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.
Make Noise
Busta Rhymes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Rock star shit niggas
From the street, to the stadium
From the street, to the stadium
From the street, to the stadium niggas
Now c'mon!
Bouncing, everytime I be hittin y'all niggas with shit
That be makin y'all niggas really want to black up in the fucking spot
We keepin hot for my niggas fresh up off the block
Now all my people bust a shot BLOW, BLOW, BLOW!
Bus a Bus is back all in your face and I'm back to replace
And lace y'all niggas with shit that'll totally erase
These other corny niggas up outta your head
As far as I'm concerned none of them niggas can fuck with the dreds
WHAT, WHAT, WHAT!
Yeah, yeah, I be keepin it movin, and be keepin it groovin
Rep for my niggas by showin and provin
That we the illest when it comes to this here
Now go get the drinks, go get the blunts, and get the fire
What you say? YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!
What the fuck is bounce up in your truck when you start to conduct
Yourself in a way that be makin you want to fuck
Wild out in the spot, and get to actin like savages
Tell the one who manages the spot, I got the damages
HO, HO!
[CHORUS 2X:]
I know y'all niggas want it (I know y'all bitches want it)
WHAT
I know y'all really need it
HO
The shit to keep you bouncin
WHAT
To keep the party heated
Make Noise, Make Noise, Make Noise, Make Noise, c'mon!
[Verse 2]
Busta Rhymes givin it to y'all niggas so check me out
While I pick up my crew and pick up Rah Digga
I'm talkin 'bout how we be puttin it down wit my Flipmode familia
That's a fact we comin through, so step back
MOVE, MOVE, MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!
Get the fuck up off of me and please release me from my shackle
Watch me and my crew and how we tacklin corner the market
y'all niggas know exactly how we about to spark it
Makin all of you the target, BLAU, BLAU, BLAU!!
See how we be keepin it comin regardless whatever the reason
It never matters whatever the season
Now peep how we wildin', and breezin on through
When you know that we will keep it together whatever, get the cheddar
YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!!
Yeah now, lemme continue to talk to my people and continue
To blow the roof off the building and right before we get to
Wreckin the spot everybody climb up on something and tear the lights
Up off of the ceiling, BO, BO, BO, BO!!
[CHORUS 2X]
Hoo, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Ha, Busta Rhymes, Lenny Kravitz, Make Noise now, c'mon!
From the streets, to the stadium, Busta Rhymes, Lenny Kravitz
Here we go now, Make Noise now, everybody now, c'mon!
Ha!
[Verse 3]
How's about to keep it kinda raw and just give it to motherfuckers
And how we smash it and cash it we rip it from motherfuckers
You know we got it, you niggas know we rockin
And get all up in your pocket, YO, YO, YO!!
Yeah, yeah me and brother named Lenny Kravitz
We tearin it down and blowin the spot in the Jacob Javitz
However you want to do it grab the gas and the matches and start the fire
Take it up a little higher! YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!!
[CHORUS 2X]
In Busta Rhymes's song Make Noise, he begins by hyping up the crowd and getting them excited by saying he's going to deliver a performance that will make them want to "black up in the fucking spot." Busta's lyrics are filled with metaphors, slang, and wordplay, making it difficult for some listeners to understand the meaning of every line. He boasts about being the best and laces his rhymes with aggressive energy. By encouraging the listeners to "wild out in the spot," Busta is encouraging the crowd to let loose and have fun regardless of the consequences. The song's overall message is that it's important to make noise, have fun, and enjoy the moment.
Interestingly, the song features Lenny Kravitz, a well-known musician known for his rock and roll and soulful sound. The collaboration between Busta and Kravitz brings a unique musical style to the track. The song is also notable for its repetition of the phrase "Make Noise," which helps to keep the energized mood of the song consistent throughout.
Line by Line Meaning
Hoo, hah, hoo, hah
Chanting to create a high-energy atmosphere.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Expression of enthusiasm and agreement.
Rock star shit niggas
Celebrating their successful and extravagant lifestyle.
