Juicy (The Notorious B.I.G. song)

"Juicy"
Single by The Notorious B.I.G.
from the album Ready to Die
B-side	"Unbelievable"
Released	August 9, 1994
Recorded	1994
Studio	The Hit Factory (New York City)
Genre	East Coast hip hop pop rap
Length	4:13
Label	Bad Boy Arista
Songwriter(s)	Christopher Wallace
Producer(s)	Poke Sean "Puffy" Combs Pete Rock (uncredited)
The Notorious B.I.G. singles chronology
"Party and Bullshit" (1993) "Juicy" (1994) "Flava in Ya Ear (Remix)" (1994)
Music video
"Juicy" on YouTube

"Juicy" is the first single by American rapper The Notorious B.I.G. from his 1994 debut album, Ready to Die. It was produced by Poke of the duo Trackmasters and Sean "Puffy" Combs. "Juicy" contains a sample of Mtume's 1983 song, "Juicy Fruit", though it is directly sampled from the song's "Fruity Instrumental" mix, and has an alternative chorus sung by Bad Boy Records cohorts, the girl group Total and label founder, Combs. The song is widely considered to be one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time.^[1][2]

Music video[edit]

The music video for Juicy was directed by Sean Combs and premiered in August 1994. In it, The Notorious B.I.G. raps the song first on the stairs in front of a house and later in the form of an interview with a reporter as well as on the street, in prison and at a pool party. Individual scenes are based on the content of the song and show how The Notorious B.I.G. is arrested for selling drugs or araging with his mother when they lived in poverty, while he now glorifies his wealth.

With over 588 million views, it is the most watched video of the rapper on YouTube (as of March 2024).

Content[edit]

The song is a "rags-to-riches chronicle".^[3] The Notorious B.I.G. chronicles his childhood years living in poverty, his initial dreams of becoming a rapper, early musical influences, his time dealing drugs, criminal involvement, and his eventual success in the music industry and current lavish lifestyle.

One of the song's lines reads, "Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade," referencing the February 26, 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.^[4][5]

Synopsis[edit]

The song begins with the artist, Biggie, dedicating the song to people who disparaged him by telling him that he would not amount to anything in life. He also dedicates the song to those who attempted to thwart his attempts to distribute narcotics, not realizing that his sole intent was to provide food for his infant daughter. He then concludes his opening monologue by dedicating the song to those who were dealing with despair and struggle in their lives. In a moment of affirmation, he tells them that everything is "all good", affectionately referring to them as "baby", twice.

The first verse starts with Biggie reminiscing upon his dream of being a famous rapper, during which time he regularly read a monthly publication by the name of Word Up. In that magazine, he would see such popular artists as Salt-n-Pepa and Heavy D, who would be pictured inside of limousines. He would take these pictures and put them on his bedroom wall, while listening to a weekly radio program named Rap Attack, hosted by Mr. Magic and Marley Marl. Sometimes, he would record these programs and play the cassettes on his stereo until the tape would pop, rendering it unable to be played again. Occasionally, he would smoke marijuana rolled in bamboo paper while sipping an alcoholic beverage of the Private Stock brand. During these times, he would also wear a red and black lumberjack-style jacket, with a matching hat. Still in reminiscent mode, he recalls a song entitled "Rappin' Duke", in which the artist says "da ha, da ha". He marvels that in the time that has elapsed since the release of that song, hip-hop music has made many creative and commercial strides. Referring to the present day, he cites that it is now him in the limelight, due to his lyrical abilities. He intends to acquire money and become popular, or "blow up". In emphasizing his "blowing up", he makes an allusion to the World Trade Center 1993 bombings. He switches back to reminiscing upon the days when he was not as successful, and occasionally had to eat canned sardines for dinner. He then discards that memory and takes time to say hello to disc jockeys whom he has befriended- namely Ron G, Brucie B, Kid Capri, Funkmaster Flex, and Lovebug Starski. He assures them that as they suspected he would, he is indeed "blowing up". He implores them to give him a phone call, as he has not moved away from his original residence, and still has the same phone number. In case the listener previously had no knowledge of his perspective or upbringing, he insures them that now, they will know.

The chorus begins with fellow Bad Boy Records artists Total harmonizing, encouraging Biggie to be sure of who he is, and not to let others hold him down. During this, Sean "Puffy" Combs reiterates Biggie's "it's all good", by repeating it numerous times.  

The second verse begins with Biggie still marveling at the changes his life has taken, from being a petty thief to granting interviews to Robin Leach. He then cites that because of his fortune, he is not afraid to spend money and share marijuana with his friends. He explains that spreading love in such a manner is the way things are done in his hometown of Brooklyn, New York. He speaks of how he consumes Moët et Chandon and Alizé to the point of drunkenness, and possibly to the point of urinating on himself. He laments the fact that females used to disrespect and reject him, but finds solace in the fact that they now miss his presence and write letters to him. He continues to be in disbelief that his dream of rapping has come true, as he was previously immersed in a life of crime. Then, he reverts to the topic of female attention, which now stretches from Mississippi to various cities on the East Coast. He refers to his other achievements: a condominium in Queens, New York, unlimited amounts of marijuana, and concerts that are often sold-out. He now lives his life without fear, and can afford to purchase 5 karat earrings for his daughter. He also engages in lunch, brunch, and poolside interviews. He cites that he has never completed high school, so many considered him to be somewhat of a miscreant. However, he regards those thoughts as stereotypical, as he was simply a misunderstood African-American youth. He reaffirms the listener that things are still all good, and that if they didn't know of his life before, now they do.

