Busta Rhymes approached the 2020s with something to prove. Two years ago, the veteran co-founder of Leaders Of The New School and Flipmode Squad gave fans a classic-level album—arguably the best in his career. Extinction Level Event 2 showed the many sides of Busta Bus, including collaborations with Rakim, Kendrick Lamar, M.O.P., Q-Tip, and Anderson .Paak. Sadly, the Grammy committee overlooked the album in what appeared to be a strong contender to give B.R. his first Grammy win after 12 nominations.

In late 2022, Busta Rhymes is heating things up again. “Slap” features Big Daddy Kane and Conway The Machine. B.R. bridges the gap among some of the best lyricists, with a performance that also honors the late Biz Markie. Marley Marl produces the track, which pays homage to Big Daddy Kane’s collabo’ “Just Rhymin’ With The Biz” from 1988’s Long Live The Kane. Busta makes sure to also shout out all of Hip-Hop’s fallen soldiers, including PnB Rock by name as well.

Griselda, Busta Rhymes & Method Man Perform A Tribute For DMX (Video)

Busta fills his opening verse with punchlines and similes, backing down lesser peers with confidence lines about his lyrical prowess. B.R. was one of Conway The Machine’s supporters from early on. He appeared on 2019’s Eif 2: Eat What U Kill  with a standout “Ghost Musik” collaboration. Nearly four years later, Bus’ passes the mic to Conway. Matching Busta’s energy, the Buffalo, New York MC clowns artists who purchase their own plaques, and compares his impact to Aaron Judge’s ball bat.

As he’s done throughout his career, Big Daddy Kane plays cleanup. Fresh off praising Busta Rhymes’ flow as the best in Hip-Hop, B.D.K. The Juice Crew O.G. hops back on the beat he made famous 35 years ago to do damage. “Made a solemn oath to never stop gettin’ it / Years later, still about my business / It’s been a while since I ain’t had a pot to piss in / Tried to give him game, but he said he not listenin’ / Some of y’all got that Fetty Wap vision,” he raps before claiming he’s got third-eye intuition. He then compares his stranglehold to a strong Monopoly performance. In the video, the three MCs lounge around luxury cars, looking their flyest.

DJ Scratch Explains The Tension At The Big Daddy Kane & KRS-One Verzuz

Earlier this month, Busta performed alongside Method Man and Redman, The LOX, M.O.P., Warren G and others at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards. Big Daddy Kane recently appeared on Kool G Rap’s single “Fly Til I Die,” which premiered at Ambrosia For Heads. Early this year, Conway released God Don’t Make Mistakes. The Shady Records album features Lil Wayne, Griselda, and Jill Scott.

The AFH playlist also features new music from Benny The Butcher and his Black Soprano Family, Ab-Soul, Cormega and Nas, Rome Streetz, Open Mike Eagle, and Robert Glasper featuring Mac Miller, among others.

Big Daddy Kane Details Recording This 1988 Mixtape Collabo With JAY-Z (Video)

#BonusBeat: A 2020 episode of Ambrosia For Heads’ What’s The Headline podcast that examines Busta Rhymes making a classic album nearly 30 years into his career: