The Coming

The Coming is the debut studio album by American rapper and record producer Busta Rhymes. It was released on March 26, 1996, by Flipmode Entertainment and Elektra Records.[2] The album contains contributions by Def Squad members Redman, Keith Murray, and Jamal, as well as Q-Tip, Zhané, Leaders of the New School and several Flipmode Squad members. Production was handled by DJ Scratch, Easy Mo Bee and the Ummah, among others. It serves as Rhymes's first solo album after the break up of Leaders of the New School two years prior, and his first full-length project after numerous guest appearances on other songs with artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, the Notorious B.I.G., Heavy D and the Boyz and Mary J. Blige.

The Coming
Studio album by
Busta Rhymes
ReleasedMarch 26, 1996 (1996-03-26)
RecordedSummer 1995
Studio
  • The Mix Palace (West Hempstead, New York)
  • Nipskab Lab (New York City)
  • Soundtrack Studios (New York City)
GenreHardcore hip hop[1]
Length63:50
Label
Producer
Busta Rhymes chronology
T.I.M.E. (The Inner Mind's Eye)
(1993)		 The Coming
(1996)		 When Disaster Strikes...
(1997)
Busta Rhymes solo chronology
The Coming
(1996)		 When Disaster Strikes...
(1997)
Singles from The Coming
  1. "Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check"
    Released: January 7, 1996
  2. "It's a Party"
    Released: June 25, 1996
  3. "Do My Thing"
    Released: 1997

The album reached number six on the Billboard 200 chart in 1996 and received a Platinum certification from RIAA after selling 1,000,000 copies in the United States by February 1999. The lead single, "Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check" reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1996, and earned Rhymes his first nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 39th Grammy Awards.[3] Rhymes was the first artist on Elektra that received a Platinum certification.[4]

In commemoration of its 25th anniversary, a super deluxe edition of The Coming featuring remixes, instrumentals and acapellas was released to all streaming platforms on April 16, 2021, by Rhino.[5]

Background

The Coming serves as Rhymes's first solo album after the break up of his former group Leaders of the New School three years prior and Rhymes's first full-length project after numerous guest appearances on other songs with artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, Craig Mack, the Notorious B.I.G., Heavy D and the Boyz and Mary J. Blige. Rhymes had problems with recording a full album on his own and called up collaborator and mentor Q-Tip asking for help. After seven months of frustration, he finally came up with the idea that would become the skit after "It's a Party".[4]

Concept and title

Describing the concept of the album's title, Busta Rhymes said, "The Coming, I just felt, was such a general yet specific statement that the level of meaning is so powerful... The coming of what? When is it coming? How is it coming? Where is it coming from? Why is it coming?"[6]

Cover art

The cover art of The Coming was shot by Dean Karr. It displays a framed image of Rhymes with his mouth stretched wide, screaming. His locks are fanned out wildly behind his head with a white dove perched above him. The cover art is blurred and foggy.[7]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
Christgau's Consumer Guide(choice cut)[9]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[10]
Muzik[11]
Q[12]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[13]
The Source4/5[14]
Tom Hull – on the WebB[15]

Daryl McIntosh of Albumism wrote that "the heart and soul of the album is found on songs where Busta doesn't have to stand out amongst a large group [...] like "Everything Remains Raw", […] and "[[Do My Thing". [They] provide no distractions and illuminate how Busta's humor and knowledge can seep through a track while simultaneously highlighting his great rhyming ability." He added that "The Coming did everything you could ask for from a debut album. It lived up to, if not exceeded, the expectations of a young artist who had captured the world's attention as a standout group member and coveted collaborator. It spawned radio hits, club bangers, and underground gems for hardcore listeners. It was boastful, colorful, and had a celebratory feel, all of which helped make hip-hop appear fun again […]. Even a casual observer […] had to take notice of the guy whose voice was deeper and louder than everyone else, an emcee who wasn't afraid to put on a big hat or bright colors to accentuate his colorful personality." He went on to say that "The Coming was one of the best solo rap performances of 1996 and it stands as one of the all-time great debut LPs in hip-hop. Busta's first verse, first single, and first album all stand as testaments to the fact that he is one of hip-hop's elite artists and the perennial main event.[16]

Track listing
The Coming — Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."The Coming" (Intro)
4:32
2."Do My Thing"
4:00
3."Everything Remains Raw"
3:41
4."Abandon Ship" (featuring Rampage the Last Boy Scout)
6:02
5."Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check"
4:31
6."It's a Party" (featuring Zhané)
5:53
7."Hot Fudge"
5:09
8."Ill Vibe" (featuring Q-Tip)
3:29
9."Flipmode Squad Meets Def Squad" (featuring Jamal, Redman, Keith Murray, Rampage the Last Boy Scout and Lord Have Mercy)
8:10
10."Still Shining"
2:57
11."Keep It Movin'" (featuring Dinco, Milo and Charlie Brown)
7:32
12."The Finish Line"
5:06
13."The End of the World" (Outro)
2:48
Total length:63:50

Notes
  • "The Coming (Intro)" contains additional vocals by Lord Have Mercy and Rampage the Last Boy Scout.
  • "Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check" contains additional vocals by Rampage the Last Boy Scout. On some versions of the song he is credited as an official featured artist
  • "Keep It Movin'" contains skit vocals by Rampage the Last Boy Scout.
  • "The End of the World (Outro)" contains skit vocals by Spliff Star and Wade Thoren.

Samples used

Personnel

Performance
  • Busta Rhymes – lead vocals
  • Rampage the Last Boy Scout – guest vocals (tracks 4, 9), additional vocals (tracks 1, 5), skit vocals (track 11)
  • Zhané – guest vocals (track 6)
  • Q-Tip – guest vocals (track 8)
  • Jamal – guest vocals (track 9)
  • Redman – guest vocals (track 9)
  • Keith Murray – guest vocals (track 9)
  • Lord Have Mercy – guest vocals (track 9), additional vocals (track 1)
  • Dinco D – guest vocals (track 11 as part of the Leaders of the New School)
  • Milo – guest vocals (track 11 as part of the Leaders of the New School)
  • Charlie Brown – guest vocals (track 11 as part of the Leaders of the New School)
  • Spliff Star – skit vocals (track 13)
  • Wade Thoren – skit vocals (track 13)

Production

Technical
  • Tom Coyne – mastering
  • Rick St. Hilaire – mixing (tracks 1, 3, 5, 11, 13), recording (tracks 1, 3-5, 9, 11, 13)
  • Busta Rhymes – mixing (tracks 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12), arrangement (tracks 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12)
  • DJ Scratch – mixing (track 2, 12), arrangement (track 2, 12)
  • Easy Mo Bee – mixing (tracks 3, 6), arrangement (tracks 3, 6)
  • Andy Blakelock – mixing (track 4), recording (track 6)
  • The Vibe Chemist Backspin – mixing (track 7), recording (track 7), arrangement (track 7)
  • Q-Tip – mixing (track 8), arrangement (track 8)
  • Jay Dee – mixing (track 10), arrangement (track 10)
  • Peter Darmi – mixing (track 10), recording (tracks 2, 8, 10, 12)
  • Mike Scielzi – assistant recording (tracks 2, 4, 6, 10, 12)
  • Vinnie Nicoletti – assistant recording (tracks 3-5, 9, 11)

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[24] Gold 50,000^
United States (RIAA)[25] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

References
  1. Bailey, Matthew (March 18, 2016). "Hey look! A music review – Busta Rhymes – The Coming (1996)". WordPress.com. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  2. "Coming: Busta Rhymes: Music". Amazon. 1996. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  3. Call Us Free: 1-800-800-0800. "Rakuten.com Shopping". Buy.com. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  4. "Talib Kweli & Busta Rhymes Talk ELE: 2, J Dilla, Q-Tip, Kendrick, 5% & Chuck D | People's Party Full". YouTube. December 14, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  5. "BUSTA RHYMES: THE COMING 25th ANNIVERSARY SUPER DELUXE EDITION Available from Rhino on April 16 | Rhino".
  6. "Busta Rhymes - Interview & Live Pt.1 @ VIVA Word Cup 1997 (HQ)". YouTube. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  7. "The Coming Turns 20". 25 March 2016.
  8. Stephen Thomas Erlewine (March 26, 1996). "The Coming - Busta Rhymes". AllMusic. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  9. "CG: busta rhymes". Robert Christgau. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  10. David Browne (May 10, 1996). "The Coming Review". EW.com. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  11. Ashon, Will (April 1996). "Busta Rhymez: The Coming" (PDF). Muzik. No. 11. p. 101. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  12. "Busta Rhymes: The Coming". Q (118): 122–123. July 1996.
  13. The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  14. "Busta Rhymes: The Coming". The Source (80): 69. May 1996.
  15. Hull, Tom. "Grade List: Busta Rhymes". Tom Hull – on the Web. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  16. McIntosh, Daryl (March 24, 2021). "Busta Rhymes' Debut Solo Album 'The Coming' Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism.
  17. "Offiziellecharts.de – Busta Rhymes – The Coming" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  18. "Swedishcharts.com – Busta Rhymes – The Coming". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  19. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  20. "Busta Rhymes Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  21. "Busta Rhymes Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  22. "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1996". Billboard.
  23. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  24. "Canadian album certifications – Busta Rhymes – The Coming". Music Canada. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  25. "American album certifications – Busta Rhymes – The Coming". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
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