PodcastsThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven BartlettBusta Rhymes: "His Death Stopped My Career!" Busta Rhymes Finally Opens Up About His Grief, Nearly Dying & How He Turned His Life Around!
Busta Rhymes: "His Death Stopped My Career!" Busta Rhymes Finally Opens Up About His Grief, Nearly Dying & How He Turned His Life Around!
The Diary Of A CEO with Steven BartlettSun Nov 26 2023
Family and Community Influence:
- Busta Rhymes emphasizes the strict yet nurturing upbringing provided by his parents, highlighting their emphasis on respect and discipline.
- The community in which he was raised played a significant role in instilling values of integrity and respect, with neighbors actively involved in maintaining discipline among children.
Challenges Faced During Childhood:
- Following his parents' separation at 11 years old, Busta Rhymes experienced intense emotions, including anger and disrespect, due to the impact on his life.
- This event led to strained relationships and conflicting dynamics between him and his father, resulting in internal conflict and changes in behavior.
Passion for Music as an Escape:
- His passion for music, particularly hip-hop culture, became an escape from the struggles he faced, offering an alternative path away from negative influences such as drug dealing and criminal activities.
- Busta Rhymes found solace in rap music as it allowed him to express himself creatively and find purpose beyond the challenging circumstances he encountered during his formative years.
Busta Rhymes' Early Influences and Name Change:
- Busta changed his name to Chill O Ski, inspired by other artists with three-part names like LL Cool J and Jam Master J, but ultimately faced rejection for the chosen name.
- After outperforming another rapper in a battle, he formed a group, marking a pivotal moment in his career.
Addiction to Entertaining and Hip Hop Culture:
- Busta's addiction to entertaining people began at a young age through reenacting Michael Jackson and James Brown dance routines for family and friends, sparking an early desire for attention and validation.
- His love for hip hop grew as he observed its rise as a movement, leading him to explore various aspects of the culture such as breakdancing, graffiti art, and DJing.
Family Influence and Pursuing Music Against All Odds:
- Despite facing resistance from family members due to their expectations of stability over rap, Busta remained steadfast in following his passion for music.
- The conflict with his father fueled his determination to prove himself, illustrating the unwavering belief required to pursue one's dreams against societal expectations.
Family and Work Balance:
- Busta Rhymes reflects on the guilt of missing key moments in his children's lives due to work commitments, expressing concern about potentially using work as an excuse in the future.
- He acknowledges the impact of his workaholic tendencies as a coping mechanism for psychological escape, emphasizing the need to make necessary adjustments to prioritize family over work.
Parental Responsibilities:
- Busta Rhymes shares his struggle with guilt over not being present for his children and feeling that he could have done more for them, emphasizing the importance of finding solutions to meet parental responsibilities despite challenging circumstances such as legal battles and financial pressures.
Health Struggles and Recovery:
- Reflecting on personal health challenges, Busta Rhymes discusses how grief and emotional turmoil led to unhealthy coping mechanisms like overworking, excessive drinking, and smoking.
- After reaching a critical point with weight gain and breathing issues, he underwent a transformative journey to regain physical health, which also positively impacted his mental well-being.
Support System:
- Busta Rhymes opens up about feeling lost after losing his manager/brother figure Chris Lighty. The absence of support compounded with grief led to a hiatus from music production for nine years.
- His son's intervention served as a wake-up call, prompting him to make significant lifestyle changes, including seeking professional help and undergoing surgery.
Mentorship and Collaboration:
- Emphasizing mentorship and paying homage to younger artists, Busta Rhymes highlights the importance of supporting emerging talent within the music industry while offering guidance and inspiration.
- By collaborating with young artists on his album "Blockbusta," he aims to bridge generational gaps while providing mentorship and encouragement.