Buck 22 - Achy Breaky 2 (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus)
When Larry King opens your music video with breaking news about a UFO “transcending over Europe,” you know it’s gonna be, well, something. A rapper named Buck 22 enlisted the CNN alum to appear in a mind-boggling update of Billy Ray Cyrus’ early-’90s classic “Achy Breaky Heart.” Titled “Achy Breaky 2,” the video takes place on a space ship inhabited by a race of naked, twerking female aliens who pick up Buck and Cyrus for a joy ride.
Buck 22, who says he’s leading a “new revolution of Country Music mixed with Hip-Hop,” is actually veteran music producer Damon Elliott, the son of Dionne Warwick and jazz drummer Bill Elliott. In the past, Elliott has worked with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Destiny’s Child, Keyshia Cole and P!nk, among others.
The new version of “Achy” does indeed mix the rap and country genres, with Buck delivering relaxed verses about drinking and being happy, and frequent choruses featuring a very-Outlaw-looking Cyrus and his pleas to not break his “achy breaky heart.”
Cyrus’ original version, written by Don Von Tress, reached No. 4 on the Hot 100 in 1992 and remains the singer’s signature song.
In a day’s time, the video has over half a million views on YouTube, though not all the reception has been positive. “Looks like a couple rich assholes got together and made a bullshit music video,” writes a user named Green Oaks. “This obviously isn’t serious, but holy shit. What a terrible joke.” The Like/Dislike buttons give a clear indication of how people feel about it:
All parties involved greeted the video’s release on Twitter, though Cyrus’ daughter Miley has yet to chime in.
Two decades later “Achy Breaky Heart” has a new #hiphop spin to it thanks to my friend @billyraycyrus & @buck22music http://t.co/xjxrOeB4td
— Larry King (@kingsthings) February 11, 2014
Sweet Mother Of Mary ……….I can’t believe this is happening !!!!!!!! http://t.co/LY7ZsyASSD
— Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus) February 11, 2014
Abduction time!! RT @billyraycyrus: @buck22music Are you ready ? http://t.co/xpkC8arzws
— Buck22 Music (@Buck22Music) February 11, 2014