Busta Rhymes Exclusive Listening Session In Manhattan For Highly Anticipated Dragon Season…The Awakening

January 24, 2025 Busta Rhymes 0 American Culture, Arts, arts and culture, Black Community, Black Culture, Brooklyn Culture, Charity, Civil Rights, Culture, Digital life, Entertainment, Equality, Events, Local Voices, Media and Communication, Morality and Ethics, Music, New York City News, News, SI Communities, Staten Island Culture, Staten Island Families, Staten Island News, Staten Islander Exclusive

Editor’s note: According to Busta Rhymes’ Spotify bio:

“Busta Rhymes emerged as one of the most idiosyncratic personalities of rap’s golden era with his halting, ragga-inspired style and lyrics defined by incredible complexity, inventiveness, and humor. After rising to prominence with his group Leaders of the New School, Busta broke out solo in 1996 with a massive hit single, “Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check.” Throughout the ’90s and 2000s, he was a force to be reckoned with, topping the charts with his albums and even debuting at number one in 2006 with his seventh studio album, The Big Bang. In the years that followed, he worked as a producer while also pursuing roles in film and television, remaining sporadically active with his own music with releases like 2020’s Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God and 2023’s Blockbusta.

Busta Rhymes was born Trevor Smith Jr. in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, in 1972. Born of Jamaican heritage (a definite influence on his rapping style), Busta moved to Long Island in 1983 and, at Uniondale High School, met up with MCs Charlie Brown, Dinco D., and Cut Monitor Milo. Inspired by fellow Long Islanders Public Enemy and Eric B. & Rakim, the foursome united as Leaders of the New School and signed a deal with Elektra Records right out of the gate, when Busta was only 17 years old. Much respected in the hip-hop underground for their Afrocentric philosophy and tough rapping styles, Leaders of the New School debuted in 1991 with Future Without a Past… but released only one more album, 1993’s T.I.M.E., before breaking up the following year.”

On Wednesday, January 15th, 2025, Busta Rhymes and The Conglomerate Entertainment hosted an unforgettable private listening session for his highly anticipated project, Dragon Season… The Awakening. The exclusive event drew an array of notable attendees from the music and entertainment industry, including SiriusXM host Sway Calloway of “Sway in the Morning”, rapper Dave East, hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Caz, producer and DJ J. Period, music producer Diamond D, music producer Ted Smooth, legendary MC Mic Geronimo, and famed television producer and hip-hop magazine executive Datwon Thomas.

The evening began with an electrifying introduction from Busta Rhymes himself, setting the tone for a night filled with raw energy and masterful storytelling. During the celebration, Busta also trumpeted his Conglomerate family roster of artists, which includes staples Trillian and J-Doe, as well as new recruits Te Money and BK Gudda. The legendary MC made a special announcement, congratulating the latest MC to join the fold, Connie Diiamond, The Conglomerate’s First Lady. The announcement was met with enthusiastic applause as Busta welcomed the rising star.

Throughout the night, songs from Busta’s six-song set, Dragon Season… The Awakening, were met with thunderous approval. Contributors to the project include Ted Smooth and Grammy Award-winning producer Rockwilder. Acclaimed MC Roc Marciano brought equally lauded production skills to Dragon Season, co-producing the song “Letter To My Children” with Busta himself.

Busta Rhymes and Datwon Thomas of Dick Clark Productions. Image Credit – @Calligrafist

Following lead releases “Do The Busabus Pt. 2” and “Unleash Me,” Busta has dropped a new single and video, “Treasure and Gold,” featuring Y.G. Marley. The cinematic video, directed by Busta and Benny Boom, was played at the party as well.

Watch the video on Youtube below: