Busta Rhymes signs with Motown

SOHH has confirmed that Busta Rhymes has left Aftermath/Interscope and is officially signed with Universal Motown.

According to Motown reps, the New York rapper has signed an agreement to release his next project on the famed label - which is also home to Lil’ Wayne and Chamillionaire. 

As previously reported by SOHH’s Ya Heard blog, the hip-hop icon was in talks earlier this week about leaving Aftermath to pursue a run with Motown. Busta helped the summer heat up when it was rumored he was being dropped from the label.

“I can’t confirm or deny anything,” an Interscope/Aftermath rep previously told SOHH about the then rumored split. 

In addition to an alleged industry beef with label chairman Jimmy Iovine, Busta suffered major delays with his eighth studio album, Blessed, originally slated for an early July release, including various sampling conflicts. Blessed was never released, despite the label dropping two videos for the songs “We Made It” and “Don’t Touch Me (Throw Da Water On ’Em).”

If released on Motown, Blessed will feature contributions from Linkin Park, Dr. Dre, Green Lantern, Cool & Dre, Nottz, Timbaland and Pharrell. As of press time there is no word on when or if Blessed will hit stores.