Last Updated on February 22, 2024
Who Is Busta Rhymes?
Trevor George Smith Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, record, executive, master of ceremony (MC), and actor. Trevor was given the stage name ‘Busta Rhymes’ by Chuck D from the Public Enemy band. Apparently, he was named after National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL) wide receiver George “Buster” Rhymes.
Busta Rhymes rose to prominence as an original member of the group ‘Leaders of the New School.’ The group garnered national attention following their opening performance on the tour for Public Enemy.
Rhymes got his break after guest-rapping on the track “Scenario” by the Tribe Called Quest. He subsequently released his debut album, The Coming, in 1996. The album peaked at #6 on the U.S Billboard 200 album chart and eventually reached platinum status. Rhymes has since followed up with eight more solo albums.
As a rapper, Busta Rhymes is noted for his high-speed and intricate rhyming style. He’s also famous for his lavish lifestyle and keen fashion sense.
Rhymes has been named by several outlets as one of the world’s most talented rappers. He appeared in About.com’s list of ‘The 50 Greatest MC’s of Our Time’ from 1987 – 2007. In 2012, Rhymes made The Source’s list of ‘The Top 50 Lyricists of All Time.’
While his current net worth may not exactly correspond with his long rapping career, Busta Rhymes’ still swims in millions. The rapper has a net worth of $22 million as of 2023.
Quick Facts
Full Name: | Trevor George Smith Jr. |
Popular Name: | Busta Rhymes |
Gender: | Male |
Birth Date: | May 20, 1972 |
Age: | 50 years |
Parents: | Trevor Smith Sr. and Geraldine Green |
Siblings: | Paul Smith |
Birth Place: | New York City, New York, United States |
Nationality: | American |
Ethnicity: | African-American |
Education: | K605 George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School, Samuel J. Tilden High School, and Uniondale Senior High School |
Marital Status: | Unmarried |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Wife/Spouse: | N/A |
Children: | 3 sons and 3 daughters (born between 1993 and 2006), including Trillian Wood-Smith, Mariah Smith, T’ziah Wood-Smith, T’Khi Wood-Smith, and Cacie Smith) |
Dating: | N/A |
Net Worth: | USD 22 million |
Source of Wealth: | Album & Record Sales, Record Producing, Emceeing, Acting, and Other Ventures |
Height: | 6′ 1″ (1.85 m) |
Weight: | 115 kg; In pounds: 254 lbs. |
Early Life
Busta Rhymes was born on May 20, 1972, in New York City, New York, United States, to Trevor Smith Sr. and Geraldine Green.
Rhymes attended Brooklyn’s George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School, alongside future rappers Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G) and Shawn Carter (Jay-Z). He later attended Samuel J. Tilden High School with future rapper Edward Archer (Special Ed).
Busta Rhymes eventually graduated from Uniondale High School in Long Island in 1991.
Music Career
Busta Rhymes rose to prominence in 1990 after joining the Long Island-based hip-hop group, Leaders of the New School. Rhymes, along with his fellow crew members, shot to national fame when the group became an opening act for the Public Enemy band.
However, ‘Leaders of the New School’ hip-hop crew split up shortly after and Rhymes decided to pursue a solo career. He began by collaborating on singles by renowned artists, including the Notorious B.I.G, A Tribe Called Quest, and KRS-One.
Busta Rhymes’ breakout performance was in the single “Scenario” by the Tribe Called Quest. Rhymes subsequently released the song ”Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check,” before eventually releasing his debut studio album in 1997, titled The Coming. The album was a smashing success, peaking at #6 on the U.S Billboard 200.
Rhymes released his second studio album, When Disaster Strikes…. The album contained what would become one of the rapper’s most successful singles, “Fire It Up.”
