Philly’s Own E. Ness Gets a Moment of Flowers from Hip-Hop Legend Busta Rhymes
For decades, E. Ness has stayed solid in hip-hop as one of Philadelphia’s rawest and most respected MCs. The Philly native, born Lloyd Mathis, came to fame through Diddy’s “Making the Band 2” reality series and went on to build a legacy through bars, battles, and consistency. Now, as he continues his grind with a new single and video, Ness received major flowers from one of the game’s greats: Busta Rhymes.
A video clip posted by @getchaweightuptwine on Instagram shows Busta Rhymes dapping up E. Ness and giving him high praise for his contribution to hip-hop. In the video, Busta embraces Ness and appears to thank him directly for his years of lyrical work, street consistency, and energy. The caption reads: “Eness & Busta Rhymes Giving Ness his flowers.”
In an industry that doesn’t always take time to salute its underground and battle-tested MCs, this moment stood out.
New Video “Jinglin” Reconnects Philly Greats
The moment between Busta and Ness arrives just as Ness dropped his newest single and video: “Jinglin,” which features fellow Philly heavyweight Peedi Crakk. The track shares a title with the iconic LL Cool J record “Jingling Baby.” However, “jinglin” is a common phrase in Philly. So, the song brings old-school flavor into a fresh, modern setting.
The video for “Jinglin” was shot in Camden, New Jersey, at the Millennium Skate Rink, giving it a nostalgic community vibe. Both Ness and Peedi Crakk are known for their lyrical dexterity and punchy flows. So, trade bars in a way that only Philly emcees can. As a result, they don’t disappoint.
This isn’t just a one-off collaboration—it’s a full-circle moment for two Philadelphia legends whose careers span decades.
From Da Band to Battle Rap: The Evolution of E. Ness
E. Ness first broke into the national spotlight in 2002 as a member of Da Band, the rap collective formed on MTV’s Making the Band 2, spearheaded by Sean “Diddy” Combs. The group—which also included Babs, Chopper, Freddy P, Dylan Dilinjah, and Sara Stokes—was known as much for its drama as for its music. Still, their lone album Too Hot for TV went gold and included the street anthem “Bad Boy This, Bad Boy That.”
In addition, Da Band had moderate success with their follow-up single. While “Bad Boy This, Bad Boy That” made regular BET rotation, “Tonight” was their commercial offering. On this record, Ness shined as the lead lyricist on the track. As a result, he rapped on the hook, as Sara sang. This song showed her skills as a vocalist. However, none of this was enough to keep the group together.
While Da Band dissolved in 2004, Ness never left the game. Instead, he doubled down, maintaining a steady presence on the mixtape circuit and especially in the battle rap scene. His sharp delivery and commanding presence made him a staple on stages like the Ultimate Rap League (URL), where he faced off against some of the best in the craft.
Real Respect in Real Time
Busta Rhymes’ shoutout to Ness is especially powerful because it shows respect from one elite MC to another—no clout-chasing, no agenda. Just authentic admiration. Moments like this help bridge the gap between mainstream recognition and the underground grind.
The timing couldn’t be better. With “Jinglin” making noise, Ness linking with respected names like Peedi Crakk. So, the world is once again seeing the lyrical power Philly has always been known for. As Ness returns with his new single, it is significant that he launches with an emcee from his city.
Peedi Crakk, once a fixture at Roc-A-Fella Records and a contributor to Ne-Yo’s breakout hit “Stay With Me,” is also enjoying a creative resurgence. He recently reunited with Ne-Yo to perform their classic, and his involvement in “Jinglin” shows that Philly’s finest are linking up in meaningful ways.
Still Philly. Still Fire.
While many artists fade out of the spotlight, E. Ness has remained true to himself, his style, and his city. Whether he’s spitting in a URL battle or recording with other East Coast legends, Ness continues to earn respect.
With about 617 monthly listeners on Spotify, his music may not be mainstream chart-topping, but it’s rooted, raw, and respected. His X (formerly Twitter) handle, @215ENess, says it all: this is Philly hip-hop to the bone.
During his time in Da Band, E. Ness played his part as a member of the collective. However, those who watched the show saw how he managed to break out. Because of his lyrical prowess, he was amassing his own fan base. As a result, Ness was in talks for a solo deal with Bad Boy. In addition, he had his “My Hood” solo single.
Ultimately, this deal did not pan out, and Ness returned to his home, Philly.
Final Thoughts
E. Ness’s current wave, combined with Busta Rhymes’ public salute, reminds us that talent never truly fades—it just waits for the right moment to be recognized again. From Making the Band to “Jinglin” with Peedi Crakk, Ness’s journey is one of perseverance, punchlines, and Philly pride.
Despite being a Philadelphia lyrical legend, Making The Band 2 is Ness’ primary claim to fame. From 2002 until 2004, he was one of entertainment’s biggest names. The whole world was watching, as Da Band was rising to fame. So, when their music success didn’t follow their TV success, it was disheartening.
However, the culture was right before a major shift. Many rappers and former reality stars who never quite achieved stardom had another shot at it. As a result, a lot of people who once commanded respect were shown in a different light because of various reality shows. E. Ness avoided this trap.
Instead of packaging his career for a reality TV storyline, he kept things authentic. As a result, he returned to the battle rap circuit and honed his chops. Now, well over twenty years after his mainstream introduction, he’s still here.
And if Busta Rhymes is giving you flowers in 2025? You’re still very much a factor in this culture.
