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.
That's How We Roll
Busta Rhymes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah
Don Omar
J-Doe
Reek da Villian
Busta Rhymes (come on)
That's how we roll
That's how we roll
We roll like this (now, now, now, now, now)
We roll like this
Ya'll know what we do, ya'll know exactly how we rolling
And we hugging every block don't matter how police patrol it
And we do it how we do it whether it's now or it's later
And we always handle business 'cause we 'bout gettin this paper
What you want?, What you need?, As we walk through every gutter
Every hood and every street and every block we got it covered
Throwing money while we in the club with shorties on the pole
Lets get it popping in this bitch, me and my clique coming through
That's how we roll
We roll like this
That's how we roll
We roll like this
That's how we roll
We roll like this (we roll like this)
That's how we roll (yeah, he he, yeah)
We roll like this (hey let's get it)
(Reek da Vill' get'em)
We roll like this
Hop in any vehicle I choose
I get up in that 'Vet and start it all you hear is vrooom
Roaring up the engine 'till it pop like a balloon
Light my dutch hit the clutch throw it in the gear and peew
Riding in the fast cars driving like it's NASCAR
Tearing up the asphalt when I'm in that Jaguar
Dipping away from Nassau, redlining the dash board
Exhaust blowing fire (yeah, yeah, J-Doe, alright)
Like a rocket 'bout to blast off, fast y'all
You know how we roll (roll), you know how we do it (do it)
You know we the realest when it come to doing music (yeah)
Don't wanna see me prove it baby, if I gotta lose it (woop)
Then it's on turn ya radio on, you gon hear the newest
J-Doe spits hate on this, why the hell you doing that
How the hell you being loser hating on me? I'm the best
I be pissing on competition if there's any give me more my flows
Or let me get me used up fork don't need a Jimmy and Newegie boys
That's how we roll
We-we-we roll like this
That's how we roll
We roll like this (we roll like this, we roll like this)
That's how we roll
We roll like this ((we roll like this)
That's how we roll
We roll like this (we roll like this let me talk to'em)
We roll like this
Here we go here we here we go again
Pedal to the metal now we blowing in the wind
Top back nigga better stop that
If you trynna front you already know we killers to the end
Everyday we gotta go secure another win
Put that money where ya mouth will spend
Let's get it popping everybody know that
When we in the building, here we go again
Couple Porsches, couple Bugatti's, Phantoms
Derek, Lam', Lenches, couple of Maybachs
Suited and booted, SLR McLaren bitches
Rolling see the way we holding see the money folding
Everybody see the way we hit it, chosen when we hit the road and
Everything is golden ya'll already know how we get it (vroom)
Peel out on they ass, 160 weed on the dash
Hand on the wheel I'ma feed on the gas (conglomerate), got everything on smash
Don Omar lets get it, Reek da Vill', J-Doe what up?
See the way we do it, see the way we cut up
Put ya money where ya mouth is or shut up
Legal shots everybody in the place let me see you put ya gun up
We gon pop ready, if you ready, ya'll already know the way we run up
When we come to take away the streets ya'll niggas know the goal
Every time we put it down the whole world knows
That's how we roll
We-we-we roll like this
That's how we roll
We roll like this (we roll like this, we roll like this)
That's how we roll
We roll like this ((we roll like this)
That's how we roll
We roll like this (we roll like this, we roll like this)
We roll like this
The song "How We Do" by Busta Rhymes featuring Don Omar, J Doe, and Reek da Villan is an upbeat hip-hop track that describes the lifestyle of the artists as they navigate through the streets. The lyrics convey their fearless and confident approach as they handle business and chase their desires. The artists seem to be living life in the fast lane, unbothered by the law enforcement and their surroundings. They are always ready to roll, and they do it in style, driving fast cars and throwing money in the club while surrounded by beautiful women.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the message that the artists are trying to convey. Busta Rhymes asserts that they are unstoppable, and they roll effortlessly through the streets. Additionally, they don't shy away from any block despite the police's presence. Their focus is on making money, and they are unapologetically chasing after it.
Reek da Villan takes over and describes his experience of hopping in any car he chooses, from a Chevy Corvette to a Jaguar. He accelerates the car, reaching high speeds, and gets lost in the thrill of the moment. He is the real-life version of a racing game, where the driver defies any rule and enjoys the adrenaline rush.
J Doe takes his verse to deliver a message about his success as a rapper. He brags about his skills and talent, proclaiming himself the best. J Doe calls out his haters, saying that they are losers, and casts himself as the competitor that "pisses" over them. He urges the listener to turn on the radio and hear the latest music, emphasizing that his style and sound can't be matched.
Overall, the song "How We Do" is a celebration of the artists' success and hard work. They enjoy the fruits of their labor, drive fancy cars, and have all the money they need. The lyrics convey their 'work hard, play hard' motto, and the message to their fans is to live your life with confidence and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, yeah, yeah yeah
Introduction of the artists and the song with a catchy phrase
That's how we roll, we roll like this
The way we behave and our lifestyle is always like this
Ya'll know what we do, ya'll know exactly how we rolling
Everybody knows what we do and how we live our lives
And we hugging every block no matter how police patrol it
We are not afraid of the police and we roam around every block
And we do it how we do it whether it's now or it's later
We always do things the way we want, either now or in the future
And we always handle business cause we 'bout gettin' this paper
We take care of our business and work hard to get money
What you want, what you need, as we walk through every gutter
As we pass through every bad situation, we can fulfill your wants and needs
Every hood and every street and every block we got it covered
We have the capability to take care of anything in every neighborhood, street, or block
Throwing money while we in the club with shorties on our pole let's
We spend a lot of money in the club, and we dance with girls on the pole
Get it popping in this bitch, me and my clique coming through
We are going to make it lively in here, and my crew is with me
Hop in any vehicle I chose
I can get into any car as per my choice
I get up in that 'Vette and start it all you hear is vroom
I start the Corvette, and all you hear is the loud engine sound
Dipping away from Nason, redlining the dash board
I am escaping from Nason and driving fast with the accelerator in full throttle
Exhaust blowing fire like a rocket 'bout to blast ff, fast yo
The car's exhaust is emitting fire, and I am driving at a tremendous speed
You know how we roll (roll), you know how we do it (do it)
People are aware of our lifestyle and the way we do things
Don't wanna see me prove it baby, if I gotta lose it
It is unnecessary to prove myself as I may lose everything
Then it's on turn ya radio on, you gon hear the newest
If I lose everything, listen to the radio, and you will still hear my new songs
Couple Porsche's, couple Bugatti's, Phantoms
We have a few Porsches, Bugattis, and Phantoms
Suited and booted, SLR McLaren bitches
We are dressed up in suits and boots, and we have SLR McLarens
Rolling see the way we holding see the money folding
As we roll, people can see how we handle and count the money
Hand on the wheel I'ma feed on the gas, got everything on smash
My hand is on the wheel, and I am stepping on the gas, and we have everything under control
Legal shots everybody in the place let me see you put ya gun up
Raise your gun if you have a license to carry it
When we come to take over the streets ya'll niggas know the goal
Our intention is to rule the streets, and people are aware of it
Every time we put it down the whole world knows that's how we
Whenever we do something, everyone worldwide knows it is our way of doing things
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ruwanga Nirashad Samath, Trevor Smith, James Smith, Tariek Williams, William Omar Landron
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jagakek8388
Yeah, yeah, yeah yeah
Don Omar, J-Doe, Reek da Villian, Busta Rhymes
(Come on, come on, come on)
That's how we roll, we roll like this
That's how we roll, we roll like this
We roll like this
[Busta Rhymes - Verse 1:]
Now, now, now, now, now
Ya'll know what we do, ya'll know exactly how we rolling
And we hugging every block don't matter how police patrol it
And we do it how we do it whether it's now or it's later
And we always handle business cause we bout gettin this paper
What you want, what you need, as we walk through every gutter
Every hood and every street and every block we got it covered
Throwing money while we in the club with shorties on the pole
Lets get it popping in this bitch, me and my clique coming through
that's how we.
[Don Omar - Chorus:]
That's how we roll, we roll like this
That's how we roll, we roll like this
That's how we roll, we roll like this
That's how we roll, we roll like this
We roll like this
[Reek da Villian:]
Yeah, he he, yeah
Hey let's get it
[Busta Rhymes:]
Reek da Vill' get'em
[Reek da Villian - Verse 2:]
Hop in any vehicle I choose
I get up in that 'Vet and start it all you hear is vrooom
Roaring up the engine 'till it pop like a balloon
Light my dutch hit the clutch throw it in the gear and peeew
Riding in the fast cars driving like it's NASCAR
Tearing up the asphalt when I'm in that Jaguar
Dipping away from Nassau, redlining the dash board
Exhaust blowing fire like a rocket 'bout to blast off, fast y'all
[J-Doe - Verse 3:]
Yeah, yeah, J-Doe I rock'em
You know how we roll (roll), you know how we do it (do it)
You know we the realest when it come to doing music
don't wanna see me prove it baby, if I gotta lose it
Then it's on turn ya radio on, you gon hear the newest
J-Doe spits hate on this, why the hell you doing that
How the hell you being loser hating on me I'm the best
I be pissing on competition if there's any give me more my flows
Or let me get me used up fork don't need a Jimmy and Newegie boys
[Don Omar - Chorus:]
That's how we roll, we roll like this
That's how we roll, we roll like this
That's how we roll, we roll like this
That's how we roll, we roll like this
We roll like this
[Busta Rhymes - Verse 4:]
We roll like this let me talk to'em
Here we go here we here we go again
Pedal to the metal now we blowing in the wind
Top back nigga better stop that
If you trynna front you already know we killers to the end
Everyday we gotta go secure another win
Put that money where ya mouth will spend
Let's get it popping everybody know that
When we in the building, here we go again
Couple Porsches, couple Bugatti's, Phantoms
Derek, Lam', Lenches, couple of Maybachs
Suited and booted, SLR McLaren bitches
Rolling see the way we holding see the money folding
Everybody see the way we hit it, chosen when we hit the road and
Everthing is golden ya'll already know how we get it (vroooom)
Peel out on they ass, 160 weed on the dash
Hand on the wheel I'ma feed on the gas, got everything on smash
Don Omar lets get it, Reek da Vill', J-Doe weee
See the way we do it, see the way we cut up
Put ya money where ya mouth is or shut up
Legal shots everybody in the place let me see you put ya gun up
We gon pop ready, if you ready, ya'll already know the way we run up
When we come to take away the streets ya'll niggas know the goal
Every time we put it down the whole world knows that's how we
[Don Omar - Chorus:]
That's how we roll, we roll like this
That's how we roll, we roll like this
That's how we roll, we roll like this
That's how we roll, we roll like this
We roll like this
@apsilon9897
N O S T A L G I A
@donovangraven8427
Simpler times
@cristiana7793
S A D
@mkd8679
Yeah
@-ds3107
Yeaaaaaah
@wesleyceci
@@want.m2908 meio escasso aki de br né
@saep_tech
Spotify needs to bring this song back to the app! It’s on Spotify but you just can’t play it and it’s such a great song! The nostalgia is crazy 😭
@ieltslearning88
Without Paul Walker Fast and Furious is not like before. Honestly, I miss him.
@Hattar-wx6vu
i agree
@OCKHighlights
It is still ok