Crystal Palace’s South Facing Festival came to a thunderous close as Busta Rhymes, fresh from the announcement that he will receive the Hip Hop Icon Award in Harlem, delivered a high-octane set that blended hits, theatrics, and cultural tributes.
A Powerful Entrance
Bursting onto stage with M.O.P.’s “Ante Up” blaring through the speakers and longtime hype man Spliff Star at his side, Busta instantly set the tone. The crowd fed off the duo’s chemistry, their banter and antics sparking laughter and energy before the first verse even dropped.
Hit After Hit
The performance became a rapid-fire journey through Busta’s iconic catalogue — from “I Know What You Want” to “Break Ya Neck,” “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See,” “Touch It,” “Gimme Some More,” “What’s It Gonna Be,” and “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check.” The pace was relentless, with Spliff Star amplifying every hook and ad-lib as the crowd bounced to each track.
AI Visuals and Stage Shenanigans
Busta’s set stood out visually thanks to AI-generated backdrops, which became a talking point for fans online. One attendee remarked:
“Just watched Busta Rhymes at a festival. His backdrop visuals were all AI.”
Beyond the visuals, Busta brought theatre to the stage — mimicking microphone malfunctions during “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See” before exploding back into full volume, and switching between whispers, normal delivery, and hyped-up rapid-fire flows that showed his vocal versatility.
Caribbean Connection
One of the most memorable moments came when Busta paused the “Look At Me Now” fast-rap segment to represent his Jamaican roots. Paying tribute to UK reggae legend Tippa Irie, he toasted over King Jammy’s iconic Sleng Teng riddim, earning massive reloads and pull-ups from the crowd in true dancehall style.
Fan Reaction
Reactions were mixed but passionate. Some fans felt Busta’s arena-sized style was better suited to a solo tour than a festival slot:
“Busta Rhymes needs a UK tour ASAP! Not festivals.”
Others loved the spectacle, with one summarizing the night as:
“South Facing Festival’s hip-hop lineup was UNFORGETTABLE! Busta Rhymes, Redman & Big Daddy Kane lit up Crystal Palace!”
Meanwhile, die-hard fans were already looking forward to new music:
“Busta Rhymes should still release the third installment of the Dragon Season and use it as a teaser for The Vengeance full album.”
The Festival Finale
Between the hits, AI visuals, comic shenanigans, and Caribbean homage, Busta Rhymes closed South Facing Fest with the exact mix of chaos and brilliance that has defined his career. For some, it was a glimpse into the future of live performance; for others, it was a reminder of why he belongs on his own UK headline tour.
Either way, his Crystal Palace set was a fitting finale to a festival that celebrated hip-hop’s past, present, and future.
Images and contribution by: Kingwest Production
