History of Busta Rhymes in Timeline
Busta Rhymes, born Trevor George Smith Jr., is an American rapper and actor known for his unique and energetic delivery. The name Busta Rhymes was given to him by Chuck D of Public Enemy. A highly respected figure in hip-hop, he has garnered significant critical acclaim throughout his career. Notably, he has received 12 Grammy Award nominations, highlighting his impact and artistry in the music industry, despite not winning any.
May 20, 1972: Busta Rhymes Born
On May 20, 1972, Trevor George Smith Jr., known professionally as Busta Rhymes, was born in Brooklyn, New York City.
1986: Formation of Leaders of the New School
In 1986, Busta Rhymes formed the East Coast hip hop group Leaders of the New School.
1987: Included on About.com's 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time
In 1987-2007 About.com included Busta Rhymes on its list of the 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time.
June 1991: Release of Debut Album by Leaders of the New School
In June 1991, Leaders of the New School released their debut album, "A Future Without a Past...", on Elektra Records.
1991: Graduation from Uniondale High School
In 1991, Busta Rhymes graduated from Uniondale High School.
1993: Release of T.I.M.E. and Breakup of Leaders of the New School
In 1993, Leaders of the New School released their album T.I.M.E. (The Inner Mind's Eye). The group subsequently broke up due to internal problems.
1996: Release of "The Coming"
In 1996, Busta Rhymes released his debut solo album, "The Coming".
1996: Debut Solo Album "The Coming"
In 1996, Busta Rhymes released his debut solo album, "The Coming," which reached the top ten on the Billboard 200 chart, was certified platinum by the RIAA, and earned him a Grammy nomination.
September 1997: Release of "When Disaster Strikes"
In September 1997, Busta Rhymes released his second album, "When Disaster Strikes".
1997: Collaboration on "Starsky and Hutch"
In 1997, Busta Rhymes had the pair's first collaboration in nearly 27 years since 1997's "Starsky and Hutch".
December 1998: Arrest for Gun Possession
In December 1998, Busta Rhymes was arrested and charged with possession of an unregistered gun during a traffic stop in New York City.
1998: Album Extinction Level Event (Final World Front)
In 1998, Busta Rhymes recorded the album Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front.
1998: Recording of Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front
In 1998, Busta Rhymes recorded the album Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front.
1998: Birth of First Daughter
In 1998, Busta Rhymes' first daughter was born.
1999: Birth of Second Son and First Daughter
In 1999, Busta Rhymes had his second son and first daughter.
October 6, 2000: Probation for Gun Possession
On October 6, 2000, Busta Rhymes received five years' probation after pleading guilty to possessing an unregistered gun earlier in the year.
2000: Release of Anarchy
In 2000, Busta Rhymes released his final album for Elektra, titled "Anarchy".
2001: Release of 'Genesis'
In 2001 Busta Rhymes released the song "Genesis". In 2018, he was accused of plagiarism by Bernardo Lanzetti and his group Acqua Fragile, who alleged that Rhymes' 2001 song "Genesis" used an uncredited sample of the group's "Cosmic Mind Affair".
2002: Release of It Ain't Safe No More
In 2002, Busta Rhymes released his sixth studio album, "It Ain't Safe No More".
August 20, 2006: Arrested for Assault
On August 20, 2006, Busta Rhymes was arrested and arraigned for third-degree assault after allegedly attacking a man in New York City who spat on his car after the AmsterJam Music Festival on Randall's Island.
October 24, 2006: Court Appearance for Weapons Possession
On October 24, 2006, Busta Rhymes appeared at Manhattan Criminal Court where 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.
2006: Birth of Third Daughter
In 2006, Busta Rhymes had his third daughter.
February 20, 2007: Rejection of Plea Deal
On February 20, 2007, Busta Rhymes refused a plea deal offered by the prosecutor's office for the assault of his former driver, Edward Hatchett, which would have entailed jail time and pleading guilty to multiple assaults. A judge offered an alternative option, including community service, youth lectures, anger management, and probation.
May 3, 2007: Arrested for Driving Violations
On May 3, 2007, Busta Rhymes was arrested in Manhattan for driving without a license and driving while impaired.
2007: Included on About.com's 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time
In 1987-2007 About.com included Busta Rhymes on its list of the 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time.
March 18, 2008: Sentenced for Driving Under the Influence
On March 18, 2008, a judge in New York City sentenced Busta Rhymes to three years of probation, community service, fines, and enrollment in a drunken driving program related to his arrest in May 2007.
September 25, 2008: Entry to UK Refused
On September 25, 2008, Busta Rhymes was temporarily refused entry to the UK due to "unresolved convictions".
November 2008: Release and Controversy Surrounding "Arab Money"
In November 2008, after the release of "Arab Money" as a single, DJ Dany Neville and The Narcicyst responded with a reply, and Busta Rhymes later apologized for the controversial content.
May 19, 2009: Release of Back on My B.S.
On May 19, 2009, Busta Rhymes released his eighth studio album, "Back on My B.S.", through Universal Motown, which was later banned in the United Arab Emirates due to controversial content.
September 2009: Announcement of The Chemo Album
In September 2009, Busta Rhymes announced he was working on his ninth studio album, titled The Chemo.
May 2010: Change of Album Title to Extinction Level Event 2
In May 2010, Busta Rhymes reportedly changed the title of his ninth album from "The Chemo" to "Extinction Level Event 2".
2010: Defense of "Arab Money" by Ron Browz
In 2010, the producer of "Arab Money", Ron Browz, defended Busta Rhymes, stating that the track was misunderstood and meant as a compliment.
November 1, 2011: Feature on Justin Bieber's "Drummer Boy"
On November 1, 2011, Justin Bieber featured Busta Rhymes on a song called "Drummer Boy" off Bieber's second studio album, Under the Mistletoe.
November 11, 2011: Release of Heavy D Tribute Song
On November 11, 2011, a Heavy D tribute song titled "You Ain't Gotta Wait Till I'm Gone" was leaked.
November 16, 2011: Signing with Cash Money Records
On November 16, 2011, Busta Rhymes signed to Cash Money Records.
2011: Move to Universal Republic Records
In 2011, Universal Motown went defunct, forcing Busta Rhymes and other artists to move to Universal Republic Records.
August 21, 2012: Release of Year of the Dragon
On August 21, 2012, Busta Rhymes released his ninth studio album, "Year of the Dragon", for free on Google Play.
December 21, 2012: Release of Catastrophic Mixtape
On December 21, 2012, Busta Rhymes and members of The Conglomerate Ent. released a mixtape titled Catastrophic.
2012: The Source Listed Busta Rhymes as Top 50 Lyricists of All Time
In 2012, The Source placed Busta Rhymes on its list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time.
2012: Move to Republic Records
In mid-2012, Universal Republic Records went defunct, forcing Busta Rhymes and other artists to move to Republic Records, reviving the label.
June 3, 2013: Filming of "Twerk It" Video
On June 3, 2013, Busta Rhymes shot the music video for "Twerk It" in Flatbush.
June 6, 2013: Release of "Twerk It"
On June 6, 2013, Busta Rhymes collaborated with Pharrell Williams and released "Twerk It".
July 2014: Departure from Cash Money Records
In July 2014, Busta Rhymes departed Cash Money Records due to creative differences.
July 23, 2014: Departure from Cash Money Records
On July 23, 2014, Busta Rhymes announced his departure from Cash Money Records due to creative differences.
August 2015: Featured on Cash Cash's "Devil"
In August 2015, Busta Rhymes was featured on Cash Cash's song "Devil", with Neon Hitch and B.o.B.
2016: Viral Campaign to Name Island After Busta Rhymes
In 2016, a campaign to name an island in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts after Busta Rhymes gained viral publicity, though the proposal was ultimately not accepted.
February 2, 2018: Release of "Get It"
On February 2, 2018, Busta Rhymes released a new single "Get It", featuring Missy Elliott and Kelly Rowland, through Epic Records.
2018: Plagiarism Accusation
In 2018, Busta Rhymes was accused of plagiarism by Bernardo Lanzetti and his group Acqua Fragile, who alleged that Rhymes' 2001 song "Genesis" used an uncredited sample of the group's "Cosmic Mind Affair".
February 2019: Confirmation of New Album with Dr. Dre
In February 2019, Busta Rhymes confirmed he was finishing his new album with Dr. Dre.
October 30, 2020: Release of Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God
On October 30, 2020, Busta Rhymes released his album "Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God".
2020: Participation in The Masked Singer
In 2020, Busta Rhymes competed in season 4 of The Masked Singer as "Dragon" and was eliminated in the first episode.
2020: GQ Interview
In a 2020 interview with GQ, Busta Rhymes discussed spending time in England during the early 1980s and attending school and participating in breakdancing.
2021: Release of The Coming 25th Anniversary Edition
In 2021, Busta Rhymes released the 25th Anniversary Edition of his debut studio album, "The Coming".
2023: Release of Blockbusta
In 2023, Busta Rhymes released his eleventh solo album, "Blockbusta".
January 10, 2025: Assault Arrest
On January 10, 2025, Busta Rhymes was involved in assaulting one of his assistants, Dashiel Gables, after an argument in Brooklyn. He was arrested and charged with third-degree assault.
January 17, 2025: Release of Dragon Season... The Awakening
On January 17, 2025, Busta Rhymes released his EP, Dragon Season... The Awakening.
