190 - BUCKWILD: Fun Is Serious Business

 

All comments, questions, and general feedback can be sent to radiobsots@gmail.com.  Record a voice message and send it my way or leave one at the Speakpipe page!

Visit the BSOTS Linktree for all the podcast and social media platforms.

This episode's track list (title / artist / source / license):

1.  51st State, Eh? Rock Mix feat. Admiral Bob by J.Lang [ccMixter] (CC-BY 4.0) (2025)

2.  I Am Him by Jericho Jackson (Elzhi & Khrysis) [Nature Sounds] (CC-BY 3.0) (2025)

3.  Buried Alive by JP Reynolds [Bandcamp] (CC-BY 3.0) (2025)

4.  Move Around by SoSoon [Bandcamp] (2025)

5.  It's a Quarantine Thing (feat. Mega Ran) by Doctor Popular [Bandcamp] (CC-BY-NC-SA 3.0) (2020)

6.  The Democrats by Carsie Blanton [Bandcamp] (CC-BY-NC-SA 3.0) (2024) 

7.  Shenanigans feat. Conscious and Sum by Core Rhythm [Bandcamp] (2010)

8.  Texas Democracy Under Attack by Salanje [Jamendo] (CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0) (2025) 

9.  Staring At The Sun by The Dread [Free Music Archive]  (CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0) (2015) 

10. Relief Checks by Mikal Amin & Mista Mayday [Bandcamp] (2024)

11. What A World (feat. I Rebel) by Wiseman [ccMixter] (CC-BY-NC 4.0) (2024)

Sometimes when I need inspiration to tap into that "buckwild" energy for an upcoming episode, I'll return to a film that I have referenced on this show several times over the years:  God Bless America, released in 2011 and written/directed by Bobcat Goldthwait.  It's a dark comedy that's meant to be satirical, but I just watched it again and in 2025, it would be funnier if it didn't feel like a brutally honest reflection of present-day life in the USA.  It all feels upside down right now and unbearably cruel.  In one scene, Frank (the protagonist of the movie) asks his co-worker a question that I often ask myself:  "Why have a civilization anymore if we no longer are interested in being civilized?"  Whenever my mind gets stuck on that question, that usually means that it's time for BSOTS to get BUCKWILD.

I started recording this in November thinking that it would be finished and online during my birthday month, but to no avail.  Cold symptoms slowed me down midway through the month and its effect may be noticeable during my voice overs in the second half of the episode.  Strangely enough, I think that the cold gave me just the right amount of irritation that I needed during my final talk break in defense of podcasting for fun.  I'm probably one of the last podcasters that will admit to doing that, but I'm also a creative being who takes issue with referring to my work as "content," and I'll never make it in the industry with that attitude.

The "buckwild" episodes are always a great time to play some music with abrasive energy and irreverent personality.  "Shenanigans" feels like the lynchpin cut of the show.  Released at least 15 years ago, it's still potent in its lyricism and production.  Respect due to my brother Mtume Gant f/k/a Core Rhythm, who attacks the microphone on this joint alongside Conscious and Sum.  "Relief Checks" is that "barely making it" working class / working poor sentiment that I'm sure a lot of stateside residents can relate to right about now.  Much like Mtume, I've been representing for the music of Mikal Amin for as long as I've been producing this show.  Mikal and producer Mista Mayday share a friendship that goes back 30 years, and it's always great to hear these two still gettin' it in for the love of hip-hop.  The JP Reynolds joint hit me like a ton of bricks.  "Buried Alive" is the opening cut of his new E.P. REVIVAL: The Cutting Room Floor.  Due to the vulnerability captured in JP's voice as he spit these lyrics, I felt like he had eavesdropped on my emotions at the time that I heard it.  

If it's a dog eat dog world, then the Trump administration is all too ready to hand out stars-and-stripes-ridden milkbone boxer briefs to the majority of America's citizens.  I was able to find a few Creative Commons tunes that reflect the times.  "The Democrats" by Carsie Blanton sums up my thoughts leading up to the 2024 Presidential election while Salanje's "Texas Democracy Under Attack" drops the listener in the middle of a protest.  J. Lang's "51st State, Eh? (Rock Mix)" adds a little levity to the show, but it's also a bit sobering in retrospect.  Remember when Trump wanting Canada to be the 51st state was the craziest thing he said this year?  Way too much has happened since then.  And because we're only five years removed from the global standstill brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, I included "It's A Quarantine Thing" by Doctor Popular, featuring spot-on lyrical commentary from Mega Ran.  It's also worth mentioning that I grabbed an opening monologue from a previous "buckwild" episode released eight years ago and it feels like it could've been recorded yesterday.  Its subject matter is in perfect sync with the politically charged music selections featured within this episode.

