PASS THE COURVOISIER: BUSTA HONORED BY MUSICIANS ON CALL

The RIAA, in conjunction with Spotify, held its annual Musicians on Call (MOC) event Tuesday (2/20) at The Atlantis in Washington D.C., where Busta Rhymes was honored and performed several tracks from his storied catalog. Musicians on Call brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments.

Acting as the evening's unofficial master of ceremonies, RIAA Chairman/CEO and MOC board Chairman Emeritus Mitch Glazier joined RIAA COO Michele Ballantyne for the presentation of a plaque recognizing Busta's career.

Said Glazier, “How lucky are we to be here tonight with this incredible Conglomerate/Epic Records superstar of American culture?" As Bus-A-Bus took the stage to accept his flowers, Ballantyne quipped, "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," then addressed the artist, affirming, "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."

Rhymes had sailed through many of the songs Ballantyne alluded to during his set, including "Ante Up," "Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check" and "Break Ya Neck."

MOC President/CEO Pete Griffin remarked: "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 support our mission but allows folks on the Hill to celebrate the healing power of music and the musicians and songwriters who create it. Our bedside program is returning to hospitals in the D.C. 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."

Pictured with Busta wondering how long it will take him to start freestyling about the hors d'oeuvres are (l-r) Glazier, Griffin and April Boyd, Spotify VP of global government affairs and public policy.