Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front
Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front (stylized as E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front) is the third studio album by American rapper Busta Rhymes, released on December 15, 1998, through Flipmode Entertainment and Elektra Records.[1] The project, recorded primarily in New York and Los Angeles studios, features production from collaborators including DJ Scratch, Rockwilder, and Nottz, and includes guest appearances from artists such as Janet Jackson, DMX, and Spliff Star.[2] Its central concept revolves around an apocalyptic narrative centered on the impending millennium, framing the year 2000 as a catastrophic "extinction level event" that threatens humanity's survival.[3] The album consists of 19 tracks, blending high-energy hip-hop with diverse samples and beats, and continues the thematic escalation from Rhymes' previous releases, The Coming (1996) and When Disaster Strikes (1997).[4] Commercially, it debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard 200 chart, where it spent 32 weeks, and reached number 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[5] By January 8, 1999, E.L.E. had been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales exceeding one million copies in the United States.[6] Three singles were released from the album: "Gimme Some More," which peaked at number 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart; "What's It Gonna Be?!" featuring Janet Jackson, Rhymes' highest-charting single as a lead artist at number 3 on the Hot 100; and "Turn It Up / Fire It Up," which reached number 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart.[7] Critically, the album was praised for Rhymes' dynamic flow, charismatic delivery, and the project's ambitious production, earning a 4-out-of-5-star rating from AllMusic for its "fiercely focused and highly energized" content that merges underground rap roots with mainstream appeal.[8] Its influence endures, inspiring a sequel, Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God, released in 2020.[5]Background
Concept and development
Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front was conceived as a narrative-driven album centered on an "extinction level event," portraying an apocalyptic scenario where Busta Rhymes positions himself as a prophetic figure warning of humanity's impending doom. The core concept drew inspiration from contemporary disaster films such as Deep Impact and Armageddon, both released in 1998, which depicted global catastrophes like asteroid impacts threatening Earth.[9] The album's cover artwork, featuring an asteroid colliding with New York City, was specifically inspired by Deep Impact, reflecting Busta Rhymes' fascination with cinematic depictions of worldwide destruction.[10] Following the release of his previous album When Disaster Strikes... in 1997, Busta Rhymes sought to evolve his artistic style, transitioning from individual disaster motifs to a more expansive, cinematic end-of-the-world storytelling approach. This shift aimed to refine his delivery—incorporating calmer, more narrative elements as suggested by influences like Puff Daddy—while deepening the apocalyptic themes rooted in his Seventh-Day Adventist upbringing and personal paranoia about survival.[11] The album's development began in early 1998, aligning with growing public anxieties over the Y2K millennium bug, which amplified fears of technological collapse and global chaos, themes echoed in the project's monologues on human extinction.[11][12] Busta Rhymes' interest in science fiction and catastrophe narratives served as a metaphorical lens to explore broader societal vulnerabilities, building on the disaster-themed foundation of his prior work to create a cohesive vision of existential peril at Flipmode Entertainment.[13] The project was conceptualized amid the rising pressures of his burgeoning career, as he navigated expectations as a leading figure in late-1990s hip-hop following the success of When Disaster Strikes....[11]Recording process
