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.
For The Nasty
Busta Rhymes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me tell you a story, yes
About a boy from the Tribe Called Quest
I be that nigga that I think ya'll know
With Mr busta Rhymes, a yo, I'm in the studio
Go move show me what ya'll know
Go move show me what ya'll know
Go move show me what ya'll know
Close the door, iight, let a nigga rock
'Cause we 'bout to eat real shit
Not shit slop
Nigga can't say shit about this Hip-Hop
'Cause I build dudes lanes while at pit stop
Built they styles and
They names, Frankenstein, right
It's a high state game, dudes are playing it
I be questioning a lot of
Ya'll who made it in
Just move with the joint that we chartering
Make you disappear quick like
You're part of wind
Then laugh, ah ha ha, and laugh again
Shorty, move a lil bit
I'm looking at your friend
Let's get in there and shake for the beat
Girl do a lil eye wink, throw a tongue twirl
Gotta hit lock smashed in, tied down
We on your block
Turned hot spots to ghost towns
A yo, I'm tired of these niggas, bus-a-bus
Now say it to 'em
This is just for the nasty
A yo, this is just for the sassy
A yo, this is just for the classy
A yo, this is just for the what, tell 'em now
Go move show me what ya'll know
Go move show me what ya'll know
Go move show me what ya'll know
Go move show me what ya'll know
Pardon me, now, gimme room again
It's time to raise the level
Of the boom again
Now who's that? Bus-a-bus-a-bus Rhyme
See, I ain't do that in a long time
Spitting shit, make piece, do more crime
Hot songs, cribs, have a little more shine
Alright, yeah, sh sh, mm, uh, I pity ya'll
The way I bang niggas
And how I shit on ya'll
Spit the slang bigger
Make your label quit on ya'll
And do my thang, bitch
From here to Synagogue
We getting a lot of money, me and my friend
Kamal i take your money too
I ain't afraid of ya'll with so much class
My shit will kill ya when I don't wanna rap
And still I'ma smash and make
The bitches make it clap
As soon as I'm finished with her, homie
I'll give her back say it to 'em
This is just for the nasty
A yo, this is just for the sassy
A yo, this is just for the classy
A yo, this is just for the what, tell 'em now
Go move show me what ya'll know
Go move show me what ya'll know
Go move show me what ya'll know
Go move show me what ya'll know
When the beat bang and you're up in the club
When you listen and you feel a thud
When you hear my voice, understand the love
When the dj spins it back
It's a friendly rub but, when I'm behind
I cannot be kind with your waistline
And the way you move
Like a old great beat, I'ma catch a groove
Or like a old Hip-Hop joint, you
Nice and smooth, come on, girl
This is just for the nasty
A yo, this is just for the sassy
A yo, this is just for the classy
A yo, this is just for the what, tell 'em now
Go move show me what ya'll know
Go move show me what ya'll know
Go move show me what ya'll know
Go move show me what ya'll know
The lyrics of Busta Rhymes's song "For The Nasty" reflect his confident and boastful attitude as he displays his skills as a rapper and his dominance in the hip-hop genre. The song begins with Busta introducing himself as a member of the influential group A Tribe Called Quest, highlighting his reputation and credibility. He asserts his presence in the studio and demands to see what others in the industry have to offer.
Busta then goes on to express his disdain for anyone who criticizes hip-hop, claiming that he has played a significant role in shaping and evolving the genre. He compares himself to Frankenstein, suggesting that he has created and shaped the styles and names of other artists. He questions the legitimacy and talent of those who have achieved success without putting in the same level of effort and dedication. Busta confidently asserts his superiority and control over the music industry.
The chorus of the song emphasizes that this track is specifically dedicated to those who embrace their "nasty" side, who are sassy and confident, and who possess a certain level of class and style. Busta encourages them to show their skills and personality, challenging them to display their best moves and abilities.
