When it comes to rap legends, few can match the impressive career and achievements of Busta Rhymes.
Nicknamed after the NFL player George “Buster” Rhymes, Busta Rhymes has been in the rap and hip hop music industry since 1989. He counts on his contemporaries fellow rappers like Jay-Z and Chuck D. He is a practicing Muslim and gives credit to his religious faith for his professional and financial success

From his early beginnings as a member of Leaders of the New School to his solo success in the 90s and beyond, Busta Rhymes has cemented his place in hip-hop history. But with such a long and prosperous career, it’s only natural to wonder about his net worth.
How much has the rapper earned over the years, and where does he stand in relation to his fellow industry titans? In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at Busta Rhymes’ net worth and explore just how he’s managed to amass such an impressive fortune.
Early Life and Career
Busta Rhymes, whose real name is Trevor George Smith Jr., was born on May 20, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York City. He grew up in a Jamaican family and moved around quite a bit during his youth, living in Long Island and even spending time in the United Kingdom. Busta Rhymes began his music career in the late 1980s as a member of the East Coast hip-hop group Leaders of the New School.
Born in 1972 in Brooklyn, Busta Rhymes, went to high school with Jay-Z, DMX, and the Notorious B.I.G. In 1989, he, along with fellow rappers like Charlie Brown and Cut Monitor Milo, formed a group that was called Leaders of the New School. They opened for other rap acts like Public Enemy and also released their own music. Their album A Future without a Past was released under the Elektra Records label. However, despite the group’s success, Busta Rhymes became its breakout star and rose to his own level of recognition and success among his fan base.
Aside from his passion for music, Busta was also a high achiever in academics and sports.
After graduating from high school, he continued his studies at Uniondale High School in Long Island, New York. Busta’s upbringing in a Caribbean-American household contributed to his love of music, particularly reggae and hip-hop. He developed a unique rapping style, which helped him stand out in the music industry.
Busta Rhyme’s outlandish style, combined with his ability to excel in academics and sports, led him to his successful music career. He has released numerous studio albums and worked with famous artists like Mariah Carey, Chris Brown, Janet Jackson, and Lil Wayne. Despite his success in the music industry, Busta Rhymes values his personal life, fashion sense, and the importance of education.
His solo work brought him international fame and established him as one of the greatest MCs ever. He released his debut solo album, “The Coming,” in 1996, which featured the hit single “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check.” This album marked a breakthrough in his career and showcased his distinct rapid-fire lyrical flow. Busta Rhymes continued to release successful albums in the 2000s and even returned in 2020 with the critically acclaimed album “Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God.”
His fast rapping style and innovative music videos have become defining features of his work, solidifying his place in the hip-hop industry.
Career Beginnings
Busta Rhymes began his music career as a member of the hip-hop group Leaders of the New School. The group’s unique sound and style gained them popularity in the late 1980s, but unfortunately, they eventually split due to creative differences.
After the group’s split, Busta Rhymes began collaborating with other artists and working on his solo career. In his early solo career, Busta Rhymes released albums like “The Coming” and “When Disaster Strikes,” which helped establish him as one of hip-hop’s most prolific and successful rappers.
Busta Rhymes’ unique rapping style and his success in the music industry helped him rise to fame as one of hip-hop’s most well-known and respected record producers and artists. Despite his success, Busta Rhymes has remained true to his roots and has continued to produce successful albums to this day. His journey from a talented member of a hip-hop group to a successful solo artist is a testament to his dedication, perseverance, and ability to stand out in a highly competitive music industry.
Rise to Fame
Busta Rhymes rose to fame after his tenure as a member of the hip-hop group Leaders of the New School. Following his time with the group, he transitioned into a solo career, which took off with the release of his debut album, “The Coming.” The album was a hit, producing several successful singles, including “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check” and “It’s A Party.”
Busta Rhymes continued to release successful albums, such as “When Disaster Strikes” and “Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front,” which solidified his position as one of hip-hop’s premier artists. He also collaborated with popular artists, including Mariah Carey on “I Know What You Want” and Janet Jackson on “What’s It Gonna Be?!”
In 1992, he began appearing on other rappers’ albums, collaborating on songs that helped establish him as a viable solo act. His debut album, The Coming, was released in 1996 to much acclaim, solidifying his place in the hip hop and rap industry.
