From The Vault – Busta Rhymes & Janet Jackson ‘What’s It Gonna Be’

Published: Sunday 24th Oct 2010 by Sam

This week’s classic From The Vault clip comes courtesy of Busta Rhymes and Janet Jackson and their 1999 single ‘What’s It Gonna Be’.

Lifted from Rhymes’ LP ‘Extinction Level Event’, the song went on to become one of the rapper’s biggest hits (peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on the Official UK Singles Chart). While the track stands on its own two legs as one of the most dynamic Rap-Sung collaborations in Urban music history, much of its success is no doubt attributable to its accompanying video.

Directed by the then man-of-the-moment, Hype Williams, the clip till this day remains one of the most expensive videos ever made (costing a reported $2 million to produce). Indeed, with its ground-breaking special effects, and out-of-the-box take on the ‘sensual’, the video easily trounces many of those produced today – some 11 years later. Classic.

Tidbit: One can’t but marvel at Janet’s uncanny ability to glide between being the seductive songstress to being the all-smiling, all laughing, girl next door. Love it!

Your thoughts?

Comments 32

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  1. Hung October 24, 2010

    Wasn’t Michael & Janet Jacksons scream video the most expensive ever made

  2. UGh October 24, 2010

    This was this s*** back in the day! I love it and it still looks so modern although it was 11 years ago. Janet look hot too.

  3. UGh October 24, 2010

    @ HUNG

    that’s what i thought too

  4. Sublime00 October 24, 2010

    Loved this! Came out when I was 10

  5. TeAM WeeZY October 24, 2010

    This was and still is my freaking jam! The beat is SICK!

    Busta is so underrated! Janet’s voice fits the song so perfectly!

    I freaking LOVE this song!

  6. HeLLo October 24, 2010

    “While the track stands on its own two legs as one of the most dynamic Rap-Sung collaborations in Urban music history,”

    No, Just no…..HELL NO.

  7. arfa October 24, 2010

    I think TLCs NO SCRUBS was hypes best video sorry!

  8. Diagnosticluv October 24, 2010

    Reading skills is a must he stated “one of the most expensive”. He did not state the most expensive ugghhh SMH.

  9. gdhg October 24, 2010

    WOWOWO!!! I strongly suggest you a great s ite

    🙂 🙂 — Bla c kw h it eF lirts. C” 0- M — 🙂 🙂

    —Meet rich guys,—hot babies—Hollywood celebrities, who are searching for their special someone. a place to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive sin gles. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends !!!

  10. dapope9 October 24, 2010

    CLASSIC…still bump that 2day!

  11. the kiddz October 24, 2010

    I was JUST listening to this! When I was younger, I had no idea what “make your body wet” meant. Now, I have an idea. Lol

  12. Stoney-Brie October 24, 2010

    omg on the chorus are ya’ll paying attention on Janet’s vocals.. amazing!!

    the woman sangs when she wants to..!

    Busta’s rap was superb!

  13. Emmi3 October 24, 2010

    Woehoew now this is one of my all time s** jams 🙂

  14. JAYLA October 24, 2010

    “ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE”,… ITS MOSTLY TEENS ON THIS SITE SO YALL HAVE TO EXCUSE THEIR READING SKILLS LOL…

  15. MISHKA October 24, 2010

    “Busta Rhymes…Janet Jackson…Yeah!!! ” That was my favorite part back in the day . Fun times!

  16. UGh October 24, 2010

    As you can see “one of” is underlined. It wasn’t there when it was first posted. It’s an obvious correction…..SMFH

  17. NAS ( B Rockah Stan 4eva) October 24, 2010

    This was when Busta used to be hot and s*** but now please get to the gym and loose those fat….#justsaying!!!!!!!lol

  18. O.B. October 24, 2010

    Gawd I would ride the hell out of Busta till his testicles burst…..hmmmm

  19. Sarah October 24, 2010

    I still be bumpin this jam and often. I love the songs video as well.

    Busta also did I Know What You Want with Mariah. Though a hot song, this one is even hotter.

  20. JDE97 October 24, 2010

    Easily one of thee tackiest videos I’ve ever seen in my life.

  21. TWITTER.COM/SEAN_DA_GODDESS October 24, 2010

    JDE97

    YET STILL SLAYING YOU AND ALOT OF S*** OUT TODAY! YOU WILL GET OVER THAT!

    DEAD@ U WATCHING IT MORE THAN ONCE.

  22. JDE97 October 24, 2010

    TWITTER.COM/SEAN_DA_GODDESS, you sound like a complete imbecile. “Slaying?” How old are you, twelve? Seriously. Who the hell talks like that? You don’t sound cool, you don’t sound ‘hip,’ you don’t sound ‘down.’ Rather just all around idiotic. Also, what’s with the typing in all caps? Making it bigger won’t make it sound better, Corky. What did you score on the SATs?

    ::: blank stare @ you :::

  23. GREG October 25, 2010

    @JDE….Wow man bring it down some….you seem a little angry ….youre bringing a lot of negativity to the post.

  24. janhova!!! October 25, 2010

    i still play this song!!! great collabo!!! janet4ever!!!!!

  25. janhova!!! October 25, 2010

    @ARFA. Scrubs was an obvious rip from Michael and Janet’s “Scream” video. There was nothing original about the No Scrubs video.

  26. TheDimplePuppet October 25, 2010

    Nina Simone & Janet Jackson gives me everything I need enough said!

  27. Soulful Roses October 25, 2010

    AMAZING 🙂

  28. xtincta October 25, 2010

    Great song and video…… A shame Busta is a homophobe.

  29. Wyte mwape October 25, 2010

    am so glad to join this page

  30. B October 25, 2010

    Always loved this video!!!

  31. lord harkness October 25, 2010

    still love this song and yes, janets background vocals are amazing. sometimes i wish her lead vocals were as bold. it’s not like she doesn’t have the notes. i also still love this video, i was in lake tahoe when it came out- never forget it. too bad video quality on this post is poor because it’s really a hot video.

  32. iFreakum October 26, 2010

    This was one of my FAV vids when I was a t***! Hype had a good eye for visually stunning details!

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