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.
Don't toych me
Busta Rhymes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ground Music, Flip Mode, Aftermath, here we go
Back with the most venomous rap
It be the godfather of the club banger let me hear you clap
You can applause and from the very beginnin'
You can give me a standin' ovation while I'm bangin' your face in
Watch me mangle and strangle this whole rap shit
(Come on)
You could see the way I make 'em mad sick
From down bottom the way I got 'em give me my cash quick
(Come on)
Log on you better grab onto somethin'
Because I'm 'bout to shake shit again and make 'em black bitch
(Come on)
Now you hear the shots ring off from bitches takin' everything off
Each other got 'em whylin' runnin' for cover
The King Kong, Big Foot gully with a scully
Bully of rap still ugly with the money runnin' the trap
Now they givin' me dap, as far as I'm concerned in this mu'fucker
Like how I got 'em now they ready to snap
So don't touch me nigga
(You might burn yourself)
Don't touch me nigga
(You might burn yourself)
It's gettin' hot in this bitch
(So throw the water on 'em)
We got 'em hot in this bitch
(So throw the water on 'em)
We got 'em hot in this bitch
(So throw the water on 'em)
We got 'em hot in this bitch
(So throw the water on 'em)
Here we go
Now you see the alcohol spillin' and we got 'em
Hands in the ceilin', you know we only come to rattle the bulidin'
And break it on down just a little once again
Knowin' we holdin' the bank so let me keep the dice rollin'
And keep it traditional the way I keep my money fallin'
While you slackin' on yo' mackin', Duke, we always keep it goin'
Right to the left, do it to death, now watch me
Come through with a chisel that make the game sizzle
And I, pull out the skillet, prepare for the cookin'
How I'm whylin' niggas wonderin' when I'm gonna bring the hook in
Thugs ice grillin' every time they get to lookin'
Got 'em whylin' overseas all the way back to go Brooklyn
Now they ready to spaz 'cause we bring the best to them
Shit that shut it down on the regular
That's with the fly 80s' nigga that was whippin' in a Cressida
Fresher than, most of these niggas, killin' the rest of the
Fellas that was thinkin' that they as rushin' in and bustin' in
But the way we was doin', we was musclin' their hustlin'
So don't touch me nigga
(You might burn yourself)
Don't touch me nigga
(You might burn yourself)
It's gettin' hot in this bitch
(So throw the water on 'em)
We got 'em hot in this bitch
(So throw the water on 'em)
We got 'em hot in this bitch
(So throw the water on 'em)
We got 'em hot in this bitch
(So throw the water on 'em)
Here we go
You don't really want it my dude
I'm sayin' most my niggas is rude
And when we come we eat a nigga food
Back to the fact in the matter at hand
For me to come in control this whole shit, was only part of the plan
The other part of the plan is for you to understand
That nothin' could fuck with the kid, let me say it again
The Broad Back be, Busta Bus back to put out the trash
And just for the record, we got it on smash, now
How the fuck they even got the audacity
The fire marshall come and try to talk about capacity
Every time I'm in the spot, I hope you know it has to be
Extremely packed to shut it down, you'll probably cause a tragedy
Don't you know that when I'm in the place I change the mood again
I be whylin' wit raunchy bitches and a bunch of hooligans
Now don't get it fucked up just because I flaunt it
Niggas think that they can test me, bring it if you really want it
See I be the type to always beat you to the punch faster
I keep a smile on my face, but carry the Bushmaster
So don't touch me nigga
(You might burn yourself)
Don't touch me nigga
(You might burn yourself)
It's gettin' hot in this bitch
(So throw the water on 'em)
We got 'em hot in this bitch
(So throw the water on 'em)
We got 'em hot in this bitch
(So throw the water on 'em)
We got 'em hot in this bitch
(So throw the water on 'em)
Keep it goin'
You already know I said it word to mother
Shit is so hot you niggas think it's cold in up the summer
Shh, calm the noise down let's get a little quiet
'Cause the neighbors call the police they know we cause riots
And they know that we'll have them thinkin' they dancin' with the devil
When they play the music turn the volume to the highest level
You got it right
Let's keep the bomb goin' like we lit a stick of dynamite
Bow you know you need to follow whenever you hear the God spit
(Aww shit)
You see me nigga back in the cockpit
Out to gettin' this money I give you all a stock tip
Perspire by a nigga till you see the sweat drop drip
So don't touch me nigga
(You might burn yourself)
Don't touch me nigga
(You might burn yourself)
It's gettin' hot in this bitch
(So throw the water on 'em)
We got 'em hot in this bitch
(So throw the water on 'em)
We got 'em hot in this bitch
(So throw the water on 'em)
We got 'em hot in this bitch
(So throw the water on 'em)
Here we go
In "Don't Touch Me," Busta Rhymes showcases his lyrical prowess and confidence as a seasoned rapper, warning listeners not to mess with him or risk getting burned. The opening lines of the song set the tone as a national security alert as Busta Rhymes teams up with Ground Music, Flip Mode, and Aftermath.
