Macklemore & Ryan Lewis: Buckshot Review

“Buckshot” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring KRS-One and DJ Premier is my own choice of hot song at the moment. I pretty much switch out swiftly though.  Anyway, the reason I love this song is because it brings back memories of my own days of being involved in the whole Hip Hop culture.  There was Rap, DJing, Breakdancing, and where I excelled---Graffiti.  Yes, yes… I speak as if each skill was taught out of some prestigious school.  We could say that they were the fine and performing arts within the School of Hard Knocks or we can definitely say they were just straight street.

I hold those memories oh so dear to myself because simply said, “It ain’t like how it used to be.”  This song brings it back to the days of bombing, tagging, throw ups, pieces, or plainly put---Graffiti.  These were the days of Ol' School Hip Hop.  The intro alone with the spray can rattle and hiss, opens my ears up wide.  I was ready to hear what was soon about to be lyrically thrown on the microphone.  Every line brought back slang that I was familiar with, and a few that seemed altered.  It was most probably done so to fit the modern times.  Nevertheless, the scenario that was sketched and painted through words brought vividness to my own surprise.  I almost couldn’t believe that they were rappin’ about taggin’ up.  When KRS-One hit it, for sure they was talking about spray cans, early morning “missions”, plans and schematics, and the whole feel of how it is to mark your target with your very own and special tagname.

I remember my days of getting into graffiti and being so deep into it then finally within a “krew”.  It actually became more of an art to me and that’s how I like to think of it.  While some may argue it is vandalism, you have to remember---it is the earliest form of art when in history people placed their art and stories directly on walls.  If it’s something creative and expressive then that’s definitely art to me.

Nowadays, the whole scene has changed.  Back in the days, tips (the removable spray can nozzle found on various aerosol cans) were not just bought in the store.  We had to go through various means to get the right tips we needed.  Today, I have been to stores that provide what graffiti artists need.  You can just go right in, buy whatever tip, marker, spray can, and any other gear you may need.  To add, it’s obvious what you do and are planning to do.  Well, if it still helps the youth stay out of negative activities then so be it.  I still can “write” when I try (on paper of course, not walls) and just tell tales when asked from the younger gen.  Besides, it was my own days and accounts of blasting like a Buckshot.  Ol’ School Hip Hop was definitely the best.

Here’s "Buckshot" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. KRS-One and DJ Premier: