Derek G. & Buzby’s 'A Villain Error' Explores the Thin Line Between Heroes and Villains

Bermuda’s music scene has always been rich with talent, but few projects have felt as ambitious or as unflinchingly honest as Derek G. and Buzby’s new album A Villain Error. The multi-genre journey does not just entertain. It challenges listeners to sit with uncomfortable truths, to reconsider their own choices, and to explore the fragile line between good intentions and perceived villainy.

For Derek G., a producer, musician, and engineer with over 20 years of experience, this project is a natural extension of a lifetime dedicated to sound. His fingerprints are everywhere on the record, from the intricate production choices to the seamless layering of genres that could easily feel disjointed in less capable hands. Buzby, known locally as a “vibe dealer,” brings an emotional depth and lyrical sharpness that make the songs stick long after the beat fades. Together, the duo has created a body of work that is equal parts reflection, experimentation, and bold storytelling.

Sonically, A Villain Error is a kaleidoscope. Rap verses collide with the bounce of dancehall, while afrobeat rhythms slip into the smoky textures of R&B. Just as you start to settle into one groove, the project pivots. Acoustic guitars give way to dubstep intensity, or light punk tones bleed into boombap grit. It is daring but never reckless. Instead, the genre shifting mirrors the unpredictability of life itself: highs, lows, reconciliations, and misunderstandings, all woven together into one sonic tapestry.

Tracks like “Let Go” showcase Keiran Bradshaw’s stirring guitar work, adding a raw and organic texture that perfectly balances the more electronic-heavy cuts. “Do You Know?” calls on the talents of Derek Simmons Sr. and Leroy Francis, grounding the album with Bermuda’s own musical lineage. Features from Mr. Fotogenik, Matthew Bento, CHINYERE, Hippy X, and GHS expand the palette further, adding new textures without ever overshadowing Derek G. and Buzby’s central vision. The additional mixing and vocal production from Matthew Bento elevate the sound to industry-level polish while still keeping the heart of the project raw and unfiltered.

Lyrically, A Villain Error lives up to its name. Many tracks circle the theme of misunderstood motives. When does doing the “right” thing still make you look like the villain in someone else’s story? The duality is haunting, especially as Buzby’s introspective verses balance vulnerability with quiet defiance. There is a running tension between personal reflection and imagined narratives, blurring the line between reality and metaphor. That duality is the beating heart of the album and what makes it resonate beyond Bermuda’s borders.

Thematically, the record thrives on contrast. One moment, you are pulled into a heavy, bass-driven rap anthem brimming with energy. Next, you are immersed in a stripped-back acoustic track that feels almost confessional. The push and pull keep listeners on edge, mirroring the constant flux of life’s decisions and consequences.

Ultimately, A Villain Error is more than a showcase of genre versatility. It is a bold exploration of identity, intention, and perception. Derek G. and Buzby are not just documenting their own stories. They are holding up a mirror, asking us to see ourselves in the mistakes, the triumphs, and the blurred lines between them.

It is rare for an album to feel this layered yet this accessible. Whether you come for the dancehall grooves, the introspective lyricism, or the experimental production, you leave with something deeper. A reminder that in every story, the hero and villain may be two sides of the same coin.

A Villain Error blends rap, dancehall, afrobeat, acoustic, and more. How did you manage to balance so many genres while keeping the album cohesive? 

Bermuda is naturally a melting pot of cultures. We all grew up listening to Caribbean music here and American mainstream music as well. Bermuda, being a British colony, has British ties, so we hear alot of UK genres as well. As a producer, I have worked within these genres for over 20 years, so it was quite easy to blend them.

The concept of misunderstood intentions runs throughout the record. Was there a personal story or moment that sparked this theme? 

Derek G.: Between the two of us, we both have real-life stories and projections. It’s a theme we keep within the structure of our music. Storytelling and provoking thoughts are something we feel is integral in our music, individually and collectively. 

Buzby: It wasn’t necessarily sparked by just one story; it was something I kept running into over and over. Moments where I felt my intentions were pure but taken in the wrong way, or times when I misread someone else. Writing about it in different ways became a way to work through that frustration and figure out why being misunderstood cuts so deep. The more I explored it, the more I saw how universal it is. We’ve all been in that space, on both sides of it. That realisation turned the theme into the backbone of the album.

How did collaborating with Bermuda’s local talent, from CHINYERE to Hippy X, shape the album’s final sound?

We’ve worked with all the features before, so everyone was a great fit naturally. We didn’t want to have too many features as we wanted to keep the music as authentic as possible. Mr Fotogenik brought a cool and laid-back energy to ‘First Night’ by setting the tone with the hook. CHINYERE, Hippy X & GHS added different flavours to the songs they were on as well. Bento was involved on the production side as well, so he was the most involved on the project, assisting with sound design and background vocals.

Derek, having engineered for global icons, how did those experiences influence your production approach here?

Working with global icons is much different than working with homegrown independent talent, but my skill set and knowledge from working at a high level help bridge the gap. I try to incorporate techniques and workflows that established artists tend to use when creating to keep consistent, while at the same time meeting the artist halfway by bringing ideas to life. It helps with the growth of myself and everyone else involved.

Buzby, your lyrics often feel confessional. What do you want listeners to reflect on when they hear themselves in your words?

I feel as though it’s less about me telling my story and more about giving people a mirror for their own. If someone hears a line and it resonates, whether it comforts them or stings a little, I want them to fully lean into that feeling it gave them. My hope is that listeners realise they’re not alone, and maybe even see that vulnerability isn’t weakness but a kind of strength we all share.