BUSTA RHYMES

As the 80s turned into the 90s, the Brooklyn group Leaders Of The New School seemed poised to become the next big, revolutionary thing in hip-hop music. Their infectious and irreverent style of rapping was full of satirical wit and rapid-fire lyricism, and their debut album A Future Without A Past is currently hailed as a classic of its time. In spite of these accolades, the group didn’t last long, and broke up right as their popularity was on the rise. While Leaders didn’t last long enough to see 90s hip-hop, one member of the group broke away to great commercial success; Trevor Smith, better know by his stage name Busta Rhymes.

After Leaders’ dissolution, Busta Rhymes first made a name for himself providing well-known guest verses on a variety of tracks. From hip-hop contemporaries like The Notorious B.I.G., A Tribe Called Quest, and Brand Nubian, to R&B groups and stars like Mary J. Blige, Janet Jackson, and TLC. He even made acting appearances in films by Forest Whitaker and John Singleton.

By the time Busta released his first few albums he was already a veritable star in his own rite. Of his early work during the mid-to-late 90s, his sophomore album When Disaster Strikes… stands out as one of particular note. Busta Rhymes already reached commercial success with his debut The Coming, which highlighted Busta’s rapier wit, his manic and unhinged style of rapping, and his penchant for apocalyptic (yet quirky and surreal) imagery. Disaster built and refined these traits considerably, featured several Hot 100-charting singles (Including the Grammy-nominated track “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See”), guest appearances from contemporaries like Diddy (Then still known as “Puffy”), Erykah Badu, members of his own Flipmode Squad, and even comedian Rudy Ray Moore.

When Disaster Strikes… is widely considered one of the best in the whole of Busta’s discography, and Get On Down is proud to re-release such a 90s gem. The entire album has been reissued and remastered on vinyl for the first time in years, and comes housed in a re-creation of its original jacket sleeve. Coming soon from Traffic Entertainment Group!

PRESS FOR WHEN DISASTER STRIKES…

“…Plenty of talk of getting high and slappin’ the bitches, but with tounge planted firmly in cheek as Busta’s Rhymes tease the cliches of his niche. Fhat samples, great voice if you can hack Busta’s jagged delivery, and the loops are above the pack. Take yer meds, sit back with the headphones, and crack a grin.”

– Pitchfork

“…In different ways, these tunes are so quick minded, witty and rhythmically on that they blast through hip-hop’s current impasse…”

– Rolling Stone

“Busta Rhymes’ second album, When Disaster Strikes, is a sprawling, often brilliant mess that confirmed his status as one of hip-hop’s most singular characters…arguably Rhymes’ definitive original album.”

– AllMusic.com

“…Identifying himself by such lofty labels as the “Eighth wonder of the world,” he gives listeners what they need to get the party started and keep it going. Lava lyrics flow from his mouth, and the catchy tracks burn themselves into the listener’s mind.”

– Billboard

“…”When Disaster Strikes…” expounds on what Busta had laid the foundation for with the big hit single “Woo-Hah! Got You All In Check” that rode the MTV airwaves for ages and arguably he delivers a stronger effort yet with this masterful LP…”