"Nigga What, Nigga Who" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Single by Jay-Z featuring Amil & Big Jaz | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
from the album Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Released | November 30, 1999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Format | 12-inch single, CD, Vinyl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recorded | 1998 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Genre | Hip hop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Length | 3:53 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Label | Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Writer(s) | S. Carter J. Burks T. Mosley |
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Producer | Timbaland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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"Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)" is the final single from rapper Jay-Z's third album Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life. The song is produced by Timbaland and features two artists: Big Jaz, who raps one verse and Amil, who sings the track's chorus. The song is a popular track among fans, who think it is a great showcase for Jay-Z's raw talent, and is some of his fastest rapping work.
The song's title was changed to "Jigga What, Jigga Who" to avoid airing the word "nigga".
In 2004, the song was mashed with Linkin Park's "Faint" in the six track EP Collision Course.
Contents |
The song is based on a slow beat subdivided into an intricate pattern of staccato 32nd notes. The lyrical content is delivered extremely fast, matching the 32nd-note rhythm:
Motherfuckers wanna act loco
Hit 'em wit, numerous shots with the fo'-fo'
Faggots wanna talk to po-po's, smoke 'em like cocoa
Fuck rap, coke by the boatload
Fuck that, on the run-by, gun high, one eye closed
Left holes through some guy clothes
Stop your bullshittin', glock with the full clip
Motherfuckers better duck when the fool spit
One shot could make a nigga do a full flip
See the nigga layin' shocked when the bullet hit
On the mash up with Linkin Park, Jay-Z delivered the lines even quicker to fit with the music for "Faint".
Chart (1998) | Peak position |
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U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 84 |
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | 23 |
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