View source for Busta Rhymes

{{Short description|American rapper (born 1972)}}
{{For|the former American football player|Buster Rhymes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Busta Rhymes
| image              = Busta Rhymes (52380599657) (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Busta Rhymes performing in 2022
| birth_name         = Trevor George Smith Jr.
| alias              = Trevor Taheim Smith
| education          = [[Uniondale High School]]
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1972|5|20}}<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Monitor|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=May 24, 2013|issue=1260|page=34}}</ref>
| birth_place        = New York City, U.S.
| children           = 6
| relatives          = [[Rampage (rapper)|Rampage]] (cousin)
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
* Rapper
* songwriter
* record producer
* actor
* music executive
* businessman
}}
| years_active       = 1986–present<ref>{{cite web|author=John Bush|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/busta-rhymes-mn0000537548/biography|title=Busta Rhymes|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=November 23, 2019|archive-date=May 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514010518/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/busta-rhymes-mn0000537548/biography|url-status=live}}</ref>
| works     = {{hlist|[[Busta Rhymes discography|Discography]]|[[Busta Rhymes production discography|production]]}}
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Busta Rhymes|Full list]]
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed           = yes
| origin          = [[Hempstead, New York]], U.S.
| genre           = {{flatlist|
* [[East Coast hip-hop]]<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Fonseca|editor1-first=Anthony J.|editor2-last=Goldsmith|editor2-first=Melissa Ursula Dawn|year=2018|title=Hip Hop Around the World: An Encyclopedia|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=9780313357596|page=96}}</ref>
* [[progressive rap]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Kevin C.|date=December 23, 2011|url=https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/q-a-local-artists-pay-tribute-to-native-tongues-rap-acts/article_61a7f8d4-5a87-5d5e-934e-8a4fc316acec.html|title=Q&A: Local artists pay tribute to Native Tongues rap acts|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|access-date=July 16, 2021|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406184915/https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/q-a-local-artists-pay-tribute-to-native-tongues-rap-acts/article_61a7f8d4-5a87-5d5e-934e-8a4fc316acec.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
| instruments     = {{hlist|Vocals|samplers|drums}}
| label           = {{flatlist|
* [[Empire Distribution|Empire]]
* [[Conglomerate (record label)|Conglomerate]]
* [[Epic Records|Epic]]
* [[Violator (company)|Violator]]
* [[Republic Records|Republic]]
* [[Cash Money Records|Cash Money]]
* [[Young Money Entertainment|Young Money]]
* [[Universal Motown Records|Universal Motown]]
* [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]
* [[Aftermath Entertainment|Aftermath]]
* [[J Records|J]]
* [[Elektra Records|Elektra]]
}}
| current_member_of = {{flatlist|
* [[Flipmode Squad]]
}}
| past_member_of = {{flatlist|
* [[Leaders of the New School]]
}}
| website = {{URL|bustarhymesuniverse.com}}
{{Infobox
| child=yes
| header          = Logo
| headerstyle     = background:#b0c4de
| data1 =<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Bustarhymeslogo.png|250px]] -->}}
}}
| signature = Busta Rhymes sig.svg
}}

'''Trevor George Smith Jr.''' (born May 20, 1972), known professionally as '''Busta Rhymes''', is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. [[Chuck D]] of [[Public Enemy]] gave him the moniker Busta Rhymes, after [[National Football League|NFL]] and [[Canadian Football League|CFL]] wide receiver [[Buster Rhymes|George "Buster" Rhymes]]. He has received 12 [[Grammy Award]] nominations, making him [[Grammy Award records#Most nominations without winning|one of the most-nominated artists without a win]]. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' and [[Vibe (magazine)|''Vibe'']] ranked him among the [[Billboard and Vibe's 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time|50 Greatest Rappers of All Time]], while ''[[Forbes]]'' listed him among the greatest rappers on their list of the "50 Top Rappers of All Time".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Rouhani |first=Carl Lamarre, Gail Mitchell, Keith Murphy, Michael Saponara, Datwon Thomas, Mark Elibert, Eric Diep, William E. Ketchum III, Heran Mamo, Neena |date=2023-02-08 |title=50 Greatest Rappers of All Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-rappers-all-time/33-busta-rhymes/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bossi |first=Andrea |title=The 50 Top Rappers Of All Time |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/entertainment/article/best-rappers-of-all-time/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=April 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240410201118/https://www.forbes.com/sites/entertainment/article/best-rappers-of-all-time/?sh=634321681a27 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Busta Rhymes was an original member of [[Leaders of the New School]], a group that attracted national attention while opening on tour for Public Enemy.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.20399/title.busta-rhymes-reunites-on-stage-with-leaders-of-the-new-school|title=Busta Rhymes Reunites On Stage With Leaders of the New School|website=HipHopDX.com|access-date=September 11, 2017|archive-date=September 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911162050/http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.20399/title.busta-rhymes-reunites-on-stage-with-leaders-of-the-new-school|url-status=live}}</ref> He gained further exposure for their guest appearance on [[A Tribe Called Quest]]'s "[[Scenario (song)|Scenario]]". Shortly after, Leaders of the New School disbanded, leading Rhymes to become a sought-after solo artist, appearing on numerous tracks for other artists before his debut solo album, ''[[The Coming]]'' (1996). Critically acclaimed, the album debuted within the top ten of the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], received [[RIAA certification|platinum]] certification by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA), and was nominated for a Grammy Award.

He has released eleven total solo albums, with the most recent being ''[[Blockbusta]]'' (2023). His most notable singles include "[[Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check]]", "[[It's a Party (song)|It's a Party]]", "[[Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See]]", "[[Dangerous (Busta Rhymes song)|Dangerous]]", [[Turn It Up (Remix) / Fire It Up|"Turn It Up" (Remix)/"Fire It Up"]], "[[Gimme Some More]]", "[[What's It Gonna Be?!]]", "[[Pass the Courvoisier, Part II]]", "[[I Know What You Want]]" and "[[Touch It (Busta Rhymes song)|Touch It]]". He has also guest featured on the hit songs "[[Don't Cha]]" by [[The Pussycat Dolls]], "[[Rumble in the Jungle (song)|Rumble in the Jungle]]" by [[Fugees]], and "[[Look at Me Now (Chris Brown song)|Look at Me Now]]" by [[Chris Brown]]. In addition to his music career, he founded the record label [[Conglomerate (record label)|Conglomerate]] (formerly Flipmode Entertainment) and its namesake hip hop collective (formerly known as [[Flipmode Squad]]). In 2025, Busta Rhymes was awarded the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award by the [[MTV Video Music Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2025-08-18 |title=Busta Rhymes To Receive Inaugural MTV VMA Rock The Bells Visionary Award |url=https://deadline.com/2025/08/busta-rhymes-mtv-vma-rock-the-bells-visionary-award-1236489801/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Early life==
Trevor George Smith Jr.<ref>{{cite news|title=Busta Rhymes must be released, orders judge|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3081767/Busta-Rhymes-must-be-released-orders-judge.html|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=March 23, 2016|archive-date=April 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410095509/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3081767/Busta-Rhymes-must-be-released-orders-judge.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Buzz Briefs: Emilio Navaira, David Blaine|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/buzz-briefs-emilio-navaira-david-blaine/|work=CBS News|date=September 25, 2008 |access-date=March 23, 2016|archive-date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404144847/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/buzz-briefs-emilio-navaira-david-blaine/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Busta Rhymes Refused Entry into Britain|url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/articles/busta-rhymes-refused-entry-into-britain-65465/|website=Accesshollywood.com|date=September 25, 2008 |publisher=NBCUniversal, Inc.|access-date=March 23, 2016|archive-date=April 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405053352/http://www.accesshollywood.com/articles/busta-rhymes-refused-entry-into-britain-65465/|url-status=live}}</ref> was born in the [[East Flatbush]] neighborhood of [[Brooklyn]], [[New York City]], on May 20, 1972, to Geraldine Green and Trevor Smith Sr., who both were immigrants from [[Jamaica]].<ref>{{cite web |first=John |last=Bush |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mn0000537548/biography |title=Busta Rhymes Biography |publisher=AllMusic |date=May 20, 1972 |access-date=April 25, 2014 |archive-date=September 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904132636/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mn0000537548/biography |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1ScEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA106|title=Vibe|date=August 1, 2000|access-date=October 5, 2017|via=Google Books}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BVfzXrPBDcv/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/bustarhymes/1540175524926863151 |archive-date=2021-12-23 |url-access=subscription|title=As me, my brother Shakim, and my 3 sons and his 2 sons ... visit our old King's resting place.|first=Busta|last=Rhymes|publisher=Busta Rhymes verified Instagram account|date=June 18, 2017|access-date=October 5, 2017|quote=Trevor G. Smith Sr. ... Love you very much Dad.}}{{cbignore}}</ref> At age 12, Smith's family moved to [[Nassau County, New York|Nassau County]] on [[Long Island]], and settled in [[Uniondale, New York]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Busta-Rhymes-Biography/E01C9152440DE73C482568A50013A40A |title=Busta Rhymes Biography |publisher=Sing365.com |date=December 6, 2007 |access-date=December 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104194352/http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Busta-Rhymes-Biography/E01C9152440DE73C482568A50013A40A |archive-date=January 4, 2013 }}</ref> For a short while, Smith attended [[George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School]] in Brooklyn with future rappers [[The Notorious B.I.G.|Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace]] and [[Jay-Z|Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/jay-z-talks-high-school-rap-battle-with-busta-rhymes-on-kimmel-194181/|title=Jay Z Talks High School Rap Battle With Busta Rhymes on 'Kimmel'|first=Ryan|last=Reed|date=October 21, 2015|access-date=September 24, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=September 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924181818/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/jay-z-talks-high-school-rap-battle-with-busta-rhymes-on-kimmel-194181/|url-status=dead|quote=Jay Z, who attended Brooklyn's George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School with Busta Rhymes and Notorious B.I.G.}}</ref> and attended [[Samuel J. Tilden High School]] with [[Special Ed (rapper)|Edward "Special Ed" Archer]] and Roderick "Chip Fu" Roachford of [[Fu-Schnickens]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/features/music-interviews/busta-rhymes-biggie-smalls-jay-z-masked-singer-extinction-level-2-2814338|title=Does Rock 'N' Roll Kill Braincells?! – Busta Rhymes|magazine=NME|last=Ryan|first=Gary|date=November 12, 2020|access-date=August 23, 2022|archive-date=May 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522103120/https://www.nme.com/features/music-interviews/busta-rhymes-biggie-smalls-jay-z-masked-singer-extinction-level-2-2814338|url-status=live}}</ref> Smith eventually graduated from [[Uniondale High School]] in 1991.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/celebrities/notable-long-islanders-1.2342650|title=Notable Long Islanders|newspaper=Newsday|location=New York City / Long Island|date=September 17, 2018|access-date=September 24, 2020|quote=Rapper Busta Rhymes ... graduated from Uniondale High School in 1991.|archive-date=July 15, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200715151625/https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/celebrities/notable-long-islanders-1.2342650|url-status=live}}</ref>

