FEATURE:
Groovelines
The Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy
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ONE of the most promising…
and finest rappers of his time, New York king The Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls) was killed in 1997 at the age of twenty-four. Tragic as his death was, we have some great and timeless music from him. Few debut albums are as strong and seismic as 1994’s Ready to Die. It is quite a haunting and (unfortunately) prophetic title. It is clear of the confidence and sheer size of The Notorious B.I.G.’s talent. His first single, Juicy, is a classic Hip-Hop tracks. On an album with genius cuts and some of the most moving and captivating music you will hear, Juicy is a highlight. There are some articles pertaining to this song that I want to utilise. In 2018, Rhino paid tribute to a hugely important song:
“24 years ago this week, The Notorious B.I.G. released the first single from his debut studio album, kicking off his career in – no pun intended – a big way.
Credited to Christopher Wallace (a.k.a. Biggie), Hunter McIntosh, Sean Combs, Pete Rock, Jean-Claude Olivier, and Samuel Barnes, “Juicy” was a song which effectively served as an introduction to the Notorious B.I.G., taking listeners through his life up to that point, including his struggles with poverty, his stint as a drug dealer, and his eventual rise to success.
Produced by Pete Rock, who was a little annoyed that he didn’t get the credit for coming up with the beat for the track, “Juicy” wasn’t just a big hit at the time, it continues to be viewed as a highly influential rap song. Indeed, it can be found on best-of lists compiled by Rolling Stone, Blender, Q, Pitchfork Media, and VH-1, so when you hear someone referring to “Juicy” as one of the greatest hip-hop songs ever, there’s no hyperbole involved. It really is”.
The story behind Juicy is an interesting one. Despite the fact it is a track from The Notorious B.I.G., there are a series of writers who helped put it together (including Sean Combs (Puff Daddy). This article provides more detail regarding the classic Juicy:
“Juicy” is one of iconic American rapper “The Notorious B.I.G.”’s (real name Christopher Wallace) most famous tracks. Available on the rapper’s debut studio album: “Ready to Die”, which was released in September 1994 by Bad Boy Records and Artista Records. It was written by a multitude of writers, one being Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, who is known by his rap name “Puff Daddy” or “P. Diddy”.
The track consists of Biggie’s rise to fame, detailing his impoverished childhood and his lifelong dream of making it in the music industry as a rapper. Biggie opens up the track with these lines: “Yeah, this album is dedicated / To all the teachers that told me I’d never amount to nothin’ / To all the people that lived above the buildings that I was hustlin’ in front of”. The song seems to be Biggie’s message to all those who doubted him, and urges listeners that “you know very well / who you are”, which is sung in the chorus by an uncredited female singer.
There was, however, controversy in regards to the production of the track, with producer Pete Rock claiming that P. Diddy stole his idea for the song’s original beat after he heard during a visit. In an interview with American music magazine “Wax Poetics” in 2012, Rock explained the situation with the production of the track:
“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.” In the recent years, Rock has recently stated in a podcast that he no longer has any hard feelings towards the situation, but just wished that he was credited.
The music video was uploaded to YouTube in September 2011, but was originally released in 1994. Directed by P. Diddy, and has over 214 hundred million views as of May 2019. It follows the story line of the song, featuring Biggie singing the track, a child actor playing him in his childhood while he hung posters in his room, at pool parties surrounded by men and women as well as singing on a rooftop. The video also has over 1.1 million likes”.
Prior to rounding off, there is a 2015 article from Medium. From humble and hard beginnings, Juicy is a declaration of intent. A message from a king-in-the-making to his peers and competition. Twenty-seven years since its release, Juicy still sounds so emphatic and mesmeric:
“Biggie Smalls is a hip hop legend, born and raised in Brooklyn, New york. He became one of the most influential figures in the East Coast hip hop scene in the early 90's. However, Biggie’s rise to fame was not an easy one. Christopher Wallace was a high school dropout who got involved with dealing drugs as early as 12 years old. His arrest record includes distribution of crack cocaine as well as weapon charges and other crimes. Yet, despite his rough childhood, he was still able to make a name for himself in the hip hop community through his stylistic rhymes and rap flow. Biggie’s song “Juicy” gives a description of his struggle to the top. He shares with the audience how thing’s can change when you move from the ghetto to the spotlight.
From the beginning you are able to tell he is sending a message to those who doubted his potential. He starts the song off by dedicating it to all the teachers who said he would never amount to anything. Following this he begins to name some of the artists who inspired him to follow his passion. “It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up magazine. Salt N’ Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine”. He saw the life these artist’s had made for themselves through hip hop and became determined to do the same himself.
Biggie then proceeds to compare his new lavish lifestyle to that of his former. Which gives the listeners an idea of the dramatic change that has taken place in his life. “Born sinner, the opposite of a winner. Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner”. This is an example of Biggie explaining that he remembers where he came from and the struggle he went through. Moving on to examples of where he progressed to, he uses rhymes such as, “I made the change from a common thief. To up close and personal with Robin Leach”. Robin Leach being famous for his show “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”. He uses more examples, like rhymes stating, “Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool. Considered a fool ‘cause I dropped out of high school. Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood, and it’s still all good.” This is not only a statement about his change in lifestyle, but a message to the underprivileged black community.
The reason Biggie is describing his life from rags to riches is to inspire others who may be in the same situation to follow his example. “You know very well who you are. Don’t let ‘em hold you down, reach for the stars. You had a goal but not that many. ‘Cause you’re the only one, I’ll give you good and plenty”. He furthers this message by explaining the benefits of being able to give back to those who supported you through the hard times. “And my whole crew is loungin’. Celebratin’ every day, no more public housin’. Thinkin’ back on my one-room shack. Now my mom pimps Ac’s with minks on her back”.
One of the greatest Hip-Hop songs of all-time, the debut single from The Notorious B.I.G. will live on for generations. The Ready to Die album reinvented East Coast Rap. Celebrated and recognised as one of the greatest rags-to-riches songs we have ever heard, its impact, relevance and power will sustain and influence for so many more years. Even if you listen to it fresh now, Juicy is a song that leaves an instant impression! When it comes to the legendary and historic tracks of Hip-Hop and Rap, there is no doubt that Juicy stacks up…
ALONGSIDE the very best.