Flipmode Squad leader Busta Rhymes is set to release his long-awaited Aftermath/Interscope debut The Big Bang, the rapper’s first release in three years.
The album, Rhymes’ seventh solo offering, features collaborations with Raekwon, Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry, Q-Tip and Missy Elliott, who is featured on the Dr. Dre-produced “This Is How We Do It Over Here.”
Music icon Stevie Wonder guests on “Been Through the Storm,” while the late Rick James cameos on “In the Ghetto,” a track completed before the singer’s death.
In addition to Dr. Dre, The Big Bang also features production by Timbaland, G-Unit’s Sha Money XL, Green Lantern, Jay Dilla, Swizz Beatz, who produced the album’s first single “Touch It,” and will.i.am, the beatmaker behind Rhymes’ second single “I Love My B***h” featuring Kelis.
Dr. Dre says having Rhymes on board at Aftermath was a no-brainer.
“All of a sudden I’m hearing people in the streets talking about how Busta’s back,” said Dre, who first collaborated with Rhymes on “Break Ya Neck.” “In my mind, he never left, and that’s why I wanted to f**k with him in the first place. He’s got that drive, and he never stops trying to top himself. Anybody who knows Busta knows that he’s always gonna come with heat.”
The Big Bang is scheduled to hit stores on June 13.