Busta Rhymes Name-Drops Timbaland, Pharrell Williams & Swizz Beatz As Producers On New Album

Busta Rhymes is bringing out the heavy hitters on his eleventh studio album. On Tuesday (May 16), the 50-year-old rapper – who turns 51 on Saturday – confirmed to TMZ that Timbaland, Pharrell Williams and Swizz Beatz will co-executive produce his upcoming album.

While Rhymes, legal name Trevor Smith Jr. didn’t share the release date or title of the album, he acknowledged Swizz Beatz’s “Busta Rhymes appreciation post” on Instagram from Sunday (May 14). “Y’all gotta stay tuned for further details, but it’s official,” Smith told TMZ. Reflecting on his time with Flipmode Squad and Leaders of the New School, Smith called his 30-year solo run “amazing,” while recognizing new hip-hop artists. Most recently, Smith appeared on the remix to Scar Lip’s viral hit “This Is New York.”

On Sunday, Beatz teased Smith’s upcoming project, also extending flowers to the hip-hop veteran.

“My brother’s been doing this so long, from Leaders of the New School … to headlining every major festival, tour, show. Leaders was the ’80s and Busta’s been kicking ass since [then],” the Ruff Ryders member said while filming himself on a boat.

“It’s 2023. My bro got all new deals, all new music coming out,” Beatz added. “I just want to take the time to say I appreciate my brother Busta Rhymes for his longevity, his distinctive style, voice. I wish everybody a long career like Busta Rhymes. He’s the biggest deal.”

He continued, “Cheers to my brother Busta Rhymes for life. Wait until you hear this new music this man got. The album executive produced by Swizz Beatz, Timbaland and Pharrell. Wrap your face around what that’s gonna sound like.”