Big Poppa

Album: Ready To Die (1994)
Charted: 63 6
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Big Poppa" (pronounced "Papa") was one of several nicknames for Notorious B.I.G. ("Biggie Smalls" is another). In this song, he talks about how he prefers this moniker.
  • This song takes place in a club setting, as Notorious B.I.G. raps about his prowess in attracting women and impressing other patrons with his wealth and fame. Like many of his songs, it uses clever rhymes to brag about his rap skills and rise to fame.
  • The line, "I got more Mack than Craig" is a reference to rapper Craig Mack, who was also signed to the Bad Boy record label.
  • This samples "Between the Sheets" by The Isley Brothers. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Donovan Berry - El Dorado, AR, for above 2
  • Ever wondered who the afro-sporting baby is on the cover of Ready to Die? It was revealed in 2011 that the tyke is question was Bronx-residing Keithroy Yearwood, who only made $150 for the two-hour shoot as a kid. He realized that he was the tot in the iconic photo when he was about eight years old and saw his picture looming in the city. "The first time I saw my picture somewhere was Times Square, in the big area where the big pictures go," he recalled. "To this day, I don't know why they picked me. I still think it's the afro."
  • The music video, directed by Hype Williams, features Biggie hanging out at a club with several of his famous friends, including Heavy D, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Jermaine Dupri, Aaliyah, and Sean "Puffy" Combs, to name a few.

Comments: 6

  • Maddy from Berlin WiRIP Biggie his music is superior.
  • Fa'lesha from Milwaukee WiRip big poppa his lyrics were phenomenal and to know he had help from the classics Ronald lsley and his brother is so heat much love to ms Wallace ,Faith Jan cj and teanya. And Lil Kim he will be missed and loved forever.....
  • Fine Brown Sugar from Kansas City, Moyou are the greatest big poppa
  • Dominic from Lemoyne, PaR.I.P BIGGIE
  • Demetri from Belgrade, --This song I have heard at a comrad's home
  • Nick from Waterville, Oh"Big Poppa" played a big part in the Keanu Reeves movie "Hardball", where he is forced to coach an inner-city baseball team to fulfill his community service.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

The Girl in That Song

The Girl in That SongFact or Fiction

Billie Jean, Delilah, Sara, Laura and Sharona - do you know who the girls in the songs really are?

Country Song Titles

Country Song TitlesFact or Fiction

Country songs with titles so bizarre they can't possibly be real... or can they?

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Fire On The Stage

Fire On The StageSong Writing

When you have a song called "Fire," it's tempting to set one - these guys did.