Trevor George Smith Jr., known professionally as Busta Rhymes, has recently opened up about his dramatic weight loss journey.
In the Jan/Feb 2021 issue of Men’s Health magazine, the 48-year-old rapper explained that he stopped working out and taking care of his diet after the deaths of his longtime manager in 2012 and his father in 2014.
He said, “Those were the two most important male figures in my entire life.”
However, he had a sort of wakeup call in 2019.
One night, Rhymes’ son noticed him struggling to breathe in his sleep due to sleep apnea, so the next day the singer went to a throat doctor, who found he had polyps in the throat, which were restricting 90% of his breathing. The doctor urged Rhymes to get emergency surgery.
Rhymes said, “The doctor told me that if I caught a cold or slept wrong that I could die. It felt like this was on me now, and I had to steer things in a different direction.”
After undergoing the surgery, he met a trainer through Instagram, committing to moving to Florida for an intensive fitness program.
He began working out two-three times a day and eating protein-packed meals every two and a half hours,” according to PEOPLE. He gained muscles, which and increased his weight from 290 to 340 lbs.
Today, Rhymes weighs 254 lbs. and is in better all-around health.
He said, “I ain’t just getting in shape to look good with my music. I was raised to protect and provide for my family and my people. I don’t know how to be any other way. I have to contribute in any way I can, even if that means engaging in physicality to ensure survival.”
Rhymes previously showed off the results of his weight loss journey in October.
Posting a before-after photo, he wrote, “Don’t Ever Give Up On Yourself!! Life Begins Right Now!!! My Dedication Is Different!!”
“I would never put out an album and not be in the best shape of my life!! I respect myself too much and I respect y’all too much!!! I’m only here to inspire!!” he continued. The article appeared on PEOPLE.
