LION BABE has developed a time-honored tradition of releasing a surprise cover of a classic track every so often. Previous entries from the duo have included their takes on Nelly's "Hot In Herre," Odyssey's "Native New Yorker," the artist formerly known as Mos Def's "Umi Says," Carly Simon's "Why" and Little Beaver's "Get Into The Party Life." This time, however, they're tapping into the hip-hop holy grail with a cover of A Tribe Called Quest's "Bonita Applebum."
In the hands of LION BABE, "Bonita Applebum" is an altogether different girl. For one, the duo revamps the jazzy hip-hop of the original into a house groove built around that famed sample of sitar from Rotary Connection's "Memory Band."
The other change is that singer Jillian Hervey takes on the persona of Miss Applebum herself, switching Q-Tip's lust-struck come-ons into her own self-assured bravado as she lets us know that she, indeed, has got it going on. This unexpected flip might be a bit jarring at first, but it's so very easy to get caught up in the shuffle of the drums and Jillian's confident charisma as she dares us to burn up the dance floor in order to become the object of her affections.
LION BABE continues to be one of the most innovative acts in modern R&B and it's pretty easy to hear and see why on this cover. Allow them to reintroduce you to "Bonita Applebum" when you press play.