The Big Bang [PA]

Performer: Busta Rhymes
Artist: Q-Tip; Missy Elliott; Swizz Beatz; Rick James; Raekwon; Kelis; Stevie Wonder; Will.I.Am; Nas; Marsha From Floetry
Producer: Dr. Dre; Will.I.Am; Swizz Beatz
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Busta Rhymes (rap vocals); Kelis (vocals); Missy Elliott, Nas, Q-Tip, Raekwon, will.i.am (rap vocals); Rick James , Stevie Wonder. While his output has been less than consistent, Busta Rhymes has always been one of the most distinctive and entertaining rappers in hip-hop. THE BIG BANG (2006) found Busta evolving as a stylist and a rhymesayer, slowing down his patented breakneck flow a bit while losing none of his agility, complexity, or precision. He also expanded the range of his narratives to include more introspective writing, though he still rocks a party on club tracks like "Touch It." But the most notable thing here is the production. With the legendary Dr. Dre at the boards, THE BIG BANG boasts some of Busta's sharpest tracks, packing an overall sonic wallop that will leave listeners reeling. Also impressive is the guest list, which includes not only top-tier rap royalty (Nas, Raekwon, Q-Tip, Missy Elliott), but R&B icons Rick James and Stevie Wonder to boot. If it isn't the masterpiece fans were waiting for, THE BIG BANG still has plenty of dynamite production and rhyming to offer. The hard-working Busta Rhymes feels he wasn't handled properly by the J label. He might have a case: 2002's It Ain't Safe No More was the first album he released that failed to reach the Top Ten of the Billboard album chart, and it didn't come close -- it didn't even see the Top 40. Now on Dr. Dre's Aftermath, which is sort of a story, he also chopped his hair (as evidenced on the cover of an XXL issue and throughout the booklet of this album), and has had to deal with the death of his bodyguard, Israel Ramirez, who was shot on the scene of his video for the "Touch It" remix. It's not a good sign for your career when people are apparently supposed to talk about your hair or your new label, and it's even worse when people are instead talking about a tragedy not directly involving yourself. Lead single "Touch It," released months ahead of the album, did well despite being a very polarizing -- i.e., either bangin' or, for example, piercingly aggravating -- club record. For the most part, Busta's acting like everyone's idea of Busta ("This is what I'm supposed to do, right?"), retracing old steps and not doing a very convincing job at that. A handful of hot beats are wasted here, including a couple from the boss of his label and one from the late J Dilla, and "New York Shit" is a blown opportunity if there ever was one, a mindless and empty quasi-anthem instead of a true rallying call to reclaim the spotlight stolen by the South. There's also Stevie Wonder, who drops in to sound like Wyclef Jean impersonating Bob Marley, as well as the late Rick James, who is sampled so heavily that he's given a feature credit. In fact, there's an average of just over one guest spot per track, and Busta does happen to remain the dominant voice. Though he's as loud as ever, he has never sounded more tired. The title of the album's last track? "Legend of the Fall Offs." ~ Andy Kellman The hard-working Busta Rhymes feels he wasn't handled properly by the J label. He might have a case: 2002's It Ain't Safe No More was the first album he released that failed to reach the Top Ten of the Billboard album chart, and it didn't come close -- it didn't even see the Top 40. Now on Dr. Dre's Aftermath, which is sort of a story, he also chopped his hair (as evidenced on the cover of an XXL issue and throughout the booklet of this album), and has had to deal with the death of his bodyguard, Israel Ramirez, who was shot on the scene of his video for the "Touch It" remix. Lead single "Touch It," released months ahead of the album, did well despite being a very polarizing club record. He gets a few hot beats here, including a couple from the boss of his label and one from the late J Dilla. Stevie Wonder and the late Rick James are two of the dozen-plus guests, and Busta remains the dominant voice throughout. ~ Andy Kellman

Uncut (p.76) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Rhymes hasn't sounded this energised in years....THE BIG BANG is impressively vital." XXL (Magazine) (p.149) - "Reining in the vocal pyrotechnics, Busta unveils his newfound storytelling ability....Busta makes the most of his strengths and weaknesses head-on. That's the only way to make sure everything remains raw." XXL (Magazine) (p.135) - "Bearing Andre Young's mighty executive-producer stamp, Busta's latest is one of his strongest."

Brooklyn-born rapper Busta Rhymes first came to prominence in the early 1990s as a member of the Leaders of The New School, whose two albums found a place in the hearts of many hardcore hip-hop fans. Later in the decade, he embarked on the solo career that was inevitable, considering his talent, charisma, and unique style, with his distinctive brand of in-your-face, dancehall-flavored rhyming sticking out among the sound-alike MCs. He continued his style of apocalyptic imagery funneled through a hard-partying attitude into the 21st century, releasing the excellent THE BIG BANG in 2006.

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