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Big Willie Style

Big Willie Style is the debut solo album by American rapper and actor Will Smith. It was released on November 25, 1997, by Columbia Records. The album was primarily produced by Poke & Tone, with other contributors including L.E.S. and Smith's former collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff. The album was the first to be released by Smith since 1993's Code Red, the last by the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. Five singles were released, including Smith's first US Billboard Hot 100 number one, "Gettin' Jiggy wit It".

Big Willie Style
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 25, 1997 (1997-11-25)
Recorded1996–1997
Studio
GenrePop-rap[1][2][3]
Length54:12
LabelColumbia
Producer
Will Smith chronology
Big Willie Style
(1997)
Willennium
(1999)
Singles from Big Willie Style
  1. "Men in Black"
    Released: June 3, 1997 (1997-06-03)
  2. "Just Cruisin'"
    Released: November 25, 1997 (1997-11-25) (EU)
  3. "Gettin' Jiggy wit It"
    Released: February 10, 1998 (1998-02-10)
  4. "Just the Two of Us"
    Released: July 20, 1998 (1998-07-20)
  5. "Miami"
    Released: November 23, 1998 (1998-11-23)

After releasing five albums with DJ Jazzy Jeff, Smith turned his focus to acting and appeared in such films as Bad Boys and Independence Day before returning to the studio in 1996. The following year he starred in Men in Black, for which he recorded the song of the same name and topped the singles charts in several countries. Big Willie Style was released later in the year, reaching the top ten of the US Billboard 200, the UK Albums Chart and several other international charts.

Recording and production edit

Recording for Big Willie Style took place mainly in New York City with producers Poke & Tone and L.E.S. – four tracks each were recorded at The Hit Factory ("Y'all Know", "Chasing Forever", "Miami" and "Just Cruisin'") and Right Track Studios ("Gettin' Jiggy wit It", "Candy", "Yes Yes Y'all" and "Big Willie Style").[4] Three tracks ("Don't Say Nothin'", "I Loved You" and "It's All Good") were recorded at DJ Jazzy Jeff's A Touch of Jazz Studios in Smith's hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and "Just the Two of Us" was recorded at Pacifique Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California with producer Curtis "Sauce" Wilson.[4] Other contributing producers were Keith Pelzer, Ryan Toby (both on "Don't Say Nothin'" and "I Love You"), Andreao Heard ("Y'all Know") and Valvin Roane ("I Loved You").[4]

The songs on the album are broken up by a number of interludes featuring exchanges between Smith and the fictional character Keith B-Real, a "hilarious" magazine editor and motivational-tape artist.[5] B-Real is voiced by actor Jamie Foxx.[6] All four of the "Keith B-Real" skits (including "Intro") were recorded by Jean-Claude Olivier – Poke of Poke & Tone – at The Hacienda in Los Angeles, California, and were co-produced by Smith.[4]

Composition and lyrics edit

As with Smith's previous releases with DJ Jazzy Jeff, Big Willie Style showcases a radio-friendly pop-rap sound with non-explicit lyrics.[1] Speaking about the lyrics on Big Willie Style, Jamie Hunter of Rolling Stone identified themes including multiculturalism and monogamy, commenting that Smith tells "the larger story of rap values tweaking the American dream, of how he's come to terms with the conflict between the neighborhood and the global cineplex".[5] The musical production on Big Willie Style is focused largely around samples of disco and soul music acts from the 1980s.[5][1] Artists sampled include Sister Sledge ("He's the Greatest Dancer" on "Gettin' Jiggy wit It"), Stevie Wonder ("Ribbon in the Sky" on "Chasing Forever") and The Whispers ("And the Beat Goes On" on "Miami").[4]

Promotion and release edit

The release of Big Willie Style was preceded by the release of the single "Men in Black" on June 3, 1997,[7] originally released on Men in Black: The Album. The title track to the homonymous film was a commercial success, topping singles charts in Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, New Zealand, Switzerland and the United Kingdom,[8] where it remained atop the chart for four weeks.[9] "Just Cruisin'" was released as the album's second single on November 25, 1997,[10] charting at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart.[9] However, the remix is only featured on the European reissue of the album.[citation needed] On January 26, 1998,[11] "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" was released on February 10, 1998, as the third single from the album to great commercial success – it became the first single by Smith to top the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart,[12] and also reached the top ten in numerous other regions. "Just the Two of Us" and "Miami" were released as the final two singles from the album in July and November 1998,[13][14] respectively, and both enjoyed mild commercial success in the US by reaching the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100;[12] the singles were more successful in the UK, however, where they reached number two and number three on the UK Singles Chart, respectively.[9]

Reception edit

Commercial edit

Big Willie Style was a commercial success. Reaching a peak position of number eight on the US Billboard 200 chart, it remained on the chart for a total of 99 weeks.[15] On the UK Albums Chart, the record entered at number 63 in December 1997, remaining in the top 100 for 29 weeks; in July the following year the album returned to the top 100, and by January 1999 it had reached its peak position of number nine.[9] In total, the album spent 87 weeks in the UK top 100, during three separate periods.[9] Other regions in which the album peaked in the top ten include France (#5), Norway (#8) and the Netherlands (#9).[16][17] In 1999, Billboard reported that Big Willie Style had been the 39th best-selling pop album of the period between 1990 and 1999.[18]

By July 2000, Big Willie Style had been certified nine times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, indicating nine million shipped units in United States.[19] According to Nielsen, US sales stand at six million sold copies, as of 2013.[20] The album is also certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association, indicating Australian sales of over 35,000 units,[21] double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry, indicating sales in the UK of over 600,000 units,[22] and six times platinum by Music Canada, indicating Canadian sales of over 600,000 units.[23]

Critical edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [1]
Christgau's Consumer Guide [24]
Entertainment WeeklyC−[2]
Music Week     [25]
NME3/10[26]
Rolling Stone     [5]

Media response to Big Willie Style was mixed. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of website AllMusic awarded the album four out of five stars, praising Smith's "trademark ... friendly, humorous pop-rap" style, which he pointed out had been modernised since his releases with DJ Jazzy Jeff.[1] In particular, Erlewine highlighted the songs "Gettin' Jiggy wit It", "Candy", "I Loved You" and "Men in Black" as "among his best" songs.[1] Rolling Stone writer James Hunter was similarly positive, describing the album as "wickedly well-conceived", praising the album's "delicious party jams" and noting "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" and "Yes Yes Y'All" as particular highlights.[5] He concludes by praising the lyrical themes of the album, dubbing Big Willie Style "an exceptional megacelebrity album".[5]

Entertainment Weekly writer Jim Farber, however, slated the album, describing it as being full of "nonstop pop-rap clichés" and claiming that "The musical world suffered no great loss when Will Smith ditched rapping for acting".[2] Village Voice critic Robert Christgau categorised the singles "Gettin' Jiggy wit It", "Just the Two of Us" and "Miami" as "good [songs] on an album that isn't worth your time or money".[24] NME writer Andy Crysell also gave the album a negative review, calling Will Smith "the Cliff Richard of rap", as well as saying that the album was "explicitly awful" with "nary a redeeming feature on show".[26]

Accolades and awards edit

Big Willie Style earned Smith recognition at a number of music industry awards ceremonies. At the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards, the music video for "Men in Black" won the award for Best Video from a Film, and received nominations for Best Male Video, Best Choreography and Best Special Effects.[27] Smith won again at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards, receiving awards for Best Male Video and Best Rap Video for "Just the Two of Us" and "Gettin' Jiggy wit It", respectively, as well as nominations for Video of the Year, Best Dance Video, Best Choreography and Viewer's Choice, all for "Gettin' Jiggy wit It".[28] "Miami" won the award for Best Male Video and received nominations for Best Special Effects and Best Cinematography at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards.[29]

Smith won his third and fourth Grammy Awards for his work on Big Willie Style – "Men in Black" won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 40th Grammy Awards in February 1998,[30] and Smith retained the award the following year at the 41st Grammy Awards, when he won for "Gettin' Jiggy wit It".[31] At the 26th American Music Awards in January 1999, he was nominated in the categories of Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist (which he lost to Eric Clapton) and Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist (which he won), while the album was nominated for Favorite Pop/Rock Album and Favorite Soul/R&B Album, both of which it won.[32] Also in 1999, Smith received three NAACP Image AwardsEntertainer of the Year, Outstanding Music Video (for "Just the Two of Us") and Outstanding Rap Artist, and was named Favorite Singer at the 1999 Kids' Choice Awards.[33]

In 2000, music television network VH1 compiled their 100 Greatest Dance Songs list, including Smith's Big Willie Style single "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" at number 100.[34]

Track listing edit

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro" 1:51
2."Y'all Know"Heard3:57
3."Gettin' Jiggy wit It"
3:47
4."Candy" (featuring Larry Blackmon and Cameo)
  • L.E.S.
  • Poke & Tone
3:56
5."Chasing Forever"
  • Poke & Tone
  • L.E.S.[a]
4:15
6."Keith B-Real I" (interlude) 
  • Poke & Tone
  • Smith[a]
1:07
7."Don't Say Nothin'"
  • Smith
  • Keith Pelzer
  • Toby
4:22
8."Miami"
  • L.E.S.
  • Poke & Tone
3:17
9."Yes Yes Y'all" (featuring Camp Lo)
  • Poke & Tone
  • L.E.S.[a]
4:23
10."I Loved You"
  • Townes
  • Pelzer
  • Roane
  • Toby[a]
4:12
11."Keith B-Real II" (interlude) 
  • Poke & Tone
  • Smith[a]
0:30
12."It's All Good"Townes4:04
13."Just the Two of Us"
Curtis "Sauce" Wilson5:15
14."Keith B-Real III" (interlude) 
  • Poke & Tone
  • Smith[a]
1:54
15."Big Willie Style" (featuring Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes)
  • L.E.S.
  • Poke & Tone[a]
3:35
16."Men in Black"Poke & Tone3:47
17."Just Cruisin'" (Remix) (European re-release)
  • Smith
  • Jones
  • Olivier
  • Barnes
  • Poke & Tone
4:14
Total length:54:12
Notes[4]
  • ^a signifies a co-producer
  • "Intro", "Keith B-Real I", "Keith B-Real II" and "Keith B-Real III" features additional vocals by Jamie Foxx, portraying the character Keith B-Real
  • "Intro" features additional vocals by Mia Pitts
  • "Chasing Forever" features additional vocals by Kenny Greene and Trey Lorenz
  • "Keith B-Real I" features additional vocals by Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith
  • "I Loved You" features additional vocals by Ryan Toby and Valvin Roane
  • "It's All Good" features additional vocals by Tia Mintze
  • "Just the Two of Us" features additional vocals by Jeff "Fuzzy" Young and Tricia Covington
  • "Men in Black" features additional vocals by Coko
  • "Just Cruisin'" features additional vocals by Tichina Arnold
Sample credits[4]

Personnel edit

Personnel credits adapted from liner notes.[4]

  • Rich Travali – mixing (tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 14, 15 and 17)
  • Ken "Duro" Ifillengineering (tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 15 and 17), mixing (track 9)
  • Robert Burnette – mixing assistance (tracks 5, 8, 9, 15 and 17)
  • Jean-Claude "Poke" Olivier – engineering (tracks 1, 6, 11 and 14)
  • Ian Dalsemer – mixing assistance (tracks 2, 7, 10, 12)
  • Jonathan Pinks – mixing assistance (tracks 2, 7, 10, 12)
  • Chris Ribando – mixing assistance (tracks 3, 4, 5 and 17)
  • David Foreman – guitar (tracks 3, 4, 9 and 15)
  • Lanar "Kern" Brantley – bass (tracks 3, 4, 9 and 15)
  • Timothy "Tyme" Riley – keyboards (tracks 3, 5, 9 and 15)
  • DJ Jazzy Jeffscratches (tracks 3, 7, 9 and 12), engineering (track 12)
  • Keith Winfield – keyboards (tracks 4, 8 and 17)
  • Poke & Tonedrum programming (tracks 5, 9 and 16)
  • Rob Chiarelli – additional drum programming (tracks 7, 10, 12), mixing (tracks 2, 7, 10, 12)
  • Keith Pelzer – engineering (tracks 7, 10)
  • L.E.S. – drum programming (tracks 8 and 17)
  • Curtis "Sauce" Wilson – all instruments (track 13)
  • Tony Maserati – mixing (track 16)
  • Commissioner Gordon – mixing (track 16)

Chart positions edit

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[60] Gold 35,000^
Belgium (BEA)[61] Gold 25,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[62] 6× Platinum 600,000^
France (SNEP)[63] 2× Gold 200,000*
Netherlands (NVPI)[64] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[65] Platinum 15,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[66] Gold 25,000*
Sweden (GLF)[67] Gold 40,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[68] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[69] 2× Platinum 600,000^
United States (RIAA)[70] 9× Platinum 9,000,000^
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[71] 2× Platinum 2,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Big Willie Style - Will Smith". AllMusic. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Farber, Jim (January 17, 2015). . Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  3. ^ James Hunter (1999-12-07). "The Fresh Prince of West Philly turns hip hop into a love rollercoaster". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Big Willie Style (Media notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1997.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ^ a b c d e f Hunter, James (November 24, 1997). . Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 17, 2007. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  6. ^ Hunte, Justin (December 18, 2012). "Jamie Foxx Says Being Called the N-Word Growing Up Prepared Him for "Django Unchained"". HipHopDX. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  7. ^ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1199. May 30, 1997. pp. 65, 77.
  8. ^ "Will Smith – Men in Black". Australiancharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  9. ^ a b c d e f "Will Smith | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  10. ^ "Will Smith: Just Cruisin'". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  11. ^ Faison, Datu (February 21, 1998). "Datu Faison's Rhythm Section". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 8. p. 26.
  12. ^ a b . Billboard. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  13. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. July 18, 1998. p. 29.
  14. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. November 21, 1998. p. 23.
  15. ^ a b "Will Smith Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  16. ^ a b "Lescharts.com – Will Smith – Big Willie Style". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  17. ^ a b "Dutchcharts.nl – Will Smith – Big Willie Style" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  18. ^ Mayfield, Geoff (December 25, 1999). "Top Pop Albums of the '90s". 1999: The Year in Music. p. YE-20. Retrieved April 11, 2015. {{cite book}}: |magazine= ignored (help)
  19. ^ "Certification Criteria". Gold & Platinum. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  20. ^ Payne, Chris (21 May 2013). "Kanye West Is 'Pushing' Will Smith to Make New Music". Billboard. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  21. ^ . Accreditations. Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on June 11, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  22. ^ . British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on January 20, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2015. Note: User must manually search for "Will Smith" using the search function.
  23. ^ "Search Results for "Big Willie Style"". Gold/Platinum Searchable Database. Music Canada. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  24. ^ a b Christgau, Robert (2000). "CG Book '90s: S". Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s. Macmillan. ISBN 0312245602. Retrieved March 30, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  25. ^ "Reviews: Albums" (PDF). Music Week. November 15, 1997. p. 10. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  26. ^ a b Crysell, Andy (8 November 1997). . NME. Archived from the original on 17 August 2000. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  27. ^ "1997 MTV Video Music Awards". Rock on the Net. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  28. ^ "1998 MTV Video Music Awards". Rock on the Net. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  29. ^ "1999 MTV Video Music Awards". Rock on the Net. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  30. ^ "40th Grammy Awards". Rock on the Net. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  31. ^ "41st Grammy Awards". Rock on the Net. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  32. ^ "26th American Music Awards". Rock on the Net. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  33. ^ "Will Smith". Rock on the Net. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  34. ^ "VH1: 100 Greatest Dance Songs". Rock on the Net. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  35. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Will Smith – Big Willie Style". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  36. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Will Smith – Big Willie Style" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  37. ^ "Ultratop.be – Will Smith – Big Willie Style" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  38. ^ "Ultratop.be – Will Smith – Big Willie Style" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  39. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  40. ^ "Top 10 R&B Albums". The Gazette. February 5, 1998. p. C5 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  42. ^ "Charts.nz – Will Smith – Big Willie Style". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  43. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Will Smith – Big Willie Style". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  44. ^ 26, 1999/40/ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  45. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Will Smith – Big Willie Style". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  46. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Will Smith – Big Willie Style". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  47. ^ 26, 1999/115/ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  48. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  49. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1998". Ultratop. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  50. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1998". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  51. ^ "Top de l'année Top Albums 1998" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  52. ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1998". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  53. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1998". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  54. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1998". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  55. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1999". Ultratop. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  56. ^ "Top de l'année Top Albums 1999" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  57. ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1999". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  58. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  59. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1999". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  60. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  61. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 1999". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  62. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Will Smith – Big Willie Style". Music Canada.
  63. ^ "French album certifications – Will Smith – Big Willie Styles" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  64. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Will Smith – Big Willie Style" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 6 January 2019. Enter Big Willie Style in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1998 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  65. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Will Smith – Big Willie Style". Recorded Music NZ.
  66. ^ (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  67. ^ (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17.
  68. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Big Willie Style')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  69. ^ "British album certifications – Will Smith – Big Willie Style". British Phonographic Industry.
  70. ^ "American album certifications – Will Smith – Big Willie Style". Recording Industry Association of America.
  71. ^ . International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 6 January 2019.

External links edit

  • Big Willie Style at Discogs (list of releases)

willie, style, debut, solo, album, american, rapper, actor, will, smith, released, november, 1997, columbia, records, album, primarily, produced, poke, tone, with, other, contributors, including, smith, former, collaborator, jazzy, jeff, album, first, released. Big Willie Style is the debut solo album by American rapper and actor Will Smith It was released on November 25 1997 by Columbia Records The album was primarily produced by Poke amp Tone with other contributors including L E S and Smith s former collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff The album was the first to be released by Smith since 1993 s Code Red the last by the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff amp the Fresh Prince Five singles were released including Smith s first US Billboard Hot 100 number one Gettin Jiggy wit It Big Willie StyleStudio album by Will SmithReleasedNovember 25 1997 1997 11 25 Recorded1996 1997StudioThe Hit Factory New York City Right Track New York City A Touch of Jazz Philadelphia Pennsylvania The Hacienda Los Angeles California Pacifique Los Angeles California GenrePop rap 1 2 3 Length54 12LabelColumbiaProducerPoke amp Tone also exec L E S Will SmithJeff TownesKeith PelzerRyan TobyAndreao HeardValvin RoaneSauceWill Smith chronologyBig Willie Style 1997 Willennium 1999 Singles from Big Willie Style Men in Black Released June 3 1997 1997 06 03 Just Cruisin Released November 25 1997 1997 11 25 EU Gettin Jiggy wit It Released February 10 1998 1998 02 10 Just the Two of Us Released July 20 1998 1998 07 20 Miami Released November 23 1998 1998 11 23 After releasing five albums with DJ Jazzy Jeff Smith turned his focus to acting and appeared in such films as Bad Boys and Independence Day before returning to the studio in 1996 The following year he starred in Men in Black for which he recorded the song of the same name and topped the singles charts in several countries Big Willie Style was released later in the year reaching the top ten of the US Billboard 200 the UK Albums Chart and several other international charts Contents 1 Recording and production 2 Composition and lyrics 3 Promotion and release 4 Reception 4 1 Commercial 4 2 Critical 5 Accolades and awards 6 Track listing 7 Personnel 8 Chart positions 8 1 Weekly charts 8 2 Year end charts 9 Certifications 10 References 11 External linksRecording and production editRecording for Big Willie Style took place mainly in New York City with producers Poke amp Tone and L E S four tracks each were recorded at The Hit Factory Y all Know Chasing Forever Miami and Just Cruisin and Right Track Studios Gettin Jiggy wit It Candy Yes Yes Y all and Big Willie Style 4 Three tracks Don t Say Nothin I Loved You and It s All Good were recorded at DJ Jazzy Jeff s A Touch of Jazz Studios in Smith s hometown of Philadelphia Pennsylvania and Just the Two of Us was recorded at Pacifique Recording Studios in Los Angeles California with producer Curtis Sauce Wilson 4 Other contributing producers were Keith Pelzer Ryan Toby both on Don t Say Nothin and I Love You Andreao Heard Y all Know and Valvin Roane I Loved You 4 The songs on the album are broken up by a number of interludes featuring exchanges between Smith and the fictional character Keith B Real a hilarious magazine editor and motivational tape artist 5 B Real is voiced by actor Jamie Foxx 6 All four of the Keith B Real skits including Intro were recorded by Jean Claude Olivier Poke of Poke amp Tone at The Hacienda in Los Angeles California and were co produced by Smith 4 Composition and lyrics editAs with Smith s previous releases with DJ Jazzy Jeff Big Willie Style showcases a radio friendly pop rap sound with non explicit lyrics 1 Speaking about the lyrics on Big Willie Style Jamie Hunter of Rolling Stone identified themes including multiculturalism and monogamy commenting that Smith tells the larger story of rap values tweaking the American dream of how he s come to terms with the conflict between the neighborhood and the global cineplex 5 The musical production on Big Willie Style is focused largely around samples of disco and soul music acts from the 1980s 5 1 Artists sampled include Sister Sledge He s the Greatest Dancer on Gettin Jiggy wit It Stevie Wonder Ribbon in the Sky on Chasing Forever and The Whispers And the Beat Goes On on Miami 4 Promotion and release editThe release of Big Willie Style was preceded by the release of the single Men in Black on June 3 1997 7 originally released on Men in Black The Album The title track to the homonymous film was a commercial success topping singles charts in Australia Belgium France Germany New Zealand Switzerland and the United Kingdom 8 where it remained atop the chart for four weeks 9 Just Cruisin was released as the album s second single on November 25 1997 10 charting at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart 9 However the remix is only featured on the European reissue of the album citation needed On January 26 1998 11 Gettin Jiggy wit It was released on February 10 1998 as the third single from the album to great commercial success it became the first single by Smith to top the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart 12 and also reached the top ten in numerous other regions Just the Two of Us and Miami were released as the final two singles from the album in July and November 1998 13 14 respectively and both enjoyed mild commercial success in the US by reaching the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 12 the singles were more successful in the UK however where they reached number two and number three on the UK Singles Chart respectively 9 Reception editCommercial edit Big Willie Style was a commercial success Reaching a peak position of number eight on the US Billboard 200 chart it remained on the chart for a total of 99 weeks 15 On the UK Albums Chart the record entered at number 63 in December 1997 remaining in the top 100 for 29 weeks in July the following year the album returned to the top 100 and by January 1999 it had reached its peak position of number nine 9 In total the album spent 87 weeks in the UK top 100 during three separate periods 9 Other regions in which the album peaked in the top ten include France 5 Norway 8 and the Netherlands 9 16 17 In 1999 Billboard reported that Big Willie Style had been the 39th best selling pop album of the period between 1990 and 1999 18 By July 2000 Big Willie Style had been certified nine times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America indicating nine million shipped units in United States 19 According to Nielsen US sales stand at six million sold copies as of 2013 20 The album is also certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association indicating Australian sales of over 35 000 units 21 double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry indicating sales in the UK of over 600 000 units 22 and six times platinum by Music Canada indicating Canadian sales of over 600 000 units 23 Critical edit Professional ratingsReview scoresSourceRatingAllMusic nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp 1 Christgau s Consumer Guide nbsp 24 Entertainment WeeklyC 2 Music Week nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp 25 NME3 10 26 Rolling Stone nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp 5 Media response to Big Willie Style was mixed Stephen Thomas Erlewine of website AllMusic awarded the album four out of five stars praising Smith s trademark friendly humorous pop rap style which he pointed out had been modernised since his releases with DJ Jazzy Jeff 1 In particular Erlewine highlighted the songs Gettin Jiggy wit It Candy I Loved You and Men in Black as among his best songs 1 Rolling Stone writer James Hunter was similarly positive describing the album as wickedly well conceived praising the album s delicious party jams and noting Gettin Jiggy wit It and Yes Yes Y All as particular highlights 5 He concludes by praising the lyrical themes of the album dubbing Big Willie Style an exceptional megacelebrity album 5 Entertainment Weekly writer Jim Farber however slated the album describing it as being full of nonstop pop rap cliches and claiming that The musical world suffered no great loss when Will Smith ditched rapping for acting 2 Village Voice critic Robert Christgau categorised the singles Gettin Jiggy wit It Just the Two of Us and Miami as good songs on an album that isn t worth your time or money 24 NME writer Andy Crysell also gave the album a negative review calling Will Smith the Cliff Richard of rap as well as saying that the album was explicitly awful with nary a redeeming feature on show 26 Accolades and awards editBig Willie Style earned Smith recognition at a number of music industry awards ceremonies At the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards the music video for Men in Black won the award for Best Video from a Film and received nominations for Best Male Video Best Choreography and Best Special Effects 27 Smith won again at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards receiving awards for Best Male Video and Best Rap Video for Just the Two of Us and Gettin Jiggy wit It respectively as well as nominations for Video of the Year Best Dance Video Best Choreography and Viewer s Choice all for Gettin Jiggy wit It 28 Miami won the award for Best Male Video and received nominations for Best Special Effects and Best Cinematography at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards 29 Smith won his third and fourth Grammy Awards for his work on Big Willie Style Men in Black won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 40th Grammy Awards in February 1998 30 and Smith retained the award the following year at the 41st