Scenario

"Scenario" was 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, and reached #6 on Billboard magazine's Hot Rap Tracks, #42 on its Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, and #57 on the Billboard Hot 100. Among other Quest singles, only "Award Tour" charted higher on the Hot 100. It is the origin of the now famous Busta Rhymes line "Raow! Raow! Like a dungeon dragon!" The song also features a sample of the Jack McDuff song Oblighetto from his album entitled Moon Rappin'. The video features a brief cameo by Spike Lee, De La Soul, Brand Nubian and Redman. A remixed version of "Scenario," along with the tragic first and last verse done by Kid Hood, appeared on the B-side of the 12" and cassette single as well as the limited edition release of ATCQ's final album, The Love Movement. "Scenario" is generally regarded as one of the greatest posse cuts in hip hop history. The Line "Uh,uh,uh all over the track, man. Uh, pardon me, uh, as I come back" is used in the chorus for a song called "As I Come Back" on Busta Rhymes' 2001 LP Genesis. The song was performed by Common, Pharrell, Lupe Fiasco and Busta Rhymes at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors 07. Contrary to popular belief, the video for "Scenario" was not directed by Spike Lee, who only had a cameo in the video.

[Chorus: All] 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? [Verse 1: Phife Dawg & All] Ayo, 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-fakin' 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, Nytol will help you get your Zs, 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 [Verse 2: Charlie Brown & All] 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! So, 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 'til 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? [Verse 3: Dinco D & All] (True blue!) Scooby Doo, whoopie doo Scenarios, radios, rates more than four Scores for the s'mores that smother dance floors Now I go for mine, shades of sea shore Ship-shape, crushed grapes, apes that play tapes Papes make drakes baked for the wakes Of an (L-ah-!), an (-eader!), simply just a leader Base in the space means peace, see ya later Later (Later!) later, alligator Pop blows the weasel and the urge to inflate her So, yo, the D, what! The O Incorporated I-N-C into a flow Funk flipped, flat back, first this, foul, fight, fight, fight Laugh, yo, how'd that sound? (Ooh!) [Verse 4: Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes, & All] 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 and 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 a played out ego So here's Busta Rhymes with the scenario: [Verse 5: Busta Rhymes & All] 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, tryna read my mind, just imagine Vo-cab-u-lary's necessary When diggin' into my library Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh! Eating Ital Stew like the one Peter Tosh Unh! Unh! Unh! All over the track, man Unh, pardon me, unh! As I come back! As I did it, yo, I had to beg your pardon When I travel through the town I roll with the squadron Rawr! Rawr! Like a dungeon dragon Change your little drawers 'cause your pants were saggin' Try to step to this, I will twist you in a turban And have you smelling rank 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 (Unh!) the rhymes are on time (Time!) Rippin' up the sound just like Horatio Observe the vibe and check out the scenario Yeah, my man, mothafucka! [Chorus (Extended): All] 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? 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?