Career
Harper was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to a Bermudian mother and he was raised in Bermuda. He studied audio engineering with Noah Zamudio at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida.[2] His name is based on slang for cannabis.
Buddz performed on Shaggy's 2007 studio album Intoxication on the track "Mad Mad World".
Self-titled album (2007)
On June 7, 2007, he released his debut self-titled album on Columbia and Sony BMG. It included his first single "Come Around" and second single "Blind To You". However, his greatest radio success was "Mamacita", which boasted sales of approximately 4 million copies thanks to this hit single.
Buddz is well known for his 2007 hit "Blind to You" and performing the song on stage with a guest from the audience who he calls on stage to sing the "Third Verse". One of his more memorable on-stage guests was a man he dubbed "Big Jerry," whom he brought on stage during Cali Roots X.[3]
After his debut album, Buddz launched his own record label, Harper Digital Entertainment.
Touring and EP's (2008–2015)
In 2008, he performed his song "S.O.S." on WWE The Music, Vol. 8 as the entrance theme for wrestler Kofi Kingston. He also appeared in a 2009 remix of Kid Cudi's single "Day 'n' Nite".
Buddz released his first EP, Playback on July 12, 2012. It featured eight tracks with different producers such as Baby Dee Beats, Green Lion, Homegrown Kush, Seani B, Star Kutt, Supa Dups, and TJ Records.
In 2013, he was a featured act with Rebelution, Matisyahu, and Zion Thompson of The Green on the Good Vibes Tour. Buddz' festival appearances include Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, Hot 97 Summer Jam, Reggae on the Rocks, California Roots Music and Arts Festival, UCLA JazzReggae, Seattle City Arts festival, Manifestivus, and the Marley Family's 9 Mile Music Festival, among others.
Buddz released his second EP, Blue Dreamz on September 4, 2015, which featured seven new tracks.
Good Life (2017) and Hybrid (2019)
He released his second studio LP album Good Life on May 19, 2017 via Harper Digital Entertainment.[4] It features guest appearances from Snoop Dogg, Jody Highroller (AKA Riff Raff), Kat Dahlia, Kreesha Turner, and P-Lo. The album peaked at #1 on the US Billboard Reggae Albums chart and #29 on the Independent Albums chart.
His third studio album Hybrid with 10-tracks, which released on May 24, 2019 via Harper Digital and Ineffable Records. The album topped the Billboard reggae albums chart, #70 on the Billboard 200 and #20 on the Independent Albums chart.[5] The album features special guests, B Young, Dizzy Wright, Johnny Cosmic, Russ, Stonebwoy and Tech N9ne.
Cali Roots Riddim albums
Buddz released his own Riddim album, Cali Roots Riddim 2020 on May 22, 2020. He produced all 22 tracks and worked with Stick Figure guitarist and reggae artist/producer Johnny Cosmic who mixed and also produced the tracks. The compilation made it to #7 on Billboard Reggae Albums chart. The album features one riddim or rhythm that includes the top reggae rock artists' performing their interpretation of it, including Collie Buddz himself. Some of the bands featured are Arise Roots, Bumpin Uglies, Common Kings, The Elovaters, The Expendables, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Iya Terra, The Movement, Ozomatli, Pepper, SOJA, and Yellowman, among others.
He released another riddim compilation, Cali Roots Riddim 2021 on May 28, 2021 with 27 tracks; once again mixed and additional produced by Johnny Cosmic. It features top reggae/rock bands such as Alborosie, Atmosphere, Ballyhoo!, The Expanders, Groundation, Iration, Josh Heinrichs, KBong, New Kingston, Passafire, Through The Roots, Tropidelic, and many more.
After taking a year off, Buddz continued his Cali Roots Riddim album in 2023. The 23-track album was released on June 30th and features reggae rock artists Anthony B, Busy Signal, The Expendables, Fiji, Iya Terra & Dub Inc., J Boog & The Green, Mike Love, Luciano, Mahali, SOJA, Little Stranger, The Movement, Shwayze, and more.
Take It Easy (2023)
It was announced on Collie Buddz social media pages that his fourth studio album titled, Take It Easy will be released on Ineffable Records on September 29, 2023.[6]
