Busta Rhymes’ 11th studio album is complete. The New York rap legend announced the news on Instagram in the early hours of Tuesday morning (January 11), while sharing words of support to frequent collaborator DJ Kay Slay.
“New Album Done,” he wrote. “@djkayslay you on my mind while I’m recording King. Keep Fighting!! We need you and we got too much shit left to do.. Thank you @khrysis_ #SOULCOUNCIL.”
The message to DJ Kay Slay follows news about him struggling with COVID-19. On Thursday (January 6), his brother told HipHopDX he was “in a recovery state.”
In the post, Busta Rhymes also previewed new music produced by Khrysis and name-dropped Dr. Dre and DJ Kay Slay in his lyrics.
Busta Rhymes released his last album Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God in 2020 after an eight-year wait, with features coming from Kendrick Lamar, Q-Tip, Mary J. Blige, Rick Ross, Rakim, Ol’ Dirty Bastard and more.
But the quick turnaround in finishing his next album shouldn’t come as a surprise. During a 2020 interview with Vulture, he explained how he spends every day of his life in the studio.
“Recording music for me, at this point, is not just about making the album that I’m going to give to people,” Busta Rhymes said. “Recording music for me, at this point, is my peace of mind. I go to the studio every day. It’s part of my daily routine. It’s not even about records at this point. I go into the studio because this is what I have dedicated my life to. 30-something years of dedicating my life to the studio, and I’m a 48-year-old man.
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“That means my whole life has been given to this work and being in the studio and making music. So, it’s therapeutic for me. It’s my sanctuary. I love it beyond description. I’m never stopping or taking a break from the studio, my brother. Especially after 11 years.”
He added, “I’m already recording for the next project and the project after that and the project after that. It’s a never-ending process. You never can have enough hot shit. You can’t never have enough dope records.”
My ears is always open for Busta Rhymes new music.
Can’t wait! ELE2 exceeded my expectations!
One of the most underrated veteran in the game. Busta, Nas and Raekwon are the artists I’m really looking forward to in 2022.
I wanted to love ELE2 but instead I just like it. He should have made it a little shorter, or just dumped all 25+ on us like a double album. The multiple versions kinda threw me off.
I liked Busta better when he was a conscious rapper with heavy Jamaican/dancehall influences under Chuck D’s watchful eye. Then I think he kinda peaked when he linked with Tribe on “Scenario” and the “Zone coaster” remix. He was probably the biggest rap star of the 1990s in Toronto/London UK because of his dancehall influences and rugged but righteous vibe. But then he started taking steroids trying to compete with 50 cent and flatlined his career. Q Tip gave him a way out with that final Tribe LP but looks like Busta still living in 2001
This snippet bangin
I can’t wait for this new Busta album to drop ELE 2 was a beast of an album some bangers that snippet sounds like that track is going to be good
fine I admit the snippet good just hope he can give me 12 songs 3-4 long 1 or two features like Q-Tip and maybe Redman and only one skit. ok I know Busta can’t do only one skit. sounds great
Not interested to be honest the beat was average and so was the flow. To many artists from my era trying to appeal to the commercial market. To much good new music to mess with old recycled stuff. Nas included, to many fan boys who keep supporting weak albums, because you love the artist. Call them out instead of cosigning weak ish.
why you gotta hate? sounds great just press play on it. same with that new Nas record that’s probably the best he’s done in 15 years. need to get your ears checked pops
So when ist it absolut to bei releases? I’m waiting since january for f***s sake!