Scenario

A Tribe Called Quest

About Scenario

"Scenario" is the third single from A Tribe Called Quest's second album The Low End Theory. The song features members of Leaders of the New School. Matt Cibula of PopMatters called the track hip hop's greatest posse cut. The song is commonly considered a breakout moment for Leaders of the New School member Busta Rhymes, who was 19 when this song was released. The song opens with the chorus, followed by verses from Phife Dawg, Charlie Brown, Dinco D and Q-Tip who hands the mic off to Busta Rhymes. The music video, directed by Jim Swaffield, plays on an interactive desktop, and features cameo appearances by Spike Lee, De La Soul, Brand Nubian, Fab 5 Freddy and Redman. Time included the song on its list of the All-TIME 100 Songs. A remixed version of "Scenario" appeared on the B-side of the 12" single and cassette single as well as the limited edition release of the group's later album, The Love Movement (1998). The remix also features Leaders of the New School and newcomer Kid Hood, who was murdered three days after recording his verse. Blender magazine ranked the remix at number 216 in its list of "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born". 


Year:
1991
4:10
1,121 
#7

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Here we go yo, here we go yo
So what so what so what's the scenario
Here we go yo, here we go yo
So what so what so what's the scenario

A-yo Bo knows this (what?) and Bo knows that (what?)
But Bo don't know jack, cause Bo can't rap
Well what do you know, the Di-Dawg, is first up to bat
No batteries included, and no strings attached
No holds barred, no time for move faking
Gots to get the loot so I can bring home the bacon
Brothers front, they say the Tribe can't flow
But we've been known to do the impossible like Broadway Joe so
Sleep if you want NyQuil will help you get your Z's, troop
But here's the real scoop
I'm all that and then some, short dark and handsome
Bust a nut inside your eye, to show you where I come from
I'm vexed, fuming, I've had it up to here
My days of paying dues are over, acknowledge me as in there (yeah!)
Head for the border, go get a taco
Watch me wreck it from the jump street, meaning from the get-go
Sit back relax and let yourself go
Don't sweat what you heard, but act like you know

Yes yes y'all (yes y'all!)
Who got the vibe it's the Tribe y'all (Tribe y'all!)
Real live y'all (live y'all!)
Inside outside come around
(Who's that?) Brown!
Some may, I say, call me Charlie
The word is the herb and I'm deep like Bob Marley
Lay back on the payback, evolve rotate the gates
(Contact!) Can I get a hit? (Hit!)
Boom bip with a brother named Tip and we're ready to flip
East coast stomping, ripping and romping
New York, North Cak-a-laka, and Compton
Checka-checka-check it out
The loops for the troops, more bounce to the ounce
And wow how now wow how now Brown cow
We're ill till the skill gets down
For the flex, next, it's the textbook old to the new
But the rest are doo-doo
From radio, to the video, to Arsenio
Tell me! Yo, what's the scenario

(True blue!) Scooby Doo, whoopie doo
Scenarios, radios, rates more than four
Scores for the smores that smother dance floors
Now I go for mine, shades of sea shore
Ship-shape plush Grape Apes to play tapes
[Papes make drapes] great for the wakes
Of an L-AH, an E-ADER, simply just a leader
Bass innerspace means peace see ya later
Later (later!), later alligator
Pop blows the weasel and the herb's the inflater
So yo the D what the O, incorporate I-N-C into a flow
Funk flipped flat back first this foul fight fight fight
Laugh yo, how'd that sound? (oh!)

