 The most idiosyncratic personality in rap and possessor of its most
recognizable delivery, a halting, ragga-inspired style with incredible
complexity, inventiveness, and humor,
Busta Rhymes formed
Leaders of the New School in 1990 and released two albums with the group
before breaking out with a 1996 solo hit single, "Woo-Hah!! Got You All in
Check."
Born in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, in 1972 of Jamaican heritage (a definite
influence on his rapping style),
Busta Rhymes moved to Long Island in 1983 and, at Uniondale High School, met up
with MCs
Charlie Brown,
Dinco D., and Cut Monitor Milo. Inspired by fellow Long Islanders
Public Enemy and
Eric B. & Rakim, the foursome united as
Leaders of the New School and signed a deal with Elektra Records right out
of the gate, when
Busta Rhymes was only 17 years old. Much respected in the hip-hop underground for
their Afrocentric philosophy and tough rapping styles,
Leaders of the New School debuted in 1991 with Future Without a Past... but
released only one more album, 1993's T.I.M.E., before breaking up the following
year.
Out on his own for the first time,
Busta Rhymes called on some friends, appearing on
A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario," the incredible remix of
Craig Mack's "Flava in Ya Ear" (also featuring
Notorious B.I.G. and
LL Cool J), as well as other projects with
Boyz II Men,
Mary J. Blige, and
TLC. He also appeared in the 1995 John Singleton film Higher Learning and
earned a solo contract with Elektra.
Busta Rhymes's first album, The Coming, proved a huge hit; the single "Woo-Hah!!
Got You All in Check" hit the Top Ten and pushed the album into gold-record
territory. His second album, When Disaster Strikes, debuted at number three in
September 1997. Extinction Level Event followed a year later, and in mid-2000,
Busta Rhymes released Anarchy while appearing on the silver screen in a remake of
the blaxploitation classic Shaft. 2002's It Ain't Safe No More and 2006's
Aftermath-released The Big Bang followed. While shooting a video for a remix of
the latter album's "Touch It,"
Busta Rhymes's bodyguard was shot to death. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
Contact Grabow for more information or to book
Busta Rhymes for your next corporate or private event.
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