Grammy Awards when he won for Gettin Jiggy wit It 31 At the 26th American Music Awards in January 1999 he was nominated in the categories of Favorite Pop Rock Male Artist which he lost to Eric Clapton and Favorite Soul R amp B Male Artist which he won while the album was nominated for Favorite Pop Rock Album and Favorite Soul R amp B Album both of which it won 32 Also in 1999 Smith received three NAACP Image Awards Entertainer of the Year Outstanding Music Video for Just the Two of Us and Outstanding Rap Artist and was named Favorite Singer at the 1999 Kids Choice Awards 33 In 2000 music television network VH1 compiled their 100 Greatest Dance Songs list including Smith s Big Willie Style single Gettin Jiggy wit It at number 100 34 Track listing editNo TitleWriter s Producer s Length1 Intro Poke amp ToneWill Smith a 1 512 Y all Know SmithAndreao HeardHeard3 573 Gettin Jiggy wit It SmithSamuel BarnesBernard EdwardsNile RodgersJoe RobinsonDavid PorterPoke amp ToneL E S a 3 474 Candy featuring Larry Blackmon and Cameo SmithRyan TobyLarry BlackmonTomi JenkinsL E S Poke amp Tone3 565 Chasing Forever SmithNasir JonesKenny GreeneStevie WonderPoke amp ToneL E S a 4 156 Keith B Real I interlude Poke amp ToneSmith a 1 077 Don t Say Nothin SmithKeith PelzerTobyJeff TownesPelzerToby a 4 228 Miami SmithBarnesTobyWilliam ShelbyStephen ShockleyLeon Sylvers IIIL E S Poke amp Tone3 179 Yes Yes Y all featuring Camp Lo SmithJonesRonald IsleyRudolph IsleyO Kelly Isley Jr Ernie IsleyMarvin IsleyChris JasperOliver ScottRonnie WilsonRobinsonLisa StansfieldIan DevaneyAndy MorrisPoke amp ToneL E S a 4 2310 I Loved You SmithPelzerValvin RoaneTobyJoe FarrellTownesPelzerRoaneToby a 4 1211 Keith B Real II interlude Poke amp ToneSmith a 0 3012 It s All Good SmithTownesCarvin HagginsEdwardsRodgersRobert BellRonald BellJames TaylorClaydes Charles SmithGeorge BrownRobert MickensEarl ToonDennis ThomasEumir DeodatoTownes4 0413 Just the Two of Us SmithBill WithersWilliam SalterRalph MacDonaldCurtis Sauce Wilson5 1514 Keith B Real III interlude Poke amp ToneSmith a 1 5415 Big Willie Style featuring Lisa Left Eye Lopes SmithJonesTimothy RileyMaurice WhiteWayne VaughnWanda VaughnL E S Poke amp Tone a 3 3516 Men in Black SmithPatrice RushenTerry McFaddenFred WashingtonPoke amp Tone3 4717 Just Cruisin Remix European re release SmithJonesOlivierBarnesPoke amp Tone4 14Total length 54 12 Notes 4 a signifies a co producer Intro Keith B Real I Keith B Real II and Keith B Real III features additional vocals by Jamie Foxx portraying the character Keith B Real Intro features additional vocals by Mia Pitts Chasing Forever features additional vocals by Kenny Greene and Trey Lorenz Keith B Real I features additional vocals by Smith s wife Jada Pinkett Smith I Loved You features additional vocals by Ryan Toby and Valvin Roane It s All Good features additional vocals by Tia Mintze Just the Two of Us features additional vocals by Jeff Fuzzy Young and Tricia Covington Men in Black features additional vocals by Coko Just Cruisin features additional vocals by Tichina ArnoldSample credits 4 Gettin Jiggy wit It contains a sample of He s the Greatest Dancer written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers and performed by Sister Sledge a sample of Sang and Dance written by David Porter and performed by The Bar Kays and contains an interpolation of Love Rap written by Joe Robinson and performed by Spoonie Gee Candy contains a sample of Candy written by Larry Blackmon and Tomi Jenkins and performed by Cameo Chasing Forever contains a sample of Ribbon in the Sky written and performed by Stevie Wonder Miami contains a sample of And the Beat Goes On written by William Shelby Stephen Shockley and Leon Sylvers III and performed by The Whispers Yes Yes Y all contains a sample of Here We Go Again written by Ronald Isley Rudolph Isley O Kelly Isley Jr Ernie Isley Marvin Isley and Chris Jasper and performed by The Isley Brothers and contains an interpolation of All Around the World written by Lisa Stansfield Ian Devaney and Andy Morris and performed by Stansfield and Yearning for Your Love written by Oliver Scott and Ronnie Wilson and performed by The Gap Band and Love Rap written by Joe Robinson and performed by Spoonie Gee I Loved You contains a sample of Upon This Rock written and performed by Joe Farrell It s All Good contains a sample of Good Times written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers and performed by Chic and contains an interpolation of Celebration written by Robert Kool Bell Ronald Bell James Taylor Claydes Charles Smith George Funky Brown Robert Mickens Earl Toon Dennis D T Thomas and Eumir Deodato and performed by Kool amp the Gang Big Willie Style contains a sample of Something Special written by Maurice White Wayne Vaughn and Wanda Vaughn and performed by Earth Wind amp Fire Men in Black contains a sample of Forget Me Nots written by Patrice Rushen