BuddieRoe is no Peter Pan.
While many dream of remaining forever young, BuddieRoe—born Darin Venters—has faced challenges that forced him to grow up fast. The Houston-based rapper and first artist signed to Educational Entertainment is “happily found” in his debut Curriculum Project (CP), “LOST & FOUND”, released Nov. 14, 2024. More than just an album, “LOST & FOUND” is an autobiography set to beat, with contributions from prominent Houston artists like Bun B and Lenora. Through rapid-fire verses and bullet train delivery, BuddieRoe brings his journey from the JV basketball courts of Briargate to the California coast, only to return home and redefine conscious hip-hop for the next generation.
For BuddieRoe, music isn’t just an outlet; it’s a legacy. Partnering with Educational Entertainment and Reading with a Rapper, Venters uses his music as a tool to “pass the torch” to youth, teaching literacy through verses that reflect the struggles and triumphs of real life.
“Let me use what I do have, which is the music,” Venters says, “to say something that could probably change them or make a type of music that is different than what they're used to.” With Educational Entertainment, his work weds music with education, sparking conversations and inspiring young people through both words and rhythm. This partnership also inspired the docuseries “Lost and Found: The Story of BuddieRoe,” which follows Venters from his early days in Briargate to his present role as a mentor, father, and community figure.
In the “Lost and Found” docuseries, releasing December 2024, viewers see the formative influence of Venters’ family, particularly his father, who as a basketball coach taught him discipline and perseverance. A childhood in Briargate, documented in the song “FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS,” was spent practicing drills and dreaming big. However, the journey wasn’t easy. In 2008, BuddieRoe nearly lost his oldest brother to gun violence, only to face more tragedy weeks later when a friend was killed. His brother was later shot again and eventually jailed.
“I didn’t know I was lost,” Venters reflects, describing the anger that became his only outlet. By 11, he had started recording his first songs, using music and poetry to express what he couldn’t put into words. Songs like “ALONE TIME” and “WHAT YOU DOING” capture these battles, showing how he transformed his anger into something meaningful.
His mother, Stephanie Venters, is unwavering in her belief in his success. “Nobody can tell me that he's not gonna win,” she says in the series. Family remains a strong foundation for BuddieRoe, with his wife Briana—also his manager—and their child motivating him to stay grounded and focused.
Venters credits his role as a husband and father with teaching him to live more intentionally, a sentiment echoed by Yobi Yobz, one of many local producers of the CP, who notes, “the things that he wants to do are more intentional than just rapping.” For BuddieRoe, it’s not just about making music; it’s about making an impact, and he knows his purpose is bigger than just himself.
Fast forward to 2023. BuddieRoe has come full circle, performing alongside industry legend Bun B at the NCAA Final Four—a milestone that symbolizes not only musical success but a deeper, personal achievement. His aim now is to bring youth closer to literacy and self-discovery through his music, sharing his story of being found to connect with young listeners who may feel the aimlessness he grew up with.
Jarren Small, co-founder of Educational Entertainment, highlights BuddieRoe’s vision, saying, “he’s using his music to give power back to the youth against the struggles they are going through inside.” Small intends for the CP to connect with listeners of all ages and backgrounds, building a bridge for anyone to cross.
For BuddieRoe, staying true to his roots and his community is essential. As he notes in the series, “nothing moves without the people,” and he stays loyal to those who have supported him along the way to his rise.
But BuddieRoe’s creative journey doesn’t start and end with music. Inspired by his desire to leave a lasting legacy, he’s already written a book for his son, with plans to expand into authorship. “Right now, I’m being called to write,” he says, committed to using his platform to guide and inspire.
With “LOST & FOUND” as a curriculum in resilience, strength and the power of language, BuddieRoe embraces growth as he continues his work with Reading with a Rapper and Educational Entertainment. His message is clear: you don’t have to stay lost to create something powerful. Dive into Lost & Found to experience BuddieRoe’s journey firsthand and join us in supporting the powerful legacy he’s building—one verse at a time.
- [cayla grace sims, rhyme & reason.]
“LOST & FOUND” was released on Nov. 14, 2024, and is now available on all music streaming platforms. “LOST & FOUND: The Story of BuddieRoe” will be released December 2024.
To discover more of BuddieRoe, visit him here.
To learn more about Educational Entertainment and the mission to educate, entertain, and evolve, visit here.
For more from [rhyme & reason] and Reading with a Rapper, find us here.
About rhyme & reason.
Rhyme & Reason is a dynamic blog and subsidiary of Educational Entertainment, dedicated to bridging the worlds of conscious hip-hop and literacy. Our mission is to empower youth by promoting reading, critical thinking, and creativity through the lens of hip-hop culture. By highlighting the literary depth of hip-hop lyrics and their sociocultural significance, we aim to inspire young readers to explore literature in new and engaging ways. Whether through thought-provoking blog posts, interactive social media content, or collaborative partnerships with artists and educators, [rhyme & reason] offers a space where music, literature, and social awareness come together to create lasting connections and foster a love for learning. Join us as we celebrate the power of words, beats, and storytelling in shaping the next generation of readers.
Comments