| Full Name | Trevor George Smith Jr. |
| Age | 51 |
| Birthday | May 20, 1972 |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York |
| Net Worth | $60 million |
| Social Profiles |
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As a longtime hip hop fan, Busta Rhymes has been one of my absolute favorite artists for over 25 years. With his trailblazing rap style and high energy personality, Busta became a game changing pioneer in hip hop. Let‘s take a deeper look at the life and career of this legendary artist.
Humble Beginnings
Trevor George Smith Jr. was born in East Flatbush, Brooklyn on May 20, 1972. He grew up in nearby Uniondale, Long Island where he met up with high school friends Dinco D, Cut Monitor Milo, and Charlie Brown to form the pioneering hip hop crew Leaders of the New School. It was Chuck D of Public Enemy who gave Trevor the stage name Busta Rhymes after seeing his animated performance style. With LONS, Busta got his first taste of success with quirky hits like "Case of the P.T.A."
Even back then, it was clear that Busta had a truly unique presence on the mic unlike any other rapper before him. As LONS disbanded in 1993, it paved the way for Busta‘s solo career that changed hip hop forever.
Rising Popularity and Mainstream Success
In 1996, Busta Rhymes debuted his solo album ‘The Coming‘ on Elektra Records which included his first smash hit "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check". I remember watching that music video on repeat, blown away by Busta‘s machine-gun fire delivery and post-apocalyptic visuals.
The album shot to platinum sales as Busta‘s animated, rapid-fire lyrical skills mesmerized hip hop fans. The single "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" from his follow up album ‘When Disaster Strikes‘ earned Busta his first Grammy nomination in 1998. His third album ‘E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front‘ debuted at number one on Billboard, spawning hits like the Janet Jackson collab "What‘s It Gonna Be?!"
Busta‘s videos were unlike anything else on MTV. His braided hairstyles, colorful outfits, and over-the-top visuals perfectly complemented the wild electricity of his music. For me, tracks like "Gimme Some More" and "Break Ya Neck" became the soundtrack for blowing off steam on the weekend. Busta could instantly amp up any party.
Continuing His Reign
Even after dominating the 90s, Busta kept his reign going strong in the 2000s. He displayed his acting chops in movies like ‘Shaft‘ and founded his own record label Conglomerate Records in 2009. His 8th studio album, ‘Back on My B.S.‘ was one of the first albums ever released exclusively on MySpace for free streaming. I still remember downloading the project in awe of Busta‘s constant reinvention.
Collaborations with new school artists like Chris Brown ("Look at Me Now") and Kendrick Lamar ("Rigamortus Remix") proved that even the younger generation of rappers looked up to Busta as a pioneer. His guest verses were unforgettable moments on platinum hits like Mariah Carey‘s "I Know What You Want" and Jay Z‘s "So Ghetto".
In 2022, Busta‘s new single “The Don & The Boss” with Vybz Kartel showed that even at 50, the rap God‘s one-of-a-kind charisma and wordplay was as sharp as ever. An iconoclast like Busta Rhymes has never fizzled out of relevance.
Lasting Legacy
With his legendary music videos, fashion sense, rainbow-colored hairstyles, and rhymes delivered with supersonic speed, Busta Rhymes broke the mold for what a rapper could be. Songs like "Dangerous", "Gimme Some More", and "Break Ya Neck" have become eternal hip hop anthems.
Busta‘s unique style and lyrics opened the floodgates for future generations of rappers to showcase their own personalities. His fiery, animated delivery inspired artists like Ludacris, Kendrick Lamar, and Busta‘s own protégé Spliff Star to push the limits of technical rhyming.
Even today, stars like J. Cole and Joyner Lucas frequently cite Busta Rhymes as a huge influence. His wizard-like wordplay and lyrical acrobatics raised the bar sky-high. After 25 eclectic years in the spotlight, the undisputed legend Busta Rhymes remains one of the most important, beloved icons in hip hop history. His electrifying music and persona will live on forever.
