In 2003, the worlds of aggressive hip-hop and high-octane R&B collided when Busta Rhymes and Mariah Carey released Featuring Busta's group, the Flipmode Squad , the track became a defining anthem of the early 2000s, blending a smooth, seductive melody with street-wise grit. The Origin: A Surprising Vocal Decision
The track was produced by and appeared on Busta Rhymes' sixth album, It Ain't Safe No More... Interestingly, Busta Rhymes did not originally intend to sing the male hook himself. Mariah Carey I Know What You Want
After hearing the "reference track" where Busta sang the parts to give her an idea of the melody, Mariah insisted he keep his own vocals on the final version. In 2003, the worlds of aggressive hip-hop and
The video features a high-stakes narrative with Busta watching over a love interest (played by Tae Heckard ) whose husband is portrayed by actor Michael Jai White . After hearing the "reference track" where Busta sang
It became his highest-charting single to that point.
Following a difficult professional period after the Glitter era, "I Know What You Want" was hailed as a major "return to form" and a precursor to her massive 2005 comeback with The Emancipation of Mimi . A Cinematic Music Video
The song was an international smash, peaking at on the Billboard Hot 100 and staying in the top 40 for 21 weeks.
