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Busta Rhymes - The Big BangAlbum Review by:
John Kennedy
Monday, June 12, 2006
 Upon Jay-Z’s retirement, there was much speculation about who would assume rulership of New York’s Hip-Hop kingdom. Among the top candidates were the fearfully respected rap tyrant 50 Cent, lyrical prophet Nasir Jones and street sultans Jadakiss, Cam’ron and Fat Joe. Missing from the discussion was Courvoisier-passing MC Busta Rhymes - and with good reason. Despite “making it clap” with Sean Paul and mingling with Mariah for his smash hit “I Know What You Want,” Busta’s last album garnered the worst sales of all his solo records, failing to achieve platinum sales. Many perceived the seasoned artist to be fading into irrelevancy, but as the title of his last album indirectly indicated, New York’s crown “Ain’t Safe No More.”
Three years and umpteen show-stealing cameos later, Busta Rhymes has reemerged at the forefront of New York’s Hip-Hop scene sporting a new haircut, new record label and gleaming Big Apple charm hanging from his neck. Rejuvenated by Dr. Dre’s shock treatment, Bussa-Bus firmly grasps the King of New York title with his seventh solo album, The Big Bang.
With the clubs snapping, leaning and rocking to Southern sounds, Busta teams up with Swizz Beatz to bring the party scene up North on the lead single “Touch It.” Riding a bevy of kicks and high hats, Bus’ alternates from a calm and collected flow to an animated rhythmic delivery. Swizz sticks around as a hype man on “New York S**t,” as Busta big-ups all aspects of the five boroughs over DJ Scratch’s vintage soundscape.
But more important than hoisting the Empire State onto his back, on The Big Bang Busta displays some of his most progressive work to date. Legendary vocalist Stevie Wonder blesses “Been Through the Storm,” a historic Hip-Hop soul pairing that finds the duo detailing the hardships of growing up in the hood. Over Sha Money XL’s gentle keys, Busta reminisces: “Mommy was the type to work two jobs / never enough money that’s why I got your whole crew robbed / got older developed ways of gripping the steel / barely home for me to see her or get a good-cooked meal.” An equally exciting combination follows, as Green Lantern revamps Rick James’ “Ghetto Life” with healthy horns and zesty snares. On the resulting piece, “In the Ghetto,” Rhymes pays tribute to the concrete jungle while Rick flaunts the vocal ability he possessed long before becoming Dave Chappelle’s most popular punchline.
Late-great producer J Dilla laces “You Can’t Hold A Torch” with a throwback vibe, as Native Tongue alums Q-Tip and Busta Rhymes revert to the days of A Tribe Called Quest and Leaders of the New School. Along with Blackstreet crooner Chauncey Black, Q and Bus’ discuss the lack of originality in today’s Hip-Hop artists: “They keep f**kin’ regurgitating the same script / Same hoes / same glow / same Glock clip,” Tip rhymes. “These ni**as can’t hold the torch so why pass it?” Busta later asks.
The Big Bang briefly missteps on “Get Down” and “I’ll Do It All,” as Timbaland underachieves on the former with a puny percussion backdrop. The latter is a syrupy duet featuring Latoya Jackson that falls short of past R&B (Rhythm-n-Busta) collaborations. But all defects are forgiven with the album’s finale “Legend of the Fall Offs.” Equipped with shovel scoops, cricket chirps and a pounding piano, Dre sonically creates a cemetery scene while Bus’ intricately describes the downfall of a Hip-Hop has-been. “Alone in the mirror, you look at yourself and you smile / disregarding the fact that your run has been done for a while,” Busta spits over the dismal ambiance.
Even with the album’s lengthy guest list - also including notable appearances from Nas, Raekwon and Missy Elliot - Busta never ceases to dazzle alongside an assortment of co-stars over an amazing canvas of melodies. With its call to arms for New York Hip-Hop, The Big Bang will presumably awaken “the city that never sleeps.”.
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