Since then, he has gone on to record seven more solo albums, all of which have been well-received by his fans and critics. His net worth continues to grow because of his musical prowess. However, in addition to making his own music, he has also expanded his career to become a record producer in his own right. He has lent his talent to help up-and-coming rap stars gain their own level of success in the music industry.
Busta Rhymes became a household name in the music industry through his outlandish style and unique rapping style. His success paved the way for future rappers and helped establish the hip-hop genre in mainstream music.
Awards and Accolades
Busta Rhymes has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his successful career as an American rapper and record producer. He has been recognized for his exceptional performances and contributions to the music industry by various award-giving bodies.
Some of the accolades he has received include BET Hip Hop Awards, Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, and the International Dance Music Award. He has won six BET Hip Hop Awards and one Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Award, among others. His unique rapping style and talent have earned him a place among the world’s most talented rappers. Recognized for his contributions to the industry, Busta Rhymes continues to be celebrated for his music and influence.
Busta Rhyme’s Net Worth
Busta Rhymes, the renowned rapper and actor, has an estimated net worth of $20 million. Throughout his impressive career in the music industry, Busta Rhymes has earned success and recognition for his unique rapping style and intricate lyrics. He has amassed his wealth through his successful music career, which began with the release of his debut album, “The Coming,” in 1996. The album was a critical and commercial success, certified platinum by the RIAA.
Apart from music, the American rapper has also ventured into business endeavors. In 2011, he founded Conglomerate Records, which has signed several artists. Additionally, he has been featured in several television shows and films, including “Narc” and “Shaft.” He has also been associated with several endorsement deals, including campaigns for popular brands like Mountain Dew.
His IMDB.com profile shows that he has 17 acting credits to his name. He appeared first in the 1993 film Who’s the Man as the character Jawaan. He then went on to star in the 2000 film Shaft and the movie Finding Forrester that same year. His most recent films include Full Clip, released in 2006; Breaking Point, made in 2009; and The Unforgiven, which hit the big screen in 2011. He has also done voice-over work for movies like The Rugrats, voicing the Raptor, and video games like Dude…We’re Going to Rio, and Def Jam Fight for NY.
In addition to acting and doing voice-over roles, Rhymes also contributed to creating soundtracks for numerous films, video games, and TV shows. He is credited with helping on soundtracks for Madden NFL 15, a video game released in 2014, and Rio 2, a movie created in 2014. He has performed on the popular dance TV series So You Think You Can Dance Canada, appearing in eight episodes from 2008 to 2011.
Busta Rhymes has made several investments that have contributed to his wealth. In 2013, he purchased a $2 million mansion in Florida. Additionally, he has invested in stocks, including ownership in companies like Apple and Microsoft.
Forbes estimates that Busta Rhymes earned $9 million from 2018 to 2019, primarily through his music and business endeavors. The publication also reports that he signed a contract with Cash Money Records in 2011, reportedly worth several million dollars. His net worth reflects his accomplishments and contributions to the entertainment industry as he continues to excel in both music and acting.
Comparing Busta Rhymes’ net worth to other rappers in the industry.
When comparing Busta Rhymes’ net worth to other rappers in the industry, it is clear that he has achieved significant success. With a net worth of $20 million, Busta Rhymes stands as one of the notable figures in hip-hop.
While there are other rappers who have amassed larger fortunes, such as Jay-Z and Kanye West, Busta Rhymes’ contributions to the music industry and his impressive body of work cannot be overlooked.
He has solidified his place as one of the greatest MCs ever and continues to be highly respected in the rap community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Busta Rhymes has had a remarkable career in the music and entertainment industry. He has left an indelible mark on pop culture, and his contributions to the hip-hop genre continue to inspire future generations of rappers. With an estimated net worth of over $20 million, Busta Rhymes has built an impressive legacy that extends beyond his music and includes his business ventures and acting endeavors.
Rhymes has become so influential with his status in the acting and music arenas that he has been called into help his fellow performers. He was the composer for the video Pimpin’ 101 and directed Hype Williams: The Video, Volume 1. He continues to be an in-demand performer and will likely keep adding to his net worth through endeavors such as these.
Busta Rhymes has demonstrated that success in the music industry is possible with hard work, dedication, and perseverance. He has proven to be an inspirational figure to aspiring musicians and a testament to personal and professional growth potential.
As he continues to pioneer in the music industry, Busta Rhymes’s legacy will likely endure and inspire future artists to push the boundaries of the genre even further. Undoubtedly, his contributions to the industry will be remembered, and his influence will continue to shape the future of hip-hop music and pop culture.