Born to parents Geraldine Green (1947) and Trevor George Smith Sr, and he has a younger brother, Paul Smith. His parents divorced when he 10 years old. Busta’s time during the year of 1983 was that of change, his parents got divorced and his way of thinking was altered, during that year he also changed his religious beliefs and re-named himself ‘Born Justice God Allah’ because of the supreme sorts of names that he now believed in and looked up to. He discovered hip hop music through listening to the Zulu Beats Radio Show, something influenced him from that show and three years later he would form a group. Busta also went to school in the United Kingdom, where he lived in Blackpool, Preston and Morecambe. Ended up graduating from George Westinghouse High School in downtown Brooklyn.
As a youngster he played basketball, football and soccer.
His Panamanian baby-sitter, Aunt Mitzi, made him listen to all the rap radio stations. So, He would sit there at 2 in the morning rapping when he was supposed to be sleeping. I just couldn't be too loud or Mitzi's poodle would start dancing around and barking. One night, the poodle barked and Mitzi took my radio away. So he said, "I don't need that radio. I'll write my own rap songs." Busta Rhymes later became part of a B-Boy crew with mainly latinos, a couple of white kids, and Busta, the only black one. When he was about 10 years old after he moved from Brooklyn to Long Island, where he became a member of the crew when it was a big contest happening which the leader of the crew, Johnny Juice watched. Busta just came up to him like, "Are you Johnny Juice?" and Johnny answered like "Yeah." and he said he wanted to be down with this crew. He started poppin' and Johnny said he was dope so he said "We're about to do this contest" and they wanted to put him down with them, but he didn't know the routines. But they put him down anyways and they lost the contest because they didn't know where to put him in the routine. The next contest they had was more of a battle, for the crown of best b-boys in Long Island and they had their crew there and they won. Busta destroyed these other guys, when he was poppin. Johnny Juice says "even if you listen to his rhymes now, you can tell by the way he rhymes and the way he moves around he's really dope on the popping shit".
Before his leap to stardom, Rhymes, was a rambunctious middle-class kid from Long Island who wrote "rap poetry" and dropped out of high school to pursue a music career. "I really thought he'd be a dancer," says his mother, Geraldine Green. "At family cookouts he would win all the dance contests. He was always a showman." He reminds his worst job: “I used to work as a stock boy at a department store called Cheap John’s,” he says. “I knew that I couldn’t really wrap my head around doing that kind of work. Even if your heart is not in something, your mind has to at least be able to be willing to do it. So, I took the job and I worked for about two weeks, and then I quit.” Why?
“They just had me doing too much. I had to line up the roach sprays on the shelves and make sure they were all in order, facing the same way, with the logos facing the front. The dishwashing liquids, the detergents, the boxes that they came in when they came from the actual shipping companies that they were manufactured at. After I lined them up on the shelves, I had to cut up the cardboard boxes, fold them up neatly and tie them up so that they could do the recycling thing with them. After a couple paper cuts too many, and hands that were calloused and ashy and bruised, I said ‘this is definitely not the thing for me to continue to be doing.’”
Busta adds, “I used that as inspiration to go into the studio all the time when I had a free moment. After work, during my lunch break, traveling back and forth to work … to just apply myself creatively, and the opportunity finally came one day when I was downtown.” At 17, Rhymes landed a six-figure record deal.
LONS signing with Elektra
His first name as a rapper was Chill-o-ski, but he thought it was a corny name, and Chuck D from Public Enemy gave him a new name, Busta Rhymes. He got the name from an american football player from the eighties, George "Buster" Rhymes, and people always asked him to "Bust-a-rhyme", so the choice was easy. In the end of the eighties he met Charlie Brown at Turtlehook Middle School and they formed Leaders of the New School with Dinco "The rhyme scientist" D and Milo In De Dance (aka The Cut Monitor). They were on Rush Management. They was signed to Elektra Records December 12th 1989. First Recorded Appearance: “Mt. Airy Groove” from the Rubaiyat compilation, Elektra 1990. A&R Dante Ross heard about Leaders of the New School from Hank Shocklee [Bomb Squad] and Chuck D [Public Enemy] and them.He says "I knew they were one of their burgeoning groups and I also knew they didn't have a record deal. I heard they were performing and I went to check them out. I had just got my A&R gig at Elektra. I went there, saw them perform, grabbed them right after the performance and told them they had a record deal if they wanted one. LONS released 2 albums, "A future without a past" in 1991, and "T.I.M.E." in 1993. In 1992 Busta's girl was pregnant, but the baby died right after he was born, and Busta had big personal problems after that, but he got great support from his group members. In 93 they where divided because of ego in the group.
