“Thirty-four years of professionally recording, this is the first time I’m getting an award from MTV. And it feels fucking incredible,” rapper says
Busta Rhymes received the 2024 Global Icon Award, a lifetime achievement award bestowed by the MTV Europe Music Awards, on Sunday. He also performed a medley of his greatest hits at the ceremony held in Manchester, England at Co-op Live.
During his career-spanning performance, he highlighted his own songs, including “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” and “Break Ya Neck,” alongside spotlighting his collaborations with A Tribe Called Quest (“Scenario”) and Chris Brown (“Look at Me Now”).
During the rapper’s Global Icon Award acceptance speech, he noted that it was the first time he’s notched one from MTV (he’s also been nominated for 12 Grammys, but has not yet won one). “Thirty-four years of professionally recording, this is the first time I’m getting an award from MTV. And it feels fucking incredible, yo,” he said.
He thanked numerous people for the honor, including his favorite MC LL Cool J, Chuck D, and his mother, whom he called his best friend and hero.
Alongside thanking those who have been with him through his journey, he also offered words of inspiration. “They tell us that perfection is unreachable. That is lie,” he said. “See, the perfection is in the imperfection. We all are the perfection of what we’re supposed to be. So be the perfection that you’re supposed to be.”
Busta Rhymes also announced that he has a new album, Dragon Season, arriving on Nov. 29. Prior to its release, the rapper will be participating in Rolling Stone’s Musicians on Musicians live event at the Apollo Theater on Nov. 22 in Harlem, New York.