Buddy (rapper)

Simmie Sims III (born September 10, 1993), known professionally as Buddy, is an American rapper, singer, dancer and actor. Previously sign with I Am Other and Columbia Records, he then moved to RCA Records. He is also a member of the hip-hop supergroup Zoink Gang, with JID, Smino and Guapdad 4000.

Early life

Introduced to gospel and soul by his father, a preacher and choir director, Buddy began his performance career at age seven by starring in plays and musicals including ''The Wiz'', ''Oliver with a Twist'', and ''Dreamgirls'' at Amazing Grace Conservatory. "I grew up as a full-fledged entertainer rather than just somebody trying to rap about stuff," he has said about that experience. When the school became too expensive, he withdrew, later attending a high school performing arts program in Long Beach, California.

Career

2009–2015: Career beginnings and signing to I Am Other

As a teenager, Buddy began recording his own material. In 2009, he got a break when TV music supervisor Scott Vener showed Pharrell Williams an early effort by the 15-year-old Buddy. Impressed, Pharrell began to work with the teenager, and signed him to his I Am Other creative collective and record label. When Buddy was 18, he released the song "Awesome Awesome", produced by The Neptunes and Pharrell made an appearance in the video.

On March 28, 2012, he released the single "Staircases" produced by Pharrell and featuring Kendrick Lamar.

In 2014, continuing to work with Pharrell, Buddy released his debut mixtape, ''Idle Time'', which featured Kendrick Lamar, Miley Cyrus, Freddie Gibbs, Robin Thicke, Sir Michael Rocks, and others, with production from Pharrell Williams, Chuck Inglish, Boi-1da, Cardo, Blaq, and Polyester, among others.

He then embarked on a series of collaborations with various artists, including Nipsey Hussle, BJ The Chicago Kid, Chance the Rapper, Wiz Khalifa, and ASAP Rocky.

2016–17: ''Ocean & Montana'' and ''Magnolia''

In November 2016, Buddy released "Shine", produced by Mike & Keys along with DJ Khalil. It was premiered by hip-hop and R&B tastemaker Carl Chery, along with a music video directed by Andy Hines and featuring a cameo from Nipsey Hussle. The song garnered over 2.7 million streams on Spotify, 12 million on Apple Music, and over 2 million views on YouTube. Buddy described the single as "a ghetto hymn acknowledging inevitable death while showing gratitude for abundant life." On August 17, he released his second EP, ''Magnolia'', which included features from Boogie, Wiz Khalifa, and Kent Jamz.

Buddy's EP ''Ocean & Montana'', produced by Kaytranada, was released May 19, 2017, by Cool Lil Company, and features the single "Find Me". The EP's title refers to the intersection in Santa Monica where he lived, sought inspiration, and began collaborating with Kaytranada after leaving his parents' home.

2018–2021: ''Harlan & Alondra''

Buddy released his debut full-length album, '' Harlan & Alondra'', through Cool Lil Company and RCA Records on July 20, 2018. It includes the singles "Black" featuring ASAP Ferg, "Trouble on Central", "Hey Up There" featuring Ty Dolla Sign, and "Trippin'" featuring Khalid. He stated that his aim was "to paint a well-rounded portrait of my home city", Los Angeles.

In spring 2018, Buddy joined Joey Badass on the Amerikkkana Tour. His summer 2018 tour with A$AP Ferg included performances at Chicago's Lollapalooza festival.

On April 17, 2020, he released a collaboration album with Kent Jamz, titled ''Janktape Vol. 1''.

2022–present: ''Superghetto'', ''Don't Forget To Breathe'', and acting

Buddy released his second full-length album, '' Superghetto'', on March 25, 2022. He released a deluxe version of the album later that year. During an interview on Apple Music 1, he stated the album was "about the essence fgrowing up in the hood". '' Mic'' described the album as "a record that uses its brevity to keep the listener on their heels, that successfully manages to feel as if it's constantly molting and evolving until it cuts off".

On March 28, 2024, Buddy released his third studio album, '' Don't Forget to Breathe'', via the independent Empire Distribution label. ''Uproxx'' noted his decision to leave RCA and release the album independently, highlighting a few lines from the album's opening track "Free My Mind" that follows: "I was super ghetto at first / Redefined myself, left the label, bettered my worth / I could sign myself".

On 28 March 2025, he was featured on fellow West Coast rapper YG's song "2004", along with the Gang.

On 3 June 2025, Buddy was announced as part of the cast of the upcoming spin-off television series for ''Snowfall'' (2017–2023), set to make his acting debut.https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/snowfall-spinoff-pilot-cast-asante-blackk-peyton-alex-smith-1236417207/

Discography

Albums

Collaboration albums

Extended plays

Mixtapes

Singles

As featured artist

Guest appearances

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Buddy
1993 births
Living people
African-American male rappers
21st-century American male rappers
Rappers from Compton, California
Rappers from Los Angeles
West Coast hip-hop musicians
21st-century American rappers
21st-century American male musicians
21st-century African-American musicians