Busta also spent time in [[England]] during the early 1980s where he resided with his maternal aunt. She lived in [[Morecambe]], and he spent two summers there with his mother and younger brother.<ref name="GQ2020"/> He went to [[Skerton Community High School]] while he was staying in the area.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.beyondradio.co.uk/news/local-news/busta-rhymes-in-morecambe-the-truth/ | title=Busta Rhymes in Morecambe: The Truth | access-date=April 4, 2023 | archive-date=April 4, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404123834/https://www.beyondradio.co.uk/news/local-news/busta-rhymes-in-morecambe-the-truth/ | url-status=live }}</ref> He told ''[[GQ]]'' in a 2020 interview, "One summer when we went down there I was 12, my brother was eight, so my aunt made sure that we actually went to school in England. Regular school and then we went to karate school too. We also were on some [[breakdancing]] that was so crazy, we ended up actually getting work to breakdance in clubs as minors. And our cousins used to run us around and they used to advertise us as TJ and Paul."<ref name="GQ2020">{{cite web | url=https://www.gq.com/story/busta-rhymes-ele-2-interview | title=The Voice: What Busta Rhymes Has Learned After over 30 Years in Hip-Hop | date=November 21, 2020 |work=GQ|first=Cheo Hodari|last=Coker}}</ref>

==Career==
===1986–1995: Leaders of the New School and rising popularity===
{{Quote box
| quote = "They were performing with one mic, and it was three MCs, not four. Busta also did the beatbox. It was just ill. He was controlling the mic and certainly the star of the show. He was completely amazing."
| source = – A&R [[Dante Ross]], on the group's performance at Payday<ref name="Busta Rhymes The Ringer Interview">{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Max |date=March 25, 2021 |title=How Busta Rhymes Harnessed the Dungeon Dragon on His Classic Debut |url=https://www.theringer.com/2021/3/25/22349157/busta-rhymes-the-coming-history-retrospective |access-date=November 11, 2023 |website=The Ringer |language=en |archive-date=November 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111170824/https://www.theringer.com/2021/3/25/22349157/busta-rhymes-the-coming-history-retrospective |url-status=live }}</ref>
| width = 30em
| align = right
}}

In 1986, Smith, alongside fellow [[Long Island]] natives Charlie Brown, Cut Monitor Milo, and Dinco D, formed the [[East Coast hip-hop|East Coast hip hop]] group [[Leaders of the New School]].<ref name=ALLMUSIC>[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0000537548/biography|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic Biography]</ref>

Leaders of the New School released their debut album, ''[[A Future Without a Past...]],'' in June 1991 on [[Elektra Records]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Leaders of the New School Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/leaders-of-the-new-school-mn0000126771 |website=AllMusic |access-date=19 January 2024 |language=en |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119205329/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/leaders-of-the-new-school-mn0000126771 |url-status=live }}</ref> Later that year, the group appeared on [[A Tribe Called Quest]]'s critically acclaimed [[posse cut]] "[[Scenario (song)|Scenario]]".<ref>{{cite web|last=Young|first=Kevin|url=http://www.bookforum.com/inprint/017_03/6320|title=Unwrapping the Message|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026073417/http://bookforum.com/inprint/017_03/6320|archive-date=October 26, 2010|work=Bookforum|access-date=November 16, 2010}}</ref> In 1993, they released ''[[T.I.M.E. (The Inner Mind's Eye)]]''. Smith gained popularity from his advanced rhymes as well as his unique style that was not common of many New York rap artists at the time. Soon after, however, internal problems arose because of his increasing popularity, and the group broke up on the set of ''[[Yo! MTV Raps]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mlynar|first1=Phillip|title=The Five Best Moments On Yo! MTV Raps|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/music/the-five-best-moments-on-yo-mtv-raps-6616077|website=The Village Voice|date=July 29, 2011 |publisher=Village Voice, LLC|access-date=March 24, 2016|archive-date=April 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407111453/http://www.villagevoice.com/music/the-five-best-moments-on-yo-mtv-raps-6616077|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Markman|first1=Rob|title=Busta Rhymes Recalls LONS' 'Yo! MTV Raps' Breakup|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1675036/busta-rhymes-lons-breakup-yo-mtv-raps/|publisher=MTV|access-date=March 24, 2016|archive-date=March 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317022312/http://www.mtv.com/news/1675036/busta-rhymes-lons-breakup-yo-mtv-raps/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{Quote box
| quote = "I was like the first artist to really start rhyming on everyone else's record. And I was doing that because it was a quick way to feed my kid. That's what was going on until, you know, I got to a place where I felt comfortable enough with doing a solo album."
| source = – Busta Rhymes<ref name="Busta Rhymes The Ringer Interview" />
| width = 30em
| align = left
}}

===1996–1999: ''The Coming'', ''When Disaster Strikes'', and ''Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front''===
In 1996, Busta Rhymes released his debut solo album, ''[[The Coming]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Busta Rhymes - The Coming Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-coming-mw0000185333 |website=AllMusic |access-date=19 January 2024 |language=en |archive-date=June 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613032704/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-coming-mw0000185333 |url-status=live }}</ref> His single "[[Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check|Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check]]" was a success, pushing the album into gold record status.<ref name=ALLMUSIC /> Later, he started work on his second album, ''[[When Disaster Strikes...|When Disaster Strikes]]'', which would not be released until September 1997.<ref name=ALLMUSIC />

In 1998, Busta Rhymes recorded ''[[Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front]]''.<ref name=ALLMUSIC />

