Busta Rhymes was a man of few raps in 2017. After a strong campaign alongside his brothers from A Tribe Called Quest, the Native Tongues alum carefully picked his spots. Especially in the case of a Rapsody Laila’s Wisdom appearance and a coast-crossing A$AP Ferg remix with Snoop Dogg, those spots delivered. Even if Busa’ has just a few words on the mic, it’s how he spits them that have made the New Yorker a 25-plus-year Rap mainstay.

Just as he did with Rap’ and Ferg, Busta Rhymes has always seemed focused on bringing new artists to the platform. He was there for The Game, Roc Marciano, Rah Digga, and Joyner Lucas (to just name a few). This time, it’s the rapper, AD. A past collaborator of E-40, Freddie Gibbs, and another Busta affiliate O.T. Genasis, AD raps with tenacity about how he wants a top spot in the game on “Hear My Cry.” However, at 1:30, Busta Rhymes enters with a chip on his muscular shoulders. He attacks those not worthy with barbed bars and his raspy cadence. Like the MC’s tone, the beat is dramatic. He warns that his temper can “flare up at any time for ni**as that think they’re important.” Fire and brimstone Busta Rhymes sounds good. After a lengthy hiatus, perhaps Flipmode’s fearless Leader has big plans in ’18.

Busta Rhymes also collaborated with Tech N9ne and The Game for DJ Kay Slay’s Big Brother LP this year.