“I don’t think I am a victim, I’m more so effected by the modern age” says Jamall Bufford. This reflection comes in regards to his new joint titled “Victim Of A Modern Age” which was released this week. Probably better known as Buff1, the Mello Music Group artist from Ann Arbor, Michigan says he used his government name for this release because, “Jamall Bufford is about myself and examining my flaws. Trying my best to improve on them, and trying to improve some of my personal relationships.” In this regard, the album makes a beautiful swish \u2014 when using a basketball terms. With 14KT also on the production, Bufford explains tracks “Nineteen”, “EAT”, “Loser” and “Living Room Flo” from the album are ones that resonate with him right now. As “Nineteen” opens he says, “I thank God my mother raised me. I try to tell em every cliche the media feeds us about black men \u2014 diseases, deceased or illegal \u2014 from half way across the country it’s not easy to reach you. I apologize if I freeze when I’m speaking, that don’t mean I’m stupid, it means that I’m thinking.” He’s talking about his little brother here,”my little brother nineteen, he in the streets crazy thinking he grown”. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Floating above a sea of fame and drugs, women and material wealth, “Victim Of A Modern Age” get’s real. And though Bufford makes the distinction that Buff1 is more focussed on Hip Hop and the culture, Hip Hop is not forgotten on this joint; it’s just the vessel Bufford uses to get real with people. Later in the interview he admits, “I guess I am a victim. Haha!” It’s after I’ve asked him which piece of advice from his mother he feels was the best for him; he answers it’s when she told him not to cuss, and although he swears on this record, he maintains being told not to swear [when he was younger] forced him to find other ways of expressing himself. In the below interview with Grindin’ other complexities about this artist are revealed. I confuse him with a question about being misunderstood, however, he replies there is a freedom one feels once it is realised being misunderstood is all good.<\/p>\n

What head space were you in when beginning to put together “Victim Of A Modern Age”, inspiration wise?<\/strong>
\nI don’t really remember where I was mentally, I just always try my best not to repeat anything I’ve done in the last. I did a few of the songs about 3 years ago, “Oh My God, Forever”, “Silencers”, “Praylude”, “Nineteen” and the title track “Victim of a Modern Age”. I was semi influenced by the movie A Clockwork Orange & things I encountered working at this teen center, and just life experiences. Then I wasn’t too inspired for a while, just kinda living so I can experience more, then a flood kinda hit me and I did the rest of the songs between June & July of this year.<\/p>\n

Describe the process and chemistry\/energy in the room when you and KT are working together on a beat from scratch?<\/strong>
\nIt’s fun man, I wish we had time to do that more often. Even though I don’t know any technical music lingo at all and KT isn’t super technical we still manage to speak the same language, and we understand exactly what we’re trying to convey. I guess that’s what happens when you see, talk to, text or email someone 4-5 days outta the week for like 15 straight years. It’s either that or it’s just a connection from a higher power.<\/p>\n

With the interview you did with Kelly Frazier, you referred to your music as Indie Hip Hop. Can you define, from your point of view, what Indie Hip Hop is?<\/strong>
\nYea I think the definition of ‘indie hip hop’ varies based on who you ask. To me it has absolutely nothing to do with the sound of my\/your music, to me and in my opinion it means you’re either doing everything 100% on your own and\/or the money you discuss coming in or going out never reaches the millions or hundreds of thousands.<\/p>\n

What are the perks that come with being an independent artist?<\/strong>
\nFreedom. Freedom to express your art however you want. Still trying to sell records though, haha.<\/p>\n