Busta Rhymes et Mystikal signent chez Young Money Cash Money Billionaires

Last night it was announced that both Busta Rhymes and Mystikal have joined the Cash Money squad. At the ages of 39 and 41, they seemed like unlikely candidates for the team, whose Young Money members are mostly under 30. Busta has stayed relevant over the years with a steady stream of releases (including yesterday's new single launched with Google Music) and guest features. Mystikal, on the other hand, was locked up for six years and just got out last year. His last studio album was back in 2001.

Yesterday, Busta Rhymes took control of the Internet conversation, as it was clear that he had signed to Cash Money. The revelation created a firestorm of discussion. Many people opposed the move, and others were all for seeing the New York Giant get down with the house that Baby, Slim, and Wayne built. I believe this is a great move for Busta Rhymes as long as he is able to remain “Busta Rhymes” as we know him along with the added the muscle of Cash Money. Here are the “5 Reasons Why Busta Signing To Cash Money Is Good.” Read it, then love it or hate it. Either or.

1) Access to the hottest talents in the game…for free. Up front, your hate or distaste for CMYM doesn’t matter. They have Nicki, Wayne, Drake, Baby, and a bunch of others. They are winning. Busta Rhymes has been a winner, but has seen a strain on his long career. Stop hating, and I mean hating. Those the balk at the signing said nothing when he was on Aftermath, under that umbrella. So, why care about this one? At least, he’ll get a release date and top-notch features.

2) Busta has done well with staying in the public eye. You have Jay-Z and a few other 90′s that are still playing in “the league,” but very few. This now gives him an opportunity to be re-introduced to the 14-year-olds that weren’t even alive when Busta killed “The Arsenio Hall Show” with A Tribe Called Quest. (Google that!)

3) Speaking of the youth, these days, they don’t get to enjoy the spoils of lyricism that some of us grew up with. Perhaps Busta Rhymes, with his CMYM pals, can help usher in a new appreciation for lyrics. Nobody, and I do mean nobody, is spitting like Busta on records like “Look At Me Now,” which was actually Chris Brown’s hit record.

4) Given the opportunity, you would sign to Cash Money, too. Don’t front.

5) Last, but not least, it’s just a good look for Busta Rhymes. Looking at the tweets, people act like this is the the mid-90s we’re talking about. The Flipmode Squad is gone. The Bushi clothing line is gone. Even the super expensive video budgets have dried up. But, Busta Rhymes is still here…and he’s an awesome lyricist. He’s a rapper that has done what only a few have done, and that’s stayed relevant in Hip-Hop for over 20 years. That’s right, Busta debuted with a group called Leaders of the New School in the late 80s/early 90s.

Some people plead that he’s a legend and shouldn’t be signing under another banner, especially one as commercially ubiquitous as Cash Money/Young Money. Busta is a grown man so why shouldn’t he – at this stage of his career – be making moves that further secure his family’s future? How many of you copped his last album in 2009? He’s never been a business man in the manner of a Jay-Z, so why pretend to be? He’s never once shown a penchant for the indie rapper life. So let Busta live. He’s an artist! He’s got the lyrics, he’s tenured in Hip-Hop and now he’s got the added industry clout to add nine more lives onto an already incredible career.

Long live Busta Rhymes.

BUSTA RHYMES SIGNS TO CAH MONEY RECORDS from DERICK G on Vimeo.