Scenario | |
Cover: | Scenario song cover.jpg |
Type: | single |
Artist: | A Tribe Called Quest featuring Leaders of the New School |
Album: | The Low End Theory |
B-Side: | Butter |
Released: | March 13, 1992 |
Recorded: | 1991 |
Length: | 4:10 |
Label: | Jive |
Producer: | A Tribe Called Quest |
Chronology: | A Tribe Called Quest |
Prev Title: | Jazz (We've Got) |
Prev Year: | 1991 |
Next Title: | Hot Sex |
Next Year: | 1992 |
"Scenario" is the third single from A Tribe Called Quest's second album The Low End Theory. The song features the rap group Leaders of the New School. Matt Cibula of PopMatters called the track hip-hop's greatest posse cut.[1] 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.[2] Time included the song on its list of its All-TIME 100 Songs in 2017.[3]
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.[4] [5]
The music video, directed by Jim Swaffield, plays on an interactive desktop, and features cameo appearances by Spike Lee, De La Soul, Kid Capri, Brand Nubian, Fab Five Freddy, and Redman.
A remixed version of "Scenario" appeared on the B-side of the 12" single, the cassette single, and 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 two days after recording his verse.[6] Blender magazine ranked the "Scenario" remix at number 216 in its list of "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born".[7]