Conglomerate | Its Hip Hop

On this day in Hip-Hop History, we celebrate the birth of one of the most flamboyant and ostentatious personalities in Hip Hop. Today in 1972, the legend Busta Rhymes was born in Brooklyn, New York.

The 11-Time Grammy nominee and Flipmode Squad frontman has served as an unsung hero for the culture. This is not to say that he has at all gone unnoticed (“11 time Grammy Nominee” speaks for itself), but his influence on Hip Hop since it’s earliest stages of commercial success and role in the foundation of the New York Hip Hop scene is ever-present if you pay attention.

It can be said that Busta Bust’s career began with his involvement with Leaders of the New School. Alongside Charlie Brown, Dinco D, and Cut Monitor Milo, but Busta got his break opening up for Public Enemy in the late 80s. It was actually Chuck D himself who gave Busta Rhymes his stage name, after NFL receiver George “Buster” Rhymes. With Leaders of the New School, Rhymes released two albums: A Future Without a Past… and T.I.M.E.

While a part of the group, Busta’s unique style made it possible for him to be featured on major tracks with artists such as: Big Daddy Kane, The Notorious B.I.G., TLC, A Tribe Called Quest, and KRS-One. He also made his first appearances on screen in films such as Higher Learning and Strapped prior to ever releasing any solo music.

In 1995, Busta Rhymes released his debut solo LP The Coming which is hailed as a masterpiece of Hip Hop featuring his smash hit single “Woo Hah!“, his first solo single. The commercial successes of this album allowed Busta Rhymes to finally get the respect he deserved (and for the most part already had in the artist community) as a solo artists. Busta’s follow up albums When Disaster Strikes and Extinction Level Event (Final World Front) were just as if not more successful than the first.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiVpSSkwPU4

Through the 2000s, Busta continued to be a powerhouse. With the release of his greatest hits album Total Devastation: The Best of Busta Rhymes and new original album Genesis Busta was once again among the top of the charts with this smash hit “Pass the Courvoisier Part II” feat Pharrell and P. Diddy. Throughout the early 2000s Busta’s music could be heard in clubs across the globe and his influence of the culture could be seen, heard, and felt.

His seventh studio album The Big Bang was exactly what the title describes being that it was his first #1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. Selling 209,000 copies in the first week alone, this LP showed that time was not a factor when it came to Busta’s popularity and appeal and that his high energy style could remain on top regardless of how the game changed around it. This album spawned what is probably Busta Rhymes most famous song, “Touch It” who’s remixes sky rocketed Bust to the top of every radio chart as far as airplay was concerned.

In the 2010s however, Busta has yet to reach the same level of success as he did in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s but has been able to remain on tour and is still leaving his mark on the industry. In 2012, he was part of the Grammy-nominated single “Look At Now” which was a summertime hit, again proving that no matter the decade, Busta Rhymes can still turn the party up.

From everyone here at the Source Magazine, happy born day Busta. Thank you so much for what you have done for Hip Hop and may you see many more golden years of success.

The post Happy 48th Birthday to ‘The Dragon’ Busta Rhymes! appeared first on The Source.

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After more than 25 years and over 15 albums, R. Kelly and his record label have reportedly parted ways. The breaking news comes (January 18) after RCA/Sony Records sources confirmed the development to Billboard. The label recently removed the Chicago, Illinois singer from its website roster.

The move comes two weeks after Lifetime aired the Surviving R. Kelly six-part documentary. Executive produced by dream hampton, the doc interviewed women who have accused the singer of sexual misconduct and pedophilia. Additionally, the piece gathered input from another Sony Records-backed star, John Legend, who vehemently condemned R. Kelly on these allegations. The most-watched Lifetime program in more than two years also examined Kelly’s relationship with his management team and record label. Despite past high-profile trials, the 52-year-old has never been convicted of any sex crimes.

Dave Chappelle Details The Night R. Kelly Confronted Him With His Goons

According to Billboard, R. Kelly’s existing catalog will remain in the RCA/Sony system. The singer signed to Jive Records in 1991. He would partner with Public Announcement to begin his recording career before his solo endeavors. Since that label dissolved in the late 2000s, R. Kelly moved to Sony BMG. He has been part of Sony’s RCA Records division since 2012. He released four albums since.

Throughout the legal events and public accusations, Jive and Sony remained committed to R. Kelly, including since last year’s #MuteRKelly campaign and a period where Spotify removed the artist from official playlists. The singer has 12 platinum full-length releases, and two #1 singles. While representatives were attempted to be contacted, the label has not released a statement.

dream hampton Speaks About The Horrors Of Making Surviving R. Kelly

R. Kelly has repeatedly denied all allegations of misconduct.

Dave Chappelle Details The Night R. Kelly Confronted Him With His Goons

dream hampton Speaks About The Horrors Of Making Surviving R. Kelly

R. Kelly has repeatedly denied all allegations of misconduct.

Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne go back. Just over a decade ago, the Leaders Of The New School co-founder was a standout guest on Weezy’s Carter III affair. Wayne returned the favor on Bus’ Back On My B.S. More notably for the time, the two artists worked together on “Thank You,” which also involved Q-Tip and Kanye West.

From different cities and eras, both of these men have been hugely successful at taking Hip-Hop to the mainstream. They have both amassed a ton of hits. However, at any given moment, both MCs can deliver purebred lyricism on big platforms.

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While possibly under the radar to some, DJ Kay Slay has arranged some of the more exciting collaborations of the last three years. The Drama King linked Kendrick Lamar and Mac Miller alongside Kevin Gates in 2017. He brought AZ, Mysonne, and Papoose together on that same album, The Big Brother. On January 25’s Hip Hop Frontline, the DJ who appeared as an adolescent in Style Wars does it again, encouraging the latest Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne intersection.

“They Want My Blood” finds Wayne rapping first, with some standout wordplay. “They want me dead, I want they names / They say I’m washed up ’cause I hide all these stains / But I hop on these tracks and I stop all these trains / And I hop off the plane, that’s when I turn to rain / You got me on your mind, I hope I die on your brain / But I’m speaking my mind, that’s when I’m born again / And I lean to the side and pour out a lil’ drank / ‘Cause we deep as the Mobb, so let Prodigy drink / I got one check in mind, you know I want it blank / They say they want my blood, okay I’ll call a gang / I’m a be with my hive, we don’t buzz ’cause we bang / Do more drugs than we slang, diamond studs in my fangs / And I’m Southern as Frank’s, hospitality stinks / Change my name from Dwayne to just ‘Rob The Banks’ / Nine-to-five, no thanks / Walk the line and the planks / That’s my slime, Kay Slay / And this verse, was slain.” Without cursing, Wayne drops one hell of a verse.

With his signature rasp, Busta Rhymes attacks the track. He touts that his crew’s time has come. “I’m pasting blessings, I’m about to baptize y’all / Listen, y’all want to sip the blood of a God while nibbling bread / Communion, watchin’ ni**as fiend for the crack, but Reagan is dead.” He proceeds with a menacing verse featuring more religious imagery, as Busta Rhymes chases away any challengers.

Busta Rhymes Leads A Cypher Between His 2 Crews. He’s Still The Top Dragon (Video)

Hip Hop Frontline will feature Raekwon, Styles P, Bun B, The LOX, Dave East, Joell Ortiz, and others. Last year, Wayne released Carter V. Busta Rhymes is reportedly finishing a 2019 album, while reuniting his Flipmode Squad with his Conglomerate crews.