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Annual Benefit in DC Celebrates the Healing Power of Music

at Hotspot The Atlantis

Pictured L-R: RIAA’s Mitch Glazier, Musicians On Call’s Pete Griffin, Busta Rhymes & Spotify’s April Boyd

Busta Rhymes takes the stage

Pictured L-R: RIAA’s Mitch Glazier and Michele Ballantyne present a career plaque to Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhymes performs for the packed crowd at The Atlantis

WASHINGTON, DC (February 21, 2024) – The Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA) and Spotify presented their annual event benefiting Musicians On Call (MOC) at newly opened venue, The Atlantis, in DC last night. MOC’s mission to highlight the healing power of music was amplified at the exclusive event as the music community, industry professionals and policymakers came out to support their vital work – delivering music to bedsides in healthcare environments. RIAA Chairman/CEO and MOC Board Chairman Emeritus Mitch Glazier served as the unofficial emcee before introducing Busta Rhymes, who dialed into Platinum-certified tracks from his legendary career.

“Our partnership with RIAA has provided crucial support for our programs for well over a decade. This annual event in our nation’s capital not only helps to support our mission, but allows folks on the Hill to celebrate the healing power of music and the musicians and songwriters who create it,” said Musicians On Call President & CEO Pete Griffin. “Our bedside program is returning to hospitals in the DC Metro area now, and we look forward to welcoming more musicians and music lovers into our MOC community as volunteers. Thank you to RIAA and Spotify for helping raise awareness for our mission and to the iconic Busta Rhymes for such a memorable night!”

The iconic rapper, producer and in-demand collaborator hit the stage with “Ante Up,” “Put Ya Hands Where My Eyes Could See” and Platinum “Don’t Cha” before delivering tracks from his new album BLOCKBUSTA – “OK (ft. Young Thug),” ROBOSHOTTA (ft. Burna Boy),” “BIG EVERYTHING (ft. DaBaby).” He kept the intensity going through Platinum “Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check,” “All I Do Is Win,” “Break Ya Neck” and more as a palpable bounce kept the room on their feet.

From there, the energy seeped into the crowd with attendees transfixed by the larger-than-life, Brooklyn-born performer until the very last beat dropped. Busta Rhymes interrupted his own flow to address the room saying, “I want to make a toast to everyone that put this event together tonight, everyone that plays a role in pushing the culture forward in a productive way, and everyone here that advocates for artists.”

“How lucky are we to be here tonight with this incredible Conglomerate / Epic Records’ superstar of American culture, Busta Rhymes!” said Glazier as the night wrapped. He then joined RIAA COO Michele Ballantyne for a special plaque presentation recognizing Busta Rhymes’ incredible career. “I was going to come out here and tell you all how Busta Rhymes emerged in the Golden Era of Hip-Hop, but he just took us through every era of Hip-Hop tonight! So, we want to make sure we celebrate in the proper way – with this beautiful plaque commemorating your career’s 22 million RIAA certified units for your solo titles and collaborations. We know there are many more to come!”

“Musicians On Call is a special program that brings people together to experience the healing power of song, helping patients and caregivers know that they’re not alone during trying times. Spotify is proud to support this work in our partnership with RIAA so we can all continue our joint mission of connecting people through music. And we applaud the masterful career of Busta Rhymes whose music has bridged genres to unite audiences for decades.” said April Boyd, Spotify Vice President of Government Affairs & Public Policy.

Other notable supporters this year include Alibaba Group, Ford Motor Company, Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC), Jewel Box Platinum, National Music Publishers Association (NMPA), Recording Academy and SoundExchange.

ABOUT MUSICIANS ON CALL: As the nation’s leading provider of live music in hospitals, Musicians On Call (MOC) celebrates 25 years of delivering the healing power of music to patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments. More than one million people across all 50 states have experienced the joys of live music in the hospital setting through MOC’s bedside, virtual and streaming programs. MOC Volunteers perform live for children and adults, facing any health challenge, including Veterans recovering in VA facilities, family members supporting loved ones in need and healthcare workers caring for patients. With innovations like its online program platform, the organization continues its work towards revolutionizing access to music in healthcare. MOC’s network includes Volunteer Guides, Volunteer Musicians and renowned artist supporters including Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Kelly Clarkson, Darius Rucker, Katy Perry, Jason Derulo, Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo, Reba McEntire, Camila Cabello, Nick Jonas, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Pharrell, Kelsea Ballerini, Amos Lee, Luis Fonsi, Peter Frampton, Luke Bryan, Charles Esten and many more. For more information on how Musicians On Call delivers the healing power of music, visit www.musiciansoncall.org.

ABOUT BUSTA RHYMES: Busta Rhymes emerged as one of the most idiosyncratic personalities of rap’s golden era with his halting, ragga-inspired style and lyrics defined by incredible complexity, inventiveness, and humor. After rising to prominence with his group Leaders of the New School, Busta broke out solo in 1996 with a massive hit single, “Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check,” which pushed his album into gold record territory. Out on his own for the first time, Busta called on some friends, appearing on A Tribe Called Quest‘s “Scenario,” the incredible remix of Craig Mack‘s “Flava in Ya Ear” (also featuring Notorious B.I.G. and LL Cool J), as well as other projects with Boyz II Men, Mary J. Blige, and TLC. Throughout the ’90s and 2000s, he was a force to be reckoned with, topping the charts with his albums and even debuting at number one in 2006 with his seventh studio album, The Big Bang. In the years that followed, he worked as a producer while also pursuing roles in film and television, remaining active with his own music with releases like 2020’s Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God, which featured appearances from Vybz Kartel and Anderson .Paak, among others. His latest album, BLOCKBUSTA, is out now.