Roderick Anthony Burton II
November 25, 1987 – May 18, 2009
November 25, 1987 – May 18, 2009
It's easy for people to say, I think or thought about you everyday. I have been wanting to share my words, my tears, and my pain with people since I flew back home From Atlanta June 1, 2009. Every time I began to write & I was forced to stop. I wasn’t quite ready.
I want to speak for you, just to convey to the unknown ears about the young boy 'Bucklyte' that turned into a man known to all as 'Dolla'. From the Da Razkalz Cru singed to Elektra Records to Dolla signing to Konvict...the journey was amazing & rewarding.
Days after you were murdered, I sat on the plane crying & typing these words in my palm:
May 22, 2009
Dear Buck,
I'm on my way to your home going. It's Friday Juma, you will enter Paradise :)
Airtran seat 1F, I got caught texting TeMoney and instead of being booted off this flight, I powered down my 213 & decided to write you a letter that you should have been writing me 50 years from now.
Now even 30 minutes into my flight I have tossed back a few & used up all of my tissue.
I can admit I'm being selfish right now. I’m not ready to let you go…
He blessed me with you. Your smile, your calmness, your words of brother & sister. Your voice asking me to put your hair into a ponytail. Using my jam & good rubber bands.
Us playing basketball, me & Venessa breaking you & TeMoney’s ankles. To us celebrating at the Stinking Rose on La Cienega after signing your new recording deal, to us sneaking your under age tail in HOB's on Sunset for Snoop Dog's Party in July ’06.
My Buck, I love you so much and in my pre-cougar status I learned from u patience...My Buck, I'm selfish because I'm not ready for u 2 leave us. It was Allah's will & I will not question why, so in order for me 2 be unselfish you will always be My Buck...Your Dolla.
We only part...to meet again!
Love your oldest Sista from a different Umi & Mista!
O'neika
I want to speak for you, just to convey to the unknown ears about the young boy 'Bucklyte' that turned into a man known to all as 'Dolla'. From the Da Razkalz Cru singed to Elektra Records to Dolla signing to Konvict...the journey was amazing & rewarding.
Days after you were murdered, I sat on the plane crying & typing these words in my palm:
May 22, 2009
Dear Buck,
I'm on my way to your home going. It's Friday Juma, you will enter Paradise :)
Airtran seat 1F, I got caught texting TeMoney and instead of being booted off this flight, I powered down my 213 & decided to write you a letter that you should have been writing me 50 years from now.
Now even 30 minutes into my flight I have tossed back a few & used up all of my tissue.
I can admit I'm being selfish right now. I’m not ready to let you go…
He blessed me with you. Your smile, your calmness, your words of brother & sister. Your voice asking me to put your hair into a ponytail. Using my jam & good rubber bands.
Us playing basketball, me & Venessa breaking you & TeMoney’s ankles. To us celebrating at the Stinking Rose on La Cienega after signing your new recording deal, to us sneaking your under age tail in HOB's on Sunset for Snoop Dog's Party in July ’06.
My Buck, I love you so much and in my pre-cougar status I learned from u patience...My Buck, I'm selfish because I'm not ready for u 2 leave us. It was Allah's will & I will not question why, so in order for me 2 be unselfish you will always be My Buck...Your Dolla.
We only part...to meet again!
Love your oldest Sista from a different Umi & Mista!
O'neika
Atlanta, GA May 22, 2009
On several flights, family & friends from various cities arrived in Atlanta for Buck’s Janaza.
Hugs, tears, cameras and pictures from every direction, Buck’s music, young & old began to celebrate Buck until the wee hours of the morning. I spent the night at Buck’s Umi’s (mom) house. His umi tried her best to stay busy. Doing everything, for everyone. She was strong; With Alex (Step father) on her side, she remained focused and on point.
Atlanta, GA May 23, 2009
Around 8 am Dawnee (Buck’s Umi) made sure we were all up, showered, bathed, fed & dressed on time for the Janaza. Me & Papa Reveyoso (grandfather) talked about Chicago back in the day & listen to one of his favorite songs, after it replayed 3 times or so he asked me to take his cd out of the dvd player he wanted to make sure it didn’t get left behind in Atlanta or misplaced. Papa Reveyoso’s deep breaths & faint stares told me that he never imagined having to bury his 21 year old grandson. I can only imagine.
Family & Close friends dressed in white clothing, white scarves, kufi's & hijabs…Fighting the humid Georgia air, we all awaited outside in 2 single file lines about to walk inside the ‘Word of Faith Love Center’ in East Point, a Butterfly began to fly amongst us, touching foreheads, hats & arms. Anna ‘Anyeay West’ yelled to the Butterfly, “Go on now Buck” and we all began to laugh…Buck aka Dolla was in the line with us, making us smile & laugh as he always did.
Dolla was presented & Laid to rest like a Prince…After he was laid to rest, we went back to his Umi's house, to celebrate more of Dolla's life. Everyone was welcomed there with open arms, non family members such as supporters & fans. I chatted with Lil Zane's mother (Mrs. Copeland) & Akon's Mother (Mrs. Thiam) showing them pictures of my "KamZa", Along with TeMoney's mother (Mrs. Jackson), The moms made store runs to get more ice & food. It was an afternoon of Unity & Love. In the back of the house, Mrs. Thiam prayed for us all to have strength & forgiveness to the man that changed all of our lives May 18, 2009.
My Buck, known to most as The Rapper “Dolla” was my friend, my brother…His music & message never had a chance to reach the masses & you believe all of what you read; 60% of its false, often 3rd & 4th hand. Everyone speaks on the Potential “Dolla” had & that he was destined for Success.
It took 87 days to write this, I’m sure I have grammatical errors & I would love to share more pictures & footage, But out of respect for my loved one I will deny that access into more of my personal space at this time because I do not want his murder & life to be exploited negatively. Dolla was loved by fans as a young man who was humble, approachable, beautiful, charismatic, witty & talented. Buck or “Roddy” was loved by US because he was him, just the way Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful made him.
“Dolla Spoke Life”…
~ "O" The Touring Empress
Twitter - @SPProductions
you did dolla proud on this post sis sometime grief is misplaced as selfishness but he is in paradise now shining down on you and your fam eveyday thus far and eternally until u meet again RIP Dolla
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written my dear...
ReplyDeleteIt's always difficult to let go of ones that we hold dear and close to our hearts, and even more of a challenge to share our pain with others. But as you said, he is now in paradise... no better place to be.
Peace sis,
ItsAllLove
As difficult as it was for me to read this post (constantly choking back tears and wiping away the ones that escaped in order to continue reading), the purity of your love for the man most of us knew only as Dolla has shone through as an inspiration to me. It's immensely clear that he was a special person and it saddens me that this world will no longer enjoy his existence, however it's also abundantly clear that those of us who didn't have the chance to know this gifted spirit have yet another thing to look forward to in the afterlife. Hold on to your fond memories. They will sustain you until the two of you meet again.
ReplyDeleteThank you for going through the pain of writing this. Also, thank you for sharing your love and your spirituality. You're a very special person as well and I hope to have the opportunity to meet you face to face in the future. Until that day, know that I will always have your back and I already consider you my friend. May peace and love be with you always!
this was beautifully written, I almost couldn't finish, I can feel your love for him through your words.
ReplyDelete