In resistance to commercial gangsta rap, Buggs Tha Rocka performance of shrewd and cultured rhymes maintains golden-era techniques while carving a creative outlet for the succeeding hip-hop generation. Hailed by his peers as a “rapper’s rapper”, Buggs tha Rocka has reinforced underground hip-hop with his eccentric lyricism and versatile flows.

Born Speed Walton III on February 16th, Buggs was raised in a full house of family in Cincinnati, Ohio. He began rapping at age of 6, soon after purchasing his first rap album, “Life After Death” by Notorious B.I.G. Buggs’ earliest recordings told stories and demonstrated wordplay with a clever mix of hip hop and rock. Also drawing inspiration from artists such as Andre 3000, Q-Tip, Missy Elliott, Pharrell, and jay-z. Buggs enhanced his skills to exude a smart and stylish sensibility. He ultimately developed a niche for pairing eclectic samples with amusing and conscious rhyme schemes.

In 2009, he released his first mixtape titled, “Hip Hop Supa Hero” (hosted by DJ Mick Boogie). One year later, Buggs’ debut album Mutant Level 5 was met with rave reviews after releasing a promotional single “Get Away,” featuring Little Brother (2010). The album’s strong reverence of intelligent, balmy hip-hop also featured Freeway, Tanya Morgan, and SAS. In an effort to broaden his listening audience and perform looser subject matter, Buggs released the “Lost Luggage” mixtape with DJ Clockwork in 2011. His follow-up project titled, “Wrath of Zeus” (also hosted by DJ Clockwork), was sponsored byAllhiphop.com and livemixtapes.com and promoted with a sizzling performance at the 2012 SXSW Duck Down vs. Blacksmith showcase. In late 2012, he caught the attention of Talib Kweli, who invited him as a guest on “The Prisoner of Consciousness” tour. Buggs has also shared the stage with fellow hip-hop acts: Young Jeezy, Stalley, The Cool Kids, Method Man and Red Man, Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa, Fly Union, Wale, Little Brother, and Colin Munroe.

Always finding ways to expand his repertoire, Buggs helped formed a hip-hop fusion band in 2009 named Gold Shoes, in which he leads vocals. The band also consist of a guitarist, singer, bassist, synth and keyboardist, and drummer Tony Kuchma. Gold Shoes incorporates indie-rock, jazz, and electronic dance styles with Buggs’ rhapsodic lyrics and suave syncopations. The band released “The Gold Shoes LP” in April 2012, which yielded a Cincinnati Entertainment Award for best hip-hop album of the year From City Beat in 2013. Gold Shoes’ devoted fan base and Buggs proficiency in social media promoting landed them opening gigs for the likes of John Mayer, Wiz Khalifa, The Black Keys, Kings of Leon and Walk the Moon’s album release show.

Fresh off another Cincinnati Entertainment Award (2014) for Buggs solo success with “Wrath of Zeus” in 2013 w/ DJ Clockwork. Tha Rocka sets out to release a new album later this year. Buggs’ Scattered Thoughts promises to thrill listeners with masterful beats and game-changing revelations. With his brilliant lyrical techniques and appreciation for various styles of music, Buggs is adamant that his music will reach new heights in engaging and inspiring diverse music lovers like himself.

Discography

2009- “Hip Hop Supa Hero” hosted by Mick Boogie

2010- ML5 prelude & Mutant Level 5 (album)

2011-Lost Luggage hosted by DJ Clockwork

2012- Gold Shoes Album ( Buggs’s hip-hop fusion band “Gold Shoes”)

2012- The Wrath of Zeus hosted by Dj Clockwork

2013- Cincinnati Entertainment Award Hip Hop Artist of the year! (Gold Shoes)

2014- Cincinnati Entertainment Award Hip Hop Artist of the year!

2015- CINCINNATI ENTERTAINMENT AWARD ARTIST OF THE YEAR