Busta Rhymes to release Back On My BS

Busta Rhymes currently preparing to release his eighth album, "Back On My B.S." The album has been in the works in various forms since 2007, and it will finally see its official release May 19th.

Rhymes' last release, "The Big Bang" (2006), debuted at No. 1 on the charts, and he has spent the last few years looking for a situation to ensure the same level of success for his newest record.

Last July, Rhymes parted ways with Interscope Records, though he remains with the label's parent company, Universal Music Group, on the Universal Motown label. "It's the best situation I could be in," Rhymes said.

His new album was previously scheduled for a March 24th release, but got pushed back to ensure the timing was right, Rhymes said. "In this day and age, people are being so careful about how they're spending their money. I want to make sure people realize why it would be a smart choice to spend money on this project."

The extra time also gives Rhymes an opportunity to perfect the album and to build up the buzz. Several singles have already been released. "Unlike my past projects, this album is coming out in a time frame that feels like it needs a certain type of support," Rhymes said.

"Back On My B.S." tackles many of today's big issues head-on. Rhymes said he hoped the album would help motivate listeners to persevere through their current hardships.

"It's one of those records that not only feels good in the club, but it inspires people to keep hustling, especially in a time when the motivation to hustle is needed the most."

However, the album already has seen its share of controversy. A recent single, "Arab Money," caused a minor stir when a British DJ was suspended for playing it, due to complaints that it might be offensive to Muslims.

Rhymes said the flap unfairly overshadowed the song's positive message, citing several quotes from Arabic individuals who voiced their support for it. A schoolteacher compared it to Frank Sinatra's affection for Paris and French culture, Rhymes said. And a 60-year-old investment banker from Morocco asked, "If Justin Timberlake put out a song called 'I'm Getting European Euros,' would anyone have a problem with it?"

A video for the album's newest single, appropriately titled "Hustler's Anthem," is slated for release this month. It was created with the help of legendary video director Hype Williams, who has worked with everyone from Kanye West to Missy Elliott. Rhymes wouldn't give away any details regarding his first collaboration with Williams in nine years. But, he said, "Me and Hype picked up where we left off in terms of making the best visuals for the consumers and the fans that you're ever gonna get."

As for his current tour, which began this month in Los Angeles, Rhymes said there won't be any big surprises for fans.

"After all these years of me being in the game, I think people know what to expect. They know to expect to get one of the most phenomenal performances they're ever gonna see in their life."



"Back On My BS" by Busta Rhymes - release date: 05/19/09..