E.L.E.2 (Extinction Level Event 2)

Extinction Level Event 2 is the upcoming tenth studio album by American rapper Busta Rhymes. It is set to be released in 2014 by The Conglomerate. E.L.E. 2 serves as the sequel to Busta's platinum-selling 1998 album E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front, which spawned the Janet Jackson-assisted hit "What's It Gonna Be?!". It was supported by the singles "Twerk It" featuring Nicki Minaj, "Thank You" featuring Q-Tip, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West, and "Calm Down" featuring Eminem.

Background

In September 2009, Busta Rhymes announced that he was working on his tenth studio album, alongside Canadian producer Boi-1da, entitled The Chemo. In May 2010, Busta revealed he changed the title of the album to Extinction Level Event 2.

In an August 6, 2010 interview on Conspiracy Worldwide Radio, DJ Premier said Busta Rhymes had received over eight beats which he didn't want to use, but Premier hoped his next beat would be chosen for inclusion on the album. In December 2013, DJ Premier confirmed that he again been in the studio working with Busta Rhymes on the album.

On November 16, 2011, it was announced that Busta Rhymes and Mystikal signed to Cash Money Records. For his debut single on the Cash Money label and his Conglomerate Records, he reunited with Chris Brown to make "Why Stop Now". In the meantime another album, Year of the Dragon, was released for free on Google Play on August 21, 2012. The album featured guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Trey Songz, Robin Thicke, Maino, Gucci Mane and more.

On December 21, members of The Conglomerate Ent., Busta along with J. Doe and Reek da Villan released a mixtape titled "Catastrophic", their first collective effort. A trailer for the album was released via Vimeo on July 17, 2013

Release and promotion

On December 12, 2013, Busta Rhymes released The Abstract & The Dragon a collaboration mixtape with rapper Q-Tip. During a February 2014 interview with Fuse, Busta stated that he wanted to release the album on July 4, 2014.

Singles

The first official single was Twerk It, produced by Pharrell Williams The original version was released on May 2, 2013, online, and later as a digital download on May 17. On June 17, the remix version which is now the official single version was released as a digital download through iTunes. On August 1, 2013, Busta Rhymes revealed on RapFix Live that the official remix would feature Vybz Kartel, Ne-Yo, T.I., French Montana, and Jeremih. On August 8, the remix was released featuring the mentioned artists. The music video was shot in Flatbush at Pulse 48. The video was directed by Director X and premiered on July 24, 2013 on MTV2 Jams.

The second single was announced to be a track called "Thank You" featuring Kanye West, Q-Tip & Lil Wayne produced by Busta himself. With this track, Busta wanted to stop feuds between G.O.O.D. Music and YMCMB, represented both by Yeezy and Tunechi. "There's been a lot of talk over the last year or two AbOUT conflict between G.O.O.D. Music and Young Money and Cash Money," Busta Rhymes said in an interview with MTV. "I just wanted to put it to bed and create an eventful moment where me and [Lil] Wayne being Young Money/Cash Money on one team, Q-Tip and Kanye [West] be on another movement on G.O.O.D. Music, just showing that camaraderie and that alliance and just making it official on a real Hip Hop level." A music video was also shot by Director X made it. The song's audio was premiered on November 6, 2013. On November 15, 2013, "Thank You" was officially released to digital download retailers. On November 25, 2013, the music video for "Thank You" was released.

The third single "Calm Down" featuring Eminem was released on July 1, 2014.

Confirmed tracks

• "Return Of The Boom Bap 2012" (
• "Calm Down"
• "Thank You"
• "Twerk It"
• "Pardon My Ways"
• "TBA" (featuring Keke Palmer and Jay-Z)
• "TBA" (featuring Remy Ma)