Busta Rhymes

Solo Artist

Photo: TopStreetwear · CC BY-SA 2.0
Active 1986-present
Origin East Flatbush, New York
Albums 11
Tracks 197
Most frequent collaborator DJ Scratch · 26 tracks
Genres East Coast Hip HopProgressive RapHip Hop
Complete Artist
99%
Authorship

Holds writing credit on 195 of 197 tracks

Does Busta Rhymes write his own songs?

Almost all of them. He is credited on 192 of the 197 tracks across his eleven studio albums, one of the highest rates anywhere in the catalogue. What he rarely does is write alone: six tracks carry his name and nobody else's.

By the Numbers

11
Studio Albums
197
Tracks Credited
99%
Self-Written
40
Years Active
560
Collaborators

Authorship Breakdown 195 / 197 self-written

Who wrote the songs?

Across all 197 tracks: how many Busta Rhymes wrote alone, how many they co-wrote, and how many were written by others. The bracket marks every track they hold any writing credit on.

Busta Rhymes has a writing credit99%
5%
94%
1%
Sole author9tracks5%
Co-written186tracks94%
Outside writers2tracks1%

Role Fingerprint how they contribute

Lyricist Performer Composer Producer
Busta Rhymes's roles across the catalogue

Share of all 197 tracks where they are personally credited, by role.

Lyricist (words)99%
Composer (music)99%
Producer11%
Performer100%

Authorship Over Time writing credit per album

Busta Rhymes's writing credit per album, in release order. Hover any bar for the album.

avg 99%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
93%
100%
100%
95%
100%
1996The Coming
1997When Disaster Strikes...
1998Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front
2000Anarchy
2001Genesis
2002It Ain't Safe No More...
2006The Big Bang
2009Back on My B.S.
2012Year of the Dragon
2020Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God
2023Blockbusta
Early · 100% written
Mid · 99% written
Late · 98% written

Authorship by Decade track-weighted

100%
1990s
The Coming, When Disaster Strikes... +1 more
99%
2000s
Anarchy, Genesis +3 more
100%
2010s
Year of the Dragon
98%
2020s
Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God, Blockbusta

Authorship Spectrum pure performer to complete author

Where Busta Rhymes sits on the scale from a pure performer (0%, sings songs written by others) to a complete author (100%, writes everything). The bright marker is their catalogue authorship score, plotted against other artists on the site.

Busta Rhymes
Other artists on the site

Reference artists spread across the scale, closest by genre and era.

EXO8%
Xscape17%
Salt-N-Pepa35%
TLC59%
Destiny's Child69%
Run-DMC81%
Arrested Development89%
99%Busta Rhymes
Pure Performer0%
Songwriter~50%
Complete Author100%

Who Really Wrote the Hits signature songs

Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check
The Coming
Written by Busta Rhymes, Rashad Smith, Trevor George Smith Jr.
Co-wrote
It's a Party
The Coming
Written by Busta Rhymes, Zhané, Trevor George Smith Jr., Renee Neufville
Co-wrote
Dangerous
When Disaster Strikes...
Written by Busta Rhymes, Henry Stone, Freddy Stonewall, Trevor George Smith Jr.
Co-wrote
What's It Gonna Be?!
Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front
Written by Busta Rhymes, Darrell "Delite" Allamby, Antoinette Roberson, Trevor George Smith Jr.
Co-wrote
Pass the Courvoisier, Part II
Genesis
Written by Busta Rhymes, Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, Trevor George Smith Jr.
Co-wrote
Break Ya Neck
Genesis
Written by Busta Rhymes, Dr. Dre, Mike Elizondo, Scott Storch, Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith, Trevor George Smith Jr., Andre Young
Co-wrote
I Know What You Want
It Ain't Safe No More...
Written by Busta Rhymes, Rah Digga, Rampage, Rick Rock, Spliff Star, R. Jones, Trevor George Smith Jr., Roger McNair
Co-wrote
Make It Clap
It Ain't Safe No More...
Written by Busta Rhymes, Spliff Star, Rick Rock, Trevor George Smith Jr., William Lewis, Rahiem Thomas
Co-wrote
Touch It
The Big Bang
Written by Busta Rhymes, Swizz Beatz, Thomas Bangalter, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, Trevor George Smith Jr., Kasseem Dean
Co-wrote
I Love My Bitch
The Big Bang
Written by Busta Rhymes, will.i.am, Keith Harris, Trevor George Smith Jr., William Adams
Co-wrote
Arab Money
Back on My B.S.
Written by Busta Rhymes, Ron Browz, Trevor George Smith Jr., Rondell Turner
Co-wrote

Discography 11 albums

Collaborator Network who they worked with most

Photo of Busta RhymesBusta Rhymes197 tracks
Photo of DJ Scratch26DJ Scratch, 26 tracks Photo of Nottz17Nottz, 17 tracks JD16J Dilla, 16 tracks Photo of Swizz Beatz13Swizz Beatz, 13 tracks Photo of Dr. Dre11Dr. Dre, 11 tracks R10Rampage, 10 tracks KD9Kasseem Dean, 9 tracks SS8Spliff Star, 8 tracks R8Rockwilder, 8 tracks AY8Andre Young, 8 tracks RD7Rah Digga, 7 tracks JB7Just Blaze, 7 tracks PW7Pharrell Williams, 7 tracks RR6Rick Rock, 6 tracks D6Dready, 6 tracks Q5Q-Tip, 5 tracks RF5Rashia Fisher, 5 tracks FS5Flipmode Squad, 5 tracks DS5Dana Stinson, 5 tracks DS5Darryl Sloan, 5 tracks SS5Scott Storch, 5 tracks on The Roots's page CH5Chad Hugo, 5 tracks ME5Mike Elizondo, 5 tracks RS4Rashad Smith, 4 tracks KF4Kamaal Fareed, 4 tracks TU4The Ummah, 4 tracks LH4Lord Have Mercy, 4 tracks LJ4Leroy Jones, 4 tracks TN4The Neptunes, 4 tracks PR4Pete Rock, 4 tracks MP4Mr. Porter, 4 tracks on D12's page DP4Denaun Porter, 4 tracks EM3Easy Mo Bee, 3 tracks J3Jamal, 3 tracks JP3Jamal Phillips, 3 tracks JD3Jay Dee, 3 tracks SW3Stevie Wonder, 3 tracks SC3Sean Combs, 3 tracks on Puff Daddy's page M3Mystikal, 3 tracks DS3DJ Shok, 3 tracks LP3Large Professor, 3 tracks J3Jay-Z, 3 tracks SC3Shawn Carter, 3 tracks MJ3Mary J. Blige, 3 tracks P3Pharrell, 3 tracks RT3Rahiem Thomas, 3 tracks DP3Dawaun Parker, 3 tracks CP3Che Pope, 3 tracks T3Timbaland, 3 tracks TM3Timothy Mosley, 3 tracks DD3David Drew, 3 tracks RB3Ron Browz, 3 tracks JR3Jelly Roll, 3 tracks KD3Karl Daniel, 3 tracks TM3Teddy Mendez, 3 tracks H3Hi-Tek, 3 tracks DP3DJ Premier, 3 tracks S3Schife, 3 tracks NB3Navi Beats, 3 tracks YT3Young Thug, 3 tracks JL3Jeffery Lamar Williams, 3 tracks on Young Thug's page SH2St. Hilaire, 2 tracks R"2Roger "Rampage the Last Boy Scout" McNair, 2 tracks M"2Marlon "The Vibe Chemist Backspin" King, 2 tracks TV2The Vibe Chemist Backspin, 2 tracks J"2James "Jay Dee" Yancey, 2 tracks BH2Bryan Higgins, 2 tracks BS2Baby Sham, 2 tracks WN2Wayne Notise, 2 tracks AH2Anthony Hamilton, 2 tracks L2Lamb, 2 tracks MD2Manu Dibango, 2 tracks D"2Darrell "Delite" Allamby, 2 tracks DD2Diamond D, 2 tracks PK2P. Killer Trackz, 2 tracks JS2Justin Smith, 2 tracks R2Raekwon, 2 tracks on Wu-Tang Clan's page JD2J. Dilla, 2 tracks K2Kelis, 2 tracks RJ2R. Jones, 2 tracks MC2Mariah Carey, 2 tracks MA2Marsha Ambrosius, 2 tracks MB2Mark Batson, 2 tracks ED2El DeBarge, 2 tracks RD2Randy DeBarge, 2 tracks BD2Bunny DeBarge, 2 tracks B"2Bernard "Focus..." Edwards, Jr., 2 tracks LW2Lil Wayne, 2 tracks BE2Bernard Edwards, Jr., 2 tracks TF2Ty Fyffe, 2 tracks T2T-Pain, 2 tracks AL2Andre Lyon, 2 tracks MV2Marcello Valenzano, 2 tracks C&2Cool & Dre, 2 tracks RR2Rick Ross, 2 tracks TS2Ted Smooth, 2 tracks RD2Reek da Villian, 2 tracks JS2James Smith, 2 tracks JB2Jahlil Beats, 2 tracks TW2Tariek Williams, 2 tracks J2J-Doe, 2 tracks VK2Vybz Kartel, 2 tracks K"2Karl "Dready" Daniel, 2 tracks F2Focus..., 2 tracks TM2Terrace Martin, 2 tracks A.2Anderson .Paak, 2 tracks 9W29th Wonder, 2 tracks MS2Michel Sotolongo, 2 tracks DW2Dale Warren, 2 tracks BG2Berry Gordy, 2 tracks BW2Bob West, 2 tracks HD2Hal Davis, 2 tracks SS2Sunday Service Choir, 2 tracks NG2Nikki Grier, 2 tracks MM2Maximilian McFarlin, 2 tracks EZ2Elin Zamora, 2 tracks AM2August Moon, 2 tracks YS2Yaw Sintim-misa, 2 tracks RS1Rick St. Hilaire, 1 track OH1Osten Harvey, Jr., 1 track Z1Zhané, 1 track RN1Renee Neufville, 1 track R1Redman, 1 track KM1Keith Murray, 1 track W"1Wayne "Lord Have Mercy" Notise, 1 track RT1Rampage the Last Boy Scout, 1 track DD1Dinco D, 1 track CM1Cut Monitor Milo, 1 track CB1Charlie Brown, 1 track J"1James "Dinco" Jackson, 1 track S"1Sheldon "Milo" Scott, 1 track D1Dinco, 1 track M1Milo, 1 track AC1and Charlie Brown, 1 track OG1Omar Glover, 1 track HW1Harry Wayne Casey, 1 track AG1Al Green, 1 track DD1Darrol Durant, 1 track RM1Roger Munroe, 1 track S1Shamello, 1 track B1Buddah, 1 track E1Epitome, 1 track AL1Anthony Long, 1 track L1Latief, 1 track I1Indeep, 1 track MC1Michael Cleveland, 1 track S1Serious, 1 track AB1Alan Bergmann, 1 track MB1Marilyn Bergmann, 1 track ML1Michel Legrand, 1 track

