journal

Let it be known, I am Busta Rhymes' biggest fan. Okay, maybe not his biggest, but I think he is one of the best rappers dead or alive, and I eagerly anticipate every album he releases. None more so than his latest offering, Back On My B.S. which came out in May/June after being delayed for what seemed a lifetime. I think this was mainly due to legal wranglings as Busta attempted to sever ties with Dr Dre's Aftermath imprint. I've got to say, I wasn't completely overwhelmed by Busta's last album, The Big Bang, but it had just about enough good tunes for me to keep my complaints low-key. That was back in 2006 believe it or not, and I've grown out of my courteous nature.

Since The Big Bang, those of us with an ear to the ground would have heard a few unofficial mix CD's and seen a few videos and thought, hey, his next album will be hot, got the new album and realised a lot of those songs didn't even make it to the album. Songs like 'Don't Touch Me' & the Bangladesh produced 'I Got Bass'. Triple A songs for feck's sake. Even 'We Made It' with Linkin Park ironically didn't make it. I don't care too much for the last song, but the others I mentioned are absolute heavyweights. Okay, it's been 3 long years since his last album and, if you live in the States, you would have probably had your fill of those aforementioned songs as he's released videos for all of them. For those not in the States, these songs will not be so familiar and I'm sure most of us would have appreciated their inclusion on the album. Instead, we get crap like 'Don't Believe Em' and 'Sugar'. The fashionably dancey track, 'World Go Round' which features Estelle has no place on a Busta album. It's awful. For months I even tried to like 'Arab Money' (which features Ron Brows - the only man to still sound out of tune despite using Auto Tune). But I can lie to myself no longer. There you have another shoddy tune. The Neptunes-produced 'Kill Dem' sums up the trio's (or is it a duo? Or is it just Pharrell now?) quality at the moment. Weak.

There are some good songs on the album though. 'Respect My Conglomerate' and 'Decision' are tunes that will make it into one of my 'Top Hip-Hop' playlists. The former features a catchy, minimal beat reminscent of a Scott Storch production, an English girl talking on the chorus, and good cameos from Lil' Wayne and Jadakiss. 'Decision' sounds like it could have been composed by Dr Dre himself (not too sure) and features Jamie Foxx, Mary J. Blige, John Legend & Common. The piano-led beat is super-nice and is sure to be a single.

Speaking of J Dilla however, Busta had claimed that each of his albums have featured a track conjured by the late Detroit producer, and this album would be no different. I'm not sure if it's the copy I have, but I can't find a J Dilla beat on it for love nor money. Probably politics, but I am greatly disappointed at it's absence. If you're upset by this too, download Mick Boogie's 'Dillagence' which is a whole album with nothing but J Dilla beats and Busta Rhymes bars. It's as good as it sounds.

As well as the much-loved Estelle, this album features another up & coming talent from the UK, Dready Beats. You may remember him from his work with So Solid and a few solo joints but now he is breaking America with his production skills so good luck to him. He produces 'How You Really Want It' which is a bonus track on the iTunes version of the album only I think. Good tune though.

To be fair, Back On My B.S. is not much worse than the current crop of Hip-Hop albums on the shelves, but Hip-Hop is not in a good state at the moment and this album does nothing to rectify that. My grieveances are likely more pronounced due to the fact that I expect so much more from Busta, and after a 3 year wait, those expectations went up a notch. I admit, I can be rash when forming opinions on music. I'll give it a few more listens and if my opinions change, I'll gladly eat some of my words. For now though, Back On My B.S. is a big anti-climax.