The recording sessions for Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front took place from November 1997 to August 1998, spanning approximately ten months and allowing Busta Rhymes to develop the album's expansive apocalyptic narrative as a motivational force amid intense creative work.[14] Sessions were held at Soundtrack Studios and Quad Recording Studios in New York City, Larrabee Sound Studios in Los Angeles, and No Limit Studios in Baton Rouge, where Rhymes collaborated closely with engineers and producers to craft the project's dense sonic layers.[15][2] Key producers involved included DJ Scratch, who produced tracks such as "Gimme Some More," "Party Is Goin' On Over Here," "Do The Bus A Bus," and the outro; Nottz, responsible for foundational beats on songs like "Everybody Rise," "Where We Are About To Take It," and "Extinction Level Event (The Song Of Salvation)"; and Swizz Beatz for high-energy cuts including "Tear Da Roof Off" and "Just Give It to Me Raw."[2] These collaborations emphasized innovative sampling and rhythmic complexity, with sessions often extending late into the night to refine Rhymes' rapid-fire delivery against the album's urgent thematic backdrop. While J Dilla had been a frequent collaborator on Rhymes' prior projects, his direct production role shifted away from this album, though his influence lingered in the overall production ethos.[16] Securing high-profile guest features added logistical layers to the process, facilitated in part by Elektra Records' industry network. The collaboration with Janet Jackson on "What's It Gonna Be?!" originated from Jackson's public expression of interest in working with Rhymes during a 1998 interview with Angie Martinez on Hot 97, leading to remote recording arrangements to accommodate her schedule amid her *Velvet Rope* tour; the track was ultimately completed with producer Darrell Allamby.[17] Similarly, Ozzy Osbourne's appearance on "This Means War!!" was arranged through label connections, with Osbourne traveling to a New York studio for vocals that blended heavy metal intensity with Rhymes' hip-hop aggression, recorded in a single focused session.[18] A notable challenge during recording was balancing contributions from the Flipmode Squad—Rhymes' collective including Rah Digga, Rampage, and Lord Have Mercy—with the album's emphasis on his solo vision, ensuring group tracks like "Against All Odds" highlighted ensemble energy without overshadowing individual cuts. Spliff Star, Rhymes' longtime hype man and Flipmode member, provided essential input on ad-libs and track structuring throughout, helping maintain the project's high-octane cohesion while navigating the squad's dynamics.[19] This interplay reflected Rhymes' leadership in fostering a communal yet disciplined environment.Composition
Musical style
Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front is firmly rooted in East Coast hip-hop, characterized by high-energy production and aggressive delivery that blends hardcore and horrorcore elements through dark, ominous beats and dramatic sonic textures.[12] The album's sound draws on influences from ragga-style rapid-fire flows, evident in Busta Rhymes' intricate, high-speed rhyming patterns that alternate between playful aggression and intense urgency.[20] Orchestral samples, such as Bernard Herrmann's score from the film Psycho, are incorporated to heighten the dramatic effect, creating a cinematic atmosphere that underscores the album's intense mood without delving into thematic specifics.[12] Production techniques emphasize heavy, booming beats designed for maximum impact, with producers like DJ Scratch employing minimalist arrangements to spotlight booming basslines and stark percussion. For instance, on "Gimme Some More," Scratch's production features a sparse, driving rhythm built around the aforementioned Psycho sample, resulting in a track that pulses with relentless energy.[12] Experimental sampling further defines the sound, pulling from diverse sources including film scores for tension and metal tracks like Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" on "This Means War!!," which adds a gritty, heavy edge to the hardcore hip-hop foundation.[20] Other contributors, such as Nottz and Rockwilder, contribute varied beats ranging from phat, retro-funky grooves to high-octane anthems, ensuring a dynamic listening experience.[12] The album showcases track variations in pacing and delivery, mixing fast-paced flows—often employing 16th-note rapid cadences for explosive verses—with slower, more deliberate narrative-driven segments that allow for rhythmic breathing room. Examples include the super-fast rapping on "Do It to Death" and "Iz They Wildin Wit Us & Gettin Rowdy Wit Us," contrasted by the ominous, restrained build in tracks like "Against All Odds."[20] This alternation keeps the energy levels fluctuating, preventing monotony while maintaining an overarching sense of urgency. Spanning 19 tracks with a total runtime of approximately 70 minutes, the album integrates skits seamlessly with full songs to foster a concept album structure, where short interludes enhance the flow and sonic cohesion across the project.[8] The result is a robust, multifaceted hip-hop record that prioritizes bold production choices and versatile delivery to deliver a immersive auditory experience.[12]Lyrical content
