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Busta Rhymes hit the stage with a slew of surprise guests before he was honored at the VMAs.
On Sunday night, September 7, the veteran rapper-actor became the first-ever recipient of the Rock the Bells Visionary Award at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards. Busta kicked off his set with a performance of his hits like "Break Ya Neck" before he invited Joyner Lucas out to help him perform his 1998 hit "Gimme Some More." Busta moved on to his verse from A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario" with DJ Scratch behind the turntables, and even brought out Papoose to perform "Touch It."
The biggest surprise from Busta Rhymes' set was when GloRilla joined him and Spliff Star during "Pass The Courvoisier." The Memphis rapper helped perform the 2002 hit before Joyner and Papoose came back to wrap up the tribute performance. Afterward, LL COOL J presented Busta Rhymes with his award and surprisingly kept his acceptance speech short.
"Y'all know I usually make these long ass speeches, but I'm not going to do that today," Busta began. "But the next time y'all take 35 years to give me one of these, y'all gonna let me talk as long as I want."
Busta Rhymes went on to thank his parents and his children. He gave a special thank you to Mona Scott-Young, whom he called the mother of his career. He also shouted out Ciara and Yo Gotti, who were also in the building. Busta closed out by paying homage to the late Ananda Lewis, one of MTV's most influential veejays, who passed away earlier this year.
Watch Busta Rhymes' entire speech below.