Busta Rhymes’ frenetic energy was palpable from the first syllable he uttered on the 1991 A Tribe Called Quest classic “Scenario.” A “powerful impact, boom, from the cannon” reached far and wide as Bus-A-Bus momentarily stole the show from Q-Tip and Phife Dawg.
Apparently, Fat Joe is acutely aware of just how much Busta brings to the table. In a recent Instagram Live session, Joey Crack boldly proclaimed people were too intimidated by Busta Rhymes’ talent to step into the Verzuz arena with him — and that included him.
“Fat Joe scared to do Verzuz with Busta Rhymes and so is everybody else,” he said. “You gotta understand, sometimes you ever notice — you seen boxers and they knock everybody out? People be scared to fight those boxers.
“Busta Rhymes is gonna outrap, outperform anybody who goes up in a Verzuz with him. That’s a fact. Yo, Busta Rhymes nobody wanna get in there with you, man. You might have to be an honorary — they gotta give you the check for no reason.”
Verzuz has been a nearly constant presence since emerging in March 2020 as a way to combat the quarantine blues. Founded by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, the platform has bloomed from just an “Instagram Live show” to full-on events at places like Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater.
Fat Joe and Ja Rule hopped in the ring earlier this month and put on quite a live show for New York rap fans as well as those who tuned in online. But those thirsting for Ja Rule’s longtime foe 50 Cent to show up were out of luck. Rumors the Get Rich or Die Tryin’ legend would make an appearance were unsubstantiated and the show went on without him.
Fat Joe Denies 50 Cent Is 'Scared' To Do A Verzuz As Ja Rule Battle Inches Closer
Ja Rule challenged 50 Cent to a Verzuz in December 2020 but was quickly shut down — although not because of fear, at least according to Fat Joe. In another episode of The Fat Joe Show, he explained, “We gave [50 Cent] the option. He did not want to go against me … He not doing the Verzuz. You keep askin’ me some shit I can’t help you with. And so, he don’t wanna do it.
“It’s not cause he scared or he’s not one of the greatest who ever lived, he just ain’t fucking with that. I tell you what — 50 Cent gon’ be a billionaire, a real billionaire. You gotta understand, 50 Cent got a bunch of TV shows. TV. That’s not rap music. That’s a different type of money.”
But fear supposedly has everything to do with Busta Rhymes not being booked for a Verzuz yet. Only time will tell who’s willing to face the inimitable Bus-A-Bus.
Busta vs Luda or Busta vs Missy
Busta and Luda would be awesome. Both are highly animated, strong voices, energy and both have hits for days. Dope all the way
Busta is not in shape to keep the energy his songs command. Dude was out of breath before his 7 minute medley at mtv music awards. How is he gonna go for an hour+. He should do one against Ludacris and he should win but will probably loose because of a lack of stamina.
Probably because his random roid rage would involve him literally gobbling up his adversary on live stream…
I think LL could beat busta in a verzuz. And I don’t think it would be that hard. Ppl say busta got hits and has been in the game for 30+ years. Well so has LL.
If Nas and Jay won’t happen then Nas and Bus should I think.
Nas and Bus??? Man, have you been sniffing glue??? That’s not even a match up and has would easily destroy Bus. You couldve said Nas and AZ. Shit now Bus can battle someone like Twista, Killer Mike or Bizarre for fun. Nas and Bus??? Nah bro…
The state of Arizona? Really?? You the glue-sniffer my g ;-D
…that’s like sayin Jay vs. Memphis Bleek or Bus vs. Rampage, Snoop vs. Tray Deee, Cee-Lo vs. Big Gipp
The Ripper you must have Verzuz confused with a real battle. Maybe you don’t understand the rules. AZ, Killer Mike or Bizarre have no business anywhere near a Verzuz. You have to have hits to participate. It’s not a rap battle. AZ and Killer Mike might have 5 songs to bring to the table. Bizarre? 1 or 2 maybe?
I know it’s out of pocket, but a verzuz with Biggie n Pac holograms??
Busta finally getting his props as a legend. Nas, Jay, big and snoop unique one of a kind. So is Busta. He rightfully on skill, unique abilities and presence alone be in the top 10. If you never seen him live you won’t understand that no one is seeing Busta inVerzuz
You cannot go at Busta one on one. It needs to be a team effort lol. Busta verzuz TDE.
Somebody said it below but LL and maybe Missy are the ONLY ones who could go toe to toe with Busta in Verzuz. And even then, that may be a stretch. Busta’s catalog is fucking ridiculous.
LL has the mighty sword!
GOOD CHOICE
Lil Wayne or Jay Z are the only ones with deep enough catalogs to compete against Busta.
Drake future TIP but I’m from the south we jus different wouldn’t be a good matchup only up north people can do busta honestly because down here in the south we got our on legends and busta can’t see Wayne tip 3000 future n a battle it’s jus different music different styles busta gotta stay up north wit it just my opinion ??♂️
Snoop could take him
Drake…Nuff said Solid catalog, more hits. All I’m saying.
The dopest Veruzuz for Busta would have been DMX, similar energy and careers
I cosign this weirdly, but it does make sense too.
i have a verzuz. no really, i do.
Busta is the GOAT not LL. Nobody is scared to do a versus with LL.
dude LL got tracks. there’s a very short list of rappers who could hold they own with Uncle L. FYI he’s the inventor of goat status.
The ONLY emcee that ain’t scared to go at ANYBODY and would be a perfect fit is KRS ONE!!! Y’all be like Busta this and that. KRS would welcome this with no fear. Fat Joe needs to sthu and do the history.
Tech N9ne.
Lil wayne easily
Busta needs to go against someone he can respect, that being said he’ll probably outperform LL ,only other rapper with a crazy catalogue would be Wayne but because of the different times they came out, that only leaves Missy Elliot. She’s got a crazy catalogue too, but would Busta battle a female rapper ?I think not.