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.
Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check
Busta Rhymes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yah, yah, yah, yah, yah
Yah, yah, yah, yah, yah
Yah, yah, yah, yah, yah
Yah, yah, yah, yah, yah
Yah, yah, yah, yah, yah
Yah, yah, yah, yah, yah
Yah, yah, yah, yah, yah
When I step up in the place, ayo, I step correct
(Woo-hah) got you all in check
I got that head-nod shit that make you break your neck
(Woo-hah) I got you all in check
And you know we come through to wreck the discotheque
(Woo-hah) I got you all in check
Throw your hands up in the air, don't ever disrespect
(Woo-hah) I got you all in check
Busta Rhymes up in the place, true indeed
Yes, I catch wreck and that's word on my seed
I'm guaranteed to give you what you need
One blood everybody like Junior Reid
Wake up every morning, yo, I must succeed
Nationwide ruckus make the world stampede
Yo Willie mek we roll some weed
Mad charged nigga now I must proceed
Yo, we 'bout to make moves, set speed
Peace to Baby Phife, Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed
Watch me knock you out like Apollo Creed
Body blows busting your shit making you bleed
Just feed off dynamic flows and take heed
Need more information, homeboy? Then just read
Ayy, you can read all about the pure breed
Do the bogle dance, man, do the pepperseed
When I step up in the place, ayo, I step correct
(Woo-hah) I got you all in check
I got that head-nod shit that make you break your neck
(Woo-hah) I got you all in check
And you know we come through to wreck the discotheque
(Woo-hah) I got you all in check
Throw your hands up in the air, don't ever disrespect
(Woo-hah) I got you all in check
How dare you ever try to step on my suede shoes
Top Gun shut down your firm like Tom Cruise
Please let me get down and blow a fuse
Acting fools, breakin' shit down to molecules
Yo, let me hit you with my ill street blues
Busta Rhymes always headlines the street news
Woo-hah, hey baby girl don't be confused
Sail my seven seas and enjoy my boat cruise
I know you really want to know who's
Coming through leaving blunt stains and residues
Sorry homeboy but your flow sound used
Got to pay your dues, baby, you know the rules
Whenever I travel the world I land cruise
If you choose to fuck around you get bruised
Now I got you gassed on super unleaded fuels
Give me room, give me some space, yo, excuse
When I step up in the place, ayo, I step correct
(Woo-hah) I got you all in check
I got that head-nod shit that make you break your neck
(Woo-hah) I got you all in check
And you know we come through to wreck the discotheque
(Woo-hah) I got you all in check
Throw your hands up in the air, don't ever disrespect
(Woo-hah) I got you all in check
You now rocking with the best
Busta Rhymes comin' through from the Flip Mode Squad
Boy Scout's who I be
Straight to your dome, we coming straight to your dome
Bringing all new ruckus to all you rap motherfuckers
Uh, Boy Scout's who I be, Flip Mode is the squ-id-ad
Busta Rhymes break it down like this, uh
Yo which motherfucker stole my flow
Eenie, meenie, miney, mo
Throw them type of niggas right out my window
Blast your ass, hit you with a direct blow
Blow, coming through like G.I. Joe
Star Wars moving ill like Han Solo
Make you bounce around like this was calypso
Always shine 'cause I got the Hi-Pro Glow
You think that you can hide? You think you can lay low?
Roll up on your ass like Hawaii 5-0
Macked out with my dreads and my Kangol
Forget the Moet, nigga, just pass the Cisco
Yo, take a trip down to Mexico
Come back with that shit that might make you psycho
Maximum frequencies through your stereo
Sorry this is it but homeboy I got to go
When I step up in the place, ayo, I step correct
(Woo-hah) got you all in check
I got that head-nod shit that make you break your neck
(Woo-hah) I got you all in check
And you know we come through to wreck the discotheque
(Woo-hah) I got you all in check
Throw your hands up in the air, don't ever disrespect
(Woo-hah) I got you all in check, ha
Hey hey hey, ho hey
Yo yo hey
Ho ho hey, ho hey
(Got you all in check) hey
(Got you all in check) ho hey
(Got you all in check) yo yo hey
(Got you all in check)
(Got you all in check)
"Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check" by Busta Rhymes is a classic hip-hop track that was released in 1996. The song features a mix of fast-paced rapping, catchy hooks, and a hard-hitting beat. The lyrics of the song revolve around Busta Rhymes' charisma and confidence as a rapper, along with his ability to make his audience move to his music.
The main theme of the song is Busta Rhymes asserting his dominance as a rapper and performer. He boasts about having the "head-nod shit that make you break your neck," and how he can make the whole discotheque "wreck." The song also features references to other artists and their songs, such as Junior Reid, Q-Tip, and Ali Shaheed.
Overall, "Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check" is a classic example of Busta Rhymes' style of rapping. The lyrics are fast-paced, the beat is infectious, and the delivery is confident and charismatic.
Line by Line Meaning
When I step up in the place, ayo, I step correct
I arrive confidently and with purpose
(Woo-hah) got you all in check
My energy is undeniable and I have you all captivated by my performance
I got that head-nod shit that make you break your neck
My beats are so good that you cannot help but dance along with them
And you know we come through to wreck the discotheque
My crew and I are here to tear down the dancefloor and leave a lasting impression
Throw your hands up in the air, don't ever disrespect
I demand respect and involvement from my audience, and they should show their appreciation by engaging with me
Busta Rhymes up in the place, true indeed
I am the one and only Busta Rhymes, and no one can compare to my unique style and flow
Yes, I catch wreck and that's word on my seed
I have a reputation for causing chaos and destruction wherever I go, and this is no exception
I'm guaranteed to give you what you need
I promise to deliver a performance that will leave you satisfied and wanting more
One blood everybody like Junior Reid
We are all united in our love for music, just like Junior Reid's famous song
Wake up every morning, yo, I must succeed
I have a drive to succeed and make the most out of every day
Nationwide ruckus make the world stampede
My music has the power to cause chaos and excitement on a global scale
Yo Willie mek we roll some weed
I am enjoying the moment and want to share it with my friends
Mad charged nigga now I must proceed
I am feeling energized and ready to continue with my performance
Yo, we 'bout to make moves, set speed
We are ready to take things up to the next level and get people moving
Peace to Baby Phife, Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed
I am giving a shout-out to some of my favorite artists
Watch me knock you out like Apollo Creed
My lyrics and performance are so powerful that they will leave you stunned
Body blows busting your shit making you bleed
My words and music hit hard and leave an impact on my audience
Just feed off dynamic flows and take heed
My music is full of energy and you should listen closely to appreciate it
Need more information, homeboy? Then just read
If you want to learn more about me and my music, simply read up on it
Ayy, you can read all about the pure breed
My music is authentic and unique, and you can learn more about it by reading about it
Do the bogle dance, man, do the pepperseed
I want to see my audience getting involved and having fun with the music
How dare you ever try to step on my suede shoes
Don't even try to challenge me or disrespect me
Top Gun shut down your firm like Tom Cruise
I am a force to be reckoned with and will overpower anyone who tries to stand in my way
Please let me get down and blow a fuse
I am feeling the energy and excitement and want to let loose and perform at my best
Acting fools, breakin' shit down to molecules
Those who disrespect me will be brought down to nothing and reduced to nothingness
Yo, let me hit you with my ill street blues
Listen to my music and lyrics to experience the raw and authentic street vibe
Busta Rhymes always headlines the street news
I am always in the spotlight and at the forefront of the music scene
Woo-hah, hey baby girl don't be confused
My music and lyrics may be intense, but don't let that intimidate you
Sail my seven seas and enjoy my boat cruise
My music can take you on a journey and provide a fun and exciting experience
I know you really want to know who's
I am aware of the intrigue and mystery surrounding me and my music
Coming through leaving blunt stains and residues
I leave behind a lasting impact and influence through my music
Sorry homeboy but your flow sound used
I am unimpressed with and uninterested in others' attempts to imitate my music
Got to pay your dues, baby, you know the rules
To succeed, you must work hard and earn the respect and recognition you deserve
Whenever I travel the world I land cruise
My music is popular and respected wherever I go around the world
If you choose to fuck around you get bruised
Those who try to disrespect me or my music will face consequences and be 'bruised'
Now I got you gassed on super unleaded fuels
