Busta Rhymes

Trevor George Smith Jr., known professionally as Busta Rhymes, was born on May 20, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York City, to Jamaican parents. His early life included time in Uniondale, Long Island, and a period in the United Kingdom, specifically Liverpool and Morecambe, England, before returning to the United States. He attended George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School alongside future artists The Notorious B.I.G and Jay-Z, and later graduated from Uniondale High School in 1990. His career in music began in 1989 when he co-founded the East Coast hip-hop group Leaders of the New School with Charlie Brown, Dinco D, and Cut Monitor Milo. The group gained exposure as an opening act for Public Enemy, with Chuck D of Public Enemy giving Smith the moniker Busta Rhymes. Following appearances on influential tracks like A Tribe Called Quest’s “Scenario” in 1992, internal group dynamics, fueled by Rhymes’ increasing popularity, led to the group’s disbandment on the set of Yo! MTV Raps.

Following the dissolution of Leaders of the New School, Busta Rhymes embarked on a solo career, releasing his debut album, “The Coming,” in 1996. This platinum-selling album featured the hit single “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check.” His subsequent albums, “When Disaster Strikes” (1997) and “Extinction Level Event (Final World Front)” (1998), further cemented his reputation, producing singles like “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” and “Gimme Some More.” His intricate rhyming techniques and distinctive flow earned him widespread critical recognition, including 11 Grammy Award nominations. In 2012, The Source magazine listed him among the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time, and MTV recognized him as “one of hip-hop’s greatest visual artists.” He established his own record label, Conglomerate (initially Flipmode Entertainment), and the production crew The Conglomerate, showcasing an entrepreneurial spirit alongside his musical endeavors.

Throughout his career, Busta Rhymes has demonstrated a consistent ability to evolve and collaborate with various artists. He signed with Cash Money Records in 2011, though he departed in 2014 due to creative differences. His collaborative efforts include “Look at Me Now” with Chris Brown and Lil Wayne in 2011, which became his highest-charting single on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 6. He released his ninth studio album, “Year of the Dragon,” for free on Google Play in 2012, featuring a wide array of guest artists. In 2020, he released “Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God,” a sequel to his 1998 album. His eleventh studio album, “Blockbusta,” was released in late 2023, and in 2025, he received the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award at the MTV Video Music Awards, acknowledging his significant contributions and lasting impact on the music industry.