History of Busta Rhymes in Timeline
Busta Rhymes, born Trevor George Smith Jr., is a highly acclaimed American rapper, record producer, and actor. He is notable for receiving 12 Grammy Award nominations despite not winning. Recognized as one of the greatest rappers of all time by Billboard, Vibe, and Forbes, Busta Rhymes received his moniker from Chuck D, inspired by football player George "Buster" Rhymes. He remains a significant figure in hip-hop and entertainment.
May 20, 1972: Busta Rhymes' Birth
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, Trevor Smith Jr. (Busta Rhymes), alongside Charlie Brown, Cut Monitor Milo, and Dinco D, formed the East Coast hip hop group Leaders of the New School.
1987: Start of About.com's Time period for Greatest MCs List
In 1987 About.com started its time period that goes through 2007 for its list of the 50 Greatest MCs of our Time, which Busta Rhymes was included on.
June 1991: Release of "A Future Without a Past..." by Leaders of the New School
In June 1991, Leaders of the New School, which included Busta Rhymes, released their debut album, A Future Without a Past..., on Elektra Records.
1991: Graduation from Uniondale High School
In 1991, Trevor Smith Jr. (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 the album T.I.M.E. (The Inner Mind's Eye). Shortly after, the group broke up due to internal issues arising from Busta Rhymes' increasing popularity.
1996: Release of Debut Solo Album: The Coming
In 1996, Busta Rhymes released his debut solo album, The Coming. The album was critically acclaimed, debuted within the top ten of the Billboard 200, received platinum certification by the RIAA, and was nominated for a Grammy Award.
1996: Release of "The Coming" Album and Success of "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check"
In 1996, Busta Rhymes released his debut solo album, The Coming. The single "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check" was a success, pushing the album into gold record status.
September 1997: Release of 'When Disaster Strikes' Album
In September 1997, Busta Rhymes released his second album 'When Disaster Strikes'.
1997: Collaboration with LL Cool J on 'Starsky and Hutch'
In 1997, Busta Rhymes and LL Cool J collaborated on 'Starsky and Hutch'.
December 1998: Arrest for possession of an unregistered gun
In December 1998, Busta Rhymes was arrested and charged with possession of an unregistered gun following a traffic stop in New York City.
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: Release of Extinction Level Event
In 1998, Busta Rhymes released the album Extinction Level Event.
1999: Birth of a son and a daughter
In 1999, Busta Rhymes had a son and a daughter.
October 6, 2000: Sentenced to probation
On October 6, 2000, Busta Rhymes received five years' probation after pleading guilty to possession of an unregistered gun earlier in the year.
2000: Release of Anarchy Album
In 2000, Busta Rhymes released his final album for Elektra, titled Anarchy.
2001: Release of Genesis Album and Platinum Certification
In 2001, Busta Rhymes released the album Genesis, which later sold one million domestic copies and was certified Platinum by the RIAA. It featured collaborations with various artists.
2001: Release of "Genesis"
In 2001, Busta Rhymes released the song "Genesis", which later became the subject of a plagiarism claim in 2018.
2002: Release of 'It Ain't Safe No More' Album
In 2002, Busta Rhymes released his sixth studio album, 'It Ain't Safe No More'.
January 6, 2003: 'It Ain't Safe No More...' Certified Gold
On January 6, 2003, the album It Ain't Safe No More... by Busta Rhymes was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
August 20, 2006: Arrest for assault
On August 20, 2006, Busta Rhymes was arrested and arraigned on charges of third-degree assault after allegedly attacking a man who spat on his car following the AmsterJam Music Festival on Randall's Island on August 12.
October 24, 2006: Court appearance regarding weapons possession charge
On October 24, 2006, Busta Rhymes appeared at Manhattan Criminal Court where the district attorney's office attempted to add a weapons possession charge for a machete found in his car, but the judge refused, and the case was adjourned.
February 20, 2007: Rejection of plea deal for assault charges
On February 20, 2007, Busta Rhymes rejected a plea deal from the prosecutor's office for assaulting his former driver, Edward Hatchett, which would have included jail time and pleading guilty to two assaults. He was later offered an alternative sentence of community service, youth lectures, anger management, and probation.
May 3, 2007: Arrest for driving without a license and driving while impaired
On May 3, 2007, Busta Rhymes was arrested in Manhattan for driving without a license and driving while impaired.
2007: Inclusion on About.com's 50 Greatest MCs of our Time list
In 2007, About.com included Busta Rhymes on its list of the 50 Greatest MCs of our Time (1987–2007).
2007: Walk-out during interview about homophobia
In 2007, during an interview for Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes, Busta Rhymes walked out when questioned about homophobia in the rap community, stating his cultural representation does not condone homosexuality.
March 18, 2008: Sentencing for driving offenses
On March 18, 2008, a judge in New York City sentenced Busta Rhymes to three years of probation, 10 days of community service, $1250 in fines, and enrollment in a drunken driving program for driving offenses.
September 25, 2008: Temporary refusal of entry to the UK
On September 25, 2008, Busta Rhymes was temporarily refused entry to the UK due to "unresolved convictions".
November 2008: Release of 'Arab Money' and Initial Responses
In November 2008, when Busta Rhymes released "Arab Money" as a single, it sparked controversy. DJ Dany Neville and The Narcicyst responded with a reply track, and opinions within the DJ community in Dubai were mixed regarding the song's offensiveness.
May 19, 2009: Release of 'Back on My B.S.' Album and Controversy
On May 19, 2009, Busta Rhymes released his eighth studio album, Back on My B.S., through Universal Motown. The album was 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, The Chemo, with producer Boi-1da, stating the project was 80% finished.
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, making it a sequel to his 1998 album.
2010: Defense of 'Arab Money' by Producer Ron Browz
In 2010, Ron Browz, the producer of Busta Rhymes' track "Arab Money", defended the song in an interview in Dubai, stating it was meant as a compliment and that the lyrics were misunderstood as street slang.
November 1, 2011: Feature on Justin Bieber's 'Drummer Boy'
On November 1, 2011, Justin Bieber's second studio album, Under the Mistletoe, was released, featuring Busta Rhymes on the song "Drummer Boy".
November 11, 2011: Leak 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 officially signed with Cash Money Records.
2011: Universal Motown Became Defunct
In 2011, Universal Motown Records went defunct, which resulted in Busta Rhymes and other artists moving to Universal Republic Records.
August 21, 2012: Release of 'Year of the Dragon' Album on Google Play
On August 21, 2012, Busta Rhymes released his ninth studio album, Year of the Dragon, for free on Google Play, featuring guest appearances from various artists. He also released a music video for "Doin' It Again" as a tribute to his manager Chris Lighty.
December 21, 2012: Release of 'Catastrophic' Mixtape
On December 21, 2012, Busta Rhymes, along with J. Doe and Reek da Villan of The Conglomerate Ent., released a mixtape titled Catastrophic, their first collective effort.
2012: Support for Frank Ocean and acceptance of homosexuality
In 2012, Busta Rhymes expressed his support for Frank Ocean coming out and voiced a general cultural acceptance of homosexuality in an interview with MTV News.
2012: Placement on The Source's Top 50 Lyricists list
In 2012, The Source placed Busta Rhymes on its list of the Top 50 Lyricists of all Time.
2012: Universal Republic Records Became Defunct
In mid-2012, Universal Republic Records also went defunct, leading to artists on the roster, including Busta Rhymes, moving to Republic Records, which was revived.
June 3, 2013: Shooting of "Twerk It" Music Video
On June 3, 2013, the music video for Busta Rhymes' "Twerk It" was shot in Flatbush.
June 6, 2013: Release of "Twerk It" Single
On June 6, 2013, Busta Rhymes released "Twerk It", the first single off his Cash Money Records debut, produced by Pharrell Williams.
July 2014: Departure from Cash Money Records
In July 2014, it was announced that Busta Rhymes had amicably departed Cash Money Records due to creative differences.
July 23, 2014: Departure from Cash Money Records and Republic Records
On July 23, 2014, Busta Rhymes announced his departure from Cash Money Records and Republic Records due to creative differences.
August 2015: Feature on Cash Cash's 'Devil'
In August 2015, Busta Rhymes was featured on "Devil" by Cash Cash, along with Neon Hitch and B.o.B.
2016: Viral Movement to Name Island After Busta Rhymes
In 2016, a viral movement emerged to name a small island in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, "Busta Rhymes Island". The proposal was ultimately rejected due to regulations.
February 2, 2018: Release of 'Get It' Single
On February 2, 2018, Busta Rhymes released a new single, "Get It", featuring Missy Elliott and Kelly Rowland, through Epic Records.
2018: Plagiarism Accusations
In 2018, Busta Rhymes was accused of plagiarism by Bernardo Lanzetti and his group Acqua Fragile, who claimed that Rhymes's 2001 song "Genesis" sampled their song "Cosmic Mind Affair" without credit, leading to a lawsuit.
February 2019: Confirmation of New Album with Dr. Dre
In February 2019, Busta Rhymes confirmed that he was in the "finishing touches" of his new album with longtime collaborator, 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: Appearance on 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 and Early Life in England
In a 2020 GQ interview, Busta Rhymes spoke about spending time in England during the early 1980s, attending school and karate, and breakdancing in clubs as a minor.
2021: Release of 25th Anniversary Edition of The Coming
In 2021, Busta Rhymes released the 25th Anniversary Edition of his debut studio album, The Coming.
2022: Release of The Bad Guys film
In 2022, the film "The Bad Guys" was released, serving as the basis for the sequel where Busta Rhymes contributed to the soundtrack.
2023: Release of Blockbusta Album
In 2023, Busta Rhymes released his eleventh solo album, Blockbusta.
January 10, 2025: Arrest for assault of assistant
On January 10, 2025, Busta Rhymes was arrested and charged with third-degree assault after allegedly assaulting his assistant, Dashiel Gables, following an argument in Brooklyn. Gables sustained facial injuries.
January 17, 2025: Release of Dragon Season... The Awakening EP
On January 17, 2025, Busta Rhymes released his EP, Dragon Season... The Awakening, as a precursor to his upcoming studio album, Dragon Season.
July 25, 2025: Release of "Taking Everything" as a promotional single
On July 25, 2025, Busta Rhymes' song "Taking Everything," which he co-wrote with Daniel Pemberton for the soundtrack of the animated film "The Bad Guys 2," was released as a promotional single.
2025: Performance at the MTV Video Music Awards
In 2025, Busta Rhymes performed a medley set with Spliff Star, Joyner Lucas, Papoose, and GloRilla at the MTV Video Music Awards, hosted by LL Cool J.
2025: Awarded the Rock the Bells Visionary Award
In 2025, Busta Rhymes was awarded the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award by the MTV Video Music Awards.
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