What's the deal folks?! Continuing the 20th anniversary salutes, this album absolutely has to be included with the best albums of that year. In '95, the world witnessed the long-awaited solo birth of hip-hop's most animated lyrical dungeon dragon and his excellent album, The Coming. The question became, "Would he do it again, or was it a one-time offering of that level of dopiness?" The answer was revealed emphatically and profoundly, as we saw a career elevated to higher heights and a star was officially here if you didn't believe it before. With that, we salute When Disaster Strikes.
Former Leaders of the New School member, Busta Rhymes, was establishing himself as one of hip-hop's most intriguing characters. However, it was his career-defining verse on A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario" that officially made him hip-hop's next big star, even without Charlie Brown and Dinco D. From there, he was guesting on tracks from Craig Mack to Boyz II Men on their very catchy hip-hop laced remix to "Vibin'". The anticipation for his debut album was at a fever pitch, and we were soon blessed with The Coming, which was accessible but very grimy at the same time. Sure, there were sure shot singles like the grown-folk vibes of "It's A Party" and the mega smash "Woo Hah! Got You All In Check", but there were others strictly for the streets such as "Everything Remains Raw", "Still Shining", and "The Finish Line". Many wondered could he repeat the same formula. MAN did he!
We were bombarded with the instant classic "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See", and we knew he was officially back. It was immediately catchy and we knew that if the rest of the album was this hot, we were in for something special, and we were. He soon dropped When Disaster Strikes, which although was a long player at nineteen tracks, was enjoyable from top to bottom. Following the theme of the impending apocalypse on the fabulous intro, outdo, and on the title track, the rest of the album was a mash-up of party-laden tracks and tracks that were just meant to get one animated like him. This was also the introduction of his crew Flipmode Squad, which consisted of lyrical femme fatale Rah Digga, best friend Spliff Star, cousin Rampage, Queensbridge resident Baby Sham, and the ever bananas Lord Have Mercy. They especially shined on the riotous "We Can Take It Outside", but other incredible tracks include the fast-paced and ridiculous "Rhymes Galore", "Get Off My Block", and "Survival Hungry". He slows it down with intoxicating reworking of Stevie Wonder's "Love's In Need Of Love Today" on the Erykah Badu-assisted "One", but brings the funk with "There's Not A Problem My Squad Can't Fix", "Get High Tonight", and "Turn It Up".
There's literally something for everyone that's a fan of Busta. It's not an overly serious album, but he sticks to his animated, hype style for the most part that's guaranteed to keep the energy very high. In a year that has monstrous releases, Busta's When Disaster Strikes has to be considered right up there with them all. This album made hi an official household and worldwide name for any that somehow may have been on the fence with The Coming. This silenced any critics he may have had going into the album. Busta was here to stay, and we're so glad he did. Happy twentieth to this fantastic piece of hip-hop.
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