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


"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 based on an original version produced by Pete Rock. "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 the girl group, Total and Sean Combs. The song is widely considered to be one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time.

Content

The song is a "rags-to-riches chronicle". 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.
The song's lyrics, "Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade," reference the February 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.

Production controversy

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:
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 wishes he'd gotten the proper credit, although he did admit to harboring some ill feelings at the time.

Accolades

12 inch

A-side
  1. "Juicy"
  2. "Unbelievable"
  3. "Juicy"
B-side
  1. "Juicy"
  2. "Unbelievable"
  3. "Juicy"

    Official versions

Weekly charts

Certifications