#jerobi

In honor of Busta Rhymes' performance with A Tribe Called Quest earlier this evening during their "final" show, I present to you Bus' greatest rendition of the 1992 classic: "Scenario."

A Tribe Called Quest – Scenario

              Although the video above isn’t the original track by Phife, Tip and Mr. Muhammed, this beautiful rendition by Common, Lupe Fiasco, Pharrell, and Busta Rhymes is an absolute must-see.

              Introduced by professional funny-man Tracy Morgan (who’s best known for his intricate mating call), a group of hip-hop all stars takes to the stage in an attempt to pay homage to one of hip-hops greatest groups: A Tribe Called Quest.

                        Slowly descending the VH1 stage’s staircase - making sure to capitalize on his nymphomatic ways - Chi-City legend Common Sense starts the show with a rendition of Tribe’s “Bonita Applebum.” Released on February19th, 1990, this popular track was the second single off Tribe’s debut album People’s Instinctive Travels and Paths of Rhythm which peaked at #91 on the Billboard top 200 chart.

              The track may have showcased Tribe’s inner R&B style, but Common does his best to get the crowd hype, quickening the pace and running to the front of the stage to join the fans in their appreciation of hip-hop excellence. As the camera pans out to the crowd, we get a glimpse of a reunited ATCQ (Jerobi and all) sitting in the balcony, bobbing their heads in approval.

                        Trying to up the energy level even further, the next track – a masterpiece titled “Electric Relaxation” from 1994 – brings Lupe Fiasco and Pharrell Williams to the stage. Running straight to the screaming crowd, the two capitalize on the popularity of the track to keep the fans moving as Pharrell transitions into the laidback feel of the song, artfully changing the original words in order to send the bars over to his partner with a “Eh-yo my man Lupe got something to say.”

              Unfortunately, this is where things get a bit dicey. I may be a huge fan of Lupe – coming from the Chi, he’s definitely one of my hometown heroes – but after LupE.N.D. forgets Phife’s lyrics, I have to admit I lost a bit of respect. But hey, I couldn’t figure out what Q-Tip was saying in the chorus until Tribe’s producer/DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammed told me himself on the XM radio channel XL the Rhyme a few years back.

                         Back in high school, three buddies of mine and I decided to do a weekly radio show. Titled NUG (New Trier Underground), we played strictly Golden Age and Underground hip-hop, showcasing various artists each week in an attempt to bring the underground to light. Although we didn’t think much of ourselves at the time, our show received an award each year including “Best Primetime Show” and “Best Music Show” from our station – WNTH…but let me cut to the chase.

             During my short rides home from the station, I liked to take advantage of my cars XM Radio, tuning in to my favorite hip-hop channel: XL the Rhyme. Although this channel no longer exists, it has left me with plenty of hip-hop knowledge, including one fun fact from Ali Shaheed Muhammed himself, who DJ’d for the show a few nights a week. One night, a caller phoned in, asking Mr. Muhammed about the chorus of “Electric Relaxation.” Eagerly awaiting the response, I was surprised to find that the chorus was far from “Relax yourself girl, Peace out Playa,” and was instead the much more logical “Relax yourself girl, please settle down.”

             Shaheed went on to explain that the chorus was developed during a fight between Q-Tip and his mom which makes the chorus even more meaningful. Needless to say my mind was blown, but even Shaheed’s hip-hop wisdom was nothing compared to what was about to happen on stage at the VH1 Hip-Hop honors ceremony for A Tribe Called Quest.

              Returning to the mic, Common ushered in the next track; all three Emcees shouting the chorus as they hopped up and down to Tribe’s most hype song: Scenario. Each taking a turn singing the lyrics (it’s here that Lupe redeems himself), the group then stopped their performance, turning their backs to the crowd as they stared at the stage in front of them in anticipation of what was to come.

               It’s at this point when I begin to lose my shit. I leave the chair as if propelled by a jet engine, springing into the air with a loud yelp. Still, my joy is nothing compared to what Busta Rhymes brings to the stage.

              Marching out with his right hand raised in the air, the crowd explodes as the artist formerly known as Busta Rhymes is quickly replaced with some kind of demon. The microphone tries in vain to keep up with the decibel level produced by the monster; the sound emitted through the speakers only a sliver of what was actually produced. Although none in the crowd turn and run, it’s as if a bomb has been detonated on stage, turning the room into a pile of rubble clouded in smoke.

              In a performance that is unrivaled, Busta Rhymes makes sure that the four members of Tribe know he’s in the building as he gives it his all. Jerobi seems thoroughly amused, cheesin’ from the balcony as Busta twirls around and nearly decapitates the lucky fans around him, doubtlessly covering them in unimaginable amounts of spit.

  Current hip-hop artists take note: this is the definition of stage presence.