Was Busta Rhymes ever one of the 5 best rappers in NYC?

[Street Knowledge]

At his peak. Or was he always right on the outside looking in?

His prime just happened to be at the same time as some of the greatest rappers ever who just happened to be from his state.

 

[qnsfinest]

Maybe around 2005-2006 when he dropped the big bang, he had a lot of hits during that time.

But definitely not in his early years, there were just so many nyc rappers, that I don’t believe he was even top 10 during those years.

 

[Metal Face]

From '96 to '06?

Yes he was def Top 5 for a couple of those years

 

[Black Lightning]

I would say yes.

At his peak(late 90’s/early 2000’s) he was very popular. Dude was everywhere.

 

[Solomon Lurke]

That’s a tough question. If we are posing as strictly only rapping then no for me but even then I wouldn’t be mad at anyone who says differently. If we are looking the broad view then most definitely. He had the songs, the style, the presence, marketability and so on. I guess it would just be about how we are defining it.

 

[Devil Plisken…CMS]

Take it from someone who is from the city in question…No

At his peak you’d hear the hits of course but nikkax wasn’t running around playing Busta albums or anything like that

 

[Crumple]

Take it from someone who is from the city in question…No

At his peak you’d hear the hits of course but nikkax wasn’t running around playing Busta albums or anything like that

For real? Were you born in the 70s, 80s, or 90s?

I was born in the early 80s. I was led in to his albums from.Woo Ha - incredibly original and great track and video.

I listened to The Coming and Disaster Strikes ALOT!

They were both solid very skilled and great listens.

I totally think he's one of the greats and one of the best ever.

 

[maxamusa]

The lady GaGa of rap. hell nah.

 

[Plankton]

At his peak you’d hear the hits of course but nikkax wasn’t running around playing Busta albums or anything like that

This is a lie.

The 3 albums he dropped in the late 90s was in the convos of my circle. Especially that classic 2nd album that dropped late 97 when Mase was the wave. All those albums went platinum for a reason.

 

[Nokids]

I ain’t gon front Busta got bars. He not even just a nikka that raps fast. I do feel he was always touted as a top 5 rapper in NYC at times. Overall is another good question.

 

[Plankton]

Redman lyrics from 1994 on the song Bobyahead2dis

I give props to real MC's like KRS-One
Kool G Rap, Buckshot, Busta, me....

That's Busta mentioned among 5. Now who's going to argue with Redman?

 

[Art Barr]

Busta was arguably the best nyc rapper on a few occassions.
In the inner mind eye scenario tine period..
In the promo for the coming era
Plus the put ya hands and dangerous era. Where both are the best club records in hiphop history.
Plus his later psycho collab era as well.

Art Barr

 

[the cac mamba]

Maybe around 2005-2006 when he dropped the big bang, he had a lot of hits during that time.

that was what i was gonna say. great album and he had the least competition at the time

acting like he was top 5 in like 1995 would be laughable

 

[TripleAgent]

I voted no. Top 5 popular? Sure. BEST? No.

 

[WIA20XX]

Top 5 making records in NYC...hmmm

1992 - Scenario and the Remix, might have been his first entry into the top 5.
1997 - Put your hands where my eyes can see

After that, I think NYC passed the crown, and so any time he had a hit, he was prolly in the top 5 for New York.

This is a question that could probably use some actual data though.