Busta Rhymes Blasts Fans for Using Their Phones During Essence Festival Performance: ‘F–k Your Phone’ .The 52-year-old rapper, famous for songs like “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See,” was annoyed with fans who were on their phones instead of enjoying the show. It’s worth noting that the venue wasn’t packed, and the Essence Festival is usually more about R&B and jazz, so maybe a Hip Hop act like Busta wasn’t the best fit this year.
As a video of Rhymes‘ rant spread on social media, many people commented on the empty seats in the audience. One social media user explained that the low turnout was likely because of a severe rainstorm outside the event. “For context, there was almost a hurricane outside the stadium. That’s why there were only like 400 people in there,” the user said, sharing a video of the heavy rain. He added, “Also, don’t judge based on a short clip; it was light-hearted, and he put on a great show. My section had a blast.”
Busta went on to say, “Forget those camera phones. Let’s get back to interacting like humans. Put those strange devices down. I’m not from that era. Those things don’t control us. Forget your phone,” Rhymes said, according to a fan’s video shared online.
Rhymes, whose real name is Trevor George Smith Jr., then called out individual audience members, telling them to stand up for his performance. That part was a choice, but Busta didn’t care.
“I’m gonna point out every last one of you until you get up,” he said. “33 years of this. I’m not used to people sitting down at my show. I don’t care. All age group, get up now.”
While Busta Rhymes seemed happy when fans reacted to his “Not Like Us” remix, he also showed disappointment with the audience at another point in the show. He saw some people sitting and filming on their phones, which he didn’t like at all. He ranted, and the clip quickly went viral. “Hey, forget those camera phones too. Let’s get back to interacting like humans. Put those weird devices down,” he yelled. “I’m not from that era. Those things don’t control the soul. Forget your phone.”
This intense moment sparked a debate on social media. While many thought he had a good point, some accused him of overreacting and not understanding his fans’ energy levels.
Rhymes explained that his outburst, which he called “zero tolerance for bad energy,” was because of how important the event was. “This is my first time in New Orleans at the 30-year anniversary of the Essence Festival. Make me feel at home,” he said in closing.
Fans criticized Rhymes’ behavior in the video’s comment section. Some noted that the stadium was almost empty. “Busta has been acting out for a while now. I’m glad he had to address empty seats,” one user commented. Another wrote, “I heard he has a bad personality,” while someone else said, “I would’ve left. Any artist who refers to their audience with disrespectful language doesn’t belong on stage performing for Black citizens. How rude and classless.” Another user added, “An artist that a crowd wants to see doesn’t need to beg for attention. No Southerners want to hear Busta Rhymes at a concert. Take that back to New York.”