A couple of other things that made him well known before his solo career was a couple of cameo performances, among them A Tribe Called Quest's remix of "Scenario" with Leaders Of The New School, and the "Flava in ya ear remix" with Craig Mack and Rampage.
It took Busta three years before he released an album for Elektra, in 1996 he released "The Coming" with the hits "Woo hah! Got you all in check" featuring Rampage and "It's a party" featuring Zhane. while recording his debut album, he left the studio to check on his new SUV. He'd recently purchased the Toyota Land Cruiser, a giant vehicle that gives the impression of driving on an elevated track, for $40,000. Rhymes took the elevator down and came out on Broadway, in lower Manhattan, at 11:30 p.m. His ride was gone. Furious, he marched back inside and closed the door in the recording booth. "There was nothing I could do at that point, so I just vented that angry energy into three songs," he says. Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check, one of the tracks he completed by morning, went on to become a street anthem and crossover hit, his first ever.
There was a short gap between the release of Busta’s first album and his second album, but it came sooner than people imagined it to. Busta was sceptical about bootleggers copying the new album so for reviewing purposes he only sent out album samplers. In 1997 he released his second album, "When Disaster Strikes", and after that, his popularity exploded. 1998 became a very good year for Busta, he started his own clothing line, BUSHI designs, and released his third album "Extinction Level Event (The final world front)" and Flipmode Squad's debut "The Imperial". Flipmode Squad at that point included Busta Rhymes, Rah Digga, Spliff Star, Rampage, Baby Sham & Lord Have Mercy.
1999 became a year with problems for Busta, he had to visit the courthouse a couple of times because of child support, and police stopped his car and found an unregistered gun. He lost the case about child support, and he got a 5 year probation for the other case. Now Elektra started to shut him down with less studio time and promotion for his next album. Busta didn't like that, and took his squad over to J Records in 2001 after his fourth release in 2000, "Anarchy".
J Records
His first album at J was "Genesis", with the hits "What it is" featuring Kelis, "Break ya neck" & "Pass the courvoiser part 2" featuring Pharrell and P. Diddy. Now he is CEO for Flipmode Records. In november 2002 he released his most fervent album so far, "It Ain't Safe No More" with the singles "Make it clap" featuring Spliff Star, and a remix of it featuring Spliff Star and Sean Paul. Other achievements in 2002 was the movie roles he had in "Halloween: Resurrection" and "Narc". In 2003 his SUV was shot up with 6 bullets while he was in the Violator offices, that happened just a month after a couple of people shot inside their offices. The collaboration with Mariah Carey & Flipmode Squad named "I know what you want" on "It ain't safe no more" became Busta's biggest hit so far.
Aftermath
In February 2004, Flipmode Squad joined Aftermath Records, New members was added to the squad: M. Dollars, Labba and former Blackstreet Chauncey Black joined them. In March he got a six month probation sentence after pleading no contest to a charge that he assaulted a woman during a concert in Fall River, Massachusetts, in December 2002.
In November 2005 the first official single off the album "Touch it" was released to radio. The video premiered in December. He is now the father of four children (born in 93, 99, 00 and 02). In February, while making the second video for "The Big Bang"- the "Touch it remix" ft. Mary J. Blige, Missy, Rah Digga, Lloyd Banks, Papoose and DMX, one of his bodyguards, Israel Ramirez, who recently started working security for Busta as his jewelry handler, was shot and killed shortly after midnight outside of the Kiss The Cactus Production studio in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, NY. According to eyewitnesses, the shooting was a result of an argument that began inside the studio and continued outside.
The Aftermath chief Dr. Dre said before the release of The Big Bang that ”All of sudden I’m hearing people in the streets talking about hos Busta’s back. In my mind, he never left, and that’s why I wanted to fuck with in the first place. He’s got that drive, and he never stops trying to top himself. Anybody who knows Busta knows that he’s always gonna come with heat." His third video from "The Big Bang" was released 10th May, "I love my bitch". The video features actress Gabrielle Union and the Black Eyed Peas' Will.i.am, who produced the song, but Kelis who is featured on the song, was not in the video. The single also features Kelis, but she's not featured in the video. Also changed is his appearance, as he has cut off his trademark dreadlocks as part of a personal renewal. "Eight years of court appearances later and I was awarded custody of my children," he explained. "My hair was remindful of the unnecessary rocks in my career and life. So it was time to shed the locks... I've got my career and family right." "The Big Bang" was released 13th June. The fourth video was released in July, "New York shit" and the fitth video came out in August, "In the ghetto". The album was certified Gold in that month too. This month he was also charged with an assault after the Amsterjam Music Festival on Randalls Island, and he was ticketed after police saw him talking on his mobile while driving past a Manhattan police station.
On January 3rd 2007 he turned himself in to police custody after he allegedly attacking someone on Boxing Day. Lt. John Grimpel said a man told police that Rhymes, had punched and kicked him repeatedly after an argument over money. On May 3rd was arrested on a drunk driving charge by police in New York City. Officers stopped Rhymes at about 12:40 a.m. because the sport utility vehicle he was driving had overly tinted windows, officers then smelled alcohol on the rapper's breath and he was subsequently arrested. was released on $7,500 bail, set by Judge Tanya Kennedy. After a 8th May court appearance, he was free to drive. Rhymes' lawyer said a judge ruled against a prosecution motion to suspend the rapper's license following the driving-while-intoxicated arrest. He also turned down a plea deal that day that would have sent him to jail for one year, the Manhattan district attorney's office said.
Bus appeared in a Super Bowl finale commercial for Pepsi Max Diet in February. Busta Rhymes pleaded guilty on 23rd January to assault, two driving infractions and weapons possession, avoiding a trial and the yearlong prison sentence recommended by prosecutors. But Judge Larry Stevens disagreed with prosecutors that Rhymes deserved time behind bars. Instead, he sentenced him to three years' probation and 10 days of community service for beating a fan who reportedly spat on his car in August 2006, and then assaulting his driver, Larry Hackett, that December. Rhymes was also fined $1,250 for driving with a suspended license in 2006 and driving while intoxicated in 2007. "I just want to say that I'm very grateful to the judge, I'm very grateful to the system. I believe in the system. It hasn't failed me personally yet," Rhymes, dressed in a crisp black pinstripe suit, said outside the courtroom.
"I'm just glad that all of this is finally behind me and I can go back to doing what I do best - making great music and great films and being a people person," he said.
His 8th solo album "Blessed" was set for a release in July 2008. First he called it "When Hell Freeze Over" then he changed it to "Back On My B.S.", a title Pharrell helped him come up with, last it was changed to "Blessed" in April 08. Rhymes was added to Projekt Revolution 2008 (summer tour), He was joining Linkin Park, Chris Cornell, The Bravery, and Ashes Divide on the main stage. After the first week of touring he had to leave the tour because of business matters; Late July he left Interscope, because they couldn't agree with Busta how to handle the final version of the album.
Motown
In September 08 he his new deal was announced, with Motown/Universal. He then re-titled his album to "Back On My B.S." The first single was released in October 2008, called "Arab Money" featuring Ron Browz. 2 remix videos with different guests were later releases in February 09. The second single, "Hustler's Anthem 09" was released in Febuary too. The third single's video "Respect My Conglomerate" was released in March. "Back On My B.S." was released May 19th 09, and entered the Billboard chart at #5, after a lot of delays; 1st July 08, 9th Dec. 08, 10th Feb. 09, 24th March 09). In June, the video for "If you don't know" was released. The video for "World Go Round" will be released soon.
