Ingrid: In what ways has your success provided you opportunities to give back to your local community and the world?

Buck: My success has allowed me to give a lot of homeboys around me jobs. I would rather pay my surroundings, people I trust, instead of somebody else. I’ve been able to donate an incredible amount of money around here. Through concerts, events and so much more, I’ve been able to give a lot of my time and money. A lot of it I wouldn’t have been able to do at this level without this. I am a firm believer that you must give in order to receive.

Ingrid: What does the release of your sophomore album “Buck the World” mean to you and what can your fans expect?

Buck: In the time between my album releases, I have made myself relevant. I have had a chance to reflect over my life. This album will show my growth as an artist and individual. For me, it’s about making the best music period. I understand where I am.

Ingrid: Your passion, determination and creativity as an artist are showing your brilliance as a business man. What do you want the world to experience next with you?

Buck: Probably how good I am with music. I am from the South, but my music caters to the world. I cater to everything and everyone from coast to coast. Once the world understands that, they will come to know I push “real life”, no matter where you’re from. For me, it is what it is. That’s me. The same as I’ve always been. I’m riding around the projects right now. Keepin’ it real. Just being me. I understand where I come from and it’s real.

Ingrid: Tell me something about Buck that the world wasn’t ready for until now?

Buck: The world didn’t know the longevity that comes with Buck. I am diverse musically, not one dimensional in talent. Outside of Nashville, they got to know that I am real with what I say. I had to reinvent myself as an artist. I’m growing. I think people are becoming aware that I lived this shit. I’m as real as they come. What makes me comfortable is that I make music and let God judge me. The money will come. I don’t let the money drive what I do. I’ve started my own label, clothing store and more. I’m starting my own to make this money long. I’m all around and about gettin’ it.

Ingrid: Today, what is your mission as a man first then an artist?

Buck: Being the best father possible to my four year old daughter. Her favorite saying is “G-Unit South”. She is at the age now where she’s starting to understand that that’s my daddy on TV and on the radio. I want her to grow and become aware of the things her daddy been through, but not live it. I want her to be aware of the hood, but not come up through all that’s in it. She doesn’t have to go through what I did. I’m doing what I do so she doesn’t have to go down the same path I did. As they say and I believe it, “knowing is half the battle.”

Ingrid: I read in a previous article where you talked about your mom, what you’ve been able to do for her since launching your first album and how she is in part a source of your drive, in addition to your daughter. How does your mom feel about your success and how have you matured because of it?

Buck: It is what it is. I still go through real shit. My life ain’t perfect, but it’s good. My mom don’t have to do what she use to. Life is about working period and I understand that. I have always wanted my mom to be able to choose to work. Basically do “it” the way she wants to. She can work a job and not have to take no shit off anybody. I ain’t playin’ with this. They’re givin’ me this legit’ shit and I’m going to work my muscle to make sure I get mine for a long time.

Ingrid: My career path has given me opportunities to inspire youth across the country. What is one thing you want young fans to know and/or understand, especially the youth?

Buck: P.U.S.H. Pray Until Something Happens. You have to have God in your life first. You need God period. Nobody will take care of you better than you. Put anything in man but trust. You have to study the art of whatever you are trying to do. If you want to rap, you have to study it. You must have knowledge of what you are doing to educate yourself and others around you. It’s a learning process. I live by and believe you must progress every day. Every day has to be progressive in some way, or that day is for shit. At the end of my day, I’ve got to know/see that I have done something to progress or improve. I use the same tactics I used in the streets, I hustle. When you die, it ain’t just about how you lived. It’s about what you leave behind when you die. It’s about leaving a legacy. Like Pac and Biggie, it’s about what you leave for the next generation and on and on and on. They were real examples of that for me.

Ingrid: How do you balance fame, being a father, the artist Young Buck and still find time to be and do you (David)?

Buck: I pray continuously. I’m God’s child. That’s how I do everything. I don’t wake up and do sit ups but my stomach is cut. I wake up and do me. God has allowed me to wake up everyday and do me. That’s blessing enough right there. I am about being myself, and I am enjoying every bit of it. Some times doin’ me gets me into trouble, but I feel like I am winning regardless…just because God wakes me up. I make my own laws in life, but I live by man’s law in the world.

Ingrid: You have blank sheet of paper to express yourself “free style”. What would you say to the world so we can feel the “real essence” of you?

Buck: Stay focused with me and with G-Unit as a company. Now I got the ball in my hand. Now I want to show people what I can do, coming from the world and still being in the world. I want to see how far I can grow. Just stay focused. I want people to grow with me.

My conversation with Buck allowed me to experience him in truth and bring it to reality for you. Have you ever met someone and you seem to naturally connect to their genuine nature? You can’t explain the connection. You just know “it is what it is.” Some call it connecting with a kindred spirit. I just know it’s like being someone’s cheerleader and giving them the loudest cheers to help them win in the game of life. That’s what it felt like after encountering and working with Buck on an annual charitable event in Nashville (Toys 4 Joy) for the past two years.