Instagram/@bustarhymes
The Caribbean track Awards presented the Elite Icon Award to the legendary hip-hop musician as a tribute. The Brooklyn luchador took to the stage and gave an electrifying acceptance speech with an overview of his Jamaican lineage and upbringing in a particular community. This points to a perpetual cultural bridge between Caribbean customs and hip-hop track.
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The guy standing on that stage, Busta Rhymes, was more than an East Flatbush rapper and award-winner. In the video attached to his celebratory post, he refused to touch on the stereotypical rap life of poverty and disaster but rather spoke of the Caribbean community where discipline and respect valued above all.
According to him, “My parents were great; my mother and father were two old-school Jamaican people who set the tone.” There used to be times when any grown-up in the neighborhood was willing to punish any child who went astray. “And then when your own parents came home,” he chuckled, “they bused your ass again.” Those were indeed good days when community really meant something-the nurturing of children, somehow together.
Musically, his heroes were certainly not all American rappers; rather, they hailed from Jamaican dancehall traditions. He dropped names like Papa San, Lieutenant Stitchie, and Ninja Man, reflecting on how he bought sound clash tapes from them as a kid. He viewed them as superheroes, and their blistering speed of toasting aka “speed rap” became his building blocks for a flow that no one could stop. He even referred to that as his “Caribbean cheat code”–the secret weapon that gave him an advantage in hip-hop.
The feel of the post was intense Busta. “THE BLESSINGS DON’T STOP SO WE WON’T EVER STOP!!!! NEVERRRRR!!!” he wrote, following up on his thankful address to the award show, its founder, and Meaghansmom for including him in the celebrations. It was a famous act of gratitude flowing from a star acknowledging his roots. His blessings continue to resonate with his audience.
And the people drank it down. In some ways, those comments really became a live testament to whatever values he talked about. One commenter was visibly moved, writing, “This touches my heart!! That homage to the foundation and the good soil, the ROOTS was everything… community.” That sentiment echoed across many users.
Another went further to share his story in alignment with Busta’s. “Lord my mom, and dad RIP. They had six children but everyone called them mama and daddy.” The user goes on: “They cared for children and even adults they weren’t related to. My parents said we are family and that’s what families do… take care of each other.” This powerful voice echoes the collective upbringing Busta spoke about. It shows that his experience was shared.
Taking care of each other even started crossing continents. The South African offered, “Deep Respect: all the way from South Africa” on the notion of Raising a Child as a community. This showed a global yearning for such a system of support.
Some comments placed the emphasis on cultural pride. “Nothing like Flatbush Brooklyn!! Massive Respect to the Don,” said another, showing respect to Busta and his longtime hype man, Spliff Star. One user summed it the best Jamaican way possible: “The best to ever do it!!!,” followed by three Jamaican flag emojis.
The award truly becomes an appropriate crowning for a 35-year career that has never forgotten its roots. Busta Rhymes taking this elite honor in unison with the community that built him from the ground up. A redeeming occasion that closes the circle-the roots, the respect, and the undeniable rhythm that connect an island to a Brooklyn neighborhood. There really don’t stop the blessings.
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In a recent post, Busta also celebrated the birthday of a close friend, showcasing his commitment to those in his life, reinforcing the sense of community he values so deeply.
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