Busta Rhymes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes performing in 2022
Born	Trevor George Smith Jr. (1972-05-20) May 20, 1972 (age 53) New York City, U.S.
Other names	Trevor Taheim Smith
Education	Uniondale High School
Occupation	Rapper singer songwriter record producer actor record executive businessman
Years active	1986–present
Works	Discography production
Children	6
Relatives	Rampage (cousin)
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Origin	Hempstead, New York, U.S.
Genres	East Coast hip-hop progressive rap
Instruments	Vocals samplers drums
Labels	Empire Conglomerate Epic Violator Republic Cash Money Young Money Universal Motown Interscope Aftermath J Elektra
Signature

Trevor George Smith Jr. (born May 20, 1972), known as Busta Rhymes, is an American rapper, singer, and actor. He got his stage name from Chuck D of Public Enemy, who named him after a football player. Busta Rhymes has been nominated for 12 Grammy Awards. Billboard and Vibe magazines have called him one of the 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time.

Busta Rhymes was a founding member of the group Leaders of the New School. This group became well-known while touring with Public Enemy. They gained more attention when they appeared on A Tribe Called Quest's song "Scenario". After the group broke up, Busta Rhymes became a popular solo artist. He appeared on many songs for other artists before releasing his first solo album, The Coming, in 1996. This album was highly praised and sold very well, earning a platinum award. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award.

He has released eleven solo albums, with his latest being Blockbusta in 2023. Some of his most famous songs include "Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check", "Gimme Some More", and "I Know What You Want". He has also been a guest artist on popular songs like "Don't Cha" by The Pussycat Dolls. Besides music, he started his own record label, Conglomerate.

Early Life and Education

Trevor George Smith Jr. was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on May 20, 1972. His parents, Geraldine Green and Trevor Smith Sr., were immigrants from Jamaica. When he was 12, his family moved to Uniondale, New York, on Long Island.

For a short time, Busta Rhymes attended George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School in Brooklyn. Future famous rappers Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter also went to this school. He later graduated from Uniondale High School in 1991.

In the early 1980s, Busta also spent time in England with his aunt. He went to school there for two summers. He shared that he and his younger brother even performed breakdancing in clubs as minors.

Music Career Highlights

Forming Leaders of the New School

In 1986, Trevor Smith and his friends Charlie Brown, Cut Monitor Milo, and Dinco D formed an East Coast hip-hop group called Leaders of the New School.

Their first album, A Future Without a Past..., came out in 1991. Later that year, the group was featured on A Tribe Called Quest's popular song "Scenario". In 1993, they released their second album, T.I.M.E. (The Inner Mind's Eye). Busta Rhymes became very popular because of his unique rapping style. However, the group eventually broke up due to his growing fame.

Solo Success and Albums

In 1996, Busta Rhymes released his first solo album, The Coming. His song "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check" was a big hit. He then released his second album, When Disaster Strikes, in 1997. In 1998, he recorded Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front.

Busta Rhymes in 2002

He continued to release albums, including Anarchy in 2000 and Genesis in 2001. Genesis featured collaborations with artists like Mary J. Blige and Kelis. His sixth album, It Ain't Safe No More, came out in 2002.

Reaching Number One

Busta Rhymes performing in 2006

His seventh album, The Big Bang, was released in 2006. It became his first album to reach No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. It sold over 209,000 copies in its first week.

In 2009, he released his eighth album, Back on My B.S.. One song, "Arab Money", caused some discussion in the United Arab Emirates. The lyrics were seen as disrespectful to Arabs and Islam by some. Busta Rhymes later apologized for any offense caused. The song's producer, Ron Browz, explained that the term "Arab money" was meant as a compliment, like saying someone has "Oprah money."

Busta Rhymes in 2005

Recent Projects and Collaborations

In 2009, Busta Rhymes announced he was working on his ninth album, which would be a sequel to his 1998 album. This album, Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God, was released in 2020.

He has collaborated with many artists. In 2011, he was featured on Tech N9ne's song "Worldwide Choppers" and Justin Bieber's song "Drummer Boy." He also signed with Cash Money Records in 2011.

In 2012, he released his album Year of the Dragon for free on Google Play. This album included guest appearances from artists like Lil Wayne and Rick Ross. He later left Cash Money Records in 2014.

Busta Rhymes at Out4Fame Festival 2015 in Germany

In 2016, Busta Rhymes was featured on The Hamilton Mixtape, singing a remix of "My Shot". He performed this song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. In 2018, he released "Get It," featuring Missy Elliott and Kelly Rowland.

In 2020, Busta Rhymes appeared on season 4 of The Masked Singer as "Dragon." He was the first contestant eliminated.

In 2021, he released a special 25th Anniversary Edition of his first album, The Coming. His eleventh studio album, Blockbusta, came out in late 2023. It features many guest artists. In 2024, he made guest appearances on songs by LL Cool J and Ciara.

In January 2025, Busta Rhymes released an EP called Dragon Season... The Awakening. This EP is a preview of his upcoming studio album, Dragon Season.

Personal Life

Busta Rhymes has six children: three sons (born in 1993, 1999, and 2001) and three daughters (born 1998, 1999, and 2006). He has been a Muslim since he was 12 years old.

Musical Influences

As a teenager, Busta Rhymes's favorite rapper was LL Cool J. LL Cool J inspired Busta Rhymes to start writing his own raps.

He was also inspired by singer and producer George Clinton. Busta Rhymes admired Clinton's bold and unique showmanship. Clinton also taught him a lot about the music industry.

Legacy and Impact

Busta Rhymes's music has influenced many artists, including Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, the Creator, and Doja Cat. Fellow rapper Big Daddy Kane has said that Busta Rhymes has one of the best "flows" (the rhythm and style of rapping) in hip-hop.

About.com included him on its list of the 50 Greatest MCs (rappers) of all time. AllMusic called him one of the best and most productive rappers of the 1990s. In 2012, The Source magazine put him on its list of the Top 50 Lyricists of all Time. MTV has also called him "one of hip-hop's greatest visual artists."

Discography

Studio Albums

• The Coming (1996)
• When Disaster Strikes... (1997)
• Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front (1998)
• Anarchy (2000)
• Genesis (2001)
• It Ain't Safe No More... (2002)
• The Big Bang (2006)
• Back on My B.S. (2009)
• Year of the Dragon (2012)
• Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God (2020)
• Blockbusta (2023)
• Dragon Season (2025)

Collaborative Albums

• A Future Without a Past... (1991) (with Leaders of the New School)
• T.I.M.E. (The Inner Mind's Eye) (1993) (with Leaders of the New School)
• The Imperial (1998) (with Flipmode Squad)

Film and Television Appearances

Busta Rhymes has also acted in several movies and TV shows.

Film Roles

Television Roles

Video Games

Awards and Nominations

Busta Rhymes has received many awards and nominations throughout his career, including 12 Grammy Award nominations.

See also

• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. dance chart
• List of number-one U.S. dance hits
• List of songs recorded by Busta Rhymes
• Busta Rhymes Island