Gettin' Jiggy Wit It

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" is a 1998 hit single by rapper Will Smith, taken from his album Big Willie Style. It was his first hit produced by Poke & Tone, who replaced his long-time partner Jazzy Jeff (who did appear on the song with his record scratching techniques). It sampled the Sister Sledge song "He's the Greatest Dancer".

Will Smith created the term based off the anti-black racial epithet jigaboo thus making the litteral translation "getting African-American wit' it". The reason for such is rooted in the rich tradition of African-American musical contribution and the commonly held belief that they are good dancers and have an innate sense of rhythm. "Getting jiggy" later became part of popular culture, for instance featuring as the subject of a Ricki Lake talk show.

The record spent three weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart from March 14, 1998. This video also won a Grammy Award in 1999 for the Best Rap Song.

Preceded by
"My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion
Billboard Hot 100 number one single
March 14, 1998
Succeeded by
"All My Life" by K-Ci and JoJo