Busta Rhymes reflected on his upbringing, his family, and more during a heartfelt speech at Carnegie Hall on Monday, February 27. The veteran rapper had been performing for the "Carnegie Hall Presents Power Network: A Black History Month Conversation and Concert." He was joined by Earn Your Leisure hosts Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings. ED Lover, Al Sharpton, DJ Clark Kent, and more were also in attendance. Other speakers included Robert F. Smith, Dr. Paul Judge, Derek Ferguson, Yvette Badu-Nimako, Lisa Francoeur, Ibrahim Sagna, and Kim Keenan.
As for Busta, he spoke about how meaningful the moment was for him by reflecting on watching morning cartoons as a kid. “While she was making breakfast, I used to see ‘Transformers and Voltron,'" he said. "So, names like Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Soundwave [I would hear]. It was interesting when I went to the corner store to get my Charleston Chews … I would see brothers on the corner and they would have names like Lord Victorious and Supreme justice … Peace to the Gods! The point that I’m trying to make is that I learned a lot tonight while in my dressing room looking at the TV monitors and watching these incredible gentlemen speak.”
Busta Rhymes At Carnegie Hall
From there, Busta explained that he had to learn things they don't teach in school. “Interestingly, what I learned today they don’t teach at school. Same way I learned from these brothers that stood on the corner … like how much is the earth weighs … how far the was each planet from the sun … what’s the total square mileage of the planet … the original man is the Maker, the Owner, the Cream of the Planet Earth, the God of the Universe.” He continued: “So, to come from those humble beginnings, I was being taught like this from dudes that looked like the ones would racially profile. I was taught by these brothers to believe that I was made in the likeness of God and I believe this so much I claim that divine that everything that I wanted after I would just claim.”
Before finishing, Busta admitted that the weight of the moment wasn't lost on him. In fact, he cried twice beforehand. “32 years later by professional recording career on stage at Carnegie Hall,” he said. “Leading up to this moment, I had two tear-jerking moments. I cried a lot. They were tears of joy. I am so happy to be here.”
Busta's Performance
[Via]
