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As a founding member of Wu-Tang Clan, Raekwon is one of the greatest rappers ever. Between Wu-Tang classics like Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and Wu-Tang Forever, and his solo album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, the New York MC has a reputation for being one of the most skilled lyricists in the game. However, he isn’t too proud to give credit where due.

Rae has had a long-time close relationship with Busta Rhymes and credits him for saving his life. The two rappers, both in their 50s and born just years apart, found fame in the ’90s and have become known as pillars of hip-hop. After Busta received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Raekwon gave him his flowers on stage.

“Thank you for saving my life,” Rae told Busta. “You saved my life, n*gga, you was in it first. You was in it first. New York City, I want y’all to know, we hold a certain merit in New York City that’s most valuable. I don’t give a fuck where you go, New York City is number one. Even when we’re down.

“Busta, I wanna thank you for everything. For the privilege to be here with you and share these moments, my n*gga. We’re grown men. We’re grown men, we do grown things. I’m so proud of you, man. Hall of Fame shit. You deserve it, you live it. New York City, Hall of Fame. Thank you, I’m just a student of the game. I’m just a student of the game, that’s all.”

Rae and Busta have collaborated on numerous tracks throughout their careers. The pair teamed up on ‘The Monument’ from Wu-Tang’s 2000 album The Wu and ‘The Heist’ with Ghostface Killah from Busta’s Anarchy that same year. They also worked together on the ‘State of Grace’ remix and ‘Goldmine’ in 2006 and ‘Renaissance Rap’ alongside Lil Wayne in 2014.

For his ceremony, Busta was honoured alongside guest speakers LL Cool J and Chuck D. He was described as one of “hip-hop’s most enduring and electrifying voices,” with the star being a “testament to his lasting impact on hip-hop music.”

In his speech, Busta said, “I worked so hard and I never asked for a shortcut, I never asked for a cheat code,” Busta says on the verge of crying. I was never raised by a support system that made it seem OK to try to go around honestly earning your rite to passage, I want to thank those people.

“I want to thank you Chuck for giving me my first shot and being one of the first to believe in me. I say you gave me the name even though you say you presented it. If you didn’t present it, it probably wouldn’t have been one of the greatest gifts in my life because my name before Busta Rhymes was Chill-O-Skee.”

Busta joined Dr Dre, Tupac Shakur, Nipsey Hussle, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell, Missy Elliott, and other rappers with Hollywood Walk of Fame stars. His legacy will forever be etched into that iconic Los Angeles pavement.