Happy 25th Anniversary to Busta Rhymes’ debut solo album The Coming, originally released March 26, 1996.
When I was 13 years old, there were only a handful of rappers that my mother knew by name. One of these was Busta Rhymes, even though he was just on the cusp of releasing his debut album. That’s because everything Busta had done in hip-hop before the release of The Coming was energetic, entertaining, and the main event performance.
If you go all the way back to 1991, you’ll see Busta’s original showstopping moment, when he stood out as a member of the group Leaders of the New School. Busta’s verse on the trio’s debut single “Case of the P.T.A.” begins with a roar, immediately commanding your undivided attention, as he proclaims “ Busta Rhymes the mighty infamous / always misbehaving and mischievous /causing aggravation, I'll never pause / pushing out spit balls through plastic straws.” For those of us who remember this moment, it was apparent that a new hip-hop star was born.
This was confirmed just a few months later with A Tribe Called Quest’s “Scenario,” released early in 1992 as the third single from The Low End Theory (1991). Busta delivered the closing verse for “Scenario,” which has endured atop the short list of greatest posse records of all time. A major component to the legend of “Scenario” is the song’s closer, with his signature growl and unmatched energy that manifest in the unforgettable bars, “As I did it yo I had to beg your pardon / when I travel to the sun I roll with the squadron / roaw, roaw like a dungeon dragon / change your little drawers 'cause your pants are sagging.” After Busta’s services were called upon to close the star-studded remix for Craig Mack’s 1994 “Flava in Ya Ear,” he would be one of the most sought-after artists in hip-hop, making his inevitable solo debut one of hip-hop’s most anticipated projects at the midway point of the ‘90s.
Nearly three months into 1996, the wait was over, as Busta released the single “Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check.” With his very first single as a solo artist, Busta Rhymes cemented himself as a household name, by helping to add new dimensions to both the look and sound of hip-hop. For “Woo Hah,” Busta was even more energetic than we had seen and heard on “Scenario” and the “Flava in Ya Ear” reworking. His rhymes “I know you really want to know who's / coming through leaving blunt stains and residues / sorry, homeboy, but your flow sounds used / got to pay your dues, baby, you know the rules” jumped through the speakers to connect with listeners, who still regard the rhymes as an all-time go-to quotable.
Propelled by Rashad Smith’s production which sampled Galt MacDermot’s “Space” (1968), the song took listeners on one of the most fun audible voyages of the mid-90’s. The Hype Williams directed video was equally entertaining, as Busta was dressed in bright colors to correspond with vibrant backgrounds, which was a welcome break from the gloomier imagery that prevailed during the “grimey era.”
For The Coming’s second single “It’s a Party,” Busta enlisted the help of R&B duo Zhané to show that he could entertain more than just the “hard-knocks” at the party. Now capturing the ladies’ attention, veteran producer Easy Mo Bee provided a smooth track for Busta’s mellowed baritone. The late-night gem added a new chapter to the growing legend of Busta Rhymes and successfully charted a spot on Billboard’s Hot 100.
The song “Ill Vibe” features Busta’s longtime friend and collaborator Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest. As with “Scenario,” the contrast of the wild Busta Rhymes alongside the calmer Q-Tip proved to be one of hip-hop’s most gratifying collaborations. The assist by production trio The Ummah (Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jay Dee a.k.a. J Dilla) helped add an organic feel not only to the song, but throughout the entirety of the LP. “Keep It Movin,’” also produced by The Ummah, was a much-welcomed Leaders of the New School reunion for longtime Busta Rhymes listeners.
“Flipmode Meets Def Squad” is Busta’s attempt to create another memorable posse record on par with “Scenario” and The Hit Squad’s “Headbanger.” While the song is a highlight on the LP, it’s more broadly regarded as one of the first of its kind to juxtapose premiere rhyme crews on the same song. It also served as the formal introduction to Busta’s Flipmode Squad, while audiences were already excited to hear the by-then well-established members of the Def Squad, represented here by Jamal, Keith Murray, and Redman.
The heart and soul of the album is found on songs where Busta doesn’t have to stand out amongst a large group. Tracks like “Everything Remains Raw,” also produced by Easy Mo Bee, and “Do My Thing” produced by DJ Scratch, for example, provide no distractions and illuminate how Busta’s humor and knowledge can seep through a track while simultaneously highlighting his great rhyming ability. Similarly, the Rampage collaboration “Abandon Ship” shows Busta’s impeccable pacing over adrenaline pumping beats.
25 years in retrospect, The Coming did everything you could ask for from a debut album. It lived up to, if not exceeded, the expectations of a young artist who had captured the world’s attention as a standout group member and coveted collaborator. It spawned radio hits, club bangers, and underground gems for hardcore listeners. It was boastful, colorful, and had a celebratory feel, all of which helped make hip-hop appear fun again, which itself was a relief for my mother who observed the growth of my teenage angst with the dark videos and hard rhymes that dominated the ‘90s. Even a casual observer like her had to take notice of the guy whose voice was deeper and louder than everyone else, an emcee who wasn’t afraid to put on a big hat or bright colors to accentuate his colorful personality.
Indeed, Busta Rhymes has never been afraid to be himself, probably because he has always been able to outperform 99 percent of his competitors, either on stage or in the studio. The Coming was one of the best solo rap performances of 1996 and it stands as one of the all-time great debut LPs in hip-hop. Busta’s first verse, first single, and first album all stand as testaments to the fact that he is one of hip-hop’s elite artists and the perennial main event.
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