RYAN CHARLES INTERVIEW: In a music landscape often bound by tradition and strict genre lines, the arrival of ‘Cowboy Hip Hop’ marks a seismic shift. Its pioneer and defining voice is the self-described Jiggy Buckaroo, whose debut album of the same name is a fearless collision between the Western lifestyle and the infectious flow of 2000s Rap.
With singles like New Boot Goofin’ having already garnered nearly 100 million global career streams, this artist has proven that there is a massive appetite for a sound that is both twangy and undeniable. We caught up with the genre-bender to discuss his journey from the streets of Seattle back to his Wyoming roots, the guiding philosophy behind his unexpected collaborations, and what it truly means to be a “Buckaroo” who just lets ‘er buck in the studio.
Your debut album is titled ‘Jiggy Buckaroo’. What does the term “Jiggy Buckaroo” truly mean to you, and why was it the right title for your first full-length project?
It’s just describes my style of music to me! Jiggy is the style that I have and the way that I move and buckaroo is the cowboy that I am!
The album is described as being a collision of the cowboy lifestyle and the flow of 2000s Rap. How did you navigate the studio process to ensure that neither element overpowered the other, creating a cohesive sound rather than a simple mash-up?
I try to not overthink it to much I just get in there and let ‘er buck!
You’ve amassed nearly 100 million global career streams with singles like ‘New Boot Goofin’’ and ‘Gettin’ Western’. How did the success and fan reaction to those early viral tracks influence the material and direction you chose for the final tracklist of the debut album?
I think folks like it when I make those more fun songs that you can vibe to and they’re not to serious! I feel like i definitely captured that in a couple of these tunes on this album.
As a Western rapper, your music is defining a new Hip Hop landscape without genre lines. Do you feel a pressure or a sense of responsibility to pioneer this new sound, or does that freedom from genre make the creative process simpler?
I don’t really feel any pressure with it. It’s just who I am and it’s the type of music I like to make.
Jiggy Buckaroo features a strong line-up of collaborators, including Sierra Ferrell, Ian Munsick, and Struggle Jennings. What was the guiding philosophy behind these pairings? Were they chosen to push the Western element or to reinforce the Rap component?
These are just friends of mine that happen to be very talented musicians! I feel like a lot of artist now days just find any random artist they think will help their song have more success and I didn’t want to do it that way,
You’ve previously featured on Ian Munsick’s single ‘Cowboy Killer’. How did your creative dynamic on that track translate into your collaboration on your own album, and what did you learn from working with him?
Ian’s my brother from another mother! we are Wyoming boys, we grew up around the same lifestyles, so it’s easy making anything with him!
Your hometown of Buffalo, WY, was once called “the most lawless town in America.” Does that sense of rebellious, self-determined spirit from your roots inform the attitude you bring to a genre that often follows established norms?
Sure
Known for your light-hearted twang and high-energy live shows, how do you approach transitioning the studio recordings of songs like ‘Turquoise Stones’ and ‘Cold Beer Diet’ into a captivating performance for the stage?
You just gotta stay twangin and everything gonna work out!
You’re working on new music in Nashville, TN. How has moving to the home of Country music influenced your current sound or the way you think about songwriting and production?
It’s just been really awesome working with different artist and song writers from different place and hearing there stories, also learning the way they create and tell a story
Looking past the December 5th release of ‘Jiggy Buckaroo’, what does success look like for the ‘New Boot Goofin’’ hitmaker? Is there a particular venue you dream of selling out, or a personal goal you hope to realise with this project?
I would love to play the daddy of ‘em all!
Photos by Emma Kate Golden
