In the past three years Young Buck's position within rap's once heralded G-Unit crew has drastically changed.

By Joe La Puma

In the past three years Young Buck's position within rap's once heralded G-Unit crew has drastically changed. On the heels of his success alongside 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks on the G-Unit group effort, Beg For Mercy, Buck dropped the critically acclaimed Straight Outta Ca$hville, in August 2004. Now, amidst G-Unit's meek album sales, skeptics are beginning to question the clique's longevity and Buck Marley is faced with the daunting task of single handedly saving his crew. Complex's resident Thug Ethicist talks with Complex.com about his forthcoming sophomore album Buck The World, the alleged tussle with a DJ in an ATL nightclub, and embracing the title of "G-Unit's Savior." The pressure's on. Get `em Buck.

How does this album address the recent scrutiny of G-Unit?

Young Buck: It's a good problem, to see how powerful we are. Yayo sold like 700,000, which is past gold. Half the rap game has never even seen a gold plaque. That's where I come in. I'm the clean-up man-that's what I'm referred to by Jimmy Iovine. I'm one of the boys that gets people to go back into stores like Jay-Z did and hot cats like Young Jeezy, Trick Daddy, and 2Pac.

Hence the nickname, "G-Unit's savior."

Young Buck: G-Unit's savior, the fuckin' clean-up man, God's best friend-I'm all those. Some people may feel like the Unit went somewhere with the presence of album sales. Mobb Deep doesn't do what we really expected. Banks didn't have such a big first week as his first album. I just think we set our own standards high. We got a lot of flack, but a lot of people were unaware that hip-hop overall has taken a fall.

So how did you up the ante for your second album?

Young Buck: March 27th, I'm ‘bout to fuck the streets up one more time. I'm excited like a motherfucker. I worked with Hi-Tek, Justice League, Eminem, and Dr. Dre. It was only right to go fuck with the Doc. Jazze Pha produced my first single. Polow Da Don produced my second single, man he's really on fire right now.

Your first album had great guest spots. Who can people expect on Buck The World?

Young Buck: You're going to get records like, "4 Kings" featuring T.I., Young Jeezy, and Pimp C. I also got Snoop Dogg, Trick Daddy, Bun B, 8Ball & MJG. I combine them together so I can save room for my own solo records. Bro, I got Chester from Linkin Park! It's a real broad range.

This album has been long overdue.

Young Buck: The most difficult thing is being able to pick 20 records out of the 200 I completed. Once I realized they wouldn't let me name my album "Fuck The World" because it wouldn't sit too good on Walmart shelves, I came up with "Buck The World."

Do you have a lot to get off your chest?

Young Buck: Yeah, things I go through in life that fuel the fire. And I been going through a lot of different shit such as the Vibe Awards incident, this DJ shit. I make my music based around reality. The title is pretty much the purpose of the album-that same raw street shit that you got from Straight Outta Ca$hville. At the end of the day, I took it to another level-I've grown lyrically, there's bigger topics on it, and I gave the ladies a couple more records just to keep them wet a little longer.

Can you set the record straight about the incident where the DJ in Atlanta accused you of assault?

Young Buck: I'll damn sure kill it. There's no DJ out there that could tell you, "Buck physically put his hands on me." That's the truth. Or you can ask those 300-400 people that was in the club. Just ride with me partner. I'm a good dude. I'm God's best friend. I'm the one sittin' next to God at the gates when I tell God to let him in or close it on his motherfucking ass.

While we're at it, can you dispel the rumor about your YB chain getting snatched by the guys in that YouTube video?

Young Buck: Nigga ain't never took shit from me. That's fake than a motherfucker. That happened a while ago in Chicago with one of my artists D-Tay where he was out in Chicago recklessly, and a G-Unit spinner chain was taken from him. They brought that motherfucker back within a couple days. I pray to God nobody come and try to take my shit. I keep straps with me, legally. I'm shootin' like a motherfucker, bro. So I will legally bust yo ass.

Do you feel the same about hip-hop beef?

Young Buck: It ain't worth it. It's like wasting time and energy with the so-called situations we have now. You could be devoting that shit into making some money. I'm so indebted to these streets that I chose to fall back before I lose one of my homeboys. There ain't been no beef when I bumped into Styles P or when I rant into The Game's entourage while they were in the studio. If it's real, then it's all fighting when niggas see each other. If a nigga wanna have the nuts to say shit on a record, the nigga should have the nuts to buy himself a gun and shoot. So the best thing for them to do is get their money, leave the Unit alone, and leave 50 out they mouth. Let's just keep this shit beautiful because we dealt with it once before, with Big and Pac.

Of the many Southern rappers out there, you're one of the few with the most mass appeal. Why is that?

Young Buck: I make music for everybody. I was born and raised in the South but I've got a fan base that's pretty much international. You're going to get the West Coast feel because I'm swangin' and movin' through L.A. just as much as I am at home, plus I'm out running through the East Coast with 50. Honestly, I can't put no finger on my own goddamn style.

What's up with your reality show?

Young Buck: It's through MTV called Buck The World. It's dropping around the time of my album. I was raised in the streets, and I'm still here. It's just that I'm not able to affiliate myself with the life that I lived before. I ain't bullshitting. Stay focused. I'll show you what it's really about out here.

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