When it comes to social responsibility, Busta Rhymes isn't the most obvious of models. The American rapper has been charged several times for assault, and once for possession of a machete found in the boot of his car. But Busta's put all that behind him - and now he's on his way to London, set to perform a free gig for some 5,000 community volunteers.
The performance will take place at Royal Albert Hall on September 26. It's organised by Orange RockCorps, an initiative that encourages young people to get involved in their communities as volunteers.
"You can't buy a ticket. You can't win a ticket. You have to earn this ticket," explains an official RockCorps statement. To gain admission to the show, those who sign on must work for at least four hours on a vetted RockCorps community project. Most of these will take place at London's Winton Primary School, where RockCorps plan to transform the school rooftop into a playground and vegetable garden.
Other projects include building community gardens, helping out at leisure centres and painting murals in run-down schoolyards.
Last year, Busta Rhymes participated in a similar gig in Atlanta, Georgia - albeit with RockCorps' American, Boost Mobile-sponsored wing. Plans have also been announced to expand the scheme beyond London to Manchester, Newcastle, Cardiff and Southampton.
Sceptics will note that Busta Rhymes himself owes many days of community service, stemming from the aforementioned assault charges. It is not known whether his commitment to RockCorps is related to these obligations.
Philanthropy aside, Busta Rhymes is not having a particularly good week. The industry is buzzing with rumours that the rapper has been dropped from Interscope Records, following a dispute with chairman Jimmy Iovine. Busta Rhymes's eighth studio album, Blessed, was to be released this month before being postponed indefinitely. Maybe Busta Rhymes can recruit some kids to paint an impolite mural on the side of Iovine's house.
