GRAMMY winning, multi-platinum selling superstar Ciara has released her latest single “Wassup” featuring GRAMMY nominated rapper Busta Rhymes via her very own label, Beauty Marks Entertainment. Written by Ciara, Busta Rhymes and Courtlin Jabrae, and produced by J.R. Rotem, the energetic record taps into Ciara’s ATL roots with a current day Y2K sound.
“’Wassup’ is a fun flex record. It started with a play on words on what we would say when I came up in ATL. “What’s up, what’s happenin?” It’s somewhat of a Y2K moment. I’m tapping into my ATL roots! It’s a song that’s meant for you to have the ultimate fun,” says Ciara. “Busta ‘slaughtered’ the track with his classic, undeniable, and unstoppable flow. He brought pure edge and the perfect energy to the record to take it all the way to a special place!”
Busta Rhymes remarks, “Y’all are in trouble because The Queen CiCi and The Dragon got a Banger!! That’s Wassup!!”
Busta and Ciara reunited on the road this summer for the critically acclaimed OUT OF THIS WORLD Tour alongside Missy Elliott. The tour left both fans and critics raving, Variety praised “Ciara was all sweat and allure,” while Atlanta Journal Constitution lauded, “[Ciara] captivated the crowd with her sultry dance moves and signature soprano.”
Additionally, today celebrates the 20th anniversary of Ciara’s 4x platinum debut album Goodies. A limited edition hot pink colored vinyl, which includes the original album and two bonus tracks, “Crazy” and “Represent Me,” is available now.
On this date in 2000, M.O.P.’s Billy Danze and Fame joined forces with Terror Squad’s First Lady Remy Ma, The Conglomerate general Busta Rhymes nad crew member to polish off the remix of their classic stick-em-up hit “Ante Up” on the Loud/Relativity imprint.
Pulled from their fourth full length studio album entitled Warriorz, Billy and Fame recruited producer DR Period for the production as well as famed NYC DJ Funk Flex to give an energetic intro to the song. The infectious horns incite the track’s hype level, making it a club banger as well as a pep song for any situation where that “brooklyn” energy is demanded.
The video was shot by director extraordinaire Little X in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn and features several artists and Hip Hop personalities including Gang Starr, Lord Have Mercy, Easy Mo Bee, Ralph McDaniels, DJ Green Lantern, Buckshot of Black Moon, Steele of Smif-N-Wessun, Method Man, Afu-Ra, and Tony Touch.
Ante Up was also featured in several silver screen classics such as Brown Sugar, You Got Served and even made it on an episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Salute to Billy, Fame, Teflon, DR, Buss-A-Bus, Remy and everyone else who was a part of making this a piece of Hip Hop history!
LL Cool J is here. The legendary rapper has released his first new album in over a decade. Not only that, but LL has aggressively promoted the album by doing interviews and podcast appearances. It feels like the New York spitter has more passion harnessed into The FORCE than he did his previous effort, Exit 13. He certainly has more guest features. The FORCE has a staggering lineup of artists from multiple eras of hip hop. It’s a testament to LL Cool J’s reputation that he could take a decade off, then come back and secure features from the likes of Nas and Eminem. Plus, the album is actually good.
“Saturday Night Special” remains a standout, with its old school production and smooth turns from both Rick Ross and Fat Joe. The collaborations between LL Cool J and his roster of guests consistently make for the best songs on the album. “Proclivities” gets LL back in smooth talking, slow jam mode, and it has a killer Saweetie verse to boot. Busta Rhymes brings out LL’s energetic side on “Huey In the Chair,” while “Praise Him” sees LL Cool J and Nas swap bars over another vintage beat. The solo cuts on The FORCE are solid, “Post Modern” and “Basquiat Energy,” in particular, but they do lack the hunger and the spark that LL gets whenever he’s feeding off others. A definite improvement over Exit 13, and overall, the best LL has sounded in a long time. No “Accidental Racist” train-wrecks here.
LL Cool J‘s long-awaited Q-Tip-produced 14th studio album has officially been given a title and a release date. The FORCE (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy) will be LL’s first new album in 11 years, and arrives September 6th via Def Jam Recordings/Virgin Music Group. Clocking in at 14 tracks, it will boast guest appearances from a who’s-who of both classic and contemporary rap stars, including Busta Rhymes, Eminem, Fat Joe, Nas, Saweetie, and Snoop Dogg.
“[I was] going back to the drawing board and learning how to rap again,” he told the Associated Press of the new album’s creation process. “The LeBrons, the Stephs, the Jordans and the Kobes, they all go back to the drawing board, they always try to make themselves better. I wasn’t trying to do trendy, and I wasn’t trying to recapture anything I did before.”
That included scrapping previous versions of the work, such as one he said he recorded with 50 Cent during his interview with The Breakfast Club last year. “When it was done, I listened to it,” he recalled. “I’m like, ‘It sounds good. I like the music, it sounds cool, but it ain’t me.’ So, I ain’t put it out.”
The FORCE (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy) is due 9/6 via Def Jam Recordings/Virgin Music Group. You can check out its first single, “Passion,” above, and see the tracklist below. Pre-order it here.
The FORCE Tracklist
01. “Spirit Of Cyrus” Feat. Snoop Dogg
02. “The FORCE”
03. “Saturday Night Special” Feat. Rick Ross & Fat Joe
04. “Black Code Suite” Feat. Sona Jobarteh
05. “Passion”
06. “Proclivities” Feat. Saweetie
07. “Post Modern”
08. “30 Decembers”
09. “Runnit Back”
10. “Huey In Da Chair” Feat. Busta Rhymes
11. “Basquiat Energy”
12. “Praise Him” Feat. Nas
13. “Murdergram Deux” Feat. Eminem
14. “The Vow” Feat. Mad Squablz, J-S.A.N.D. & Don Pablito
If you were looking for Cardi B’s album this summer, stop looking. Cardi announced her 2024 plans and new music is not part of them.
Interacting with fans online, Cardi revealed she agreed with a fan who stated she should pull back from social media platforms due to feeling “unappreciated” for online interactions.
Then she dropped the reveal: “Anyway NO album this year I don’t care I’m relaxing this year .. Dropping these features I already committed to and traveling and enjoying my summer.”
Just as a note, Invasion of Privacy dropped in 2018. You can see Cardi’s messages below courtesy of Hip-HopDX.
Busta Rhymes is a hip-hop legend whose rapid-fire delivery of lyrics, tricky rhyming patterns, and dynamic stage presence have positioned him as one of the greatest emcees of all time. In the early 1990s, he gained popularity as part of the group Leaders of the New School. He later forged a successful solo career with hits like “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check” and “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See.” His stardom first reached new heights after he appeared on A Tribe Called Quest’s posse cut “Scenario,” stealing the show with his high-energy verse littered with references from popular culture.
Innovative and influential, Busta has consistently been ahead of his time while remaining true to himself. He has never shied away from taking risks artistically or sonically, evidenced by his unpredictable flow patterns and genre-bending collaborations. From winning awards to influencing today’s artists, Bussa Buss is an artist unlike any other.
1. “Woo-Hah!! Got You All In Check” (1996)
“Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check” is Busta Rhymes’s breakout solo single from his debut album The Coming, released in 1996. This track catapulted Busta into the limelight, establishing his energetic and animated style that would become his trademark. The song was an instant hit, echoing with both hip-hop fans and mainstream audiences. Its success was marked by its peak position at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance.
The “Woo-Hah” music video further solidified Busta’s reputation for creativity and innovation. The video featuring surreal and vibrant visuals matched the song’s eccentric energy and showcased Busta’s charismatic presence. Moreover, the success of this single laid the foundation for his solo career. “Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check” remains a defining moment in Busta Rhymes’s journey, emphasizing his ability to create memorable and impactful music.
2. “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See”
“Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” is a song from Busta Rhymes’s 1997 second album, When Disaster Strikes. The track displayed a smoother and more controlled flow than any other song by Busta Rhymes but still kept up with his usual intensity. The production of this record, a simple bass line together with a catchy beat, made it possible for people to recognize what he was talking about through skillful wordplay. It became successful commercially, reaching No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart while also being nominated for a Grammy Award under the Best Rap Solo Performance category.
Further, the music video for “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” could easily be said to be one of the most remembered videos in Busta Rhymes’s career as an artist. It had lively and surreal visuals, directed by Hype Williams, inspired by the film Coming to America. This single alone also solidified him not only as one of the best rappers alive today.
3. “Gimme Some More” (1998)
Released in 1998, “Gimme Some More” is the lead single from Busta Rhymes’ third studio album, E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front. The track perfectly showcases Busta’s quick delivery and exceptional storytelling abilities. Built around a sample of Bernard Herrmann’s “Psycho” theme, the song’s high-energy tempo and eerie backdrop create an intense listening experience. The track quickly became a fan favorite, reaching No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart. It also earned critical acclaim for its innovative production and Busta’s relentless flow.
Additionally, The music video for “Gimme Some More” is just as dynamic and unforgettable as the song itself. Directed by Hype Williams once again, the video features surreal and exaggerated visuals that match Busta’s larger-than-life persona. The video’s cartoonish style highlights Busta’s creativity and willingness to push the boundaries of conventional hip-hop aesthetics. “Gimme Some More” remains one of Busta Rhymes’ most iconic songs, exemplifying his ability to blend humor, intensity, and technical skill into a cohesive and captivating work.
4. “Break Ya Neck” (2001)
“Break Ya Neck,” a single from Busta Rhymes’s fifth studio album Genesis, is a high-energy song that highlights his ability to rap faster than many of his peers while still being able to breathe. Produced by Dr. Dre and Scott Storch, the track has an accelerated beat that perfectly suits Busta’s fast-paced delivery. The song was commercially successful, peaking at No. 10 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and becoming one of his most popular tracks.
The “Break Ya Neck” music video intensifies this energy even more as it shows different locations where Busta delivers his verses in dynamic and visually appealing ways. The fast cuts and sequences full of energy presented in the clip reflect the unstoppable tempo of the track itself, making it a great visual experience. “Break Ya Neck” remains one of fans’ most beloved songs, besides being frequently performed live by Busta Rhymes, who always provides evidence for his incredible skills, thus gaining recognition as one of the best rappers, technically speaking, within hip hop history.
5. “Touch It” (2006)
The song “Touch It” was released in 2006 as the first single from Busta Rhymes’s seventh studio album, The Big Bang. This club anthem continued to put Busta on the map of mainstream hip-hop. Further, “Touch It” samples Daft Punk’s “Technologic,” and this is what makes it catchy, futuristic even, as a background for Busta’s commanding voice. In no time did “Touch It” become a commercial success by reaching No. 16 on Billboard Hot 100 and dominating dance floors all over America, too.
This much-loved track has many remixes, with Mary J. Blige adding her touch. Missy Elliot raps along with Lloyd Banks, among others featured on these versions. Each one gives it its unique style or panache but still keeps it relevant, thus showing how much Busta liked working together with other artists.
Busta Rhymes has decades of hits and pulls from all of them in his 15-song setlist for Missy Elliott’s Out Of This World tour.
Although Busta was forced to cancel his own Blockbusta tour, he makes a great addition to the lineup of fellow rap pioneer Missy’s tour. He still puts on one hell of a show, as you can see from his setlist. The selections include both his signature hits — “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See,” “Touch It,” “What’s It Gonna Be?!” — and fan favorite deep cuts like his verses from M.O.P.’s “Ante Up (Remix)” and Lumidee’s “Uh Oooh (Remix).”
01. “Respect My Conglomerate”
02. “Ante Up (Remix)” (M.O.P. cover)
03. “As I Come Back”
04. “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See”
05. “Make It Clap”
06. “Uh Oooh (Remix)” (Lumidee cover)
07. “Touch It”
08. “I Know What You Want”
09. “What’s It Gonna Be?!”
10. “Master Fard Muhammad”
11. “Look at Me Now” (Chris Brown cover)
12. “All I Do Is Win (Remix)” (DJ Khaled cover)
13. “Don’t Stop Believin’” (Journey cover)
14. “Break Ya Neck”
15. “Outta My Mind”
Missy Elliott Out Of This World 2024 Tour Dates
7/11 — Los Angeles, CA @ Crypto.com Arena
7/13 — Las Vegas, NV @ T-Mobile Arena
7/16 — Denver, CO @ Ball Arena
7/18 — Austin, TX @ Moody Center
7/20 — Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
7/21 — Fort Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena
7/24 — Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena
7/25 — Sunrise, FL @ Amerant Bank Arena
7/27 — Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
8/1 — Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank Arena
8/2 — Hampton, VA @ Hampton Coliseum
8/3 — Belmont Park, NY @ UBS Arena
8/5 — Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
8/8 — Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena
8/9 — Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
8/10 — Boston, MA @ TD Garden
8/12 — Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
8/15 — Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
8/17 — Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
8/19 — Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
8/22 — Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena
GRAMMY® Award-nominated dancehall sensation Spice has just released her latest single and music video, “Round Round,” featuring 12-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated rap icon Busta Rhymes. The track has quickly climbed to the #1 spot on the iTunes Apple Music Reggae Chart and amassed over 384K views on YouTube in just five days, positioning itself as the new party anthem.
Directed by Sergio Parra, the rustic music video for “Round Round” features Spice and Busta Rhymes in a barn-themed dance setting complete with cowgirl dancers. The infectious track showcases Spice’s signature dancehall influence, blending it with a unique mix of country, alternative sounds, and hip-hop flair—perfect for the upcoming summer season.
As the lead single from her forthcoming album, “Mirror 25,” this collaboration with Busta Rhymes is poised to dominate the summer airwaves. Staying true to her dancehall roots, Spice infuses her influential sound with hip-hop and country music, promising a smash hit.
“Round Round” harmoniously blends Spice and Busta Rhymes’ unique styles, creating a mesmerizing fusion of alternative/techno, dancehall, hip-hop, and country music. Written by Spice and produced by Spice Official Entertainment, the track is set to captivate audiences worldwide with its infectious beats, catchy hook, and fiery lyrical delivery. The rhythm track was composed by Keron “Yow Levite” Young, mastered by Redboom Super Mix, and recorded at Ireland Recording Studios.
Spice’s new album, “Mirror 25,” is set to release in Summer 2024 through her label Spice Official Entertainment, with distribution by Empire. The album will serve as a raw, open diary of Spice’s tribulations and triumphs, offering a look into her past and future as she commemorates 25 years in the industry as an international recording artist.
The internet is a confusing place, and it always will be. It is hard to tell what is real and what is fake anymore. That is the exact sentiment us and a lot of fans are sharing right now pertaining to a viral photo of Busta Rhymes suggesting some serious weight gain. A X user (formerly Twitter) by the name of dirtywhiteups shared an alleged accurate side-by-side comparison of the legendary rapper just 20 days apart. To the left you can see a slimmer Busta in a white polo. Then, on the right, it shows the Brooklyn spitter donning a baby blue turtleneck sweater with a noticeable gut. In the caption, dirtywhiteups writes, “These two photos of Busta Rhymes are 20 days apart. Ozempic: 0 Oxtail: 1”.
Right now, fans are pretty much split in half as to whether or not this image is real. Some are in utter shock, while others feel the image on the right is from a few years ago or so. A few were also joking around saying that it is “probably gas”. If you head over to Busta Rhymes’ Instagram, he has some posts from just over a week ago. In them, he does not look nearly the same as this alleged recent photo.
Furthermore, just over a month ago, Busta shared some flicks from the sideline of the New York Knicks home playoff game against the Indiana Pacers. In those he looked incredibly slim, and fans were quick to praise him for it. According to the Atlanta Black Star, Busta has not commented on his ever-changing weight gain/loss. However, like the tweet suggests, this could be a symptom of Ozempic withdrawal, which causes people to overeat and put on a substantial amount of weight if they are attempting to stop taking it. But Busta has not admitted to using Ozempic either, so we will not know unless he decides to clear things up.
What are your thoughts on Busta Rhymes’ apparent weight gain? Do you think this is real or fake and why? Should Busta respond to this viral photo going around, why or why not? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Busta Rhymes. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
2003 was a breakthrough year for both Sean Paul and Beyonce. Both artists landed their first number one singles, and then they linked up for the joint number one, “Baby Boy.” It was an inspired blend of pop and dancehall, but the origins of the sang actually date back several years. Sean Paul talked about the hit single during a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter. He revealed that his friendship with Queen Bey started during her days in Destiny’s Child.
Sean Paul told the outlet that he got a chance to meet Beyonce during the late 1990s. “She opened on a show here in Jamaica with Destiny’s Child,” he recalled. “They only had one song, and I was on that same show. That’s where we all met.” The two artists had similar tastes in music, but Sean Paul was pleasantly surprised when Beyonce reached out for a collab on her debut solo album. “Knowing she called me back a couple of years later for her first solo project was awesome,” he admitted. Paul wrote the bulk of “Baby Boy” with Beyonce, and praised the singer for embracing dancehall sounds.
Sean Paul told THR that hip-hop artists were always interested in dancehall, but was impressed that a pop star like Beyonce would take a chance on such a different sound. “At the time, people were hollering at me to do collabs,” the reggae artist noted. “I was working with Busta Rhymes, I was doing stuff with Clipse and Blu Cantrell—and all of those things were very dope but they were more Hip-Hop oriented. This was such a big artist, and she was stepping out on her own.” Beyonce’s instincts proved dead on. “Baby Boy” was a smash hit that topped the Billboard Hot 100 for nine consecutive weeks. It would be Beyonce’s biggest hit until 2007, and Paul’s biggest hit ever.
Eclecticism is part of Beyonce’s image in 2024. She’s dabbled in dance, country, and just about every genre you can name. Still, she holds a special place in her heart for dancehall. She based much of her classic 2018 performance at Coachella on dancehall and Jamaican culture. She covered the standard “Still in Love with You Boy” by Marcia Aiken, and performed “Baby Boy” before a screaming audience. Paul is still extremely proud of the song. “It made sense to me,” he concluded. “And it made history for both of us.”
