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Busta Rhymes Reflects On Losing High School Rap Battle To Jay-Z
While plenty of rappers have challenged to go head-to-head on Verzuz, Busta Rhymes can rightfully brag that he went bar-for-bar against the GOAT during a lunchtime battle. The story’s been told countless times but still, it’s a moment of reflection on how far the two have come from battling in the lunchroom in high school to carving a path to bring hip-hop to the place it is today.
Bussa Buss joined the crew at 85 South Show where he dove into a lot of history from hip-hop’s roots in dancehall to the art of fast rapping that he, Tech N9ne, and plenty of others mastered. Jay’s early records showcase that flow more often than we’ll ever hear now.
“At the time, I never heard no rappers do it. No MCs wasn’t doin’ it. I have to say the only people that was fucking with it on some rap shit was the originators. And the originators was the crew that Hov was down with after Jaz-O. After they did the ‘Hawaiian Sophie’ joint… Hov was on that shit really early,” Busta said. “I don’t think he was actually one of the originators. They just all fucked with each other just being [from] Brooklyn.”
From there, Busta got into his high school history with Jay-Z and Biggie. Busta recounted that he was still trying to find his flow at that time while Jay had the chopper flow in the bag. Then, they battled.
“Ultimately, Hov got the best of the battle in that moment. I was just starting to figure out how to master my fascination with the speed rap. He was already on it,” Busta explained. “He was doin’ it at an incredible level of skillset. And was displayin’ that shit like — water spillin’ all over the place. Just takin’ shape and form whatever way he felt like it ’cause he had been on his shit with it,” he continued.
“Me, at that point, with my competitive ass. You know, I always wanted to have my rematch, you know what I’m sayin’? It didn’t happen which was fine because I ended up getting my skillset developed to the point where I don’t think nobody want to fuck with a n***a now,” Busta said.
Busta Rhymes has been ramping up his efforts in anticipation of his forthcoming album, Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of Godwhich was announced with some help from Chris Rock.
Check out the full interview with Busta Rhymes below.
Artist Spotlight
Wyn Calico create the need to support with his latest release “Support”
Wyn Calico steps into deeply personal territory with his latest single, “Support,” a heartfelt offering that addresses a feeling many people know, but rarely express so openly. It’s a song about the universal desire to be encouraged, recognised, and uplifted, turning personal frustration into a relatable message of resilience.
“Support” is a meditation on what it feels like to work tirelessly for something you want, but not have the support you need to fully achieve it. Wyn Calico expresses the emotional burden of wanting to make a difference, believing in your purpose, and still moving forward when you hit setbacks. The song is not only about disappointment, but also a rallying cry of resilience in the face of adversity.
This song also highlights an important truth, there are many talented and hard-working people out there who have everything it takes to make a difference, except the encouragement and opportunity to flourish. Wyn Calico’s lyrics and delivery shine a light on that struggle and offer a sense of solidarity to those in similar situations.
“Support” isn’t just a personal statement. It’s a conversation starter. It encourages us to think about the value of community, support, and believing in each other. Wyn Calico’s latest drop is honest, relatable, and emotionally driven, a powerful reminder that even in the moments of isolation, the desire to keep pushing forward is still stronger than ever.
Artist Spotlight
NNORDY steps into jazz fusion with latest release “Wrong Turn”
NNORDY’s latest release, “Wrong Turn” is a fully live jazz fusion album that showcases the limitless possibilities of instrumental storytelling with the remarkable chemistry between guitar, keyboards, bass, and drums. The song has no words but is an excellent story told through musicianship and sets the stage for listeners to embark on a rich jazz experience.
“Wrong Turn” shows the strength of live performance from the get-go. Each instrument feels alive and in conversation with the others, a dynamic dialogue that develops organically over the course of the piece. Without vocal guidance, each musical phrase is left to speak for itself, giving the listener the freedom to interpret the track in their own way.
The guitar and keyboards often lead, crafting complex melodic lines and textures that give the music direction and atmosphere. Meanwhile, the bass and drums lay down a solid rhythmic base, creating movement and momentum while still leaving a lot of room for exploration. NNORDY creates a track that both dedicated jazz fans and listeners looking for something adventurous and fresh will enjoy. “Wrong Turn” shows that instrumental music can be as expressive and compelling as vocal music.
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