"Bonita Applebum" is the second single from A Tribe Called Quest's debut album People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. "The original version of "Bonita," already an incredible song, has been greatly enhanced by the "Hootie Mix." In trying to improve the original they had their work cut out for them. Did they suceed? - most definitely. Using the Isley Brothers early 80's classic "Between The Sheets" as a foundation, The Tribe easily proves to the world that the LP was not a fluke and there is plenty more where that came from. All new lyrics from the smooth flowing Q-Tip and an all new groove make this single a welcome addition to an already classic album." Interestingly enough, the "Hootie Mix" is playing during the drive-in movie theatre scene in Poetic Justice with Janet Jackson & Q-Tip ... just before Tip get his head blown off. Listen to the Hootie Mix below...
The 12" also included the LP version, as well as the song called "Mr. Muhammad." Whether you feel the original version of "Bonita Applebum" or the "Hootie Mix" more is entirely subjective. I'd consider the original to be a classic and the remix as a bonus, realizing it had different lyrics that you probably don't recall enough to recite. It's like hearing the sample to a song you're already familiar with, "oh THAT's where that came from?" lol. To that end, years later DJ Mighty Mi would sample A Tribe Called Quest's "Bonita Applebum" for a remix to Ghostface Killah's crossover hit, "All That I Got Is You." That cycle of creation is what makes sampling so incredible. Right? Wrong?
