I didn’t know what “Buck Buck” was. I was often confused by rappist’s lyrics and the repetitive “Buck Buck” I’d hear floating amidst beats. I asked a friend, but he was unable to explain it. Rather than look it up on the internet–because we all know that’s a waste of time–I waited patiently.

Sure enough, I was talking with my Dad last night (he’s a South Philly native) and he mentioned “Buck Buck”.

I immediately interrupted him and made him explain “Buck Buck”.

It was a street game that kids in Philly (and other places) because children of the 50s, 60s and 70s led boring lives, bereft of video games and sugary energy drinks. Rather, these children would look forward to black and white reruns of Batman, soda fountains and games like marbles, “Half Ball,” “Dead Box” and “Buck Buck.” And running from the cops, which they did almost every day.

Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about Buck Buck.

Thanks to Fat Albert and the Cos, we got “Buck Buck” in the rap vernacular…

Where’s the Jell-O pudding pops!?