Drop It Like It's Hot

Album: R & G (Rhythm & Gangsta) : The Masterpiece (2004)
Charted: 10 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The expression "Drop it like it's hot" means moving your butt down to the dancefloor, something rappers often implore women to do, as in the Lil' Jon & Eastside Boyz song "Get Low." The expression was initially popularized when it was used during a rap by Lil' Wayne on Juvenile's 1999 single "Back That Azz Up."
  • Snoop Dogg mentions his affiliation with Los Angeles gang the Crips when he raps about his "Blue Flag" (Crip colors) on the "Left Side," which he says is the "Crip Side."
  • Pharrell Williams is featured in the first verse of the song. Along with his Neptunes partner Chad Hugo, he produced the track.
  • Jay-Z did a remake of this song where he mentions R. Kelly, telling him to drop the lawsuit Kelly filed against him like it's hot.
  • Snoop Dogg Snoop rewrote and re-recorded the track in 2012 under the new title "Pocket Like It's Hot" for a campaign for US microwavable snack brand Hot Pockets.
  • In The Office episode "Sexual Harassment" (2005), Michael Scott sings this as, "Forward it like it's hot." He thinks it's an old-school hip-hop song even though it was released just a year earlier.
  • Snoop Dogg described in an interview with Audible Original's Words + Music, via Billboard how the duo's creative process for "Drop It Like It's Hot" unfolded.

    Picture the scene: Pharrell stationed at the keyboards, accompanied only by the engineer. The beat was still taking shape, but that didn't stop Pharrell from immersing himself in the music. Instead of using words, he communicated through soulful vocalizations, leaving Snoop with the task of giving those sounds meaning. "This is how this n---a operates, he don't need words," Snoop mused, imitating Pharrell's wordless melodies. "So it's up to me to make that s--t make sense!"

    According to Snoop, Pharrell laid down his verse for "Drop It Like It's Hot" first, impressing the seasoned rapper to the core. Snoop playfully remarked, "This n---a took the bar to another level... I can't let Pharrell out-rap me on my own damn song!"

    But the journey didn't end there. While Snoop was recording the song's third verse, Pharrell halted the process and offered his insight: "That third verse... it's not quite there." Just 20 minutes later, Snoop returned with a verse that hit even harder, showcasing their mutual desire for excellence. "That's what I mean when I say 'I like to be produced,'" Snoop affirmed, appreciating the collaborative artistry at play.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Bible Lyrics

Bible LyricsMusic Quiz

Rockers, rappers and pop stars have been known to quote the Bible in their songs. See if you match the artist to the biblical lyric.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.