| Big Willie Style | |
|---|---|
| File:Bigwilliestyle.jpg Studio album by Will Smith | |
|
Released |
November 25, 1997 |
|
Recorded |
June 1996 - March 1997 |
|
Studio |
The Hit Factory (New York City, NY), Right Track Studio (New York City, NY), A Touch of Jazz (Philadelphia, PA) The Hacienda (Los Angeles, CA) and Pacifique Recording Studios (Los Angeles, CA) |
|
Genre |
|
|
Length |
54:12 |
|
Label |
Columbia |
|
Producer |
Trackmasters (exec.), L.E.S., Will Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Keith Pelzer, Ryan Toby, Andreao Heard, Valvin Roane, Sauce |
Big Willie Style is the debut solo studio album by American Hip hop rapper Will Smith. It was released in November 25, 1997 under Columbia Records. Recording sessions took place in 1996 at studios in New York City, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. The album was primarily produced by Trackmasters (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 from Big Willie Style, including Smith's first US Billboard Hot 100 number one, "Gettin' Jiggy wit It".
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 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.
Track listing
- "Intro" - 1:51
- "Y'all Know" - 3:57
- "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" - 3:47
- "Candy" (feat. Larry Blackmon and Cameo) - 3:56
- "Chasing Forever" - 4:15
- "Keith B-Real I" (interlude) - 1:07
- "Don't Say Nothin'" - 4:22
- "Miami" - 3:17
- "Yes Yes Y'all" (feat. Camp Lo) - 4:23
- "I Loved You" - 4:12
- "Keith B-Real II" (interlude) - 0:30
- "It's All Good" - 4:04
- "Just the Two of Us" - 5:15
- "Keith B-Real III" (interlude) - 1:54
- "Big Willie Style" (feat. Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes) - 3:35
- "Men In Black" - 3:47
- "Just Cruisin'" * - 4:00
Samples
Y'all Know
- "ConFunkShunIzeYa" by Con Funk Shun
Gettin' Jiggy wit It
- "He's the Greatest Dancer" by Sister Sledge
- "Sang and Dance" by Bar-Kays
Candy
- "Candy" by Cameo
Chasing Forever
- "Ribbon In the Sky" by Stevie Wonder
Don't Say Nothin'
- "I Know You Got Soul" by Eric B. & Rakim
Miami
- "And the Beat Goes On" by The Whispers
Yes Yes Y'all
- "Here We Go Again" by The Isley Brothers
- "Yearning for Your Love" by The Gap Band
- "Love Rap" by Spoonie Gee
I Loved You
- "Upon This Rock" by Joe Farrell
It's All Good
- "Good Times" by Chic
- "Celebration" by Kool & the Gang
Just the Two of Us
- "Just the Two of Us" by Grover Washington, Jr.
Big Willie Style
- "Somethin' Special" by Earth, Wind & Fire
Men In Black
- "Forgets Me Not" by Patrice Rushen
Just Cruisin'
- "Don't Take It Personal" by Jermaine Jackson