Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso proclaimed Nov. 23, 2024, Busta Rhymes Trevor George Smith, Jr. Day and issued a Citation celebrating the rap artist’s legacy. The Citation reads, “whereas all of Brooklyn joins today to honor and recognize the artist at the Assembly District 58 Annual Harvesting Health and Harmony Thanksgiving celebration.”
The Citation read for all Brooklynites: “I recognize Busta Rhymes Trevor George Smith Jr. for his noble service. I celebrate his authenticity and artistry a legacy inspired by Brooklyn that has made an impact all over the world. I thank him for giving back to our community, especially East Flatbush. I witnessed his iconic style and creative influence, which have left a permanent mark on rap music and culture. I celebrate you, Trevor Busta Rhymes George Smith Jr., for all that you have done and will continue to do. I, Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Borough President, hereby proclaim November 23rd, 2024, as Busta Rhymes Day.”
The well-loved iconic artist and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a former student of PS 135 on Linden Blvd. and Schenectady Avenue, where the event was held, also received a Proclamation from Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who applauded the Grammy-winner as a transformative artist, musician, actor, and philanthropist who helped to define an era of hip-hop and rap, inspiring thousands of artists and engaging millions of fans for decades.
“His voice has been ubiquitous. His beloved hits have used his unique lyrical techniques and high-speed rapping style to stand up for hip-hop music. He is known for raising the bar for other rappers and artists. Busta Rhymes has been recognized as a key figure in the age of hip hop. Hip hop is forever changed because Busta Rhymes, along with his informational musical skills and inventive work as a rapper, has also contributed to his community. He lives by his mantra, ‘Blessings don’t stop,'” said the Public Advocate.
Williams said Busta Rhymes has blessed others by paying it forward, mentoring youth, and annually providing turkeys for underserved families throughout Brooklyn, especially within East Flatbush, where he grew up. He provides books and toys at local hospitals and warm coats to the community during Christmas time.
It continued that Busta Rhymes’ work is hugely influential and remains on many lists of the most revered by fans and critics alike. His music and his service will continue to connect with people in the world, including here in New York. “Therefore, be it resolved that I Jumaane Williams, Public Advocate for the City of New York recognize Busta Rhymes for his artistry as foundationally present in the history of hip-hop, in celebration of the life and work of Busta Rhymes.
Assemblywoman Monique Chandler Waterman, in collaboration with the Speaker of the New York State Assembly, Carl E. Heastie, presented Busta Rhymes with a Proclamation exalting the incredible contribution the rapper made to his Brooklyn neighborhood and the world.
It described the Rapper as one of the greatest Emcees of all time, going on to make a difference in his community with then-future rappers notorious BIG and Jay-Z.
He attended Uniondale High School and later joined the hip-hop group “Leaders of the New School.” At 17, he signed his first record contract with Elektra Records and attracted national attention when he toured with Public Enemy.
He attended PS 135 and later became a solo artist, producing an album in 1996 that became certified platinum, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard charts and earning him a Grammy nomination. The document states that he has released 11 studio albums.
It spoke of the rapper’s turkey distribution and the numerous citations he previously received from New York elected officials, the BET Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Global Icon Award from MTV. The Proclamation ended by noting that Assembly Member Heastie honors Busta Rhymes.
“We love you, the blessings Don’t Stop, and we wouldn’t stop,” said Assembly Member Chandler Waterman.
The talented rapper performed his classic hits, “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See” and “I Know What You Want,” among others, much to the delight of screaming fans with hype man William “Spliff Star” Lewis by his side. He recalled his journey living in Brooklyn on 45th Street and attending PS 135. He was also a student at M.S. Walt Wittman 246.
He expressed gratitude for the love and welcome he received from Brooklynites and spoke of his mother moving him to Long Island for a better environment. He also described how his career as a rapper began and matured due to the inspiration of rappers like Special Ed, LL Cool J, Charlie Brown, and others.
Rhymes, who recently completed a video with Jamaican Dancehall artist Barrington Levy on the streets of Brooklyn, says that after touring for a long time, he yawns to sit down on a Brooklyn stoop with a Heineken and Wray & Nephew White and goes back to old times, listening to good music, and getting a chef to prepare good food. ” We used to cook in the yard, and the whole block would pull up.”
“I’m sharing these stories because these are the memorable moments that move me around Brooklyn so that I could be here and become the embodiment of Brooklyn.”
“I love y’all, and I love home, and I thank God for this moment; I really appreciate it. Even if I am on the road, we will have the incredible Buster Rhymes Day Nov. 23 celebration, and we’re going to work towards collectively making this a bigger, festive event,” said the slimmed-down, sleek-looking rapper.
“We all must participate in the work that we need to do to lift each other up. It is not just to party. I want to thank Assembly Member Monique Chandler Waterman and Dr. Meda Leacock for putting this event together to uplift the community; we ‘gotta’ keep that in mind first and foremost, and after we do our job and fulfill our obligations lifting the city up, the blessings don’t stop. I salute Brooklyn,” said the Touch It and Break Ya Neck recording artist.
Citations from Public Advocate Jumaane Williams were also presented to rappers William “Spliff Star” Lewis and Edward “Special Ed” Archer, both from East Flatbush, Brooklyn.
