Young Buck, for those who don’t remember, was once most rap critics’ favorite member of 50 Cent’s G-Unit. Perhaps out of jealousy, perhaps because Buck sided with Game in his dispute with G-Unit’s head honcho, or perhaps both reasons, Buck was ousted from G-Unit, and things haven’t been easy for the Tennessee MC since. After having his assets seized by the IRS, he declared bankruptcy. However, he still resides as president of the “this is so I ironic I can’t believe this is the real name” Cashville Records, and has just dropped a mixtape boasting just as ironic a title, Live Loyal Die Rich.

Is Buck out of his mind? Is he using rap as an escape from his hellish reality? Is he trying to reestablish himself by following in the footprints of Rick Ross’ Rich Forever? Is he coming out swinging at the critics who’ve put him in his predicament? To all of these questions, Buck answers with a resounding “maybe.” The first track of the tape, “2^nd Chance,” opens with the lines, “Made a lot of money, I blew my whole advance/People stole from money but now I understand/I want more money! And I’m the fuckin’ man!/So I’m a make this bitch jump.” Interpret that how you will.

Sonically, the tape finds Buck getting in touch with his Southern roots. In fact, the production is comparable to the release I reviewed earlier this week, Future’s Astronaut Status, but if Future was more lyrically gifted, or at least intelligible. Still, with lines like “Don’t beef with a nigga, I grind him out,” Buck isn’t exactly spitting Illmatic bars to say the least.

In contrast, while Future was able to snag some big time guest spots from the likes of Gucci Mane and Young Jeezy, to name a few, Buck’s costars are mostly has-beens and who-are-they’s. The Outlawz appear on “Car Clowdy” (guess what that one’s about), even though I would have been virtually any sum of money that the Outlawz had stopped rapping around the year 2000 (which means I’d be as good with my money as Buck was with his. Zing!). Other guest stars include CTN and Bezzled Gang.

Young Buck still has enough in the tank to make me question why certain other rappers (cough Future) have stepped into the spotlight he vacated if he still wants a piece of it. But make no mistake, compared with 50 Cent’s December release The Big 10, Live Loyal Die Rich is a lacking release from the guy who once boasted, “the ice in my teeth keep the Cristal cold.” Still waiting on the day the Young Buck who could steal entire tracks with lines like that returns to the mic.

2 / 5 bars

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Young Buck – Go Loco (Feat. Tha City Paper)

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Young Buck – Drug Related

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Young Buck – Personal (Feat. Cruna)