Big Poppa

"Big Poppa"
Single by The Notorious B.I.G.
from the album Ready to Die
Released	February 20, 1995
Format	CD single
Recorded	June 1, 1994
Genre	East Coast hip hop
Length	4:12
Label	Bad Boy
Writer(s)	The Notorious B.I.G., The Isley Brothers
Producer	Chucky Thompson, Sean Combs (co.)
Certification	Platinum (RIAA)
The Notorious B.I.G. singles chronology
"Juicy" (1994) "Big Poppa" (1995) "One More Chance" (1995)

"Big Poppa" is the Grammy nominated and Billboard Award–winning second single from The Notorious B.I.G.'s Ready to Die. The song was his first Top 10 pop hit, and peaked at #1 on Billboard's rap chart. It features a sample of the song "Between the Sheets" written by The Isley Brothers. This song also features uncredited background rap vocals from Busta Rhymes.

"Big Poppa" was one of many songs of the era to continue to break down cultural boundaries in music, finding many fans among the youth market. It became a staple at parties and one of the most popular and identifiable songs of the era. It was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Song of the Year at the 1996 Grammy Awards. It also went on to win at the Billboard Awards. On the clean version, the second quarter of the chorus replaces the line "To the honeys gettin' money, playin' niggaz like dummies" with "To the honeys gettin' money playin' fellaz like dummies."

The single was certified Platinum on May 23, 1995.

There is an official remix released in 1995 featuring Jermaine Dupri called, "Big Poppa (So So Def Remix)" which has similar lyrics (Dupri replacing Puff Daddy) except Biggie has a new 3rd verse. This remix appeared as a single.

Background and content

The title is based on one of The Notorious B.I.G.'s many nicknames. The line "I love when you call me Big Poppa" is sampled from his verse from the Super Cat song "Dolly My Baby," released in 1993. The song makes a reference to original Bad Boy artist Craig Mack who helped him make his lyrical debut ("now check it, I got more Mack than Craig in the bed..."). Biggies actual debut was Party and Bullsh#t which appeared on the Who's the Man soundtrack.

Legacy

The song was used in the 2001 film Hardball multiple times and used in the 2009 biographical movie Notorious. The song was mentioned in 2008 film, Madea Goes To Jail, as well as being used for the party scene in 2007's Superbad.

The song was used by The LOX's "We'll Always Love Big Poppa" as a tribute to B.I.G. who was killed in 1997 as the closing track from Money, Power & Respect.

Omarion sampled the lyrics in his song "Let's Talk". The song was released in Maybach Music Group album, Self Made Vol. 2. (2012)

A Spanish version of the chorus was used in a Taco Bell commercial called "Grande Papi" (2013).

Big Poppa tracklist

12 inch

A-Side

1. "Big Poppa" (Club Mix) (4:13)
2. "Warning" (Club Mix) (3:41)
3. "Big Poppa" (Instrumental) (4:13)

B-Side

1. "Big Poppa" (Radio Edit) (4:12)
2. "Warning" (Radio Edit) (2:57)
3. "Warning" (Instrumental) (3:41)
4. "Who Shot Ya?"

Maxi single

1. "Big Poppa" (radio edit)
2. "Big Poppa" (remix radio edit)
3. "Who Shot Ya?" (radio edit)
4. "Big Poppa" (remix instrumental)
5. "Big Poppa" (club mix)
6. "Big Poppa" (remix club mix)
7. "Who Shot Ya?" (club mix)
8. "Warning" (club mix)

Chart positions

Peak positions

Chart (1995)	Peak position
United Kingdom (The Official Charts Company)	63
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	6
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks	4
U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Singles	1

End of year charts

End of year chart (1995)	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	47

Covers

Mindless Self Indulgence covered the song for their single release "Shut Me Up".