===2000–2004: ''Anarchy'', ''Genesis'', and ''It Ain't Safe No More''===
[[File:Busta rhymes-06-mika.jpg|thumb|upright|Busta Rhymes in 2002]]
{{See also|Flipmode Squad}}

In 2000, Busta Rhymes released his final album for Elektra, titled ''[[Anarchy (Busta Rhymes album)|Anarchy]]''.<ref name=ALLMUSIC /><ref name="ALLMUSIC-discography">{{cite web |title=Busta Rhymes Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/busta-rhymes-mn0000537548#discography |website=AllMusic |access-date=19 January 2024 |language=en |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119205329/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/busta-rhymes-mn0000537548#discography |url-status=live }}</ref> He released ''[[Genesis (Busta Rhymes album)|Genesis]]'' in 2001.<ref name=ALLMUSIC /> The album featured collaborations with [[Mary J. Blige]], [[Sean Combs|P. Diddy]], [[Kelis]], and others.<ref>{{cite web |title=Busta Rhymes - Genesis Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |website=[[AllMusic]] |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/genesis-mw0000006273 |access-date=19 January 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2002, Busta Rhymes released his sixth studio album, ''[[It Ain't Safe No More...|It Ain't Safe No More]]''.<ref name="ALLMUSIC-discography" /><ref name=ALLMUSIC />

===2005–2009: ''The Big Bang'' and ''Back on My B.S.''===
[[File:Busta rhymes breaks it down for the mobile geeks.jpg|thumb|right|Busta Rhymes performing in 2006]]
His seventh studio album, titled ''[[The Big Bang (Busta Rhymes album)|The Big Bang]]'', became the first No. 1 album of his career. The album sold over 209,000 copies in its first week to earn the top spot on the U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-big-bang-mw0000569714|title=The Big Bang – Busta Rhymes – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=October 5, 2017|archive-date=October 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006012854/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-big-bang-mw0000569714|url-status=live}}</ref>

It was later revealed that Busta signed a deal with [[Universal Motown]], through which he released his eighth studio album, ''[[Back on My B.S.]]'', on May 19, 2009.<ref name="universalmotown">{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2008/09/17/exclusive-busta-rhymes-signs-with-universal-motown/|title=Exclusive: Busta Rhymes Signs with Universal Motown|website=Rap-up.com|access-date=October 5, 2017|archive-date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916010838/http://www.rap-up.com/2008/09/17/exclusive-busta-rhymes-signs-with-universal-motown/|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to controversial content, the United Arab Emirates has banned the album.<ref name="thenational.ae" /> ''Back on My B.S.'' was released internationally, but because of one song, "[[Arab Money]]", it cannot be purchased as a CD there, although the album can still be purchased via iTunes.<ref name="thenational.ae" />  According to the National Media Council, the lyrics were considered to be offensive to Arabs and to Islam because it quoted the [[Quran]].<ref name="thenational.ae" />

In November 2008, when "Arab Money" was released as a single, DJ Dany Neville and the Iraqi rapper [[The Narcicyst]] responded by recording a reply. Rhymes later apologized.<ref name="thenational.ae" /> DJs in the country said they had not received an order banning the record from being spun in nightclubs, and they had mixed feelings on whether the record was offensive or not.<ref name="thenational.ae">{{cite web |url=http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090529/NATIONAL/705289848/1010 |title=Busta Rhymes album banned over track that quotes Quran – The National Newspaper |website=The National|location=Abu Dhabi |date=May 28, 2009 |access-date=September 6, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830101551/http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090529/NATIONAL/705289848/1010 |archive-date=August 30, 2010 }}</ref> DJ Saif of Dubai said "I don't play 'Arab Money' because it's disrespectful [to] Arabs. I don't think there is a ban on playing it in clubs, but many here don't play it anyway."<ref name="thenational.ae"/>

[[File:Busta rhymes-03-mika.jpg|thumb|Busta Rhymes in 2005]]

[[DJ Bliss]], along with many other DJs in the UAE, refused to play "Arab Money" on Radio 1 in Dubai after it was banned in the UAE for offense to Arabs. He added, "I used to play the original version in the club, but out of respect for the laws here in my country, I haven't played it since."<ref name="thenational.ae"/> In 2010 the track's producer [[Ron Browz]] defended Busta Rhymes in a Dubai interview with journalist Awad Mustafa stating that the track was misunderstood.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/music/rapper-says-arab-money-track-was-as-a-compliment-1.527562|title=Rapper says Arab Money track was as a 'compliment'|work=The National|access-date=January 19, 2018|archive-date=October 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006212451/https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/music/rapper-says-arab-money-track-was-as-a-compliment-1.527562|url-status=live}}</ref> "For us, having 'Arab money' is a compliment understood like having 'Oprah money' or 'Tiger Woods money' – it's just street slang, and we were appreciating the amazing wonders that have been created here," Browz said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/music/rapper-says-arab-money-track-was-as-a-compliment|title=Rapper says Arab Money track was as a 'compliment'|website=The National|date=October 8, 2010 |location=Abu Dhabi|access-date=October 5, 2017|archive-date=November 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128134738/http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/music/rapper-says-arab-money-track-was-as-a-compliment|url-status=live}}</ref> Browz added that he had produced the track in a moment of inspiration while experimenting in his studio. "Growing up in Harlem I was always surrounded by Arabs and [[Islam and Hip-Hop in the United States|Muslims]], we embraced their culture and they embraced ours and we always joked with each other," he said.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mustafa |first1=Awad |title=Rapper says Arab Money track was as a 'compliment' |url=https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/music/rapper-says-arab-money-track-was-as-a-compliment-1.527562 |website=The National |date=October 8, 2010 |access-date=July 15, 2018 |archive-date=July 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715093739/https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/music/rapper-says-arab-money-track-was-as-a-compliment-1.527562 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2010–2020: Collaborations and ''Extinction Level Event 2''===
In September 2009, Busta Rhymes had announced that he was working on his ninth studio album, alongside Canadian producer [[Boi-1da]], titled ''The Chemo''. At the time, he stated that the project was 80% finished.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rapbasement.com/busta-rhymes/090209-busta-rhymes-says-hes-80-percent-done-with-new-the-chemo-album.html |title=Busta Rhymes Brings Chemo To Hip Hop &#124; Busta Rhymes |work=Rap Basement |date=September 2, 2009 |access-date=September 6, 2010 |archive-date=July 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713162713/http://www.rapbasement.com/busta-rhymes/090209-busta-rhymes-says-hes-80-percent-done-with-new-the-chemo-album.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2010, Busta Rhymes had reportedly changed the title of his ninth album from ''The Chemo'' to ''Extinction Level Event 2'', making his ninth effort a sequel to his 1998 album ''Extinction Level Event (Final World Front)''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rapbasement.com/busta-rhymes/051010-busta-rhymes-changes-title-of-new-album-from-chemo-to-extinction-level-event-2-watch-here.html |title=Busta Rhymes Changes Title Of New Album &#124; Busta Rhymes |work=Rap Basement |date=May 10, 2010 |access-date=September 6, 2010 |archive-date=July 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715121803/http://www.rapbasement.com/busta-rhymes/051010-busta-rhymes-changes-title-of-new-album-from-chemo-to-extinction-level-event-2-watch-here.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Busta Rhymes contributed to the 2011 [[Tech N9ne]] album ''[[All 6's and 7's]]'', performing vocals on the single, "Worldwide Choppers", released on May 31.<ref>{{cite web|title="Worldwide Choppers" single on iTunes|date=May 31, 2011 |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/worldwide-choppers-feat-d/id438708422|publisher=iTunes Store|access-date=April 12, 2012|archive-date=June 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604181405/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/worldwide-choppers-feat-d/id438708422|url-status=dead}}</ref> Canadian recording artist [[Justin Bieber]] featured Busta Rhymes on a song called "Drummer Boy" off Bieber's second studio album, ''[[Under the Mistletoe]]'', released on November 1, 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2011/10/05/justin-bieber-unwraps-mistletoe-tracklisting-with-mariah-carey-usher-busta-rhymes/ |title=Justin Bieber Unwraps 'Mistletoe' Tracklisting with Mariah Carey, Usher, & Busta Rhymes |website=Rap-Up.com |access-date=October 30, 2011 |archive-date=November 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107023049/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/10/05/justin-bieber-unwraps-mistletoe-tracklisting-with-mariah-carey-usher-busta-rhymes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 11, 2011, a [[Heavy D]] tribute song titled "You Ain't Gotta Wait Till I'm Gone" was leaked.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/singles/id.17612/title.busta-rhymes-you-aint-gotta-wait-til-im-gone-heavy-d-tribute |title=You Ain't Gotta Wait Til I'm Gone (Heavy D Tribute) |website=HipHopDX.com |date=November 11, 2011 |access-date=November 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318173040/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/singles/id.17612/title.busta-rhymes-you-aint-gotta-wait-til-im-gone-heavy-d-tribute |archive-date=March 18, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On November 16, 2011, it was announced that Busta Rhymes signed to [[Cash Money Records]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rapradar.com/2011/11/16/new-music-busta-rhymes-x-chris-brown-why-stop-now/ |title=New Music: Busta Rhymes x Chris Brown 'Why Stop Now' |website=RapRadar.com |date=November 16, 2011 |access-date=November 16, 2011 |archive-date=November 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119010307/http://rapradar.com/2011/11/16/new-music-busta-rhymes-x-chris-brown-why-stop-now/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

