You know that feeling when a beat drops and a voice starts growling like a dungeon dragon? That’s Busta. Honestly, if you grew up in the 90s or early 2000s, songs by Busta Rhymes weren't just tracks on the radio; they were full-blown cultural events. Trevor Smith Jr. didn't just rap. He exploded. He was the guy in the "Woo-Hah!!" video wearing clothes that looked like a neon fever dream, yelling about keeping things in check.
But here is the thing people forget.
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Busta wasn't just a gimmick or a fast-rapper. He was a student of the game who came up through the Leaders of the New School, got his name from Chuck D (shout out to the NFL’s George “Buster” Rhymes), and then proceeded to outwork almost everyone in the industry for three decades. Whether it’s the apocalyptic energy of E.L.E. or the club-shaking dominance of The Big Bang, his discography is a masterclass in how to stay relevant without losing your soul.
The Tracks That Changed Everything
If we are talking about the heavy hitters, you have to start with "Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check." This was 1996. The production was sparse, slightly weird, and totally hypnotic. It felt like Busta was invading your personal space through the speakers. It went platinum for a reason. It wasn't just a song; it was an introduction to a new kind of energy in hip-hop—one that didn't mind being theatrical or even a little bit "out there."
Then came 1997. When Disaster Strikes dropped, and with it, "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See." This track is basically the gold standard for how to make a club record that still sounds "street." The video—inspired by Coming to America—was everywhere. You couldn't go to a wedding, a club, or a backyard BBQ without hearing that "flipmode is the squad" chant.
The Speed Demon Era
A lot of fans really locked in during the Extinction Level Event days.
- "Gimme Some More": Using that Psycho sample was genius. It’s Busta at his most frantic.
- "What’s It Gonna Be?!": This one featured Janet Jackson and cost a fortune to make. Like, literally millions for the liquid-silver CGI.
- "Break Ya Neck": Fast forward to 2001. Dr. Dre and Scott Storch gave him a beat that felt like a pneumatic drill. Busta met that energy with a flow so fast it actually felt physically impossible to keep up with.
Honestly, "Break Ya Neck" is usually the first song people mention when they talk about "fast rappers." But if you listen closely, he isn't just saying words; he’s hitting every pocket of the beat with surgical precision. It’s technical. It’s loud. It’s Busta.
The Feature King
You can’t talk about songs by Busta Rhymes without talking about how he steals everyone else’s tracks. It’s a joke in the industry: don’t put Busta on your song unless you want it to be his song.
Remember "Scenario" with A Tribe Called Quest? That "ROAR" at the end of the track is the moment he became a superstar. He was just a kid from the group, and he walked away with the most legendary verse on the album. Decades later, he did it again on Chris Brown’s "Look At Me Now." He stepped into the booth and delivered a verse that moved so fast it became a viral challenge before TikTok even existed.
He’s worked with everyone. Mariah Carey? "I Know What You Want" is a classic R&B crossover. Linkin Park? "We Made It" showed he could handle stadium rock energy. Even his work on the Space Jam soundtrack with "Hit 'Em High" proved he could hold his own in a room full of legends like LL Cool J and B-Real.
Why the Deep Cuts Matter
While the hits are great, the real heads know the albums are deep. Tracks like "Genesis" or "Touch It" (the remix especially) showed he knew how to curate a vibe. The "Touch It" remix is basically a "who's who" of hip-hop royalty—Mary J. Blige, Rah Digga, Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Papoose, and DMX. It’s a chaotic masterpiece.
Even his 2020s output, like Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God, proves he hasn't lost a step. He’s still collaborating with the best, from Kendrick Lamar to Vybz Kartel. His Jamaican heritage has always bled into his music—that ragga-inspired cadence is what makes his "stop-and-start" flow so unique. It’s why he sounds just as home on a dancehall track as he does on a boom-bap beat from DJ Scratch or J Dilla.
Busting the Myths
One thing people get wrong? They think Busta is just "the fast guy."
That’s a huge oversimplification.
Go back and listen to "Legend of the Fall Offs." He’s rapping in a whisper over a dark Dr. Dre beat, talking about the graveyard of rappers who let fame get to their heads. It’s eerie. It’s slow. It’s deeply introspective. He has a range that most rappers today would kill for.
Another misconception is that his best days are behind him. If you saw his performance at the 2023 Grammys or his more recent appearances in 2025, you’d know he still has more stage presence than artists half his age. He’s a "performance" artist in the truest sense.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to truly appreciate the legacy of Trevor Smith Jr., don't just stick to the Spotify "This Is Busta Rhymes" playlist.
- Watch the Videos: You haven't experienced Busta until you've seen the Hype Williams-directed visuals. Start with "Dangerous" and "Gimme Some More."
- Listen to the Native Tongues Era: Go back to the early 90s. Listen to A Future Without a Past... by Leaders of the New School. It gives you the "origin story" of that wild energy.
- Check the Remixes: Busta is the king of the remix. Seek out the "Ante Up" remix or the "Flava in Ya Ear" remix. His verses there are basically lessons in how to dominate a track.
- Explore the Production: Pay attention to who he works with. From the soulful vibes of J Dilla to the clinical percussion of Dr. Dre, Busta picks beats that challenge him to be better.
Basically, the man is a living monument to hip-hop. He survived the transition from cassettes to streaming without ever having to change his DNA. That's not just luck; that's being one of the best to ever do it. Period.