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!