There are some artists who are able to function in the industry as a “Jack of All Trades,” playing different roles with ease, all while putting out quality music. Biggs is one of those artists. Both a solo act, as well as a member of an immensely popular band called “Gold Shoes” in his hometown, for Buggs, it’s about being able to excel in all avenues of music. In short, whichever lane he chooses to drive in he makes sure that it is done well.
Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio; it is a state that Kid Cudi, Chip the Ripper, and Stalley, some of which he has shared a stage with, call home. Buggs has quietly been paying his dues to land his name on that list as well; releasing acclaimed tracks and landing features and tours with some of the hottest cats out right now. Now poised and ready with a new release that could potentially elevate his career, he sat down with us to discuss both his progression as well as what the future holds.
AllHipHop.com: At 27 you’ve already been in the game since your early 20s; was there ever another path that you considered?
Buggs Tha Rocka: I attended Central State University and pursued a degree in Business for a period of time, but music just kept calling me. It’s hard to balance it when people want you to travel, to be out there, to put your music out there. Music won.
AllHipHop.com: Most people first became familiar with you with the release of the critically acclaimed Hip Hop Supa Hero in 2009, which led to even more buzz with 2010’s Mutant Level 5. How did you feel about the reception you received?
Buggs Tha Rocka: “Mutant” had all original music and it was really that “break out” mixtape that I needed to give me added credibility. I got to collab with Freeway, Lil Brother, etc. and it brought more shows. I got the chance to share the stage with artists like Jeezy, Big Sean, The Cool Kids, Wiz, John Mayer, Method Man and Redman, Stalley. It was dope.
AllHipHop.com: You followed that with Lost Luggage in 2011, but it was a departure from the mixtapes that came before it, exactly how did it come about?
Buggs Tha Rocka: I wasn’t completely happy with that project. My hard drive crashed and I lost a lot of material that I had been working on. We were able to recover some of it, but it was put together as a “concept project” of sorts, the name itself symbolizing the material or “luggage” that had been lost and later found. Not getting the response that I wanted along with personal issues is what led to a slight break in music for me last year.
AllHipHop.com: Not everybody knows that you’re also in a band that was created in 2009. Does that have any effect on your career as a solo artist?
Buggs Tha Rocka: The group that I’m in Gold Shoes, was actually individual artists coming together to form a band. It’s different from what I do on my own. On my own I’m a rapper, but the group mixes hip hop and jazz. So for them you get to hear me sing as well. That’s actually the reason that I’m still in Ohio, I’ve thought about moving but for now I’m dividing my attention between my career as well as the band’s.
AllHipHop.com: In between projects, what were you involved in?
Buggs Tha Rocka: I actually got to go on the Midwest portion of Talib Kweli and Mos Def’s “Prisoner of Conscious” tour. I’ve come into contact with a lot of other artists just while I’ve been coming up and they all treat me like a little brother of sorts. It was a great experience.
AllHipHop.com: So now that you’ve had a chance to step away, collect yourself, and now you’re returning with the Wrath of Zeus. How does this project differ from your past releases? What exactly can we expect?
Buggs Tha Rocka: The Wrath of Zeus casts me as Zeus. It’s paying homage to the Gods (of Hip Hop) that came before me. I make music that I actually would want to hear. It’s a return to the Hip Hop that we grew up on. The idea is that “Zeus” is returning the game to what it once was. Good music.
[Download The Wrath Of Zeus mixtape]
AllHipHop.com: Ok, ok I see you with the Greek mythology. Can we expect any features like we saw on “Mutant?”
Buggs Tha Rocka: I actually don’t have any features this time. I feel like on a classic project they need to be able to hear you. I didn’t want to crowd it with features this time. I need you to feel me. I don’t want to be played strictly off of who I’m cool with that I can get to jump on a track with me. I love music that comes from the heart, that comes from the soul; and can’t nobody tell my story better than me.
Hear him tell it by staying in contact with him: @rockaboy