What's It Gonna Be?!

For the viral video, see Million Dollar Strong.
"What's It Gonna Be"
Single by Busta Rhymes featuring Janet Jackson
from the album Extinction Level Event
Released March 9, 1999 (1999-03-09)
Format
  • CD single
  • 7" vinyl single
  • 12" vinyl single
Recorded 1998; Larrabee North Studio
(North Hollywood, California)
Genre
Length 5:24
Label Elektra
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Darrell "Delite" Allamby
Busta Rhymes singles chronology
"Gimme Some More"
(1999)		 "What's It Gonna Be?!"
(1999)		 "Get Out!!"
(2000)
Janet Jackson singles chronology
"Ask for More"
(1999)		 "What's It Gonna Be?!"
(1999)		 "Girlfriend/Boyfriend"
(1999)

"What's It Gonna Be?!" is a song by American rapper Busta Rhymes, with guest vocals from pop singer Janet Jackson. Its music video, directed by Hype Williams, is one of the most expensive music videos of all time. The song was an international success, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and the top ten of various countries.

Jackson included the song as an interlude on her Number Ones: Up Close and Personal tour.

Music video

The music video for the song was directed by Hype Williams on March 12, 1999. It is one of the most expensive videos ever made, costing upwards of $2 million, and focused largely on special effects. The video begins with a glass filled with liquid moving toward the edge of its resting area, which spills and transforms into Busta Rhymes as a knight in a futuristic armor suit. Jackson is portrayed as a dominatrix, in a purple latex suit adorned with cock rings and baring her cleavage.

The video contains frequent sexual innuendo, visually based on the song's lyrical themes, portraying imagery alluding to wet dreams and stimulated wetness. Jackson appears in a liquid tunnel as Rhymes morphs into a sperm-like creature and floats towards her. A marching band of miniature Rhymes passes through the tunnel's walls as Rhymes transforms into one himself, before morphing again to rise through the tunnel's ceiling. Electric sparks fly as miniature versions of himself pour like raindrops onto Jackson's breasts. Towards the finale, Rhymes and Jackson are united to perform together, as their bodies morph into each other. The remaining scenery then combusts into thin air as they continue transforming into a silver liquid.

Track listings

US - 12" vinyl Maxi Single

Germany 5" CD Single

US 5" CD Single

UK - Cassette Single

Official Versions/Remixes

Charts and certifications

The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one on both the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and Hot Rap Tracks charts. It also reached number five on the Rhythmic Top 40. It was a top ten hit in the United Kingdom, Australia, and South Africa. It was a moderate success in Europe, reaching the top forty in most countries. The song sold 800,000 copies in the United States and was certified Gold by the RIAA.[1][2] The single entered at #1 on the UK R&B Singles chart.[3]

Weekly charts

Chart (1999) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart[4] 65
Belgium Singles Chart 33
Canadian Singles Chart 11
Finland Singles Chart 43
German Singles Chart 42
Holland Singles Chart 21
Japan Sales Chart 34
Netherlands Singles Chart 24
Scottish Singles Chart [3] 16
South African Sales Chart 7
Sweden Singles Chart 52
Switzerland Singles Chart 41
UK Singles Chart 6
UK R&B Singles Chart [3] 1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 3
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 1
U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Tracks 1
U.S. Billboard Rhythmic Top 40 5
U.S. Top 40 Mainstream 40

Year-end charts

chart (1999) Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[5] 27

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
United States (RIAA)[2] Gold 800,000[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Best-Selling Records of 1999". Billboard. BPI Communications Inc. 112 (4): 63. January 22, 2000. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  2. 1 2 "American single certifications – Busta Rhymes – What%27s It Gonna Be?". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  3. 1 2 3 http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-singles-chart/19990425/114/
  4. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  5. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 - 1999". Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  6. ↑ "Best-Selling Records of 1999". Billboard. BPI Communications Inc. 112 (4): 63. January 22, 2000. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
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