Busta Rhymes Shuts Down Claim Older Rappers Don’t ‘Respect’ Younger Generation

In a recent appearance on entrepreneur Steven Bartlett’s podcast, “The Diary of a CEO,” Busta Rhymes unequivocally refuted the idea that older rappers lack respect for the younger generation of artists in the hip-hop industry.

Challenging the narrative that older artists don’t appreciate the work of their younger counterparts, Busta Rhymes stated, “I’m never gonna listen to the narrative of the elder statesmen or the older MCs don’t really respect what the new guys are doing. That shit is bullshit.” The legendary rapper emphasized that he and the artists he associates with reject such notions, highlighting the support he received from established artists during his early career.

Reflecting on his own experience, Busta Rhymes mentioned influential figures like Chuck D and Big Daddy Kane, who played pivotal roles in his journey as a young artist. “When we were young artists, we wanted the big dudes to put their arms around us,” he remarked. Busta expressed the belief that it is only right for the older generation to offer support and guidance to the next wave of talented artists, especially if they exhibit skill.

Acknowledging the reciprocal nature of the industry, Busta Rhymes conveyed his admiration for many new artists, expressing a desire to collaborate with them. He emphasized the importance of mentorship and guidance, stating, “I also want them to know we love them too, we’re fans of what y’all are doing, we see you paying homage, and we want y’all to know we’re paying homage to y’all too.”

Busta Rhymes, known for his openness to collaboration, has previously worked with younger artists such as Coi Leray, Kodak Black, and DaBaby. In various interviews, he has expressed interest in collaborating with artists like J. Cole, Drake, JID, Coco Jones, October London, and Tobe Nwigwe.

The veteran rapper’s comments shed light on the harmonious relationship between generations in hip-hop, debunking the notion of a divide between older and younger artists in terms of mutual respect and collaboration.

Listen to his comments at the 1:38:30 mark below.