Busta Rhymes Talks Working With Cam’ron and Gucci Mane on Year Of The Dragon Album

Busta Rhymes counts plenty of star-studded guest appearances on his new free album, Year Of The Dragon. The veteran rapper loved putting together all of the collaborations—which included the likes of Lil Wayne, Rick Ross and Trey Songz to name a few—but ask him for a couple of his personal favorites and he’s quick to answer: Cam’ron and Gucci Mane.

When recently talking to XXL at Platinum Sound Recording Studios, Busta broke down and explained both collaborations.

“The [Biggie] 'Dreams of Fucking an R&B Bitch' beat—me and Gucci Mane did a record over that called, ‘Make It Look Easy,’” Busta said. “There wasn’t no 808 [drum], when Biggie did it. There’s an 808 on it now and I thought it was important to do a record like that because a lot of New York artists look to do that South sound, so I thought it was dope to get a dope South artist to come fuck with a traditional New York sound.”

Speaking of New York, Busa Buss had his fellow NYC rhyme slinger, Cam’ron, in mind for the record, “Sound Boy.”

“Killa is on this album in such a crazy way!” Busta said in jubilation. “Cam is a friend of mine and Cam can spit! That ni--a’s nice. I was like, ‘Ni—as haven’t really done a record with Cam in some time. Let me give ni--as a pleasant surprise.

“The beat was produced by Boi-1da and when Cam came in[the studio], he listened to the beat for about five minutes and immediately blacked out. He spit his shit and killed it. It was a moment that I take great pleasure in because the process was nice and easy. Cam knew exactly what to do with this shit.”

Despite the more marquee rap names, Busta also made sure to include his Conglomerate MCs, Reek Da Villain and J Doe, who appear on two tracks apiece.

“I think it’s important to break your artists,” Busta said sternly.

Year Of The Dragon was released yesterday (August 21) via Google Play, which Busta Rhymes has a partnership with.—Mark Lelinwalla