Terry McFadden and Fred Washington and performed by Rushen Just Cruisin European remix version contains a sample of Don t Take It Personal written by David Townsend Derrick Culler and David Conley and performed by Jermaine JacksonPersonnel editPersonnel credits adapted from liner notes 4 Rich Travali mixing tracks 1 3 4 5 6 8 11 14 15 and 17 Ken Duro Ifill engineering tracks 2 3 4 5 8 9 15 and 17 mixing track 9 Robert Burnette mixing assistance tracks 5 8 9 15 and 17 Jean Claude Poke Olivier engineering tracks 1 6 11 and 14 Ian Dalsemer mixing assistance tracks 2 7 10 12 Jonathan Pinks mixing assistance tracks 2 7 10 12 Chris Ribando mixing assistance tracks 3 4 5 and 17 David Foreman guitar tracks 3 4 9 and 15 Lanar Kern Brantley bass tracks 3 4 9 and 15 Timothy Tyme Riley keyboards tracks 3 5 9 and 15 DJ Jazzy Jeff scratches tracks 3 7 9 and 12 engineering track 12 Keith Winfield keyboards tracks 4 8 and 17 Poke amp Tone drum programming tracks 5 9 and 16 Rob Chiarelli additional drum programming tracks 7 10 12 mixing tracks 2 7 10 12 Keith Pelzer engineering tracks 7 10 L E S drum programming tracks 8 and 17 Curtis Sauce Wilson all instruments track 13 Tony Maserati mixing track 16 Commissioner Gordon mixing track 16 Chart positions editWeekly charts edit Chart 1997 99 PeakpositionAustralian Albums ARIA 35 26Austrian Albums O3 Austria 36 9Belgian Albums Ultratop Flanders 37 13Belgian Albums Ultratop Wallonia 38 26Canadian Albums Billboard 39 13Canadian R amp B Albums SoundScan 40 1Dutch Albums Album Top 100 17 9French Albums SNEP 16 5German Albums Offizielle Top 100 41 20New Zealand Albums RMNZ 42 17Norwegian Albums VG lista 43 8Scottish Albums OCC 44 24Swedish Albums Sverigetopplistan 45 10Swiss Albums Schweizer Hitparade 46 21UK Albums OCC 9 9UK R amp B Albums OCC 47 1US Billboard 200 15 8US Top R amp B Hip Hop Albums Billboard 48 9 Year end charts edit Chart 1998 PositionBelgian Albums Ultratop Flanders 49 70Dutch Albums Album Top 100 50 50French Albums SNEP 51 41UK Albums OCC 52 34US Billboard 200 53 8US Top R amp B Hip Hop Albums Billboard 54 20Chart 1999 PositionBelgian Albums Ultratop Flanders 55 81French Albums SNEP 56 49UK Albums OCC 57 63US Billboard 200 58 28US Top R amp B Hip Hop Albums Billboard 59 60Certifications editRegion Certification Certified units salesAustralia ARIA 60 Gold 35 000 Belgium BEA 61 Gold 25 000 Canada Music Canada 62 6 Platinum 600 000 France SNEP 63 2 Gold 200 000 Netherlands NVPI 64 Gold 50 000 New Zealand RMNZ 65 Platinum 15 000 Norway IFPI Norway 66 Gold 25 000 Sweden GLF 67 Gold 40 000 Switzerland IFPI Switzerland 68 Gold 25 000 United Kingdom BPI 69 2 Platinum 600 000 United States RIAA 70 9 Platinum 9 000 000 SummariesEurope IFPI 71 2 Platinum 2 000 000 Sales figures based on certification alone Shipments figures based on certification alone References edit a b c d e f Erlewine Stephen Thomas Big Willie Style Will Smith AllMusic Retrieved April 10 2015 a b c Farber Jim January 17 2015 Big Willie Style Entertainment Weekly Archived from the original on April 11 2015 Retrieved April 10 2015 James Hunter 1999 12 07 The Fresh Prince of West Philly turns hip hop into a love rollercoaster The Village Voice Retrieved 2019 09 27 a b c d e f g h Big Willie Style Media notes Will Smith Columbia Records 1997 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link a b c d e f Hunter James November 24 1997 Will Smith Big Willie Style Rolling Stone Archived from the original on February 17 2007 Retrieved April 10 2015 Hunte Justin December 18 2012 Jamie Foxx Says Being Called the N Word Growing Up Prepared Him for Django Unchained HipHopDX Retrieved April 10 2015 New Releases Radio amp Records No 1199 May 30 1997 pp 65 77 Will Smith Men in Black Australiancharts com Hung Medien Retrieved April 10 2015 a b c d e f Will Smith Artist Official Charts UK Albums Chart Retrieved April 10 2015 Will Smith Just Cruisin GfK Entertainment Retrieved January 17 2022 Faison Datu February 21 1998 Datu Faison s Rhythm Section Billboard Vol 110 no 8 p 26 a b Will Smith Album amp Song Chart History Billboard Archived from the original on September 30 2015 Retrieved April 11 2015 New Releases Singles Music Week July 18 1998 p 29 New Releases Singles Music Week November 21 1998 p 23 a b Will Smith Chart History Billboard 200 Billboard Retrieved April 10 2015 a b Lescharts com Will Smith Big Willie Style Hung Medien Retrieved April 10 2015 a b Dutchcharts nl Will Smith Big Willie Style in Dutch Hung Medien Retrieved April 10 2015 Mayfield Geoff December 25 1999 Top Pop Albums of the 90s 1999 The Year in Music p YE 20 Retrieved April 11 2015 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a magazine ignored help Certification Criteria Gold amp Platinum Recording Industry Association of America Retrieved March 16 2019 Payne Chris 21 May 2013 Kanye West Is Pushing Will Smith to Make New Music Billboard Retrieved 16 March 