Busta Rhymes announced the return of Flipmode Squad on Friday (March 8). The platinum-selling rapper previewed a song from the group’s first album in more than two decades on Instagram.
“I gotta unveil something to y’all because it’s coming,” he said in the video. “It’s time. Flipmode album is coming! 26 years later. Yeah! Yeah!”
Busta shouted out fellow Flipmode Squad members Rah Digga and Baby Sham in the clip. Rah Digga and Baby Sham were part of Flipmode Squad’s debut album The Imperial, which dropped in 1998.
“I WILL NEVER STOP TELLIN’ Y’ALL, THE BLESSINGS [DON’T] STOP SO WE WILL NEVER STOP!!” Busta wrote on Instagram. “BRAND NEW FLIPMODE SQUAD ALBUM IS COMIN’!! 26YRS LATER!! STAY TUNED S### BOUT TO GET A DIFFERENT TYPE A DANGEROUS OUT THIS B####!! ALBUM TITLE COMIN’SOON!!! EVERYDAY IT’S MORE SMOKE.”
Flipmode Squad’s lineup changed over the years, raising questions about which rappers will be involved in the reunion album. Rah Digga and Baby Sham appeared to be on board for the project based on Busta’s teaser.
Arguably the best-known iteration of the group featured Busta, Spliff Starr, Rah Digga, Rampage, Lord Have Mercy and Baby Sham. These six members formed the group for The Imperial, Flipmode Squad’s only album to date.
Busta revealed the new Flipmode Squad album after unexpectedly canceling his 2024 Blockbusta Tour, which was supposed to begin on March 13. Fans were not informed of the reason for the cancellation.
“Unfortunately, the Event Organizer has had to cancel your event,” a Ticketmaster notice for the tour read. “No action is required to obtain a refund. It will be processed to the original method of payment used at time of purchase, once funds are received from the Event Organizer, which is usually completed within 30 days.”
Busta planned to tour in support of his Blockbusta album, which dropped in 2023.