With the exception of groupies, few people can claim that their dreams came true aboard a rapper's tour bus. Although he’s far from a groupie, that’s exactly what happened when Young Buck stepped aboard 50 Cent’s luxury coach back in 2001. Since meeting 50 and becoming a member of G-Unit, Buck has sold close to two million albums and established himself as a bankable solo artist. During that time he's also been involved in every G-Unit related beef from Ja Rule to Fat Joe, The Game, Lil Wayne and Cam'ron. And let's not forget about that incident at the VIBE Awards involving an irate spectator and a certain piece of silverware. Talk about guilt by association.

After seemingly being left (and perhaps returned?) in the Hip Hop purgatory that was Cash Money Records post-Hot Boys, and being literally stranded in California when Juvenile’s UTP label folded, you couldn't blame Buck if he decided to ditch the whole rap mentor idea altogether. If you believe all of the rumors circulating, you probably think he has. Now, as he prepares his stable of artists for the launch of his own label, Cashville Records, Young Buck finds himself in the position of both leader and disciple. It's a delicate balancing act, but to hear him tell it, the dream is just now about to be realized.

HipHopDX: Since the last time we talked, you've launched a record label, a clothing line and a jewelry line. Are you worried about spreading yourself too thin?
Young Buck: Hell nah, man. I’m trying to do more, straight up. I ain’t bullshittin’. At the end of the day, I’m trying to get Young Buck established. I’m signed to G-Unit and I’m down with The Unit. I’m fully focused on everything I have to do as far as my obligations to my contract with G-Unit. But, as human beings we’re only getting older. And the older I get, the wiser I become. It’s just about me reaching out and building this foundation.

DX: Another hustle I remember MTV was trying to get a Buck the World reality show started. What happened to that?
YB: I kind of put it off for a little bit, ‘cause I was focusing on my music. I’ve got a DVD that will be out in May. It’s just a DVD of some cats that have been following me around for seven or eight months. There’s a lot of footage throughout it, and I’ve never had a DVD on shelves. People can see my everyday life and things of that nature, so it’s worth looking out for. I thought it was a good idea to put the reality show off and focus on Cashville Records, being that my first release is April 1. My single will actually be up and running in a few weeks. I’m trying to pick and see which one I’m gonna go with. I got a lot going on and I think my fans, 50 Cent’s fans, Game’s fans, Eminem’s fans and Dr. Dre’s fans are all rooting for me.

DX: You’re coming off of a year where you experienced what almost every other artist did—you released an album that was received well by critics and fans, but didn’t sell what you expected. What did you take away from that?
YB: I learned that you can have a good record…not even just a good record; you could have a classic record, ‘cause that’s what I consider Buck the World and Straight Outta Cashville. Even though you may have this classic record, if everything isn’t in place, as far as the marketing, sometimes you won’t get as much as you planned on getting from a product. I learned about putting the business part in place. I recognize that I’m delivering hit records with everything I do, so I got a little more focused on the business side. Marketing is a key situation.

I don’t consider that album a loss at this point. Not by far. [Buck the World] is damn near gold, and my shows don’t stop. I’m booked up all this month, and I’m constantly moving and performing. I look at everything as a stepping stone to get off into the next project. As long as my fans understand that my music is good, then there are some things that I can’t control as a member of a crew. At the end of the day, my well-being at Interscope is [connected] with 50 Cent. His word is what counts when my solo record is in there, because I’m signed to 50. I’m signed to G-Unit, and I’m only as strong as 50 is when it comes to my solo projects and dealing with Interscope because I’m a part of a crew.

A lot of times people overlook it and I’m like, “Nigga I am still amongst a crew.” I guess it’s because I’m so much of my own man. That’s where Cashville Records comes in, because if I’m not getting the full cooperation from Interscope, at least I can…[laughs] If I’m gone lose on anything, I’d rather lose on my goddamn self, my nigga.

DX: As far as the handling of Buck the World, are you specifically referring to things like “Fuck The Police” being left off the album or “I Know You Want Me” being the lead single?
YB: Yeah, that shit right there, those things were out of my hands. Those were Jimmy Iovine’s decisions, and there were other people in power positions who made those decisions. When I say it’s out of my hands, the relationship of how the album gets marketed is established through 50 Cent dealing with Interscope. Very seldom am I a part of the meetings. I stay militant and loyal to 50 and his actions, and how he deals with Interscope. Continued on page 2 »