Busta Rhymes is one of Hip-Hop’s most enduring stars. Named by Chuck D, a fixture within Native Tongues, a requested artist on Tupac’s One Nation project, a member of the Aftermath/Shady/G-Unit reign as well as Cash Money/Young Money, and one of J Dilla’s closest collaborators, Trevor Smith, Jr. has done it all over the last 30 years. But does he have a classic album under his belt?

Since 1990, B.R. has 12 Grammy nominations, including a 2000 “Best Rap Album” nod for E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front; he has a #1 LP, his 2006 Dr. Dre-helmed effort The Big Bang. However, one could argue that despite the consistent profile of a career, Busta lacks a classic within his catalog. Now, after an 11-year hiatus, that may have changed. On Friday (October 30), Bussa Bus’ dropped Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God—his first-ever independently-released LP. The sprawling 22-track effort involves Rakim, Kendrick Lamar, Q-Tip, J Dilla, Rick Ross, Rapsody, 9th Wonder, Nottz, Hi-Tek, DJ Scratch, Mary J. Blige, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Mariah Carey, as well as narration from Chris Rock. With it, at least one-half of Ambrosia For Heads’ What’s The Headline podcast (video and audio embedded below)team argues that E.L.E. 2 is B.R.’s classic, with plenty of support as to why. While there is some chatter about when it’s justified to call something classic straight out of the chute, the team agrees that Busta Rhymes made a statement LP that is a contender for album of the tear—at least by our count. Perhaps this allows one of Hip-Hop’s mainstays to collect the widespread props he so deeply deserves.

Busta Rhymes & Conway Team Up To Turn Wack Rappers Into Ghosts

Along with one of the most in-depth discussion What’s The Headline has ever devoted to a new album, the team weighs in on Rapsody’s “Lyricist Of The Year” win at the 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards (along with an amazing cypher by Teyana Taylor, Brandy, H.E.R., and Erykah Badu), OutKast’s Stankonia at 20, as well as previewing November’s Verzuz battle between T.I. and Jeezy.

Here Is What Else Is Happening Of Note:

De La Soul, Chuck D, Styles P, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch and Mysonne team for “Remove 45,” an indictment against Donald Trump a week before Election Day. (YouTube)

RZA is recording an album using rhyme book he once intended for The Cure album. RZA had intended to release the solo set during the 1990s, but shifted courses to make 1998’s Bobby Digital instead.  “All the things I’ve been through last year, the years before, all of the emotions that I never got a chance to sit down and distill and express, I can now,” RZA told MSNBC host Ari Melber. “I even dug up some old books of lyrics; I always promised my fans an album called The Cure—and it kind of was like in the closet in this old big Tommy Hilfiger duffel bag.” (MSNBC)

Common, who just released A Beautiful Revolution, Vol. 1 last Friday (October 30), has publicly responded to sexual assault claims previously made by former Roots affiliate Jaguar Wright. “God bless, Jaguar,” he told Philadelphia’s Power 99 morning show, Rise & Grind. “I really don’t have any negative thoughts towards her. I was for surely disappointed and hurt when she said what she said about me because it wasn’t true. I know people that have experienced sexual assault and that’s not anything to just say if it’s not true.” The Chicago native continued, “But I also understand that she may be going through some things that I don’t understand.” (Instagram)

Busta Rhymes sits down with Craig Jenkins to detail the making of E.L.E. 2, and what transpired behind the scenes over the last 20-plus-years to set up this album series. (Vulture)

State Property members Freeway and Oschino each confirmed that they lost sons this week. Ambrosia For Heads extends condolences to the families. (Instagram)

#BonusBeat: Ambrosia For Heads’ official playlist, featuring new music by Busta Rhymes, Rakim, Pete Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Q-Tip, Benny The Butcher, Black Thought, MC Eiht, Kokane, and REASON among other new songs: