What's It Gonna Be?!

Album: Extinction Level Event (1998)
Charted: 6 3
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The third single released by Busta Rhymes from his E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front album, "What's It Gonna Be?!" features guest vocals from Janet Jackson. It was the first time the songstress had ever been a featured guest on a rapper's single.
  • The collaboration came about as a result of a radio interview that Jackson did on Hot 97 with Angie Martinez. When the Afternoon Drive presenter asked the singer what hip-hop artist she would like to work with, Jackson replied, "Busta Rhymes."

    Busta was listening to the interview at the time. He recalled to Billboard: "I was actually in my vehicle driving from Long Island to [New York City] and I had to pull over because I almost crashed."

    "Janet's one of my favorite artists ever to exist in the world. To hear her say that was one of the biggest highlights of my life," he continued. "I had Mona Scott Young, who was my manager with Chris Lighty, notify management. I told them to get [Janet] on the phone. [Mona] got Janet on the phone and interestingly enough I told Janet, 'I had the perfect song for her,' and I didn't even have the song yet. With that being said we found the perfect song, once I said all that I had to deliver."

    "I guess I'm pretty good under pressure," Busta added. "I got with the right people to collaborate and put the song together, which ended up becoming one of the most historical moments of my career."
  • Janet Jackson included the song as an interlude during her Number Ones: Up Close and Personal tour.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Maxi Priest

Maxi PriestSongwriter Interviews

The British reggae legend tells the story of his #1 hit "Close To You," talks about his groundbreaking Shabba Ranks collaboration "Housecall," and discusses his latest project with Robin Trower.

Strange Magnetics

Strange MagneticsSong Writing

How Bing Crosby, Les Paul, a US Army Signal Corps Officer, and the Nazis helped shape rock and Roll.

Band Names

Band NamesFact or Fiction

Was "Pearl" Eddie Vedder's grandmother, and did she really make a hallucinogenic jam? Did Journey have a contest to name the group? And what does KISS stand for anyway?

Bob Dylan Lyric Quiz

Bob Dylan Lyric QuizMusic Quiz

Think you know your Bob Dylan lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.