Buddy Turns Compton Rap Into An Acting Breakthrough On “The Drop: A Snowfall Saga”

Buddy brought his Compton music journey to NABJ this month while also discussing how real industry battles brought him to the role of Artillery in “The Drop: A Snowfall Saga.”

Born Simmie Sims III, Buddy spent mam years establishing himself as a rapper and singer to the glee of fans. He then took a hard pivot into television acting. The Compton native began making music seriously in middle school and even signed with Pharrell Williams’ Star Trak Entertainment as a teenager.

His recording career later included multiple solo projects and collaborations with major West Coast artists. 

READ ALSO: Snowfall’s Gail Bean Takes Wanda From Crack-Era Survivor To Hip-Hop Power Player In “The Drop”

Now Buddy is channeling his expansive experiences into Artillery, a character within FX’s continuation of the “Snowfall” universe. “The Drop” follows beloved characters Wanda Bell and Leon Simmons through 1990s Los Angeles as West Coast Hip-Hop rises from the devastation left by the crack epidemic. 

The transition from rapper to screen actor is an intriguing transformation for the Compton native.

Buddy performed in plays and musicals as a child before concentrating on music so Artillery is not his first encounter with acting. The role marks a return after nearly two decades in the Hip-Hop space.

During the NABJ conversation, Buddy said his encounters with the music business gave him material that could not be learned from a script.

“I mean, I’m from Compton and I’ve been on a journey in the music industry and it’s rigged against the artist. So my personal journey of just like signing my IP away the labels, you know, approving budgets and just building up a tab that I got to pay for later,” he explained in front of a full house of journalists.

“It’s just a lot of ins and outs that a lot of people don’t see. But still being blessed by God and gifted with a talent to like make sonics that cut through to the masses and really touch the hearts of the people is been a beautiful thing to experience,” he said.”

His journey also had him working with the late Nipsey Hussle. Buddy appeared on “Status Symbol 3” from Hussle’s 2018 album Victory Lap and more within the Los Angeles music community. 

“Close proximity with people like the late great Nipsey Hussle. Rest in peace, it’s his birthday.”

Buddy said he carried those encounters into his portrayal of Artillery and felt an immediate command of the part.

“But, know taking all those experiences and really like implementing into the character and being able to bring Artillery to life. I don’t even know if they knew what they wanted until I walked in the audition room. Yeah.”

Acting has not replaced rapping for Buddy. It has opened another lane that will manifest as Artillery.

The Drop: A Snowfall Saga premieres on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m.