I always look forward to the audio surprises that I stumble upon while on Bandcamp. Such is the case with Jericho Jackson, the collaborative efforts of Elzhi (emcee) and Khrysis (producer).  If you follow these artists, then you understand what a blessing it is to have even a handful of their songs in the Creative Commons canon.  "I Am Him" is a head nod essential.  Meanwhile, "Move Around" by SoSoon (a single from his recently released album Life Be Life'ing) is a boom bap ode to the NYC subway system.  The Dread's "Staring At The Sun" sits at the intersection of rock and hip-hop while Wiseman's "What A World" closes out the show leaning into the double time rhythms of drum and bass.  

It's a lot served up in just under a hour, but the "buckwild" episodes tend to move fast.  It's the occasional primal scream for the podcast feed that serves as a sonic middle finger to everything worth leaving behind in 2025 (but may still grab hold of our heels as we enter 2026).  Here goes nothin'...and I hope that you enjoy the ride.

P.S.  I mention a guest appearance on Mtume's podcast Within Our Gates within this episode, which is out now to listen to and enjoy!  Check the links below for access to our conversation...

Theme music produced by Cy Tru (featuring Jonny Sonic).  ID drops courtesy of Mr. Ivory Snow, Mega Ran, Anji Bee, and Mikal Amin.  Background music includes "Small Town USA (instrumental)" by Foul Mouth Jerk and "Plastic Rumblings" by Ezekiel Honig.

Other BSOTS episodes mentioned include:
Show no. 165 - BUCKWILD: Recovery Mode
Show no. 179 - In Conversation With Douglas Whitfield (pt. 1)
Show no. 180 - In Conversation With Douglas Whitfield (pt. 2)
Show no. 185 - BUCKWILD: The Changing Same

Other key info:
Macedonia on Mixcloud
Macedonia on Mastodon
Ryno The Bearded
Tha Bloc Report
The Bugcast
Within Our Gates: Beyond Blaxploitation - Discussing The Radical Outlier, Top Of The Heap w/Macedonia


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

185 - BUCKWILD: The Changing Same

All comments, questions, and general feedback can be sent to radiobsots@gmail.com.  Record a voice message and send it my way or leave one at the Speakpipe page!

Visit the BSOTS Linktree for all the podcast and social media platforms.

This episode's track list (title / artist / source / license):

1.  Kill Sound by Five Fingers Of Funk [Kill Rock Stars] (CC-BY-NC-ND) (2023)

2.  Covfefe's Groove by Tha Silent Partner [blocSonic] (CC-BY-NC-SA) (2019)

3.  Squishing Sniffy, Artists Busted! by The Bran Flakes [Free Music Archive] (CC-BY-NC) (2010)

4.  I AM BLACK HISTORY by Mega Ran [Bandcamp] (2024)

5.  Alien Abduction by DJ Ilya Monosov and the Hedonic Islands [Free Music Archive] (CC-BY-NC-SA) (2009)

6.  Pro Black Crack Dealers by Columbo Black [Bandcamp] (CC-BY-NC-ND) (2022)

7.  G.O.P. by Mikal Amin & Mista Mayday [Bandcamp] (2024)

8.  Classy by 85 [Bandcamp] (CC-BY-NC-SA) (2012)

9.  too much house by leumas [Lost Frog Prod.] (CC-BY-NC-SA) (2024)

10. Ebony Stoned by EllaMaeFlossie [iTunes] (2018)



August of 2024 marks 19 years of Both Sides Of The Surface.  Under the circumstances, it seems appropriate for the podcast to take some time to get "buckwild."  The essential nature of the "buckwild" experience hasn't changed since it was first introduced to Camp Lo-Fi on the show's third anniversary back in 2008.  It's a primal scream for the BSOTS feed whenever it's deemed necessary.  There are occasional outbursts from me, but I tend to let the music do the talking for me on these shows, which is often a mix of cuts for the party people and the politicially minded as well.

