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.
Fuck You Up
Busta Rhymes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What the fuck you want, what the fuck nigga?
What you want, what the fuck nigga
(We gon' hit it down like this, nigga what?)
Check it out
I be, testing your faith and wrecking your face, invading your space
And watch the tables turn like you're trading a place
I pull stunts like Evel Knievel, me and my people fly like an eagle
And blow your entire cathedral, hurry hurry, don't worry worry
Hit y'all with a flurry flurry of jabs, leaving y'all niggas blurry blurry
Brew up some shit like I'm cooking for y'all
When I'm done then I come looking for y'all
(Huh huh hold up hold up)
Federal cases cause 'nuff bodies end up in medical places
In they blood finding them chemical traces
Leaving special investigators going through skeptical phases
While we getting money the decimal changes
I was a Seventh Day Adventist apprentice
Now I strike with a vengeance
Blowing the door right up off of the hinges
This be that, "Put Your Out Of Your Misery" song
And make you ask your man is this the joint he dissing me on
That's when I ask
What the fuck nigga what you want?
What the fuck nigga what you want?
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga
Moving your muscle and doing the hustle
See nowadays we getting money like Russell
Who really wanna tussle? Challenge the super saber in a nigga
Blast the challenger way out of space, like Galaga nigga
Battle star Galactica, cross my diameter nigga
Derange your whole circular shape, into triangular nigga
Yo, so what it was my fault?
That I had to bring this shit to a screaming halt?
What you need to do is open up the vault
That's why I make sure, that my vest will be on
So when I blast you, and your additional stress will be gone
Then I sprinkle just a little bit of salt, on your plans
And watch your shit shrivel up right in the palm of my hands
I ain't afraid of ya, but I thank all of my niggas for saving ya
I was about to take you back, to when your mother was making ya
Clapping you up, slapping you up, trapping you up
Holding you hostage, duck taping and Saran wrapping you up
Yo, first she was sober, I smell aroma
Put you in a trance, and slip into an irreversible coma
Fuck y'all cubic zirconium niggas, it's over
Closing in on all y'all niggas, while we're moving in a little closer
Then I evaluate and elaborate, confiscate your shit
And dare your ass to retaliate, that's when I ask
What the fuck nigga what you want?
What the fuck nigga what you want?
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga
What the fuck nigga what you want?
What the fuck nigga what you want?
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga what you want
What the fuck nigga what you want
In these lyrics, Busta Rhymes is expressing his bold and confrontational attitude towards anyone who tries to challenge or oppose him. The opening lines "Flipmode motherfucker, Flipmode motherfucker" serve as a declaration of his crew's dominance and power.
He asserts his dominance by testing people's faith and wrecking their faces, invading their personal space, and flipping the tables on them as if he's trading places. Busta compares himself and his crew to Evel Knievel, the famous daredevil, indicating that they take risks and have no fear. They fly high like an eagle and metaphorically blow up entire cathedrals, showcasing their explosive impact and destructive power.
Busta emphasizes his relentlessness and determination to pursue and confront his adversaries. He refers to brewing up some trouble and cooking something for them, implying that when he's finished with his actions, he will come looking for them. He mentions federal cases and bodies ending up in medical places, suggesting that he's involved in illegal activities that often result in casualties. He also mentions sham investigations and changing the money game through illegal means.
Busta likens himself to a vengeful apprentice who has now become a master. He describes himself as blowing doors off their hinges, metaphorically representing his ability to break barriers and establish dominance. He references a song that serves as a diss track, claiming that it will make others question if their friend is dissing them. This further demonstrates his willingness to provoke and challenge people.
In the chorus, Busta repeatedly asks his adversaries what they want, implying that they have no choice but to face him and suffer the consequences. He taunts them, suggesting that they cannot match his strength and power.
He continues to assert his superiority, stating that he and his crew are making money like Russell, alluding to Russell Simmons, the successful entrepreneur. Busta challenges anyone who wants to fight him, claiming that he will defeat them easily. He compares himself to Galaga, an old video game character, indicating that he can eliminate his enemies swiftly and effortlessly.
Busta addresses those who may criticize him or try to halt his progress. He tells them to open their metaphorical vaults, suggesting that they should show him what they possess. He warns them that he will retaliate and bring their plans to a halt, adding a dash of salt (symbolic for added insult or disrespect) to their failures. Busta also mentions his ability to overpower anyone, even using phrases like "clapping you up" and "holding you hostage" to further illustrate his dominance.
He dismisses those who may underestimate him, referring to them as cubic zirconium (cheap imitation) and stating that their reign is over. He promises to close in on them, indicating that he will approach them with precision and force. Busta remains confident that he will confiscate their possessions and dares them to retaliate.
Overall, these lyrics showcase Busta Rhymes' unapologetic and assertive attitude. He presents himself as a force to be reckoned with, emphasizing his power, determination, and ability to overpower anyone who challenges him.
Line by Line Meaning
Flipmode motherfucker, Flipmode motherfucker
Asserting dominance and power as a member of the Flipmode Squad
What the fuck you want, what the fuck nigga?
Asking aggressively and confrontationally what the person desires or intends to do
What you want, what the fuck nigga
Repeating the previous question to emphasize the urgency and intensity
(We gon' hit it down like this, nigga what?)
Expressing determination to perform or act in a forceful manner
Check it out
Drawing attention to the upcoming message or announcement
I be, testing your faith and wrecking your face, invading your space
Challenging and threatening the listener's beliefs, physically harming them, and encroaching upon their personal boundaries
And watch the tables turn like you're trading a place
Observing the reversal of power dynamics, akin to swapping roles or positions
I pull stunts like Evel Knievel, me and my people fly like an eagle
Engaging in daring and impressive actions like Evel Knievel, while symbolizing freedom and greatness like an eagle
And blow your entire cathedral, hurry hurry, don't worry worry
Destroying and overpowering the listener's sacred space or institution without hesitation or concern
Hit y'all with a flurry flurry of jabs, leaving y'all niggas blurry blurry
Delivering a rapid succession of punches, disorienting and confusing the opponents
Brew up some shit like I'm cooking for y'all
Creating trouble or chaos intentionally, similar to preparing a meal for the listeners
When I'm done then I come looking for y'all
After causing havoc, actively seeking out the listeners to confront or deal with them
(Huh huh hold up hold up)
Pausing momentarily to demand attention and maintain suspense
Federal cases cause 'nuff bodies end up in medical places
Engaging in criminal activities that lead to fatalities and subsequent forensics or healthcare facilities
In they blood finding them chemical traces
Detecting substances or drugs within the victims' blood, indicating the cause of death
Leaving special investigators going through skeptical phases
Causing specialized investigators to question and doubt the evidence or circumstances of the crimes
While we getting money the decimal changes
As the artist accumulates wealth, the significant figures in their financial records increase
I was a Seventh Day Adventist apprentice
In the past, the singer was associated with the Seventh Day Adventist religious group as a student or trainee
Now I strike with a vengeance
Currently, the singer seeks revenge and retribution with a great intensity and determination
Blowing the door right up off of the hinges
Forcefully and explosively removing obstacles or barriers
This be that, "Put Your Out Of Your Misery" song
Referring to the song as a means to bring relief or release from a state of suffering or unhappiness
And make you ask your man is this the joint he dissing me on
Causing the listener to question their associates if this particular song is the one where they are being insulted or criticized
That's when I ask
Preparing to deliver another intense and demanding question
Moving your muscle and doing the hustle
Exerting physical strength and demonstrating ambition and drive
See nowadays we getting money like Russell
Presently, the singer and their associates are acquiring wealth similar to Russell Simmons, a successful entrepreneur
Who really wanna tussle? Challenge the super saber in a nigga
Expressing a challenge and insinuating that no one truly wants to engage in a physical confrontation with the singer
Blast the challenger way out of space, like Galaga nigga
Overwhelming and defeating competitors, launching them far into oblivion like in the video game Galaga
Battle star Galactica, cross my diameter nigga
Drawing a parallel to the science fiction series Battlestar Galactica and symbolically suggesting dominance and control
Derange your whole circular shape, into triangular nigga
Distorting and disrupting the listener's entire structure or plan, transforming it into something unfamiliar and unstable
Yo, so what it was my fault?
