Busta Rhymes got quite the unexpected shout out from Ukraine when the official Twitter page of the country’s Ministry of Defense used his lyrics to taunt Russia.
On Tuesday (May 16), the Ukraine Ministry of Defense shared a graphic showing the current stats of the (many) losses Russia took in the war that has been ongoing since February 2022. And whoever runs their social media account felt Busta’s 1996 hit “Woo-Hah!!” made the perfect caption.
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“‘Woo-hah, got you all in check!’ -Busta Rhymes,” they tweeted. “Total combat losses of the enemy from February 24, 2022 to May 16, 2023.”
The stats included nearly 200,000 Russian casualties as well as the loss of thousands of tanks, armored personnel vehicles, drones and more. Check out the full count below.
"Woo-hah, got you all in check!"
Busta RhymesTotal combat losses of the enemy from February 24, 2022 to May 16, 2023: pic.twitter.com/5Cp3vy1gvE
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) May 16, 2023
This isn’t the first time the Ukraine Ministry of Defense used an American rapper’s lyric to make a point. In September, Ukraine called upon the coke-infused lyrics of Pusha T to show the public just how high the death toll has been for the opposition.
“I put numbers on the boards,” they tweeted alongside their numbers, tagging King Push himself. The lyrics are from Push’s 2013 track “Numbers On The Board,” which appeared on his debut solo project, My Name Is My Name.
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As for Busta Rhymes, he’s hard at work on a new album – and Swizz Beatz revealed that the project will include a powerhouse of producers including himself, Pharrell and Timbaland.
Swizz shared the news in a video posted to Instagram on Sunday (May 14), in which he gave the Brooklyn rap veteran his flowers for his unique musical style, electric stage presence and long and decorated career in Hip Hop.
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“This is a Busta Rhymes appreciation post,” the Ruff Ryders producer said while on a boat. “My brother’s been doing this so long, from Leaders of the New School … to headlining every major festival, tour, show. Leaders was the ’80s and Busta’s been kicking ass since [then].
“It’s 2023. My bro got all new deals, all new music coming out. I just want to take the time to say I appreciate my brother Busta Rhymes for his longevity, his distinctive style, voice. I wish everybody a long career like Busta Rhymes. He’s the biggest deal.”
Swizz continued: “Him and Spliff Star don’t play no games on that stage doing older songs and new songs. He’s boxed with the best of ’em. He’s been on the charts with the best of ’em. And one week he was on the stage with Janet Jackson and Mary J. Blige — that’s just one week!
“Cheers to my brother Busta Rhymes for life. Wait until you hear this new music this man got. The album executive produced by Swizz Beatz, Timbaland and Pharrell. Wrap your face around what that’s gonna sound like.”
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Busta confirmed the news in the comments section and further fueled excitement by claiming his upcoming project will “shift the culture.”
His forthcoming 11th studio album will serve as the follow-up to 2020’s Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God, which debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and boasted appearances from Kendrick Lamar, Q-Tip, Mary J. Blige, Anderson .Paak, the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard and more.