The chorus repeats, as do Puffy's repetitious affirmations of everything being all good.

Biggie begins the final verse by mentioning the various video game systems that he enjoys in his spare time, including but not limited to the *Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis. He plays these on a 50-inch television set, while sitting on a green leather sofa--the color of money. He also wears a Rolex watch and is transported by a chauffeur-driven limousine, similar to the rap stars he once idolized. Occasionally, he runs into billing troubles, such as a $2000 phone bill, but he is not worried, because he has an accountant to handle such a thing. Not only is he indulging in these luxuries, but so is his crew, the Junior M.A.F.I.A.. They no longer have to deal with public housing systems. At the mention of that predicament, he remembers the times during which he resided in a one-room apartment. Now, he is proud to announce that he is able to provide his mother with an Acura vehicle and mink stole. She is now proud of him, especially when she sees him in the pages of the then-popular hip-hop magazine, The Source. He continues reminiscing on numerous verbal disputes with their landlord, lack of a heating system, and uneventful Christmas holidays and birthdays. Still, he is happy to say that they can now enjoy simple pleasures such as drinking champagne to quench their thirst. He really loves the life that he has now earned, because he has made positive changes. It is indeed "all good", as he has said before, and says yet again. He concludes the final verse by once again assuring the listener that they now know his perspective.

The chorus repeats to close the song, as Biggie gives a "shoutout" to Brooklyn and the Junior M.A.F.I.A. Puffy ends things by repeatedly stating "it's all good, nigga".

Production controversy[edit]

Producer Pete Rock alleged that Puffy stole the idea for the original song's beat after hearing it at Rock's house. In an interview with Wax Poetics, he said:

I did the original version, didn't get credit for it. They came to my house, heard the beat going on the drum machine, it's the same story. You come downstairs at my crib, you hear music. He heard that shit and the next thing you know it comes out. They had me do a remix, but I tell people, and I will fight it to the end, that I did the original version of that. I'm not mad at anybody, I just want the correct credit.^{[6][better source needed]}

Pete Rock's remix of "Juicy" uses the same sample as the original. During an appearance on the Juan Epstein Podcast, Rock said that he has no hard feelings about how "Juicy" came about, but wished he had gotten the proper credit, although he did admit to harboring some ill feelings at the time.^[7]

Biggie appeared in the "Unsigned Hype" column of the March 1992 issue of The Source as "The Notorious B-I-G,"^[8][9] and he was also listed as "The Notorious B.I.G." on a 1992 single by Neneh Cherry when he was signed to Uptown/MCA.^[10] Aside from sharing the same sample source, both songs share little in common otherwise, most notably in regards to subject matter.^[11][12]

Accolades[edit]

• Blender Magazine ranked it #168 on its Top 500 Songs of the '80s–'00s list in 2005.^{[citation needed]}
• Bruce Pollock put it on his The 7,500 Most Important Songs of 1944–2000 list in 2005.^{[citation needed]}
• ego trip ranked it #1 on its Hip Hop's 40 Greatest Singles by Year 1980–98 list in 1999.^[13]
• Pitchfork Media ranked the song at #14 on their Top 200 Tracks of the 1990s.^[14]
• Pop ranked it #1 on their Singles of the Year list in 1994.^{[citation needed]}
• Q ranked "Juicy" the ninth greatest hip hop song of all time.^[15]
• Rolling Stone ranked the song #424 in its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, moving to #32 in the 2021 revision.^[16]
• Spex included it on The Best Singles of the Century list in 1999.^[17]
• The Boston Phoenix included it on their The 90 Best Songs of the 90s list in 1999.^[18]
• The Source included it on their The 100 Best Rap Singles of All Time list in 1998.^[19]
• VH1 ranked it #7 on its "100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs Ever", and #1 on its "40 Greatest Hip Hop Songs of the 90s".^[20]
• BBC ranked it #1 on its "Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time".^[21]

Track listing[edit]

12-inch[edit]

A-side

1. "Juicy" (Dirty Mix) (5:05)
2. "Unbelievable" (3:45) (produced by DJ Premier)
3. "Juicy" (Remix) (4:42) (produced by Pete Rock)

B-side

1. "Juicy" (Instrumental) (5:05)
2. "Unbelievable" (instrumental) (3:45)
3. "Juicy" (remix instrumental) (4:43)

Official versions[edit]

• "Juicy" (album version)
• "Juicy" (instrumental) – 5:05
• "Juicy" (dirty mix) – 5:05
• "Juicy" (remix) – 3:42
• "Juicy" (remix instrumental) – 4:43

Charts[edit]

Weekly charts[edit]

Certifications[edit]

In other media[edit]

On July 3, 2022, Juicy was added to the online Battle Royale video game Fortnite as a purchasable lobby music track.^[32]

References[edit]