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.
Struttin Like A G.O.D
Busta Rhymes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Listen, I am the sun, I am the sea
I am the land, I am the tree
I'm everything you want to be
Cause I be struttin' like a G.O.D
Cause I be struttin' like a G.O.D
Cause I be struttin' like a G.O.D
Roll out the red carpet baby the god has come
No matter who you are or where you from
Check it I stay be repin the street and reppin the slum
And while you co-starrin' this movie I star is the one, listen
You never imagined that I would become one of the most incredible
Until when ever I'm done
Notice the god like meet you from when I was young
Blessed with such a maculess flow and a venomous tongue
How we keep you holla until you collapse on the lung
With the biggest followin' the nigga slacking a nun
Able to move a mountain of niggas having then sprung
Just check out my women but how be having then strung ass though
Like how the coke be having them numb
Run up in the spot like I was holding and clappin' the gun
Now I'm lose for y'all I'm bringing the proof to y'all
Balling and specking the truth to y'all
[Chorus]
[Verse 2: Busta Rhymes]
The chorus is singin' the words that I fill in my gut
That's why I always step with a bop and walk with a strut
And I always rep for the block and we all for the bucks
And we always step in the spot and be all for the cut
Vallet block two parkin' spots all for the turck
Bounce to the world when I be tired and be gone for the month
And it's all for the slut flowin' like a force of the water
Keepin' it running so were the niggas be at
Well they seeing me commin'
Summers people keep it clapin' women just give me they lovin'
They way the streets be fillin' the kid they really be buggin'
Like I'm there dearly beloved my soldiers really be thuggin
Or how I really be slugging' the ball out the ball park
Keep them whilin' then ten minutes later then it's sawed off
Create a small spark then down to the levels to make the walls stark
Testin' the God I think he be needin' them all off
[Chorus]
[Bridge: Busta Rhymes]
Listen
I keeps the hustle up in my vain
Cause it's all in my blood
Fell my pain
Fell my love
Fellin' niggas struggle till the other one
[Chorus: x3]
Getin' to struttin' like the G.O.D.
Listen
[Verse 3: Busta Rhymes]
I'm sayin' we comin' through when I'm blockin' the light
Niggas think they rockin' the crowd but ain't rockin' it right
Make the people shout to the sound and rock for the night
Cause I stay in the struggle ready rock for the fight
I stay whipin' the truck and leanin' and rock what I like
And quadruple my money more than the block of the white
We sayin' we bout ? stopin' your rooms
How I be rockin' the diamonds like I'm dropin them jewels
[Chorus]
The song Struttin' Like A G.O.D. by Busta Rhymes feat. Spliff Star is about confidence and self-assurance. The lyrics suggest that the rapper is all-powerful, like a god, and possesses everything that anyone could ever want to be. The chorus highlights this image, with Busta Rhymes stating that he is the sun, the sea, the land, and the tree, in other words, he is everything.
The verses reinforce this idea, with Busta Rhymes boasting about his street reputation and his incredible talent. He claims that he is blessed with a ‘maculess flow’ and a ‘venomous tongue’ that can leave people speechless. The bridge of the song talks about the rapper’s drive and motivation, which he claims is all in his blood. He is proud of his struggle and is ready to fight for it.
Overall, the song is about confidence, self-assurance, and the desire for success. Busta Rhymes is showing that he is the best in the game, and he is not afraid to let everyone know it. The song has a powerful message and is an excellent example of the art of hip-hop.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen, I am the sun, I am the sea
I am all-encompassing and powerful.
I am the land, I am the tree
I am rooted and grounded, representing stability.
I'm everything you want to be
I am the embodiment of success and confidence.
Cause I be struttin' like a G.O.D
I walk with purpose and authority, exuding dominance.
Roll out the red carpet baby the god has come
I demand respect and admiration wherever I go.
No matter who you are or where you from
I am universally revered and admired.
Check it I stay be repin the street and reppin the slum
I remain loyal to my roots and my community.
And while you co-starrin' this movie I star is the one, listen
I am the main character of this story and everyone else is just supporting cast.
You never imagined that I would become one of the most incredible
I have exceeded all expectations and achieved greatness.
Until when ever I'm done
My success will continue as long as I keep striving for more.
Notice the god like meet you from when I was young
My talent and potential were apparent from a young age.
Blessed with such a maculess flow and a venomous tongue
I possess unparalleled skill and can be both smooth and fierce in my delivery.
How we keep you holla until you collapse on the lung
My performances are so captivating, they leave you breathless.
With the biggest followin' the nigga slacking a nun
My fan base is massive and I have no reason to slow down or stop.
Able to move a mountain of niggas having then sprung
I have the ability to influence and captivate a large group of people.
Just check out my women but how be having then strung ass though
The women who are with me are entranced and mesmerized by my charisma.
Like how the coke be having them numb
My appeal is addictive and all-consuming for those who follow me.
Run up in the spot like I was holding and clappin' the gun
I command attention and respect wherever I go, as if I am armed with a weapon.
Now I'm lose for y'all I'm bringing the proof to y'all
I am willing to put in the work and show my fans what I am capable of.
Balling and specking the truth to y'all
I am living life to the fullest and sharing my experiences with my fans.
The chorus is singin' the words that I fill in my gut
The chorus of this song echoes the confidence and power that I feel within myself.
That's why I always step with a bop and walk with a strut
I exude confidence and swagger in everything that I do.
And I always rep for the block and we all for the bucks
I represent my community and am focused on achieving financial success.
And we always step in the spot and be all for the cut
We are always ready to make a profit and succeed in any situation.
Vallet block two parkin' spots all for the turck
I am living a luxurious lifestyle and have the resources to do so.
Bounce to the world when I be tired and be gone for the month
I travel the world and take breaks when needed to recharge and come back stronger.
And it's all for the slut flowin' like a force of the water
I enjoy the attention and admiration that comes with my success.
Keepin' it running so were the niggas be at
I am always on the move and staying ahead of the game.
Well they seeing me commin'
Everyone knows who I am and recognizes my talent.
Summers people keep it clapin' women just give me they lovin'
I am loved and respected by both men and women.
They way the streets be fillin' the kid they really be buggin'
My presence on the streets excites and energizes people.
Like I'm there dearly beloved my soldiers really be thuggin
My fans are loyal and dedicated to me as if I am their leader.
Or how I really be slugging' the ball out the ball park
I am always hitting my goals and exceeding expectations.
Keep them whilin' then ten minutes later then it's sawed off
I am always changing up my style and keeping things fresh and interesting for my fans.
Create a small spark then down to the levels to make the walls stark
I am dynamic and can change the tone of a room or situation in an instant.
Testin' the God I think he be needin' them all off
Challenging me or questioning my abilities is a mistake, as I will come out on top every time.
Listen
Pay attention to my words and my message.
I keeps the hustle up in my vain
I am constantly driven and determined to succeed.
Cause it's all in my blood
My passion and motivation come from within and are a part of who I am.
Fell my pain
I have experienced struggles and adversity on my path to success.
Fell my love
I am passionate and dedicated to my craft and my fans.
Fellin' niggas struggle till the other one
I empathize with those who have faced adversity and challenge them to overcome it.
Getin' to struttin' like the G.O.D.
I am always confident and in control, like a god among men.
I'm sayin' we comin' through when I'm blockin' the light
My presence is powerful and cannot be ignored or eclipsed.
Niggas think they rockin' the crowd but ain't rockin' it right
Others may try to mimic my style or success, but they cannot match my level of skill or charisma.
Make the people shout to the sound and rock for the night
My performances are electrifying and leave a lasting impact on my audience.
Cause I stay in the struggle ready rock for the fight
I am always prepared to face challenges and overcome them.
I stay whipin' the truck and leanin' and rock what I like
I am unapologetically myself and never compromise my style or beliefs.
And quadruple my money more than the block of the white
My success has resulted in significant financial gain and stability.
We sayin' we bout ? stopin' your rooms
We are dedicated to success and will not let anything or anyone stand in our way.
How I be rockin' the diamonds like I'm dropin them jewels
I am flashy and exude opulence and luxury in my style and possessions.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICK RUDE, TREVOR SMITH, WILLIAM LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind