By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Bubba Sparxxx’s music has taken him all over the world; a friend, teammate and future college football star somehow led him in that direction.

Life can be a long and winding road and, for Bubba Sparxxx, it’s been a trip that years ago began on a dirt road near the state line deep in west Georgia. From humble beginnings, the now 36-year old recording artist has traveled through fame and fortune, bright lights and big cities en route to a standout career in the entertainment industry. Sparxxx has released four studio albums, has had multiple tracks reach high on the charts and has collaborated with artists like Rodney Atkins, Limp Bizkit, Colt Ford, Justin Timberlake, Ying Yang Twins and Timbaland.

His music has taken him all over the world; a friend, teammate and future college football star somehow led him in that direction.

As a young man, Sparxxx, then Warren Mathis, moved roughly two hours east from LaGrange to Athens. He headed to “The Classic City” with an interest in performing and a strong bond with former Georgia and NFL offensive lineman Steve Herndon. Sparxxx, who played alongside Herndon at Troup High School, earned all-region honors his senior season as a tight end and linebacker for the Tigers. The future for Sparxxx took a turn for the better by, essentially, following Herndon to UGA.

“Steve, my best friend, got a scholarship to go to UGA. He goes up there, becomes an All-SEC guard, plays six years in the NFL. When he went up there, I ended up just going to hang out with him,” Sparxxx recalled on the Southern Pigskin Radio Network. “I fell in love with Athens, I moved up there.”

The switch was more than just a change of scenery for Sparxxx. A lifelong fan of another program in the Deep South, it was a dramatic change of heart.

“My dad, like a lot of southern men, grew up idolizing Bear Bryant. So as a child, I was a die-hard Alabama fan,” Sparxxx continued. “For a while, I liked to say I was just rooting for Steve when Georgia played. That I wasn’t really pulling for Georgia and was an Alabama fan. Then a couple of years into his career, I got to know a lot of the guys and, before you know it, I was a Georgia fan. As much as I see Alabama winning, I’m like ‘it would be nice to get back over there with the Tide’, I just can’t do it. I’m a Georgia Bulldog fan, I just can’t shake it for sure, die hard.”

Athens altered Sparxxx’s path in more ways than one. The aspiring performer was discovered while rapping after a Georgia football game. While Herndon was living out a dream, Sparxxx finally got his chance to do the same. The foundation was laid for a transition from that of being a local talent to a polished, professional act ready for the big stage. Sparxxx was introduced to talent throughout the greater Atlanta area and, later, fans all across the country.

His first album, “Dark Days, Bright Nights” was released in 2001, went gold, and peaked at 3rd on the U.S. charts. Many found his style refreshing and unique, a diverse blend of multiple perspectives. As he became more invested in his craft, Sparxxx was influenced by artists and cultures from all different backgrounds. That tone was portrayed, quite deliberately, through his music.

“I grew up on a farm about 65, 70 miles southwest of Atlanta. I did grow up all around country and southern rock, but as far as what touched me and spoke to me, it was hip-hop. I wanted to do hip-hop music, but I wanted to capture the essence of the lifestyle of where I came from,” Sparxxx nodded. “I didn’t think it was as far-fetched as a lot of people. I knew there were people riding in trucks where I was from and they had Kenny Chensey and Tim McGraw CDs sitting next to Tupac and Outkast. I just knew it wasn’t that preposterous of a notion.”

As he became a national star, Sparxxx, in the early 2000s, was presented with an opportunity both rare and fitting. ESPN, in search of theme music for their popular “College Gameday” broadcast, decided on Sparxxx’s hit “Back in the Mud” to open every Saturday show with lyrics redesigned to highlight that day’s slate of games. The show introduced Sparxxx to a new audience and elevated his profile even more. Per his own admission, however, the demands of the job ultimately took their toll.

“It was awesome. But what was crazy is during that time I was on tour with Blink 182 and it was such a struggle. I actually ended up resenting it,” Sparxxx remembered. “A lot of people vie for me on Twitter, still wanting me to do that. I love Big and Rich, I love Cowboy Troy, they are great guys. That song is terrible, period. My song was so much better and the time and effort and thought I put into it. It turned into a situation where I started to resent it because I was on the road and it was such a hassle to go and do it every week. There ended up being a bowl version I was supposed to do and I told them I couldn’t do it. That is basically what severed the relationship.”

The modified version of the song was branded with the worldwide sports leader from 2003 to 2004. Years later and potentially years wiser, Sparxxx regrets his decision.

“I slap myself because we see the phenomenon that college football has evolved into and College Gameday is such a big, big deal. I can’t blame the people at ESPN, it really just reached a point where I was coming unglued having to do the song each week because it was so much work. No hard feelings, but I still wish I was a part of that because I had a lot of fun doing it.”

Though no longer affiliated with Saturdays through his music, Sparxxx’s heart and soul remains tied to the red and black. He is a super fan of a team where his best friend once played. Sparxxx admits some disappointment over this season, but believes that going 10-2 and winning the SEC East for the Bulldogs is “doable”. He feels much of UGA’s future success could be tied to one key player getting back on the field healthy.

“Todd Gurley, beyond the type of ball player he is, I think he brings a unique energy to the mindset of the team. I think having him out there makes linemen block harder and makes guys want to wrap up more on defense. I think he has that type of an impact. I think it will be a great thing getting him back 100%,” Sparxxx noted.

This fall has been a busy one for the Georgia-native as Sparxxx has released his first album since 2006 with “Pain Management”. Sparxxx’s latest effort has guest appearances from Atkins, Danny Boone, Ford, Daniel Lee, Dirt Reynolds, Dan Rockett, The Lacs and 14NI. Sparxxx and Atkins, who has six number one country hits and currently picks games each week on SouthernPigskin.com, joined together on an anticipated hit entitled “Right”.

“He’s a Tennessee fan, that irks me a bit,” Sparxxx laughed of Atkins, “but other than that he is a great guy. Rodney is my boy.”

As Sparxxx jumps back into the musical spotlight, his footing remains the same. No matter where his path takes him, Sparxxx has boots still covered and crusted with red clay.

“As I always say, I belong to Georgia. Everything that I am, everything that I try to embody as a person and an artist — in some way, I can go back and attribute it to some aspect of being born and raised in Georgia. I just think there is something about the people here, period,” Sparxxx stated.

Even if it took a while for his rooting interests to take hold and even if the going sometimes gets tough, Sparxxx remains true to those he continually represents.

“When it comes to the Bulldogs and our sports teams, there is a certain pain we share. I hate to call it high-end mediocrity, but that is kind of what it is. The Braves, even though they do have one World Series, they should have a lot more. Last year with the Dawgs, last year with the Falcons. I think it has kind of shaped us here in the last few years,” he chuckled. “But I wouldn’t change it for anything. I’m definitely proud to be from here and I’m going to continue to ride or die with these teams no matter how it shakes out.”

With his career back in full swing, Sparxxx’s work can be found in the news and on the air. His heart can be found in other places: in the mud and between the hedges.