a more 'pure' hip-hop sound than the previous blues, country and avant-garde influences in Secret House Against the World. It was produced by fellow Halifax DJ Skratch Bastid, aimed at making a "classic hip-hop record that pulses with joy and clarity of purpose".
Buck 65 is currently working on a new album which, judging from live material, will feature much more prominent electronic beats than before. Additionally, Buck 65's collaboration project with "Greetings From Tuskan" auteur Joëlle Phuong Minh Lê, Bike for Three!, has its debut album completed for release in early 2009.
He has been a host of CBC Radio 3's web radio for the past year, and recently accepted daily hosting duties on CBC Radio 2's national radio beginning fall 2008.
You Know the Science
Buck 65 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Anymore, and miss crews like the JVC Force
Don't stop, show no shame, dance to disco
And you know the baddest DJs come from San Francisco
But be sure to tell DJ Static if you see him please
When you're in Denmark, he was robbed at the DMCs
Shouts out to Swamp and other DJs that were fronted on
And all of those that like to dig for oldies, yo, the hunt is on
I just found another copy of Moog Indigo
I'm on a steady look out for dope breaks, non-stop
All I had to pay was fifty cents at a pawn shop
And when it comes to being phat, the best kind of weight gain
Has to be seeing your name up on a freight train
Moving galleries of steel to show the giants
To the people all over the world, you know the science
Uh-huh, you know the science
Uh-huh, you know the science
Uh-huh, you know the science
Uh-huh, you know the science
You get buckwild!
I got the hip-hop holy ghost in each one of my body parts
The needle to the record, cos that's when the party starts
Hard rocking, it is hell and no way to live
All the time, I don't wanna dwell on the negative
Oh no, cos I be the self-fronted low
Professional DJ, 1200 Hobo
Crew member, nomad, down to show alliance
To those that's in it for the love, you know the science
Uh-huh, you know the science
Uh-huh, you know the science
Uh-huh, you know the science
You get buckwild!
Rhymes to the beats and showing no signs of going soft
Gimme a mic and I'm gonna start showing off
I hustle coast to coast and represent the Sebutones
While I write my rhymes at high noon and finetune my own style
Cos every now and then I talk shit and curse and swear
Whether I go first or last, I'm no worse for where
And I combine scratches and complicated compositions
On the radio, on records, or at competitions
High powered going left to right, and you can switch the role
33 to 45, maneuvering the pitch control
To get get my daily dose of arty rock to feel revitalized
And bless the microphone for the gods I've always idolized
I pledge allegiance to the beat box and the enthusiasts
Especially the ones that are hard to please and choosiest
I gotta keep hope alive for those who show defiance
Hip-hop, as a religion, you know the science
"You are not alone. This is the language of on-again, off-again: the future, and it is digital."
The lyrics to Buck 65's "You Know the Science" are an homage to the world of hip-hop and DJing. The singer offers a variety of references and shoutouts to different parts of the hip-hop community, from DJs in San Francisco to those who dig for oldies. The singer expresses a love for the art and craft of DJing, from searching for rare records to cutting and scratching for crowds.
The singer also touches on the challenges and hardships that can come with the hip-hop scene, referencing DJ Static being robbed at a competition and giving a shoutout to other DJs who have been "fronted on." Yet despite these challenges, the singer remains committed to the art form, pledging allegiance to hip-hop as a religion.
Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of a passion for hip-hop and DJing as a way of life, and a dedication to the community built around the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're anything like me, you probably don't read The Source anymore, and miss crews like the JVC Force
If you're someone like me, you're likely not interested in reading The Source magazine anymore, but you miss legendary rap groups such as JVC Force
Don't stop, show no shame, dance to disco
Keep dancing, don't feel shy and groove to the disco music
And you know the baddest DJs come from San Francisco
The best DJs in the world usually hail from San Francisco
But be sure to tell DJ Static if you see him please, When you're in Denmark, he was robbed at the DMCs
If you meet DJ Static in Denmark, please tell him that he was robbed at the DMCs competition
Shouts out to Swamp and other DJs that were fronted on, And all of those that like to dig for oldies, yo, the hunt is on
Big ups to Swamp and other DJs who were unfairly disregarded, and to all those who enjoy collecting old records - keep the hunt going
I'm always down to make trades for shit with those in the know, I just found another copy of Moog Indigo
I love trading music with like-minded individuals, and I recently acquired another copy of Moog Indigo
I'm on a steady look out for dope breaks, non-stop, All I had to pay was fifty cents at a pawn shop
I'm constantly searching for great drum beats, and I found an excellent one at a pawn shop for only fifty cents
And when it comes to being phat, the best kind of weight gain, Has to be seeing your name up on a freight train, Moving galleries of steel to show the giants, To the people all over the world, you know the science
The coolest way to feel proud and accomplished is by seeing your name spray painted on a freight train, which travels the world and showcases your art to all who see it
I got the hip-hop holy ghost in each one of my body parts, The needle to the record, cos that's when the party starts
I feel an intense passion for hip-hop, it's part of my soul, and DJing is the thing that sparks the party
Hard rocking, it is hell and no way to live, All the time, I don't wanna dwell on the negative
Being a professional musician and being constantly on the road is challenging and not an ideal way to live, so I try to not focus on the negative aspects
Oh no, cos I be the self-fronted low, Professional DJ, 1200 Hobo, Crew member, nomad, down to show alliance, To those that's in it for the love, you know the science
I'm just an independent, solo DJ who is part of a group called 1200 Hobos, and I love supporting those who are passionate about hip-hop music
Rhymes to the beats and showing no signs of going soft, Gimme a mic and I'm gonna start showing off
I'm a lyricist who raps to the beat and never loses my edge, I love performing on the mic and flexing my skills
I hustle coast to coast and represent the Sebutones, While I write my rhymes at high noon and finetune my own style
I play shows all over the country and represent my rap group called Sebutones, I work on my rhymes during the day and refine my own unique style
Cos every now and then I talk shit and curse and swear, Whether I go first or last, I'm no worse for where
There are times when I use vulgar language when I rap but it doesn't affect me if I go first or last in a performance
And I combine scratches and complicated compositions, On the radio, on records, or at competitions
I use DJ scratches and intricate musical arrangements in my songs, whether they are played on the radio, record, or during competitions
High powered going left to right, and you can switch the role, 33 to 45, maneuvering the pitch control
I have CDs or records that allow me to change the pitch control from 33 to 45, a feature that is beneficial for DJing activities
To get my daily dose of arty rock to feel revitalized, And bless the microphone for the gods I've always idolized
To feel refreshed every day, I listen to artistic rock music, and I come to the microphone with respect for those who have inspired me
I pledge allegiance to the beat box and the enthusiasts, Especially the ones that are hard to please and choosiest
I'm loyal to the art of beatboxing and its passionate followers, even those who have high standards and are hard to impress
I gotta keep hope alive for those who show defiance, Hip-hop, as a religion, you know the science
I need to continue giving hope to those who are rebellious and believe that hip-hop is a way of life, because they know the truth about it
Uh-huh, you know the science
Yup, you understand what hip-hop is really about
You get buckwild!
You get wild and crazy with excitement and energy!
Writer(s): Richard Terfry Copyright: Strange Nurse Publishing
Contributed by Maria V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
FUZATl
Beat = Bullet - The Peterman Vocal sample #1 = A Tribe Called Quest - The Infamous Date Rape Vocal sample #2 = Laurie Anderson - The Language of the Future
FUZATl
@Eny 437 Ah very nice, thank you very much for letting us know about the bassline.
Eny 437
Bass sample = Alan Tew. The Fence (A)
ASE OriginalHipHop
I definitely know the science.
Mayhem5150
Basketball Hall of Fame just played this after Kobe’s induction.
Sebastian Schultz
This fucking instrumental is so ill I'm on my way to the ER