Busta Rhymes Announces First Australian Shows In Over Ten Years

Busta Rhymes has announced his first headline shows on Australian stages in more than 13 years.

We already knew the hip-hop legend was heading back Down Under – he was announced as one of the 79 artists performing at this year’s Promiseland festival back in April – but until today (June 25), it was thought his appearance on the lineup would come as a Gold Coast exclusive.

Following his set at Promiseland on Sunday October 6, Busta Rhymes will head down to Sydney (Eora) for a show at the Hordern Pavilion, locked in to go down on Tuesday October 8. Then, the following night (October 9), he’ll take over Festival Hall in Melbourne (Naarm).

Tickets for both headline shows go on sale at 12pm next Thursday (July 4), following two presales – one for Whatslively members and one for Ticketmaster customers – that both kick off at the same time next Tuesday (July 2). Head here for more info on all three sales.

Joining Busta Rhymes for both shows will be fast-rising prodigy YG Marley – the son of the iconic rapper Lauryn Hill and grandson of reggae god Bob Marley – marking his first time ever performing to Australian crowds.

The short tour comes in support of Busta Rhymes’ 11th studio album, Blockbusta, which arrived last November and sported collabs with the likes of Quavo (on the track Remind ‘Em), DaBaby and T-Pain (on Big Everything), Burna Boy (on Roboshotta) and Kodak Black (on Homage).

The last time Busta Rhymes performed in Australia was in April 2011, when he appeared as part of that year’s Supafest tour. His most recent LP at the time was 2009’s Back On My BS, and he’s since released another two full-length efforts: Year Of The Dragon in 2012, and Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath Of God in 2020.