Charlie Wilson, the legendary R&B and Funk artist, has expressed his understanding and support for Busta Rhymes’ recent stance on fans using their phones during concerts. Fresh off his performance at the 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans, Wilson shared his thoughts on the matter at LAX.
Busta Rhymes, who was one of the festival’s opening acts, had a notable outburst during his performance. As the crowd was still filling in, Busta, alongside Spliff Starr, urged fans to put their phones down and fully engage with the show. This isn’t the first time Busta has addressed this issue; he had a similar reaction at a private event earlier this year.
Charlie Wilson, at 71, emphasized that while he prefers fans to be engaged with the stage, he understands the reality of today’s social media-driven world. He acknowledged that artists have to accept what they can get in terms of audience engagement. Wilson, who prides himself on delivering high-energy performances, even compared his dedication to that of Michael Jordan’s focus in sports.
Busta Rhymes, whose real name is Trevor George Smith Jr., didn’t hold back during his performance at the Essence Festival. The 52-year-old rapper expressed his frustration with fans constantly filming the show. He passionately urged the audience to put their phones down and interact like humans. His expletive-laden rant included statements like, “F*** them camera phones. Let’s get back to interacting like humans,” and “Put them weird a** devices down. I ain’t from that era.”
Busta’s frustration was palpable as he pointed out individuals in the crowd, demanding they stand up and engage with his performance. He emphasized his long career, stating, “Thirty-three years of this s***. I ain’t used to n***** sitting down at my show.” His outburst continued as he addressed those seated at the top of the room, urging them to get up and participate.
Busta explained that his reaction stemmed from having “zero tolerance” for what he called “bulls*** energy.” He wanted the crowd to make him feel at home, especially since it was his first time performing at the Essence Festival’s 30-year anniversary.
The reaction to Busta’s outburst was mixed. Some fans criticized him for his foul-mouthed attack on the crowd and their phones, while others supported his stance, expressing a desire for phone bans at concerts. There were also comments about the number of empty seats at Busta’s gig, with some suggesting he had no right to criticize the fans who did show up. However, one social media user provided context, explaining that a severe rainstorm outside the event likely contributed to the low attendance. The user shared a video of the deluge, stating, “For context, there was damn near a hurricane outside of the stadium. That is why there were only like 400 people in there.”
Despite the controversy, the user noted that Busta’s performance was light-hearted and that he put on an amazing set. They added, “My section had a ball,” indicating that those who were present enjoyed the show.
Charlie Wilson’s perspective on the matter highlights the generational differences in how artists view audience engagement. While he understands the importance of being present and engaged during a performance, he also recognizes the pervasive influence of social media and the reality that fans often want to capture and share their experiences.
In today’s digital age, the debate over phone usage at concerts continues to be a contentious issue. Artists like Busta Rhymes and Charlie Wilson bring their unique perspectives to the table, reflecting their experiences and expectations from their audiences. As the music industry evolves, finding a balance between live engagement and the desire to document moments will remain a challenge for both artists and fans.
Source: TMZ, Daily Mail
