5. Busta Rhymes feat. Nicki Minaj — “Twerk It (Remix)” (2013)
Busta’s Jamaican accent is as iconic as the onomatopoeia of his dungeon dragon impression from A Tribe Called Quest’s “Scenario.” “Twerk It” is the latest single produced by Pharrell to tap into this aspect of Busta’s personality and background. Bussa Buss’ take on the current twerking phenomenon is a return to his care-free, animated side, with a Jamaican twist. He’s laid back with his delivery, yet every word is as commanding as his previous efforts at rapping in patois, like “Make It Clap” with Sean Paul and the remix of the Neptunes-produced “Kill Dem” with Mavado and Bounty Killer.
“Twerk It” comes along at a perfect time right now, when hip-hop is once again embracing Jamaican culture. It screamed for a guest verse from Nicki Minaj, who never disappoints when she represents for the islands with her own Trini spin on patois. Speaking of screaming, pay special attention to vocalist Tosh, also channeling her own Jamaican roots, on the intro of “Twerk It” (and on the chorus of “Kill Dem.”)