"The Symphony" is widely regarded as the template for the modern day posse cut. The ground breaking single featured Juice Crew members Masta Ace, Craig G, Kool G. Rap, and Big Daddy Kane, and was a standout cut on Marley Marl's 1988 compilation album, In Control Volume 1.
On the Rock The Bells Cruise, Shantè revealed to a panel consisting of Bahamadia, MC Lyte, and Rah Digga that she could have been on the legendary track.
"I have a reason why I didn't get on it, but I could have been on 'The Symphony'," she revealed. "Let me tell you why i didn't do it. In my mind, I always wanted to be Roxanne Shantè, I didn't wanna be the girl on 'The Symphony.' Being in a male-dominated industry, I stood out as being Roxanne Shantè, and I was afraid I'd just be seen as the girl on 'The Symphony.'"