Busta Rhymes Receives Four Nominations for 2006 BET Awards; Album 'The Big Bang' in Stores June 13th

Busta Rhymes Receives Four Nominations for 2006 BET Awards; Album 'The Big Bang' in Stores June 13th

LOS ANGELES, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Multi-platinum Aftermath Entertainment recording artist Busta Rhymes received four nominations for the 2006 BET Awards. The Flipmode Squad leader is up for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist; the Viewer's Choice award, for "Touch It"; and Best Collaboration and Video of the Year, for his work with Mary J. Blige, Rah Digga, Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Papoose and DMX on "Touch It (Remix)."

The Big Bang's lead single, the energetic "I Love My Bitch," which features Kelis and is produced by the The Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am, is currently searing airwaves worldwide. Gabrielle Union stars alongside Busta Rhymes in the song's new video and Dr. Dre makes a rare cameo as well.

If "I Love My Bitch" and the Swizz Beatz-produced "Touch It" (which broke the top 5 spins mark in each of the top 10 radio markets across the country) are any indication -- both became instant hits -- fans have much to look forward to come the album's release on June 13, 2006. That goes doubly for fans in Europe. Busta Rhymes will begin a European tour for The Big Bang immediately following its unveiling.

"It ain't never felt this good ... Aint nothin' better than bein' at the top of your game and simultaneously be at the top of the game. BET got my back, my fans got my back, radio and the music press got my back ... now the rest of the world better get ready for THE BIG BANG," comments Busta Rhymes.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the highly anticipated album is the conjoining of two of music's largest personalities and largest talents, Busta and Aftermath head honcho and super producer Dr. Dre. The duos electric synergy was first explored on "Break Ya Neck," the tremendously popular single from Busta Rhymes' fifth platinum album, Genesis.

On The Big Bang Dre's virtuosic influence does indeed loom large. He provides the musical backdrop for a number of songs and together he and Busta welcome an eclectic group of noteworthy collaborators, including Stevie Wonder, who graces "Been Through the Storm," Rick James, who appeared on the song "In the Ghetto" shortly before his death, Nas, Q-Tip, Raekwon and Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry.

In addition, an impressive array of producers has been enlisted to complement Dr. Dre's music. Timbaland, G-Unit's Sha Money XL, Jelly Roll, Green Lantern, Swizz Beatz, will.i.am and Jay Dilla all contribute.

The Big Bang follows Busta Rhymes platinum album It Ain't Safe No More and is his first release in three years. It is also, of course, his Aftermath debut. Expect The Big Bang to confirm the ascendancy of a new producer/emcee duo and to announce to the world of music that two of its truly elite continue to be unstoppable.

Source: Interscope

CONTACT: Dennis Dennehy, +1-310-865-7934, d.dennehy@umusic.com, or Greg
Miller, +1-310-865-7632, greg.miller@umusic.com, both of Interscope

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