My music is full of energy and excitement, and you are caught up in the hype
Give me room, give me some space, yo, excuse
I need space and room to perform and do my thing
You now rocking with the best
My music and performance are top-notch and unbeatable
Busta Rhymes comin' through from the Flip Mode Squad
I am representing myself and my crew, the Flip Mode Squad
Boy Scout's who I be
I am representing myself with pride and confidence
Straight to your dome, we coming straight to your dome
My music and lyrics are powerful and will leave an impact on your mind
Bringing all new ruckus to all you rap motherfuckers
I am bringing a new and unique energy and style to the rap game
Uh, Boy Scout's who I be, Flip Mode is the squ-id-ad
I am representing both myself and my crew in this performance
Busta Rhymes break it down like this, uh
I am ready and excited to perform and show off my skills
Yo which motherfucker stole my flow
I am calling out those who try to copy or imitate my style and flow
Eenie, meenie, miney, mo
I am not picky about who I call out and confront
Throw them type of niggas right out my window
I have no patience or tolerance for those who try to copy or imitate me
Blast your ass, hit you with a direct blow
I am not afraid to confront and attack those who disrespect me or my music
Blow, coming through like G.I. Joe
I am coming through with strength and power, just like G.I. Joe
Star Wars moving ill like Han Solo
My music is powerful and captivating, just like the Star Wars franchise
Make you bounce around like this was calypso
My music is full of energy and will make you dance and move along with it
Always shine 'cause I got the Hi-Pro Glow
I am always in the spotlight and shining bright because of my energy and style
You think that you can hide? You think you can lay low?
I know that there are those who try to avoid or hide from me, but I will always find them
Roll up on your ass like Hawaii 5-0
I will confront and attack those who disrespect me, just like the Hawaii 5-0 police officers
Macked out with my dreads and my Kangol
I have a unique and recognizable style, with my dreadlocks and Kangol hat
Forget the Moet, nigga, just pass the Cisco
I am not interested in fancy or expensive things, I just want to enjoy the moment with my friends
Yo, take a trip down to Mexico
Let's escape and go on an adventure to Mexico
Come back with that shit that might make you psycho
We might have some wild and crazy experiences during our trip
Maximum frequencies through your stereo
My music is meant to be played loud and proud, through powerful speakers
Sorry this is it but homeboy I got to go
I have given my all and performed to the best of my abilities, but now it's time to move on
(Woo-hah) I got you all in check, ha
I have left a lasting impression on my audience and have them captivated by my energy
Hey hey hey, ho hey
I am pumping up the crowd and getting them excited
Yo yo hey
I am keeping the energy high and continuing to perform
Ho ho hey, ho hey
I am having fun with the performance and keeping everyone engaged and entertained
(Got you all in check) hey
I am in control and have my audience captivated by my energy and performance
(Got you all in check) ho hey
My performance is powerful and energetic, and I have my audience fully engaged
(Got you all in check) yo yo hey
My music and performance are captivating and have my audience hooked
(Got you all in check)
I have successfully left a lasting impression on my audience and have them hooked on my energy and performance
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Galt MacDermot, Trevor Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fantasybouthour6679
Why couldn’t rap be like this forever?
@jeremiahsymonette4781
Cuz you'd get tired of it and wouldn't appreciate this
@fantasybouthour6679
@Jeremiah Symonette good point
@26472989
He cut his dreads and lost his powers.
@fantasybouthour6679
@Lwanda M right, I didn't care for a lot of his latest stuff. I couldn't stand that song he did with Diddy and Pharrell. I'm a big fan of Pharrell but just didn't particularly care for that song.
@T1Oracle
Just a hint of this in the new stuff would be nice. So tired of mumble rap.
Oh God, I'm old now...
@tajajones7346
Him and Missy Elliott always stayed with the videos that was always ahead of their time! Give Busta his flowers! One of the greatest lyricists to ever touch a mic
@YesImUrFather
Exactly, im glad Tyler the Creator gave him his and was sincere when he did it
@jeffcrayton9596
I think luda was the last creative rapper tho it really just disappeared. But Timbo, Missy, and Busta definitely started it!!!!!!
@KevFromTally
...and give us a Missy /Busta collab... possibly have Luda or Nikki on the hook.🤔Timbo or RZA beat?🤷🏾♂️