Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhymes first distinguished himself during rap’s golden age through a halting delivery steeped in ragga rhythms and rhymes marked by intricate wordplay, bold creativity, and sharp wit. After gaining initial attention as a member of Leaders of the New School, he launched a solo career in 1996 with the breakout single “Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check.” Across the remainder of the 1990s and into the following decade, he consistently dominated the upper reaches of the charts; his seventh studio album, The Big Bang, entered at number one in 2006. In subsequent years he took on production duties, explored acting opportunities in film and television, and continued releasing music at intervals, issuing Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God in 2020, Blockbusta in 2023, and Dragon Season... The Awakening in 2025.

Trevor Smith Jr. entered the world in 1972 in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, where Jamaican roots would later inform his vocal approach. After relocating to Long Island in 1983, he connected at Uniondale High School with MCs Charlie Brown, Dinco D., and Cut Monitor Milo. Drawing inspiration from fellow Long Island acts Public Enemy and Eric B. & Rakim, the four formed Leaders of the New School and secured an Elektra Records contract while Busta was still seventeen. The group earned underground acclaim for its Afrocentric stance and vigorous lyricism, releasing Future Without a Past... in 1991 and T.I.M.E. in 1993 before disbanding the next year.

Stepping out independently, Busta contributed guest verses to A Tribe Called Quest’s “Scenario,” the remix of Craig Mack’s “Flava in Ya Ear” alongside Notorious B.I.G. and LL Cool J, and additional tracks with Boyz II Men, Mary J. Blige, and TLC. He also appeared in John Singleton’s 1995 film Higher Learning before signing a solo deal with Elektra. His debut album, The Coming, achieved strong sales after “Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check” reached the Top Ten and earned gold certification. The follow-up, When Disaster Strikes, arrived at number three in September 1997. Extinction Level Event came out a year later, Anarchy followed in mid-2000 while he starred in the Shaft remake, It Ain’t Safe No More surfaced in 2002, and the Aftermath project The Big Bang appeared in 2006. Disagreements with Interscope stalled further releases until Back on My B.S. arrived in 2009 as his first album for Universal/Motown.

Additional contractual complications postponed the next project for three years. In the interim Busta joined recordings by Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Tiësto, Diplo, Twista, Fat Joe, and Kanye West. He briefly aligned with Cash Money in 2011 before parting ways. Year of the Dragon, his ninth album, emerged as a free digital release in 2012 and included Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and Gucci Mane. A collaborative EP with Eminem and Everlast, Calm Down: The Clash, followed in 2014.

In 2016 Busta appeared on “My Shot” from the chart-topping Hamilton Mixtape and dropped the Return of the Dragon: The Abstract Went on Vacation mixtape, which showcased Fabolous, Jadakiss, Styles P, O.T. Genasis, Chance the Rapper, Mary J. Blige, Raekwon, MF Doom, and Leaders of the New School on the track “We Home.” The next year he released “Girlfriend” with Vybz Kartel and Tory Lanez, then issued the standalone single “Get It” featuring Missy Elliott and Kelly Rowland in 2018.

His tenth studio album, Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God, arrived in October 2020 with contributions from Vybz Kartel, Anderson .Paak, and others. He also joined Stylo G on “Outta Space” and Lion Babe on “Harder,” among additional tracks, and in 2022 unveiled “Slap” with Big Daddy Kane and Conway the Machine. Throughout 2023 he previewed material for Blockbusta, starting with the BIA collaboration “Beach Ball” and the Coi Leray-assisted “Luxury Life.” The full album appeared that November and incorporated further appearances by DaBaby, Kodak Black, Burna Boy, and additional guests. In January 2025 the EP Dragon Season... The Awakening surfaced, led by the single “Treasure & Gold” with YG Marley.