Comedian Kurt Metzger, a longtime figure in the Austin comedy scene with ties to Joe Rogan, is publicly defending Rogan following backlash over a recent Elephant Graveyard video.
According to sources, Metzger has floated a theory that Elephant Graveyard is connected to Canadian rapper Buck 65, whom he describes as a “state-funded” artist allegedly working against American podcasting figures like Rogan.
The comments originated on a segment tied to the Jimmy Dore Show, where Metzger said, “Oh, the guy that Canadian rapper that’s funded by the state.” He continued, “Because why would a Canadian give a crap about Joe Rogan or the Rogansphere, right? Doesn’t make any sense. But if you’re a CBC radio guy and a lame rapper named Buck 65, I did the research too on this. He’s a Buck 19 here in America due to the conversion rate.”
Metzger went on to allege a pattern of government-linked cultural influence, stating, “Canada’s afraid of populism, right-wing pop, you know, the Trudeau, that government, that’s the Carney administration, you know, the whole deal. So they’re paying for cultural, just like that Sweet Baby Inc that messes up video games that’s from Canada that gets paid by these company. He’s the same thing.”
He also criticized Buck 65’s work directly, saying, “If you ever thought that was good, you must be dumb as, cuz I can’t get through five minutes of it. It’s a guy that likes to do a lot of fancy editing and not get to the point because he’s a phony from Canada.”
Beyond the Buck 65 claims, Metzger has reacted publicly on Twitter to Elephant Graveyard’s announcement that it will no longer cover the Austin comedy scene.
In response, Metzger wrote, “No, come back. Is this because I made a silly joke about you being a state-funded Canadian rapper? Come on, buddy. We’re just having fun. No, we may have lost buddy.”
Metzger has also pointed to a Facebook post from Buck 65 in which the rapper reflected on past mistakes, writing about having done “a lot of bad things” and apologizing to people he had hurt.
Metzger characterized the post as an apology directed at Rogan’s audience, remarking that it was accepted “on behalf of Joe Rogan and Peter Thiel.”
Some commentators have noted a perceived similarity between Buck 65’s speaking voice and that of Elephant Graveyard, a comparison Metzger is not the first to raise. In archived audio, Buck 65 can be heard saying, “Yeah, in fact, throughout my life that’s been my main MO, that I just never wanted to be bored, so I was always making sure that I’m doing something, but usually two or three things on the go at any given time.”
The theory has continued to circulate online as Metzger maintains his position that Elephant Graveyard’s coverage of Rogan is tied to a coordinated, government-linked effort rather than independent commentary.