Anarchy
Busta Rhymes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What this world is comin to, to, to
Can you see, see, see, see
What's in store for you, for you, you, you, you, you, you, you
[Verse 1]
Yo, right before I lay your soul to sleep
Witness the day of your wreckin and wit god on the street
We massacre the masses so therefore
Here's your, invitation to explore
The way we gather up niggas to thoroughly rep for
My street niggas, c'mon!
Stressed niggas, c'mon!
Hungry niggas, c'mon!
Yes, yes y'all, c'mon!
Hope my live motherfuckers pass the test y'all
Prepare for high retribution, and I hope God bless y'all (bless y'all)
Fuck shit up and watch the truth manifest y'all (fest y'all)
Feel it in your guts and the burnin in your chest y'all (chest y'all)
Pushin through just like a wild flood
With such a pain that's so intense it make y'all want to cry blood
My slang talk earned a scholarship, from how to style a chick
Influnce rulership and earn another dollar quick (quick)
You need to do the philosophical research
Fuck around and be the next to die you better leave first
Yo, my whole crew extra large, stay charged
Like polytheism havin belief in many gods
I gotta handful of niggas wit a sick disease
Die close to destructive anti-social tendencies
Yo, turn up the treble just a level
Analyze the science deeper than when Musa symbolized the devil
Now let me ask y'all
CHORUS
[you are now in the current state of Anarchy]
[Verse 2]
Ha, all hell break loose
Yo, we fight to the end and never call for a truce
y'all niggas better pick and choose and select the battles wisely
Always with the same approach and never once surprised me
Ha, however how clever
Niggas is fighting for mad cheddar
Yo, cold like the wind blow in the winter
Make you remember the torture like the frostbite that bit off your finger
This Means War, I said it before
Adrenaline rush, heart beat rapid, sweat wet up the floor
Try to threat and want to battle me nigga
I'ma show you the major differnce between a dream and reality nigga
Yo, then I continuously hype up a nation
Huddle wit my niggas plan for tomorrow go into isolation
And analyze how many niggas gon lose
Tryin to squeeze they foot up in a pair of great man shoes
And analyze how we was needed to live
Carry out my dooney give the most thanks and be appreciative
Pass this to all my seeds after me
Represent and fight to be that everything my seeds want me to be
The economy has been at it's best, to all my niggas hungry
Let's keep weavin and magical methods of makin money
So I'ma rep at my fullest, you can't spark me
And fight the hardest in the grim current state of Anarchy...
CHORUS
The song “Anarchy” by Busta Rhymes is a commentary on the current state of the world. The lyrics suggest that chaos and destruction are imminent, and the only way to survive is to fight and stay strong. The chorus emphasizes the uncertainty of the future, as Busta asks listeners if they can see what is in store for them. In the first verse, the rapper sets the stage for the violent reality he sees around him. He warns of a massacre of the masses and invites his crew of stressed, hungry, and oppressed people to fight back. Busta warns of high retribution and asks God to bless those who survive. The second verse continues this theme, with the rapper comparing the current state of the world to a warzone. He emphasizes the importance of picking battles wisely and never backing down in the face of adversity. He encourages listeners to plan for the future and teach their children to fight for what they believe in.
Line by Line Meaning
What this world is comin to, to, to
The state of the world is in chaos and disarray
Can you see, see, see, see
Are you able to understand and comprehend the chaos around us?
What's in store for you, for you, you, you, you, you, you, you
What fate awaits you in this unstable environment?
Yo, right before I lay your soul to sleep
I will cause harm or death to you before your final rest
Witness the day of your wreckin and wit god on the street
I will bring about destruction and chaos with the help of a higher power
Behold! What the fuck y'all niggas come around here for
What is the reason for your unwelcome presence?
We massacre the masses so therefore
We kill and harm large groups of people
Here's your, invitation to explore
I invite you to experience the violence and destruction
The way we gather up niggas to thoroughly rep for
The method in which we gather and represent for our group
My street niggas, c'mon!
