Busta Rhymes, the fast-talking rapper born Trevor George Smith Jr., is a lyrical mastermind whose verbal dexterity and trippy visuals (often courtesy of Hype Williams) ushered in a bold new era of New York hip-hop. Since taking the rap scene by storm in the late ‘80s, the Long Island-raised MC has racked up plenty of industry accolades (a whopping 12 Grammy nominations to date, though he’s yet to take home a win), but until now, his style has gone comparatively unsung. So it’s time to give the man his roses.
25 years after its debut, "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" remains a hit thanks to Busta’s effortless, instantly identifiable flow—but the rapper's absolutely wild outfits go a long way in solidifying his reputation as one of the most reliably freaky dressers of the decade. Who else, pray tell, can pull off head to toe leopard print, a dash of safari chic, and a glossy leather two-piece (topped with a matching headscarf) in the span of three minutes? Whether he was turning heads on the red carpet in a mishmash of animal prints, or just hitting the stage in perfectly slouchy jeans and a tucked-in muscle tee, the rapper followed his biggest hits with even bigger fits, and the ‘90s were the apex of his particular brand of joyful personal style. So if you’ve been trying to find a north star to orient your wardrobe around as the spring thaw begins in earnest, you could do a lot worse than taking your cues from one of the most swaggering presences in rap history. Here’s how.
Make a Big Entrance
Whether it was arriving to the 1998 MTV European Awards in a longline leopard-print coat (with matching boots!) or posing for the cameras in a similarly eye-grabbing printed ensemble (down to the boots, yet again), Busta didn't shy away from commanding attention through his no-holds-barred use of pattern. If you're feeling like a decade-defining MC–or want to fake it 'til you make it–by all means roll through to that function in a coordinating set. But if you're looking for a slightly more pared-down way to cultivate the same energy, a breezy button-down will do the trick.
Know When To Keep It Simple
Even stars needs to conserve some of their shine every now and then. When the occasion called for an outfit with a little less wattage, Busta relied on a simple formula: crisp white tee (almost always tucked in), sturdy jeans, and a clean black belt. The effect: classically stylish in a “why didn't I just start there?” type of way. If you want to up the ante a bit, you can always layer on an electric sweater vest, but rest assured, the combination can stand all on its own.
And When It Comes To Accessories, Don't Hold Back
Diamond studs are cool and all, but why stop there? As Busta well knows, there's a dealer's choice of kooky jewelry up for grabs right now, and it'd be a real shame if you didn't take advantage of it all. Droopy dip-dyed hoops? Check. Beefy gold chains? Ditto. Diamond bracelets, rings, and the occasional busted-down watch? Absolutely. Whether you're just getting on board with the men's jewelry renaissance or trying to figure out how to style those pearls you copped months ago, you can't go wrong mixing 'em all together. Don't take our word for it: Busta Rhymes' entire ‘90s vibe is proof that you’ll look exceptional.