Busta Rhymes is preparing to drop his new album next month, and he’s enlisting some heavy hitters to be a significant part of it. Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland are the executive producers of the LP, Rhymes’ 10th, titled “Blockbusta.”
The 12-time Grammy Award-nominated MC announced the involvement of the trio of beatmakers via a video trailer posted to social media. Each producer briefly spoke on their inclusion in Rhymes’ album, with Swizz Beatz referring to Williams as “the pharaoh,” Timbaland as “the teacher” and himself as “the student.” Timbaland shared that he is “grateful” to be chosen; Williams said he feels “illuminated.”
The end of the trailer revealed the artwork for “Blockbusta” as an illustration of an erupting volcano with smoke surrounding the album’s title. Rhymes posted on Twitter that Mike Amiri curated the album’s artwork.
“Blockbusta” is scheduled for a Nov. 24 release via Rhymes’ The Conglomerate Entertainment label and Epic Records. It is his 10th solo album since Leaders of the New School dissolved and the follow-up to his 2020 LP, “Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God,” a sequel to 1998’s “Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front.”
Although Rhymes did not reveal a tracklist, it is confirmed that two singles he released this year — “Beach Ball” featuring Mia and “Luxury Life,” featuring Coi Leray — will be included on the album.
The popular artist has worked with Williams, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland numerous times. Williams and his Neptunes partner, Chad Hugo, produced Rhymes’ 2001 hit, “What It Is,” as well as 2002’s “Pass the Courvoisier, Part II,” featuring Sean “Diddy” Combs. Swizz Beatz produced his 2006 hit, “Touch It.” Timbaland’s work with Rhymes includes songs like 2006’s “Get Down.”
This year has been an active one for Rhymes; he’s collaborated with several artists. Along with “Beach Ball” and “Luxury Life,” he released the song “Murda,” featuring Bilal, as part of the “Godfather of Harlem” soundtrack.
He also has kept busy with live concerts. In February, Rhymes performed with an orchestra at Carnegie Hall as part of “Power Network: A Black History Month Conversation and Concert,” and he’s currently supporting 50 Cent on his “Final Lap” world tour.
He received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 BET Awards in June.
TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!