Busta Rhymes, an American rapper, singer, musician, record producer, record executive, and actor, has an extensive career marked by innovative musical techniques and a distinctive visual style, making him a significant figure in hip-hop culture. After co-founding the East Coast hip-hop group Leaders of the New School in 1989 with Charlie Brown, Dinco D, and Cut Monitor Milo, Busta Rhymes gained early exposure as an opening act for Public Enemy, with Chuck D of Public Enemy bestowing his iconic moniker. The group released their debut album, ‘A Future Without a Past…’, in 1991 and followed it with ‘T.I.M.E. (The Inner Mind’s Eye)’ in 1993, while Busta Rhymes also made an influential appearance on A Tribe Called Quest’s ‘Scenario’ in 1992.
In 2011, Busta Rhymes signed with Cash Money Records, later departing in 2014. He released his ninth studio album, ‘Year of the Dragon’, for free on Google Play in 2012, showcasing a wide array of guest artists. His collaborative efforts continued with a feature on ‘The Hamilton Mixtape’ in 2016. In 2020, he released ‘Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God’, a highly anticipated sequel to his acclaimed 1998 album.
His eleventh studio album, ‘Blockbusta’, was released in late 2023. Looking ahead, 2025 is poised to be another landmark year for Busta Rhymes. He is scheduled to receive the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award at the MTV Video Music Awards, a testament to his profound impact and lasting contributions to the music industry. Additionally, he is set to perform at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
He will also release his EP ‘Dragon Season… The Awakening’ and contribute the song ‘Taking Everything’ to ‘The Bad Guys 2’ soundtrack, further expanding his presence across diverse platforms.