The next time I see a Busta Rhymes show, remind me to bring my Gatorade.

Between what seemed to be the endless hits and the idle on-stage banter, I found little time to catch my breath.  The funny thing is, I was just watching performance footage.  No one in the audience seemed to mind, though.  The multicultural crowd at Celebrity Theatre, in Phoenix, grooved and gyrated to Busta Rhymes, his Flipmode Squad and an insane amount of bling.

Everything Remains Raw, Busta and his posse’s live feature DVD, is the by-product of Busta Rhymes’ uncontrollable energy.  The same energy that can be felt by listening to his classic albums can also be felt in the live experience on this video.  His lightning quick delivery and Energizer battery personality were a show all by themselves.  Not once did the crowd of 2,500 plus retreat to their seats.  If so, they were politely told to get the *#@* up!  They were treated to Rhymes and his pint sized lieutenant/hype man, Spliff Star, breeze through classic hits like “Woo Haa!! (Got You All In Check),” “Gimme Some More,” “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See.”   The troupe also got down with more recent chart toppers “I Know What You Want,” “Break Ya Neck,” and “Pass The Courvoisier Part II.”

As much as they might have tried to veil it, this show was a little too choreographed.  The feet-shuffling dance routines seemed out of place, but provided a little comedy.  The pre-song banter was rather predictable.  That didn’t take away from the high-energy performance, though.  It just goes to show what levels Busta Rhymes will go to in order to give his fans the ultimate concert experience.  Maybe next time, he’ll pass out energy bars, so we can all keep up.  (7/04)