OLDIES SUNDAY: @BustaRhymes – Woo-Hah!! (1996)

The Month of June is recognized as “Caribbean American Heritage Month“, and on “Oldies Sunday“, we want to highlight a few Artists who are a part of this. Today, we highlight Jamaican-American Hip Hop legend Busta Rhymes with the single, “Woo-Hah!! Got You All In Check“.

Produced by Rashad Smith and released through Elektra Records in 1996, Busta Rhymes made a crash with the single, “Woo-Hah!! Got You All In Check”. This was his debut as a Solo Artist since his departure from the “Leaders Of The New School“, a Hip Hop group that was formed with himself, Dinco D, Charlie Brown, and Cut Monitor Milo in 1994. The track’s opening was a burst of energy from Rhymes, and it gave many listeners an introduction of an Artist who would dominate the scene. “Woo-Hah!!” was inspired by Funk legend George Clinton of the Parliament-Funkadelic, Hip Hop group The Sugarhill Gang, and Dancehall’s style and delivery. Given Rhymes’ Jamaican background and the energy that Clinton’s music delivered, those were essential in the creation of this song. The song featured what would be described as the Rapper’s manic delivery with a bevvy of rhymes throughout, and it was instantly well-received. The single was followed up with a Music Video directed by Hype Williams.

“Woo-Hah!! Got You All In Check” was successful for Busta Rhymes as it gained high chart placements on Billboard in the US, UK, New Zealand, Sweden, and The Netherlands. The single was featured on Rhymes’ debut album, “The Coming“, and would go on to receive Platinum certification, selling over a Million copies. There was also a remix that was released shortly after featuring the late New York Rapper, ODB.

Since the release of “Woo-Hah!! Got You All In Check”, Busta Rhymes would cement himself as a Hip Hop legend, a Global Ambassador of Music, and a New York Hip Hop King. Born in Brooklyn, New York to Jamaican parents, he always recognized his Jamaican background and upbringing, and it would show in a number of songs he released, collaborations, and Media moments. He would release a number of albums and singles that would earn him high sales, worldwide popularity, and high-profile accolades, and he is still active in music. He is recognized during “Caribbean American Heritage Month”, and “Woo-Hah!!” remains one of his classic releases.