Former HOT 97 Host Buc Wild Dies at 47
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, September 11, 2026 | 1:31pm CT |
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 Timothy ''Buc Wild'' Joseph |
Timothy "Buc Wild" Joseph, the former HOT 97 New York personality best known as co-host of the "Star & Buc Wild" radio show, has died at age 47. His longtime friend and former co-host Star announced Joseph's death during a YouTube livestream on Wednesday. Star said Joseph died Sunday at the Pink Houses apartment complex in Brooklyn.
A cause of death has not been confirmed. During the livestream, Star mentioned fentanyl as a possible cause but emphasized that he did not have confirmation. "Timothy Joseph, aka Buc Wild, was loved," Star said. "He had a support system."
Joseph gained recognition as part of "Star & Buc Wild," where his chemistry with Star helped make the program a memorable part of New York hip-hop radio. Star described their decades-long relationship as "very unique" and recalled helping Joseph, who had dyslexia, improve his reading skills while the pair worked at HOT 97.
One of their recurring features, "Buc Wild's Lottery Numbers," grew out of those efforts. Star said the segment was intended to help Joseph become more confident and comfortable on the air.
Star also thanked former HOT 97 colleagues Tracy Claudy and Judy Ellis for their support of Joseph over the years and said he remained in contact with Joseph's family and friends.
"He was a likable guy," Star said, as he reflected on their years together both on and off the air.
