1996 Rewind: Remembering Busta Rhymes’ The Coming

1996 is one of the most beloved years in hip-hop and R&B, so we’re going to spend all month celebrating its greatness! All 2026, we’re turning the clock back 30 years to review, revisit and relive the most pivotal moments of Black music in that era. And, of course, I’ll be joined by a host of music homies as we debate the best of the best.

Wanna know why 1996 was such a game changer? Look no further than the Dungeon Dragon himself. Busta Rhymes’ debut didn’t just break the mold, it obliterated it, ushering in a new level of creativity that reimagined what hip-hop could be. It’s hard to put into words how truly groundbreaking The Coming was, but Deland Wilson and I are about to try!

Let’s get started as we always do: Share your thoughts of when you first heard The Coming.

Deland: Busta was already bubblin’ behind his guest features on Craig Mack’s “Flava In Your Ear Remix” & Boyz II Men’s “Vibin’ Remix”, so the anticipation for his solo project was pretty high.  But when he dropped his single “Woo-Hah”, that anticipation went through the ROOF!  The video was coupled with a snippet of “Everything Remains Raw” and the vocal energy he encompassed was sooo contagious…making his album’s first listen simply mind-blowing & exciting!

Edd: I hate starting these things out with puns but The Coming felt like, well, a long time coming. By 1996 hip-hop fans were well acquainted with Busta Rhymes’ brand of hysteria. From Leaders of the New School to a dizzying array of remixes – most of which Deland already highlighted – Busta was this ever-present lyrical whirlwind. He simultaneously sounded out of place but absolutely essential on every track. That’s not a diss, that’s admiration. But when we finally heard Busta on his own on “Woo-Hah,” it was like we were transported on another realm of rap. I’ve often called 1996 a year of innovation, and trust, there was NOTHING that sounded like “Woo-Hah” before, or even since. Combine that with the grittiness of “Everything Remains Raw” and I was ALL IN for Busta’s debut. While its overall scale was not as grandiose (and bizarre) as that first single, it was still extremely unique and authentically hip-hop. I loved it.

Your pick for best song? And why?

Deland: “Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check”

My pick for best song would have to be “Woo-Hah”…the Busta of ’96 was a complete enigma and I feel this song’s production as well as his quirky cadence on it best summed up his artistic plot for this album.

Edd: “Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check”

I really wanted to go with “Everything Remains Raw.” The delivery is as chaotic as “Woo-Hah” but feels much more aggressive and focused. However, “Woo-Hah” is just too undeniable. That hook. That production. That delivery. That video (more on that in a sec). It was the perfect balance of 90s silliness and top-tier 90s mc’ing. Don’t let the zaniness fool you – lyrically, there’s a master at work here. One of the best singles in rap history.

Busta was the king of music videos in the 1990s. Which song made the best visuals?

Deland: “Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check”

This superlative would have to again go to “Woo-Hah” as it was our first glimpse into his larger-than-life video creativity and that style was unseen at the time.

Edd: “Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check”

It’s nearly impossible to describe this video to someone who hasn’t seen it for themselves, especially if they didn’t live through the Hype Williams era of music video excess. Your lyric videos of 2026 could NEVER. In one scene, we get random close-ups of Busta’s face while a smaller version of himself leaps around. The next, he’s flailing around like Gollum in a bubble goose jacket. Then he’s screaming at you in a room with sloppily painted stars, while wearing and outfit that matches the decor. Multiple version of Rampage yell about FLIPMODE BEING THE SQUAD. The video makes no sense but the aura is unbelievable. The loud colors, the insane fashion, it all helps capture Busta’s wild personality and adds to the chaos of the song itself. Groundbreaking in so many ways.

What’s the most underrated song on this project?

Deland: “Do My Thing”

I feel “Do My Thing” was very underrated due to hip-hop’s mainstream musical climate at the time, but it’s STILL a gem in his discography nonetheless.

Edd: “Abandon Ship”

The Coming is mostly celebrated for its singles and the Def Squad/Flipmode Squad confrontation but y’all sleep on “Abandon Ship.” It goes HARD. I know his solo aspirations didn’t work out to well but I contend that Rampage was vastly underrated as a performer and made a great partner for Bussa Buss. Their tag team flow is so infectious over this hard-hitting production. It’s a head-nodder.

Busta is known for mind-blowing production too. What’s the best beat here?

Deland: “It’s A Party”

My vote would have to go to “It’s A Party”…it was a great blend of thick drums with lush vibraphone chords ad funky guitar riffs that could appeal to any listener.

Edd: “Everything Remains Raw”

Easy Mo Bee will go down as one of the most unsung producers of his generation. He rarely gets the credit he deserves. And he deserves ALL the credit for the menacing masterpiece that is “Everything Remains Raw.” Busta rants and raves like a madman over a pretty subdued, creeping beat – it shouldn’t work, but it absolutely does.

Which song should have been a single?

Deland: “Ill Vibe”

Busta & Q-Tip should’ve put “Ill Vibe” out as a single, which would’ve been a good setup for A Tribe Called Quest’s Beats, Rhymes & Life album that came out later that year.

Edd: “Everything Remains Raw”

This is tough. Like Deland, I wanted to go with “Ill Vibe,” but it might be a little too understated for radio, especially coming after “Woo-Hah” and the grown ‘n sexy vibe of “It’s a Party.” “Flipmode Squad Meets Def Squad” would be super fun but that song is nearly 10 minutes, so that’s a no. The only other option is “Everything Remains Raw” – it retains the manic energy that Busta brought to his first single and that hook is undeniable. It’s probably too gritty for top 40 but I could see it burning up the Rap City countdown on BET. Plus, we already got a teaser with the “Woo-Hah “video, it’s not much of a stretch.

Who had the standout feature on this album?

Deland: Redman on “Flipmode Squad Meets Def Squad”

Redman had the BEST feature on “Flipmode Squad Meets Def Squad” and it wasn’t even close, but Busta could’ve picked a beat for this dope collaboration idea.

Edd: Redman on “Flipmode Squad Meets Def Squad”

Yeah, Reggie runs away with this one. I’m a big Lord Have Mercy stan (he was a star in the making, in my eyes) but Redman was just on another level on that track. “Creepin’ on MCs like Vietnamese in Army fatigues” is just an insane bar.

How does The Coming show Busta’s evolution from his days with Leaders of the New School?

Deland: This album DEFINITELY shows Busta’s artistic growth since LONS…his persona ALONE ran CIRCLES around the other members in multiple ways.  His song selection, cadence, style, & song structure differs from EVERYTHING he did with LONS.  His departure from the group was inevitable…they couldn’t keep up.

Edd: As Deland mentioned, Busta always was the standout in LONS. He had the voice and the personality. But by 1996, Busta was more than That Gremlin Sounding Guy from the Remixes. He upgraded his visual presentation – not just music videos, personal style as well. He was as known for his fashion as his bars, a key selling point in the evolving world on late 90s hip-hop. And he diversified his delivery –from jazzy storytelling to cypher standout to radio hitmaker. This album showcased every facet of his game. Simply put, Busta went from entertaining sidekick to main character energy.

In terms of his influence on hip-hop culture, is Busta’s legacy underrated, overrated or properly rated?

Deland: I would say his legacy is slightly underrated…he would’ve been almost forgotten had he not done the Chris Brown feature some years ago.  His diligent dedication to bars and style is a musical characteristic that seems to be semi-lost on today’s artists as well as the listeners.

Edd: Absolutely underrated. That “Look At Me Now” verse is a gift and a curse. Deland is right – sure, it helped endear him to a new generation of fans and kept him relevant in an era that shunned legends. But even those of us who were around in 1996 forget just how innovative this man was. His vision dragged rap music videos from the street corners to the Andromeda galaxy. His bombastic personality and willingness to be in on the jokes broke the mold when his peers were determined to be too cool for school. And his wild lyricism proved that setting yourself apart is the key to stardom. He’s a big reason why the look and feel of hip-hop shifted in the late 90s, a shift that we take for granted today. Busta is one of music’s greatest innovators and deserves way more love for his vision.

Where would you rank The Coming in Busta’s discography?

Deland: I would rank this album as his BEST…he kept it relatively short at 13 total tracks in comparison to his usual 17 or more tracks, which made for a tighter listen.

Edd: I find it interesting that there isn’t a definite consensus on the best Busta project. Some (like me) say 1998’s Extinction Level Event. Others point to the sophomore release When Disaster Strikes. And, like Deland, plenty name The Coming as the pinnacle. I personally place The Coming at No. 2 on his all-time list. I think ELE is the elevation of the groundwork Busta laid on The Coming – the hits, the posse cuts, the bangers, production and the over-the-top performances. ELE may be peak, but The Coming was the foundation.

Whom do you agree with, Deland or Edd? Let us know and share your Bussa Buss memories below.