Busta Rhymes ft. Nicki Minaj – ‘Twerk It’ (Video)

Busta Rhymes’s attempt at youthful relevancy survives the awkwardly titled “Twerk It” with a decently stylistic change-of-pace, while Nicki Minaj, a bevy of big-boned-beauties and some special effects make the video an only-mildly entertaining companion.

When Busta Rhymes first dropped “Twerk It,” I remarked, “Busta just dropped a song called ‘Twerk It.’ He is now officially approaching creepy uncle status.” This applied more to the name of the song, and Busta’s seeming desire to appropriate and capitalize on the relatively new (and young person-driven) dance phenomenon. It seemed odd.

To hear the song, a mix of hip hop and Jamaican styles, musically and lyrically, it was a little more bearable. At least the veteran rhymesmith wasn’t completely mimicking styles more suited to the new jack artists in a forced attempt to adapt to a style other than his own. Let’s face it, when Busta is being Busta, few are stylistically superior. So with “Twerk It,” it was a valiant attempt at going against the expected grain, infusing his Jamaican heritage into a song that is targeted at the club scene.

Not a bad move. The song itself is decent, not a hit, not a throwaway, but suitable.

Adding Nicki Minaj to the mix is interesting. Though I’ve often caught flak from hip hop purists in my vocal defense of Nicki Minaj in the past, I often compare her outlandish styles, dress and mannerisms much less to a Lil’ Kim for instance, and much more toward a Busta Rhymes. In fact, I’ve argued that Minaj is much more a musical descendant of Rhymes than any other artist.

That being said, while her Caribbean background keeps her within authentic bounds, Busta sounds much more at home flowing in patois than she. But again, an acceptable appearance for sure, if nothing mindblowing.

The video, directed by Director X and Busta Rhymes, also exists in the same vein, an attempt at a visual feast (blending science-fiction type special effects and ladies with special ASSets), and ends up being a cool counterpart to the song, mirroring it on several levels: in tone, in audacity and, ultimately, in it’s decent-but-not-earthshattering vibe.

With enough video, strip club/nightclub play, “Twerk It” may stick around for the rest of the summer, but expect it to fade away after that (much like those assets probably will in ten years. Womp womp.)

Watch: Busta Rhymes ft. Nicki Minaj “Twerk It”