News: Busta Releases New Album

The album, Rhymes' seventh solo offering, features collaborations with Raekwon, Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry, Q-Tip and Missy Elliott, who is featured on the Dr. Dre-produced "This Is How We Do It Over Here."

The album, his first in three years, showcases a combination of two of the most dynamic, creative forces in hip-hop music as Busta Rhymes teams with super-producer and Aftermath chief, Dr. Dre.

"The Big Bang's" initial offering, the Swizz Beatz produced "Touch It," and its remix, which features Mary J. Blige, Lloyd Banks, DMX, Rah Digga and Papoose, are currently searing airwaves worldwide. ("Touch It (Remix)" has been atop the UK's 1Xtra Official Hip-Hop Chart for 14 consecutive weeks).

The second single, the offbeat "I Love My Bitch," which features Kelis and is produced by the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am, has had similar success in the short time since its release.

Throughout "The Big Bang," Busta Rhymes hosts an array of worthy collaborators, most notably Stevie Wonder, who graces "Been Through the Storm." He moves from one funk and soul legend to another; this time, Rick James, who appeared on the song "In the Ghetto" shortly before his death.

Dr. Dre, who signed Busta Rhymes to Aftermath, commented: "All of a sudden I'm hearing people in the streets talking about how Busta's back. In my mind, he never left, and that's why I wanted to f*ck with him in the first place. He's got that drive, and he never stops trying to top himself. Anybody who knows Busta knows that he's always gonna come with heat."

Dre's influence pervades. He provides the musical backdrop for, among others, "This Is How We Do It Over Here," which features Missy Elliott. "The Big Bang" also boasts guest appearances from Raekwon, Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry, and Q-Tip.

An impressive collection of today's finest producers complement Dr. Dre's efforts, including Timbaland, G-Unit's Sha Money XL, Jelly Roll, Green Lantern, and Jay Dilla as well as the aforementioned Swizz Beatz, and will.i.am.

Music icon Stevie Wonder guests on "Been Through the Storm," while the late Rick James cameos on "In the Ghetto," a track completed before the singer's death.

In addition to Dr. Dre, The Big Bang also features production by Timbaland, G-Unit's Sha Money XL, Green Lantern, Jay Dilla, Swizz Beatz, who produced the album's first single "Touch It," and will.i.am, the beatmaker behind Rhymes' second single "I Love My B***h" featuring Kelis.

Dr. Dre says having Rhymes on board at Aftermath was a no-brainer.

"All of a sudden I'm hearing people in the streets talking about how Busta's back," said Dre, who first collaborated with Rhymes on "Break Ya Neck." "In my mind, he never left, and that's why I wanted to f**k with him in the first place. He's got that drive, and he never stops trying to top himself. Anybody who knows Busta knows that he's always gonna come with heat."