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Busta Rhymes

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Trevor George Smith Jr. (born May 20, 1972), better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes, is an American rapper, singer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the moniker Busta Rhymes, after NFL and CFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes. He has received 12 Grammy Award nominations, making him one of the most-nominated artists without a win. Billboard and Vibe ranked him among the 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time, while Forbes listed him among the greatest rappers on their list of the "50 Top Rappers of All Time".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Busta Rhymes was an original member of Leaders of the New School, a group that attracted national attention while opening on tour for Public Enemy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He gained further exposure for their guest appearance on A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario". Shortly after, Leaders of the New School disbanded, leading Rhymes to become a sought-after solo artist, appearing on numerous tracks for other artists before his debut solo album, The Coming (1996). Critically acclaimed, the album debuted within the top ten of the Billboard 200, received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and was nominated for a Grammy Award.

He has released eleven total solo albums, with the most recent being Blockbusta (2023). His most notable singles include "Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check", "It's a Party", "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See", "Dangerous", "Turn It Up" (Remix)/"Fire It Up", "Gimme Some More", "What's It Gonna Be?!", "Pass the Courvoisier, Part II", "I Know What You Want" and "Touch It". He has guest appeared on the hit songs "Don't Cha" by The Pussycat Dolls and "Look at Me Now" by Chris Brown. In addition to his music career, he founded the record label Conglomerate (formerly Flipmode Entertainment) and its namesake hip hop collective (formerly known as Flipmode Squad).

Early life

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Trevor George Smith Jr.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> was born in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City, on May 20, 1972, to Geraldine Green and Trevor Smith Sr., who both were immigrants from Jamaica.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> At age 12, Smith's family moved to Nassau County on Long Island, and settled in Uniondale, New York.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> For a short while, Smith attended George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School in Brooklyn with future rappers Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> and attended Samuel J. Tilden High School with Edward "Special Ed" Archer and Roderick "Chip Fu" Roachford of Fu-Schnickens.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Smith eventually graduated from Uniondale High School in 1991.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Busta also spent time in England during the early 1980s where he resided with his maternal aunt. She lived in Morecambe, and he spent two summers there with his mother and younger brother.<ref name="GQ2020"/> He went to Skerton Community High School while he was staying in the area.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He told GQ in a 2020 interview, "One summer when we went down there I was 12, my brother was eight, so my aunt made sure that we actually went to school in England. Regular school and then we went to karate school too. We also were on some breakdancing that was so crazy, we ended up actually getting work to breakdance in clubs as minors. And our cousins used to run us around and they used to advertise us as TJ and Paul."<ref name="GQ2020">Template:Cite web</ref>

Career

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1986–1995: Leaders of the New School and rising popularity

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In 1986, Smith, alongside fellow Long Island natives Charlie Brown, Cut Monitor Milo, and Dinco D, formed the East Coast hip hop group Leaders of the New School.<ref name=ALLMUSIC>[[[:Template:AllMusic]] Allmusic Biography]</ref>

Leaders of the New School released their debut album, A Future Without a Past..., in June 1991 on Elektra Records.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later that year, the group appeared on A Tribe Called Quest's critically acclaimed posse cut "Scenario".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1993, they released T.I.M.E. (The Inner Mind's Eye). Smith gained popularity from his advanced rhymes as well as his unique style that was not common of many New York rap artists at the time. Soon after, however, internal problems arose because of his increasing popularity, and the group broke up on the set of Yo! MTV Raps.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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1996–1999: The Coming, When Disaster Strikes, and Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front

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In 1996, Busta Rhymes released his debut solo album, The Coming.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His single "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check" was a success, pushing the album into gold record status.<ref name=ALLMUSIC /> Later, he started work on his second album, When Disaster Strikes, which would not be released until September 1997.<ref name=ALLMUSIC />

In 1998, Busta Rhymes recorded Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front.<ref name=ALLMUSIC />

2000–2004: Anarchy, Genesis, and It Ain't Safe No More

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File:Busta rhymes-06-mika.jpg
Busta Rhymes in 2002

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In 2000, Busta Rhymes released his final album for Elektra, titled Anarchy.<ref name=ALLMUSIC /><ref name="ALLMUSIC-discography">Template:Cite web</ref> He released Genesis in 2001.<ref name=ALLMUSIC /> The album featured collaborations with Mary J. Blige, P. Diddy, Kelis, and others.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2002, Busta Rhymes released his sixth studio album, It Ain't Safe No More.<ref name="ALLMUSIC-discography" /><ref name=ALLMUSIC />

2005–2009: The Big Bang and Back on My B.S.

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File:Busta rhymes breaks it down for the mobile geeks.jpg
Busta Rhymes performing in 2006

His seventh studio album, titled The Big Bang, became the first No. 1 album of his career. The album sold over 209,000 copies in its first week to earn the top spot on the U.S. Billboard 200.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

It was later revealed that Busta signed a deal with Universal Motown, through which he released his eighth studio album, Back on My B.S., on May 19, 2009.<ref name="universalmotown">Template:Cite web</ref> Due to controversial content, the United Arab Emirates has banned the album.<ref name="thenational.ae" /> Back on My B.S. was released internationally, but because of one song, "Arab Money", it cannot be purchased as a CD there, although the album can still be purchased via iTunes.<ref name="thenational.ae" /> According to the National Media Council, the lyrics were considered to be offensive to Arabs and to Islam because it quoted the Quran.<ref name="thenational.ae" />

In November 2008, when "Arab Money" was released as a single, DJ Dany Neville and the Iraqi rapper The Narcicyst responded by recording a reply. Rhymes later apologized.<ref name="thenational.ae" /> DJs in the country said they had not received an order banning the record from being spun in nightclubs, and they had mixed feelings on whether the record was offensive or not.<ref name="thenational.ae">Template:Cite web</ref> DJ Saif of Dubai said "I don't play 'Arab Money' because it's disrespectful [to] Arabs. I don't think there is a ban on playing it in clubs, but many here don't play it anyway."<ref name="thenational.ae"/>

File:Busta rhymes-03-mika.jpg
Busta Rhymes in 2005

DJ Bliss, along with many other DJs in the UAE, refused to play "Arab Money" on Radio 1 in Dubai after it was banned in the UAE for offense to Arabs. He added, "I used to play the original version in the club, but out of respect for the laws here in my country, I haven't played it since."<ref name="thenational.ae"/> In 2010 the track's producer Ron Browz defended Busta Rhymes in a Dubai interview with journalist Awad Mustafa stating that the track was misunderstood.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> "For us, having 'Arab money' is a compliment understood like having 'Oprah money' or 'Tiger Woods money' – it's just street slang, and we were appreciating the amazing wonders that have been created here," Browz said.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Browz added that he had produced the track in a moment of inspiration while experimenting in his studio. "Growing up in Harlem I was always surrounded by Arabs and Muslims, we embraced their culture and they embraced ours and we always joked with each other," he said.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2010–2020: Collaborations and Extinction Level Event 2

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In September 2009, Busta Rhymes had announced that he was working on his ninth studio album, alongside Canadian producer Boi-1da, titled The Chemo. At the time, he stated that the project was 80% finished.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In May 2010, Busta Rhymes had reportedly changed the title of his ninth album from The Chemo to Extinction Level Event 2, making his ninth effort a sequel to his 1998 album Extinction Level Event (Final World Front).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Busta Rhymes contributed to the 2011 Tech N9ne album All 6's and 7's, performing vocals on the single, "Worldwide Choppers", released on May 31.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Canadian recording artist Justin Bieber featured Busta Rhymes on a song called "Drummer Boy" off Bieber's second studio album, Under the Mistletoe, released on November 1, 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On November 11, 2011, a Heavy D tribute song titled "You Ain't Gotta Wait Till I'm Gone" was leaked.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On November 16, 2011, it was announced that Busta Rhymes signed to Cash Money Records.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

A song with Twista, titled "Can You Keep Up", was leaked. Busta Rhymes was featured on Fat Joe's single "Pride & Joy" alongside Kanye West and Jadakiss.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His ninth studio album, Year of the Dragon, was released for free on Google Play on August 21, 2012. The album features guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Trey Songz, Robin Thicke, Maino, Gucci Mane and more. He also released a music video for the track "Doin' It Again" which features Reek da Villian and includes a tribute to his manager Chris Lighty, who committed suicide in 2012.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

He was later featured on YMCMB label mate Shannel's single "Last Time".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2011, it was announced that Universal Motown was going defunct, forcing Rhymes and other artists to move to Universal Republic Records. In mid-2012, it was announced that Universal Republic Records was also going defunct, forcing artists on the roster to move to Republic Records, reviving the label.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On December 21, 2012, members of The Conglomerate Ent., Busta along with J. Doe and Reek da Villan released a mixtape titled Catastrophic, their first collective effort.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Busta Rhymes collaborated with Pharrell Williams, who produced the first single off his Cash Money Records debut, "Twerk It", which was released on June 6, 2013. A video was shot in Flatbush on June 3, 2013. The official remix was released featuring Nicki Minaj. On July 23, 2014, Busta Rhymes announced that he left Cash Money Records due to creative differences and he is no longer on Republic.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

He was featured on "Devil", featuring Neon Hitch and B.o.B, a song by Cash Cash. It was released in August 2015.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In July 2014, it was announced that Rhymes had amicably departed Cash Money Records due to creative differences.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:Out4Fame-Festival 2015 - Busta Rhymes - 2.JPG
Busta Rhymes at Out4Fame Festival 2015 in Germany

In 2016, a movement to name a small, uninhabited lake island in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts after Busta Rhymes received viral publicity. The unofficial name of Busta Rhymes Island was chosen by a town resident because the island has "rope-swinging, blueberries, and ... stuff Busta would enjoy".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A formal proposal was made to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to officially change the island's name, but it was not accepted due to regulations regarding the naming of geographic places after living people.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Busta Rhymes was also a featured artist on The Hamilton Mixtape, singing a remix of "My Shot", along with Black Thought of The Roots and Joell Ortiz.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The trio performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On February 2, 2018, Rhymes released a new single "Get It", featuring Missy Elliott and Kelly Rowland, through Epic Records.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In February 2019, Busta Rhymes confirmed he's "finishing touches" of his new album with longtime collaborator, Dr. Dre.<ref name="hiphopdx.com">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2020, Busta Rhymes competed in season 4 of The Masked Singer as "Dragon". He was eliminated in the first episode.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On October 30, 2020, Busta released his album Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God.<ref name="ALLMUSIC-discography" />

2021–2024: Blockbusta and guest appearances

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In 2021, Busta Rhymes released the 25th Anniversary Edition of his debut studio album, The Coming.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In late 2023, his eleventh studio album, Blockbusta, which has many guest appearances, was released.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Throughout late 2024, he made two major guest appearances on his idol, LL Cool J's "Huey in the Chair", a track from his fourteenth album, The FORCE, the pair's first collaboration in nearly 27 years since 1997's "Starsky and Hutch".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That November, he appeared on singer Ciara's single, "Wassup".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

2025: Dragon Season

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On January 17, 2025, Busta Rhymes released his EP, Dragon Season... The Awakening, a precursor to his upcoming studio album, Dragon Season.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal life

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Busta Rhymes identifies as a member of the Five-Percent Nation and has been a Muslim since the age of 12.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He has six children: three sons (born in 1993, 1999, and 2001) and three daughters (born 1998, 1999, and 2006).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

During an interview for Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes, the rapper walked out when confronted with a question about homophobia in the rap community. Rhymes is quoted as saying: "I can't partake in that conversation," followed by, "With all due respect, I ain't trying to offend nobody. . . What I represent culturally doesn't condone [homosexuality] whatsoever." When asked if the hip hop culture would ever accept a homosexual rapper, Busta Rhymes then exited the interview.<ref name="WashingtonPost1">Template:Cite news</ref>