From the street, to the stadium
They are popular and respected both in the streets and in concert venues.
Now c'mon!
Encouragement to keep the energy high and continue the party.
Bouncing, everytime I be hittin y'all niggas with shit
They are creating music that makes people want to dance and party.
That be makin y'all niggas really want to black up in the fucking spot
Their music creates an atmosphere where people are excited and energetic.
We keepin hot for my niggas fresh up off the block
They are producing music that is popular and appealing to people from all backgrounds.
Now all my people bust a shot BLOW, BLOW, BLOW!
Encouraging their fans to enjoy and celebrate their music and lives by shouting and cheering.
Bus a Bus is back all in your face and I'm back to replace
Busta Rhymes is making a comeback and ready to take over the game.
And lace y'all niggas with shit that'll totally erase
Their music is so good that it can make other artists irrelevant.
These other corny niggas up outta your head
They are superior to other artists and should be the only ones in their fans' minds.
As far as I'm concerned none of them niggas can fuck with the dreds
He is so confident and unstoppable that nobody can compete with him.
Yeah, yeah, I be keepin it movin, and be keepin it groovin
They remain active and creative, producing music that keeps people dancing and having fun.
Rep for my niggas by showin and provin
They represent and support their friends and allies by producing amazing music.
That we the illest when it comes to this here
They are the best when it comes to producing exciting and entertaining music.
Now go get the drinks, go get the blunts, and get the fire
Encouraging everyone to indulge and enjoy the party.
What the fuck is bounce up in your truck when you start to conduct
Questioning why someone would resist dancing and having fun when the music is playing.
Yourself in a way that be makin you want to fuck
Their music can evoke feelings of passion and desire.
Wild out in the spot, and get to actin like savages
Encouraging people to let loose and have fun like there is no tomorrow.
Tell the one who manages the spot, I got the damages
He is so wild and energetic that he caused damages to the venue.
I know y'all niggas want it (I know y'all bitches want it)
Acknowledging that their audience wants and enjoys their music.
The shit to keep you bouncin
Their music keeps people dancing and having fun.
To keep the party heated
Their music is essential in keeping the party going strong.
Make Noise, Make Noise, Make Noise, Make Noise, c'mon!
Encouraging everyone to shout and make noise to keep the energy high.
Busta Rhymes givin it to y'all niggas so check me out
Busta Rhymes is confident and ready to show what he's got.
While I pick up my crew and pick up Rah Digga
They are collaborating and working together to make great music.
That's a fact we comin through, so step back
They are so powerful that they can demand everyone to move out of their way.
Get the fuck up off of me and please release me from my shackle
He wants to be free from his limitations and produce amazing music.
Watch me and my crew and how we tacklin corner the market
They are dominating the music scene and becoming more successful.
y'all niggas know exactly how we about to spark it
Their fans know they are going to produce amazing music that will excite them.
See how we be keepin it comin regardless whatever the reason
They remain productive and innovative despite any obstacles or challenges they face.
It never matters whatever the season
They are consistently producing great music, no matter what the season (time of year) may be.
Now peep how we wildin', and breezin on through
They are behaving crazily and having fun, while still being productive and successful.
When you know that we will keep it together whatever, get the cheddar
They are confident in their ability to remain successful and make money, no matter what happens.
How's about to keep it kinda raw and just give it to motherfuckers
They are ready to produce music that is true to themselves and their style.
And how we smash it and cash it we rip it from motherfuckers
They are taking over the music scene and becoming very successful by producing amazing music.
You know we got it, you niggas know we rockin
They are confident and unapologetic about their success and status as rock stars.
And get all up in your pocket, YO, YO, YO!!
They are making a lot of money in the music business and are proud of it.
However you want to do it grab the gas and the matches and start the fire
Encouraging people to make things happen and produce amazing music by any means necessary.
Take it up a little higher!
Encouragement to continue producing amazing music and reaching new heights in their careers.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AUTUMN ROWE, FRASER SMITH, TEEMU
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind