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.
Respect My Gee
Busta Rhymes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Chorus]
Since we are the best and you agree with me right?
No need to debate, (debate, debate, debate)
The way boss shit
See were kind of like the government,
Just respect my conglomerate
Just respect my conglomerate
Just respect my conglomerate,
Just respect my conglomerate
It's Bus Rhymes! (Huh!)
And I'm back
With the crack,
And the thugs,
And the drugs, nigga black! (Oh!)
The best to do it we only deal with the facts bitch
Blazing that I'm so amazing on the tracks bitch!
(Bounce on 'em!) And I jump, and I skip
And I hop, and I flip over niggas like gymnastics (Hey!)
Watch the way I'm coming I'm giving the streets acid
Bastards niggas know I'm the king of the classics
Drastic measures, I'm spreading like a rash bitch
Class is in session you 'bout to get yo' ass kicked
Emperor, of every round table of the house
(And when I speak)
Niggas respect me as leader of the councilman
God rap, God persona, God-scrilla (Huh!)
God body in the flesh call me Godzilla!
Now you know you see we be the most prominent
Dominant niggas respect my conglomerate
(Ah!)
[Chorus]
I tell 'em, "Hol' up, swoll' up
Yea ain't see us rollin' up"
See them broads froze up, soon do's open up
Hey ladies, you likin' what ya see?
American Gangster, my strap's European
(Yo!) Came wit a scope, got a Navy feel
So I can ambush niggas like the Navy Seals
My defensive line lookin' like some linebackers
Most six cars, the other Hal, car jackers!
Ballers wit them thangs, yeah we call 'em contractors
And if ya in-boys right, then they might contract ya (ha ha)
40 cal lookin' sweet on them honeycomb seats
Just like Cassie, my Sean John freak
Get you what ya want, just not that deep
Yet throteen'll split, got them May-ride seats
Two for the Madonna, the May-ride freak
You know I brought the whole team, so the yay ride deep
[Chorus]
Yeah, uh, yeah, yo
Workers, bosses, Ferrari's, Porches
Dope fiends nauseous, crack spot
Race track, horses, big meetings at the
Round table, to discuss what the cost is
Money, change you, devils, angels
We the ones who say what you can and what you can't do
Respect, power, kush, sour
Haze, airy, pills, powder
Gangstas, varmints, ice, garments
Don shit, real niggas who I get it on wit
When I'm around, my colleagues ain't comfortable
They all got a-sick with my verses for a month or two
(Uh) Yep, wrong nigga to have a problem with
The blade first, then the bullet gon' follow it
Yeah, if you lucky, I might hollow it
D-Block, just respect my conglomerate
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Busta Rhymes' "Respect My Conglomerate" is all about the group's power and influence in the industry. The song implies that their actions may be seen as illegal by some, but they can get away with it since they're the best at what they do. Hence, the chorus emphasizes the importance of respecting their conglomerate.
Busta, Jadakiss, and Jeezy boast about their skills in the rap game and how they deal with the business. Busta points out that he's the king of classics, and he's spreading like a rash in the industry. He also notes that niggas respect him as the leader of the councilman, and he's like Godzilla in the rap game. Jadakiss, on the other hand, raps about their power and influence that can change people. He also raps about various things like race tracks, horses, and meetings at the round table where they discuss what the cost is. Lastly, Jeezy describes the lifestyle they live as part of their conglomerate, with things like dope fiends, ice garments, and pills.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released in 2009 as part of Busta Rhymes' album, "Back on My B.S." and was produced by Focus.... Another interesting fact is that it features Jadakiss and Young Jeezy, two well-known rappers who were also part of the industry's top rappers at the time. Additionally, the song was a commercial success, reaching number 98 on the US Billboard Hot 100. "Respect My Conglomerate" was also remixed featuring various artists like Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, and Jadakiss.
The chords for "Respect My Conglomerate" are unavailable as it is a rap song, and it doesn't use traditional guitar chords or instruments.
Line by Line Meaning
Most people would consider this illegal (illegal, illegal, illegal)
Many would view our actions as illicit or against the law.
Since we are the best and you agree with me right?
Acknowledging our superiority and seeking confirmation from those around us.
No need to debate, (debate, debate, debate)
No point in arguing or discussing further, as our position is already established and unwavering.
The way boss shit
Operating in a manner that exudes power, authority, and control.
See were kind of like the government,
Drawing a comparison to the way in which we operate and exert influence, similar to a ruling body or official institution.
Just respect my conglomerate
Requesting that others acknowledge and honor our group of successful and powerful entities.
It's Bus Rhymes! (Huh!)
Introducing oneself as Busta Rhymes and affirming their presence and importance.
And I'm back With the crack, And the thugs, And the drugs, nigga black! (Oh!)
Announcing one's return to the music scene and association with illegal substances and criminal activity.
The best to do it we only deal with the facts bitch
Boasting about one's quality and precision in their work and their adherence to truth and accuracy.
Blazing that I'm so amazing on the tracks bitch!
Expressing confidence and skill in producing and delivering impressive music.
(Bounce on 'em!) And I jump, and I skip And I hop, and I flip over niggas like gymnastics (Hey!)
Emphasizing one's agility and skills in physical movement and metaphorically dominating others.
Watch the way I'm coming I'm giving the streets acid Bastards niggas know I'm the king of the classics
Asserting dominance and influence in the music industry, shaping the sound of the streets and creating timeless hits.
Drastic measures, I'm spreading like a rash bitch Class is in session you 'bout to get yo' ass kicked
Taking extreme actions to gain and maintain power, and warning others of the consequences of crossing us.
Emperor, of every round table of the house (And when I speak) Niggas respect me as leader of the councilman God rap, God persona, God-scrilla (Huh!) God body in the flesh call me Godzilla!
Illustrating one's undisputed authority and influence among one's peers and fans, characterizing oneself as a powerful figure.
Now you know you see we be the most prominent Dominant niggas respect my conglomerate (Ah!)
Confirming one's status as the most noteworthy and powerful players in the game, demanding respect for one's group of successful entities.
(I tell 'em, "Hol' up, swoll' up Yea ain't see us rollin' up" See them broads froze up, soon do's open up)
Announcing one's arrival and noticing the reactions of others, including women quickly becoming attracted and opening up to the group.
Hey ladies, you likin' what ya see? American Gangster, my strap's European (Yo!) Came wit a scope, got a Navy feel So I can ambush niggas like the Navy Seals
Flaunting one's high-end belongings, including a European firearm with a scope and a Navy-inspired design, capable of taking out enemies with precision.
My defensive line lookin' like some linebackers Most six cars, the other Hal, car jackers!
Drawing a parallel to a defensive football team and boasting about possessing multiple high-end vehicles, with the ability to steal cars.
Ballers wit them thangs, yeah we call 'em contractors And if ya in-boys right, then they might contract ya (ha ha)
Referring to those who run with the group as "contractors" and suggesting that they could potentially bring others into the fold, dependent on certain criteria being met.
40 cal lookin' sweet on them honeycomb seats Just like Cassie, my Sean John freak
Describing a firearm as being appealing while sitting in stylish car seats and referencing a female companion who shares interests in the Sean John clothing brand.
Get you what ya want, just not that deep Yet throteen'll split, got them May-ride seats Two for the Madonna, the May-ride freak You know I brought the whole team, so the yay ride deep
Offering to provide for others' wants and needs, but not delving too deeply into illegal activities, yet bragging about owning Maybach cars and bringing along multiple associates.
Workers, bosses, Ferrari's, Porches Dope fiends nauseous, crack spot Race track, horses, big meetings at the Round table, to discuss what the cost is
Listing off the wide array of individuals, vehicles, and activities associated with the group and hinting at powerful discussions that determine their financial gain and success.
Money, change you, devils, angels We the ones who say what you can and what you can't do Respect, power, kush, sour Haze, airy, pills, powder Gangstas, varmints, ice, garments Don shit, real niggas who I get it on wit
Referencing the transformative power of money, positioning the group as the ultimate decision-makers for others, and listing off drugs, clothes, and weapons as common assets of the group.
When I'm around, my colleagues ain't comfortable They all got a-sick with my verses for a month or two (Uh) Yep, wrong nigga to have a problem with The blade first, then the bullet gon' follow it Yeah, if you lucky, I might hollow it D-Block, just respect my conglomerate
Acknowledging the reservation and envy others may feel around oneself and indicating that they've caused discomfort or sickness through their lyrics. Warning others that they don't want to cross the group, as doing so will lead to violent measures.
[Chorus]
Repeating the refrain, demanding respect for the group and their success.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BERNARD EDWARDS JR., JASON PHILLIPS, JAY JENKINS, TREVOR SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind