In the Columbia hip-hop scene at the turn of the new millennium, you would have been hard-pressed to find a more energetic and talented emcee than Lyrikal Buddah. A towering and imposing figure at around 6 feet and 10 inches, Buddah was an explosive performer, and his thundering delivery commanded respect, gaining him a slot on the Metro Mics Tour in 2001. The tour included several Columbia underground acts, including 7 Moonz, Beat Junction Project and Crowded Mics, and provided proof that Columbia clubs could invest in hip-hop for live performances.

Buddah, whose sound is influenced by the likes of The Roots, KRS-One and Boot Camp Click, has a sound that’s reminiscent of rap’s glory days — the days before auto-tune and tight jeans when rappers were given props based on their ability to move a crowd.
 

Lyrikal Buddah

Around 2004, Buddah released his solo album, Inmetrospek, and joined up with local jazz-funk-hop ensemble DejaVoodoo with fellow Metro Mics emcee Alone during the group’s reign over Columbia’s nightlife. Great things seemed to be destined for Buddah and his career, but he eventually disappeared.
“A lot of stuff went down,” Buddah says. “I had a new son, got married and my father passed during that time. My son was born two months premature, but thankfully he’s doing well now. But musically, I wanted to take a break because we [DejaVoodoo] exhausted all of our options in Columbia. I wanted to regroup and work with new producers and new projects before coming back.”

Buddah also relocated to Atlanta after getting a new job last year but will be returning to the Metro just in time for this month’s Non-Stop Hip Hop Live! Beat Street Beat Battle. Buddah admits that even though it’s a hiatus to us, nothing’s changed for him.

“Even when I wasn’t performing, I’ve always been writing,” Buddah says. “I’ve been writing since I was ten years old, this is what I love to do.”

For old fans and fans to come, Buddah is working on a new EP entitled Speaks for Itself, with Villanova’s DJ Able One providing the production backdrops. There are no guest appearances and no other producers — just Buddah and some beats.

“Nobody’s featured on it; it’s just me doing what I do,” Buddah says. “My goal is to always put out a quality project and that’s what I’ve always tried to do.”

DJ Shekeese, a vital part of Columbia’s underground hip-hop scene, has been supplying Columbia with quality hip-hop productions and quality Non-Stop Hip-Hop Live! events for over a decade. The night that Buddah makes his return marks fourth annual Non-Stop Hip-Hop Live! Beat Street Battle; the night will include some of Columbia’s finest producers, pitting them against each other as they play their beats for one minute to a crowd. The crowd will decide the winner Showtime at the Apollo-style. Local hip-hop titan Fat Rat da Czar emcees the event.

Lyrikal performs without a hype-man and can hold down the fort with written songs or fervent freestyle. These gifts were something that Shekeese picked up on right away.
“What makes Lyrikal special is that he’s Lyrikal,” Shekeese says. “He’s not a reincarnation of anyone else. He’s a one of a kind, an original and it’s evident when you see and hear him.”

It’s fitting for Buddah to make his reemergence at New Brookland Tavern, as he has become something of a legend during its famous freestyle competitions. Always considered “that guy” who’s guaranteed to be in the finals, Buddah was a constant crowd favorite. It’s in this live setting where Buddah got his reputation, and though he’s been gone for a while, it doesn’t seem as if he’ll be stopping again anytime soon.

“When people ask if I ever want to give up, I say no,” Buddah says. “In the sense of trying to be commercially successful or going to a major, I’m not really trying for that anymore. But to keep doing hip-hop, I’m never gonna stop.”

No complaints from us.  

The New Brookland Tavern is located at 122 State St. in West Columbia. Doors open at 9 p.m.; admission is $5. Call 791-4413 or visit newbrooklandtavern.com for more information.