Mr. Spock Neva Empty
The video treatment for reggae smash “Come Around” has a few heads surprised, as the vocalist is a bit um, paler, than expected. Born in New Orleans and raised in Bermuda, Collie Buddz is back in the States and doing big things with his Caribbean upbringing. Owing his interest in reggae music to his big brother who introduced Buddz to Bermuda’s sound system culture, he says, “I used to come home from primary school and my brother would always be on the turntables, playin his new 45′s an’ I’d just be there vibesin’.” And let me admit that I never fail to get a kick out of a non-brown person with a thick Caribbean accent, so perhaps that adds to much of Collie’s charm in my eyes.
But Buddz is more than a cute white boy with an accent. You might have even heard his voice without knowing it; in the Tranzformas remix to Beyoncé’s “Ring the Alarm,” for example, or “Tell Me” with Lil’ Flip. He’s been compared to a few people, but I think for the wrong reasons: Sean Paul (probably because of his complexion), soca artist Rupee (although I don’t think you can compare the style of two people in such different genres) and even the likes of Bob Marley and Sizzla because of the crooning nature of his voice. Personally, I think he sounds more like Damien than Bob, but I think it’s important to recognize that he does have his own distinctive and authentic sound.
His racial background has raised a couple of eyebrows, as I think is natural when dealing with a genre as culturally-based as reggae. In my opinion, his experience in the Caribbean and notable immersion in the sound culture gives him the Eminem card (as opposed to the Vanilla Ice). There’s something in his voice that is nothing other than reggae, and that’s a quality that some black Jamaican reggae artists lack (i.e. Leftside & Esco, I would argue). Not only does Collie have a strong sound, but he is a well-rounded artist – also not a common thing in the music industry. He makes his own beats (or riddims, for the reggae-savvy), writes his own songs, belts out the hook and chats on the verse. His style encompasses much more than just dancehall and is almost reggae rock, perhaps owing to his influences which include Alton Ellis, The Meditations, The Heptones, Skattalites, Jacob Miller and Eric Monty Morris. Look out for his album with Sony Music in May.
“Dis Ya Luv” (Rush Riddim)
“Come Around” (Remix ft. Busta Rhymes)
“Tomorrow’s Another Day“
5:34 pm on March 6th, 2007
Okay, so Come Around uses the same sample as the remix of Champion off of the Brother Ali EP. Apologies to Premier, but does anybody want to violate and tell me what they lifted it from?
1:07 am on March 7th, 2007
i can dig it! i and i dun care what colour he be
1:15 am on March 7th, 2007
yea your right dude sounds real similar to Damian.
6:46 pm on March 7th, 2007
Personally, I feel Collie Buddz currently has one of the most authentic sounds in reggae music today, given the music I have heard from him. The first time I heard “Come Around” I was blown away and found the music style to be refreshing given some of the monotonous and cliche reggae being produced. This first reaction I feel is unbiased because in my first listen I immediately assumed he was a black artist and was even more surprised when I found out that he was a white artist. Though many will argue that much of his immediate success is due to the color of his skin, I feel his musical talent surpasses the impact of him being white. This great talent of his is the reason why he receives support from reggae mogul Beres Hammond.
9:35 am on March 9th, 2007
check bushweed remix by knut posse. reeeeeeeeeeewiiiiiiinnnddddd selecta!!!!!!!!!!!
8:37 am on March 11th, 2007
Kerry – you asked who did the original riddim – it is from “Last War” by Beres Hammond.
I live in Bermuda, and Collie (derived from ihs 1st name, Colin) has made a splash here with his songs; he is very good, but not the only local artist producing good sounds.
Look for more big tunes from Collie Buddz and other Bermudian artists like C’Daynger, Roachekiller, Stalwart Sound:
http://www.myspace.com/cdaynger
http://www.myspace.com/harperdigi
http://myspace.com/stalwartsound
4:21 pm on March 26th, 2007
as long as dude can rock me no curr what color him skin be. Jah bless
myspace.com/jessecastrojr
3:59 pm on April 9th, 2007
yea. saw some of stuff on youtube that you posted. thanks
9:43 am on May 2nd, 2007
love collie buddz.
bmds new year was hott!
listenin to tracks now…
bermuda aint in the caribbean. have our own accent and culture.
bless up