Janet Jackson and Busta Rhymes perform “What’s It Gonna Be?!” at Madison Square Garden
It’s the first time the song has been performed live since its release in 1998.
Last night (May 9), Janet Jackson surprised attendees at her “Together Again” tour stop at Madison Square Garden with a special guest. Hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes joined the pop star for a rare performance of their song “What’s It Gonna Be?!,” which they released in 1998 — the first time they’ve played the track together live. Watch it above.
After the song, Busta surprised Jackson with a few presents. “Please understand something,” he said. “I know she’s on schedule with a show. I don’t want to disrupt the programming too much. But I brought some gifts for you, queen,” he said as a large bouquet was rolled out. “We’re gonna give you your flowers. We’re gonna give you a botanical garden while you can smell them!”
The rap star then brought out a three-tier cake with images of he and Jackson together in celebration of her 57th birthday next week. “When the Royal Empress comes outside, you gotta play like you really wanna play,” he exclaims. “To this day, our video is the most expensive hip-hop video ever made in the history of hip-hop.”
Before leaving, Busta also made sure to wish her a Happy Mothers’ Day. He adds, “If this ain’t one of the most beautiful, most gorgeous, one of the most incredible souls as a mother ever walked in the face of the earth, I don’t know who is!”