In a later interview with MTV News, Rhymes expressed his support for Frank Ocean upon his coming out, as well as general cultural acceptance of homosexuality.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

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In December 1998, Rhymes was arrested and charged with possession of an unregistered gun after being pulled over during a routine traffic stop in New York City.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On October 6, 2000, he received five years' probation after pleading guilty earlier in the year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On August 20, 2006, Rhymes was arrested and arraigned for charges of third-degree assault after attacking a man who reportedly spat on his car in New York City on August 12 after the AmsterJam Music Festival on Randall's Island.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On October 24, 2006, Rhymes appeared at Manhattan Criminal Court as the district attorney's office attempted to amend previous charges against him to include weapons possession for a machete found in his car. The judge refused to add the charge and adjourned the case.<ref name="NYTimes1">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="BostonHerald1">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

On February 20, 2007, Rhymes refused a plea deal offered by the prosecutor's office for the assault of his former driver, Edward Hatchett. The deal would have entailed his being in jail for six months and pleading guilty to two assaults, the attack on Hatchett, and the attack on the former fan. The dispute with Hatchett is believed to have originated over back pay Hatchett felt he was owed. Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Becki Rowe offered Busta another option, pleading guilty to third-degree assault. The conditions of the proposed sentence would include five days of community service, two weeks of youth lectures and six months of anger management classes, as well as three years of probation.<ref name="BostonHerald1" /><ref name="CourtTV1">Template:Cite news</ref>

On May 3, 2007, Rhymes was arrested in Manhattan for driving without a license and for driving while impaired. On March 18, 2008, a judge in New York City sentenced Rhymes to three years of probation, 10 days community service, $1250 in fines (plus court costs), and to enroll in a drunken driving program.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On September 25, 2008, Rhymes was temporarily refused entry to the UK due to "unresolved convictions".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2018, Busta Rhymes was accused of plagiarism by Bernardo Lanzetti and his group Acqua Fragile, who alleged that Rhymes' 2001 song "Genesis" used an uncredited sample of the group's "Cosmic Mind Affair".<ref name="repubblica.it">Template:Cite web</ref> After negotiations with Rhymes' publishers broke down, Lanzetti and Acqua Fragile opted to move forward with a lawsuit.<ref name="Faremusic">Template:Cite web</ref>

On January 10, 2025, Rhymes was involved in assaulting one of his assistants, Dashiel Gables, after an argument due to a food delivery dispute near the corner of Jay and Front streets in Brooklyn's Dumbo neighborhood.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The victim suffered injuries to his face with visible swelling.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Rhymes turned himself in to the police. He was arrested and charged with third degree assault and had given a desk appearance ticket, which requires him to make an appearance in criminal court for an arraignment. The investigation is still ongoing.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Influences

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Busta Rhymes' favorite rapper as a teenager was LL Cool J, who was the inspiration and reason for Busta Rhymes writing his first raps.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

He was creatively inspired by American singer and record producer George Clinton for "being over the top and outlandish and brave as far as his showmanship." Rhymes has also stated that he was taught by Clinton about the music industry and numerous challenges people in it have to face.<ref name="Busta Rhymes The Ringer Interview" />

Legacy

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Rhymes' work has influenced artists such as Eminem, Talib Kweli,<ref name="Talib Kweli inspiration, interview">Template:Cite web</ref> Ski Mask the Slump God,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Kendrick Lamar,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tyler, the Creator,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Doja Cat,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Ciara.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Fellow American rapper Big Daddy Kane has stated that Rhymes has the best flow in hip hop, alluding to the original version of "Turn It Up".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

About.com included him on its list of the 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time (1987–2007),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Steve Huey of AllMusic called him one of the best and most prolific rappers of the 1990s.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2012, The Source placed him on its list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> MTV has called him "one of hip-hop's greatest visual artists".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Discography

