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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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Heartwish makes a better place out of resilience on latest release “Better Place”

With “Better Place,” HEARTWISH delivers a moving melodic rock statement beyond the strong instrumentation, taking on a message the world can really relate to. Uncertainty becomes determination on a track topped with soaring guitars and anthemic melodies and a chorus that echoes long after the music fades. HEARTWISH has found hope in every musical pinnacle rather than despair, reminding listeners that hard times are only temporary and that hope finds its voice. What you get is an emotionally charged anthem that fuses heartfelt storytelling with the big energy of today’s melodic rock.

At its heart, “Better Place” is about facing the realities of broken dreams, fear, and division without ever giving in to them. The song depicts people seeking strength in uncertain times, yet always pointing to unity as the answer. Its inspiring progression echoes that journey, letting the music grow with its core message. Each chorus is a call to hope that real change begins with people choosing compassion over division.

What makes this release especially memorable is its unrelenting optimism. HEARTWISH is not just a catchy rock anthem; it is a call for courage, empathy, and collective action. “Better Place” is a reminder that no matter how dark the night, the light will shine through, and every act of kindness helps make the world a better place. It’s an inspiring release that marries melodic power with a timeless reminder that, together, we can make the world a better place.

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Artist Spotlight

Henry Desira returns with renewed purpose on latest release “hopeful forever”

Henry Desira’s “Forever Hopeful” is a meaningful return to songwriting, a deeply personal release rooted in reflection, perseverance, and emotional honesty. Rather than sugar-coating life’s difficulties with simple optimism, the song embraces uncertainty and emphasizes the subtle resilience that enables us to carry on. It’s more than a return; it’s a creative renaissance after a difficult time away from music due to mental health issues.

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“Forever Hopeful” is a heartfelt song. The song is about the fact that there is still hope even when things seem too big. Henry Desira doesn’t make life seem easy, but rather embraces the complexities of life and reminds the listener that difficult moments don’t negate the possibility of brighter days ahead. That balanced view gives the track a comforting authenticity, making its message of uplift feel earned rather than idealized.

Forever Hopeful is a creative return that packs a bigger emotional punch than its title suggests. It speaks to the courage it takes to start over, to find inspiration again, to transmute personal adversity into something of value. The song becomes a personal milestone and a hopeful reminder that healing is seldom immediate, but progress is possible. Henry Desira’s latest release hits deep for being vulnerable and resilient at the same time, an honest offering of hope that sticks around long after the music stops.

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