Make Beats - Songs in Depth

Juicy an In Depth Look by producer and engineer Pete "Jazdout" Weis

The Beat

The beat comes from the Mtumes Billboard hit “Juicy Fruit” a 1983 hit. This is the Puff Daddy/ Bad Boy formula at its best… Go through the Billboard charts looking for something that already a hit, and its an instant hit again. In this instance though it was Biggie’s verses that made this a classic. “Juicy Fruit” was just the perfect vehicle for him. The chorus in “Juicy” is almost identical to the chorus of “Juicy Fruit” with the exception of one or two words.. They also used a different singer on the hook to change the vibe of the track. With a younger voice it sounded more current. Using another singer and changing one or two words I’m sure helped them avoid some additional publishing costs or licensing issues related to using the sample. Aside from that their were few small changes made to the loops they used. One of the most obvious changes is that the clap was down played. In the original it stands out much more.

The vocals are pretty straight forward. Big’s vocals are classic. None of the lyrics were doubled or adlibbed by Biggie. The soft adlibs in the background by Puff are also a perfect example of the Puff Daddy/ Bad Boy Formula. One of the keys to adlibs is filling in the spaces. Puff waits for open spots in Biggie’s lyrics and then just slips something in softly , not demanding to much attention but filling in the spaces. I think this style of adlib was also to inspired by the original track that Mtume did.
In contrast to the verses the chorus was sung and tripled at the least. The tracks were panned hard right and left, some of the tracks were also mixed down low into the background.

Their is a lot to say about Bigge’s verse on this song. His lyrics captured his audience in so many ways by tapping into hip hop’s history and lots of things everyone can relate to. Everything from the first lines about a “dream“of being a rap star and reading

“Word Up magazine” to being poor, missing holidays and ect. Spoke the true essence of hip hop. Rhyme after he told the story of hip hop along side of the story of Biggie smalls. This personal feel didn’t feel brainwashing like the usual radio single. Juicy had the vibe of sittin around with you friends kickin rhymes, makin and jokes and chillin. Big dropped Juicy it was like one of your boys from the block just got on.

The verse weren’t too long. They were kind of the same length your home boy could kick a freestlye before losing it.

Another thing that added to this feel was the fact that the chorus didn’t jump right in from the verses. The chorus waited a second so we could chill to the beat and vibe, then came in.
This is a classic joint.

Intro – Biggie Talking – 8 Bars

(Fuck all you hoes) Get a grip motherfucker.
Yeah, this album is dedicated to all the teachers that told me
I'd never amount to nothin', to all the people that lived above the
buildings that I was hustlin' in front of that called the police on
me when I was just tryin' to make some money to feed my daughters,
and all the niggaz in the struggle, you know what I'm sayin'?
Uh-ha, it's all good baby bay-bee, uh

Verse One:

It was all a dream
I used to read Word Up magazine
Salt'n'Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
Hangin' pictures on my wall
Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl
I let my tape rock 'til my tape popped
Smokin' weed and bamboo, sippin' on private stock
Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack
With the hat to match
Remember Rappin' Duke, duh-ha, duh-ha
You never thought that hip hop would take it this far
Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight
Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade
Born sinner, the opposite of a winner
Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner
Peace to Ron G, Brucey B, Kid Capri
Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky
I'm blowin' up like you thought I would
Call the crib, same number same hood
It's all good
Uh, and if you don't know, now you know, nigga, uh
Chorus:
You know very well who you are
Don't let em hold you down, reach for the stars
You had a go, but not that many
'cause you're the only one I'll give you good and plenty

Verse Two:

I made the change from a common thief
To up close and personal with Robin Leach
And I'm far from cheap, I smoke skunk with my peeps all day
Spread love, it's the Brooklyn way
The Moet and Alize keep me pissy
Girls used to diss me
Now they write letters 'cause they miss me
I never thought it could happen, this rappin' stuff
I was too used to packin' gats and stuff
Now honies play me close like butter played toast
From the Mississippi down to the east coast
Condos in Queens, indo for weeks
Sold out seats to hear Biggie Smalls speak
Livin' life without fear
Puttin' 5 karats in my baby girl's ears
Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool
Considered a fool 'cause I dropped out of high school
Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood
And it's still all good

Uh...and if you don't know, now you know, nigga

Verse Three:

Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis
When I was dead broke, man I couldn't picture this
50 inch screen, money green leather sofa
Got two rides, a limousine with a chauffeur
Phone bill about two G's flat
No need to worry, my accountant handles that
And my whole crew is loungin'
Celebratin' every day, no more public housin'
Thinkin' back on my one-room shack
Now my mom pimps a Ac' with minks on her back
And she loves to show me off, of course
Smiles every time my face is up in The Source
We used to fuss when the landlord dissed us
No heat, wonder why Christmas missed us
Birthdays was the worst days
Now we sip champagne when we thirst-ay
Uh, damn right I like the life I live
'Cause I went from negative to positive
And it's all...
(It's all good)

...and if you don't know, now you know, nigga, uh
Uh, uh...and if you don't know, now you know, nigga
Uh...and if you don't know, now you know, nigga, uh
Representin' B-Town in the house, Junior Mafia, mad flavor, uh
Uh, yeah, a-ight

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