It's a Leader Quest mission and we got the goods here (here!)
Never on the left cause my right's my good ear (ear!)
I could give a damn about a ill subliminal
Stay away from crime so I ain't no criminal
I love my young nation, groovy sensation
No time for hibernation, only elation
Don't ever try to test, the water little kid
Yo Mr. Busta Rhymes, tell him what I did

I heard you rushed and rushed, and attacked
Then they rebuked then you had to smack
Causing rambunction throughout the sphere
Raise the levels of the boom inside the ear

You know I did it
So don't violate or you'll get violated
The Hip Hop sound is well agitated
Won't ever waste no time on the played out ego
So here's Busta Rhymes with the scenario

Watch, as I combine all the juice from the mind
Heel up, wheel up, bring it back, come rewind
Powerful impact - boom! - from the cannon
Not bragging, try to read my mind just imagine
Vo-cab-u-lary's necessary
When digging into my library
Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!
Eating Ital Stew like the one Peter Tosh
Uh! Uh! Uh! All over the track man
Uh! Pardon me, uh! As I come back
As I did it yo I heard you beg your pardon
When I travel through the town I roll with the squadron
RRRRRROAW RRRRRRROAW like a dungeon dragon
Change your little drawers cause your pants are sagging
Try to step to this, I will twist you in a turban
And have you smelling ripe like some old stale urine
Chickity-choco, the chocolate chicken
The rear cock diesel, buttcheeks they were kicking
Yo, bust it out before the Busta bust another rhyme
The rhythm is in sync (Uh!) the rhymes are on time (time!)
Ripping up this dance just like a radio
Observe the vibe and check out the scenario

Here we go yo, here we go yo
So what so what so what's the scenario
Here we go yo, here we go yo
So what so what so what's the scenario

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


A Tribe Called Quest

A Tribe Called Quest is an American hip hop group, formed in 1985, and is composed of MC/producer Q-Tip, MC Phife Dawg aka Phife Diggy (Malik Taylor), and DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad. A fourth member, rapper Jarobi White, left the group after their first album but rejoined in 1991. Along with De La Soul, the group was a central part of the Native Tongues Posse, and enjoyed the most commercial success out of all the groups to emerge from that collective. Many of their songs, such as "Bonita Applebum", "Can I Kick It?", "I Left My Wallet in El Segundo", "Scenario", "Check the Rhime", "Jazz (We've Got)", "Award Tour" and "Electric Relaxation" are regarded as classics by the hip hop community. more »

1 fan

Written by: ALI SHAHEED JONES-MUHAMMAD, MALIK IZAAK TAYLOR, BRYAN HIGGINS, JAMES JACKSON, TREVOR SMITH, JOHN WILLIAM DAVIS

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Album Detail
"Scenario" by A Tribe Called Quest is the final track from the group's second album, "The Low End Theory," which was released in 1991.
Collaborative Performance
The song features guest verses from leaders of the new school, including hip-hop artist Busta Rhymes, which is regarded as his breakout performance.
Video Popularity
The music video for "Scenario" directed by Jim Swaffield, was highly innovative and influential in the hip hop industry. It was one of the first instances of computer-animated rap videos and has since been considered a classic example.
Sales Achievement
"Scenario" peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles which was a great achievement.
Celebrity Cameos
In the original video for "Scenario," notable celebrity cameos include Spike Lee, De La Soul, and Brand Nubian.
Influence on Other Artists
This song was so influential that it was later sampled by other artists, such as Beck on his song "E-Pro".
Alternative versions
An entirely different version of "Scenario" was recorded during "The Low End Theory's" recording sessions featuring De La Soul, Black Sheep, and Chris Lighty but only a snippet has officially been released.
Busta Rhymes Impact
Busta Rhymes' verse on "Scenario" is often considered one of the greatest verses in the history of hip hop.
Pronounced Lingo
"Scenario" is known for its unique lingo that has often been imitated in pop culture, such as the term "Boo!"
Awards
The song was ranked #9 on VH1's 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs.
Re-releases
Tribe's label, Jive Records, has re-released "Scenario" several times since its original 1992 release.
Live Performances
"Scenario" was commonly performed as the closing track during A Tribe Called Quest concerts and is a significant crowd favorite.
Censorship
When “Scenario” is broadcast on television or radio, some words have to be removed due to their explicit meaning.
Critics' View
Many critics site "Scenario" as the standout track from "The Low End Theory".
Cultural Impact
The song and its iconic video has left a lasting impact on hip hop culture and has been frequently referenced in other hip hop songs.

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    Scenario

    12.6M
    120.8K     2,352

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1992

    Billboard #57


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