Busta Rhymes Salutes Kendrick Lamar on His Birthday

On June 17, hip-hop veteran Busta Rhymes celebrated fellow MC Kendrick Lamar’s 36th birthday with a vibrant Instagram tribute, hailing the Compton rapper as an inspiration, friend, and lyrical force. In a post snapped by photographer Joey Harris (@joeyharrisinc), Busta Rhymes shared a snapshot of the two artists side by side, complete with birthday emojis and celebratory flair.

Birthday Salute To A ‘lyrical Giant’

In his caption, Busta Rhymes wrote: “THE BLESSINGS DON’T STOP SO WE WON’T EVER STOP!!! NEVERRRRR!! HAPPY BORN DAY TO @kendricklamar ONE OF MY FAVORITE MC’S, FRIEND, INSPIRATION & LYRICAL GIANT TO EVER GRACE A MICROPHONE!! THANK YOU SHARING YOUR GIFT KING!!! KEEP CELEBRATING AND ENJOY IT TO THE FULLEST!! MORE LIFE!! 👑👑👑👑👑🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🥂🥂🥂🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥”. The all-caps declaration underscores the respect Busta has long shown Kendrick, whose own catalog includes eight Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize in Music—the first ever awarded to a hip-hop album.

A Friendship Forged In Music

While their styles may hail from different coasts—Busta’s roots run deep in New York’s native rap scene, and Kendrick rose through Compton’s tight-knit community—the two have crossed paths at award shows, studio sessions, and festival stages. Industry insiders note that Busta’s energetic flow and Kendrick’s introspective lyricism make for an unexpected but complementary duo when they share a booth or a spotlight.

Decades Of Mutual Respect

This Instagram nod is part of a pattern for Busta Rhymes, who often uses social media to honor his peers. Earlier this year, he paid homage to Tupac Shakur with a belated birthday salute, and in May he sent warm wishes to Lauryn Hill, calling her “the queen.” These posts reflect Busta’s longtime practice of spotlighting the artists who have shaped hip-hop’s evolution.

Past Tributes On Busta’s Feed

• May 26: “HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER AND QUEEN @mslaurynhill… KEEP CELEBRATING YOUR BIRTHDAY AS WE WILL KEEP CELEBRATING YOU QUEEN!!”
• June 7: “HAPPY BELATED GDAY TO @2pac ON ANOTHER JOURNEY AROUND THE SUN!!!!!! CONTINUE TO REST WELL KING!!”

Careers Remembered

Since debuting with Leaders of the New School in 1991, Busta Rhymes has become known for his rapid-fire delivery and multiple platinum albums, selling over 20 million records worldwide. Kendrick Lamar’s narrative-driven approach has earned him universal acclaim as well—his 2012 album good kid, m.A.A.d city skyrocketed him to stardom, and 2017’s DAMN secured a Pulitzer Prize and six Grammy Awards.

As Kendrick steps into a new year, the community continues to rally behind him. Fellow artists, industry figures, and fans have flooded the post with congratulatory emojis and messages, celebrating everything from Lamar’s chart-topping albums to his role as an outspoken cultural voice. In response, Kendrick added a string of crown and cake emojis, letting Busta’s words speak for themselves.

Stepping back, Busta Rhymes’ birthday tribute is more than just an Instagram gesture—it’s a snapshot of camaraderie in a genre built on respect and shared history. By calling Kendrick Lamar a “lyrical giant,” Busta highlights the spirit of mentorship and mutual admiration that underpins hip-hop culture, ensuring that both artist and audience keep the celebrations rolling.

Trivia

Busta Rhymes has a unique fashion sense and is known for his colorful and bold style, often influencing trends in hip-hop fashion.

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Poulami Nag

 

Poulami is an associate editor. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.

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