NEW ORIGINAL SONG FROM TWELVE-TIME GRAMMY NOMINATED RAPPER AND SINGER BUSTA RHYMES WILL BE FEATURED IN DREAMWORKS ANIMATION’S THE BAD GUYS 2

LOS ANGELES, CA – July 25th, 2025 – Back Lot Music announces the release of “Taking Everything,” an original song featured in DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming film, The Bad Guys 2, performed by twelve-time Grammy® nominated rapper and singer Busta Rhymes. The track was written by Oscar® nominated composer Daniel Pemberton alongside Busta. 

The film’s opening sequence, one of its most kinetic set pieces, needed a track that could match its visual velocity. The solution was “Taking Everything,” an original song written by Pemberton and twelve-time Grammy nominee TREVOR SMITH, JR., aka BUSTA RHYMES, who performs the track. “From the beginning, I knew ‘Taking Everything’ had to feel electric and energetic, yet still have a hard edge,” Pemberton says. “I have always loved blending genres that don’t typically go together, and with this track, we were aiming for something unexpected. The opening needed to feel like a celebration but also have grit. That’s where Busta came in. What makes Busta so unique is his vocal rhythm and power. He is a master of his craft, and working with someone who has such a distinct, virtuosic skill set was incredibly exciting. I approach artists like Busta the same way I would a brilliant violinist or guitarist—what can I do with their skill to make something new and fresh?”

Known for his unmatched ability to manipulate tempo and rhythm, Busta was uniquely suited to tackle the film’s demanding track. “We wrote the track at 180 BPM, which is an untraditional tempo for hip-hop,” Pemberton says. “But Busta made it work by going from half-time at 90 BPM to full speed, creating this dynamic shift that gave the track an undeniable energy. It’s like a musical rocket taking off.”

For Rhymes, the experience was a unique opportunity to channel his style into a new kind of storytelling. “Being a part of The Bad Guys franchise was an incredible experience,” Rhymes says. “The energy, the style, the attitude, it all resonated with me. I wanted to bring something unique to the project, something bold and animated in every sense of the word. Collaborating with such a creative team allowed me to tap into a different side of storytelling, and I am proud to have contributed to a film that blends action, humor and heart in such a dynamic way. Hoping to come back as a cast member for The Bad Guys 3.”