Today,Ā Busta Rhymes released his ninth solo album, Year of the Dragon. The New York rap veteran went a different route to release it, though. He paired with Google Play, who funded the project and made it available, for free, this morning.
āIām leading the new shit,āĀ Busta declares,Ā calling into to Complex to talk about the project.Ā Usually, itās newer artists anxious for buzz and attention that release free, low-budget albums. But Bustaās latestĀ is far from cheap, featuring Camāron, Lil Wayne, Robin Thicke, Rick Ross, and more.
Busta checked in to chat about some of the albumās highlights, why he got with Google, andĀ forthcoming LPāhis Cash Money debut.
Interview by Brad Wete (@BradWete)
āPressureā is like a secret weapon on this album. Lil Wayne has a great verse.
Me and Wayne, weāve been friends for a long time. Iām a big fan of Wayne. Heās one of the illest MCs in this rap shit. You know that when you get him on your track, heās going to deliver. I like to connect with artists Iāve got a good vibe with and that I respect. At this stage in my career, I donāt want to do anything that doesnāt feel good. If Iām fuckinā with you itās because the vibe feels right. Itās not just because itās cool for you to rock on the record. So that type of beat and song, Wayne just thought heād have a good time dancing on it, poppinā the type of shit that we pop on it.
I like to connect with artists Iāve got a good vibe with and that I respect. At this stage in my career, I donāt want to do anything that doesnāt feel good.
It sounds like you had a similar vibe with Robin Thicke on āLove-Hate,ā as well.
Iām a big fan of Robin Thicke. Heās a rare type of artist. He still embodies the soulfulness of those artists that came from the ā60s. When he sings, the shit just takes me back to a moment in time. But itās still current and right now. Heās a real creative dude. I was inspired by my experience in the studio with him. I was able to watch him work. Dude is a talented motherfucka.
What other records should people pay attention to on the album?
I love the record with my Conglomerate artists. I love Reek Da Villian on āKing Tut.ā Obviously, thatās the first single. And I love āTill We Dieā with Rick Ross and Trey Songz. I really love the whole album. Itās just hip-hop. I wanted to exemplify the slapping, boom-bap sound we all want right now.
I wantĀ to make sure people know what it is that Busta Rhymes does. I continue to give that music that made you fall in love with hip-hop. People always refer to the ā90s as the golden era, but our newer fans need an opportunity to experience that, too. Itās only right that we deliver that to them.
Whyād did you choose to partner with Google for a free album?
Itās important to always be in a position to inspire the new direction and revolutionize the way new shit is done. Even if Iām not doing that completely, Iām doing my part. We have to challenge ourselves and not be afraid to experiment. Thatās what growing is about. I was always told, āYou canāt get new results trying the same shit.ā
Itās important to always be in a position to inspire the new direction. We have to challenge ourselves and not be afraid to experiment.
Iāve done so much amazing shit and Iāve been blessed tremendously. Itās time to do other amazing shit in new ways. Thatās where Iām at.Ā Iām about constantly elevating. Iām not with maintaining shit. That sounds like stagnation, homie. That gets boring. Nothing is guaranteed, but Iām definitely going to get to new levels. Iām still learning.
Howās your Cash Money debut coming along?
Iām almost done. Like 75% done. I just have to make sure I get all of my thoughts off. Once I get these thoughts, the dreams I have and such off, if I can articulate these ideas, itās going to be special.
Whatās going to be the difference between Year of theĀ Dragon andĀ that musically?
Youāre going to get a better album. As I grow and create, the music grows. Youāre definitely going to get something else with the Cash Money album. I just want yāall to evolve with me.