Posted on 06/02/2009
Busta Rhymes did a grave disservice naming his 8th album Back On My B.S. The title alludes to a return to the days where he made everyone "put there hands where their eyes could see." The end result couldn't be further from the truth. What was guaranteed a revitalization of one of the most animated characters in hip-hop history turned out to be the absolute worst entry to the catalogue of a respected MC whose creative well has clearly been tapped.

"Wheel of Fortune," the opening track, starts the album off on a good note then systematically falls apart. Songs like "Give Em What They Askin For," "Hustler's Anthem 09" and "Sugar" are frail skeletons of the formulas Bus is known for executing effortlessly and the patois-tinged "Kill Dem" is a complete farce. The controversial single, "Arab Money," is so disgracefully embarrassing, there has to be a moment when the "Scenario"-era Busta Rhymes shed a tear.

There are a few flickers of respectable material, none brighter than "Decision," a piano-driven soul stirrer courtesy of Aftermath producer Mr. Porter featuring the all star cast of Jamie Foxx, John Legend, Common and Mary J. Blige. Also, to not feature any production from the late J Dilla (of whom every previous Busta LP has at least one beat from) is one thing. But to replace him with the tiresome synth-laden, auto-tuned melodies from second rate beatsmiths is sheer blasphemy. Perhaps it's purely coincidence that the abbreviation of the album title spells out "bombs" but it perfectly illustrates his career (post-haircut) as his last two LPs have been just that.

- Kendred Spirit