Busta Rhymes first rap name was Chill-O-Ski

Before Trevor George Smith Jr. was known as Busta Rhymes, he went by the moniker Chill-O-Ski.

The name change would come when his rap group at the time, Leaders of the New School, opened up on tour for Public Enemy. Chuck D had given Chill–O–Ski the name Busta Rhymes after the ’80s NFL wide receiver George “Buster” Rhymes. People would ask Busta Rhymes to “Bust-a-rhyme” so he made the choice to keep the name.

Purchase our 100 Hip-Hop Facts (1973-2000) Book

Read: Busta Rhymes got his rap name from Chuck D

Read: Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s first rap name was Ason Unique

Read: Playboi Carti’s first rap name was $ir Cartier