Busta Rhymes has since followed up with seven more studio albums. They include:
• Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front (1998)
• Anarchy (2000)
• Genesis (2001)
• It Ain’t Safe No More… (2002)
• The Big Bang (2006)
• Back on My B.S. (2009)
• Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God (2020)
In addition to his solo studio albums, Rhymes has also released four collaborative albums, namely:
• A Future Without a Past… (with Leaders of the New School in 1991)
• T.I.M.E. (The Inner Mind’s Eye) (with Leaders of the New School in 1993)
• The Imperial (with Flipmode Squad 1998)
• The Conglomerate (with The Conglomerate (trio) in 2012)
Acting Career
Busta Rhymes has also dabbled in acting over the years.
Rhymes made his cinematic debut by playing Jawaan in the 1993 movie, Who’s the Man? He followed up with two more film roles, 1993’s Strapped and 1995’s Higher Learning.
In 1996, Busta Rhymes made his television debut in an episode of New York Undercover. The following year, he appeared in an episode of ‘Cosby’ and ‘The Steve Harvey Show.’
Rhymes has since featured in several other movies and television shows, including:
• The Rugrats Movie (1998, film)
• The Wayans Bros. (1998, television show)
• Rugrats (1999, television series)
• Shaft (2000, film)
• Backstage (2000, film)
• Finding Forester (2000, film)
• Space Ghost Coast to Coast (2001, television series)
• Narc (2002, film)
• Halloween: Resurrection (2002, film)
• Full Clip (2004, film)
• The Boondocks (2007 – 2009, television series)
• Breaking Point (2009, film)
• The Unforgiven (2011, film)
• Master of None (2015, television series)
• King of the Dancehall (2016, film)
• Fresh Off The Boat (2015, television series)
• Big City Greens (2018, television series)
• The Masked Singer (2020, television show)
• The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2020, television show)
Awards and Honors
Busta Rhymes has been feted with multiple awards over the years. The rapper has won 6 BET Hip Hop Awards, 1 Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Award, 1 International Dance Music Award, to mention but a few.
Busta Rhymes’ Net Worth
Busta Rhymes has not only earned fame from his decades-long music career. He has also made considerable wealth. As of 2023, Rhymes had a net worth of $22 million.
But for a rapper who has been around for more than three decades, Busta Rhymes’ net worth clearly ought to be higher. Well, that might have been the case, were it not for his lavish lifestyle and financial woes. In May 2014, it emerged that Rhymes owed the IRS $789,577 in back taxes.
Busta Rhymes has also been involved in numerous legal issues during his career, including in 2006 when he was arrested and charged with assault. While there’s little information on the amount he lost directly due to his criminal conduct, Rhymes likely lost millions in potential income while he was held in custody.
Lessons from Busta Rhymes
1. Partner with others
Busta Rhymes is noted for his numerous collaborations with other artists, including Pharrell, P. Diddy, Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, etc. Needless to mention, Rhymes was also a founding member of the hip-hop group ‘Leaders of the New School.’
2. Adapt to new situations
When ‘Leaders of the New School’ members parted ways in the early 90s, Rhymes didn’t go looking for other rappers with whom he could establish another hip-hop crew. Instead, he immediately embarked on a solo career, a decision that ultimately paid off.
3. You win some, you lose some
Although Busta Rhymes is regarded as one of the world’s most successful rappers of all time, his rise to the top wasn’t so smooth. Some of Rhymes’ musical projects, such as the 2001 album Genesis, performed dismally. However, the rapper was undaunted as he understood that you can’t keep winning all the time.
Famous Quotes by Busta Rhymes
• Hip-hop reflects the truth, and the problem is that hip-hop exposes a lot of the negative truth that society tries to conceal. It’s a platform where we could offer information, but it’s also an escape.
• I have no trouble being a good dude because that’s what I am.
• My making it is a combination of grinding, grinding, grinding and being lucky enough to finally get a shot.
• I’m trying to set up opportunities for myself so that I don’t only have one outlet to go through and rely upon as far as a support system financially, emotionally and mentally.
• My thinking is that if we’re going to take from a culture, let’s take from a culture that has exemplified success for thousands of years.
Wrap Up
Busta Rhymes will go down in history books as one of the world’s most accomplished rappers.
Rhymes has been an influential figure in the music industry for decades now. He has earned a net worth of $22 million from his various projects in and outside the entertainment industry.