Buddy Biography

Buddy is an American rapper, singer, and dancer born Simmie Sims III on September 10, 1993. He began his performance career at age seven, starring in plays and musicals, including The Wiz, Oliver With a Twist, and Dreamgirls at Amazing Grace Conservatory. He attended a high school performing arts program in Long Beach, California, after his school became too expensive.Buddy started recording his own material as a teenager and gained recognition when TV music supervisor Scott Vener showed Pharrell Williams an early effort by the 15-year-old Buddy. Pharrell signed him to his I Am Other creative collective and record label. Buddy released his debut mixtape Idle Time in 2014, featuring collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Miley Cyrus, Freddie Gibbs, Robin Thicke, Sir Michael Rocks, and others.He continued to work with Pharrell and released several singles and collaborations with various artists, including Nipsey Hussle, BJ The Chicago Kid, Chance the Rapper, Wiz Khalifa, and ASAP Rocky. In 2016, he released the single "Shine" and the EP Magnolia, which featured Boogie, Wiz Khalifa, and Kent Jamz.Buddy's EP Ocean & Montana was released in 2017, produced by Kaytranada. His debut full-length album Harlan & Alondra was released in 2018 on Cool Lil Company/RCA Records. The album included the singles "Black" feat. ASAP Ferg, "Trouble on Central," "Hey Up There" feat. Ty Dolla Sign, and "Trippin'" feat. Khalid.In 2020, Buddy released a collaboration album with Kent Jamz titled Janktape Vol. 1. In 2022, he released his second full-length album Superghetto on Cool Lil Company/RCA Records. He later released a deluxe version of the album later that year.In March 2024, Buddy released his third studio album Don't Forget To Breathe via the independent Empire label. The album marks a new chapter in his career as an independent artist.