Not only is multi-platinum two-time Grammy-winning rock band Linkin Park featured on the first single from acclaimed hip-hop innovator Busta Rhymes' new album, but the band 's co-lead vocalists Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda will also appear in the song's performance video. "We Made It," directed by Chris Robinson, was shot in Los Angeles on Tuesday, April 15.
The intriguing culture-mashing collaboration reflects the theme of "We Made It." Says Rhymes of the song: "It ain't just about the 'hood, it ain't just about the suburbs, it's about everybody. This is one of those songs that can't be described better than touching the souls of the common people."
"We Made It," produced by Cool and Dre, with additional production by Mike Shinoda, and its video will be released in May, prior to the debut of Rhymes' eighth studio album "Blessed" (Flipmode/Aftermath/Interscope), on June 17.
Busta Rhymes' previous album, 2006's "The Big Bang", his first for Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, became the first #1 Pop album of his career, and fourth #1 R&B/Hip-hop album. Spinning off the Top 20 Pop hit "Touch It", "The Big Bang" claimed the top spot in its first week and went gold. The album followed his gold "It Ain't Safe No More". The Brooklyn-born, Long Island-raised Busta Rhymes (named by Chuck D of Public Enemy) launched his solo career in 1996 with the platinum #1 R&B/Hip-hop "The Coming" and its Top 10 platinum "Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check." Called "the most idiosyncratic personality in rap and possessor of its most recognizable delivery, a halting, ragga-inspired style with incredible complexity, inventiveness, and humor" , Rhymes followed with three more blockbuster albums: "When Disaster Strikes" (#1 R&B/Hip-hop), "Extinction Level Event" (The Final World Front) (#2 R&B/Hip-hop), "Anarchy" (#1 R&B/Hip-hop) and "Genesis (#2 R&B/Hip-hop).
While "We Made It" marks Rhymes' first teaming with a rock band, Linkin Park previously crossed genres when the group partnered with Jay-Z in 2004 for the platinum mash-up Collision Course, a #1 Pop album that featured the digital gold, Grammy winning track "Numb/Encore."