The lyrical content of Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front centers on apocalyptic survival, portraying a world on the brink of catastrophe through metaphors of nuclear holocaust, societal collapse, and environmental devastation. Busta Rhymes weaves in industry critique by decrying materialism and exploitation amid the chaos, while his personal bravado is framed as a defiant stand against global doom, as seen in lines like "Everything a nigga touch platinumize" that blend self-aggrandizement with survivalist rhetoric. These themes build on Rhymes' earlier works, escalating the end-times narrative into a cautionary tale of human folly and resilience.[12][13][21] The album's narrative structure unfolds as a conceptual arc, beginning with introductory skits like "There's Only One Year Left!!!" that evoke Y2K fears and a child's innocent query about the future, setting a tone of impending apocalypse. Tracks such as "The Return of the Crazy One" serve as high-energy interludes with the Flipmode Squad, injecting bravado and squad loyalty into the buildup, while climactic pieces like "Apocalypse" and "Extinction Level Event (The Song of Salvation)" deliver vivid prophecies of destruction, urging listeners to "remain calm" amid "rain, hail, snow, earthquakes, earth wind, and fire." This progression culminates in reflective closers like "The Burial Song," contemplating loss and renewal as the millennium approaches.[12][13][21] Rhymes employs complex multisyllabic schemes and onomatopoeic effects to heighten urgency and chaos, with rapid-fire deliveries in songs like "Iz They Wildin Wit Us" layering internal rhymes such as "pissed off androids... unleash total worldwide destruction" to mimic explosive pandemonium. These techniques underscore the thematic frenzy, using syncopated flows and sound imitations—like explosive bursts in "Tear da Roof Off"—to evoke the album's catastrophic motifs without relying solely on the musical backing for dramatic emphasis.[12][21][19] Guest contributions provide contrast to the prevailing doom, notably Janet Jackson's verse on "What's It Gonna Be?!," which introduces romantic yearning and futuristic escapism with lines like "Baby just tell me just how you feel," softening the apocalyptic edge into a momentary pop-infused interlude. Similarly, Mystikal's frenetic bars on "Iz They Wildin Wit Us" amplify the chaotic energy through competitive lyrical sparring, while Ozzy Osbourne's altered "Iron Man" sample in "This Means War!!" reinforces the end-times warfare motif. These features enrich the narrative by juxtaposing external voices against Rhymes' core bravado.[12][21][13]Release and promotion
Singles
The promotional singles from Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front played a crucial role in building anticipation for the album, emphasizing Busta Rhymes' rapid-fire delivery and the record's end-of-world narrative through high-energy tracks and visually striking music videos. "Tear da Roof Off," the lead single, was released on October 21, 1998, in CD and 12-inch vinyl formats by Flipmode Entertainment and Elektra Records. Produced by Swizz Beatz, the track features a funk-infused beat and peaked at number 75 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Its music video, directed by Hype Williams, combined footage of live performances with chaotic party scenes, echoing the album's impending doom motif. "Gimme Some More" followed as the second single on October 26, 1998, issued as a CD maxi-single and promotional vinyl. The song, produced by DJ Scratch and sampling Bernard Herrmann's score from Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, reached number 42 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number 5 on the UK Singles Chart. The music video, co-directed by Hype Williams and Busta Rhymes, showcased apocalyptic imagery with Busta painted in red tribal patterns, chased by wild animals through a surreal, fiery landscape that reinforced the album's extinction theme.