A song with Twista, titled "Can You Keep Up", was leaked. Busta Rhymes was featured on [[Fat Joe]]'s single "Pride & Joy" alongside [[Kanye West]] and [[Jadakiss]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2012/08/04/behind-the-video-fat-joe-f-kanye-west-jadakiss-miguel-busta-rhymes-pride-n-joy/ |title=Behind the Video: Fat Joe f/ Kanye West, Jadakiss, Miguel, & Busta Rhymes – 'Pride N Joy' |website=Rap-Up.com |access-date=December 24, 2012 |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022071825/http://www.rap-up.com/2012/08/04/behind-the-video-fat-joe-f-kanye-west-jadakiss-miguel-busta-rhymes-pride-n-joy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His ninth studio album, ''[[Year of the Dragon (Busta Rhymes album)|Year of the Dragon]]'', was released for free on [[Google Play]] on August 21, 2012. The album features guest appearances from [[Lil Wayne]], [[Rick Ross]], [[Trey Songz]], [[Robin Thicke]], [[Maino (rapper)|Maino]], [[Gucci Mane]] and more. He also released a music video for the track "Doin' It Again" which features [[Reek da Villian]] and includes a tribute to his manager [[Chris Lighty]], who committed suicide in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2012/09/12/video-busta-rhymes-f-reek-da-villian-chanel-nicole-doin-it-again/ |title=Video: Busta Rhymes f/ Reek Da Villian & Chanel Nicole – 'Doin It Again' |website=Rap-Up.com |access-date=December 24, 2012 |archive-date=January 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127040605/http://www.rap-up.com/2012/09/12/video-busta-rhymes-f-reek-da-villian-chanel-nicole-doin-it-again/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

He was later featured on YMCMB label mate Shannel's single "Last Time".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2012/10/31/new-music-shanell-f-busta-rhymes-last-time/ |title=New Music: Shanell f/ Busta Rhymes – 'Last Time' |website=Rap-Up.com |date=October 31, 2012 |access-date=December 24, 2012 |archive-date=January 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127040558/http://www.rap-up.com/2012/10/31/new-music-shanell-f-busta-rhymes-last-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011, it was announced that Universal Motown was going defunct, forcing Rhymes and other artists to move to [[Universal Republic Records]]. In mid-2012, it was announced that Universal Republic Records was also going defunct, forcing artists on the roster to move to [[Republic Records]], reviving the label.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.republicrecords.com/artists/artist_single.aspx?aid=7667 |title=Busta R |access-date=November 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030003039/http://www.republicrecords.com/artists/artist_single.aspx?aid=7667 |archive-date=October 30, 2012 }}</ref>

On December 21, 2012, members of The Conglomerate Ent., Busta along with J. Doe and Reek da Villan released a mixtape titled ''Catastrophic'', their first collective effort.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cooper |first=Roman |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22247/title.busta-rhymes-to-release-catastrophic-mixtape |title=Busta Rhymes & The Conglomerate "Catastrophic" Mixtape Download & Stream  |website=HipHopDX.com |date=December 16, 2012 |access-date=December 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318200916/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22247/title.busta-rhymes-to-release-catastrophic-mixtape |archive-date=March 18, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Busta Rhymes collaborated with [[Pharrell Williams]], who produced the first single off his Cash Money Records debut, "[[Twerk It]]", which was released on June 6, 2013. A video was shot in [[Flatbush, Brooklyn|Flatbush]] on June 3, 2013. The official remix was released featuring [[Nicki Minaj]]. On July 23, 2014, Busta Rhymes announced that he left Cash Money Records due to creative differences and he is no longer on Republic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1876475/busta-rhymes-left-cash-money-peacefully/|title=Busta Rhymes Left Cash Money With No Hard Feelings, After Talking With Birdman|publisher=MTV|access-date=October 5, 2017|archive-date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916010831/http://www.mtv.com/news/1876475/busta-rhymes-left-cash-money-peacefully/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

He was featured on "Devil", featuring [[Neon Hitch]] and [[B.o.B]], a song by [[Cash Cash]]. It was released in August 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2015/08/cash-cash-new-song-premiere-devil-feat-busta-rhymes-bob-and-neon-hitch|title=Premiere: Listen to Cash Cash's "Devil" f/ Busta Rhymes, B.o.B, and Neon Hitch|website=Complex.com|access-date=October 5, 2017|archive-date=September 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923003111/http://www.complex.com/music/2015/08/cash-cash-new-song-premiere-devil-feat-busta-rhymes-bob-and-neon-hitch|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2014, it was announced that Rhymes had amicably departed Cash Money Records due to creative differences.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1876475/busta-rhymes-left-cash-money-peacefully/|title=Busta Rhymes Left Cash Money With No Hard Feelings, After Talking With Birdman|first=Nadeska|last=Alexis|publisher=MTV News|access-date=July 23, 2014|archive-date=July 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725203916/http://www.mtv.com/news/1876475/busta-rhymes-left-cash-money-peacefully/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Out4Fame-Festival 2015 - Busta Rhymes - 2 (cropped).JPG|thumb|Busta Rhymes at Out4Fame Festival 2015 in Germany]]
In 2016, a movement to name a small, uninhabited lake island in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts after Busta Rhymes received viral publicity. The unofficial name of [[Busta Rhymes Island]] was chosen by a town resident because the island has "rope-swinging, blueberries, and ... stuff Busta would enjoy".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Grundhauser|first1=Eric|title=Busta Rhymes Island|url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/busta-rhymes-island|website=Atlasobscura.com|access-date=August 8, 2016|archive-date=August 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812071638/http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/busta-rhymes-island|url-status=live}}</ref> A formal proposal was made to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to officially change the island's name, but it was not accepted due to regulations regarding the naming of geographic places after living people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://99percentinvisible.org/episode/one-man-is-an-island/|title=One Man Is An Island – 99% Invisible|website=99percentinvisible.org|date=March 11, 2014 |access-date=October 5, 2017|archive-date=October 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001163732/http://99percentinvisible.org/episode/one-man-is-an-island/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Busta Rhymes was also a featured artist on ''[[The Hamilton Mixtape]]'', singing a remix of "[[My Shot]]", along with [[Black Thought]] of [[The Roots]] and [[Joell Ortiz]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/69537-listen-to-my-shot-feat-busta-rhymes-and-joell-ortiz-from-lin-manuel-mirandas-hamilton-mixtape/|title=Listen to 'My Shot' Feat. Busta Rhymes and Joell Ortiz from Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton Mixtape {{!}} Pitchfork|website=Pitchfork|date=November 4, 2016 |access-date=February 2, 2017|archive-date=February 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203075723/http://pitchfork.com/news/69537-listen-to-my-shot-feat-busta-rhymes-and-joell-ortiz-from-lin-manuel-mirandas-hamilton-mixtape/|url-status=live}}</ref> The trio performed the song on ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2016/music/news/busta-rhymes-hamilton-mixtape-my-shot-jimmy-fallon-watch-1201934765/|title=Busta Rhymes, the Roots and Joell Ortiz Perform 'My Shot' From the 'Hamilton Mixtape' on Jimmy Fallon (Watch)|last=Kelley|first=Seth|date=December 6, 2016|newspaper=Variety|access-date=February 2, 2017|archive-date=February 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203075757/http://variety.com/2016/music/news/busta-rhymes-hamilton-mixtape-my-shot-jimmy-fallon-watch-1201934765/|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 2, 2018, Rhymes released a new single "Get It", featuring [[Missy Elliott]] and [[Kelly Rowland]], through [[Epic Records]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Get-It-Explicit/dp/B079GXY83D/|title=Get It [Explicit] by Busta Rhymes feat. Missy Elliott & Kelly Rowland on Amazon Music|website=Amazon UK |access-date=February 2, 2018|archive-date=June 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614045051/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Get-It-Explicit/dp/B079GXY83D|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2019, Busta Rhymes confirmed he's "finishing touches" of his new album with longtime collaborator, Dr. Dre.<ref name="hiphopdx.com">{{Cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.50268/title.busta-rhymes-bearded-dr-dre-finishing-up-long-delayed-album|title=Busta Rhymes & Bearded Dr. Dre Finishing Up Long Delayed Album|date=February 12, 2019|website=HipHopDX|access-date=February 13, 2019|archive-date=February 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213061714/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.50268/title.busta-rhymes-bearded-dr-dre-finishing-up-long-delayed-album|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020, Busta Rhymes competed in [[The Masked Singer (American TV series) season 4|season 4]] of ''[[The Masked Singer (American TV series)|The Masked Singer]]'' as "Dragon". He was eliminated in the first episode.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/TV/2020/09/23/Busta-Rhymes-dressed-as-a-dragon-eliminated-from-Masked-Singer/2941600897151/ |title=Busta Rhymes, dressed as a dragon, eliminated from 'Masked Singer' |access-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924103724/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/TV/2020/09/23/Busta-Rhymes-dressed-as-a-dragon-eliminated-from-Masked-Singer/2941600897151/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On October 30, 2020, Busta released his album ''[[Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God]]''.<ref name="ALLMUSIC-discography" />

===2021–2024: ''Blockbusta'' and guest appearances===
In 2021, Busta Rhymes released the 25th Anniversary Edition of his debut studio album, ''[[The Coming]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/356700-busta-rhymes-reflects-on-debut-albums-25th-anniversary-news|title=Busta Rhymes Reflects On Debut Album's 25th Anniversary|website=[[HotNewHipHop]]|date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>

In late 2023, his eleventh studio album, ''[[Blockbusta]]'', which has many guest appearances, was released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/busta-rhymes-set-to-drop-new-blockbusta-album-next-month-swizz-beatz-pharrell-timbaland-3520476|title=Busta Rhymes announces surprise release of new album 'Blockbusta'|website=[[NME]]|date=October 25, 2023|access-date=December 4, 2023|archive-date=November 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106061748/https://www.nme.com/news/music/busta-rhymes-set-to-drop-new-blockbusta-album-next-month-swizz-beatz-pharrell-timbaland-3520476|url-status=live}}</ref>

Throughout late 2024, he made two major guest appearances on his idol, [[LL Cool J]]'s "Huey in the Chair", a track from his fourteenth album, ''[[The FORCE]]'', the pair's first collaboration in nearly 27 years since 1997's "Starsky and Hutch".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sherman |first=Maria |date=2024-07-12 |title=LL Cool J relearned 'how to rap' on his first album in 11 years, 'The FORCE.' Here's how |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/jul/12/ll-cool-j-relearned-how-to-rap-on-his-first-album-/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=The Washington Times |language=en-US |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717144954/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/jul/12/ll-cool-j-relearned-how-to-rap-on-his-first-album-/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Inman |first=DeMicia |date=2024-07-12 |title=LL Cool J Details First Album In 11 Years: "I Wasn't Trying To Do Trendy" |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/ll-cool-j-the-force-album-tracklist-1234895525/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=VIBE.com |language=en-US |archive-date=March 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308091707/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/ll-cool-j-the-force-album-tracklist-1234895525/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That November, he appeared on singer [[Ciara]]'s single, "Wassup".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Zemler |first=Emily |date=2024-09-27 |title=Ciara Taps Busta Rhymes for High-Energy Single 'Wassup' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ciara-taps-busta-rhymes-wassup-single-1235113961/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=December 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216063552/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ciara-taps-busta-rhymes-wassup-single-1235113961/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2025–present: ''Dragon Season'' ===
On January 17, 2025, Busta Rhymes released his EP, ''Dragon Season... The Awakening'', a precursor to his upcoming studio album, ''[[Dragon Season]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jon |title=Busta Rhymes brings the fire on 'Dragon Season... The Awakening' EP |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/busta-rhymes-returns-with-dragon-season-the-awakening-ep |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=REVOLT}}</ref>

Busta Rhymes contributed the song "Taking Everything" for the soundtrack of the 2025 animated heist action comedy film ''[[The Bad Guys 2]]'', the sequel to the 2022 film ''[[The Bad Guys (film)|The Bad Guys]]'', both loosely based on the [[The Bad Guys (book series)|book series of the same name]] by [[Aaron Blabey]]. Rhymes co-wrote the song with the film's composer [[Daniel Pemberton]]<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Busta Rhymes' Original Song 'Taking Everything' from 'The Bad Guys 2' Released {{!}} Film Music Reporter |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2025/07/25/busta-rhymess-original-song-taking-everything-from-the-bad-guys-2-released/ |access-date=2025-09-11 |language=en-US}}</ref> and was released as a promotional single from the soundtrack on July 25, 2025.<ref name="auto"/>

Busta Rhymes performed a medley set with [[Spliff Star]], [[Joyner Lucas]], [[Papoose (rapper)|Papoose]] and [[GloRilla]] at the [[2025 MTV Video Music Awards]] in September,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Scoop |date=2025-08-18 |title=Sabrina Carpenter to Perform at 2025 VMAs |url=https://consequence.net/2025/08/sabrina-carpenter-2025-vmas/ |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=Consequence |language=en}}</ref> which was hosted by [[LL Cool J]], of whom Rhymes has previously collaborated with.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chuba |first=Kirsten |date=2025-08-14 |title=LL Cool J Set to Host 2025 MTV VMAs |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-news/ll-cool-j-host-2025-mtv-vmas-1236343905/ |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Busta Rhymes identifies as a member of the [[Five-Percent Nation]] and has been a [[Muslim]] since the age of 12.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zjHRXeM8g4|title=Busta Rhymes on 5 Percenters & Nation of Islam|date=May 29, 2009 |via=YouTube|access-date=January 30, 2019|archive-date=December 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227174443/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zjHRXeM8g4|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Busta Rhymes is a Muslim and talks about Islam| date=June 27, 2007 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm0dhky6wFk|via=YouTube|access-date=March 27, 2017|archive-date=April 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407213758/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm0dhky6wFk|url-status=live}}</ref> He has six children; three sons (born in 1993, 1999, and 2001) and three daughters (born 1998, 1999, and 2006).<ref>{{cite web|last1=Williams|first1=Steven|title=Busta Rhymes' 'Ego Hurt' By Ex-Girlfriend Becoming A Lesbian|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/busta-rhymes/news/busta-rhymes-busts-ex-girlfriend-for-being-a-lesbian_1000892|website=Contactmusic.com|date=June 27, 2006 |access-date=March 19, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402060954/http://www.contactmusic.com/busta-rhymes/news/busta-rhymes-busts-ex-girlfriend-for-being-a-lesbian_1000892|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Busta Rhymes Gets Results Of Paternity Test|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1426762/busta-rhymes-gets-results-of-paternity-test/|publisher=MTV News|access-date=March 19, 2015|archive-date=April 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401235335/http://www.mtv.com/news/1426762/busta-rhymes-gets-results-of-paternity-test/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Daddy Dearest: Paternity Scandals in Music|url=https://www.bet.com/photo-gallery/r5m97h/daddy-dearest-paternity-scandals-in-music/7s1eve|publisher=BET|access-date=March 19, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402164529/http://www.bet.com/music/photos/2011/11/daddy-dearest-paternity-scandals-in-music.html#!100311-shows-hha11-backstage-busta-rhymes|url-status=live}}</ref>

During an interview for ''[[Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes]]'', the rapper walked out when confronted with a question about [[LGBT representations in hip hop music|homophobia in the rap community]]. Rhymes is quoted as saying: "I can't partake in that conversation", followed by, "With all due respect, I ain't trying to offend nobody. . . What I represent culturally doesn't condone [homosexuality] whatsoever". When asked if the [[hip-hop culture]] would ever accept a homosexual rapper, Busta Rhymes then exited the interview.<ref name="WashingtonPost1">{{cite news | last=Richards | first=Chris | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/19/AR2007021901224.html | title=A Hip-Hop Fan Hunts the Reason Behind the Rhyme | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | date=2007-02-19 | access-date=2008-03-09 | archive-date=May 29, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529134219/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/19/AR2007021901224.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

In a later interview with [[MTV News]], Rhymes expressed his support for [[Frank Ocean]] upon his coming out, as well as general cultural acceptance of homosexuality.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/ryynq5/frank-ocean-coming-out-busta-rhymes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527164243/https://www.mtv.com/news/ryynq5/frank-ocean-coming-out-busta-rhymes|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 27, 2023|title=Frank Ocean Is 'Impeccable,' Busta Rhymes Praises|magazine=MTV News|date=July 6, 2012}}</ref>

==Legal issues==

In December 1998, Rhymes was arrested and charged with possession of an unregistered gun after being pulled over during a routine traffic-stop in New York City.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rohde |first=David |date=1998-12-29 |title=Rap Artist Is Charged With Possession of Unregistered Gun |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/29/nyregion/rap-artist-is-charged-with-possession-of-unregistered-gun.html |access-date=2025-01-29 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115014951/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/29/nyregion/rap-artist-is-charged-with-possession-of-unregistered-gun.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On October 6, 2000, he received five years' probation after pleading guilty earlier in the year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allah |first=Sha Be |date=2025-01-17 |title=Busta Rhymes Charged, Arrested For An Alleged Assault In Brooklyn |url=https://thesource.com/2025/01/16/busta-rhymes-charged-arrested-for-an-alleged-assault-in-brooklyn/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=thesource.com |language=en-US |archive-date=January 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128001047/https://thesource.com/2025/01/16/busta-rhymes-charged-arrested-for-an-alleged-assault-in-brooklyn/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On August 20, 2006, Rhymes was arrested and arraigned for charges of third-degree assault after attacking a man who reportedly spat on his car in New York City on August 12 after the AmsterJam Music Festival on [[Randall's Island]].<ref>{{Cite news|author=P-I staff, news services |title=People in the News: Busta Rhymes busted |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/people/281942_people21.html |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=August 21, 2006 |access-date=May 11, 2007}}</ref>

On October 24, 2006, Rhymes appeared at Manhattan Criminal Court as the district attorney's office attempted to amend previous charges against him to include weapons possession for a machete found in his car. The judge refused to add the charge and adjourned the case.<ref name="NYTimes1">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/25/nyregion/25rap.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion&oref=slogin |newspaper=The New York Times |date=October 25, 2006 |title=Rappers Come and Go, Serving Justice and Their Fans |first=Anemona |last=Hartocollis |access-date=April 27, 2010 |archive-date=September 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904132636/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/25/nyregion/25rap.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion&oref=slogin |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BostonHerald1">{{Cite news|url=http://thetrack.bostonherald.com/moreTrack/view.bg?articleid=183987 |title=Rapper Busta Rhymes considers judge's plea offer |newspaper=[[Boston Herald]] |date=February 20, 2007 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

On February 20, 2007, Rhymes refused a plea deal offered by the prosecutor's office for the assault of his former driver, Edward Hatchett. The deal would have entailed his being in jail for six months and [[pleading guilty]] to two assaults, the attack on Hatchett, and the attack on the former fan. The dispute with Hatchett is believed to have originated over back-pay Hatchett felt he was owed. Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Becki Rowe offered Busta another option, pleading guilty to third-degree assault. The conditions of the proposed sentence would include five days of community service, two weeks of youth lectures and six months of anger management classes, as well as three years of probation.<ref name="BostonHerald1" /><ref name="CourtTV1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.courttv.com/people/2007/0220/busta_rhymes_ap.html |date=February 21, 2007 |title=Rapper Busta Rhymes considers plea deal for misdemeanor assault with no jail time |publisher=Court TV |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080519032416/http://www.courttv.com/people/2007/0220/busta_rhymes_ap.html |archive-date=May 19, 2008 }}</ref>

On May 3, 2007, Rhymes was arrested in Manhattan for driving without a license and for driving while impaired. On March 18, 2008, a judge in New York City sentenced Rhymes to three years of probation, 10 days community service, $1250 in fines (plus court costs), and to enroll in a drunken driving program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2008/03/18/woo-hah-judges-got-busta-all-in-check/|title=Woo Hah! Judge's Got Busta All in Check!|website=Tmz.com|date=March 18, 2008 |access-date=October 5, 2017|archive-date=October 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006014507/http://www.tmz.com/2008/03/18/woo-hah-judges-got-busta-all-in-check/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On September 25, 2008, Rhymes was temporarily refused entry to the UK due to "unresolved convictions".<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7635992.stm | title=Rapper Rhymes detained at airport | publisher=BBC | access-date=September 25, 2008 | date=September 25, 2008 | archive-date=September 26, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926171754/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7635992.stm | url-status=live }}</ref>

On January 10, 2025, Rhymes was involved in assaulting one of his assistants, Dashiel Gables, after an argument due to a food delivery dispute near the corner of Jay and Front streets in Brooklyn's Dumbo neighborhood.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 17, 2025 |title=Busta Rhymes charged with assault in New York; investigation 'ongoing' |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/busta-rhymes-charged-with-assault-in-new-york-investigation-ongoing/ar-AA1xlFYN?ocid=BingNewsSerp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123025134/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/busta-rhymes-charged-with-assault-in-new-york-investigation-ongoing/ar-AA1xlFYN?ocid=BingNewsSerp |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |access-date=January 17, 2025 |publisher=USA TODAY}}</ref> The victim suffered injuries to his face with visible swelling.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 17, 2025 |title=Busta Rhymes charged with assault after Brooklyn incident |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/guides/news/1907016-busta-rhymes-assault-case-assitant-dashiel-gables |access-date=January 17, 2025 |publisher=comingsoon.net}}</ref> Rhymes turned himself in to the police. He was arrested and charged with third degree assault and had been issued a desk appearance ticket, which requires him to make an appearance in criminal court for an arraignment. The investigation is still ongoing.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-17 |title=Rapper Busta Rhymes charged after allegedly punching man in Brooklyn - CBS New York |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/busta-rhymes-assault-brooklyn/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=KiMi |title=Busta Rhymes charged with assault in New York; investigation 'ongoing' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/01/17/busta-rhymes-charged-with-assault-new-york/77761047007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201064620/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/01/17/busta-rhymes-charged-with-assault-new-york/77761047007/ |archive-date=February 1, 2025 |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>

'''Plagiarism lawsuit'''

In 2018, Busta Rhymes was accused of plagiarism by Bernardo Lanzetti and his group [[Acqua Fragile]], who alleged that Rhymes's 2001 song "Genesis" used an uncredited sample of the group's "Cosmic Mind Affair".<ref name="repubblica.it">{{Cite web |date=2018-11-09 |title=Busta Rhymes, "Genesis" e l'accusa di plagio dagli italiani Acqua Fragile |url=https://www.repubblica.it/spettacoli/musica/2018/11/09/news/busta_rhymes_genesis_e_l_accusa_di_plagio_dagli_italiani_acqua_fragile-210862216/ |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=la Repubblica |language=it}}</ref> After negotiations with Rhymes's publishers broke down, Lanzetti and Acqua Fragile opted to move forward with a lawsuit.<ref name="Faremusic">{{Cite web |last=Faremusic |first=Redazione |date=2020-11-12 |title=Bernardo Lanzetti, leader della band Acqua Fragile, contro i rapper americani: si torna a parlare di plagio |url=https://faremusic.it/2020/11/12/bernardo-lanzetti-leader-della-band-acqua-fragile-contro-i-rapper-americani-si-torna-a-parlare-di-plagio/ |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=FAREMUSIC |language=it-IT |archive-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928232625/https://faremusic.it/2020/11/12/bernardo-lanzetti-leader-della-band-acqua-fragile-contro-i-rapper-americani-si-torna-a-parlare-di-plagio/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Influences==
Busta Rhymes's favorite rapper as a teenager was [[LL Cool J]], who was the inspiration and reason for Busta Rhymes writing his first raps.<ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |date=October 31, 2020 |title=Busta Rhymes On Working With Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, His New Album & More {{!}} Drink Champs |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7nieCNVbE4&t=13447s |access-date=December 25, 2022 |website=YouTube |archive-date=December 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217222700/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7nieCNVbE4&t=13447s |url-status=live }}</ref>

He was creatively inspired by American singer and record-producer [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]] for "being over the top and outlandish and brave as far as his showmanship". Rhymes has also stated that he was taught by Clinton about the music industry and numerous challenges people in it have to face.<ref name="Busta Rhymes The Ringer Interview" />

==Legacy==
Rhymes's work has influenced artists such as [[Eminem]], [[Talib Kweli]],<ref name="Talib Kweli inspiration, interview">{{cite web |last= |first= |date=December 14, 2020 |title=Talib Kweli & Busta Rhymes Talk ELE: 2, J Dilla, Q-Tip, Kendrick, 5% & Chuck D {{!}} People's Party Full |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no1N1DLKZmk&t=53s |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=YouTube |archive-date=November 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122013331/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no1N1DLKZmk&t=53s |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Ski Mask the Slump God]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2017 |title=21 Questions WithJas & TolisaTokiwa: Ski Mask The Slump God |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO8pxhVuY5Y&t=410s |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Krastz |first=Roger |date=April 19, 2018 |title=Ski Mask The Slump God Opens Up About 'Beware the Book of Eli' – XXL |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/ski-mask-the-slump-god-nationwide-video-busta-rhymes/ |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=XXL |archive-date=November 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122014903/https://www.xxlmag.com/ski-mask-the-slump-god-nationwide-video-busta-rhymes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Kendrick Lamar]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanfiorenzo |first=Dimas |title=Kendrick Lamar Talks About How Missy Elliott & Busta Rhymes Inspired His Music Videos |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/music/kendrick-lamar-missy-elliott-busta-rhymes-music-videos.html |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122015510/https://www.okayplayer.com/music/kendrick-lamar-missy-elliott-busta-rhymes-music-videos.html |archive-date=2022-11-22 |access-date=December 17, 2022 |website=Okayplayer|date=February 20, 2018 }}</ref> [[Tyler, the Creator]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-06 |title=Tyler, the Creator Accepts Cultural Influence Award at 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/tyler-the-creator-accepts-cultural-influence-award-at-bet-hip-hop-awards-watch/ |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324215950/https://pitchfork.com/news/tyler-the-creator-accepts-cultural-influence-award-at-bet-hip-hop-awards-watch/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Doja Cat]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malhotra |first=Khushboo |date=July 10, 2021 |title=Doja Cat Is Taking Us to The World of Wonders On Planet Her – THP |url=https://thehoneypop.com/2021/07/10/doja-cat-is-taking-us-to-the-world-of-wonders-on-planet-her/%5B%5D |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526024512/https://thehoneypop.com/2021/07/10/doja-cat-is-taking-us-to-the-world-of-wonders-on-planet-her/%5B%5D |url-status=dead |archive-date=2022-05-26 |website=The Honey POP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Abraham |first=Mya |date=May 25, 2022 |title=Doja Cat To Return To Rap Roots On New Album – VIBE.com |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/doja-cat-rap-album-1234664310/ |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=Vibe |archive-date=November 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122004207/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/doja-cat-rap-album-1234664310/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Penrose |first=Nerisha |date=November 11, 2018 |title=Doja Cat Hot Pink Album Interview – Doja Cat on Busta Rhymes and Smino |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a29737190/doja-cat-hot-pink-album-interview/ |access-date=December 27, 2022 |archive-date=February 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223075811/https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a29737190/doja-cat-hot-pink-album-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2022 |title=Doja Cat Talks 'Planet Her' & Top 5 Favorite Music Videos 🐱 MTV News |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icpMwFGhGEM&t=85s |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=YouTube |archive-date=November 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122004204/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icpMwFGhGEM&t=85s |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Ciara]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eawhyyjbv3U&ab_channel=EntertainmentTonight|title=Missy Elliott and Ciara React to 1, 2 Step Turning 20 Ahead of Tour! (Exclusive)|date=April 13, 2024|access-date=December 8, 2024|via=YouTube}}</ref> Fellow American rapper [[Big Daddy Kane]] has stated that Rhymes has the best flow in [[hip-hop]], alluding to the original version of "[[Turn It Up (Remix) / Fire It Up#Original version|Turn it up]]".<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2022 |title=Big Daddy Kane on Instagram: "Salute to my dude @bustarhymes And Congrats to my Brother @omarepps on his new movie release. #thedevilyouknow" |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbtojq7uqMI/?ig_rid=619c3253-2ed4-4d2a-a87d-7252230eaa60 |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=Instagram}}</ref>

[[About.com]] included him on its list of the 50 Greatest [[Master of ceremonies#Hip hop|MCs]] of our Time (1987-2007),<ref>{{cite web |date=January 26, 2012 |title=Top 50 MCs of Our Time: 1987 – 2007 – 50 Greatest Emcees of Our Time |url=http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top50Emcees_3.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309224616/http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top50Emcees_3.htm |archive-date=March 9, 2012 |access-date=March 30, 2012 |website=Rap.about.com}}</ref> and Steve Huey of [[AllMusic]] called him one of the best and most prolific rappers of the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |last=Huey |first=Steve |date=June 20, 2000 |title=Anarchy – Busta Rhymes |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/anarchy-r486345/review |access-date=March 30, 2012 |publisher=AllMusic}}</ref> In 2012, ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]'' placed him on its list of the Top 50 Lyricists of all Time.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 22, 2012 |title=THE SOURCE PRESENTS: TOP 50 LYRICISTS (PREVIEW) |url=https://thesource.com/2012/06/22/thesourcepresentstop50lyricistspreview/ |access-date=January 30, 2021 |work=The Source |archive-date=June 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626181320/https://thesource.com/2012/06/22/thesourcepresentstop50lyricistspreview/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[MTV]] has called him "one of hip-hop's greatest visual artists".<ref>{{cite web |date=August 28, 2012 |title=Busta Rhymes' 'Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See' Inspired By Diddy, Q-Tip |url=http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/08/28/busta-rhymes-put-your-hands-where-my-eyes-could-see-inspired-by-diddy-q-tip/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901114945/http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/08/28/busta-rhymes-put-your-hands-where-my-eyes-could-see-inspired-by-diddy-q-tip/ |archive-date=September 1, 2012 |access-date=December 24, 2012 |publisher=MTV}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|Busta Rhymes discography|Busta Rhymes production discography}}
'''Studio albums'''
* ''[[The Coming]]'' (1996)
* ''[[When Disaster Strikes...]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Anarchy (Busta Rhymes album)|Anarchy]]'' (2000)
* ''[[Genesis (Busta Rhymes album)|Genesis]]'' (2001)
* ''[[It Ain't Safe No More...]]'' (2002)
* ''[[The Big Bang (Busta Rhymes album)|The Big Bang]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Back on My B.S.]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Year of the Dragon (Busta Rhymes album)|Year of the Dragon]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God]]'' (2020)
* ''[[Blockbusta]]'' (2023)
* ''Vengeance'' (2025)

'''Collaborative albums'''
* ''[[A Future Without a Past...]]'' (1991) (as part of the [[Leaders of the New School]])
* ''[[T.I.M.E. (The Inner Mind's Eye)]]'' (1993) (as part of the Leaders of the New School)
* ''[[The Imperial (Flipmode Squad album)|The Imperial]]'' (1998) (as part of the [[Flipmode Squad]])

==Filmography==

===Film===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|rowspan=2| 1993
| ''[[Who's the Man?]]'' 
| Jawaan
| 
|-
| ''[[Strapped]]''
| Buster
| TV movie
|-
| 1995
| ''[[Higher Learning]]''
| "Dreads"
| 
|-
| 1998
| ''[[The Rugrats Movie]]''
| [[Reptar]] Wagon (voice)
| 
|-
|rowspan=2| 2000
| ''[[Shaft (2000 film)|Shaft]]''
| Rasaan
| 
|-
| ''[[Finding Forrester]]''
| Terrell Wallace
|
|-
|rowspan=2| 2002
| ''[[Narc (film)|Narc]]''
| Darnell "Big D Love" Beery
|
|-
| ''[[Halloween: Resurrection]]''
| Freddie Harris

|-
|2004
| ''[[Full Clip]]''
| Joshua Pope
|-
|2009
| ''[[Breaking Point (2009 film)|Breaking Point]]''
| Al Bowen
|
|-
| 2011
| ''The Unforgiven''
| "Lick" Wilson
|
|-
| 2015
| ''Club Life''
| Himself 
|
|-
| 2016
| ''[[King of the Dancehall (film)|King of the Dancehall]]''
| Allestar "All Star Toasta"
|
|-
|2024
|''[[Piece by Piece (2024 film)|Piece by Piece]]''
|Himself (voice)
|
|-
| 2025
|''[[The Naked Gun (2025 film)|The Naked Gun]]''
|Bank Robber
|
|}

===Television===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1991
| ''[[In Living Color]]''
| Himself/Musical Guest
| Episode: "Green Eggs and the Guvment Cheese"
|-
| 1996
| ''[[New York Undercover]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Kill the Noise"
|-
| 1996–97
| ''[[Soul Train]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Episode 25.26" & "27.9"
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Cosby (TV series)|Cosby]]''
| Phillip
| Episode: "Dating Games"
|-
|rowspan=2| 1998
| ''[[The Wayans Bros.]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Busta Saves the Day"
|-
| ''[[The Steve Harvey Show]]''
| Zack
| Episode: "Everybody Loves Regina"
|-
| 1998–02
| ''[[Top of the Pops]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Episode 35.16" & "39.22"
|-
|rowspan=4| 1999
| ''[[All That]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "All That Live! (100th Episode)"
|-
| ''[[Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards]]''
| Himself/Co-Host
| Main Co-Host
|-
| ''[[Mad TV]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Episode 5.2"
|-
| ''[[Rugrats]]''
| Reptar Wagon (voice)
| Episode: "Wrestling Grandpa/Chuckie Collects"
|-
| 2000
| ''[[Making the Video]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Busta Rhymes: Fire"
|-
| 2000–01
| ''[[The Source (magazine)|Source Hip-Hop Music Awards]]''
| Himself/Co-Host
| Main Co-Host
|-
| 2000–02
| ''[[Showtime at the Apollo]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Episode 13.20" & "15.14"
|-
| 2001
| ''[[Space Ghost Coast to Coast]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Flipmode"
|-
| 2002
| ''[[WWE SmackDown]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "The Undertake & John Cena vs. Kurt Angle & Chris Jericho"
|-
|rowspan=4| 2003
| ''[[Players (2002 TV program)|Players]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Daredevilin'"
|-
| ''[[Chappelle's Show]]''
| Himself/Musical Guest
| Episode: "Reparations & NY Boobs"
|-
| ''[[Punk'd]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Episode 1.8"
|-
| ''Interscope Presents 'The Next Episode'''
| Himself
| Episode: "Detroit"
|-
| 2004
| ''[[And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip-Hop]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Back in the Day"
|-
|rowspan=2| 2005
| ''[[Unique Whips]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Lincolns, Strippers and Bentleys, Oh My"
|-
| ''[[Access Granted]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Busta Rhymes: Touch It"
|-
| 2007–08
| ''[[The Boondocks (TV series)|The Boondocks]]''
| Flonominal (voice)
| Recurring Cast: Season 2
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Master of None]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Indians on TV"
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Fresh Off the Boat]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Hi, My Name Is ..."
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Big City Greens]]''
| Fish (voice)
| Episode: "Fill Bill"
|-
|rowspan=2| 2020
| ''[[The Masked Singer (American season 4)|The Masked Singer]]''
| Dragon
| Eliminated in first episode
|-
| ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon]]''
| Himself
| Season 8, episode 1339
|-
|2024
|''[[Everybody Still Hates Chris]]''
|Graffiti "Orbit" (voice)
|Season 1
|}

===Video games===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Def Jam Fight For NY]]'' 
| Magic
| Voice role and likeness<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0426436/?ref_=nv_sr_1|title=Def Jam: Fight for NY IMDB Page|publisher=IMDb|access-date=February 23, 2017|archive-date=February 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223213807/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0426436/?ref_=nv_sr_1|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover]]''
| Magic
| Voice role and likeness<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.giantbomb.com/def-jam-fight-for-ny-the-takeover/3030-22083/characters/|title=Def Jam: Fight for NY: The Takeover|work=Giant Bomb|access-date=February 23, 2017|archive-date=February 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223214140/http://www.giantbomb.com/def-jam-fight-for-ny-the-takeover/3030-22083/characters/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony|Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad Of Gay Tony]]''
| Himself
| Voice only
|}

===Documentary===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
|-
| 1997 
| ''Rhyme & Reason''
|-
| 2000 
| ''[[Backstage (2000 film)|Backstage]]''
|-
| 2001
| ''Xzibit: Restless Xposed''
|-
| 2002
| ''Slip N'Slide: All Star Weekend''
|-
|Rowspan=3| 2003
| ''Hip Hop Uncensored Vol. 1: Network Stars''
|-
| ''Superhuman''
|-
| ''Fromage 2003''
|-
|Rowspan=2| 2004
| ''Strong Arm Steady''
|-
| ''DJ Domination: World Domination''
|-
| 2005
| ''The Game: Documentary''
|-
|Rowspan=5| 2006
| ''Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes''
|-
| ''Pimpalation: Return of the Trill''
|-
| ''Lockdown, USA''
|-
| ''Jim Jones: A Day in the Fast Life '' 
|-
| ''Rap Sheet: Hip-Hop and the Cops''<ref name="rapsheet">{{Cite AV media  |date=2007| title=Rap Sheet: Hip-Hop and the Cops|type=documentary | people=Don Sikorski}}</ref> 
|-
| 2007
| ''Public Enemy: Where There's Smoke''
|-
| 2008
| ''Orange Rockcorps at the Royal Albert Hall''
|-
| 2010
| ''SOS Saving OurSelves: Help for Haiti''
|-
| 2011
| ''Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest''
|-
| 2013
| ''Generation Iron''
|-
| 2014
| ''Nas: Time Is Illmatic''
|-
| 2015
| ''Stretch and Bobbito: Radio that changed Lives''
|-
| 2017
| ''Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story''
|-
| 2018
| ''Survivors Guide To Prison''
|-
| 2023
| ''Another West Side Story''
|}

==Awards and nominations==
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Busta Rhymes}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|United States}}
* [[List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. dance chart]]
* [[List of number-one dance hits (United States)|List of number-one U.S. dance hits]]
* [[List of songs recorded by Busta Rhymes]]
* [[Busta Rhymes Island]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{allMusic}}
* {{discogs artist}}
* {{IMDb name|0005354}}

{{Busta Rhymes}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Busta Rhymes|Awards for Busta Rhymes]]
|list =
{{BET Award for Best Collaboration}}
{{BET Award for Video of the Year}}
{{BET Award for Viewer's Choice}}
{{MTV Europe Music Award for Global Icon}}
}}
{{Leaders of the New School}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|Music|United States}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rhymes, Busta}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American rappers]]
[[Category:African-American film score composers]]
[[Category:African-American male actors]]
[[Category:African-American male rappers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male rappers]]
[[Category:Alternative hip-hop musicians]]
[[Category:American expatriates in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:African-American Muslims]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:American music industry executives]]
[[Category:American people convicted of assault]]
[[Category:American rappers of Jamaican descent]]
[[Category:Aftermath Entertainment artists]]
[[Category:Cash Money Records artists]]
[[Category:Muslims from New York (state)]]
[[Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians]]
[[Category:Five percenters]]
[[Category:Hardcore hip-hop artists]]
[[Category:Interscope Records artists]]
[[Category:Male actors from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Motown artists]]
[[Category:People from Uniondale, New York]]
[[Category:Pseudonymous actors]]
[[Category:Rappers from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Republic Records artists]]
[[Category:Universal Motown Records artists]]