How Busta Rhymes Really Got His Name

May 2024 ยท 1 minute read

It was the pioneering rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy who helped Busta Rhymes find the right name. Busta met Chuck D when he was 13 or 14 years old, and the latter became a type of mentor for him. Chuck D told Busta that it looked like he was playing football when he rapped, so he suggested the name "Busta Rhymes," after NFL player George "Buster" Rhymes.

But as The Post Game notes, Busta wasn't totally on board with the name change at first. Actually, he said he hated it. Strong words, but he went with it, trusting his idol who had helped him out so much with his style and other elements of his artistry. Then after a few months, he saw the reaction he got from people who saw him perform. "When you see me in this burst of energy, how I'm trying to bust through," Busta said, "it just made sense with just the way I displayed how I did my thing, you know?" Yes, Busta, your music definitely is not "Chill-O-Ski."

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