Doja Cat Brings Out Busta Rhymes for Full-Circle Moment at Hot 97's Summer Jam

Doja Cat and Busta Rhymes' mutual admiration for each other came full circle this weekend!

The Grammy winner, 28, took fans by surprise on Sunday, June 2 when the hip-hop legend joined her during her set at Hot 97's Summer Jam. During a performance billed as "Doja Cat and Friends" at the 30th annual hip-hop music festival at Belmont Park's UBS Arena, the Grammy winner truly came prepared with a few of her pals, including the 52-year-old "I Know What You Want" rapper and peers in Gunna and A$AP Ferg.

During her closing set, which kicked off with "Demons" and wrapped with her latest No. 1 smash "Paint the Town Red," Doja tapped Busta for a string of hits including "New York S---," “Ante Up,” and his iconic "Look at Me Now" verse, per footage and updates from the event.

Elsewhere, Gunna surprised Doja's set with "fukumean" and and Ferg previewed a new single before launching into "Plain Jane."

Busta and Doja have praised each other before, with Doja previously noting that she grew up on Busta's music in a 2022 ELLE cover story and calling the rap icon a "pioneer" during a Hot Ones interview in 2023. "His fashion back in the day was just ridiculously good and cool," she said at the time. "I don't know if he knows! But he's cool."

Busta reposted the clip to his Instagram last October, writing: "Thank you Brilliant Mind & Queen. #BLESSED!!"

Other performers at Summer Jam included chart-toppers in Sexyy Red and French Montana and a celebration of life for the late Mister Cee, featuring appearances from Method Man, Redman and others.

Doja Cat's special guest follows a history of rappers bringing out collaborators, peers, and living legends during the annual event, with JAY-Z bringing out Michael Jackson in 2001, Nas and 50 Cent joining forces on stage in 2014, and just last year, Flo Milli joining friend Ice Spice for her first appearance at Summer Jam.

The latest performance came two months after Doja's Coachella headlining set, and as she embarks on a few European dates for her ongoing The Scarlet Tour.

Back in April, Doja made it clear that her live show isn't necessarily kid-friendly, as she slammed parents who brought their kids to her live shows, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “idk what the f--- you think this is but i don’t make music for children so leave your kids at home motherf–--er."

"im rapping about c-- why are you bringing your offspring to my show," she added.

After dropping her most recent LP Scarlet in September 2023, Doja embarked on her first tour in four years, The Scarlet Tour. The initial North American dates in fall 2023 featured special guests in Ice Spice and Doechii. Doja will continue touring throughout the U.K. in June and July alongside a handful of festival dates.

She also headlined Coachella on both Sunday, April 14 and then again on Sunday, April 21 — gigs that saw her bring out 21 Savage, Teezo Touchdown and A$AP Rocky.