Busta Rhymes’ real name is Trevor George Smith Jr, and he was born on 20th May 1972 in Brooklyn, New York. His dad is a Jamaican immigrant and his mom Geraldine Green, together they raised Smith in deep-rooted Caribbean culture, which at some point shape his persona and music. Pulling forward, when he was twelve, the family moved to Long Island, where he graduated from Uniondale High School in 1991. He also spent sometime in England where he went to Skerton Community High School. His aunt would take him to Morecambe and during this time, he would learn karate which also introduced him to breakdancing.
Busta’s musical career kicked off while he was still in high school as part of a hip-hop group called Leaders of the New School, founded in 1986. They received attention after the A Tribe Called Quest hit Scenario, and while Busta was achieving individual success, the hip hop group became infamous for maintaining constant fights among the members from 1994 till their disbandment in the mid-90s.
Busta’s solo career took off in 1996 with the album The Coming which received critical acclaim. He won stardom off the album’s single “Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check,” which showcased his explosive energy, animated style, and rapid fire delivery. His following albums, When Disaster Strikes… (1997) and Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front (1998), Busta had earned a spot in the upper echelon of hip-hop artists. He was well known for his eccentric visuals and unmatched charisma which made him one of the most entertaining and recognizable figures in this genre.
He kept the momentum going with Anarchy (2000), Genesis (2001), and It Ain’t Safe No More (2002), and these albums produced many timeless hits such as “Pass the Courvoisier, Part II” and “I Know What You Want” with Mariah Carey. His 2006 release The Big Bang marked his first No. 1 album on Billboard 200.
Alongside music, Busta Rhymes also acted in movies such as Shaft (2000), Halloween: Resurrection (2002), Finding Forrester (2000), and some television shows. In entertainment, he also served as an entrepreneur, founding The Conglomerate label and Flipmode Squad.
From legal problems like assault cases to being banned from entering the UK,Busta has had a fair share of controversies in his life, but that hasn’t stopped him from continuing to be active in the hip hop scene. He was consistently releasing music during the 2010s and 2020s, with Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God coming out in 2020, followed by Blockbusta in 2023. In 2025 he is set to release an EP titled Dragon Season… The Awakening which will be foreshadowing his album Dragon Season.
Busta Rhymes is seen as an innovator of music video productions and the rap industrys’s flow style of verses. Some even consider him to be one of the early fathers of rap videos. Dedicating his life to music, he earned himself a reputation for being one of the best energetic singers. In addition to all of these achievements, Busta constantly gets recognition for his mind-blowing performances and his rapid phrase style that is packed with energy.
Contents
Top Songs
- Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check – His breakout solo hit, nominated for a Grammy.
- Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See – A hypnotic classic with a surreal, memorable video.
- Gimme Some More – Known for its rapid delivery and sample-heavy production.
- What’s It Gonna Be?! (feat. Janet Jackson) – A chart success and Grammy-nominated collaboration.
- Touch It – A club anthem with a star-studded remix lineup.
- I Know What You Want (feat. Mariah Carey) – A smooth, R&B-infused hit.
- Dangerous – A fan favorite showcasing his lyrical agility.
- Pass the Courvoisier, Part II – A party hit that became a pop culture staple.
- Break Ya Neck – Known for its breathless flow and production by Dr. Dre.
- Look at Me Now (Chris Brown feat. Busta Rhymes) – Busta’s verse became an instant viral sensation.
Discography
Studio Albums:
- The Coming (1996)
- When Disaster Strikes… (1997)
- Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front (1998)
- Anarchy (2000)
- Genesis (2001)
- It Ain’t Safe No More… (2002)
- The Big Bang (2006)
- Back on My B.S. (2009)
- Year of the Dragon (2012)
- Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God (2020)
- Blockbusta (2023)
- Dragon Season (2025 – Upcoming)
Collaborative Albums:
- A Future Without a Past… (1991, with Leaders of the New School)
- T.I.M.E. (The Inner Mind’s Eye) (1993, with Leaders of the New School)
- The Imperial (1998, with Flipmode Squad)
Top Albums
- The Coming – A groundbreaking debut that introduced Busta’s solo prowess.
