Busta Rhymes

Early Life

Trevor George Smith Jr., known professionally as Busta Rhymes, was born on May 20, 1972, in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. He is the son of Jamaican immigrants Geraldine Green and Trevor Smith Sr. At the age of 12, his family moved to Uniondale, Long Island, where he graduated from Uniondale High School in 1991. Busta also spent part of his childhood in England, where he attended Skerton Community High School and developed an early interest in breakdancing.

Career

Busta Rhymes began his music career in 1986 as a member of the East Coast hip-hop group Leaders of the New School, which released their debut album in 1991. He gained significant recognition for his unique style and advanced rhymes, particularly after the group’s appearance on A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario." In 1996, he launched his solo career with the album "The Coming," featuring the hit single "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check." Over the years, he released several successful albums, including "When Disaster Strikes..." and "Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front," solidifying his status as a prominent figure in hip-hop. Busta has received 12 Grammy Award nominations and is recognized as one of the greatest rappers of all time by various publications.

Personal Life

Busta Rhymes identifies as a member of the Five-Percent Nation and has been a practicing Muslim since the age of 12. He is a father to six children, three sons and three daughters. Throughout his career, he has been vocal about various social issues, including his views on homosexuality in the hip-hop community, which have evolved over time. In a notable shift, he expressed support for Frank Ocean after the artist came out in 2012, indicating a more accepting stance within the cultural landscape of hip-hop.