Busta Rhymes refers to himself as the "godfather of the club banger," who can make the crowd clap and give him a standing ovation while he's "banging" their faces in. He raps about his skills as he mangles and strangles the rap game with his banger called the cliffhanger.
In the chorus, he warns people not to touch him, or they might "burn" themselves, indicating that he is hot property and not to be messed with. Busta Rhymes goes on to boast about his worth and playfully highlights his status as a rap legend, who is still around and ugly, even after making his money. Overall, the song is a declaration of his power in the music industry and his determination to stay at the top of his game.
Line by Line Meaning
Back with the most venomous rap
I am returning with the most powerful and impactful style of rap
It be the godfather of the club banger let me hear you clap
I am the pioneer of club anthems and I want to hear your applause
You can applause and from the very beginnin'
You can show your appreciation and support me from the start
You can give me a standin' ovation while I'm bangin' your face in
You can give me a standing ovation while I deliver intense and powerful lyrics
With another banger I call it the cliffhanger
I am presenting another thrilling song that will leave you wanting more
Watch me mangle and strangle this whole rap shit
Witness me completely dominate and excel in the rap industry
You could see the way I make 'em mad sick
You can see how I make them extremely excited and enthusiastic
From down bottom the way I got 'em give me my cash quick
From the streets, I have them willingly giving me money without hesitation
Now you hear the shots ring off from bitches takin' everything off
Now you hear the sound of controversy as women challenge societal norms
Each other got 'em whylin' runnin' for cover
They have each other going crazy and seeking safety
The King Kong, Big Foot gully with a scully
I am an intimidating and powerful figure, dressed in a hooded hat
Bully of rap still ugly with the money runnin' the trap
I am the dominant force in rap, unattractive but successful through illegal activity
Now they givin' me dap, as far as I'm concerned in this mu'fucker
Now they are showing me respect and acknowledgment in this industry
Like how I got 'em now they ready to snap
They are amazed and eager to show their support
So don't touch me nigga
Don't try to challenge or confront me
(You might burn yourself)
(You might end up getting hurt in the process)
It's gettin' hot in this bitch
The atmosphere is becoming intense and heated
(So throw the water on 'em)
(Cool down the situation)
We got 'em hot in this bitch
We have caused excitement and intensity in this environment
Now you see the alcohol spillin' and we got 'em
Now you witness the chaos and excitement caused by excessive drinking
Hands in the ceilin', you know we only come to rattle the bulidin'
Everyone is raising their hands in excitement as we enter to create a lively atmosphere
And break it on down just a little once again
And we will once again break down the situation and entertain
Knowin' we holdin' the bank so let me keep the dice rollin'
Being aware that we have control of the situation and will continue to take risks
And keep it traditional the way I keep my money fallin'
And keep it consistent with the way I continue to accumulate wealth
While you slackin' on yo' mackin', Duke, we always keep it goin'
While you are lacking in your style and confidence, we always maintain momentum
Right to the left, do it to death, now watch me
With precision and intensity, watch me execute my craft
Come through with a chisel that make the game sizzle
I come through with a precise and skillful technique that enhances the excitement of the rap scene
And I, pull out the skillet, prepare for the cookin'
I display my talent and prepare for the intense competition in the rap industry
How I'm whylin' niggas wonderin' when I'm gonna bring the hook in
With my wild and unpredictable style, others are left wondering when I will introduce the catchy chorus
Thugs ice grillin' every time they get to lookin'
Tough individuals look at me with a cold and intimidating expression when they see me
Got 'em whylin' overseas all the way back to go Brooklyn
I have people going crazy for my music internationally, all the way back to my hometown of Brooklyn
Now they ready to spaz 'cause we bring the best to them
Now they are eager to go crazy because we bring them the highest quality of rap
Shit that shut it down on the regular
Impressive and powerful rap that consistently creates a disruptive and impactful presence
That's with the fly 80s' nigga that was whippin' in a Cressida
That's with the stylish individuals from the 80s who were driving a Toyota Cressida
Fresher than, most of these niggas, killin' the rest of the
