How much is Busta Rhymes worth?
| Net Worth: | $18 Million |
|---|---|
| Profession: | Professional Rapper |
| Date of Birth: | May 20, 1972 (age 50) |
| Country: | United States of America |
| Height: | 6 ft (1.85 m) |
About Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes is the stage name of Trevor George Smith Jr. He was born on May 20, 1972. Busta Rhymes is a famous American rapper, record producer, record executive, musician, singer, and actor. He was given the moniker Busta Rhymes by Chuck D from Public Enemy, after the CFL and NFL wide receiver George “Buster” Rhymes. Known for both his fashion sense and outlandish style, Rhymes is often dubbed one of the best rappers in the world because of his high-speed and intricate rhyming technique.
The rapper began his career in 1990 and has received 11 Grammy Awards nominations. Starting off as an original member of the Leaders of the New School, he then signed with major record labels and started his solo musical career. For the past 30 years, the popular hit-maker has released nine studio albums and many different hit singles. He headlined multiple tours and festivals and has shared the stage with some of the most well-known hip hop artists and groups of all time.
Busta Rhymes is famous mainly because of his rapping skills. He has fast intricate lyrics and has been described as “the best MC of all time”. He’s also famous for his fashion sense, unique look and wild views.
He rose to fame almost immediately after he started working as a rapper. Born in Brooklyn but raised in Uniondale, New York. During his teen years, the artist moved to the United Kingdom, where he spent most of his time in Morecambe and Liverpool before returning back to the States. He attended the same high school as Jay-Z and The Notorious B.I.G. and went on to graduate from the Uniondale High School in 1991. He had already started rapping at the time, working on his freestyle rhythm.
After high school, Rhymes decided to pursue a music career. In 1990, he formed a hip hop group called Leaders of the New School with other rising rappers Charlie Brown, Dinco D, and Cut Monitor Milo. Shortly after their creation, the group served as the opening act for the popular hip hop group Public Enemy, thanks to which, they received a lot more recognition.
In 1992, they released their first studio album titled A Future Without a Past… which peaked at number 128 in the Billboard 200 chart. During that time, Rhymes rose to popularity because of his unique style and advanced rhymes that were not very common for many artists at the time. With two Jamaican parents, the artist also embraced his Jamaican heritage and used it as part of his works, whether it’s by having dreads or rapping in a distinctive Jamaican slang.
Busta Rhymes started to become rich after his talent was noticed by many record labels and he went on to release numerous albums and singles. It was also because he collaborated well with many top artists that helped him build his audience, sell records and capitalize on opportunities.
In 1992, Rhymes’ popularity continued to rise and the Leaders of New School eventually broke up. The group officially disbanded on an episode of the mainstream television program Yo! MTV Raps. Shortly after the break up of the group, Rhymes collaborated with many respected hip hop artists and groups such as The Notorious B.I.G., Brand Nubian, Big Daddy Kane, KRS One, and Another Bad Creation among many others. Throughout the next three years, he would continue to collaborate with many artists and that helped him get recording deals from major labels.
In March 1996, Rhymes’ debut album The Coming was released. The rapper broke out with the hit single “WooHah!!”. The track debuted as number 1 in many international music charts and also became Rhymes’ first song to be nominated for a Grammy Award. He also released other singles such as “Fire It Up” and “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See”, that really helped not only the promotion of his album but his work as a rapper as well. Towards the late 90s, Rhymes already became one of the highest net worth and successful rappers in the United States.
Rhymes’ Total Net Worth
Busta Rhymes has been very successful mostly because of his unique style, and through his collaborations with other artists. What’s more, Rhymes is a unique character who people like and get along with, despite having some crazy ideas and views. All of this has come together allowing him to make friends in the music industry, create fresh tracks, and profit alongside other artists.
Rhymes’ personal success came after he released his debut album, Ill Vibe-single. Just a few years after releasing the album, the artist teamed up with Janet Jackson for the hit single “What’s It Gonna Be?”. The song climbed many music charts and received a lot of international success. Towards the beginning of the 21st century, Rhymes released five more albums, including The Big Bang. This album as the rapper’s seventh and it became his first number-one music album. It sold over 210,000 copies in just one week and topped many charts, including the Billboard 200.
It is likely that from his music career, rapping, songwriting, producing, as well as adding in his earnings from his acting career. That Busta Rhymes has had career earnings of perhaps around $45 million and he continues to release new music today. Earning quite some money in the 90s however when federal tax rates were high, as well as earning so much in certain years. It is likely that he has also incurred a 41% tax rate living and working out of New York.
After tax, it is estimated that Busta Rhymes’ career earnings are at around $26.55 million, having paid $18.45 million dollars in taxes. That said, he has had a hard time holding on to his wealth like so many rappers like him.
In 2014, the IRS came after Rhymes for failure to pay federal tax. It totaled to around $790,000 that they were looking for. It is unclear whether he forgot to pay, made a mistake or was under his own personal financial pressures.
He has had various legal troubles dating all the way back to the early 2000s. In 2009, a Brooklyn judge ordered Rhymes to pay a concert goer $75,000 in compensation for an assault which occurred in 2003. In terms of how he managed his personal life, which seems troubled, it is also speculated that he has had trouble in his financial life as well.
Overall, when considering such things, as well as his likely costs in business and in his personal life. As well as some speculation that he has lost a portion of his wealth; based on what has been seen from individuals with similar patterns of personal and legal troubles in the 2010s. It is estimated his net worth is around $18 million dollars.
At the peak of his career, while releasing new albums, Busta Rhymes toured around the world as both a headliner and opening act for stars like Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Mariah Carey, and Linkin Park. In 2009, the rapper released perhaps his most controversial album – Back on My B.S. The album was talked about and called controversial mainly because of one of its lead singles “Arab Money”. The track sparked a lot of drama in the United Arab Emirates where the album was banned. Towards the late 2010s, Rhymes continued to release new albums and collaborate with many popular artists.
Besides the music industry, Rhymes took part in many reality shows, television series, and movies. His very first acting role was during the time he began his solo music career, in the 1993 movie Who’s the Man?. Among some of the most well-known films that he took part in are Shaft, Backstage, Narc, Halloween, and Breaking Point. He also appeared in many television series as himself – New York Undercover, The Wayans Bros., Space Ghost Coast to Coast, and Master of None.
Summing-Up
Busta Rhymes is so much more than just a rapper. Whether it’s music or films, the Grammy-nominated rapper has succeeded in everything that he started. Rhymes’ work has been acknowledged by many artists who even cited him as one of their inspirations. MTV named him one of the greatest hip hop virtual artists and he has also been placed in many lists that highlight the best lyricists and rappers of all time. When it comes to Busta Rhymes, one thing is certain, this hit-maker is one of the best and most prolific rappers of the 90s.