For those wondering about the title, The Changing Same is a term that's borrowed directly from the brilliant mind and pen of Amiri Baraka.  He wrote an essay in the late 1960s examining the ways that Black music changed as Black people changed, how we referenced and reinterpreted the old to make it new again:  "the changing same."  My use of that phrase for an episode title is far more simplistic and merely as a reminder that the more things change, the more they remain the same.  Personally speaking, the phrase brings to mind recent developments within the American political landscape over the last few months.

This episode was recorded between mid-June and late July.  Way too much happened within a stateside election year during that period.  While Tha Silent Partner's "Covfefe's Groove" references a nonsensical moment during Trump's term as President, Mikal Amin and Mista Mayday fire lyrical shots at the present day "G.O.P."  In the midst of half of America's hysteria over the very idea of 45 becoming 47, some humor is desperately needed and the "buckwild" experience has some light-hearted tunes on deck, from 85's slick yet silly "Classy" to Columbo's Black one-verse interrogation of "Pro Black Crack Dealers" to some sound collage silliness from The Bran Flakes.  DJ Ilya Monosov takes the experimental hip-hop route with "Alien Abduction," bringing along Dudley Perkins and Georgia Anne Muldrow along for the ride.  Five Fingers Of Funk deliver the live hip-hop vibes to the show on "Kill Sound" while Mega Ran delivers a memorable boom bap ode to Black pro wrestlers with "I AM BLACK HISTORY."  For the bright-colored, hands-in-the-air raver contribution to this episode, look no further than "too much house" by leumas.  And EllaMaeFlossie concludes the "buckwild" experience in grand style with the hard-as-nails womanifesto that is "Ebony Stoned."

Humanity is taxing.  Music is divine.  I simply hope that this episode can bring a smile to your face and maybe even a moment of laughter, no matter how brief.

Other BSOTS episodes referenced include:
Show #176 - BUCKWILD: learn from it...

Theme music by Cy Tru featuring Jonny Sonic.  ID drops from Anji Bee, Mega Ran, Mikal Amin, and Mr. Ivory Snow.

Background music:  "Small Town USA (Instrumental)" by Foul Mouth Jerk and "Plastic Rumblings" by Ezekiel Honig.

This work is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Radio BSOTS show # 176 - BUCKWILD: learn from it...

 

(above) Album cover for Oracles by Sir Tumes.

All comments, questions, and general feedback can be sent to radiobsots@gmail.com.  Record a voice message and send it my way or leave one at the Speakpipe page!

You can subscribe to Radio BSOTS via the following options:
RSS feed ||| Apple Podcasts ||| Spotify ||| Google Podcasts
Amazon Music ||| Stitcher ||| TuneIn ||| iHeartRadio

Connect with Camp Lo-Fi via social media: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

This episode's track list:

1.  Sir Tumes - Amiri
2.  Phresoul - Institutional Violence
3.  DJ Spooky - Check Your Math (CC BY 3.0)
4.  4TUNE - Ain't About That
5.  Big La Vs. Todd - Just Leaving This Here (Outro)
6.  J.Lang - The King Alford Plan (The Reality Remix) (CC BY 3.0)
7.  Rashad thaPoet x The BeatHead - Remain Awake (CC BY 3.0)
8.  V-RAM - Peripherie (CC BY 4.0)
9.  Talons' - Dead Elm (CC BY 3.0)
10. Rabbi Darkside x Isak Gaines - White Lies (CC BY 3.0)
11. A.Moss - NOBADMON (CC BY 4.0)

A few months ago, I came to the conclusion that I use my podcast feed like a pop-up shop, disappearing for indefinite periods of time until I have something to share with the public and then returning to the podosphere without so much as an alert or hardly an announcement.  Parts of my being remain 100% unapologetic about that.  For someone who's been podcasting since August of 2005 with the initial hopes that this show would reach as many listeners as possible, one would think that I wouldn't have such a disdain for online public interaction.  Then again, I can't remember the last time I've attended a podcasting conference.  Maybe it's a sign of getting older, maybe it's just a result of me doubling down on my hardcore introverted tendencies ever since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

Late in the month of June, I got this burst of inspiration and recorded some voiceovers, which sat untouched on a SD card for almost two months before I started editing them.  Seeing as how the month of August is an anniversary month for Radio BSOTS, I suppose it makes sense that the final push to get this episode out is happening now.  The songs featured on this one were released between 2013 and 2021, the majority of which came out in 2020.  Seeing as how America and the world is still in the midst of the aftereffects of that catastrophic year, that's probably not a coincidence, either.  A number of these selections reflect the racial strife that came to a head two summers ago along with a lyrically critical eye on Trump's presidential agenda (never mind the perpetual state of the  pandemic that we're still not out of, but a large section of humanity pretends isn't really a thing anymore).

So this is my summer offering from Camp Lo-Fi.  Eleven songs plus a 17 year-old blog entry equals 49 minutes of your time, served up in a BSOTS GONE (buck)WILD style.  (Admittedly, the music does the heavy lifting.)  Hopefully, you will consider it time well spent.  Thank you for listening.

ID drop courtesy of Kahlief Adams. Theme music by Cy Tru featuring Jonny Sonic. 

Background music:

MUTE - Eeekin Days (CC BY 4.0)
BADLUCK - Vanity (instrumental) (CC BY 4.0)

Other key info:
Macedonia on Mixcloud
BSOTS on Bondfire Radio
Rhythms In Black Satin
Chillcast Lovespirals Guest DJ Special Feature
BSOTS 173 - BUCKWILD:  how i spent my summer staycation...
BSOTS 175 - Does Music Belong In Podcasting?

Radio BSOTS show #173 - BUCKWILD: how i spent my summer staycation...

 

All comments, questions, and general feedback can be sent to radiobsots@gmail.com.  Feel free to record a voice message and send it my way or leave one at the Speakpipe page.

You can subscribe to Radio BSOTS via the following options:
RSS feed ||| Apple Podcasts ||| Spotify ||| Google Podcasts ||| Stitcher ||| TuneIn ||| iHeartRadio

Connect with Camp Lo-Fi via social media: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

This episode's track list:

1.  Big La Vs. Todd - The Broken Construct (Intro)
2.  G&D (Georgia Anne Muldrow & Declaime) - Slave Revolt Soundtrack
3.  Amerigo Gazaway - Indivisible (CC BY 3.0)
4.  Sir Tumes - Kill The Messenger
5.  Mikal Amin - COVID-16
6.  Phresoul - Trump-Pence
7.  KRTS - If This Was Your Child
8.  C-Doc - Ain't Gettin Enough / March On, Amerika / Hard To Here (CC BY 4.0)
9.  skewbs - catch me when i fall
10. Zengineers - The Veil (Time Pipelines Pt. I)
11. Rah Digga - Angela Davis (Produced by J-Pilot) (CC BY 4.0)
12. Tha Silent Partner - Thanks A Lot (CC BY 4.0)

The Summer of 2020 (which I have been referring to as The Summer That Wasn't) definitely put me through some changes.  Being reminded of just how little Black life matters while dealing with the global health pandemic took a mental and emotional toll on me that I couldn't ignore.  This episode represents my way of dealing with it while holding onto the joy that this world (and particularly this nation) tries to steal away and claim for itself.

This one feels like a return to form.  Since it's clear that the RIAA have become the music podcast feds in 2020, my renewed interest in Creative Commons-licensed music couldn't have come at a better time.  Along with a few CC cuts in hand, I'm also going to bat for the work of good friends of mine.  There's an energy in this episode that reminds me of the excitement that I had about podcasting back when I first started.  Considering how upside down everything in the world feels to me right now, there's something reassuring about that.

ID drops courtesy of Anji Bee and Kahlief Adams.  Background music includes the following:

MUTE - Eeekin Days (CC BY 4.0)
Rest You Sleeping Giant - Withering (CC BY 4.0)
BADLUCK - Vanity (instrumental) (CC BY 4.0)

Other key info:
Macedonia on Mixcloud
BSOTS on Bondfire Radio
Radio BSOTS show #150 - A Blackout Friday Blends Session
Radio BSOTS show #169 - two weeks off from humanity...
Heat Rocks EP142: Jason Randall Smith on The Art of Noise’s “In Visible Silence” (1986)
Heat Rocks Third Year Anniversary Special