Full Beard Trilogy
The Full Beard Trilogy is a trio of albums set to release IN 3 years highlighting each stage one would go through in the process of growing a beard. From a smooth baby face to a thick scruffy beard Bu$h explores the desire to grow and the life lessons learned on the way through these albums. The idea behind this collection of releases sparked from conversations I’ve been having with my brothers for a while; about why it’s important to highlight what it means to grow into a man. Wasn’t long after these discussions I realized I needed to grow a beard, spend time with my family and write about it.
Peach fuzz
Considering the first step in desiring anything the visible eye can not see is faith, we’re starting the trilogy off with the concept of prayer. Peach Fuzz is the first installment of the trilogy and it serves as not only that initial desire to grow but a reclaiming of innocence that’s often taken away from black boys at a young age.
Prayer and a belief in God is something that my family held on to despite the hardships we faced growing up.
Peach Fuzz is the first phase before a young man travels into a world where he can blaze his own trail, take on responsibilities and be the master of his own destiny. You can’t always see the Peach Fuzz, but it’s there.
The Shape-Up
The second entry in the full beard trilogy took a bit of a turn after the passing of a friend and long-time collaborator Alonzo Rodgers. Alonzo, who is a fellow Good Guy Collective member and a huge inspiration to why the trilogy exists was shot and killed during the holiday season of 2021. I was on a trip in San Fransico searching for my long-lost brother “Eric Bush” who goes by the Alias “Paradise” when I learned about the circumstances surrounding Alonzo.
The Shape-Up is an album about grief, loss, depression, and the impact of addiction, and yet it still resonates with the promise of love, life, and hope. Creating it was a cathartic experience, and it’s written as a call to action to do the internal work required to unload the pressure that weighs so heavily on our hearts when going through the grieving process.
This album was written in honor of my blood brother Eric Bush (aka Paradise) and my brother in spirit Alonzo Rodgers. I hope The Shape-Up inspires healing and transformation in all who listen.