Bubble size = tracks worked on together. Showing the 150 most frequent of 528. JD J Dilla · R Rampage

Photo credits

Portraits in the web and the rail come from Wikimedia Commons. The artist's own photo carries its credit under the picture.

The Authorship Story

Data Insight

Busta Rhymes is credited on 192 of his 197 studio tracks, which is close to the top of the catalogue for a rapper with a career this long. He almost never writes alone: only six tracks carry his name and nobody else's. DJ Scratch is on 20, Rampage on 17, Nottz on 14 and J Dilla on 13, and the pattern holds from 1996 through to Blockbusta in 2023.

Quick Facts

  • Self-writtenCredited on 192 of his 197 studio tracks
  • Written aloneSix tracks carry his name and no other
  • Closest writerDJ Scratch, credited on 20 tracks
  • Best sellerWhen Disaster Strikes... at 1,677,000 in the United States
  • Biggest song"What's It Gonna Be?!" with Janet Jackson reached number three
  • Grammys12 nominations and no wins

Creative Fingerprint

Credited on almost everything, alone on almost nothing, for thirty years.

The Story

Trevor George Smith Jr. was in Leaders of the New School when Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the name Busta Rhymes. The group broke up, his verse on A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario" made him unavoidable, and The Coming arrived in 1996. Eleven studio albums have followed across nearly thirty years.

Frequently Asked Questions Busta Rhymes

Does Busta Rhymes write his own songs?
Almost all of them. He is credited on 192 of the 197 tracks across his eleven studio albums, one of the highest rates anywhere in the catalogue. What he rarely does is write alone: six tracks carry his name and nobody else's.
Who wrote "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check"?
Busta Rhymes with Rashad Smith, who produced it. It reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the rap chart.
Who wrote "What's It Gonna Be?!"?
Busta Rhymes with the song's producers and Janet Jackson, who sings on it. It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100, his highest placing.
How many albums has he released?
Eleven studio albums: The Coming (1996), When Disaster Strikes... (1997), Extinction Level Event (1998), Anarchy (2000), Genesis (2001), It Ain't Safe No More... (2002), The Big Bang (2006), Back on My B.S. (2009), Year of the Dragon (2012), Extinction Level Event 2 (2020) and Blockbusta (2023).
Which album sold the most?
When Disaster Strikes... at 1,677,000 in the United States, just ahead of Extinction Level Event at 1,648,000 and Genesis at 1,339,000.
Has he won a Grammy?
No. He has received 12 Grammy nominations, which makes him one of the most-nominated artists never to win one.
Who writes with him most?
DJ Scratch on 20 tracks, Rampage on 17, Nottz on 14 and J Dilla on 13. Most of them are producers who take a writing credit for the track they built.
Where does the name come from?
Chuck D of Public Enemy gave it to him, after the American football wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes.
What was Leaders of the New School?
The group he started in, which toured with Public Enemy and appeared on A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario". It broke up before his solo debut.
Is he still recording?
Blockbusta came out in November 2023, his eleventh studio album.

Sources

Wikipedia: Busta Rhymes Wikipedia: Busta Rhymes discography Busta Rhymes - Flickr