More stylish and fashionable than the majority of other individuals, outshining them all
Fellas that was thinkin' that they as rushin' in and bustin' in
Men who thought they were entering and taking over the scene
But the way we was doin', we was musclin' their hustlin'
But the way we were performing, we were overpowering their attempts at success
You don't really want it my dude
You don't truly desire to challenge me, my friend
I'm sayin' most my niggas is rude
I'm saying that the majority of my associates are aggressive and disrespectful
And when we come we eat a nigga food
And when we arrive, we dominate and consume everything in our path
Back to the fact in the matter at hand
Returning to the important point in this situation
For me to come in control this whole shit, was only part of the plan
For me to take control of this entire situation was just one aspect of my overall plan
The other part of the plan is for you to understand
The second part of the plan is for you to comprehend
That nothin' could fuck with the kid, let me say it again
That nothing can compete with or disturb the young prodigy, let me reiterate
The Broad Back be, Busta Bus back to put out the trash
I, Busta Rhymes, as the dominant figure, have returned to eliminate the inferior competition
And just for the record, we got it on smash, now
And just to make it clear, we have complete control and domination, now
How the fuck they even got the audacity
How do they even have the nerve or boldness
The fire marshall come and try to talk about capacity
The fire marshal attempts to discuss the limit of people allowed in a venue
Every time I'm in the spot, I hope you know it has to be
Every time I am present, you should know that the place will be packed and energetic
Extremely packed to shut it down, you'll probably cause a tragedy
Excessively crowded to the point of causing chaos and potentially dangerous situations
Don't you know that when I'm in the place I change the mood again
Don't you know that my presence alters and intensifies the atmosphere once again
I be whylin' wit raunchy bitches and a bunch of hooligans
I engage in wild behavior with provocative women and a group of troublemakers
Now don't get it fucked up just because I flaunt it
Now don't misunderstand my actions just because I showcase my success and confidence
Niggas think that they can test me, bring it if you really want it
People mistakenly believe that they can challenge me, but they should bring it only if they truly desire confrontation
See I be the type to always beat you to the punch faster
I am the type of person to always anticipate and respond quicker than you
I keep a smile on my face, but carry the Bushmaster
I maintain a cheerful appearance, but always have a dangerous weapon ready
You already know I said it word to mother
You are already aware, I speak the truth and swear on my mother
Shit is so hot you niggas think it's cold in up the summer
My music is so intense and powerful that it feels like winter during the summer
Shh, calm the noise down let's get a little quiet
Quiet down and let's create a more peaceful and focused atmosphere
'Cause the neighbors call the police they know we cause riots
Because the neighbors are well-aware of our reputation for causing disturbances and uproar
And they know that we'll have them thinkin' they dancin' with the devil
And they know that we will make them feel like they are engaging with danger and chaos
When they play the music turn the volume to the highest level
When they play our music, they should increase the volume to the maximum
Let's keep the bomb goin' like we lit a stick of dynamite
Let's continue the explosive excitement like we have ignited a stick of dynamite
Bow you know you need to follow whenever you hear the God spit
Bow down and know that you must follow my lead whenever you hear my divine rap lyrics
(Aww shit)
(Expressing excitement and anticipation)
You see me nigga back in the cockpit
You witness my return to the top position in this industry
Out to gettin' this money I give you all a stock tip
I am determined to accumulate wealth and I am providing you with valuable advice
Perspire by a nigga till you see the sweat drop drip
You will witness me working hard until you see the sweat dropping from my body
So don't touch me nigga
So don't try to challenge or confront me
(You might burn yourself)
(You might end up getting hurt in the process)
It's gettin' hot in this bitch
The atmosphere is becoming intense and heated
(So throw the water on 'em)
(Cool down the situation)
We got 'em hot in this bitch
We have caused excitement and intensity in this environment
Here we go
Now, we are ready to proceed
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: PETE SMITH, ANDY MERRILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind