Busta Rhymes

Trevor George Smith Jr., known as Busta Rhymes, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He emerged in the early 1990s as a member of Leaders of the New School before becoming one of hip-hop's most distinctive solo artists. His rapid-fire, densely packed delivery and theatrical music videos set him apart. He has been nominated for 12 Grammy Awards and has sold millions of albums worldwide. In 2025, he received the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award at the MTV Video Music Awards. As of 2026, he continues to release music and tour, with eleven studio albums to his name. [edit]

Busta Rhymes grew up in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, the son of Jamaican immigrants Geraldine Green and Trevor Smith Sr. When he was 12, his family moved to Uniondale on Long Island. He developed an interest in hip-hop at age 10 after listening to Afrika Islam's Zulu Beats radio show. He briefly attended George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School in Brooklyn alongside future stars The Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z, and later attended Samuel J. Tilden High School with Special Ed and Chip Fu of Fu-Schnickens. He graduated from Uniondale High School in 1991. In 1989, a year before graduating, he formed the hip-hop group Leaders of the New School with Charlie Brown, Dinco D, and Cut Monitor Milo. The group got their big break as the opening act for Public Enemy. Public Enemy's frontman Chuck D gave Smith his stage name, inspired by NFL and CFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes. At just 17, L.O.N.S. signed with Elektra Records in December 1989. Their debut album, A Future Without a Past, was released in 1991. A pivotal moment came when they appeared on A Tribe Called Quest's 1992 single "Scenario," where Busta's electrifying verse stole the show and brought him widespread individual attention. After L.O.N.S. disbanded in 1994, Busta became a highly sought-after solo artist, appearing on tracks for Craig Mack ("Flava in Ya Ear" remix), Mary J. Blige, and TLC, and making his acting debut in John Singleton's 1995 film Higher Learning. [edit]

Busta Rhymes signed a solo contract with Elektra Records. His debut solo album, The Coming (1996), debuted in the top ten of the Billboard 200, went platinum, and earned a Grammy nomination. Its lead single, "Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check," hit the Top Ten. His second album, When Disaster Strikes (1997), debuted at number three and produced the hit singles "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" and "Dangerous." That same year, he released The Imperial as part of the Flipmode Squad. Extinction Level Event (Final World Front) (1998) featured the hit "Gimme Some More," which sampled the theme from Psycho and reached number 5 in the UK. He continued a string of hit albums with Anarchy (2000) and Genesis (2001), which included the smash "What's It Gonna Be?!" featuring Janet Jackson. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, he released hit singles like "Pass the Courvoisier, Part II" (featuring P. Diddy and Pharrell), "I Know What You Want" (featuring Mariah Carey and the Flipmode Squad), "Touch It," and "Look at Me Now" (with Chris Brown and Lil Wayne). In 2011, he signed with Cash Money Records but left in 2014 due to creative differences. He released his tenth studio album, Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God, in 2020, and his eleventh album, Blockbusta, in 2023. [edit]

Busta Rhymes is known for his outlandish fashion, energetic performances, and rapid-fire, complex rapping style. He is portrayed as a larger-than-life figure in hip-hop, a pioneer of high-energy rap and visual artistry. His fans often refer to themselves as part of the "Flipmode" movement. He has a strong social media presence with millions of followers across platforms. [edit]

Busta Rhymes's cultural footprint is so massive that iFANN currently ranks him as the 77th most famous person in Hip-Hop, up from 80th last cycle, a reflection of his enduring relevance across generations. That placement, part of the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, tracks global attention across media, search, and consumption signals worldwide, and it's no surprise: his catalog, from Leaders of the New School to his solo peak and the Flipmode years, remains a touchstone for hip-hop heads and younger discoverers alike.

His fanbase, though lacking a formal name like the Barbz or Beyhive, is deeply rooted in the culture. They rally around the Flipmode Squad identity, a collective he formed in the mid-1990s and revived in 2024 after a 26-year studio silence. That reunion announcement sent waves through the community, a long-awaited gift that fans had nearly given up on. The fandom's rituals are less about organized campaigns and more about shared reverence, debating his most intricate rhyme schemes, celebrating the Hype Williams-directed videos as visual milestones, and invoking "Flipmode" as shorthand for that explosive, high-energy state he brings to every stage.

It's a fanbase that spans eras: older purists who remember the golden age and younger listeners drawn in through streaming and viral moments. They may not have a catchy name, but their loyalty is unmistakable, evident in the way they've kept his legacy alive, streaming his videos by the millions and packing shows to witness his legendary live intensity.[edit]

Fans still retell the story of how Busta Rhymes got his name: Chuck D of Public Enemy gave it to him, inspired by NFL player George "Buster" Rhymes. He briefly attended high school with The Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z, a fact that feels like a golden-era dream lineup. Of Jamaican heritage, he's been nominated for 12 Grammy Awards but has never taken one home, a stat that still rankles his loyal followers.

His rapid-fire, complex delivery is legendary, but so are the moments that became lore. In March 2024, Busta announced that Flipmode Squad, the group he formed in the mid-90s, would release their first studio album in 26 years, their last being from 1998. The news hit fans like a thunderbolt, a reunion many had stopped hoping for. Earlier, in October 2018, he dropped "Flipmode Squad Meets The Conglomerate," bringing the original lineup together with his new signees, a track that bridged generations and reignited hope for a full reunion.

The "Flipmode" concept itself is a fan inside joke and a cultural touchstone: the idea of flipping into an aggressive, hyper-energetic state, a signature of his live shows. And those Hype Williams-directed videos? They're essential viewing, masterpieces that fans still cite as proof of his visual genius.[edit]

Busta Rhymes is the son of Geraldine Green and Trevor Smith Sr., both Jamaican immigrants. He has a cousin who is rapper Rampage. He has six children from various relationships. As of 2026, he is not publicly known to be in a relationship. [edit]

Busta Rhymes has frequently collaborated with Spliff Star, Rah Digga, Rampage, P. Diddy, Pharrell Williams, Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, and Chris Brown. He was a member of Leaders of the New School with Charlie Brown, Dinco D, and Cut Monitor Milo, and leads the Flipmode Squad which includes Rampage, Lord Have Mercy, Spliff Star, Rah Digga, and Baby Sham. [edit]

Busta Rhymes has had several long-term relationships. He dated Joanne "Joanna" Wood from the early 1990s; they split in the late 1990s. He was then in a relationship with Nicole "Nikki" Johnson, with whom he has multiple children. He later dated Tanisha "Tahiry" Jose and Lizzie Martinez, both for several years. He also had a relationship with Jasmine "Jazz" Anderson. As of 2026, Busta Rhymes is reportedly single and not publicly known to be in a relationship. [edit]

iFANN's editorial analysis currently estimates Busta Rhymes's net worth at $20 million. That figure stems from decades of album sales, relentless touring, and his work as a producer. He's also padded his pockets with acting roles in films like Higher Learning and Shaft, plus his ventures running record labels. His extensive music catalog continues to generate royalties, keeping the income flowing well into the streaming era.[edit]

Busta Rhymes has won several awards including the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards. He has also won BET Hip Hop Awards, including the "I Am Hip Hop" Icon Award, and multiple MTV Video Music Awards for Best Hip-Hop Video and Best Dance Video. [edit]