What's It Gonna Be?!

"What's It Gonna Be"
"What's It Gonna Be"
Single by Busta Rhymes featuring Janet Jackson
from the album E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front
Released	March 9, 1999
Recorded	1998; Larrabee North Studio ; (North Hollywood, California)
Genre	Hip hop; dirty rap;
Length	5:24
Label	Elektra
Songwriter(s)	T. Smith; D. Allamby; Antoinette Roberson;
Producer(s)	Darrell "Delite" Allamby
Busta Rhymes singles chronology
Janet Jackson singles chronology
Music video
	"What's It Gonna Be?!" on YouTube

"What's It Gonna Be?!" is the second single released by American rapper Busta Rhymes from his third studio album E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front (1999), featuring guest vocals from American singer Janet Jackson. The song was a commercial and critical success, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and the top ten of various countries. It also hit number one on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks charts, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 2000 Grammy Awards.

The music video, directed by Rhymes & Hype Williams, was critically lauded, and received four MTV Video Music Awards nominations at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards. It is one of the most expensive music videos ever made.

The song appears on Rhymes' compilation albums Total Devastation: The Best of Busta Rhymes and Turn It Up! The Very Best of Busta Rhymes as well as Jackson's Number Ones greatest hits album.

Jackson included the song as an interlude on her Number Ones: Up Close and Personal tour and sang it for the first time on the second leg of her 2018 State of the World 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 of a silver liquid moving toward the edge of its resting area, which spills and transforms into Busta Rhymes as a knight in shining armor and begins singing. Jackson is portrayed as a dominatrix, in a purple latex suit adorned with cock rings, nail piercings, 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 rub up on each other. The remaining scenery then combusts into little as they continue transforming into a silver liquid.

Track listings[]

US - 12" vinyl Maxi Single[]

A1. What's It Gonna Be?! (LP Version - Dirty) (5:28)
A2. What's It Gonna Be?! (Instrumental) (5:28)
A3. What's It Gonna Be?! (LP Version Clean - Edit) (4:19)
B1. What's It Gonna Be?! (LP Version - Clean) (5:28)
B2. What's It Gonna Be?! (Instrumental) (5:28)

Germany 5" CD Single[]

What's It Gonna Be?! (Soul Society Remix) (3:56)
What's It Gonna Be?! (LP Version Clean-Edit) (4:04)
What's It Gonna Be?! (Micky Finn D&B Remix) (5:59)

US 5" CD Single[]

What's It Gonna Be?! (LP Version Clean - Edit) (4:09)
What's It Gonna Be?! (LP Version Clean) (5:29)

UK - Cassette Single[]

A1. What's It Gonna Be?! (LP Version Clean - Edit) (4:09)
A2. What's It Gonna Be?! (Soul Society Remix) (3:53)
B1. What's It Gonna Be?! (LP Version Clean - Edit) (4:09)
B2. What's It Gonna Be?! (Soul Society Remix) (3:53)

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^[1] and was certified Gold by the RIAA. The single entered at #1 on the UK R&B Singles chart.^[2]

Weekly charts[]

Chart (1999)	Peak position
Australian Singles Chart^[3]	65
Belgium Singles Chart	33
Canadian Singles Chart	11
Finland Singles Chart	43
German Singles Chart	42
Holland Singles Chart	21
Netherlands Singles Chart	24
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[4]	7
Scottish Singles Chart^[2]	16
Sweden Singles Chart	52
Switzerland Singles Chart	41
UK Singles Chart	6
UK R&B Singles Chart^[2]	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 Rap Tracks^[5]	2
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs^[6]	8
U.S. Billboard Hot 100^[7]	27
U.S. Billboard Rhythmic ^[8]	37

Certifications[]


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[11]	Gold	951,786^[9]^[10]

References[]

^ "Best-Selling Records of 1999". Billboard. BPI Communications Inc. 112 (4): 63. January 22, 2000. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40 - Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
^ "OFFICIAL TOP 40 SINGLES". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
^ "Billboard: 1999 Year End Chart-Toppers". Retrieved 2017-03-08.
^ http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1999/hot-r-b-hip-hop-songs
^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1999". Retrieved 2010-08-28.
^ "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs Of 1999" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 7 no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 53. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
^ "Best-Selling Records Of 1999". Billboard. 22 January 2000. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
^ "Janet Jackson's most downloaded songs in the U.S." JNTSRB. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
^ "American single certifications – Busta Rhymes – What%27s It Gonna Be?". Recording Industry Association of America.

[auto-1] "Best-Selling Records of 1999". Billboard. BPI Communications Inc. 112 (4): 63. January 22, 2000. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 4, 2015.

[officialcharts.com-2] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40 - Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.

[aus-3] Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.

[New_Zealand_Charts-4] "OFFICIAL TOP 40 SINGLES". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved April 11, 2019.

[5] "Billboard: 1999 Year End Chart-Toppers". Retrieved 2017-03-08.

[6] ttp://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1999/hot-r-b-hip-hop-songs

[7] "Billboard Top 100 - 1999". Retrieved 2010-08-28.

[8] "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs Of 1999" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 7 no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 53. Retrieved May 6, 2020.

[9] "Best-Selling Records Of 1999". Billboard. 22 January 2000. Retrieved April 12, 2019.

[10] "Janet Jackson's most downloaded songs in the U.S." JNTSRB. Retrieved April 12, 2019.

[United_StatesBusta_RhymesWhat%27s_It_Gonna_Be?singleCertRef-11] "American single certifications – Busta Rhymes – What%27s It Gonna Be?". Recording Industry Association of America.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[11]

[9]

[10]

show v t Busta Rhymes
Discography Production discography
Albums	The Coming When Disaster Strikes... Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front Anarchy Genesis It Ain't Safe No More... The Big Bang Back on My B.S. Year of the Dragon Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God
Compilations	Total Devastation: The Best of Busta Rhymes Turn It Up! The Very Best of Busta Rhymes The Artist Collection: Busta Rhymes Rich Gang (with YMCMB)
Singles	"Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check" "It's a Party" "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" "Dangerous" "Turn It Up (Remix)/Fire It Up" "Gimme Some More" "What's It Gonna Be?!" "Break Ya Neck" "Make It Clap" "Pass the Courvoisier, Part II" "I Know What You Want" "Where's Your Money?" "Touch It" "I Love My Bitch" "New York Shit" "In the Ghetto" "Don't Get Carried Away" "Don't Touch Me (Throw da Water on 'Em)" "We Made It" "Arab Money" "Hustler's Anthem '09" "Respect My Conglomerate" "World Go Round" "Why Stop Now" "Twerk It" "Thank You" "Calm Down" "Where I Belong"
Featured singles	"The Points" "Rumble in the Jungle" "Hit 'Em High (The Monstars' Anthem)" "Victory" "Fire" "What's Happenin'" "Don't Cha" "Hurt" "Run the Show" "Peace Sign/Index Down" "Rotate" "C'mon (Catch 'Em by Surprise)" "Look at Me Now" "Welcome to My Hood (remix)" "Worldwide Choppers" "The Woman You Love" "Pride n Joy" "Take You There" "Can't Put It in the Hands of Fate"
Other songs	"We Are the World 25 for Haiti" "My Shot" (Rise Up Remix)
Related articles	Leaders of the New School Native Tongues Conglomerate Records The Imperial

show v t Janet Jackson singles
Discography Videography Awards and nominations
Janet Jackson	"Young Love" "Come Give Your Love to Me" "Say You Do"
Dream Street	"Don't Stand Another Chance" "Two to the Power of Love" "Fast Girls" "Dream Street"
Control	"What Have You Done for Me Lately" "Nasty" "When I Think of You" "Control" "Let's Wait Awhile" "The Pleasure Principle" "Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)"
Rhythm Nation 1814	"Miss You Much" "Rhythm Nation" "Escapade" "Alright" "Come Back to Me" "Black Cat" "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" "State of the World"
Janet	"That's the Way Love Goes" "If" "Again" "Because of Love" "Any Time, Any Place" "Throb" "You Want This" "Whoops Now"/"What'll I Do"
The Velvet Rope	"Got 'til It's Gone" "Together Again" "I Get Lonely" "Go Deep" "You" "Every Time"
All for You	"Doesn't Really Matter" "All for You" "Someone to Call My Lover" "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" "Come On Get Up"
Damita Jo	"Just a Little While" "I Want You" "All Nite (Don't Stop)" "R&B Junkie"
20 Y.O	"Call on Me" "So Excited" "With U"
Discipline	"Feedback" "Rock with U" "Luv" "Can't B Good"
Unbreakable	"No Sleeep" "Burnitup!" "Unbreakable" "Dammn Baby"
Other songs	"And On and On" "Scream" "Runaway" "Twenty Foreplay" "Ask for More" "Megamix 04" "Make Me" "Nothing" "Made for Now"
As featured artist	"Diamonds" "Making Love in the Rain" "2300 Jackson Street" "The Best Things in Life Are Free" "Luv Me, Luv Me" "What's It Gonna Be?!" "Girlfriend/Boyfriend" "Feel It Boy" "Don't Worry" "We Are the World 25 for Haiti"
Category