The hard-working
Busta Rhymes feels he wasn't handled properly by the J label. He might have a case: 2002's
It Ain't Safe No More was the first album he released that failed to reach the Top Ten of the Billboard album chart, and it didn't come close -- it didn't even see the Top 40. Now on
Dr. Dre's Aftermath, which is sort of a story, he also chopped his hair (as evidenced on the cover of an XXL issue and throughout the booklet of this album), and has had to deal with the death of his bodyguard, Israel Ramirez, who was shot on the scene of his video for the "Touch It" remix. Lead single "Touch It," released months ahead of the album, did well despite being a very polarizing club record. He gets a few hot beats here, including a couple from the boss of his label and one from the late
J Dilla.
Stevie Wonder and the late
Rick James are two of the dozen-plus guests, and
Busta remains the dominant voice throughout. ~ Andy Kellman