Busta Rhymes Net Worth

What Is Busta Rhymes‘ Net Worth

Trevor George Smith Jr is best known by his stage name Busta Rhymes. In the mid-2000s, He is a world-renowned rapper, and currently, his net worth is estimated at $20 million.

Born to Geraldine Green and Trevor Smith Sr, Busta rhymes was raised in Uniondale, Long Island, for his short stint in high school. He was a schoolmate with some notable hip-hop legends like Notorious B.I.G and Jay z.

In 1986, Busta along with some friends at the age of 17 formed the hip-hop group leaders of the new school. The group was signed to Elektra records, but the group separated.

After the split, Busta Rhymes became a solo artist and featured as a guest artist for numerous popular names. Busta had his first solo break from his first album, coming with the hit single “woo ahh,” got y’all in check.

Busta made his acting debut with the movie who’s the man, and since then, he has gone on to feature in other movies and TV shows. He has enjoyed a successful career registering hit songs and features.

Busta Rhymes released one of the greatest hit collections, Genesis 2001, which earned him a billboard entry. On October 30, 2020, the album extinction level event featuring notable artists was released.

The album was highlighted by Forbes: specifically the title track featuring Kendrick Lamar for the song “look over your shoulder.”

Busta Rhymes’ Earnings Overview

Busta Rhymes has a net worth of $20 million. This is due to his successful music career. His album the big bang sold over 200,000 copies in a week topping the charts.

The album, “the coming,” sold 797,000 copies in the USA alone, generating an estimated $910,000 in 1996. His net worth is a culmination of earnings from his career as a rapper, songwriter, producer, and actor.

He earned a respectable sum in the 90s, but the high tax rate greatly impacted this. In 2014, the IRS approached him for his federal tax bill, reportedly estimated at $790,000.

His financial status was also affected by his many legal issues; however, Busta rhymes earn an impressive $ 7.3 million per year.

Early life

Trevor George Smith Jr was born in the neighborhood of Brooklyn on May 20, 1972, to Geraldine Green and Trevor Smith Sr, both from Jamaica. He has one sibling, a brother, Paul Smith.

He started a hip-hop group with his friends Charlie Brown, Dinco D, and Co. The group was signed to Elektra records. The group started gaining prominence when they had the chance to open for the public enemy.

Busta Rhymes began his solo career in 1992 after the group broke up. In 2000, he recorded his first album for Elektra records. Then, he switched to J records, owned by Clive Davies, who discovered Whitney Houston.

Personal Life

Busta has enjoyed living a private kind of life. He had partners, but the longest relationship was with Joanne Woods, whom he had been with for ten years. She had three sons with the rapper T’zlar, T’khl, and Trillian Wood Smith.

The relationship with Joanne started when they were in high school. He attempted to propose to Joanne Woods, but it never led to anything. The relationship ended when the rapper discovered that she was a lesbian.

The other women he had a relationship with were Karrine Steffans, Eden Warel, and Deelishis, and they bore him children.

Career

Busta Rhyme’s style of music originated from his root, and it’s a combination of patois & Jamaican slangs. This makes his rap lyrics unique, along with his dreadlocks.

After separation from his hip-hop group, he launched his solo career under the same Elektra record label dropping consecutive hits till his switch in 2000. In 2009 he signed a deal with Universal Motown where he released his eighth studio album “back on my B.S.”

The album became his first to receive an RIAA certification, selling 122,000 copies. He made his film debut in 1995, and has featured in other movies and TV shows.

He has helped in providing soundtracks for video games such as Grand Theft Auto 2009, Def  Jam fight for NY 2004 and 2006 editions. According to BBC, Busta Rhymes songs has been categorized as one of the best mix-tape and most played.

Highlights

• First album “The Coming” – 1996
• BET best collaboration – 2011
• First movie feature – 1993
• Soul train award for best video  – 2000
• Film debut – 1995

Awards and Achievements

For his successful career, he is the winner of the following awards

• Billboard hip hop awards for hot R&B hip hop song sales 2011
• Best hip hop video BET awards 2011
• BET awards for best collaboration 2011
• BET awards for video of the year 2002
• BET awards for best live performer 2006
• Soul train award for best video 2000

Lifestyle

The rapper owns a mansion in Malibu which he acquired for an estimated 7 million dollars. The artist’s taste in cars is high and classy. He owns a list of expensive cars, the favorite being his yellow and green Lamborghini Aventador, which is worth $500,000 currently.

Busta Rhymes also owns a Rolls Royce Phantom, with its current market value estimated at $400,000. He owns an extravagant set of jewelry in his collection of over-the-top statement pieces.

All his pieces are estimated between $1000 – $100,000. He also wears different brands ranging from Givenchy to Louis Vuitton. His love for sneakers made him a collector, and he owned a footwear line.

Busta loves to write songs and confessed that he had made much money from songwriting.

Latest News

During the Grammy awards in 2017, Busta Rhymes called Donald Trump president Agent Orange and condemned the Muslim ban. This was during his performance and was the most politically charged performance of the night.

In 2021 Busta Rhymes hit the headlines when he was criticized for his anti-mask tirade during the Covid-19. He was quoted to say, “Some of y’all might feel differently, but fuck your mask.”  He made this statement during the Seoul Tacos 10^th anniversary block party.

Summary

Busta Rhymes started his music career at an early age. He has been able to leave a mark with his unmatched influence in the industry. With a net worth of over $20 million, he is one of the rappers that has proven that hip hop is profitable but with a few rough lines.