[22] "Party Is Goin' on Over Here," released in late 1998 as a 12-inch vinyl single, adopted a bouncy, percussive production by DJ Scratch and charted at number 72 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The track's video, paired with "Tear da Roof Off" in a dual-concept clip directed by Hype Williams, depicted underground raves amid crumbling urban structures, visually linking to the record's global catastrophe storyline. The fourth single, "What's It Gonna Be?!" featuring Janet Jackson, arrived on March 9, 1999, in CD single and vinyl formats. Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, it became the album's biggest hit, peaking at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and number 6 on the UK Singles Chart. Certified gold by the RIAA on April 6, 1999, for 500,000 units shipped, the song's music video—directed by Hype Williams and costing $2.4 million in special effects—was a futuristic spectacle with destruction scenes of exploding cities and high-tech chases, directly tying into the album's apocalyptic front.[23][24]Marketing efforts
The album Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front was released on December 15, 1998, through Flipmode Entertainment in conjunction with Elektra Records.[2] This rollout aligned with heightened cultural anticipation surrounding the Y2K millennium, positioning the project as a thematic commentary on impending global catastrophe within hip-hop.[25] The album's artwork emphasized its apocalyptic motif, depicting Busta Rhymes as a cloaked survivor amid a fiery, dystopian landscape with explosive, futuristic visuals evoking disaster films of the era.[21] Front cover imaging was handled by visual effects artist Stu Maschwitz, contributing to the immersive, end-times aesthetic that reinforced the record's conceptual narrative.[2] Promotion extended beyond singles such as "Gimme Some More" through strategic media engagements and live showcases by the Flipmode Squad. Busta Rhymes appeared on platforms like MTV, including at the 1998 Video Music Awards and subsequent interviews, where he elaborated on the album's portrayal of a "hip-hop doomsday" tied to millennial anxieties.[9][26] In 1999, the Flipmode Squad supported the campaign with high-energy performances at events like the Source Hip-Hop Music Awards, amplifying the project's urgent, world-ending vibe across U.S. audiences.[27] These efforts, including BET performances, framed the album as a prophetic hip-hop milestone amid Y2K hysteria.[28]Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Upon its release in December 1998, Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its ambitious apocalyptic concept and Busta Rhymes' dynamic performance while noting some structural flaws.[29] The album holds an aggregated critic score of 75/100 based on six contemporary reviews.[29] AllMusic awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars, commending its "hard beats, weird samples, unpredictable musical juxtapositions and collaborations, and sharp, intelligent rhymes" that captured Busta Rhymes' energetic style.[8] Rolling Stone gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars, highlighting the "bloodstained prophecies" in tracks like the opener, though it described the overall tone as bombastic amid the end-times narrative.[29] The Source magazine rated it 3 out of 5 mics, lauding the cohesive concept album structure and Busta Rhymes' commanding presence across the Flipmode Squad features.[29] Critics commonly praised Busta Rhymes' charismatic delivery, which infused tall tales of survival and bravado with humor and intensity, as well as the innovative skits and guest spots that enhanced the thematic immersion.[8][29] However, several pointed to the album's overlength at 19 tracks (including skits), which led to moments of repetition in its apocalyptic motifs and diluted pacing.[29] Entertainment Weekly echoed this, rating it a B (equivalent to 75/100) but appreciating how Busta made "tall tales of sex and success seem funny" through his unique rhyme schemes.[29] The album's strong reception translated to recognition at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2000, where it earned three nominations: Best Rap Album for the project itself, Best Rap Solo Performance for "Gimme Some More," and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "What's It Gonna Be?!" featuring Janet Jackson.Retrospective assessments
