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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.”

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. . @bustarhymes chops it up wit @karlousm @dcyoungfly & @chicobean about fast rap, battlin #JayZ, #tech9 and not gettin bodied on a song!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Go to YouTube Rt NOW to Watch!! Or Listen on iTunes or SoundCloud!! #85Southshow #TheColdestPodcast #thispodcastisfor #issamovement @85percenters
A post shared by The 85 South Show (@85southshow) on Oct 17, 2020 at 12:35pm PDT

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.

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Kieran James Honors Memory with “Part of the Grind”

Singer-songwriter Kieran James delivers a devastating new single with “Part of the Grind,” a track to tackle the tangled emotions behind loss and memory. A love letter penned to a close friend who faced severe cognitive decline, the song’s emotional heft feels universal yet heartbreakingly personal.

Set to delicate instrumentation and achingly sung vocals, “Part of the Grind” is both a lament and an honoring, a means of remembering while addressing the unavoidable cost of time and illness. His voice floats, leaving room for silence and the long pauses that so often come with grief. But in that silence, there is warmth as well, a refusal to let memory be totally extinguished.

Resilience is also implied in the song’s title, a reminder that even in heartbreak, life goes on and holding the memory of someone stays with the rhythm of everyday living. it’s an anthem for anyone who has ever looked on witnessing decline, mixed sorrow with love.

In Kieran James’s “Part of the Grind,” we hear music as well as go behind it. He gives us room feel, to mourn, and to honor. In the process, he turns private pain into something achingly universal, a song for everyone who has either loved or lost.

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Esthy glows up with joy on new anthem “light it up”

In her latest song, “light it up,” singer-songwriter and producer Esthy from LA brings a vibrant and uplifting vibe that feels like sunshine in musical form. By mixing elements of playful country with polished pop sounds, she creates a track that’s all about having fun and enjoying life.

Esthy’s singing truly shines, showcasing a lively and confident style. There’s a playful tone in her voice that makes the lyrics feel friendly and inviting, encouraging you to set aside your worries and immerse yourself in the moment.

“light it up” radiates energy and is lively and bright, featuring catchy guitar riffs and upbeat rhythms that draw you in right away. If you enjoy artists like Anne-Marie or OneRepublic, you’ll love this song, and Esthy adds her unique flair, making it special and memorable.

Esthy has a talent for creating catchy melodies, and with this one, you’ll find yourself humming throughout your day. Esthy is here to spread joy, inspire energy, and make music that connects with you instantly. This track is designed to remind you of your true unstoppable nature, and Esthy lights it up.

CLICK HERE TO STREAM Esthy’s “lights it up” on Spotify.
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