Busta Rhymes shook up the 30th Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans with an, uh, memorable performance over the weekend.
The iconic New York rapper paused his set on Friday to address the seemingly distracted crowd at the Caesars Superdome.
Rhymes, 52, began shouting curses at the crowd to command their attention.
“Ayo, f--- them camera phones, too. Let’s get back to interacting like humans. Put them weird a-- devices down,” Rhymes told the crowd. “I ain’t from that era. Them s---- don’t control the soul. F--- your phone.”
The rapper went on to tell the crowd he would single every person out that was still in their seat.
“Thirty-three years of doing this s---, I ain’t used to n----- sitting down at my show. I don’t give a f---! All age groups, get your a-- up now!” he shouted.
Busta Rhymes took to Instagram to address the Essence Fest situation. The Essence Festival is a sprawling African-American culture and music fest featuring musicians, entertainers and speakers. It is held annually in New Orleans.
“JUST FOR THE RECORD WHAT Y’ALL SAW THEM GIVING WITH THAT WRONG NARRATIVE ABOUT FRUSTRATION WITH THE CROWD NOT ROCKING WITH US IS CALLED “SHOWMANSHIP” RESPECTFULLY!!” the rapper wrote.
Busta Rhymes is currently touring working on the “Out of This World” tour with rapper Missy Elliott, singer Ciara and producer Timbaland.
The New York-born rap star is best known for hits like “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See,” “Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check,” “Make It Clap,” “Touch It,” and more.
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