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Template:Main Studio albums

Collaborative albums

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1993 Who's the Man? Jawaan
Strapped Buster TV movie
1995 Higher Learning "Dreads"
1998 The Rugrats Movie Reptar Wagon (voice)
2000 Shaft Rasaan
Finding Forrester Terrell Wallace
2002 Narc Darnell "Big D Love" Beery
Halloween: Resurrection Freddie Harris
2004 Full Clip Joshua Pope
2009 Breaking Point Al Bowen
2011 The Unforgiven "Lick" Wilson
2015 Club Life Himself
2016 King of the Dancehall Allestar "All Star Toasta"
2024 Piece by Piece Himself (voice)
2025 Template:Pending film Post-production

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1991 In Living Color Himself/Musical Guest Episode: "Green Eggs and the Guvment Cheese"
1996 New York Undercover Himself Episode: "Kill the Noise"
1996–97 Soul Train Himself Episode: "Episode #25.26" & "#27.9"
1997 Cosby Phillip Episode: "Dating Games"
1998 The Wayans Bros. Himself Episode: "Busta Saves the Day"
The Steve Harvey Show Zack Episode: "Everybody Loves Regina"
1998–02 Top of the Pops Himself Episode: "Episode #35.16" & "#39.22"
1999 All That Himself Episode: "All That Live! (100th Episode)"
Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards Himself/Co-Host Main Co-Host
Mad TV Himself Episode: "Episode #5.2"
Rugrats Reptar Wagon (voice) Episode: "Wrestling Grandpa/Chuckie Collects"
2000 Making the Video Himself Episode: "Busta Rhymes: Fire"
2000–01 Source Hip-Hop Music Awards Himself/Co-Host Main Co-Host
2000–02 Showtime at the Apollo Himself Episode: "Episode #13.20" & "#15.14"
2001 Space Ghost Coast to Coast Himself Episode: "Flipmode"
2002 WWE SmackDown Himself Episode: "The Undertake & John Cena vs. Kurt Angle & Chris Jericho"
2003 Players Himself Episode: "Daredevilin'"
Chappelle's Show Himself/Musical Guest Episode: "Reparations & NY Boobs"
Punk'd Himself Episode: "Episode #1.8"
Interscope Presents 'The Next Episode' Himself Episode: "Detroit"
2004 And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip-Hop Himself Episode: "Back in the Day"
2005 Unique Whips Himself Episode: "Lincolns, Strippers and Bentleys, Oh My"
Access Granted Himself Episode: "Busta Rhymes: Touch It"
2007–08 The Boondocks Flonominal (voice) Recurring Cast: Season 2
2015 Master of None Himself Episode: "Indians on TV"
2016 Fresh Off the Boat Himself Episode: "Hi, My Name Is ..."
2018 Big City Greens Fish (voice) Episode: "Fill Bill"
2020 The Masked Singer Dragon Eliminated in first episode
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Himself Season 8, episode 1339
2024 Everybody Still Hates Chris Graffiti "Orbit" (voice) Season 1

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
2004 Def Jam Fight For NY Magic Voice role and likeness<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2006 Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover Magic Voice role and likeness<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2009 Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad Of Gay Tony Himself Voice only

Documentary

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Year Title
1997 Rhyme & Reason
2000 Backstage
2001 Xzibit: Restless Xposed
2002 Slip N'Slide: All Star Weekend
2003 Hip Hop Uncensored Vol. 1: Network Stars
Superhuman
Fromage 2003
2004 Strong Arm Steady
DJ Domination: World Domination
2005 The Game: Documentary
2006 Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes
Pimpalation: Return of the Trill
Lockdown, USA
Jim Jones: A Day in the Fast Life
Rap Sheet: Hip-Hop and the Cops<ref name="rapsheet">Template:Cite AV media</ref>
2007 Public Enemy: Where There's Smoke
2008 Orange Rockcorps at the Royal Albert Hall
2010 SOS Saving OurSelves: Help for Haiti
2011 Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest
2013 Generation Iron
2014 Nas: Time Is Illmatic
2015 Stretch and Bobbito: Radio that changed Lives
2017 Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story
2018 Survivors Guide To Prison
2023 Another West Side Story

Awards and nominations

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See also

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References

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