Buddy – Simmie Sims III (Album Review)

Buddy balances success and struggle throughout ‘Simmie Sims III.’

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TOP 5 SONGS

5. House Jam (Ft. FAUCET)

“House Jam” is easily the quirkiest track on this project. The track’s production is built around a bouncy, dance-ready foundation that feels tailor-made for quirky clubs that sell Zimas and random IPAs. By the way, I’ve gotten wasted in many of these venues.

Vocally, Buddy and FAUCET trade lines with a smooth, almost conversational chemistry. Lyrically, the focus stays on connection and momentum, capturing the energy of meeting someone in a lively setting and letting the night evolve from there (which means someone might be getting put through the mattress).

By the end, “House Jam” feels like a soundtrack to a night that wasn’t supposed to get that interesting but somehow did. BTW: I’ve gotten wasted plenty of times on these kinds of nights.

4. Round Me

“Round Me” is the exact kind of track that made me a fan of Buddy in the first place. It feels pure from start to finish, driven by production that carries a warm bounce and sunny energy that naturally lifts your mood. Over it, Buddy lets his heart bleed, delivering vocals with a passion that places him right between optimism and pessimism… that sweet middle ground.

Lyrically, he taps into something extremely relatable. He’s focused on keeping the nonsense far away, whether it’s messy relationships, shady people, or anyone trying to test him. It’s that “leave me alone with my Netflix and Uber Eats before I slap someone like Will did” energy, and I love it.

3. OTW (Ft. Kalan.FrFr)

Sometimes I forget Buddy is from LA. I stay feeling like he’s from Sudan or some s**t (Just kidding, Buddy). That said, “OTW” brings it right back home with that feel-good LA energy everyone taps into.

On the track, Buddy and Kalan.FrFr lock into a carefree vibe, talking about living their best lives, surrounded by money, women, and solid people. It’s one of those records that feels like cruising with the windows down, nothing but good energy in the air.

Buddy does his thing, delivering a vocal performance that feels loose and free, like he’s just letting the moment carry him. But honestly, Kalan.FrFr steals the spotlight. The underrated rapper delivers a burst of flavor on his verse, sounding smooth, confident, and completely in control of the vibe. All in all, this track is a hit.

2. NUNYA (Ft. Guapdad 4000)

You know damn well if Kendrick Lamar made this track, you’d be calling it a 6/5. This feels like something an older version of him would’ve cooked up.

“NUNYA” comes through with production so dark, even Khaman Malauch said “g*ddamn.” Buddy and Guapdad 4000 lean all the way into it, delivering gritty, antisocial performances that sound like they were recorded in hoodies and black Air Forces.

Lyrically, they’re in full unapologetic mode, talking like dudes who can go wherever they want, spend whatever they want, and aren’t afraid to get reckless if needed. As someone who aspires to be like this, I did nothing but applaud.

Guapdad 4000 is one of the most underrated rappers of all time. The way he slides on this s**t needs to be acknowledged.

1. Hopped Out (Ft. Huey Briss)

“Hopped Out” is harder than trying to identify the true meaning of snitching (Like, seriously, what did Gucci Mane do wrong?). On the track, we get demon versions of Buddy and Huey Briss, talking recklessly about treating floozies like rentals, blowing money on whatever they want, and not giving a damn about missed parlays. The beat knocks, while both artists surf over it like they’re just casually vibing through chaos.

SONG BY SONG RATING

1. Reasons (4/5)

2. NUNYA (5/5)

3. Round Me (4.5/5)

4. Don’t Rush (3.5/5)

5. Hell Nah (3.5/5)

6. OTW (Ft. Kalan.Frfr) (4.5/5)

7. Marmalade (Ft. Indigo Boys)(4/5)

8. Still Young (4/5)

9. Pray For A Blessing (Ft. Jay Rock) (3.5/5)

10. Hopped Out (Ft. Huey Briss) (5/5)

11. Ass Match The Legs (Ft. CUZZO & KEY!) (2.5/5)

12. House Jam (Ft. FAUCET) (4.5/5)

13. Bittersweet (Ft. Kent Jamz) (4/5)

14. Nothin In Me (4/5)

RGM RATING

(81%)

Buddy has always been one of those artists who moves to his own rhythm. While plenty of musicians chase trends or viral moments, he leans into authenticity, crafting music that feels organic and lived-in. On Simmie Sims III, that commitment to being real is on full display, and it’s exactly what makes the album hit the way it does.

Throughout Simmie Sims III, Buddy keeps one foot in celebration and the other in reality. Every victory lap comes with reflection on the grind that made it possible. When he dives into his relationships, whether it’s with women or his day ones, he doesn’t sugarcoat things; he highlights the misalignment just as much as the good moments. His street-centered stories carry that same duality, balancing grit with vulnerability in a way that feels honest. That constant tension is what keeps the album grounded and relatable.

One of the biggest highlights of Simmie Sims III is Buddy’s versatility as a vocalist. Even though his tone can come off a bit detached at times, he finds ways to expand it in impressive fashion. None of his melodies feel recycled; each one sounds deliberate and has its own identity. Lowkey, his singing stands out as one of the project’s strongest qualities, packed with real emotion and moments where he hits notes that genuinely catch you off guard. As for his rapping, Buddy keeps things straightforward. His gritty, punchy delivery doesn’t change much, and while it may not be the most dynamic, it gets the job done.

The production also deserves credit. The album moves fluidly between bouncy tracks, experimentation, reflective cuts, genre-blending moments, and harder, street-inspired records. It never feels stuck in one place.

All in all, Simmie Sims III is Buddy doing what he does best: being himself, unapologetically.

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