With many American hip hop pioneers getting heavy into physical fitness from the likes of 50 Cent, Game, Method Man and it appears that leader of the pack is FlipMode Lieutenant, Busta Rhymes.

The rapper took to Instagram to share before-and-after photos of his drastic weight loss and impressive new physique.

“DON’T EVER GIVE UP ON YOURSELF,” Busta captioned the photos. “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!!”

Rhymes’ upcoming album, Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God, is slated to be released on October 30 and is a follow-up to his 1998’s E.L.E.: The Final World Front.

While discussing his vision for E.L.E. 2 two years ago, he previously told HHNM that the album was ‘done’ and he didn’t want to do anything ‘conventional anymore.’

‘I’m just trying to create new groundbreaking moments that will allow the way albums are released again to be exciting in the way that they used to be,’ he said