20 Odd Years

Buck 65 has never been your run-of-the-mill rapper. A white dude from rural Canada, he's been making music since 1990, has dropped a flabbergasting amount of material, recorded for hyper-obscure indie labels as well as multinational conglomerates, changed up his style from album to album and track to track, and has still managed to cultivate and maintain a dedicated fanbase who purchase every project and flock to his shows. On 20 Odd Years, he picks selections from a recent set of four vinyl/digital EPs, laying his raspy flow and far-reaching subject matter over production that ranges from straight-up boom bap (the opener "Superstars Don't Love") to acoustic, folksy, almost New Age-y jams ("Paper Airplane" with Jenn Grant). Guest appearances come from Nick Thorburn, Gord Downie, John Southworth, Marie-Pierre Arthur, and Olivia Ruiz, adding more depth to his sometimes one-dimensional vocal style. If there's one theme here, it's his sheer unpredictability and willingness to always try something new. Don't miss "Zombie Delight" and "BCC."