- When Disaster Strikes… – Packed with hits, this album solidified his chart status.
- Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front – Home to “What’s It Gonna Be?!” and a defining sound of late ’90s hip-hop.
- Genesis – A commercial and creative success featuring hits like “Break Ya Neck”.
- The Big Bang – His only No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 and a fan favorite.
Awards and Honors
Although he has yet to win a Grammy, Busta Rhymes has earned 12 Grammy Award nominations, including for Best Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Album, and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
Other accolades include:
- BET Hip Hop Awards: Honored with the I Am Hip Hop Icon Award in 2022.
- MTV Video Music Awards: Multiple nominations for his visually captivating videos.
- Soul Train Music Awards: Recognized for his contributions to hip-hop and R&B.
- VH1 Hip Hop Honors: Celebrated in 2006 as a trailblazer of East Coast rap.
He has been ranked among the greatest MCs by outlets like Billboard, Vibe, Forbes, The Source, and About.com, with his flow and innovation continuously praised across generations.
Busta Rhymes Singles List
Here is a comprehensive list of all singles released by Busta Rhymes, including solo tracks and prominent lead features.
1990s
- 1996 – Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check
- 1996 – It’s a Party (feat. Zhané)
- 1996 – Do My Thing
- 1997 – Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See
- 1997 – Dangerous
- 1998 – Turn It Up (Remix)/Fire It Up
- 1998 – One
- 1998 – Gimme Some More
- 1999 – What’s It Gonna Be?! (feat. Janet Jackson)
- 1999 – Do the Bus a Bus
- 1999 – Party Is Goin’ On Over Here
2000s
- 2000 – Get Out!!
- 2000 – Fire
- 2000 – Show Me What You Got
- 2001 – What It Is (feat. Kelis)
- 2001 – Break Ya Neck
- 2001 – Pass the Courvoisier Part II (feat. P. Diddy & Pharrell)
- 2002 – Make It Clap (feat. Sean Paul & Spliff Star)
- 2003 – I Know What You Want (feat. Mariah Carey & Flipmode Squad)
- 2004 – Light Your Ass on Fire (with Pharrell)
- 2005 – I’ll Hurt You (feat. Eminem)
- 2006 – Touch It
- 2006 – I Love My Chick
- 2006 – New York Shit (feat. Swizz Beatz)
- 2006 – In the Ghetto (feat. Rick James)
- 2007 – Don’t Touch Me (Throw da Water on ‘Em)
- 2008 – We Made It (feat. Linkin Park)
- 2008 – Arab Money (feat. Ron Browz)
- 2009 – Hustler’s Anthem ’09 (feat. T-Pain)
- 2009 – Respect My Conglomerate (feat. Lil Wayne & Jadakiss)
2010s
- 2011 – Why Stop Now (feat. Chris Brown)
- 2012 – King Tut (feat. Reek da Villain & J. Doe)
- 2012 – #Twerkit (feat. Nicki Minaj – Remix)
- 2013 – Thank You (feat. Q-Tip, Kanye West & Lil Wayne)
- 2014 – Calm Down (feat. Eminem)
- 2015 – God’s Plan
- 2018 – Get It (feat. Missy Elliott & Kelly Rowland)
2020s
- 2020 – The Don & The Boss (feat. Vybz Kartel)
- 2020 – YUUUU (feat. Anderson .Paak)
- 2020 – Look Over Your Shoulder (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
- 2023 – Beach Ball (feat. BIA)
- 2023 – Luxury Life (feat. Coi Leray)
- 2023 – OK (feat. Young Thug)
- 2024 – Wassup (Ciara feat. Busta Rhymes)
- 2025 – Dragon Fire (promo single from Dragon Season)