Asserting that the singer should not be blamed for any negative consequences
That I had to bring this shit to a screaming halt?
Taking the responsibility of forcefully ending a situation or activity abruptly
What you need to do is open up the vault
Mandating the listener to disclose or reveal valuable information or resources
That's why I make sure, that my vest will be on
Ensuring personal protection by wearing a bulletproof vest
So when I blast you, and your additional stress will be gone
Eliminating the listener and simultaneously alleviating their additional worries or concerns
Then I sprinkle just a little bit of salt, on your plans
Adding a small amount of insult or provocation to undermine and disrupt the listener's goals or strategies
And watch your shit shrivel up right in the palm of my hands
Observing the listener's ambitions or efforts deteriorate and fail under the artist's control and influence
I ain't afraid of ya, but I thank all of my niggas for saving ya
Conveying fearlessness towards the listener, while expressing gratitude towards the singer's associates for sparing them
I was about to take you back, to when your mother was making ya
Threatening to harm or inflict punishment on the listener by referring to their vulnerable and dependent state when their mother was giving birth to them
Clapping you up, slapping you up, trapping you up
Physically assaulting, abusing, and trapping the listener in a dangerous situation
Holding you hostage, duck taping and Saran wrapping you up
Kidnapping or restraining the listener forcefully using materials like duct tape and plastic wrap
Yo, first she was sober, I smell aroma
Describing the listener's initial state of sobriety, only to detect the intoxicating scent or influence of drugs or alcohol
Put you in a trance, and slip into an irreversible coma
Inducing a state of mesmerization or hypnosis, leading to the listener falling into a coma-like state from which they cannot recover
Fuck y'all cubic zirconium niggas, it's over
Disregarding and dismissing individuals who are cheap imitations or of low quality, signifying their insignificance
Closing in on all y'all niggas, while we're moving in a little closer
Approaching and encircling all the opponents, progressively getting nearer and tightening the grip
Then I evaluate and elaborate, confiscate your shit
Examining and explaining in detail how the artist will seize or take control of the listener's possessions or resources
And dare your ass to retaliate, that's when I ask
Challenging the listener to respond or fight back, preparing to demand another question
What the fuck nigga what you want?
Demanding an explanation or decision from the listener with an aggressive and forceful tone
What the fuck nigga what you want?
Repeating the previous question with increased intensity and urgency
What the fuck nigga what you want
Emphasizing the pressing need for the listener to disclose their desires or intentions
What the fuck nigga what you want
Repeating the question again, putting immense pressure on the listener for a response
What the fuck nigga what you want
Continuing to demand an explanation or decision, displaying impatience and aggression
What the fuck nigga what you want
Insistently pressuring the listener for an answer, expressing frustration and intensity
What the fuck nigga what you want
Demanding once again, with increased irritation and impatience, for the listener to reveal their desires or intentions
What the fuck nigga what you want
Persistently asserting the need for the listener to provide an explanation or decision
What the fuck nigga what you want
Repeating the question one final time, concluding with heightened aggression and urgency
What the fuck nigga what you want
Demanding a final time, with an assertive and aggressive tone, for the listener to disclose their desires or intentions
What the fuck nigga
Expressing frustration and aggression towards the listener
What the fuck nigga what you want?
Asking once more, demonstrating impatience and aggression towards the listener
What the fuck nigga what you want?
Repeating the question again, displaying annoyance and an insistent demand for an explanation or decision
What the fuck nigga what you want
Prompting for the listener's desires or intentions, with intensified irritation and aggression
What the fuck nigga what you want
Persistently asserting the need for the listener to provide an explanation or decision, with mounting impatience and aggression
What the fuck nigga what you want
Continuing to demand an answer, expressing heightened frustration and aggression
What the fuck nigga what you want
Insistently pressuring the listener one final time for an explanation or decision, displaying a final outburst of irritation and intensity
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jeremiah Lordan, Busta Rhymes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jeff Jones
Mr bagg