Today’s Retro Rewind clip comes courtesy of Busta Rhymes and Janet Jackson and their 1999 single ‘What’s It Gonna Be?’

Featured on Rhymes’ LP ‘Extinction Level Event’, the track  would go 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 cut stands on its own legs as one of the most dynamic Rap-Sung collaborations in Urban music history, much of its success is no doubt attributable to its titillating video.

Directed by the then incomparable 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 13 years later. Classic.

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

Your thoughts?