Buck 65

by Mark Pytlik
Born in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Richard Terfry (aka Buck 65, Stinkin Rich) spent the majority of his adolescence as a self-described b-boy. He eventually moved to Halifax in 1989, where he founded a seminal hip-hop show on local college radio. The program (dubbed The Bassment) helped Terfry cement his status as Halifaxs premier hip-hop head; inch by inch, artist collaborations, production duties, and club residencies soon followed. During this time, Terfry dabbled with mic duty, often to acclaimed results. While 1992s Chin Music helped him win a deal with local label Murderecords, 1996s Psoriasis (recorded with friend Sixtoo under the moniker Sebutones) garnered underground plaudits and 1997s 12 trilogy The Wild Life raised eyebrows overseas.
Later in 1997, Buck 65s first well-circulated full-length followed; Language Arts was hailed by everyone who heard it as a hip-hop triumph. Fusing Terfrys hard-luck grumble with a decidedly lo-fi (but immaculately produced) instrumentation, it trumpeted his (and Halifaxs) entry into the hip-hop circuit. In spite of — or perhaps, as a result of — his tendency to veer towards more opaque territories (Terfrys albums rarely come with any tangible track listing), the big guns soon came calling. Revered turntablist Mr. Dibbs was so enamored with Terfrys records that he inducted Buck 65 into seminal underground collective 1200 Hobos. Fraternizing with the likes of heroes such as Biz Markie, Peanut Butter Wolf, and Cut Chemist, Terfrys follow-up was even more inspired. 1999s Vertex was hailed by critics as a progressive, brilliantly conceived concept album, a regulated mix of measured neuroses and marble-mouthed charm. The follow-up, 2001s Man Overboard, released on the respected underground Anticon, followed on that note, pitting Terfrys numerous personalities against each other, often to brilliant effect. WEA Canada picked up the record and released its follow-up, Talkin Honky Blues, an excellent collection of introspective stories. An international contract materialized with V2, which released the career-spanning compilation This Here Is Buck 65.