Overall, "For The Nasty" is a braggadocious and lively track where Busta Rhymes showcases his lyrical prowess and asserts his dominance in the hip-hop scene. The song is a celebration of confidence, skill, and swagger.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me, let me, let me, let me
Allow me to share something with you
Let me tell you a story, yes
Allow me to narrate a tale
About a boy from the Tribe Called Quest
Concerning an individual from the musical group Tribe Called Quest
I be that nigga that I think ya'll know
I am the person that I believe you all are familiar with
With Mr busta Rhymes, a yo, I'm in the studio
Alongside Mr. Busta Rhymes, I am currently in the recording studio
Go move show me what ya'll know
Demonstrate your skills and knowledge
Close the door, iight, let a nigga rock
Please shut the door, allow me to perform
'Cause we 'bout to eat real shit
Because we are about to create exceptional music
Not shit slop
Not mediocre material
Nigga can't say shit about this Hip-Hop
People cannot critique this genre of music
'Cause I build dudes lanes while at pit stop
I construct paths for artists while on their journey
Built they styles and
I developed their unique approaches
They names, Frankenstein, right
Their identities, like Frankenstein's monster
It's a high state game, dudes are playing it
This industry is competitive, individuals are engaged in a strategic game
I be questioning a lot of
I often ponder
Ya'll who made it in
All those who achieved success
Just move with the joint that we chartering
Simply follow along with the music we are creating
Make you disappear quick like
Cause you to vanish rapidly, like
You're part of wind
Being swept away by the wind
Then laugh, ah ha ha, and laugh again
Followed by laughter, ah ha ha, and laughter once more
Shorty, move a lil bit
Young lady, dance a bit
I'm looking at your friend
I am observing your companion
Let's get in there and shake for the beat
Let us enter the dance floor and move to the rhythm
Girl do a lil eye wink, throw a tongue twirl
Lady, wink with your eye and twirl your tongue
Gotta hit lock smashed in, tied down
Must secure a successful endeavor, firmly established
We on your block
Our influence is present in your neighborhood
Turned hot spots to ghost towns
Transforming lively areas into desolate places
A yo, I'm tired of these niggas, bus-a-bus
Ayo, I am fed up with these individuals, Busta Rhymes
Now say it to 'em
Now express it to them
This is just for the nasty
This is solely for those who desire explicit content
A yo, this is just for the sassy
Ayo, this is exclusively for those who possess attitude
A yo, this is just for the classy
Ayo, this is solely for those who exhibit elegance
A yo, this is just for the what, tell 'em now
Ayo, this is specifically for what? Inform them now
Pardon me, now, gimme room again
Apologies for interrupting, grant me some space once more
It's time to raise the level
It is time to elevate the standard
Of the boom again
Of the music's impact once more
Now who's that? Bus-a-bus-a-bus Rhyme
Who is that? Busta Rhymes
See, I ain't do that in a long time
You see, I haven't done that in a while
Spitting shit, make piece, do more crime
Delivering impressive lyrics, creating harmony, engaging in illegal activities
Hot songs, cribs, have a little more shine
Popular songs, luxurious homes, even more brightness
Alright, yeah, sh sh, mm, uh, I pity ya'll
Alright, yes, sh sh, mm, uh, I feel sorry for all of you
The way I bang niggas
The way I captivate and astonish others
And how I shit on ya'll
And how I surpass and outperform you
Spit the slang bigger
Vocally express the eloquent language in a grand manner
Make your label quit on ya'll
Cause your record label to give up on you
And do my thang, bitch
And carry out my own endeavors, my friend
From here to Synagogue
From this point to religious Jewish gathering places
We getting a lot of money, me and my friend
We are earning significant amounts of money, my companion and I
Kamal i take your money too
Kamal, I am also acquiring your money
I ain't afraid of ya'll with so much class
I do not fear all of you, despite my elegance
My shit will kill ya when I don't wanna rap
My music will annihilate you even when I choose not to rap
And still I'ma smash and make
And yet, I will dominate and cause
The bitches make it clap
The women to vigorously applaud
As soon as I'm finished with her, homie
As soon as I am done interacting with her, my friend
I'll give her back say it to 'em
I will return her, express it to them
When the beat bang and you're up in the club
When the music intensifies and you are in the nightclub
When you listen and you feel a thud
When you hear it and experience a strong beat
When you hear my voice, understand the love
When my voice reaches your ears, comprehend the affection
When the dj spins it back
When the disc jockey rewinds the track
It's a friendly rub but, when I'm behind
It is a pleasant gesture, but when I am in control
I cannot be kind with your waistline
I cannot be gentle when it comes to your movement
And the way you move
And the way you dance
Like a old great beat, I'ma catch a groove
Similar to a timeless, remarkable rhythm, I will join in
Or like a old Hip-Hop joint, you
Or like an oldschool Hip-Hop song, you
Nice and smooth, come on, girl
Smooth and stylish, come on, girl
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind