Year of the Dragon (Busta Rhymes album)

Year of the Dragon is the ninth studio album by American hip hop recording artist Busta Rhymes, it was released by Google Play as a free release on August 21, 2012.^[1] The album features guest appearances from Anthony Hamilton, Cam'ron, Robin Thicke, Maino, Vybz Kartel, J-Doe, Reek da Villian, Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, Trey Songz and Lil Wayne.^[2]

Year of the Dragon
Studio album by Busta Rhymes
Released	August 21, 2012
Recorded	2010–12
Genre	East Coast hip hop
Length	50:11
Label	Google Play Conglomerate Cash Money Universal Republic Violator
Producer	Busta Rhymes (exec.) Bink! Boi-1da Dready Focus Jahlil Beats K. Figz Matthew Burnett Mr. Porter Pop & Oak Ted Smooth Ty Fyffe Young Yonny
Busta Rhymes chronology
Back on My B.S. (2009) Year of the Dragon (2012) Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God (2020)
Singles from Year of the Dragon
"King Tut" Released: May 22, 2012 "Doin' It Again" Released: August 1, 2012

Background

The album's title (inspired by the Chinese zodiac) and cover art were revealed on July 9, 2012.^[1] The official track list was released on August 8, 2012.^[3] It was released on August 21, 2012, for free download via Google Play.^[4]

Singles

The album's lead single "King Tut", featuring Reek da Villian and J-Doe, was released on May 22, 2012.^[5] The music video for "King Tut", featuring Reek da Villian and J-Doe, was released on July 25, 2012.^[6] The album's second single "Doin' It Again" featuring Reek da Villian and Chanel Nicole was released on August 1, 2012.^[7] The music video for "Doin' It Again" featuring Reek da Villian and Chanel Nicole was released on September 12, 2012.^[8] The music video for "Movie" featuring J-Doe was released on October 16, 2012.^[9]

Critical response

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Entertainment Weekly	B+[10]
HipHopDX	3/5[11]
RapReviews	7.5/10[12]

Year of the Dragon was met with generally mixed reviews from music critics. Slava Kuperstein of HipHopDX gave the album three out of five stars, saying "The problem is the same one that’s plagued just about every single Busta Rhymes album: the Dungeon Dragon cannot decide on a direction for the project. It’s not cohesive in production, styles, or subject matter. Busta’s all over the place, and does nothing to improve his reputation as one of the greatest emcees to not have a great album to his name. Here's to hoping the real album will be better."^[11]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"I'm Talking to You"	Trevor Smith Tyrone Fyffe Roland Orzabal Ian Stanley	Ty Fyffe	3:33
2.	"Til We Die" (featuring Rick Ross and Trey Songz)	T. Smith Tremaine Neverson William Roberts Karl Daniel	Dready	4:27
3.	"Do That Thing"	T. Smith Bernard Edwards, Jr.	Focus	3:42
4.	"Make It Look Easy" (featuring Gucci Mane)	T. Smith Radric Davis Teddy Mendez Fred Wesley James Brown	Ted Smooth	3:37
5.	"Pressure" (featuring Lil Wayne)	T. Smith Dwayne Carter, Jr. Andrew "Pop" Wansel	Pop & Oak	3:10
6.	"Love-Hate" (featuring Robin Thicke)	T. Smith Robin Thicke Denaun Porter Sammy Lowe Betty Lowe	Mr. Porter	3:57
7.	"Grind Real Slow"	T. Smith Roosevelt Harrell III Eldra DeBarge William Debarge Jordan Etterlene	Bink!	3:40
8.	"King Tut" (featuring Reek da Villian and J-Doe)	T. Smith Tariek Williams James Smith Orlando Tucker	Jahlil Beats	4:42
9.	"Sound Boy" (featuring Cam'ron)	T. Smith Cameron Giles Matthew Samuels	Boi-1da Matthew Burnett	3:23
10.	"Doin' It Again" (featuring Reek da Villian and Chanel)	T. Smith Williams Chanel Sosa Mendez Tony Cottrell Idrs Mills Shannon Showes	Ted Smooth	3:28
11.	"Wine & Go Down" (featuring Vybz Kartel)	T. Smith Adidja Palmer Daniel	Dready	3:32
12.	"Movie" (featuring J-Doe)	T. Smith James Smith Ronald Ferebee, Jr. Brandon Bell	Young Yonny Donut	4:12
13.	"Crazy"	T. Smith Daniel	Dready	3:27
14.	"Bleed the Same Blood" (featuring Maino and Anthony Hamilton)	T. Smith Jermaine Coleman Timothy Walls Shawn Thomas Willie Draughn, Jr.	K. Figz	3:46

Sample notes

• "I'm Talking to You" contains a sample of "Shout", performed by Tears for Fears.
• "Make It Look Easy" contains a sample of "Blues and Pants", performed by James Brown.
• "Love-Heat" contains a sample of "Baby I Don't Like You", performed by The Moments.
• "Grind Real Slow" contains elements of "I Like It", written by Eldra DeBarge, William DeBarge, and Jordan Etterlene.
• "Doin It Again" contains a sample of "Round and Round", performed by Hi-Tek.