Adversity builds character, and if anyone was to typify the depth of understanding behind what this pithy expression means, it would be Jizzle Buckz.
The Missouri native channels a prudent, authoritative mien that uses experienced hardship as a way to prompt his unwavering resilience and durability.
After serving three years in jail fighting a murder charge, in which the charges were later dropped, Jizzle Buckz’ unprecedented egress from society played an integral role in developing what characteristics would fuel his plight of change for a second chance at life.
“That moment really opened my eyes, everything that I was doing expanded and I was able to level up“.
Refusing to fall victim to a broken system plagued with racial undertone, once he was released from jail Jizzle continued to remain diligent in his efforts to profess life on beats over synthesized acoustics – operating as a voice of reason, a source of inspiration for the 3rd, the south-side of St.Louis, Missouri.
While yielding the appropriate title as ‘Heart of the 3rd’, adding further context to his recent project release – Jizzle Buckz’ determined frame of mind has enabled him to usher in a new wave of sound coming out of ‘The Show-Me State’, allowing him to spearhead the role as one of music’s more sought out talents from the Midwest.
With nothing short of a promising future ahead for the steadfast wordsmith, we had the opportunity to house a over-the-phone interview with Jizzle Buckz centered around growing up in Missouri, facing murder allegations and future endeavors.
Talk to me about the origin of Jizzle Buckz
My middle name is Rejay, so with the ‘Jay’ they started calling me Re-Jizzle – then I started getting money and stuff, so I took off the ‘Re’ and just made it Jizzle Bands.
As time went on, they was like ‘You Buckz now, you bossin’ up’, so Buckz got a lil’ more to it and that’s what everyone started calling me.
In the past, I’ve spoken with individuals that tend to focus on the negative dynamics of what it’s like to grow up in St.Louis, but I’d rather not compare apples. With that in mind – what was it like for you growing up in the city?
It’s always been a challenge for me because my father got life in prison when I was two-years old, it was just me and my mother.
I watched her struggle a lot, I watched her hustle and just watched her grind – it made me grind.
I got my ambition from my mother with watching her do things on her own.
As time went on, I got older and learned how to adapt to my situation – my mom needed me.
The killing and all that stuff within my city, I really stay clear of that.
People tend to put themselves in a lot of situations but I make sure I get the ins and outs of everything – I just stick to what I know.
What do you feel like helped you develop such a fondness for music and want to pursue it full-time as a career?
My big cousin and them were rapping – as a kid, you’re influenced by whatever’s poppin’ in the family.
Some of my cousin’s rap, some of my cousins in the streets selling drugs, so I took more to the rapping because I saw how much love they were getting and how they would gain attention.
I just felt like that route was for me because I love to do music.
I did one song in fifth-grade and didn’t make another song until like ninth-grade.
After having your murder charges dropped back in 2019, how did you manage to remain diligent in your efforts to continue to pursue music? Serving three-years and getting right back to it says a lot about your character.
That’s what kept me going.
I know God put you through certain stuff for a reason, he won’t put you through anything that you can’t handle.
That moment really opened my eyes, everything that I was doing expanded and I was able to level up.
Not even just with music, with everything I was doing in my life.
It showed me that other side of the fence was real.
I came home with a plan.
Do you feel like the time you spent away allowed you to shift focus and hone in on your talents even more?
Yeah, it helped me perfect my craft.
It gave me something else to talk about.
I can make a million songs talking about something different because that moment took me through so many phases in life.
It felt like it was meant to be, it wasn’t nothing coincidental.
What inspired the title of your recent project ‘Heart of the 3rd’, the third installment of the series – Moreover, what is the 3rd exactly?
The 3rd is the south-side, that’s the environment I grew up in.
No one else was doing nothing music wise to put on for that area, so I named myself ‘Heart of the 3rd‘.
In essence, you’re the voice of reason for the south-side of St. Louis?
Most definitely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni6oWbqppwk
In a recent interview, I see that you made a reference to Young Jeezy being one of your favorite artist. Interestingly enough, Rod Wave made a remark stating ‘Jeezy told us trap or die but told his son go to college’ and I feel like provides a unique stance on the role of influence. With that in mind, how do you perceive that message?
Some people don’t have a choice, all they know is trap, some people can’t go to school.
If you let music control your brain, you’re small minded forreal.
Some people get motivated, some people don’t have another way out.
Some people don’t like doing what they do, but you gotta feed your family, can’t let em’ starve.
Some people wanna know what it’s like – they want that experience, so that’s where they come in and listen to that type of music.
The music ain’t just for one caliber of people to listen to.
It can motivate you in a different way – it just shows you that stuff can change and you can do something different.
I see your latest music video is titled ‘Fuck Da Industry’, that’s a relatively unambiguous title – is that how you’re feeling at the moment?
Yeah, I go off of how I feel.
I had two label deals – I flew out to New York for Cinematic and I’ve been to Alamo Records out in California.
I just didn’t feel it.
My love is for music, I don’t like people that try and do it for a quick dollar, my heart is really in it.
If I feel like you not really for me or want to be a part of this success, I can see that.
I don’t want to make my career based off of money.
Some machines just ain’t the right machine for some people, so I’m like fuck the industry at this point.
With all the working experience you’ve developed in navigating the music industry, what has been the toughest lesson learned thus far?
If you don’t know nothing or just keep a blind eye to things, a lot of people will try and get over on you.
It’s just like the streets – I left the streets to rap and rap is worse.
You can’t fuck nobody up.
What can we anticipate from Jizzle Buckz for the remainder of 2020?
I just wanna keep building and meeting people who heart is really in it.
I wake up every day and keep praying that I continue to get better.
For more updates on Jizzle Buckz and new music, be sure to follow him via social media @JizzleBuckz_
