E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

Busta Rhymes

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 15, 1998)
• Original Release Date: December 15, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B00000F1EF
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (156 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,535 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
He's one of the most distinctive MCs around--he's taller, has funkier dreads, has great taste in samples (the Knight Rider theme), has a sense of history ("Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check" comes right from the Sugarhill Gang), and ooh, that growl. Ever since his days in Leaders of the New School--let's trace it back to his contribution to A Tribe Called Quest's classic posse cut "Scenario"--Busta's brought something special to the party. It's all there on Extinction Level Event: there's the Armageddon concept, the guest stars (Janet Jackson, Mystikal, Ozzy Osbourne), and a great soundscape to frame Busta's raps. Still, it feels like something's missing: there's no huge standout hit; the production, in the hands of someone like Timbaland, could be even better; and Busta's raps often feel like he's relying more on that voice rather than writing anything new. But it's hard to fault someone who, even with all his success, includes a skit where the B-boy gets reprimanded with the line, "Look, you played-out player, I don't need you--I got a vibrator." --Randy Silver

Spin
At 19 tracks, Extinction, like too many hip-hop releases, is overstuffed for value, and as a result, it's slightly underwhelming.... Nevertheless, this is his most satisfying album to date and far ahead of the aimless efforts of some of his peers.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Mystical Arrangement(4.5) , January 20, 2006

By	Nick Mackler (Canada) - See all my reviews

Busta Rhymes will always stay detached from any other MC in the business, defined by a fierce growl, unhinged, dark and creative music videos, and space-like beats. And although "Extinction Level (The Final World Front) remains uneven at times, with a few throwaway tracks, the standout tracks are simply outstanding, ecclectic and exhilariting. "Everybody Rise" is a bouncin', funky beat with Busta calling out to all the states, telling them lyrically to rise with him. "Where We Are About Take it" has a spacey, synth descending beat with fairly average lyrics, not yet expressing Busta's musical genius. The self-titled song has a catchy chorus, and to follow it up is the single "Tear Da Roof Off", an energetic, collaborative track with a raw, vibing beat that is great. "Against All Odds" is in the same vain, with the whole Flipmode Squad coming together, rapping over another funky beat. Lyrically, the next few tracks all display Busta Rhymes as a great MC, with mystical beats. However the songs themselves are simply not very memorable. "Gimme Some More" is the biggest hit single off the album, with an orchestral beat and Rhymes flowing quickly and sharply.

"Iz They Wildin' Wit Us & Gettin' Rowdy Wit Us?" is quite simply a boisterous rap expression, with Mystikal guest starring. Both rappers are flowing at astounding speeds, and the track stands out strongly on the album. "Do The Bus A Bus" is one of Busta's ludicrous singles, but it is catchy. Groovy Hip Hop seems to be the theme of the album at this point, as Janet Jackson joins Busta in a collaboration, and "Hot Sh*t Makin' Ya Bounce" has a very laid-back, stylish beat with sensational lyrics. The last few tracks are less memorable, except the sampling of "Iron Man" in "This Means War" with Ozzy Osbourne making an appearance.

It seems people are making many subjective statements as to Busta's prime in his career, and I personally think he chose to take a new direction with each and every album. At this time, he is set to release his latest album "The Big Bang" in July of 06, featuring a great track called "I'll Hurt You" but also releasing a single called "Touch It", which is less impressive. At this time, he has officially signed to Dr. Dre and Aftermath, so he will have access to the best beats out there. Overall, I would recommend this album to any Busta fan, and if you are looking for somewhere to start, I would begin with "Genesis".

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Rap's darkest albums..., April 18, 2003

By	MrFly - See all my reviews

E.L.E. is arguably Busta's best album. With a concept (the end of the world) that is unheard of in mainstream/conventional Rap/Hip Hop, Busta schools us like a psychic history teacher. If you take one look at the cover of the album and then remember the recent events of the past couple of years, you'll know what I mean.

From the diabolical Intro AKA There's Only One Year Left!! where destruction and peril is foreshadowed, to the dark and disturbing Outro AKA Burial Song, Busta has hit us with a concept album which usually hurts careers more than it helps, and pulls it off with flying colors. The tracks are generally hard hitting with lyrics that peirce and cut and sting, and typical Busta Rhymes production (you know when you hear a Busta Rhymes' song) to damage you car's audio system. A definite must have for any Busta fan, because it really shows that he is one of Rap's best.

Best tracks (to me) are:
2. Everybody Rise (an Earth and speaker shattering track)
5. Tear Da Roof Off (Old School meets Busta Rhymes)
7. Just Give It To Me Raw (Oriental flavor, good track)
8. Do It To Death (crazy beat)
10. Gimme Some More (My favorite Busta track ever)
11. Iz They Wildin' Wit Us...(if you want to get a party hyped and hear some crazy air tight flows... this is the track for you)
13. Do The Bus A Bus (a good song to ride to)
14. Take It Off (Latin music meets Flipmode)
15. What's It Gonna Be (Janet really enhances this song)
17. What The F--- You Want!! (another crowd hyping song)
19. Burial Song (Outro)(what I listen to when I feel... upset)

Basically, Busta has lost his mind.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Busta is the bomb, October 8, 1999

By A Customer

Yo this CD is the Bomb. All these song are great. I like Tear da roof off, gimme some more, party is goin' on over gere, do the bus a bus and what's it gonna be. he's the ***, keep doing what you doing Busta.