Highlights From The Busta Rhymes & Friends Hot For The Holidays Concert

With all the debate surrounding Top 10 Rappers helped by Jadakiss’ Top 5 Dead Alive release, the conversation who belongs is indeed rampant.  Subconsciously,  the current state of affairs in Hip Hop is the perfect opportunity for individuals to cement their place. One person who I will admit has never hit my T5DOA list is one Busta Rhymes. With the result of the turnout from this past weekends Hot 97 sponsored Hot For the Holidays concert, this weekend I had to put my foot in my mouth.  Talent aside, Busta Rhymes’ influence on the industry, and the culture of Hip Hop as a whole is undeniable. Here are the highlights from the Busta Rhymes & Friends Hot for the Holidays concert.

Headlining The Prudential Center Busta Rhymes orchestrated a flawless lineup, bringing together a legendary cast of supporters. Showing love to the standouts of todays class, Sevyn Streeter, Fetty Wap, Jeremih and French Montana put on masterfully before the man of the night hit the ground running bringing out

Mariah Carey for a phenomenal “Give It To Me” performance. Not done there, Busta brought to the stage the reigning Queen of Hip Hop and R&B Mary J with timeless cuts performing “Real Love,” “Be Without You,” “Take Me As I Am,” and “Love No Limit.” after she nailing her “All I Need” collaboration with Method Man who remained on stage bringing out Redman to run through classic cuts from their 1999 BlackOut release. I can truly cross a couple of items off of my bucket list having seen those two Kings hit the stage, taking the energy level up 12 notches like you would expect.

Helping me live out my bucket list, CNN (yes Capone N Noreaga) hit the stage as NORE gave us “Super Thug” and “Nothing” leading the way for OT Genasis with “Coco” and his new smash “Cut It.” Mixing perfectly some new with old once again, the crowd welcomed J Doe to the stage as he performed his “Theme Song” track before the arena was taken up again with Busta’s “Stop The Party” featuring Swizz Beatz which transitioned to “New York Shit,” the perfect theme for a night when many of our legends were attendance.  

The overwhelming reverence that each individual hit the stage with for Bussa Buss’ contribution and longevity was awe-inspiring none more moving then Rick Ross’ homage after performing “Don’t Stop” alongside French Montana.  Lil Wayne followed suit saluting the OG after running through “A Milli” and “6 Foot 7 Foot.” The legendary Wu imprint was represented well as Meth and Raekwon got together on “Cream” and “Ice Cream,” before Chef hit the day one fans with “Incarcerated Scarfaces.”

Before you knew it, Busta was screaming where’s my guy at, and who but Mr MMM himself, Puff Daddy hit the stage for Billboard chart topping “Pass The Curvoisier,” Puff’s “Ocho Cinco” and “Mo Money Problems” before Jadakiss and Lil Kim kicked in with “All About The Benjamins” segue into Kiss taking us up to the 914 with “D Block (2 Gunz Up).”  

History was made, in Busta’s words as Victory rang loud and clear before Busta rolled out the red carpet for Charlie Brown and Dinco D flashing their Leaders Of The New School catalog in epic manner including the Q-Tip featured “Scenario.” Closing out the show, Q Tip implored all concert goers to truly pay their respect to a first class individual, first class MC and one of the only individuals walking this earth who could galvanize an arena the way Busta Rhymes did this past weekend. I salute you king.

If New York Hip Hop needed motivation, ask no more, Busta Rhymes has answered the calling.

Busta Rhymes and Friends: Hot for the Holidays concert presented by Footaction.