2019 1999 Albums Accreditations Australian Recording Industry Association Archived from the original on June 11 2011 Retrieved April 10 2015 Certified Awards British Phonographic Industry Archived from the original on January 20 2013 Retrieved April 11 2015 Note User must manually search for Will Smith using the search function Search Results for Big Willie Style Gold Platinum Searchable Database Music Canada Retrieved April 11 2015 a b Christgau Robert 2000 CG Book 90s S Christgau s Consumer Guide Albums of the 90s Macmillan ISBN 0312245602 Retrieved March 30 2019 via robertchristgau com Reviews Albums PDF Music Week November 15 1997 p 10 Retrieved September 20 2022 a b Crysell Andy 8 November 1997 Will Smith Big Willie Style NME Archived from the original on 17 August 2000 Retrieved 17 November 2019 1997 MTV Video Music Awards Rock on the Net Retrieved April 11 2015 1998 MTV Video Music Awards Rock on the Net Retrieved April 11 2015 1999 MTV Video Music Awards Rock on the Net Retrieved April 11 2015 40th Grammy Awards Rock on the Net Retrieved April 11 2015 41st Grammy Awards Rock on the Net Retrieved April 11 2015 26th American Music Awards Rock on the Net Retrieved April 11 2015 Will Smith Rock on the Net Retrieved April 11 2015 VH1 100 Greatest Dance Songs Rock on the Net Retrieved April 11 2015 Australiancharts com Will Smith Big Willie Style Hung Medien Retrieved April 10 2015 Austriancharts at Will Smith Big Willie Style in German Hung Medien Retrieved April 10 2015 Ultratop be Will Smith Big Willie Style in Dutch Hung Medien Retrieved April 10 2015 Ultratop be Will Smith Big Willie Style in French Hung Medien Retrieved April 10 2015 Will Smith Chart History Canadian Albums Billboard Retrieved April 11 2015 Top 10 R amp B Albums The Gazette February 5 1998 p C5 via Newspapers com Longplay Chartverfolgung at Musicline in German Musicline de Phononet GmbH Retrieved April 10 2015 Charts nz Will Smith Big Willie Style Hung Medien Retrieved April 10 2015 Norwegiancharts com Will Smith Big Willie Style Hung Medien Retrieved April 10 2015 26 1999 40 Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Swedishcharts com Will Smith Big Willie Style Hung Medien Retrieved April 10 2015 Swisscharts com Will Smith Big Willie Style Hung Medien Retrieved April 10 2015 26 1999 115 Official R amp B Albums Chart Top 40 Official Charts Company Will Smith Chart History Top R amp B Hip Hop Albums Billboard Retrieved April 10 2015 Jaaroverzichten 1998 Ultratop Retrieved August 22 2020 Jaaroverzichten Album 1998 dutchcharts nl Retrieved August 22 2020 Top de l annee Top Albums 1998 in French SNEP Retrieved August 22 2020 End of Year Album Chart Top 100 1998 Official Charts Company Retrieved August 22 2020 Top Billboard 200 Albums Year End 1998 Billboard Retrieved August 22 2020 Top R amp B Hip Hop Albums Year End 1998 Billboard Retrieved August 22 2020 Jaaroverzichten 1999 Ultratop Retrieved August 22 2020 Top de l annee Top Albums 1999 in French SNEP Retrieved August 22 2020 End of Year Album Chart Top 100 1999 Official Charts Company Retrieved August 22 2020 Top Billboard 200 Albums Year End 1999 Billboard Retrieved August 22 2020 Top R amp B Hip Hop Albums Year End 1999 Billboard Retrieved August 22 2020 ARIA Charts Accreditations 1999 Albums PDF Australian Recording Industry Association Retrieved December 26 2017 Ultratop Goud en Platina albums 1999 Ultratop Hung Medien Retrieved 3 October 2018 Canadian album certifications Will Smith Big Willie Style Music Canada French album certifications Will Smith Big Willie Styles in French Syndicat National de l Edition Phonographique Dutch album certifications Will Smith Big Willie Style in Dutch Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld en geluidsdragers Retrieved 6 January 2019 EnterBig Willie Style in the Artiest of titel box Select 1998 in the drop down menu saying Alle jaargangen New Zealand album certifications Will Smith Big Willie Style Recorded Music NZ IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993 2011 in Norwegian IFPI Norway Retrieved 6 January 2019 Guld och Platinacertifikat Ar 1987 1998 PDF in Swedish IFPI Sweden Archived from the original PDF on 2011 05 17 The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community Awards Big Willie Style IFPI Switzerland Hung Medien Retrieved December 26 2017 British album certifications Will Smith Big Willie Style British Phonographic Industry American album certifications Will Smith Big Willie Style Recording Industry Association of America IFPI Platinum Europe Awards 2004 International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Retrieved 6 January 2019 External links editBig Willie Style at Discogs list of releases Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Big Willie Style amp oldid 1217325305, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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