My fellow members of the same neighborhood, let's go!
Stressed niggas, c'mon!
Those of us who are under pressure and anxiety, also come!
Hungry niggas, c'mon!
Those of us who are struggling for survival, come!
Yes, yes y'all, c'mon!
Everyone, let's go!
Hope my live motherfuckers pass the test y'all
I hope those who are alive can handle the challenges ahead
Prepare for high retribution, and I hope God bless y'all (bless y'all)
Be ready for the consequences and may a higher power protect you
Fuck shit up and watch the truth manifest y'all (fest y'all)
Cause chaos and destruction to see the reality of the situation
Feel it in your guts and the burnin in your chest y'all (chest y'all)
Experience the intense emotions of the situation
Pushin through just like a wild flood
Overcoming obstacles with great force and intensity
With such a pain that's so intense it make y'all want to cry blood
The extreme pain may cause physical symptoms such as tears of blood
My slang talk earned a scholarship, from how to style a chick
My use of street language and culture has been successful enough to earn me recognition and financial gain
Influnce rulership and earn another dollar quick (quick)
My influence can affect those in power and bring in more money quickly
You need to do the philosophical research
You should engage in deep thinking and reflection
Fuck around and be the next to die you better leave first
If you don't take caution, you may end up being the next victim and should leave the situation immediately
Yo, my whole crew extra large, stay charged
My entire group is large and energized
Like polytheism havin belief in many gods
We are powerful and have many members, like those who believe in multiple gods
I gotta handful of niggas wit a sick disease
I have a group of people who have destructive tendencies
Die close to destructive anti-social tendencies
The violent tendencies of my group may lead to their own demise
Yo, turn up the treble just a level
Increase the volume of the high-frequency sounds slightly
Analyze the science deeper than when Musa symbolized the devil
Examine the situation in more detail than the way Musa portrayed the devil
Ha, all hell break loose
Chaos and destruction are now present
Yo, we fight to the end and never call for a truce
We will fight until the end and never give up
y'all niggas better pick and choose and select the battles wisely
Choose your fights carefully
Always with the same approach and never once surprised me
You are predictable and never surprise me
However how clever
No matter how smart you are
Niggas is fighting for mad cheddar
People are fighting for money
Yo, cold like the wind blow in the winter
Our actions are heartless and cold
Make you remember the torture like the frostbite that bit off your finger
Cause you to remember the pain, like a frostbite that has taken off your finger
This Means War, I said it before
We are in a state of war and I have mentioned it before
Adrenaline rush, heart beat rapid, sweat wet up the floor
The intense situation floods the body with adrenaline, causing a rapid heart rate and sweating
Try to threat and want to battle me nigga
If you try to threaten or fight me
I'ma show you the major differnce between a dream and reality nigga
I will show you the significant difference between a fantasy and the harsh truth
Yo, then I continuously hype up a nation
I encourage and excite a group of people
Huddle wit my niggas plan for tomorrow go into isolation
I gather with my group and plan for the future, isolating ourselves from others
And analyze how many niggas gon lose
Examine how many people will experience a loss
Tryin to squeeze they foot up in a pair of great man shoes
Attempting to achieve something beyond their capabilities
And analyze how we was needed to live
Examine what we need to do in order to survive
Carry out my dooney give the most thanks and be appreciative
Follow my plan and show gratitude
Pass this to all my seeds after me
Pass on this knowledge to my offspring
Represent and fight to be that everything my seeds want me to be
Stand up and fight to become the person that my children aspire to be
The economy has been at it's best, to all my niggas hungry
The economy is thriving, but there are still those who are struggling
Let's keep weavin and magical methods of makin money
Continue to find creative and unconventional ways to make money
So I'ma rep at my fullest, you can't spark me
I will represent myself to the best of my abilities and cannot be stopped
And fight the hardest in the grim current state of Anarchy...
We will fight with all our might in this chaotic and grim environment
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BUSTA RHYMES, DOMINICK LAMB, DARRYLE SLOANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind