It’s not that often that a single cover gets my attention, but Busta Rhymes’ latest single, “Girlfriend”, featuring Tory Lanez and Vybz Kartel has a very artsy cover. At first sight, you wouldn’t think it was anything special at all. It looks like a stock photo with a woman on it that’s been photoshopped with some effects, but it actually is a drawing made with regular ballpoint pens.
I’ve draw a little myself, but have to admit that I think that pens are about the worst tools to work with, especially for portraits. I just can’t get any nuances using pens and you would always see every line I’ve put to paper. It never blends in. That’s why I love paint more, haha, but I’ve seen people create the greatest artworks with pens for a very long time and this cover is among the best works I’ve ever seen.
Of course, I was also curious about the track. I actually thought that Busta Rhymes has retired. I thought he even retired his crazy braids, because the last photo I’d seen of him showed him with a shaven head. Hence, I thought he was done with being Busta Rhymes. I mean, it’s his trademark, right?
Well, if he was, “Girlfriend” might change that. The Rockwilder produced song does have a bit of a 90s feel, especially in the beginning of the track, but it’s in no way old fashioned and it could put Busta on the map for a younger audience. The track is really nice actually. Of course, I have no idea what the hell they are rapping and I have a feeling that is probably a good thing. We might want to keep it that way, because it’s probably working in the rapper’s favor, at this point.
The thing that’s making it not understandable for me is, most definitely, coming from the Jamaican influence in the raps that tops the dancehall influenced song.
Apparently, Busta Rhymes has been working on a return ever since hitting the road with Salt-N-Pepa in a throwback show. Right after, he released this song and has been performing. I think he’ll be able to get the younger audience on-board and otherwise, he seems to have a lot of upcoming featurings as well, so he’ll keep busy.