In the 2010s and 2020s, critics have reevaluated Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front as a high point in Busta Rhymes' discography, emphasizing its energetic production and thematic ambition. A 2010 retrospective by RapReviews awarded it an 8 out of 10, praising its varied beats and replay value while noting its capture of Y2K-era apocalyptic anxiety.[12] In 2016, We Plug Good Music's revisit highlighted the album's consistency and syncopated, glitchy beats as influential on subsequent hip-hop production.[21] By 2023, Soul in Stereo's anniversary piece ranked it among Busta Rhymes' finest works, commending its blend of commercial appeal and boom bap grit.[30] A 2024 review in Tinnitist declared it a classic, positioning it as a blueprint for millennial rap through its structured narrative.[31] The album's enduring elements lie in its pioneering approach to concept rap, framing an end-times saga across tracks to create a cohesive, cinematic experience uncommon in late-1990s hip-hop.[31] Collaborations with artists like Janet Jackson on "What's It Gonna Be?!" and Ozzy Osbourne on a cover of "Iron Man" helped bridge hip-hop with pop and rock, expanding the genre's crossover potential.[21] Pitchfork's 2022 review of Busta Rhymes' prior album When Disaster Strikes... referenced Extinction Level Event as an escalation of apocalyptic motifs, underscoring its role in evolving his thematic style.[11] Retrospective critiques have revisited some dated aspects of the production, such as indistinct lyrics from Busta Rhymes' rapid delivery. However, these are often outweighed by praise for the album's thematic prescience, particularly its warnings of environmental catastrophe and societal collapse amid rising climate concerns. A 2017 analysis in Flood Magazine connected its doomsday visions—evoking nuclear holocaust and extreme weather—to contemporary global warming fears and political instability.[13] In hip-hop studies, the album has been cited for its narrative innovation, using horrorcore elements and skits to construct a dystopian storyline that influenced later conceptual works. A 2013 academic paper in the Journal of Japanese and Korean Cinema (via JSTOR) examined its cover art and themes in the context of post-9/11 hip-hop depictions of catastrophe.[32] Similarly, a 2021 study in the Journal of Religion, Film and Media referenced Extinction Level Event as an example of apocalyptic dystopia in popular music, highlighting its role in blending hip-hop rhetoric with end-times prophecy.[33]Commercial performance
Chart positions
Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard 200 chart dated January 2, 1999, and remained on the chart for 32 weeks.[5] It also reached number 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[34] In the United Kingdom, the album peaked at number 54 on the Official Albums Chart and spent a total of 12 weeks on the listing.[35]| Chart (1999) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 Year-End | 49[36] |
Sales certifications
Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front achieved platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on January 8, 1999, for one million units shipped in the United States.[37] The album was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on November 29, 2013, representing 100,000 units sold in the United Kingdom.[38] Worldwide, the album has sold an estimated 1.1 million copies, driven primarily by its strong performance in the US and European markets.[39]Track listing
Standard tracks
The standard edition of Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front, released on December 15, 1998, by Elektra Records, features 19 tracks across CD, LP, and cassette formats in its explicit configuration, with no significant regional variations in the sequencing or content.[1] The album's total runtime is 69:50.[40] It incorporates five skits that frame the overarching narrative of global catastrophe and survival.[1]| No. | Title | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intro - There's Only One Year Left!!! | 2:37 | Skit |
| 2 | Everybody Rise | 3:00 | |
| 3 | Where We Are About to Take It | 3:06 | Skit |
| 4 | Extinction Level Event (The Song of Salvation) | 3:34 | |
| 5 | Tear Da Roof Off | 3:37 | |
| 6 | Against All Odds | 4:18 | Featuring Flipmode Squad |
| 7 | Just Give It to Me Raw | 3:01 | |
| 8 | Do It to Death | 3:28 | |
| 9 | Keepin' It Tight | 4:27 | Featuring Peter Gunz |
| 10 | Gimme Some More | 2:39 | |
| 11 | Iz They Wildin Wit Us & Getting Rowdy Wit Us? | 3:40 | Featuring Spliff Star |
| 12 | Party Is Goin' On Over Here | 2:32 | Skit |
| 13 | Do the Bus a Bus | 4:59 | |
| 14 | Take It Off | 3:08 | |
| 15 | What's It Gonna Be?! | 5:24 | Featuring Janet Jackson |
| 16 | Hot Shit Makin' Ya Bounce | 3:33 | |
| 17 | What the Fuck You Want!! | 3:15 | Skit |
| 18 | This Means War!! | 4:36 | Featuring Ozzy Osbourne |
| 19 | Outro - The Burial Song | 5:04 | Skit |